Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

[Caffeine]

Is there any kind of known issue or reason to be getting a lot of pit marks on the surface of drums very early in their life, causing dots on the prints?

This is the DocuColor 252 series machine.

I've got 10's of millions of prints on several machines from this series, but this is a fairly new issue for me, and I can't figure out a reason.

Mostly on the black drums, though occasionally on the color drums as well. When it is on the color drums, it is USUALLY fairly close to the end of its life cycle anyway, so I never thought too much about it.

But within the last 2 or 3 months, on several different machines, I've had 5 or 6 black drums develop a pit mark, which you can actually see on the drum surface, within 15 or 20 percent of being brand new. Black drums (normally) last so long.

All genuine Xerox supplies.

Did Xerox have a bad batch of drums? Static damage (though static doesn't seem high right now)? I have absolutely no idea...

Thanks in advance!

[jhalfhide]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

Customer using heavy media? All yields are given at 80/90gsm A4 LEF paper and supposedly drastically reduce with thicker stock.


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[Caffeine]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

Customer using heavy media? All yields are given at 80/90gsm A4 LEF paper and supposedly drastically reduce with thicker stock.

No, almost exclusively 90gsm. Happens whether running lots of color jobs, B&W only, or mixed. No rhyme or reason.

As a side note, I've never experienced any loss of yield with heavy stock on this series of machines. Others may have different experience, but I've definitely never seen it. Even on a machine I use exclusively for book covers, Tango 10pt C1S, I often have the drums reach all the way to 0% and keep on going. I don't see why it would make any difference, since these machines have an intermediate transfer belt. The drum only ever touches the belt, regardless of the media type. I think the "heavy paper reduces life" theory is a remnant from the days when the paper came in direct contact with the drums.

In any event, not the case here, and they're dying at 80-90% life remaining. (Not used, remaining... haha)

Thanks!

K

[adriansto]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

Is there any kind of known issue or reason to be getting a lot of pit marks on the surface of drums very early in their life, causing dots on the prints?

This is the DocuColor 252 series machine.

I've got 10's of millions of prints on several machines from this series, but this is a fairly new issue for me, and I can't figure out a reason.

Mostly on the black drums, though occasionally on the color drums as well. When it is on the color drums, it is USUALLY fairly close to the end of its life cycle anyway, so I never thought too much about it.

But within the last 2 or 3 months, on several different machines, I've had 5 or 6 black drums develop a pit mark, which you can actually see on the drum surface, within 15 or 20 percent of being brand new. Black drums (normally) last so long.

All genuine Xerox supplies.

Did Xerox have a bad batch of drums? Static damage (though static doesn't seem high right now)? I have absolutely no idea...

Thanks in advance!

Deep cleaning into the machine, change filters and ibt clenner assy, max setup after.
Large coverage of the page and old belt usually is the cause

[Caffeine]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

Deep cleaning into the machine, change filters and ibt clenner assy, max setup after.
Large coverage of the page and old belt usually is the cause

Ah, so this is something you've experienced, too? Good to know. I'll put a new cleaner in right now, hopefully avoid killing a perfectly good new drum, but I'll have to buy a belt and won't have it for a while.

It is an old machine, pushing 9mil prints, but the print quality is still perfect. (Except the dots.)

Believe it or not, this is the original itb belt, even after 9 million prints... I have had to replace the silver patch, but the belt was still printing a-ok.

Thanks!

[jhalfhide]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

Xerox still use the 80/90gsm yield for all parts. Probably just their excuse though [emoji6]

Sounds like you've got it sorted now though [emoji106]


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[adriansto]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

I never seen a belt with 9 million on clock.
I seen one with 2 million and it was very worn

[Caffeine]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

I never seen a belt with 9 million on clock.
I seen one with 2 million and it was very worn

Print quality is still stunning on this machine, even with the 9 million old ITB belt and also the 2nd BTR is also original, so it is 9 million old, too...

It's been through many many belt cleaners and developer assemblies and filters, though...

I just thoroughly cleaned out the belt cleaner, and also vacuumed out the filter (though it wasn't old) so hopefully that will prevent drum death until I can get new parts.

[jhalfhide]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

2nd BTR with 9 Million [emoji15]
How is it not cracked to hell?


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[Caffeine]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

2nd BTR with 9 Million [emoji15]
How is it not cracked to hell?

Good genes...? Or good doctors...?

Seriously, though, not sure. I've seen cracked BTRs like you mentioned... But this one keeps hanging in there. I put a sticker with a date on it when I cleaned it out the first time, which was maybe a year after I bought the machine. I have cleaned it out several times since, but I've never replaced any of its parts, like the wax bar or the blade.

[Enzo]

Re: Dots on prints due to pits in OPC drum surface

You think that, in the last month, I have had to change 5 fuser because in the edges of the paper did not attack the toner!