ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF Printer: A Detailed Review and Troubleshooting Guide

For Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, the ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF printer is hitting the market as a comprehensive and speedy solution. As the repair shop's owner, though, I manage transmissions that often arrive on three wheels. This review has been based on a single unit but should give an idea of a similar product's strengths and weaknesses, even if it doesn't reflect the whole brand. Read on if you’re thinking about this printer or need help troubleshooting. Also, we have a video down below that shows how it’s done.

ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF Printer: Key features

The ProColored F8 has some features that optimize printing performance. It has some remarkable features, such as:

• Optimized Chipset — An accessory card that controls ink flow to more easily control how much is put down during printing.
• The White Ink Circulation System contains a mixer in the tank and two circulation tubes (inflow and outflow), which helps to always keep the white ink flowing, preventing sedimentation.
• Auto Clean Print Head Twice a day, the printer pulls 1ml of ink from the capping station for cleaning the print head automatically.
• RIP Software for Print on Demand: The ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF printer comes with its own RIP software, a step up from previous generations.
• Wrinkle Detection System – The printer checks if the film has wrinkles on it, when detecting an issue, the printing process stops.
• Features: Taking mini rolls up to 210mm wide, the unit offers roll printing support

Ink Circulation and Pump System Problems

One of the primary concerns is the printer's ink circulation system, mainly the white ink. Toggle voters reported more trouble getting the white ink to work right, as it often clogs components.

There is a 24-volt diaphragm pump out of the box to circulate white ink. The pump worked well with water but not with white ink in tests. I responded by swapping the pump out for another diaphragm pump, but it failed within two days. The failure was due to the condensation of ink in the tubes, blocking the smooth flow of ink.

Furthermore, the initial return tube was too narrow, hindering ink circulation. The narrowest point in the tubing limits the flow rate so that this design flaw would have exacerbated circulation failures. Even after replacing the tubing and pumps, the circulation system could not keep up with demand, so we suspect that the voltage provided to the pump is insufficient.

Fixes for Voltage Problems and More

I checked the voltage supplied to the ink circulation motor and found that the printer is supposed to provide 24 volts but only 12 volts. That means either the pump manufacturer needs to install the right pump or the chipset is limiting the output voltage.

I solved the problem by substituting a diaphragm pump with a peristaltic one, which works better under low voltages. The extent to which the circulation system worked aided in identifying that pump selection is pivotal in ensuring ink flows correctly.

Error Signals and Waste Ink Pump

One of the other troublesome spots is the waste ink pump. Over months of operation, the diaphragm pump displaced waste ink, but dried ink could back up and cause the pump to fail. If waste ink is not draining, check the tubes and the pump itself.

This printer also has a problem that causes the head movement to get out of sync with the pump. When that happens, the print head can lock up on the platform, and you'll see a double error light. This error generally occurs after a few days of usage and hangs the print head mid-air. If not taken care of, it can lead to the drying out of the print head, which can cause irreparable damage.

To avoid this, the waste ink pump must be checked regularly and not blocked. And if the machine shows double error lights, restarting the printer several times may help in such cases.

Changes to the mechanics and design

The ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF printer has a compact and organized design. But I made some changes to get it to work the way I wanted it to, including:

Installation of White Ink Filter: This setup did not come with a white ink filter used to stop any sedimentation that could clog the systems.

Replacing the Drag Chain — Since the original printer didn't have a proper drag chain to keep the tubing covered, I added one so the tubes could glide more easily without getting kinked.

Upgrade Tubing: The pre-installed tubing on the printer was too thin to pass the ink successfully; for example, BCH Technologies Tubing was better suited for white ink and circulating ink.

Common Errors and Troubleshooting Tips

If you are getting errors with this printer, some essential troubleshooting steps are given below:

FE Code (Paper Feed Error): An FE error means the motor has exceeded the allowable paper feed speed. Rebooting the printer a few times can sometimes temporarily fix this problem.

Waste Ink Not Draining: Check for a clogged or failed diaphragm pump and, if necessary, install a more dependable pump.

Ink Circulation Problems: If you notice a problem with ink circulation, check the voltage supplied to the pump and then replace the pump with a peristaltic pump.

Print Head Stuck or Double Error Lights: Restart the printer and ensure the waste ink pump operates appropriately. The print head must be cleaned or replaced if it has dried up.

The ProColored F8 Panda A4 DTF printer is packed with promising features, but there are some challenges to consider by users from the outset. The ink circulation and lost ink pump systems must be monitored regularly and adjusted if necessary to work correctly. Now, the pump has a voltage configuration mismatch that presents a serious issue that could potentially influence the system's performance or require components to be replaced.

If you are interested in DTF printing, you can adjust these to make the printer behave and last longer. If you have the same problem, check your pump voltages, upgrade your tubing, and find other ways to eliminate that waste ink.

We have been into the printer, its supplies, and replacement parts since October 2023. Watch our video below for a step-by-step walkthrough of the troubleshooting and changes.