eStudio 452 curl issue

[Baphomet]

I thought I knew all the tricks in the book on paper curling; but this one has stumped me.

This 452 has only one paper source for LT-R (the 2nd tray) which is set up for FAX. Only fax jobs (and internal prints) come out on the receiving tray ... all other jobs go to the MJ-1101 finisher.

Customer complaint: Faxes come out curled in a tube and pile up on the receiving tray and everything stops until the mess is sorted out. Issue is compounded because the copier receives faxes overnight and no body is there to monitor the copier and clear the rolled up faxes.

Initially the fuser was approaching PM, so I put in a fuser kit. It did nothing to alleviate the curling.

Next I fabricated a 'ramp' to place on the inner receiving tray to help exiting paper lay flat (this trick has worked 99% of the time). Even with my 'ramp' the curling still happens.

Next I suggested 24lb good quality paper be used to receive faxes on (moisture in the paper has never appeared to be an issue). The customer buys several cases of the stuff, and even with a fresh package the paper STILL curls.

I feel like I am in the twilight zone where the laws of physics cease to work the way they are suppose to. I need some good logical advice here. Any takers?

[ToshibaTech]

I have done the ramp trick as mentioned with pretty good success. Mainly the ramp keeps the paper, even though curled, from falling into the trough in the exit tray. I hate trying to explain paper problems to customers, feel your pain. Seems like I have seen a lot of humidity problems this year. Can you move the LT-R to another tray? Does it curl LT when not ran though the bridge and just put into the exit tray? The grain is different that way but it may tell you something. If none of that works, the only other thing I can think of is maybe you are getting too much loop at registration and that is causing a "pre-curl" of sorts that gets worse in the fuser.

This probably doesn't help much, just my thoughts. Surprising indeed that it still does it with 24#.

[Baphomet]

I have done the ramp trick as mentioned with pretty good success. Mainly the ramp keeps the paper, even though curled, from falling into the trough in the exit tray. I hate trying to explain paper problems to customers, feel your pain. Seems like I have seen a lot of humidity problems this year. Can you move the LT-R to another tray? Does it curl LT when not ran though the bridge and just put into the exit tray? The grain is different that way but it may tell you something. If none of that works, the only other thing I can think of is maybe you are getting too much loop at registration and that is causing a "pre-curl" of sorts that gets worse in the fuser.

This probably doesn't help much, just my thoughts. Surprising indeed that it still does it with 24#.

You know, I did ask the customer how they would feel with the faxes exiting on the finisher. She did not like that idea. I didn't pursue the idea of faxes on LT because I've always thought that would increase curling, but I am willing to give that at try. I might try a different paper tray as well. Good advice, thanks.

[bryand]

I would move the grey rubbers o-rings on the exit rollers to the opposite postion they are in now. Either up on the black rollers or off, kind of dangling. That should alleviate most of the curl.

[mckinley]

Are the thermistors ok? i've had a few 450 & 452 machine's where the thermistors have started failing, could be causing the temps to creep up too high. Also i would check that no one has altered the fuser temps in 08 mode.
after this i guess i would be looking at pressure, maybe there's too much tension on the fuser rollers?