Koronas rusting on KM 6500

[Beergod]

We have been having an issue with the screens on our Koronas rusting. My shop is climate controlled and humidity is constant at about 45. Im wanting to know if anyone else has had this issue with this or any other machine.

 

[Craig]

Keep the beer cans off the copier!

Are they rusting in the copier or in the box (guessing they are a replaceable part like Xerox corotrons)?

 

[Beergod]

The screens are rusting in the machine and are completely useless after about 25,000 clicks.

 

[UberTech]

Wow, that is amazeing. Can we have some photos?

 

[Beergod]

Here is a photo of the screen taken from my microscope.

 

[UberTech]

I guess the screen is looking a yellow colour rather than actual rusty looking colour? What is your monthly volume?. What effect do you have when this happens?

 

[Craig]

What are the screens made of, tin?

 

[Beergod]

Ive been told by KM that they are made of stainless steel which I have confirmed. I have also confirmed that it is a grade of stainless steel that is very low in chromium. This lack of chromium makes it prone to heat fatigue and corrosion. I have also tested a cortron grid from an IGEN 3 and it is made from a grade of stainless that is very high in chromium. It is very apparent under a microscope that the KM screen is much more ferrous than the xerox.
The problem that I have with this is that KM told me that I am the only one that has had this corrosion issue. I cant believe that based on my research.

 

[Beergod]

I guess the screen is looking a yellow colour rather than actual rusty looking colour? What is your monthly volume?. What effect do you have when this happens?

Monthy volume is low, about 20,000. KM has confirmed that it is corrosion. The effects are uneven screens and solids as well as the inability to get a consistent calibration. When the corrosion starts my calibration can only get to about a Delta E of 3 to my baseline calibration. This is very frustrating. KM has said that I should be getting at least 100,000 clicks on a set of coronas.

 

[Craig]

Even with 20,000 you should not have rust, are any other parts inside showing signs of rust?

 

[Beergod]

No other parts have any signs of corrosion. All other parts seem to be wearing normally. I think this is a mystery fit for scooby do and the gang.

 

[UberTech]

I have seen this on some of my machines so your not alone, but it doesn't seem to effect the quality as you describe. At 20,000PPM your machine spends more time idle than working which probably isn't helping. If you are on contract get your agent to leave you a set of coronas so you can change them as you please.

The IGEN coronas maybe of better quality but I would hazard a guess and say your c6500 blows the IGEN out of the water when it comes to quality.