HP Z3200 calibrate/profiling issue: ESP 58:10 error

[indipix]

my 5.5-yr old Z3200 is printing perfectly. i wanted to calibrate/profile some new media i had bought. but when i started calibrating/profiling new media, the process would fail and gave the scanning failed error after printing the calibration sheet.

the ESP diagnostic test failed with the 58:10 error. i went through all the information that is available on the net regarding this issue and did what ever was suggested: clean printheads, realign printheads, update to latest version of firmware, etc. all the test prints look fine, though some of the printheads are out of warranty. i also dismantled the machine as instructed in the service manual and on various forums on the net and cleaned the ESP unit. but still the same problem.

then i noticed that my ESP unit looked a bit different from the bottom as compared to all the images available on the net. it has a little mirror at the bottom on the outside of the shutter (image attached). it looked a bit dirty so i cleaned it. but still no success. then i thought maybe it is supposed to be covered and some covering must have fallen off. so i put a tape on it. the ESP test passed and i was able to profile new media. but after two successful profiling the problem started again and i am not able to calibrate/profile any new media.

any help to resolve the issue will be highly appriciated.

cheers. sanjay.

[Ernst Dinkla]

Converting the calibration reference "mirror" into a "white" reference patch with a piece of tape is not recommended to say it mildly. I do not know the exact optical path of the spectrometer anymore but I guess the original white reference patch is on that sliding door or there is a mirror on that door and the reference white patch is more internal near the spectrometer lens. I think you have to go there again and either replace the spectrometer part in total or take off that, tape clean the total thoroughly and make sure the door slides correctly. I paid most attention to the last aspect, added silicon lubrication on the sliding parts. Still working on both Zs I have.


Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots

[indipix]

this mirror is on the outside and when the slider opens during calibration, i don't think it helps in any way. the white patch is on the inside of the slider and i haven't touched it in any way, except blow some air on it.

also has anyone, who has taken the ESP out, noticed this mirror on the outside of the slider?

sanjay.

[Ernst Dinkla]

It could be there. I parked the Z3100 head carriage free and pulled the power plug. Shifted the sliding door open and could see a bit of reflection with a dentist mirror underneath. The door's construction suggest something is underneath it too. Next time I am opening the right side cover for cleaning I will have a better look at it.

That opens the question why there is a mirror there. Could be a test mirror for the nozzle/droplet checker, or for control whether the door opens correctly or not. Maybe it is not a mirror but a dichroic filter or optical grating to use the spectrometer for other tasks like aligning the heads. Or just a small metal plate that holds the white reference patch in place. I bet the last given this attached drawing.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

http://www.pigment-print.com/spectralplots/spectrumviz_1.htm
December 2014 update, 700+ inkjet media white spectral plots

[Mark Lindquist]

One solution is to just replace the spectrophotometer. 
There's one here on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-DesignJet-Z2100-Z3100-Z3200-Series-Color-Sensor-Spectrophotomer-Q5669-60684-/281684277110?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4195b0f776

Another here:
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/Color-Sensor-Spectrophotometer-for-HP-Z3100-Z3200-PS-or-non-PS-p-n-Q5669-60684-/121624918794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c5168fb0a

These don't come up that often.  Perhaps getting one of these or a new one, you can study and compare your existing unit with a working unit. It's not rocket science but it's complicated enough to be a pesky problem.
There are many unknowns with this spectrophotometer- difficult to diagnose, which is why I would recommend replacement given the issues you have with yours.

New ones can be found, but possibly cheaper to get one on ebay, or for that matter, find a complete head carriage that may be the same price as the ESP, and would include the ESP.

-Mark