Necessary tools

In order to be able to install firmware, the following tools are required:

• Personal computer with MS Windows
• Network cable to connect the Valuejet wit the pc
• The latest MSA-tool (Mutoh Service Assistance) or MSM-tool (Mutoh Status Monitor)

Detailed instructions how to install the firmware, are described in the maintenance manual.

The latest current firmware can be downloaded below this article.

Release date: 09 march 2021

Current version - 3.18

Bug Fix

• If the network cable is disconnected during data transfer using the FTP protocol, the connection cannot be established even if the cable is reconnected.  The signal reception timeout of FTP protocol is now set to 5 minutes.
• While "[*] Check Clr. -> E"is displayed on the panel and the cartridge is removed and reinserted, none of the following didn't work:
  • Media feed
  • Nozzle check print
  • Print head cleaning

This is issue has been fixed.

Version history

Release date: 20 may 2020

Bug Fix

• In some particular cases the printer may not print but show a "Subtank refill" because the remaining ink level is zero (and the 2-way valves remains closed so the subtank refill doesn't occur). This has been fixed.

Release date: 06 february 2020

3.16

User Mode

• Fixed an issue which caused to take time to complete a print job if using Mac Os High Sierra
  
  

Release date: 03 january 2019

3.14

Diagnostic Mode

• Added "Reset Ink Bag" menu in Update menu of Parameter
  "Reset Ink Bag" menu: Select to display or hide the confirmation message of ink bag replacement when "Ink End" message appears

• Changed the Long store operation when "Reset Ink Bag" menu is set to On
  In On setting, it is possible to move on to the next process by pressing Enter key

3.13

Release date: 01 june 2018

User mode

• Changed the error message when the waste ink tank is full from "No Waste Ink Tank" => "Full Waste Ink Tank"
• Corrected the F/W bug that the parameter in MSA cannot be sent to a printer
  If the communication between MSA and the main board is cut off, MSA will automatically retry to send the parameter

Release date: 24 april 2018

3.12

User mode

• Previously the printer needed a reboot after ink-charge, in order to properly store the charge-flag in the parameters.  When an error occurred, the charge-flag was reset and inks needed to be recharged again.  From this version, parameters are now properly stored after initial charge without the necessity to reboot.
• Changed the information window in the printed setup-list in User Mode
  
• Added an alert buzzer menu in User Mode
  
• Persistent lifetime alert messages can now be deleted with the "cancel" key (User Mode)
  7 days after pressing the "cancel" key, the message will reappear and you just have to hit the "cancel" button again
  

• Added "PRINT" menu in the Header Dump menu. This "PRINT" menu enables you to print the last header dump.
  
  

  
  

Release date: 1 august 2017

3.10

New items

• For future use: Supported new ink type: tp11 and dh11 ink
  
• New effect added: i-weaveEx
  

Changed items

• Nozzle check pattern: add printer information: print time, serial number, firmware version
  

Diagnostics mode

Added "ink conversion log" menu

Release date: 13 october 2016

3.09

Changed items

• Diagnostic mode: Added the menu to show the number of pages printed for each ink type
  
• Countermeasure to prevent ink leakage during standby mode
  • When the waste fluid tank becomes full, close the 2-way valve solenoid.
  • When the sub-tank sensor detects no remaining ink in the sub-tank, suction the ink on the cap
    

Release date: 18 july 2016

3.08

Changed items

• When “ink end” occurs, the carriage caps immediately (there was a 20 seconds waiting time)
  

Diagnostics

• Maintenance menu: added number of jetted dots of total head
  
• Parameter/update/head replace menu: head unit life counter automatically reset after entering head rank
  

• Total printed area for all print modes added

  

Release date: 4 september 2015

3.06

New items

• User mode: menu roll length
  Added info about remaining amount of roll media

Release date: 25 february 2015

3.05

New items

• Modification of initial ink charge for improved stabilization of nozzles
• Added the “Start Feed” menu in user mode: when Start Feed is set, before printing, the printer rewinds or feeds the media the amount specified by the set value (set 29 in setup menu)
• Added the “Page Gap” menu to “Take-up” menu in user mode in the Page Gap menu, you can change the margin setting between images
  • page gap = normal --> gap is approx. 60 mm
  • page gap = narrow --> gap is 10 mm

New items in diagnostics mode

• Added the “Vacuum Fan” menu to “Parameter” menu in this menu the vacuum fan control is selected
  • vacuum fan = control1; same as current control
  • vacuum fan = control2; equivalent control as in VJ-1624
    
    

• Added the “Cleaning Time” menu to “Parameter” menu in this menu the ink suction time during cleaning cycles is selected
  • cleaning time = type A; same as current cleaning time
  • cleaning time = type B; ink suction times are longer than type A setting
• Added the set menu of the media thickness to PG=Middle / High.  In diagnostics mode, it is now possible to make Uni-D/Bi-D head adjustments for different media thicknesses assigned to each Head Height.

