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VP540 issue: Ink has stopped passing through the system!
Hi All,
I used to post in here as Splatt but as I haven’t been here for a while I think my account was deactivated.I have a problem with my VP 540. I noticed the quality of a solid black I had printed the day prior had banded so checked the test print and it was showing about 10% black firing – I also saw that one of the yellow bars was completely missing. C and M both fine.
I performed a series of cleans, working up to a powerful clean, no better.
Changed wipers, gave everything a good clean, checked there was ink in the carts, all good.
Stripped the machine down to get a better look and noticed air in a few of the ink lines, just after the Y connector. Also noticed that a yellow and both black dampers looked low.
I then tried to syringe each pipe from the capping station but got nothing but air, maybe a little dribble of ink. Capping tops look OK and cleaner flows through them.
Also I syringed the air from the dampers to get them back to half full.
Is it normal for all four cap tops to fail simultaneously? It seems there is nothing going to the waste bottle and I fear that the heads will become blocked or damaged if I don’t sort this out pronto. Yellow has gone altogether now, black is back to 75% but cyan has lost about 20%. M still fine.
The heads look like they park nice and central over the caps and there is no visible gunk anywhere!
I’m at a loss what to do next. I have a backlog of work and I’m getting moaned at not to mention losing money.
I welcome any suggestions, all I can think of is order new cap tops and dampers as these are fairly cheap components and easy to change.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on my problem!
Steve.
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10 Replies
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If it is using a pump arrangement that daisy-chains the vacuum line between the capping stations then if even just one fails then the whole system draws air through that leak…and next to no ink.
A good reason to always have at least one capping station spare.
Dave
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How can you identify the culprit? Mine all look as new (the machine is about 18months old).
I’m going to set about trying to get a set of new caps then. I believe there’s a place in Belgium, but I need them today! Trouble is I’m in Spain.Thanks for the tip David, appreciated!
Steve.
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David where in spain are you? i know of a compnay that will have the parts in mallorca if thats any help? There are quite a few roland dealers on the mainland!
regards
Dan
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sorry steve! just called you david??????
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Hi Dan,
I’m in Moraira, between Javea and Calpe. I’ve just phoned my local supplier and he has them in stock. €50 each. From Belgium they are €16 each. Looks like I’m going to wait a few days.On a plus note I have primed all the dampers and everything is firing again. I still can’t draw ink down through any of the cap stations though.
This is what I mean about weird, all four failing at once? Surely not.The assembly that lifts the caps to the heads all looks normal, no bends or twists.
I’m just going to keep a close eye on the heads until the new caps arrive. I can’t afford to lose 4 heads.
When this is sorted I’ll be sure to post the cause. I couldn’t sleep last night!
Thanks all,
Steve.
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Hi steve,
do you know if you have the "new pump" or the "old pump"? it could well be done to the pump?Dan
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Hi Dan,
From reading umpteen threads on the subject I believe it is the new pump (black pipes). -
The new caps arrived today from Belgium. That’s good service.
Fitted them in 10 minutes ran a medium clean and the test print is perfect.
I’m wondering if maybe the caps have been failing one at a time and every time the printer auto cleans it’s been drawing ink through the remaining good ones. This would explain my high magenta use.While the machine is naked I think I will give it a thorough clean. I’ve noticed the dangly bit (technical term) that the wipers brush against at the back of the machine is clogged with ink.
I have also noticed that every time the print head returns to the right during printing it lifts the capping station to the heads with a hefty clunk. Is that normal does anyone know?
Thanks for everybody’s help, I was frankly, bricking it.
Cheers,
Steve.
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Hi Steve,
dont know if its normal, but if it makes you feel any better ours clunks!
that is good service we have delivery nightmares getting stuff to Menorca!regards
Dan
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Hi Steve,
can you point me in the direction of your spares palce in belgium? just been quoted some pretty expensive prices for spares and would like to compare!cheers
Dan
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