Versant 280 2nd BTR streaking worse than ever

[Versant2100User]

I would say changing the cleaning blade can extend the 2nd BTR life to over 40.000 clicks. But sometimes the cleaning blades go bad before that. I'm pretty sure that the large amount of waste toner is shortening the 2nd BTR and cleaning blade life by a lot. There might also be lumps in the toner. There's actually too much toner for the 2nd BTR unit to handle.

We're unable to be on a full service contract, because our location is too far away from any xerox technicians. So the cost for a 2nd BTR unit for us is about: 1400-1500 usd. In many cases, we have replaced the 2nd BTR unit to a brand new unit, and the same day the new unit will start streaking without even finishing 1 job. Basically the 2nd BTR issue is destroying our business.

[BucksPrinter]

We've had about 5 or 6 x 2nd BTR units since the beginning of December. We run a few greeting cards obviously in the run up to Christmas but the split between coated and uncoated stocks in our business is roughly 50/50. We use digital materials throughout. We had the same issue with our V80, and installed the V280 in August 22. Talking to our engineer there could be a rogue batch in circulation, but having just had a supposedly good batch one fail after 3 weeks it is getting a little trying. We can change the units out ourselves having been shown how to do this, and our engineer is great, but it's frustrating that there is clearly an issue with this component that hasn't been sorted in the 7 years we have been running the Xerox, coming over from 10 years of running Konica Minolta. Swapping them over is fine but we are concious of the waste being generated and of course downtime while waiting for the part to arrive. We try and keep one in stock if we can.

[TJPrinter]

Yes, changing the cleaning blade extends the life of the 2nd BTR and can get you up and printing again but it doesn’t last long and it doesn't resolve the problem. If you’re on a full service contract you’ll be buying the cleaning blades on your own. This is not a field solvable problem as TammyL-Xerox has suggested in her official Xerox response. This is an engineering issue that Xerox has been ignoring that causes significant waste of materials and time for all users of Versants.

 I have no problem taking out the 2nd BTR unit and replacing the cleaning blade and have gone as far as rebuilding the entire unit with a new wax bar, cleaning blade and cleaning brush all at my own expense. I’m forced to do this because I can’t afford to be down for days waiting to receive a new 2nd BTR.

 When you say replacing the blade lasts a month how many clicks is that for you? According to Xerox the 2nd BTR life is upwards of 500,000 clicks.

[Versant2100User]

You should try to replace the 2nd BTR cleaning blade.

Sometimes new 2nd BTR units have faulty cleaning blades which will cause it to leave streaks very early.

[lazer_am]

We have the same issue. Printed around 350k pages, already replaced 2nd BTR 3 times, and will replace the current one as soon as it arrives. Happening on all types of paper, so disappointed with the printer because of this...

[Versant2100User]

We just figured out that changing the 2nd BTR cleaning blades is very efficient.

It takes about 5 minutes to do, but it's totally worth it.

We usually switch 2nd BTR units, depending on the stock. We have one 2nd btr for Coated stocks and one for Uncoated stocks. When changing the cleaning blade, the 2nd BTR can last us about a month of printing coated stocks.

[print@vimark.com]

Versant 280 Press, This has been the worst printer I have ever run, the 2nd Btr just lasts less and less.

My techs have made changes to the printer, fans blow more and longer, the printer is so loud, the speed have dropped dramatically, and yet i still cant get 100,000 clicks from the 2nd Btr. Just keep getting further and further behind and working longer hours to try to catch up.

The CMYK black bar seemed to work, but that only works if you are doing a long run. I ran 10,000 copies on black and white bond yesterday, on a brand new 2nd Btr, and the minute i switched to another stock today, there were lines all over it. You would think they would figure it out by now, its been a few years.

[Versant2100User]

I totally agree with you. We have had the exact same problem on our V80, V2100 and V3100.
The machines are basically not capable on running coated stock, FX Silk paper, which is the most common type of paper used in Europe. Some 2nd BTR units don't last for 1 order (Less than 1000 clicks.)
Xerox usually blames the paper. But we are having the exact same issues on original Xerox coated paper. The less coating on the paper, the more clicks you get.

Another thing worth noting is that the 2nd BTR basically has the same problem for uncoated paper, but the streaking is just not visible on uncoated paper.

[TammyL-Xerox]

Hello TJPrinter, 

The technician would be the best person to diagnose the problem and solve it which it sounds like he has. If you would still like to talk to someone, I would recommend contacting your local Xerox Support Department to speak with a Product Specialist for more assistance. Please call 1-800-821-2797.

[TJPrinter]

I’ve had a Versant 80 that had problems with the 2nd BTR failing because of streaking but now that I have a new Versant 280 the problem is worse. The V280 is under full service and techs don’t have a solution other than to replace the entire 2nd BTR unit. This unit should last almost 300,000 clicks yet I can barely get 40,000 out of it. It’s frustrating because I don’t know when the streaking will occur so I have to constantly pull sheets and baby sit the machine and reprint jobs that are unacceptable.

The problem is caused by running coated stock not uncoated stock. So the more coated stock I use the faster the 2nd BTR will fail. My understanding is that when the coated stock is duplexed it doesn’t have enough time to cool off before it reaches the 2nd BTR and the coating from the paper will start to contaminate the unit. It doesn’t matter what brand paper is used, the problem will always arise.

Placing the cmyk color bars on sheets is not the answer nor does it solve the problem for me, the 2nd BTR will still fail too early. Is there something my techs are missing? Any real solution to the problem?