HP Designjet T120, Designjet T520 Service Manual

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DESIGNJET T120/T520 ePrinter Series

Service Manual

© 2012 Hewlett-Packard Development

Legal notices

Company, L.P.

This document contains proprietary

 

1st edition, August 2012

information that is protected by copyright. All

 

rights are reserved. No part of this document

 

may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated

 

to another language without the prior written

 

consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.

Notices

Warranty

WARNING

WARNING

The information contained in this

The procedures described in this manual are to

document is subject to change without

be performed by HP-qualified service

notice.

personnel only.

Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Electrical Shock Hazard

Serious shock hazard leading to death or injury may result if you do not take the following precautions:

Ensure that the AC power outlet (mains) has a protective earth (ground) terminal.

Disconnect the printer from the power source prior to performing any maintenance.

Prevent water or any other liquids from running onto electrical components or circuits, or through openings in the enclosure.

Electrostatic Discharge

See the beginning of Chapter 4's Introduction on page 137 of this manual, for precautions you should take to prevent damage to the printer circuits from electrostatic discharge.

Safety Symbols

General definitions of safety symbols are given immediately after the table of contents.

The Warning symbol calls attention to a procedure, practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury. Do not proceed beyond a Warning symbol until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

CAUTION

The Caution symbol calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or all of the printer. Do not proceed beyond a Caution symbol until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Customer Assurance

Customer Experience Section

Large Format Printing Division

Hewlett-Packard Española, S.A.

Avenida Graells, 501

08174 Sant Cugat del Vallès

Spain

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Using this manual

This service manual contains information necessary to test, maintain, and service the following:

HP Designjet T120 Basic Printer 24 inch

CQ891A

 

 

HP Designjet T520 Pro Printer 24 inch

CQ890A

 

 

HP Designjet T520 Pro Printer 36 inch

CQ893A

 

 

For information about using these printers, see the user's guide.

Readership

The procedures described in this service manual are to be performed by HP Certified service personnel only.

Part numbers

Part numbers for printer service parts are located in Parts and diagrams on page 119.

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Table of contents

1 Printer fundamentals ....................................................................................................................................

1

Overview ................................................................................................................................................................

1

Using the front panel .............................................................................................................................................

1

Start-up sequence .................................................................................................................................................

3

Subsystems ............................................................................................................................................................

5

2 Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................................

33

Printer troubleshooting flowchart ......................................................................................................................

34

Basic printer troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................

35

System error codes ..............................................................................................................................................

38

Paper troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................

57

Communication troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................

62

Ink-supplies troubleshooting ..............................................................................................................................

66

Print-quality troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................

78

Update the firmware ...........................................................................................................................................

91

3 Support menus ............................................................................................................................................

95

Entering the support menus ...............................................................................................................................

96

Support menu ......................................................................................................................................................

98

Extended Support menu ...................................................................................................................................

117

4 Parts and diagrams ....................................................................................................................................

119

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................

119

Printer support ..................................................................................................................................................

120

Covers ................................................................................................................................................................

121

Roll covers .........................................................................................................................................................

122

Right-hand assemblies .....................................................................................................................................

123

Left-hand assemblies ........................................................................................................................................

125

Carriage assembly .............................................................................................................................................

127

Paper path (front) ..............................................................................................................................................

129

Paper path (rear) ...............................................................................................................................................

130

Roll supports .....................................................................................................................................................

131

Sensor Kit ...........................................................................................................................................................

132

Miscellaneous parts ...........................................................................................................................................

133

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5 Removal and installation ...........................................................................................................................

135

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................

137

Customer Self Repair parts ...............................................................................................................................

139

Videos available .................................................................................................................................................

140

Recommended checks after replacing parts ....................................................................................................

140

Top Cover ...........................................................................................................................................................

141

Front Cover ........................................................................................................................................................

144

Right Cover ........................................................................................................................................................

147

Ink Cartridge Cover ............................................................................................................................................

