Problem Description

When printing a nozzle check pattern, severe broken lines appear across some or all channels, with large gaps or completely blank areas. In severe cases, visible white streaks or entire missing rows appear in the printed image.

Possible Causes

1. Ink dries and forms a crust at the nozzle tip, blocking the tiny apertures (most common, usually due to lack of moisturizing before shutdown)

2. Air bubbles or impurities in the ink line block normal ink supply

3. Ink expired or stored improperly, causing degradation and sediment

4. Environmental temperature too low, increasing ink viscosity beyond normal jetting range

Resolution Steps

1. Run head cleaning: Execute 1-2 "normal cleaning" cycles in the control software and observe nozzle check improvement. If ineffective, run "power cleaning."

2. Negative pressure cleaning: Inject cleaning solution into the cleaning cup and gently aspirate from the ink inlet of the printhead (keep force below 5ml per attempt) to draw out blockages.

3. Soak the head: Cover the printhead surface with a lint-free cloth soaked in cleaning solution for 15-30 minutes to dissolve dried ink, then run cleaning again.

4. Check for ink line bubbles: Observe the ink tube for bubble segments. If found, perform ink line purging — slowly push ink from the ink cartridge end until no bubbles exit the printhead end.

5. Replace ink: If no improvement after 3+ cleanings, ink may be degraded. Drain old ink, flush the ink line with cleaning solution, and replace with fresh ink.

6. Professional repair: If all above steps fail, the printhead may have permanent internal damage. Contact SPRINTER technical support.

Preventive Measures

• Always run head moisturizing before shutdown to keep nozzle surfaces covered with moisturizing fluid, preventing ink drying.

• White ink and other sedimentation-prone inks must be stirred and circulated for at least 30 minutes daily to prevent sediment blockage.

Problem Description

Regular light and dark alternating horizontal stripes appear along the media feed direction, with uniform spacing, affecting image uniformity and visual quality. A "washboard" effect that is especially visible in solid color areas.

Possible Causes

1. Y-axis step parameter is incorrectly set, causing feed amount per step to not match print line width

2. Belt is loose or gear backlash is excessive, causing uneven Y-axis feed

3. Some nozzles on the printhead surface are partially clogged, causing insufficient ink on some rows

4. Grating ruler/encoder is dirty, reducing Y-axis positioning accuracy

Resolution Steps

1. Check and adjust step value: Fine-tune Y-axis step parameter in RIP software (typically ±0.5%-2%), print test strips for comparison until banding disappears.

2. Run nozzle check: Print nozzle check pattern, confirm all nozzles fire normally. If lines are missing, run cleaning first.

3. Check belt tension: Open side cover, check if Y-axis belt is loose. Use belt tension gauge; if slack, adjust tensioner to standard value.

4. Clean grating ruler: Wipe along the grating ruler length with lint-free cloth dipped in anhydrous alcohol to remove dust and oil.

5. Bi-directional calibration: If using bidirectional printing mode, run bi-directional calibration to align forward and reverse carriage travel.

Preventive Measures

• Check belt tension weekly, especially for high-frequency equipment.

• Keep the grating ruler clean; use an air gun to blow off surface dust daily.

Problem Description

Fine white lines or broken strokes appear along the carriage movement direction, looking as if cut by a blade. Under magnification, ink drops from specific nozzle channels are missing, and some color channels show broken lines during multi-channel output.

Possible Causes

1. Individual nozzle micro-clogging, some apertures not firing but not completely blocked

2. Ink line negative pressure is unstable, causing intermittent ink supply

3. Printhead height is incorrectly set, causing ink drop flight distance to be too long and resulting in landing offset

4. Voltage/waveform parameters have drifted, causing some nozzles to fire unstably

Resolution Steps

1. Nozzle detection and location: Print a complete nozzle check pattern and mark the missing nozzle channels and positions.

2. Light cleaning: Run one light cleaning cycle and recheck. If broken line positions change, it indicates minor clogging; 1-2 more cleanings should resolve it.

3. Check negative pressure: Read the ink line negative pressure gauge. Normal range is typically -3.0 to -5.0 kPa. If pressure fluctuates greatly, check ink cartridge seal and tube connections.

4. Adjust printhead height: Confirm current printhead height is within the recommended range (typically 2-4mm). If too high, lower to the recommended value.

5. Waveform calibration: If broken lines are fixed on specific channels and cleaning is ineffective, the channel voltage may have drifted. Contact technical support for waveform parameter calibration.

