Proper Usage and Installation of Replacement Fittings

Objective: Address the correct procedure to install or replace tubing connections and fittings

Types of Fittings

There are several types of fittings used for the tubing in the Ink Center.

flange

These have a flattened tube end (the flange), followed by 2 metal washers sandwiching a black o ring.
These usually have white connectors
These style connectors are found on the rotary valves, waste and fluid manifolds, injectors, also the dispense, vacuum and fluid line.

Flangeless

These are used when a flanged connection is damaged.
To use, cut off the flanged end, discard the washers and white connector.
Install tan connector then the flange at end of hose (wide side toward valve).
Insert tubing and ferrule into valve (this will prevent those parts from catching on the threads in the valve and being damaged).
Slide down the tan connector and secure to valve.

elbow1

The elbows on the manifolds and separator use compression fittings.
They are able to rotate to aid in insertion of tubing
The tube must have a straight cut and the cut must be perpendicular to the hose
When inserting the tube, it may snag on part of the compression fitting. A gentle circular motion may help seat the tube fully. Failure to fully seat hose will cause vacuum leaks.
You must also check for an impression on the tube from the compression fitting. After time the connector will make an impression on the tube and be a possible source of vacuum leak. Trimming the hose may be required
If you are having problems removing a tube from a connector, you may want to push in on the hose, then orange compression fitting, and then pull out hose.
If you can pull the hose out after inserting it, you may need to clean and trim the end of the hose and retry insertion.
IF the tube comes out of the connector easily you may want to replace the component with the defective connector.

elbow2

The elbow is secured to the bottom of the separator and clocked appropriately to point to the back left corner of the machine. Do not adjust the orientation or clocking of the elbow as this will cause vacuum leaks.
This fitting using a different style of compression fitting. It has 4 parts to it.
- Black O-Ring
- White compression ring
- Securing ring
- Securing nut
Correct orientation and spacing is required to make this fit securely.

If the tube is too long (from securing ring to end of hose, the hose will bottom out in the elbow and prevent the securing nut from being properly tightened.

IF the O-Ring is not properly inserted on the hose, then into the elbow, this too will cause a leak.

You should be able to fasten the securing nut by hand. If a wrench is required to tighten the nut, it is probably cross threaded, damaged, hose is too long, o ring is not seated properly, the securing ring or white compression ring aren’t orientated properly.

Compress