Soooo...has anyone else ever had to replace ALL 6 heads at once to solve a nozzle drop out problem?
I must admit that after several attempts at adjusting/cleaning the capping station and testing the ink supply for air leaks I ordered one head to test a theory and I'll be damned but it worked.
How much time are you guys getting before replacing heads for various reasons?
Two years for the 1st machine and still going on the 2nd machine.
Two years is pretty good for Seiko heads here in Germany. Normally the heads work forever or 8 to 12 months depending on how much you print. Seiko says the less you print the more likely it is that you get nozzle blockage and fallout. It also depends on which heads are installed. My oppinion is the 2nd generation heads (The ones with the clear tubes on the right side) are not as good as the 1st. The last heads that we have recieved already have a HP part number and a use before date. Yes thats right when you unpack them there is a big sticker Use before XXXX. I did not know that heads were like bread!
yes I have replaced a couple of heads, I'm a Seiko technician ;)
Head replacement is not that hard. Whats hard is the hardware allignment after installing the heads. We have a special tool that we use and can very accurately adjust the heads parallel to one another (take a look at print adjust 2) the lines that you see in the first row right are the mechanical adjustment and are a little tricky without the tool, but not impossible if you have a stedy hand. You can plan about 45 min. to an hour with all of the adjustments afterwards.
I would suggest to let a technician do it once and look over his/her shoulder and then you can see if you want to do it yourself. If the mech adjustments are not accurate then you can get problems with misallignment.
ha ha the tool. this lillte machined thing that seiko want to charge you $800 for. i've tried both methods and at first the tool helps, but once you've done a couple it's just as easy without it. go one give it a go!!
