Copy theory process

[SCREWTAPE]

For those rookies who don't know the photocopying process.
Learn how Photocopiers Work Video

[blackcat4866]

Did you notice this is analog technology? =^..^=

[SCREWTAPE]

Thats were I started.

I will find a digital one.

[nmfaxman]

Have you seen the show "How it is made"?
I had rookie techs watch the video on copiers and faxes.
Their support calls to me dropped and their numbers went up.
The basics are always best.
Have you ever found a flat spot in a motor by reading the voltage output as you spin the shaft?

My thoughts go out to the families @ discovery channel.
They made learning fun.
Gunman Shot at Discovery Channel; Hostages Safe - CBS News

[teckat]

Thats were I started.

I will find a digital one.

SCREWTAPE/ have u seen this Copy Machine Law proposal on HDD"s

good read
YouTube video is great/ other CBS link broken

copy machine posts - CBS News Investigates - CBS News

[Ducttape n Glue]

How can you fix it if you don't understand what it is doing?
Biggest problem for newbie techs has always been their troubleshooting skills. It is the hardest thing to teach.
Some guys are natural at it and others after 20 years still are poor troubleshooters. Bottom line though is to start by understanding how it works and the processes involved. I have had up to 22 techs working for me and maybe out of that group I had 2 great troubleshooters, 5 good ts', 5 OK ts' and 5 poor ones and I found the clearer they were on the fundamentals and understanding the processes in the equipment, the better they were in general at troubleshooting.
The other fault I've seen and done myself is the "This fixed this problem before so if I do it again it will fix the problem again" , so they repeat and repeat the attempted fix to no avail. The same symptoms can be caused by various other issues and that's were understanding the processes will help you get unstuck from that closed loop of thought.
And we all know the KISS rule but sometimes we fail to remember and practice it.

[teckat]

How can you fix it if you don't understand what it is doing?
Biggest problem for newbie techs has always been their troubleshooting skills. It is the hardest thing to teach.
Some guys are natural at it and others after 20 years still are poor troubleshooters. Bottom line though is to start by understanding how it works and the processes involved. I have had up to 22 techs working for me and maybe out of that group I had 2 great troubleshooters, 5 good ts', 5 OK ts' and 5 poor ones and I found the clearer they were on the fundamentals and understanding the processes in the equipment, the better they were in general at troubleshooting.
The other fault I've seen and done myself is the "This fixed this problem before so if I do it again it will fix the problem again" , so they repeat and repeat the attempted fix to no avail. The same symptoms can be caused by various other issues and that's were understanding the processes will help you get unstuck from that closed loop of thought.
And we all know the KISS rule but sometimes we fail to remember and practice it.

If u don't understand the copy process or how a machine functions after 6/8 mos. training in the field or in a repair shop, u are in the wrong business.
Either u get it or u don't.

Troubleshooting is all about following a procedure, be it analog or digital. U review & evaluate the situation, past history if available, talk to previous service person, talk to customer. Also, some troubleshooters are excellent at mechanical,& stink on electrical . The very good ones know how to approach an issue, keep good notes, and extend their knowledge in both areas.

[Ducttape n Glue]

[QUOTE=teckat;162295]
If u don't understand the copy process or how a machine functions after 6/8 mos. training in the field or in a repair shop, u are in the wrong business.
Either u get it or u don't.

Troubleshooting is all about following a procedure, be it analog or digital. U review - Subjective & evaluate the situation - Subjective, past history if available, talk to previous service person- Subjective, talk to customer-Subjective. Also, some troubleshooters are excellent at mechanical,& stink on electrical . The very good ones know how to approach an issue-Subjective, keep good notes-Subjective, and extend their knowledge in both areas-Subjective.[/QUOTE]

All true....... the differences from the natural guys and others is how good are they at the subjective. All minds do not work alike. Most techs grow with the job and experience and it is true many drop out once they realize the job requirements, whether it is their lack of skill set and or their desire and drive to be in this field.

[srv]

[QUOTE=Ducttape n Glue;162302]

If u don't understand the copy process or how a machine functions after 6/8 mos. training in the field or in a repair shop, u are in the wrong business.
Either u get it or u don't.

Troubleshooting is all about following a procedure, be it analog or digital. U review - Subjective & evaluate the situation - Subjective, past history if available, talk to previous service person- Subjective, talk to customer-Subjective. Also, some troubleshooters are excellent at mechanical,& stink on electrical . The very good ones know how to approach an issue-Subjective, keep good notes-Subjective, and extend their knowledge in both areas-Subjective.[/QUOTE]

All true....... the differences from the natural guys and others is how good are they at the subjective. All minds do not work alike. Most techs grow with the job and experience and it is true many drop out once they realize the job requirements, whether it is their lack of skill set and or their desire and drive to be in this field.

