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)
• Make sure the latest heater firmware is up-to-date and installed first, before installing the mainboard-firmware

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: 21 january 2020

Current version 3.04

New items

Prevent ink leakage during standby mode

• When the waste ink bottle is full, the 2-way solenoid valve closes
• When the subtank sensor detects there is no ink inside the subtank, it will refill it through the ink pump, sucking ink

Prints additional printer information on each nozzle check pattern (user mode):

Added Alert Buzzer menu. If the Alert Buzzer is set to "Off", the beep sound will turn off automatically after several beeps

Bugfixes

Parameters were not saved immediately after change (and not power cthe printer). When the printer goes to sleep mode (and in case an error occurs) the changed setting was lost. This has now been fixed in the following circumstances: Parameter is always saved immediately:

1. After initial charge
2. After a head wash
3. When entering sleep mode

Version history

Release date: 3 august 2016

3.03

New items

• Drop master implementation: added the “thickness” menu to “setup” menu The printer now also accepts a Media Thickness command (*PK), making it possible to assign a media thickness value from the RIP per substrate type. 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. The result: prevention of print artefacts such as image fuzziness or image grain. The print quality will be easily reproducible, on condition that each media thickness is properly defined. It is advised to perform the uni/bi adjustment corresponding to the media thickness parameter set in diagnostics mode.
  
  
  
• Added the “Start Feed” menu: When Start Feed is set, before printing, the printer rewinds or feeds the media the amount specified by the set value
  
  
  
• Added the “Page Gap” menu to “Take-up” menu, 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
    
    

• Added the notification menu about the remaining roll media status
  

  
  

• Added “fine&fog1” and “fine&fog2” to “effect” menu

• Added “header dump” menu to “setup” menu

Diagnostics mode

• Updated the maintenance menu structure
  • Integrated the average jetting number menu
  • Added the menu to check the ink consumption amount
    
    
    
• Added the head replacement menu: automatically initializing the counter after head rank input

  

Release date: 4 april 2016

3.02

Changed items

• Improved media initial procedure (to avoid CR2 over current)

Release date: 11 january 2016

3.01

• Modified the description of error messages
  • "E075:Head Cable" ► "E-75:Head Temp",
  • "E079:Commu." ► "E-79:Board Commu."
• User mode: maximum value of roll length changed from 99m to 200m
• New *PQ command added: Banner 7
  PQ20; 360x1080dpi; 3pass; bidir; 320cps ; vsd1
• Maintenance mode 2: accumulated life-times added (cannot be initialized)
• User mode: tube flush operation added as part of CR maintenance procedure remark:  also  see  tib  nr.  572:  TIB572_rev1.1_VJ-1x24  -  VJ-1614_Adapted  periodical maintenance using UMS ink and accompanying.pdf
• User mode: modified adjust print menu (new type of adjustment patterns)

Release date: 10 march 2014

2.02

Changed items

An old series of main boards are reaching the end of the production life time.
To make sure the new main boards will properly work in the ValueJet 1604, this new firmware has been made available.
As soon as the new main board series become available, a dedicated Technical Information Bulletin will be sent.
There is no need to update printers in the field. Just make sure to use at least this firmware or higher, when the new mainboard is introduced.

Release date: 30 october 2013

2.01

Changed items

Modified smart/chip ink capacity limit (It's possible to use up to 1000ml).

Info

RJ80EMS-100-xx inks contain 3 x 440 ml smart chip cards. In case you want to use the 1000 ml smart chips, please order VJ-LSINK1-xx1L inks.

Release date: 8 june 2012

2.00

Changed items

• New  revision  of  main  board.  Part  number  of  the  mainboard  remains  the  same.  The  new mainboard will be used as from Q4 2012 because of flash memory component end-of-life.  More info to follow a separate Technical information bulletin.

Release date: 7 oct 2010

1.19

New features

• New print modes
  Added 8 new print modes (Q1, Q2, G1, G2, B1, B2 and 540x1440-12pass Uni-D/Bi-D)

Changed features

• EF command extended
  EF command extended with 2 new effects (Fine&Fuzz3 and 4)

• PA command
  Added *Pa command

• PS command
  With ID*250, *PS command enables

Bug fixes

• Media feed
  Media feeding fine adjustment => corrected

• Narrow width media
  When loading a narrow width media, and the panel setting is set to Media Flush ON, the print margin at the left side (not-origin side) was bigger. This problem is now fixed.

