HP L26500 head strikes in every material

[Pat Whatley]

A few months ago we started getting head strikes in our prints using 3M IJ35. Now it's progressed to the point where it doesn't matter what material we run, we are getting head strikes every 3-4' and they are always in the same place on the vinyl. Using the takeup reel doesn't seem to change it. I tried cleaning all the little vacuum holes on the platen but that doesn't seem to have fixed anything. Is there a way to test the vacuum or does anyone have a better idea?

 

[jimboeejit]

Is your media wrinkling in the machine?..
Is your heating fluctuating?
Or are the rollers getting worn
And needing replaced...
By rollers i mean the ones just as the media comes into print area...

 

[Mr. Sign Pro]

Check and make sure you don't have any build up of adhesive on the platen anywhere. I've had materials that had adhesive on the edges of the roll that then transferred onto the platen over a period of time. What happens is that build up can prevent the material from advancing like it should therefore causing head strikes. It's happened to me and it wasn't something I was even paying attention to.

 

[Pat Whatley]

FOLLOW UP: Turns out that there was a piece of double stick tape that was on one of the advance rollers. You could only see it when the roller was stopped in the correct position. It was grabbing the vinyl periodically just enough to cause a pucker. Cleaned the roller, everything is copacetic.

 

[BigfishDM]

 

[BigfishDM]

If your ready to upgrade lol, looks like you got it worked out.