SV2: Cartridge Care and Troubleshooting Guide

A Must-Read for all Users

BotFactory Inc., JF Brandon

Cartridge Care

Tips for increasing the life of the cartridge

Each SV2 inkjet cartridge requires simple maintenance to operate at peak efficiency. We want to share a couple of tips that we know will guarantee fewer clogged nozzles and the finest quality traces and definition. 

Here's a little cheat sheet that covers the storage of cartridges.

Type​ Storage Temperature​ Storage Conditions​ Cleaning Solution​
​Insulating Ink
(Blue Label)
​Room Temp.
20-25 °C
68-77 °F
- ​Keep in the protective clip when not in use
- Keep in a cool and dark place
Isopropyl Alcohol, 90% or higher concentration​
Conductive Ink 
(Red Label)
​​Room Temp.
20-25 °C
68-77 °F
​- ​Keep in the protective clip when not in use
- Keep in a cool and dark place
​Deionized Water

  • You should always store the cartridge lying flat on its side.
  • Wipe the nozzles with a lint-free wipe before clipping and storing the cartridges.

Follow these rules and your cartridge should be safe for at least 6 months or longer. Following the tips below will help a lot as well. Read on!

Tips for a Perfect Print

Follow these steps to ensure a perfect print every time.

  1. Check the fill date and the weight of the cartridge
    The fill date, usually printed on the side of the cartridge, indicates the cartridge's production date. Cartridges typically deliver peak performance up to 6 months after the fill date. Beyond that, performance may gradually decline. In Addition, measure the cartridge weight without the clip. A cartridge close to 80 gms indicates that it is running low and you might need to get a new one.

  2. Flick the cartridge on a lint-free wipe
    Fold a lint-free wipe and flick the cartridge onto it, as demonstrated in this video. Then, carefully wipe the nozzles. You should see two solid lines of ink appear on the wipe, just like in the video.

  3. Clean the substrate with IPA
    After attaching your substrate to the work surface, clean it with IPA (isopropyl alcohol) to remove any debris or oils. A clean surface is essential for a great print! Contaminants can make the ink stick poorly, leading to blurry or uneven results

  4. Check print height
    For the sharpest possible prints, calibrate your print height. Navigate to the printer's "Utilities and Tuning" menu and select "Calibrate Print Height" following the on-screen instructions. Aim to set the print head as close to the printing surface (substrate) as possible, without any physical contact. Remember, the greater the distance between the print head and the substrate, the more ink diffusion can occur, leading to blurry or unclear prints.

  5. Check for the nozzle flow test (If you are using the cartridges after a break)

    • For Conductive Ink: Navigate to the "Utilities and Tuning" menu on your printer, select "Print Troubleshooting" followed by "Check Nozzle Performance." Follow the on-screen instructions carefully to run the test.

    • For Insulating Ink: Navigate to the "Utilities and Tuning" menu on your printer, select "Insulating Ink Test" under printing utilities. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully to run the test.

If your cartridge fails the nozzle test, read the troubleshooting section below to revive them.

Troubleshooting

When your cartridges are not working as expected

Follow the tips below to troubleshoot a cartridge when it isn't working as expected.

Note: It is important to check the fill date and the weight of the cartridges along with the nozzle flow test before you begin troubleshooting.

Check for Blocked nozzles

If your cartridges fail the nozzle flow test, it likely means that the nozzles are blocked. Follow the instructions below to unclog them:

  • Clean the nozzles with wet wipes

    Using IPA for insulating and deionized water for conducting, wet a lint-free wipe and hold the cartridge as shown in the image for 30 seconds. Wipe the cartridge with a dry lint-free wipe.
  • Ultrasonic cleaner
    Ultrasonic cleaning can be a powerful tool for reviving clogged nozzles. This optional method can revitalize your print cartridges by dislodging ink buildup within the nozzles. Please follow the guide here.
Repeat the nozzle flow test after one or both of the above methods. You might need to do them a couple of times to unclog all the nozzles. 

If the nozzles on your cartridge are working fine, follow the instructions below to improve the quality of your print. 

Check Cartridge Alignment

Improper alignment of the cartridge with the print head can affect print quality, especially with conductive ink. Use the guide here provided to ensure your cartridge is properly aligned.

Extra Curing for Prints

  • For Conductive Prints: Curing the print for an additional 30 minutes can reduce the resistance of conductive prints. You can do this by running the reflow process on the main project page.
  • For Insulating Prints: If the insulating ink didn’t cure properly, you can re-cure the layer by running the print again for that layer. This time, remove the cartridge and use only the print head.

Wipe Conductive Print with Lint-Free Wipes (For Conductive)

After curing, wiping the print with a lint-free wipe can help reduce the resistance of conductive prints. Make sure to apply some force and press the print firmly with the wipe to achieve the best results.

Wipe Insulating Residue Between Layers with Lint-Free Wipes (For Insulating)

If the insulating ink doesn't fully cure and leaves a residue on top of the print, you can clean it off by applying isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to a lint-free cloth and wiping the surface.

Heatbed Calibration (For Conductive)

To calibrate the heatbed, go to the "Utilities and Tuning" menu on your printer. Find the "Heatbed Utilities" section and select "Calibrate Heatbed." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the calibration. Proper heatbed temperature ensures even heat distribution, improving print adhesion and reducing the risk of warping or other printing issues.

Still Can't Print? Warranty or Replacement

If you still are unable to print anything with your SV2 PCB Printer after trying all of these tricks, submit a support ticket here and we will be happy to help you.

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