MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

[Ceechtay]

Hi all,

We have a customer that prints pamphlets that they create in InDesign on a MAc running OS-X 10.6 to a MX-5001N (it's an FN10 finisher). If they print more than one pamphlet, it will jam on the second pamphlet every time. If they print just one pamphlet, it prints perfectly fine, but about 15-30 seconds after it is finished printing, it will register a finisher jam ( FPDD_S). This time delay is why it jams when you print more than one copy.

Other, normal printing does not cause this issue on both MACs and Windows PCs.

If you make pamphlet copies, they run without issues. If you print a pamphlet from a Windows machine, they run fine. It only has this issue with MACs.

What we have tried:

-We have reflashed the firmware with the latest.
-We have re-installed the MAC print drivers. (BTW, they have two MACs and they both are doing it.)
-I have cleared the job log data (SIM 62-10), since that sometimes causes issues.
-We created VERY simple pamphlet on MAC and tested it without using InDesign. Still jams after the job is done. We did this to see if it is anissue with job complexity or memory.
-checked the memory with Sim 60-1. All were OK.
-Other tech checked the sensors and they were all fine.
-Other tech called SHarp hotline and they said to reflash firmware (which I did) and also pointed to the bulletin about mismatch paper and driver.

What I will try when I go back:
-I will bring a test MAC that we have at office. It runs OS-X 10.5 and see if it causes same post-print jam.
-I will make sure that the driver and page type and paper sizes all match. Also, I will tell the print job to use the appropriate tray, since it is on Auto paper select right now.
-any suggestions from here

So, if anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks.

[blackcat4866]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

What level of firmware did you update to? The firmware for the FN10 must be 01.10.02.
There have been numerous fixes for the gripper timing & bundle remaining jams in 01.09a.02 & 01.10.02.
=^..^=

[blackcat4866]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

I am well aware of this jam code, but its always related to a set of springs under one of the top covers. These springs sometimes break, causing uneven pressure on the paper as it returns into the compiling brackets, skews and causes that jam code. The springs have been updated to a stronger metal and now do not break. Its an unpleasant job replacing them too. Very fiddly. This code appears obviously during the job. I cannot understand why it throws the code long after the job is done.

Some good diagnostics have been done though by confirming it only happens from a mac print job, not windows prints or copy jobs. =^..^=

[Ceechtay]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

We tried both 1.09.02 and 1.08.02 firmware for the FN-10. Looking on IDNC-service, I didn't see a 1.10 firmware for this finisher.

I didn't get a chance to go out there today for his problem, so no new info.

I'll update when I have had a chance to try a few other things.

[ledoux]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Did you try just updating the finisher? We had some issues on one awhile back that even though you did the bundle and showed it upgraded for whatever reason it only fixed the issue when we upgraded the finisher separately.

[Ceechtay]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Yeah, I tried just updating only the finisher firmware, but it still jams as before.

I also brought in an old MAC (OS-X10.4), installed the driver, and printed pamphlets to the copier and had the same issues.

I made sure to specify the paper type and I tried other trays (including bypass, where I specified paper type and tray), but it continues to do the same thing.

I checked over the finisher again, and could not find anything obviously wrong.

When I go back tomorrow, I will try a new firmware, which hopefully will fix the issue.

Btw, I took a little cell phone video of the issue and posted it to youtube. In the video, I printed one copy of the pamphlet and you will see that the jam pops up after the job appears to be finished. Here is the link:

Sharp MX-5001N Saddle Stitch Pamphlet Jamming with MAC print job - YouTube

Will let you know if the new firmware solves it.

[ledoux]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

I'm very curious to the outcome of this, never heard of a computer causing anything like this on a MFP. You've done some fine troubleshooting here. I can only imagine the hair pulling done to get to this point.

[ledoux]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Hey Ceechtay, I talked to a tech I work with this morning about this issue. He said he saw this same issue on the FN-10 at his previous dealership. From his recollection they never fixed the issue because Sharp said the booklet finisher was not compatible with Mac. Not sure how accurate it is(doesn't make much sense to me) but figured I'd pass it along.

[colgrimes]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Ive also heard the Macs arent cool with the stitchers. That being said, you cant just tell your customer that...I'd try swapping the finisher to see if something there is the matter. I'd also try removing the tray that catches the output for the stitch and any sensors near the exit.

colgrimes
The Printer Guy

[Ceechtay]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Sorry for the slow update here, but we did solve the issue.

It was a setting in the print driver. We(and the customer) had enabled "Half Fold - Inside" in Printer Features->Paper Folding Settings->Fold. Once we turned this Fold option to "Off", the issue went away completely.

The poor functionality of the Mac print driver made finding this solution harder than it should have been. When we go to Printer Features->Output to set the required settings for pamphlet printing, the driver does not automatically update the options properly. For example, eventhough the driver is properly configured with a saddle stitch finisher, the default Output option is Center Tray. When you change the Output from Center Tray to Saddle Stitch Tray, the driver does not update the Staple options ("1 Staple" and "2 Staples" are both greyed out). You need to comletely leave the "Printer Features" section and then return to that section to get the Staples option to update. This is explained in TT-14015 and Sharp blames Apple for this issue. (and yes, our work test laptop is running Mac OSX 10.4) (I actually solved this issue when I purchased a Mac mini for a class I am taking and brought it to work for testing. It is running OSX10.8)

Anyways, the settings we used to correctly print a pamphlet were:
(all these settings are in Printer Features->Output)
Output:Saddle Stitch Tray
Binding Edge: Left
Staple: 2 Staples
Margin Shift: None
Pamphlet Style: Tiled Pamphlet

Just one last question: What is the purpose of those folding options under Paper Folding Settings?

And thanks for everyone's help.

[mojorolla]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

They are for folding multiple sheets WITHOUT staples.

[Ceechtay]

Re: MX-5001N - MAC saddle stitch printing issue

Thanks, Mojo.

We thought that this setting was tied to the staples settings because of the driver's behavior that I described in the last post (since we had to leave the Output menu to get the Staples option to refresh and we generally did the fold settings before heading back to the Output).

A good, but frustrating, learning experience.