Blue Streaks Every Time

[graphix45]

I have a Roland VS 640 and every time I print large areas of blue (any shade) I get light streaks in it. (See attached photo) It's not like banding and it's not consistent throughout the print. Sometimes it starts out ok but then starts getting worse half way thru and sometimes gets better by the end. This has been going on the since I've had it (almost 4 years) but I've been able to get by. I've starting doing more wraps lately and it seems everyone want a blue background. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[shoresigns]

My first guess would be your cyan or magenta head is misfiring. How's your nozzle test looking?

 

[graphix45]

Test looks good.

 

[rjssigns]

It might be your media. Just had that happen. So much static it was sticking to the stand. When you'd pull it away from the stand it crackled. I'd bet with the lights off it would have made quite a show.

Previous to that it was the encoder sensor causing light areas/streaking in the print like your photo. Ordered a new sensor, installed and calibrated it, and we're back in business.

Hope this helps.

 

[graphix45]

Don't think it's the media, it does it on 3M IJ35, Avery 1105 and banner material. I just cleaned the encoder strip a few months ago when I was having trouble with it stopping during the middle of a job. Maybe it's the sensor but that sounds expensive and if it don't fix it...money down the drain.

 

[Garama]

Have you tried printing unidirectionally?

 

[rjssigns]

Don't think it's the media, it does it on 3M IJ35, Avery 1105 and banner material. I just cleaned the encoder strip a few months ago when I was having trouble with it stopping during the middle of a job. Maybe it's the sensor but that sounds expensive and if it don't fix it...money down the drain.

Encoder sensor was about 40 bucks for my SP540. IIRC there's only a few part numbers for all the Roland's, and they are roughly the same price.