Replace Printhead on Roland BN-20

[@tommcmurtry3204]

Thanks for the video Khristy. I successfully changed out my printed thanks to your video and another video. I recommend anyone doing this to test to make sure your new printhead works without needing the support software to calibrate the head.

[@khristymadeit]

Your welcome!

[@404photos]

Congratulations! I know that whole process had you on pins and needles. I'm researching this now because I will have to do the same thing very soon.

[@khristymadeit]

Yes! I was stressing out! Lol. I could not find any resources either hence why I recorded it in case I need to do it again and for anyone else that needs help.

[@karenyoung2201]

Really appreciated this video! 👍🏻 my partner and I changed the printhead and put new dampers on my BN-20 a couple of months ago and it’s running like a dream! Not had any issues 🙌🏻

[@khristymadeit]

That’s so great!

[@DylanRainbolt]

What is the actual reasoning for needing to replace the print head and dampers? What happens on a mechanical level? Sorry a bit of a newbie with the bn20a’s!

[@tedpearson00]

It is important to note that there are calibration numbers on each head that should be entered through a service utility (not the BN20 utility users have) that service technicians have. Also after replacing a head or dampers, perform a 'Powerful Cleaning' under the Adjustment tab in your BN20 utility to purge air from the lines.

[@TheDukeOfZill]

@KFC Managers I'm wondering the same thing. Unlike epson printers, which can easily have their heads swapped (save for finding one that isn't refurbished/still clogged lol) I'm finding that people are highly urging users that self repair to make note of service level calibration (separate from consumer level calibration). I'm preparing to buy one of these. I have discovered that self service is highly recommended (learn how to fix it yourself, self trained or otherwise) because a lot of warranty services are garbage and there's nothing but complaints left and right.. I've maintained my epsons and graphtec plotters myself with relative ease. The only thing about the BN20s are that the replacement parts are pretty expensive ($2500 - $3000 for a brand new head) + servicing costs. Doing it yourself, you can bargain with people who are abandoning or can't sell their old machines with mechanical issues (but still have a good head, about $1000 - $1500 for a fully working head), but requires you to have access to servicing software to calibrate the head. If there is no number (uncoded), I would have to guess that the provider issued a refurbished unit and called it new, a scam.. (scrubbed the numbers?)

[@tusasales3243]

I just replaced the printhead. Where do I find the service application?

[@qubic03]

Thanks for posting Khristy. I'm debating whether to change mine as my existring head is just about not printing at all now. I've been procrastinating due to the high cost as I dont really have a lot of wrok for my BN-20. I really miss it when I need it though! At least seeing you do yours answers questions I had about whether you really did need a tech to 'code' the new head int to your printer!

[@khristymadeit]

Cool, I am glad I could help and yes I didn't need a tech at all. I had never done this before, so just using my brain and going slow worked! And my BN-20 is working like it was brand new too..I use it almost everyday.

[@doughaug]

Roland's tech help absolutely sucks. Your video is great. Thanks for posting this.

[@khristymadeit]

You are welcome Exactly why I did the video

[@airul8046]

I did pump ink but the lines are not fully filled. How do I get around this?

[@murern7117]

Hi! What do you mean by "pump ink"? Did you use the "pump ink" option in the utilty sofware?

[@CristianoSatiroVitorio]

Hi. Do you could film the position of the Ribon Cables that are between the plate and the print head, please?

[@the1Storm]

Hi Khristy thanks for youer video. I was wondering that if it is necessary to do a head cleaning with the cleaning cartridge after changing the head. I can see you did it directly and was wondering what your thoughts were about it. thanks again. Daniel

[@khristymadeit]

If you have a clogged line you may need to use the cleaning cartridge but I didn’t have that issue.

[@the1Storm]

@@khristymadeit Got it, thank you for the reply so much

[@DylanRainbolt]

What is the actual reasoning for needing to replace the print head and dampers? Sorry a bit of a newbie with the bn20a’s!

[@khristymadeit]

When the printhead wears out the printing is not good at all the only way to resolve it is replace to print head and dampers. The printheads are only good for 5 to 6 years depending on how much they are used.

[@dajazu]

Hi Khristy hiw you doing? Can I ask you where you buy printhead and if is still work? I have bn 20 and black start overspray so I think is time to change one. Thank you and Mary Christmas 🎄

[@khristymadeit]

Hi I ordered the new printhead from www.premiercolour.com and it’s still working perfectly. I use it everyday

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

Bawahahaha great video I was Roland's (rolin) around over here when you said all professional like "hope I didn't fuck it up" 🤣

[@CristianoSatiroVitorio]

Hi. Could you do a video with the position of the Ribon Cables that are between the card and the printhead, please?

