HP Designjet L25500 Printer series User’s guide (first edition)
Legal notices Trademarks © 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP Products and services are set forth in the express warranty statement accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty.
Table of contents 1 Introduction Safety precautions ................................................................................................................................ 1 The printer's main features ................................................................................................................... 4 The printer's main components ............................................................................................................ 5 The Embedded Web Server .................
Request the printer's internal prints .................................................................................................... 61 7 Accessories Order accessories .............................................................................................................................. 62 8 Printer specifications Functional specifications .................................................................................................................... 63 Physical specifications .............
Introduction Introduction 1 Safety precautions Before using your printer, read the following safety precautions to make sure you use the equipment safely. General safety guidelines ● Refer to installation instructions before connecting the printer to the supply. ● There are no operator-serviceable parts inside the printer. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
To avoid the risk of electric shock: Introduction ● Do not attempt to dismantle the drying and curing modules or the electrical control cabinet. ● Do not remove or open any other closed system covers or plugs. ● Do not insert objects through slots in the printer. NOTE: A blown fuse may indicate malfunctioning electrical circuits within the system. Call your service representative, and do not attempt to replace the fuse yourself.
Avoid standing close to the fans, which could cause injury and could also affect print quality (by obstructing the air flow). ● Do not touch gears or moving rolls during printing. Introduction ● Heavy substrate hazard Special care must be taken to avoid personal injury when handling heavy substrates. ● Handling heavy substrate rolls may require more than one person. Care must be taken to avoid back strain and/or injury. ● Consider using a forklift, pallet truck or other handling equipment.
Introduction Label Explanation See installation instructions before connecting to the supply. Ensure that the input voltage is within the printer's rated voltage range. The printer requires two dedicated lines, each protected by a branch circuit breaker according to the rating of the wall socket outlet. Use only earthed mains outlets and the power cords supplied by HP with the printer. Risk of trapped hands. Do not push the roll while loading. Lift the loading table to ease the spindle into the printer.
Accurate and consistent color reproduction with automatic color calibration (built-in spectrophotometer) ● ENERGY STAR® qualified product To send print jobs to your printer, you will need Raster Image Processor (RIP) software, which should be run on a separate computer. RIP software is available from various different companies; it is not provided with the printer. The printer's main components The following views of the printer illustrate its main components. Front view 60-in printer ENWW 1.
9. Spindle lock lever Introduction 10. Take-up reel motor 11. Take-up reel cable and sensor housing unit 12. Spindle 13. Loading table 14. Drying module 15. Take-up reel sensor 16. Take-up reel spindle stop 17. Curing module Rear view 60-in printer 6 1. Printhead cleaning container 2. Sockets for communication cables and optional accessories 3. Power switch and power sockets 4.
1. Take-up reel spindle lever 2. Manual winding buttons 3. Wind-direction switch Introduction Take-up reel motor The front panel Your printer's front panel is located at the front right of the printer.
Introduction processing or printing. If it is flashing amber, your intervention is required. If it is solid amber, a serious error has occurred. 5. Up key: To go up in a menu or option, or to increase a value. 6. OK key: To confirm an action while in a procedure or interaction. To enter in a submenu in the menu. To select a value when given an option. 7. Down key: To go down in a menu or option, or to decrease a value. 8. Back key: To go to the previous step in a procedure or interaction.
Introduction Main tab The Main tab provides information about the following items: ● Substrate, ink, printhead and maintenance status ● Temperatures of the drying and curing modules ● Substrate and ink usage and accounting Setup tab The Setup tab includes options to complete these tasks: ● Specify printer settings such as units of measurement and refresh date ● Specify network and security settings ● Set the date and time ● Update firmware ● Align printheads ● Upload substrate presets Sup
2 Connectivity and software instructions Connectivity Connection method Your printer can be connected in the following way. Connection type Speed Maximum cable length Other factors Gigabit Ethernet Fast; varies according to network traffic Long (100 m=328 ft) Requires extra equipment (switches) NOTE: The speed of any network connection depends on all the components that are used in the network, which can include network interface cards, hubs, routers, switches, and cables.
