Exile Spyder II head replacement

[Rockers]

Hi all. To my joy the printhead on our Exile Spyder II has given up on us. Cannot be fixed new head and inkfeed will need be installed. Apparently one of the gold ribbon cables that directly connect to the head has popped and they cannot be replaced individually.
Just the expanse of a new head is bad enough but this is been made worse by the fact that we have to install the new head ourself as we cannot get any tech from abroad into the country. The fine folks at Exile forwarded me some videos that explain pretty well how to install and align the head but I`m sure in reality it`s anything but as simple as it looks. I think we have a few members here who own a Spyder but I`m pretty sure you all have had Exile techs take care of installing a new head. I`m really looking here for some words of encouragement
Thanks

[Maxie]

Hi, I am in Isael and have the same problem as you have, no service.     Fortunately my Douthitt has been behaving itself.
When I bought it I flew to Detroit and learned how to operate, service and change heads.     On the Douthitt changing heads isn't a big deal.    I would assume that it's the same on your Exile.
I kept my old exposure unit and a lazer printer as a back up.    Hopefully I won't need it.

[Dottonedan]

I don’t know anything about the Exile print heads, but if it’s anything like a Douthit and has only one print head, then it’s an easy replacement (as far as head replacements go). Similar to an Epson print head on an epson printer. Not that bad to do.  For a single head, I dunno if it really needs a “calibration” as much as it does a proper procedure of bleeding the lines and doing a head clean/purge etc.


I just did an install and training with Mark from Douthit and a separation customer of mine. The Douthit install/setup is easy. Most of his installs today, are done remotely. They ship it, you put it in place and log in with Mark and you set it up while he’s on the phone and computer. A head replacements might be the same in the Douthit case.



A single print head on an I-Image takes a couple screws to remove, insert the new head that can only go in not slot and lock it in. Literally. That can be a 10 minute job.  It’s only when you have more than one head on the I-Image where it gets more challenging.  I’ve replaced 3 heads on an Image within 3 hrs including the calibrations after install.


You just got that within a year didn’t you?  Under warrenty?


Is this the Vid you are referring to?  There is no sound. I hate vids with no sound.   But it doe look like you can handle this with no issues.


https://youtu.be/Fn9wM-XhYVM

[Rockers]

I don’t know anything about the Exile print heads, but if it’s anything like a Douthit and has only one print head, then it’s an easy replacement (as far as head replacements go). Similar to an Epson print head on an epson printer. Not that bad to do.  For a single head, I dunno if it really needs a “calibration” as much as it does a proper procedure of bleeding the lines and doing a head clean/purge etc.


I just did an install and training with Mark from Douthit and a separation customer of mine. The Douthit install/setup is easy. Most of his installs today, are done remotely. They ship it, you put it in place and log in with Mark and you set it up while he’s on the phone and computer. A head replacements might be the same in the Douthit case.



A single print head on an I-Image takes a couple screws to remove, insert the new head that can only go in not slot and lock it in. Literally. That can be a 10 minute job.  It’s only when you have more than one head on the I-Image where it gets more challenging.  I’ve replaced 3 heads on an Image within 3 hrs including the calibrations after install.


You just got that within a year didn’t you?  Under warrenty?


Is this the Vid you are referring to?  There is no sound. I hate vids with no sound.   But it doe look like you can handle this with no issues.


https://youtu.be/Fn9wM-XhYVM

Di Dan, yes that`s the video. I actually don`t mind at all the lack of sound. At least I can focus on the important things. Machine is not under warrenty anylonger. This print head is only 2.5 years old. What worries me is that no one is able to tell me for certain what caused the defect. They know it`s the golden ribbon cables with all the the circuit boards  inside that connect straight to the head and sit right next to the heater. Theory is that the one right next to head got too hot. But it`s not certain. Apparently it was too close to the head. Well question is now how to avoid this from happening again? Exile are supporting me during install.

[inkman996]

With out re-engineering the PCB maybe applying silastic to the ribbon connection will help keep the fragile legs from breaking. It may not just be heat that causes it, it could be vibration, or a combination of vibration and work hardening from the heat. Silastic will give a stronger connection and possibly insulate form the heat. Just a thought

[inkman996]

And another thought, if all that is wrong with that head is a broken connection on the ribbon cable, surely that can be brought to a component level repair person and have it repaired.

[T Shirt Farmer]

Rockers, agree very intimidating at first thought of replacing the head. I would plan on spending an uninterrupted afternoon, having another person to hold phone/camera so Exile tech can see exactly what you are doing step by step. If you are not comfortable handling tools maybe you can connect with a local general small equipment tech. The learning curve is in aligning which again is not hard just time consuming.

You got this no problem!