Great idea Binki,
can you link us to the parts you used like the Tube and sizing and the filters?

Thanks!

 

How does it affect your printed images?

 

Constant clogging of the dampers and $40 each to replace them is too much to deal with. I just removed them and ran the line right to the print head.

I picked up 7 inline micro filters from a local hobby shop and put those on the front of the line in the ink bottles to pre-filter the ink.

All clogging problems gone. Why didn't they think of that?

Thanks for sharing your innovation.

This industry continues to benefit from owner's ideas!

 

Dampers were developed for inkjet printers to filter the ink as well as provide a resevior for ink. The dampers on the DTG are modified Epson 7600 dampers. I am going to play Missouri man on this one until extensive printing has been done (in other words - show me!) As I posted on the DTG forums - my main concern here is that the hoses going straight to the niples of the print head opens the possibility of liquid getting on the top of the print head increasing the chance for moisture to get on the ribbon cable thus frying the head, cable and main board.

If you do choose to do this, you filter needs to be 10 microns or less (the max size a Kiosk/2200/2100 head can handle).

Hope this helps!

 

my main concern here is that the hoses going straight to the niples of the print head opens the possibility of liquid getting on the top of the print head increasing the chance for moisture to get on the ribbon cable thus frying the head, cable and main board.

how is that different from the hose going to a damper and then to the head? What am I missing here?

 

Here is the filter we are using or something similar. It unscrews at the o-ring and there is a micro filter in there. We added a finer filter and put the ink line in the end and then dropped it into the ink bottle.

I am still unclogging the heads so I don't have a full print yet however for the 2 lines that were still working there was no noticeable difference in print quality but the ink flow was great, even better than new.

 

Fred
What size micron filter are you using ?
Thanks
Dan

 

Fred
What size micron filter are you using ?
Thanks
Dan

I think they came with 25 micron filters and swf east recommends 10 micron. I added a finer filter mesh but not sure of the size.

 

here are some pics

 

I believe he is saying that if one of those lines comes off the head it could leak ink onto the ribbon cabels and short the head and other things out, now if you can secure those lines so that they cannot come off
Dan

 

the only thing holding the dampers is friction, the same as the tubes straight in. Actually, the tubes are more secure. I tried to pull one out and it was really tough.

 

If they are as secure as you say than what you can do is to put an absobent pad around those head nipples and if you see any ink color at all on any of them than you will know something is up Better safe than sorry!
Dan

 

Dan is right, safe is good. You are most prone ot have problems when attaching or removing the hoses. My thoughts here are that you would be better served by using this AND the dampers to protect your head. As an FYI, the typical ink manufacturer runs their inks through a 1 micron filter (our colors are actually then run through a .1 micron filter - prior to decanting). If you are running a 10 micron filter you are getting clumps that were at least 10 times larger than the largest clumps prior to bottling. The reality is that if you are getting 25+ micron chunks in your white ink, you most likely have a maintenance issue that needs to be addressed.

Hope this helps!

 

Is it possble to use this inline filter as well as the dampers together?

 

Sure. That would help in keeping the dampers clear. Mine were clogged and I didn't want to buy any more of them.

 

Don-SWF East,

As an FYI, the typical ink manufacturer runs their inks through a 1 micron filter (our colors are actually then run through a .1 micron filter - prior to decanting).

Please post a photo of this most wondrous machine that can filter down to 1/10th of a micron.
I am, most curious.

 

If I was to add inline filters I think I would also keep the dampers on the white ink lines. The reason I say is because of the white ink seperation you get in the lines when white ink is not used. Currently the Dupont tends to seperate even when left overnight, could lead to more clogging issues in the print head if it isn't filtered right before entering the head.

 

That is a good point.

 

Please post a photo of this most wondrous machine that can filter down to 1/10th of a micron.
I am, most curious.

I have not been to the ink manufacturing plant. The information I pass on to you is information I have been given by the ink manufacturer. I'm not certain why you would think it a machine, I said it was filtered (meaning run thorugh a filter!). I have not seen this overnight separation that is being mentioned. For the most part a large portion of the white ink issues we had in the past are now gone since gen 2 ink was released in October. It does require more maintenance, but it performs at a much higher level. It is very important to make sure you keep your supply bottles on your Kiosk clean - or you can get filmy buildup around the cap that may fall into the bottle and then into suspension. Also, make sure that the line into the supply bottle remains about 1/2" off the bottom of the bottle to keep it from sucking up sludge.

