unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

[Patrick T]

DSC02953 even smaller.jpgDSC02956smaller.jpg From a new old stock Ricoh cl7200. The image looks perfect straight on. But at an angle there is obvious vertical defects that shows in the sheen/gloss every 92mm, or the circumference of a photoconductor drum, or other rollers too, I dont know. . (see red line for defect) Also pictured is opposite side, where you can see corresponding stress? lines. Any clues, ideas greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[slimslob]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

By your use of "Old stock" I am thinking that in may have been setting in storage for some length of time. How many years? The model was introduced nearly 20 years ago. You will most likely have to replace all Maintenance kits or at least A and F, the PCUs as the lines are most likely the result of the charge rollers setting against the drums far too long. I would recommend hauling it to the junk yard.

[sandmanmac]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

By your use of "Old stock" I am thinking that in may have been setting in storage for some length of time. How many years? The model was introduced nearly 20 years ago. You will most likely have to replace all Maintenance kits or at least A and F, the PCUs as the lines are most likely the result of the charge rollers setting against the drums far too long. I would recommend hauling it to the junk yard.

The samples are really hard to see what you're taking about, but my initial observation was that it looked like a pretty damn nice printout from a 20 year old box- that was not very good too begin with imo.
I think Tim's correct about the pcr's, but I wouldn't spend a dime on this old unit, and it would probably be hard to find parts anyway. You may be able to service the drums and clean the pcr's but you run the risk of making it worse.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

By your use of "Old stock" I am thinking that in may have been setting in storage for some length of time. How many years? The model was introduced nearly 20 years ago. You will most likely have to replace all Maintenance kits or at least A and F, the PCUs as the lines are most likely the result of the charge rollers setting against the drums far too long. I would recommend hauling it to the junk yard.

Yes, it was in storage for a long time. The transfer belt and PCUs were not installed, still in boxes. Yes, was considering cuttin and running away from this mess. Nobodys noticed the defect until I point it out to them. Makes a heck of a paper weight. Pics are actually really good, but that angle...

[slimslob]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Yes, it was in storage for a long time. The transfer belt and PCUs were not installed, still in boxes. Yes, was considering cuttin and running away from this mess. Nobodys noticed the defect until I point it out to them. Makes a heck of a paper weight. Pics are actually really good, but that angle...

With this model it is not real a transfer or I should say Intermediate Transfer Belt but instead is merely just a transport belt. The drums write directly to the paper. The last one of these, MFP version, that I worked on quickly turned into a money pit. Fix one thing and a couple of day later something else failed. The charge rollers were still against the drums.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

With this model it is not real a transfer or I should say Intermediate Transfer Belt but instead is merely just a transport belt. The drums write directly to the paper. The last one of these, MFP version, that I worked on quickly turned into a money pit. Fix one thing and a couple of day later something else failed. The charge rollers were still against the drums.

One mistake i made, in case it contributed to current issue, is not have a transfer unit belt cleaning blade installed. I got filthy prints. They cleaned up of course after getting one installed, but always wondered if that led to my current dilemma.

[Gift]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Samples are poor - these lines obviously occure from the paper passage handling by the transport rollers, probably after fusing.
That printer is designed for "office color" printing without any fancy quality demands.

If I remember correctly you can set up this printer to output "on top" or left side on a separate output tray at the duplex unit - last option might help reducing that symptome.
Not shure if the paper comes out left anyways if you pick a "thick paper" setting.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

You guys have been super helpful. This machine will do for mainly text/manuals for now and nothing fancy. I will be pursuing a newer unit that can output higher quality demands. I dont know what that is yet, but will surely avoid the 20+yr old stock.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

I turn the fuser by hand and it seems to have a tight spot in the rotation. Hope someone reads this. Any chance this is a fuser issue?

[anothertech]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

I turn the fuser by hand and it seems to have a tight spot in the rotation. Hope someone reads this. Any chance this is a fuser issue?

Yes, I'd put my money on a fuser issue. Probably a flat spot on the lower fuser roller.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Well I may give it one hail mary before i cash it in, install fuser kit. I thought that springy memory like tight spot seemed a possible candidate. Maybe i can find circumference before I commit. Thanks again. Will come back for update.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Yes, i found it has a flat spot. I ran paper through and defects lined up perfectly. I fear a new kit, being 20 years old, may also have a flat spot.

[slimslob]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Pressure rollers develop flat spots. When the do, you need to replace them.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Its the 'hot roller' in the fuser. According to ricoh, "its made out of sponge, which flattens slightly, also increasing fusing nip"
Well i better stop doddling and do something Im good at. Late lunch.

[Patrick T]

Re: unusual lines in sheen/gloss. Please take a whack

Unlikely I can find a roller separately. I will let it set turned off the flat spot and see if it rebounds at all. Doubting, but worth a shot. Then I will bite the bullet, buy maintenance kit and hope it isnt as flat. Then mope around for a day kicking myself, lol.