-
SP-300v Odd test pattern?
Hi All,
My Roland SP-300v is about 2 weeks old now. I’ve printed on it once a day for a very small amount (6 inch x 4 inch max, still finding my feet). I thought I’d look at a test pattern to see if everything is ok.
After printing one things looked a little odd with the gaps in between maybe 3 of the lines being different (they are all there though) and some inconsistent amounts of ink in the part of the print thats done on the 2nd pass.
I’ve popped open the machine and carefully cleaned round the print heads (not on them of course) and around the rubber seals and wipers as per manual. I’ve also done a bi-direction test print and realigned it as it was out by a fraction on a few of the settings.
Did a clean on the machine by holding down the ‘Clean’ button on the machine.
The print looks a bit better but I still have inconsistent gaps inbetween 3 of the lines and what looks like some very slightly smudged lines in the later part of the print, any advice?
I know I can do the medium and more powerful cleans but I don’t want to unless it will help as I know you can damage the heads by over using them. Then again is this normal for a test print or should it look 100% bang on?
Cheers
Pete
-
8 Replies
-
Hi Pete, the test print should look bang on, do you own a dog by any chance – I have found that hairs can be transferred from my clothes onto the vinyl and then onto the heads. This is not always obvious and can cause all manner of problems including ink drops and especially smudging.
The fact you mention smudges says to me that something is making contact with the vinyl surface. If you put into the maintenance position and have a good look around with a torch perhaps you might find something lingering on the head.
Mart -
Thanks for the quick reply Martin.
No, no dogs in our house, only 2 kids! I’ve uploaded a picture of the test print. Could you (or anybody else that has free time and is bored 🙂 have a quick look and see what you think as I’m new to the machine and worried about doing something wrong!
Here it is…
Thanks again
-
1 defecting, annoying but ok as its a new machine should be perfect.
the top slight miss prints i think are media contamination as its across other colours as well.with test prints i have found best of 3 prints is the only fair result.
it needs using more.
chris
-
Thanks Chris. Indeed it was the material as that ‘section’ cleared up ok after a wind forward.
The 1 Deflecting, why is that ok because its new? If it was older how would that impact things? I thought all the nozzles would be perfect being new or are my expectations wrong?
Also, Would you recommend just printing some random bits and bobs every day to keep the machine healthy rather then leaving it unused?
Thanks again, sorry for all the questions, not really giving anything back on the board at the mo but will as soon as I actually have some good advice lol 🙂 🙂
Pete
-
Hi Pete
Leave the machine turned on and just let it go to sleep. It will fire itself up around every 12 hours or so and do a quick clean and then go back to sleep. I left my sp300v like this last year while on holiday for 3 weeks and it was perfect when I came back.Kev
-
you are leaving the machine switched on when not in use yes.
do a test print every day as well as some prints, keep the test prints dated. if this is persistent contact your supplier.
as i said its annoying but i doubt if you can spot this in a normal print.chris
-
Cheers chaps,
Yes thats what I’ve been doing main power on, sub power off so it can clean itself when needed. I’ll contact my supplier on Monday as its brand spanking new….
-
In case somebody else has the same situation at some point… Roland came out and replaced the faulty head, perfecto test prints 🙂 🙂 🙂
Log in to reply.