DIY UV printer problem on print (1430 and 1400)

[sem30]

Hello guys, am seeking help on my print. Recently I made a DIY UV printer out from Epson Artisan 1430 and use the same UV light from China and Hard-ink type from China as well. The printer was able to print but if you'll notice the print quality (Ironman helmet), the print layers or horizontal lines are visible. I am using Acrorip 10.5 version to print it. Then I made another DIY UV printer out of Epson 1400 and used a Soft-ink UV curable ink type and the result is the same, the print horizontal lines are visible and there are ink residue on my print. Please refer to the PVC card. I am getting out of reasons why I am getting this kind of print quality? Is the visible horizontal lines are normal? I am not sure also if these things are related to UV light, ink, or the Acrorip software that I am using?

 

Soft UV: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32726593740.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.63.53ee1ecd7ppFn5&algo_pvid=ed61b138-fef6-44e1-8a2d-e4ccc906c0f2&algo_exp_id=ed61b138-fef6-44e1-8a2d-e4ccc906c0f2-31&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id"%3A"12000017895861779"}&pdp_npi=3%40dis!JPY!11363.0!9659.0!!!!!%40211be54b16777238742228663d06eb!12000017895861779!sea!JP!777119617&curPageLogUid=JdlKUh6Rnedn

UV light: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004915701528.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.1b79628cwGis2G&algo_pvid=e4c15433-2f5d-4ecc-a344-3eff3525c2fb&algo_exp_id=e4c15433-2f5d-4ecc-a344-3eff3525c2fb-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id"%3A"12000031005611124"}&pdp_npi=3%40dis!JPY!13798.0!13108.0!!!!!%40211beca116777276815136894d0703!12000031005611124!sea!JP!777119617&curPageLogUid=2IEad6nJ4k0u

 

The heads are clean and no problem with nozzle check.

 

I would appreciate any of your inputs guys. Thank you very much.

[johnson4]

15 hours ago, sem30 said:

Hello guys, am seeking help on my print. Recently I made a DIY UV printer out from Epson Artisan 1430 and use the same UV light from China and Hard-ink type from China as well. The printer was able to print but if you'll notice the print quality (Ironman helmet), the print layers or horizontal lines are visible. I am using Acrorip 10.5 version to print it. Then I made another DIY UV printer out of Epson 1400 and used a Soft-ink UV curable ink type and the result is the same, the print horizontal lines are visible and there are ink residue on my print. Please refer to the PVC card. I am getting out of reasons why I am getting this kind of print quality? Is the visible horizontal lines are normal? I am not sure also if these things are related to UV light, ink, or the Acrorip software that I am using?

 

Soft UV: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32726593740.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.63.53ee1ecd7ppFn5&algo_pvid=ed61b138-fef6-44e1-8a2d-e4ccc906c0f2&algo_exp_id=ed61b138-fef6-44e1-8a2d-e4ccc906c0f2-31&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id"%3A"12000017895861779"}&pdp_npi=3%40dis!JPY!11363.0!9659.0!!!!!%40211be54b16777238742228663d06eb!12000017895861779!sea!JP!777119617&curPageLogUid=JdlKUh6Rnedn

UV light: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004915701528.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.1b79628cwGis2G&algo_pvid=e4c15433-2f5d-4ecc-a344-3eff3525c2fb&algo_exp_id=e4c15433-2f5d-4ecc-a344-3eff3525c2fb-1&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id"%3A"12000031005611124"}&pdp_npi=3%40dis!JPY!13798.0!13108.0!!!!!%40211beca116777276815136894d0703!12000031005611124!sea!JP!777119617&curPageLogUid=2IEad6nJ4k0u

 

The heads are clean and no problem with nozzle check.

 

I would appreciate any of your inputs guys. Thank you very much.

 

 

 

I have this exact same issue on a P600/P800 unit. I still haven't found out why. Perfect nozzle checks. i have bene calling them " ridges" because it's like raised bumps instead of missing lines, but it's the same thing. I have a very similar if not the same curing lamp. I think the lamp may be too powerful, but also ran the lamp as low as it would go without shutting off entirely and it does the same. Print without the lamp- prints fine. 

