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Laura, I used to have a Nova Jet 4, "what kind" of problems are you having?
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Laura; I have a Novajet pro 50 and I love it. It is consistant; it's a machine. The only thing that can really that can vary is your rip and the type of dither pattern. Your input profiles will vary too. If the results are different on different print jobs and your software is the same, then you are likely ignoring the fact that you have jets clogged. Clogged jets produce different results depending on what color is laid down and where. I notice you say "print"... you are not supposed to print to wide format it's supposed to be ripped. If you are for some reason trying to print to it, then be advised that microsoft print spooler in NFG, and certainly produces different results, which is why so many software developers for POS and other applications write their own spooler and bypass MS. Check Encads site they have some good info. The manual is quite comprehensive also. Oh yeah, remeber you have to use outdoor inks if the stuff is going out doors, dico lasts longer than Encad's GO. Good luck, it's a great little machine.
-------------------- Brian Crothers CR Signs 1790 C Tamarac St. Campbell River B.C. V9W 3M6 briancrothers@crsigns.ca Posts: 82 | From: Campbell River B.C. Canada | Registered: Apr 2002
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Laura, maybe Brian can validate the following - Some time back I considered picking up a second hand Novajet, but I had heard there were problems with plugged inkjets. A local rep told me the trick with the Novajet is to keep it running. If you let it sit, the jets plug up. If you turn it on every other day or so and squirt some ink, it will stay clear. Once again, this is a secondhand story. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Another point about the Nova Jet is keep some small foam pads in the trays where the cartridges rest (below them) moisten them with "witch hazel" it's an astringent that keeps the jets from drying out. If you are going to use Dicojet outdoor ink there is a guy who is very knowledgeable on Encads and also sells the Dicojet inks his name is Dan Yost you can contact him at dan@powerflowcommunication.com he knows those machines inside and out. Oh yeah another thing is you want to do is wipe that shaft clean with a paper towel and alcohol before you plan on printing a good size job. To see if you have any clogged jets on your cartridges "Prime it" you will see if there is any missing lines on your print, if there is, get your suction bulb, remove that cartridge and put suction to it. But like they say even if you don't use it alot at least prime it everyday to avoid clogging.
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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I have had my Novajet Pro for over a year and have hardly used it. Partly because I have been unable to market it, but also because it is too damn unreliable.
Now I did buy it used so some problems can be expected. I have it finally firing well as far as the ink goes, but the big problem is carriage axis errors. That is where the printhead just stops and locks in the middle of the print. Possibly could be fixed with new bushings etc. but who knows. Bruce Bowers had the same problem to a lesser extent with his and has finally bought a new and improved version.
I have tried wiping the arm with alcohol and all the other tricks, to no avail. No device should be that sensitive anyways, especially considering the costs.
Maybe I will chuck it all and join Rob Larkham's group.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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David I know exactly what you mean. Someone showed me a little trick about that, on both sides of the carriage is where the bushings are located, with a small flat head screw driver, pop them off. With a compressed can of air, blow are the dust and stuff that has collected, then wipe the arm. You should have any more problems with the axis error. They snap back in with no problem. I finally sold that baby and went for pro 600e 60". Big difference
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hey David, I take it you don't like your novajet! hahaha Dude, the bushings are brass, the rail is chromed. This is because of "friction", Encad figured it was cheaper to replace bushings rather than the rail. Same as an electric motor, and many other things. Once the bushings wear out, there is an carriage axis error mesage. This is so you don't have a jam and then wreck the servo motor, like I'd rather replace the bushings than the motor. That's fair in my book. I keep an extra set on hand. As far as clogged cartridges, well, witch hazel on the park pads last thing at then end of the day; 100% will fire 5 days later. If the machine is not stolen you can always call Encad, they seem just fine to talk to. Or you could call Glen at Tell Tale Signs, he's a merchant even! 250-398-7446 :-)
-------------------- Brian Crothers CR Signs 1790 C Tamarac St. Campbell River B.C. V9W 3M6 briancrothers@crsigns.ca Posts: 82 | From: Campbell River B.C. Canada | Registered: Apr 2002
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Believe it or not this is the most information I have ever received on the Novajet's problems.
I posted over a year ago and no one came up with the bushings problem. Neither does Encad, went to their site and knowledge database and there was very little help in pointing out the problem. Of course they wanted me to buy a $1700 service contract to come and fix the problem. No thanks.
