HP Designjet L25500 printer series Maintenance and troubleshooting guide Edition: 2nd edition
© 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Legal notices Trademarks The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 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 Safety precautions ........................................................................................................................................ 1 General safety guidelines ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Electrical shock hazard ..........................................................................................................................................
5 Troubleshoot print-quality issues ................................................................................................................ 25 General advice ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Graininess ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 Horizontal banding ..
Documentation .................................................................................................................................................... 51 HP Instant Support .............................................................................................................................................. 51 HP Customer Care Centers .................................................................................................................................. 51 Service information ..
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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.
NOTE: A blown fuse may indicate malfunctioning electrical circuits within the system. Have the system checked by qualified HP service personnel, and do not attempt to replace the fuse yourself. Heat hazard The drying and curing subsystems of the printer operate at high temperatures and can cause burns if touched. To avoid personal injury, take the following precautions. ● Do not touch the internal enclosures of the printer's drying and curing modules.
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. ● When handling heavy substrate rolls, wear personal protective equipment including boots and gloves.
Label Explanation Risk of trapped fingers. Do not touch spindle gears while moving. Do not put objects on top of the printer. Do not cover the fans. You are recommended to wear gloves when handling ink cartridges, printhead cleaning cartridges and the printhead cleaning container.
2 Printer status Check printer status You can check the current status of the printer in the following ways: ● The Embedded Web Server displays the status of the printer, the loaded substrate and the ink system. ● The front panel displays the ink levels by default; otherwise, you can see the ink levels by selecting the the Ink System icon . In addition, the most important current alert, if any, is displayed in the front panel. Check the status of the ink system 1.
Ink menu procedure 1. On the front panel, select the 2. Select the cartridge about which you want information. 3. The front panel shows the following information: icon, then select Ink cartridge information.
Check the file system It is possible to check the integrity of the file system on the printer's hard disk, and automatically correct any errors. You are recommended to do this about once every six months, or if you notice any trouble in accessing files on the hard disk. To execute the file system check, go to the front panel and select the icon, then select File system check.
warning, it disappears after a while. Some alerts reappear when the printer is idle and there is nothing more important to report. ● Embedded Web Server: The alert displayed in the front panel also appears in the top right corner of the Embedded Web Server window. An alert may require you to perform a maintenance operation; see Hardware maintenance on page 11.
3 Firmware update The printer's various functions are controlled by software that resides in the printer, also known as firmware. From time to time, firmware updates from Hewlett-Packard become available. These updates increase the printer's functionality and enhance its features. Firmware updates can be downloaded from HP's Web site (http://www.hp.com/go/graphic-arts/) and installed in your printer using the printer's Embedded Web Server.
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4 Hardware maintenance For the tasks in this chapter, you may need the User Maintenance Kit that was provided with your printer. Align the printheads The printer performs printhead alignment whenever printheads are replaced. If no substrate is loaded when a printhead is replaced, the printer will perform the alignment the next time you load substrate. You may also be recommended to align the printheads to solve a print-quality problem.
When you have done this, enter the correction values into the front panel or the Embedded Web Server. icon, then select Image quality maintenance To enter the correction values in the front panel, select the > Align printheads > Manual PH alignment > Enter correction values. Enter each value into the window labelled with the same letter as the corresponding pattern.
2. Open the carriage interconnect wiper. 3. Load the sponge by positioning the sponge on the face of the carriage interconnect wiper with the shorter tab in the locating slot. 4. Close the carriage interconnect wiper, trapping the sponge in place. 5. Open the printhead carriage latch and extract the printhead that is causing the problem, as indicated on the front panel. See the User's guide. 6. Insert the carriage interconnect wiper into the printhead slot at the back.
7. Rub the sponge against the contacts with a light force along the entire depth of the flex connector, inserting the wiper as far as allowed by the mechanical stop on the tool. 8. Take special care to clean all contacts thoroughly, including the ones at the lowest point of the connector. 9. Using the same sponge, clean the lower strip of electrical contacts on the printhead (unless the printhead is new). Avoid touching the upper set of electrical contacts.
