HP L26500/L28500 User Manual

DESIGNJET L26500 printer seriesMaintenance and troubleshooting guide

Warning labelsLabel ExplanationRisk of burns. Do not touch the internal enclosures of dryingand curing modules of the printer.Risk of burns. Do not to

2 Printer statusCheck printer statusYou can check the current status of the printer in the following ways:●The Embedded Web Server displays the status

The Supplies page shows you the status of the loaded substrate, the ink cartridges, the printheads, theheaters, the printhead cleaning kit, the ink fu

●Serial number●Status (see Front-panel error messages on page 80)●Volume of ink it has used●Warranty statusYou can also use the Embedded Web Server to

3 Firmware updateThe printer's various functions are controlled by software that resides in the printer, also known asfirmware.From time to time,

4 Hardware maintenanceFor the tasks in this chapter, you may need the User Maintenance Kit that was provided with yourprinter.Ink system tipsFor best

The process takes about 10 minutes and starts immediately, unless an image is currently being printed.If a print job is in process, the alignment will

3. Stick it to the platen as shown.4. Load the substrate that you want to check.5. Open your RIP software.6. Download the test file from inside the pr

Clean the electrical connections on a printheadIt is possible that the printer will not recognize a printhead after it has been installed. This can ha

3. Load the sponge by positioning the sponge on the face of the carriage interconnect wiper with theshorter tab in the locating slot.4. Close the carr

© 2011 Hewlett-Packard DevelopmentCompany, L.P.1st editionLegal noticesThe information contained herein is subjectto change without notice.The only wa

8. Take special care to clean all contacts thoroughly, including the ones at the lowest point of theconnector.9. Using the same sponge, clean the lowe

13. Dispose of the soiled sponge in a safe place to prevent the transfer of ink onto hands and clothing.If the front panel continues to show the Resea

3. Use a clean, absorbent lint-free cloth to thoroughly wipe any wet ink from the cutter grove, cutterramp and platen.4. With a dry brush, remove dry,

6. Slightly dampen the used cloth with 95% ethanol to wipe the remaining dry ink deposits from theplaten.NOTE: 95% ethanol is not provided in the User

Clean after porous substratesIf you print on a porous substrate (through which ink can pass), you should clean the platenimmediately after each printi

3. Wipe the sensor with one of the cotton swabs provided in the User Maintenance Kit, slightlydampened with 95% ethanol, to remove dried ink.NOTE: 95%

4. Apply a few drops of the oil to the pads on either side of the carriage.5. Apply a few drops of oil directly to the slider rod on either side of th

2. Locate the small holes in the platen near some of the rollers.3. Put three drops of oil into each hole in the platen.NOTE: Be careful not to spill

4. If oil spills onto the platen, wipe the platen clean by using the cloth that was supplied with the UserMaintenance Kit.5. Close and lock the printe

9. If you intend to turn the printer upside down or on its side, first remove the waste managementsystem (see Replace the ink maintenance kit on page

Table of contents1 Safety precautions ... 1G

2. Grip the blue tab in front of the cartridge that you want to remove.3. Pull the blue tab down and then pull it outwards, towards you.4. The cartrid

6. The front-panel display identifies the missing ink cartridge.Insert an ink cartridge1. Pick up the new ink cartridge and find the label that identi

6. The front-panel display confirms that all cartridges have been correctly inserted.Refilled and non-HP ink cartridgesHP recommends that you replace

Replace the ink maintenance kitThe ink maintenance kit contains the ink funnel, the ink tube assembly and the ink filter. The front panelprompts you w

6. Locate the ink funnel.7. Pull the slider with one finger while removing the ink funnel with the other hand.NOTE: You are recommended to wear gloves

10. Pull the slider with one finger while inserting the new ink funnel with the other hand.11. Press the ink funnel into place.12. Remove the cap from

14. Open the ink filter cover.15. Remove the old ink filter and insert a new one.16. Close the ink filter cover.17. Close and lock the window.Replace

3. When the carriage has stopped moving, the front panel prompts you to open the printer window.Unlock and open the window.4. Locate the carriage on t

