Digital BW, The Print

I have a used (new to me) 7000 that I just set up with K6 inks.  This 
printer was initially setup with piezotones several years ago, 
developed a clog, converted to cleaning carts and left sitting.  The 
owner flushed with cleaning fluid 1-2 times a year.  I did an initial 
fill with flush then installed the K6 inks.  Printing a step wedge 
using QTR (better/ordered) reveals a nice ramp but there's very fine 
banding around 15-35% which disappears until 55-75% then it disappears 
again.  And the 100% block has pronounced banding (fine white lines).  
Oh, and the text is slightly blurred with stray tiny black dots.  Other 
than those problems, it's a nice ramp! :)

I have done a couple of KK2 cleanings, let the printer sit overnight x 
2, Windex on the pads, Windex paper towel on the head, alignment (tough 
to do with the black ink dot spray).  Nozzle check reveals all the 
nozzles firing with no gaps.  I also tried "adaptive hybrid" in QTR 
which made it slightly worse.  Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

Jenny Ellerbe

You may want to do an advanced head alignment. It uses up about 12 ft of
paper but will help detect deflected nozzles and alignment issues that might
otherwise not be seen in the other set ups that are typically performed.
When was the last time the wiper was changed?  Last time I saw that was just
before a dampers and wiper replacement. 

 

  

 

Eric Neilsen Photography

4101 Commerce Street

Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

http://e.neilsen.home.att.net

http://ericneilsenphotography.com

Skype ejprinter

  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
byushooter
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 9:46 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] 7000/K6

 

I have a used (new to me) 7000 that I just set up with K6 inks. This 
printer was initially setup with piezotones several years ago, 
developed a clog, converted to cleaning carts and left sitting. The 
owner flushed with cleaning fluid 1-2 times a year. I did an initial 
fill with flush then installed the K6 inks. Printing a step wedge 
using QTR (better/ordered) reveals a nice ramp but there's very fine 
banding around 15-35% which disappears until 55-75% then it disappears 
again. And the 100% block has pronounced banding (fine white lines). 
Oh, and the text is slightly blurred with stray tiny black dots. Other 
than those problems, it's a nice ramp! :)

I have done a couple of KK2 cleanings, let the printer sit overnight x 
2, Windex on the pads, Windex paper towel on the head, alignment (tough 
to do with the black ink dot spray). Nozzle check reveals all the 
nozzles firing with no gaps. I also tried "adaptive hybrid" in QTR 
which made it slightly worse. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

Jenny Ellerbe

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on making the advanced alignment 
check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page it goes line by line on the 
alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in case you need this (maybe 
you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on regular nozzle checks.

http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html

Give it a look, if you need the help.

Mark

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Neilsen" <e.neilsen2@...> 
wrote:
>
> You may want to do an advanced head alignment. > From: 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com

> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> byushooter
> Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 9:46 AM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] 7000/K6
> 
>  
> 
> I have a used (new to me) 7000 that I just set up with K6 inks. This 
> printer was initially setup with piezotones several years ago, 
> developed a clog, converted to cleaning carts and left sitting. The 
> owner flushed with cleaning fluid 1-2 times a year. I did an initial 
> fill with flush then installed the K6 inks. Printing a step wedge 
> using QTR (better/ordered) reveals a nice ramp but there's very fine 
> banding around 15-35% which disappears until 55-75% then it disappears 
> again. And the 100% block has pronounced banding (fine white lines). 
> Oh, and the text is slightly blurred with stray tiny black dots. Other 
> than those problems, it's a nice ramp! :)
> 
> I have done a couple of KK2 cleanings, let the printer sit overnight x 
> 2, Windex on the pads, Windex paper towel on the head, alignment (tough 
> to do with the black ink dot spray). Nozzle check reveals all the 
> nozzles firing with no gaps. I also tried "adaptive hybrid" in QTR 
> which made it slightly worse. Any ideas?
> 
> Thanks!!!
> 
> Jenny Ellerbe
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Eric, I don't think anything has been done on this printer as far as 
maintenance goes.  I believe it was used very little.  Maybe it is 
time for the dampers and wiper to be changed.