150

Left Cover ..........................................................................................................................................................

152

Roll Cover ...........................................................................................................................................................

154

Back Cover .........................................................................................................................................................

157

Front Panel ........................................................................................................................................................

159

Front Panel Cable ..............................................................................................................................................

165

Central Cover .....................................................................................................................................................

166

Upper-Roll Paper Guide .....................................................................................................................................

171

Left Roll Support ...............................................................................................................................................

174

Right Roll Support .............................................................................................................................................

179

Top Cover Sensor ...............................................................................................................................................

182

Top Cover Sensor Cable .....................................................................................................................................

185

Encoder Strip .....................................................................................................................................................

187

Ink Cartridge Cover PCA Assembly ....................................................................................................................

192

Power Supply .....................................................................................................................................................

196

Main PCA ............................................................................................................................................................

198

Paper Motor .......................................................................................................................................................

204

Encoder PCA and Index ......................................................................................................................................

206

Encoder Disk ......................................................................................................................................................

210

Trailing Cable .....................................................................................................................................................

213

Service Station ...................................................................................................................................................

220

Prime Pump .......................................................................................................................................................

226

Carriage and Belt ...............................................................................................................................................

229

Carriage Belt ......................................................................................................................................................

235

Right Gear Train Module ....................................................................................................................................

237

Starwheel Assembly ..........................................................................................................................................

239

Output Shaft ......................................................................................................................................................

241

Output Tray ........................................................................................................................................................

249

Multi-Sheet Tray Assembly ...............................................................................................................................

252

Multi-Sheet Tray Assembly Extensions ............................................................................................................

253

Output Platen ....................................................................................................................................................

255

Carriage Motor ...................................................................................................................................................

260

Cutter Assembly ................................................................................................................................................

264

Cutter Guide .......................................................................................................................................................

271

Out-Of-Paper Sensor .........................................................................................................................................

273

Out-Of-Paper Sensor Cable ...............................................................................................................................

276

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Output Tray Sensor Assembly ...........................................................................................................................

278

Output Tray Extender Sensor Cable ..................................................................................................................

281

Carriage Line Sensor ..........................................................................................................................................

284

Bundle Board .....................................................................................................................................................

288

Bundle Board FFC cable .....................................................................................................................................

290

Pinchwheels .......................................................................................................................................................

295

Left Spittoon ......................................................................................................................................................

301

6 Preventive maintenance ............................................................................................................................

305

Preventive maintenance ...................................................................................................................................

306

Preventive maintenance kits ............................................................................................................................

312

7 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................

315

Important links ..................................................................................................................................................

316

Front-panel home screen and menu map ........................................................................................................

317

Support menu tree ............................................................................................................................................

327

Extended Support menu tree ............................................................................................................................

328

How to check whether your computer is connected to your network .............................................................

329

Wireless troubleshooting report error cases ....................................................................................................

332

CSR fliers ............................................................................................................................................................

341

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ix

1 Printer fundamentals

Overview

Using the front panel

Start-up sequence

Subsystems

Overview

Feature

HP Designjet T120

HP Designjet T520

More information

 

 

 

 

Paper source

Roll and multi-sheet tray

See the user's guide

 

 

 

 

Hardware differences

Stand as an accessory, no roll

Stand in box, roll cover

 

 

cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Fast Ethernet LAN, USB

Important! LAN and Wi-Fi are

 

 

 

not compatible

 

 

 

Web Services

Automatic firmware upgrade

The printer needs to be

 

 

 

Internet-connected: Web

 

HP Designjet ePrint & Share

Services do not work with a

 

Printing by email

USB connection. For some

 

configurations, the latest

 

 

 

firmware release is needed.

 

 

 

Manual firmware upgrade is

 

 

 

available in both printers via

 

 

 

HP Designjet Utility (Windows)

 

 

 

or HP Utility (Mac OS). The

 

 

 

same firmware file is used for

 

 

 

T120 and T520.

