Error message with Scitex Dolev 400

[IrmaBauder]

Hi everyone,

We are having problems with a Scitex Dolev 400, which was brought second hand to Africa. It worked for a while, but now we get the error message "F517: Spinner rdback".

What does that mean? How can we make the machine work again?

Thanks for any hint we can get!
Irma

(Working in Tanzania)

[airyk]

you could try the Scitex forum at Prepress Forum, Index

[airyk]

its been years since I was around a Dolev 400 but I "think" it sounds like there is something in the way of the drive that moves to image the film. Check inside and make sure nothing is obstructing the path.

[IrmaBauder]

Hi Airyk,

We already checked inside and found nothing obstructing the path. What does "rdback" in the error message mean?

[Windsurfer]

"Spinner Readback" - means it is not getting the encoder signals from the spinner motor, or it is getting them but are not what expected.
Typically this is bad news - the spinner died of old age. A spinner is the most expensive part of the machine.
But, you may be lucky, it can also be:
- the spinner data cable (that goes inside the plastic chain)
- the spinner driver board (these old boards can usually be repaired by a good local electronic shop)
- just dust in the encoder : you can try very carefully open the spinner's back - very carefully, as there is a glass disc inside. Clean the disc with a dry q-tip or soft wipe. You may also try to clean the encoder sensor, a small plastic optical sensor that is "clamping" on the edge of the disc, which reads the black lines printed on the disc. Then close again and test.
Also check that the cables going to the spinner are all well connected and not loose.

If the cleaning does not solve it, you may remove the spinner driver board and take it to an electronics service to be checked - but honestly this is not the most likely culprit. The most likely is the spinner motor itself.

[bprint_tampabay]

Windsurfer's advice is spot on --

Heed it.

Also be aware that you are using what amounts to an ancient piece of equipment. You probably need a backup plan in case of complete failure.

Hate to say it, but nothing lasts forever.

[PACH]

"Spinner Readback" - means it is not getting the encoder signals from the spinner motor, or it is getting them but are not what expected.
Typically this is bad news - the spinner died of old age. A spinner is the most expensive part of the machine.
But, you may be lucky, it can also be:
- the spinner data cable (that goes inside the plastic chain)
- the spinner driver board (these old boards can usually be repaired by a good local electronic shop)
- just dust in the encoder : you can try very carefully open the spinner's back - very carefully, as there is a glass disc inside. Clean the disc with a dry q-tip or soft wipe. You may also try to clean the encoder sensor, a small plastic optical sensor that is "clamping" on the edge of the disc, which reads the black lines printed on the disc. Then close again and test.
Also check that the cables going to the spinner are all well connected and not loose.

If the cleaning does not solve it, you may remove the spinner driver board and take it to an electronics service to be checked - but honestly this is not the most likely culprit. The most likely is the spinner motor itself.

Irma,

Some more ideas besides what Windsurfer suggested:

Check 4A spinner fuse (+30A) and the 4A spinner fuse (-30A). maybe you already checked this.
Reseat the CID board ( this is the main board in the RHS of the electronics crate. This board could also give you this Fault message
Try and used compressed air if you want to clean the Encoder disc as this can be damaged easily!!!

[IrmaBauder]

Thanks to all for their answers, I truely appreciate! And sorry for not responding faster.

Meanwhile my colleagues tried all the suggestions, but the error message is still the same.
Does this mean, that the spinner died?

Can the spinner be replaced? Where could we buy a replacement? What would be a price we would have to calculate with?

[leo]

Dolev 400 is too old. In case you buy a spinner only, I think you should buy whole recorder. Hope it helps.