[@larryg7109]

Good job!! Did you have to enter the head rank number?

[@karina2k5e]

I like your commentary (: This was helpful, thank you!

[@gmico.3540]

Hey Krsity, after you installed the new head & dampers, did you have to do anything else?

[@khristymadeit]

I had to use the dummy cartridges to get the ink pumping and remove any air that could’ve been in the lines and that was pretty much it once I put it all back together with the Ink cartridges back in it printed

[@gmico.3540]

@khristymadeit why did you need to use the dummy cartridges to get the ink pumping ? Could I just get away with a few powerful cleans to get the ink pumping and air out? I don't have those cartridges.

[@khristymadeit]

@@gmico.3540 definitely try it If you don’t have the cartridges it might work.

[@lisamclean3339]

Did you end up replacing the dampers, and if so did it make a significant difference

[@scaniapower4610]

Did you have to remove the head spring and the put it back

[@khristymadeit]

Hi yes I did

[@scaniapower4610]

@@khristymadeit just never saw you put it back

[@scaniapower4610]

@@khristymadeit also I've just replaced damper and not printing anything now Checked and double checked that the cable are all on the correct place

[@khristymadeit]

@@scaniapower4610 did you pump the ink with the blank cartridges? That step is in the video

[@scaniapower4610]

@@khristymadeit where you get blank cartridges from as it never came with any

[@immortalinkofogden9949]

Can you tell me what your machine did to make you have to do all that? Mine will no longer print yellow

[@khristymadeit]

Hi it started with not really printing cyan then I noticed that the colors were all dull looking and it just got worse from there. I tried hard cleaning soaking my head but it didn’t work because it wasn’t clogged it was wore out and needed replacement

[@khristymadeit]

Also now that I think about it my yellow was never really clear it was kind of like a green color I couldn’t get it a bright yellow

[@valeriemoreno7053]

@@khristymadeit looking through comments and scared mines might need a printhead since it’s leaking ink and goes on media when cutting. How long have you had the Roland? Just trying to see how long it took for you to need printhead. I’ve been having mine for about 3 months i believe.

[@khristymadeit]

@@valeriemoreno7053 I’ve had my Roland for about 7 years. 3 months if it was brand new it should not be doing that and it should be covered under warranty so I would talk to whoever you bought it from if it was brand new.

[@alfonsovasquez3422]

where did you purchase the head from?

[@khristymadeit]

Alfonso I purchased it from Premier Colour www.premiercolour.com/

[@valeriemoreno7053]

@@khristymadeit how much was the printhead?

[@khristymadeit]

@@valeriemoreno7053 it wasn’t cheap you can look at the link I provided on this thread and you’d be able to see the price

[@ryanblock32]

where did you get the service application software?

[@khristymadeit]

The BN utility came with the machine but I think you can download it from the Roland website. If you mean the versa works software that can be found on the Roland website as well that’s the rip software

[@gmico.3540]

Did you have to calibrate the head at all?

[@khristymadeit]

No I just put the new head in and hooked up the lines

[@gmico.3540]

@@khristymadeit thank you, I'm going through this nightmare now

[@khristymadeit]

@@gmico.3540 yeah I totally understand. That’s why I made the video. I hope it will work out for you!

[@yowicked]

Thank you for sharing this repair. Did you end up using the dampers from the previous printhead or did you end up replacing the dampers with new ones. Thanks again for sharing this.

[@khristymadeit]

I used the dampers from the previous printhead and just VERY carefully removed them and put them on the new printhead. I did not have any leaks and no issues at all since and am still using them.

[@yowicked]

@@khristymadeit that's great to hear. Thank you again👍🏼

[@DesignCutters]

Very good explanation of replacing the print head. Just curious though, did your printer always sound like that - almost like making scratching noises as the print head is moving? I don't hear that noise in this video of a new BN20 printing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnXFmJRupbifoKc And does this printer only lay down ink in one direction or does it print both directions when in travels left and when it travels right?

[@khristymadeit]

The scratching noise will go away if I put a little bit of oil on the Cable I just have not done it lately and yes this printer prints in both directions

[@prinston79]

Yes you will always need new dampers when replacing the head.

[@aornoometal]

You are very good. thank you good clip

[@infowrap321]

Super Brave!