Digital BW, The Print

I have a 4000 loaded with carbon sepia piezotones and 3 of the K7 
inks.  I started today with a perfect nozzle check.  After 4 perfect 
prints, the 5th one was terrible.  I did another nozzle check that 
showed a completely blocked piezo nozzle.  After 3 head cleanings it 
is still not putting out ink so I turned it off and am letting it 
sit.  I print at least once a week, usually more, and I shake the 
carts weekly.  This happened once before and I got it to work the 
following day.  Any ideas what caused this and how to prevent it in 
the future?

Thanks,
Jenny

Hi Jenny,

I'm running the same setup as you, but haven't had any clogging  
problems (yet).  Is it the carbon sepia inks causing the clogs?  Jon  
Cone has commented in a few threads about how the k7 inks are  
virtually bullet proof with respect to clogging compared to the other  
piezo inks, making me wonder if the carbon sepia are less compatible  
and more likely to create problems.  As much as I like the carbon  
sepia inks, if they start causing clogs I'll get rid of them.

Carl

On Oct 24, 2005, at 5:05 PM, byushooter wrote:

> I have a 4000 loaded with carbon sepia piezotones and 3 of the K7
> inks.  I started today with a perfect nozzle check.  After 4 perfect
> prints, the 5th one was terrible.  I did another nozzle check that
> showed a completely blocked piezo nozzle.  After 3 head cleanings it
> is still not putting out ink so I turned it off and am letting it
> sit.  I print at least once a week, usually more, and I shake the
> carts weekly.  This happened once before and I got it to work the
> following day.  Any ideas what caused this and how to prevent it in
> the future?
>
> Thanks,
> Jenny



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Carl,

Yes, it's the carbon sepia causing the clogs.  No problem with the 
K7's at all.  It would sure be nice if Jon could put the piezotone 
inks into the same "slippery" base as the K7 inks.  I'm not going to 
give up the carbon sepia tone unless I absolutely have to. 

Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield 
<scho@m...> wrote:
>
> Hi Jenny,
> 
> I'm running the same setup as you, but haven't had any clogging  
> problems (yet).  Is it the carbon sepia inks causing the clogs?  
Jon  
> Cone has commented in a few threads about how the k7 inks are  
> virtually bullet proof with respect to clogging compared to the 
other  
> piezo inks, making me wonder if the carbon sepia are less 
compatible  

> and more likely to create problems.  As much as I like the carbon  
> sepia inks, if they start causing clogs I'll get rid of them.
> 
> Carl
> 
>

Hello
Im wondering how many prints Carl produces in a given week as compared
to Jenny's volume
Im considering a 4000 as well for a similiar setup and think that
maybe the CS positions need to be flowing at least every two days.
I can recall many posts in the past (not on the 4000 mind you)
regarding the frequency of operation and clogging with piezotones.
Im wondering as well if the 4000 head may have more trouble with
piezotones given its very small droplet size, and thus may require a
small purge file be run through it daily to keep things flowing.
Frank


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter"
<jellerbe@j...> wrote:

>
> Hi Carl,
> 
> Yes, it's the carbon sepia causing the clogs.  No problem with the 
> K7's at all.  It would sure be nice if Jon could put the piezotone 
> inks into the same "slippery" base as the K7 inks.  I'm not going to 
> give up the carbon sepia tone unless I absolutely have to. 
> 
> Jenny
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield 
> <scho@m...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Jenny,
> > 
> > I'm running the same setup as you, but haven't had any clogging  
> > problems (yet).  Is it the carbon sepia inks causing the clogs?  
> Jon  
> > Cone has commented in a few threads about how the k7 inks are  
> > virtually bullet proof with respect to clogging compared to the 
> other  
> > piezo inks, making me wonder if the carbon sepia are less 
> compatible  
> > and more likely to create problems.  As much as I like the carbon  
> > sepia inks, if they start causing clogs I'll get rid of them.
> > 
> > Carl
> > 
> >
>

Frank,

I haven't been printing very often with the carbon sepia (or k7)  
recently.  Perhaps once or twice a week.  No clogs yet (fingers  
crossed).  I do turn off the printer when not in use and keep it  
covered with a heavy dust cover.  I think turning off the printer  
keeps the heads parked properly and the cover may help with cutting  
down on evaporation.  I've been very pleased with prints made using  
both the CS and k7 inks.

