My DJ500 has developed a frustrating quirk. I normally plot on 20 lb. translucent bond, or mylar. Lately, plotting from ACAD on bond linework and lettering are, well, fuzzy, and solid hatches show banding. Same with Adobe & Photoshop. I've replaced the service station, the ink supply tubes, and the printheads.
Here's where it gets interesting:
If I plot on heavy coated glossy photo paper, the plots are perfect; no fuzz, no banding.
If I load 20 lb. bond but tell the printer that it's heavy coated paper, there's no fuzz & no banding- nice crisp plots, but the plots are not black-black, they're kind of charcoal gray.
Because the plots on the photo paper are perfect, I'm reasonably certain that there's no mechanical problem. I'm plotting over a wireless network from a Win7 PC and I've installed both of the newest drivers available - no joy. I've connected an XP laptop, with a known good driver, directly to the printer via USB, with the same results.
I talked to an HP service guy about it and he agrees there likely isn't a mechanical issue, and it doesn't seem like it's the driver, either, which leads to the firmware, which is currently the latest available.
I'm hesitant to try reinstalling the same firmware, as I don't really want to brick the machine. Has anyone here had a similar experience?
Thanks for reading this,
SS
We have had the same problem. We had technicians look at the machine to no avail. Until we buy a new machine, we are just plotting on heavy bond. Sorry...
Have been converting all plots to press quality PDF and forcing the printer to plot maximum dpi.
Just a thought, but have you checked the drive belt. It's rubber and may stretch or fray over time.
I bought a DesignJet 500 from the local Goodwill here in town for $100. Took a gamble as I didn't know if it worked or not. Took it home, downloaded the drivers and got commo between the computer and plotter. The drive belt was dry-rotted. Ordered one off the internet, downloaded the repair manual off the internet and replaced it myself.
Worked great for several years before it went to the great printroom in the sky.
Greg
Thanks Greg, but it's been replaced once and is in good shape.
Sarge - Drop me an email at oscnac at swbell dot net and I will forward to you the phone number of one of the best plotter repairmen I have found. He is very personable and I believe he could give you some good advice about your problem.