DesignJet 500

[Lance15]

Re: DesignJet 500

The other issue we run into all the time is the internal "IT" staff don't know a thing about drivers (or Windows for that matter). If a unit doesn't just print when the user hits print, it's immediately a printer problem.

Have one now that we are told drops off and on the network (LaserJet P1606). I just ordered a pulled formatter from Amazon. If it still does it after replacing it, the problem lies in the wiring somewhere (bad cable, bad wiring, bad switch port). I highly doubt the IT staff thoroughly checked other possibilities before saying it's a printer problem.

[JR2ALTA]

Re: DesignJet 500

I have a customer with 3 500s (2x42" and a 24"), all printed to using AutoCAD and the latest version. I've never had an issue with compatibility and to my memory have never updated the firmware on these printers. I did the math on the media usage on the 24"; it's been through over 2,600 rolls of 24x150 paper. These printers literally print all day long, sometimes over the weekends.

The best option to set (in my opinion) is to send the job as a bitmap in the driver. This takes all the work off the printer; no HPGL2 card needed, no extra RAM needed.. and the printer starts printing immediately instead of sitting there forever 'processing' the job.

Kiran

are these things really profitable? There was a guy who rented some space in our shop to work on plotters and he drove an Escalade

[theengel]

Re: DesignJet 500

Profitable to whom?

I'm carving out my living on them. Most techs don't want to learn these, so it's a niche market. Right now, I'm the only one in my area. I drive pretty far to work on them, but I charge for that. I have different rates to work on designjets (as opposed to laserjets). With laser printers, I just charge by the job--a flat service fee. With designjets, I charge by the hour, and will include travel.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: DesignJet 500

I have my own company and I only repair the HP Designjet printers. I don't do laserjets or copiers, or other wide format brands. And like theengel, I'm the only person in the area that works on the Designjets (that I know of.) I think I do alright. There's peaks and valleys in my workload, but I like it that way.

Anytime someone is faced with a few hundred to repair, versus several grand for new, they always go for the repair. Though I will talk people out of repairs on a printer that's a lost cause.

Kiran

[Phil B.]

Re: DesignJet 500

are these things really profitable? There was a guy who rented some space in our shop to work on plotters and he drove an Escalade

don't judge a man by his leased car. he might be living in a cardboard box.