Frequently Asked Questions

This page features the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) received by our customer and technical support staff. These brief explanations are intended to assist you with the most common customer issues.

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With what frequency should Linx printers be maintained?

Preventative maintenance intervals range from 1,400 to 13,000 hours or up to 18 months depending on ink type, environment and printer model. A service consists of an ink change, filter change and calibration of the printer. This will insure optimum performance of the printer. For daily or weekly maintenance pull the printhead cover to see if the printhead is clean, also inspect the cabinet air filter. Clean as needed.

What is the best way to maximize print quality and reliability?

The best way to maximize print quality depends on a few items. First, you should ensure the ink used is correct for the application. Diagraph Sales Representatives will help you in choosing the best ink for the best mark with either an in house demonstration or by the production of samples on your product. Routine maintenance and insuring that you have the printhead set up for the correct throw distance will greatly enhance your print quality. Finally insure that you are using the printer within the appropriate environmental specifications and always use ink and solvent that are within their expiration date.

How long are Linx printheads? What is the advantage of the shorter conduit?

The Linx 5900 and 7900 models are available in 2 and 4 meter lengths. 8900 printers are available in 2, 4 and 6 meter lengths.

As the viscosity of the ink increases, how does Linx introduce solvent to thin the inks and how does this differ from competitive systems?

Taking real time viscosity checks at the printhead enables the Linx printer to add solvent to the system at the appropriate times. This greatly enhances printer performance and in turn produces tremendous print quality.

Are Linx printers suitable for wash down or dusty environments?

Yes. Linx 5900, 7900 and 8900 models consist of a stainless steel cabinet with up to an IP 65 rating and Positive air feature.

Are ink jet printers environmentally friendly?

The continuous ink jet technology used in the Linx printers is designed to have any fluids not actually used in the making of the mark return to the internal ink tank, making it a very clean, environmentally friendly marking method.

Are 90 degree printheads available?

Yes. 90 degree printheads are an option available.

All Linx printers feature "auto flush" capable print heads. What is the advantage of this feature?

The basis of continuous inkjet technology is the ability for ink, composed of colorant (either dye or pigment) suspended in a solvent base to leave the colored mark while the solvent evaporates. The solvents used for this process must evaporate at a fast rate. This leaves the possibility of colorant deposits to build up in the printhead, resulting in slow start ups and poor print quality. The auto flush feature will clear ink out of the printhead at shut down. This prepares the printer for a reliable and quick start up with superior print quality.

Where would I use porous ink?

Porous inks are used on porous substrates such as cardboard cartons, paper and wood.

Where would I use non-porous ink?

Non-porous inks are used on non-porous substrates such as plastics and metal.

How many types of ink are available for my IV system?

There are two basic types of ink for IV printheads: porous (water based) and non-porous (solvent based).

The print on my label is inconsistent across the label and fades on the outer edge of the label.

The printhead pressure is out of adjustment, or the printhead is not aligned properly. Test printhead pressure and align the printhead.

A label dispenses before the tamp pad completely retracts, causing the label to stick to the tamp pad.

The adjustable actuator Home sensor signals when the actuator is in the home position. The Home Delay setting enables time delay of next label feed until the tamp pad settles in the home position.

Does my PA6000 require software to print?

1. The PA6000E MCA IV is capable of printing through recalling stored label formats. 2. Print designs are created using label software. Diagraph fully supports the NiceLabel software package. Contact us at 800.526.2531, option 1, for more information.

How many types of Linx systems are there?

There are four models of Linx printers for purchase: CJ400, 5900, 7900, 8900 Series.

How many types of IV systems does Diagraph offer?

Diagraph offers one IV system that incorporates 9-dot, 12-dot and 18-dot printheads.

How many types of ink jet systems are there?

There are four types of ink jet systems available from Diagraph: 1. Integrated Valve (IV) 2. Impulse Jet - High Resolution (IJ) 3. Thermal Jet (TJ) 4. Continuous Inkjet or CIJ (Linx)

How do I purchase a service contract or preventive maintenance program?

Protect your investment with the Diagraph Preventative Maintenance program. Diagraph provides a comprehensive offering of maintenance agreements to suit your needs. Purchasing one of these agreements provides service and protection above the normal warranty provision listed in Diagraph's warranty policy. Contact our customer support center at 800.526.2531, option 2, for more details regarding specific agreements or to answer any questions on the coverage provided by a preventative maintenance agreement.
Diagraph offers maintenance agreements to cover your Linx Small Character Continuous Ink Jet System, your Diagraph High-Resolution Ink Jet System, your Diagraph Large Character Integrated Valve Ink Jet System and your Diagraph Automated Labeling System. All these agreements offer excellent value for the price, and ultimately peace of mind for your maintenance and production staff.

Does Diagraph charge for technical support calls over the phone?

Toll-free access to our Service Help Desk technical support is offered as a free service to our customers.

