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  • Versacamm sp540 problem

    Posted by Dan Osterbery on 4 March 2009 at 10:16

    Morning All,
    trying to print this morning and something is amiss! Any suggestions other than "give up" "call roland" "retire" "or smash it", seriously though anyone seen anything like this before. I am waiting a call back from our technician??? The print is squew whiff (technical term) seriously out of focus and has vertical and horizontal lines.

    Any help appreciated!!

    Dan

    P.s. will put photos in the links section!!

    Gary Birch replied 16 years, 7 months ago 5 Members · 12 Replies
  • 12 Replies
  • Gary Birch

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 10:46

    Dan
    I have had issues the same in the past and am guessing it is the encoder strip which is either damaged or needs a clean.

    To clean just use a soft tissue and go very gently with it.

    Cheers

    Gary

  • Dan Osterbery

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 10:55

    Hi Gary,
    where about is it?? thanks Ive just put the fotos in the links folder

    cheers

    Dan

  • Gary Birch

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:10

    Dan
    It is under the big long cover. Your print head reads the information from the encoder strip. From memory you have to take both end covers off to get to it and the clear guard at the front too.

    Also Dan, don’t use any cleaning fluid on it, just a dry tissue.

    Cheers

    Gary

  • Dan Osterbery

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:37

    just opened the end cover and by the wipers, there appears to be a piece of clear plastic hanging down and flapping, has my encoder strip snapped??

    regards
    Dan

  • Kevin Flowers

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:45

    Dan
    its either snapped or the screw has come out one end is held on a spring the other end screwed (cap station end) if its the same as the SC545Ex

    Kev

  • Gary Birch

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:47

    Dan
    Can you post a pic?

    Gary

  • Dan Osterbery

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:48

    still no reply from the technical department, can anyone give me a bit more info about the encoder strip and where it is located.

    regards

    Dan

  • Dan Osterbery

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 11:54

    hi gary,
    it is so dark, i dont think a picture would be any good! but ill try give me a few minutes!

    regards

    Dan

    why do these things always happen when your on a deadline!!!

  • Andrew Blackett

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 12:08

    Just posted this in the other forum;

    I’d hazard a guess that somethings just got caught and knocked the encoder of its perch, dont see how it could snap its not held that tightly.

    Hope you can fix it mate, its no fun is it 😮

    quote :

    Would say the encoder strip is a certainty!

    Open the cover, look at the channel runs along. Above that there is the cable that pulls the head. Immediately above that and slightly back is a long clear (well its not but it looks it) piece of plastic. Check that theres no major kinks in it and then give it a gentle wipe with a soft cloth. Go over it a couple of times to make sure you’ve got it all.

    The encoder is held with a spring affair, just check at either end of the strip its seated properly.

    Best of luck mate!

    Andy

  • Ali Osman

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 20:50
    quote Gary Birch:

    Dan
    Also Dan, don’t use any cleaning fluid on it, just a dry tissue.

    Cheers

    Gary

    Strange is that, we was actually advised by the service engineer at head office to clean the encoder strip with the cleaning solvent, so we do.

  • Andrew Blackett

    Member
    4 March 2009 at 21:09

    There’s a similar encoder in our laser engraver which we were told to clean with cheap window cleaning spray. I think the logic is to prevent smearing. Havent had the guts to try it on the versacamm yet though, just a dry soft cloth, bit of old t-shirt that sort of stuff.

    Andy

  • Gary Birch

    Member
    5 March 2009 at 08:37
    quote Ali Osman:

    quote Gary Birch:

    Dan
    Also Dan, don’t use any cleaning fluid on it, just a dry tissue.

    Cheers

    Gary

    Strange is that, we was actually advised by the service engineer at head office to clean the encoder strip with the cleaning solvent, so we do.

    I am no Roland engineer myself but this was told to me by an Roland engineer a couple of weeks ago. I guess doing it without cleaning fluid is less likely to damage it than using some cleaning fluid that would strip it. Which has happened previously

    Having said that he also said he knows people who have used a cleaner and its been ok but he advises against it.

    Cheers

    Gary

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