Carl

On Oct 30, 2005, at 1:11 PM, pekozip93 wrote:

> Hello
> Im wondering how many prints Carl produces in a given week as compared
> to Jenny's volume
> Im considering a 4000 as well for a similiar setup and think that
> maybe the CS positions need to be flowing at least every two days.
> I can recall many posts in the past (not on the 4000 mind you)
> regarding the frequency of operation and clogging with piezotones.
> Im wondering as well if the 4000 head may have more trouble with
> piezotones given its very small droplet size, and thus may require a
> small purge file be run through it daily to keep things flowing.
> Frank
>
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter"
> <jellerbe@j...> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi Carl,
>>
>> Yes, it's the carbon sepia causing the clogs.  No problem with the
>> K7's at all.  It would sure be nice if Jon could put the piezotone
>> inks into the same "slippery" base as the K7 inks.  I'm not going to
>> give up the carbon sepia tone unless I absolutely have to.
>>
>> Jenny
>>
>> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield
>> <scho@m...> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hi Jenny,
>>>
>>> I'm running the same setup as you, but haven't had any clogging
>>> problems (yet).  Is it the carbon sepia inks causing the clogs?
>>>
>> Jon
>>
>>> Cone has commented in a few threads about how the k7 inks are
>>> virtually bullet proof with respect to clogging compared to the
>>>
>> other
>>
>>> piezo inks, making me wonder if the carbon sepia are less
>>>
>> compatible
>>
>>> and more likely to create problems.  As much as I like the carbon
>>> sepia inks, if they start causing clogs I'll get rid of them.
>>>
>>> Carl
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield 
<scho@m...> wrote:
>
> Frank,
> 
> I haven't been printing very often with the carbon sepia (or k7)  
> recently.  Perhaps once or twice a week.  No clogs yet (fingers  
> crossed).  I do turn off the printer when not in use and keep it  
> covered with a heavy dust cover.  I think turning off the printer  
> keeps the heads parked properly and the cover may help with 
cutting  
> down on evaporation.  I've been very pleased with prints made 
using  
> both the CS and k7 inks.
> 

I think I also recall that you said you have one unused channel with 
nothing but cleaning fluid in it, is this correct? That might help 
keep the capping station clean, and help prevent clogging too.

Yes, I'm not using the PK slot which does have a flush cart installed.

On Oct 30, 2005, at 2:01 PM, Greg wrote:

> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Carl Schofield
> <scho@m...> wrote:
>
>>
>> Frank,
>>
>> I haven't been printing very often with the carbon sepia (or k7)
>> recently.  Perhaps once or twice a week.  No clogs yet (fingers
>> crossed).  I do turn off the printer when not in use and keep it
>> covered with a heavy dust cover.  I think turning off the printer
>> keeps the heads parked properly and the cover may help with
>>
> cutting
>
>> down on evaporation.  I've been very pleased with prints made
>>
> using
>
>> both the CS and k7 inks.
>>
>>
>
> I think I also recall that you said you have one unused channel with
> nothing but cleaning fluid in it, is this correct? That might help
> keep the capping station clean, and help prevent clogging too.
>

I also have a flush cartridge in the PK slot.  And I usually print 
something 3-4 days a week.  

This current clog has become very persistent.  I have tried head 
cleanings (x3) then resting the printer.  I have puddled Windex on the 
parking pad.  And I have tried running a Windex-ed paper towel under 
the print head.  The nozzle cleared yesterday, I printed 2 8x10's then 
turned the printer off.  When I tried to restart it later in the day, 
the nozzle was plugged again.  I have tried all of the above again 
plus just printing through that one nozzle (using QTR to turn the 
others off).  I have now removed the cartridge from that nozzle and 
replaced it with a flush cartridge.  However when I try printing with 
it, no ink comes out so the flush fluid isn't making it to the head.  
The Windex is puddled on the parking pad again and I wait ....

Jenny

in situations like this (epson 3000 a few years back) I have had
success with leaving cleaning carts in for a couple days, then if
things free up at all.(I thinkyou are already there though) Go easy on
the windex as well.
there is a special solution available for desktop printers which will
purge out nasties..It may well be available for the 4000, but I dont
have any info on that..only to say that it is the same stuff that
epson uses to clear heads
frak


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter"
<jellerbe@j...> wrote:

>
> I also have a flush cartridge in the PK slot.  And I usually print 
> something 3-4 days a week.  
> 
> This current clog has become very persistent.  I have tried head 
> cleanings (x3) then resting the printer.  I have puddled Windex on the 
> parking pad.  And I have tried running a Windex-ed paper towel under 
> the print head.  The nozzle cleared yesterday, I printed 2 8x10's then 
> turned the printer off.  When I tried to restart it later in the day, 
> the nozzle was plugged again.  I have tried all of the above again 
> plus just printing through that one nozzle (using QTR to turn the 
> others off).  I have now removed the cartridge from that nozzle and 
> replaced it with a flush cartridge.  However when I try printing with 
> it, no ink comes out so the flush fluid isn't making it to the head.  
> The Windex is puddled on the parking pad again and I wait ....
> 
> Jenny
>