3 Basic setup options Printer setup options Turn the printer on and off If you want to turn the printer on or off, the normal and recommended method is to use the Power button on the front panel. When you turn off the printer this way, the printheads are automatically stored with the printhead cleaning cartridge, which prevents them from drying out.
Restart the printer In some circumstances you may be advised to restart the printer. Please proceed as follows: 1. Press the Power button on the front panel to turn the printer off. Wait a few moments, and then press the Power button again. This should restart the printer. If it does not, continue with step 2. 2. Use the Reset button on the front panel. You will need a non-conductive implement with a narrow tip to press the Reset button.
Request e-mail notification of specific error conditions 1. In the Embedded Web Server, go to the E-mail server page on the Setup tab and ensure that the following fields are correctly filled in: ● SMTP server. This is the IP address of the outgoing mail server (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol [SMTP]) that processes all e-mail messages from the printer. If the mail server requires authentication, e-mail notifications will not work. ● Printer e-mail address.
If you follow these instructions but fail to open the Embedded Web Server, see the Maintenance and troubleshooting guide. Change the language of the Embedded Web Server The Embedded Web Server functions in the following languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, French, Italian, German, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. It uses the language that you specified in your Web browser options. If you specify a language that it cannot support, it functions in English.
4 Handle the substrate Overview You can print on a wide variety of printing materials, all of which are referred to in this guide as substrates. Use substrate Choosing the correct substrate for your needs is an essential step in ensuring good print quality. For best printing results, use only recommended HP substrates (see Supported substrate families on page 16), which have been developed and thoroughly tested to ensure reliable performance.
CAUTION: Removing the substrate from the printer manually without using the front panel could damage the printer. Do this only when necessary to clear a substrate jam.
3. Remove the first end of the spindle from the right side of the printer, and then move the spindle to the right in order to extract the other end. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process. ENWW 4. Slide the lever-lock on the blue stop to the unlocked position. 5. Remove the stop from the left end of the spindle. Handle the substrate The spindle has a stop at each end to keep the roll in position.
6. Rest the roll of substrate that you want to load on the loading table. If the roll is long and heavy, you may need two people to handle it. 7. Slide the spindle into the roll. 8. The right stop of the spindle has two positions: one for rolls of the printer's maximum width, and another for narrower rolls.
9. Put the blue stop on to the upper end of the spindle, and push it towards the end of the roll. 10. Slide the lever-lock to the locked position. 11. Lift the loading table to ease the spindle into the printer. To avoid trapping your fingers, do not push the roll with your hands. If you regularly use different substrates, you can change rolls more quickly if you pre-load rolls of different substrates on different spindles. Extra spindles are available for purchase.
TIP: To load a roll of textile material, cut a strip of another substrate of a similar width to the textile and around 0.5 m in length. Polyester (backlit) substrates are the best for this purpose because of their stiffness. Lay this strip of substrate on top of the leading edge of the textile and load the two together as described below. After loading, the substrate strip will probably fall on the floor on the far side of the printer; if not, remove it. 1.
NOTE: You can specify the maximum permitted amount of skew at the front panel: select the icon, then select Substrate handling options > Max skew setting. 5. Wait until the substrate emerges from the printer, as shown in the following graphic. NOTE: If you have an unexpected problem at any stage of the substrate loading process, see the Maintenance and troubleshooting guide. The printer calibrates the substrate advance. 7.
Unload a roll from the printer If you used the take-up reel during printing, unload the printed roll from the take-up reel before attempting to remove the roll from the printer. See Unload a roll from the take-up reel on page 29. Check whether the other end of the roll is still attached to the input spindle, and follow the appropriate procedure as described in the following sections.
3. Pull out the substrate from the front of the printer. 4. Remove the empty spindle from the printer, pulling out the end on the right side of the printer first. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process. 5. Lower the substrate-adjustment lever. 6. If the front panel shows a warning message, press the OK button to clear it. NOTE: If the end of the roll has disappeared inside the printer, use the Move substrate button on the front panel to move it forward.
