Horizontal Color Shifts; Microbanding; Print Swath Shifts (continued)

Select the best image or images below to characterize the problem your printer is experiencing:

2-13.

If horizontal bands appear in the Prime pattern as illustrated above then replacement of the trailing cable is usually necessary. Call for service.

For future reference, clean the trailing cable routinely as this will prolong trailing cable life by up to five times longer.

2-14.

If the image is shifted from the right margin slightly, containing small rectangular bar patterns along the right margin, and exhibits horizontal bands at regular or irregular intervals then the flex driver cable is unseated. The color of the small rectangular bars signifies the unseated flex driver cable to the carriage board. Call for service.

2-15.

If the image is shifted from the right margin, containing 4 columns of small rectangular bar patterns along the right margin, and exhibits horizontal bands at regular or irregular intervals then the trailing cable is unseated or defective. Call for service.

2-16.

If banding is occurring in a particular color ensure the prime pattern for that color is correct. The prime pattern diagonal line must be consistent across all jets. Clean or bypass jets as required. Up to 20 jets can be automatically or manually bypassed for each color. For prime patterns which exhibit multiple power or address line failures (see above, top-right illustration) then one cartridge is typically at fault. Isolate one cartridge at a time by covering the electrical drive contacts (not the smart chip) at rear of cartridge with tape or a post-it note. Activate the prime pattern again. The modified cartridge will not print, but if the modified cartridge is defective then the other colors will return to normal in the prime pattern. Replace defective cartridge.

2-17.

If misfires (clogs) occur in all colors at the exact same jet location replace all cartridges. If this does not correct the problem then the Main board is defective. Call for service.

2-18.

If horizontal banding is occurring down the print accompanied by an unusual rhythmic sound (abnormal) then the stepper motor is either loose or defective. Call for service.

2-19.

If erratic banding is occuring on image output first verify the problem is not media related. The next step is to test the RIP by sending a test file to the printer. Test files can be downloaded from the ENCAD web site. Ensure strike plate and static brushes are in good condition. The strike plates are attached to the take-up and feed motor brackets. See illustration below, the arrow is pointing at the carbon fiber brushes. The brushes should be standing straight up and in good condition. If not then contact your service representative or damage to the printer may occur when printing on backlit and polyester media types.

If the banding is accompanied by apparent overspray then electrostatic discharge from the media is probably the cause. If dryer operations, control panel display, or media stepping functionality is affected immediately call for service.

2-20.

For output which exbibits frequent data corruption, single line protruding from page layout (page layout violation) or when partial data loss occurs on one side of image then the printer is not at fault. The print server, network, or RIP are typically at fault. The following suggestions will improve printing performance:

1) Ensure only a 10/100baseT fastHUB is used, not HUB switches or 10baseT networking. 2) Ensure 100baseT print servers are used, redundant protocols are turned off, and and IEEE 1284 parallel printer cable (less than 10 feet) or an IEEE wall switch is only used. 3) RIP workstation has a minimum 20 GB harddrive and 256 MB of memory. 4) Isolate the ENCAD printer from the rest of the network.

2-21.

If banding occurs fairly consistenly down the print, usually in certain color spaces, then check the printers ink pre-heat levels (Set-Up Menu - Ink Option Menu - PreHeat). Verify all settings are at default. Settings may be cleared to default by activating a Reinitialize (Set-Up Menu - User Set-Up Menu - Init Settings). Ensure Auto-Wipe is turned off. Call technical support for assistance.

2-22.

If banding or scraping of the printheads is occurring then ensure the vacuum fans are blowing air down below the platen surface during printing. Check media to ensure the maximum thickness does not exceed 20 mil and that the media has not been exposed to humidity (particularly vinyl and canvas.) Change media to verify. Ensure the cutter is functioning properly. Ensure carriage head is at proper height by gauging distance with a US quarter under the cartridges. The distance between the cartridges and the platen surface (media must be removed first!) should be approximately 65/1000" (of an inch) or the thickness of a US quarter (>1966). For the NovaJet 505 and 1500TX the distance is equal to approximately 2 stacked US quarters or 125/1000". Inspect carriage bushings for wear, bushings should be replaced every 2000 print hours. Call for service if the problem cannot be resolved or if you wish to raise carriage head height to accomodate thicker media types.

2-23.

If random banding, double-dot firing, or lines are protruding from the image then electrical interference is the cause. Ensure the print server port, parallel data switch box, and parallel cable are all IEEE compliant. The parallel cable used should be less than 10 feet (3 meters) in length to avoid this kind of problem. Always keep printer at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from Fax machines and Laminators. Do not directly ground the printer to a ground source by a 3rd party cable/wire unless a 1 megohm resistor is placed in line with the grounding cable/wire. NovaJet PRO/PRO 50 and NovaJet PROe customers should contact technical support for further assistance if the problem cannot be corrected.

2-24.

If regular horizontal bands appear fairly consistenly down the print, usually in certain color spaces, then check the printers ink pre-heat levels (Set-Up Menu - Ink Option Menu - PreHeat). Verify all settings are at default. Settings may be cleared to default by activating a Reinitialize (Set-Up Menu - User Set-Up Menu - Init Settings). Ensure Auto-Wipe is turned off. Call technical support for assistance.

Back to Previous Page