Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 4:51 PM
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Re: Epson 3000 opinions


>
> > > > The 'empty' cart that you pull out (after the light becomes
> > > > continues) still
> > > > holds 20 ml ink = 5% left.
> > >
> > > Are you sure about that?  Not when it goes to blinking is %5 left?
Next
> > > time I get a blinking, I'll weigh the cartridge.  I've never gotten a
> > solid.
> >
> > Yes, I'm sure.
>
> Ernst,
>
> I'm still very skeptical.  Referencing the service manual for the 3000:
>
> 1) p. 5-3 states that blinking is triggered by the "Ink Low".
>
> 2) p. 3-29 shows that this "Ink Low" sensor works with the little plastic
> tab on the side of the cartridge.
>
> 3) p. 2-17 is states that, what they now call "Ink End", which I believe
is
> quite obvious they meant "Ink Low" (or no matter what they call it, it's
the
> same), as that's what they call this same sensor elsewhere, and the
> cartridge sensor is listed separately...that this sensor triggers at %5.
>
> 4) We know the printer doesn't stop printing at merely blinking...
>
> It also makes no sense to me from a design standpoint, that they would
rely
> on "counting" for the "Ink Low", and then simply use the mechanical sensor
> for "Ink Out"...since one is quite deterministic (mechanical), and the
other
> not so (counting).  It makes sense, at least to me, that the mechanical
> sensor is %5 and triggers blinking, and then counting begins...until the
ink
> is determined to be "out", then solid comes on, and printing can't
continue.

It is good thing we both do not have to interprete the bible. I'm reading
exactly the opposite. So far it is clear that droplet counting is done, at
least the status monitor relies on it, service warnings as well (waste pad),
and in my interpretation also the blinking lights. I know from experience
that empty carts still contain about 20 ml. And as an industrial designer by
education I think the design makes sense, the counting process isn't
reliable for 'real empty' warnings as users can insert carts that are not
full or when the printer isn't on they can insert full carts without
resetting the counter. The printer ignores any cart empty warnings based on
the counter, it continues to print. It only stops on the mechanically
triggered warnings 'cart empty' or 'no cart inserted', that way no ink lines
will ever get empty. The counter only serves two purposes: convenient
inklevel information in the status monitor and maintenance warnings (the
last counting total isn't influenced by cart exchanges, a reset by the
serviceman brings it back to zero).

BTW, the new 9600, 7600 totally rely on droplet counting. You should see the
complaints on the 9000 list
about ink left in the carts while the chips say 'empty'. Up to 50% of the
110 ml 7600 carts. Call it progress.

As this discussion will not bring a change in our printing habits I think it
is time for me to stop here. You can have the last word and I will read it.


Ernst