Brother Gt3 Manual

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance
91
6-1-5. Replacing the Roller Felts 
(1)  Unscrew two screws and remove the Felt Support.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(2)  Remove the used Felt.     
(3)  Apply the new Felt to the Felt Support. Pay attention not to give damage to the Felt Support.     
(4)  Position the edge of the Felt Support A by putting the edge to the Carriage B and tighten the screw with a coin. After 
fixing, check if the Felt Support is aligned straight.   
  
Wipe off the ink mist on the surface where the Carriage Rollers move on, with a clean and soft cloth soaked with alcohol. 
 
(5)  After all the Maintenance Parts are replaced, See 6-1-6. Cleaning the inside of the printer and restart and then clean 
and confirm the inside of the printer. Push the Stop Lever to release the lock when you close the Front Cover with both 
hands and then turn ON the printer.   
 
 
6-1-6. Cleaning the inside of the printer and restart 
(1)  Wipe off the front/back of the Clearance Sensor and around the Platen with a soft wet cloth with water. Use Wash Liquid 
to remove the clogged ink.   
  
The dirt of the Clearance Sensor may stain the T-shirt in loading.    
(2)  Wipe off the dust on the T-shirt Tray with wet cloth.   
(3)  Wipe off the ink mist on the surface e.g. where the Carriage Rollers move on, with a clean and soft cloth soaked with 
alcohol.  
(4)  Wipe off the ink mist on the Carriage Guide Shaft with a clean and soft cloth soaked with alcohol. Put some specified 
grease (option) on a soft cloth and apply the Carriage Guide Shaft. After cleaning, adjust the Carriage Speed from the 
menu. See 7-2-9. Adjusting the CR Speed. 
(5)  Push the Stop Lever to release the lock when you close the Front Cover with both hands and then turn ON the printer. If 
something irregular occurs, e.g. abnormal noise or error No Wiper Cleaner (CMYK/White), turn off your printer, and 
check if the Wiper Cleaner is correctly mounted, etc.   
 
 
 
 
 
Felt
Felt Support
Felt 
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance 
92 
6-1-7. Cleaning the Encoder Strip 
There must be some dust and mist covering the Encoder Strip to cause reading error when some error occurs during the 
printing operation. Clean the Encoder Strip with the attached tool.   
(1)  Prepare the Encoder Cleaner and ethanol of 95% or higher purity.   
(2)  Select [ Maintenance ] of the menu and press OK Button.   
(3)  Select [CR Encoder Strip Cleaning ] of the menu and press OK Button. The Platen will be loaded and the Caps move  down. Follow the message and turn off the printer. 
(4)    Open the Front Cover with both hands until it is locked with the stopper. 
(5)    Move the Carriage slowly to the rightmost position by hand.   
  
Ink may stain the Platen and other places while moving the  Carriage, the bottom surface may be wet and dirty with ink.   
(6)  Loosen the four thumbscrews with a coin as shown below.     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Encoder Cover F 
Thumb screws 
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(7)  Hold the Encoder Cover F with both hands and lift it up by pulling out to your side. Remove the Encoder Cover F from the  printer.  
  
Pay attention not to give damage to the Carriage Guide Shaf t. Tubes, Harnesses of solenoids and Carriage Motor. Keep 
the Encoder Cover F in a flat position.      
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance
93
(8)  Apply ethanol to the Felt fully, app. 2 ml, of the Encoder Cleaner.   
 
 
 
Ethanol
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Use ethanol of 95% or higher purity.   
(9)  Push the position [A] shown below with your finger to give space between the felts.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(10) Put the Encoder to the Encoder Strip so that the Encoder  Strip should run between the felts straightly, and the bottom par t 
of the felt should touch the inside of the Encoder Cover. Th e felts catch the Encoder Strip when you release your finger.   
 
Encoder St
 
 
 
 
 
rip 
Inside of the Encoder Cover 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(11) Wipe the Encoder Cleaner two or three times from the leftmost position to the right. After wiping, push the position [A] of 
the Encoder Cleaner to release it from the Encoder Strip.   
  
Keep the level of the Encoder Cleaner in wiping.      
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance 
94 
(12) Move the Carriage slowly to the leftmost position by hand   
Ink may stain the Platen and other places while moving the  Carriage, the bottom surface may be wet and dirty with ink. 
(13) Wipe the Encoder Cleaner two or three times from the rightmo st position to the left, by following the former steps (10) and 
(11), where the Encoder Cleaner did not reach.   
(14) After wiping, push the position  (1) of the Encoder Cleaner to release it from the Encoder Strip.   
(15) Again, move the Carriage to  the rightmost position by hand.   
  
