Printing Innovation iCUBE 1, iCUBE 2, iCUBE 3 User Manual
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Revision: 2014-09-25
User Guide for iCUBE Series
iCUBE 1-3
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Copyright statement
© 2014 Printing Innovation AG. This document, attachments, and information contained herein
are the confidential and proprietary property of Printing Innovation AG and their suppliers. As
such, this document, attached files, and information contained herein are subject to all
nondisclosure and proprietary information agreements currently in effect with your organization.
Copies of this document, any portion of this document, or attachments may not be transmitted
or disclosed to any third party without the prior written permission of Printing Innovation AG.
© 2014 Printing Innovation AG. All content is the confidential property of, or licensed to, Printing
Innovation AG. (“We” or “us”) are protected under European and Foreign copyright, trademark
and other intellectual property laws.
The following statements will be included in the Appendix:
Warranty
Safety precautions
Regulatory information
Environmental policy and information
Recycling
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction 6
1.1. Introduction to Memjet print technology 6
2. Printer Parts and their functions 8
2.1. Printer 8
2.2. Print Engine 8
2.3. Printhead 8
2.4. Printhead Cartridge Dock 8
2.5. Print Mechanism 9
2.6. Cutter 9
2.7. Ink Cartridges 10
2.8. Ink Connection Ports 12
2.9. Ink Delivery System (IDS) 12
2.10. Bulkhead Assembly 12
2.11. Other IDS Components 13
2.12. Maintenance Module 14
2.12.1. Wiper Station 16
2.12.2. Printing Platen 16
2.12.3. Capping/Spitton Station 17
2.12.4. Printhead servicing events 17
2.13. Print Zone 17
2.14. Onboard Print Engine Controller (OmniPEC) and Main Board 17
2.15. The Controlling System 18
3. Installing the Printer 19
3.1. Choose a location 19
3.2. Unpacking and Setup 19
3.3. Checking the Contents 19
3.4. Connecting the iCUBE 20
3.5. Setting up the Printer 22
3.5.1. Maintenance Module (MM) 22
3.5.2. Installing the Ink Cartridges 24
3.5.3. Installing the Printhead 25
3.5.4. Switch on the Printer 30
3.5.5. Media Handling 31
3.5.1.1. Print Area 31
3.5.1.2. Load Media 31
3.6. Connecting the Printer to a computer 32
3.6.1. Direct connection to a personal computer 32
3.7. Install Printer Driver 33
3.7.1. Driver specifications 38
3.7.1.0. General Tab 38
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3.7.1.1. Layout Tab 39
3.7.1.2. Media Tab 40
3.7.1.3. Import/Export 41
3.8. Label printing, generating print jobs 42
3.8.1. Printing labels from softwares 42
3.8.2. Printing labels from print jobs 42
3.9. Printer buttons 43
4. TOOLBox 44
4.1. User interface 45
4.2. Diagnostics 46
4.3. Ink usage 47
4.4. Network configuration 48
4.5. Service Menus 49
5. Maintenance Guide 50
5.1. Maintenance Overview 50
5.2. Standard Maintenance 50
5.2.1. Daily Maintenance Tasks 52
Aerosol and debris removal
5.2.2. Bi-Weekly Maintenance Tasks 54
Aerosol and debris removal
Paper Path, optical sensor cleaning
Wiper Inspection
5.2.3. Monthly Maintenance Tasks 57
Aerosol and debris removal
Paper Path optical sensor cleaning
Wiper inspection
Waste Ink Absorber inspection
Ink Tubing inspection
Lift Motor Gear inspection
Paper Path Grit Roller inspection
5.2.4. Annual Maintenance Tasks 62
Aerosol and debris removal
Paper Path optical sensor cleaning
Wiper Inspection
Waste Ink Absorber inspection
Ink Tubing inspection
Lift Motor Gear inspection
Paper Path Grit Roller inspection
Moving Part (Motor Test)
Maintenance Module Sled Assembly cleaning
Paper Dust removal
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Ink tank latch/Ink Bay inspection
Cutter ispection
5.2.5. As Needed Maintenance Tasks 70
Printhead Cartridge cleaning (Manual Wipe while installed)
Printhead Cartridge cleaning (Remove Cartridge)
Waste Ink Absorber replacement
6. Troubleshooting 82
6.1. Maintenance Module Troubleshooting 82
6.2. Printhead Troubleshooting 83
6.3. Print Quality Troubleshooting 83
6.4. iCUBE Troubleshouting guide 84
General 84
Checklist before doing any support 84
Troubleshouting Tools 85
Dead engine,EWS,Firmware 86