Thanks,
Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Neilsen" 
<e.neilsen2@...> wrote:
>
> You may want to do an advanced head alignment. It uses up about 12 
ft of
> paper but will help detect deflected nozzles and alignment issues 
that might
> otherwise not be seen in the other set ups that are typically 
performed.
> When was the last time the wiper was changed?  Last time I saw that 
was just
> before a dampers and wiper replacement. 
> 
>  
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] 7000/K6
> 
>  
> 
> Printing a step wedge 
> using QTR (better/ordered) reveals a nice ramp but there's very 
fine 
> banding around 15-35% which disappears until 55-75% then it 
disappears 
> again. And the 100% block has pronounced banding (fine white 
lines). 
> Oh, and the text is slightly blurred with stray tiny black dots. 
Other 

> than those problems, it's a nice ramp! :)
> 
>> 
> Thanks!!!
> 
> Jenny Ellerbe
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Mark, thanks for the link.  I'll give that a try today.  And please 
don't ever apologize for underestimating my knowledge - I doubt you 
can go wrong there. :)

Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
<markastracke@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on making 
the advanced alignment 
> check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page it 
goes line by line on the 
> alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in case 
you need this (maybe 
> you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your 
knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
> important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on 
regular nozzle checks.

> 
> http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html
> 
> Give it a look, if you need the help.
> 
> Mark
>

Aha, I just ran the advanced nozzle check.  It seems I have some 
problems.  In Row 3 the center blocks aren't solid colors where the 
odd and even lines should overlap.  There are thin gaps or 
striations.  The thin vertical lines in Rows 4 & 5 have some stray 
dots.  And there are slight defects in some of the other patterns.

So ... do I need to do more cleanings or Windex routines or something 
similar?  Or does this mean it's time for the dampers/wiper blade 
maintenance?  I have a 4000 with piezotones that I have been using 
for several years.  I would really like to make this 7000 work if 
possible.  But if repairs are going to be costly, I'll just get K7 
inks for the 4000 and forget about the wider format for now.

Thanks for all your help,

Jenny Ellerbe

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
<markastracke@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on making 
the advanced alignment 
> check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page it 
goes line by line on the 
> alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in case 
you need this (maybe 
> you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your 
knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
> important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on 
regular nozzle checks.

> 
> http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html
> 
> Give it a look, if you need the help.
> 
> Mark
>

I haven't followed the link, but there are a whole bunch of adjustments that
can be made on the control panel of the 7000. Reading the nozzle check
should get you through it. This was a life saver back in the days of getting
the 7000 running with piezotones. Bill Bergh and the tech folks at Cone
really came through on that for those of us on the Piezo Pro Group. I'd do
the adjustment first. You might want to also run a check and see how much
material has been run through that ol' 7000. It won't hurt to order an extra
wiper and a damper replacement kit to have on hand. It won't set you back
too much and beats the heck on of sitting around for three days waiting for
parts. 

 

This is about the ONLY good thing to use EEM for as it does really matter if
it yellows. If will be trashed soon enough. 

 

Eric 

 

Eric Neilsen Photography

4101 Commerce Street

Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

http://e.neilsen.home.att.net

http://ericneilsenphotography.com

Skype ejprinter

  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
byushooter
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 1:19 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] 7000/K6

 

Aha, I just ran the advanced nozzle check. It seems I have some 
problems. In Row 3 the center blocks aren't solid colors where the 
odd and even lines should overlap. There are thin gaps or 
striations. The thin vertical lines in Rows 4 & 5 have some stray 
dots. And there are slight defects in some of the other patterns.

