Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

He speak about a laser printer.

Hi Luca72, no this is an Ink Jet MPF.

The model is Ricoh Aficio MP C1500SP, PN B229.
It was based on the Ricoh Gel Sprinted technology, it works like an inkjet printer, but with everything larger (printhead, cartridges, etc...)

That's why this problem is not really common !

The problem seems to occur on the really last pass of the Inkjet printhead on the paper.
The paper is moving with short steps, rather than in a Laser unit.
And it seems that the only last step is a little too long and make the last pass out of the target... And it is not on the same position on the transport belt...

I've removed the engine, and I'm proceeding to a full cleaning / checking... Let's see if something seems wrong in it & if it can be fixed/mitigated.

Cheers

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

He speak about a laser printer.

Hi Luca72, no this is an Ink Jet MPF.

The model is Ricoh Aficio MP C1500SP, PN B229.
It was based on the Ricoh Gel Sprinted technology, it works like an inkjet printer, but with everything larger (printhead, cartridges, etc...)

That's why this problem is not really common !

The problem seems to occur on the really last pass of the Inkjet printhead on the paper.
The paper is moving with short steps, rather than in a Laser unit.
And it seems that the only last step is a little too long and make the last pass out of the target... And it is not on the same position on the transport belt...

I've removed the engine, and I'm proceeding to a full cleaning / checking... Let's see if something seems wrong in it & if it can be fixed/mitigated.

Cheers

The print head, maintenance station and ink supply system are similar to that used in the MP C2200W aand the old gel-jet printers.

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

The print head, maintenance station and ink supply system are similar to that used in the MP C2200W aand the old gel-jet printers.

I thought it was the smaller version of an MPC2500, a model not marketed in Italy, I've actually never seen one around, I also struggled to find the documentation on Octopus to take a look at it

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

I thought it was the smaller version of an MPC2500, a model not marketed in Italy, I've actually never seen one around, I also struggled to find the documentation on Octopus to take a look at it

I have the service manual and parts catalog in English. Private message me with an email address if you want it sent to you.

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

I have the service manual and parts catalog in English. Private message me with an email address if you want it sent to you.

thank you very much slim, but there is all the documentation on octopus, but this model, I have never seen one in my entire life, perhaps it has not been marketed in Italy(?)....I will ask my boss, who follows the commercial part, if you have ever heard of it

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi all,

Thank you for your help in this thread

I confirm that this kind of copier isn't really common...

For info, I've totally dismounted, checked & cleaned the engine.
But unfortunately, after all this stuff done, the problem is still here, and it is back also on A4 SEF.

The printing is still good with A4 SEF...

Now I'm thinking that the problem could be linked with something like a spring gone too loose on a sensor...
The capter 6.10.3 of the service manual, about the trailing edge detection, is mentioning that the "engine entrance sensor detects the trailing edge of the sheet for feed timing".
I think it could be a good candidate, but in the following chapter (6.10.5 paper path), it's not mentioned anymore... so the role of this sensor is unclear...
I've got trouble with this sensor during the cleaning of the engine, the spring went out of his position, and I've noticed it was not really strong.

I'll try to replace it by something convenient & check how it is...

I'll keep you in touch about tests.

Cheers

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi all,

I've done some tests with all sensors like the engine entrance one, but also engine exit, junction gate... without any change to my problem.

I've also managed to dismount the BCU, etc, and checked all cable connexion : I didnt find anything relevant.

The thing I was feeling is that the problem was more & more present on A4 SEF, and after some tries, I've seen this problem now occuring on A4 LEF... so, I had in mind that I'm doing something which increase the impact of the problem !
So, I've again managed to remove the engine, and checked : the transport belt was really dirty now, as the problem is moving the last pass of the printhead to the really edge of the paper, there was a lot of ink on it...
So i've done an important cleaning of the transport belt, and after that : the problem has gone on A4 LEF, is less present on A4 SEF...

For info, I've tried wet clothes with water to remove the ink on the transport belt, but this was really insufficient !
Then I used white spirit, which was more powerfull to clean the transport belt.

But there are some tracks/line which I can't remove, I think it has reached it end of life !!! (expected 75K in the service manual !)

I will see if I can find a transfer belt which could be compatible. There is only the assembly in the spare part manual, and it is specific to the B229 model, so I do not expect to find it somewhere available

As I have already swaped the photosensor (2nd registration sensor) without any change on the problem, I do not expect it is the cause...

Cheers

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

The print head, maintenance station and ink supply system are similar to that used in the MP C2200W aand the old gel-jet printers.

I wanted to find out, and I asked my boss, and he told me that we didn't sell those machines, because when that model came out, Ricoh was pushing it very strong, (he also did the course at Ricoh) it seemed like it should be the future of office printing, but then he noticed that every 2 and a half months, the price of the machine, dropped by 500 euros at a time, until the price of the kit cost almost the same as the machine, and furthermore it seems that whoever replaced the kit after a year, or so, it still had the same problems, so this model was skipped from the fleet, because it turned out to be a problematic bin.

[dalewb74]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

1. Pick a window!! (Preferably from a high floor)
2. Push the device out of choosen window
3. Watch and cheer as the machine hits the flooR!!!!

and then someone has to sweep up the pieces lol

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi all,

Before throwing it trough the window as suggested, I've done again some tries linked with the transport belt, and all tend to confirm it is the problem !
As I've said previously the functionning of the 2nd registration sensor is not really clear in the service manual, but I can confirm that it is the problem : the transport belt isnt really really well, and I've checked the maintenance registry of the machine, it was neved replaced (expected to be at 75k...).

After cleanings with chemical, situation seems better, but goes really bad after few hours, each time. Even printing on A4 LEF was now impossible on the machine...
So I think the problem is a reflexion problem with the 2nd reg sensor, on the transport belt which is not in a good condition.

The transport belt isnt sold alone, but only in the "transport belt" assembly, I didnt find proper info to get the right size & find something compatible.

So before I give up this machine, I've try something really...mad !
I've removed (again !) the transport belt from the engine, then I've (again) cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol... and then I've done a little paint job on the belt, with a spray of black / mat (used for car painting, or things like that...)
After this, the transport belt (which is not an ITB... just used for transport of the paper) is in a better appearance...

Now, things are going really better, I'm able again to print on A4 LEF, on A4 SEF but also on A3 SEF, which was just impossible until now !

I will do some tries again, before returning this machine to the non profit association.
I dont know how long it will works, but I dont expect it to works for many monthes or years, but they can use it again

I track this solution here, it's not really technical, but this can help somebody else to save his machine...

Cheers