Ricoh Ri 1000 User manual

RICOH
Ri 1000
Troubleshooting
Guide

Issue/ Error
Possible reason
Countermeasure
1) Fuzzy blurry prints
Table height is to low
For most T-shirts the indicator
below the height adjustment knob
on the table should be set to 0 or
near 0. The best printing is achieved
when the print head is 1.5mm away
from the printing surface
Too much ink (oversaturated)
causing bleeding (mostly for
white or light shirts without
pretreat
Check the settings in the RIP -
especially rendering intent
(perceptual is default and should be
used in most cases). Make sure the
ink set and profiles are correct.
Profiles meant for 600 x 600 dpi will
have to much ink if 1200 X 1200 dpi
output is selected
Nozzle check shows all
nozzles but some areas show
deflection. (See section 6.1
Nozzle check)
perform head clean or cleans and
recheck nozzle to see if the
deflection is gone
For dark shirt with a white
under base- poor pretreat -
Not enough pretreat can
make the white can CMYK
areas of print to appear dull
or fuzzy. Especially if a
section of the print appears
sharp and another section
appears dull or fuzzy
See section 5 user manual
Head alignment is off
Perform head alignment procedure
(see section 7.1) make sure to rule
out the above reasons before this
adjustment
2) Horizontal banding -
thin horizontal lines
across the entire shirt
Nozzles missing - if nozzle
check shows some nozzle
missing
Perform head cleans until the CMYK
nozzles are 100%
Nozzles all there but some
showing minor deflection
Check table height - the effect of
any deflection will be exaggerated if
the printing surface is too far away
from the head - For most T-shirts
the indicator below the height
adjustment knob on the table
should be set to 0 or near 0. The
best printing is achieved when the
print head is 1.5mm away from the
printing surface

Perform head cleans until the
deflection is reduced
Nozzles 100% and little to no
deflection
Perform table alignment procedure
(see section 7.2)
3) Horizontal banding -
thick horizontal lines
across the entire shirt
Nozzles 100% - appears in
solid colors of dark or gray -
bi directional banding - has to
do with the colors laying
down in different sequence
depending on which direction
the carriage is traveling
Uncheck the bi directional box in the
RIP.
Nozzles 100% - appears in
solid colors - the color is
inconsistent in the scanning
direction of the carriage. This
is caused by the different
drops of CMYK not combining
consistently
This can show in Speed Quality
mode for CMYK - Print in Fine
Quality mode for CMYK - if still
persists - print in 1200 X 1200 dpi
(Kothari RIP) or Superfine
4) Several nozzles out –
improves not at all or
just a little with
normal and strong
head cleans
During an initial ink fill - air
has been introduce to the
head or after a head clean
cleaning fluid or air was
inadvertently pushed into the
head by the cleaning
applicator
Let the printer sit overnight which
will give the air a chance to settle –
after the nozzle should be good
5) Dark shirt prints look
dull
White nozzles 100 % or near
100%. - In adequate amount
of pretreat on shirt - this can
cause the white ink to mostly
sink into the shirt
Increase the amount of pretreat
being sprayed on the shirt
White nozzles 100 % or near
100% but look dull. - White
ink has settled
If the white cartridges have not
been agitated per instructions - will
need to agitate the white ink
cartridges (2 min). Then perform 3
to 4 strong head cleans - this will
replace most of the settled ink
Missing many nozzles on one
or both white heads
Perform head cleans to recover the
nozzle to 100% or near 100%
6) Light shirt looks too
dull
Nozzle is 100% - Wrong
output profile is selected
If printing in 600 X 600 Dpi and using
a profile meant for 1200 X 1200 DPI
then the shirt will look dull
7) Cartridge reads 0%
but was just at a high
% (example 65%) at
the previous
operation. (before
Temporary loss of Comm
caused cartridge reading
error
Pull out the cartridge that reads 0%.
The status should change to NC and
the cartridges not loaded message
will appear in the status bar. Put the
cartridge back in and the % reading
should go back to normal. If the %

