Ink Hub sheds light on switch microchips for use on third party cartridges for use in some Epson devices.
In its latest blog post, Ink Hub’s Dean Michael talks about the use of switch microchips on Epson cartridges.
Michael describes how when printer OEMs release a whole new series of printers and along with them they release cartridges for them with microchips on them.
One company who is offering a working solution for third-party cartridges, is the chip manufacturer Apex. Their latest chips for Epson printers are what’s known as serial switch chips.
Michael continues: “Epson printers come with firmware installed that actually detects the serial code on the chip on the cartridges. If this serial code is not the correct one, then the cartridge will be rejected and you will get the frustrating “Ink Cartridge cannot be detected” message.”
To counteract this technology Apex has developed a chip that actually changes its serial code each time that it is installed until one of the codes is accepted.
Michael explains: “So basically when a generic Epson ink is installed into the printer and it is not recognised then it’s simply a matter of removing it and re-installing it until an acceptable code is found and the printer accepts the cartridge. Further to this Apex has added another feature to their latest chips which when unlocked, gives the user an extra serial number.”
To see the method of how to activate this feature, click here.
The above information applies to most of the latest Epson cartridges including Epson 212XL, 39XL, 202XL, 312XL, 302XL, 702XL, 802XL, 288XL and 786XL cartridges. This list is only of the cartridges affected in the Oceania region of which Australia is in this region.
