HP 560 SMK3 issues

[JBurton]

I just had my SMK3 performed by a tech. Now I'm having a couple of issues. I've emailed the team at my distributor, and am waiting for their response, so I reckoned I ask here too.
1. the printer kept asking to move material left by 480 mils during load. I finally continued with skew, then it told me it could not detect material width. I'm thinking there's something amiss with the sensor.
2. I went on and ran a print, it started off just fine, but after a foot or so it began printing very splotchy. Upon closer inspection, it also was banding slightly prior to the splotchy region, and it was running at 20 pass, comparing to the last print of the same file, there is no banding.
3. Do I need to lubricate the rail after this kit? I figured it would have been part of the tech's procedure, but it sounds rather loud, and has an almost fluttery sound to it as it goes right to left. About to lubricate and run another test.

 

[balstestrat]

Either the line sensor is not seated correctly or he didn't calibrate it.
By the picture your optimizer printhead is gone.
Just oil it. He should have done it but yeah..

 

[JBurton]

The tech is going to call tomorrow morning to walk me through reseating the line sensor.
Welp, the one print head that I don't have 2 backups on the shelf for...
On the carriage rail, we oiled it, it sounds about the same, I'm tempted to oil it again, any reason not to?

 

[ToTo]

Most of the issues are caused by the service actions during SMK. I would ask for repair FOC. The Oiler on right side of carriage should apply oil in during movement. Line sensor calibration is available only in service mode. The sound of carriage movement might be caused by wrong belt position on tensioner, which will damage the belts edges.
Regarding the blurred print, it’s for sure the OP head. But could also be a kinked tube on the left side.

 

[JBurton]

Ok, I'm growing a little frustrated at this. Is it not part of the procedure to run a test print after the smk?
And now all of my print heads have way more missing nozzles than before, which I can accept to a degree, but I'm wondering what the procedure for storing the printheads during the smk other than setting them on a box upside down?

 

[balstestrat]

Well to whom it is and who doesn't. I always ask the customer to print something afterwards.
And printheads I just keep in the carriage. No need to take em out, saves time not having to re-align and play with those as well.

 

[JBurton]

Alright, I appreciate your guys' help. I've got a fresh set of heads on the way, tech got me into the service menu to calibrate the line sensor.
But what about the sound out of the belt? Right now, the edges are starting to fray a touch. I'll keep a close eye on them. Is there any spot to check for proper alignment or installation?
I also noticed the carriage is causing the encoder strip to move toward the front of the printer as it passes left to right, on the right hand side. I know it vibrates, but I didn't think the carriage actually made contact with the encoder strip? Please tell me I'm mistaken and just looking for issues.

 

[balstestrat]

Don't use it. The belt needs to be checked. It's probably not on the correct track and you will just end up wasting it.

 

[JBurton]

Don't use it. The belt needs to be checked. It's probably not on the correct track and you will just end up wasting it.

Well shit. You'd recommend calling out the tech again, rather than trying to check myself, right? I'm thinking unless I have a belt coming, I'll likely have a trip charge to check it, and another to install it.

 

[Hoze]

That should be covered under warranty. I believe the tech is responsible for ensuring the printer works perfectly after the service, not the user. Where are you located?

 

[balstestrat]

Sure you can check it if you wish. Usually it's messed up there behind the screen on the tensioner.

 

[JBurton]

So, I'm thinking you guys are right. Here's a pic of where mine is sitting on the pulley. Sent photos over to the tech and company, I'm going to have them put a new belt on, my cost or theirs, but I'll pretty well insist on not paying the trip charge.
Does that sound fair to anybody else?

 

[cornholio]

Typical beginners fault. Happened to me as well, but should be recognized already, while moving the carriage by hand while oiling the rods.
You as a customer are not resonsible for the extra trip, work and material needed.
I would never charge for my own fault. Especially when they are so obvious.

I had a case, when a coworker pinched a cable (during a SMK1) that caused a short during the startup, leaving the printer unusable. I had to replace a board to be able to do further trouble shooting, which was also killed the first time, the affected subsystem was powered on...
This cost us some boards and five trips to the customer...
(for the technically interested, it was the cable to the fans in the top cover...)

 

[balstestrat]

Yeah it's off track. If I was you I would try to complain and get it redone for free. If they send someone training there it's up to them.
If it was just one thing but the line sensor as well..

Did you see him actually taking the curing unit off to a table, pulling the heaters out and cleaning it?

 

[JBurton]

Did you see him actually taking the curing unit off to a table, pulling the heaters out and cleaning it?

No, but he asked for help, and one of my guys helped him remove the curing unit and place it on our table. And asked for help a second time to return it to the printer.
On the line sensor, he said he never has to calibrate them. He got me in the service menu and I ran the calibration, but didn't do any color checks as I didn't have any good OP print heads.
They are bringing a fresh belt and have a return trip scheduled for tuesday.

Its primarily frustrating as I could have done it, but didn't want to waste two days doing it slowly and double checking, but now it's been down for over 2 days, so...

 

[JBurton]

Tech came by, replaced the belt, then hung out while I replaced print heads, calibrated, and ran a test print. We are up and running again! Huzzah!
Now to figure out why the color samples and production runs that I did a week before he came are not matching when illuminated...

 

[JBurton]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I got a bill for the belt and installation of the belt. Any opinions on what I should be billed? My thoughts are to offer to cover the belt, but not so much the labor. On the other hand, all travel on the second trip was waved, which is over half the bill.

 

[Hoze]

I really don’t like situations like this. It’s tricky because the belt will eventually wear out no matter what, so it’s hard to say if it’s something they should have noticed, replaced, or at least informed you about at the time. Maybe you could ask for a discount on labor since the printer was working fine before they performed the maintenance.

 

[balstestrat]

Their cost for the belt is approx $150. Dont quote me on that, might be a little more. But even you can purchase one for $200.

They messed up the reassembly.

If you went for an oil change and they forgot the drain plug loose, oil came out and you need a new turbo or whatever. Would you pay for it? Old one was already used. I wouldn't.

It might make a slight difference if they already told you during the service that the belt is in a sad shape. Then the line sensor "never needing calibration" is just stupid excuse. You literally can't load a roll half the time without a warning after replacing it....

 

[JBurton]

Agreed. I'm not mad about the situation, luckily it didn't hamstring me too bad, but at the same time we literally discussed the state of the belt, how it was fine even though the back area had some rubber debris from the belt, it wasn't fraying yet and we should have several months before needing that. Then after about 4 test prints, and the line sensor calibration, it had just started to fray. I probably could have lived with that belt for a minute, but didn't see the point in having service today and in several months, since I'd reckoned he'd need to tear it apart just as much to get the belt straight as he would to get the new belt on.
The way I see it, cost of belt is on me, cost to replace is on them. This company will soon evaporate due to a recent acquisition, but I still don't want to burn any bridges, so I'll strong arm them gingerly.