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.
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.
8 Chapter 1 Printer fundamentals ENWW
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