 

 

 

 

Speed

70 s per page on A1/D

35 s per page on A1/D

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution

Up to 1200 × 1200 dpi

Up to 1200 × 2400 dpi

 

 

 

 

 

Memory and languages

256 MB, HP-PCL3 (processing

1 GB, HP-GL/2 (processing in

 

 

in printer)

computer)

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

HP 711 29 ml Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Ink cartridges and printhead

 

 

 

can be replaced by the

 

HP 711 38 ml and 80 ml Black

customer.

 

 

 

 

One on-axis printhead for all colors

 

 

 

 

 

Using the front panel

The front panel is a touch-sensitive screen with a graphical user interface; it is located on the front left of the printer. It gives you complete control of your printer: from the front panel, you can print, view information

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Overview 1

about the printer, change printer settings, perform calibrations and tests, and so on. The front panel also displays alerts (warning and error messages) when needed.

The front panel has a large central area to display dynamic information and icons. On the left and right sides you can see up to six fixed icons at different times. Normally they are not all displayed at the same time.

To the right of the front panel is the Power key, with which you can turn the printer on or off. The key is illuminated when the printer is on. It flashes when the printer is in transition between on and off.

Left and right fixed icons

shows the status of the wireless connection: if the blue light is shining, the wireless connection is active.

Press to return to the home screen.

Press to view help about the current screen.

Press to go to the previous item.

Press to go to the next item.

Press to go back to the previous screen.

Press to cancel the current process.

Home screen dynamic icons

The following items are displayed only on the home screen.

At the top left of the home screen is a message telling you which paper source is active.

Press to view Web Services status and display your printer’s email address.

Press to view connectivity status information and to perform network configuration. If a network cable is connected, is displayed instead.

NOTE: It is not possible to use wireless and wired network connections simultaneously.

Press to view ink information.

Press to change printer settings.

Press to load, unload, and change options for roll paper.

Press to change options for the multi-sheet tray, or to activate it.

Press to load, unload, and change options for single sheets.

Press to access HP Designjet ePrint & Share.

NOTE: The active paper source is indicated by a slightly larger icon, with a white tick in a green circle: .

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If the printer is left idle for some time, it goes into sleep mode and switches off the front-panel display. To change the time that elapses before sleep mode, press , then Printer preferences > Sleep. You can set a time between 5 and 240 minutes.

The printer wakes from sleep mode and switches on the front-panel display whenever there is some external interaction with it.

The following table shows an overview of the two types of support menu available, for more details see Entering the support menus on page 96.

NOTE: The icons mentioned in this table will not be visible in the front panel: you must press the front panel in the places where they normally appear, as shown in the front panel illustration at the start of this section.

Label

Description

 

 

Support menu: This can be used by customers under the

From the Home screen, press the following icons one after the

guidance of phone call agents assisting remotely. Using this

other: , ,, .

menu, customers can perform troubleshooting tasks and access

 

printer information.

If there is a system error, you may not be able to reach the home

 

screen. In this case, press the Power button and hold it down for

 

15 seconds.

 

 

Extended Support menu: Service engineers only

From the Home screen, press the following icons one after the

 

other: , , , .

 

 

Start-up sequence

There are three states between power-on and the Home screen:

1.Electronics initialization

2.Firmware initialization

3.Mechanical initialization

State 1: Electronics initialization

1.The front panel moves from flashing white light to turning dark.

2.The printer reads the firmware.

NOTE: At this stage, if something is broken, it will not be possible to enter the Support menu. To diagnose what is happening, go to the front panel blank troubleshooting. (and add here the link). Subsequently, you can enter the Support menu to troubleshoot if necessary.

State 2: Firmware initialization

1.The HP logo appears with a static bar.

2.Bundle board and ASICs are initialized.

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Start-up sequence 3

3.The HP logo changes.