Handle the substrate 24 2. If you want to load the take-up reel now, select Load take-up reel now on the front panel. If you want to load the take-up reel during printing, select Load it during printing on the front panel. 3. Make sure that the loading table is in its upright position. 4. Unlock the take-up reel spindle by pushing the spindle lever to its uppermost position. 5. Remove the take-up reel spindle.
ENWW Remove the blue stop from the spindle. 7. Load the core onto the take-up reel spindle. 8. Replace the blue stop on the spindle. 9. Load the take-up reel spindle into the printer by pushing firmly on both ends of the spindle. Use the take-up reel Handle the substrate 6.
10. Press the OK button on the front panel, and then select a winding direction. The printer advances the substrate. Make sure that the substrate passes in front of the loading table, as shown. 11. Pull the substrate taut to the position shown in the following figure. Do not attempt to pull more substrate out of the printer. Use tape to secure the substrate to the spindle core, taping it in the center first. You may need to use more tape than is shown in the following image.
12. Press the OK button on the front panel. The printer advances the substrate. 13. Assemble a loop-shaping core by matching the shape-coded and color-coded lengths of plastic tubing. The loop-shaping core must be the same width as the substrate that you are using. Make sure that both end caps are firmly fitted on the ends of the loop-shaping core. NOTE: The front-panel display shows the required length of the loop-shaping core based on the width of the roll that you have loaded into the printer.
15. Carefully insert the loop-shaping core. NOTE: Make sure that you insert the loop-shaping core. The take-up reel will not function correctly without it. The loop-shaping core must have end caps. Make sure that the end caps extend over the edges of the substrate. 16. Use the wind-direction switch on the take-up reel motor to select the winding direction. Setting 1 winds the substrate so that the printed image faces in. Setting 2 winds the substrate so that the printed image faces out.
NOTE: If you want to move the printer, first remove the take-up reel sensor and cable housing unit from the foot of the printer stand. Place the sensor and cable housing unit on the printer stand crossbar and use the blue plastic screw to affix the housing unit to the leg of the stand, as shown, while the printer is being moved. When reinstalling the housing unit, make sure that the wheel on the foot of the printer stand is pointing forward. Unload a roll from the take-up reel 1.
Remove the loop-shaping core. 5. Use the winding button on the take-up reel motor to wind the excess substrate around the take-up reel spindle. 6. Press the OK button on the front panel. 7. Use the winding button on the take-up reel motor to wind the remainder of the substrate around the take-up reel spindle. 8. Press the OK button on the front panel. Handle the substrate 4. The amount of printed substrate that is on the take-up reel spindle appears on the front panel.
9. Unlock the take-up reel spindle by pushing the spindle lever to its uppermost position. 10. Remove the roll from the printer, pulling out the end on the right side of the printer first. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process. View information about the substrate On the printer's front panel, select the details.
● Allow all substrates to adapt to room conditions out of the packaging for 24 hours before printing. ● Handle film and glossy substrates by the edges or wear cotton gloves. Skin oils can be transferred to the substrate, leaving fingerprint marks. ● Keep the substrate tightly wound on the roll throughout the loading and unloading procedures. If the roll starts to unwind, it can become difficult to handle. Download substrate presets Each supported substrate type has its own characteristics.
9. Check the quantity of ink and correct it if there is too much; see Check the ink quantity on page 37. The print may not be completely dry at this stage; this is normal and not a problem. 10. After a little time, the print should be completely dry. If the ink smudges when touched, see the Maintenance and troubleshooting guide. 11. If you notice any print quality problems, see the Maintenance and troubleshooting guide. 12. If you would like to print faster, see Faster printing on page 39. 13.
