How good or bad is xerox 242 registration?

[Island]

The customer expectation document doesn't set much of an expectation for accurate registration with +/- 1.5mm lead edge and +/- 1.7 mm side edge.

Am I reading this right that on a given sheet registration could be either + or - 1.5 mm for a total variance of 3mm offset in a run? This would seem to make cutting and folding quite difficult.

Is registration typically this loose real world when printing from the oversize high capacity feeder? Can a careful operator do anything to tweak registration (e.g. using image shift, can you get registration right on and count on it being fairly accurate throughout the run even if you have to re-tweak registration for the next paper/environmental change/etc.?)

[Veedle]

Hi,
That is the correct rego specs - but that is on every type of paper and is only a guide.
A well setup 242 using the correct tray alignment settings for the chosen stock, will give near perfect registation - of course there is always going to be slight variations. There is also the paper shrinkage to take into consideration.
In reality, with a properly setup 242 you should be able to achieve registration that is +/- 0.5mm.
Just be really nice to your engineer and they will do it right...
Regards,
Veedle

[TechMate]

I agree with Mr. Veedle. A properly setup machine should have a variance of at most 1mm (+/- 0.5mm) esp. when feeding from the MSI/ bypass tray or the OHCF. Pre-printed/ offset stock will have a slightly higher variance but with the proper feed roller mechanism adjustments/ improvements (MSI/ OHCF) and slide settings (OHCF only), variance should not be a problem.

[Island]

Thank you to you both -- that makes me feel a lot better.