I think alot of guys drop out of the biz is cos' a copier isn't just a copier anymore.You need IT skills as well as the ever changing models that come out every couple of months.You also need to be aware of solutions for the customer which are also linked with the multi-functional product that you are servicing.We don't just repair copiers anymore,we are expected to sort all problems.The expectations and training of engineers increases but the salary doesn't.To get young kids into this business it has to be attractive financially.My kids most definitely won't be following in there fathers footsteps.I may sound like a grumpy old man (44 yrs) but I have worked for small,middle and multinational companies.A service engineer is pretty much bottom of the food chain.We don't see ourselves in that light but that is a reality.I agree that some guys are natural and some aren't but at the end of the day it is all about the money.It's only a job folks....

[mrfixit51]

I have to agree somewhat on the financial rewards of this job. It is at least twice as complex now as when I started in '73, and the money offered to the average tech has not kept pace with level of expertise a professional is required to perform at these days.

But,, the industry does not place that high of a value on what we do,, so the money is what it is...

that's the facts Jack

[srv]

I have to agree somewhat on the financial rewards of this job. It is at least twice as complex now as when I started in '73, and the money offered to the average tech has not kept pace with level of expertise a professional is required to perform at these days.

But,, the industry does not place that high of a value on what we do,, so the money is what it is...

that's the facts Jack

We do it for the love of the sport now mrfixit51

[teckat]

Don't know about other locations & Sorry to disagree , but Experienced Color Copier Techs & Troubleshooters are not at the bottom of the food chain in NYC (New York City). Only the strong survive here, word of mouth on Reliable,Honest, Knowledgeable Service People & Service Companies goes a long way in the City. With many Fortune 500 Companies here, if u can't Fix it now, contract or no contract, you are out on your ass.

[mrfixit51]

Apples and Oranges,,,

We are talking about two different ideas here, I was speaking to the wage situation. I work for the strongest dealer in my area, and am one of the higher rated techs in my company, an "Experienced Color Copier Tech", but the money we are paid is not going to rise above a certain level. I assume that regional pay scales come into the picture here, but never the less, the industry as a whole is not going to overpay their employees, because that takes money out of the owners pockets.

I have worked for the largest service organization in the world, I.B.M. The duties I had at I.B.M. had me working on a wide gamut of technologies, office equipment, banking equipment, mid level computer systems like the System 36, progenitor to the AS400. I was rated highly proficient in those areas. Because of that I was paid very well,,, that was then.

I have worked for a privately owned company of 35 employees. My current employer bought up this smaller company, and the organization is now around 200 people. I am still highly rated, but the realities of this industry are that they are only willing to pay up to a certain dollar value for the work we do. And this is now.

We all face the possible loss of contracts, but what I find is the largest motivator in our region is the bottom line. Cost. There always seems to be someone willing to get along on .0000000001 per copy. I know, an exaggeration, but still the truth. The contracts that we have lost have always been do to cost, not reputation. The decision makers are never the ones affected day-to-day by the poor choices they make concerning copier purchases,,, that is for the "little people" to deal with.

[montana]

good job mr.screwtape...nice video

[KenB]

Apples and Oranges,,,

We are talking about two different ideas here, I was speaking to the wage situation. I work for the strongest dealer in my area, and am one of the higher rated techs in my company, an "Experienced Color Copier Tech", but the money we are paid is not going to rise above a certain level. I assume that regional pay scales come into the picture here, but never the less, the industry as a whole is not going to overpay their employees, because that takes money out of the owners pockets.

I have worked for the largest service organization in the world, I.B.M. The duties I had at I.B.M. had me working on a wide gamut of technologies, office equipment, banking equipment, mid level computer systems like the System 36, progenitor to the AS400. I was rated highly proficient in those areas. Because of that I was paid very well,,, that was then.

I have worked for a privately owned company of 35 employees. My current employer bought up this smaller company, and the organization is now around 200 people. I am still highly rated, but the realities of this industry are that they are only willing to pay up to a certain dollar value for the work we do. And this is now.

We all face the possible loss of contracts, but what I find is the largest motivator in our region is the bottom line. Cost. There always seems to be someone willing to get along on .0000000001 per copy. I know, an exaggeration, but still the truth. The contracts that we have lost have always been do to cost, not reputation. The decision makers are never the ones affected day-to-day by the poor choices they make concerning copier purchases,,, that is for the "little people" to deal with.

Great post, Mr. Fixit!

I must agree; the industry just doesn't seem to worth as it much as it was even a few years ago.

An example: In 2005, depending on the speed of the machine, we would charge between $650 to $1,000 to set a machine up for basic print and scan - and that was per machine, not for a fleet. (imageRUNNER 110 installs started at $5,000 back then.)

Today, a basic print and scan may get us about $200, at most. More often than not, it's given away as part of some promotional package.

Because machines are built better than they were in the past (at least for the most part), they bring in much less revenue than they used to.

Then, on the sales side, there is less and less profit in every deal. In fact, quite a few deals are written at or even below cost, just to get the business, with hopes of making it up on clicks. Then, of course, the click charges are at rock bottom, too.

It's for these reasons that this is an extremely difficult business to stay afloat in.

No wonder service wages always seem to be so far behind the times.