Substrate family Drying temp. Curing temp. Heating airflow Autotracking Cutter Substrate -advance adjust. Input tension Vacuum level Paper-Solvent 50 80 30 Yes Yes 0 15 15 HP Photorealistic 50 100 30 Yes Yes 0 15 30 The various settings mentioned above are described below. Handle the substrate Setting Description If too low If too high Drying temp. The heat applied in the printing zone removes water and fixes the image to the substrate.
Setting Description If too low If too high Input tension Tension is applied to the substrate from the input spindle. It needs to be constant over the full width of the substrate, thus substrate load is a critical operation. The substrate skews and may become increasingly wrinkled in the printing zone. Also, substrate advance may be irregular, resulting in horizontal banding. The substrate may be permanently deformed or damaged. Substrate advance problems may appear in extreme cases.
Setting Description If too low Cool-down curing temperature offset The safe temperature at which A long time is needed to finish the the substrate can be under the print. curing module without being damaged. At the end of a job, the substrate is not stopped until this temperature is reached. The end of the print may be damaged if the cutter is disabled. Minimum drying power The The substrate is damaged in blank or lightly inked areas of the print, especially with a high number of passes.
Check the ink quantity Check the printed chart in the following ways. ENWW Too much ink: There are several possible symptoms of this problem. ● The last two or three scales of the plot look the same. ● Vertical banding. ● Horizontal banding. Handle the substrate 1.
● Coalescence, grain. Try reducing the amount of ink in your RIP software, then reprint the chart and check again. Also consider the following tips. ● You may have chosen a substrate preset that uses more ink than your substrate allows. Consult the substrate vendor's Web site and HP's Web site for the latest substrate presets and information. ● Consult your RIP documentation to make sure you are applying the right substrate ICC profile.
Faster printing The obvious way to increase speed is to reduce the number of print passes, although this will tend to reduce print quality. Bear in mind the following considerations. ● With fewer than 10 passes, you may see an increase in grain. ● With 4 or 6 passes, the printer is more sensitive to substrate advance problems. ● With 4 or 6 passes, reducing the ink quantity may improve print quality. ● If you are using the high ink limit option, you must use at least 12 passes.
5 Handle the ink system Ink system components Ink cartridges The printer's six ink cartridges provide magenta, light magenta, black, yellow, light cyan and cyan ink to the printheads. Each cartridge has a capacity of 775 ml. Ink cartridges require no maintenance or cleaning. When each ink cartridge is shaken vigorously before installation, and inserted correctly into its slot, the ink will flow to the printheads.
Although it is possible to use refilled or non-HP ink cartridges, either choice has several serious disadvantages: ● There is some risk of damaging the printer. In this case the printer warranty will not be valid for any printer repairs that are related to the cartridge, nor for any problems due to ink contamination. ● You will invalidate the warranty of all printheads of the same color used in the printer subsequently, unless and until the whole ink system (including ink tubes) is replaced.
CAUTION: Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry when handling ink cartridges because these elements are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Such devices are called ESD-sensitive devices. See Glossary on page 66. Electrostatic discharges are one of the main hazards to electronics products. This type of damage can reduce the life expectancy of the device.
Ink system tips For best results, always follow these guidelines: ● Install the ink cartridges, printheads and printhead cleaning cartridge before the warranty-ends date, which is printed on the product label and packaging. NOTE: The ink cartridges normally expire some time after the warranty ends. Refer to the ink cartridge information on the front panel for the expiration date. ● Follow the instructions on the front panel during installation.
● The ink cartridge is empty or faulty, and you must replace it to continue printing. CAUTION: The procedure to remove an ink cartridge must be initiated from the front panel. Do not remove an ink cartridge until the front panel prompts you. CAUTION: Remove an ink cartridge only if you are ready to insert another one. WARNING! Make sure that the printer wheels are locked (the brake lever is pressed down) to prevent the printer from moving.
3. Pull the blue tab down and then pull it outwards, towards you. 4. The cartridge comes out, in its drawer. 5. Lift the cartridge out of its drawer. NOTE: If necessary, store a partially-used ink cartridge in the same position as if it were inserted in the printer. Avoid using a partially-used cartridge that has been stored on its end.
