Need Help Print Head Bad? (pics)

[cgordon]

Hi everyone,
New to the forum although I have referenced it for Years

We have a mutoh Value Jet 1204. I can't say it has been maintained meticulously over the years and it has been getting progressively worst banding. From reading around it seems I have some blocked nozzles? I have soaked the head on the printer, ran cleaning cycles and still getting the results in the pictures.

What would be your next step?

 

[Colinm]

It's a long shot but have a look right along the path of the print head for any build up of ink that might be scraping the bottom of the printhead.

 

[GaSouthpaw]

It definitely looks like you've got some nozzles missing.
As Colinm said, check the printer for anything that might be hitting the nozzle. You might get lucky.
Whether you find anything that might be interfering with proper printing or not, clean the bejeebers out of the entire printer- particularly the print area. Carefully wipe your encoder strip (or maybe it's a wheel on that particular model?), re-run the cleaning cycle (heavy, I think?), clean your docking station, change your sponges and wiper out, clean the printhead (including the sides), then run the cleaning cycle again. You might get lucky.
And take it as a lesson- regular maintenance will almost always prolong the life of any piece of equipment. If you're not the person in charge of the printer, suggest to the boss that it be made part of that person's duties. If it is your responsibility- take it on yourself to learn the printer's maintenance routine.
If not, ... call a tech in?

 

[heyskull]

How old is the head as they last no more than 4-5 years no matter how much they have been used?
Also the first thing I would be doing is change out the complete maintenance station.

SC

 

[cgordon]

The printer is about 5-6 years old, aside from cleaning, replacing the wipers and mats a few times. It has never had any other maintenance.

I will try the encoder and do some more cleaning. Assuming those do not get it working, is it time for a new head?

 

[Colinm]

The printer is about 5-6 years old, aside from cleaning, replacing the wipers and mats a few times. It has never had any other maintenance.

I will try the encoder and do some more cleaning. Assuming those do not get it working, is it time for a new head?

Personally I would start with replacing the maintenance station as that should be needing replaced anyway. You might get lucky and the new pump and better seal fixes your problem on a strong clean but it's most likely that you need a new head.

 

[floater302]

You can try to clean it more but if it has been sitting it might be a lost cause, try hooking up a syringe with a tube to the black nozzle and gently run acetone through it, if you cant get it done with that then its team for a new printhead.