Epson 9800 horizontal streaks

[zox]

Hello,

We are using Kodak MPI Integris 800 (Epson 9800) and we are getting horizontal streaks that are coming off of high density areas.
Does anyone have solution for it?
I included links to images to show the problem.

Thanks

[clod]

Have you printed out a nozzle test pattern to check that there are no clogged and/or performed a print head alignments? Hard to tell from the image if that's the issue or not. Could it be putting down too much ink (ink limit set to high prior to profiling)?

[zox]

We did power clean, couple of time as well as quick cleans but it's the same on any higher density parts.

I'll look into it deeper when I find some time, I was just looking for an easy fix if someone went through it already.

Thanks for suggestions Clod.

[clod]

Are the affected areas wet when they come off the printer...streakably or dripably wet? If so, is might be to high an ink limit.

[zox]

I don't think they are wet.
I'll look for that too.

Thanks

[Stiv]

If this is a new type of paper that is thicker, I would check my platen thickness setting.

Also, there may be something stuck underneath that is rubbing.

A nozzle check is better then a head clean, IMO.

[CreekWalker]

What procedure did you go thru when setting up the printer? I am almost finished setting up a 9800 in our shop. We are using the Kodak Integris Pro Semi-Matte 180 paper for coated jobs.

If you did not go thru a process to set ink limit, I would certainly agree with Clod that that is where to start. You definitely have to do this with each different paper type used. I have set ours for four different papers so far, and the ink limits were very different from one and other.

By the way we are using EFI Best Color XF for our proofs, running to two Epson 7800s & one 9800. We also have two Epson 7600s which we are phasing out of production.

I have noticed with our 7800s that the ink is easily smudged immediately after a proof is printed (first minute or so with the coated jobs) regardless of having set the ink limits. These are identical, aside from width, to the 9800.

It could be that something, a bit of debris or whatever has lodged under the nozzles or elsewhere, which is dragging accross the print area. This would be much more noticable in high density areas. maybe a bit of paper fiber lodged in or around the cutting blade.

If you solve this, please let us know what the problem/solution was. As I am the one doing the setup in our shop, I would appreciate any info regarding issues with these printers. We have been using the 7800s for about five months with no major problems. Just need a lot cleanings/power cleanings run to keep them printing nicely. So far that is.

Good luck.

[zox]

Thanks, I'll look into it and share my findings.
Problem is time at the moment.
I am involved in several other higher priority projects at the moment, so as soon as I am done, I'll be all over this.

Thanks again

[zox]

Update,

My colleague, who was looking after this issue changed the Platen Gap and it looks good again.

I am wondering if this will be real fix since we didn't change paper or anything and we didn't have this problem before.

Our Epson is just out of warranty so maybe over time it "loosens" a bit and you have to tight it up

Anyway, we'll keep an eye on it to see if that was real solution or temporary fix.

Thanks all for suggestions.

[Stiv]

I am finding that I have to run a Nozzle check before every proof.

I just had a head replacement due to poor print quality.

It has not solved the problem. I can run multiple nozzle checks on a row and get a bad one on the first or the second try.

Anyone having other problems with these proofers as they are aging?

I run Epson ink, have not changed the paper type, and all other variables are the same as when this was installed.

Thanks.