6. The front-panel display identifies the missing ink cartridge. Insert an ink cartridge 1. Pick up the new ink cartridge and find the label that identifies the ink color. Hold the ink cartridge so that you can see the label at the top of the side that is facing you. 2. Check that the colored label above the empty slot in the printer matches the color of the label on the cartridge. 3. Shake the cartridge vigorously for about 15 seconds. 4. Insert the ink cartridge into the cartridge drawer.
5. Slide the drawer and cartridge into the slot until they lock into position. If you have difficulty, see the Maintenance and troubleshooting guide. 6. The front-panel display confirms that all cartridges have been correctly inserted. Replace a printhead Printhead replacement must be performed after the printer has been turned on with the hard power switch at the back of the printer.
Remove a printhead icon, and then select Replace printheads. 1. On the printer's front panel, select the 2. The carriage moves to the removal position. CAUTION: If the carriage remains in the removal position for more than 3 minutes without inserting or removing any printheads, it will attempt to return back to its home position to the right. 3. When the carriage has stopped moving, the front panel prompts you to open the printer window. Unlock the window and open it. 4.
Pull up and release the latch on top of the carriage. 6. Lift up the cover. This provides access to the printheads. 7. To remove a printhead, lift up the blue handle. 8. Using the blue handle, gently disengage the printhead. Handle the ink system 5.
9. Gently pull the blue handle upward until the printhead is released from the carriage. CAUTION: Do not pull abruptly. That action can damage the printhead. 10. The front-panel display identifies the missing printhead. Insert a printhead 1. If the printhead is new, shake it vigorously before removing the protective caps. Hold the printhead upright (with the protective caps facing down) and shake the printhead vigorously in a smooth up and down motion for about 15 seconds.
2. Remove the orange protective caps by pulling them down. 3. The printhead is designed to prevent you from accidentally inserting it into the wrong slot. Check that the colored label on the printhead matches the colored label of the carriage slot into which the printhead is to be inserted. 4. Insert the new printhead into its correct slot in the carriage. CAUTION: Insert the printhead slowly and vertically, straight down.
6. Insert all of the other printheads that need to be installed, and close the carriage cover. 7. Make sure that the end of the latch catches the wire loop on the near side of the carriage. 8. Lower the latch to rest on the carriage cover. When all of the printheads have been inserted correctly and the printer has accepted them, the printer beeps.
9. Close and lock the printer window. 10. The front-panel display confirms that all of the printheads are correctly inserted. The printer starts checking and preparing the printheads. The default routine process, when all printheads are changed, takes up to 18 minutes. If the printer identifies a problem when preparing the printheads, the process takes longer, up to 30 minutes. For a single printhead insertion, the time varies between 10 and 20 minutes.
2. The printhead cleaning cartridge is located in a slot underneath the front panel, at the front of the printer. Open the door. 3. The printhead cleaning cartridge has a handle on the front. To remove the cartridge, press inward and upward as indicated by the arrow, until the cartridge is released. 4. Lift up the printhead cleaning cartridge to remove it from the slot, and slide it out.
1. Remove the plastic cover from the new printhead cleaning cartridge. 2. Insert the printhead cleaning cartridge into the slot, in the direction indicated by the arrow. 3. When the printhead cleaning cartridge has been pushed all the way in, press inwards and downwards as indicated, until it clicks into place. NOTE: The front panel will not show the new printhead cleaning cartridge until the door is closed.
4. When you have inserted the printhead cleaning cartridge into the printer, close the door. NOTE: The printer needs all the ink cartridges, printheads and printhead cleaning cartridge to be installed before it can continue. 5. If no substrate is loaded, the front panel instructs you to load some. Make sure that the printer window and the printhead cleaning cartridge door are closed. The printer will not print while these are open.
Grip the ink funnel. 4. Remove the ink funnel. 5. Insert the new ink funnel. 6. Press it into place. Handle the ink system 3.
