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| {{Short description|Method for delivering a large volume of liquid ink to a comparatively small inkjet printhead}} | |||
| {{Wikify|date=October 2007}} | |||
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{{Refimprove|date=February 2008}} | ||
| ] Business Inkjet 1200n. The ink is transported from tanks through the black flexible band, which is vertically rigid so it does not fall into the path of the printhead and cause a jam.]] | |||
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| A '''continuous ink system''' ('''CIS'''), also known as a '''continuous ink supply system''' ('''CISS'''), a '''continuous flow system''' ('''CFS'''), an '''automatic ink refill system''' ('''AIRS'''), a '''bulk feed ink system''' ('''BFIS'''), or an '''off-axis ink delivery system''' ('''OIDS''') is a method for delivering a large volume of liquid ] to a comparatively small ]. Many business and professional grade printers incorporate a continuous ink system in their design to increase printing capacity. | |||
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| A '''Continuous Ink System''' (CIS) also known as Continuous Flow System (CFS), Digital Image Prints System (DIPS) and bulk feed ink system, is a cost-effective replacement for ] ]s. In contrast to conventional cartridges, a CIS/CFS uses very large (about 100ml/color) ink tanks, which are connected with tubes to the printhead nozzles. The tanks can be refilled from an ink bottle - there is no need for a syringe. | |||
| Some aftermarket companies also build ] accessories to convert certain models of consumer-grade printers into continuous flow systems. Such systems have been frowned upon by most printer manufacturers, as they have been seen as a threat to their ] of selling the printer itself as a ] and making their profit off replacement ink cartridges, prompting lawsuits against ] firms or implemented ] measures in their devices<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gallagher|first1=Sean|title=HP’s DRM sabotages off-brand printer ink cartridges with self-destruct date|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/|accessdate=17 October 2017|agency=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref> (see ]). Some manufacturers have introduced new models featuring continuous ink systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/milestone_products/44_l100l200.html |title=L100 & L200 High-Capacity Ink Tank Inkjet Printers |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 2010 |work= |publisher=Seiko Epson Corp. |accessdate=27 December 2012 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626045235/http://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/milestone_products/44_l100l200.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was seen as a welcome move by users, especially small business owners who rely on bulk-printing solutions, like internet cafes and small-scale print shops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinoytechblog.com/archives/epson-brings-us-the-l-series-worlds-first-genuine-ink-tank-printer|title=Epson brings us the L-series, world’s first genuine ink tank printer|publisher=Pinoy Tech Blog|accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> | |||
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| == Comparison to the tank-on-printhead design == | |||
| The inkjet printer industry has viewed continuous flow systems as a threat to profits from sale of ink cartridges, while high volume users demand lower cost ink{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. The result has been an arms race - the manufacturers have changed ink formulae, smart chips, printer & cartridge models so frequently that the CIS suppliers have had difficulty keeping up{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Recently CIS manufacturing has shifted from a "one of a kind - customization" cottage industry to higher volume mass market production as Chinese engineers realized its market potential.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} The result has been a significant reduction in pricing of a CIS{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. System prices have dropped from the $500 range to less than $100.<ref></ref> | |||
| Most low-cost consumer printers place small ink tanks directly on the carriage with the printheads. These tanks can have extremely small liquid volumes, as low as 10 mL, and consequently require frequent replacement. It should be also noted that every ] replacement is usually automatically followed by head-cleaning cycle of the printer to remove air bubbles from system, further reducing usable ink amount. More expensive, business-grade printers use progressively larger ink tanks on the printhead, but as the ] width and speed of the printer increases it eventually becomes impractical to have the tanks integrated with the printheads due to the high ] and ] the liquid volume adds to the printheads and the reduced accuracy of printing that occurs. | |||
