Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Powder and inkjet printing
yeswanthnag
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2020 12:57 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by yeswanthnag »

I have some km heads and controlling boards.will hook up to a scope and try to get some traces.
Yams
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:35 am

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by Yams »

Hi all, I've been working with aengel on the Xaar system using kyle's code and we noticed that in his code after the power up sequence has finished, he has a delay put in for 1000 ms. Does anyone know if this delay can be shortened or even taken out completely or is it necessary to protect the Xaar head?
davidk
Posts: 77
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:48 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by davidk »

I don't remember respecting this delay. However, please use lower high voltage, I run with 24...28V since february last year. I believe the voltage must be adjusted accordig to the ink viscosity.
mrino
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:37 am

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by mrino »

Wonko wrote: Sun May 15, 2016 8:26 pm The nozzles were clogged from the solvent ink that I was using. I bought an ultrasonic cleaner yesterday which works miracles. I also ordered some UV curing ink from China to try exactly that. Next week's goal will be to mount the head in an XYZ-axis machine so I can print layers. UV ink s perfect for masking PCB's, and with XYZ-axes, etch-resist should be no problem.

The head is somewhat expensive at 200 Euros, but it is extremely versatile and does not heat up the fluid at all. I have pretty detailed descriptions on the Epson heads (also a Piezo head), which are starting at 100 Euros for 5 colors if you rip them out of a cheap printer, but controlling them is a few levels harder.

It's really great to see the HP progress. I'll keep you posted. Can't wait to get powder and jet 3D printing to work ;-)
What cleaning agent did you use with the ultrasonic cleaner? Does IPA work?
aengel
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by aengel »

Gentle ultrasonic cleaning will clean the printhead. I have read that excessive ultrasonic energy can damage a head.

There is an Ebay seller in Lafayette Louisiana who cleans heads for less than USD$100 each. This company did a couple for me and they turned out great.

Xaar authorizes a number of companies who formulate flushes and cleaners for Xaar heads. I have used them from Kansas City's very own Nazdar and it works great, as do Xaar authorized products from Squid. Both are available online for less than USD$40 per liter, not including freight or hazmat fees.

The problem with ISA is that it only solubilizes some polymers, whereas a number of the Xaar inks have polymers like polyamides, celluloses, etc. which are not readily solubilized by ISA.
Wonko
Posts: 110
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:13 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by Wonko »

mrino wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:12 am What cleaning agent did you use with the ultrasonic cleaner? Does IPA work?
I used the cleaner that came with the oil based ink that I ordered.
BlueTurtle
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 5:29 am

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by BlueTurtle »

Hey all I have two Xaar 128 Wetting printheads for sale. I bought the wrong version. I can ship USA or Canada, 210$ each
mrino
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:37 am

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by mrino »

Hi all,

I have been trying to print using the XAAR 128 for some time now, but I can't get all the nozzles to print. The data is being sent correctly and electrically everything seems fine. I have flushed the print head several times and the problem persists. I have attached pictures of the setup and the resulting print when all nozzles are activated. I have tried adjusting the ink level relative to the printhead, but there is not much difference regardless of the level. Do you think this is a pressure problem or something else ink related or are some of my nozzles just broken?

Note: The prints are wavy because I'm moving the substrate with my hand.

I would appreciate your help.
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aengel
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by aengel »

The inkjet manual specifies that the ink bottle should be placed no lower than 2 cm below the inkjet head for Passive gravity-fed systems
aengel
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Hacking the Xaar 128 printhead

Post by aengel »

The inkjet manual specifies that the ink bottle should be placed no lower than 2 cm below the inkjet head for Passive gravity-fed systems. The air Inlet to the ink bottle needs a 5 micron filter and the ink hose needs a 0.5 micron filter or better
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