Blocked squeezy bottle needle

[The Hat]

To clarify, the ink is IS from OctoInkjet Photo Magenta(6120). Batch Ref M6120-0000003. This is the first blocked needle I have experienced, but I am on my second print head, albeit used with other bottles of IS ink.

All my cartridges have been flushed with pharmacist's solution since the head was replaced and perform the better for it. I wonder if the solution provides any anti growth factor and if not could one be added.

Are there any recommended alternatives for the 9000 II?

I reckoned there was nothing wrong with your ink because I am using exactly the same P Magenta as you (6120) for the past 2 years and I still think you should look at your refilling procedure for the answers.
Here are two other alternatives in Germany..

http://www.octopus-office.de/en/sho...-5/p/ocp-ink-for-canon-cli-8mp-photo-magenta/
http://www.prodinks-tintenshop.de/e...ducts/033-CA-08-PM-100&ViewAction=ViewProduct

 

[stratman]

The Squezy scabbard could be the source of the problem and not necessarily the ink.
Initially when I got into the Squezy, I was getting reports of blocked tips. What I discovered is that the scabbards are made with a material that is soft...to seal right? Here is what was happening. The tip of needle would scrape the side of the scabbard and then the shavings would block the tip. How to fix that? Use a gas powered lighter and lightly heat the tip and melt the plastic. Thereafter, EACH scabbard is presinserted into a needle to shave to size prevent future shavings. This is a lot of work. Basically we prefit each scabbard to the needle first to avoid problems as described.

I wondered whether it could be the scabbard as well, but I was thinking it could be the type that Octoinkjet sells and not Precision Colors (which is the type I used although purchased years ago from Howard Electronics).

Octoinkjet scabbards: http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/20g-Blunt-Needle-Cover{47}Seal.html

Precision Colors scabbards: http://www.precisioncolors.com/images/18 gauge Needle.jpg

 

[jimbo123]

FYI, been using the squeeze bottle approach for over 6 years

supplies were purchased from howard's electronics:

• - scabbards are similar to the ones martin sells - Octoinkjet
• - 18 gauge needles
• - ink, initially hobbicolors, now OCP

been using the same bottles, needles and scabbards for 6 years now, never had a clogged needle

J

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Active Printers: MP830, MP980, PRO-100
• Stored Printers: MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860, MX870
• Method: German Durchstich Method
• Ink: Hobbicolors and OCP
• Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[The Hat]

been using the same bottles, needles and scabbards for years now, never had a clogged needle

Ditto..

 

[websnail]

The ink is manufactured by Image Specialists. The type is Photo Magenta 6120 and the batch reference number is M6120-0000003. It was not supplied through Precisioncolors in Canada, but the UK supplier OctoInkJet.

Hi @Emulator, not sure if you've already tried to raise this with me directly so if I missed a communication somewhere apologies. Either way I have absolutely no issue problem addressing it here either.

*opens sleeves, shows audience* See, no tricks, no rabbits...

Right... I checked our records based on the batch information and that specific ink was manufactured in 2012, supplied direct to OctoInkjet and rebottled on 24th April 2013 which, as you can imagine puts it close to or at the end of its life. That would seem to gell (apologies for the appalling pun) with the problems experienced with the needle and the clogging. In short it's highly likely to be that there is indeed algae developing in the ink and it needs to be replaced.

In terms of the cartridge, you should be able to flush it but frankly with algae in there already I'd be tempted to suggest that you get a fresh one and save yourself a lot of hassle and potential feed issues.

Regarding all the other suggestions regarding needles, scabbards, etc... All our (SquEasyFill TM) needles and scabbards are pre-inserted to avoid the scabbard scrape/clog issue.

Are there any recommended alternatives for the 9000 II?

I'm still recommending the Image Specialists inks because I have found no issues with their formulation despite single source indications to the contrary, and strongly suspect the issue with the magenta and light magenta has been age/storage related rather than formulation specific. We also know that the Pro-9000 ink set has an excellent pedigree that remains intact and is actively sought by our end-users.

There are plenty of other alternatives though including OCP so I'll leave that side of things to other members if you're still wanting to look elsewhere.

If you'd like to discuss it further then please do let me know and I'll be happy to help.

Cheers,

Martin

 

[mikling]

Last night, I have been advised that STS/Image Specialists has now

1. Completely changed the dye source for their Canon dye magenta inks. It is now of a totally completely different type and likely originating source as well. They will now use a wet process for the magenta dye inks.

2. Additionally, a totally new biocide will now be used.

Both of the above actions are pretty much what I had postulated since early January 2015.

Countless calls and shipments of samples back and forth has led to this.

I am being forwarded a lab sample for testing purposes. These samples are fresh from the lab and will be arriving tomorrow. This drastic change would not have come about without my pestering and research into what has been happening and the spotty nature of incidents. If I had left it alone, we would never have come to a solution except to possibly expect further flareups down the road. Yes, I cause trouble but for the betterment of the refilling community. Thanks to Joe (toolman) and his experience in the microbial world. Joe also went through a couple Pro9000 printhead with totally inexplicable reasons for failure.

I will continue to support and recommend the alternates because

1. They are immediately available
2. the new formulation effectiveness though likely to be good, still needs a verification period, that is my modus operandi. It is only because I had received shipments each month or more frequent, that I am able to closely identify if unusual issues crop up.

 

[Emulator]

Thanks to both websnail and mikling for the comments, the remaining ink does look suspect and thicker than usual. It would be an aid to users if a "use by date" was printed on the bottles, as it is very easy to be unaware of the passage of time since the bottles were manufactured. I am clearly not using ink fast enough! The other inks may be even older!

Is it advisable/beneficial to store inks in a fridge?

I agree new cartridges and a gentle printhead flush are the next step.

 

[websnail]

It would be an aid to users if a "use by date" was printed on the bottles, as it is very easy to be unaware of the passage of time since the bottles were manufactured. I am clearly not using ink fast enough! The other inks may be even older!

Duly noted... I'll see what I can do about expiry dates...

 

[Emulator]

I see, I also have an unopened bottle of Magenta 6121 Batch M6121-0000222 which I bought at the same time, so this must also be suspect now. It doesn't pay to buy spare ink in advance!! Not at the rate I use it.

 

[websnail]

I see, I also have an unopened bottle of Magenta 6121 Batch M6121-0000222 which I bought at the same time, so this must also be suspect now. It doesn't pay to buy spare ink in advance!! Not at the rate I use it.

Not necessarily. I'll be able to provide the manufacture and bottling dates when I have access to our records on Monday.

Will keep you posted.