Roland SP-300

[Jim Hill]

When printing everything works fine until the final image in printed.

This would be the image on the far right side if you were standing in front of the printer.

I get a black smear sometimes it happens on one of the image only and sometimes it happens on all of the last images in that row.

I have cleaned the encoder strip a number of times from one end to the complete other end and that did seem to help a little.

I have also manually cleaned everything from the heads to the capping station.

My question is is this what is a called a head strike?

My SP-300 is a two headed machine and it appears to be the black and cyan color only that is doing this.

Is the head started to go?

Thanks Jim

 

[ova]

Do a search. Most people don't like to hear this right off the get go, but it will help more if you don't get your hand held.

From what you're discribing and with no pictures to actually see, it sounds like a head strike.

some things to look at: Is the media buckling from the heat in the area of the smear? If so, might want to look at the pinch rollers to see if they're put on correctly as to not causing the buckling or check your heat settings.

Yes, the black and blue heads are together and are the first ones to hit during a head strike.

Dave

 

[Jim Hill]

Dave:

When you say to a search my question is for a head strike?

What causes a head strike to happen?

Jim

 

[ova]

There's a search function at the top of the page. Drop it down and type in what you're problem is. I think it will bring up posts pertaining to it.

Head strikes are caused mainly from your media not laying flat on your platten. Too much heat, media running off. pinch rollers on backwards causing the media to push towards the center instead of to the outside.

These are just a few things that would cause the head strikes. I also have an sp300v and thru trail and error,found these to be the main reasons for head strikes.

Post a picture so others can see waht's going on. You might get more than just me helping.

It's not April 1st yet, is it?

Dave

 

[guato]

It is possible that head touch media!

 

[CS-SignSupply]

Are you using the media clips? Sounds like the printhead is striking the media, due to the media curling up. Quite possible due to the heater settings, pinch roller position or the media clip is not being used.

What type of material? What are your heater settings?

 

[Jim Hill]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I think I have fixed the problem.

The roll of vinyl was getting hung up on the thump screws just enough to cause the vinyl to roll and create a head strike.

Once I corrected the problem she is printing perfectly again.

Fast question,
Do most of you just install the vinyl on the rollers with no clamps holding it in place. Or is there another trick to it?

Thanks Jim

 

[SignEx]

One way to help avoid a possible head strike , be sure to roll media out some off the roll , So the machine does not pull directly from the roll, but from the excess you have rolled out,


mark

 

[Jim Hill]

Mark: Thanks for the tip.

Do you do this each time you run your printer?

What I have found is if for any reason the roll of vinyl get hung up either by the thump screws or anything else while the motor is trying to pull the vinyl it will lead to a head strike.

Do you use the media clamps or just simple install the roll of vinyl on the rollers and let it spin free?

Once I took the media clamps off I have not had any more problems with head strikes.

Thanks for sharing your information. Jim

 

[SignEx]

I always roll some extra out whether I am using a 10yd roll or a 50 yd roll,
Its just a habit I have to try and avoid problems,
You mention that the media hangs on thumbscrews, I assume you do have the media flange rollers to insert in your material before you put it on machine.
I've attached a pic of the item, If you try to just place vinyl on rollers without these I could see that the thumbscrews could possible cause problems,

mark