Release date: 16 september 2014

3.03

New items

• Tube flush added during “CR” maintenance cycle

• Added the PM command *SF: media feed before start of print

Changed items

• During media initial: time-out period changed from 10 seconds to 30 seconds
• Changed maximum roll media length from 99m to 200m
• Modified the adjust pattern of PF adjust/micro print

Diagnostics mode

• Diagnostic mode: modified head slant pattern
• Diagnostic mode: added media thickness confirmation message to the uni/bi adjustment menu
• Diagnostic mode: added the menu which changes the dot size used for uni/bi adjustment pattern
• Diagnostic mode: menu “PF speed” added

Release date: 20 march 2015

3.02i

Improvements

• Optimized dot fire temperature compensation table, delivering increased variable dot image definition, improved dot shape and increased dot accuracy across the entire tone scale.

• A vastly improved alignment method is added. It features dot size optimization for each print mode and its associated waveform (VSD1, VSD3, VSD4). Adjustment in classic style is still available.

Added features

• The Uni/Bi dir electronical head alignment patterns have been redesigned and expanded in both user mode and diagnostics mode. The Uni/Bi directional electronical head alignment patterns under User Type (user mode) are expanded with Fine alignments offering 1440 dpi accuracy (same accuracy level as in diagnostics mode).  For more information, please refer to chapter: “2. User Type Head Alignment (from user mode)”.
• Added Media Thickness parameter in diagnostics mode to set base alignment.
• The printer now also accepts a Media Thickness command (PK). It will now also be possible to assign a media thickness value to each substrate (from the RIP) or to each User Type (from the printer panel).  Doing so will make sure that the bidirectional dot firing will be adjusted to the drop throw distance between the nozzle plate and the media surface, preventing print artefacts such as image fuzziness or image grain. Print quality will be easily reproducible provided each media thickness is properly defined. RIP printer drivers will be updated during the next coming months.

Requirements after installation of Firmware 3.x

• Electronical Head Alignment (Uni/Bi directional) is mandatory.

1. Base Head Alignment (from diagnostics mode)

1. Preparation
   
   Before you can actually benefit from the improved head alignment patterns in diagnostics mode, it is necessary to activate them through the Parameter Update settings (menu n°.20, Uni/Bi ptn.), and select Type B pattern. The default setting is Type A, which are the classic style patterns. Type A corresponds to the dotted line patterns known since the beginning of ValueJet history. Type B patterns show a different composition and have dotted line patterns adjacent to each block pattern.
   
   
2. Concept and benefits
   
   The block type pattern makes use of the inverted image principle. Whereas the dotted line pattern is based on a “positive” image (coloured dots of ink on white paper), the blocked line pattern inverts the image printing a coloured background, while omitting the dotted line. Two big coloured squares are much easier to align than two 3pl. small coloured dots. Moreover this can be done without compromising the alignment accuracy. The time spent to perform a head alignment is significantly decreased, because you can easily read the patterns with the bare eye. Bottom line, a magnifier isn't required any more to properly align a Dual Head ValueJet electronically!
   
   
3. How it works
   
   A single element block pattern always comes in 4 parts, divided in a left and a right part + a lower and upper part. Increasing or decreasing the parameter value would shift the left and right parts further from or closer to each other, causing either a gap or an overlap between both parts. It is your goal to bring the left and right parts seamlessly together. The picture below illustrates how the blocks shift: the middle one on target (position 11), left and right of it showing increasing gaps and overlaps. Regardless which alignment pattern you are working with, this will always be the main principle of adjusting …
   
4. The procedure
   
   The workflow by itself has hardly changed a bit. After you feel comfortable with the mechanical head alignments, it is safe to start the electronical Uni/Bi/CCW head alignments. They are performed in that specific order, first Uni-directional, then Bi-directional. Additionally you may consider doing a CCW Uni alignment, in case you feel this is necessary. Now that a media thickness becomes relevant for the base alignment, it consequently becomes relevant in which order the different Head Heights are handled (new)! The reason for this is that you will only be prompted for a Media Thickness when initiating the Low Head Height procedure. The Middle and High Head Heights will not ask for a media thickness value separately, since they simply adopt the value entered during the Low HH procedure. In other words, all head heights share the same media thickness value in diagnostics mode!

• Step 1: LOW HEAD HEIGHT / UNI DIRECTIONAL HEAD ALIGNMENT
  
  Define the base Media Thickness here. You will be prompted for it on the printer panel when the Low HH adjustment menu is entered. Make sure to carefully measure and assign the base media thickness, as this will be THE reference for the automatic media thickness fire compensation later on.
  
