HP T2300 eMFP Print Quality Issues

[frodo]

Hi Guys,

I'm having a problem with a HP T2300 Plotter, Image quality is out of calibration on the Cyan/Magenta Head only.
Sample 2.JPGCyan Pattern 1.JPGPattern 1.JPGPattern 2.JPG
As usual it looks like a normal print head issue as it was out of date and so was the ink.
It basically looks as if it is printing several lines over to the right by a few mm.

This is what we have done so far. Luckily we have a perfectly working T1100 here in the shop to use some parts that are the same and to do some other testing.

1. New Ink & Head, Still same issue.
2. Cleaned Drop sensor, line sensor, optical sensor.
3. Tried known working head from the T1100 and the new head in the T1100, All fine in the 1100 but same issue in the 2300.
4. Tried known working Encoder strip/drop sensor/optical sensor from T1100. (All Same parts).
5. Tried all Calibrations and test in service mode. All results ok.
6. re seated all connectors relating to the carriage and heads.

When printing a larger page it looks as if one head width if perfect then the next head width had all lines across it, This repeats all down the page consistently.
Normally i would think the p/head alignment should have failed, but it doesn't it just says all ok.

If there is any thing you guys can think of it would be greatly appreciated.

[theengel]

Wish I could see a clearer pic of those first two. Also, need to know the orientation.

[Kiran Otter]

Did you try swapping ALL of the print heads from one machine to the other?

I've seen a good working head cause its neighbor to misfire. So rule out all of the print heads first.

Also make sure all the flex connectors (that contact the print heads) are clean and not damaged.

Kiran

[Kiran Otter]

Looking at the pictures again.. what media are you printing on? It doesn't look like the ink is drying. Make sure you do print head alignments on decent bond media (HP HW Coated.)

Also.. remove the starwheel assembly (long bar that the paper goes under in front of the carriage.) Check for missing wheels and springs sticking out.. they can smear the ink before it has a chance to dry.

Kiran

[Lance15]

Agreed. It looks like something is smearing the ink before it has a chance to dry. Type of media or something in the path?

[theengel]

That's kind of why I wanted to know the orientation. The cyan, if the sides are actually the leading edge, then the carriage might be dragging something back and forth.

[Lance15]

I think those first two pictures were rotated to the left 90 degrees. So what looks like up and down is really left to right.

[frodo]

Yes it is rotated,

The left of all of the images is the leading edge of the print.

The machine came to us with the fault, All heads and ink were out of date.
All print heads and inks were replaced and made no difference. Even tried the heads in the T1100 and all fine. So basically it's had 3 Sets of heads tried in it.
Everything has been cleaned and inspected thoroughly multiple times.
I have manually moved the carriage across while paper is loaded and there is no abnormal sound and it all moves nice and smoothly.
Tried all kinds of paper as most calibrations will only complete if you are using gloss paper. Tried Gloss photo paper, Vellum and HP Coated paper.
I mainly use the coated paper.

The fault occurs as it prints it, I have most covers off the machine and have been watching as it lays the ink. It definitely happens as it lays the ink.

More Samples:
Map in Draft Mode.JPGMap in HQ Mode.JPGMap in Normal Mode.JPGPDF Sample Full.JPGPDF Sample Zoomed.JPG
1. Draft
2. High Quality
3. Normal Mode
4. Print Sample
5. Print Sample Zoom.

All Samples are Top is Lead Edge.

It's a bit of a head spinner this one. Been driving me nuts for the last few days.

Thanks Guys.

[Kiran Otter]

Then it sounds like the carriage PCA, trailing cable, or main PCA.

Kiran

Btw, just because inks/print heads are expired, doesn't mean they're defective.

[frodo]

Then it sounds like the carriage PCA, trailing cable, or main PCA.

Kiran

Btw, just because inks/print heads are expired, doesn't mean they're defective.

I have been leaning in that direction, Carriage PCA or just bit the bullet and replace the whole carriage.

Expiry, True but for warranty purposes it's just wiser. This model makes notes of all the dates and makes warranty notes you can see on the web interface.