State 3: Mechanical initialization

1.A basic check of servos

2.A check that the Scan Axis and Paper Axis are unobstructed by scraps of paper or other items

3.Paper and print system initialization

Initialization flow summary

Time (sec)

Printer state

Visual and acoustic information

 

 

 

0

Power on

Using the Power button

 

 

 

10

Electronics initialization

 

 

 

 

27

Mechanical initialization

 

 

 

 

 

1. Basic check of servos

Sound of the printer's motors

 

 

 

 

2. Scan Axis, Paper Axis check

Carriage movement

 

 

 

 

3. Paper and print system initialization

Paper movement

 

 

 

45

Ready state

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Initialization lasts around 45 s if there was a clean power-off (using the front panel Power button). If there was a dirty power-off, the printer will require more time to inititialize (to ensure that the printhead is in a good state).

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Subsystems

Covers

Functionality

These parts cover the printing mechanism and act as protection from potential knocks or dust. They also prevent the customer from coming into contact with unsafe parts during the operation of the printer. Finally, the covers complement the style and aesthetics of the printer.

The T120 and T520 printers have covers of different colors, and a different configuration of the roll cover, as seen in the following table:

 

HP Designjet T120

HP Designjet T520

 

 

 

Roll Cover

Not Present

Transparent

 

 

 

Top Cover

Opaque Black

Transparent

 

 

 

Output Platen

Black-Blackberry

Black-Olive

 

 

 

Output Tray

Black-Olive

Black-Olive

 

 

 

Components

Other than the cosmetic aspects of the covers, there are several sensors related to the subsystem covers. The sensors are designed to detect the status of the cover, open or closed.

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The Ink Cartridge Cover Sensor senses whether the Ink Cartridge Cover is open or closed. Opening the Ink Cartridge Cover starts ink cartridge replacement automatically. The sensor is hosted in the printer chassis.

The Central Cover hosts the Top Cover Sensor to sense whether the Top Cover is open or closed.

IMPORTANT: Be careful to avoid damaging the sensor while removing the Central Cover. See Central Cover on page 166.

The Output Tray Sensor senses whether the Output Tray is open or closed. To avoid paper jams while printing on roll paper, the tray should be closed.

IMPORTANT: Damage to the covers can cause the sensors to malfunction.

Removal and installation

In order to proceed with the removal and installation of the covers its important to bear in mind their cosmetic aspects, some surfaces of the covers have a glossy finish, which requires maximum attention as they are very delicate and susceptible to scratches and finger marks. It is recommended that you use gloves for any service operation involving the covers.

Due to the layout of the covers, it is important to bear in mind that some parts require removal before you can remove a specific cover.

Right Cover requires Front Cover removal.

Left Cover requires Front and Ink Cartridge Cover removal.

Roll Cover requires Right and Left Cover removal.

Top Cover requires Front Panel assembly removal.

Central Cover requires Right Cover and Left Cover removal.

Related tests

Sensor tests for the Top Cover, Ink Cartridge Cover, and Output Tray operation. See Diagnostics menu on page 100.

Electronics

Other than the sensor boards, there are no electronics related to this subsystem.

Printhead health systems: Service Station, Primer system, and Left Spittoon

Functionality

The service station is responsible for printhead maintenance. It takes action to clean ink residues and service ink nozzles, and prevents ink from drying in critical zones by capping the printhead once printing has finished.

The Primer system provides the necessary air pressure to the printhead to perform initialization. This system also provides pressure to the necessary printhead service operations (by boosting air which pushes ink out through the printhead nozzles, cleaning residues of dried ink and other particles).

The Left spittoon is a small container located to the left of the print-zone area, this is the area used by the printhead to “spit” a small amount of ink at the end/beginning of the printing swath in order to ensure correct nozzle heath for left-to-right printing.

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Components

Item

Function

 

 

Off-axis coupling assembly

This is a rubber spring link located on the side plate of the scan

 

axis (area where the Carriage moves). It links the primer system

 

with the Carriage when the Carriage is located in its maximum left

 

position. This system ensures the pressure from the primer

 

reaches the printhead for nozzle servicing.