| Separating the ink storage from the printhead may also allow the tank to be refilled or replaced while a print job is in progress. With ink tanks located on the printhead, replacement typically requires repriming and alignment checks that necessarily require aborting any current print job. Separated ink tanks can be refilled or reprimed without disrupting a very large or expensive printing task, such as printing a 2 meter wide by 10 meter long outdoor banner.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} | |||
| To avoid the need to remove the cartridge and reset the smart chip every time the chip thinks the cartridge has run out of ink, CIS often reverse engineer the smart chip and build a custom version that automatically resets itself{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Software drivers for the printer may balk at these third party chips and workarounds are sometimes required{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. | |||
| == Retrofit accessory kits == | |||
| One major benefit of a CIS is the ability to use special inks. For instance, it is often possible to purchase ink systems with inks types other than those originally supplied with the printer—such as dye inks in a pigment-ink printer and vice versa and graduated black inks in color printers.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. | |||
| ⚫ | Many continuous ink systems have been developed to cover most ], ], ], and other printers. These bulk feed systems also allow users to use inexpensive aftermarket inkjet inks as well as specialty inks for ] or inks for black-and-white printing. These options have allowed users to produce specialty prints at a fraction of the cost of purchasing special cartridges or using more expensive printing solutions. | ||
| ] continuous ink tanks designs vary, and most incorporate a constant level, ] design. Constant-level continuous ink systems deliver a smooth flow of ink to the cartridges as needed. The front tank is vented to atmosphere, and negative gauge air pressure in the back tank delivers ink to the cartridges. | |||
| {{Gallery | |||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| | Image:Cis1.jpg|Retrofit ink tanks | |||
| {{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} | |||
| | Image:Cis2.jpg|Retrofit ink tubes suspended from the T-shaped plastic support | |||
| ⚫ | {{reflist}} | ||
| ⚫ | | Image:Cis3.jpg|Retrofit ink tubes connected to a standard printer cartridge | ||
| | Image:Tank design.png|Retrofit ink tank design | |||
| }} | |||
| === Limitations of retrofitting === | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| Many consumer grade printers are designed with close-fitting and sometimes fully enclosing shrouds over the print carriage. It may be difficult or impossible to install a retrofit kit because there is no room to install the flexible tubing that must flex and bend as the printhead moves back and forth. Jamming may occur if the tubing droops into the path of the printhead and is crushed underneath the printhead or between the printhead and cover. It may be necessary to modify the printer by removing the cover or cutting slots into the body to provide an open space for the tubing. | |||
| Some tank-on-carriage printers such as Epson use a fold-over clamping system over the tank to secure it in place on the print carriage. This clamp blocks the path of tubing from a continuous flow system feeding the tanks, and the print carriage may need to be modified by removing the clamp, cutting holes in the clamp, or installing a retrofit open-top clamp. | |||
| {{Compu-hardware-stub}} | |||
| Typically, modifications to a product's functionality, such as installing an aftermarket continuous ink system, will void the ] for defects. Some printer manufacturers explicitly state that use of third-party inks and/or aftermarket continuous ink systems will void their product warranty.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Stevenson |url=http://www.alphr.com/news/hardware/115602/epson-talks-tough-on-compatible-cartridges |title=Epson talks tough on compatible cartridges |publisher=Alphr |date=2007-06-14 |accessdate=2017-10-17}}</ref> | |||
| == Factory supertank systems == | |||
| ]s – a subset of CISS technology – have high-capacity integrated ink tanks or ink packs, and are manually refilled via ink bottles. When supertank ink systems are paired with disposable printhead technology, replaceable cartridges are used to replace the exhausted print heads. | |||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | {{reflist}} | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
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| A continuous ink supply system feeds ink cartridges by way of silicon tubing. | |||
Latest revision as of 17:59, 19 April 2024
Method for delivering a large volume of liquid ink to a comparatively small inkjet printhead | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Continuous ink system" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
A continuous ink system (CIS), also known as a continuous ink supply system (CISS), a continuous flow system (CFS), an automatic ink refill system (AIRS), a bulk feed ink system (BFIS), or an off-axis ink delivery system (OIDS) is a method for delivering a large volume of liquid ink to a comparatively small inkjet printhead. Many business and professional grade printers incorporate a continuous ink system in their design to increase printing capacity.
