Blurry Barcodes on Plastic

[Madnhain]

I appreciate all the responses.

Adjusting the fusing temp didn't have a noticeable effect. Also, I'm hesitant to make any of these type changes in service mode because these arm bands are a very small portion of what these devices output and (correct me if I'm wrong) service mode fusing adjustments will effect ALL output, not just a specific tray / paper type making discharge paperwork etc print more slowly.

There are a fair amount of locations inside the hospital that use HP for their arm bands, primarily M607 - M608 which print the barcodes just fine. I've recommended switching all arm band printing to HP or Zebra, but the powers that be aren't too keen on that. Added expenses and budget constraints etc. I was shot down pretty quickly with "It worked before it should work now".

Previously, KM 363 and 423 have been used without issue. This only seems to be an issue with the newer models. Side note: These arm bands like to peel off in the vertical transport area occasionally. This is the leading cause of premature ITB failure. But the real fun is when they wrap around the registration rollers. I found that the heavier the media type I select, the slower and fewer of these instances I experience.

OEM Toners... I understand that it needs to be said that OEM toners are a must. To that I must reply "Duh".... I'd never use anything else, though I know it's a common issue in this industry.

I'll try rotating the media to see if that makes a difference.

[emujo2]

You may be fighting a losing battle..what worked in a previous generation does not necessarily work in a new device..This applies to color output as well..In fact, there are some government accounts that force KM to keep a old model (ie C454eGSA) in stock so they don't have to move to the newest untested model. I know it's a pain, but did you get this media tested before you swapped over to the new devices? In many cases you will need to send +500 sheets up to corporate to have the paper tested. You may also ask if there already is a type of these wrist band labels already approved. I have had good luck with most Avery products. E

[korthr5]

The fusing temperature is adjusted by paper type and not by paper tray.

Try to see in what step it happens. like image malformation on transferbelt or after transfer roller or after fusing. During print open the rigth door to find in which step the barcode is blurry.

Try in the driver change the quality mode for DTP, and on the driver dont prioritize the productivity

[copyman]

I appreciate all the responses.

Adjusting the fusing temp didn't have a noticeable effect. Also, I'm hesitant to make any of these type changes in service mode because these arm bands are a very small portion of what these devices output and (correct me if I'm wrong) service mode fusing adjustments will effect ALL output, not just a specific tray / paper type making discharge paperwork etc print more slowly.

There are a fair amount of locations inside the hospital that use HP for their arm bands, primarily M607 - M608 which print the barcodes just fine. I've recommended switching all arm band printing to HP or Zebra, but the powers that be aren't too keen on that. Added expenses and budget constraints etc. I was shot down pretty quickly with "It worked before it should work now".

Previously, KM 363 and 423 have been used without issue. This only seems to be an issue with the newer models. Side note: These arm bands like to peel off in the vertical transport area occasionally. This is the leading cause of premature ITB failure. But the real fun is when they wrap around the registration rollers. I found that the heavier the media type I select, the slower and fewer of these instances I experience.

OEM Toners... I understand that it needs to be said that OEM toners are a must. To that I must reply "Duh".... I'd never use anything else, though I know it's a common issue in this industry.

I'll try rotating the media to see if that makes a difference.

If it worked on the "3" series like another poster touched on the 363 / 423 don't have a transfer belt so one less thing during transfer and why it worked. If the hospital "higher ups" say it worked before do they mean on the old "3" series or these newer 4 & 8 series? If the older models then your answer should be the newer models don't support it. The older models are no longer supported by Kon/Min so no choice but to upgrade.

On the other hand, it sounds like a very big account. If this happen to one of my large accounts I would buy them a couple off lease HP's and give them to customer for free. Include the toner as long as printer is used for armbands only. This not only gets rid of the armband headache but stops transparency jams ruining transfer belts, and service calls for jams wrapped around trans roller, etc!

[femaster]

If the 3-series machines worked, then they probably need a similarly styled machine again. While they aren't the greatest machine, a B&W 227 or 287 might fit the bill. They use the same type of setup as the 3-series with the direct drum to paper toner transfer and a similar style fusing system as well.

[Gift]

Did you force and stop the print process before the fuser so you can have a look at the quality before and after the fusing process? Perhaps it's looking bad before that fuser, too so you can rule that out.
I also find it funny that this is a workflow in a hospital - from my experience printing on plastic with modern laser printers usually end up in more or less poor-ish results.

I'd recommend something proprietary for this task or if it needs to be a budget solution: buy a label printer like brother "p touch" you can print lables on demand and stick them on the wristband - the adhesive quality is very good and the barcode will always come out crystal clear. Another advantage is that the color won't rub-off easily like toner usually does if printed on foil.

[Madnhain]

First off... maybe calling it Blurry is inaccurate, more like faded... I guess a faded barcode looks blurry *shrug*
So, for the most part, the 4&8 series are working well so long as we use heavy 1 paper type.


So, I'm attaching an image to show what's going on with this 364e. Not an image of the barcodes (HIPAA), but did a copy of a meter page on the arm band media.
The top is what comes out of a 364e normally (different machine), the bottom is what I'm getting out of this new 364e. Both devices have the exact same settings as far as I can tell.
To be clear, not all 4&8 series are having this issue, but enough ARE that it's a concern.


I'm honestly wondering if there was a bad developer or toner batch that might be causing this.Armbands.jpg

[blackcat4866]

I think you can safely rule out developer, toner, consumables ... the image defect only seems to appear on the plastic portion, yes?

I would be interested to know if the latent image on the transfer belt is good. My bet is that it is a good latent image, and the defect is happening during second transfer. The heavy1 media setting increases 2nd transfer. =^..^=

[L0rdC]

I think you can safely rule out developer, toner, consumables ... the image defect only seems to appear on the plastic portion, yes?

I would be interested to know if the latent image on the transfer belt is good. My bet is that it is a good latent image, and the defect is happening during second transfer. The heavy1 media setting increases 2nd transfer. =^..^=

I agree with you, it doesn't seem like a fusing problem, if that part doesn't fuse, it would stay on the fuser roller and repeat it later, it seems to be a secondary transfer problem, I would try to interrupt the print and look at the transfer belt later turn the page to see if the image continues there

[Madnhain]

Yes, it has a good latent image on the ITB.
I hadn't considered the 2nd transfer, this is a very low click unit and the 2nd transfers are pretty darn durable. I'll check voltages and maybe throw a new one in there to see what happens.

As always, The Keyop and I thank you all for your wisdom!