TDS VG2 Series Operating manual

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Important Notes on Handling and Use
Printer
This machine is a precision device.
-Never subject the machine to impacts or excessive force
-Never needlessly put your fingers inside the cover, the ink-pouch ports, or internal
areas of the machine.
-There is a small area for small article storage on the front of the machine. Do not place
in this area any items to which cleaning liquid or ink is affixed. Doing so may damage
the area for small article storage.
Install in a suitable location.
-Install the machine in a location having the specified temperature and humidity.
-Install the machine in a quiet, stable location offering good operating conditions.
The print heads are delicate.
-Never needlessly touch or allow media to scrape them.
-The print heads may be damaged if allowed to dry out. The machine prevents
desiccation automatically, but improper operation may render this feature
inoperative. Operate the machine properly, as specified in this manual.
-Never leave the machine with an ink pouch removed. Remaining ink in the printer
may harden and clog the print heads.
-Depending on the situation, the print heads require various types of cleaning. Read
this manual thoroughly and perform the appropriate maintenance at the appropriate
times.
-The print heads are components that wear out. Periodic replacement is required, with
the frequency of replacement depending on use.
This machine becomes hot.
-Never cover the ventilation holes with cloth, tape, or anything else.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Ink Pouches
Ink pouches come in various types.
-Us e a type that is compatible with the printer.
Never subject to impact or attempt to disassemble.
-Never drop the ink pouches or shake them forcefully. The impact may rupture the
internal pouch and cause ink to leak.
-Never attempt to disassemble the ink pouches.
-Never attempt to refill the ink.
-If ink gets on your hands or clothing, wash it off as soon as possible. Removal may
become difficult if you leave such adhered ink unattended.
Storage
-Store the ink pouches unopened in a well ventilated location at a temperature of -5
to 40 degrees Celsius. However do not store the ink pouches for a prolonged period
of time in low- or high-temperature environments.
Basic Maintenance Knowledge
Types and Timing of Maintenance
To use this machine under its optimal conditions, it is important to perform the appropriate
maintenance at the appropriate times.
Regular maintenance
These are the maintenance items that are required on a daily basis.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Advanced maintenance
These maintenance methods consume a large amount of ink. Thoroughly read the explanation in
the User’s manual, and then perform the operation at the appropriate point in time.
Replacing consumable parts
These items are for replacement of consumable parts. Thoroughly read the explanation in the
User’s Manual, and then perform the operation at the appropriate point in time.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Measures When the Printer Is Not in Use for Prolonged Period
Be sure to follow the instructions shown below when the printer is not in use for a prolonged
period.
Empty the drain bottle.
If you know that you will not use the machine for a prolonged period, empty the drain bottle.
When the main power is on, the machine periodically performs automatic maintenance in
which fluid is discharged.
The drain bottle is filled when the following periods elapse. Leaving the drain bottle as-is will lead to the discharged fluid
overflowing.
Do not allow machine to run out of ink or cleaning liquid.
The machine discharges ink and cleaning liquid during the automatic maintenance that is
performed periodically. Set in the machine ink and cleaning liquid pouches having sufficient
remaining ink and cleaning liquid. The machine cannot perform automatic maintenance if it
has run out of ink or cleaning liquid.
Switch on the sub power once a month.
Switch on the sub power once a month. When you turn on the power, the machine
automatically performs operations such as those to keep the print heads from drying out.
Leaving the machine unused for a prolonged period may damage the print heads, so be sure
to switch on the power to perform these automatic operations.
Keep the machine at a constant temperature and relative humidity.
Even when the machine is not in use, keep it at a temperature of 5 to 40 degrees Celsius and
a relative humidity of 20 to 80% (with no condensation). Temperatures that are too high may
degrade the ink and cause malfunctions. Temperatures that are too low may cause the ink to
freeze and damage the print heads.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Cleaning the Machine
Cleaning the Media Path
Wipe away any ink or grime on the media path and other areas as part of the daily cleaning
procedure. It is easy for ink or grime to affix to the media path, and, if left unattended, this
will contaminate the new media and have a negative effect on the transport of media when
it is output. Pinch rollers, grit rollers, and the platen are particularly prone to the buildup of
grime.
Note: Never use solvent such as gasoline, alcohol, or thinner to perform cleaning.
Doing so may cause fire.
Note: Before attempting cleaning, switch off the sub power and wait until the heater and
dryer cool (approximately 30 minutes).
Sudden movement of the machine may cause injury, or hot components may cause burns.
Clean by wiping with a cloth moistened by neutral detergent diluted with water then wrung
dry.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Cleaning the Knife Carriage Roller
Paper dust affixes to the separating knife carriage roller during media separation. Periodically
wipe that area clean.
Note: Never use a solvent such as gasoline, alcohol, or thinner to perform cleaning.
Doing so may cause fire.
Note: Before attempting cleaning, switch off the sub power and wait until the heater and
dryer cool (approximately 30 minutes).
Sudden movement of the machine may cause injury, or hot components may cause burns.
Clean by wiping with a cloth moistened by neutral detergent diluted with water then wrung
dry.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Disposing of Discharged Fluid
Precautions for Disposing of Discharged Fluid
Note: Never place discharged fluid or ink near an open flame.
Doing so may cause fire.
Note: To store discharged fluid properly, in accordance with the laws in effect in your locale.
Discharge fluid is flammable and contains toxic ingredients. Never attempt to incinerate
discharged fluid or discard it with ordinary trash. Also, do not dispose of it in sewer systems,
rivers, or streams.
Doing so may have an adverse impact on the environment.
If the Discharge Fluid Disposal Message appears
The message shown below appears when a certain amount of discharged fluid has collected
in the bottle. If this message appears dispose of the discharged fluid.
Note: Before you detach the drain bottle, be sure to wait for the screen to display “EMPTY
DRAIN BOTTLE.” After discarding the discharged fluid, promptly attach the drain bottle to the
machine.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Failing to follow this procedure may cause discharged fluid to flow out of the tube and spill, soiling your hands or the floor.
Note: If you did not discard the discharged fluid and selected [NO]. The display also returns
to the original screen if you did not discard the discharged fluid and selected [NO] In this case
the [EMPTY DRAIN BOTTLE] message disappears temporarily. The message appears
temporarily. The message appears again once a certain amount of discharged fluid has
collected.
Note: When the [NOW EMPTY?] message appears on the screen, discharged fluid as early as
possible.
Repeatedly selecting [NO] without discarding the discharged fluid may cause it to spill out of the drain bottle, soiling your
hands or the floor.
If the Drain Bottle Exceeds Its Capacity Limit
The drain bottle collects discharged fluid. You can dispose of discharged fluid even if the
message “EMPTY DRAIN BOTTLE” is not displayed on the screen. Discard the discharged fluid
before the drain bottle exceeds its capacity limit.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Note: Before you detach the drain bottle, be sure to wait for the screen to display “EMPTY
DRAIN BOTTLE.” After discarding the discharged fluid, promptly attach the drain bottle to the
machine.
Failing to follow this procedure may cause discharged fluid to flow out of the tube and spill, soiling your hands or the floor.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Daily Print Head Checks
Printing Tests and Normal Cleaning
The print heads are important components that discharge ink. They require periodic and
appropriate maintenance. Before daily operations, perform a printing test to ensure that no
dot drop-out or dot displacement occurs. If dot drop-out or dot displacement occurs, perform
cleaning of the print heads (normal cleaning).
Note: This operation is unnecessary if you are only performing cutting. When performing
printing tests successively, you can select “SCAN” (vertical printing) or “FEED” (horizontal
printing) as the print position for the 2nd and later tests in comparison to the 1st test.
1. Performing a printing test

