Edge LE - blown pixel??

[Jen Goodwin]

I thought that I had a blown pixel on my Edge - last week the thing just started printing a white line 3.25" up from the bottom - every foil, every vinyl in process or spot. Blown pixel, right?
I have cleaned the head a million times, thinking it was something other than that but finally decided that I did blow the head.
Then I noticed that along that white line, every once in a while - it was printing...like the pixel was firing every now and then.
After struggling through a really frustrating job that I had to get done yesterday - I came out to do more printing this morning and the pixel is getting better! It almost printed a full 11.75" block with the exception of just a bit of white dots now, rather than a full white line.
I would love to know what some of you Gerber guys think could be my issue. Could it be something else...like a loose connection...something other than a pixel?
Off to test more with my fingers crossed.

 

[Fred Weiss]

I had a very similar experience a while back. It was at a time when we had let an employee go who was the regular operator of the Edge and I hadn't personally touched the machine in quite a while. The unprinted line appeared about where you describe and I set up a print to get a precise measurement to be able to continue printing by arranging objects to miss the bad area.

The first thing I noticed was that the air shocks had totally failed and the former employee had never brought it to my attention. The way that I noticed was that the lid slammed shut when I opened it. The second thing that I noticed was that the test print was clean and fully printing.

I replaced the air shocks, removed the covers, gave it a good blowing out and remade every connection. That was more than a year ago and it continues to print as it should. My recommendation to you is to do the same.

 

[Jen Goodwin]

Fred...You're a genius! I just found the problem. The airshocks are fine, but mine does have an issue 'closing'...kinda like you have to slam it to shut it; it doesn't just drop in nicely on it's own. So I though while reading your post that maybe it's not getting 'pressure' on that line when it's shut.
So I cut the print off so I could see where the line is, backed it up so I could compare it to the roller and there is a score in my roller!!

I miss you Fred. I have to come here more often. I hope that I can just get a roller sent to me, I couldn't get the printhead! It had to be done by a Gerber Tech.

 

[Fred Weiss]

We miss ya too Darlin'. Glad you got your problem figured out.

 

[Jen Goodwin]

Ugh...that's not it. I cleaned it and it's not a score and even after I printed again (thinking, hoping that it was at least dirt on the roller) it's still there. Bummer.
I am going to give it a good cleaning, blow out any dust this afternoon. See what happens. After being sick to my stomach over the thought of maybe upgrading to an FX, I started to like the idea. But I have to admit, I would much rather this one just be something stupid, not a printhead. Even with the trade-in it's a hard pill to swallow when you were not expecting it.

Any thoughts on upgrading...worth it or not. Like the FX etc. Can you only buy Gerber foils for it?

 

[Fred Weiss]

I would reserve any decision until after a complete cleaning and remaking of all connections down on the circuit boards.

If it's still bad then you have to consider a solution.

1. Factory repair of your Edge.
2. Buy a used or refurbished replacement.
3. Buy a new Edge FX.
4. Shift to inkjet technology.

The problem with a factory repair is that it costs more than you could turn around and sell your Edge for. That bothers me from a business practice point of view. But it does leave you in a position to operate trouble free for years to come.

Buying a used unit is the most economical solution but a used unit could breakdown next week. It also allows you to use your existing inventory of foils.

Buying a new FX solves your breakdown problem but leaves you in the position of having to replace your entire inventory of foils. There are third party solutions for foils but you still need to replace them. Apex foils (made by Duracoat) save you 40% or more as compared to Gerber.

Shifting out of the thermal technology, at least for me, would not be an option because of the repeat business I enjoy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Jen Goodwin]

This morning I had to print gold on white. I set it up to double hit because that helps to hide my line, what I noticed was...on the first pass there were a lot of 'scratches' much like my line, but way less visible all the way up the print area.
Got me to thinking that I really should try to increase the pressure and see if that helps - but I am not sure how much I should increase it. It's set to 1150 now, any suggestions?
I don't want to make it worse than it already is.

 

[Neon RTG]

One thing you could check into if you decide to go with the Factory Repair, if you have a good relationship with a Gerber distributor, ask them if they are willing to let you borrow or rent a demo unit in order to keep production moving. Of course, hopefully you have been purchasing Gerber supplies from them on a regular basis. Otherwise they have no reason to consider. Back when I worked for a GSP distributor we offered this to all of our customers that purchased their equipment from us & had kept a regular flow of material purchasing with us.

 

[beckys]

Jen
sorry to hear about your troubles-
I wanted to ask "where the hell you've been?"
miss you over at edgetalk
You, Marlene and me had a blast over there.

 

[Jen Goodwin]

I am considering upgrading to an FX now and Advantage told me that I can keep the LE for 90 days before sending it back to Gerber. That would be enough time for me to (hopefully) use my stock, but it's great to know that with a little effort, I could re-spin them on FX cartridges!

My biggest thing about the upgrade is, I have this sinking feeling that will not leave me that this is NOT a blown pixel, that it is something else. The minutes on this thing are minuscule! Could be wishful thinking, but I dunno....feels like that to me.

 

[Jen Goodwin]

Hi Becky!! Nice to hear from you girl!! I know...I have been away too long. I do miss this place.
I just yesterday realized that 4 edge talk was still up and running! I thought it was gone a long time ago! That is awesome to find current posts!
More later...I gotta get a police car lettered today or my husband will be on my butt all day long.

 

[petepaz]

we have a blown pixel in our edge but it is a little higher up
any way i noticed some colors print better then others for instance blck doesn't work at all(it shows the line all the way through) but white or lighter colors sometimes appear to fill in a little and i get less rejects but i also measured exactly where the blown pixel is and i set up a template on composer with the top and bottom margins and then the print area and put a line where the blown pixel is and i set up my first row of artwork then output that so i know my decals/labels will miss the blown pixel