Meltdown of Print Head Alignment

eppyson

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Hi all. I hope you can help me with an odd problem.

For awhile, I’ve been using an Epson WF-7710 to print images on Canon semi-gloss paper. I’m using a CISS but only fill it with Epson 512 bottled ink. Have never used anything but that ink and have always had good results with this setup. Bidirectional printing is always turned off. High speed printing is always turned off.

I noticed a very subtle white line on my prints the other day. Printed out a nozzle check to see if the heads needed cleaning. The printout was perfect. No gaps, etc.

So I decided to run the built-in print head alignment -- the one on the product screen, not in the driver; there isn’t one on the driver; just the product itself. Horizontal alignment printout was fine.

The vertical alignment is where my trouble started. The first vertical alignment printout before changing anything showed just what I expected—a few boxes with very slight gaps. So I began the alignment procedure per the instructions, selecting the best # box, etc.

The minor gaps in #1 and #4 disappeared on the first pass, but the other four boxes suddenly showed major gaps. I re-ran the alignment, choosing new numbers per the instructions, but nothing changed. By the 3rd or 4th pass, four of the boxes were “stuck” with wide gaps. Nothing I do makes any difference. The last 10 re-passes and printouts are identical to each other – two boxes fine, but four with huge gaps. Selecting different numbers during the alignment does nothing.

See printouts below.

During this process, I rechecked the nozzles several times – still showed perfect patterns on the printout. I cleaned the heads anyway a couple of times. Nozzle checks remained perfect throughout. Also, rechecked horizontal alignment, which remained fine.

Also tried turning on/off bidirectional printing. Same problem either way.

Prior to this odd situation, I had never had any problems with alignment. Its like the heads suddenly went rogue the minute I started the head alignment and now they’re stuck in what seems like the extreme-most positions.

Any suggestions?


vertical_alignment_01.jpg



vertical_alignment_02.jpg



nozzle_check.jpg
 

The Hat

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So I decided to run the built-in print head alignment -- the one on the product screen, not in the driver; there isn’t one on the driver; just the product itself. Horizontal alignment printout was fine.

I know little about Epson printers, but on a Canon head alignment you choose the numbers or letters that have the best quality with no gaps and then reprint the next sheet to test the next alignment, you also have a chance to check the previous alignment before starting any new alignments..
Capture43.JPG click to enlarge..


Capture44.JPG
 
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eppyson

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I suggest you try to go back and put all to 4 and start again.
Thanks. I tried that numerous times. As I said, after the third or fourth pass, changing the numbers had no affect. The heads seem stuck in their positions.
 

stratman

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eppyson

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Could you please check the encoder stripe for cleanliness? The clear stripe behind the printhead.
The strip looks prettty clean to me. Placed a white strip of paper behind it and examined with a flashlight. Looks clean.
 

eppyson

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Is updating the firmware something that could help a problem like this?
 

The Hat

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I noticed a very subtle white line on my prints the other day.
Try cleaning the timing wheel on the far left side of the printer..
Also give the timing strip behind the print head another good clean, just to be sure..
P.S. Can you post up a crop of the Pic showing the problem...
 
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