Mutoh setup help

[300mphGraphics]

Just got our VJ-1204 from Signwarehouse in. Actually got it setup, on the network, and even sent our first print to it. Not too bad. Do have a few questions for anyone that might have the answers as the manuals leave a lot to be desired.

1. Media width: Trying to load on a 48" roll and it doesn't fit. We load the roll to the "Fixed Flange" and the other end of the shaft or "Scroller" doesn't come out the other end. Does the "Fixed Flange" need to be adjusted? It's just a pin with E clips, does that need to be moved and re-drilled? Supposed to handle up to a 51.9xx" media width, correct?

2. Head height: There appears to be a "High" and a "Low" and I can't find anything that says what it should be for different materials. I'm guessing vinyl and papers would be on the "Low" setting and 13oz banner on the "High"?

3. Media Types: I loaded my first roll, photo paper, and it asked my what "Media Type" it was, 1-30? Are these different settings? Are they user set so I have to input what it what? How is this accomplished?

4. Print Mode Menu: Do I have to go to the printer to adjust whether I want the higher quality vinyl print or the lower banner print mode? Or is this a Flexi-Production manager setting?

5. Flexi-Production Manager, oh boy.. I need to spend more time in there before I can even know what questions to ask. I got lucky with my first print and it's actually sell-able. Worried about material settings and dryer settings and if the ink would actually stick and dry.. I see a lot of trial and error in my future. Fortunately we have Chris at AzProSigns to print any must have jobs. Great guys at AzPro.

And now that we have a printer and I bring the forum these types of questions, we must become a premium subscriber..

Thanks.

 

[Stealth Ryder]

You seriously need to make that call to your dealer, they have techs who will be more than happy to get you pointed in the right direction.

1. it will take up to 50" media, will print a max of 48, that is why it is called a VJ-48
2. print with the head in the high position, clean & store in the low position
3. use media type 1, you will make changes from the software. you will learn more about this when you talk to a tech
4. these settings are done from the software (PM)
5. call your dealer, they will help you with profiles
6. call your dealers tech support!
7. call your dealers tech support!
8. call your dealers tech support!

 

[gbarker]

Stealth Ryder is correct. I bought my first printer from SW. They were more than helpful with tech support. Besides, if it is still the same way as when I bought mine, you paid for at least 90 days of tech support when you bought the printer package.

 

[GAC05]

I don't know much be here is what I think I know:
1. This could be a known issue - load the bar onto the brackets and push the right side collar as far over as it will go and measure the distance.
That distance is all you are going to get. If it is less than the 51.9 something might be set up wrong.
I have a 1304 with the same problem with 54" banner rolls.
The cores are 54.5" and so I have to feed the material off the take up reel to use them.
The left collar is fixed and I don't know if moving it will do anything bad to the media sensor origin or not.
#2 The head height adjustment is correct. What I have found in the short time I have been printing with the 1304 is that the low setting causes more problems with slight head strikes on even really thin material that does not stay really flat when it starts to warm up.
The strikes smudge the prints and they end up in the waste can.
I leave it in the high position for just about everything now. I ran some pretty detailed window posters using the high and low positions with everything else the same and could not tell the difference.

#3 Media types are pre-set place holders for the different media types you want to store on the printer.
They can be set to be used or overwritten from the Flexi program manager.
I think the main feature you would want to set up and store there would be the PF option that you use to calibrate the print feed rate for each type of media.
I have not needed or used the PF option as of yet, so leave it at type 1 and set all the options from the Program manager. I don't know if this is right or wrong but it seems to work and it is what my dealer told me to do.

good luck with your new printer

wayne k
guam usa

 

[Stealth Ryder]

I don't know much be here is what I think I know:
1. This could be a known issue - load the bar onto the brackets and push the right side collar as far over as it will go and measure the distance.
That distance is all you are going to get. If it is less than the 51.9 something might be set up wrong.
I have a 1304 with the same problem with 54" banner rolls.
The cores are 54.5" and so I have to feed the material off the take up reel to use them.
The left collar is fixed and I don't know if moving it will do anything bad to the media sensor origin or not.
#2 The head height adjustment is correct. What I have found in the short time I have been printing with the 1304 is that the low setting causes more problems with slight head strikes on even really thin material that does not stay really flat when it starts to warm up.
The strikes smudge the prints and they end up in the waste can.
I leave it in the high position for just about everything now. I ran some pretty detailed window posters using the high and low positions with everything else the same and could not tell the difference.