Print engine error messsage 86
Crit 63-03-phead offline cancel page 87
CARTRIDGE_MISSING 87
DATA_PATH_UNDERRUN 87
Fatal 7102 offline cancel page 88
MAINTENANCE_BUSY 90
PAPERPATH_CUTTER_ERRROR 91
PAPERPATH_FEED_TIMEOUT 91
PAPERPATH_PAPERJAM 91
6.5. Print Quality Issues 92
Color Mixing (CM) 92
Streaking (SR) 102
Dot Misplacement (DP) 108
Banding (BD) 111
Other General Print Quality Errors (GE) 117
Paper Handling (PA) 126
Inkdelivery System (ID) 131
Paper Cutting 133
Firmware Error Message (ER) 134
Maintenance Module (MM) 136
7. Printer Specifications 137
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1. Introduction
The purpose of this manual is to describe the operation of the iCUBE label printer. The
first section provides and overview of the Memjet™ print technology to make you familiar with
the terms and basics of this new technology that forms the basis of the iCUBE printer series. The
following sections walk you through the installation steps, explain the components of the printer
and their roles, and then teach you how to operate your printer. The manual ends with
maintenance and troubleshooting guide.
1.1. Introduction to Memjet
R
print technology
Memjet™ Technology is a revolutionary printing technology developed by Silverbrooks
Research (Sidney, Australia). The core of this technology is a full paper width printhead capable
of printing the entire page width at the same time without head movement. The result of this
setup is a breakthrough 12 inch (305 mm) per second printing speed. The printhead is
manufactured with state-of-the art semiconductor technology; an A4 head contains 70,400
nozzles delivering 1600 dpi native resolution at full colour. The nozzles are arranged in 10 rows
having 2 rows for each ink channels. The fixed head spans the width of the label and feeds an
entire label at a time similar to a laser printer. This architecture dramatically improves
performance and ink drop placement accuracy during printing, while decreasing noise and
vibration.
Figure 1 Printing with a traditional moving head and with the
Memjet printhead.
Figure 2: The Memjet 8.5” printhead cartridge showing the ink inlet, outlet
ports, various print-related parts and the printhead.
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Figure 3 The Memjet printhead contains 70,400 nozzles in 10 rows (brown stripe in Figure a).
It shows an electron microscope image of a single nozzle (Figure b).
The small size of the nozzles results in very small (1-2 picolitre) paint drops,
approximately 14 micron drop diameter on paper, effectively achieving the highest print
resolution the human eye can see.
Printing with this type of precision requires many technical details to be solved including
printhead cooling, using special fast drying inks, feeding paper accurately, controlling the
operation of the unit, etc. A unique property of Memjet printing is the special print processor
that uses a custom hardware print pipeline processing engine to render images at a very high
speed. The level of technical standards are reflected by the fact that Silverbrooks Research hold
2500 patents related to Memjet Technology along with another 2000 pending.
a)
b)
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2. Printer parts and their functions
2.1. Printer
The iCUBE printer is a state of the art Memjet printer designed for maximum
usability and performance. The major components of the printer are the print engine, the
controller and the control panel.
2.2. Print engine
The print engine is the heart of the iCUBE printer. It is responsible for the actual print
process. The major subsystems of the engine are the mechanics (paper transport), ink
delivery system (including print head and ink tanks), the print controller and a paper
cutter. The iCUBE controller is responsible to control the operation for the print engine.
You do not need to access and use the print engine directly except when changing print
heads and ink tanks.
2.3. Printhead
2.4. Printhead Cartridge Dock
The printhead cartridge dock positions the page-wide, static, high-speed Memjet
printhead in the correct location to maintain correct position with the print zone.