Hope this helps!

 

... Also, make sure that the line into the supply bottle remains about 1/2" off the bottom of the bottle to keep it from sucking up sludge.

Hope this helps!

ok, here is another thing i need to fab! a .5 inch sludge bulk offset. what is this, a game of telephone? where is this communicated to existing DTG owners?

IMO if the vendors are not willing to pro actively share this information with current customers then this is bush league. Also, I would expect upgrade kits, I would want them for free, but if there were a cost, I would still like the info.

 

Don-SWF East,

The information I pass on to you is information I have been given by the ink manufacturer

.
So you are passing on secondhand information, something that you have not seen with your own eyes........?

I'm not certain why you would think it a machine, I said it was filtered (meaning run through a filter!).

In my humble experience (with other fluids) anything under 5 micron had to be pressurized to pass thru the filter.
You need machinery to pressurize it.
I can’t imagine what it would take to filter down to .1 (1/10th) of a micron.

Don

 

A 0.1 micron water filter is just a normal bacterial retention filter as used for drinking water. I have one here.
A 0.01 micron filter is a viral retention filter and it requires electro-osmosis or other high tech. But it's too small for color pigments.

 

A 0.1 micron water filter is just a normal bacterial retention filter as used for drinking water. I have one here.
A 0.01 micron filter is a viral retention filter and it requires electro-osmosis or other high tech. But it's too small for color pigments.

Yeah, what he said!

So you are passing on secondhand information, something that you have not seen with your own eyes........?

Don, I am passing on the information that is provided directly to me by the manufacturer of the ink. I specifically asked them about their filtering process and they gave me the answer posted. I doubt that you have ever been to the plant where the shirts you print on and sell are made, but take it for granted that they truly are 100% cotton or 50/50 or whatever. I doubt that many of us have actually seen the process of these inks being made, so we do have to place some faith in the folks who make them.

where is this communicated to existing DTG owners?

Binki, We (SWF East) have taught this in our training classes since we began selling white ink. Also, page 19 Kiosk Manual

"Gently shake the White Ink bulk bottle. Remove the lids of the bulk ink bottles (be certain that the tubes going into the white ink bottles are
at least ¼" off the bottom of the bottle when the lid is screwed on, this will prevent any white ink fallout from being drawn into the printer), and slowly pour the ink into the ink bottles at the rear of the printer. Ink levels in the ink bottles should be maintained at ½ to ¾ full at all times."​

It is also in a similar page in the Kiosk II manual (I changed it to 1/2" form at least 1/4" inch in the Kiosk II version when I wrote it). Also, we often times post things on the DTG Forums dealing with updated processes and items. If you are not already a member of that forum, contact your dealer for an invitation. ​

For those of you who are SWF East customers you have been receiving a new DTG newsletter for a couple of months now. If you haven't let me know via email (dcopeland@swfeast.com) and I'll get your email address added to the list.​

Hope this helps!​

 

IMO if the vendors are not willing to pro actively share this information with current customers then this is bush league.

If it is bush league when it is not provided, then what is it when the info was provided and no one bothered to read it?

 

I doubt that many of us have actually seen the process of these inks being made, so we do have to place some faith in the folks who make them.

Amen
Making the ink is easy, getting the correct formula to make the ink what takes up all the time, I have seen it made and that part is boaring, I would rather watch ice cream made as when that is done I can sample it
Dan

 

Well, I guess I will have to admit my ignorance concerning water filters.
I assumed something a little stronger was being used for ink.
Hearing how abrasive the ink is to the print heads, I just thought that the abrasive ink would wear out a water filter in just too short order.

I actually envisioned a centrifuge being used, however I couldn’t figure how you would do that without stripping the Ti particles out of the white?
Actually, I’m surprised a filter that small doesn’t do this as well.
Considering everyone who is complaining about clogged/ruined heads


I never assume any product is 100% anything!
I highly suspect this is the reason some t’s will not take ink as well as others,
let alone the changes from lot to lot of the same model shirt.
Knowing that in the past some fibers made from trees were passed off as Bamboo,
I would never stake my reputation on a printed label, much less word of mouth.

