V3.2.0 firmware, and I've been mostly doing these tests with 1200x1200 to get better coverage, the 600x1200 tests end up with the same effect but an obviously thinner ink layer, so it's a bit more noticeably textured. 1200x1200 (especially with 2 overprints) starts off pristine and degrades after an inch or two. Nozzle checks are coming back like 99% fine. Truly just feels like it drops less ink after that first inch or two. Here's a better image of the difference - beginning of the print on top, end of the print on bottom:
Yes always set to strong in the printer setup - I'm trying one with it manually set to strong in the quality settings though, in case something isn't translating properly from setup.
Just tried one adding a good amount of tension and no luck either unfortunately. I don't think it's tension or necessarily nozzle related (unless the nozzle is starting to have issues mid print) because no matter how many times I try, it's always pristine at the beginning and degrades by the end. Whether I print one after another, wait between prints, change tension, change UV percentage, etc. the front end of the print is always perfect and degrades after a couple inches. It's just weird. Maybe an issue with head voltage dropping mid-print? I've heard that can cause degradation in the middle of prints.
I do have the service/maintenance manual, do you know what I'd need to check? Thanks for all the help troubleshooting also
Oh, shoot, I did all the dot position corrections when I set my head height to high because I was getting a lot of ghosting. So unfortunately not sure calibration is the issue either. Maybe the head slant. I'll run the tests and see if they need any further corrections. I'll report back if I end up with any solution. If not, I'll just hope my clients won't be as nitpicky as I am, lol.
Ultimately yeah I'd rather just have slightly textured gloss than spend $20-50k a year on ink from the excessive waste I hear about Rolands. Not to mention potential downtime. And you're right, I'm just a worry wart. I think about any downtime I might have, clients shopping elsewhere and being more pleased with their results. But realistically, I've had about one week of downtime in the last 2.5 years and it was an easy fix, so it's not a common issue I should worry about. Sorry, just doing some self reassurance here lol
You sound like me. Most of my work is for cannabis brands and most are not nearly as picky as I am when it comes to the prints I do for them. I bought my UCJV because I was losing customers to others who had a UV and could do the spot gloss or raised prints. I'll never get those people back but everyone that I've done stuff for on my UCJV has loved it and only a couple of complaints but that was due to my inexperience with the machine. I worked in commercial offset printing for 12yrs and my boss would always tell me I was being too critical about a color match, or something that most customers wouldn't ever care about. You can still have high standards but I wouldn't lose sleep over it if your customers are all happy with what you're doing.
Fair points. Most if not all of the time it's not going to be something my clients notice, so I may as well not sweat it, and just upgrade/add something else to the arsenal in the future if I still feel the need.