printing or before
cleaning)
still reads 0 after reinserting the
cartridge then turn the printer off
and turn it back on and the cartridge
will read correctly
8) Cartridge reads 0%
but was just at a high
% (example 65%) at
the previous
operation. (before
printing or before
cleaning)
Ink pump has timed out and
ink was not detected in the
damper and the chip on the
ink cartridge will be written
to 0% . In this case, the
cartridge will remain reading
0% even after a restart of the
printer - possibly
accompanied by an Ink pump
time out error
1) Release the carriage and make
sure that the feeler for that channel
is not obstructed (see Detail below)
2) If no obstruction for the feeler
then check the ink line for that
channel to ensure the is no kink or
possible air leak (See detail below)
3)If this continues to occur then
check the connections to the ink
supply unit - the ink supply unit
may have to be replaced as the ink
pump may be failing (See Detail
below)
9) During a fill cycle -
filling with cleaning
fluid or filling with
ink. The sequence
completes but one or
more of the
cartridges % change is
low (less than 5%)
and the lines to
appear correct (if ink
to cleaning fluid - ink
is still present is some
lines, if cleaning fluid
to ink then ink has
not completely filled
in some lines)
Temporary loss of Comm
caused a channel to not
completely fill
To complete charging you can either
- perform the opposite charging
operation - (if ink - fluid was initially
attempted then perform fluid to ink,
put ink carts back or if fluid to ink
was attempted then perform ink to
fluid). After the charging is
complete. Perform the original
charging operation. OR - You can
reset the flag in the service menu to
the ink stage the printer was in prior
to performing the operation. The
states you can choose are 1) After
ink charging 2) After cleaner
charging 3) After ink with out White
- Choose the stage the printer was
in prior to performing the fill cycle
(for example if it was full of ink you
can set this to after ink charging)
then you can repeat the charging
operation. (See detail below)

Detail for 8)
If the printer has written a cartridge to 0% erroneously and the cartridge cannot be recovered (keeps at
0% even after restart)
Then check the carriage to make sure the feelers that indicate if a damper or tank inside the carriage
that exists for each channel are full are obstructed from moving correctly.
If no obstruction - check the ink line for possible kinks or leaks. NOTE: normally this will not be a
problem but if there was recently some parts replaced –the carriage –the ink supply unit –or the
tubing then check the connections.
Feeler - should be free to move –
there are six of them one for each
channel MYW1W2CK

Connections at the carriage Check for any kinks in the lines
Check tune connections at the ink supply unit
If the problem continues to occur then the ink supply unit may be replaced.
Detail for 9)
This printer has 3 ink status and the user can switch them by ink path control.
Status
Printable media
Remarks
Ink in all channels
6 Color mode
After ink charging state
Whitemedia,
Dark media
(requiring
underbase)
All kinds all printing

Color ink in color channel
Cleaner in white channel
4 color mode
After ink without white
state
Whitemedia
OK for any printing that does not require a white
under base
The Cleaner in white channel is for protect the
nozzle of print head.
Cleaner in all channels.
After cleaner charging
state
unprintable
For long term storage./ Shipping
So if there is a problem with charging –low % of ink cartridge used and visible check of the tubes do not
look correct.
It can be corrected by:
Method 1
If going from 6 color mode to cleaner charging (storage and shipping) –Go back to cleaner charging
(select cleaner charging –all ink) –Then go to cleaner charging again (ink charging –all ink). It is unlikely
to get a temporary com problem again.
Below is a description of how to do ink and cleaner charges.

- In order to change the setting of ink path control, touch the button [INK PATH
CONTROL] on the [SETTING] tab.
- Then dialogue box shown upper will be displayed to charge of ink or cleaner.
- You can touch [INK CHARGING] for ink, [CLEANER CHARGING] for cleaner.
- If you choose the Ink charging, upper dialogue box is displayed to charge for all
color channel or white only channel.
- For the cleaner, the dialogue box is displayed as the same Charging all channel
with cleaner
- When you store the printer in long-term period or transport, it is necessary to
charging cleaner in all channel.
The printer will always look for the correct type of cartridge to be inserted depending on
the state.

