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Any help with this print problem appreciated
Hi I have an Encad 850, run as just CMYk (1×4).
Using GX Acqueos inks, onto a coated poly 200mic.
When running out a full tint, I do not get a reliable flat colour …
Where the tint is broken by text – ie on the red image – you can see the red runs slightly lighter.
On other prints I get ‘stripes’ through what is meant to be a uniform flat tint … only very subtle – but you can see them.
At the same time the colour bar ‘tram line’ shows marking at the sides of the media as the carraige comes out of the docking station, these marks appear only on 1500mm media, this does not occur on 914mm medias, I have tried this with the ‘wipers’ box removed, and cannot see anything that would be physically touching the media.
Any thoughts appreciated.
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9 Replies
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Hi bob
Have you tried dropping your print temperatures a little to get rid of the change in colour? And the lines look as though there is something (lint/cotton) stuck under the head carriage. Which cleaning swabs do you use? Cotton??
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Hi Jason,
Thanks for your post, there are several settings to do with temperature I can play around with – one ‘calibrates’ the cartridge as the printer runs, it was disabled due to errors =- complaining of a lack of good prime (vacuum in the pipes) – that has been since fixed, will go take a look and give it a try …
With regards wipes, I use lint free nail wipes, but there was nothing stuck under the carraige – although looking at it, thats what you would think though …
I had a thought regarding static, there are some issues regarding the ground earthing for the incoming electrical supply – (ie the earth is not very effective !) the marks only seem to occur on the wider widths of media.
Thanks Bob
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Is the printer on laminate flooring? You could try earthing it from the plantern to a wall or concrete floor. Try turning the colour bar off along the side of the print,maybe that it’s putting too much black down and "smearing" onto print. Reguarding the colour "fade" are you 100% sure the head slant is correct?
Best of luck!!
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No, its on a contrete painted floor.
The electricity contractor is upgrading the Grounding Earth soon, so we will see if that improves anything, but yes maybe additional earthing from the Platern could help, as it was printing I touched the printer – and the marks down the side were a little less prevelant – but I can’t be 100% sure it was my action that reduced the marks.
The colour bar/tram line is needed to keep the jets lively and up to temperature – and this problem only occurs on the 1500mm width.
Re Head Slant – on the Encad their is no option to adjust for head slant, the carts simply clip into the carriage assembly, which itself sits on sintered bearings, and which then slides up and down on the shaft – I have had this assembly on and off numerous times, but would say the issue is consistent throughout, but if slightly worse in recent times.
Would you rule out any pressure/vacuum issues in the lines/cartridges ?
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Encad 850!!?? I thought they were all dead now!! 😆
Have you replaced the capping assy? I think that’s what they were called. The spring loaded bit that houses the heads when it’s not being used. Best guess is one of the wiper parts has snapped off?
Stafford
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Hi Stafford,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes its still with us ! a nice simple machine that just keeps churning away.
It is called the ‘service station’, with delecate plastic prongs supporting the wipers that snap off way too easily.
I have a yellow wiper that has partly snapped and is lying on its side a little.The wipers and caps drop down when in print mode, even when it ‘spits’ – all elements of the service station should be clear of the heads as it passes to spit.
Are you suggesting that something on the service station is touching the heads as it passes. I can remove the Service Station completely to test that.
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Yes, exactly that. Obviously, being an aqueous machine, you can remove it and soak it to clean it up but running it without it installed should prove it one way or another.
Just stuff some rag down the hole to stop it filling the body with ink when it does a spit cycle.
Stafford.
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How sad am I?
I actually think I still have a service station from an Encad 850 in stock! -
quote Julian Mildner:How sad am I?
I actually think I still have a service station from an Encad 850 in stock!Does that really need an answer? 😀
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