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Roland SP540 prints BLURRY
When I print ONE A4 on my Roland SP540, it prints perfectly. When I print TWO A4s on my Roland SP540, it prints perfectly. However, when I print THREE OR MORE A4s on my Roland SP540, it prints BLURRY. Anyone got any ideas on what my problem is? Thanks.
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5 Replies
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Need more info.
Is it three a4’s across or vertical.?
What happens if you print an A0.?
Does your head scan the full width of the printer or just the width of the printed image.?Fergus Byrne
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i was going to start a new thread but will add it to this one as the content is related. when i print a test print, every thing is fine, however i notice the confidence strip prints LC and LM very blurry. I am sure this translates in to the actual printing, but difficult to tell as they are light colours. any help appreciated.
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blurry prints could be two or more things profile incorrect for the media or the media surface contaminated. to higher ink level for that media giving high dot gain.
the encoder strip may be dirty but that normally shows as the print is also not square.
but the most common reason is defection of the heads but you say the test is fine.
chris
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This sounds like you have a dirt mark on your linear encoder scale. The linear encoder scale is a piece of acetate like film that runs the full length of the machine, and is mounted vertically on top of the rail. This has a series of very fine lines printed on it like a ruler, and there is a sensor on the back of the print head carriage (you can see it glow red in low light) that counts these lines and hence the printer head knows where it is.
The mark would seem to be some way up across the length of the encoder, which would explain why prints that go across more of the width suffer from the problem, whilst others don’t. The mark is confusing the sensor that counts the lines, hence making a pigs ear of your print.
To clean the encoder scale use a dry lint free cloth and wipe it from right to left. (The scale is held on by a spring on the left side so you don’t want to stretch it). You should only use a dry cloth as there is normally a lot of carbon dust in the area, and if you get it wet it can smear the encoder.
If that doesn’t work, I would take out the encoder and thoroughly clean with isopropanethanalcohol. (with ice and a slice!). DO NOT use solvent flush of head cleaning fluid !
If that doesn’t work you can put the encoder scale back in upside down.
If that doesn’t work you’ll need a new encoder scale (around 170+VAT) or possibly a new sensor (around 108 + VAT).
It is often the case that cleaning only provides a temporary resolution to the problem and end replacing it later on.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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😀 Thanks for the post Micheal just starting big print job & kept getting Service call 0110, gave the encoder strip a wipe & all working well. Wish I’d checked board before spending 3 hours trying to fix it myself. Philip
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