Preventive Measures

• Get into the habit of printing a nozzle check pattern before starting production to confirm good condition.

• Regularly inspect and maintain ink line sealing to prevent negative pressure system leaks.

Problem Description

White ink printed areas show uneven thickness with cloudy, mottled patterns, or in severe cases, white ink fails to fire entirely. When printing white underbase on dark materials, some areas lack opacity or show the substrate through. Nozzle check for white channels shows broken lines.

Possible Causes

1. White ink sedimentation — titanium dioxide has high density and settles easily, causing upper ink layer to have insufficient concentration

2. White ink circulation system failure — stirring pump not running or line blockage

3. White ink printhead clogging — white ink particles are larger and clog more easily than color inks

4. White ink level in cartridge is too low, causing the suction port to draw in air

Resolution Steps

1. Start white ink circulation: Confirm the white ink stirring/pumping system is running normally. If not running, immediately start the circulation function and run for at least 15-20 minutes to re-homogenize the ink.

2. Shake the ink cartridge: Remove the white ink cartridge and gently shake it up and down 20-30 times to re-disperse the settled titanium dioxide, then reinstall.

3. Run white ink channel cleaning: Perform 2 power cleaning cycles specifically for the white ink channel, then print a test strip to confirm ink output.

4. Check circulation lines: Confirm white ink circulation lines have no kinks or blockages. Remove the inlet end of the circulation pump and check if ink residue is blocking the filter screen.

5. Replace filters: If white ink has been used for a long time, the filter in the ink line may be clogged with titanium dioxide. Replace with a new filter.

Preventive Measures

• White ink must be stirred and circulated daily, even if not printing white. Run for at least 30 minutes per day.

• Never let white ink cartridge level drop below 20%. Top up in time to avoid drawing air.

Problem Description

The UV lamp fails to light, or lights up but printed ink remains uncured — tacky to the touch and easily scraped off with a fingernail. In severe cases, the ink remains liquid and transfers on contact. Uncured areas have soft ink layers and a noticeable odor.

Possible Causes

1. UV lamp tube/LED module is aged or damaged, with insufficient output power

2. UV lamp power supply or driver board failure

3. Print speed is too fast, UV lamp exposure time is insufficient for complete curing

4. UV lamp surface is obscured by ink mist/dust, reducing light transmission

Resolution Steps

1. Visual inspection of UV lamp status: Observe whether the UV lamp lights normally. For LED lamps, if some LEDs don't light, the module is damaged and needs replacement. For mercury lamps, if not lighting, check if the tube is blackened or leaking.

2. Clean UV lamp housing: After machine shutdown and cooling, wipe the lamp housing/light-transmitting glass surface with lint-free cloth dipped in alcohol to remove ink mist and dust buildup.

3. Adjust lamp power and speed: Increase UV lamp power in software (e.g., from 50% to 70%) or reduce print speed to ensure each ink line receives sufficient UV exposure.

4. Check power connections: Inspect UV lamp power cords and driver board connections for looseness; check plugs for burn marks.

5. Lamp replacement: UV mercury lamps show significant output decay after 1000+ cumulative hours of use. Replace according to lifespan cycle.

Preventive Measures

• Record UV lamp usage time and replace preventively on a cycle to avoid sudden failure during production.

• Clean the UV lamp housing surface weekly to maintain light transmission rate.

Problem Description

Printed patterns deviate from the preset position, showing overall offset or local skewing. During multi-pass printing, registration errors between passes create ghosting or misalignment. Especially noticeable in high-precision applications like phone cases or business cards.

Possible Causes

1. Origin/coordinate system not calibrated or has shifted

2. Material placement is not parallel, with tilt relative to the platform

3. Vision positioning system not calibrated (AI vision models)

4. Belt/screw mechanical clearance has increased

Resolution Steps

1. Recalibrate origin: Execute origin calibration (Home/Origin Calibration) in the equipment control interface to ensure X/Y axis zero positions are accurate.

2. Check material placement: Confirm material edges are parallel to platform guide rails. Use a right angle ruler to verify; use stops to secure material if needed.

3. Vision system calibration: For AI vision models like TC-2513Mh, execute camera calibration: print calibration plate → photograph → auto-calculate offset → save calibration parameters.

4. Mechanical clearance compensation: In advanced settings, increase screw/belt clearance compensation value, typically set to 0.02-0.05mm.

