F13 Panda DTF: Blinking Light Troubleshooting

Ranked as the best seller of Procolored, F13 Panda DTF Printer (also called L1800 or R1390) has been highly recommended by most users that benefit from its high quality and enduring performance. Still, there are unexpected machine problems occurring inevitably. In this passage we’ll particularly dive into the blinking light issues of F13 Panda DTF. 

Written by Procolored - Published on July 21, 2024

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10 minutes read

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Written by Procolored - Published on Sept 21, 2024

PASSAGE SUMMARY

1.  Understanding F13 Panda DTF Structure
1.1  Outer structure
1.2  Inner structure
2.  Blinking Light Troubleshooting
2.1  Blinking paper button
2.2  Blinking ink button
2.3  Alternating blinking lights
2.4  Both blinking lights
Title

1.  Understanding F13 Panda DTF Structure

1.1  Outer Structure

Outer Structure of F13 Panda DTF

Before really delving into the blinking light issues, first let’s understand the printer structure: there are 7 outer structures requiring extra attention.

① Film roll: Loaded on roller, film roll enables easier manual intervention to adjust film feeding.
②Front lid: Lid that protects inner components from dust and foreign objects. When there’s malfunctioning issue, lifting it up provides us a clearer view of printhead working status.
③Control panel: Control panel includes four buttons, as the picture shows, from left to right - power/start button; paper button; ink button; cancel button. When we talk about blinking light issues, we’re actually talking about the diverse blinking behaviors of these four lights.

layout of control panel

④Temperature controller: Controller that enables temperature adjustment of the inner heating component, which is right above the film exit. Generally we suggest to set the heating temperature as 40℃ to avoid bleeding of the printed inks.
⑤  Ink warehouse: Place where ink is supplied and where we add ink.
⑥ Waste ink collector: Embedded waste ink bottle at the rear of the printer, effectively preventing accidental overturning.

embedded waste ink bottle at the rear

⑦ Film exit: Where finished print comes out. Procolored configures a film cutter at film exit on all DTF printers to provide a more streamlined workflow.

1.2  Inner Structure

Inner Structure of F13 Panda DTF (top view)

Inner Structure of F13 Panda DTF (side view)

Encoder strip: Encoder strip is a sensitive component with lots of magnetic strips on it. It translates the printing task and helps confirm the printing position.

Printing platform: Where the film is delivered and where printing is proceeding.

Printhead assembly: This encompasses ink cartridges and printhead (or nozzles). It’s the main part that deposits ink onto film to complete a printing task.

Guide rail: The moving path of the printhead assembly.

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2. Blinking Light Troubleshooting

Now let’s combine the outer and inner printer structure to learn more about why there are blinking light issues and how to solve them. 
In this passage, we only discuss the four most frequently seen issues. If there are other unexpected situations, please feel free to contact our customer service for more accurate help.

2.1 Blinking paper button

If the paper button on your F13 Panda DTF keeps blinking and there’s no film or print coming out from the exit, there might be a film jam or printing task jam. Here we advise three feasible solutions:

Check if the film has been delivered smoothly: is there any film curvature, or any unexpected foreign objects at the film feeder? Make sure the film can successfully pass the feeder and reach the printing platform. Then restart the printer.

Open the front lid and check if there’s any foreign objects on the printing platform. Make sure there’s no obstacles stopping the film to load forward. Then restart the printer.

Cancel all the printing tasks on your computer. Then restart the printer.

2.2  Blinking ink button

A blinking ink button indicates the ink supply is not smooth enough to support a complete print. This can be easily solved by checking if the inks in ink warehouse are enough or not. 

If yes, press ink button several times, normally the issue will be solved.

If no, add appropriate amount of inks correspondingly. 

2.3  Alternating blinking lights

Generally speaking, if the paper button and ink button alternatively blink, that means your waste ink pad is calling for a reset. So what and where is the waste ink pad?
First let’s zoom in on the inner part of F13 Panda DTF. If we move the printhead assembly to the left, we'll see a moisturizing device right beneath, which is called capping station. Waste ink pad is exactly under this capping station.

printhead stopping on capping station

capping station is right beneath assembly

Here’s how they work: when the printhead assembly goes back to the capping station, the nozzles will be sealed onto the station to proceed with cleaning and moisturizing. Waste ink generated during this process will be absorbed by the waste ink pad below and then flow back to the waste ink bottle at the rear of the printer.
Every waste ink pad has its pre-set maximum number of usage. For most printers on the current market, the waste ink pad must be replaced when it reaches that maximum number. Procolored simplifies this for all DTF printer users: to solve the alternatively blinking light issue, all you need to do is execute a waste ink pad reset in the software. Click here for online tutorial from Procolored user.  

waste ink pad reset page on the software

2.4  Both blinking lights

Simultaneous blinking of paper button and ink button might be caused by, but not limited to, the following issues:

Malfunctioning encoder strip: As previously mentioned, encoder strip helps translate the printing task and position the printhead movement. Any foreign object on encoder strip may cause a malfunction and halt a printing task.

Unsuccessful film feeding: The blinking issue can be caused by unsuccessful film feeding on the printing platform, due to ink buildups or film curvature.

Stuck printhead assembly: Possibly caused by the frictional guide rail.

How to solve them by yourself? Actually we do not recommend our users to handle the simultaneous blinking situation without professional assistance. Instead we suggest as below:

Use the Wicreset software to diagnose the exact issue (we've included the software installation package in the USB device in your printer parcel) and see if there’s any TINY improvement you can perform. For example, add  lubricating oil on the guide rail, or clean the encoder strip following our maintenance tutorial video. Then restart the printer. 

If unfortunately the two lights still dazzlingly blink, please feel free to contact our customer service and let our tech team step in.

diagnose page on Wicreset software

About the Author - Joyce

Joyce has worked with Procolored since the first day she joined inkjet printing career. Through continual  training courses and years of working experiences, Joyce has formed a comprehensive understanding over Procolored products and a thorough knowledge of printing technologies.

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