Screen PlateRite 4000 Problem

[Lutzie32]

I have been battling with for over a year with lines coming up on my plates. They are going all the way across the plate for the tail to the gipper. I have tried everything I can think of from cleaning every lens that i know of, calibrating the diodes, running half power (first 15 the 16-32) and still getting lines. I have attached a picture for reference. We talked to screen about this and they said try to capture the lines on a C1 test and I did then sent it to them and haven't heard anything for about a month. What gets me is that some days it will be fine, somedays it will be the first couple plates then be fine. Does anyone have a solution or suggestions for me to do? Or even point me into the direction of a problem. If you need some specifics this is what we are running:

RAMpage V9.2
Kodak Sword Exell Plates (2sizes (600mm x 730mm x 30mm) and (340mm x 505mm x 20mm)

If anyone can help me out i would appreciate it

 

[ansoft]

Check the head data cable inside the machine. It is very common problem for 4000.

 

[Lutzie32]

Is that the main cable that runs the width of the machine that flexes with the the whole unit? If so we already replaced that.

 

[ansoft]

Yes, this is the cable inside the machine. It goes from the left side to the head in plastic housing. Is there any problem with the screw motor? Grease the screw first and look if the head moves smoothly.

Luck!

 

[Lutzie32]

I just sat there and watched the whole plate image. I greased the screw and it went slow without any kind of hickup. Im thinking it is a power supply issue with either the screen itself or our something within our rip. Does that seem like something?

 

[ansoft]

The power supply of the laser head, or the power supply U5 and U1 for the boards.

 

[FnPDFs]

We had the same problem with an 8600. For us it turned out that the cable that connects the server to the 8600 was the issue. We replaced the cable and everything worked out fine.

 

[Lutzie32]

do you know what kind of cable that is?

 

[FnPDFs]

Our IT guy is off today so I don't know. Do you know where the cable from your server to the machine is connected? The company that fixed it for us told us that the cable connected to the machine was a loose fit. I mean if you were to bump into it the connection might come loose hence the stupid lines. Try to reseat the connection.

 

[Lutzie32]

I did reseat the connection but Im thinking this is the problem cause we have it running across the floor where there is considerate traffic in a conduit. Over the years it might have broken down over the time

 

[Joe Duffy]

do you know what kind of cable that is?

It is called a PIF Cable.

 

[FnPDFs]

Yes I know. We had the same. Now we have the cable running from the server straight up to the ceiling and over and down
to the 8600. No more problems.

 

[heitechpro]

try changing the PIF cable

 

[Lutzie32]

Well we ordered a new PIF cable and we still have lines. We had screen send in a new board (the one on the left side around where the PIF cable is connected) a Tech put that in and we are still getting lines. The tech and I have been working on this the last couple days. Anyone got any other suggestions?

 

[Joe Duffy]

Did you take a plate and just run it through tthe processor - make sure it is from a new box.
If they are not there, try to manually load a plate on the drum without feeding it through the slot.
If still present, overexpose the plate heavily and see if it goes away.

 

[heitechpro]

try changing the PIF cable

try changing the PIF Card

 

[Lutzie32]

Well after about 3 days of Screen Techs in we finally resolved the problem. It turned out to be the Driver for the motor for the screw along with the compressor in the front that keep a stream of air over the lens or something. Turns out that it was ceased up and most likely hasnt worked for a couple years, luckly we can run without one. They replaced the driver and unplugged the compressor and the lines are gone. Thanks everyone for all the help and suggestions.