Ax-Series - Gutter Vacuum Testing & Clearing Procedure

Printer Model: Ax150i, Ax350i, Ax550i

Materials Needed: Wash Bottle Filled with Appropriate Wash Type, Safety Glasses and Gloves.

Summary:
This procedure details the steps required for testing and clearing the gutter on Ax-Series printers. The gutter clearing
procedure allows an easy manual method to clear/unblock the gutter if gutter vacuum issues are observed (gutter
vacuum alerts, physical gutter build-up or overflow, poor start/stops of the jet, etc). The gutter vacuum test and
reference can be used to verify the appropriate level of gutter vacuum is being achieved after cleaning has been
performed.

Please Note - The vacuum reference values in this document are not designed to diagnose a gutter
performance issue with an Ax-Series printer that is running without issues.

Gutter Vacuum Test:

1. Ensure the jet is in IDLE state before starting this test.
2. Navigate to Setup > Advanced > Gutter.
3. Check the box next to Gutter Pump at Maximum Speed. Checking this box will turn the gutter pump will
turn on immediately.

4. Tap on the down arrow on the top left or right of the UI to bring down the pull-down shade. Tap the right
arrow or swipe to the left to navigate to the Live Status.

Created by: Ryan Lewandowski

 5. With no fluid going into the gutter and the gutter not plugged you should see -80 mB to -140 mB (generally
around -110 mB) vacuum pressure.
6. With the gutter plugged you should generally see better than -600 mB (generally -600 to -690) of vacuum
pressure. If not, the gutter system is not working efficiently, and the below gutter clearing procedure should
be followed.

Gutter Clearing Procedure:

1. Navigate to the Gutter screen (Setup > Advanced > Gutter)
2. To turn on the gutter pump check the box next to “Gutter Pump at Maximum Speed” – when checking this
box, the gutter pump will turn on immediately.

3. Spray wash into the gutter to assist in unblocking the gutter.

4. To turn off the gutter pump uncheck the box next to “Gutter Pump at Maximum Speed”. Navigating out of
the Gutter screen will also disable the gutter pump.

Please Note - Spraying excessive wash into the gutter could dilute the ink and offset the viscosity.

Created by: Ryan Lewandowski

Sequence ON / Operation Test:

1. Sequence jet to ON using the Start button in QuickStep 3 UI or by holding the Play/Stop button
on the cabinet door for 2 seconds.
2. Tap on the double down arrows on the top left or right of the UI to bring down the pull-down shade. Tap
the right arrow or swipe to the left to navigate to the Live Status page.

3. While sequencing ON you should observe the below:

• The gutter pump speed should close to its maximum speed at 3,500 rpm.
• Prior to the jet going into the gutter vacuum pressure should be around -110 mB.
• Once the jet has filled the gutter line the vacuum pressure should lower from -110 mB to around
-330 mB.
• Once the jet is ON and gutter is filled with ink if the ink viscosity is low the gutter pump speed will
remain at 3,500 rpm until ink viscosity is on target.
• When the actual ink viscosity is on target the gutter pump speed will begin to lower from 3,500 rpm
to 850 rpm over the next 30 to 60 minutes.
• After the gutter pump speed has lowered to 850 rpm the vacuum pressure should be around -80 to
-220 mB.

Please Note - Vacuum pressure will vary depending on ink type (Pigmented or Dye-based ink),
printer configuration (Nozzle size, conduit length etc.), ink viscosity, ink temperature
etc.

Created by: Ryan Lewandowski

Gutter Vacuum Testing Reference:

Gutter Vacuum Test Vacuum Pressure Vacuum Pressure Vacuum Pressure

Gutter State Minimum (mB +-10%) Maximum (mB +-10%) Expected (mB +-10%)
Gutter Pump at Maximum Speed
Gutter Clean / Clear -80 -140 -110
Gutter Inlet Not Manually Blocked
Gutter Pump at Maximum Speed
-600 -690 -630
Gutter Inlet Manually Blocked

Sequence ON / Operation Test Physical Gutter Line Gutter Pump Speed Acceptable Vacuum
Inkjet State State (RPM +- 10%) Pressure (mB +- 10%)
Sequencing ON – Prior to Jet Establishing Clean and Clear 3,500 -110
Sequencing ON – Jet ON (Still Starting Up) Filling with Ink 3,500 -110 lowering to -330
Ready to Print (Viscosity Not Read or Below Target) Filled with Ink 3,500 -330
Lowers to 850 over
Ready to Print (Viscosity on Target or Higher) Filled with Ink -80 to -220*
30 to 60 min

* Please Note - Vacuum pressure will vary depending on ink type (Pigmented or Dye-based ink), printer configuration (Nozzle size, conduit length etc.),
ink viscosity, ink temperature etc.

Created by: DVK & RL