TIB819 - XpertJet Media Control Kit & design change

Since introduction of our new XpertJet (XPJ-1641SR/ XPJ-1682SR) sign & display printers, we occasionally received the remark of some media cockling issues. These issues were specifically linked to using certain types of budget monomeric vinyl with kraft paper backing, which as you know typically are more sensitive to temperature jumps versus other substrates.

Mutoh Japan engineering investigated this in-depth.  To avoid the above occasional behavior, Mutoh R&D developed a “Media Control Kit”. This kit will enhance the media transport path. It consists of aluminum profiles, which are placed on the XpertJet’s rear platen just before the media is going under the pressure rollers. This extra thickness creates some tension in the media and inhibits cockles to arise.

For more details on the “Media Control Kit” please read this article below.

Schematic view

Introduction date

• All XpertJet 1641SR / 1682SR units, which will be shipped out from the Mutoh Europe premises as from April 13-04-2020, will have a pre-mounted Media Control Kit.
  
  
• These units can be visually recognized by the presence of one of following marks:
  • The red check box (yellow marked in the picture below):
    
  • OR: the green dot next to the serial number:
    

What to do with installed base?

• In case you should encounter a similar issue on a unit from before April 13-04-2020 (without the pre-mounted media control kit) please report the case to hardware.support@mutoh.eu
• A media control kit can be shipped out on a case-by-case basis.

Update - Technical bulletin TIB827

These new units will have an equivalent media suction capacity as the previous Valuejet units. Thus the "media control kit" is no longer required on these units. The implementation of this "Media Control Kit" was an intermediate solution we were able to introduce on short notice. Now Mutoh Japan has introduced a final design change to avoid possible cockling.

Design change details

• 72 extra holes in the platen
• Increased vacuum (suction power of the fans) via the firmware setting: "Ex High"
  This feature is present from the following firmware versions:
  • XPJ-1641SR v1.03 (or higher)
  • XPJ-1682SR v1.04 (or higher)

Units that have an adapted design on the media suction capacity can be recognized based on the above listed serial numbers and by means of the black dot on the serial number tag:

Article changes

16-04-2020 - Rev. 1.0: Article created
29-04-2020 - Rev. 1.1: Update "What to do with installed base"
07-10-2020 - Rev. 2.0: TIB827 mailing with updates + adding serial numbers