They do have a maintenance deal where they send out a kit with a repairman. He will replace all the bushings and a few other parts for around $400. Now that would be worth it if I knew that surely is the problem. Otherwise I may be throwing good money after bad.
Thanks Cisco and Brian for the tips. I will try Ciscos' tip first and then decide to make a call or just let this thing die.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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I bought most of the stuff in the maintenance kit and did it ourselves. So now it has new bushings, new cartridges, new service tray, clean rod, etc. It seems every time we find a few minutes to try to get it running, it something different.
Fri. we were trying to just print test pages. The colored test lines were not consistent. Then I created 4 boxes - one of cyan, one magenta, etc. I sent this to print. It printed the boxes but they overlappped each other even though I had them side by side with a little space between.
I have an Encad Croma that we have been using without a rip software and its doing fine. I don't do really huge files but I am pleased with it. I just recently did my first panel tha tgoes in an interior light box. Fortunately we did a small test one first because we didn't realize that the print had to be mirrored. I had planned on selling the Cromas as soon as I got the NJ pro up and running.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura; it sounds like you are not using a RIP. That's a no-no. The Chroma is 24" the other is 36". Think how many extra thousand dots of ink that is.. maybe millions of dots more. Win spooler won't do the job. That's why Encad themselves recomend different Rips on thier site. The dithering type from the RIP is IMPORTANT, for quality of image. Many people argue about which dithering is best which is newest and so on... I hope this makes sense... Also, if stuff is overlapping, this is mechanically impossible because the cartridge placement does not allow for it to happen; they are all offset from each other. The only way that can happen is if your paper is not feeding properly; for example the auto feed if you have one, is not turned on, or the paper is too tight on the spindle. My junky encad tips site: SHODDY ENCAD TIPS SITE
[ November 25, 2002, 02:57 AM: Message edited by: Brian Crothers ]
-------------------- Brian Crothers CR Signs 1790 C Tamarac St. Campbell River B.C. V9W 3M6 briancrothers@crsigns.ca Posts: 82 | From: Campbell River B.C. Canada | Registered: Apr 2002
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Hiya Laura, I just wanted to check in to see how your printer problems are working out? I have the same machine that has been sitting here idle for over a year now. Other than the 2 prime tests we did over the last year, it hasn't printed a single job. However, both prime tests came out very good showing only minor clogging. Another test you may want to try is the color test at 100%. That will sometimes help unclog the jets. Also, check to make sure that you don't have air bubbles in the feed lines. If all that doesn't work break out the ultrasound cleaner and some distilled water and let the cartdriges soak for a while. I have Poster Shop the workstation that handles all the printing, so I can't tell you if not having a rip may be part of the problem. This pc does have some power behind it and a lot of RAM too. Currently, I'm converting the Pro 36 to outdoor ink use exclusively because switching the inks on our Pro 700 still takes a fair amount of time and effort. If there's anything else I can try to help you with, let out a yell. This inkjet stuff is fairly new to me too.
Havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Shouldn't I be able to at least print a small design without a rip software. Someone recommended ImagePrinter RIP which has a demo that I downlowded. I can't even print through that.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I did it. I did it. I got my printer running. I ended up ordering a new trialing cable just in case. It came today, I installed it, and sent some flowers to the printer (w/0 RIP software) and it printed it. I still need a better RIP but for now I can get to know the machine. Has anyone ever downloaded the demo RIP software called ImagePrinter?
[ December 12, 2002, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Well I got the lights on and some things running but I kept getting a checksum error message. I found out that I needed to update my firmwear. That seemed to fix everything so far. Now down to some real printing. Once I get this machine figured out, I will probably be ready to sell it and go up to something a little bigger-just in case someone is thinking about buying one.
Dave when you turn your machine on,see if it reads Encad 1.25. Mine said 1.21 which meant thtthere was two updates in the firmware since then. One of the updates takes care of the axis error message.
ps. I'll probably be looking for a laminator-in case someone has one for sale.
[ December 12, 2002, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura, I am not in the shop right now but I seem to remember something like 1.04 or so. Very old and I will update it as soon as I find the special serial cable that will work with it. (rs-242-rs 432 or so?) I did clean the bushings as Cisco said and now it is working a lot better though now I have cartridges that are clogged.
