Z3100/3200 Belt replacement service

[Phil Indeblanc]

Hi,

wondering what the cost of this is?
and do they do anything else...or should they?

Assuming they do some "full service" type work, whats that involve, and how much.

Is this something someone who can build PC's, or 'take apart all electronics, and put some to most of them back together' can do?
Can you point me to the instructions?

Thank you!

[Geraldo Garcia]

Pretty much all you need to know is here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=94570.0
and
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=74474.0

Good luck!

[Phil Indeblanc]

thanks.  I knew I should have searched :-)

I'm thinking this would also apply to the 44"?
 Just on a longer scale?

[Mark Lindquist]

Yep, same thing.  Shorter, longer.  Same.

You probably can do it yourself, but it's a real job, no two ways about it.  I have done it and while part of it was fun, other parts were not.  A service technician is best, if possible.  Unfortunately, the dreaded shredded belt issue is an eventuality with all of these printers.

ONLY get the replacement belt from LPS or a do-over happens right away.

It becomes more  of a refurbishing project once you get into it.  But afterwards you have a printer that should be good to go for several years more.

[Phil Indeblanc]

Any pattern or perhaps a guesstimate as to when someone would expect the belt to wears/break?...like in # of sqft, etc.

(I guess it depends if folks used the lube kit from the start or not)

[namartinnz]

I checked the usage info on-board my Z3100 44", it'd done about 600,000 passes on the belt. It was supposed to be good in the millions. This is a few years ago now but that's about what I recall.

Neal

[Mark Lindquist]

It's kind of a mystery, when the belt will start shredding, actually.  I think it also has to do with usage, but I surmise infrequent usage can contribute, as the belt would just be sitting in one position under tension, creating stress at the cog driver and the tensioner pulley points.  But humidity and temp play a factor as well.  That rubber in those cheap belts has a mind of its own and will go soft when it will.  The LPS belts sold online are apparently tougher and last longer.

Some report belt changes needed after 3 years, some after 5, but it varies from printer to printer.

[Mark Lindquist]

Keeping the printhead guide rod lubricated is the best way to prolong belt life.

This is a thread explaining how to oil and what oil to use:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=18917

When I had mine apart down to the frame to replace the belt, I cleaned and oiled the rod with a cotton cloth.  Regular maintenance with a few drops of oil is best between belt changes.

Oh, and I did get the bottle of oil specified....

It's getting harder and harder to find at a good price.  Here is a link to some on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6040-0855-New-HP-Synthetic-oil-One-plastic-bottle-of-3-5oz-100g-/201174367415?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

As discussed in the thread, this is synthetic oil.  Best NOT to use 3-in-one.

This is a 4 oz bottle:

http://www.partshere.com/online/detail.asp?partno=6040-0854

Here's what I'm talking about, it being harder and harder to find at a good price:

https://www.everprint.com/online/SimDetail.aspx?partno=6040-0854&l=en-us

[Phil Indeblanc]

http://www.partshere.com/online/detail.asp?partno=6040-0855

for $30.40 plus $8 ship to west coast.
Amazon $35, plus$5 to ship to west coast.

Whats the best place for the belt?  Since it looks like mine has got some thin nicks in it !!!

[Mark Lindquist]

http://www.partshere.com/online/detail.asp?partno=6040-0855

for $30.40 plus $8 ship to west coast.
Amazon $35, plus$5 to ship to west coast.

Whats the best place for the belt?  Since it looks like mine has got some thin nicks in it !!!

Anyone know where to order the z3200 44" printer belt?

I read on the posts that there is a make that is better made than others. I found a few on Amazon for arounf $10-20

Whatever you do, get this belt, and ONLY this belt:

LPS Z3200 Replacement Belts

Don't get the kit - it doesn't have ALL the necessary torx bit drivers.  But the belt is the best.  Others aren't even close.

EDIT:  The site says this in the upper right hand corner:

"Q6659-60175 Designjet Z2100 / Z3100 / Z3200 44" size Carriage Belt"

[Ernst Dinkla]

The lightest oil in the Nye Hobbyist Lubricant Kit is identical to the HP prescribed oil. I have gone through the specifications of both, there is no difference for this task. Done a great job for my Zs so far. $25 and you get another oil + a good grease included. My Saeco espresso machine is lubricated with the last for more than 3 years.


Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst

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

[Phil Indeblanc]

Good to know, thanks to you both. I'll order that next time.

Can any any major or issues occur if I print with the machine AFTER I lube it, with just a few slithers in the center of the belt?
Is it a case of "loose caboose" crashing into the walls and worse, or just stopping and ruining a print?

[Mark Lindquist]

Good to know, thanks to you both. I'll order that next time.

Can any any major or issues occur if I print with the machine AFTER I lube it, with just a few slithers in the center of the belt?
Is it a case of "loose caboose" crashing into the walls and worse, or just stopping and ruining a print?

No, no loose caboose crashing.  If anything it may begin dropping little pieces on your prints, which will come off and leave precise markings where the ink should have been.  Since your belt only evidences only a little bit of cracking, just lubricate the carriage rod and keep printing while keeping an eye on the belt with frequent inspections.  In the meantime, might be a good idea to start ordering tools and materials. It coult go a long time before it begins shredding.  The better you lubricate the carriage rail, the longer the belt will last.  Friction is the enemy of the belt.