How to Properly Align Your Printhead and Capping Station After Replacement

Question

A customer asked how to properly align a printhead and capping station after replacing them. They mentioned that there is almost no visual information available online, and despite rebuilding most of the printer successfully, they're stuck on this final step. The capping station doesn't seem to seal-there's ink leakage, and when vacuuming through the waste tube, they're only getting air instead of ink. They requested a detailed video and guidance to help resolve the issue.

Answer

When it comes to aligning a printhead and capping station after replacement, proper sealing is critical. If the capping station is not perfectly aligned under the printhead, the printer will fail to maintain suction. This results in the symptoms you're seeing:

• Ink leaking around the cap

• No ink flow during suction-just air being pulled

• Difficulty priming the printhead

These issues almost always point to one of the following:

1. The capping station is not centered under the printhead.

2. The height of the capping pad is incorrect (too low → won't seal; too high → may scrape).

3. Air leaks in the pump tubing or capping seals.

4. The waste tube or pump is disconnected or misaligned.

5. The capping station gear system is mis-timed after reinstallation.

Below is a detailed guide incorporating your concerns, plus references to videos that will help you visually understand alignment, sealing, and troubleshooting.

1. Start With Printhead Movement and Home Positioning

Before aligning the capping station, ensure the printhead travels smoothly and parks correctly. If the printhead doesn't land squarely over the cap, suction will fail.

These videos on diagnosing printhead-related noises and alignment can help:

• Screeching / grinding diagnosis (Video 1): Screeching Sound Fix (https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU)

• Screeching / timing issues (Video 2): Carriage Noise Troubleshooting (https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g)

2. How to Align and Install the Capping Station

If you removed or replaced the capping station, the alignment must be almost perfect. Even a 1mm offset can prevent sealing.

Here are recommended guides:

Removing and Installing the Capping Station

This video walks through taking the capping station out and putting it back in place:
Capping Station Removal & Reinstallation (https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)
This guide doesn't include uncasing the printer-if you're uneasy with the internal chassis, professional help may be safer.

Ensuring Proper Capping Height

If the cap sits too low, the printhead won't seal → vacuum pulls air.
If it sits too high, it may scrape or block movement.

A properly functioning cap should:

• Sit perfectly centered under the printhead.

• Make gentle contact with the printhead gasket.

• Create enough suction for ink to flow smoothly through the waste line.

3. Fixing "Air Only" Suction Problems

You mentioned that drawing from the waste tube only pulls air.
This usually means:

• No seal between printhead and cap, OR

• A break / misalignment in the capping station tubing, OR

• Pump not engaging due to gear misalignment

These videos address clogging, suction issues, and maintenance:

• Unclogging the Capping Station
  https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c

• Capping Station Maintenance
  https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8

• Repairing the Capping Station (gears, seals, pump timing)
  https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90

• Rewiring / reconnecting capping station tubes
  https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo

Check for:

• Loose silicone tubes

• Cracked tubing

• Gear timing issues

• Pump roller wear

A tiny air leak anywhere in the chain will prevent suction.

4. Full Professional-Level Capping Station Breakdown

If none of the above solves the issue, you may need deeper disassembly.

We provide an advanced, highly detailed teardown video that disassembles the entire capping station down to the individual gears and components. This is the most complete guide available:

Capping Station Assemble/Disassemble Guide
Available on BCH Technologies website:
https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400

This guide covers every possible source of leaks, air gaps, and misalignments.

Important Note About Repair Support

Addressing printer issues can be very hands-on and often requires physical inspection of the hardware. Because of this, we're unable to offer remote, step-by-step printer repair support. However, we do offer in-person diagnostics and repairs through our local printer repair facility:
BCH Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service)

Due to high demand, repairs are first-come, first-served, and there may be a waiting period before drop-off. We repair whole printers or individual components, and all instructions are clearly outlined. Our service may not be the most budget-friendly option, so we strongly encourage DIY research wherever possible.

For self-help, please visit our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search icon located next to the "About" tab. With nine years of content uploaded, even I sometimes forget which topics have videos-but YouTube search will quickly find the exact video you need. It may also recommend helpful videos from other channels.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your incredible trust and support. Your dedication to learning and rebuilding your printer is truly impressive. We're always here to help guide you toward the resources you need.