Ricoh Pro C700EX transfer problems

[Guest]

My company just purchased the new ricoh pro c700ex (still in the demo period) and are having transfer problems that our Ikon techs are clueless about. The problem occurs only on uncoated papers. On coated paper the print is fine but all uncoarted papers have this problem regardless of weight. Basically the toner doesn't seem to be transferring to the paper correctly giving a very patchy mottled look, especially on large solid areas. It happens every time on every uncoated paper but always prints fine on coated papers. The Ikon techs have no clue what the problem is. I am about to return the machine because of this. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[msaeger]

What is the weight of the paper ? The only problems like that I have witnessed have been from not setting the paper type correctly. (like running 216 gsm with it set to thick one so auto duplex is still enabled.)

You could try posting an example too.

[zyqwiz]

I wouldn't expect anything less from a pre-production machine!

Wait until they are launched. The first machines in any Ricoh range are always flakey.

[msaeger]

This is not a new model it is a MPC7500 that comes with a Fiery and a LCT.

[JRSC]

What is the weight of the paper ? The only problems like that I have witnessed have been from not setting the paper type correctly. (like running 216 gsm with it set to thick one so auto duplex is still enabled.)

You could try posting an example too.

It happen on all weights of paper from 20lb bond to 100lb cover but only on uncoated paper. The Ikon tech did some testing with the paper weight settings. It actually looks better if you set it lighter then the actual paper weight. For example on 100lb cover that should be set as thick 3, it looks better on thick 2, and even better then that on thick 1. Attached is a sample of what it is doing. All the blue patches should be solid.

[Shadow1]

This is typical of what I see to varying degrees on all machines in this series with uncoated paper. The problem is mostly a paper issue - you always need to use good paper to get good color - but more so with this machine. The toner for this machine is extremely fine in order to produce sharper images with better halftones, but that causes a problem on uncoated paper because the toner particles can fall into the crevasses between paper fibers leaving the "top" of each paper fiber exposed. Typically the first color or 2 deposited on the paper (the last colors placed on the ITB) are worse for this effect, as they tend to fill in the valleys more giving the blotchy colors.

It looks better on a lower thickness setting because the toner isn't melted as far into the page, therefore the tops of fewer paper fibers show through

This is a production quality machine - you either need to use good color paper (which is always coated) or get a lower quality machine. (which will have other annoying issues)

[JRSC]

This is typical of what I see to varying degrees on all machines in this series with uncoated paper. The problem is mostly a paper issue - you always need to use good paper to get good color - but more so with this machine. The toner for this machine is extremely fine in order to produce sharper images with better halftones, but that causes a problem on uncoated paper because the toner particles can fall into the crevasses between paper fibers leaving the "top" of each paper fiber exposed. Typically the first color or 2 deposited on the paper (the last colors placed on the ITB) are worse for this effect, as they tend to fill in the valleys more giving the blotchy colors.

It looks better on a lower thickness setting because the toner isn't melted as far into the page, therefore the tops of fewer paper fibers show through

This is a production quality machine - you either need to use good color paper (which is always coated) or get a lower quality machine. (which will have other annoying issues)

If using coated paper is really the only solution then I will be sending the machine back. Some stuff needs to be printed on uncoated paper. Most of the paper we have been testing this on is the manufacturer recommended hammermill color copy. I wouldn't consider that junk paper.

[Shadow1]

Color copiers are at a disadvantage to begin with - The human eye can only differentiate about 250 shades of grey, so some pretty serious problems in a B/W machine can go unnoticed. On the other hand, the eye can see almost 17 million colors. There is no wiggle room - if something is not perfect you will see it.
Good paper is critical to good color copies. The better the paper, the better the copy. On this machine the slope is exaggerated - The machine is capable of making extremely good copies on the high end, but the process that makes this possible can really suffer on the low end.

Try making the same copies on a lower end machine - chances are you'll notice the same effect to a lesser extent, or you'll have fuzzy copies at a much lower resolution, and the copies certainly won't be as good on the coated paper.

[JRSC]

It sounds like I will probably be returning this and purchasing a xerox 700. Any other suggestions on equipment to replace this?

[Shadow1]

Try it before you buy it...

[JRSC]

I will make sure i get a 1 week in house demo before committing to anything.

[mel]

paper

gp in and try telling the copier that you are using regular paper

[chuckHerb]

Equipment to look at

Don't know if you already went with the Xerox, but check out the Konica Minolta 6501 or 65hc series. They got the BERTL's Best Award recently.

[rockin57rod]

If you have the coin...try the xerox 7002..."they" say it rivals offset quality...but then "they" say the 700 is a good box also.