Happy Ending
Happy Ending
- Subject: Happy Ending
- From: SKID Photography <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 04 Sep 2002 18:05:24 -0400
- Organization: SKID Photography
Cross Posted
As many of you have been following my travails of micro banding on my Epson 7000, and
adventures in dealing with both Epson and Imation regarding the warranty repairs, I wanted
to put in (I hope) a final post, with a happy ending.
I first want to thank all the different people who spent so much time helping me define
and articulate the problem and negotiations with Epson.
The original problem was micro banding in the 3/4 tones, using an Epson 7000 and Indelible
Inks.
The solutions were two fold, but the second of was of Epson's own making.
The initial problem, I think would have been fixed by a simple 'paper advance length'
adjustment (the old 'measured meter' thing), but....When Epson does a warranty service
call (due to any type of banding), they automatically retrofit new print heads.
Apparently all the 7000s (and 9000s?) were shipped with heads that had 2 different
piezoelectric charges, one for the light, and another for the dark color inks. They
automatically replace both heads, which now have the same piezoelectric charge.
They did the head change *before* testing the paper advance, and I think that the heads
they put in were defective. So when they did do the paper advance adjustment, it just
evened out the micro banding, instead of having it only in the 3/4 tones (in other words,
they made it worse!).
They then said the problem was with the Indelible inks, causing nozzle deflections, so
they flushed out many $ worth of good Indelibles Inks, and replaced them with the OEM dyes
(at least they brought their own flushing fluids) and still, the problem persisted.
Finally they replaced the heads for a 3rd time, and still there were 'nozzle deflections'
in the 'advanced diagnostic nozzle checks'. So they returned again, and replaced the
heads (along with the dampers, capping station and pump mechanism for good
measure....Imation's idea), and it finally worked well.
After performing a series of tests to assure myself that the 7000 was printing perfectly,
I reloaded the Indelibles yesterday, and sure enough, it still works PERFECTLY!
My conclusions,
When you get a good Imation tech, he is worth his weight in gold (and we had one for the
last 3 visits).
Epson is in denial (or lies) about the quality control of their heads for the
7000/9000/3000 series of printers and would rather blame a 3rd party ink.
Most people do not complain about the micro banding we were getting.
Paper advance maladjustment's are the major cause of micro banding, and that is why Epson
has included those controls on the new X600 series printers...To avoid having to send
techs out to fix them.
Again, thank you to everybody who helped me from going completely out of my mind through
this whole process.
Harvey Ferdschneider
partner, SKID Photography, NYC
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