Canon IPF610 print head cleaning message

[aoe]

Hi, I have a customer that are using a Canon IPF-610 wide format plotter that they bought about 2 years ago brand new. Whenever you go to print it comes up with a message saying to perform print head cleaning, press online button to clear message. I have performed print head cleaning many times and it still comes up. I dont feel as if the print head is bad .
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Bruno.

[ffsmak]

Clean Printhead message IPF610 and IPF710

Did you ever find a solution? I have the same issue on 2 machine.

Tom

[aoe]

No I have not figured it out yet,
hopefully some one soon will post a reply.

[CanoNiR]

This printer has a nozzle check function to detect any non-discharging nozzle. When a non-discharging nozzle is detected, the printer performs the print head cleaning
operation. If the problem persists after completion of the print head cleaning operation, the non-discharged nozzles are automatically backed up by other nozzles.

[ffsmak]

This is obviously a common issue as I have 2 machines, plus his one. The problem is that the message only clears for one print after running the head cleaning program, then returns again. So, does this suggest we need to replace or clean the print head manually, or is it something else? Someone must have an answer assuming it has happend to many techs in the past and that these 3 machines are not the only ones.

[MrB]

If i fully understand what you have posted...
(Sorry if i am wrong)

Each time you send a print it's asking for a print head clean
But if you press online it will then print...
I had this also on a iPF650 that was 18mths old
I got the customer to buy a new print head, and got me to call to install it
And it cured the fault right away

Sounds expensive but was the cure

[ffsmak]

AOE,

I think I have the solution.
Update the firmware to version 1.36. You can download it from this page, Professional Large Format Inkjet Printers - Graphic Arts Printers - Corporate and CAD Printers - Large Format Software - PIXMA Corporate and Graphic Arts Printers - PIXMA Pro Professional Inkjet Printers - Large Format Printer - imagePROGRAF iPF610 -
and run the program from a PC that is connected to the printer. Just download the file that matches your OS.

I haven't done it yet, but I think it seeks out the printer and updates the firmware automatically. After it updates, run head cleaning "B".

Hope this helps.

[TAGdesign]

[aoe]

Thanks I will try that. Hopefully it works.

[MrB]

Try This
Enter Service mode, and perform a Nozzle check B
(This will print off a test print and show you the state of the nozzle)
IF there is any missing, then YES the head has gone, and needs replacing

[aoe]

Try This
Enter Service mode, and perform a Nozzle check B
(This will print off a test print and show you the state of the nozzle)
IF there is any missing, then YES the head has gone, and needs replacing

Thanks I thought i tried that but have to go in for supplies so will try again. Thanks for the input.

[JonathanEngr]

Frustrated with this printer

I happened across this thread after trying to figure out what was wrong with my iPF610. It sounds like lots of people have had this problem.

How very frustrating! I was about to buy another brand of printer that I'd had in the past. It gave me 6 years of absolutely uninterrupted service, but the salesman bragged about the quality of the 610. Within the first three months the "clean printhead" warning came up, and for a while, the cleanings helped. Man--does it use the ink, though. Since that cured it, I just kept doing the printhead cleanings and never did anything when it seemed to stop working (I had to hit "online" for every page). However, the prints looked just fine.

Fast forward a year. My prints started getting horribly banded, so I called Canon again. Despite the fact I called previously, they said my printer was now out of warranty and I would have to buy a new printhead. I have *maybe* printed 300 to 400 24x36 pages on this printer (based on the # of rolls of paper I've been through--all black and white engineering line drawings with some color graphics--cover page and company logo)--I use it very little due to having to stand and hit "online" with every page--so it's costing me over $1 PER PAGE just due to the printhead!

My question is this... should I just sell the printer now instead of investing another $500 in it? It's inconceivable to me that a printer used so little should have a bad printhead, regardless of age (since it supposedly self-cleans when idling. Yes--my printer stays on 24/7 so it can do its maintenance). If this is common, I just don't know if I can afford this printer.

[ffsmak]

It's unfortunate that you need a new print head, but I still think these are great units. The cost per print is 75% less that most comperable machines, the speed is great and the quality is great (Baring the printhead problem). I would try the Canon suppoort line again. Another agent may send you a print head if you reference the common failure of the machine (800-423-2366). In the future run some color prints just to keep the ink from drying out in the print head. That seems to be the biggest reason for the failure of the heads. Also, if you do buy a new print head, try this with the old unit. Soak the head in hot water for a couple hours in an effort to get the dryed ink out of the head, then let it sit for a day to dry the electronics out. It may repair the old printhead, but its only theory. I've heard of this in older inkjet printers, but have never tried it before.

Good luck

[ffsmak]

One more thing, on the Canon site under downloads there is a small program and firmware update for most of these printers. It does have adjustments to the system for this problem. I suggest downloading and uprgading the firmware. It's an easy and automated program that will find your printer on your network and do the update.

[wendy]

Re: Canon IPF610 print head cleaning message

Try This
Enter Service mode, and perform a Nozzle check B
(This will print off a test print and show you the state of the nozzle)
IF there is any missing, then YES the head has gone, and needs replacing

how to enter service mode??