MP640 Printhead hits and drags on DVD

[Mowerman90]

My current problem with my MP640 is that when attempting to print a DVD or CD the printhead hits/drags against the DVD or CD. It does print but makes a terrible noise and streaks the DVD (obviously). Up until this occurrence it has performed flawlessly printing picture, text and DVD's. The only thing that has changed recently is that I replaced my OEM carts that I was refilling using the German method with OEM carts that use the top-fill method. I was concerned that the plugs for these topfill OEM carts would hit the plastic framework of the printer but they seem to slide under it without touching. They are the recommended "thin" plugs. The only logical explanation I can come up with is that these "thin" plugs are touching against the plastic structure of the printer thus causing the printhead to be pushed down onto the DVD. However, these plugs remain in the correct position and have not come loose or fallen out. Does anyone have any ideas before I reinstall my old carts that don't have plugs on top?

 

[The Hat]

I have never heard of that one before, but if you move the print head back and forth with your hand
it may not tell you anything because the print head could well run slightly higher when printing

Try going into Custom setting and applying the Prevent paper abrasion.
It might not help but it cant hurt thats for sure..

 

[PeterBJ]

Are "the recommended thin plugs" these low clearance plugs from precisioncolors? http://www.precisioncolors.com/images/Comparison.jpg . If so I recommend to replace them with the zero clearance plugs from precision colors, the zero clearance plugs should be secured with a piece of aluminium tape: http://www.precisioncolors.com/Using the Zero Clearance Plugs.pdf

The low profile plugs might have sufficient clearance when printing documents and photos, but some Canon printers lifts the printhead a couple of milimeters when printing discs.

So I recommend replacing the plugs or use the cartriges that are refilled by "The German method". You could also cut the low profile plugs flush with the overside of the cartridges, turning them into zero clearance plugs. I think it would be a good idea to add a piece of aluminium tape as a guard against leaking.

 

[Mowerman90]

Apparently the plugs that came with the carts I bought came with the "low clearance" plugs that aren't low enough. I took an exacto razor knife and cut the tabs off of the plugs to make them into the "zero clearance " type of plug and my problem is now solved I've also just ordered 10 new plugs from Octoinkjet to solve any future problems.

 

[Smile]

I would have cut the plastic on top of the printer case, not the silicone plugs as it's harder to remove them then, but my printer has no warranty so that perhaps is only what I would do.

 

[Mowerman90]

I thought about doing that but was concerned that debris from cutting would be hard to remove from body of printer. I've already ordered new plugs so I'm not too concerned. When the new plugs arrive I'll just push the old ones into the cart, fill, and then install the new ones.

 

[mikling]

Hmm, these clearances are different amongst different models it looks like.
I am using the low clearance of the 250/251 cartridges on the newest 5420 and printed off a couple CDs last evening. They worked flawlessly.
I was so happy to move away from the zero clearance types as removal is not convenient and had to deal with tape removal and getting hold of the plug itself with something sharp. I hated them and when I tested the low clearance types everything seemed fine and was so happy.

BTW, I now see how to convert the 250/251 to XL types. It looks possible. It will entail losing the lightpipe from the LED on the chip but if the chip ink monitoring is disabled, there is nothing lost. Furthermore the adhesion of the label around the ball hole is not that great anymore. This means that the label must be cut cleanly for the tape to work

The optical system is not kicking in while the chip says 3/4 full and the reservoir is empty. So either the system id disabled on setup carts or there is a huge time delay when the optical system is used which makes it nearly not that useful really. even on the XL.