Ink may stain the Platen and other places while moving the  Carriage, the bottom surface may be wet and dirty with ink. 
(16) Hold the Encoder Cover F with both hands, avoid the Tubes and insert it to the notch holes on the printer, align the screw  
positions to the U flutes on the Encoder Cover F and slide it  to the back end horizontally. make sure that the projection on 
the printer should fit the holes on the Encoder Cover F.   
(17) Tighten the four thumbscrews.   
  
Confirm the Encoder Cover F should lock pro perly by pulling slightly to your side.  
(18) Push the Stop Lever to release the lock when you close the Front Cover wi th both hands. Watch your fingers not caught 
in the Front Cover. Turn ON the printer. The cleaning is succe ss when the initialization of the printer is done with no errors 
indicated.  
 
 
 
  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance
95
6-2. Regular Maintenance 
Do not leave the White ink inside the printer. White pigment precipitates and may cause serious damage to your printer. This 
section describes how to maintain the White Ink. Execute the following menu to  keep your printer and print result in good 
conditions.  
 
Menu Timing Details 
Daily Cleaning White  Before printing
(once a day)  Replaces the white-less White Ink caused by settled pigments. 
White Tube Cleaning  Once a week Prevents t
he Tubes from choking with pigments. 
 
Confirm if there is enough room in Waste Ink Tank before executing the maintenance. 
 
 
6-2-1. Daily Cleaning White for replacing dull White Ink (Once a day, before printing) 
(1)  Shake the White Ink Cartridge one by one to keep the whiteness  of the White Ink. Pull out one of the White Ink Cartridge, 
hold the cartridge with both hands, up side down from the mounted position, and shake by moving back and forth to 
mix up the pigment in the bottom and shake it horizontally, in 30 seconds to 1 minute. (See 6-1-1. Replacing the 
Ink Cartridge.)
 
(2)  Select [ Daily Cleaning White ] from the menu and press the OK  Button. Select All White to do in one time or select the 
each Print Head to do one by one. Pr ess OK button to continue.   
(3)  After replacing the White Ink, print Nozzle Check Pattern fr om [ Test Print ] menu to check the print quality. Also print 
Whiteness pattern on the pretreated material  so that you can see the whiteness.   
 
 
 
6-2-2. White Tube Cleaning (once a week) 
This menu washes away the pigments inside the Tubes and Pr int Heads. When you execute this menu all-in-one time, 
GT-381 for four Tubes, GT-361 for two Tubes, you can retrieve the White Ink before Tube Cleaning. It takes time but you can 
save the cost. If you select the Tube one  by one then the White Ink will not be retrieved. Follow the indications on the Displa y 
and operate with Maintenance Cartridge. 
 
If you leave GT-3 printer unused for more than two wee ks, execute White Tube Cleaning for storage. Insert Capping 
Cartridges (option) in place of White Ink Cartridge. See 6-2-5. Required Maintenance for the Long Storage. 
 
Contiguous All Whites 
The following image show the steps:   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you execute Tube Cleaning one by one, then the  first Retrieving White Ink is skipped.   
Insert Capping Cartridges (option) in place of White Ink Cart ridge when you leave the GT-3 printer unused for more than two 
weeks. 
 
Set Maintenance Cartridge Tube CleaningAll Whites: 
Retrieving White Ink Insert White Ink Cartridge 
or Capping Cartridge Load 
Maintenance  Solution 
Repeats the steps four times for GT-381(W 1-W4), two times for GT-361 (W1, W2) 
Tube Cleaning  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance 
96 
(1)  Fill the bottle with Maintenance Solution. Confirm that at least more than 250 ml  per one Print Head is in the bottle.   
(2)  Confirm in advance the amount of the Waste  Ink in the Waste Ink Tank (more than 500 ml).   
(3)  Confirm that the printer is ei ther [ Standby ] or [ Ready ].   
(4)  Select [ Maintenance ] > [ White Tube Cleaning ] from the menu and press OK Button.   
(5)  Select [ All Whites ] then White Ink retrieval starts and  the countdown is indicated on the Display. Please wait until the 
retrieval finishes (4 minutes).   
(6)  When White Ink retrieval is finished, the message [ Set Ma intenance Cartridge ] is indicated on the Display. Remove the 
White Ink Cartridge of W1 and insert the Maintenance Cartri dge to W1 slot. and press OK Button. Confirm that the tube 
of the Maintenance Cartridge reaches to the bottom of the bottle.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(7)  [ Close Air-in Cap ] is indicated. Confirm that the Air-i n Cap is capped (closed) and press OK Button. The pump starts 
turning. After 30 seconds, when the peep sounds ring, the me ssage [ Open Air-in Cap ] is indicated on the Display Uncap 
(open) the air-in cap and press OK button. The air goes  into the tube and wash away the remained White Ink. 
(8)  After washing with air bubbles, when the peep sounds ring, the  message [ Close Air-in Cap ] is indicated on the Display, 
which is to remove the air bubbles with Maintenance Solu tion Close the Air-in Cap again and press OK button. It takes 
about * minutes to refill the Maintenance Solution.   
(9)  After refilling the Maintenance Solution, the message to go to  W2 is indicated on the Display. Remove the Maintenance 
Cartridge from W1 slot and mount the Maintenance Cartridge to W2 slot, and install the well-shaken White Ink Cartridge 
to W1. Tube Cleaning W1 is finished successfully. R epeat the steps for other White Print Head(s).   
 
