RF-640 printing issues

[heyskull]

Of late I am seeing a lot of prints that look either fuzzy or with Reds than seem almost as if the ink is like when you get silicon issues when painting and it is sepearating.
Is their some sort of calibration and setup I can do as the test prints are perfect and the head has no lint?

Thanks
SC

 

[damonCA21]

The test print doesn't always show up problems as it only shoots the nozzles very briefly.
Make up some artwork with 1 inch blocks each of C. M, Y and K and print those out, then look at the edges and see if they are nice and straight with no fuzziness or overspray which can point to a failing head

 

[cornholio]

Sometimes, you need to print the nozzle test in service mode, to see defects in smaller drops.

 

[heyskull]

How do I print a nozzle test in service mode?

 

[cornholio]

You need to go into service mode and the print a nozzle test. (You can find the service mode sequence with Google, I signed a NDA...)

 

[heyskull]

?

 

[Joe House]

Pictures?

 

[heyskull]

 

[heyskull]

Sorry for the late reply on this one.
All the temperatures are as specified by the vinyl manufacturer.

SC

 

[heyskull]

Can anyone help on this one?

SC

 

[capitate]

You've tried a different media roll?

 

[garyroy]

Or a different/better profile??

 

[heyskull]

This is coming up on all materials and all profiles.

SC

 

[garyroy]

For a test, try these 4 different Reds from your graphic program, see if they all band, or which one looks best.

 

[heyskull]

For a test, try these 4 different Reds from your graphic program, see if they all band, or which one looks best.

I have tried your print test and they are doing much the same as my original print.
Please understand, there is no banding just the way the ink is pooling/sitting on the material.

SC

 

[garyroy]

Yes, it has a mottled appearance.

 

[netsol]

(1) not enough platen heat?
(2) too much ink?
(3) your ink chemistry doesn't get along with that substrate?

before we got the hybrid, i got a similar effect trying to direct print, running sintra through my roland sc545-ex (worked great! on styrene, though) increased pre, platen and post heat minimized the effect

 

[weyandsign]

IS the ink still wet when it does this? What are your temps?

 

[heyskull]

Honestly I have altered heat settings with no difference and if I adjust the ink quanties the colours are not correct.
My substrates have not changed in the last 5 years.
I am running Nazdar inks but have also tried another supplier and they both have the same problems.
I never had this issue running ECO-SOL Max3 inks but this was a few months ago now.
It is as if their is silicon on the material or in the ink causing issues.

SC

 

[Costa Mesa Sign]

Honestly I have altered heat settings with no difference and if I adjust the ink quanties the colours are not correct.
My substrates have not changed in the last 5 years.
I am running Nazdar inks but have also tried another supplier and they both have the same problems.
I never had this issue running ECO-SOL Max3 inks but this was a few months ago now.
It is as if their is silicon on the material or in the ink causing issues.

SC

Of late I am seeing a lot of prints that look either fuzzy or with Reds than seem almost as if the ink is like when you get silicon issues when painting and it is sepearating.
Is their some sort of calibration and setup I can do as the test prints are perfect and the head has no lint?

Thanks
SC

I have an RF and have found a few tips to keep mine printing sharp.

Feed calibration must be adjusted per media. Used the 'presets' option to save them for your favorites and remember to load them when swapping out rolls.

Always print high quality uni. Period.

Run the head height low except for banners.

Perform a medium cleaning periodically to refresh the damper.

Stay on top of manual cleaning and consumables.