1) For 6 color mode –all ink cartridges must be inserted - cleaner carts will not be
accepted (ink error will show in status bar)
2) For 4 color mode –CMYK ink cartridges and Cleaner carts for W1 and W2. W1 and
W2 ink carts will not be accepted (ink error will show in status bar)
3) For storage/shipping mode all cleaner carts must be inserted, ink carts will not be
accepted. (ink error will show in status bar)** except for when sent from the factory
or depot –in the case the Initial charging flag will be set and the printer will expect
ink cartridges to be loaded and initial charging will automatically start just like when
the printer was initially started up as described in the manual
Method 2 is to reset the ink stage.
In the service menu (tech service will let you know how to access) Select printer systems
Then select ink stage –there are 3 choices

Set internal flag of ink charging status. Should be matched with actual situation of the printer
after replacing theAndroid Board. (display) or CTL or if you want to charge in a state you are already
in. (ie. You want to set After Ink Charging when initially ink charging was not successful and you
want to repeat)
⚫ After Ink Charging: Ink has been charged in the printer.
⚫ After Cleaner Charging: Cleaner has been charged in the printer.
⚫ After Ink Without White: Cleaner for white channels and Ink for color channels has
been charged
In the case where you suspect that an ink charging has not been completed successfully. (1 or
more carts do not show the expected % drop and visually 1 or more of the tubes do not seem to
be charged correctly) You can:
Set the Ink stage to what it was prior to you attempting at ink charging. Example. You are
setting a machine for storage, so you charged with cleaning fluid and you noticed one line not
completely cleared of ink. The printer is now in the After cleaner charging ink state. You can
change the ink state back to After ink charging in the service menu.
Finally –set the initial charging flag correctly

- Set Initial charging flag of the CTL.
- Reset (False): performing this, CTL does not start initial ink charging during the boot up.
Should be performed after replacing CTL on already charged printer.
- Set (True): performing this, CTL will start initial ink charging during the next boot up.
Ink Stage
Initial Charging Flag
After Ink Charging
False - Reset
After Cleaner Charging
True - Set
After Ink Without White
False -Reset
The only time you should select “Set Initial Charging Flag” is when the printer is full of cleaning
fluid for storage of shipment AND you want to charge with ink at the next boot up.
Here are some common warning errors
10) CR encoder error
Obstruction in
printer is stopping
the carriage
Remove the obstruction
Encoder is dirty
Clean the encoder (refer to section
8.2 Maintenance)
Encoder is not in
carriage
Set into carriage correctly - see
detail below

11) Ink Supply error
Maintenance
station is not
drawing ink
correctly - (if this
error is on all or
most channels)
Check connections on the
maintenance station. (See Detail
below) Make sure the motor is
connected properly and the home
position optical sensor is
connected properly
Clean the maintenance station
(refer to user manual 8.2
Maintenance)
Restart the printer to set correct
capping position
If continues - after restart and
clean - replace maintenance
station
Air release solenoid
did not operate
Check this operation by
performing a strong clean - should
see solenoid activate during the
clean - (see Detail below) - if the
solenoid does not activate -
replace this assembly
If this error on one
head and nozzle
check is also bad
Head could be clogged - replace
carriage
12) Ink level feeler position error
Maintenance
station is not
drawing ink
correctly - (if this
error is on all or
most channels)
Check connections on the
maintenance station. (Refer to the
pictures in Detail for 10) Make sure
the motor is connected properly
and the home position optical
sensor is connected properly
Clean the maintenance station
(refer to user manual 8.2
Maintenance)
If continues - after restart and
clean - replace maintenance
station
Carriage in wrong
position to detect
feeler
Restart the printer to set correct
capping position
Check the encoder and clean and
check for large scratches - replace
if necessary
One of the feelers
on the carriage is
obstructed
Release the carriage and make
sure that the feeler for that
channel is not obstructed (see
picture in Detail for 7)

If this error on one
head and nozzle
check is also bad
Head could be clogged - replace
carriage
Air leak/kink in
plumbing
Check the line - replace if
necessary
13) Ink Pump time out error
One of the feelers
on the carriage is
obstructed
Release the carriage and make
sure that the feeler for that
channel is not obstructed (see
picture in Detail for 7)
Air leak/kink in
plumbing
Check the line - replace if
necessary
Ink pump is not
working properly
Check connections on the ink
supply unit. Replace if necessary
Details for 9) CR encoder error
Check - for obstruction blocking carriage –Encoder not dirty or scratched –Encoder is installed in the
carriage correctly. (especially if maintenance such as carriage or encoder replacement have happened)

Encoder should be in this location on carriage.
Details for 10) Ink supply error
May be caused by the maintenance unit not operating properly
Check that the optical sensor for the maintenance home position flag is connected correctly (especially if
the unit was recently removed or replaced)

Check the motor cable or the maintenance unit is connected (especially if the unit was recently removed
or replaced)
Make sure that there is no kink in the drain tube.
The air release solenoid could also cause this error. Check its operation by running a strong clean and
observe if it activates.

