test charts

[kwazimoto]

We are lookng into getting a new stlye of test chart or one that is not $10.00 a piece any one got any ideas.. thanks for your help

[CMB]

i use the ones that the copiers print out. they are free.

[nmfaxman]

Precision Roller has them for $1.00 apiece.
Same for Katun.

[fixthecopier]

Test Chart? I use whatever I find on a desk or trash can nearest the machine I am working on.

[CMB]

yep

[fixthecopier]

One thing that I should point out to those of you that have not been doing this for very long, is that a really sharp test chart can show very tiny visual defects that might otherwise go unnoticed. If all the end user makes is text copies, then use text to test and not something that has pictures or large black solids, or you may have to invest a lot of time fixing something that did not need to be fixed. I learn everything the hard way.

[JustManuals]

I've got several test charts among my many many files. I'll gather them up and post them in a FREE area on one of my sites.

Paul@justmanuals.com

[leroyal]

I use the service ticket.

[peterepeat]

I think that if you've been doing this for a little while, you can find pretty much anything to use as a test if you know what to look for. No need to spend a whole lotta $$$ for something to show the customer that's just gonna make them scratch their collective heads & look for something wrong.

[unisys12]

One thing that I should point out to those of you that have not been doing this for very long, is that a really sharp test chart can show very tiny visual defects that might otherwise go unnoticed. If all the end user makes is text copies, then use text to test and not something that has pictures or large black solids, or you may have to invest a lot of time fixing something that did not need to be fixed. I learn everything the hard way.

I will add that if all the user is doing is text, then your salesman over sold the customer! And any good color tech worth his yearly salary will cover his ass and make sure that his color box will perform at the highest standards no matter what the customer is copying or printing. And show that it will perform at these standards at every service call!

Maybe that's just me though...

[CMB]

when a customer calls me for copy quality problem, i use exactly what he is trying to run as a test chart. if you fix the problem using his job and he thinks its ok-good enough. if you show a customer a real test chart and try and get the copier perfect then he will expect the same thing every time you go out. sometimes you will just be chasing your tail trying to perfect the copy quality when you can't. don't show the customer too much. most of the time the quality will be close to perfect anyway.

[fixthecopier]

I will add that if all the user is doing is text, then your salesman over sold the customer! And any good color tech worth his yearly salary will cover his ass and make sure that his color box will perform at the highest standards no matter what the customer is copying or printing. And show that it will perform at these standards at every service call!

Maybe that's just me though...

When I posted I was talking about B/W machines, however I stand by what I said. I have lots of customers who do B/W on color machines not because they were oversold but because that is what was there when they got there, they have nothing else. I work to make the customer happy, not myself. The people I work for are on some very intense deadlines and sometimes making them happy is making it run and getting out of the building so they can do what they do. I have been ask to leave before when I was trying to make it better but they thought it was good enough. I jump through rings of fire to make em happy, Maybe that's just me though...

[Rocket Psyantist]

TEST CHART ????????? What the heck is a TEST CHART??????

I recently serviced an analog machine and realized I havent had a test chart in quite a while. I had to ask the customer for something to copy.
My experience with Ricoh digital machines is the image density is usually right on or close to it or you have a serious problem. Dirty optics worn drum worn developer ect.