Inkjet Printer Maintenance
- do not usually handle such high print volumes as laser printers
- maintenance focuses on paper stocking and replacing or refilling ink cartridge
- Manufacturers recommend not trying to clean inside the case
- outside of the printer can be cleaned using a soft, damp cloth
Paper Handling and Duplexing Assembly
- Most inkjets only support one paper path
- single input and output trays
- some have automatic duplexers
- some may have accessory trays
- two models:
- load from the top and output at the bottom
- both input and output bins at the bottom
- turn the paper via an “up-and-over” path
- How it works
- paper pickup mechanism
- similar to that of a laser printer
- load roller turns against the paper stack to move the top sheet
- separation roller prevents more than one sheet entering
- paper is detected by a sensor
- stepper motor controlling the paper-feed mechanism advances the paper as the print head completes each pass until the print is complete
- eject rollers then deliver the paper to the duplexing assembly or the output bin
- inkjets with a curved paper path may have a “straight-through” rear panel for bulkier media
- tend to have smaller paper trays than laser printers
- need paper restocking more often
- can use “regular” copier/laser printer paper
- better results can be obtained by using less absorbent, premium grades of paper stock, specifically designed for inkjet use
- is designed to be printed on one side only
- orient correctly when loading
Replacing Inkjet Cartridges
- print heads are often considered consumable items
- unavoidable because the print head is built into the ink cartridge
- is the case with most (but not all) thermal print heads
- Epson piezoelectric print heads are non-removable and designed to last as long as the rest of the printer components
- cartridge reservoir has sensors to detect the level of ink remaining
- color printer needs at least four reservoirs for each of the CMYK inks
- may come in:
- single cartridge
- separate cartridges for black and colored ink
- each ink may come in its own cartridge
- Some inkjets use light cyan and light magenta inks to support a wider color gamut
- inkjet’s driver software determines that a cartridge is empty, it will prompt you to replace it
- reference manual for correct procedure
Other Inkjet Maintenance Operations
- Print head alignment
- If output is skewed, use the print head alignment function from the printer’s property sheet to calibrate the printer
- done automatically when you replace the ink cartridges
- Print head cleaning
- blocked or dirty nozzle will show up on output as a missing line
- Use the printer’s cleaning cycle to try to fix the problem
- accessed via the property sheet or control panel
- If it does not work, use an inkjet cleaning product