Relocating printers

[DevilsPGD]

We're planning a cross-country move in the next few weeks, anything
special that should be done with inkjet or laser printers?

At least one of our laser printers has instructions to not ship the
printer for servicing with toner cartridges.

Can the opened toner cartridges be removed and shipped along with the
printers, or do they need to be replaced?

 

[Arthur Entlich]

You don't mention how the move is being done and how long it will take.

Also, with laser printers, the consumables vary in design and number.
Some have separate developer/toner and drum units. Some use transfer
belts rather than drums, etc.

For black and white and color laser printers, I would remove the open
toner cartridges and box them in separate packaging in bubble wrap. Try
to keep them upright so the toner will not spill

Inkjet printers are more tricky. If they have cartridges which include
the heads, or if the head are removable, remove the cartridges/and or
head. Package the ink cartridges in separate zip lock bags with air
removed. If the head is separate of the ink cartridge rinse it well to
remove ink to reduce drying out. Dry it reasonably well and s store in
a plastic zip lock. You may wish to tape the head carriage in place so
it doesn't flip back and forth during shipping.

On printers with permanent heads removal of the cartridges is a bit of a
toss up. On one side, removal of the ink cartridge means it won;t leak
and make a mess. The other side is, removal of the cartridge exposes
the rest of the head unit to drying ink, and that may develop into a
clog in the middle of the head design, which can be a pita to clear.

With that type of printer, I would at least tape the head carriage in
place and then wrap the printer in plastic to keep the humidity up
during travel.


Art



If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <Cs8vk.142176$nD.44253@pd7urf1no> Arthur Entlich

You don't mention how the move is being done and how long it will take.

We're debating between packing ourselves, or professional movers. Move
time will be about a week, and the printers will be one of the last
things to be packed, and the first to be unpacked due to the fact that
they're in constant use.

Also, with laser printers, the consumables vary in design and number.

Indeed, as do my laser printers. Off the top of my head, a HP 2600dnxi,
a 6L and a 6P, but there might be a couple other models coming too.

Some have separate developer/toner and drum units. Some use transfer
belts rather than drums, etc.

I'm expecting at least one belt system and one drum system.

For black and white and color laser printers, I would remove the open
toner cartridges and box them in separate packaging in bubble wrap. Try
to keep them upright so the toner will not spill

Seems reasonable.

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> "Ato_Zee"

The large stackable crates that professional removers supply will take
most office ink and laser printers. For lasers it depends on the cartridge
construction, for most, if the printer is kept upright, it shouldn't spill
toner.

Or so I can hope.

For safety, you can pack cartridges in a WELL sealed bag,

That's my current thinking -- I can still try to ensure that it stays
right-side-up.

but you may find a bag full of hazardous dust, at the other end.

Better a bag full then a printer full.

Pre
order some spare cartridges to cover this eventuality.

Yup. I've got enough to get at least B&W up and running ASAP, the rest
can wait.

For inkjets, if the head is integral with the carriage, removing
the cartridge will let the head dry out, and it may not
seal well when replaced. Result a knackered printer. Just
make sure the printers remain upright in transit.

This shouldn't be a problem, looks like just a couple of inkjets are
moving cross-country, the rest are going to other homes in the original
city, and our movers have assured us that "this side up" will be
respected (and/or they'll insure the results -- I'd almost be just as
happy if the driver were to eject and the truck were to run off a cliff,
the more I can replace instead of move, the happier I am)

Even with the best of planning, you will have a week of
staff running round like headless chickens, trying to
find stuff.

Only a few of us, so I think we'll do alright.

Moving a large computer centre can be a major,
operation, allow a couple of days for the air
conditioning to stabilise the new computer suite,
after the kit is bought in and powered up.

Luckily we're not that big, but it's a thought.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I can perhaps see the potential problem with a tri-color head becoming
contaminated if the inks migrate by capillary action, but I don't
necessarily agree with keeping the heads and cartridges in place for a
printer such as the more recent Canon designs, which have a head and
separate color cartridges. I can't comment on how the HP printers which
use a separate replaceable head and cartridge are designed, so your
comments may be more appropriate for those models.

The printer will likely be under fairly continual vibration during a
move, assuming ground or air transport, and this may well either damage
the head or cause a lot of ink to drain out of it, and possibly flood
the parking station area with some models. That's why I suggested
rinsing the head unit well with water and then storing it in a air tight
plastic bag. The ink cartridges could be "sealed" with a bit of plastic
and adhesive tape to keep the ink outlet damp and protected. I do
suggest the two units (head and cartridge) be kept separate during the
shipping.

Perhaps the original poster would benefit by mentioning which brand and
model printer(s) of inkjet printers he is moving.

Art



If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[Arthur Entlich]

One of the biggest problems with moving inkjet printers is that they
dump their "waste ink" into some type of diaper usually in the base. If
there is substantial waste ink already in the waste ink storage area, it
will tend to leak out if the printer is placed in any position other
than sitting as it does on your desk. Therefore every effort should be
made to package them such that they will remain in that position. The
consequences, if there is substantial waste ink in them, will be a
ruined printer that is covered in waste ink and usually beyond being
cleaned.

Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <Qjsvk.143437$nD.124381@pd7urf1no> Arthur Entlich

One of the biggest problems with moving inkjet printers is that they
dump their "waste ink" into some type of diaper usually in the base. If
there is substantial waste ink already in the waste ink storage area, it
will tend to leak out if the printer is placed in any position other
than sitting as it does on your desk. Therefore every effort should be
made to package them such that they will remain in that position. The
consequences, if there is substantial waste ink in them, will be a
ruined printer that is covered in waste ink and usually beyond being
cleaned.

It looks like we're down to one inkjet that we care about, an MP830
multifunction unit. It's probably printed less then 100 pages, and
mainly exists because it was cheaper then any standalone duplexing sheet
fed scanner, although it has been handy to print the odd photo.

There is likely little waste ink as it's on original tanks which are
very nearly full.

I'll likely have the movers pack this item, which means they take full
reasonability, so I don't care if it gets damaged or destroyed.

Still digesting about the lasers.

Thanks!