Canon i865 - Print Head Alignment

[Metallo]

Hi,

I bought the printer 4 weeks ago, but from day 1, when printing, you can see
streaks, on ordinary paper quite well, on photo paper much less but still...

Of course, Canon said that I need to change the print head but before
bringing the printer to them (4-6 weeks to get it back!) I want to be sure
that really I nothing can be done on my side.

My question:

I tried several times to align the print head (manually), as you know, you
get a set of patterns as follows:

Columns
A,B,C,D,E,F
Rows
+7
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
0
-1
-2
-3

Columns
G,H,I,J,K,L
Rows
+7
+6
+5
+4
+3
+2
+1
0
-1
-2
-3

Normally, you spot the most even pattern and enter the corresponding number.
In my case, I find even patterns (or very close) in: A,B,D,F,G,H,J,K, which
means I'm able to set them.
But in C,E,I,L, I just can chose the least irregular, but I think there
should always be an even one, or not?

The result is that I cannot get the printer to print as it should, because I
am not given the chance to chose an even patter in C,E,I,L.
This is for me the key of the problem, why cannot i get even patterns for
those letters?

Do you have any good idea on how I can try to fix this?

Thank you
Alex

 

[beezer]

I am wondering if your problem is a clog. Did you run the nozzle check
utility? If theres a clog then perhaps it could easily be fixed
without returning the unit for repair.

Also, make sure the ink tanks are firmly installed. Things could
happen and you may have a loose tank but that might not be the case if
there is no ink leak.

 

[Metallo]

Beezer,

The nozzle check confirms that there is the need for alignment.
Letters C, E and L (minor), which correspond to Magenta, show vertical
stripes.
All the rest is correct.

In a way, this confirms the picture I gave for the patterns in the print
head alignment.

Could a clog be on the print head even if new??

Thanks for you comments

Alex

 

[beezer]

Beezer,

The nozzle check confirms that there is the need for alignment.
Letters C, E and L (minor), which correspond to Magenta, show vertical
stripes.
All the rest is correct.

In a way, this confirms the picture I gave for the patterns in the print
head alignment.

Could a clog be on the print head even if new??

Thanks for you comments

Alex

Anything is possible.. SO lets get things straight... you had this
unit 4 weeks now and never used it and you are now just setting it up?

or have you been using it and all of a sudden have this alignment
trouble?

If your situation is the later, then yes, a clog is possible at any
age after any use. Misparking, power unplugged prior to parking the
head, a defective head, etc..

 

[Metallo]

Beezer,

Let's say that I noticed this after a while because it becomes evident if
you print things like, CD labels or photos, if you print a word doc. you do
not notice this.
When I first realised the problem, I made a manual alignment, given that the
first alignment I did was the automatic one.
That's the reason why I saw the stripes in the pattern.

However, I can still get out the print head and see wheather there's a clog,
or not?

Thanks
Alex

 

[beezer]

Beezer,

Let's say that I noticed this after a while because it becomes evident if
you print things like, CD labels or photos, if you print a word doc. you do
not notice this.
When I first realised the problem, I made a manual alignment, given that the
first alignment I did was the automatic one.
That's the reason why I saw the stripes in the pattern.

However, I can still get out the print head and see wheather there's a clog,
or not?

Thanks
Alex

Ok, now we got some history to go by....

Your nozzel check may not indicate the need for alignment as the
alignments main purpose is the positioning of the head for the mixing
of droplets...

In other words, if you are way out of alignment and you try to print a
straight solid find green line, which would require mixing of magenta
and yellow, then you will have a bit of a mess as the mixing may not
be done properly to produce the desired effect. You will notice stray
colors and fuzzy edges. It sure would not be sharp and true.

So thats the very basic of the alignment procedure. Obviously that is
not the same as other type of mixing such as two colors near eachother
to appear as another color but its the same principal. If things dont
line up, you will not get the desired effect.

So with that in mind, are you sure its a mixing problem?

I re-read your original post and yes, there will be some patterns that
will not be solid and will have vertical lines, so you hold it at arms
length and squint a bit and then choose the most solid pattern.


I am wondering if there is any way you could scan a nozzle check and
alignment pattern so it could be seen? I could give you an email addy
if you would like to send me them, or let me know if your attached
email is legit...

 

[Metallo]

Beezer,

I do appreciate your help, seriously.

What I can do is to print the alignment test and the nozzle test, scan them
and send to your e-mail address, is this OK for you?

Yes, my e-amil address is correct.

Thank you
Alex

 

[beezer]

Beezer,

I do appreciate your help, seriously.

What I can do is to print the alignment test and the nozzle test, scan them
and send to your e-mail address, is this OK for you?

Yes, my e-amil address is correct.

Thank you
Alex

Check your email...