Edited March 2, 2023 by johnson4

[sem30]

Am glad am not the only one experiencing this but I had the work around just last night when I tried to use Acrorip Ver 9~. Since I am using Acrorip DTF Pro 10.3, I've switched to version 9~ and poof! Perfect print without the horizontal lines. I was happy it's not because of the ink, or the type of ink (hard or soft), or even the LED light but it was all related to the RIP software. You must try that if you have a version 9~ RIP and please come back here and let me know what happened in your case?

Edited March 3, 2023 by sem30

[johnson4]

1 hour ago, sem30 said:

Am glad am not the only one experiencing this but I had the work around just last night when I tried to use Acrorip Ver 9~. Since I am using Acrorip DTF Pro 10.3, I've switched to version 9~ and poof! Perfect print without the horizontal lines. I was happy it's not because of the ink, or the type of ink (hard or soft), or even the LED light but it was all related to the RIP software. You must try that if you have a version 9~ RIP and please come back here and let me know what happened in your case?

Really? Version 9 fixed the issue? 

 

I was using Acro 10.5 and EKprint, both did the same. I will have to try Acro 9. 

[sem30]

Yes, in my case it was fixed. I was surprised! It's like am printing using a DTF ink. Mee too was using Acro 10.5, I think it was 10.5 not 10.3 as per my previous comment but with version 9, at least in my case it was fixed. I was printing with 1440x790 resolutions for WH and YKCM.

 

Let me know if it works for you, I can attach pictures of my print later because am outside.

[johnson4]

43 minutes ago, sem30 said:

Yes, in my case it was fixed. I was surprised! It's like am printing using a DTF ink. Mee too was using Acro 10.5, I think it was 10.5 not 10.3 as per my previous comment but with version 9, at least in my case it was fixed. I was printing with 1440x790 resolutions for WH and YKCM.

 

Let me know if it works for you, I can attach pictures of my print later because am outside.

Shoot, I was printing at 1440X2880 and it still did it. 

 

I will try acro 9, I have to see if I have it or if I can find it and I will follow up. 

 

Thanks for the tip!

[sem30]

Sure, happy printing! 😀

[johnson4]

9 hours ago, sem30 said:

Sure, happy printing! 😀

Version 9 doesn’t have the channel color settings does it? 

[sem30]

It has it, use the Partner Rip Version 9.0.3. This is the one that I am using. See my attached files for the sample print.

[johnson4]

10 hours ago, sem30 said:

It has it, use the Partner Rip Version 9.0.3. This is the one that I am using. See my attached files for the sample print.

That looks really good. I still haven’t found the version I have somewhere so yet to test. 

[sem30]

Ok, keep me posted. I hope you achieve the same or much good duality print than what I have. 😀

[Heaven867693]

this is my printout on my uv l1800 machine.  i use acrorip 10.5.  no stripes at all

[Heaven867693]

[johnson4]

I still haven’t tested it, it’s just been sitting there. 
 

I’ll likely toss the project, I personally think it’s something with the ink. Dx7 head shows perfect nozzle checks but still does that. 

[sem30]

11 hours ago, Heaven867693 said:

By the way, are you using a 30tooth pulley? In my case I am using 20, so probbably that might related to having those stripes? Maybe my computation is wrong? Idk 🫤

Edited March 21, 2023 by sem30

[johnson4]

6 hours ago, sem30 said:

By the way, are you using a 30tooth pulley? In my case I am using 20, so probbably that might related to having those stripes? Maybe my computation is wrong? Idk 🫤

Me? It’s a DIY DTG machine converted to UV. It has worked reliably for thousands of flatbed prints. It prints normal without UV ink installed. 
 

I changed the ink system and add UV ink/light and that was the outcome. 

[sem30]

Ah I see. So, you bought pre-made already? In our case we made our DIY UV from scratch so, the struggle is really hard, specially configuring the C code to match the movement of the encoder wheel to have a perfect outcome. My compution in my code probably is wrong that’s why I am having the stripes. In your case, I think when you bought the flat bed kit, the arduino software is perfect to match all the hardware movement. Good for you man.

Edited March 21, 2023 by sem30

[johnson4]

34 minutes ago, sem30 said:

Ah I see. So, you bought pre-made already? In our case we made our DIY UV from scratch so, the struggle is really hard, specially configuring the C code to match the movement of the encoder wheel to have a perfect outcome. My compution in my code probably is wrong that’s why I am having the stripes. In your case, I think when you bought the flat bed kit, the arduino software is perfect to match all the hardware movement. Good for you man.