• Bi-D adjustment print
  After printing a Bi-D adjustment pattern, it kept on feeding media. This problem is now solved.
  
  
• Aging CR motor
  In diagnostic mode, after nozzle check, when executing Aging CR motor, unexpected media feed happens. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Media detection error
  During the media detection error, CR maintenance problem. When it gives the media detection error and executes Panel menu: CR maintenance, the carriage moves to the maintenance position and without having wait for ENTER key input, it immediately caps in. => fixed
  
  
• Media initializing
  In diagnostic mode, during the media initializing, when selecting "cleaning menu", the machine freezes. This problem is now solved.
  
  
• Corrected text
  Pnmp => Pump

• Setting the Take-up
  When the take-up system is set to "enabled", and a Bi-D pattern is printed, it feeds media. This has been changed to: When setting the take-up system to “enabled” and a Bi-D pattern is printed, it doesn’t feed any media.

• Head temperature
  Improved monitoring of the head temperature.

• Disabled ENTER key
  Under the following conditions, pushing cleaning button - Enter 2 seconds - doesn't start the cleaning sequence. (after this, Enter doesn't work)
  • During the mechanical initializing
  • During the media initializing
  • During "cover open"
  • During "lever up"

        When this happens, press Enter for 2 seconds to disable the cleaning.

• Waste tank full
  Improved “Waste tank full” sequence.  When the machine displays "waste tank full / ink end" during cleaning, CR is left out as "cap-out" status.

1. Before the suction/ power flushing, if the error is already appeared, it will wait until all errors are cleared.
2. During suction when the waste tank full / ink end occurs, it will do the air suction and wait as "cap-in" status until error is cleared.

• Malfunctioning keys
  When the front cover is open/close and you "restart" the printer and the maintenance cover R is still opens/closes, the panel message remains "Maintenance cover R is open". No panel key works. This problem is now fixed.

Release date: 20 march 2010

1.18

Changed items in diagnostics

• BiDir adjustment
  • The default values of the bi-dir adjustment are changed.
  • Parameter ALL printout showed wrongly marked defaults. This problem is now fixed.

Bug fixes

• During the initial ink fill cycle the printer displays the “re-cleaning” request, if all cleaning cassettes are now inserted, and you press the “ENTER” key, the message remains as if the printer is frozen. This problem is now fixed.
• A CPU error could occur during long duration prints or when performing a life check. This problem is now fixed.
• In a combination of front cover and side cover open/closed, the printer might get locked up. This problem is now fixed.

Release date: 17 december 2009

1.17

Changed items FW 1.14 ==> FW 1.15

• Limit of firing wave form voltage
  The limit of firing wave form voltage is not implemented in some places. This is now added with this new firmware.

• CPU error
  This new firmware avoids getting a CPU error when lowering the DIMM specification.
  
  
• Cover open
  When the cover is open just after media detection or CR maintenance, the unit gives CR over current error. This problem is now fixed.

Changed items FW 1.15 ==> FW 1.16

• Bi-D adjustment pattern
  The after printing procedure when printing a Bi-D adjustment pattern in the user mode is changed to feed media so that it is easy to check the pattern.

Changed items FW 1.16 ==> 1.17

• Head lock release sequence
  The head lock release sequence has been improved with this new firmware.

Changed items in diagnostics mode FW 1.15 ==> FW 1.16

• Changed speed mode
  The speed mode is switched over to 320 cps / 400 cps by executing Maintenance mode 2 ==> Initialization ==> Default for shipping. When NVRAM is cleared, the machine switches back to 240/320 cps. In other words, when using the high speed mode the settings should be changed.

Bug fixes FW 1.14 ==> FW 1.17

• Media detection problem
  When the cover is opened during printing, and putting the lever up / down during the recovery, a media detection problem occurred. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Cleaning cycle
  When the printer displays a “re-cleaning” request, all cleaning cassettes are inserted and pressing the “Enter” Key, the message remains the same as if the machine is frozen. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Abnormal firing during printing
  While printing, the printer switches wave forms before the wave is properly finished.
  