My sympathies, this kind of thing can ruin a perfectly good week, and
more.
You are doing all the things you should. The only remaining one you
haven't mentioned is the wiper "blade". I'm not familiar with the
4000, but in the 7600/9600s, when you move the head back out of the
way so you can see into the parking area, you'll have access to a thin
rubber blade about 2" long that sits up higher than the head path.
It gets gunked up. So clean it as best you can with a windex soaked
qtip, do it several times.
It could be several things, including dampers. The flush cart may
help, and the other suggestion of letting it sit is good. But first it
must be moved up and into the head and it sounds like it's not there
yet. The only way to get it up there is by doing deep cleaning cylces
or even an init fill.
In my experience this behavior comes and goes, for no good reason.
Even with Epson ink.
Tyler


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter"
<jellerbe@j...> wrote:

>
> I also have a flush cartridge in the PK slot.  And I usually print 
> something 3-4 days a week.  
> 
> This current clog has become very persistent.  I have tried head 
> cleanings (x3) then resting the printer.  I have puddled Windex on the 
> parking pad.  And I have tried running a Windex-ed paper towel under 
> the print head.  The nozzle cleared yesterday, I printed 2 8x10's then 
> turned the printer off.  When I tried to restart it later in the day, 
> the nozzle was plugged again.  I have tried all of the above again 
> plus just printing through that one nozzle (using QTR to turn the 
> others off).  I have now removed the cartridge from that nozzle and 
> replaced it with a flush cartridge.  However when I try printing with 
> it, no ink comes out so the flush fluid isn't making it to the head.  
> The Windex is puddled on the parking pad again and I wait ....
> 
> Jenny
>

Thanks for the help guys.  I tried head cleanings again today 
without any luck.  No ink would move through the nozzle at all.  I 
took the cover off the print head, removed the tube from the 
connection and pulled the ink through to get to the flush fluid.  
Then I tried squirting some windex through the connector on the 
print head but don't know how successful I was with that since I 
didn't have a good fit.  I put it all back together and did one more 
head cleaning and got some ink flow!  I have now printed a few purge 
prints using that one nozzle and the flush cartridge.  There is some 
banding but it least it's something.  I plan on letting that sit for 
a while then doing another nozzle check.

Thanks Tyler for the info on the wiper blade.  I'll check that with 
my next effort.

Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" 
<tyler@t...> wrote:
>
> My sympathies, this kind of thing can ruin a perfectly good week, 
and
> more.
> You are doing all the things you should. The only remaining one you
> haven't mentioned is the wiper "blade". I'm not familiar with the
> 4000, but in the 7600/9600s, when you move the head back out of the
> way so you can see into the parking area, you'll have access to a 
thin
> rubber blade about 2" long that sits up higher than the head path.
> It gets gunked up. So clean it as best you can with a windex soaked
> qtip, do it several times.
> It could be several things, including dampers. The flush cart may
> help, and the other suggestion of letting it sit is good. But 
first it
> must be moved up and into the head and it sounds like it's not 
there
> yet. The only way to get it up there is by doing deep cleaning 
cylces

> or even an init fill.
> In my experience this behavior comes and goes, for no good reason.
> Even with Epson ink.
> Tyler
>

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter" 
<jellerbe@j...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the help guys.  I tried head cleanings again today 
> without any luck.  No ink would move through the nozzle at all.  I 
> took the cover off the print head, removed the tube from the 
> connection and pulled the ink through to get to the flush fluid.  
> Then I tried squirting some windex through the connector on the 
> print head but don't know how successful I was with that since I 
> didn't have a good fit.  I put it all back together and did one 
more 
> head cleaning and got some ink flow!  I have now printed a few 
purge 
> prints using that one nozzle and the flush cartridge.  There is 
some 
> banding but it least it's something.  I plan on letting that sit 
for 
> a while then doing another nozzle check.


Don't forget to use the other colors too, you don't want those to 
clog up while you concentrate on the problem color. Since you had an 
unused "color", would it make sense to leave the cleaning cart 
installed where it is, and remap that color to the other head? Then 
you could go on printing while you are waiting for the cleaning fluid 
to do it's job. But this may be more work than it's worth.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" 
<dfaprinting@y...> wrote:
>
 Since you had an 
> unused "color", would it make sense to leave the cleaning cart 
> installed where it is, and remap that color to the other head? Then 
> you could go on printing while you are waiting for the cleaning 
fluid 
> to do it's job. But this may be more work than it's worth.
>

Hey, that's a good idea.  If I don't get this fixed in the morning I 
may look into that.  It would be a lot of work though ... I would have 
to redo my profiles in addition to switching inks/carts/chips.  But at 
least it would get me working again.

Thanks,
Jenny