[CQ] IMC300 light images

[Voltageza]

Hi guys

We currently have 2 IMC300 with less than a 1000 prints that are printing light prints.

Counter pages are also light.

We have tried.

Different drivers
ACC
Replace Black PCU although all the colour are no improvement.

The print outs looks like the paper is damp but even with fresh paper CQ i still very light. We stopped the machine to see if the image on the transfer belt is also light but it is perfect.

We tried a glossy paper which improved the quality dramatically. It is almost as if the toner particles does not get transferred into the fine groves on the paper. We tried increasing the transfer voltages but this not have a effect. Unfortunately the customers can not afford to use the glossy paper permanently so that is not a option.

This machine was a upgrade from a Ricoh MP301 which black print was nice and solid on the same paper.

Any ideas??

[Phil B.]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi guys We currently have 2 IMC300 with less than a 1000 prints that are printing light prints.
Counter pages are also light. We have tried.

Different drivers
ACC
Replace Black PCU although all the colour are no improvement.

The print outs looks like the paper is damp but even with fresh paper CQ i still very light. We stopped the machine to see if the image on the transfer belt is also light but it is perfect.

We tried a glossy paper which improved the quality dramatically. It is almost as if the toner particles does not get transferred into the fine groves on the paper. We tried increasing the transfer voltages but this not have a effect. Unfortunately the customers can not afford to use the glossy paper permanently so that is not a option.

This machine was a upgrade from a Ricoh MP301 which black print was nice and solid on the same paper.

Any ideas??

we need the following info:

is this a brand new machine or a 'refurb'

what is the count on the developer page count

is it dirty inside

are you using genuine OEM toner and drums?

what are the paper specs you are trying to run ( other than the glossy )

what are paper trays set for

what is the file you are printing is it set for the same type paper

are you a trained tech.. please look at your profile.. are we working with a newbie tech... trained tech .. or an end user?

Date of Birth April 18, 1976 (44) About Voltageza

Real Name:JacoCountry:South AfricaWhere are you from (City, State):GeorgeGender:Male

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi guys

We currently have 2 IMC300 with less than a 1000 prints that are printing light prints.

Counter pages are also light.

We have tried.

Different drivers
ACC
Replace Black PCU although all the colour are no improvement.

The print outs looks like the paper is damp but even with fresh paper CQ i still very light. We stopped the machine to see if the image on the transfer belt is also light but it is perfect.

We tried a glossy paper which improved the quality dramatically. It is almost as if the toner particles does not get transferred into the fine groves on the paper. We tried increasing the transfer voltages but this not have a effect. Unfortunately the customers can not afford to use the glossy paper permanently so that is not a option.

This machine was a upgrade from a Ricoh MP301 which black print was nice and solid on the same paper.

Any ideas??

If the image looks perfect on the primary transfer belt, I'd be looking at the secondary transfer roller (or whatever your machine uses.) Check the voltage to the secondary transfer. Make sure no electrical tabs are bent. And make sure it's installed correctly.

[tsbservice]

Re: IMC300 light images

Can you initialize the machine? What's the Firmware level?

[copier tech]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi guys

We currently have 2 IMC300 with less than a 1000 prints that are printing light prints.

Counter pages are also light.

We have tried.

Different drivers
ACC
Replace Black PCU although all the colour are no improvement.

The print outs looks like the paper is damp but even with fresh paper CQ i still very light. We stopped the machine to see if the image on the transfer belt is also light but it is perfect.

We tried a glossy paper which improved the quality dramatically. It is almost as if the toner particles does not get transferred into the fine groves on the paper. We tried increasing the transfer voltages but this not have a effect. Unfortunately the customers can not afford to use the glossy paper permanently so that is not a option.

This machine was a upgrade from a Ricoh MP301 which black print was nice and solid on the same paper.

Any ideas??

Can you post some samples? The printer test page is a good one to use. (Printer SP 2-103)

If the image on the belt is perfect then you clearly have a transfer issue.

Try pushing on the door while doing a print does the quality improve?

Update the firmware is always worth a try.

[slimslob]

Re: IMC300 light images

we need the following info:

is this a brand new machine or a 'refurb'

what is the count on the developer page count

is it dirty inside

are you using genuine OEM toner and drums?

what are the paper specs you are trying to run ( other than the glossy )

what are paper trays set for

what is the file you are printing is it set for the same type paper

are you a trained tech.. please look at your profile.. are we working with a newbie tech... trained tech .. or an end user?