 
Insert White Capping Cartridges (option) in place of Whit e Ink Cartridge when you leave the GT-3 printer unused for 
more than two weeks. See 6-2-5. Required Maintenance  for the Long Storage and 1-3-5. Consumable Requirements 
and Options for Part Code.   
  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance
97
Loading White Ink after Tube Cleaning 
(1)  Load the White Ink with full of Maintenance Solution in the Tube, the step (9) in the previous page. Insert the White Ink 
Cartridge and select [ Maintenance ] > [ Load White ] from the menu and press OK.   
(2)  Select [ All Whites ] or one from W1-W4 and press OK. White Ink starts loading.   
 
The menu [ Initial Cleaning ] of the White Ink starts from loading Maintenance Solution, to load White Ink into the Tube 
smoothly. After Tube Cleaning, when the Tubes are filled with Maintenance Solution, select [ Load White ] to load White 
Ink.  
 
 
One-by-one Tube Cleaning 
(1)  Fill the bottle with Maintenance Soluti on. Confirm that at least more than 250 ml  per one Print Head is in the bottle.   
(2)  Confirm in advance the amount of the Waste  Ink in the Waste Ink Tank (more than 500 ml).   
(3)  Confirm that the printer is ei ther [ Standby ] or [ Ready ].   
(4)  Select [ Maintenance ] > [ White Tube Cleaning ] from the menu and press OK Button.   
(5)  Select [ White-1 (or White-2 to White-4) ] then the message [ Set Maintenance Cartridge ] is indicated. Remove the White 
Ink Cartridge of W1 and insert the Maintenance Cartridge to W1 slot. and press OK Button.  Confirm that the tube of the 
Maintenance Cartridge reaches to the bottom of the bottle. [ Close Air-in Cap ] is indicated. Confirm that the Air-in Cap is 
capped (closed) and press OK Button. 
 
White Ink is retrieved only when  [ All Whites ] is selected.   
 
(6)  The pump starts turning. After 30 seconds, when the peep sounds ring, the message [ Open Air-in Cap ] is indicated on 
the Control Panel. Uncap (open) the air-in cap and press OK  button. The air goes into the tube and wash away the 
remained White Ink. It takes about 10 minutes to wash one tube. 
(7)  After washing with air bubbles, when the peep sounds ring, th e message [ Close Air-in Cap ] is indicated on the Control 
Panel, which is to remove the air bubbles with Maintenan ce Solution Close the Air-in Cap again and press OK button. 
(8)  After refilling the Maintenance Solution, the message of  selecting Print Head menu is indicated. Remove the 
Maintenance Cartridge from W1 slot and insert well-sh aken White Ink Cartridge. Tube Cleaning W1 is finished 
successfully.  
 
 
 
6-2-3. Waste Ink Disposal 
Use a polyethylene tank for additional Waste Ink Tank. Confir m in advance the amount of the Waste Ink when you do the 
maintenance, especially when you execut e the maintenance menu of Initial Cleaning and White Tube Cleaning.    Deal with 
care because it is heavy.   
(1)  Prepare a new polyethylene tank.   
(2)  Pull off the Waste Ink Tube carefully and insert it to the new Waste Ink Tank.   
  
Make sure that the Waste Ink s hould flow in the tube without bend. 
 
(3)  Remove the full Waste Ink Tank and cap tightly and carefully.   
(4)  Install the new Waste Ink Tank in a proper position.   
  
