Just wondering How much do people really use their edge, I thought that I was using it a lot, I checked the print Minutes and it's reading almost 60,000 minutes on it now, we just celebrated our 5th anniversary so 60,000 minutes in 5 years, 12,000 a year, is that the norm? We are still using the same Print Head and it seems to be fine at this time, "Knock on Wood".
Also I just have a few more payments on my Business Loan, which includes all of my Equipment, 5 computers, 3 of which are full Graphics work stations, Also with the Edge an invision 375 plotter, Oh I almost forgot I just bought a Brand New 24 inch Roland Plotter, that's great for those widerJobs like etching.
Now I'm looking at some New Gear, and The versa Camm seems interesting, but I wonder how good the tracking is on it, thay don't tell you those kind of things do they, you have to baby sit the roland Plotter when it's 8 ft long, so how do the Versa Camm compare, does anyone have any experience?
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
Neil, we recently had this discussion over on 4Edgetalk. Everyone's numbers are really low, and we suspect it is not measuring "running" time but maybe "firing" time or something like that. Try running a job through checking your minutes before and after the job to see how is compares to the time it actually takes. I think you'll find it's way off.
You've been lucky with your printhead. I've had to change mine twice.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes Dianne I've heard that people have to change their printheads prematurely.. or is it? What makes a printhead like mine last longer than others, is it the type of foil one uses? Keeping things clean certainly might have an effect, one would think that they should all wear the same, and have the same life span.
I did check the minutes used and it does seem to be accurate, that is actual printing time... but I think I'll double check this afternoon, we are printing some larger graphics today... the machine does'nt stop... A Great Machine!
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
One of my printhead replacements was due to a blown pixel rather than wear. However it was just past the warranty period, so it cost me full up for a replacement. My machine is kept spotless (even the guys at tech support said so), so it must be something else. Maybe the amount of Lexan I run through it is harder on the head than vinyl is. Anyway, I hope this one lasts longer.
Posted by Ted Nesbitt (Member # 3292) on :
Hey Neil---good to see you're not all buried like last winter!...
If you really want an easy-to-use wider printer than your EDGE, consider the Gerber Jetster. It's an Eco Solvent like the Roland, but it's 6 colour (CMYKLcLm) like many other printers on the market---the VersaCamm is only CMYK. The additional inks allow you smoother halftoning and gradients, and a wider colour gamut.
Oh yeah, the Jetster runs out of Gerber OMEGA software, just like your EDGE. It does a great job simulating Spot Colours---basically, you can take your EDGE layouts and blow them up and print them. That way, you don't have new software to learn for layout, or RIP programs to futz around with...
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Neil, I would say you are getting plenty of use out of your machine & very exceptional life out of the printhead compared to myself & most of the feedback on this thread I just got a new printhead after only 8,000 minutes spread over 3 years time. If all heads lasted as long as yours, I should have gotten over 20 years at the rate I've been printing. Even the other comments from folks getting more use then myself, seem to have been in the 4000 - 5000 minutes per year range.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Neal
We got ours a little less than three years ago....2300 mins..I've got a "low miler" or "cream puff" I have no idea what average is. We always cut the power when not actually printing.
Regards,
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Hi Ted, thanks for the info, but is the jetster good for outside use? I know the Versa Camm is "Suppose" to be good for "up to" 3 years, but we clear coat all of our prints for the last 3 to 4 years now and it greatly increases the life of them, not to mention that it makes them "Pop" off the vehicles.
I also know that you guys are offering a discount on a new Edge, with Trade in, but I think my Edge is worth more than what gerber is offering, maybe on a machine that is older maybe.
Do using aftermarket foils have an effect on the Wear on the head? When we come in, in the morning, we usually fire everything up, and it stays on untill we leave, so the edge is on all the time.
It seems like we got a tank of a machine by what I've been reading about longevity, are they making the newer ones cheaper? I hope not because I'll always have an Edge, it's just a great Machine.
Posted by Ted Nesbitt (Member # 3292) on :
I have to agree with everyone else here Neil---you've done exceptionally well with your printhead performance life---must be all that clean air and clean living.
Jetster and VersaCamm are EcoSolvent machines, and are both rated for up to 3 years outdoor life. That said, I don't know that you'd want to be using an EcoSol machine for vehicle graphics. To achieve optimum print quality, you can be looking a very spcific materials that may not be well-suited to doing a 'vehicle wrap'.
I'll expand on this later----or call me if you want..
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It does a great job simulating Spot Colours---basically, you can take your EDGE layouts and blow them up and print them. That way, you don't have new software to learn for layout, or RIP programs to futz around with...