Don

 

Hey Don, bush league IMO is things like 'shake the bottle'. Holy cow, screen printing ink has a nice shelf life with no 'shaking of the bottle'. Also, the maintenance you talk about involves touching that machine every day. No where in the sales pitch was this mentioned. Even the training didn't stress the care and feeding of ink bottles and dampers. It was done from a hand written notepad.

On the other hand, the embroidery machine we purchased came with spare parts, tools, manuals (yes more than one) and a training course that was still ad-hoc but at least given by someone who actually could demonstrate the product.

Now, I am a big fan of DTG, don't get me wrong here. But come on, you guys got to do better than this to really keep your customers. I shouldn't have to spend hours on end trying to keep this thing running, should I? The generic 'maintenance issue' is a cop-out. The training barely covered any of that if at all. Also, what about color management? Using Corel all the colors are in CYMK but the print is in RBG. No wonder so many people have problems. The blues are purple and the purples are grey or pink. Unless you know the secret sauce, there is no way to get a good print and that isn't even touched in the training.

So before you say it is in the manual or a maintenance issue, look within to see what is being communicated on your side. I am no slouch when it comes to computers or technology or even training. I deliver training courses as part of my business (that's what got me here financially).

Let's just give a hug and help to solve this problem and we will all prosper from it.

 

Binki,
I’ll second what you said as a Must Read for ALL vendors and manufactures of DTG machines!

Don

 

So before you say it is in the manual or a maintenance issue, look within to see what is being communicated on your side. I am no slouch when it comes to computers or technology or even training. I deliver training courses as part of my business (that's what got me here financially).

Binki,

I don't question your commitment to DTG, you are an ardent supporter, no doubt. That being said, you, as a trainer, also know that your training can't be everything to everybody. There was a post here yesterday from another Kiosk user who compalined that the majority of the training class was nothing but maintenance!!! Who is right? Don't know. I do know that the second chapter of the manual starts like this:

2 Before you Get Started
2.1 Commit to Maintenance
Your DTG Kiosk represents a significant investment, not only of your money but also of your commitment to your new business opportunity with the DTG Kiosk. Whilst the mechanics of the Kiosk are essentially the same as that of a normal inkjet printer, printing on fabric is not the same as printing on paper. Fabric generates much more dust, printing on fabrics requires a much greater volume of ink, and the white ink pre-treatment can become airborne during spraying and can ingress into the Kiosk. Each of these factors individually can cause problems with your DTG Kiosk, and in combination can be critical to the ongoing operation of the Kiosk. All is not lost, however! A few minutes of your time each day spent undertaking some basic maintenance tasks on the Kiosk will ensure it's continued optimal performance. Please refer to the sections within this User's Guide on Preventative Maintenance for further information.​

I am not making excuses for anything you may have been told by your salesman - but, I think that the statement above is pretty clear about the importance of maintenance.

Wouldn't you agree? ​

I spent a ton of time helping to develop and finalize the manual for these printers, trying to cover every aspect from soup to beans. Are there some errors or ommisions - most likely, but nothing fatal that we have found in over 2 years. Not that it would matter, seems that most folks don't read it anyway.​

Sorry to vent, but, it's hard to sit back and take it on the chin when the answers to the concerns being expressed here are right in your hands.​

Peace​

​

 

I spent a ton of time helping to develop and finalize the manual for these printers, trying to cover every aspect from soup to beans. Are there some errors or ommisions - most likely, but nothing fatal that we have found in over 2 years. Not that it would matter, seems that most folks don't read it anyway.​

Sorry to vent, but, it's hard to sit back and take it on the chin when the answers to the concerns being expressed here are right in your hands.​

Peace​

​

Hey, I appreciate your participation. You care and that is what is important. I am just offering up a little experience from the other side of the sale. You work with this thing every day where I have 10 pieces of equipment and only 2 of us to run them. The DTG will not run every day and I need to have a way to keep the thing working. It would have been great if the machine came with extra dampers and an extra print head along with a cleaner for the dampers, more cleaning fluid, etc. Kind of like the kit I got with the embroidery machine.

 

Binki,
I’ll second what you said as a Must Read for ALL vendors and manufactures of DTG machines!

Don

Don,

Let's add that all endusers Must Read the manual as well!

Fair enough?