7. Close and lock the window. Replace the printhead cleaning container CAUTION: You are recommended to wear gloves. 1. Remove the printhead cleaning container. 2. Insert the new printhead cleaning container. 3. Ensure that the tube is pointing into the center of the container. Order ink supplies You can order the following ink supplies for your printer.
Table 5-2 Printheads Printhead Part number HP 789 Yellow/Black Printhead CH612A HP 789 Cyan/Light Cyan Printhead CH613A HP 789 Light Magenta/Magenta Printhead CH614A Table 5-3 Printhead cleaner Printhead cleaner Part number CH621A HP 789 Printhead Cleaning Container CH622A Handle the ink system HP 789 Printhead Cleaning Kit (contains a printhead cleaning cartridge and an ink funnel) ENWW Order ink supplies 59
Print options 6 Print options Printer states The printer may be in any one of the following states; some of them require waiting. ● Ready (cold): The printer is powered on but has not printed yet, and the heaters are not turned on. ● Preparing to print: The printer is warming up the heaters and preparing the printheads to print. This takes 1 to 8 min. ● Printing ● Curing: This takes 1.5 to 5 min. ● Finishing: The printer is cooling down and preparing for stand-by. This takes 0.5 to 5 min.
The internal prints provide various kinds of information about your printer. Request these prints from the front panel, without using a computer. Before requesting any internal print, make sure that substrate is loaded and that the Ready message appears on the front-panel display. To print an internal print, select the that you want. icon, Internal prints, and then select the type of internal print The following internal prints are available: ENWW ● Menu map: Shows details of all the front-panel menus.
7 Accessories Accessories Order accessories The following accessories can be ordered for your printer.
8 Printer specifications Functional specifications Printheads Yellow/black, cyan/light cyan and light magenta/magenta Printhead cleaning kit and printhead cleaning container Non-color-specific Ink cartridges Yellow, black, magenta, light magenta, cyan and light cyan. All cartridges contain 775 ml of ink. Table 8-2 Substrate sizes Width Minimum Maximum 584 mm (23 in) 1067 mm (42 in) or 1524 mm (60 in) Narrow substrate: 254 mm (10 in) Length 420 mm (16.
Table 8-5 Mechanical accuracy The printer's mechanical accuracy is 0.1%, but some substrates (in particular PVC banners) may shrink up to 2%.
ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered U.S. marks To determine the ENERGY STAR® qualification status of these product models. See: http://www.hp.com/go/energystar. For up-to-date ecological specifications of your printer, please go to http://www.hp.com/ and search for “ecological specifications”.
Glossary Airflow Air is blown through the printing zone to speed up the drying process. Too much or too little airflow may cause print quality defects. Back tension The backwards tension applied to the substrate by the input spindle, which must be constant across the width of the substrate. Too much or too little tension may cause substrate deformation and print quality defects. Bidirectional Bidirectional printing means that the printheads print while moving in both directions.
The International Color Consortium, a group of companies that have agreed on a common standard for color profiles. Ink density The relative amount of ink that is deposited on the substrate per unit of area. IP address A unique identifier that identifies a particular node on a TCP/IP network. It consists of four integers separated by dots. LED Light-Emitting Diode: a semiconductor device that emits light when electrically stimulated.
Index A accessories order 62 acoustic specifications 65 add new substrate 32 C calibration color 33 caution 3 color calibration 33 color profiles 33 components of printer 5 connect the printer connection method 10 contrast in front panel 13 D downloading substrate presets 32 E e-mail alerts 13 ecological specifications 64 Embedded Web Server access 8 e-mail alerts 13 language 14 environmental specifications 65 F faster printing 33 features of printer 4 front panel contrast 13 language 12 units 13 front vie
overview 15 storage 31 supported families 15 tips 15 substrate presets downloading 32 substrate sizes (max & min) 63 T take-up reel motor 7 using 21 turn the printer on/off 7 U unloading roll from printer 15 use the take-up reel 21 W warning 3 warning labels 3 ENWW Index 69
