Preparing Roland Inkjets for Periods of Non-Use
Roland inkjet printers were designed to accommodate short periods of downtime. Each printer performs automated maintenance when the machine is not in use. However, there are some situations that require extended periods of downtime, this is especially true in educational settings. It is important to properly prepare these devices for extended downtime to prevent damage and to ensure that your machine is in perfect production shape when you’re ready to start printing again.
Keep the Main Power On
The Roland Printer will routinely turn on and perform a head flush into the cap top gasket (or mist pad on select models). The printer will then turn off after this procedure. This will insure the print head nozzles will be maintained.
Measures When Printer is Not in Use for an Extended Period
For customers using Eco-Solvent Printers, UV Printers, and Textile and Dye-Sublimation Printers, please be sure to follow the instructions shown below when the printer is not in use for extended periods.
Perform a Manual Maintenance
Take a moment to perform the manual maintenance routine (found in the control panel menu) to clean around the print head frame, cap top gaskets and wiper blade(s). This will improve the printer’s performance during the downtime period. Roland references these procedures in the Users Manual and product maintenance guides. Roland Manuals are available here.
Manual Maintenance Video Links
XR-640, EJ-640, XT-640 & XF-640
Using White Inks?
Remove the white ink cartridge or pouch every 1-2 weeks and shake it carefully for 20 seconds, then reinstall.
Empty the Drain Bottle/Replace the Waste Cartridge in Advance of Extended Periods
If you know that you will not use the machine for an extended period, empty the drain bottle or replace the waste cartridge (BN-20 model). When the main power is on, the machine periodically performs automatic maintenance in which fluid is discharged. Leaving the drain bottle as-is will lead to the discharged fluid overflowing. Please refer to the user’s manual of your machine for the detail procedure. Roland Manuals are available here.
Do Not Empty the Ink or Cleaning Liquid
Periodically performed automatic maintenance discharges ink and cleaning liquid. Install a cleaning liquid pouch and ink pouches, or ink cartridge with a sufficient amount remaining. If the ink cartridge, ink pouch or cleaning liquid pouch is empty, automatic maintenance will not occur.
Switch the Sub Power on Once Every Two Weeks or Once a Month
For prolonged periods, switch the sub power on once every 1-2 weeks. When you turn on the power, the machine automatically performs operations such as those to keep the print heads from drying out. Leaving the machine unused for a prolonged period may damage the print heads, so be sure to switch on the power to perform these automatic operations.
For the exact frequency of sub power on for each unit, please refer to the user’s manual of your machine. Roland Manuals are available here.
Keep the Machine at a Constant Temperature and Relative Humidity
Even when the machine is not in use, keep it at a temperature and a relative humidity as written in user’s manual. Temperatures that are too high may degrade the ink and cause malfunction. Temperatures that are too low may cause the ink to freeze and damage the heads.
Applies To
BN-20, LEF-12, LEF-12i, LEF-20, LEF-200, LEF2-200, LEF2-300, LEF-300, SG-300, SG-540, VG2-540, VG2-640, VG-540, VG-640, XF-640, XR-640, XT-640