SC-545EX Problems - Help Please!

[jvoisel]

We picked this machine up used 3 years ago and it has been pretty much problem free until now. We keep it up, clean it weekly, etc. We've always used the same ink and 3M material, nothing has changed except the print.

First problem I had was I tried to print a simply job, the colors are very washed out and there's a lot of banding. I cleaned the machine (even though it was just done 3 day ago) but could never get this to clear up. I made some black/colored stripes and tried another print, all looked the same so I called the tech.




He did a few test prints then we replaced all 12 dampers, all 6 cap tops, and the encoder sensor and the print never got better. for all of the test prints, the first pass looked fine and then the second pass looked bad so he thinks it's an electrical issue.

Here's a few test prints..



We replaced the Carriage Board and the problem is still there. I did 3 test prints in a row this morning and nothing much has changed. (first print starts at bottom of pic)


Next he wants to change the headboard, and if that doesn't fix it we will move on to the main board. Anyone ever have these problems or have suggestions to a fix? Thanks!

 

[J Hill Designs]

head soak, head soak, head soak

 

[kanini]

Why is the tech changing components like underwear when the test print is missing that many nozzles?? Like jhilldesigns said, try a head soak first. You do have the feed calibration checked of course, or?

 

[jvoisel]

He's changing electrical components because he believes it's a electrical problem since the first pass of the test print looks good and the second pass is bad.

I have not checked the feed calibration, nor do I know how exactly to do a head soak. I'll look through the manual and search online to see what I can learn on those though.

 

[J Hill Designs]

theres almost no way its electrical BECAUSE of the fact that the first pass looks good.

 

[jvoisel]

Here's the print when I tried to do a feed calibration..

 

[J Hill Designs]

you need to clear up your nozzles first and foremost

 

[jvoisel]

As said I've never had to do a head soak before, should I follow these steps?

http://www.signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?p=654826

If so, how do I get the heads to move over.. Just manually move them or what?

 

[kanini]

Here's a PDF instruction how to do a head soak (found after some googling): http://files.dencosales.com/TechTips/Roland XC, XJ Head Soak.pdf

(if I'm not allowed to post the link please remove it)

 

[kanini]

In addition, when you've lowered the caps with the wrench you can move the heads manually with the power off...

 

[signcrafters]

I've had similar problems.
Try using a syringe to remove the air from the lines.

 

[jvoisel]

My tech knows a guy with a good headboard out of the same machine, so he's going to bring that by today and see if it changes anything before I order a new one. If that doesn't fix the problem I'll have him do a head soak / teach me how for next time. I'll ask him about having air in the lines too.

I'll report back

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

From the looks of things you need new heads

 

[jvoisel]

Well, new head board didn't change anything. So now he's looking at the main board.

I'm working on doing a head soak now

 

[Robert M]

Pump

That series printer had the old style pump out of the box, most were later upgraded. Looks to me like this could be a pump issue. Have the tech check this, also no mention of the wipers being changed, check that also, do not think it is electrical

 

[jvoisel]

Wipers were indeed changed too. I let the heads soak for about two hours and the test print still looks the same.


How could I go about testing the pumps?

 

[signcrafters]

Could be a pump problem but
I'm still betting on air in the lines.

 

[J Hill Designs]

for the pumps: get some new tubing from triangle digital - tubing for the peristaltic pumps is TYG4x6, and just retube them.

http://www.inxdigital.com/e-catalog/index.html#/88/zoomed

 

[signcrafters]

Problem fixed?

 

[J Hill Designs]

for the pumps: get some new tubing from triangle digital - tubing for the peristaltic pumps is TYG4x6, and just retube them.

http://www.inxdigital.com/e-catalog/index.html#/88/zoomed

my appologies on this, I was under the impression that this was a HP9000 for some reason yesterday. this is the wrong tubing as far as I know for a SC545EX