Test page output; Pens are skipping, dragging, or not touching the media.
Test page output; Pens are skipping, dragging, or not touching the media.
A. Verify that CalComp pens and media are being used. CalComp pens and
media are designed to provide optimal pen life, plot quality, and
plotter performance. CalComp cannot guarantee quality with other brands
of pens and media.
1. Pens specifically designed for this plotter include: Liquid Ink
Pens (CL, CT), Liquid Ball Pens (CLB, WLB), and Plastic (Fiber)
Tip Pens (CFF, CBF, WPP, WFP). Other brands of pens may not have
the correct pen height from the pen tip to the pen shoulder.
2. Media that has become contaminated (contains oil, excess paper
dust/dirt, or has ridges/raised points), will cause plotting
problems.
B. If using the CalComp Liquid Ball pens, note that they were designed
for check plots (rough drafts). For a final plot, CalComp Liquid Ink
pens are recommended.
C. If the pens are skipping, check the following:
1. The pen velocity may be too fast. To examine/set the pen velocity
on the plotter, perform the following:
a. Load an A-size, or larger sheet of media in the plotter.
b. Lower the pinch rollers. Press the SET UP button on the
plotter.
c. The plotter will size the media and then begin outputting
the setup instructions on the media. The pen will stop when
it is waiting for operator intervention. The plotter will
plot the parameter: ORIENTATION, followed by the current
value.
d. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot a box around
the current value and plot the parameter: SCALE, followed
by the current value.
e. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot a box around
the current value and plot the parameter: VELOCITY,
followed by the value.
f. Press the ON LINE button to display each selection choice.
i. The CalComp Liquid Ink pens require gravity to pull
the ink down, especially with pens with wider tips. A
value of 10 ips (inches/sec) is recommended for
CalComp Liquid Ink pens.
ii. For a 3024 plotter, the setup feature on the plotter
will allow choices of: 20 ips and 10 ips.
iii. For a 3036 plotter, the setup feature on the plotter
will allow choices of: WIDE TIP (8 ips), QUICK PLOT
(42 ips), and FINAL PLOT (20 ips).
g. When the pen is over the desired value, press the SET UP
button. It is not necessary to complete the plotter setup,
since the remaining values will not be changed. Remove the
media from the plotter. The plotter will return the pen to
the turret and save the values in memory.
2. As the pen moves across the surface of the paper it may collect
fibers that can clog the tip and cause the pens to skip. To
remedy, clean the tip of the pen with a cotton swab moistened
with isopropyl alcohol.
3. Examine the pen caps in the bottom of the turret.
a. The type of pen cap in the turret must match the pen type
being used. The pen caps are color-coded:
i. If using the CalComp Liquid Ink pens, the black caps
should be installed in the turret.
ii. For all other CalComp pens, the colored caps (blue or
red) should be installed in the turret.
b. If the pen caps are contaminated with dried ink, then clean
them with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. If they are torn,
then they need to be replaced. (CalComp part #18367-0017,
red caps for standard pens 12/pkg; CalComp part #11320-
0018, black caps for Liquid ink pens, 12/pkg).
4. If using polyester film, the polyester film may need to be
cleaned before use. CalComp recommends using CalComp Liquid Ink
Tungsten-Tip Pens (CT) for plotting on polyester film.
5. If using ClearPlot media, it may need to be cleaned before use.
CalComp recommends using CalComp Fiber-Tip Pens (CFF, CBF, WPP,
WFP) for plotting on ClearPlot media.
D. The Demonstration (Demo) plot is an internally-stored program in the
plotter that is performed to demonstrate that the plotter is properly
functioning. Perform the following:
1. Turn the plotter power off.
2. Ensure that there is no media installed in the plotter.
3. Install pens into the turret and place the turret in the plotter.
4. Press and hold the ON LINE button while simultaneously turning
on the power. Continue to hold the ON LINE button until the
lights start to blink.
5. Load the media (8.5 x 11 inches or larger) and lower the pinch
rollers.
6. Press the ON LINE button. The Demonstration Plot will begin
plotting.
7. If the demonstration plot contains problems such as pen wiggle,
overshooting, or hooking (straight lines curved), the plotter
may have worn parts and should be referred to service.
E. If the pens are dragging:
1. Examine the media. If it has raises or ridges and is not
completely flat, the pen will touch these high-points.
2. If using paper media and it has been stored in a
cellophane/plastic wrapper, then it should be conditioned to the
environment first.
a. A good method of conditioning paper media is to expose
individual sheets horizontally, out of the wrapper, in the
same environment as the plotter for 48 to 72 hours before
use. Generally, this is sufficient time for the paper media
to stabilize to the humidity of the surrounding
environment.
F. If skipping or dragging seems to occur on the left, center, or right
side of the media (as it is loaded in the plotter), the platen may be
warped. Try placing a straight-edge on the platen to determine if the
platen is warped. If it is, then the plotter requires service.
G. If the pen physically will not move up or down, check for obstructions.
If none are detected, the plotter requires service.