QTR-Quadtone RIP

>...

>I've been negative on the CIS idea for years due to all 
>the bad reports, but my remaining 2200 has served well 
>and I figure it's OK to take this risk ...

I used to have a dim view of CISs also, but I'm changing my views. I bought
one of the $50 eBay "SuperJetUSA" CISs for my 2200, and it's been fine.  

The documentation is bad, the hardware that holds the tubing needed beefing
up, and the tanks need to be set at a height such that the top of the ink in
the tanks is just above the head level.

To hold the tubing, I use an aluminum bar (1/8 x 1") cut to span the printer
opening, about 12" from the left end of the printer.  I think another forum
member just used a paint stick.  I used adhesive Velcro on the ends of the
"bridge" and the printer case.  The SuperJet plastic holder was placed on
this bridge.

I cut the case -- a diagonal piece under the lip of the opening -- at the
left end of the head travel to make more room for the tubing at that end.
Packing tape made my crude cut (multiple drill holes) smooth.

To load the CIS, I used the modified MIS bottom fill adapter
(http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Modified-Bottom-Fill-Adapter.pdf), held
the carts upside down, and just pulled out all the air until the ink was
flowing.

I have the tanks sitting on an empty MIS ink cart box -- 2 inches above
where they'd be if they were just on the shelf with the printer.  The ink
will siphon either direction if the level of the top of the ink in the tanks
is too different than the head.  I suspect the viscosity of the ink and the
small nozzle size is the only guard against this.  So, if the pressure is
too great either direction, you'll either end up pouring your ink into the
waste tank or pulling air into the tubing.  Holding the ink level slightly
above the head -- like the OEM carts -- appears to be a critical aspect of
these systems.

I just turned the old 2200 on for the first time in several weeks, and it
produce a perfect nozzle check (Carbon-6).  It's been a cheap and reliable
printing platform.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com