Picture of the Print Engine
Picture of the printhead
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2.5. Print Mechanism
During printing, the print mechanism moves the paper through the print zone below the
static printhead.
2.6. Cutter
The NorthStar cutter is designed to provide a complete cut of continuous media in
the crossweb direction. This will provide the ability to singulate labels and enable a break
in continuous media to allow servicing of the printhead.
The cutter has a design target of providing a 400,000 cut life on thin tag media. Cuts are
expected to execute in 0.4 seconds at up to 80 8.5inch cuts/minute.
The cutter unit can be removed or replaced, if necessary, without affecting the
performance of the NorthStar.
Picture of
Fluidic
Connectors and Memjet Printhead Cartridge
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2.7. Ink Cartridges
iCUBE series printers use a single printhead-cartridge and five ink tanks: two black,
one cyan, one magenta and one yellow. During installing the ink cartridges the printer
should be turned off.
Picture of the ink cart
r
idge
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Picture of Ink Cartridge Cross
-
Section
Picture of Ink Cartridge Cross-Section with Air Vent Path Detail
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2.8. Ink Connection Ports
Ink connection ports allow the connection of the external ink supply houses to the print
engine. Unique, zero insertion-force, ganged connectors allow all 10 ink hoses to be engaged
with the printhead in one movement. The printhead can be removed or installed without
disconnecting any of the ink hoses.
2.9. Ink Delivery System (IDS)
The Ink Delivery System (IDS) is a complex system designed to cleanly and reliably
deliver ink to the printhead while minimizing color mixing, drop weight variation, and
dehydration.
The major components of the Ink Delivery System (IDS) are:
• The disposable ink cartridges
• The printhead
• The tubing
• The peristaltic pump
• The pinch valve assembly
• The QA and ink level sensing electronics
• The buffer box
2.10. Bulkhead Assembly
The bulkhead assembly includes the ink cartridges, the septum for connecting to the
bulkhead plate; ink level PCAs, the QAI chip for each ink cartridge and the buffer boxes for
each ink cartridge.
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2.11. Other IDS Components
Picture of Bulkhead Assembly
Picture of Other IDS Components
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2.12. Maintenance Module
Aka Service Station (SS)
The multi-station, maintenance module (MM) maintains and cleans the printhead by
wiping off waste ink and contamination. In addition, the MM assists with printing by
priming the printhead, as well as protecting it when not in use, and guiding the paper as
it passes under the printhead.
The maintenance module (MM) is a sled that contains stations for wiper, cap/spittoon,
and print zone platen.
To position the correct station into place, a stepper motor moves the sled horizontally,
and a DC motor moves the sled vertically.
The maintenance module:
• Cleans the printhead of excess ink and debris.
• Keeps the printhead protected and hydrated while not in use.
• Provides a safe place to spit ink that is used to keep the nozzles clear.
• Provides a suitable base for supporting the media during printing. This is done with
the print zone platen station.
Picture of the Maintenance Module
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The maintenance module should be replaced as part of annual maintenance or after printing
one million inches.
NOTE: The maintenance module is not intended to be end-user serviceable, although it is a
service part for technicians.
Picture of Maintenance Module (MM) Assembly (exploded view)
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2.12.1. Wiper station
The printhead must be wiped to remove ink cross-contamination and particulates.
The cylindrical wiper rotates to wipe the entire width of the printhead. The roller rotates
for the duration of the lift-dwell-lower cycle. The intent is not to merely blot the nozzles
but to have functionally translational wiping. The wiper is programmable and can be
rotated numerous times to perform multiple wiping operations. Once wiping is complete
the station drops back down. A metal transfer roller cleaned by a doctor blade helps
remove ink from the wiper. The removed ink dries or evaporates within the wiper
station. When the wiper becomes contaminated to such an extent that it is no longer
effective, the wiper must be replaced by unlatching the two wiper retaining clips. These
clips can be released while the maintenance module is in the wipe position.
