Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

[Gift]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

Did you force and stop the print process before the fuser so you can have a look at the quality before and after the fusing process? Perhaps it's looking bad before that fuser, too so you can rule that out.
I also find it funny that this is a workflow in a hospital - from my experience printing on plastic with modern laser printers usually end up in more or less poor-ish results.

I'd recommend something proprietary for this task or if it needs to be a budget solution: buy a label printer like brother "p touch" you can print lables on demand and stick them on the wristband - the adhesive quality is very good and the barcode will always come out crystal clear. Another advantage is that the color won't rub-off easily like toner usually does if printed on foil.

[Madnhain]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

First off... maybe calling it Blurry is inaccurate, more like faded... I guess a faded barcode looks blurry *shrug*
So, for the most part, the 4&8 series are working well so long as we use heavy 1 paper type.


So, I'm attaching an image to show what's going on with this 364e. Not an image of the barcodes (HIPAA), but did a copy of a meter page on the arm band media.
The top is what comes out of a 364e normally (different machine), the bottom is what I'm getting out of this new 364e. Both devices have the exact same settings as far as I can tell.
To be clear, not all 4&8 series are having this issue, but enough ARE that it's a concern.


I'm honestly wondering if there was a bad developer or toner batch that might be causing this.Armbands.jpg

[blackcat4866]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

I think you can safely rule out developer, toner, consumables ... the image defect only seems to appear on the plastic portion, yes?

I would be interested to know if the latent image on the transfer belt is good. My bet is that it is a good latent image, and the defect is happening during second transfer. The heavy1 media setting increases 2nd transfer. =^..^=

[L0rdC]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

I think you can safely rule out developer, toner, consumables ... the image defect only seems to appear on the plastic portion, yes?

I would be interested to know if the latent image on the transfer belt is good. My bet is that it is a good latent image, and the defect is happening during second transfer. The heavy1 media setting increases 2nd transfer. =^..^=

I agree with you, it doesn't seem like a fusing problem, if that part doesn't fuse, it would stay on the fuser roller and repeat it later, it seems to be a secondary transfer problem, I would try to interrupt the print and look at the transfer belt later turn the page to see if the image continues there

[Madnhain]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

Yes, it has a good latent image on the ITB.
I hadn't considered the 2nd transfer, this is a very low click unit and the 2nd transfers are pretty darn durable. I'll check voltages and maybe throw a new one in there to see what happens.

As always, The Keyop and I thank you all for your wisdom!

[blackcat4866]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

Are you out there, mojorolla? Is there a way of separately increasing 2nd transfer, like it does with the media setting? =^..^=

[Albonline]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

Are you out there, mojorolla? Is there a way of separately increasing 2nd transfer, like it does with the media setting? =^..^=

you are asking for trouble if you increase just 2nd xfer, the latent image is used as lube for belt cleaning blade.

[Albonline]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

First off... maybe calling it Blurry is inaccurate, more like faded... I guess a faded barcode looks blurry *shrug*
So, for the most part, the 4&8 series are working well so long as we use heavy 1 paper type.


So, I'm attaching an image to show what's going on with this 364e. Not an image of the barcodes (HIPAA), but did a copy of a meter page on the arm band media.
The top is what comes out of a 364e normally (different machine), the bottom is what I'm getting out of this new 364e. Both devices have the exact same settings as far as I can tell.
To be clear, not all 4&8 series are having this issue, but enough ARE that it's a concern.


I'm honestly wondering if there was a bad developer or toner batch that might be causing this.[ATTACH=CONFIG]54587[/ATTACH]

looking at the image i see what was at one time referred to as ac blowout in the plastic area. how to combat it in these series? no clue, (you may try setting to a lighter stock) but you say some units of the same series do not have this problem? I would go back to basics in this case. do a full print quality adjustment series on one that's having the issue.

[tsbservice]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

Are you out there, mojorolla? Is there a way of separately increasing 2nd transfer, like it does with the media setting? =^..^=

I don't have documentation handy but second transfer can be manipulated in service mode. Another question is should it be increased and by how much.
I think you reached for dealer with great reputation but was answered from direct with great reputation

[Crowfeather]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

I would have thought if you are upping the fuser temperature as a matter of course you should decrease the toner density to avoid blurring, as this will allow the higher temperature to be maintained more consistently across the print.

[Madnhain]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

+10 Points for L0rdC!

it seems to be a secondary transfer problem

Alright guys, sorry for the delay... It's update time.

2nd xfer was the culprit. This is a very low click device and I've never had issues with the transfer rollers on these, So I immediately ruled it out as a possibility because these never go bad (for me anyway).

I swapped the transfer roller out for a new one and the problem was resolved. Thank you all for your input!
This stupid thing is in a secure part of the facility (psych ward) and is a pain in the butt to get to and I had to make FAR too many trips in there to troubleshoot this thing... all for a stupid transfer roller.

[copyman]

Re: Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

+10 Points for L0rdC!


Alright guys, sorry for the delay... It's update time.

2nd xfer was the culprit. This is a very low click device and I've never had issues with the transfer rollers on these, So I immediately ruled it out as a possibility because these never go bad (for me anyway).

I swapped the transfer roller out for a new one and the problem was resolved. Thank you all for your input!
This stupid thing is in a secure part of the facility (psych ward) and is a pain in the butt to get to and I had to make FAR too many trips in there to troubleshoot this thing... all for a stupid transfer roller.

Thanks for taking the time to update!

If this went on much longer you may of ended up a permanent "psych ward" resident