Roland Truevis VG2-640 - Banding issues

[JayDee]

Hi, were having issues with banding on our Roland VG2.
Problem exists in all solid colors and on different media types
See attachments:
- example
- gap adjustment checked
- calibration checked
- nozzle test checked

What else can we do to resolve this?
Any thoughts?

Thx in advance regards, Jovan

 

[wes70]

Here a few things we do when banding starts:
1. Clean encoder strip with isopropyl
2. See if there is static from your environment being too dry.
3. Adjust heat settings on the printer

 

[MrDav3C]

Looking at images you provided I would say it's a feed calibration issue.

It's currently set to +0.15, try changing it to -0.5 and see if that helps?

Also don't forget to agitate your ink cartridges regularly.

 

[JayDee]

thx, will try!

 

[JayDee]

wes70 heat settings up or low? I have no clue

 

[JayDee]

Looking at images you provided I would say it's a feed calibration issue.

It's currently set to +0.15, try changing it to -0.5 and see if that helps?

Also don't forget to agitate your ink cartridges regularly.

UPDATE: changed the feed calibration to -0.5 and even -1.0
Totally no difference in output :-(

 

[MrDav3C]

UPDATE: changed the feed calibration to -0.5 and even -1.0
Totally no difference in output :-(

OK so have just looked at the photos on my PC rather than on my phone as I'm now in the office. Looks a bit different than what I could see on my phone to be completely honest!

I would say the feed calibration setting was probably about right, apologies for the mis-information.

Have you tried cleaning the encoder strip?

For reference, heater settings should be somewhere around 40 degrees with the dryer being temp being a few degrees higher than the printer temp.

Would definitely recommend giving the ink pouches a good shake for around 30 seconds each & a couple of medium head cleans to see if that helps too.

 

[JayDee]

OK so have just looked at the photos on my PC rather than on my phone as I'm now in the office. Looks a bit different than what I could see on my phone to be completely honest!

I would say the feed calibration setting was probably about right, apologies for the mis-information.

Have you tried cleaning the encoder strip?

For reference, heater settings should be somewhere around 40 degrees with the dryer being temp being a few degrees higher than the printer temp.

Would definitely recommend giving the ink pouches a good shake for around 30 seconds each & a couple of medium head cleans to see if that helps too.

I will try cleaning the encoder strip. Where to find it?
Do I need to remove anything for this.
Default temp is set to 40 degrees celcius for the printbed and 45 for the last one.

 

[JayDee]

I will try cleaning the encoder strip. Where to find it?
Do I need to remove anything for this.
Default temp is set to 40 degrees celcius for the printbed and 45 for the last one.

Found and cleande the Encoder strip, no changes. Horizontal banding still the same.
Some more examples attached.

Anyone.....?

 

[Zoogee World]

Although the nozzle test doesn't look bad, there are a few deflections and a few missing nozzles, which might be causing trouble. Have you tried doing solid blocks of CMYK with PMS colors and setting them up as Pure 100% of each and seeing if there is 1 color that is worse. From your photos, you're only showing blues, which seems from the nozzle test, one of them with the issues (light Cyan). Do colors without Blues and blacks print okay?

 

[JayDee]

Although the nozzle test doesn't look bad, there are a few deflections and a few missing nozzles, which might be causing trouble. Have you tried doing solid blocks of CMYK with PMS colors and setting them up as Pure 100% of each and seeing if there is 1 color that is worse. From your photos, you're only showing blues, which seems from the nozzle test, one of them with the issues (light Cyan). Do colors without Blues and blacks print okay?

Just tested and indeed it seems only Cyan.
See attachments.

 

[Zoogee World]

Not sure if it will resolve the issue, but you could try Uni-directional and slowing down the print head speed and see if this gives better results. Of course it will take much longer to print, but might stop the need to replace the head. You could also try replacing the cap top, if it's been a while since it has been, but I don't think that will resolve it.

 

[JayDee]

Not sure if it will resolve the issue, but you could try Uni-directional and slowing down the print head speed and see if this gives better results. Of course it will take much longer to print, but might stop the need to replace the head. You could also try replacing the cap top, if it's been a while since it has been, but I don't think that will resolve it.

thx for your quick reply. I tested this immediately. Uni directional is slightly better but not acceptable. (files attached)
I'm out of options I guess.... besides calling for support and change the print head :-(

 

[SE SignSupply]

thx for your quick reply. I tested this immediately. Uni directional is slightly better but not acceptable. (files attached)
I'm out of options I guess.... besides calling for support and change the print head :-(

That Cyan head needs to be changed out.

For a temporary fix, you can run a nozzle mask test print from the printer. Pick the best one and use this mask in VW6. The printer speed will be cut way down, put print quality should improve.

 

[Zoogee World]

Something I did when I had a similar issue was to do 2x print and upped the brightness to compensate, it helped but took a very long time. Might give it a try to see if it can get you by until you can get the head taken care of.

 

[JayDee]

Thx every one for all tips. Also nozzle mask is not helping 100% out.
Desided to ask for a head replacement.

 

[somcalmetim]

Before you ask for head replacement (which it could be but that is something a tech would have to tell you)
-During manual cleaning mode - take a syringe and fill your capping stations with cleaner fluid and see how long it takes them to drain
-If the cyan is slower to drain you likely have a clogged capping station that is preventing proper ink flow
Usually a clogged capping station can be cleaned by soaking with cleaner fluid until it drains similar to the other colors capping stations...

 

[cornholio]

Get the head replaced. Some of those Ricoh heads just don't work correctly. Cyan seems to be most problematic...

 

[JayDee]

Before you ask for head replacement (which it could be but that is something a tech would have to tell you)
-During manual cleaning mode - take a syringe and fill your capping stations with cleaner fluid and see how long it takes them to drain
-If the cyan is slower to drain you likely have a clogged capping station that is preventing proper ink flow
Usually a clogged capping station can be cleaned by soaking with cleaner fluid until it drains similar to the other colors capping stations...

Thx for the tip, will try this before asking for replacement.

 

[JayDee]

Besides: It seems easy to replace the head including cap and damper your self?

VG-i Assy Inkjet Head 250L - 6000006702

This VG-i printhead with 250mm long cable is suitable for the second generation of Roland Truevis printers.

www.digiprint-supplies.com

I looked at a YouTube video which seems relatively easy....
Any thoughts?