IJ4000 Impulse Jet
Appendix B: Theory of Operation
5765-018 Operations Manual Rev J
Page 58
Normal Operation
The ink bottle supplies the open-vented reservoir. The reservoir
creates the first of three stages of ink filtration. When the print
head demands ink from the S
MART
-IDS, the ink pump turns on.
The ink is pulled through the reservoir filter through a check valve
and into the pump. As the ink is pulled from the reservoir, a vac-
uum is created in the bottle. To equalize this pressure differential,
air is pulled through the vent into the reservoir.
The pump will then push the ink to the print head that is request-
ing ink until the float in the print head reservoir is satisfied. Each
print head controls its own ink level by opening and closing an
intake solenoid. The S
MART
-IDS operates in this state until it
encounters a different ink status.
If the S
MART
-IDS includes the pressurized solvent supply, the
print head will open and close an internal solenoid to allow flow of
solvent down the face of the print head. As with ink and vacuum,
a separate tubing line is required from the S
MART
-IDS. A pressur-
ized can of solvent is the main source of solvent. The solvent
flows through a regulator into the S
MART
-IDS. This supply line
has a pressure sensor to detect when the pressurized solvent
can is empty. When the can is empty, the beacon light will illumi-
nate steady. One must determine the state of the beacon lamp by
determining whether the ink supply is visually empty or the sol-
vent can is empty, and then replace the appropriate material.
Ink Low Detection
When the ink bottle empties into the ink reservoir, a float will drop
in the reservoir. After the float drops in the reservoir, the micro-
controller will disable the liquid pump and turn on the beacon
steady. This alerts the operator that it is time to replace the ink
bottle. When the ink bottle has been replaced, the S
MART
-IDS will
automatically extinguish the beacon light.
NOTE:
The ink pump is disabled in order to inhibit an ink / air-
bubble mixture from getting into the impulse jet print engines.
INK PUMP
INK BOTTLE
INK RESERVOIR
AIR INLET
BEACON
ENCLOSURE
VACUUM
PUMP
INK WASTE
COLLECTOR
(SEPARATOR)
REMOVABLE
INK WASTE
COLLECTOR
BOTTLE
REPRESENTS INK FLOW
NOTE: DOOR NOT SHOWN.
VACUUM PORT
WITH SHIPPING
CAP
VENT
INK OUTLET
PORT WITH
SHIPPING CAP