 

 

Prime Pump

This is an air pump which provides the necessary pressure for

 

printhead servicing and nozzle repair. The Prime Pump is

 

suspended on a rubber holder to minimize the noise that the

 

Prime Pump makes while in operation.

 

 

Primer Tubes

The tubes take the air from the Prime Pump to the off-axis

 

coupling. There is a T link feature connected to a tube that goes

 

inside the service station; the purpose of this tube is to release

 

the air pressure from the system. The tube is pinched by the

 

shuttle of the service station when reaching a certain position;

 

this action closes the circuit and allows the system to be

 

pressurized. With the movement of the service station the tube is

 

released, allowing the pressure from the system to escape.

 

 

Notes and considerations

Any leakage in the primer system will generate poor or no priming, this will affect nozzle heath (or even cause the printhead startup to fail). Bear in mind that the system is not just for the Prime Pump and tubes, the prime pressure is transmitted via the off-axis coupling to the Carriage and from there to the printhead assembly and from there to the cartridges.

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Subsystems 7

NOTE: There is no pressure sensor in the system. The Prime Pump operates at a certain time to reach a specific pressure level, the system is depressurized by releasing the pinching of the release tube in the Service Station (by moving the service station).

NOTE: It is important to ensure the Carriage reaches the maximum left position; if not, the off-axis coupling will not connect the Prime Pump with the Carriage. Also, the coupling is made of a rubbery material, degradation of the material will affect Primer performance due to air leaks.

Electronics

The control driver of the Prime Pump is located on the remote controller board located on the right-hand side of the printer. There is no encoder for the Prime Pump. This pump is managed only by a DC motor activated for a certain period of time to create the required priming pressure.

Service Station system

Functionality

Item

Function

 

 

Printhead Wipers

These are rubber paddles that are passed through the nozzle

 

plate of the printhead with the Service Station movement. They

 

clean the excess ink from the nozzle plate with a rubbing action.

 

 

Printhead Cap

This caps and protects the nozzles from drying when they are not

 

printing.

 

 

Service Station Motor system

This moves the shuttle with the wiper and the cap so that these

 

two items can perform their functions. The system is composed

 

of a DC motor and an encoder disk with an encoder sensor to read

 

the motor position.

 

 

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Item

Function

 

 

Bottom Spittoon

This part acts as an ink reservoir when spitting and nozzle health

 

operations are performed. It contains diapers that prevent the ink

 

becoming liquid.

 

 

Top Spittoon

This seals the reservoir and completes the main body of the

 

service station.

 

 

Absorber Base

This is made of foam and is located under the service station on

 

top of the printer structure. It works as an additional diaper in

 

case ink spills out of the Service Station.

 

 

Wiper Shuttle

This mobile part is propelled by the motor that contains the Wiper

 

and Cap. Depending on the position, spitting, wiping, capping, or

 

priming can take place:

 

Spitting: The printhead “spits” a little ink into the spittoon to get

 

the nozzles conditioned and ready for the next swath of printing.

 

Wiping: A physical action to pass the rubber wipers through the

 

printhead nozzles.

 

Capping: Parking the printhead to maintain nozzle heath during

 

printer inactivity, with a surrounding seal.

 

Priming: Squirts ink through the nozzles to clean and unblock

 

them.

 

 

Notes and considerations

The service station is offered as a complete service part for full replacement. The failures from this subsystem are usually related to the mobile parts: motor or encoder failures that prevent the shuttle from reaching the positions for capping or uncapping.

With the life primer system, tube pinching can present an issue (although it is designed to function for the life of the printer).

When the Service Station is replaced, it is mandatory to reset the Preventive Maintenance Kit for the Service Station, this will trigger a simple calibration that is done with the Service Station on the next printer startup. The calibration measures the length of the Service Station (shuttle front bump to shuttle rear bump), which ensures a correct capping position.

Electronics

All the controlled movements for the Service Station are done from the remote-controlled board located on the right-hand side of the printer. Issues with the Service Station can also be related to this control board.

