SC-540 Odd Banding... HELP!

[Entomber]

A while ago I had some help here and it resolved my problem but not completely. I went into the service menu and adjusted the horizontal settings. Afterwards I did a bi-directional print adjustment and I did a little more tweaking and it's spot on.

The problem now is when I do a "fill" test, every color except black has some fine line gaps or banding. It is apparent on some the prints. Only way I can compensate is I print on a high quality setting (more time, more ink) and in that profile the print comes out darker (Using Color Rip). At one time this machine produced beautiful results.. I have replaced 3 heads on it already and one is more than likely on it's way out. I'm on a little downtime now but worried I get a big job and the output has to be spot on, instead of just "looks fine from a distance".

Any advice? Thanks to any who can help me out here. Attached is a photograph to show what the issue is.

 

[Jack Knight1979]

what does your test print look like? How's your feed calibration?

 

[woolly]

I have a sc540 and still run colour rip at first glance I would change material or
Check heaters are around 40 deg with a temperature gauge
Feed calibration can be seen on the test print the join of the two passes
Slow the head too 500mm/ sec
Print at 720 x720 8 pass with full width scan

What inks

 

[Entomber]

"Feed calibration can be seen on the test print the join of the two passes"

Kinda of lost on that one. I did not run the heater when I did this. I Will try those suggestions. Thanks Woolly, you helped me out last time.

 

[woolly]

Press the test print button on the key pad it prints the test in two passes you should not be able to determine the join. If a gap then feed to great etc. Just a alternative to going through the feed calibration in the menu.
I said check temp because the ink looked like it was sitting on top of the vinyl the heat lets the ink get in to the surface of the vinyl

 

[Entomber]

Thank Woolly I will try again tomorrow. I did what you suggested and the banding has minimized, but not completely gone. I will try the Print Test observe and see about the feed settings. Thanks again for taking the time out and sheding a little knowledge.

 

[Entomber]

On the keypad the button displays "TEST PRINT". When I press it it has several colums of colors. Where would I be looking for a gap?

 

[Papajo]

The fill pattern isn't meant to be beautiful. It's printed with way too much ink and will most of the time look "banded" due to too much ink on the media. The real test is the test print. If it looks ok then your machine is ok. If you want a test that looks like the fill pattern to see the result of each head you'll need to create your own file with 100%C, M, Y, K and 50%C & M for Lc & Lm and shoot it through VersaWorks with the Sign&Display color preset and proper color profile.