What Is a Remanufactured Ink Cartridge?

The remanufactured ink cartridge is the implementer of the printer's output function, and it passively accepts instructions to work. Its quality problems will not have any impact on the printer motherboard and printer program. However, discarded ink cartridges have great environmental pollution. There are three main aspects. The non-degradable plastic casing causes white pollution, colored inks cause water pollution, and black and colored powders cause air particle pollution.

Remanufactured Ink Cartridge

In response to the environmental pollution caused by waste ink cartridges, the first national standard for remanufactured ink cartridges in 2008, Technical Specifications for Remanufactured Ink Cartridges for Inkjet Printers, was implemented in Shanghai. Recycling waste ink cartridges to reduce printing costs for users, save money, energy

Up to now, the ink cartridge regeneration system has entered printing consumables manufacturers. Among them, inkjet printer cartridge manufacturers include Epson,

Manufacturer drip method

The drip method belongs to the manufacturer's introduction method and is applicable to the situation where the ink cartridge is separated from the print head. The Canon BC-21e color ink cartridge is this type. The BC-21e color ink cartridge consists of a print head, a black ink tank, and a color ink tank. The separable black ink tank is called BCI-21b, and the color ink tank is called BCI-21c.

Since the two ink tanks can be separated from the print head, there must be an ink pipe interface connected to the print head. Here we call the pipe interface at the lower end of the ink tank as the ink outlet. The manufacturer's drip method uses the ink outlet as the inlet for filling ink. In order to cooperate with the drip method, the manufacturer designed and provided a full range of accessories for users: ink bottles, ink cartridge covers, and screws (Figure 3). A drip hole is drilled on the ink cartridge cover at a position corresponding to the ink outlet of the ink cartridge. This is to insert an ink bottle to drip ink. For a tri-color color ink cartridge, a color label is affixed to the position of the drip hole on the side of the ink cartridge cover, and the user must strictly check the color of the ink outlet corresponding to each hole to avoid adding wrong ink.

The steps of the drip method are as follows: in order to prevent ink spills from staining the desktop, first invert the ink cartridge on a soft, absorbent paper, and then put the ink cartridge cover on the ink outlet end of the ink cartridge. To each ink outlet. For the BC-21c color ink cartridge, unplug the corresponding color ink bottle, insert it into the drip hole on the cartridge cover, and screw a small hole in the aluminum foil at the end of the ink bottle to allow air to enter, and the ink is under the action of gravity Drips into the cartridge.

For the BC-21b black ink cartridge, unplug the black ink bottle from the stopper, insert the drip hole on the ink cartridge cap, and remove the vent cap at the end of the ink bottle to allow air to enter, and the ink begins to drip into the ink cartridge under the action of gravity.

Note: The capacity of each bottle of ink is enough to infuse once, and the user should fill after the ink of a certain color is consumed; the user should not try to add two bottles of ink to the ink cartridge at one time, which will cause excess ink to overflow.

For Canon BCI-21b black ink cartridges, BCI-21c color ink cartridge manufacturers have provided similar ink kits. Advantages of the drip method: it does not damage the structure of the ink cartridge, is simple and convenient, and easy to grasp. Disadvantages: Adding ink from the ink outlet will make dust and other large particles that may block the nozzle directly enter the print head without passing through the cartridge filter system. If the quality of compatible ink is not high, it is likely to cause nozzle clogging and the print head to be scrapped. This separate print head should have a long life if the original ink is replaced. Therefore, when it is not possible to determine the quality of compatible inks, the use of drip cartridges to regenerate separate cartridges poses the greatest risk.

Reaming perfusion

Reaming perfusion method belongs to amateur DIY method.

There is an air hole in each cartridge, which is a breathing organ designed to maintain the pressure balance inside the cartridge. For all-in-one cartridges that are not compatible with the drip method, a small number of users have enlarged the air holes in the cartridge and then filled the ink from there. This method is also introduced in some computer magazines.

We do not recommend using the reaming perfusion method, as this will damage the air holes and severely cause the cartridge to be scrapped. For detailed reasons, see the "Frequently Asked Questions about Cartridge Regeneration" section of this article.

