Large Format

[born2print]

I've wondered if ammonia off-gassing would work?
We bought a used oven-stove once and really stalled trying to get it spotless clean.
Even soaked burner grates in ammonia... then we discovered a trick that the gas works better!
Instead of soaking in ammonia, we put the pieces in ziplock baggies with just a half ounce or so so they "soaked" in gaseous ammonia and boy did that work. The carbon that wouldn't budge before just wiped right off!

Caution - I have no idea if this idea is sound or if ammonia would damage the print head your trying to save!

[andyfest]

We are running 2 large format Rolands where I work(?) now. Both have built in cutters. Most of our work is large printing for buildings, signs and vehicle wraps. The Rolands seem to be a bit finicky, especially the printheads. We just had the head and encoding strip replaced in the older Roland. The newer Roland (VG640) has 4 print heads. One was replaced about 2 months ago and we just started having problems with another (Y/K) today, so I imagine it will need replacing too. I used to use 42 inch Epson plotters for proofing at the packaging company that I last worked at and they were pretty solid, but the printheads seemed to let go every 5 years or so. We usually just replaced the printer at that point at that facility.

[pspdfppdfxhd]

You back in the biz Andyfest? This is news.

[Tracy]

Yeah looking like were going to replace it, I'm thinking of asking if I can replace the print head myself using Pabney's
instructions, just to learn how to do it.
Probably get shot down tho.

Hey Andy!

[pabney]

Tracy,
I would not say that it is HARD, but it is involved and a bit intimidating. Not a project for the faint of heart. Lots of panels need removed, and once you get to the actual printhead, some of the screws are a bit difficult to reach.
The video does a good job of going through each step, and is certainly a must if you want to try this yourself.

[andyfest]

You back in the biz Andyfest? This is news.

Yes, the owners persuaded me to come out of retirement to give them a hand. Low stress, I set my own hours and I can retire again when I feel the time is right. It's a totally digital environment so no presses, chemistry or plates - just eco-solvent inks.

[pspdfppdfxhd]

Cool, glad to hear it!

[Tracy]

Tracy,
I would not say that it is HARD, but it is involved and a bit intimidating. Not a project for the faint of heart. Lots of panels need removed, and once you get to the actual printhead, some of the screws are a bit difficult to reach.
The video does a good job of going through each step, and is certainly a must if you want to try this yourself.

I hope they let me do it, I actually like doing stuff like that, and now that it is no pressure, since were getting 
something new, that is an ideal situation, I don't like stress! 

[Possum]

What some people see as stress, others see as challenges. I've never been a fan of either.

I'm not surprised that I'm on blood pressure meds. Printing, ya' know.

[DigiCorn]

Tracy,
I would not say that it is HARD, but it is involved and a bit intimidating. Not a project for the faint of heart. Lots of panels need removed, and once you get to the actual printhead, some of the screws are a bit difficult to reach.
The video does a good job of going through each step, and is certainly a must if you want to try this yourself.

I hope they let me do it, I actually like doing stuff like that, and now that it is no pressure, since were getting
something new, that is an ideal situation, I don't like stress! 

What some people see as stress, others see as challenges. I've never been a fan of either.

I'm not surprised that I'm on blood pressure meds. Printing, ya' know.

I'm always fucking stressed.

No matter what.

I take 8 kinds of drugs daily. + beer.

[Tracy]

So we are not getting into Large Format but I do need to replace my Epson 9900
Does anyone know the next model I should get?
the 9900 was pretty good for us, so something comparable 

[Tracy]

Is the Epson 9000 the latest model?

[Tracy]

Epson has new inks A bit more expensive
this is what it will cost to fill the Proofer
well it won't be quite this much as we wont be buying inks from Epson

[Joe]

Printing is expensive.

[Foozball]

Printing is expensive.

"Holy crap ... Ya know, let's just buy our own printer! That'll fix it!"

It's like a Christmas Puppy for the workplace ... you're all excited for a month or two, then the reality of maintenance and responsibility kicks in, and nobody wants to be bothered anymore!