Konica Minolta C550i - Drums failing

[Kenny]

Hi guys,

we have x2 Konica minolta C550i's at our customers that seem to be going through drums like no tomorrow,

they use about 30% of their life and then need to be changed due to wearing on the edges, (picture attached)

the machines are on the latest firmware, they are original DR618 drum units and are using OEM toners, all consumables are above 50% life in the machine, has about 500k one one machines and 800k on the other (only been in a year and was new) we have recently changed the transfer belts/rollers, could this be down to the developing units? we did try using the engine dipswitches (cannot remember which they were) to see if helps but doesn't, they get calibrated every time we change a drum unit

[Larhal]

The drums look worn only in a patch and not all the way around. If it was worn all the way around it would be a failure of the cleaning blade and PCR. Being worn in as patch looks that seems to be a manufacturing defect with the drum coating, Like it is missing some of the protective layer in that area. Also because the 2 units are basically worn in the sane area it leads me to believe the the drums were defective. I would put in a warranty claim.

[D Colour]

I don't think we have had any high speed i-series machine make yeild on drums yet. Although I haven't seen a failure like yours. It tends to be the charge cleaner gets too dirty, then no longer cleans the charge roller and you end up with lines everywhere on the drum. Have contemplated changing charge rollers and cleaning brush, but don't think its worth the potential trouble.

[copyman]

See attached bulletin regarding drum damage like you have.

[blackcat4866]

May of us were spoiled by the C360 and C364e series machines that used charge corona units, getting x2 and x3 yields. When they switched to charge rollers in the 8 series and 0i series the drums only occasionally may yield. Usually not, and far less.

[tsbservice]

Like Larhal and copyman said it's either bad drums batch(most likely) or eventually bad developer units.

[Oystercopy]

I've had this on about 3 machines so far. And the OEM drums are VERY much more expensive than other models, for whatever unknown reason. I suspected the charge rollers might have had a hand in this, so I wonder if removing and cleaning them (preventatively) might help? Nothing to lose, i guess. I also thought (possibly) that reducing the spring tension on the charge roller tensioner might be a thing... I know I might be opening a can of worms, but just thinking out loud.
OC

[copyman]

May of us were spoiled by the C360 and C364e series machines that used charge corona units, getting x2 and x3 yields. When they switched to charge rollers in the 8 series and 0i series the drums only occasionally may yield. Usually not, and far less.

Agree about the C360 and C364e series drums lasting much longer than the new drums with PCR's. Been posting on this forum for years about the drums with pcr's failing. Noticed it early on with the 8 series. Thought this would have been corrected by the i series. Hopefully this was just a bad batch of drums with OP. Just a side note, I've had better results and drums seem to last full cycle with rebuilding the 8 series drum units. Aftermarket parts used for rebuild, new Drum & Blade, PCR, PCR cleaning roller, Reset chip. One of the rare cases where aftermarket parts are better than OEM. Now they have rebuild parts for the "i" series. I've only rebuilt one "i" series color drum so far and worked good just like all the 8 series rebuilds I've done. Rebuild take less than 15 mins and complete rebuild kits are around $60

[Max]

Set engine sw 25 to on. Retracts the belt away from the drums in b&e copying. Will give you a tad more life out of the drum.
Drums are rubbish and God awfully overpriced.

[doinbox]

May of us were spoiled by the C360 and C364e series machines that used charge corona units, getting x2 and x3 yields. When they switched to charge rollers in the 8 series and 0i series the drums only occasionally may yield. Usually not, and far less.

Was a very clever way of making extra income for Konica

[copyman]

Was a very clever way of making extra income for Konica

Kon/Min said the change to charge roller was to prevent ozone. Ha-ha