TASKalfa 8003i image quality

[Lunatech]

We have a TA 8003i in the field since 2021 with 185k clicks on it. It gets these lines or streaks that are maddening. We have replaced the drum unit, the fuser, the transfer belt, the felt cleaner for the registration roller and the developing unit. The developing unit clears it up every time for a short time. It has always had OEM toner and parts, the firmware is up to date (V2.16) and it is very clean, maybe the most cleaned 8003 on the planet. My feeling is that since it gets so little use the toner may be clumping due to moisture. I have looked through the service manual and can find no auto developer refresh. I did find auto drum refresh (U148) and it has modes 0-3, 0=off, 1=short, 2=standard and 3=long. That's great. What does that mean? Does long mean longer time between auto refresh or does it refresh longer. I looked through old manuals back to the KM series machines and can find no clarification. There is also dew condensation drum refresh mode. Again, that's great. No clarification on that either. So if any one out there has any advise about this I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[Ropariva]

When you attend with the issue what is the condition of the developer re dust and toner build up? I have 8003s that have done over ten million clicks each and they run from kit to kit without having to clean the dev area. They are generally spotless. Is the exhaust fan running and the tube to the dev unit clear? You will get an error code if it’s unplugged so I’d think this might be not be doing its job

[tmaged]

I never had to do this with the 8001i's, but have had to on multiple 8003i's for the same thing you're experiencing. All using OEM toners and maint kits installed every 600k.

[KYO_OEM]

seems to be related to the attached bulletin, take care for it.
P022_2NJ_0016_SB.pdf

[Lunatech]

When you attend with the issue what is the condition of the developer re dust and toner build up? I have 8003s that have done over ten million clicks each and they run from kit to kit without having to clean the dev area. They are generally spotless. Is the exhaust fan running and the tube to the dev unit clear? You will get an error code if it’s unplugged so I’d think this might be not be doing its job

Typically it is over by the time I get there. I have spent way too much time pondering whether the samples presented to me were actually form this printer. One day while I was there for this issue it happened. I immediately shut it down and tore into it and the line was on the developing cylinder or mag roller. That is the only time I have ever witnessed it in person. Each time I'm there for this the developing cylinder is clear of smudges and the unit looks pretty well free of excess build up. I too have several units of the same family that will perform kit to kit without any major hiccups.

[Lunatech]

I never had to do this with the 8001i's, but have had to on multiple 8003i's for the same thing you're experiencing. All using OEM toners and maint kits installed every 600k.

Thanks for your response. In looking through this bulletin I can say the only thing that hasn't been done is removal and cleaning of the duct on the developing unit. I will look into it on the next call. The disposal unit has been replaced. at about 140K we did the whole kit.

[Lunatech]

seems to be related to the attached bulletin, take care for it.
[ATTACH]n1615237[/ATTACH]

Thanks for your response. It has had three new developing units in its young life. I can not say with any certainty that any of them are the redesigned ones. If it comes to replacement again I will see to it that it gets a new style one.

[blackcat4866]

I never had to do this with the 8001i's, but have had to on multiple 8003i's for the same thing you're experiencing. All using OEM toners and maint kits installed every 600k.

I had never seen a bulletin for it, but yes, this is what I thought of too. When the machine sits idle a lot, there collects unmixed toner on top of the developing roller. When the machine starts up, that toner rolls by the drum. If the suction system isn't working properly that toner will end up on the paper. It will diminish as the machine runs, then happen again at the next startup. It's 10x worse with aftermarket toner.

[Ropariva]

Typically it is over by the time I get there. I have spent way too much time pondering whether the samples presented to me were actually form this printer. One day while I was there for this issue it happened. I immediately shut it down and tore into it and the line was on the developing cylinder or mag roller. That is the only time I have ever witnessed it in person. Each time I'm there for this the developing cylinder is clear of smudges and the unit looks pretty well free of excess build up. I too have several units of the same family that will perform kit to kit without any major hiccups.

Have a look at the bulletin posted U059 is set to 1000 sheets by default. I’d lower this to minimum and check the toner tube for any blockage. Likely just an issue on this model when not being used heavily as they were designed. Underuse can be just as detrimental as overuse with equipment like this.