12. Remove the soiled sponge from the carriage interconnect wiper. 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 Reseat or Replace message, replace the printhead or call your service representative.
Clean the exterior of the printer Use a damp sponge or a soft cloth and a mild household cleaner such as non-abrasive liquid soap to clean the outside of the printer and all other parts of the printer that you regularly touch as part of normal operation (for example, ink cartridge drawer handles). There may be some dampness from condensation under the fans of the curing module, which should be wiped with a dry cloth.
4. With the same dry brush, remove ink deposits from the platen surface. 5. Use a clean, absorbent lint-free cloth that has been slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol to wipe loosened ink deposits from the platen. NOTE: Isopropyl alcohol is not provided in the User Maintenance Kit. CAUTION: Do not use commercial cleaners or abrasive cleaners. Do not wet the platen directly, because you will leave too much moisture behind. ENWW 6. Use the damp cloth to clean the cutter ramp. 7.
Clean (recover) the printheads To clean the printheads (which often enables them to recover from problems), go to the printer's front panel icon, then select Image quality maintenance > Clean printheads. Specify which printheads and select the you would like to clean. You can clean all of the printheads or only some of them. Select from these options: ● Print test plot ● Clean all ● Clean LC-C ● Clean Y-MK ● Clean LM-M Cleaning all printheads takes about 5 minutes.
Clean and lubricate the carriage rail NOTE: Under some workflows, or/and site conditions such as in warm ambient temperature, which are above the printer's operation specification (above 30ºC(86ºF)), or if there is significant ambient dust; the lubrication of the slider rods can be reduced or affected, which can in turn affect the performance of the printer. NOTE: A visual explanation of the procedure to clean and lubricate the carriage rail can be found here: http://www.hp.com/go/L25500/videos 1.
6. Clean the carriage rail area under the right cover as described in step 3. 7. Take the bottle of oil from the Maintenance Kit that is supplied with your printer (a replacement kit can be ordered if necessary). 8. Deposit a very thin zig-zag trickle of oil along the rail on both sides of the carriage. There is a video showing the process here: http://www.hp.com/go/L25500/videos NOTE: While lubricating, be careful not to drop oil on the metal strip located on top of the rail. 9.
Move or store the printer If you need to move your printer or store it for an extended period of time, prepare it correctly to avoid possible damage. 1. Do not remove the ink cartridges, printheads or printhead cleaning cartridge. 2. Make sure that no substrate is loaded. 3. Make sure that the printhead carriage is located in the service station (at the right end of the printer). 4. Make sure that the Ready message appears on the front panel. 5.
These messages mean that some components are nearing the end of their lives. You can continue printing for quite some time, depending on your use of the printer. However, HP strongly recommends that you call your service representative and arrange for a service maintenance visit. The service engineer can then replace the worn parts on-site, which will prolong the life of the printer.
ENWW ● Try selecting a higher print-quality option in your RIP software. ● Check that your printer firmware is up to date. See Firmware update on page 9. ● Check that you have the correct settings in your software program. ● Call your service representative. See When you need help on page 51.
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5 Troubleshoot print-quality issues General advice Use the following approach when you have any print-quality problem: ● To achieve the best performance from your printer, use only genuine HP supplies and accessories, whose reliability and performance have been thoroughly tested to give trouble-free performance and best-quality prints. For details of recommended substrates, see the User's guide.
◦ Use a higher number of passes: you will probably see less grain with ten or more passes. ◦ Lower the ink quantity. If the problem persists, call your service representative. See When you need help on page 51. Horizontal banding Try the following remedies if your printed image suffers from added horizontal lines as shown (the color may vary). ● ● If bands affect mostly dark or saturated colors, or only area fills near the edges of the substrate, the cause could be insufficient drying of the ink.
Adjust the substrate advance The substrate advance sensor measures the advance of the substrate and compensates for irregularities at every pass of the printheads. However, to fine-tune the quality of your print, you may need to calibrate the rate at which the substrate advances. The substrate advance determines the placement of dots on the substrate. If the substrate is not advanced correctly, light or dark bands appear in the printed image and the grain in the print may increase.
