Avantra 25 strange lines

[pjozsa]

Hi there,

We have a serious problem with lines along the carriage(attached PDF), we changed spinner motor but did not solve the problem.
Do you have a clue?

Peter

 

[STSTech]

Peter,

If you run an exposure test from the Avantra, do you get these lines? If exposure test is good, you may have a Dec bd. issue.


STSTech

 

[VladCanada]

DEC board problem.
Line thikness = Laser beam

 

[28-yr-AGFA-SE]

Peter, Looking at the first image it appears that the lines are running across the film. Laser scans along the length of the film. Also, these lines seem to taper off in lightness and then disappear. If this is really the case, then you probably have a hair on top of the film in the drum. Open the drum area with the film still in the drum and closely inspect for any debris on the film. However, if the lines are along the length of the film then it's more likely a DEC bd. or laser issue. What's the Dmax on these? Low Dmax, with laser brightness set too low will sometimes lead to lines such as these.

 

[pjozsa]

Thank you guys,

the distance of the lines across are depend on the dpi, increasing the dpi we have less distance between.
(the lines are along the whole width of the film)
actually the line consist of 3 lines as per the pic attached.
also there is a shadowing issue around the negative letters, see attached pic.
we use xitron card, is there a chance of the card or cable causin the problem?

Peter

 

[Armya Inc]

Hi there,

We have a serious problem with lines along the carriage(attached PDF), we changed spinner motor but did not solve the problem.
Do you have a clue?

Peter

Peter,

Have you tried to run an exposure test? How about diagnosing the interface cable, interface card , computer or DEC board? Have you checked the processor? Have you tried to clean the carriage rail, Drum and spinner motor? Does carriage move smoothly when you push it back and forth manually or sending a command from unidiag?

You can't expect an immediate answer here unless you do all the above.

 

[28-yr-AGFA-SE]

Agree with Armya. Need a lot more details to give you any further suggestions.

 

[VladCanada]

Peter, my last attempt: did you try to image INTERNAL EXPOSURE TEST ?

 

[pjozsa]

Peter, my last attempt: did you try to image INTERNAL EXPOSURE TEST ?????????????????????????

Guys, all my respect, you are very helpful indeed.

We did exposure test, it is fine. Then first we cleaned the the mirror, the drum etc., checked the encoder and it had some scratch, that is why we swapped the spin motor, but the symptoms were the same.
We moved the interface card to other PC, same result.
Right now we are going to check if we have interface card or cable fault with a different RIP(card and cable). If the problem persists, then we should replace the DEC, am I right?

Peter

 

[28-yr-AGFA-SE]

Yes, that would be the next step.

 

[VladCanada]

You are right.
If Avantra exposure test has no extra lines, that means something happened on the way of data transmission from RIP to Avantra.
You have 50/50 issue: 1. Avantra DEC board, APIS part, one of three microchip SN75ALS193N data receivers has a kind of age degradation. As a result of degradation, you have late response to the signal level changing from the RIP.
2. Xitron RIP interface board - data transmitter microchip has the same symptoms.

To bring yourself to 100% confidence - try another RIP with Avantra.

 

[Armya Inc]

Guys, all my respect, you are very helpful indeed.

We did exposure test, it is fine. Then first we cleaned the the mirror, the drum etc., checked the encoder and it had some scratch, that is why we swapped the spin motor, but the symptoms were the same.
We moved the interface card to other PC, same result.
Right now we are going to check if we have interface card or cable fault with a different RIP(card and cable). If the problem persists, then we should replace the DEC, am I right?

Peter

Sofar so good! Make sure the interface card and cable are OK as you mentioned. For start take the interface card out and clean inside the computer and make sure all PCBs are dust free. Use different slot and reinsert the interface card. Unplug/plug the interface cable from both sides. If the result is the same use another computer or test the card and cable on different computer.

Waiting for your feedback. Good luck!

 

[pjozsa]

We have tested our PC (Xitron card, cable, RIP) with an Accuset 800, all worked fine.
Based on you suggestions it seems we have DEC board failure.
Should we replace the 3 IC (SN75ALS193N ) or the complete DEC board?

 

[pjozsa]

We have tested our PC (Xitron card, cable, RIP) with an Accuset 800, all worked fine.
Based on you suggestions it seems we have DEC board failure.
Should we replace the 3 IC (SN75ALS193N ) or the complete DEC board?

just an idea, if only one of the 3 ICs has defect, how about swap the one which receives data from RIP?
these ICs are not in stock here , it is about 3-5 days to get them in hand.

 

[Armya Inc]

We have tested our PC (Xitron card, cable, RIP) with an Accuset 800, all worked fine.
Based on you suggestions it seems we have DEC board failure.
Should we replace the 3 IC (SN75ALS193N ) or the complete DEC board?

The fastest way is to order the DEC board and get the machine on production as soon as possible, then repair the old PCB, test it and keep it in your stock for back up.

 

[pjozsa]

The fastest way is to order the DEC board and get the machine on production as soon as possible, then repair the old PCB, test it and keep it in your stock for back up.

the ICs on the way(0,50$ each), we will have them on Friday the latest, I will come back to you with the result.
we will try this option because of the costs, a DEC board is more expensive than a complete 2nd hand Avantra.....

 

[Armya Inc]

the ICs on the way(0,50$ each), we will have them on Friday the latest, I will come back to you with the result.
we will try this option because of the costs, a DEC board is more expensive than a complete 2nd hand Avantra.....

Then go for it!

 

[pjozsa]

Vlad, thank you, your solution was brilliant, after replacing the 3 ICs Avantra works like a charm!
thank all of you again!