- If you print on dimensional media, printer will have following two issues.
Ink mist
If the ink mist appears while printing, it attaches on the Inkjet nozzle surface, and it will be one of
factors of “Nozzle deflection” issue.
UV ink reflection
The UV reflection will be increased. The ink mist on the Inkjet nozzle surface is easily cured by reflection and will cause “Nozzle clogging” issues.
Preventing ink mist and UV reflection is critical for correct printer operation. Be careful when printing multi dimensional objects or uneven print surfaces.
Important:
The following pictures illustrate the most common problems.
Issue1. The print result has Ink mist on it, and it is fuzzy and the edge is not sharp.
←You can check that it is little bit “Fuzzy” and the edge is not sharp.
Issue2. The ink mist will attach to the Inkjet nozzle surface. The ink mist on the surface also attracts dust easily because it is wet. Moreover, the UV reflection cures the Ink mist. Then the ink mist will cure and cannot be removed by the cleaning function or normal daily maintenance.
←Example of the “Caked ink mist on the inkjet nozzle surface” by the UV reflection
If the surface is under this kind of “dirty” condition, the print result will have “Nozzle deflection” or the “Nozzle clogging” issue.
Important： Effective improvement method:
① Reduce the Ink mist itself
【About Convex-concave of media】
・ If the material surface has convex-concave, the height difference has to be 2.0mm or less.
(Please kindly refer to the “Precaution when printing in head gap more than 2mm ”.)
If the height difference is larger than 2.0mm, the printer gets ink mist easily, and it will be the “Nozzle deflection” or the “Nozzle clogging” issues.
【About Head gap】
・ If the printer has smaller head gap, the Ink mist will be reduced.
※Operate the “Gap check” function.
If you operate “Gap Check” function, the printer table height sensor detects the “Highest point” of media. And adjust the distance between the highest point and Inkjet nozzle surface until it reached the value you set in “Head Gap”.
【About static electricity of molded plastic】
・ If the material has less static electricity, you can also reduce the ink mist.
Use a commercially supplied electrostatic control device, or clean the media with alcohol to remove static electricity.
【About maintenance】
・ This machine has Ink mist filters in 3 areas. (See below figures)
Replace these ink mist filters at least once a month with a new one or the fan can not be strong enough to catch the ink mist.
(Refer to “Operation Manual ” [Replacing the mist fan filter] page)
② Reduce the UV reflection on the Inkjet nozzle surface
・ Never print on mirrored media or materials that may reflect UV light.
・ Make the head gap smaller to reduce the UV reflection.
・ Cover the extra table area with jig or dark color sheet.
Caution)
Check visually to avoid the following conditions when setting materials on the table before you start operating the “Gap check” function.
a. No dust or loose tape on the media surface.
b. Even if the media surface is flat if the shape is supposed to be flat, make sure it is not bent on the table.
c. No height difference between materials if you set up more than two materials.
d. If you set your media on a jig, make sure the media is not popped out from the jig.
e. Make sure the jig is flat and not bent.
These can be the one of factors of “Gap check error”, which means the “actual” head gap will be higher than the head gap you set. Because the sensor detects the higher point such as the peeled tape or dust instead of detecting the correct highest point what suppose to be the highest like the media thickness.