So ... do I need to do more cleanings or Windex routines or something 
similar? Or does this mean it's time for the dampers/wiper blade 
maintenance? I have a 4000 with piezotones that I have been using 
for several years. I would really like to make this 7000 work if 
possible. But if repairs are going to be costly, I'll just get K7 
inks for the 4000 and forget about the wider format for now.

Thanks for all your help,

Jenny Ellerbe

--- In DigitalBlackandWhit
<mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com>
eThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
<markastracke@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on making 
the advanced alignment 
> check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page it 
goes line by line on the 
> alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in case 
you need this (maybe 
> you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your 
knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
> important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on 
regular nozzle checks.
> 
> http://www.inkjetma
<http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html>
ll.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html
> 
> Give it a look, if you need the help.
> 
> Mark
> 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Eric, I can read the nozzle check and compare it to Jon's notes on 
the piezo link and can then see what's wrong.  But I can't find any 
documentation to tell me what to do about the problems.  I may just 
be overlooking it.  

I did clean the capping station and the wiper blade (which was 
covered with gunk).  I ran one KK2 clean and the step wedge was very 
much improved.  I then did a KK1 cleaning thinking that might clean 
up the last little bit - but the step wedge was worse.  So I am just 
going to let it sit overnight and try again tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.

Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Neilsen" 
<e.neilsen2@...> wrote:
>
> I haven't followed the link, but there are a whole bunch of 
adjustments that
> can be made on the control panel of the 7000. Reading the nozzle 
check
> should get you through it. This was a life saver back in the days 
of getting
> the 7000 running with piezotones. > 
>  
> 
> Eric 
> 
>  
> 
> Eric Neilsen Photography
> 
> 4101 Commerce Street
> 
> Suite 9
> 
> Dallas, TX 75226
> 
> http://e.neilsen.home.att.net
> 
> http://ericneilsenphotography.com
> 
> Skype ejprinter
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> byushooter
> Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 1:19 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Digital BW] 7000/K6
> 
>  
> 
> Aha, I just ran the advanced nozzle check. It seems I have some 
> problems. In Row 3 the center blocks aren't solid colors where the 
> odd and even lines should overlap. There are thin gaps or 
> striations. The thin vertical lines in Rows 4 & 5 have some stray 
> dots. And there are slight defects in some of the other patterns.
> 
> So ... do I need to do more cleanings or Windex routines or 
something 
> similar? Or does this mean it's time for the dampers/wiper blade 
> maintenance? I have a 4000 with piezotones that I have been using 
> for several years. I would really like to make this 7000 work if 
> possible. But if repairs are going to be costly, I'll just get K7 
> inks for the 4000 and forget about the wider format for now.
> 
> Thanks for all your help,
> 
> Jenny Ellerbe
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhit
> <mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com>
> eThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
> <markastracke@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on making 
> the advanced alignment 
> > check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page it 
> goes line by line on the 
> > alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in 
case 
> you need this (maybe 
> > you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your 
> knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
> > important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on 
> regular nozzle checks.
> > 
> > http://www.inkjetma
> 
<http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html>

> ll.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html
> > 
> > Give it a look, if you need the help.
> > 
> > Mark
> > 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Check out this link regarding finding a manual for your printer.:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/4462

 A link on the above page will take to to a download option. Epson doesn't like people 
disseminating their manuals, so I'm being a bit vague on purpose. The manual is a bit 
dense, but it does offer help on the advanced check and what to do about anomalies there.

For a further explanation of what you are seeing on your advanced nozzle check:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/4458

Also, on the piezobwpro site, search on Tom Mallonee, he's the ace repair guru on the 
early 7K printers.

And finally, Jon Cone on printer maintenance:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/5380

It's mostly about his work on Roland printers, but there's lots to learn about maintenance 
in general.

The Epsons are a pain when they misbehave, but the K6 inks make this happen much less 
often.