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
2. Performing Normal Cleaning
Note: If the printing-test results are difficult to interpret, check the results in a bright location,
changing your line of vision. It is visible using the reflection of the light.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
When Normal Cleaning Is Not Effective
Medium Cleaning Method
The print heads are important components that discharge ink. They require periodic and
appropriate maintenance. When problems such as dot drop-out are not resolved by normal
cleaning, perform the more forceful “medium cleaning’ to remove clogging from the print
heads.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Note: If the printing-test results are difficult to interpret, check the results in a bright location,
changing your line of vision. It is visible using the reflection of the light.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Note: If the problem persists, try performing normal cleaning again. If problems such as dot
drop-out and dot displacement persist even after you have performed medium cleaning
several times, perform “powerful cleaning.” This cleaning can be effective when carried out
periodically, according to the frequency of use.
Powerful Cleaning Method
The print heads are important components that discharge ink. They require periodic and
appropriate maintenance. When problems such as dot drop-out are not resolved by medium
cleaning, perform the more forceful “powerful cleaning” to remove clogging from the print
heads.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Note: If the printing-test results are as difficult to interpret, check the results in a bright
location, changing your line of vision. It is visible using the reflection of the light.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Note: If the problem persists, try performing normal cleaning again. This cleaning can be
effective when carried out periodically, according to frequency of use. If problems such as
dot drop-out and dot displacement persist even after you have performed powerful cleaning
several times, perform “manual cleaning.”
Manual Cleaning
When manual cleaning is necessary
The print heads are important components that discharge ink. They require periodic and
appropriate maintenance. It is important to perform manual cleaning with the appropriate
timing.
When a Message Appears
Note: Wiper replacement may also be effective in improving these symptoms.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
Manual Cleaning Method
If the message “TIME FOR MAINTENANCE” is displayed or if dot drop-out or ink drip issues
that cannot be improved with a powerful cleaning occur, perform manual cleaning.
Note: Be sure to perform operations as specified by the instructions above, and never touch
any area not specified in the instructions.
Sudden movement of the machine may cause injury.

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide
1. Clean the print head caps

VG2 Series Maintenance Guide