• Step 2: LOW HEAD HEIGHT / BI DIRECTIONAL HEAD ALIGNMENT Print1.
  
  Align 1C/1F and 2C/2F to the point where left and right blocks join seamlessly.
  
• Step 3: LOW HEAD HEIGHT / CCW UNI DIRECTIONAL HEAD ALIGNMENT Print.
  
  Align the colour channels individually per head to the reference colour (C1 and C2)
  If additional alignments need to be done for a different Head Height, you need to repeat Steps 1 through 3 for that particular Head Height …
  
  
• Step 4: MIDDLE HEAD HEIGHT / UNI DIRECTIONAL HEAD ALIGNMENT
• Step 5: MIDDLE HEAD HEIGHT / BI DIRECTIONAL HEAD ALIGNMENT
• Step 6: MIDDLE HEAD HEIGHT / …

2. User type Head Alignment (from user mode)

The new block shaped alignment patterns have found their way in user mode too! They enable the end user to make “custom” alignments for his preferred media. However, since the machine is capable to automatically correct for different media thicknesses, the need for making custom head alignments will be largely diminished, if not totally useless!

1. Concept and benefits
   
   Each one of the 15 User Types can have its own Optimized printer/media settings. You can assign dedicated values for the following: print mode, head adjustment, paper feed adjustment, vacuum power, heater temperatures, media thickness. The latter, Media Thickness, is new to the list. With an accuracy of 10 micron, it is possible to set the media thickness of the substrate associated to the Media Type n°. The default media thickness value for each Media Type will correspond to the base media thickness value defined in diagnostics mode. It would be useful to assign the correct media thickness to each print substrate, especially when the RIP's printer driver is not yet supporting the media thickness command. Until the RIP drivers are updated, the printer panel is the only way to make the automatic firing compensation work.
   
   

   Note If the media thickness command (PK) is sent from the RIP, any setting active under the given User Type (printer panel) will be overruled.

   
   If the customer has reason to believe that the head alignment (Bi-directional) is susceptible to some improvement, he can make the alignment himself very easily! This was also possible in the
   past, but it is only now that the same accuracy can be reached from user mode as in diagnostics mode. It is possible to perform a “Rough Alignment” with a 360 dpi accuracy, and additionally it is
   possible to optimise the alignment with 1440 dpi accuracy using a “Fine Alignment”.
   
   
2. The Procedure
   
   To perform a custom User Head Alignment, do the following from the printer panel:
   Press the Menu button: Setup ►User Type ►Type no ... ►Print Adjust ►Media Thickness fill in the precise media thickness
   This brings you to the following 2 options: Adjust.Print1: Standard - Adjust.Print2: Custom.
   
   Adjust.Print1: Standard
   (Covering all Pre-defined print modes: Graphics, Quality, Banner, …)
   
   Adj.1: Confirm Ptn.
   Adj.2: Rough Pattern
   Adj.3: Fine Pattern
   Adjust.Print2: Custom(Covering all custom print modes)
   
   Adj.1: Confirm Ptn. (ALL)
   Adj.2: RoughPtn. ALL
   Adj.3: RoughPatternA (slow carriage speed, VSD1 waveform)
   Adj.4: RoughPatternB (slow carriage speed, VSD3 waveform)
   Adj.5: RoughPatternC (slow carriage speed, VSD4 waveform)
   Adj.6: RoughPatternD (fast carriage speed, VSD1 waveform)
   Adj.7: RoughPatternE (fast carriage speed, VSD3 waveform)
   Adj.8: RoughPatternF (fast carriage speed, VSD4 waveform)
   Adj.9: Fine Ptn. ALL
   Adj.10:Fine PatternA (slow carriage speed, VSD1 waveform)
   Adj.11:Fine PatternB (slow carriage speed, VSD3 waveform)
   Adj.12:Fine PatternC (slow carriage speed, VSD4 waveform)
   Adj.13:Fine PatternD (fast carriage speed, VSD1 waveform)
   Adj.14:Fine PatternE (fast carriage speed, VSD3 waveform)
   Adj.15:Fine PatternF (fast carriage speed, VSD4 waveform)
   
   In case you're working with custom (= not pre-defined) you need to be aware which pattern is associated to each print mode in order to attain the desired results. It means that each print mode for which you intend to fine-tune the head adjustment, there is a specific output resolution coming with a Slow or Fast carriage speed, and a certain waveform to generate the required drop sizes, either VSD1, 3 or 4. When any of the A … F Rough/Fine patterns is printed, an identification label will be printed at the right side of the pattern, mentioning Head Height, Head Speed and drop family.
   • Step 1: Make sure to position the heads at the appropriate height!
   • Step 2: Select any of the Rough Patterns meeting the print mode requirements you are aiming at. (see above list) Find the pattern showing the blocks joining perfectly together without gap or overlap! Identify the number corresponding to this pattern and enter this value on the panel for Head no.1 and Head no.2 separately.
     
