All Other Print Quality Problems

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

4-1.

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.

4-2.

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 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.

4-3.

If the Deadband print pattern prints incorrectly where the left and the right sides are aligned vertically, but the center (or one side) fails to line up correctly then the encoder strip is most likely dirty or defective. First ensure all calibrations have been performed correctly. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. Call for service.

4-4.

If the left or right edges of the print drift back and forth or the image begins to 'walk' then the encoder strip is dirty or defective. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab.

4-5.

If the color changes slowly (i.e. over 1 meter) in the vertical direction (verifed not to be ink starvation) as the image is printed then the media may have suffered humidity exposure and damage. If the media is verified good and the problem continues then the Main Board is likely defective. Call for service.

4-6.

If the color dramatically changes or shifts once (exhibits a hard border) at the beginning of each print then the network, NT server, print server, or printer carriage board is at fault. Verify the Raster Image Processor or Driver is not causing the problem by printing a test print directly to printer from the sample images CD supplied with printer. Call for service.

4-7.

If the color changes or shifts quickly (soft border) and one color fails to continue to print then ink starvation has occurred (i.e. magenta is lost completely in the example above). Ensure the cartridge is primed properly and contains approximately 20 ml of ink. Check all ink delivery line connections and retest by running a color test in a low pass print mode. If a color test fails, as in the following two examples then corrective action must be taken. In example A the cartridge needs to be primed again; example B requires the proper level of ink inside cartridge. Call for service if problem cannot be corrected.

4-8.

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.

4-9.

If diagonal banding is occurring (greater than a 10% angle from the vertical) then the servo motor pulley may be damaged or the RIP is causing the problem in most cases. The first step is to test the RIP by sending a test file to the printer. Test files can be downloaded from the ENCAD web site. In some cases the diagonal banding can be caused by dirty or defective carriage bushings, but a bushing failure typically causes near vertical swaths down the print. Call for service.

4-10.

If the color test appears abnormal (see a normal color test pictured below) then the carriage board is probably defective. Verify all other print operations are abnormal before replacing the carriage board. Ensure the printer is properly protected from electrostatic discharge (from media) by inspecting the strike plates and carbon fibers. Strike plates are mounted to the the feed and take-up roll cradles. Call for service.

Normal color tests.

4-11.

For colors which are inconsistent across the image, typically the left and right sides are different from the rest of the color space (referred to as ghosting), please ensure the preheat levels are optimized. Also slow the printer speed down and increase print pass mode, adjust preheat levels of affected color as necessary. You may have to fill white space areas with 2% yellow to control on printer models that do not have preheat settings (NovaJet PRO 50 and earlier).

4-12.

If data changes color (reverse spotting) within the print then the print server is typically at fault. The server may not be configured properly or may be too slow for the adequate data transfer rate. Call for network administration support.

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