Fujitsu 3093dg problem

[Howard Goldstein]

It's a Fujitsu 3093dg. It's a terrific scanner that works great
except for one problem I can't lick. Please comment!

In simplex mode, and depending on the memory configuration, duplex
mode, a black vertical line 1-2 pixels wide black vertical line is
almost always scanned down the entire page. In simplex modes it shows
up on the left side of the page (about 1/3 in), in duplex when it
shows up on the left for the obverse scan and the right on the
reverse.

Strangeties:
It never shows up in flatbed mode, and it doesn't show up in duplex
mode when there are only 8mb of simms in the scanner.

And it's *almost* always permanent, I'd almost think it was thermal
since it rarely willbe ok for the first page after a power up but not
always, and then it's always there.

Stuff tried that didn't change anything: swapping simms, simm
positions, cleaning user accessible areas, changing resolution and
b&w/gray/halftone settings.

Configuration: twain 9.11.47 driver, 2940UW controller, lightly loaded
XP home system.

Thank you very much in advance for any advice and suggestions on
getting this little puppy back up to full speed.

 

[Danny]

Hi Howard,

The lines are likely streaks caused from contamination in the optical
path of the CCD sensor. The most common location is on the ADF glass
(which is easy to reach with a cloth and isopropyl alcohol) .

Try cleaning the ADF glass (mylar) with a cloth saturated with
isopropyl alcohol . if that doesn't do the trick, call me 408-996-1829

Thanks,

Danny Ha

 

[Howard Goldstein]

: The lines are likely streaks caused from contamination in the optical
: path of the CCD sensor. The most common location is on the ADF glass
: (which is easy to reach with a cloth and isopropyl alcohol) .
:
: Try cleaning the ADF glass (mylar) with a cloth saturated with
: isopropyl alcohol . if that doesn't do the trick, call me 408-996-1829

Your kindness and advice are both greatly appreciated, my scanner is
working flawlessly now.

Thank you, with a lighted magnifying glass I spotted two very tiny
specs of blackish I-don't-know-whats on the *underside* of the
glass/mylar weren't there without heavy magnification. It was very
awkward to fit a q-tip in far enough but after fiddling with various
angles on the q-tip it got clean.

Is there an easier way to get beneath the mylar to clean it than
sticking the bent q-tip in an output roller hole? If I have to do
this again I'm going to be worried about damaging the roller's small soft
rubber end bit.

 

[Danny]

Great Job Howard~

Document image scanners which handle such a large volume of
uncontrolled documents are going to get contaminated eventually. Even
the best quality paper will have particles of paper dust and/or toner
which will leave a residue on anything that comes into contact with
it~especially friction ADF scanners.

The best thing you can do is to regularly keep a routine of cleaning
the scanners ADF every 3,000 pages or so. This involves removing the
sheet guide (the metal peice which your pic roller sticks out of) by
removing the 2 thumb screws. Removing the pic roller and gently wipe
down the outer surface of the ADF glass using a lint free cloth and F1
or Isopropyl alcohol (91%+ recommended) . Even if the scanner is
running fine, dust will build up without showing symptoms and if not
cleaned, it has a good chance of finding it's way inside the ADF.

DON'T USE CANNED AIR- or any aeosols per doing so would only
accelerate the contaminants into tougher areas of your optics.

I don't recommend taking the scanner apart- but fyi:
There's no easy way of getting under the mylar/glass of the ADF. You'd
have to remove the flatbed cover fisrt, then the ADF release button,
ADF plastic cover, ADF, flatbed plasticover and glass (in that order )
just to access the area you're referring to. It's not difficult- but
it's usually not necessary with that scanner either.

....and don't forget to clean the white reference strips adjacent to
each CCD (frontisde reference is located on the inside of the ADF door
between the 4 feed rollers).Contamination on the reference areas will
result in the same symptoms as you saw - lines.

Hope this helps...

Danny Ha

Take a look at the cleaning and maintenance manual when you have a
minute:

http://www.fel.fujitsu.com/support/scanner/manuals/C150-E071-01EN.pdf

 

[Danny]

Great Job Howard~

Document image scanners which handle such a large volume of
uncontrolled documents are going to get contaminated eventually. Even
the best quality paper will have particles of paper dust and/or toner
which will leave a residue on anything that comes into contact with
it~especially friction ADF scanners.


