VIDEO - Flushing the DTG M2 Garment Printer

Learn how to properly flush your DTG M2 and M4 Garment Printer.  Keeping it clean for storage or while on vacation is super important.  If the printer is to be left idle for a long period of time (1 – 2 weeks), then you should flush the system with flushing solution.

Note - No tools are required for this procedure. Use protective gloves to avoid stained fingers. The syringe & tube adapter kit (from maintenance kit), and up to 3 liters of cleaning fluid will be required for this process.

Discharge ink from ink lines

1. Perform CMYK ink discharge operation to discharge ink entirely from the ink paths as described here: 

• Ensure that the printer is switched off
• Loosen the lid from one of the color ink containers to release the pressure
  
  
  
  
• Locate the connector caps (4) on the 3 way joints for the C,M,Y & K ink tubes (located to the left of the CR board assembly cover).
• Remove the cap from the connector for the first ink color that you wish to discharge.
• Pull the syringe plunger to fill the syringe with air
• Connect the syringe & tube adaptor kit to the un-capped connector
  
  
  
  
• Gently depress the plunger on the syringe to push the ink in the ink tube back into the ink bottle.
• Disconnect the syringe and tube adaptor kit, re-connect the connector cap.
• Repeat the above process for the remaining ink color lines

2. Perform white ink discharge operation to discharge ink entirely from the ink paths:

• Ensure that the printer is switched off
• Carefully disconnect the lure connectors (M lock & F lock) at the white ink feed tube at the white ink tank
  
  
  
  
• Switch on the power to the printer
• This will supply power to the WIMS system, allowing any white ink in the ink lines to circulate back to the white ink container
• After several minutes, again remove power from the printer to stop the WIMS circulation
• Re-connect the lure connectors (M lock & F lock)

Empty & Clean Ink Bottles

1. Empty the inks from the CMYK and White ink containers into clean bottle's, or back into the stock ink supply bottles

2. Wash and say the CMYK and White ink containers & manifold

Initial Flush of White Ink System

Due to the re-circulation process of the WIMS, the White Ink System requires an initial flush to remove residual white ink from the white ink lines & manifold.

1. Half fill White ink container with Cleaning Fluid.

2. Switch on the power to the printer

3. This will supply power to the WIMS system, allowing the cleaning fluid to circulate through the white ink lines & manifold and remove some trace white ink remaining after the White Ink discharge.

4. After several minutes, again remove power from the printer to stop the WIMS circulation.

5. Empty the White ink container (the cleaning fluid will by now be contaminated with the residual white ink).

6. Repeat steps 1 - 4 above to further clean the white ink lines

Flush Cleaning Fluid through Ink Lines, Dampers & Print Head

1. Fill CMYK and White Ink containers with Cleaning Fluid.

2. Start the printer in Self-Diagnosis mode

3. Execute an “initial Ink Charge” This will draw the Cleaning Fluid through the ink lines, and into the dampers and print head.

4. Repeat step 3 above as necessary until the ink lines are clear and the fluid being collected in the waste ink container is also clear.

5. Turn the printer off

 CAUTION - Monitor the level of waste ink in the Waste Ink Container – empty the Waste Ink Container as necessary. Monitor the level of cleaning fluid in each of the CMYK and white in containers, top up as necessary.