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PrintExp Printer Alignment Software

Source: https://achievement.co.za/printexp-printer-alignment-software

What this page is

This is the "PrintExp Printer Alignment Software" post on achievement.co.za, one of AM.CO.ZA's company sites. It points to PrintExp.co.za, AM.CO.ZA's site for the PrintExp printer control system.

Original text (as published): "PrintExp™ is printer control and alignment software for DTF, UV DTF, and flatbed printing systems. It helps users calibrate head spacing and bidirectional alignment for sharp, accurate output and reliable colour-to-white ink registration."

This Knowledge Base version expands that line into a plain guide: what PrintExp is, which AM.CO.ZA printers use it, where to get it, the alignment jobs it does, how to connect, how to print, what to do when it shows an error, and which spare boards go with it. It has no prices. Open a product page or Buythis for the current price.

What PrintExp is

PrintExp (also written PrintEXP) is the control software and electronics system on many of AM.CO.ZA's newer inkjet printers. It is made by Hosonsoft, and AM.CO.ZA supplies it with the printer. The system is three parts that work together:

PrintExp is not a RIP. Artwork is first prepared in a RIP such as InkRIP, FlexiPRINT, AcroRIP or UltraPrint, which saves a print file (PRN or PRT). PrintExp then prints that file. A .prt.bmp file is only a thumbnail of the job; the printer needs the actual .prt file (PRT vs thumbnail note).

There is no separate PrintExp software product to buy. It comes with the printers that are built on the PrintExp system.

Which AM.CO.ZA printers use PrintExp

A simple rule from AM.CO.ZA support: the F1-1800 and F1-3200 FastCOLOUR printers use the older ATools system, and the F2-1800 and F2-3200 use PrintExp. New machines use PrintExp and ATools is being phased out (F1 ATools, F2 PrintExp note). Some Buythis names for FastCOLOUR ONE UV and hybrid sets, such as F1-1801/UV, also mention PrintExp, so check the product page for the exact controller on a given set.

Where to download it

The installers, handbooks and error guide are in AM.CO.ZA's PrintEXP folder on cncu.co.za:

The folder also has an "Upgrade Tool" with a "DO NOT USE" note. Board upgrades are a specialist job, so leave that tool to AM.CO.ZA support. Printers ship with working firmware and most support cases never need it changed. More detail is in PrintEXP software notes and PrintEXP firmware index.

If the software opens in Chinese, the language can be switched to English: How to Change PrintExp (Hosonsoft) Alignment Tool Language to English.

Connecting the printer

PrintExp printers connect to the computer by USB or by a network cable. For a network connection the computer's network adapter needs a fixed IP address on the printer's network:

  1. In Windows, open Control Panel, then Network and Internet, then Change adapter settings.
  2. Give the adapter the printer is plugged into a clear name.
  3. Open its Properties, then Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), choose "Use the following IP address" and enter 192.168.127.10.
  4. Test the link with ping from Command Prompt.
  5. In PrintExp, open Advanced, then Net Settings, tick Ethernet and pick the adapter you named.

This follows Change Computer IP Address to 192.168.127.10 for PrintExp and its video. That post's text has a few typing mistakes in the numbers, so follow the title and the video for the exact values. A second video covers the same setting for ATools printers and Raycus lasers: USB/Network Adapter IP Address Setting.

The connection diagram in the lower-left corner of PrintExp shows whether the printer is connected. Check it first whenever something does not print.

The alignment jobs, and when to do each

Alignment is what the original post is about. These are the main adjustments, roughly in the order a new or moved printer needs them:

Adjustment When to do it Video
Capping position and height The printhead does not sit square on the ink cap, or ink dries in the head overnight Carriage adjustment for DTF-300 capping (2023-12-07); Ink cap left/right offset and capping height (2024-06-21)
Head space (horizontal and vertical) After fitting or changing printheads, or when white and colour do not line up Head space alignment for CMYK, white and varnish (2023-12-07); Head space and bidirectional alignment for DTF/UV-DTF (2024-11-17)
Bi-directional After changing the head height or printing on thicker or thinner media, or when prints look doubled or blurry Bi-directional alignment when head height or media changes (2023-12-07)
Step Banding (light or dark lines across the print) or the printed size is wrong Step alignment, remove banding, get size correct (2023-12-07); Step alignment by print adjust and calculate (2025-08-20)

Head space alignment is what gives "reliable colour-to-white ink registration", meaning the white layer sits exactly under the colour on DTF and UV-DTF prints. The bi-directional demo above was filmed on a DTF 600 mm printer (bi-directional demo note).