Vertical banding If vertical bands of different colors (and sometimes of different graininess) appear in the first 200 mm of the print, this is probably caused by the curing process of the previous print, which may have distorted the substrate. In this case: 1. Set the extra bottom margin to 100 mm. 2. If the problem persists, set the extra bottom margin to 200 mm. This margin will apply only to jobs that start printing when the printer is idle, and when the cutter is disabled. 3.
Subtle stains or uneven appearance Subtle color differences may be seen on some substrates if they are stored partially covered after printing. In the period immediately after printing, such substrates should be stored either totally covered or totally uncovered. It may be advisable to avoid the prolonged contact of two printed faces. This problem tends to disappear if the substrate is left uncovered for some time. Alternatively, some individual rolls of substrate may have a defective coating.
The ink smudges when touched, or looks oily These symptoms suggest that the curing temperature was too low. If you see the problem only in the first 200 mm of the print, increase the warm-up curing temperature in steps of 5°C until the problem disappears. If you cannot solve the problem this way, increase the number of passes. If the problem affects the whole print, increase the curing temperature in steps of 5°C until the problem disappears.
6 Troubleshoot substrate issues The substrate cannot be loaded successfully Here are a few things to check if you cannot successfully load the substrate. ● The substrate might be loaded at an angle (skewed or mislocated). Make sure that the right edge of the substrate is aligned with the roll on the input spindle. ● The substrate might be crumpled or warped, or have irregular edges.
32 2. Wait for the printer to cool down, then unlock and open the printer window. 3. Try to move the printhead carriage out of the way. 4. Lift the substrate-adjustment lever as far up as it will go. 5. Carefully remove any of the jammed substrate that you can lift up and out from the top of the printer. Cut the substrate if necessary.
6. Carefully pull the remainder of the roll down and out of the printer. 7. Lower the substrate-adjustment lever, check that there is no substrate left in the printer (especially not in the curing module), then close and lock the window. 8. Turn on the printer. 9. Reload the roll. 10. If some substrate continues to cause an obstruction within the printer, it can often be cleared by loading a rigid substrate type into the printer. 11.
If the problem remains after removing the substrate jam, unload the take-up reel from the front panel and load it again. Take-up reel does not wind Predictably, if the take-up reel is not winding as anticipated, the printed output is likely to end up on the floor. If the printer recognizes a problem with the take-up reel, it interrupts the print job until the issue is corrected. If the printer does not recognize a problem, the job continues to print.
ENWW 1. Take-up reel sensor 2.
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7 Troubleshoot ink-system issues Cannot insert an ink cartridge 1. Check that you have the correct type of cartridge (model number). 2. Check that the colored label on the cartridge is the same color as the label on the slot. 3. Check that the cartridge is correctly oriented, the arrow on the front of the ink cartridge should face upwards. CAUTION: Never clean inside the ink cartridge slots. Cannot insert a printhead 1. Check that you have the correct type of printhead (model number). 2.
If you have printed the printhead status plot, you know which colors are failing. Clean the pair of printheads that are not performing adequately. If you are not sure which printheads to clean, clean all of the printheads. icon, select Image quality To clean the printheads, go to the printer's front panel and select the maintenance > Clean printheads, then select which printheads you want to clean. You can clean all of the printheads or only some of them.
3. Remove and reinsert all of the printheads. See the User's guide. This starts the printhead alignment process. NOTE: Make sure the printer window is closed during printhead alignment. 4. The process takes about 6 minutes. Wait until the front panel shows that the process is complete before using the printer. NOTE: A calibration image is printed during the printhead alignment process. The front panel shows if there were any errors in the process. Image Quality Maintenance menu procedure 1.
● The type of substrate used in the printhead alignment process was not acceptable. Repeat the alignment process using one of the recommended substrate types. ● The printheads are not clean. Clean the printheads. See Clean the printheads on page 37. ● The printer window was open during the printhead alignment process. Repeat the alignment process with the printer window closed. If the problem persists after following the recommended remedies, try replacing all of the printheads.
