Fuser nip measurement

[kandod]

How exactly do I measure the size of the fuser nip width, I mean the distance between what marks on the Fuser nip print?

[xcopytech]

on which model?

[kandod]

Sorry, DC2060.

[xcopytech]

ADJ 10.1 Fuser Nip
Purpose
The purpose is to ensure that the proper pressure is applied to the print as it passes through
the fuser.
Check
1. Enter DC701 Fuser Nip Measurement.
2. Select a tray with either 8.5x11 (A4) or 11x17 (A3) 24lb (90gsm) paper.
NOTE: For best results use Xerox Color Xpressions paper.
3. Select Start.
NOTE: The print comes out upside down. Ensure that you mark the black side of the
print Inboard and Outboard.
4. Remove the print and mark the Inboard and Outboard side of the print.
NOTE: The Fuser Nip is located about the center of the print on the black side.
5. Measure 30mm in from the edge of the sheet at the Fuser Nip on the Inboard and Outboard
side of the print.
6. Select DC612 Color Test Pattern Print. Select Pattern 7 Color Reg. Run three prints.
7. Perform DC701 Fuser Nip Measurement two more times after waiting at least 30 seconds
between each run and perform DC612 Pattern 7 Color Reg. between each nip
check.
8. Measure 30mm in from the edge of the sheet at the Fuser Nip on the Inboard and Outboard
side of each of the prints.
9. The Fuser Nip specification is:
• 4.1mm +/- .2mm Inboard
• 4.2mm +/- .2mm Outboard
Adjustment
1. Pull out the Transport Drawer to the service position.
2. Open the Inverter Transport.
3. Open the Fuser Exit Chute Assembly.
4. Adjust the screw(s) located through the hole in the P/R Finger Bracket:
• To increase the nip, turn both screws CW.
• To decrease the nip, turn both screws CCW.
• one full turn equals .5mm.

[kandod]

Ok, that's what the service manual says, but what exactly marks the start and the end of the nip so that I can measure it with a precision of +/-.2mm.

[xcopytech]

when perform this procedure paper will stay in fuser for a moment and you will have on paper that fuser mark.
you should mesure that fuser mark.

[kandod]

http://www.2shared.com/file/12525054/6d06917f/P1010071.html

There is a clear contact arc about 4 mm along the sheet but since there are no exact boundary signs I can as well say it is 3 mm or 5 mm no chance of taking +/- .2 mm deviation measurement.

[blackcat4866]

From a not-Xerox guy, but having measured nipp width often enough:

Most machines don't have a nice convenient simulation to do the nipp width measurement/adjustment. So like the previous post says, you want paper width that will cover the entire width of the fuser, A3 or ledger is convenient because of the additional length. What the simulation does is run a solid black print, then stops the paper for 10 seconds or so, then feeds it the rest of the way out. For those of us that don't have a nifty simulation you just run a sky shot then pull open the door when the paper is passing through the fuser. Count to 10, then roll out the resulting page with a smooth continuous motion.

Try not to handle the unfused portion of the page too much. You'll get covered with toner. In the area that was between the rollers the image will be noticably glossier than the rest of the page. Measure the distance in the feed direction from the beginning to the end of the glossy area, at both ends and in the center. Most machines with a ~32mm pressure roller have a 4mm nipp measurement +/- 1/2mm. That is to say, if the outer dimensions are the same @ 3.5mm and the center adjustment is no more that 4.0mm the roller is within minumum specifications.

I don't think anyone realistically expects you to measure to the accuracy of 1/10th of a millimeter. It would cost you about $200 to buy a 50x microscope with measuring scale to measure as accurately as you suggest, and you couldn't carry it around in your tool bag all day long and expect it to maintain it's accuracy. The nipp width is not as crucial as the manual suggests. Many machines don't even have a nipp width adjustment any more, just a couple of springs with (1) setting. =^..^=

[davidj7]

to add to what blackcat said there is a tool supplied by xerox called an eyeloop .I'll post the partnumber later. It uses a magnifiying lense with a built in scale. Its available in ebay for $10-15. .



Anyway I did a fuser nip measurement in my DC5252 last month for the first since i had this machine for the past 2 years. Normally you donot have to do the fuser nip even though xerox says to do it after roller/pr belt change etc.

The fuser nip measure can vary more than xerox variance of .2mm. I did the measurement using vernier calipers(i bought the eyeloop later). Even .3 mm varaiation didnt cause any problems for me. rest follow the exact procedure given by xcoptech . do an extra print than specified by xerox but never less for taking measurements.

Make sure all other parts in your fuser are inperfect condtition before adjusting nip. You might end up in a worst position than you started.

[kandod]

Thank you all for the help, I am not trying to change the nip, I was merely puzzling how to perform the service manual procedure abiding by the specs. I still do not understand how to take precise measurement since there are no distinctive unique marks on the print.

[blackcat4866]

You lay your "eyeloop" or millimeter scale over the glossy strip and measure edge to edge. As you have already noticed there isn't really a nice crisp edge to measure from, so don't try to make it rocket science. 4mm +/- 1/2mm is an adequate standard that most anyone can measure on a standard millimeter scale.

This wouldn't be the first time I've found a procedure in the service manual that was incomprehensible. Any Sharp guys out there? How about the registration adjustment on almost any Sharp? After several attempts at following that procedure I came to the conclusion that it just didn't translate well from Japanese. =^..^=