Paper path and Cutter

Functionality

The paper path

This comprises all the elements of the printer in contact with the paper, designed to hold, move, and manage it in a controlled manner in order to print.

Paper can be loaded using a roll, which is mounted on the rear spindle, or single sheets loaded from the Multi-Sheet Tray, or single sheets loaded singly.

The paper passes from its source (Roll, Single Tray, or Multi-Sheet Tray) until it touches the Out-Of-Paper Sensor, when the printer detects the presence of the paper and proceeds to load it.

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Subsystems 9

To perform the paper feed, the printer catches the paper in between the Drive Roller and the Pinch Rollers (Pinch Rollers are spring-loaded pushing the paper down on top of the Drive Roller), then the paper is pushed forwards on top of the Print Platen in the print zone, which is where the printing operation is performed. The paper advance is provided by a motor that moves the Drive Roller. The exact position of the Drive Roller and hence the paper is controlled by an Encoder Disk located on the roller axis.

The printed paper then passes between the Output Shaft and the Starwheels (which keep the paper tension as flat as possible for printing) to exit on the Output Platen, where it is held in case of cut sheet or is cut to fall on the output basket in the case of roll paper.

The Output Shaft is designed to over-advance the Drive Roller movement slightly, and hence create the necessary paper tension to keep the paper as flat as possible. The Starwheels are spring-loaded and are designed to create force on top of the paper, this is done so as to leave the paper unmarked and at the same time allow the Output Shaft force to be appropriately transmitted.

In the Roll configuration, the rewinder module generates back force while printing to facilitate paper control.

A key electrical element of the paper path is the Paper Sensor (also known as the Out-Of-Paper Sensor or OOPS). This sensor is located at the beginning of the Print Platen; it detects paper insertion for roll load and single-sheet load.

Electronics

In the paper-path driving system, the only electrically active element is the Drive Roller. The Drive Roller is impelled by the drive roller motor and it contains an Encoder Disk on the axis to determine its position. The Encoder Disk is read by two sensors. One, the “encoder sensor”, designed to read the encoder, counts the Encoder Disk (the Encoder Disk outer marks) and another one, the “encoder index sensor”, determines the start position (the 0 position) of the Drive Roller by reading the inner thicker lines of the Encoder Disk.

NOTE: Every time the printer starts up, it searches for the 0 position of the Drive Roller. If this search fails (which means that the index sensor is faulty), the printer will give a system error and will be unable to initialize.

The roll paper input system

Functionality

This system keeps the roll in place and ensures controlled rotation.

It contains the rewinder, which rewinds the paper for paper ejection, and provides an opposite tension to the paper advance for better paper control.

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The Left Support encloses the Rewinder Motor and Encoder, containing a set of gears that transmit the Rewinder motion to the spindle. There is a V-shaped spring to load and fix the spindle in position.

The Right Support holds the spindle in position to rotate over passive rollers.

In the T520, the right support also contains the dampers for the roll cover opening movement control (the internal dampers perform a braking action preventing sudden movement during the opening operation).

NOTE: The right support for the T120 models does not contain dampers. The T120 and T520 have two different assemblies from the factory, nevertheless both can be replaced by the damper option of T520 (identical from the external point of view), and there is only one service part available.

The spindle is designed to hold the paper rolls, and receive the motion from the rewinder gear in the Left Support. It consists of a central bar and two hubs; the right hub is fixed to determine the right-side loading position of the paper, and the moveable left hub adjusts to the width of the paper.

The Roll Cover (T520 only) shields the roll from dust.

NOTE: The Roll Cover is a passive part, with no sensor: the printer does not know its status.

Electronics

The Rewinder Motor and Encoder system are directly controlled by the Main PCA.

The paper output system

Functionality

The system ensures that the printed paper follows a controlled path and acquires a certain shape in order to be delivered properly to the user. It also has a cosmetic function.

