XEROX DOCUTECH CHAIN P10
Copy Transports and Fusing - Part III

In this follow up to last month’s article on Chain P10, we will continue on the same topic.

P10-102 and Fuser Roll Wraps
Copy Transports / Fusing

PROBLEM: P10-102 and Fuser Roller Wraps.

CAUSE: Difficulty in troubleshooting P10-102’s and fuser roll wraps.

SOLUTION: You must refer to the service manual and do the triple “A” procedure. (Adjustments, Agent (fuser), and Air system), and then use this guide as a reference.

Adjustments:

• Inspect and clean the Fuser Roll Thermistor assembly. Make sure it is seated properly in its bracket and is in constant contact with the heater roller. Make sure you have the correct Thermistor for a Hi-C heat roller (130E7810 white wires).

• Replace the fuser heat roller or the pressure roller if they are worn or if you even think they are not functional. (Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.)

• Check and adjust the fuser roll temperature to 375 degrees +/- 5 F on Hi-C rollers. With the old heat roller assembly it should never be more than 395 +/- 5 degrees F.

• Check and adjust the metering roller temperature to 240 degrees but not over 250 degrees F. Field tests have shown that on high volume printers, the metering roller heater can be un-plugged with no ill effects. With the metering heater off, the copier runs somewhat cooler and has less fuser jams due to heat buildup.

• Clean and adjust the air knife manifold assembly height. Use 8 sheets of 20-pound paper on the heat roller to make the gap adjustment.

• Check and adjust (if necessary) the heat roller to pressure roller contact arc. The arc should be 15.5 MM +/-. 5MM.

• Check, clean and adjust (if necessary) the fuser lead in baffle under the fuser pressure roller. Use 18 sheets of 20-pound paper for the clearance adjustment.

• Inspect, clean or replace the fuser roll drive gear, fuser roll idler gear and the fuser drawer-latching device. Replace the gears if they have sharp points. This indicates the gears are worn and there is slop in the drive when the system is running. The latching device becomes worn (over time) and needs to be adjusted when the fuser drawer “pops” open by itself.

If fuser wraps occur with heavy (dark) print on the lead edge of the copy, try the following:

• In dC701, run at least 5 times when installing a new heat roller and then run at least 500 sheets to break in the new heat roller. The heat roller has to be conditioned.

• Reduce the amount of toner on solids to minimize the fuser wrappings. This is especially true of copies that have solid black lead edges. The toner makes the copy adhere to the heat roller and the puffer manifold may not puff the paper off the heat roller. When clearing fuser wraps, check the heat roller and look for a very light coating of fuser agent. If the agent is not on the roller, then troubleshoot the RAM assembly a lot closer. Note: fuser wraps can also be an indication that the heat roller is at the end of its service life and the heat roller should be retired.

Fuser Agent

• Inspect, clean and replace the following parts in the ram assembly: metering blade, fuser wick assembly and the fuser agent filter. Flush out the ram with film remover (8R27) and wipe dry with soft towels.

• Check the condition of the metering blade bracket for warped or bent assembly.

• Check (or adjust if necessary) the metering roller to donor roller contact arc by using the blue bag tool. There is no width or size specification but the contact arc should be parallel. If the contact arc is uneven, do not try to adjust the contact arc; just replace the ram assembly. However if one or both of the loading arms are defective, they should be replaced. Never try to reshape the loading arms. Check the metering roller “seat” for any evidence of wear. On the outside of the ram, check the “slide” to ensure it is not worn. Make sure inboard and outboard guides are in good condition. Check the heat roller— is it seated properly in the fuser assembly?

• Check the customer’s fuser agent. Is the fuser agent they are using in the red plastic container? Or do they have fuser agent in the blue plastic containers? The fuser agent in blue bottles has been known to cause fuser wraps. However, the product is still being sold by “independent supply vendors” and is in the field.

Air System

• Clean the air knife manifold air holes with a standard staple, while the compressor and puffer solenoid is turned on (in diagnostics).

• Check, and closely inspect, the airflow movement from the MIN compressor to the finisher subsystem. The MIN air should be available within 10 to 15 seconds after it is turned on.

• Check and closely inspect the airflow from the finisher compressor to the fuser sub system. The air pressure on the MIN air gage should be zero when the finisher compressor is on and the MIN compressor is off.

If either of the above checks fails inspect, check and/or replace the following components.

• All air line (hose) connectors in both the processor and finisher.

• Both check valves in the finisher.

• Check the air hose in the finisher for cracks. If the hose is turning yellow, then it is at the end of its service life and should be replaced.

Check for the proper airflow in the MIN air lines in the processor by disconnecting the airline going to the puffer solenoid. Turn on the MIN compressor in diagnostics and check for the psi at MIN regulator assembly. The psi should read less than 6 or 7 pounds. If the pressure is greater than that, check, inspect and/or replace the following components:

• MIN regulator assembly

• MIN air lines (all of them)

• MIN moisture trap filter assembly.

I would like to thank Mid West Danny and the many technicians who have contributed information and helpful tips that made this column successful. Next month, I would like to take a close look at the Docutech finisher and some of the problems that occur. Most of the problems are well covered with the service documentation, but some finisher problems are not resolved with the RAP’s. If any technician or customer has a concern about either fuser / transport jams or finisher jams, please feel free to let me know and I will try my best to resolve your issues. Email me at VillageCopierNY@AOL.COM.