7. To remove a printhead, lift up the blue handle.8. Using the blue handle, gently disengage the printhead.9. Gently pull the blue handle upward until

Insert a printhead1. If the printhead is new, shake it vigorously before removing the protective caps. Hold theprinthead upright (with the protective

Replace an ink cartridge ... 23Replace the ink m

5. Push down as indicated by the arrow.CAUTION: You might feel some resistance when installing the new printhead, so you need topress it down firmly b

9. Close and lock the printer window.10. The front-panel display confirms that all of the printheads are correctly inserted. The printer startscheckin

Follow these precautions when removing a printhead cleaning cartridge:●Be careful not to get ink on your hands. Ink may be on, around and inside the r

6. Remove the plastic cover from the new printhead cleaning cartridge.7. Insert the printhead cleaning cartridge into the slot, in the direction indic

11. Locate the ink funnel.12. Pull the slider with one finger while removing the ink funnel with the other hand.NOTE: You are recommended to wear glov

14. Press the ink funnel into place.15. Close and lock the window.16. Open the ink filter cover.17. Remove the old ink filter and insert a new one.18.

19. Remove the printhead cleaning container.20. Insert the new printhead cleaning container.NOTE: Before it can resume printing, the printer needs all

5 Substrate settingsDownload media presetsEach supported substrate has its own characteristics. The printer changes the way it prints on eachdifferent

SummarySelect printer settings and color profileThe correct printer settings for your substrate may be available from your RIP vendor or substratevend

Substrate family Dryingtemp.Curingtemp.HeatingairflowAuto-tracking(OMAS)Cutter Substrate-advancecompensationInputtensionVacuumSelf-adhesive 55 110 30

8 Troubleshoot ink-system issues ... 72Ink maintenance kit needs

Setting Description If too low If too highSubstrate advancecompensationYour printer was calibrated atthe factory to ensure that itadvances the substra

Setting Description If too low If too highCutter The printer's built-in cutter cancut the substrate automaticallybetween each print.Disable the c

Change settings while printingYou can use the front panel to change the following settings while printing.●To change temperature and vacuum settings w

SubstratefamilyWarm-updryingtemperature offsetWarm-upcuringtemperatureWarm-upcuringtemperature offsetCool-downdryingtemperatureCool-downdryingtemperat

Temperature profileMany of the main and advanced substrate settings are related to temperature control, since this is acritical area for correct print

Passes Uni/bidirSelfadhesiveBanner Textile Film SyntheticpaperPaperaqueousPapersolventLowtemp.Mesh18* Bidir Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes20 to 3

●Horizontal bands.●Coalescence, grain (can be caused by an excess of light ink).Try reducing the amount of ink in your RIP software, then reprint the

3. Too little ink: The whole chart looks washed out.Try increasing the amount of ink in your RIP software, then reprint the chart and check again.You

In outline, the process consists of the following steps.1. A calibration test chart is printed.2. The HP Embedded Spectrophotometer (or, if you prefer

Color reproduction tricksLatex inks are a new technology, and there are some important guidelines when doing colorseparations (such as when creating o

vi ENWW

6 Troubleshoot print-quality issuesGeneral printing adviceUse the following approach when you have any print-quality problem:●Make sure that the subst

Interpret the printhead status plotThe print consists of small dashes, one for each nozzle on each printhead.For each individual colored pattern, make

If you see this kind of problem:●Ensure that the vertical correction option is disabled in the RIP and in the front panel. At the frontpanel, select t

●If bands affect only some colors, the cause could be a defective printhead.◦Print the printhead status plot (see Use the printhead status plot on pag

Substrate advance adjustment on the flyIf you are using no more than six passes, you can fine-tune the substrate advance while printing: selectthe ic

◦If applicable, tell the RIP to group jobs together, so that printer temperatures remain morestable between jobs.◦Modify your media preset as suggeste

If you notice such a problem, there are various possible solutions.●At the front panel, select the icon, then select Image quality maintenance > E

Ink smearsInk smears may be seen on the print for the following reasons.●The substrate is skewed. Do not ignore the warning message that appears durin

The ink smudges when touched, or looks oilyThere are various different circumstances in which these symptoms can be seen.●When there is a big transiti

Tiling issuesThe most common problems when printing tiles are as follows.●Color degradation within individual tilesIn many cases, individual tiles are

1 Safety precautionsBefore using your printer, read the following safety precautions to make sure you use the equipmentsafely.You are expected to have

7 Troubleshoot substrate issuesThe substrate cannot be loaded successfullyHere are some suggestions to try if you cannot load the substrate successful

If you see the above display on the front panel, proceed as follows.1. Lift the substrate lever.2. Manually reposition the substrate on the platen.3.

