Plotter Routine Maintenance

[Robert Lambie]

we often clean ours down, even though they are in a clean environment.
every so often i remove the cover on the gantry section of the machine. (only a few screws) and i clean anything i see that needs it. if the lubricated section is dirty at all i would clean that down and apply some clean lubrication, i would do this on the moving parts of the blade holder etc also…
so basically light maintenance every month but a good clean every 6 months or so…

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I oil the metal bars (I have a 4E!) and blow the cabinet out with compressed air.
And sometimes I pick off all the glue residue from the sprockets with an X-Acto knife.
A good cussing doesn’t help at all except to make me feel better.
Love….Jill

[Garrie]

Thanks for the replies 😀

I’ve avoided using compressed air in the past only because I’ve heard a few horror stories however I’ve never experienced any from anyone using compressed air.

Is there a safe lubricate that you would you recommend, I don’t want to damage any components trying to do good, I’m kinda good a breaking things I don’t mean too 😳

Thanks again
Garrie

[Martin Pearson]

Garrie, don’t know if there is a recommended lubricant I would expect there is but never really thought about it to much. I just use a light sewing machine oil for mt graphtec, doesn’t seem to have done any harm in the 6 years that I have been doing it. Just make sure you do it sparingly as you don’t want oil everywhere !!!

[Peter Shaw]

If it ain’t broke……

[Marcella Ross]

quote Peter Shaw:

If it ain’t broke……

my thoughts exactly.
My mimaki has run for almost 6 years without me interfering with it. (other than when I broke the parallel cable 😳 )

[David Rogers]

quote Marcella:

quote Peter Shaw:

If it ain’t broke……

my thoughts exactly.
My mimaki has run for almost 6 years without me interfering with it. (other than when I broke the parallel cable 😳 )

Have to kinda agree there. My Summa has never been ‘maintained’ in the last 3.5yrs….probably due to for a hoovering out! However – an old Graphtec & an ancient Roland I’d used in the past were forever needing stripped & lubed. Using ‘oil’ or silicone lubricants is a sometimes a bad idea, once you start – it becomes an ongoing process of stripping, cleaning & de-gunking. OEM hi-spec grease is a better long term solution (what it originally comes coated with) if anything. Just remember, very thin oil (WD40 / GT85) can actually promote wear unless it’s regularly applied – it’s little more than DE-greaser!

Dave

[Peter Normington]

If you need to lubricate, 3 in 1 is still a good choice, its more or less the same as "sewing machine oil", that is what most recommend.
Most of the moving parts on modern cutters are "self lubricating"
And should not be oiled.
cutters should be left to get on with it.
apart from a wipe down now and again.

so unless you have problems, as said, if it ain’t broke, don’t mess with it.

Peter

[Phill Fenton]

Best lubricant to use is KY Jelly I’m told 😳

[Marcella Ross]

quote Phill:

Best lubricant to use is KY Jelly I’m told 😳

depends on your circle of friends Phill 😀

[Harry Cleary]

quote Phill:

Best lubricant to use is KY Jelly I’m told 😳

shouldn’t that be your answer to Peter in the ‘Order of Forums’ Thread Phil?

[Craig Bond]

I have had my Roland PNC1100 for nearly 14 years. Never touched it. Works just fine. Although it is now the clamping mechanism is held by an elastic band! But upgrading all machines in the next few months. As said before.. If it is not broken….

[Marcella Ross]

Craig, I wonder if any new machinery will stand the test of time like your PNC1100 ……… 😀 elastic band or not! :lol1:

[Craig Bond]

I must admit it is now on its last legs!! Roland stopped the warranty on it six years ago! But it still produced over 20m of vinyl today it will be a shame to retire it! I was quite close to winning the Roland competition for the oldest Roland plotter still running a couple of month ago!!

[Marcella Ross]

😀 a friend of mine has an 1989 Roland camm1 ……….. we thought he’d win it!!!!!!! It still works although he hasn’t used it for a while …..

[Craig Bond]

I think the winner of the competition had his Camm 1 stored in a shed for a few years and he plugged it in and it still worked! Where as mine has not had the luxury of a rest in a dusty shed to snooze!! Work em hard thats what I say! The best and only Plotter / Cutter I have ever bought!