The system includes a set of three telescopic trays, which are extended to collect the cut-sheet paper printed from the Multi-Sheet Tray.

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Subsystems 11

There are two roll-paper control tabs that are deployed automatically when the telescopic trays of the Output Tray are in the closed position. This is a purely mechanical action as the tabs are pushed up by the output trays when closed. The purpose of those tabs is to control the shape of the roll paper when coming out of the paper path.

The Front Cover is located underneath the Output Platen.

Electronics

The only electronic component related to the Output Platen is the Output Tray Sensor located underneath the output trays. The sensor is activated when the three output trays are fully closed. The sensor cable is routed via the front of the machine and is directly connected to the main PCA.

The Cutter system

The Cutter cuts the paper after the print has completed.

It comprises 1) a cutter module that cuts the paper with two rotary blades, 2) a Cutter Bridge attached to the Carriage that catches and releases the Cutter to perform the cutting operation and then to leave it in capping position, 3) a Cutter Guide that holds the movement of the Cutter along the printer width.

In order to operate the Cutter, it needs to be in the parked position. If not, the Cutter will not be engaged by the Cutter Bridge and the printer will not perform the cutting action.

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Whenever the printer initializes, it performs a parking movement with the Carriage to ensure that the Cutter is left in the appropriate position.

The printer does not have any feedback about the cutter engagement action. Hence, if for any reason the engagement is not performed correctly, the printer will continue operating as if the engagement has occurred.

How activation works

1.Pre-activation phase: The Cutter Engagement Feature of the Bridge gets into the funnel of the Cutter Module grooving the Cutter to ensure the correct position for activation.

2.Hook catching: The cutter bridge continues moving to the left pushing down the cutter hook (in orange), after the left side of the cutter bridge passes the Carriage stops and the cutter hook returns to its position due to its spring motion.

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Subsystems 13

3.Cutter action: The left feature of the cutter bridge pushes the cutter to the left, performing the cutting operation.

How deactivation works

1.Disengagement: Hook Bridge changes direction moving now from right to the left, so that Cutter Hook slides out of the Cutter Catch Feature.

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2.Move-away action: the Cutter Hook deactivates from the bridge by passing in front of it.

Accessory tray and right gear module

Functionality

The accessory tray holds and loads the cut-sheet paper for the printer. The accessory tray itself is a completely mechanical system with no electronics or motors. All the motion drives for both picking and paper drive are or created or transmitted by the Right Gear module located on the right-hand side of the printer, behind the Service Station.

The Right Gear module has two main functions. It contains the motor encoder and gear drive system for the picking mechanism, and it contains the gear train system to transmit the movement from the drive roller to the accessory tray.

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Subsystems 15

Right Gear module functionality

The Right Gear module has two different functions associated with the Multi-Sheet Tray.

1.The paper drive from the Multi-Sheet Tray into the platen area (until the cut sheet reaches the drive roller area).

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The intermediate shaft in the Multi-Sheet Tray is driven by the drive roller through a gear train inside the Right Gear module. The intermediate shaft meshes with the Multi-Sheet Tray gear interface (red gear in the picture) at the end of the train. A swing arm engages the gear train when the Drive Roller is driven backwards (as shown in the picture), driving the intermediate shaft forwards. When the Drive Roller is driven forwards, the swing arm disengages from the gear train and the intermediate shaft is not driven. This action is to prevent reverse paper movement to be transmitted to the Multi-Sheet Tray.

2.Picking functionality drive system

The Multi-Sheet Tray pick drive assembly is mounted in the right side gear module. The assembly contains a DC motor and pinion, belt, cluster pulley, and gear. An encoder (not shown, but it is located in front of the white gear shown in the picture) is read by the encoder sensor (in red in the picture) to servo-control the pick drive.

Right Gear and Multi-Sheet Tray interface

The two gears from the Right Gear module interface with the Multi-Sheet Tray by location once the MultiSheet Tray is locked in position; both gears can be considered fully engaged.

