- Anyone whose touch panel won’t turn on after setting up equipment
- Anyone whose RIP software suddenly stopped working with a “Security key not found” error
- Anyone whose specific nozzle pattern keeps failing even after cleaning and wiper replacement
- Anyone unsure when to replace the Captop beyond just inkload failure
- If the touch panel doesn’t turn on, check the emergency button first — it can get pressed during packaging and shipping
- RIP lock key issues can often be resolved by moving the USB to a different port — no need to panic about lost graph values
- Captop replacement isn’t only needed when inkload fails — ink forming on the nozzle surface during capping is also a clear sign
- Touch panel won’t turn on → check the emergency button (commonly pressed during packaging)
- RIP “security key not found” → try plugging the USB lock key into a different port
- Specific nozzle keeps failing + ink messy on head surface after cleaning → Captop rubber has collapsed, cloth is touching the nozzle
- Captop replacement: not just for inkload failure — also needed when nozzle surface stays dirty after cleaning
I. “Hey, Why Isn’t the Touch Panel Turning On?” – ARTJET UV Printer Application 28 _ Simple troubleshooting & Captop replacement time
After delivering the equipment, I leveled it and thought I should check the power before leaving. I connected the power cable and turned on the touch panel — one unit was fine, but the other one wouldn’t turn on at all.
I opened the touch panel, checked the power, unplugged the cable, and reconnected it, but nothing worked.
I had a bad feeling that this setup wouldn’t be easy. While nervously looking over the equipment, I noticed that one of the emergency buttons was slightly stuck.
I had the same experience with a previous installation, but somehow it didn’t come to mind right away. Lesson learned — again.
II. “RIP Security Key Not Found” – ARTJET UV Printer Application 28 _ Simple troubleshooting & Captop replacement time
A customer who had been using Sai RIP without any issues called in — it had suddenly stopped working. The RIP lock key was still inserted. This customer had previously used a third-party printer before switching to ARTJET, so he had multiple RIP graph values matched to existing orders. He was worried all those graph values might be erased.
When we first spoke, his voice was heavy.
“It’s a RIP software issue — it has nothing to do with the equipment. All RIP software is registered online, so it can’t run without the security key.”
“Could you try plugging the lock key into a different USB port and running RIP again?”
After a while…
III. Our Demo Equipment — When to Replace the Captop – ARTJET UV Printer Application 28 _ Simple troubleshooting & Captop replacement time
Except for White, most Color and Varnish nozzle patterns print cleanly without any cleaning. But today, strangely, Magenta came out poorly.
Step-by-step troubleshooting process:
1. Cleaning after Color inkload
Even after cleaning, only a few Magenta nozzles came out. Initial thought: “Maybe it’s blocked by dust?”
2. Manual head wipe with alcohol
Raised the print head, wiped the nozzle surface with an alcohol-soaked cleaning wiper, then wiped again with a dry wipe. The nozzles were clearly firing, but the bar pattern wasn’t clean.
3. Repeated cleaning and nozzle pattern — same result
4. Inspected the bottom of the Color print head
The nozzle surface was messy with ink droplets scattered across it. Initial thought: “Is the black wiper old and not cleaning properly?” Replaced the black wiper — but the Magenta nozzle was still not clean.
5. Inspected the nozzle surface again
Even after wiper replacement, the nozzle surface was still messy with ink droplets — exactly the same as before.
Even though the black wiper was replaced, ink droplets kept forming on the print head surface. When was this happening? During capping.
Why this happens:
- The Captop seals the print head surface with spring force, blocking outside air.
- For sealing, the black square frame is made of thin rubber.
- Over time, this thin rubber gradually collapses.
- When it collapses, the print head surface touches the cloth inside the Captop.
- The cloth touching the nozzle absorbs liquid, causing ink in the damper to continuously drip.
- This results in a specific nozzle (the one touching the cloth first) showing severe pattern loss.
- Since the nozzle surface keeps touching the cloth, no amount of cleaning will keep it clean — ink keeps forming on the nozzle surface every time it caps.
When to replace the Captop:
The manufacturer recommends replacement every 3 months, but we recommend replacing immediately when any of these symptoms appear:
- When inkload (pumping) doesn’t work
- When the nozzle pattern is fine but a specific nozzle keeps missing during printing
- When ink is messy on the nozzle surface even after cleaning
- When the Color nozzle pattern doesn’t come out cleanly even after multiple inkloads and cleanings
V. ARTJET UV Printer
