Ricoh Faded copies but print OK

[leasian]

I've been working on Ricoh's a number of years and I noticed on several models that print jobs and memory output has good solid density but when you want a copy from the adf or glass there is VERY noticeable loss of density. The specific model I'm working with now is MP C3501. Everything is clean and I just updated firmware. It's optical, because print jobs are exceptional and copies suck. Any experiences to share? Thanks

[rthonpm]

Have you cleaned the mirrors on the scanner?

[totoro]

Change the developer. If developer is near end of life it will have this effect. I know it sounds wrong when prints are still good, but it does work. I refused to believe it myself until I had nothing else to try. It cost me a lot of time and headaches until I could accept this.

[ruben]

Copying and printing use different resolutions etc. What do scans look like?

Clean everything, including the white reference, and do a full ACC. Place several blank sheets behind the ACC patterns before scanning. If it still doesn't look good do a memory clear on Copier Application and repeat.

[Zaxxon]

Dirty polygone mirror can cause this too. Only faint when copying.

[Moza]

Im with ruben on this prints should look better due to the higher resolution, if prints are ok then the engine is fine. Either you have an optical issue or make sure copies are set to auto density

[teebee1234]

Perform an SBU test pattern output (SP4-807-001). If it looks normal then you know you have a problem in the optics/ccd. If it looks light then move on down the chain of operation.