Magnus 800

[curiosity]

Brand new, yet after 8 months, still not signed off on. Problem is banding (2+mm in width vertically across width of plates...visible in certain screens when printed). Presumably this is the width of a laser swath. Now at point of purchasing a power conditioner or UPS device even though a power monitoring service showed that our power is "relatively" clean...has seen much worse.

Some specs: 800 manual specs machine at 208V and 12A. Tag on same machine reads 15A. Monitor survey showed MAX current at 37A and PEAK current at 85A. Many talks with Kodak, but they avoid including one their electrical engineers in the conference calls (per our request). Distributor of UPS/power conditioners that works with Kodak recommends a unit to handle the 37A. When asked why not the 85A, said vendor exclaimed..."that's a good question".

Regardless of all that, anyone experiencing the feeling that either Kodak hasn't a clue or they just don't want to say something they already know is true??? Either way is no good for us. Or are we just too picky.

Banding comes and goes. It causes a few reprints, but not a lot, which depends on our client or our in-house quality process. But we want it gone forever. Our customer base is 50% photographers and artists.

Anyone know if a UPS or power conditioner can indeed fix this?

And I've read up on Gordo's articles on the topic. Good details. We've experienced much the same and some differences. And now we're here ready to cough up several more thousands to possible fix the problem. Or not.

[PACH]

Brand new, yet after 8 months, still not signed off on. Problem is banding (2+mm in width vertically across width of plates...visible in certain screens when printed). Presumably this is the width of a laser swath. Now at point of purchasing a power conditioner or UPS device even though a power monitoring service showed that our power is "relatively" clean...has seen much worse.

Some specs: 800 manual specs machine at 208V and 12A. Tag on same machine reads 15A. Monitor survey showed MAX current at 37A and PEAK current at 85A. Many talks with Kodak, but they avoid including one their electrical engineers in the conference calls (per our request). Distributor of UPS/power conditioners that works with Kodak recommends a unit to handle the 37A. When asked why not the 85A, said vendor exclaimed..."that's a good question".

Regardless of all that, anyone experiencing the feeling that either Kodak hasn't a clue or they just don't want to say something they already know is true??? Either way is no good for us. Or are we just too picky.

Banding comes and goes. It causes a few reprints, but not a lot, which depends on our client or our in-house quality process. But we want it gone forever. Our customer base is 50% photographers and artists.

Anyone know if a UPS or power conditioner can indeed fix this?

And I've read up on Gordo's articles on the topic. Good details. We've experienced much the same and some differences. And now we're here ready to cough up several more thousands to possible fix the problem. Or not.

Somehow I do not think that your problem comes from the power supply. If you have a direct connection from your main power supply input board to your premises, this should be fine.( clean supply)
There are many factors that could cause your problem; plates;processor(if you have one) Thermal Head calibration; lead screw; THead carriage; carriage bearings, etc. You need a good technician to diagnose and solve your problem.

[rmac2125]

What type of plates are you using?
Very sensitive plates show more banding from the laser head.

Rob

[curiosity]

Thanks for the replies: (tried responding earlier , but it appears not to have worked)

Plates: Kodak Sword Xcel P45; as for sensitive....we output at 240 ls, which I believe is a factor. Main difference we observe with plates is related to lot numbers. From time to time, a different lot will yield slightly different measurements (when reading the control strip on each set output). Other than that, the plates are relatively consistent.

We are also skeptical of purchasing a conditioner or ups device. Confidence is not high that it will fix the problem. However, we know we will have to keep the device once purchased.

Kodak has replaced the laser twice. Each head was calibrated several times, and each head was little better than the previous one.

Kodak also pointed first to the processor. Lots of scrutiny, but not much changed, they now approve of our processor and have eliminated it from the usual list of suspects.

Lead screw, carriage, bearings...all have been strongly suggested by us, but so far have fallen on non-receptive ears. I'm guessing because to check or change out these mechanical pieces would be costly. May as well send an entirely new unit?

Might we have a lemon?!

[PACH]

Thanks for the replies: (tried responding earlier , but it appears not to have worked)

Plates: Kodak Sword Xcel P45; as for sensitive....we output at 240 ls, which I believe is a factor. Main difference we observe with plates is related to lot numbers. From time to time, a different lot will yield slightly different measurements (when reading the control strip on each set output). Other than that, the plates are relatively consistent.

We are also skeptical of purchasing a conditioner or ups device. Confidence is not high that it will fix the problem. However, we know we will have to keep the device once purchased.

Kodak has replaced the laser twice. Each head was calibrated several times, and each head was little better than the previous one.

Kodak also pointed first to the processor. Lots of scrutiny, but not much changed, they now approve of our processor and have eliminated it from the usual list of suspects.

Lead screw, carriage, bearings...all have been strongly suggested by us, but so far have fallen on non-receptive ears. I'm guessing because to check or change out these mechanical pieces would be costly. May as well send an entirely new unit?

Might we have a lemon?!

As it is still under warranty all the effort should be taken to solve your problems like the ones that I sugested earlier. They have to keep a customer happy and confident in the machine. They are very good Platesetters. Replacing parts should be easier than repalcing a whole unit. Could it be the SCSI connection?

[ansoft]

Why do you think of wrong power supply? Why do not you clean the optics? Kodak engineers must be so nice to come and investigate your problem. Especially, the machine is still in guarantee...

[PACH]

Why do you think of wrong power supply? Why do not you clean the optics? Kodak engineers must be so nice to come and investigate your problem. Especially, the machine is still in guarantee...

What optics are you on about? They alread had the head replaced twice? If it is a PSU problem the pattern (noise) would not be even. This is either data corruption or a mechanical problem.

[ansoft]

Sorry for the spam. I missed this fact for the head replacement.

[PACH]

Sorry for the spam. I missed this fact for the head replacement.

No worries! Be happy.

[curiosity]

Thanks again and thank you PACH for interjecting about the head.
Our relationship with Kodak is one of mutual support with a goal of resolving the issue. To that extent, all is good. The timeline, however, leaves much to be desired. Hadn't thought about the SCSI connection, but it "looks" okay. Connection to cpu was less than straight, however. Stress on internal board? Will mention to Kodak.
If anything is resolved I will repost.