2.12.2. Printing platen
The platen provides a smooth writing surface and the correct spacing between the
media and the printhead. During printing, the paper below the printhead is maintained at
a fixed dive angle from the drive roller nip and platen below the nozzles to ensure print
quality. Along the center of the platen there are four Porex (tm) micro sponges to collect
ink overspray.
Picture of the wiperstation
Picture of Printing platen
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2.12.3. Capping/spittoon station
The printhead should not be allowed to dry out after priming. The cap station is used
when the printer is idle. The cap station limits evaporation from the printhead by sealing
around the nozzles and maintaining a humid environment. The cap is an elastomer seal
that fits around and over the printhead nozzles. It is held against the printhead by the lift
springs on the maintenance module. The cap aligns with the printhead by features at
each end of the maintenance module. The spittoon portion of the station has a waste ink
receptacle used to capture ink ejected during maintenance processes. The used ink wicks
and drains into the waste tank. The wicking bar is a plastic frame and channel of
absorbent material. The absorbent material can be replaced by trained service personnel.
2.12.4. Printhead servicing events
The printhead requires cleaning after any of the following events occur:
A new printhead is installed and primed
The printhead is removed and then replaced
The printhead is primed or re-primed with ink
The printhead is showing signs of contamination
Be aware that ink is used by the print engine during printhead maintenance as well
as during printing. All waste ink from the printhead nozzles is contained by the
maintenance carousel, either in the spittoon (holds waste ink generated by
priming/cleaning) or in the platen (holds waste ink generated during printing). Therefore,
periodic maintenance will be required to remove the waste ink.
2.13. Print Zone
The clamshell design allows for accessibility during paper loading and paper jam
clearance in the print zone.
2.14. Onboard Print Engine Controller (OmniPEC) and Main Board
The OmniPEC controls all electronic aspects of the printing and print engine operation.
The custom 95-pin WaveTech connector connects the printhead to the printhead board,
which is connected by cables to the OmniPEC main board. The OmniPEC allows connections to
paper motors, ink level sensors, ink pump and additional sensors.
Picture of Capping/spittoon station.
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• Dual resolution file format to
• achieve crisp Print Quality (PQ) yet
• reasonable file size
• 1600 dpi lossless text expansion
• 800 dpi contone JPEG expansion
• Two processors: 650MHz RISC CPU with customized HW assist (image processing
focus) and 192MHz SPARC CPU dedicated to the printing pipeline
• Dedicated printing pipeline in HW
• Real-time JPEG compression
• Color Space conversion
• Half-toning
• Dead nozzle compensation
• Printhead data formatting
2.15. The Control System
The Printer engine is controlled by the OmniPEC, the Quality Assurance Infrastructure
(QAI), and the firmware.
Full-page array printing:
• Calculates 900 million drops/sec
• Drives 70,400 nozzles on the printhead
• JPEG expansion in hardware
• On-chip memory
• Extensive motor control and I/O
• Xscale – compatible 650 MHz CPU
• > 40 million transistors
• USB 2.0
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3. Installing the Printer
3.1. Choose a location
The iCUBE printer should be placed on a properly levelled worktable or cabinet which
is able to handle the printer’s weight and minimum 62 cm (24,4 inch) wide.
3.2. Unpacking and Setup
The printer is shipped in a strong cardboard or wooden box. Before opening the box,
check that the box is not damaged in any way and was not turned upside down during
shipment. If signs of damage are found, contact your reseller and inspect the box together.
If the box is undamaged, carefully cut the tape on the box, open the box. Before taking
the printer out of the box, make sure a strong and level work surface is prepared for the
printer.
NOTE: The printer is heavy. Never attempt to lift and take it out of the box on your own as it
can cause lasting injuries. The printer should always be lifted by two persons.
Place the printer on the desk and inspect that no damages are found on the unit.
Unpack the unwinder and the optional rewinder units and place them on the desk next
to the printer.
3.3. Checking the contents
Check the parts list to ensure you have received all required components. If the shipment
is complete, proceed to the next chapter.
iCUBE Printer
1 set of CMYKK ink cartridges (5 cartridges per set)
1 printhead
1 mains power cable
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3.4. Connecting the iCUBE
Make sure the printer is used with the mains cable suited to the requirements of the
electrical system of your country. The internal power supply in the printer is rated 115 to
240VAC, 50/60 Hz.
