MacDermid ColorSpan 5440 Technical Training Manual - V. Hardware Systems
V. Hardware Systems
In this section, the primary hardware components of the printer have been grouped into five
categories, or systems. Each category represents a major subdivision of the total printer
function. By grouping the components in this manner, it is hoped that the technician’s
thinking will be directed to the appropriate components when troubleshooting a particular
issue. After reviewing this section, a technician should understand that a Y-axis registration
issue, for example, requires close scrutiny of the media advance motor, pinch rollers and
grit roller, and possibly the physical alignment of the printheads, but not the carriage drive
motor or encoder strip.
The five systems are:
1. The Carriage Drive System
2. The Media Advance System
3. The Ink Delivery System
4. The Electronics System
5. UV Lamp System (UV)
1. Carriage Drive System
This system encompasses all parts related to applying ink in the X-axis. The primary
components in this system are enumerated below.
Carriage - The carriage assembly comprises four subsystems: trolley plate, head-
board, camera assembly, and penholder. The encoder reader may be considered a
subsystem of the headboard, although it resides physically in the trolley plate. The
carriage should be inspected for all of the following conditions:
- Carriage properly leveled against rail and platen.
- Penholder level from front to back. See FRM instructions 0706411 for details on
adjusting penholder tilt.
- Encoder sensor is clean of dust or debris.
- Camera is able to focus and able to identify each color. Camera lens and LEDs
must be clear of ink and media fiber build-up.
- Bearings/wheels are clean and run true on rail with no noise. Most noise issues
stem from dirt on the wheels rather than bearing failure. Always clean the rail and
bearings/wheels thoroughly before considering carriage replacement.
- No interference from trolley or encoder reader with rail. When installing a new
trolley, place the new part on the rail to test clearances before proceding with the
service.
Rail - This part is not an FRM, if damaged the printer must be replaced.
- Must be clean of any foreign debris, including dust.
- Cannot have damage on any wheel-bearing surfaces that would produce band-
ing.
5400 Technical Training Manual
MacDermid ColorSpan Confidential
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