How to Fix Common CISS Tubing Fitment Issues: Troubleshooting Too-Small or Inflexible Tubes

Question:

I'm having trouble connecting the tubes to my Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS). The tubing I purchased is too small and not flexible enough to fit the connectors. What should I do?

Answer:

Why Your Tubes Don’t Fit the CISS Connectors

The issue you’re experiencing—tubes that are too small or not flexible enough to fit onto your CISS connectors—is quite common when setting up or customizing a Continuous Ink Supply System. Here’s what might be going wrong and how you can resolve it:

1. Tubing Sizes Are Industry-Specific

At BCH Technologies, we sell tubing based on standardized connector sizes, such as C2, C3, etc. These labels correspond to industry-standard fittings commonly used in various types of CISS setups. However, not all printers or third-party CISS systems follow the exact specifications, which means a mismatch can occur if the tubing doesn’t match the precise dimensions of your connectors.

2. Responsibility of Size Matching

Because CISS configurations vary by manufacturer and even printer model, it's the customer’s responsibility to measure the connectors before purchasing tubing. Unfortunately, we don’t provide a universal size chart due to the wide variation in CISS systems on the market, and we can’t reliably determine the correct tubing sizes from photos alone.

3. How to Measure Correctly

To ensure proper fitment:

• Use calipers or a precise ruler to measure both the Inner Diameter (ID) and Outer Diameter (OD) of the connector where the tube is supposed to fit.

• Once you have those measurements, reach out to us. We can then help guide you to a tubing size that matches your setup (e.g., if your connector is 3mm OD, you might need C3 tubing).

• Keep in mind that flexibility varies depending on the tubing wall thickness and material. If flexibility is a problem, consider using a heat gun or warm water to soften the tubing before installation gently—just be cautious not to deform it.

Why Some Tubes Are Too Rigid

Some users also find the tubes too stiff. This is often due to:

• Material composition (e.g., PVC vs. silicone)

• Temperature conditions during handling

• Improper size selection, which leads to excess pressure when trying to fit a small tube over a larger barb

Choosing a tube with a slightly larger ID or using silicone-based tubes (which are more flexible than PVC) may help in these cases.

Final Thoughts

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out. We’re grateful for your continued trust in BCH Technologies, and we’re here to help however we can!