Insert the cable into the printer first. The cable connector should sit in the socket
securely.
Insert the cable into the mains socket.
CAUTION
Do not use an outlet that shares the same circuit with large electrical machines or
appliances
Turning Power On/Off
Powering Up:
Turn on the mains-switch
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Powering Down Printer:
1. Press Main Power button on the top of the Printer, and wait until the engine is turned
off.
2. And turn off the machine with the mains-switch.
OR
1. Open the Toolbox and press ’Shutdown’.
2. Wait for the printer to stop processing, and the Toolbox write
out the printer not responding
3. Switch off the mains-switch.
CAUTION
Whenever powering down the unit NEVER:
1.) Never remove the power cable during the shutdown process
2.) Never switch off the printer with the Main Power Button when the engine is still running
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3.5. Setting up the printer
After the printer has passed inspection, install the maintenance module, the
printhead, and the ink cartridges, as explained in the following sections.
To set up the printer you need to do the following:
1. Install the Service Station (if shipped as a separate unit)
2. Install the ink cartridges
3. Install the printhead
4. Turn on the Printer
5. Unwinder setup
6. Load label media
7. Install the printer driver
3.5.1 Maintenance Module (MM)
In case your printer is shipped with a MM as a separate unit, before switching on the
printer, you need to install the MM (After module has passed inspection).
Service Station (aka Maintenance Module)
The service station cleans the printhead cartridge of excess ink and debris, keeps the
printhead hydrated and protected when not in use, captures ink used to keep nozzles
clear, and acts as a base to support media during printing.
CAUTION
Make sure latches on the wiper-roller are properly closed before installing the
Maintenance Module
Installation steps:
• Unpack the Maintenance Module
• Check that each part of the station is complete and functional
• Open the printer and the ink tank cover
• Open the print engine clamshell
• Locate the MM ribbon cable
• Connect the ribbon cable to the MM connector at the back of the service station
• Insert the station into the print engine
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The Service Station fits in the port immediately above the Ink Tank Station.
1. Plug in the white flat flex cable to the motor PCA on the maintenance module.
Plug the ribbon connector (blue side up) into the space under the latch than close the latch:
2. Slide in the connected Service Station.
3. Slowly turn the gear on the print engine until the maintenance module engages.
Slide the Latch open on the Maintenance Station - circuit board
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4. Close the clamshell gently to avoid causing vibration on the printhead
NOTE: The MM must be perfectly aligned with bar to prevent misalignment!
3.5.2 Installing ink cartridges
ICUBE series printers use a single printhead cartridge and five ink tanks (two black,
one cyan, one magenta, and one yellow). During installing the ink cartridges the printer
should be turned off.
• Remove the ink tanks from the shipping box.
• Open the ink tank latches in the front of the printer by pushing the bottom of the
latch upward. The latch has a marker for signalling the place of the C, M, Y and K
tanks. (The reason why K is used for black: in RBG color mode B is reserved for
blue)
• Locate the place where each tank should go than slowly but firmly push the tank
into the tank socket. The pressure in the ink tanks and the septums may prevent
the cartridge to fully engage for the first insertion.
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• Black (K) – two cartridges – inserted in the bottom left and bottom right slots.
• Yellow (Y), inserted in the top middle slot.
• Magenta (M), inserted in the top right slot.
WARNING: The ink in the ink tanks may be harmful if swallowed. Keep new and used tanks out
of reach from children. Discard empty tanks immediately.
3.5.3. Installing the printhead
The printhead is the core of the print engine. As sensitive electromechanical
equipment, it requires careful and special handling to avoid damage and ensure
quality printing. NOTE: The printhead is sensitive to electro-static discharge (ESD). Use
ESD protection when handling the printhead.
Priming the printhead
Before the printhead can be used, it must be primed. Priming helps purge both the
liquid and air in the ink lines to allow reliable printing. Priming can also help to remove
To make sure you have a good contact, remove the ink tank and reinsert twice
Picture of inserting the ink cartridges
Cyan
) C (
, inserted in the top left slot.
