This style of print engine
has been around for almost 10 years. These printers use
individual cartridges and printheads. We invented the first auto
refill system for this type of print engine.
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The new style printhead has two colors in one printhead
the older models have a separate printhead for each
color. That made more sense. All cartridges and
printheads have an expiration date and can not be use
after that date.
So far we have not found a way around the printhead
expiration date also there is no easy way to refill them
should the ink level inside the printhead drop from lack
of ink. This will cause the printhead to stop printing.
If the first one or two prints come out ok but the next
prints do not then the printhead has failed.
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Look close at this photo and you can see air in the
lines of the printer. This can cause the printhead to
fail over time. We invented a purge tool to remove this
air. With this tool we can check a CIS system or
refillable cartridges for air leaks.
HP has a problem in some of their printers. After
test a few of their models we found air leaks in the ink
supply tubes or ink supply needles. |
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Here we show the area
where we found most of the problems. As you can see when
you put in a cartridge the inner spring will collapse
exposing the ink supply needle. Around this ink needle
is where we found cracks that let air leak into the ink
supply tube of the printer. These cracks are very tiny
and it takes time for the air to be drawn into the
printhead.
There is a seal that is
held by that spring against the tip of the cartridge
making a tight fit. Never use cartridges that do not
have a metal cap over the cartridge stem. see photos
below.
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With our purge tool
you can check a system for air leaks by inserting the
tip into the cartridge and collapsing the ball check
valve inside the ink stem. Draw up on the plunger and
see if you get air bubbles instead of ink. If you get
ink the system is ok.
See the metal cap over
the ink stem make sure that your cartridges have these
metal caps. If they do not this may cause an air leak.
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To remove the air
from the ink tubes inside the printer.
1. Install the cartridges or system after
checking them first.
2. remove the printhead and you will see
the ink supply stems that the printhead plugs into. |
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3. Insert the tip of the purge
tool down into the ink supply stem.
4. Now draw up on the plunger
pulling out the air. You may have to remove the tool and
collapse the plunger and do it again.
5. If you get only air bubbles
then you have an leak some where in the printer.
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Never insert a needle into the cartridge or into the printers ink stem.
This
can damage the one way ball valve and spring causing ink to leak. We supply this
purge tool with all our refill kits, auto refill systems and refillable cartridges.
This tools sells for $ 5.99
It is a good practice to purge air from the ink lines of the
printer from time to time. We also use this tool to clean the
lines of any clog.
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