Xerox DocuColor 5000 versus DocuColor 7002/8002

[jmstone]

I'd love to hear from someone who has experience with both machines. We've heard the imaging tech in the 8002 is similar to the older 5000s. We have 2 5000s right now, and more than anything we have problem with the color drums.

In a job with about 2,000 12x18 sheets, we might have to change 3-4 color drums throughout the job. There's no indication they need replacing until we have streaks of color across the paper, so the only way to cut down on waste & reprints is to check the stack every few seconds.

The problem is the same with both 5000s. It may be due to our high use of toner, but either way it's problem.

So does anyone know if the 7002 or 8002 has the same or similar drums? Anybody having this issue with their 5000s? I'm not sure how long the 7002/8002s have been on the market, I just don't want to be stuck with this problem again.

[mac_man_luke]

you replace 3-4 drums on a job 2000 sheet???

We would be lucky to replace a drum every 50,000 sheets+ on both our Xerox 5540 and Konica 6501

[easiprint]

Agree with Luke, we get an average of 70,000 on drums in our 5252. Replacing that often must make the running costs impossibly high. If you only had the one machine I would say there is a problem with the machine somewhere, but if you have two with the same problem, I would be looking at the environmental conditions in your shop and are the drums you have good or do you have a bad batch?

[amsman1]

I agree with Luke and Easiprint's posts. We had a 5000 running about 50k - 70k per sheets per month 310gsm board mainly, and I would need to replace a drum ( mainly the yellow from memory) every 30k - 40k.

I would also check the environment. If you have a CTP or Film Processor in close proximity to the 5000 the fumes can cause issues with the machines operation.

Check the drum cleanning brushes, I cannot remember if they are part of the changeover drum, but any buildup in the brush will damage the surface of the drum. Otherwise check your stock to make sure it's not covered in dust, dirt or even spraypowder etc.

As for the 7002 / 8002 they have colour variation across the sheet issues. Just ask Xerox the'll tell you some cock and bull story. Stay with the 5000, its slower but its a better box than the other two, also laminating is near impossible from the 7002 / 8002.

Good Luck

[Josh]

How long have you had to change 3-4 drums every 2k sheets? That's a 3-4 drums every hour and a half!? ...if you're doing say 50k prints a month that's 100 drums per month? REALLY? ...something's wrong there.

However, the drums in the 7/8002s are different and apparently do last longer but as said there are various colour issues with them. Have a search of the forum for more details.

I'd get your 5000s looked at (I'm amazed the techs haven't already if you're going through that many drums) but I'd avoid the 7/8002s due to the issues...

[jmstone]

Sorry, I may have made my 5000s sound worse than they are. It's not every 2000 sheets for sure, it's just a worse case senario, typically it happens when we do a 12x18 duplexed sheet w/ about 90% coverage - so when we're really covering the page. A job like that might go through 2 drums on average, but then their are times when we get lucky and times when it's worse. It really does seem to matter whether we're "painting" the sheet with toner versus something with only a little toner like letterhead.

As for the environment, they're in a climate controlled warehouse and there's no equipment anywhere near them. The techs have taken note, but they don't think it's out of the ordinary; in fact they just keep us well-stocked in drums. I've got about a dozen color drums on the shelf at the moment.

To me it's the weak point of an otherwise pretty reliable and consistant machine. Interesting to hear about the color variation issues w/ the 7/8002s. I'll do some searching, that's definitely not an issue we want to deal with.

[ShortRunMagazines]

I've got JMSTONES back on this one... We have 3 DC5000APs and our reorder point is 36 color drums. We go through about 20 per week and it fails exactly as described. All three machines. (As for environment, we are digital only and run HEPA filters throughout so it's not that--and Xerox agrees.)

I am looking at the 8002 for the same reason. Right now I have to pay a full time employee to do circles in production checking for streaks or dots.

Xerox told me this is "normal" for our load...

[jmstone]

I've got JMSTONES back on this one... We have 3 DC5000APs and our reorder point is 36 color drums. We go through about 20 per week and it fails exactly as described. All three machines. (As for environment, we are digital only and run HEPA filters throughout so it's not that--and Xerox agrees.)

I am looking at the 8002 for the same reason. Right now I have to pay a full time employee to do circles in production checking for streaks or dots.

Xerox told me this is "normal" for our load...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one, and kind of happy we only have two. Any more and we'd need to get a person just to check the print quality.

So have you heard anything about the 8002 that makes you think drums wouldn't be a problem, or do you think it would be a similar scenario?

[Milo Wilson]

I've got JMSTONES back on this one... We have 3 DC5000APs and our reorder point is 36 color drums. We go through about 20 per week and it fails exactly as described. All three machines. (As for environment, we are digital only and run HEPA filters throughout so it's not that--and Xerox agrees.)

I am looking at the 8002 for the same reason. Right now I have to pay a full time employee to do circles in production checking for streaks or dots.

Xerox told me this is "normal" for our load...

What kind of volume do you do a week per machine?!?

[TOprint]

Folks, I am a Ricoh employee and I'm not promoting the Ricoh product in this string, but have to ask a question ... After reading all the issues you are experiencing with the 5000, why on earth would you consider solving your problem by buying more equipment from the same vendor?

Hope this isn't seen as an insulting question, but it is just baffling to me!

Thanks