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Capping Station Pads swelling? Solution here.

Ghost Prophet

Ghost Prophet

New Member
Alright about a month ago my capping station pads swelled up, and I had a chat with fellow signs101 member, Robert M at signagespecialist.com who informed me that the problem was most likely due to the new inks Mutoh started releasing. He informed me that he was receiving orders for capping stations like there was no tomorrow and I in turn bought one, and then proceeded to complain to Mutoh service department, who also sent me a free maintenance assembly array (this is the metal platform that the capping station sits on with pump/tubes/the works).

I used the maintenance assembly array that Mutoh sent me and 2 weeks later the capping station pads swelled up again, so I gave them a call. 6 phone conversation, 2 voicemails, and 8 days later, I have in my posession Mutoh's modified capping station with metal mesh over the top of the original pads.

I took some photos for you guys and am going to install it tomorrow.

Mutoh should really be doing a recall but seeing as they aren't, feel free to call their service department in Arizona at 1-800-996-8864 (ext 5) and ask them for their working version.
 

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randya

New Member
Ghost Prophet said:
Alright about a month ago my capping station pads swelled up, and I had a chat with fellow signs101 member, Robert M at signagespecialist.com who informed me that the problem was most likely due to the new inks Mutoh started releasing. He informed me that he was receiving orders for capping stations like there was no tomorrow and I in turn bought one, and then proceeded to complain to Mutoh service department, who also sent me a free maintenance assembly array (this is the metal platform that the capping station sits on with pump/tubes/the works).

I used the maintenance assembly array that Mutoh sent me and 2 weeks later the capping station pads swelled up again, so I gave them a call. 6 phone conversation, 2 voicemails, and 8 days later, I have in my posession Mutoh's modified capping station with metal mesh over the top of the original pads.

I took some photos for you guys and am going to install it tomorrow.

Mutoh should really be doing a recall but seeing as they aren't, feel free to call their service department in Arizona at 1-800-996-8864 (ext 5) and ask them for their working version.
Click to expand...



In all fairness, sometimes there is only one tech in house here.
We have a number of techs, but they do go out on service calls, perform training, refurbish equip, etc, etc...
That service tech just happens to be the biggest customer advocate in service, and goes out of his way, nights and weekends to help customers, so there is no run around here, but a large workload, and a dedicated guy.

I am no longer in the service department, and have been very busy myself, but I did go back and see what is going on.

Caps do swell up over time and are considered a consumable item, why some are reporting a very short time is still unknown to Mutoh.
There can be a lot of factors, in the field, from improper maintenance to improper chemicals used for cleaning to just bad parts.

Apparently, the service depart has been unable to reproduce the swelling of the caps in house, and only a very small percentage of the caps out there are actually having issues, so there is no justification for a recall. But we are concerned that people are having issues.

All the while they have been researching possible solutions for those with issues.
Hence, the screen fix that you received.

I examined some of the capping stations that have been returned as 'problematic', some are obviously more than just weeks or even a few months old. Some of these just need replacement as the consumable parts that they are. Some are new.

Mutoh continues to examine the problem and trys to deal with it in a fair and just manner.

Not making excuses, just giving you another perspective.

Our customers ARE our business.
And our goal is to preserve and grow our business.
 
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ddarlak

ddarlak

Go Bills!
anyone know where to buy just the mesh? i have been searching for some time since the capping stations started showing up without them.

Photo0592.jpg
 
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randya

New Member
ddarlak said:
anyone know where to buy just the mesh? i have been searching for some time since the capping stations started showing up without them.

View attachment 55052
Click to expand...

Apparently they have stopped making the brass mesh that we have been using, and so they are searching for another source.

I suggested that they look up McMaster-Carr.

My understanding is that they take out one pad and leave one pad in and put the mesh over that.
 
Ghost Prophet

Ghost Prophet

New Member
Maybe the person I spoke with was just having a bad week. I don't know. I had some very good conversations with them and some very hostile and disturbing conversations with them, which are very memorable and I didn't appreciate.

All of my experiences with other techs in the server dept. have been great.

randya said:
All the while they have been researching possible solutions for those with issues.
Hence, the screen fix that you received.
Click to expand...

I installed the new capping station with "screen fix" today and have been having trouble getting a good seal on it. Seeing as I only have half a day experience with the new screen I can't judge it too harshly but I have to say that it seems very flimsy, and I don't expect it to hold out for very long if a pad should swell.

randya said:
I examined some of the capping stations that have been returned as 'problematic', some are obviously more than just weeks or even a few months old. Some of these just need replacement as the consumable parts that they are. Some are new.
Click to expand...

The capping station that I'm sending back to Chuck for inspection was 2 weeks old, and it was supplied by Mutoh service dept. I have another capping station here that swelled up in only 3 days with minimal use, but not as bad.

randya said:
Not making excuses, just giving you another perspective.
Click to expand...

And that's why I love you Randy. ^_^
 
R

randya

New Member
Your feedback is appreciated.
Please take good notes and pics and forward them back to Mutoh Customer Care.
 
S

Steve C.

New Member
OMG are you telling me that is supposed to stay in there...? I've been
prying it out, I thought it was just to hold the sponge in while shipping.:doh:
 
Ghost Prophet

Ghost Prophet

New Member
Steve C. said:
OMG are you telling me that is supposed to stay in there...? I've been
prying it out, I thought it was just to hold the sponge in while shipping.:doh:
Click to expand...

Lol...Wow... Yeah dude, that is suppose to hold the pads down... while printing... not shipping.
 

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randya

New Member
Steve C. said:
So, you're telling me the heads are not supposed to ever be in contact with
the sponges?
Click to expand...

That is correct.

If they do, they will wick ink out, mix colors in the dampers (cross-contamination), or can even empty a set of carts overnight.
 
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