A Digital Printing Network
Shake cartridge problems
The other day my shake cartridge for #2 came on. I shook it, it seemed a little low, but still had enough in it, and the error message went out. So I ordered a new tall cartridge to be ready for it's "out" shake message. Today the shake cartridge message came on for cartridges 1,2,3,4,5,6, so I shook them all, and the #2 shake message stayed flashing. So, I replaced it with the new tall cartridge. The shake #2 message won't quit, no matter how much I shake or reinsert the new cartridge.
Thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on -
Did you get the new adaptor installed for your machine? Did you check the edge of the cartridge where the needle is inserted? Is it eroded (melted)? If those answers are No, yes and yes - ink possibly entered into the inkwell and caused the switch to fail. Ugh! That is my new VS sound!
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Klages on -
Hi, Irv,
Yes, we had the new adaptor installed.
Yes, we checked where the needle is inserted--it's "blue" with some ink drips,
But, No, it's not eroded or melted.
The job I was running at the time was a "cut only" job, so I just pressed 'enter', then just ran the cut job and turned off the machine. A couple hours later, I turned it back on to run a print/cut job, and the light did not come on. So, I'm not sure what's going on with that. Not sure if there's a problem or not :-)
We'll just keep an eye on it, I guess.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Jackson - Admin on -
let us know if it resolves.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Klages on
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So far, so good, but we're keeping an eye on it and will let you all know.
Thanks! Anything I should look out for as a "warning" heads up that something might be going the wrong way?
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on
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The new adaptor was developed to REDUCE the chance of inserting the cartridge incorrectly. I did state reduce so to minimize even more - do the two step insertion method - insert to get pass the gate and then further insert to seat to needle.
The ink will deslove the cartridge housing if it gets on the exterior of the cartridge around the nozzle. This will cause the cartridge not to complete the seal thus causing leakage into the well. If enough ink leaks into the well there is a sensor in the bottom of the well which will fail causing it to indicate on the control panel that the cartridge needs to be repaced.
As suggested by Butch, I always tell folks that the VC is like a large computer and sometimes - just sometimes that switch I tell you never to turn off needs to be turned off. This will clear some hang ups and out of sequence modes. When the machine is powered back up and turned on at the sub-power button - the VC will go through its paces. If you have a real problem it will not be masked and will indicate on the panel. The VC will clear self-correctable error codes and those requiring a tech or intervention will persist.
Hopes this helps you or others somewhat. In the meantime, those without the spacechip adapter should continue to visually inspect their cartridges during the agitation procedure to look for cartridge degradation. It is important to remember and use the two-step insertion method to reduce the chance of improper alignment.
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Permalink Reply by Carolyn Klages on
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Irv, I remember you talking about doing the 'two-step-shuffle' when you were here for the install. It's harder to do with the tall cartridges since I'm so short and the new housing cover is so tall. So, now I'm soing the dance on a step stool!!! LOL It really stinks to be so short! I have a platform behind my embroidery machines so I can reach the thread tree, and it looks like now I'll have to build a platform behind the Roland for the same reason <grin>. Actually, the step stool really does help to have a little more control over the reinsertion of the cartridges when they're the tall ones. You can have more control over getting them to go in straight and can feel the two-step better. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on
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Great to hear that the lesson stuck. I still use it to ensure those with SP/VP properly insert their cartridges which is not a problem on those machines but ensures they are not forcing cartridges into the wrong slots. IT is more of a concern on the VS model which has multiple configurations and as a result can have the colors improperly loaded. So your VS is teaching you how to be well balanced.
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Permalink Reply by Bob McGinn on -
Had the Shake Cartridge display yesterday but nothing was 'FLASHING' on a VS-540 barely 30 days in service. Completed a power off and restart, with no further issues. Versaworks v 4.6.0 Color Config: CMYKLcLm.
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on
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For those reading and wanting to know what all is talking about, the VS model introduced vertical cartridge inkwells. The SP, VP and the new BN models use horizontal wells. With horizontal entry the ink is less likely to leak out and cause the present discussion. The issue with vertical process are twofold - one ink settlement and leakage from an incorrect insertion.
The first issue the heavy portion of the ink settling below the needle this will cause unpredictable color results. Although this is more common with your heavier inks - white and metallic - and less so with CMYK and their light counterparts, the firmware will still require you to agitate them but less frequently. The firmware will tell you when to agitate and you should comply, the machine will register the removal and the reinsertion, but will not know your actual action inbetween those actions. Turning off the machine could also bypass and reset the clock, however if the ink is not agitated you could possibly not receive the best possible printing experience.
Not listed but highly recommended - shake your heavier inks - white metallic - prior to use. The VS models have an internal circulation system and it will keep the ink in the lines rotating to ensure consistency - however if non consistent ink is introduced into the lines that also will be circulated and produce non expected results.
I'm just saying......
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