Agfa Grand Sherpa 50 woes

[DamionMT]

hello, and I hope you can help...

I've been running a Agfa Grand Sherpa for a few years now in a graphics department of a pharma company. It's been all sorts of trouble, but usually fixable with some intensive cleaning.

Yesterday however a new wrinkle developed, the prints coming out of the machine are demonstrating moderate to severe horizontal banding on the cyan and black. I'm checking the print heads via test-print regularly, but nothing is showing up "wrong" there, yet the quality of the proofs coming out of the machine is deteriorating steadily.

Where is a good place to go to troubleshoot this machine? I'm growing steadily more desperate, thanks.

Damion Mosier-Tidd

[Hopkins Printing]

Where is a good place to go to troubleshoot this machine?

Your best bet would probably be to contact GEI Calgraph and open a service call. Their number is 800-842-8448.

We used to fight those issues as well.

Kind regards,
Jon Morgan
Hopkins Printing

[Mel]

Can you tell me about other issues you've had? What about service? Are you happy with the service contract or warantee on Agfa machines?

[jbbbarr]

When this happened to me, it was the print head. Maybe you should have a tech. re-confirm.

good luck

[Hopkins Printing]

Can you tell me about other issues you've had? What about service? Are you happy with the service contract or warantee on Agfa machines?

Hi Mel,

It's been a while since we've replaced our Grand's with Epson 9800's but I do recall banding being a regular issue. A few powerful cleanings seems to clear it. Other times, we had to have service come and realign the heads (sometimes replace them).

I also remember occasionally having a fine gray spatter on the right (control panel) side of the paper that would gradually fade going further away from the control panel side of the paper. As I remember, there is a "spit cup" just to the right of the paper (when it's loaded) that has a rather course pad in it. Replacing that pad would resolve the misty spatter.

Hope this helps!
Jon Morgan
Hopkins Printing

[DamionMT]

Your best bet would probably be to contact GEI Calgraph and open a service call. Their number is 800-842-8448.

We used to fight those issues as well.

Kind regards,
Jon Morgan
Hopkins Printing

Thank you for the input, I've been working with GEI to recolve the issue, and hopefully they'll have a tech out here today.

regards
Damion

[DamionMT]

Can you tell me about other issues you've had? What about service? Are you happy with the service contract or warantee on Agfa machines?

Truthfully?

If I had known then what I know now about this machine, we never would have purchased it. It is totally inappropriate for our needs, and is extremely high-maintenance.

When we realised Agfa was no longer servicing it, an we had to renegotiate an entirely new arrangement with GEI, that did not help much either. (No fault on GEI, they've been more helpful than Agfa ever was.)

For a high volume shop, this machine might be an option, but for our needs (proofer for a packaging and design department) it's just expensive overkill.

[PrePressLacky]

LOL, better make a quick call to GEI because there not into the next day service. We put a call out for our sherpamatic and we didnt get a call or anything for 3 weeks by that time we were on the phone with them again. So not the greatest people to deal with so good luck on getting your sherpa done quick.

[PDFninja]

anyone ever get DBS Error, illegal sensor 22226?
i've noticed in the past sensor sticker's numbers show up in sensor errors but i don't see this number anywhere obvious. just figure i'd save making a new thread about this.
it's a Sherpamatic.

[VladCanada]

As I do remember that error means: IDFE_LEVER_UPMOVE_06 22226

Recommendations are:
DBS Error, LEVER Up move Illegal Sensor ! (Check
LMDS)
The DBS detected that the Lever Down Sensor did not change during a
'Lever Up' movement.
Check the Lever Sensors.and Lever Motor System.