Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,
I've recently noticed a problem with one of my 7600 printers and I know I have seen something relating to this in past postings. However, I can't seem to find anything in the "Files", so here goes. This problem is happening only in the MK nozzles. As it prints a nozzle check some of the steps are lining up instead of stepping off/down as they should. I've been doing a lot of cleaning with a
natural product from Windex, no ammonia, bleach, phosphates or dyes according to the label. Therefore I believe it should be safe. I've removed the Pump Assembly to facilitate access to the head and have used this product quite liberally. All of the other nozzles are firing properly, but the MK is still out of "alignment" somehow. That's the only terminology I can think of to describe the situation. I have also run a couple of head alignments but of course it's difficult to get a good grasp of the situation with the MK in this state. In the past I have seen the term "Deflected Nozzles" and I'm wondering if this might apply to my situation and if there might be a fix, other than installing a new print head. I've just been checking the service manual and that seems like a rather daunting task when done properly. Not one I'm sure I want to tackle. The problem is
showing up mainly in the mid and darker tones of the image as one might expect. If anyone has information that might help or words of encouragement regarding the head installation, please send them along. Right now anything would be much appreciated, as I have 4 jobs waiting to be sent to that printer.

Thanks in advance to ALL. ;>)
Gary

"photog0946" <photog0946@...> wrote:


> ...  I've been doing a lot of cleaning with a
> natural product from Windex, no ammonia, ...

The ammonia is what dissolves the binder.  So, I think the Windex with ammonia is more effective.

> the MK is still out of "alignment" somehow. ...
> In the past I have seen the term "Deflected Nozzles" ...

I've had problems with deflected jets and found that cleaning the bottom of the head with a strip of cloth bias tape soaked with Windex (with ammonia) worked well.  I've also used strips of paper towels to do this, but the bias tape is easier and is now one of the supplies I always keep around.  Any outlet that carries sewing supplies will have it.  I cut a strip long enough so that after the head is pulled over the soaded strip I can grab both ends of the tape and pull it back and forth acrross the bottom of the head.  Usually one cleaning cycle is needed after this procedure.

It's a cheap and easy procedure.  So, it seems worth a try before you pay for a new head.

Good luck.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

I just had a nasty, nasty clog in my K channel.  I tried just about 
everything, including under head cleaning, running window cleaner with 
ammonia through that channel...  Finally, and right before I was about 
to throw the whole kit and kaboodle in the trash, I contacted Ink 
Republic, the makers of my CIS.  They sent me their UFO cleaning kit, 
which consists of two special cartridges, two syringes and some cleaning 
fluid.  I installed the special cartridge in the clogged channel, which 
allowed me to use a syringe to inject cleaning fluid right into the 
head.  I followed the instructions at Inkrepublic.com.  It worked very well.

Hi Paul,
I've just spent the better part of another day cleaning the head. I've removed the pump assembly so that I have total access to the head from the back. Lint free paper towels soaked with Windex(no ammonia) and still the strange nozzle check with what appears to be deflection, as I understand it. Since I hadn't been able to find the previous posts relating to this method for head cleaning, I thought I remembered that ammonia was a NO NO. Obviously I was mistaken. Today, Sue Williams, another member of this forum, dropped in and gave me a bottle of cleaner which I used in place of the Windex. However, as I mentioned in my original post, ALL of the MK nozzles are indeed firing, but NOT in the proper pattern. I talked with a tech today as well and might arrange a service call since it has both of us stumped. Or perhaps I'll just order a 7900 and be done with it. Keep this 7600 as a parts source for the PK version that's still printing as usual. Considering the vintage of this machine, I'm not sure I want to put any large amount of money into it now. It's been a GREAT printer and certainly owes me nothing, although I would like to get at least a few more months out of it if possible. It's going to cost about $800 to have a new head installed and that's a decent start on a 7900. Another decision I didn't want to have to deal with right now, but in business these things are seldom the result of good timing, as we all know.

Thanks for the input Paul. Much appreciated!
Gary


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark" <pr_roark@...> wrote:

>
> "photog0946" <photog0946@> wrote:
> 
> 
> > ...  I've been doing a lot of cleaning with a
> > natural product from Windex, no ammonia, ...
> 
> The ammonia is what dissolves the binder.  So, I think the Windex with ammonia is more effective.
> 
> > the MK is still out of "alignment" somehow. ...
> > In the past I have seen the term "Deflected Nozzles" ...
> 
> I've had problems with deflected jets and found that cleaning the bottom of the head with a strip of cloth bias tape soaked with Windex (with ammonia) worked well.  I've also used strips of paper towels to do this, but the bias tape is easier and is now one of the supplies I always keep around.  Any outlet that carries sewing supplies will have it.  I cut a strip long enough so that after the head is pulled over the soaded strip I can grab both ends of the tape and pull it back and forth acrross the bottom of the head.  Usually one cleaning cycle is needed after this procedure.
> 
> It's a cheap and easy procedure.  So, it seems worth a try before you pay for a new head.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>

>... I thought I remembered that ammonia was a NO NO.

It's a matter of degree.  Many of us have used Windex with ammonia for years with no evidence of problems.  For example, soaking the parking pad with Windex and letting the head sit in it overnight is a standard way to deal with clogs.  It works.

> ... ALL of the MK nozzles are indeed firing, but NOT in the 
> proper pattern. ...

Yes, I've had that also.  I think little "volcanoes" of binder and pigment build up on the side of the nozzle.  The parking pad is suppose to keep this soft so that the wiper blade can knock them off, but sometimes it doesn't work.  The under-head cleaning with a Windex (with ammonia) soaked bias tape had taken care of these deflected nozzles issues for me in the past.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com