Two or Three Types of Printheads?

[Bruce]

Hi,

My printing needs have generally been satisfied by my HP6L. A few years
ago, I bought my first inkjets, three Xerox M750s, for my kids to do
homework. It was cheaper than buying laserjets for them. The M750s have
individual ink tanks, and two (expensive) replaceable printheads. These
have been workhorses, but two have had clogging problems, and the one
that has continuously performed without clogging is the one that is used
regulary.

I just bought a Canon i560 which has individual ink tanks and two
replaceable printheads.

In September, I needed a scanner to digitize old prints from the 70s and
80s, to occassionally print an image from our new digital camera, and my
wife wanted to print color greeting cards. I got the Epson CX5200. It
has individual ink tanks, and fixed printheads. It's not used much, and
from what I read on this ng, which is reinforced by my experience
described with the Xerox M750s, I see that that my limited usage of this
Epson could result in clogging problems down the line. I now try to
print out at least one color page each night.

I've described two types of printheads. Is there a third? I've read
posters here mention inkjet printers whose printhead is replaced when the
ink tank is replaced. I assume this means the printhead is built into
the ink tank, and the tanks are a bit more expensive than otherwise.

Also, am I correct to assume that regardless the type or printhead, all
injets should be used regulary to keep the ink flowing?

Sincerely,
Bruce

 

[Gary Tait]

Hi,

My printing needs have generally been satisfied by my HP6L. A few years
ago, I bought my first inkjets, three Xerox M750s, for my kids to do
homework. It was cheaper than buying laserjets for them. The M750s have
individual ink tanks, and two (expensive) replaceable printheads. These
have been workhorses, but two have had clogging problems, and the one
that has continuously performed without clogging is the one that is used
regulary.

I just bought a Canon i560 which has individual ink tanks and two
replaceable printheads.

In September, I needed a scanner to digitize old prints from the 70s and
80s, to occassionally print an image from our new digital camera, and my
wife wanted to print color greeting cards. I got the Epson CX5200. It
has individual ink tanks, and fixed printheads. It's not used much, and
from what I read on this ng, which is reinforced by my experience
described with the Xerox M750s, I see that that my limited usage of this
Epson could result in clogging problems down the line. I now try to
print out at least one color page each night.

I've described two types of printheads. Is there a third? I've read
posters here mention inkjet printers whose printhead is replaced when the
ink tank is replaced. I assume this means the printhead is built into
the ink tank, and the tanks are a bit more expensive than otherwise.

Also, am I correct to assume that regardless the type or printhead, all
injets should be used regulary to keep the ink flowing?

Sincerely,
Bruce

Well, there are two technologies, those that heat the ink to squirt
out in, and those that use a piezo element to sqirt ink.

Otherwise, I have seen three methods of using those technologies:

1: Head and reservoir as one unit (like most HP, Lexmark)

2: Reservoir removeable from head, head built into printer (Epson)

3: Reservoir removeable from head, Head removeable from printer
(Recent Canon, some older ones were type#1).

I too have an older inkjet that orginally had the ink reservoir fit
into a removeable head, but found that HP#26 carts work just fine in
it. Never priced a replacement head/carts for it, although I seen an
aftermarket refillable separate cart/head HP#26 system selling for
about $100 (less ink). Never bought it knowing that printer was on
it's last legs.

 

[Bruce]

big snip

Well, there are two technologies, those that heat the ink to squirt
out in, and those that use a piezo element to sqirt ink.

Otherwise, I have seen three methods of using those technologies:

1: Head and reservoir as one unit (like most HP, Lexmark)

2: Reservoir removeable from head, head built into printer (Epson)

3: Reservoir removeable from head, Head removeable from printer
(Recent Canon, some older ones were type#1).

I too have an older inkjet that orginally had the ink reservoir fit
into a removeable head, but found that HP#26 carts work just fine in
it. Never priced a replacement head/carts for it, although I seen an
aftermarket refillable separate cart/head HP#26 system selling for
about $100 (less ink). Never bought it knowing that printer was on
it's last legs.

So, the two heating technologies sound like the difference between a
keeping water hot in a hot water tank, and having instant hot on demand
at the source.

Now, I wonder if for those printers that heat the tank, if keeping the
printer turned on helps to prevent clogs, or if the ink actually has to
flow through the printhead onto the paper. Just too many
vagueries...probably best to just perform a few print jobs every day.

Bruce

 

[Gary Tait]

So, the two heating technologies sound like the difference between a
keeping water hot in a hot water tank, and having instant hot on demand
at the source.

No, they are ywo methods to get ink from the resrvoir to the paper.
One uses heat to boil (or just about) a droplet of ink onto the paper.
Piezo uses an electric pulse tp flex some piezoelectric material to
pinch a droplet of ink to the paper. No heat is used at all in that
process.

Now, I wonder if for those printers that heat the tank, if keeping the
printer turned on helps to prevent clogs, or if the ink actually has to
flow through the printhead onto the paper. Just too many
vagueries...probably best to just perform a few print jobs every day.

No printers heat the tank. IMO, none are immune from clogging either,
it is just how you use and care for the system counts.

 

[Bruce]

No, they are ywo methods to get ink from the resrvoir to the paper.
One uses heat to boil (or just about) a droplet of ink onto the paper.
Piezo uses an electric pulse tp flex some piezoelectric material to
pinch a droplet of ink to the paper. No heat is used at all in that
process.


No printers heat the tank. IMO, none are immune from clogging either,
it is just how you use and care for the system counts.

Thanks much, Gary. Interesting. I'll have to do some reading up on the
technologies.

Bruce