Diagraph maintains a staff of highly trained technical support technicians who are available from 7:00AM to 5:00PM (CST) each business day to assist you and answer your technical questions. Technical phone support provides answers to questions ranging from part number enquiries to advanced trouble shooting assistance. Our Diagraph Help Desk Technicians are ready to serve you and can be reached by calling 800.526.2531, option 2.

Are training classes available for Diagraph products?

Yes, Diagraph offers customer training at our facility in St. Charles, MO or onsite at the customer's facility. Visit our training calendar or contact our customer support center at 800.526.2531 to schedule training for your team.

Where does Linx measure time of flight and ink viscosity? How is this different from competitive inkjet systems?

Linx printers provide real time viscosity measurements. This measurement is taken directly from the printhead for real time accuracy. Our competitors attempt to take viscosity checks at their printer control cabinets.

What bar codes can I print with Linx printers?

Linx printers are capable of printing I 2of5, Code 39, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 128, UPC-A, Datamatrix 2-D and QR barcodes. See printer model specifications

Do Linx printers have serial interface capabilities?

Linx printers have the capability of communicating in RS232.

Do Linx printers allow the operator to create a message in BOLD?

Yes. You have the ability to set the bold factor for each individual fields within the message.

Can I interface my Linx printer with a PC or PLC controller?

Yes, Linx printers come standard with an RS 232 data port.

How would I decide which non-porous ink type to use?

In general, the choice of non-porous ink type is based on required dry time.

How do I wash this stuff off of my hands?

Diagraph sells Reduran hand cleaner, which is made especially for cleaning ink from hands.

Can I change the type of non-porous ink that I am using to another non-porous ink type?

Yes, but the system (ink delivery system, lines and printheads) must be completely flushed with the conditioner for the current non-porous ink type, then flushed with the conditioner for the new non-porous ink type prior to introducing the new non-porous ink.

Can I change between porous and non-porous ink types in my system?

No, porous and non-porous inks are not compatible with each other. In addition, some internal components of the printheads are specifically made for the type of ink being used.

Can I change the color of ink that I am printing with?

Yes, however, not all ink types are compatible. If compatible, the current ink must be completely flushed from the system prior to using the new color.

Why wouldn’t I use the fixed line speed?

If the line speed is not consistent, the print can become un-readable; the printed length and placement of the message will also change with slight variations in actual line speed. In addition, the printheads will print the message if the photocell is tripped while the line is stopped.

Why would I use the fixed line speed?

Using the fixed line speed is more economical (no external encoder required) if the line speed is consistent.

What is the fixed line speed circuit?

The fixed line speed (internal encoder) allows printing on products that do not change speed.

What is Web mode?

Web mode is used to mark on a continuous or extended product that requires multiple marks along the surface of the product. Web mode reprints the same message at a preset interval along the surface. Applications include product information on sheeted material, lumber, pipe and textiles.

How many printheads can an Impulse Jet interface board control?

Each IJ interface board is capable of driving two 384 printheads or one 768 print head.

How many different types of interface boards are there?

There are two interface board types: IV and Impulse technologies have respective interface boards. TJ print heads operate off the same serial port.

How do I enable the fixed line speed?

Go to Control Panels, System Setup, Encoder, select internal time and enter the conveyor line speed.

Can I use the same photocell and encoder on both interface boards in my controller?

Yes, select Task 2, Control Panels menu, then System Setup and select "Use Task 1" for photocell and encoder settings.

The tamp pad does not tamp on every product. How do I fix this problem?

Inspect product trigger LED to confirm one trigger per product. Adjust sensor position and calibrate to the substrate.

The labels do not track contently pass the printhead resulted in skewed print on the label.

Make sure the label material is loaded properly. Check the rewind hub and confirm that the label liner is rewinding onto the rewind hub properly. Check the platen drive roller for wear. The rubber roller under the printhead should have a rough surface to it. Check printhead balance.

The labels are only partially printed.

The label offset is set incorrectly. Adjust the Pitch Offset in your print engine’s user’s manual.

The label liner breaks when feeding a label. How can I fix this problem?

Select Web Path within information menu of MCA IV to verify label web path is correct.

I sent a batch of labels to the printer and nothing happens, what could be the cause of this problem?

Serial: Confirm baud rate of MCA IV and print engine match baud rate of PC printer driver. Ethernet: Ping PC to confirm connection to MCA IV.

Why does Diagraph refer customers to the manufacturer for support on desktop label printers?

Diagraph wants all of our customers to receive the highest level of technical support on all the products and solutions that Diagraph offers. Therefore, it is the decision of the corporation to refer desktop printer customers to the most current source of information, the manufacturer.

How do I arrange for a service technician to visit my facility and repair my Diagraph equipment?

Call our customer service center at 800-526-2531, option 3, to schedule an on-site service visit.