Digital BW, The Print

Steve,

> ...  The MIS 21/200 carts aren't really up to scratch.
> They are expecting their new foamless carts for the 21/2200 soon but don't
> yet have an ETA.  The current ones are very frustrating largely because
> the
> foam restricts an air bubbles (created when inserting/removing the carts)
> from dissipating, leading to bad nozzle checks etc.  ...

I just have not had much problem with them.  I've just re-loaded the 2200
carts again today, with a perfect nozzle check right off the bat.

My failure rate with the 1280 spongeless carts may be higher than the
current 2200 carts.  

I think there might be 2 things that have to be watched with these types of
carts.  First, on initial fill, there is an air bubble at the outlet that
needs to be sucked out with a bottom-fill adapter.  I use one that is a
standard MIS adapter but with the snout shortened to 7 mm.  Others use the
MIS version that has a small piece of tubing on the end.

The second problem may be if the ink is allowed to run out.  If the ink
totally runs out that air bubble will re-appear, and it may be harder to get
rid of if there is foam around the outlet.  Even if the ink does not run out
totally, if the reservoir gets low enough that there is air at the junction
between the reservoir and the foam (or screen in the spongeless carts), the
ink may solidify at the junction (screen) too much for allow new ink to pass
through when re-filled.  So, I'd check the ink carts before the ink monitor
says the ink is totally out.

Maybe I've just been lucky.  Also, my expectations may be less.  I do expect
a small percentage of carts and chips to fail, but the overall cost saving
is such that having some extras on hand is not a big deal.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com