Communication errors
1) IF there is a USB connection failure (GIB display to CTL) the following appears
If this can not be reset by retry or power off and then back on –check the connection of the USB cable
from the display assembly to the CTL board (see wire diagram) –also check the ribbon cable to CN 114 -
this has the power signal to the CTL or check the memory prom on the back of the CTL to see if is
installed correctly. If all connections are OK you may have to exchange the CTL board.
This shaft should move during a
strong clean

2) If the RS 422 (between the GIB display and the sub control board) communication has failed
then the table will not move.
Under the settings TAB - pressing the information button the SUB CONTROL firmware version
will not show.
Check the RS 424 cable connection at the GIB display and the Sub control board
3) if serial communication has failed from the GIB display to the CTL - the cartridges will not be
detected.

Explanation of different types of status messages by the Ri 1000
Service Call
Operation is impossible.
Machine is critical damaged.
SC 999 Maintenance failed to
reach home position
Error
Operation is impossible.
(be able to recover)
Cover Open
CR encoder error
Ink Cartridge Not Set
Ink Cartridge End
Waste Ink Tank Full
Ink supply error
Warning
Operation is possible.
Later, operation can be stopped.
Ink Cartridge Near End
Waste Ink Tank Near Full
Replace Part Lifetime
Here is a list of message and error codes
String
Definition
Cleaning
Printer is cleaning
except for change ink path maintenance
4-color only
Current Ink stage is "After Ink Without white"
Canceling printing. Please wait.
Printing is canceling.
Cartridge Cover Open
Cartridge Cover Open
It is error status.
To recover, Close Cartridge Cover
Cartridge error.
Please check cartridge and tryagain.
(Ink or Cleaner) Mixed cartridges is inserted.
It is error status.
To recover, Insert correct type cartridge.
Cartridge is not loaded
AnyCartridge is not set
It is error status.
To recover, Insert cartridge.
Charging canceled : {REASON}
(Ink or Cleaner) White Channel filling is failed

It is warning status.
To recover, Retry(Ink or Cleaner) filling of white
channel
Cleaner cartridge is loaded.(W1)
Mixed cartridge (CL,W,K,C,M,Y) when current ink stage
is "after ink charging"
It is error status.
To recover, insert White1 Ink Cartridge.
Cleaner cartridge is loaded.(W2)
Mixed cartridge (W,CL,K,C,M,Y) when current ink stage
is "after ink charging"
It is error status.
To recover, insert White2 Ink Cartridge.
Cleaner cartridges are loaded.
Cleaner Cartridge is inserted when ink is alreadyfilled
in printer.
It is error status.
To recover, Insert ink cartridge and filling ink.
Cleaner cartridges are loaded.(W1,W2)
Mixed cartridge (CL,CL,K,C,M,Y) when current ink
stage is “after ink charging”
It is error status.
To recover, Do white cleaner filling process or
Insert ink cartridge.
stage is “After ink Without White”
Ink drying..
during dry time for next layer
Ink Empty({COLOR})
Cartridge is empty.
It is error status.
To recover, insert new cartridge.
Ink filling (White only)
White ink is filling
Ink Filling canceled :
Ink filling is failed
It is warning status.
To recover, Do ink filling process again.

Ink low ({COLOR})
Remain amount of cartridge is low
(Under 20%)
It is warning status,
Prepare new cartridge.
Ink Supply Error
Service Call 988 or 990 or 991
But printer operation is possible.
It is warning status,
To recover, reboot machine.
It can be caused by,
1. Air interfuse in head
2. NozzleClogging
For the detail, refer service call list.
Job Pending. Please SET table.
Table is not printing position when printer receive print
data.
Left Ink Sump Full
Empty the box before reset the left ink
sumpcounter.
Left Flushing Box is full
It is error.
To recover, replace left ink sump
Left Ink Sump is nearly full
Printer will stop working when the box
comes to full
Left Flushing Box is nearly full
It is warning.
To recover, prepare to replace left ink sump
Load garment and tap SET button.
Table is Media Load Position
{PART_NAME} Near End
Replacement part life time is near end
It is warning.
Prepare newreplacement part
Non-supported cartridge is loaded.
Cartridge ID Chip is not available
It is error status.
To Recover, insert genuine cartridge.
Pausing.
Close front cover.
printing is paused by open front cover or
Moving table is stopped by open front cover
It is error.
To recover, close the front cover