I used the free adruino code here which works perfect. They use a 30 tooth pulley but it can easily be changed for whatever you have. I have tried with the encoder wheel emulator and without the emulator using the stock wheel/encoder. 

I can print on paper perfectly with stock ink. 

I assume it's a jetting issue, or something to do with the ink/LED given nothing else has changed. 

 

If I ever figure it out though I'll follow up with it. 

 

 

 

[Heaven867693]

sorry for my english.  If you use UV ink, you have to replace the ink feeder, ink guide for UV.  UV lamp should choose 45w.  There are many wavelengths of light, you should choose the right one for your ink, I use 395nm.  otherwise the ink will not dry at the same wavelength

[johnson4]

2 hours ago, Heaven867693 said:

sorry for my english.  If you use UV ink, you have to replace the ink feeder, ink guide for UV.  UV lamp should choose 45w.  There are many wavelengths of light, you should choose the right one for your ink, I use 395nm.  otherwise the ink will not dry at the same wavelength

IMG_2725.MOV

No worries, I appreciate the insight. 

 

I am using an ink feeder. It's a 90 watt lamp. The ink and light are both 395nm. The ink dries perfectly, maybe even too quick.I wanted to try a lower wattage but haven't come to that conclusion yet that it is needed. The supplier said they would both work the same on my machine. 

 

If I print without the light it doesn't have these " lines". To me, the printer is working normal. It's just when the UV light is on and printing, it does this. I have adjusted it higher/lower, closer/further away- doesn't matter same thing. It's like the " iron man" head above. I lowered the voltage on the curing lamp all the way down until it almost shut off- it still does the same thing. 

I think it's the light or the ink causing the issues personally, but I am new to UV entirely. 

[Heaven867693]

If you use high power uv lamp, it is easy to cause heat.  45w is enough in my opinion.  UV lamp to be about 2cm away from the printed object.  If it is too close, it will cause the printed object to warp, if it is too high, it will not dry.  i use 45w lamp and air cooled.  Your case I think is caused by ink or related to icc profile

[johnson4]

1 hour ago, Heaven867693 said:

If you use high power uv lamp, it is easy to cause heat.  45w is enough in my opinion.  UV lamp to be about 2cm away from the printed object.  If it is too close, it will cause the printed object to warp, if it is too high, it will not dry.  i use 45w lamp and air cooled.  Your case I think is caused by ink or related to icc profile

That’s about how far away it is. Maybe a bit further. If the printing stops for more than 5-10 seconds over one printed spot the printed area turns black and burns/curls. The light will cure UV resin ( from 3D printer) fully in seconds. 
 

I’ve tried 3 different rip software with and without ICC, it doesn’t change results.  I don’t think it’s that but maybe. 

my stronger uneducated opinion is aiming toward the light being too strong, like 60 percent opinion. Then the ink being like the other 40 percent. I couldn’t really find any known ink brands and the stuff isn’t cheap to test for sure. 
 

 

Thanks for the advice, hopefully I have time to mess with it.

 

[sem30]

In my case, although I don't follow the 2cm away from the printed object, I am having the same result, but when I use the rip version 9~ somehow the result got better but still there are very small visible stripes and I have tried 3 different UV ink, 2 different brands of soft uv ink and 1 hard uv ink and the result is the same.

 

My observation is the same with @johnson4 that If I don't turn off the light, the print is perfect but it doesn't cure the ink, and that's the problem. Now what I am doing is I am switching the printhead but before I do that, I am ultrasonic cleaning it first so that the printhead is very clean and free from any clog.

 

I will update you soon once I am done testing.

[johnson4]

8 minutes ago, sem30 said:

In my case, although I don't follow the 2cm away from the printed object, I am having the same result, but when I use the rip version 9~ somehow the result got better but still there are very small visible stripes and I have tried 3 different UV ink, 2 different brands of soft uv ink and 1 hard uv ink and the result is the same.

 

My observation is the same with @johnson4 that If I don't turn off the light, the print is perfect but it doesn't cure the ink, and that's the problem. Now what I am doing is I am switching the printhead but before I do that, I am ultrasonic cleaning it first so that the printhead is very clean and free from any clog.

 

I will update you soon once I am done testing.

I think its the lamp. The only thing the same is the lamp, we have the exact same lamp and the same results. I think it's too powerful or the LED's are out of spec- something like that. 

[sem30]

Could be, but changing the lamp that I have right now is a little bit a pain in my wallet 😅. 😔