Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

[Lindblom]

I recently bought an FR3950 that hadn't been serviced in a while, and after a few months usage it has now stopped making proper masters. It started with the master having a strip at the bottom where it just printed the entire width of the page (see attached photo), then it would work fine for a couple masters, and then it would just cover the entire page, and that's where we are now.

Anyone have any idea on what I should do? Any sensors that need cleaning? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

UPDATE! It seems that only the fluorescent pink drum has this problem. Tried a couple of other ones yesterday, and they worked fine. Could it be something that's gone wrong in the pink one?

[reglanet]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Do you have connectivity or do you use a scanner?

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Do you have connectivity or do you use a scanner?

I'm using the scanner. And update to the update: It's not just the pink drum, it's all of them. It worked fine again for a little while on a few drums, but now it's back to covering the entire page.

[Iowatech]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Um, have you tried to system reset the unit in the way that has been posted here for years? That's actually the first step when Risos that are having problems that don't appear to have obvious solutions.
Funny story that. It's also in the archives if you are curious.

[shazz]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Did the "system reset" mentioned above take care of the problem?
Have you ruled out any Thermal Print Head issues?

[jermyth]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Go into test mode and do an internal print (suggest check board) if it's all ink/black then something is wrong with the thermal print head. If is good then the scanner is at fault, probably the scanner ribbon cable.

Good luck.

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Did the "system reset" mentioned above take care of the problem?
Have you ruled out any Thermal Print Head issues?

I haven't been able to find any instructions on how to perform the system reset. Do you know where I can find it? The TPH seems fine, as the machine could do an internal print.

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

Go into test mode and do an internal print (suggest check board) if it's all ink/black then something is wrong with the thermal print head. If is good then the scanner is at fault, probably the scanner ribbon cable.

Good luck.

The internal check board print worked fine, so that's good at least. I was thinking of taking the scanner out and putting a scanner from another FR. Is it as simple as just switching them out or do I need to do something more?

[jermyth]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

First the reset is power off, hold reset/clear button and turn on the machine, continue holding the reset all button until the machine comes to ready.

Second if that don't help then replace the scanner ribbon cable. You don't have to replace the whole scanner, just the flat cable between the scanner and image pcb.

Good luck.

[shazz]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

The internal check board print worked fine, so that's good at least. I was thinking of taking the scanner out and putting a scanner from another FR. Is it as simple as just switching them out or do I need to do something more?

What is the FR test code you used to do the internal print (the check board pattern?)

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

What is the FR test code you used to do the internal print (the check board pattern?)

[Lindblom]

Re: Riso FR3950 doesn't make masters, covers entire page in ink

First the reset is power off, hold reset/clear button and turn on the machine, continue holding the reset all button until the machine comes to ready.

Second if that don't help then replace the scanner ribbon cable. You don't have to replace the whole scanner, just the flat cable between the scanner and image pcb.

Good luck.

Tried it and it has since worked. If it all goes south again, I'll swap out the ribbon cable. Thanks!