The range of applications for industrial-grade inkjet printing systems is vast: direct mail, labels, plastic cards, cardboard, and more. As new ink formulations are developed, the universe of substrates expands. However, inkjet printing is not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. Systematic maintenance is necessary. Here are some insights for optimizing inkjet printing equipment maintenance. With these strategies, printers can reduce costs without compromising print quality or operational efficiency.
We’ve created a roadmap to improve uptime, extend equipment lifespan, and maintain competitive output quality by aligning maintenance practices with business goals.
Why is Regular Maintenance Essential for Optimum Inkjet Printer Productivity?
- Print Quality Issues Prevented: Inkjet printers use tiny nozzles to deliver ink onto the substrate. Dried ink, dust, and debris clog these nozzles. This can produce streaks, faded prints, or incomplete images. Routine cleaning ensures consistent print quality and prevents nozzle blockages.
- Extends Life: Regular maintenance reduces wear and tear on critical components, including printheads, rollers, and ink delivery systems. Regular maintenance extends the inkjet printer’s life and reduces the need for costly repairs or replacements.
- Reduces Downtime and Production Delays: A poorly maintained inkjet printer is prone to breakdowns and malfunctions. Regular maintenance minimizes downtime, ensuring continued operation and uninterrupted production schedules.
- Improves Ink Efficiency: Clogged or misaligned printheads can cause excessive ink usage, waste, and added operational costs.
- Accelerate Print Speed and Performance: A well-maintained inkjet system operates at peak efficiency and speed. Routine maintenance maintains maximum throughput without compromising print quality.
- Prevents Repairs: Routine maintenance prevents issues that require significant repairs or complete printer replacements. Practices include printhead cleaning, replacing filters, and systematically inspecting the printer for components showing signs of wear.
- Ensures Consistency: Consistency is crucial for service providers relying on inkjet printing for packaging, direct mail, and transactional printing. Applications such as barcodes demand consistently high quality images. The codes must be printed so inserters or applications outside the production environment can quickly scan them. Regular maintenance ensures uniform color accuracy, sharpness, and clarity across all printed documents.
Why is Optimum Productivity Essential for Profitability?
When a production inkjet system is running, it is making money. When stopped, it does not produce revenue.
Routine Maintenance
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, instructions, and maintenance schedule for maximum productivity. Routine maintenance should include on-site visits from the manufacturer at scheduled intervals for deep diagnostics and incident prevention beyond routine maintenance and cleaning. A daily routine includes:
- Temperature control. The inkjet system must be in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, as specified by the manufacturer, to ensure proper ink consistency and system performance.
- Wipe down the exterior of the inkjet system daily with a lint-free cloth using water or an alcohol-based cleaner. Note that normal shop towels often contain lint, which can clog nozzles. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning solutions.
- Inspect the printer for anything that seems wrong. Inconsistencies include changes in print quality, leaky tubing, odd noises, or odors from the printer. Always check for dust on the exterior or interior surfaces of the printer. Dust is the enemy of print quality and print heads.
Document Data Solutions 360º Maintenance and Support
Document Data Solution’s core business philosophy is the customer comes first. If an inkjet printer has a work stoppage, DDS’s technical engineers immediately prioritize returning it to operation. DDS offers several service options, including the “Uptime Protection Plan” program for preventative maintenance to preserve system hardware reliability. This program and the DDS “Service in Seconds” remote support offer a comprehensive maintenance and repair platform. In addition, Document Data Solutions provides traditional on-site service and maintenance options, which include “Uptime Protection” for software only or scaled to include software and hardware.
Contracting with a dedicated and experienced support team is the best choice for most printing companies. As the equipment becomes more advanced, self-service becomes a less attractive option. Neglected maintenance due to onsite resource constraints often leads to costly downtime and repairs.
Benefits of Remote Support: The “Service in Seconds” Platform
The “Service in Seconds” platform arms DDS’s clients with a robust and immediate service solution designed to resolve maintenance or operational issues. The platform maintains uptime and productivity. This secure, HIPAA-compliant service is conveniently available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time Monday through Friday. From the DDS inkjet system dashboard, the user navigates to “Help” on the menu and clicks “Live Assistance” to connect immediately to an experienced technician for issue resolution.
Delivering the DDS Advantage
Document Data Solutions provides unrivaled customized data collection, quality control, and printing solutions. With over a quarter century of experience and research in the print and mail industry, DDS maintains strong strategic industry partnerships with complementary technology. We engineer each solution specifically for individual applications, using pioneering software and hardware technology. DDS’s exclusive “Service in Seconds” support and issue resolution feature means an experienced technician is only a click away while the client maintains productivity and profitability.