Guangzhou Norejet Systems Co.,Ltd

As an important equipment on modern production lines, inkjet printers bear the heavy responsibility of product identification. The selection and use of their consumables are directly related to the quality and efficiency of identification. However, in actual operation, we often encounter the problem of expired consumables, especially inks and solvents. Once these consumables expire, whether they can continue to be used has become the focus of attention of many manufacturers and operators. This article will explore in depth the use of inkjet printer consumables after expiration.

1 Impact of expired consumables

First of all, we need to make it clear that inkjet printer consumables, especially inks and solvents, have a shelf life. Different inks usually have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months, while the shelf life of solvents is usually more than 18 months. These shelf lives are the best shelf life obtained by manufacturers during the research and development process after thousands of tests to ensure the effect after inkjet printing and the stability of the inkjet printer. Once the consumables exceed this period, adverse chemical changes may occur, affecting the performance and print quality of the inkjet printer.

Specifically, expired ink solvents may have the following problems:

1. Reduced conductivity: The ink droplets cannot fully absorb electricity, resulting in intermittent printing, affecting the clarity and continuity of the logo. This situation is particularly obvious on high-speed production lines, which may directly lead to unqualified product logos and require reprinting, increasing production costs and time costs.

2. Formation of insoluble impurities: Some components in expired ink may change, forming insoluble impurities. These impurities are easy to block the ink path and nozzle during the coding process, causing frequent failures of the printer or even shutdown. This will not only affect the normal operation of the production line, but may also cause product backlogs and delay delivery.

3. Changes in ink viscosity: The viscosity of the ink is one of the important parameters for the normal operation of the printer. The viscosity of expired ink may change, resulting in unstable coding effects, blurring, broken lines and other problems. In addition, changes in viscosity may also aggravate nozzle blockage, further affecting the performance and life of the printer.

In view of the above problems, we strongly recommend not to use printer consumables that have exceeded their shelf life. Because these changes are unpredictable and potentially harmful, they will not only affect the performance of the printer, but may also accelerate the aging process of the printer. In actual operation, once the consumables are found to be expired, new consumables should be replaced immediately to ensure the normal operation and labeling quality of the printer.

2 Preventive measures

In addition, we also need to pay attention to the following points to avoid problems caused by expired consumables:

1. Strictly manage consumable inventory: Establish a strict consumable management system, classify and partition inventory consumables, and regularly check the shelf life of consumables. For consumables that are about to expire, early warnings should be given and used first to reduce waste and losses.

2. Reasonable use of consumables: During the use of the printer, the amount of consumables used should be reasonably adjusted according to production needs. Avoid excessive use or waste to reduce the consumption and cost of consumables. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to regular cleaning of the printer and replacement of consumable parts such as nozzles to keep the printer in the best working condition.

3. Choose high-quality consumables: When purchasing consumables for printers, products from regular channels and high-quality brands should be selected. These products usually have a longer shelf life and better performance, which can reduce production failures and cost losses caused by consumables problems.

4. Strengthen employee training: Regularly train operators on the use of inkjet printers and consumables management to improve their professional quality and operating skills. Through training, operators can better understand the performance and use requirements of consumables, and reduce consumables waste and failures caused by improper operation.

However, in actual operation, we sometimes encounter some special situations, such as some inkjet printer solvents still have certain use value after expiration. Although these solvents have passed the shelf life, their chemical properties have not changed much and can still be used as cleaning agents. For example, they can be used to scrub some products with poor printing effects, or put them in a cleaning pot for daily use. However, it should be noted that this practice is only applicable to specific types of solvents and use in specific situations, and cannot be generalized.

3 Summary

In general, whether inkjet printer consumables can continue to be used after expiration is a complex issue. Although expired consumables still have certain use value in some cases, in order to avoid potential risks and losses, we still recommend that they be used and managed strictly in accordance with the shelf life of the consumables. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen inventory management, use consumables reasonably, select high-quality consumables, and strengthen employee training to ensure the normal operation and marking quality of the inkjet printer.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the expiration of inkjet printer consumables is not only related to production efficiency and cost control, but also to product quality and customer satisfaction. Therefore, as relevant personnel in the use and management of inkjet printers, we must attach great importance to the shelf life of consumables and do a good job in the procurement, storage, use and management of consumables. Only in this way can we ensure the normal operation and marking quality of the inkjet printer and provide strong guarantees for the production and development of the enterprise.