[Misc] Ricoh 3228c Colour Printing Issue

[Whitegate]

Ricoh 3228c which originally had a problem printing in B&W. After fixing the problem by replacing the Drum unit the B&W prints fine, but it now has a problem printing in colour.


First if you printed just one or two copies it would print okay, but any more than say 2 copies at the same time the quality went downhill. Now after about 50 further copies, just printing even just one copy at a time it prints badly.

Please see attached scanned image showing the uneven colour with white patches showing through the colour printed sections.


Thanks Lee

[sandmanmac]

Re: Ricoh 3228c Colour Printing Issue

First of all, you need a tech onsite to diagnose exactly what is needed.
But it will involve some cleaning, Development unit(s) - cyan at minimum, and/or drum unit(s) in my estimation.
That is also a horrible sample page to give you much more than that.

[Wind Cool]

Re: Ricoh 3228c Colour Printing Issue

Ricoh 3228c which originally had a problem printing in B&W. After fixing the problem by replacing the Drum unit the B&W prints fine, but it now has a problem printing in colour.


First if you printed just one or two copies it would print okay, but any more than say 2 copies at the same time the quality went downhill. Now after about 50 further copies, just printing even just one copy at a time it prints badly.

Please see attached scanned image showing the uneven colour with white patches showing through the colour printed sections.


Thanks Lee

Few problem always effect the colour print.

1. Developer CMY.
2. Drum & C/Blade (Drum Unit).
3. Use compatible Toner Colour.


Personally my advice is You need to change the Developer CMY to let the colour run well.

If not as above issue. Then the last issue will be Laser Unit or Polygon Motor.

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh 3228c Colour Printing Issue

That is also a horrible sample page to give you much more than that.

Try using Printer SP 1103-002 to print a color test page. That is a print out many techs use to look for color problems. Either that or download some industry standard color print test charts.

[Whitegate]

Re: Ricoh 3228c Colour Printing Issue

Thank you for all your replies.

This machine has been perfect up to now and it has had its services over the years. It has also previously had the developers and drums replaced (with new ones) as part of the services.

Checking the SMC report, all or just about most of the counts looks well within in limits with most items having relatively low counts. On running a calibration it printed fine (both) sides so no alarm bells ringing with regards to this.

Thanks slimslob for the suggestion regarding the SP 1103-002 test page. I did that yesterday just after the calibration report and it printed almost perfectly with the correct scaling.

However talking to a copier technician this morning he suspected the cleaning unit and told me to check it. I took the cleaning unit out and it was indeed quite dirty. I cleaned the unit, replaced it, rechecked the drums and developers, transfer belt, rollers and put it all back together (all okay).

After cleaning unit was cleaned out the copier seems to be working fine now so I will see how it gets on, but I think I will probably end up having to buy a new cleaning unit for this one.

Many thanks.