5. Bi-directional print calibration: If offset only appears on reverse travel, run Bi-Di calibration to eliminate forward/reverse error.

Preventive Measures

• After changing material specifications, always run one origin calibration and test print first.

• Regularly inspect and tighten mechanical drive components to prevent clearance increase.

Problem Description

Printed colors deviate noticeably from the design file — reds skew orange, blues skew purple, grays shift green. Color inconsistency between approved samples and production runs, or the same file prints differently at different times.

Possible Causes

1. ICC color profile is mismatched or missing

2. Ink batch differences causing color drift

3. Print parameters (pass count, ink volume) settings are inconsistent

4. Material batch differences, surface ink absorption varies

Resolution Steps

1. Confirm ICC configuration: Check whether the ICC file corresponding to the current "ink + material" combination is loaded in the RIP software. Must recreate ICC when changing materials or inks.

2. Create new ICC curve: Use a spectrophotometer (e.g., i1Pro) to print a color chart → measure → generate ICC → import into RIP software. Recommend creating a separate ICC for each commonly used material.

3. Standardize print parameters: Establish a standard parameter template, fix pass count, ink volume, resolution, and UV lamp power to prevent operators from arbitrarily changing settings.

4. Ink batch management: Record each ink batch number. When switching batches, print a test strip first for comparison. If batch color difference exceeds the allowable range, contact ink supplier or recalibrate.

5. Material pretreatment: When surface energy differs greatly between material batches, apply coating first or adjust ink volume parameters.

Preventive Measures

• Establish a "material-ink-parameters" standard template library and strictly follow templates for every production run.

• Verify color calibration with a spectrophotometer monthly to ensure ICC curves remain valid.

Problem Description

Printed images lose detail, text edges appear jagged or fuzzy, lines lack sharpness, and small fonts are hard to read. Under magnification, ink drops spread excessively, dot edges diffuse severely, and the output lacks definition.

Possible Causes

1. Resolution set too low (e.g., using 360dpi instead of 720dpi or higher)

2. Printhead height too high, ink drops drift and spread during flight

3. Ink volume too high, ink spreads and overflows on material surface

4. Material surface too smooth/non-absorbent, ink drops cannot form properly

Resolution Steps

1. Increase print resolution: Raise resolution from 360dpi to 720dpi or higher in RIP software. Prioritize high-precision mode for fine content.

2. Lower printhead height: Adjust printhead height to the recommended minimum (typically 2-3mm) to reduce ink drop flight drift. Note: avoid head crashes from warped material areas.

3. Reduce ink volume: Appropriately reduce total ink volume (e.g., from 120% to 100%) to reduce ink drop spread. Adjust "ink limit" and "total ink limit" in RIP.

4. Use coating or pretreatment: For smooth, non-absorbent materials (such as acrylic, metal), spray specialized UV coating before printing to effectively control ink drop spread.

Preventive Measures

• Before printing important files, first confirm the effect at current resolution and printhead height with a test pattern.

• Smooth materials must use coating; do not substitute by reducing ink volume.

Problem Description

Please refer to the Troubleshooting section or contact SPRINTER technical support for detailed diagnostic guidance.

Possible Causes

Please contact technical support for the complete list of causes and solutions.

Resolution Steps

Contact SPRINTER technical support: support@huiditech.com

Preventive Measures

Please contact SPRINTER technical support for daily maintenance recommendations.

Problem Description

Please refer to the Troubleshooting section or contact SPRINTER technical support for detailed diagnostic guidance.

Possible Causes

Please contact technical support for the complete list of causes and solutions.

Resolution Steps

Contact SPRINTER technical support: support@huiditech.com

Preventive Measures

Please contact SPRINTER technical support for daily maintenance recommendations.

Problem Description

Please refer to the Troubleshooting section or contact SPRINTER technical support for detailed diagnostic guidance.

Possible Causes

Please contact technical support for the complete list of causes and solutions.

Resolution Steps

Contact SPRINTER technical support: support@huiditech.com

Preventive Measures

Please contact SPRINTER technical support for daily maintenance recommendations.

Problem Description

Please refer to the Troubleshooting section or contact SPRINTER technical support for detailed diagnostic guidance.

Possible Causes

Please contact technical support for the complete list of causes and solutions.

Resolution Steps

Contact SPRINTER technical support: support@huiditech.com

Preventive Measures

Please contact SPRINTER technical support for daily maintenance recommendations.