Performing a Nipple Conversion on the Epson ET 8550 Printer

Epson ET 8550 printers can be upgraded to a more efficient nipped ink intake setup by adjusting the printhead and ensuring system sealing and setup for ink intake. The benefits of this modification are significant, providing home-based users with another means of optimizing their system. This guide will walk you through the process, from removing the printhead to priming the damper and printhead.

Removing the Printhead

The first step in the nipple transformation is to remove the printhead from your Epson ET 8550. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Unscrew the Cover: You will unscrew using a screwdriver on the two screws found in front of the printer cover. With the screws removed, lift it open from either side along these tabs. You don't need to disconnect the transportation lock assembly if you have a drag chain system.

Disconnect the Tubes: Remove all the tubes from the dampers. Turn your printer on and wait for it to clear the head. Then, park it until it has naturally rested over the capping station. This prevents any remaining ink from being wasted and spilled during the phase above.

Drain the Rest of the Ink: Thin syringe, slowly suck all remaining Ink from the dampers. You must carefully proceed, avoiding a disaster or destroying the innards.

Sealing the Printhead

Waterproofing the printhead will prevent Ink from leaking and will make your printhead last. For these, BCH Technologies has special silicone seals on their site.

Seal with Silicone: Applying a bead of silicone seal is a crucial step in the process. This seal closes up areas surrounding the print head where excess Ink will likely seep through from the edges to the FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) connection.

What if I apply too much silicone?  If too much is applied accidentally, wipe it away using the provided cleanup pads. These pads keep the seal to ensure a clean application.

Check Conductivity: Verify that the silicone seal is non-conductive to electricity. This will prevent you from shorting out the printhead when you reassemble it.

Printhead Nipple Cover Installation

Install the printhead nipple cover: This cover's installation is critical for your print head to work correctly in alignment.

As you remove the printhead, look for the black rubber seal. Align the serial number on the new base to the side with two holes on top. This orientation is essential to ensure the printhead's operation.

Secure the Screws: Always cross-tighten your screws first to achieve even pressure distribution. After this, continue to screw the remaining screws, which will lock the printhead firmly in place.

Damping Configuration - OEM Tubes Without Drag Chain

While the dampers will work perfectly well using OEM tubes without a drag chain, you may need to make minor adjustments to the damper to fit and function properly.

Use a Dremel tool or sandpaper to power the 1/2-inch inside diameter part of the assembly until it is reduced to fit into the OEM tubes. This step will stop the dampers from popping out of the assembly.

Dampers Installation: Install the dampers to the tubes and press them into place. This allows the capacitors and cables to be mounted in a streamlined fashion and straightens them out for performance reasons.

Once the dampers are installed, re-mount the clear plastic tube guard to the bottom of the assembly to keep each other sorted.

Setup the Dampeners: Clear Tubes with Drag Chain

If you use a clear tube with a drag chain, this is how to set up the dampers correctly.

Use number three elbow connectors because the damper connects to a size three connection, and the tube size is two records. This ensures a snug fit to prevent air from entering the ink flow.

Shorten the Elbows: Cut each C3 end of the elbows a bit to adjust for footprint. This adaptation takes room from the car installments and gives a more optimal fitting damper.

After inserting the connectors, attach tubes to your dampers. Just a quick tip, screw them on pretty tightly because if they leak, either you filled them too full or not tight enough.

Conditioning the Damper and Printhead

Prime the damper and printhead, the last crucial step in the conversion process. This step ensures a consistent ink flow and signals that the printer is ready to function at its best. This final step makes you feel accomplished and prepared for your printer's optimal performance.

Introduce Ink to the Dampers: Draw Ink into the dampers until every bound pas has been filled with Ink. Ensure no air bubbles enter the printhead; otherwise, you cannot print.

 Install a Tube Holder to prevent tubes from hitting the printer. This holder ensures the tubes' stability and reduces the chances of harm.

Priming the printhead: Move the park to the capping station and slowly pump a small amount of Ink into the system. A little resistance is what you want; it means the printhead is primed for printing.

Ensuring Stable Performance and Maintenance for the Long-haul

Here are some maintenance tips that can help you maintain the optimum performance of your Epson ET 8550 after a nipple conversion process:

Regular Printhead Cleaning: Clean the printhead using a damp cloth or cleaning solution to remove dried Ink and dust. This will extend the life of your cart and help keep printing quality high.

Look out for several leaks in silicone seals and dampers. Please do not allow any issues to persist in your printer without a quick response, as they may harm the inside of your printer.

Change out parts when required: Dampers or tube connectors will likely tarnish, so replace them as needed.

Converting your Epson ET 8550 into a nipple conversion kit will surely enhance and increase the efficiency of your ink flow.

By following these steps, you can convert your Epson ET 8550 into a nipple conversion kit and get printing with confidence. If you have any issues or would instead not do this yourself, BCH Technologies also provides a conversion service that handles everything for you.