8 Troubleshoot other issues The printer cannot get an IP address If your network has no DHCP server, the printer cannot automatically retrieve an IP address. In this case, you must set the printer's IP address manually, in the following way. 1. Select the icon, then select Connectivity > Gigabit Ethernet > Modify information > TCP/ IP > IPV4 settings > Config method > Manual. 2. From the IPV4 Settings menu, select Manual settings > IP address. 3.
The printer is not printing Possible reasons why a file you have sent from your computer is not printing when expected, include the following: ● There may be a problem with the electrical power. If the printer is not performing and the front panel does not respond, check that the power switch at the rear is on, the residual current circuit breakers are up, the power cable is correctly connected, and the electrical socket is providing power.
Communication failures between computer and printer Some symptoms are: ● The front-panel display does not show the Receiving message when you have sent an image to the printer. ● Your computer shows an error message when you try to print. ● Your computer or printer stalls when transferring data. ● Your printed output shows random or inexplicable errors (misplaced lines, partial graphics, and so on).
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9 Front-panel error messages Under certain circumstances, a front-panel error message appears. Follow the advice in the Recommendation column to resolve the error. If an error message appears on the front panel that is not included in this list, and you are in doubt of the correct response, call your service representative. See When you need help on page 51. Table 9-1 Text messages ENWW Message Recommendation [Color] cartridge has expired Replace the cartridge. See When you need help on page 51.
Table 9-1 Text messages (continued) Message Recommendation PDL Error: parsing error The print job is unintelligible to the printer. Try to recreate and resend it. Check your cable connections. PDL Error: print mode error The substrate type or print quality specified for the job are incorrect. Change the loaded substrate type or the print settings. PDL Error: printing error Try sending the job again.
Table 9-2 Numeric error messages (continued) ENWW Error code Recommendation 16.4 Insufficient heat in the curing module. Check that the ambient temperature is within printer specifications. If the problem persists, call your service representative. See When you need help on page 51. 16.5 Infrared sensor error. Check that all fans are working and unblocked. If the problem persists, call your service representative. See When you need help on page 51. 16.
Table 9-2 Numeric error messages (continued) Error code Recommendation 41:03 Turn off the printer using the front panel and the power switch at the rear. Disconnect the power cords. Open the window and check for any visible obstacles restricting the movement of the drive roller. If there is a wrinkled mass of substrate in the substrate path, lift the substrate adjustment lever and clear the obstruction. Reconnect the power cords and turn the printer on again.
Table 9-2 Numeric error messages (continued) Error code Recommendation 76:03 A “disk out of space” has occurred. Try the following remedies: ● Turn off the printer by using the Power key on the front panel and the power switch at the back of the printer. Disconnect the power cord, then reconnect the power cord and turn on the printer. ● Resubmit the file to the printer. ● HP recommends that you remove any unnecessary files from the printer's hard disk through the Embedded Web Server.
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10 When you need help Introduction HP Customer Care offers award-winning support to ensure that you get the most from your HP Designjet. HP Customer Care provides comprehensive, proven support expertise and new technologies to give you unique end-to-end support. Services include setup and installation, troubleshooting tools, warranty upgrades, repair and exchange services, phone and Web support, software updates, and self-maintenance services. For more information about HP Customer Care, go to: http://www.
● Review the troubleshooting suggestions in this guide. ● Review your RIP's documentation, if relevant.
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● In the Embedded Web Server, select the Support tab and then Troubleshooting > Printer information. ● From any computer with Internet access, enter the URL of your printer into a Web browser, followed by /hp/device/webAccess/allServicePlot.htm. For instance, if the URL of your printer is http://123.123.123.123, enter http://123.123.123.123/hp/device/webAccess/ allServicePlot.htm. You can request the whole list, which takes a significant time to generate; or you can request specific parts of it.
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Index A alerts errors 7 alerts, warnings 7 application hangs up 42 H HP Customer Care 51 HP Instant Support 51 C cannot load substrate 31 carriage rail, clean and lubricate 19 caution 3 clean the platen 16 clean the printer 16 Clean the substrate-advance sensor window 18 communication problems 43 Customer Care 51 cutter does not work 33 D DHCP not available 41 documentation 51 E Embedded Web Server cannot access 41 ink system status 5 printer usage statistics 7 41 L labels, warning 3 loading substrate