Date of Birth April 18, 1976 (44) About Voltageza

Real Name:JacoCountry:South AfricaWhere are you from (City, State):GeorgeGender:Male

Where from? Most likely George, South Africa. The George Municipality is the third largest municipality, in terms of population, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

[slimslob]

Re: IMC300 light images

I would say that it is the quality of the paper. Check the label of the paper being used and make sure it is for laser printing and nor for inkjet. I am certain if you check around with local stationers, you will find a paper that is affordable and still gives decent quality. Maybe if you PM allan he can recommend a supplier. allen is located in Centurion.

[Phil B.]

Re: IMC300 light images

allen is located in Centurion.

silly me.. I always took that to be more of a 'space syfi' reference ! duhhhhhhhhhhhhh never checked his profile because of his standup advise and comments.

sorry brother allan

[Voltageza]

Re: IMC300 light images

we need the following info:

is this a brand new machine or a 'refurb'

what is the count on the developer page count

is it dirty inside

are you using genuine OEM toner and drums?

what are the paper specs you are trying to run ( other than the glossy )

what are paper trays set for

what is the file you are printing is it set for the same type paper

are you a trained tech.. please look at your profile.. are we working with a newbie tech... trained tech .. or an end user?

Date of Birth April 18, 1976 (44) About Voltageza

Real Name:JacoCountry:South AfricaWhere are you from (City, State):GeorgeGender:Male

Hi

Brand new machine.

Counter on prints

Machine in clean inside

Normal bond. Rotatrim

Tray set on normal paper, but we did try other setting, Type and thickness without any luck.

We are printing word documents and PDFs but issue is visible on test prints and counter pages as well.

I am having trouble uploading an image as a example. Maybe issue with Safari. Will try on Windows PC later.

Thanks

[Mark Bbb]

Re: IMC300 light images

I would do nothing exept sending an angry email to my supplier, when i was you.
There is something as warranty, no?
Use it!
It might be anything, even a bad electronic board...
Give yourself a break, send that email!

[mikadonovan]

Re: IMC300 light images

Clean the ID sensors and run ACC. If no joy, print out a non default smc and look for oddities.

[Voltageza]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi Guys

Just a update.

We found that the direction of the grain of the paper had a big influence on the print quality. Cutting a A4 paper into a A5 and feeding the paper short edge first improved the quality by quite a bit.

We also tried the following settings

1. Adjust the following SP modes
SP3-620-051 (Black/White mode) : 0.337 => 0.37
SP3-620-001 (Black for Color mode): 0.38 => 0.418

Note: If you want to increase 10% darker, you will calculate 0.337 x 1.1 = 0.37, the input 0.37.

2. After change the value of above SP modes, then execute the SP3-011-011 and check the image.
Please compare the darkness of image before and after changing the SP mode'

[Oze]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi Guys

Just a update.

We found that the direction of the grain of the paper had a big influence on the print quality. Cutting a A4 paper into a A5 and feeding the paper short edge first improved the quality by quite a bit.

Grain direction plays into image faults as well as jamming issues.
Worked in the offset print industry for 30 years as a guillotine operator....cutting paper all day every day.

[Mark Bbb]

Re: IMC300 light images

Hi Guys

Just a update.

We found that the direction of the grain of the paper had a big influence on the print quality. Cutting a A4 paper into a A5 and feeding the paper short edge first improved the quality by quite a bit.

We also tried the following settings

1. Adjust the following SP modes
SP3-620-051 (Black/White mode) : 0.337 => 0.37
SP3-620-001 (Black for Color mode): 0.38 => 0.418

Note: If you want to increase 10% darker, you will calculate 0.337 x 1.1 = 0.37, the input 0.37.

2. After change the value of above SP modes, then execute the SP3-011-011 and check the image.
Please compare the darkness of image before and after changing the SP mode'

I never liked 'solutions' where as to change primiraly sp modes just to obtain a good image result...
As C.T. mentioned before, i also think it is a paper transfer problem, because the image is ok on the transfer belt (as you wrote before).

[copier tech]

Re: IMC300 light images

Learnt this on day one of copier school. For jamming or print quality issues open a fresh packet of good quality paper & try that FIRST.

2nd day of copier school was compatible toner issues.