  
• Autocleaning
  In the menu “Selection”, the autocleaning was not always available. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• CPU error
  Sporadically, a CPU error was generated. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Head lock release problem
  When performing a CR maintenance in combination with CANCEL, a head lock release problem could occur. This problem is now fixed.

Release date: 12 june 2009

1.14

Changed items

• Head lock solenoid duty
  The head lock solenoid duty is changed.
  
  
• Changed English messages
  Changed the english message [HeadWash] to [Longstore].
  
  
• Cleaning during printing
  When performing a cleaning during printing, some nozzles could get lost. Therefor the print head will now cap-in before performing a cleaning.
  
  
• Air suction sequence
  Reviewed the regular air suction sequence.
  
  
• Ink overflow
  There was the possibility that ink could overflow from the capping. Therefor the sequence changed to wait for a certain period before starting the suction.
  
  
• Head wash
  The head wash procedure will now only work with the cleaning cartridges.
  
  
• Changed head temperature
  Changed the head temperature monitor limit from 40C to 85C
  
  
• CR2 over current
  Changed CR2 over current threshold value at the acceleration.
  
  
• Transportation mode
  Remove the function of "transportation mode" since it's not necessary.

Changed items in diagnostics mode

• Added heater flag
  Added the heater flag in Update-Diagnostic so that it is possible to set "heater off".
  
  
• Dot print pattern
  Changed the dot print pattern in diagnostic.
  
  
• Pre-heater On
  The pre-heater will be switched on at the platen adjustment in diagnostic.
  
  
• Heater check specifications
  Some part of the heater check specification in diagnostics changed.

Bug fixes

• Diagnostic initialization
  Bug fixed for the problem just after executing diagnostic initialization.
  
  
• Head lock failure
  When capping in manually in CR maintenance, the Head lock release fails which gives "over current" problem. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Direct cleaning key
  The direct cleaning key sometimes did not work. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Main suction position
  The main suction position is shifted by opening/closing the cover during head wash. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Pump motor life span counter
  Pump motor life span count was not counted. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Set-up All list
  When printing out the set-up list ALL, it used to print "idle heater: OFF". This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• H_CONT FW Mis-install
  H_CONT FW Mis-install was not functional. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• CPU
  CPU occurs when using the old PM command. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• CPU error
  Repeating executing the cleaning cycle gives CPU error => fixed
  
  
• PF position
  When the printer is set to Origin, it did not take PF position into account. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Cleaning sequence
  The printer keeps repeating the cleaning sequence when pressing on the panel longer than 4 seconds. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Waveform
  When working under the minimum environmental temperature (less than 20C), the waveform might not be firing correctly. This problem is now solved.
  
  
• Power black out
  When a power black out occurs, the internal sequence was not working properly. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Network problem
  Due to the network problem, it gives E016AddErr-L/I(04) error. this problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Pump counter
  In the lift time menu, the pump count does not decrease. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• BI-D adjustment
  In Bi-D adjustment in diagnostic mode, the carriage stops at the non-origin (the left) side. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• CPU error
  When executing "little charge" (except the sub tank filling) in diagnostic mode, and opening the cover, it gives a CPU error. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• Sub tank low sensor error
  When performing a cleaning during sleep mode, a sub tank Low sensor error occurred. This problem is now fixed.
  
  
• CPU error countermeasure
  Countermeasure for CPU error when printing larger than 1200mm width in Quality2.
  
  
• Print data position
  Fixed the problem of the print data position is shifted
  
  
• CR2 error countermeasure
  Countermeasure for the CR2 error when the head lock is released and the cover is open/close.
  
  
• CPU error
  Against the irregular CPU error (TLB errors etc) problem, changed "SDRAM".

Release date: 11 september 2008

1.13

• "Effect mode"
  In the "Effect mode" the following settings have a changed name
  • Fine&Wave3 changed into Fine&Fuzz1
  • Fine&Wave4 changed into Fine&Fuzz2
    
    There are also two new features added:
    • WOW1
    • WOW2

        The effect menu is now as follows:

• Modified auto cleaning sequence
  New implementation ==> Set16: Auto cleaning

• Modified "Media flush" setting range
  New implementation ==> Set 3: Flushing
  If the parameter is set to “on media”, a returncount parameter sets the frequency of returning to the flushing box during printing.

• Banner 4 mode
  In banner 4 mode, variable dot is supported.

