Two Pumps, One Part Number Trap
Two KNF pumps show up again and again in the spare-parts lists of HOPE, KINGTAU and TECNOFERRARI ceramic printing machines: the PL10341 NF60 and the PL9022 NFB60. Both are original KNF units, both are quoted at 0.6 L, and both sit inside the ink circuit — which is exactly why buyers mix them up.
They are not the same part in a different box. One is a supply pump; the other is a circulating pump. Ordering the wrong one leaves you with a pump that fits the bracket but not the job.
What Each Pump Actually Does
KNF PL10341 NF60 — ink fluid pump (supply side)
This is the pump that moves ink from the reservoir towards the printhead. On ceramic lines it feeds the head through the filter and degassing stage, so its job is delivery: steady ink at the head, no starvation, no air pockets.
KNF PL9022 NFB60 — cyclic double ink pump / circulating pump (PL9893)
This one is described as a cyclic double pump, also listed under the PL9893 circulating pump designation. Its role is recirculation: keeping ink moving through the circuit instead of letting it stand in the line.
That distinction matters most with ceramic inks, which are dense suspensions. Pigment and glaze particles settle, and settled ink is one of the fastest routes to a clogged printhead, uneven colour, or a nozzle that will not recover after purging.
Side-by-Side: What Is Actually Confirmed
| Item | PL10341 NF60 | PL9022 NFB60 |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Ink supply (fluid pump) | Cyclic / circulating (double pump) |
| Rated figure | 0.6 L | 0.6 L |
| Machine type | Ceramic printing machines | Ceramic printing machines |
| Brand fit | HOPE / KINGTAU / TECNOFERRARI spares | HOPE / KINGTAU / TECNOFERRARI spares |
The identical 0.6 L figure is the trap. It describes a capacity rating, not the pump’s role in the circuit. Two pumps with the same number can still be non-interchangeable.
Please note: pressure, connection size and material specifications are not published on our product pages for these two models. Confirm them against the label on your existing pump before ordering — do not assume they match because the flow figure does.
How to Identify Which Pump Your Machine Uses
- Read the pump body. The KNF model and part number are stamped on the housing. Photograph the label rather than relying on a maintenance log written months ago.
- Trace the tubing. A single feed line running reservoir → pump → filter → head points to the supply pump. A closed loop returning ink back to the tank points to the circulation pump.
- Check the machine side. Some lines use one of each, in series. A machine with both pumps will have two distinct part numbers on the spare list — do not consolidate them into one order line.
- Match against the machine manual. Brand and model of the printer, plus the ink circuit diagram, settle the question faster than any photo.
Symptoms That Point to One Pump Rather Than the Other
Signs of a failing supply pump (PL10341 NF60)
- Ink starvation at high coverage, showing as fading bands towards the end of a tile
- Air reaching the head, producing intermittent missing nozzles that recover after purging and then return
- The pump running but the filter housing not filling at the normal rate
Signs of a failing circulation pump (PL9022 NFB60)
- Settling problems that appear only when the machine has been idle
- Colour drift along the production run rather than a sudden stop
- Sediment building up in the line despite regular purging
Before replacing either pump, rule out the parts around it. A clogged filter, a saturated degassing membrane, or a worn fitting can imitate a failing pump — and replacing a healthy pump does not fix a downstream blockage. Our guide to the KNF NF60 ink supply pump covers the supply-side layout in more detail.
Replacement Checklist
- Confirm the part number from the pump label, not from a generic “NF60″ reference
- Check the fittings and tubing that come off the old pump; reuse only what is still clean and undamaged
- Photograph the tubing routing before disconnecting anything
- Fit the new pump in the same orientation and confirm the flow direction arrow if one is marked
- Prime the circuit before returning to production; running a dry diaphragm pump damages it
- Run a leak check at the joints, then print a test pattern at reduced speed
- Record the install date and pump serial for the next maintenance cycle
Common Mistakes We See in Orders
- Buying on the 0.6 L figure alone. Buyers search “KNF 0.6 L pump”, find either model, and order. Function decides, not the number.
- Assuming a circulation pump can serve as a supply pump. It fits the space, but the circuit is designed around two distinct roles.
- Skipping the filter and membrane while the pump is out. The pump is usually the victim, not the cause.
- Fitting used fittings to a new pump. Old fittings carry dried ink into a clean unit.
FAQ
Can I use the PL9022 NFB60 in place of the PL10341 NF60?
No. They serve different functions in the ink circuit — supply versus circulation. Substitute only with the same part number specified for your machine.
Both pumps are listed as 0.6 L. Does that mean they are interchangeable?
No. The 0.6 L figure does not describe the pump’s role. Interchangeability depends on the function, the fittings and the circuit design.
How often should these pumps be replaced?
There is no universal interval we can quote. Replacement is condition-based: follow the printer manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and watch for the symptoms described above.
Should I replace the filter and degassing membrane at the same time?
Inspect both whenever a pump is replaced. A restricted filter or a spent membrane puts extra load on a new pump and is a common reason a replacement appears to fail early.
Need the Right Pump for Your Line?
LEMSUN TECH stocks original KNF PL10341 NF60 and PL9022 NFB60 pumps for ceramic printing machines. Send us the pump label photo and your printer model, and we will confirm the correct part before you order.
Post time: Nov-05-2026
