I have BIG plotter problems, today while cutting a job, my GS15 plus, started making a grinding noise, not a good thing. I called my sales rep, who called Gerber and we "think" it just might be that the shaft which holds the drum roller is gummed up with vinyl adhesive and dust, etc. Problem is, it will NOT cut correctly, whatever is holding it up is acting like a brake and screwing up the registration. I've never taken the drum out to clean it before. Does anyone have any experience taking this drum out, the rep said that it could be done and if I send it in, I'm out of business for three weeks!! I'm desperate, any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Vic
Posted by Darrell Giese (Member # 768) on :
Go for it nuthin' to lose at this point.
I have tore my hooptie Roland apart more than once to clean it up with a dedline loomin'.
[ June 04, 2004, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: Darrell Giese ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
take of a few covors and you will get access to it all. ITs really not all the complicated inside or touchy.
Get some rapid remover and work it onto the roller and away you go. Theres not much in there behind the covors that you have to worry about.
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
I agree with nothing to loose at this point. Except for small parts. Clean up around where you'll be working before hand. If you've got a digital camera, take pictures as you're taking it apart. Draw a grid on a piece of cardboard and punch small holes where the lines intersect. Put the screws in the holes so you don't lose them and you know where they go when you reassemble. Use some kind of container to keep any parts you remove (don't just put them on the bench). Things tend to roll away or get pushed off the table. Nothing is worse than having left over parts or not enough screws to get it back together. You can do it. Hope this helps. Dusty
Posted by Vicki Powell (Member # 3796) on :
Thanks for the advice, I tore it apart, cleaned and oiled everything, put it back together, cut one job perfectly and now it's doing the same thing again. So, question is now, do I pack it up and send it in to Gerber and be shut down for three weeks? I found a website (The Plotter Doctor) in California, guarantees a 48 hour turnaround, anyone ever heard of it or used it or can recommend it?
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
The cost of a used plotter is a minute fraction of the profits in a 3 week period. If you don't have a back up plotter, that would be my suggestion.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
look at the belts. the teeth may be worn off the belts. if so u get a new set of belts and away u go.
But if u cut one job and it started again then there may be some more trash in there..
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
V.
I don't think you have as much a problem as it may seem. If you would do a couple of steps and re post your request I think you can find the answer.
Do you hear any noise when you scroll the roller band and fourth with or without pressure?
Does it cut well in any one way?
Have you tried both drag knife and tangential method?
What materials did you use for cleaning? Most will cause more problems than they solve.
We also have had our HS15 Plus cutting like crap and making sounds, and it if frightening. There is an alternative Gerber repair company in Arizona. They do a 24 Hour re-do at a standard $600. total rebuild with a one year guaratee. We did use them a few years ago and they are good and fast.
Feel free to call me anytime on my mobile. 405-473-7556
j.
Posted by share-in y. reardon (Member # 1512) on :
just a note on using the rapid remover to remove the glue... I fnd it necessary to follow it with windex (ammonia) on a rag to counter the solvents that removed the glue- works good on other substrates too (windows in particular)
Posted by Vicki Powell (Member # 3796) on :
Cool, I'm back in business again.
Joe, thanks for the endorsement of the plotter repair service in Arizona. I had found The Plotter Doctor in California (with a brother in Arizona) and was concerned about sending my machine to someone I didn't know. Your input helped me make the decision to go for it. I sent my machine to Jim Partin on Monday and I got it back working like new on Friday!!! He's awesome, did a great job and got it back to me immediately. Plus I got a 6 month warranty. He also has used machines that have been refurbished with a warranty and as soon as I recover from this incident I'll be buying one from him for back up.
Thanks again everyone for all the input and advice.