   • Step 3: Select any of the Fine Patterns meeting the print mode requirements you are aiming at (see above list). Find the pattern showing the blocks joining perfectly together without gap or overlap! Identify the number corresponding to this pattern and enter this value on the panel for Head no.1 and Head no.2 separately.
     
   • Step 4:Select Confirm Ptn (ALL). A series of identical patterns will be printed along the media width to verify/confirm the adjustments.
     

Further changed items

• Change the time out interval between media lever down and media initialization start (10s => 30s)
• Extend remain counter to 200 meters
• Smart chip management (VJ-1638X only)
  • Description:
    A few customers have reported smart-chip issues on ValueJet printers used in combination with a bulk ink system.
  • Fix:
    In this firmware all smart-chip “read” and “write” routines have been revised.
    We are confident that this firmware will help solving the reported miswriting issues.
• Capping/ Waste Tube Maintenance Procedure*
  
  * Specifically required for VJ-1638X loaded with UMS ink.
  
  Background:
  On some machines it was reported that static ink remainders tend to dry out, accumulate and eventually block the tubing.
  This phenomenon is a slow process which only happens at areas where soft tubing is used (capping, pumps, waste collection) and is linked to temperature and to successive periods of inactivity where ink remainders have time to dry out and eventually solidify.
  To avoid this from happening, a 2-daily tube flush has to be added to the periodic maintenance performed by the printer operator.
  When using UMS ink it is necessary to perform a tubing flush every 2 days.
  
  Go to Menu ► Menu1: Setup ► Set 20: CR Maintenance ► CR Mainte: Start and press Enter. The carriage moves to the left maintenance compartment. Press ▼and the pump starts the tubing flush. Press ▼again to stop the pumps
  
  Refer to "Performing a tubing flush" here further below, for more information...

The periodical maintenance that needs to be performed is slightly more intensive as when using Eco-Solvent inks.  Please perform the necessary periodical maintenance as described hereafter.

Overview

• When  using  a  VJ-1638X  loaded  with  UMS  inks,  it  is  important  to  perform  periodic maintenance as described below. Periodic maintenance will help you maintaining excellent output quality and avoid parts to wear untimely.
• For VJ-1638X using Eco-Ultra inks, the maintenance scheme remains unchanged.

  Maintenance	Frequency
  Perform a tubing flush *New (VJ-1638X only)	Every 2 days
  Cleaning around the print head	Weekly
  Cleaning the wiper	Weekly
  Head cleaning	Weekly
  Cleaning the printer	Monthly
  Replacing the flushing box sponges	Bimonthly
  Replacing the cutter	If needed
  Disposal of waste fluids	If needed

  
  

  Important Eco Ultra cleaning is compatible with water and with solvent ink. It should be used to start up new printers. Eco Ultra is not efficient to perform maintenance, cleaning or washing. For cleaning, maintenance and washing only use UMS or MSU cleaning liquid.

  
  

Performing a tubing flush

1. Time for cleaning

• Once every two days

2. Cleaning procedures

• Use UMS cleaning liquid to perform a tubing flush when working with UMS ink.
  • Step 1: If the printer is powered ON, make sure:
    • Printing or other operations are not in progress.
    • The operation panel display is Normal.
  • Step 2: Display the CR Maintenance menu on the operation panel.
    • Press the [Menu] key on the operation panel.
      • “Menu1: Setup>” is displayed.
      • The operation panel shifts to the Setup menu display.
    • Press [>].
      • “Set1: User Type” is displayed.
    • Press [+] or [–] to select “Set20: CR Maintenance”.
    • Press [+] or [–] to select “Set20: CR Maintenance”.
      • The display enters the CR Maintenance menu.
  • Step 3: Press the [Enter] key on the operation panel.
    • Maintenance starts.
    • The print head moves to the left.
  • Step 4: Press the [▼] key on the operation panel.
    • The pumps start pumping
  • Step 5: Open the maintenance cover at the right side of the printer.
  • Step 6: Using a dropper filled with UMS cleaning liquid, drip about 5 ml of cleaning liquid onto each head cap unit as shown in the illustration. The cleaning liquid will be sucked into the capping units and the connected tubing. It will remove ink remainders and prevent blocking of the tubing.Also drip some cleaning liquid onto the spitting box sponge:
    
  • Step 7: Press the [▼] key once again to stop the pumps. If you do not press [▼], pumping stops automatically after 60 seconds.
  • Step 8: Press the [ENTER] key on the operation panel.
    • The print head returns to the capping position.
    • “CR Mainte: Start” is displayed.
  • Step 9: Press the [Menu] key.
    • The tube flush procedure is completed.