Downtime Maintenance Tips for Printers

It’s important to take a few simple steps to make sure your printer is in top shape when you’re ready to come back to the shop. Here are some tips to help you avoid any additional downtime due to maintenance issues.

Regular manual cleaning

The biggest fear of many printer operators is that components will clog if left idle for a long period, leading to lengthy cleaning processes and potential damage to the system. Heads and cap tops can foul, potentially causing the nozzle heads to clog or deflect, or ink accumulating in the head can get messy droplets of ink on your print material. To avoid these issues, make sure you manually clean your equipment — inside and out —at regular intervals, and particularly ahead of a shutdown.

Enable automatic cleaning

A lot of your pre-break to-do list is covered by the automatic cleaning systems fitted in some manufacturers’ printing and plotting equipment, which continue working when you don’t. Even if you’re down for the short term, remember to turn the machine off at the front panel but leave the primary power source switch on at the back. This enables the automatic maintenance system to do its stuff, keeping the device spick and span for when you get back to the print room.

Cover up

Keeping your printer covered up during shutdown periods can help ensure that dust and debris don’t have a chance to settle and build up on the platen, or any of the other vital parts of the printer since you will not be in the shop to keep the printer clean.

Note: This information originally appears here.