Homework: Practical Application Exercises

These exercises are designed to be performed on your large format printer (LFP) machine and RIP software. Focus on following the correct procedures and documenting your results.

Assignment I: Machine Readiness and Media Handling (Sections I & II)

This assignment focuses on the foundational, daily tasks that ensure your machine is healthy and your materials are loaded correctly.

Exercise 1: The Daily Pre-Flight Checklist

1. Action: Perform a complete Daily Maintenance Check as outlined in your Routine Maintenance Checklist.
2. Documentation:
3. Initiate a Nozzle Check Pattern on your machine.
4. If the check is 100% clean, proceed.
5. If the check shows defects, run a Head Cleaning Cycle and print a second Nozzle Check.
6. Submit: A photograph or screenshot of the final, clean Nozzle Check Pattern.

Exercise 2: Media Loading and Skew Test

1. Action: Completely unload the current roll of media (if any). Now, load a fresh roll of generic vinyl or paper onto your printer’s spindles.
2. Procedure Focus: Pay close attention to the straightness of the roll and the even tension applied by the core locks. Ensure the pinch rollers are engaged correctly.
3. Documentation:
4. Run a long test feed (at least 2 metres of media advance) using the machine’s control panel (or PrintEXP).
5. Submit: A written note (2-3 sentences) detailing the maximum deviation you observed across the 2 metres feed (e.g., “The media skewed by 1 mm over 2 metres”) and explain how you used the pinch rollers to adjust for the skew.

Submission Instructions:

Complete any write-ups, screenshots or videos then submit via email to the instructor at info@ambitious.co.za or use the Academy portal.

Keep up the practical skills!