Registration Problem

[33CRP]

Re: Registration Problem

MGI incorporates their own software into the firmware. So through a computers "MGI Pilot" application you can manually adjust the C450's THV and the fuser temperature as well as the press feed speed. You can run just about anything through the machine. Including vinyl, teslin, PVC paper and even metallic stock. I haven't seen any P code popping up. If there is a way of bringing up the past history of error codes, that is something I'm not aware of. In addition we've been doing a lot of testing with various stock weights and sizes. It seems that registration problem is mostly limited to the 11" x 17" size in any stock weight. Perhaps the feed rollers in the paper transport are worn but the seem OK.

[hotfuser]

Re: Registration Problem

MGI incorporates their own software into the firmware. So through a computers "MGI Pilot" application you can manually adjust the C450's THV and the fuser temperature as well as the press feed speed. You can run just about anything through the machine. Including vinyl, teslin, PVC paper and even metallic stock. I haven't seen any P code popping up. If there is a way of bringing up the past history of error codes, that is something I'm not aware of. In addition we've been doing a lot of testing with various stock weights and sizes. It seems that registration problem is mostly limited to the 11" x 17" size in any stock weight. Perhaps the feed rollers in the paper transport are worn but the seem OK.

Have you checked the fuser speed.

SOLUTION: To adjust the fuser speed,perform the following:
1.EnterTech Rep mode.
2. Select Machine.
3. Select Fusing Transport Speed.
4. Adjust the settings/data as needed.

I may have missed this throughout this post but i thought id post it just in case.

[33CRP]

Re: Registration Problem

yes did the the fuser speed and loop adjustments. No improvements.

[Synaux]

Re: Registration Problem

MGI incorporates their own software into the firmware. So through a computers "MGI Pilot" application you can manually adjust the C450's THV and the fuser temperature as well as the press feed speed. You can run just about anything through the machine. Including vinyl, teslin, PVC paper and even metallic stock. I haven't seen any P code popping up. If there is a way of bringing up the past history of error codes, that is something I'm not aware of. In addition we've been doing a lot of testing with various stock weights and sizes. It seems that registration problem is mostly limited to the 11" x 17" size in any stock weight. Perhaps the feed rollers in the paper transport are worn but the seem OK.

Are you able to get into the Service Mode to check the counter for warnings??

[33CRP]

Re: Registration Problem

Found the warning counter. Here are some numbers. I never cleared them out (if that's possible to do) so I don't know how long they've been there.
P-5 - 34
P-28 - 8
P-6, 7, 8, 9, 22, 29, 26 & 31 - 0
P-21 -15
P-27 - 5
When I get a P-5 code I clean the front sensors PC8 & PC9 and that clears it out.
Usually get that when running heavy solids.

[DelawareJim]

Re: Registration Problem

I've worked on a couple of the C450's and a ton of the C350's. Question: of the 11 x 17 copies that have the registration problem, does the problem start / stop at the exact same point or does it vary and appear random? If it varies I feel the cause would be something mechanical. Maybe try a new Magenta Image Unit, maybe run some copies and put your fingers on the front of the Magenta Image Unit and feel if there may be bumping or hesitation, maybe it's a problem with the Magenta drive assembly. If its exactly the same on every copy (except the first copy per your description) then that may be a software issue. In that case, I would try a simple trouble reset (holding the utility/counter button down while you turn on the copier, touch "trouble reset" when you see it on the display panel and then cycle copier off and on. As a last resort I would attempt a memory/data clear. Hey, it was making good copies before, something changed to give you this new issue. Keep us informed, you have an interesting problem.

[33CRP]

Re: Registration Problem

Hi DelawareJim, Except for the 1st print, all the following are out of register in exactly the same place. It's not random. I was told by MGI to try and set the paper size off a little bit. I set the RIP and press to sheet size 11 x 17 1/16. Ran and no change. Then I did the trouble reset as you suggested and it actually register much better. I could have used what came out of the press. Not perfect but much better then I had gotten previous to the reset. Then my assistant decided to set the size back to 11 x 17 and guess what...it was out of register again. I tried to do another trouble reset but it wouldn't come up on the screen. MGI (though has no clue of what's going on) thinks it could be the drive section too but as you said I'd think it would be a random problem. Plus to take apart the PWB box to get to the drive section seems a daunting task. He also said it could be that the drum encoder is dirty or faulty but I didn't think the C450 has a drum encoder, can't find one in the parts manual. I'm completely stumped. I don't know if I screwed up some setting with all the service mode probing I've done. I played with the color ranking to see if that changed anything, loop adjust, fuser speed etc. Nothing effects the registration.

[Synaux]

Re: Registration Problem

Did you get a chance to change that Fuser Loop Sensor?

Also, clear all those P Warnings and see if any come back up.

I would contact MGI again if I were you. They should supply you with legacy firmware seeing how they do not support it any longer. The fact that you could not get the Trouble Reset to work again makes me suspect firmware or possibly a board/memory issue....

[33CRP]

Re: Registration Problem

I'm still waiting for the Fuser Loop Sensor.
Should have it end of next week
I cleared the P warnings and nothing new came up.

As far as MGI, I did contact them regarding the issue again. To give you of an idea of what it's like to deal with MGI. I paid the $150 for the 1 hour of phone support. Got the "field engineer" on the phone and his 1st question to me was " how do you get into service mode? I'm not familiar with that machine." Wow if that doesn't give you confidence.

We found running 12 x 18 instead of 11 x 17 actually has a little better registration. Not perfect but was still able to get some jobs out. If I play with the loop resist setting and increase the 165/mm the registration seems to get a little better but then we get a lot of jamming. So we have to back it up again. I'm hoping the Fuser Loop Sensor is the problem.

[Synaux]

Re: Registration Problem

I'm still waiting for the Fuser Loop Sensor.
Should have it end of next week
I cleared the P warnings and nothing new came up.

As far as MGI, I did contact them regarding the issue again. To give you of an idea of what it's like to deal with MGI. I paid the $150 for the 1 hour of phone support. Got the "field engineer" on the phone and his 1st question to me was " how do you get into service mode? I'm not familiar with that machine." Wow if that doesn't give you confidence.

We found running 12 x 18 instead of 11 x 17 actually has a little better registration. Not perfect but was still able to get some jobs out. If I play with the loop resist setting and increase the 165/mm the registration seems to get a little better but then we get a lot of jamming. So we have to back it up again. I'm hoping the Fuser Loop Sensor is the problem.

Ouch. Were you able to ask MGI about them supplying firmware?
Hopefully that sensor will help--let us know