Changed features from Firmware 1.12 ==> 1.13

• Subtank sensor
  In case the subtank sensor Low detects OFF and the subtank sensor High detects ON, a system fail error will occur. This because it is an abnormal situation.
  
  
• Cover open / close
  In case the head is shifted manually after opening the cover, the head would go back to the original position after closing the cover. When opening the cover again, the machine does not recognize that the cover is open, so that the head continues to move. This problem is now solved.
  
  
• Roll end
  The roll end was not detected at the feed processing of the media detection. This is now corrected.
  
  
• Subtank sensor
  During printing it was possible to print until the ink goes lower than the sub tank “Low” sensor. This is now corrected.
  
  
• Lever up
  When the lever is up, no more CR lock release is possible.
  
  
• Two P Valve
  2P Valve control sequence is optimized.
  
  
• Network error
  During printing a fatal lock up situation could occur between the network card in the workstation and the printer. This problem is now solved.

Release date: 14 november 2007

1.11

Changed items FW 1.08 ==>1.10

• Improved temperature compensation for consistent colour output. The new compensation method is default enabled. The new temperature compensation may mildly influence the colour behaviour. To keep the existing
  colour behaviour, although it is less consistent, please set the “Debug bit” in diagnostic mode.
  1. Diagnostic mode -> Parameter -> Update -> Debug bit
  2. Change the value of the fourth digit from right to [1]
  3. Change the value of the seventh digit from right to [1].
  
  
• “Banner 1” and “Banner 2” can now be used both as fixed dot and variable dot mode.
  
  
• Cleaning before printing changed
  For a certain time when the cap is open before printing, the printer judges whether the cleaning or the flushing would be executed. In case of the nozzle check in User menu, the printer would not execute the cleaning forcefully, but
  the flushing would be executed.
  
  
• Overlap problem corrected
  When printing variable dot data (except NONE), the overlap dot shape and dot amount changed. This problem is corrected.
  
  
• When selecting setup list print or setup list print ALL, and press Menu, the printer reprints. => corrected.
  
  Problem description:
  It should be only once the printer ouputs “setup list”. The printer used to print twice. When you select either “setup list” or setup list all and then press the menu key, The printer prints twice. The bug is fixed.
  
  
• The printer’s selection menu allows hiding setup items that are not frequently used. This feature did not always function properly. This bug is fixed.
• Maximum print length changed from 33 m to 200 m (RTL-PASS data 1 file maximum print length)  
• In previous firmware, the printer would perform a media feed equal to the Y-axis origin setting after finishing a job or printing a set-up list. This is now corrected.

Changed items FW 1.10 ==> 1.11

The main purpose of this FW version-up is for adding “Sleep mode” and the countermeasure for CR2 over current.

Changed items are as follows:

• Added sleep mode.  When you activate sleep mode, the printer operates as follows.
  • The exhaust fan stops.
  • The paper-lifting fan stops.
  • All heaters stop.
  • All lamps switch OFF except for the power lamp.
  • Automatic head cleaning is performed after the time set in the “Timer setting” menu has expired.
• CR2 over current error detection was changed. During carriage movement, the printer monitors over current. In previous firmware, conditions occurred when the error occurred to soon. Status: Solved.
• When a severe error such as CR (PF) motor, CR (PF) timeout, CR (PF) over current or CR2 (PF2) over current error, the printer waits for the lever-up sequence.  
• When selecting Diagnostic/Adjust/Send pitch 720 (print) or 1440 (print), it does not print normally.  Since this is not used, this function is deleted.

Release date: 15 may 2007

1.08

Changed items

• Added new wave: Fuzz
  Fuzz1/Fuzz2 are added instead of Wave3/Wave4; this waveform gives a fuzzy joint between consecutive print passes improving overall print quality. An example can be found in the picture below

• Added “Pause” function during printing
  By pressing the [-] key during printing, the operation is paused, pressing [enter] resumes the printing operation.
  
  

• Corrected idle heating problem
  The internal timer of the idle heater was activated even if the “idle heater was OFF”.
  
  

• Delete the waste count.  
  The VJ1604 is foreseen from a sensor which checks the waste ink. The waste ink is counted internally, but because it is not possible to clear the internal counter in normal mode, the counter would not be backed-up.