If a nozzle channel was closed and will not reopen, there are two fixes: Solution for Closed Channel Refused to Reopen and Reopen Nozzle Channel by Swapping with Unused Ones. For the newer 3.2 m printers with a 4-head carriage board, see Nozzle Test Issue on New 3.2m Printers.

Printing a job

  1. Prepare and RIP the artwork in the RIP software that came with the printer.
  2. Save the ripped print file and open it in PrintExp: How to print a ripped .prn file from PrintExp for DTF printers and How to save a ripped .prn file for ATools or PrintExp.
  3. Run a nozzle test, clean if needed, then print.

PrintExp also controls several print settings:

On FlatPRINT flatbeds with a camera, the SmartVision CCD software builds a print file from scanned items for PrintExp to print: SmartVision CCD operation guide and using the CCD camera on the F2-6090C.

When PrintExp shows an error

AM.CO.ZA's PrintEXP error-code how-to lists all 91 error codes. Almost every error comes down to one of these checks, in this order:

  1. Connection. Check the connection diagram, the USB cable or network setting, then restart the software and the printer.
  2. Version match. The first four digits of the software version and the mainboard program version must be the same.
  3. Configuration files. Re-import the correct firmware configuration and parameter files for that exact machine.
  4. Fibre and carriage board. Check the cable or optical fibre between the motherboard and the carriage board.
  5. Sensors and limits. Limit switches, ink level sensors and the waste-ink bottle.
  6. The print file. If one file errors, RIP it again. If every file errors, check the RIP's output settings.
  7. Then contact AM.CO.ZA support.

Newer boards can also need a waveform file or a printing-logic upgrade, which support does with you: Import a waveform file and Upgrade BIOS printing logic. For collision (impact) sensor problems see Install a collision prevention sensor on the F2-1800 and Impact sensor wiring and carriage board connector position.

Leave the red switch off

The PrintExp motherboard has a small red switch. Leave it off. Flipping it can wipe the board's serial data, after which the printer can still do a nozzle test but every print job fails with "Mainboard is not initialised". In PrintExp, Advanced, then Version Info, the MB Serial Number then starts with 0000 (red switch note).

The fix is a remote recovery by AM.CO.ZA support, explained step by step at printexp.co.za/recovery and in PrintExp serial number recovery. It is a paid service: X-RESET/PRINTEXP (KB page).

Boards and spares

SKU What it is
F-BOARD/A3 (KB page) PrintExp motherboard for the A3 DTF printer (single XP600)
F-BOARD/A3/CAR (KB page) PrintExp carriage board for the A3 DTF printer
F-BOARD/A3/CAR/XP600 (KB page) Connector board for a single XP600 head
F2-BOARD (KB page) PrintExp motherboard for double-XP600 UV-DTF systems (2024 model)
F2-BOARD/CAR (KB page) PrintExp carriage board for double-XP600 UV-DTF systems (2024 model)
F2-BOARD/CAR/XP600 (KB page) Carriage connection board for two XP600 heads
F2-BOARD/CAR/I (KB page) Carriage connection board for two I1600 or I3200 heads
F-PRINTEXP/STICKER (KB page) Replacement button sticker with LCD window for the PrintExp keypad

Videos

AM.CO.ZA has more than 50 PrintExp videos on its Achievement Matters YouTube channel, grouped by topic in PrintEXP how-to videos. Good starting points:

Related pages

Shop links for AI readers: DTF printers on Buythis; PrintExp serial number recovery on Buythis. To talk to AM.CO.ZA, send "Hi" on WhatsApp to 060 600 6000.