TIB835 - Switching to VJ-MS31 ink

Modified on Tue, 26 Apr, 2022 at 2:13 PM

A new ink type VJ-MS31 has been introduced. As a consequence VJ-MSI3A inks will be discontinued shortly. It will be replaced by VJ-MS31 inks instead.

This technical bulletin contains some important points of attention, when you switch inks to VJ-MS31.

MS31 inks react with the shipping liquid inside new printers and causes the print head to clog. In order to avoid this problem, a special cleaning process has been added in the production line of the VJ series.

Ink charge procedure

The chart below gives you an overview which models are supported for VJ-MS31 inks and how it should be charged.

	New Installations	Installed Base (loaded with VJ-MSI3A inks)
VJ-628 SN° HH1U001702 or higher	VJ-MS31 inks can be charged after the initial cleaning with either VJ-MS31-CL220E or VJ-MSI3A-CL220E cleaning solution. Ink charge procedure is only applicable for these 3 models with the following mentioned serial numbers (or higher)	On all these models, MS31 inks can be charged immediately when MSI3A inks is inside, because VJ-MSI3A inks and MS31 inks can be mixed. It's not necessary to discharge inks or to clean the ink path. Additionally it's not required to upgrade firmware because smart chips are compatible.
VJ-1324X SN° HT5U001630 or higher
VJ-2638X SN° HXAU000298 or higher
VJ-628 Until SN° HH1U001701	When charging MS31 into these discontinued stock models, the ink reacts with the shipping liquid remaining in the print head. This might cause clogging. So before using MS31 inks: Make an initial cleaning with VJ-MSI3A cleaning Charge VJ-MSI3A inks in the desired color configuration After ink-charge, make several short cleanings (up to 5 times). Then replace the VJ-MSI3A ink cartridges with the MS31 inks.
VJ-1324X Until SN° HT5U001630
VJ-2638X Until SN° HXAU000298
VJ-1624(X)
VJ-1638(X)
VJ-2638
VJ-1204
VJ-1304
VJ-1604(X)
VJ-1324
VJ-1614

Spare parts - Print heads

It's very important to use the correct spare part number because in particular for MS31 inks, these heads have been specifically pre-treated with the same special cleaning process as in the production line for usage with MS31.

NOTE

Using the incorrect spare print head part number, in combination with VJ-MS31 ink might result in a clogged head!

As a consequence when a print head is replaced on a machine using MS31 inks, the following spare head part numbers must be used, depending of the ink kind which is charged inside the printer.

The spare head does not need to be pre-rinsed with MS31 cleaning liquid, however the dampers need to be flushed with MS31 cleaning liquid prior to loading the ink.

Please also refer to the following article (Ink Shelf life, SDS & cleaning) to find a complete overview of the compatibility between the offered cleaning liquids and ink kinds.

	Spare head to be used with VJ-MS31 inks
VJ-628	DH-40274Note: this head can also be used with other Mutoh ink types
VJ-628X
VJ-1324X
VJ-1624X
VJ-1324
VJ-1624
VJ-1638X
VJ-2638X
VJ-1638
VJ-2638
VJ-1604X	DH-40990 Note: this head can also be used with other Mutoh ink types
VJ-1204
VJ-1304
VJ-1604
VJ-1614