Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

Yes. 90 degree printheads are an option available.

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.

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

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

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

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

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Linx printers have the capability of communicating in RS232. 

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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.

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.

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