Drilling infusion

The manufacturer's drip method may block the nozzle, and the reaming and perfusion method will damage the air holes. If it cannot be filled from the ready-made channels on the ink cartridges or air holes, the only option is to open a new path and drill the holes yourself.

The drilling and pouring method is first applicable to BC-20 black large-capacity ink cartridges, BC-22e color photo ink cartridges, and BC-29F color fluorescent ink cartridges. These are ink cartridge printhead integrated ink cartridges. The ink cartridge itself has no ink outlet except the nozzle, and the air holes cannot be damaged, so only the drilling and pouring method can be used.

In order to cooperate with the drilling and pouring method, the manufacturer designs and provides a full range of accessories for users: ink bottles with needles, drills, and tigers.

The steps of the drilling and pouring method are as follows: Use a drill at the top of the cartridge to drill the hole. The position of the hole must be a distance from the air hole. The color cartridge must pay attention to the position of various colors. Color ink cartridges are available in four colors and are stored in four compartments with sponges, each with an air hole. The user can determine the position of each color chamber according to the compatible ink manual or air hole. After drilling through, insert the needle of the ink bottle into the hole, and press the ink bottle firmly to fill the ink. Note that a bottle of ink can be filled about 6 times. Do not overfill to avoid ink overflow. After the infusion is complete, pull out the ink bottle and close the drilled hole with a drop of paraffin with a lit candle.

For BC-03 and similar ink cartridges, there is no need to drill holes. You only need the tool provided by the manufacturer to push the steel balls on the side of the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge, fill the ink from the exposed opening, and then close the opening with the steel ball and adhesive sticker provided by the ink manufacturer. can.

The advantages of the drilling and pouring method: do not damage the air holes, make full use of the filter system of the integrated cartridge, as long as the compatible ink quality is good, it can generally be filled multiple times. The disadvantage is that it requires drilling, which is a bit cumbersome to operate (but only needs to be drilled once). Because the integrated ink cartridge is a product design that is thrown away when it is used up, the ink cartridge that should have been discarded can be ignored even if the refill fails, and the user can replace the new ink cartridge by himself, which minimizes the maintenance cost. Once the raise is successful, at least 50% of the cost can be saved. Therefore, low-risk, high-efficiency, integrated ink cartridge + compatible ink is the best DIY combination of ink cartridge recommended in this article.

Compatible cartridge replacement method

Compatible ink cartridges refer to separated ink cartridges (excluding print heads) developed by domestic manufacturers. The manufacturers claim that the structure and capacity of this ink cartridge are the same as the original separated ink cartridges. The advantage of compatible separable ink cartridges is that they are simple to install, the same method as the original separable ink cartridges, and there is no trouble of staining with ink leakage. However, for the majority of DIYer, because its price is not much different from the original ink cartridge, it is not a good choice. According to the merchants, there are many buyers who are convenient for the unit users.

About Stomata

No matter what type of ink cartridge, there is an air hole, the role of the air hole is to maintain the pressure balance inside and outside the ink cartridge. At present, some users and even some compatible ink manufacturer's instructions point out that drilling holes in the air holes to fill the ink, resulting in the cartridge being discarded, why is this happening?

If the air holes are enlarged and the air pressure adjustment function fails, the ink will overflow from the nozzles and stain the printer and the document. If the air holes are blocked, the outside air cannot enter the inside of the ink cartridge, causing the internal pressure of the ink cartridge to be less than the external pressure, forming a negative pressure, which will not print A few lines, you will find that the nozzle can not eject ink. Although the print head moves back and forth, it is still a blank piece of paper.

Therefore, the air hole of the ink cartridge is an important respiratory organ that maintains the normal pressure balance of the ink cartridge, and must not be altered or destroyed. Similarly, in order to ensure the normal function of the air holes, the holes must be closed after the ink is filled, so that the ink cartridges can restore the original breathing system. So, how to determine the correct drilling position? The first is that the air holes and other important structures cannot be destroyed, the second is that it is not easy for the ink to leak from the drilled holes, and the third is that the color of the color ink cartridge corresponds to the drilled holes.