#3 Media types are pre-set place holders for the different media types you want to store on the printer.
They can be set to be used or overwritten from the Flexi program manager.
I think the main feature you would want to set up and store there would be the PF option that you use to calibrate the print feed rate for each type of media.
I have not needed or used the PF option as of yet, so leave it at type 1 and set all the options from the Program manager. I don't know if this is right or wrong but it seems to work and it is what my dealer told me to do.

good luck with your new printer

wayne k
guam usa

It is a 48" Printer that will accept media no wider than 50"...

The left (gray) flange is fixed because that is the precise position of the media edge.

Heater settings are very important in regards to head strikes

 

[1leonchen]

they have the videos on signwharehouse website on how to setup your printer u might want to watch them. i learned a lot

 

[Stealth Ryder]

they have the videos on signwharehouse website on how to setup your printer u might want to watch them. i learned a lot

Very smart suggestion... Also talk to the techs, you paid for tech support. I think an hour on the phone with them may prevent you from destroying your new printer before weeks end...

 

[GAC05]

It is a 48" Printer that will accept media no wider than 50"...

The left (gray) flange is fixed because that is the precise position of the media edge.

Heater settings are very important in regards to head strikes

Spec sheet for the 1204 lists max roll width at 1300mm
1300mm = 51.181
The OP was off by .79 or so....

wayne k
guam usa

 

[Stealth Ryder]

This thread just can't be real... It is a 48" Printer. The media that is designed and available for it is commonly 49.5". In a Bi-Directional Print Mode it will print a max of 47.24", in a uni-Directional Print Mode it will print a max of 48" provided you have at least 49.5" media loaded onto it and have the margins set correctly. The print speed at the fastest mode will print roughly 148 SQF per hour, a full bleed print will cost you roughly 25 cents per SQF in ink. Yes, I know the specifications of this Printer and can assure you that in any Print Shop around the world these numbers hold true in regards to 48" Mutoh Valujet Printer.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

Sign Warehouse is STILL in business?

 

[GAC05]

Not to sure of the "can't be real" status of this thread.
I do not have a 1204 so I can only go by what the people who make the 1204 put out on their spec sheets.
The OP said he tried to load a 48" roll and it would not fit on the media holder. I would assume that this meant that the material was sold as 48" and may or may not be exactly 48" in height and that the cardboard core was too long to allow the media rod to drop down into the brackets.
I ran into the same problem with 54" material on my 1304. the material was the correct size but the core it was wound on was over sized and would need to be cut down in order to fit within the brackets on the printer.
Once the original poster replies we can get a better idea on the reality of this request for information.

wayne k
guam usa

 

[Stealth Ryder]

Wayne, I think he had the Scroller Bar on backwards. This is very common with new users, The fixed flange must be next to the ink cartridge. The core can't stick out more tha .25" on that side as well, this will make the media edge un-readable in most cases... This new member really needs to call whomever he bought the machine from and get a crash course in Basic Operation of his Printer. I have repaired literally hundreds of these type of machines that people have broken due to a lack of basic training.

 

[300mphGraphics]

Thanks all for the input, it is greatly appreciated.

I would assume that this meant that the material was sold as 48"

I assumed that too as I spent a great deal of time with my supplier getting what I wanted and didn't even bother to check the actual measurement, but I just measured the roll and it is the wrong width. Grrrr.

There was supposed to be a setup DVD in the package, I haven't found it yet. Maybe it's still on the shipping dock with my laminator... Grrrr.

Equipment was supposed to be here last Thursday, hopefully will get the last piece almost a week later. Grrrr..

I don't see any of that as SW's fault (I didn't order the material from them). They've been pretty decent to deal with so far and I'm sure their tech support will be additional help. I knew I'd get some quicker answers at Signs101 though!

Thanks again!