Roland 545EX offsetting problem

[Cary713]

Hello members,
I've been lurking here for a while, but this is my first post. I'm out of ideas on how to fix a problem, and hopefully you can help.
Every now and then my prints will offset like the attached pics, only on the magenta print head.
(doesn't seem to be connected to any file type, it does it on vector .EPS files just as much as .JPGs)
It will offset by a few inches on each pass and when it runs out of room, it gives the "Service Call" code.
Then sometimes I can send the same file at a different quality and it prints fine.

I tried:
Replacing encoder strip and sensor
Swapping print heads - still comes only on magenta
Replacing ribbon cables
Had the head board tested on another identical machine by Dave Calendar, and all came out ok.

None of this has worked. It does it very intermittently, and I cannot figure it out.

Anyone seen this before?

Thanks in advance for your help


Roland 545EX
Versaworks 5.51


Cary Maucere
Graphic Designer
RC Graphics • Boise
https://www.behance.net/RCGraphicsBoise

 

[Ragnabrok]

Something is causing the magenta (or light magenta) head to fire.

It's usually the cables if it's not doing it 100% of the time like in these pictures. head cables themselves, or the annoying-to-change long cables from the print carriage board to the head board. Outside of that, a broken head can cause this, so can a broken head board, less likely, but cheaper the print carriage board can cause this as well.

 

[Cary713]

That's the thing - it's causing the magenta head to not only fire, but to print the same image 4", but offset of the other heads.
I'll try replacing those long cables next.

 

[Cary713]

Problem persists

I replaced the long carriage cable for the magenta head, and the problem in still there.
Any other ideas?

 

[Ragnabrok]

did you just replace the one long cable? it could be the light magenta, which would be on another cable.

Print carriage board is a viable option, and the next cheapest to the long cables.

 

[Cary713]

We had already narrowed it down to the 2nd head in from the left, which happens to be Magenta.
Replaced the long ribbon cable - same results.

 

[Ragnabrok]

next up, print carriage board. Last i remember they aren't terribly expensive. Head is a possibility, as is head driver board.

 

[Cary713]

Thanks! I will try the carriage board next, since we have ruled out the Head and Head Board.

 

[Cary713]

New Carriage Board - Similar Result

I installed the new carriage board, and the problem is still there. I guess my theory of it being the data to that one print head is shot. This time it did the repeat with yellow and some cyan to the right about 4 inches, and magenta to the left about 4 inches.

So far we have swapped print heads around, and mostly it comes from the Magenta (which happens to be the 2nd print head from the left), we have replaced ribbon cables (long and short), replaced encoder strip and sensor, and had the head board tested (good).

I'm out of ideas on what could be causing this. :/

 

[Cary713]

Funny Thing...

Funny thing is - when I re-sent the job, the ONLY thing I changed was the orientation (turned it sideways) and it printed fine!
Could this be a Versaworks issue?