When using a UV printer for high-jet printing operations, to ensure stable equipment operation, extend its service life, and guarantee printing quality, the following operational and maintenance key points should be focused on:
1. Environmental Temperature and Humidity Control
The optimal operating temperature range for high-jet printing with a UV printer is 25-35 degrees Celsius. Excessively high temperatures may cause abnormal ink viscosity and unstable ink ejection from the printhead; excessively low temperatures can easily reduce ink fluidity and even lead to the risk of printhead clogging. Therefore, before starting the equipment, it is necessary to confirm in advance whether the temperature of the printing environment meets the requirements. If necessary, adjust the room temperature using equipment such as air conditioners or heaters to avoid the impact of temperature fluctuations on the printing effect.
2. Daily Protection and Cleaning of the Printhead
The printhead is a core component of the UV printer, highly sensitive to dust, dirt, and dried ink, which directly affects printing accuracy. The following protective measures should be taken:
1. Cleaning during Startup and Shutdown: Before each startup and after each shutdown, complete the cleaning operation according to the type of printhead. For negative-pressure printheads, the ink pressing process is required, and a lint-free cloth should be used to gently wipe off residual ink on the printhead surface; for ink pad-type printheads, click the "Clean" button in the equipment control system to clean the printhead using the ink pad.
2. Regular In-depth Maintenance: In addition to daily cleaning during startup and shutdown, it is necessary to conduct regular (recommended 1-2 times a week, with the specific frequency adjustable according to the usage frequency) in-depth inspection and cleaning of the printhead to remove dust and ink stains that may be attached, and prevent problems such as ink breakage during printing and blurred patterns caused by impurity accumulation.
3. Ink Selection and Usage Specifications
High-jet printing has high requirements for ink compatibility and purity. Improper ink selection or usage can easily cause equipment failures. The following principles should be followed:
1. Prioritize Original/Compatible Ink: Be sure to select regular brand ink that matches the printer model, and avoid using low-quality, unbranded, or mismatched ink. Inferior ink may contain more impurities, which not only reduces the color reproduction of prints but also may corrode the printhead and block the ink circuit, resulting in abnormal equipment operation.
2. Ink Storage and Replacement: Store ink in a cool and dark place to avoid direct sunlight or high-temperature environments. When replacing ink, follow the steps in the equipment operation manual to prevent air from entering the ink circuit system.
4. Equipment Startup/Shutdown and Usage Duration Control
1. Avoid Frequent Startup and Shutdown: Frequent startup and shutdown of the equipment will cause frequent fluctuations in the ink circuit pressure of the printhead, accelerate component wear, and may increase the probability of printhead clogging due to repeated ink drying at the printhead. It is recommended to keep the equipment in standby mode during operation intervals (e.g., no printing tasks within 1 hour) instead of frequent shutdowns.
2. Reasonably Control Continuous Printing Duration: Long-term continuous printing (it is recommended that a single continuous printing session does not exceed 4 hours; the specific duration can refer to the equipment load standard) will keep the printhead in a high-temperature and high-load state for a long time, which may easily cause problems such as printhead damage and uneven ink ejection. If long-term operation is required, pause for 10-15 minutes every 2-3 hours to allow the equipment to cool down and rest.
5. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Airflow Interference
1. Place the Equipment Away from Direct Sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause irreversible damage to the internal circuit components of the printer. At the same time, it may cause the ink at the printhead to solidify in advance due to high temperatures, leading to printhead clogging. In addition, high temperatures may affect the energy stability of the UV lamp and reduce the curing effect of printed patterns. Therefore, the equipment should be placed in a well-ventilated area without direct sunlight.
2. Control Environmental Airflow: During the printing process, the ink droplets ejected by the printhead are extremely small. If the air outlet of a fan or air conditioner is directly facing the equipment, it will cause the "ink flying" phenomenon—ink droplets deviate from the preset printing path, resulting in blurred patterns and rough edges. It is recommended to turn off direct-blow ventilation equipment around the equipment to maintain stable environmental airflow.
6. Adjustment of Printing Speed, Height, and Parameters
The equipment parameters should be flexibly adjusted according to the UV lamp energy, printing material characteristics, and product height. The specific precautions are as follows:
1. Matching of Speed and Height: The higher the height of the printed item, the higher the voltage required for the equipment to lift. At this time, the printing speed should be appropriately reduced to ensure that the ink droplets can be accurately attached to the material surface and fully cured. If the speed is too fast, problems such as pattern misalignment and incomplete curing may occur.
2. Taboo for High-Drop Printing: When printing high-drop items, it is strictly forbidden to place white materials such as PP paper on the printing plane. White materials will strongly reflect UV lamp light, causing the printhead to have ink solidification and clogging due to excessively high local temperature and strong light.
3. Parameter Calibration and Saving: After replacing the printing material or adjusting the printing height each time, complete operations such as "voltage calibration" and "white edge adjustment" through the equipment control system, and save the adapted parameters. It is recommended to calibrate the positioning accuracy of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis regularly (once a month) to ensure accurate printing dimensions.
7. Regular Equipment Maintenance and Manual Reference
1. Key Points of Routine Maintenance: Check the ink circuit system for ink leakage and blockage every week; clean the internal dust of the equipment (focus on cleaning components such as the UV lamp, ink pad, and guide rail) every month; add special lubricating oil to moving components such as guide rails and bearings every quarter to extend the service life of the equipment.
2. Follow Exclusive Operation Specifications: UV printers of different brands and models may have differences in operation procedures and maintenance details. In actual operations, strictly refer to the supporting "User Manual" of the equipment or follow the exclusive suggestions provided by the manufacturer to avoid failures caused by inconsistencies between general operations and equipment characteristics.
For obtaining high-definition printing operation videos or learning more equipment usage and maintenance skills, you can contact us through the following methods:
• WeChat ID: +8613168382666
• WhatsApp Number: +85244538686
