PU 5020 punch unit

[Notrons]

I am having issues with this punch unit in a SR5060 booklet finisher. J125 and SC 760-25/26, with torn punch holes. I have done everything I can possablily think of to prevent this. I have been told by tech support to replace it, which looks like its going to happen.

What I would like is how others encountered this issues and fixed it without replacing it. Tell me about your experiences.

[slimslob]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

Might be that the individual punches are getting dirty and becoming sticky. You may have to disassemble and thoroughly clean with contact cleaner. Do not use any lubricant as it will gum up. Also check the Mylar in feed guides for wear.

[Notrons]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

Did both of those, will work perfectly for about 500 punches, then starts acting up. Even had it though those codes and was not even using it. I have replaced the punch unit controller card, twice and both times, Pro 8110 doesn't even see the punch unit. Although, I can manipulate with output checks. I put the old card back in and the unit is detected. I know I can receive a bad card from Ricoh, but twice, on the same card, is pretty rare.

[JDS]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

Just replace the punch unit if you've tried everything else - D4491117.
Thats all and its not that expensive for such a puny unit on such a big finisher.
I've done 5 or 6 in the past year and its always FIXED!

[anothertech]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

I clean them, then I lube them with 3-IN-ONE oil or typewriter oil, do not use TRI-FLOW. If that does not work then it's just time to replace the punch unit.

[Notrons]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

I clean them, then I lube them with 3-IN-ONE oil or typewriter oil, do not use TRI-FLOW. If that does not work then it's just time to replace the punch unit.

I ended up just replacing the whole unit. I read somewhere that there only good for 1 million punches, cant remember where.

[mikadonovan]

Re: PU 5020 punch unit

I ended up just replacing the whole unit. I read somewhere that there only good for 1 million punches, cant remember where.

I don't even bother to troubleshoot punch units any more, other than a quick visual inspection and see if a mylar is out of place. A clean and lube MAY allow it to works for a little bit, but they always fail again quickly. I replace a few punches every year. Ricoh still use the same punches they have for years, so I usually have one sitting around somewhere.