This guide has been produced to help you become familiar with the internal workings and mechanisms of the Microboards Print Factory 2.
Below you will find descriptions of the six main components found inside the Print Factory, what each component is used for within the machine, and valuable tips to help you keep your Print Factory 2 well maintained and running smoothly.

How Does the PrintFactory drop its discs? 1,2

The print factory uses a very basic yet effective system to feed its discs. Before any printing is done the ink cartridges slide to the far left of the printer. This moves a metal lever, which in turn activates the servo (Figure A).
Once the servo is activated it rotates anticlockwise, pushing the lever (Figure B), and releasing a disc from the CD-tray (Figure C).
A simple spring mechanism allows the system to reset easily, ready to repeat the process for the next disc.

How Does the PrintFactory know where to print? 3

The Print Factory 2 uses a number of sensors to track the progress of a disc within the machine. One of the key sensors is the plastic wheel you see in the image on the left. Following heavy usage of the Print Factory, ink vapour from the cartridges will inevitably make this wheel dirty. When this happens your Print Factory 2 will occasionally loose alignment, not feed discs properly, or even not print at all.
Simply cleaning this wheel with a damp tissue will resolve these issues.
* see below

How Does the PrintFactory know I am not using MicroBoards Ink? 4

The Print Factory 2 uses a magnetic sensor to track the location of the cartridges. Only official MicroBoards cartridges contain the necessary magnetic strip to track the cartridges, these strips help to give you the best possible result for your printing needs. You can see the sensor in the diagram, Figure D

How Does the PrintFactory know when to start printing on the disc? 5

A magnetic based sensor detects small movements in the arm (figure E). When a disc moves along the conveyor belt it passes under the arm, which then moves upwards breaking contact with the mainboard sensor. This then tells the printer the exact location of the disc, where it needs to start printing and where it needs to stop.

What is the sensor for on the side of the printhead/carts? 6

This sensor is to ensure accuracy of printing. This will scan the disc as it passes underneath in order to determine the exact location (as dictated by the alignment settings) to start printing. This is accutare to 0.1mm.

*Cd-writer.com Ltd does not authorise the self-maintenance of any Microboards products, doing so will invalidate your warranty. Remember, always use official Microboards Print Factory Inks If you think your printer can benefit from servicing as described on this page please call CD-writer.com on 0208 293 0777