Troubleshooting White Ink Clogs in Your Printer: A Step-by-Step to Service the White Ink System (WIMS)

 We're here to dive into an aspect of printer maintenance that many overlook - the White Ink Management System (WIMS). This essential component requires careful handling and periodic care to maintain the best printing performance.

Damper Removal and Tube Connection

The first step involves removing the dampers, and it's simpler than it might sound. With the help of a dental tool, you can gently pull down and remove the dampers. Our team member Kevin introduced a gray connector piece that attaches the two tubes, forming a complete cycle. The tubes, one of 2.5 millimeters for white ink and the other for colored ink, are instrumental in this process.

Ink Extraction and Damper Cleaning

After the damper removal, you'll need to release the water trapped in the damper. By pressing down on the central membrane and shaking it a bit, the water inside is released, loosening any stuck ink. A syringe will help you to extract the remaining ink. In cases where the damper is excessively clogged, consider replacing it. However, those on a budget can often restore its function by thorough cleaning.

Refilling and System Restart

With the white ink dampers emptied, it's time to refill the system with distilled water. Turning the system on at this stage helps to circulate the distilled water throughout the white ink system. If you're using a DTF printer, investing in a distilled water machine could be a beneficial step to both provide drinking water and prevent leaks.

Uncovering the Peristaltic Pump

Disassembling the printer's casing, I returned to areas where all the screws would be. This was to familiarize you with the uncasing process and allow us to observe the peristaltic pump. Although it operates, it was unsuccessful in pushing anything through.

The pump runs for 30 seconds, stops for a 15 minute period, then resumes its cycle. Unfortunately, in this case, the white ink was congesting all the tubes. The pump's small motor pushes out the ink through a U-shaped tube encompassing three rollers before the ink moves through the printer.

Clearing the Blockage and Final Adjustments

Our current endeavor is to unclog the pump. Using a syringe filled with water and applying force can dislodge the obstructing ink. Upon accomplishing this, it's time to reattach the pump, taking care to position the tubes to avoid any kinks.

Once done, remember that the system is easy to adjust. For example, you can elevate the drawn point or have a secondary printer on standby to maintain the print head during long absences.

If you need to replace the color tube or the ink tank, there's a guide earlier in this post. It's recommended to use a smaller 75 ml tank and store your ink in the bottle to ensure better management.

I hope this comprehensive guide to managing your White Ink Management System (WIMS) has been helpful. With a bit of patience and attention to detail, you can ensure your printer maintains optimum performance. And there we have it! Remember, practice makes perfect, and no task is too daunting with the right guidance. Watch our video below for a more detailed look into this process. Happy printing!