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Epson 10000 problem, can anyone help me?
Hi Everybody,
I wonder if you can help me? I’ve tried the forum search function, and so far no joy. I’ve also attempted to google my problem although, this seems to provide less than helpful results.
Here is my situation:
Amongst our various wide format machines we have an Epson 10000CF. We mainly use it for light weight vinyl outdoor posters. The machine is about 5 years old and out of warranty. However the head was replaced about three years ago.
Here is my Problem:
Recently, within the last few weeks, The printer seems not to go 10 minutes without having an apparent ‘Paper Jam’. However, there is never a paper jam.
Whilst printing, at random points throughout the process, regardless of substrate, source file, coverage, colour, direction, the head will cut out near the mid point of the sweep. Generally from right to left it will sweep across and there will be a click sound, (similar to that of the locking mechanism in the paper lever) and as if the power has been cut from the drive belt, the head comes a stop and is free moving afterwards. In these instances, although it shows ‘Paper Jam’ on the display there has never actually been a paper jam. Although there is often ink deposits on the substrate at the point in which the head comes to rest. However there does not seem to be any contact.I apologise if this may have been covered already, I’m afraid if it has i cannot seem to find it archived in the forums.
It would seem a shame to throw away an otherwise perfect machine which has only done about 300m of print.
If anyone has any experiences of this problem or can shed any light on this matter i would be most grateful.Kind Regards,
Chris Broad -
10 Replies
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just had similar with a desk top epson a clean and light oil of the head runner bar cured this as you describe its as if the head is binding on its travels and the overloaded motor thinks its jammed but when moved by hand seams free
chris
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Thanks for your reply Chris, I was hoping it could be something like this. I’ll have another look at it next week.
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Is the paper nice and flat against the platen, check your vacuum make sure of no leaks around the platen. Check the paper thickness sensor also its at the top and sees the flag whn you move the paper load lever backwards and forwards.
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Thanks all for your help on this matter, I am happy to say that it is now fixed. It actually ended up being the main head drive motor stalling. It’s supposed to throw up a relevant error message, though this is rarely the case. Instead it likes to use the "paper jam" message, oddly!
Apparently this is a common problem with the 10000 series when reaching this age.
Thanks.
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I have read about similar problems with some encad machines and the problem has been down to worn carriage bushes, if the machine has done that much work over its life might be worth checking as they are phosphor bronze and will wear with time.
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Glad its fixed, I have only ever replaced one carriage motor (and I’ve worked on lots) and that was due to the end of life counter showing. The main problem with the 10,000 series is banding, something Epson have improved on the latest machines. Any way your away again, give me a shout if you need anymore help.
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quote Martin:I have read about similar problems with some encad machines and the problem has been down to worn carriage bushes, if the machine has done that much work over its life might be worth checking as they are phosphor bronze and will wear with time.Yes, I have an old Encad Novajet Pro50 that had a similar problem – the dreaded "Carriage Axis Error". I was told by an experienced service tech that a simple and cheap solution is to apply a light coat of spray-on silicone lube to the print shaft (carriage bar) – it has worked perfectly ever since. Apparently, when the embedded carriage bushing lubricant dries out it results in additional load on the drive motor which trips the load sensor.
The standard Encad procedure was to replace the carriage bushings, the trailing cable and/or and the drive motor, which is obviously very expensive for the owner and very profitable for them 🙄
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Bill I just changed the bushes nothing else didn’t realise they normally replaced the other parts at the same time. I actually managed to buy a set from a seller on ebay in America and they cost me about £8 including delivery, in fact I got a few spares from sellers in America as even with delivery it was much cheaper than buying from the Encad resellers in the UK
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on a different machinem had simiar error…. covers was off a sunlight was causing the sensor to work
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Martin, I bought a set of bushings off Ebay too, but discovered the silicone lube fix while I was waiting for them to arrive. Now they’re in the bottom of a box somewhere because I haven’t needed them. Not sure if my mugshot is worse than yours 😀
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