Good luck,

Mark




--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter" <jellerbe@...> 
wrote:
  But I can't find any 

> documentation to tell me what to do about the problems.  I may just 
> be overlooking it.  
>

Thanks so much for all your help!  I'll give all this a shot tomorrow 
after the printer rests overnight.

Jenny

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
<markastracke@...> wrote:
>
> Check out this link regarding finding a manual for your printer.:
> 
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/4462
> 
>  A link on the above page will take to to a download option. Epson 
doesn't like people 
> disseminating their manuals, so I'm being a bit vague on purpose. 
The manual is a bit 
> dense, but it does offer help on the advanced check and what to do 
about anomalies there.
> 
> For a further explanation of what you are seeing on your advanced 
nozzle check:
> 
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/4458
> 
> Also, on the piezobwpro site, search on Tom Mallonee, he's the ace 
repair guru on the 
> early 7K printers.
> 
> And finally, Jon Cone on printer maintenance:
> 
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/piezobwpro/message/5380
> 
> It's mostly about his work on Roland printers, but there's lots to 
learn about maintenance 
> in general.
> 
> The Epsons are a pain when they misbehave, but the K6 inks make 
this happen much less 
> often.
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter" 
<jellerbe@> 
> wrote:
>   But I can't find any 
> > documentation to tell me what to do about the problems.  I may 
just 

> > be overlooking it.  
> >
>

If you can't find the manual already uploaded (it should be available 
on the wide format forum) get back to me, I still have a copy of the 
7500 manual-I believe all the adjustments are the same

Steve Karafyllakis

http://www.stevekphoto.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter" 
<jellerbe@...> wrote:
>
> Eric, I can read the nozzle check and compare it to Jon's notes on 
> the piezo link and can then see what's wrong.  But I can't find any 
> documentation to tell me what to do about the problems.  I may just 
> be overlooking it.  
> 
> I did clean the capping station and the wiper blade (which was 
> covered with gunk).  I ran one KK2 clean and the step wedge was 
very 
> much improved.  I then did a KK1 cleaning thinking that might clean 
> up the last little bit - but the step wedge was worse.  So I am 
just 
> going to let it sit overnight and try again tomorrow.
> 
> Thanks for your help.
> 
> Jenny
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Neilsen" 
> <e.neilsen2@> wrote:
> >
> > I haven't followed the link, but there are a whole bunch of 
> adjustments that
> > can be made on the control panel of the 7000. Reading the nozzle 
> check
> > should get you through it. This was a life saver back in the days 
> of getting
> > the 7000 running with piezotones. > 
> >  
> > 
> > Eric 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Eric Neilsen Photography
> > 
> > 4101 Commerce Street
> > 
> > Suite 9
> > 
> > Dallas, TX 75226
> > 
> > http://e.neilsen.home.att.net
> > 
> > http://ericneilsenphotography.com
> > 
> > Skype ejprinter
> > 
> >   _____  
> > 
> > From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> > byushooter
> > Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 1:19 PM
> > To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [Digital BW] 7000/K6
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Aha, I just ran the advanced nozzle check. It seems I have some 
> > problems. In Row 3 the center blocks aren't solid colors where 
the 
> > odd and even lines should overlap. There are thin gaps or 
> > striations. The thin vertical lines in Rows 4 & 5 have some stray 
> > dots. And there are slight defects in some of the other patterns.
> > 
> > So ... do I need to do more cleanings or Windex routines or 
> something 
> > similar? Or does this mean it's time for the dampers/wiper blade 
> > maintenance? I have a 4000 with piezotones that I have been using 
> > for several years. I would really like to make this 7000 work if 
> > possible. But if repairs are going to be costly, I'll just get K7 
> > inks for the 4000 and forget about the wider format for now.
> > 
> > Thanks for all your help,
> > 
> > Jenny Ellerbe
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhit
> > <mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint%40yahoogroups.com>
> > eThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Stracke" 
> > <markastracke@> wrote:
> > >
> > > 
> > > Eric makes a great suggestion. Below is a link to info on 
making 
> > the advanced alignment 
> > > check and how to interpret it. Down at the bottom of the page 
it 
> > goes line by line on the 
> > > alignment print-out to let you know what you're looking at, in 
> case 
> > you need this (maybe 
> > > you don't, and if so I apologize for underestimating your 
> > knowledge). Row 3 is particularly 
> > > important as it shows deflected nozzles that don't show up on 
> > regular nozzle checks.
> > > 
> > > http://www.inkjetma
> > 
> 
<http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html>

