Images_May_2020_Digital_Edition

www.images-magazine.com 18 images MAY 2020 If you’ve been forced to suspend your operations during the current health crisis, Brett Newman of Hybrid Services, Mimaki’s UK and Ireland distributor, has some advice on how to correctly shut down and maintain your wide format digital textile printer to prevent damage and ensure it is problem-free when you start up again General advice for maintaining your printer This advice is geared towards Mimaki printers but will be applicable to many other makes. However, you should check with your machine manufacturer or supplier to ensure you do everything by the book. Power on Leave the printer plugged in and ensure the main power switch is on. Enabling automated cleaning Most manufacturers’ models will have this function, which is enabled out of the box on Mimaki printers. The printers maintain the print head surface, ink discharge path, and recirculation systems according to internal schedules. This maximises both production quality and print head life. Please ensure this is turned on. Regular manual cleaning On all machines, there are some areas that cannot be cared for automatically by the printer. It is important to continue the daily printer maintenance even when the printers are idle. If daily maintenance is not possible, once-a-week maintenance and cleaning will help supplement on-board cleaning routines. For those customers who will not have access to the printer, or are temporarily closing, please see the extended storage information below. Running test prints If possible, you should run a test print at least once a week. If any nozzles are missing, you need to recover them then and there as this will avoid potentially damaging the print head. Capping station and wiper maintenance The wiper and cap surfaces are the most critical cleaning systems in a digital textile printer. These items are responsible for maintaining I n a challenging situation where events can move very quickly, the importance of protecting your investment in a digital textile printer or printer/cutter could easily be overlooked. However, by following some simple steps and preparing the equipment correctly, it’s possible to safeguard against future issues caused by the hardware lying idle. Many digital textile printers, including the vast majority of Mimaki’s inkjet printers, employ proprietary technology that’s designed to minimise the amount of maintenance required by the operator. However, good housekeeping always pays dividends and that’s no more apparent than when preparing a printer that may not be used for a period of time. Initially conceived to assist print shops with their maintenance before and after holiday periods, for example, this technology is especially important given the current situation where people are potentially having to prepare their digital textile printers for an unknown amount of downtime. Thankfully, the processes are simple to follow and will help to ensure that the machines are ready to go once we’re back working normally again. Brett Newman Industry experts provide insight and guidance in all areas of digital garment and textile printing Digital helpdesk Shutting down your digital textile printer correctly can prevent damage and ensure you are ready for business when it’s time to start up again

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