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R3000 P600 Dampers instead of cartridges?

[DIY DTG] 
70K views 130 replies 27 participants last post by  paata01 
#1 ·
I have been using cartridges and bagged ink for my r3000 printer for about a year with minimal problems (had a couple faulty cartridges initially).

I am wondering if there would be better inkflow if dampers were placed on the ink supply system instead of using cartridges?


Anyone do this with their R3000 or p600?
 
#7 · (Edited)
Hello,
I bought a P600 for doing the DTG conversion but haven't decided between T-Dozer and UFOPrint yet. Both offers great kits but with their own pros and cons. The most concerning part of taking the time and put the money on the investment is the print head clogging issues. I would like to know where to buy those dampers and if there's any forum or vendor who has the installation and setting instructions. Thank you in advance for any recommendations or advice on this matter.
 
#8 ·
Don't think, get t-dozer, a growing community that helps each other.

I will post all what you want to know on t-dozer facebook page within 2 weeks, as I am waiting for parts for my last conversion step.


Could you please explain pros and cons for both models as I see more assets with the t-dozer
 
#12 ·
First of all I want to thank you for your promptly reply.
As of the pros and cons I have seen (these are only my opinion) for both models, the Pros on the T-Dozer (which are cons for UFO) are that the kit is made and ship in the USA and that the board shows great built quality.
On the other hand, UFO offers the Avenger kit (probably an Avenger kit clone) with a metal base for up to A3 size, made with aluminum extrusion, spring and rubber lock platen and an industrial stepper motor. The metal base also has adjustable knobs for leveling. While UFO is overseas, they offer a 2 year warranty, they accept Paypal and offer free online resources (including RIP software). One thing I don't like too much about the UFO base is the external box with the buttons.
I couldn't find information regarding the T-Dozer base specs, I assume it is capable of up to A3 size too.
In terms of investment, the T-Dozer Hardware and Platen Kit with Wood Pieces and the electronics kit is around $1,298 + shipping. The UFO portable base with the conversion kit is $850 + $245 on shipping charges for a total of $1,095.
That's all I know fo now, in terms of both solutions..I think that the perfect solution would be a T-Dozer electronics kit with the UFO base and platen, LOL :)
I'm still analyzing both solutions and really want to know how to minimize the issue of the printhead clogging in order to build the whole thing right from the very start. This is one of my main concerns with DTG because, I have a small shop for now, so I'm not going to be using DTG on a daily basis and I want to minimize the maintenance as much as possible.
It's a pity that I don't use Facebook so I'm not going to be able to see your posts on the dampers solution. Do the T-Dozer community is only reachable through Facebook?
Thanks in advance for your experience based thoughts and recommendations, they are greatly appreciated
 
#11 ·
#17 ·
I strongly advice you read read read, ask question to reseller and end user, take your time, figure out what means DTG printing.
You will read horrible storied and success one this is DTG world.
The more you know the less problem you will have.

For P600 or R3000 this is the parts list

MANDATORY
Ink chip - 2 full sets
cartridge - 1 full set
head ribbon cable - ($28.31) (easy to burn in case of ink spread)
dampers
Ink bag - Kentsystems
Quick coupling - Kentsystems

BETTER TO HAVE ON HAND
Head (circa $500)
Ink bay ($243.50)
Capping Station ($70.77)
Encoder strip ($13.11)
Ink Tube ( 1 8"OD x 1 16"ID - 3.2mm x 1.6mm)

TO FEEL SAFE
Power board ($47.53) (the 220V is compatible with 110V)
HOLDER CSIC ($6.03) because you will break some for sure.
Wiper blade

And if you found a cheap used printer get it.
I found one for $50 (R3000), so I have many many parts, cables, screws... I can pick up from in case of emergency.
 
#18 ·
Great list. I took the corresponding notes. So, With an old R3000 I can get some most spare parts for the P600. A few days back I wrote an email to TDozer from their contact page. I asked a lot of questions but haven't received any feedback yet. Do those Kent Systems ink bags are refillable, so you buy the ink in bulk and refill as needed?
But you are only using the empty cartridges on the chips to trick the printer so why do you recommend to have a spare set of cartridges?

I'm going to contact T-Dozer again later on today
 
#23 ·
I am probably going to give this a try in the coming month. Want to try to bypass the pressurized system completely.

I have a printhead that drips a bit.

I found a way for it to stop dripping:
1-do regular head clean at start of day
2- unplug pump from system
3-do another head clean-make sure it is a regular clean and does not start doing the capping station super suck thing it does sometimes
4-print shirt
5-about every shirt, every other shirt plug in the pump to allow one suction

Kinda annoying, but it works consistantly. Before the magenta was dripping and getting sucked into the the yellow channel. I only have a cmyk, so it may or may not work if using white as well.

I dont want to completely blame the pressure system, because I know that the printhead is clogged in the white nozzles. I did replace the dampers, and ink delivery system. Think it may be easier to maintain the printer without the pressure system.
 
#27 ·
I received all the parts, I finished the ink tube delivery modification, all fitted in the printer so 90% of the job is done.

I just have to connect new ink line to dampers, place the MK/LK sensor somewhere, a small cut to secure tightly the dampers that is all. I am confident.

I will post the last part end of next week



 
#36 ·
Just want to thank you for posting your progress. We have three spectra units here and had the same issues with the Image Armor ink clogging up our dampers at the printhead. We output on average 150 imprints a day per machine, so lack of circulation is not the issue here. We shake the bags daily and also lay them flat at night and we still see the separation in the ink the next morning. I always thought the carts were a choke point and then causing the system to the printhead dampers to clog. We were able to recover our printheads immediately and also back flush the dampers for reuse. We replaced the carts with the same dampers you are using at the ink delivery tray. We chose to stay with the factory dampers at the printhead just to stay with the original setup and see how it would go. After three full ink bag swaps using image armor we fill from the liter bottles, we have been successful the print daily with no clogging.
 
#37 ·
Damon, you give an interresting feedback with IA, cartridge vs DX4 dampers.

Since I switched the DX4 dampers (early february) , I have not yet change any of them, even more they are so cheap compare to cardridge...
So even if it work now, I will replace them all 3 months (white only) and all 6 months for colors.

The head dampers modification gives easier maintenance, especially when you have a problem with 1 channel, you don't have to depressurise the whole system.
And you know when you depressurised, it could be long for the ink to print back to normal. In my opinion, this is because of air bubbles.
You can see air bubble in the line, which is nasty, but so easy to get rid of now.

It is possible to flush the white only if you know you are not printing dark garment for the next week.

An other exemple, is that you don't need ink charge to fill the ink line, you just "open" the DX7 head dampers, give pressure with your hand on the ink bag, and the ink immediatly flow from the bag to the head dampers. (ink charge needs ink chips that read full)



There is an other solution to even get faster maintenance, the solution is to get rid of the ink delivery system. and connect ink bag straight to the DX7 head dampers.
I know some people I trying to do it, and I wait for their feedback.
 
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