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.    Press the MENU button on the plotter until the plotter
                  displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
            
            b.    Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
                  VELOCITY.
            
            c.    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 and
                  Fiber Tip pens.
            
            d.    Press the left arrow key to slow the velocity down to the
                  desired speed.
            
            e.    Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays: SAVE
                  AS USER. Press the left or right arrow key until the
                  plotter displays 1, 2, or 3.
            
            f.    Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter displays:
                  INTERNAL PLOT, the plotter is set up.
      
      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 on.

      2.    Install pens into the turret and place the turret in the plotter.

      3.    Insert media into plotter and lower pinch rollers.

      4.    Press the ON LINE key to load/size the media.

      5.    When the plotter displays ONLINE, press the ON LINE key.
            The plotter will display: MANUAL. 

      6.    Press the MENU key. Press the Up Arrow key until the plotter 
            displays: INTERNAL PLOT: OFF

      7.    Press the Right Arrow key until the plotter displays 
            DEMONSTRATION.

      8.    Press the ON LINE key.  The plotter will display: ONLINE

      9.    The Demonstration Plot will start to be plotted.

      10.   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.