The best thing you can do is to regularly keep a routine of cleaning
the scanners ADF every 3,000 pages or so. This involves removing the
sheet guide (the metal peice which your pic roller sticks out of) by
removing the 2 thumb screws. Removing the pic roller and gently wipe
down the outer surface of the ADF glass using a lint free cloth and F1
or Isopropyl alcohol (91%+ recommended) . Even if the scanner is
running fine, dust will build up without showing symptoms and if not
cleaned, it has a good chance of finding it's way inside the ADF.


DON'T USE CANNED AIR- or any aeosols per doing so would only
accelerate the contaminants into tougher areas of your optics.


I don't recommend taking the scanner apart- but fyi:
There isn't a simple solution of getting under the mylar/glass of the
ADF though it's not very difficult either. . One would have to remove
the ADF release button, adf cover, flatbed cover/ glass, then the
entire ADF (If I remember correctly...)

It's not very difficult- but it's usually not necessary with that
scanner either.

....and don't forget to clean the white reference strips adjacent to
each CCD (frontisde reference is located on the inside of the ADF door
between the 4 feed rollers).Contamination on the reference areas will
result in the same symptoms as you saw - lines.


Hope this helps...


Danny Ha

 

[Howard Goldstein]

: Great Job Howard~

It wouldn't have happened without your support, for which I am grateful

: DON'T USE CANNED AIR- or any aeosols per doing so would only
: accelerate the contaminants into tougher areas of your optics.

Arrrgh, too late. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Now
my wife now tells me that "everyone knows not to use canned air".

:
: I don't recommend taking the scanner apart- but fyi:
: There isn't a simple solution of getting under the mylar/glass of the
: ADF though it's not very difficult either. . One would have to remove
: the ADF release button, adf cover, flatbed cover/ glass, then the
: entire ADF (If I remember correctly...)
:
: It's not very difficult- but it's usually not necessary with that
: scanner either.
:
: ...and don't forget to clean the white reference strips adjacent to
: each CCD (frontisde reference is located on the inside of the ADF door
: between the 4 feed rollers).Contamination on the reference areas will
: result in the same symptoms as you saw - lines.

Ahh the key was removing the ADF release button. For future
reference, what's the secret for removing it? Getting the ADF off
seems to be the key to getting the cover removed for access to the
innards.

Fortunately I didn't need to disassemble it to clean up the insides
and restore perfect performance. Which was good since I couldnt get it
open. And probably for the best anyway to avoid breaking anything. I
didn't realize the reference strip was also critical - thank you,
I'll keep him on a cleaning regimen.

Deeply appreciate your kind support for this really old scanner.
Speaks volumes of good, I know where I'll be going for my next
scanner.

 

[Danny]

Hi Howard,

Ahh the key was removing the ADF release button. For future
reference, what's the secret for removing it? Getting the ADF off
seems to be the key to getting the cover removed for access to the
innards.

Actually, I need to make one correction to my earlier statement: the
release button (cap) would be the first thing to remove on most of the
Fujitsu ADF/Flatbed scanners including the 3093 series- but only the
m3093GX and EX series. The Duplex models: m3093DG & DE is actually a
bit easier: (this is just an FYI again... not recommended unless you've
taken the scanner apart successfully before)

1. open the ADF

2. remove the 1 screw securing the ADF cover to the ADF (facing the
flatbed end of the scanner - opposite of the ADF button/cap)

3. close the ADF

4. locate the ejection rollers behind the ADF (last set of rollers that
your documents are in contact with) and pull the plastic ADF cover
slowly OUT and then UP with your finger tips

this should pop the ADF plastic cover off... and the flatbed cover is
easier:

open the flatbed lid about 80 degrees and slide it away from the ADF
(sometimes a GENTLE 'pop' with your hand will nudge the cover hinges
out of the socket)

I'm sure you'll never have to actually take the scanner apart- but, I
hope that answers your inquiries about how your scanner's put together.


Thanks again and enjoy the scanner!

Danny Ha


(it's not easy to explain without any illustrations- call me if you'd
like further clarification....)