UCJV300 vs UCJV330 (CLEAR)

[justjust89]

Hi fellow printers and gloss layer specialists

Recently invested in the UCJV330, however I have quickly become quite disappointed in the fact that the 330 does not allow printing like the 300 on 600x1200 pass, seems these little snags are not advertised or atleast I wasn't aware.

This is not my issue though I understand both machines have different print heads I am currently struggling to get a nice glass like gloss finish when doing clear layers.

Our work predominantly consists of multilayer spot gloss printed stickers to create the raised thick gloss look, on the ucjv300 I was able to achieve this with 2 x clear pull back layers at 100% and UV Lamps running around -35%

Even 1 clear layer on the 300 seems to be the equivalent of atleast 2/3 pullback layer of gloss on the 330

The 330 is producing very orange peel style gloss if I try to do more than 1 layer of gloss, I have tried multiple adjustments with the uv lamp percentage, also tried playing with the MAPS setting, even reducing the % of gloss slighlty, the first layer generally is ok whenever more than one layer of gloss is required the printer just ends up giving me orange peel effect/wrinkled skin imperfections

I have tried 1200x1200, 1200x1800 actually gives worse results than 1200 x 1200 pass, also tried uni direction with no improvement, I am pulling my hair out (whats left of it) if anyone can advise if they have had the same issues? its a brand new machine only 2 weeks old, hoping one of you amazing kind members can resolve this issue otherwise it looks like a pointless investment

Many Thanks

 

[Mylese]

The best way to fix any gloss problems on the UCJV330 is to switch to STS clear ink. It was the best thing we ever did. Its a much harder ink and cures way more aggressively allowing for better layering.

I know you said its a new printer, so maybe you don't want to do that for warranty reasons but I swear it just works.

Are you using LUS170 or the new ELS170?

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

If only there were some way to put a different kind of ink in a Mimaki bottle.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

If only there were some way to put a different kind of ink in a Mimaki bottle.

Spill the beans, what's your preferred go to?

 

[Notarealsignguy]

We have a JV330 solvent and am not a fan of the i3200 heads at all. We tried to catch the 300 series before they ran out but was too late. I can only assume that the 330 series uses the same i3200 heads with heaters on the UV version and had Ricoh before the changeover? Mimaki isn't really forthcoming with what heads are used in each machine.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I use STS inks in my stuff and stock some of it for my local customers. As for the 330 series UCJV's, I find them to be cursed and the overall design on the UV side to be a half-assed afterthought. Sure they print faster than the 300 series, but they have lots of issues.

When I find 300s, I tend to try and grab them or refer people looking for them to listings when they pop up.

 

[Mylese]

Its just not a fair comparison when it comes to relaibility you just can beat the Ricoh heads in the 300.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Apparently it's a $10,000 upcharge for worse heads. When I saw they were using the same thick inks for the i3200s, I was dumbfounded by the stupid.

 

[Kemik]

STS Clear for the win!

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Running into more and more issues with their white ink, to the point where I like to cut it with 25-50% clear. There's always leftover sludge that likes to drain into the bottle tanks. Also, the foil seals are a terrible idea. If you're going to copy OEM inks, at least put a shrink seal on the neck instead of a foil heat seal.

 

[Mylese]

STS white ink is bad, we stopped selling it at our dealership because it only causes problems. We recommend STS only for the clear, everything else OEM always. I agree with the foil seals.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

CMYK seems fine, but yeah, the white is becoming problematic. I think they copied an old version of the ink and just haven't caught up.

 

[Solventinkjet]

We have a JV330 solvent and am not a fan of the i3200 heads at all. We tried to catch the 300 series before they ran out but was too late. I can only assume that the 330 series uses the same i3200 heads with heaters on the UV version and had Ricoh before the changeover? Mimaki isn't really forthcoming with what heads are used in each machine.

You actually dodged a bullet not getting the JV300 in my opinion. It used 2 DX7 heads and the model had many problems. The UCJV300 did use Ricoh Gen 5 heads which is where some of the confusion is from. What don't you like about the i3200 heads, other than being way overpriced.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I thought the UJV300 used Brother heads, the UCJV300 uses Gen5's.

 

[Kemik]

Running into more and more issues with their white ink, to the point where I like to cut it with 25-50% clear. There's always leftover sludge that likes to drain into the bottle tanks. Also, the foil seals are a terrible idea. If you're going to copy OEM inks, at least put a shrink seal on the neck instead of a foil heat seal.

I agree with the STS foil seals, they never remove properly! The foil comes off and leaves behind a thin plastic layer.
The first time I tried to remove that thin layer I dropped some inside the bottle and I had to strain it before using it! Now I wear gloves and grab hold of it while I cut it out with a blade.

I only use the STS Clear, my White and CMYK is still OEM, no issues with the OEM white.

 

[Solventinkjet]

I thought the UJV300 used Brother heads, the UCJV300 uses Gen5's.

Yup, I fat fingered it. I meant the UCJV300.

 

[crashaffinity]

I use STS inks in my stuff and stock some of it for my local customers. As for the 330 series UCJV's, I find them to be cursed and the overall design on the UV side to be a half-assed afterthought. Sure they print faster than the 300 series, but they have lots of issues.

When I find 300s, I tend to try and grab them or refer people looking for them to listings when they pop up.

This is interesting to hear. We would have automatically upgraded to the UCJV330 after our 300 wears out. We print hundreds of rolls of optically clear a year for glazing films using CMYK + clear and sometimes white as well. Do you have any more info on what the general issues are?

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Issues on inks, the 330, etc?

 

[Mylese]

This is interesting to hear. We would have automatically upgraded to the UCJV330 after our 300 wears out. We print hundreds of rolls of optically clear a year for glazing films using CMYK + clear and sometimes white as well. Do you have any more info on what the general issues are?

I disagree that the 330 is cursed. We have many in the field that print perfectly. Of course we sometimes have service calls on them but every printer does, it's not like the UCJV300 doesn't.

 

[crashaffinity]

Issues on inks, the 330, etc?

the 330 specifically i guess, we're open to loading other inks if that is beneficial.