As soon as this thing is printing reliably I am going to sell it, hopefully in the next few weeks. Not the kind of market I serve anyways.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Well I am printing but not happy with whats coming out. The prints are kinda grainy looking. Any suggestions. Also I can't get the cutter to cut the media even though I have it set to in the printer setup.
I forgot to mention that I am using new cartridges.
[ December 17, 2002, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Updating the Bios will lessen the frequency of the axis errors, but it is still important to keep the chrome bar clean, everyday, with a lint free cloth. Also equally important is to have foam pads in the park position and to keep these little babies moist, this reduces clogged jets and allows the printer to sit longer between jobs.
-------------------- Glenn Thompson Tell-Tale Signs Williams Lake, BC sign@telus.net (250)398-7446 Posts: 201 | From: Williams Lake, BC | Registered: Dec 2000
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Laura, Glad to hear that you're up and running. I'm told by my coworkers that the coarse image is to be expected with the 300 dpi printer. Also, some banding will be apparent up close. Try to remember that these images are meant to be viewed at a distance, not read like a book. I'm in the process of setting up some samples in the showroom where the average viewing distance will be greater than 10'.
Havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Well, I'm Encad Pro Novajetted to death at this point!!! I have the Pro 50 and use Corel with Co-Cut Professional for my RIP. It seems to work fine. I just printed a 3x5 banner on scrim material and yes I have the outdoor ink installed. It came out beautiful, and the Encad driver has a multiple enhanced settings, though still 300 DPI (I then top coated the banner with Superfrog.) I began the process over a week ago of installing new cartridges/ink and carriage belt. Guess what died today? The motor!!! Anyone ever change one of these motors? I've gone this far, and though slow, I have a small shop, so this machine is big by my standards. I'll make it work. Just don't know if I have to pull everything apart to get to the motor. Help!!
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Randall, what I did once on the Encad Pro 600e I had to change something on it, forgot now what it was. I sold that one. but take a bunch of pictures of it as you go and it's like working on a car, I know on the right side if standing in front is where the motherboard is. Underneath is a few screws, you really don't need a bunch of tools. But to be honest with you, I would sell that machine soon as you can and get something a lot newer with more dpi. and less headaches, once that machine sits for awhile those cartridges start to clogg and it's just a hassle to keep them clean. but that's my opinion. I had two of them, and the other day someone wanted to give me one at a super dirt cheap price almost nothing and I still didn't even want it. or see a guy in San Jose. He knows alot about digital printers and sell some good used ones. www.plotterpros.com
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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There is a guy on EBay that sold cartridges for these machines. He knew this machine inside out and was able to walk me thru changing belts, cartridges, lines, etc. Let me see if I can find him.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I just got on Ebay and searched for Encad Novajet. I could't find his USER ID so either he changed it, doesn't have anything up, or whatever. Either way, you might want to get on there and look at whats for sale. There appears to be some newer machine for less that what you might put into this one.
[ November 02, 2007, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura...was his name Kent? If it was, seems like he had a grocery store somewhere up north, and also sold Dico-Jet pigmented inks, cartridges, and a few parts. He was pretty sharp on fixing them too, but I can't find his info anywhere.
-------------------- Ace Graphics & Printing Camdenton, MO. USA
Went a little further and found this > > http://www.globalprintsupply.com/contact-us.php Randall, maybe he's still in the ink business, if so you should try him for ink, cartridges, and parts.
I agree though, after having three encads (two Pro 42e's and a 500) it's an ok indoor printer, or very short term outdoor. I searched for a couple years to find an decent outdoor solution, looking for materials and coatings. About all of the adhesive backed vinyls were only rated for 6 months outdoors, and it's hard to sell anything with that short of a lifespan. 3m makes an outdoor vinyl for use with pigmented inks that's rated for 3 years, but you need to use their laminate and it can get pricy. Think the 3m number is 8522.
I definately don't miss messing with clogged cartridges, and ink covered hands....on a daily basis.
Machines have come a long way in the last ten years. After the encads I got a HP5500uvps 42" printer. It has pigmented inks, but still is a short term outdoor printer. What a workhorse though. It's about four years old now, and never once has a head clogged, or any problem.
Since I got the Versacamm, the HP just sets in the corner, and only gets used about twice a month.
Hope this helps
-------------------- Ace Graphics & Printing Camdenton, MO. USA
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