-
Bulk Ink systems and evaporation
This has been troubling me for some time now, and I have been wondering what others may think
For a long time I used sealed ink cartridges on my Cadet and found I used very little ink for a lot of print.
Since switching to a bulk ink system I suspect my ink usage has gone up due to the fact my refillable cartridges are open to air (and therefore prone to evaporation) which the previous sealed (but more expensive) cartridges were not.
So even though I may be using a cheaper bulk ink system – this may be offset by the fact that some of the ink is now lost due to evaporation
Any comments?
-
7 Replies
-
Phil
solvent may evaporate, but not sure if the pigment contained in the ink will?
if the solvent does evaporate would that not give problems with clogging the heads?
just thinking aloudPeter
-
Yup my thoughts too – the ink would become more concentrated which may result in the sorts of problems you have suggested on a printer that does not produce a high volume of work
-
My bulk carts are no ‘open’ so evaporation would not happen on my system……..however because you can see ink levels I find I watch the carts because of this.
I am far more aware of ink usage than I was with sealed carts…….but use no more now.
john
-
Funny you should mention this Phil as I have just had to change a bulk cartridge down to the fact that it was clogged with sediment from the ink but i don’t think this is down to evaporation. My bulk ink cartridges are sealed apart from the breather which i would assume an original cartridge has as well. This has been the only problem I have had from my ink system in about 3 yrs or more.
Steve
-
quote Steve McAdie:My bulk ink cartridges are sealed apart from the breather which i would assume an original cartridge has as well.
The original cartridges have sealed bags which collapse down allowing the ink to flow. Hence they are not open to atmosphere unlike refillable cartridges which have an open vent pipe (to prevent a vacuum forming and stopping the flow of ink).
-
Ah i see now. I put my problem down to pigment settling in the cartridge sump over the years plus contaminants getting in when it is refilled. I’m going to change all the old ones for new as a precaution. Never used any other cartridges so I have no idea if it uses more or not.
Steve
-
ah, my vent hole is nothing more then a pin-prick, to be honest i leave the screw caps slightly loose so air gets in… interesting thoughts but i suspect its very minor.
What I found with bulk ink, if things are not running well you end up with cleaning routines, this is where the money disspapears.
Log in to reply.