QTR-Quadtone RIP

Hi - Happy Holidays!  
Questions:  I ran many head cleanings over several days and I have 
not been able to get a completly clean nozzle check, but only with 
the cleaning solution (Number 8 position), (there are a few blocks 
missing in the pink area), they are always in the same positon; every 
thing else is fine with the rest of the nozzle check.  (K-7 inks with 
a Niagara IV continuous ink system.)  Can this effect the quality of 
your prints, since this is just the cleaning solution? 

Also:  I am using a new computer with the latest QTR 2.5.2.  The old 
computer was runnig QTR 2.5.1.  I have set everything the same, old 
to new, same paper, ink, same Ink Limit of -1, and same Gamma of -11; 
both computer are PC's (the old one runs Windows XP and the new one 
runs Vista.)  After printing a photo of a print that I did on the old 
computer and comparing them, the one done on the new computer is 
flatter looking.

The Real Questions:  Can the newer version of QTR, or anything else, 
effect this change?  Do I need to re-adjust the Ink limit and Gamma 
settings?  Can the Cleaning solution nozzles effect this or any other 
change?  Last, why would something like cleaning solution be blocked 
anyway?

Thanks for any help.... Mike G

Michael wrote:

"Last, why would something like cleaning solution be blocked anyway?"

Running too many cleaning cycles won't help and, in fact, it can cause
damage. Letting things sit overnight will often help more. There can be a
blocked channel even with cleaning fluid for two reasons (probably more but
these are all I know). First, a bubble of air in the head, cart or damper,
which will work itself out over a short period of time (overnight) and
second, and more serious but also much more rare is when cleaning fluid
dislodges a piece of schmutz (the technical term for accumulated or
aggregated pigments :-)) in the cart, head or in the damper where it can
accumulate over time.

If this one nozzle continues to be a problem I would look at the parking pad
carefully to see if there's anything accumulated there at that cart position
that might interfere with the vacuum created by the pump when you run a
cleaning cycle. Even a small piece of lint or cat hair can do it. Cleaning
off the nozzle area itself with the Windex/paper towel method might also
insure that there's no debris on the head itself at that nozzle position.

IMHO, and I mean humble because I haven't had as much experience as most on
this list, a "perfect" nozzle check isn't always necessary. In fact, I have
noticed that I can get a perfect nozzle check, print one print then run a
nozzle check again and find gaps. There's definitely an element of the
supernatural at work in these devices.

Rick

GREETINGS,

I can certainly concur with Rick concerning "perfect" nozzle checks. 
However, I quite often see it as the opposite side of the coin, in a
manner of speaking.  This doesn't happen frequently, but I have
definitely come across situations where a slight degree of banding
becomes evident, even though the nozzle check is "perfect".  A case
where the evidence in the print is NOT reflective of what the nozzle
check is showing.  In this case I ALWAYS use a loupe in order to view
the nozzle check patterns, thereby insuring that my eyes are not
deceiving me, especially in the yellow pattern.  Having satisfied
myself that according to the "check" everything is OK, I then run a
test strip instead of a full print.  Invariably the banding is still
present, slight but noticeable.  I then run a head cleaning cycle and
another nozzle check, which still shows NO problem.  Usually this is
enough to cure the malady and I continue printing.  I have found that
nozzle checks are not always to be trusted, but from a somewhat
different point of view.  I suppose this could also be caused by an
occasional paper feed problem or head alignment, but one cleaning
cycle has ALWAYS been the only fix necessary, so I haven't yet felt
the need to delve deeper.  

I've had 2-7600s for almost 4 years, with very few problems.  I do
preventative maintenance such as wiper blade and parking station
cleaning on a 4 month schedule and that seems to keep things running
quite smoothly.  Also, during the winter months I make sure the
humidity is somewhere between 38 and 50%.  That way I have fewer
nozzle problems and everything seems to operate better, including ME.
 I use the PK printer everyday as part of my business and the MK
printer approximately 4 days a week on average.  I do use QTR in my
workflow and find it to be a very useful tool, especially concerning
repeatability and concistancy, which my customers appreciate.  I'm not
sure any of this will be useful information, but I am quite certain it
has all be posted before.  I guess I do tend to ramble somewhat, but
perhaps something will be of some use.

I posted a question recently concerning the changing of an ink cart
during a printing cycle, but haven't had any reply.  After I changed
carts while in QTR, the printer remained in printing mode but nothing
happened.  After about 5 minutes I shut down the driver and restarted
the print cycle.  I don't know if this is a common occurrence with QTR
or something I should have set in the QTR driver.  If anyone has come
across this problem, please fill me in on the proper procedure.  I've
NEVER encountered this with the Epson driver.

In case I don't get back in soon, "•*¡!HAPPY NEW YEAR\u221eº¡!" to each and
every one on the forum:-)!!!

Gary

  




--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, Rick Colson <colson@...> wrote:
>
> Michael wrote:
> 
> "Last, why would something like cleaning solution be blocked anyway?"
> 
> Running too many cleaning cycles won't help and, in fact, it can cause
> damage. Letting things sit overnight will often help more. There can
be a
> blocked channel even with cleaning fluid for two reasons (probably
more but
> these are all I know). First, a bubble of air in the head, cart or
damper,
> which will work itself out over a short period of time (overnight) and
> second, and more serious but also much more rare is when cleaning fluid
> dislodges a piece of schmutz (the technical term for accumulated or
> aggregated pigments :-)) in the cart, head or in the damper where it can
> accumulate over time.
> 
> If this one nozzle continues to be a problem I would look at the
parking pad
> carefully to see if there's anything accumulated there at that cart
position
> that might interfere with the vacuum created by the pump when you run a
> cleaning cycle. Even a small piece of lint or cat hair can do it.
Cleaning
> off the nozzle area itself with the Windex/paper towel method might also
> insure that there's no debris on the head itself at that nozzle
position.
> 
> IMHO, and I mean humble because I haven't had as much experience as
most on
> this list, a "perfect" nozzle check isn't always necessary. In fact,
I have
> noticed that I can get a perfect nozzle check, print one print then
run a

> nozzle check again and find gaps. There's definitely an element of the
> supernatural at work in these devices.
> 
> Rick
>