Dispose the used waste ink, pretreatment,  maintenance solution (all water-based) or other wastes in accordance with your 
local regulations. Or make contact to your dealer. 
  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance 
98 
6-2-4. Replacing the Platen Sheet 
The Platen Sheet gets dirty in operation. Please replace the Platen Sheet to avoid  making smudges on a T-shirt. To help align 
a T-shirt, you can print a grid on the Platen Sheet. It is in [ All Program ] > [ Brother GT-3 Tools ] > [ Useful Tools ]. 
Grid14x16.ar3 is for the standard Platen 14x16.  (See 3-3-7. Opening the Useful Tools.) 
(1)  Press the Platen Button to eject the Platen. 
(2)  Remove slowly the Platen Sheet and the adhesive tape from t he Platen. If you have difficulty, remove the Platen from the 
printer for operation. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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(3)  Clean the surface of the Platen using a soft cloth damped with mild detergent, and then wipe it using a soft and dry cloth.  
If you have difficulty, remove the Platen from the printer for operation. 
(4)  Make sure the surface of the Platen is completely dry,  and then put the new Platen Sheet on the Platen. Peel off the 
smaller part of the coated paper. Position the Platen Sheet on t he Platen without sticking to it. Apply the back position of 
the Platen Sheet to the Platen and go on little by little by peeling off the bigger part of the coated paper. 
     
 
 
Put the Platen Sheet straight agains t the Platen without making creases. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance
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6-2-5. Required Maintenance for the Long Storage 
The maintenance is different from Color and White when you will leave GT-3 printer unused for more than 2 weeks. Clean the 
Caps and Wipers for both side, as for Color pour Wash Liquid  into the Caps to prevent ink clogging inside the Maintenance 
Unit. As for White, execute Tube Cleaning and insert Capping Ca rtridges (four for GT-381, two for GT-361) with Maintenance 
Solution filled.   
 
 
z   Do not run the printer when you mount Capping Cart ridge. The Print Heads may seriously damaged.   
z   Use Wash Liquid for cleaning GT-3. You can use the one in  the Nozzle Cleaning Kit, the Maintenance Cleaning Kit, or 
you can purchase one. It is recommended to have one with you.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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In case you do not run the printer at all: 
(1)  Execute White Tube Cleaning by referring to 6-2-2. White  Tube Cleaning. Select [ All Whites ] and wash away the 
pigments inside the Tubes and Print Heads. Insert Capping Ca rtridge (option) to the Ink Cartridge Slots with full of 
Maintenance Solution.   
(2)  Next, clean the Caps, Wipers and around the Maintenance Unit. Select [ Maintenance ] > [ Maintenance Parts  Exchange ] and press OK Button. The Platen is loaded and the  Caps move down. Follow the message and turn off the 
printer, and open the Front Cover with both hands until it is locked with the stopper. 
(3)  Clean the Caps and Wipers by referring 6-1-2. Replacing  the Wiper Cleaner and Cleaning the Caps / Wipers. Replace 
to new Wiper Cleaners if necessary. 
(4)  Pour 7 and 8 drops of Wash Liquid to the Print Head Caps  of Color side to prevent from ink clogging inside of the 
Maintenance Unit.   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Be careful not to spill the Wash Liquid around the Print Head Caps. 
(5)  Push the Stop Lever to release the lock when you close  the Front Cover with both hands and turn ON the printer.    
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
6. Maintenance 
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(6)  After the initialization is finished successfully, turn OFF the printer and store.   
  
Check the printer once in two weeks. Execute White Tube Cl eaning when you find the Tubes look white. Keep the White 
Tubes full of Maintenance Solution. As for Color side, refer  to the step (4) in the previous page and pour 7 and 8 drops of 
Wash Liquid to the Print Head Caps of Color side to  prevent from ink clogging inside of the Maintenance Unit.. 
  
 
Restart after storage:   
(1)  Turn ON the printer and mount the White Ink Cartridges  instead of either the Maintenance Cartridge or Maintenance 
Solution-mixed White Ink Cartridge. If the Tubes are filled wi th Maintenance Solution without air inside, then mount the   
White Ink Cartridges and load White Ink by referring Loadi ng White Ink after Tube Cleaning in 6-2-2. White Tube 
Cleaning. If some air can be found in the Tubes, insert the Maintenance Cartridge with Maintenance Solution in the 
bottle (more than 250 ml per Print Head) and select [ Ma intenance ] > [ Initial Cleaning ] and load the Maintenance 
Solution first. Follow the indications on the Display and load t he White Ink by replacing to the White Ink Cartridge.   
(2)  After loading the White Ink, print Nozzle Check Pattern for both Color and White in [ Test Print ] menu to find out the pri nt 
quality. If the print quality is not good enough, especially Color  side, clean the surface of the Print Heads by referring 
7-2-6. Cleaning the Print Head Nozzles.   
 
 
The Auto Cleaning of Color side will be Powerful Cleaning afte r you leave the printer unused for more than two weeks.