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Multi-Sheet Tray functionality

The function of the Multi-Sheet Tray is to pick and feed the cut-sheet paper until the paper is grabbed by the drive roller (drive roller and pinch system).

The actions performed for those operations are (1) sheet pick and (2) sheet input.

1. Sheet pick

This movement is transmitted through a lateral gear chain in the Multi-Sheet Tray towards the swing arm, which is pushed towards the paper, and the picking mechanism located at the bottom of the Multi-Sheet Tray, which separates the top sheet from the stack of pages.

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HP Designjet T120, Designjet T520 Service Manual
2. Sheet input

Once the paper is in the intermediate shaft area, the drive roller is rotated, impelling the intermediate shaft through the right gear module, pushing the sheet towards the inside of the printer, so that it will be grabbed by the drive roller and main printer pinch system, proceeding with the standard paper drive motion (as with roll paper).

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NOTE: The printer considers the load successful if, after the picking and sheet input procedures, the sheet is detected by the printer's Paper Sensor. Hence, a correct function of the Paper Sensor is required also for the accessory tray loading action.

NOTE: It is possible to reproduce the picking and loading motions by extracting the Multi-Sheet Tray and rotating the gears with the hand, to validate module performance and troubleshoot any possible mechanical issues.

NOTE: Different elements of the Multi-Sheet Tray are not serviceable, the whole module requires replacement in case of failure.

Electronics

Both the encoder and motor-drive system are managed by the Bundle PCA located on the right-hand side of the printer.

Scan Axis system: Carriage and Carriage impelling

This system moves the Carriage from left to right and right to left of the printer on top of the paper in a controlled manner to perform printing, cutting, paper detection, and any other Carriage movements for servicing and final capping process.

The system comprises the Carriage sliding on the scan axis rod, on which rotates and whose position is determined by a cam mounted on the Carriage, which slides touching the bottom surface of the anti-rotation rail.

There are two trailing cables mounted one on top of the other, which connect the Carriage with the main electronics control board. A scan-axis encoder strip is needed for the Carriage to determine its position, and a Carriage Motor which impels the Carriage via a belt.

The trailing cable is held in position by a plastic holder, which clips onto the scan axis structure. A springloaded loop ensures follow-up action of the cables with the Carriage movement. Two plastic cable sliders are also placed to ensure minimum contact of the trailing cables with the scan axis structure. The plastic sliders are greased to prevent ink spray (aerosol) deposits from accumulating on them, generating a sticky surface which could retain the cables and then be damaged by Carriage movement.

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The Encoder Strip Sensor is located inside the Carriage, once the Carriage is assembled the Encoder Strip crosses the Carriage, passing by the detection area of the sensor inside the Carriage.

The main function of the Carriage is to hold the printhead in position, to enable cartridge insertion, and to move the printhead in a controlled manner in order to print.

The Carriage holds all the necessary interface electronics for the main board to interact with the printhead via the trailing cables. A set of spring-loaded connectors are the main interface Carriage-printhead.

NOTE: It is very important that the contacts are clean, free of dust/ink to ensure a correct connection between printhead and Carriage, as high-speed data are transmitted through this connection, and dust could cause sporadic system errors. This is particularly important when replacing the printhead, as the removal of the old printhead (extraction with a rotary movement) can cause the nozzle plate to touch those contacts and create contamination that could cause problems with the new printhead. However, manual cleaning of the contacts is not recommended.

The Carriage also has additional functionality:

1.Transmits the pressure from the Prime Pump via off-axis coupling to each of the four cartridges

Off-axis coupling connects with the Carriage via the side connection bay:

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An internal passage of the Carriage transmits the air pressure towards the printhead.

The rear hole of the printhead receives the air pressure which is distributed towards the four air ports inside the printhead.

Each of the air ports transmits the air pressure to the cartridges, and the air pushes the inner chambers, expelling the ink during the priming operation.

2.Holds the cutter bridge

The cutter bridge impels the Cutter for cutter operations (see additional information in the cutter section).

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