Features of Leather Tiger

For the drilling and filling method, because the filling is from the tail of the ink cartridge far from the nozzle, after the ink is added to close the hole, a tiger is blown on the air hole to squeeze the ink to the outlet.

Cleaning the print head and nozzle test

After filling the ink, install the ink cartridge in the printer. Use the print head cleaning function in the printer or printer driver to clean the print head of the newly installed ink cartridge, and then perform a nozzle test until you are satisfied.

Cartridge storage

The key to the maintenance of inkjet printer is the nozzle of the print head. When an ink cartridge is installed on the printer, the printer has a cap on the print head to prevent the ink from drying up and blocking the nozzle. The user should pay attention to turn off the printer with the normal power switch or shutdown command So that the print head returns to the cap position, do not turn off the power by unplugging the power cord.

For the case where the print head is separated from the ink cartridge, do not just install the print head on the printer, but install or store the print head and the ink cartridge at the same time. Similarly, separate ink cartridges should not be stored open, but the matching lids should be closed. For ink cartridges with nozzles, if the user wants to replace a different ink cartridge, the ink cartridges leaving the printer must be capped. The manufacturer's recommended method is to use a cartridge, which is a plastic box with a nozzle cap that prevents the ink from drying out.

Another more cost-effective DIY method is to use the cap and sealing tape provided in the original packaging when the cartridge is purchased. First, use the tape to stick to the print head, and then use the cap to clamp the tape. In order to prevent the adhesive on the tape from blocking the nozzle, a small piece of transparent glue can be used to line the inside of the tape, and the side of the transparent glue without the glue facing the nozzle. (Note: The manufacturer's manual strongly opposes this method, and warns users to throw away the cap and tape immediately after opening a new ink cartridge. As for the reason, some people speculate that it is to promote the original cartridge.)

Note: Do not open the ink cartridges that are not used immediately, and the ink cartridges leaving the printer must be capped. Otherwise, it is easy to cause nozzle clogging.

Elimination of nozzle clogging

If the nozzle becomes clogged, first use the printer's cleaning function to flush the print head with ink. This usually resolves the slight clogging symptoms. If the blockage is severe, you can soak the print head with clean, warm water most of the time, taking care not to wet the ink cartridge electrodes. There are also suggestions to use pure alcohol soaking, but there are also concerns that this method will cause expansion and deformation of the filter sponge.

Avoid mixing different inks

Different inks may react chemically, causing large particles to clog the nozzles, so it is best not to mix and use different brands of inks, and refill compatible inks after the original ink is consumed.

If you find that a color in the color ink cartridge is abnormal (such as red and black), or that you have filled an excessive amount of ink, you can quickly consume the ink by printing a large amount of the color pattern. For example, draw a square of this color in drawing software, and then print multiple times.

Genuine ink problem

Recently, due to crackdown on smuggling and other reasons, the original ink cartridges are out of stock. However, many counters still display original separation ink cartridges (excluding print heads). According to the reliable line, these well-packed ink cartridges are actually original ink cartridges that have run out of ink. After being filled with ink, the traitors will repackage and sell them. Here we remind everyone that the method of identifying fakes is that the photos of the ink cartridges printed on the outer carton of the fakes are slightly larger than the genuine ones. If the user keeps the original box, the two can be immediately compared to the authenticity.

The genuine product is out of stock, and the flood of fakes provides a better market opportunity for compatible inks, because no one will counterfeit the domestically produced compatible inks at low prices. As long as you buy them from a reputable dealer, there will be no fakes in domestic inks. .

As long as the printer is properly selected, the separate ink cartridge is a convenient independent component. Refilling the ink will not affect the other parts of the printer. Filling the ink is low risk and low cost. As long as you master the correct method, you can get immediate results. Saving effect, economic benefit is very obvious, also meets the requirements of amateur DIY in particular.

It is worth pointing out that the quality of domestic compatible inks has indeed greatly improved compared to three or four years ago. Black is no longer faint and grayish, and there is no obvious color cast (unless you have a pair of discerning eyes for professional photography). Considering its economic benefits, it can basically meet the needs of users, while also generating several relatively well-known brands.