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Parts or the Whole Content is From:
Printer and Photocopier Troubleshooting and Repair Collection
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Samuel M. Goldwasser
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Primer Basics
The priming station of a typical ink-jet printer (e.g., HP DeskJet 500C) includes a rubber seal ('boot') and small pump to actually suck on the end of the print cartridge to free up nozzles (there are 50 or more in a typical print cartridge) that have dried up or become clogged. It may fire all the nozzles at some point during this process as well. It also includes rubber 'flappers' which the end of the cartridge pass over to wipe off excess ink.
A smart, high-resolution multifunction machine, ideal for the home or small office, the Lexmark X85 is a
capable printer, scanner, and standalone copier. In a smart black and silver livery, it looks like a desktop
photocopier, and can easily perform this function in both black and white and color.
To make copies, there's no need to connect the machine to a computer, as the two-line LCD and panel of 15 buttons
provide all the control you need.
Read more...
Priming and cleaning are normally done automatically upon power-on and possibly between pages. However, additional cycles may be needed at times.
With the water based ink, even if the printer is powered off properly which seats the cartridge(s) on a rubber seal, some evaporation occurs so priming will often be needed after it sits idle for a while. Note: Don't kill power to an ink-jet printer as soon as your printout pops free - it needs to position the printhead and cartridge(s) on the rubber boots. Wait until the printhead stops moving and clunking. Some (older) printers don't even have a seal in which case letting it sit idle is even more likely to result in problems.
If there has been ink spilled into the priming area, it may clog up the
little hose connecting the priming station to the pump - I have used a wooden
toothpick to clear the hole though this may be risky if it should break off.
With care, a wire rounded off at the end so as not to puncture the tubing can
also be used. Complete disassembly and washing of the parts is probably the best
but is probably a pain.
Other Related Articles:
Some Inkjet History
Inkjet Types (from Xerox perspective)
Response Times of Resistance Heater Elements
How Many Colors Can One Get from Inkjet printer
Why are the inkjet primers RBY (red, blue, and yellow)
Inkjet Printer Ink
How Laser Printer Works (summary)
Cleaning and Handling of Photosensitive Drums
Laser Diodes in Laser Printers