Black
Black
Magenta
Yellow
Cyan
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air bubbles from a previously primed printhead. The priming process is designed to use
less than 5ml of ink.
To prime the printhead manually,
1. Fill the main channels of the printhead.
2. Generate a pressure pulse to push out any bubbles.
3. Clean and dispose of the ink pushed out onto the nozzle plate.
4. Print out color mixed ink.
5. Cap the printhead to prevent dehydration.
CAUTION
DO NOT touch the printhead cartridge ink couplings, nozzle surface or the
electrical contacts when installing the printhead cartridge. Hold the printhead
cartridge ONLY by the handles.
DO NOT unpack the printhead cartridge until the printer is ready for installation.
Once unwrapped, delay in installing the printhead can compromise print quality
due to dehydration.
DO NOT place an unwrapped printhead on any surface before installing. Protect
the Printhead from at all times from dust, fibers, dirt and other contaminants.
Installing the printhead
1. Ensure your printer is switched on and the Power button is lit and steady.
2. Open the cover of your printer to reveal the printhead latch with a screw driver (ONLY
at first use!)
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3. If the printhead latch is not raised, press the printhead-eject-button for three seconds.
This will automatically initiate printhead latch opening. This process may take several
seconds.
4. Remove the fluidic cap protectors from the two fluidic couplings.
5. Open the end of the printhead package outer box and slide out the foil bag.
Inspect the integrity of the foil vacuum sealing. The foil bag should be formed tightly
to the contours of the printhead cartridge as shown above. If the foil is loose to any
degree then the seal has been compromised.
If a poor seal is suspected, DO NOT USE the printhead cartridge. Report the
issue to your supplier.
6. Carefully rip the foil packaging open at the notch. Use scissors if your foil bag does not
have a notch or you are finding it difficult to tear the bag.
7. Remove the printhead cartridge from the foil bag.
8. Remove the orange protective plastic cover from the printhead cartridge. Holding the
printhead cartridge by the handle
a. Release the flaps covering the ink ports (1 and 2).
b. Release the clip retaining the cover near the center of the printhead cartridge
(3).
c. Carefully remove the protective cover (4).
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9. Remove the protective strip from the electrical contacts. While holding the printhead
cartridge by the handle with one hand, grasp the pull tab with the other hand and,
slowly and carefully, peel back the plastic strip covering the electrical contacts.
Dispose of the removed strip immediately and do not allow the removed strip
to contact the electrical contacts.
10. Remove the protective strip from the printhead nozzles. While holding the printhead
cartridge by the handle with one hand, grasp the pull tab with the other hand and
slowly and carefully peel back the plastic strip covering the printhead nozzles.
Maintain an angle of no less than 45° with the printhead surface when pulling on the
strip.
Dispose of the removed strip immediately and do not allow the removed strip to
contact the electrical contacts or the printhead nozzles.
11. Raise the printhead latch fully until it is upright so you can insert the printhead into the
printer at an angle.
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12. When the printhead cartridge is fully inserted into the printer rotate it to a vertical
position as shown.
13. Slowly close the printhead latch. The fluidic couplings should advance and seal to the
printhead cartridge.
14. Close the printhead latch. When the printhead latch is closed, the printer will prime,
clean and cap the printhead automatically. This operation will generally take a minute
or two, and will be obvious from sounds emanating from the printer.
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NOTE: The printer may take up to 12 minutes to set itself up during initial startup. This is
normal. The machine will emit a number of chirps, whirrs and other noises as it circulates ink
and runs systems.
CAUTION
Do not remove the Printhead while fluid is primed in the system!
3.5.4. Switch on the printer
After the print head and the ink tanks are installed, switch on the printer by
switching on the main switch on the back of the printer: this will power up the print
engine and the controllers.
After few seconds, you will hear the ink pump starting to prime the system, then the
wiper will wipe the print head and starts its first maintenance. During this process
the software is starting to build up the connection to the print engine. This can take
up to 10-15 minutes but it is normal so please wait until the GUI for the system
indicates that it is in the ready state.
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