Epson 4900 and Pizza Wheels

[kevinj]

I have looked through a lot of threads here on the Pizza wheel issues and have not found a solution yet. I would never present one of these printed photos to a customer, so I have to find a new solution or move on.
If there are any other things I could try, I certainly will. Otherwise can someone suggest a different paper that would maybe would not be so sensitive to the wheel marks?

Epson 4900 Designer (EFI RIP)
Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper 17" rolls.

I have printed several different runs, changing the platen gap to wider each time till finally on the "widest". This made no difference that I could see.
I have put the Matt board at the paper exit at a couple different angles. No difference
I wasted a bunch of paper and ink messing around with different lengths and don't see the difference.
Tried a brand new roll of paper to make sure it wasn't a run issue. nothing.

As I mentioned, I absolutely love everything else about the printer/paper combination. I have put in a couple other rolls of other brands and although I haven't been able to hon nearly the same quality, there is absolutely NO pizza wheel marks.

So anything else left to try? or If I can the Exhibition Fiber, what have you found to be the closest thing to it?

Thanks in advance to all,
Kevin

[JRSmit]

These are not pjzzawheel marks. What you should increase is paper thickness to something like 7 (0.7mm) set platen to auto and see if the prlblem still occurs.

[kevinj]

I tried several changes in the thickness. Then tried the same settings with adjusting platen gap too. It actually was the worst at 8 thickness and widest gap.
I will try some power cleans and try it again tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.
Here is another image from last print.

[BrianWJH]

Here is another image from last print.

Have you tried single pass not bi-directional and increased the drying time?
Brian.

[Ole Kristian Rolstad]

I have the same problem on my 4900 with Epson Exhibition Fiber and only Exhibition Fiber, the other papers I use have no marks at all.
To me at least, it looks like the marks on the paper come form the plastic which the rollers are mounted in,
 because the distance between the marks are wider than the width of the rollers, though I might be wrong. 
I moved on from EFF, although I love the look of the paper.

[hanzo]

Yeah I think its head strikes..not wheel marks

[cengell]

Hello all, on the Epson 2200 there was a issue that when the paper was still wet the pizza wheel sharp points would mark the surface, and to give them credit MIS Ink Supply Bob Zeiss came up a cool idea with using zip ties cutting then and sliding them under the wheel and that caused the metal pizza wheel to rise and then not touching the surface of the paper.

Maybe looking at them on the 4900 you may be able to do the same and then you would know?

Just a idea to try?

Good luck

Christopher

[kevinj]

Thank you for all the replies. I have been busy trying all suggestions. I did do print head alignments and saw that the Y cart was completely absent. So have gone through cleaning, deep cleaning, humidifier and last night even pulled out the Windex. I don't think that had a thing to do with the marks on the original prints, but it of course is disturbing.  It had only been a couple weeks since I put in brand new cartridges.

It is out of warranty, Canon said new heads would probably be needed and the nearest authorized repair is 4 hours away. SO. I have decided to try a couple more days with humidifier and then do the cleaning cycle. I will try any other suggestions on how to clean the Y clog. Otherwise, I guess it will be used for something besides color photos!

Thanks again,

Kevin

[BrianWJH]

So, single pass not bi-directional and increased the drying time made no difference?
Brian.

[kevinj]

Unfortunately, Brian, I was so hoping that it would work. I turned off Bi-Directional and then printed 3 different runs. Drying at normal, 25 and 50 (max) I also then ran it again with drying at max still and adjusting the platen from wide to wider. Same lines.
Now that the Y is clogged, it not only has lines but looks not so good.

Thank you tho.

[BrianWJH]

Thanks for the feedback Kevin, sorry to hear you now have a yellow channel clogging issue, hope it's easily sorted.
Cheers.

[jschone]

Thank you for all the replies. I have been busy trying all suggestions. I did do print head alignments and saw that the Y cart was completely absent. So have gone through cleaning, deep cleaning, humidifier and last night even pulled out the Windex. I don't think that had a thing to do with the marks on the original prints, but it of course is disturbing.  It had only been a couple weeks since I put in brand new cartridges.

It is out of warranty, Canon said new heads would probably be needed and the nearest authorized repair is 4 hours away. SO. I have decided to try a couple more days with humidifier and then do the cleaning cycle. I will try any other suggestions on how to clean the Y clog. Otherwise, I guess it will be used for something besides color photos!

Thanks again,

Kevin

Canon ?!

Anyway, assuming it's an Epson: Change the setting of the paper type in the RIP to Epson Premium Luster or Premium Glossy. Try a dense B&W print.

[kevinj]

Sorry about the snafu, been looking at all the options! Epson support has been fabulous, even tho the printer is out of warranty!!

Tried many more things, more humidifier, distiller water in the capping stations, and finally 2 overnights of windex on towels. Gave it a great effort. In the end, all things weighed for us, I ordered a 7900 and will keep it under warranty. I am looking forward to the 24inch. I am going to find a program or write one to send a command to the printer for test patterns or a 6 inch color patch on a schedule!!

If anyone is interested in trying flush carts or just wants parts, almost full ink carts (epson brand, one month since I installed)) and two new waste carts. $500+ shipping. ( I did not keep box)
Or pick it up in Des Moines.

Thanks to everyone for your assistance and help.