3. Cut the substrate where it enters the printer, and rewind the input roll.4. Wait for the printer to cool down to room temperature.5. Try to move th

10. Close and lock the window.11. Turn on the printer.12. Reload the roll.13. If some substrate continues to cause an obstruction within the printer,

●Increase the vacuum level in steps of 10 mmH2O. Do not exceed the following limits: 20 mmH2Ofor banners, 35 mmH2O for vinyl, and 50 mmH2O for other s

This deformation may be particularly noticeable in the following applications.●Printing images that will later be cut automatically or manually. When

If the problem remains after removing the substrate jam, unload the take-up reel from the front paneland load it again.Take-up reel does not windPredi

1. Take-up reel sensor2. Take-up reel sensor and cable housing unitENWWTake-up reel does not wind71Troubleshoot substrate

8 Troubleshoot ink-system issuesInk maintenance kit needs to be installedIf the front panel tells you that the ink maintenance kit needs to be install

Front panel recommends reseating or replacing aprinthead1. Remove the printhead and check that it is free from physical damage and from ink stains on

To avoid the risk of electric shock:●Do not attempt to dismantle the drying and curing modules or the electrical control cabinet.●Do not remove or ope

TIP: Use the same substrate you intend to print on to align the printheads.WARNING! Colored substrates, glossy canvas, and transparent materials such

3. If the substrate type that is loaded is acceptable for printhead alignment, the printer performs thealignment and prints an alignment pattern.NOTE:

9 Troubleshoot other issuesThe printer cannot get an IP addressIf your network has no DHCP server, the printer cannot automatically retrieve an IP add

proxy configuration check box is selected, add the printer's IP address to the list ofexceptions, for which the proxy server is not used.The prin

●Does your image contain high-density black fills? That may increase printing time.●If your printer is connected to a network, check the following poi

●If the printer is connected to your computer through any other intermediate devices, such as switchboxes, buffer boxes, cable adapters, or cable conv

10 Front-panel error messagesUnder certain circumstances, a front-panel error message appears. Follow the advice in theRecommendation column to resolv

Table 10-1 Text messages (continued)Message RecommendationInk maintenance kit not installed The installation of the ink maintenance kit has been canc

Table 10-2 Numeric error messages (continued)Error code Recommendation15.03:00 Excessive heat in the drying module. Check that all fans are working a

Table 10-2 Numeric error messages (continued)Error code Recommendation32:01.1 This error occurs when there is a small amount of substrate printed, le

Mechanical hazardThe printer has moving parts that could cause injury. To avoid personal injury, take the followingprecautions when working close to t

Table 10-2 Numeric error messages (continued)Error code Recommendation61:01 The file format is incorrect and the printer cannot process the job. Try

Table 10-2 Numeric error messages (continued)Error code Recommendation76:03 A “disk out of space” has occurred. Try the following remedies:●Turn off

11 When you need helpIntroductionHP Customer Care offers award-winning support to ensure that you get the most from your HPDesignjet. HP Customer Care

HP Customer Care CentersHelp is available to you by telephone. What to do before you call:●Review the troubleshooting suggestions in this guide.●Revie

A Summary of common printingproblemsThis is a table of common problems and the RIP parameters that can be changed in order to solve theproblem. Some p

IndexAadd new substrate 41alertserrors 7alerts, warnings 7application hangs up 77Bbow deformation 68Ccalibrationcolor 51cannot load substrate 64carria

color intensity varies 59general 54graininess 55horizontal banding 56ink smears 61ink smudges 62lack of sharpness 60misaligned colors 59stains or unev