[KYO_OEM]

I did find auto drum refresh (U148) and it has modes 0-3, 0=off, 1=short, 2=standard and 3=long. That's great. What does that mean? Does long mean longer time between auto refresh or does it refresh longer. I looked through old manuals back to the KM series machines and can find no clarification. There is also dew condensation drum refresh mode. Again, that's great. No clarification on that either. So if any one out there has any advise about this I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

U148/ Mode:
>> higher value >> runtime for the drum refresh will increase depened to the seleced mode [1-3]

It`s possible to run manual drum refresh each time if you want.
This refresh runtime based on U148/Mode setting >> Enter system menue/ adjustment_maintenance/ drum refresh

Auto drum refresh based on U148 mode setting:
System start drum refresh based on U139 values and internal calculation, (calculation is very complicated and it`s not necessary to know)
(ext temp + ext humidity + internal temp on dv unit) = internal humidity around drum
>> higher value >> runtime for the drum refresh will increase depened to the seleced mode
Timing of execution also based on sleep time, at startup in the morning or depended to the runtime from drum and so on.

For U148/ Dew Condensation i do not have background informations.
maybe i can get more detailed informations in near future.
If yet, i`ll come back asap

BUT:
I do not think that this is related to your problem.
we are talking about 80ppm system with 185k prints/ 36 month
approx. 5139 pages/ month
system would designed/ produced for Ø 80.000 pages/ month
because of this kind of usage i have no more ideas without U000 report data.

[Lunatech]

U148/ Mode:
>> higher value >> runtime for the drum refresh will increase depened to the seleced mode [1-3]

It`s possible to run manual drum refresh each time if you want.
This refresh runtime based on U148/Mode setting >> Enter system menue/ adjustment_maintenance/ drum refresh

Auto drum refresh based on U148 mode setting:
System start drum refresh based on U139 values and internal calculation, (calculation is very complicated and it`s not necessary to know)
(ext temp + ext humidity + internal temp on dv unit) = internal humidity around drum
>> higher value >> runtime for the drum refresh will increase depened to the seleced mode
Timing of execution also based on sleep time, at startup in the morning or depended to the runtime from drum and so on.

For U148/ Dew Condensation i do not have background informations.
maybe i can get more detailed informations in near future.
If yet, i`ll come back asap

BUT:
I do not think that this is related to your problem.
we are talking about 80ppm system with 185k prints/ 36 month
approx. 5139 pages/ month
system would designed/ produced for Ø 80.000 pages/ month
because of this kind of usage i have no more ideas without U000 report data.

Thanks for the clarification. I too am not certain any of this will help the situation. It is what I have to work with however. As far as having the user run drum or developer refresh manually, probably not. It is near to impossible to get them to clean the scan glass let alone perform an exhaustive feat like drum refresh.

I did find this in bulletin C158-2LC-0087. It is for the "0" series machines but it think it still applies.

U148 � Normal (Original drum refresh mode)
� Dew Condensation (New addition) � Input 0-3.
(Default: 0)
0
: Disabled
1,2,3 : More the value, more the frequency of refresh
operation

In a brainstorming session we decided to set up timers to shut it off and turn it on daily around midnight. This is just to ensure it gets some rotation every day. Will it help? I don't know but at this point I will try it.
Hey does this thing have a drum heater? I'll go check.

[Lunatech]

Have a look at the bulletin posted U059 is set to 1000 sheets by default. I’d lower this to minimum and check the toner tube for any blockage. Likely just an issue on this model when not being used heavily as they were designed. Underuse can be just as detrimental as overuse with equipment like this. [/QUOTE]

That seems like a good idea. I will do this right away. Thanks for pointing it out as I completely missed it, even after reading your advice and rereading it once.

[KYO_OEM]

No i could open my hidden backdoor and got the answer regarding dew condensation modes
no functionallity from dew condensation settings anymore!
in past it would implemented, but meanwhile it`s out of function, it would removed from system control/ KDC forgot to remove it from maintenance mode also
Maybe with new FW it will be removed, but they can not promise....
We are all only humans...

[Dark Helmet]

Has anybody changed U059 and seen any result or noticed a delay in the machine coming ready after a long print job?

All my 7003/8003 that do low volume or high volume are pigs and we calibrate them with 952 at setup and at MK time. You pull that toner box off the back and that duct is plugged at 300k.

If im getting toner splashing on the drum i take the DV unit out and put my vac on the end of the DV unit where it mates with the duct in the back of the machine. I then smack the front of the DV unit with my screw driver to break up all the toner stuck in the passages on the front of the DV unit. Few DV refreshes and it appears to solve it.

The frustrating one is when the charge roller has fine white lines on it and it leaves lines on the pages at 200k. Im still trying to figure out if thats excess lube or toner dusting.