> > ll.com/store/cone_ts/bw24piezopro/advNozzChk.html
> > > 
> > > Give it a look, if you need the help.
> > > 
> > > Mark
> > > 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

I have read the links from Mark and decided that I have a deflected 
nozzle (black).  The advanced nozzle check revelas that the lines in 
Row B are not evenly spaced - but there are only 2 lines from the 
black nozzle that are slightly off.  Per the instructions from the 
piezopro forum, I disconnected the damper from the black nozzle, 
pulled flush through the line, replaced the K6 black ink and refilled 
the line.  I then did 2 KK2 cleans to make sure all the flush was 
gone.  Advanced nozzle check looks the same - there's no 
improvement.  And printing a 21-step wedge reveals fine banding in 
the same places - roughly 10-30% and again 55-75% with stray black 
dots around the text (which is sightly blurred).  The rest of the 
step wedge is smooth.  

In addition to the Row B problems, Row D has some stray ink dots that 
cause the lines in the first 3-4 inches to be misaligned.  E,F and G 
are ok.  

Any further suggestions?

Thanks,

Jenny Ellerbe

Jenny, if you are getting nozzle deflections it means either the head
is not getting adequately cleaned by the wiper blade and gunk is being
left there or (more likely the case with the machines history) the
head has gunk inside or in the nozzles themselves and/or the nozzle
holes are worn out. Cleaning out or replacing the head itself will
probably be required. The cleaning carts are usually just pigment-less
ink carrier fluid so letting them set around for months doesn't really
do much actual cleaning. You might try doing several initial fills
using a stronger cleaner. Another possible solution is to fill a cart
with a 10% solution of clear(No soap in it) household ammonia with
distilled H2O and then use that to print about 6 feet or so(of the
offending color) onto cheap banner paper from an office supply store.
You might need to do it several times. If that doesn't work then the
head is the next step.

I have a 7000 that has a slight deflection of the magenta nozzles. I
am going to have to deal with it in a couple of months and all that is
left is replacing the head. It's not that big a deal to do. As you, I
think, said you have already had the dampers off to be cleaned there
is not a lot more needed to replace the head itself. You will need the
manual but the job is not that difficult. The most painful part is
doing all the adjustments required.(Not hard just a pain)

Hope this helps.
Regards
Duane

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "byushooter"
<jellerbe@...> wrote:

>
> I have read the links from Mark and decided that I have a deflected 
> nozzle (black).  The advanced nozzle check revelas that the lines in 
> Row B are not evenly spaced - but there are only 2 lines from the 
> black nozzle that are slightly off.  Per the instructions from the 
> piezopro forum, I disconnected the damper from the black nozzle, 
> pulled flush through the line, replaced the K6 black ink and refilled 
> the line.  I then did 2 KK2 cleans to make sure all the flush was 
> gone.  Advanced nozzle check looks the same - there's no 
> improvement.  And printing a 21-step wedge reveals fine banding in 
> the same places - roughly 10-30% and again 55-75% with stray black 
> dots around the text (which is sightly blurred).  The rest of the 
> step wedge is smooth.  
> 
> In addition to the Row B problems, Row D has some stray ink dots that 
> cause the lines in the first 3-4 inches to be misaligned.  E,F and G 
> are ok.  
> 
> Any further suggestions?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jenny Ellerbe
>