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Anyone seen something like this?

dreko

dreko

New Member
Running multi layered PDF files on top of each other. Files would print a layer, return print to starting point for additional print layers. Registration and alignment were excellent.
Then it started printing additional layers slightly out of registration.

Nozzle check is perfect
Media gap is perfect
Calibration is perfect

I am printing on a cotton coated fine art paper (roll)
Any idea why the printer is shifting additional print layers off to 1 side?

thanks
 
R

Roland Certified Tech

New Member
dreko said:
Running multi layered PDF files on top of each other. Files would print a layer, return print to starting point for additional print layers. Registration and alignment were excellent.
Then it started printing additional layers slightly out of registration.

Nozzle check is perfect
Media gap is perfect
Calibration is perfect

I am printing on a cotton coated fine art paper (roll)
Any idea why the printer is shifting additional print layers off to 1 side?

thanks
Click to expand...
what model printer and how old?
 
dreko

dreko

New Member
Roland LEC2-300

I cleaned the encoder strip (was a bit dirty)
Ran calibration, media gap, nozzle checks. (All perfect)
Looked at pinch rollers (they seem fine) But maybe tracking is off??
Inkjet head is newish and clean.

Everything was printing fine, but had a cut roll of paper put into the printer, and didn't realize all the fine paper dust/lint from the cut roll was 'inside' the rolled paper.
This caused lots of dried crusty greenish UV ink to build up on the left and right edges of the paper roll and printer.
That was all cleaned up.
Is there a sensor in the print head that might need cleaning? (not the cutter/printer alignment sensor)


However, now it seems like sending multiple files to print back on top of itself... the file/artwork has shifted out of registration. Only in the gloss channels (as I'm building up textural depth)
GLoss inks expired 10 days ago July 2nd (new ones on order)

It was intermittent... now it's on every print (shifted gloss layers)

I upgraded to Versaworks 7
I ran older saved ripped files that worked perfectly before, now don't.
I think it's not a file/computer/Versaworks issue.

It seems to be a printer physical problem.

I've got 2 brand new pinch roller assemblies, I've got to find instructions on how to pull the older ones, and put 2 new fresh ones on.
Also, grit roller looks pretty clean, but I'll give a scrub with a toothbrush and cleaning solution.

I even did a set limit (however it was weird, as I had to physically separate the cutter from the print head. It didn't separate on it's own) However, it did complete
Any thoughts?
20250712_154445.jpg

20250712_154613.jpg

20250712_201613.jpg
 
R

Roland Certified Tech

New Member
dreko said:
Roland LEC2-300

I cleaned the encoder strip (was a bit dirty)
Ran calibration, media gap, nozzle checks. (All perfect)
Looked at pinch rollers (they seem fine) But maybe tracking is off??
Inkjet head is newish and clean.

Everything was printing fine, but had a cut roll of paper put into the printer, and didn't realize all the fine paper dust/lint from the cut roll was 'inside' the rolled paper.
This caused lots of dried crusty greenish UV ink to build up on the left and right edges of the paper roll and printer.
That was all cleaned up.
Is there a sensor in the print head that might need cleaning? (not the cutter/printer alignment sensor)


However, now it seems like sending multiple files to print back on top of itself... the file/artwork has shifted out of registration. Only in the gloss channels (as I'm building up textural depth)
GLoss inks expired 10 days ago July 2nd (new ones on order)

It was intermittent... now it's on every print (shifted gloss layers)

I upgraded to Versaworks 7
I ran older saved ripped files that worked perfectly before, now don't.
I think it's not a file/computer/Versaworks issue.

It seems to be a printer physical problem.

I've got 2 brand new pinch roller assemblies, I've got to find instructions on how to pull the older ones, and put 2 new fresh ones on.
Also, grit roller looks pretty clean, but I'll give a scrub with a toothbrush and cleaning solution.

I even did a set limit (however it was weird, as I had to physically separate the cutter from the print head. It didn't separate on it's own) However, it did complete
Any thoughts?
View attachment 178231
View attachment 178234
View attachment 178235
Click to expand...
seems off quite a bit.
is it off left to right or front to back?
are you using the middle pinch rollers?
you need need to check all 8 ”corners “of the outer pinch roller assemblies for cracks, see attached.
put them down on the grit rollers and see if you can move them left to right, they should be solid in place.
also, being that material you are using, I would try the return to origin printing on some regular vinyl just to rule out the material.
Yes, clean grit rollers only with a nylon bracelet and cleaning solution.
clean pinch rollers as well.
SERVICE MODE: scan and feed aging, reset limit, linear encoder, g-enc check.
 

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dreko

dreko

New Member
The registration shift is towards the right (origin/housing position)
Only a left and right pinch roller. No middle roller (was removed)
I'll check for cracks. (how does one remove them, I see in the back there's a slot/hole... but I don't think I can pull from the rear of the printer, correct?)
I'll try moving once they are on the grit roller.
I'll try a different paper (a photo paper)
Ok, grit roller cleaning with brush and roland cleaning solution (pinch rollers are clean)

In that service mode suggestion, are those 5 areas I can adjust myself without any additional tools?
I'll have to google what they are, and how to verify/check results.. but thank you. I'll look

really really appreaciate your responses and help, I'm trying to beat a upcoming deadline later this week :)
 
dreko

dreko

New Member
Looks like I can replace the pinch rollers from the front of the printer, yes?
I was trying from the back of the printer...
 
dreko

dreko

New Member
Just curious, why would previous perfect bi-directional prints... now need uni directional fixes?
Carriage motor is getting out of spec?

could a hot environment and just expired gloss inks cause a weird 'shift'? Or that would be more of a clogged nozzle/clogged damper issue?
 
R

Roland Certified Tech

New Member
dreko said:
Just curious, why would previous perfect bi-directional prints... now need uni directional fixes?
Carriage motor is getting out of spec?

could a hot environment and just expired gloss inks cause a weird 'shift'? Or that would be more of a clogged nozzle/clogged damper issue?
Click to expand...
Just need to go to basics and rule things out.
since it is off left to right, need to check all and everything related to scan operation.
 
dreko

dreko

New Member
Pinch roller assemblies are perfect. Rock solid. No wiggle movement.
BUT to be sure, I'm going to get new left/right assemblies.

The thing is... a single layer print is perfect
Multi layer now... is not (Was perfect until some ink crude build up)

I'm thinking either the belt tension might be getting loose (so need adjustment with belt tension tool)
OR
Is there a board that controls the SCAN and FEED motors? (multi layer registration is way off to the right... but registration looks very slightly off in the feed too, towards the back of the machine)

everything else you suggested has checked out
 
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