Some aftermarket companies also build retrofit accessories to convert certain models of consumer-grade printers into continuous flow systems. Such systems have been frowned upon by most printer manufacturers, as they have been seen as a threat to their business model of selling the printer itself as a loss leader and making their profit off replacement ink cartridges, prompting lawsuits against aftermarket firms or implemented digital rights management measures in their devices (see Razor and blades model). Some manufacturers have introduced new models featuring continuous ink systems. This was seen as a welcome move by users, especially small business owners who rely on bulk-printing solutions, like internet cafes and small-scale print shops.
Comparison to the tank-on-printhead design
Most low-cost consumer printers place small ink tanks directly on the carriage with the printheads. These tanks can have extremely small liquid volumes, as low as 10 mL, and consequently require frequent replacement. It should be also noted that every cartridge replacement is usually automatically followed by head-cleaning cycle of the printer to remove air bubbles from system, further reducing usable ink amount. More expensive, business-grade printers use progressively larger ink tanks on the printhead, but as the platen width and speed of the printer increases it eventually becomes impractical to have the tanks integrated with the printheads due to the high mass and inertia the liquid volume adds to the printheads and the reduced accuracy of printing that occurs.
Separating the ink storage from the printhead may also allow the tank to be refilled or replaced while a print job is in progress. With ink tanks located on the printhead, replacement typically requires repriming and alignment checks that necessarily require aborting any current print job. Separated ink tanks can be refilled or reprimed without disrupting a very large or expensive printing task, such as printing a 2 meter wide by 10 meter long outdoor banner.
Retrofit accessory kits
Many continuous ink systems have been developed to cover most Epson, HP, Canon, and other printers. These bulk feed systems also allow users to use inexpensive aftermarket inkjet inks as well as specialty inks for T-shirt transfers or inks for black-and-white printing. These options have allowed users to produce specialty prints at a fraction of the cost of purchasing special cartridges or using more expensive printing solutions.
Retrofit continuous ink tanks designs vary, and most incorporate a constant level, barometric pressure design. Constant-level continuous ink systems deliver a smooth flow of ink to the cartridges as needed. The front tank is vented to atmosphere, and negative gauge air pressure in the back tank delivers ink to the cartridges.
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Retrofit ink tanks
-
Retrofit ink tubes suspended from the T-shaped plastic support
-
Retrofit ink tubes connected to a standard printer cartridge
-
Retrofit ink tank design
Limitations of retrofitting
Many consumer grade printers are designed with close-fitting and sometimes fully enclosing shrouds over the print carriage. It may be difficult or impossible to install a retrofit kit because there is no room to install the flexible tubing that must flex and bend as the printhead moves back and forth. Jamming may occur if the tubing droops into the path of the printhead and is crushed underneath the printhead or between the printhead and cover. It may be necessary to modify the printer by removing the cover or cutting slots into the body to provide an open space for the tubing.
Some tank-on-carriage printers such as Epson use a fold-over clamping system over the tank to secure it in place on the print carriage. This clamp blocks the path of tubing from a continuous flow system feeding the tanks, and the print carriage may need to be modified by removing the clamp, cutting holes in the clamp, or installing a retrofit open-top clamp.
Typically, modifications to a product's functionality, such as installing an aftermarket continuous ink system, will void the manufacturer's warranty for defects. Some printer manufacturers explicitly state that use of third-party inks and/or aftermarket continuous ink systems will void their product warranty.
Factory supertank systems
Supertank printers – a subset of CISS technology – have high-capacity integrated ink tanks or ink packs, and are manually refilled via ink bottles. When supertank ink systems are paired with disposable printhead technology, replaceable cartridges are used to replace the exhausted print heads.
References
- Gallagher, Sean. "HP's DRM sabotages off-brand printer ink cartridges with self-destruct date". Ars Technica. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- "L100 & L200 High-Capacity Ink Tank Inkjet Printers". Seiko Epson Corp. October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- "Epson brings us the L-series, world's first genuine ink tank printer". Pinoy Tech Blog. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- Dave Stevenson (2007-06-14). "Epson talks tough on compatible cartridges". Alphr. Retrieved 2017-10-17.