Epson 3000 Manual

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EPSON Stylus COLOR 3000

Rev. A

2-11

2.2.7 Capping Mechanism

Ink around head nozzles loses moisture If they are left exposed while the printer is in non-printing or

power off status. Therefore the printheads must be capped to avoid increasing viscosity due to dried

nozzles. The caps are individually equipped for the black and color printhead. When the moves right

from the home position, the cap holder also shifts right and strikes the right frame. This motion opens the

air valve and the air in the cap is release. To resume printing, the moves right from the home position

to strike the right frame with the cap holder so that the air valve opens. This operation brings the negative

pressure in the cap back to normal and the goes back to the home position. Since the power switch of

this printer uses the secondary power-on circuit, the printer power stays on to allow the printer to complete

the capping operation even if the printer is turned off during the operation.

Black Ink Printhead

Carriage

Color Ink Printhead

Cap Holder

Cap2

Cap1

To the waste ink drain pads

Valve Spring

Air Valve

Capping Unit Frame

Air Tube

Figure 2-11. Capping Mechanism