Product

• Platesetter 3244
• VLF Platesetter
• Trendsetter NEWS
• Trendsetter 3230 (TS4)
• Trendsetter 400/800
• Trendsetter AL
• Trendsetter VLF
• Trendsetter VLF AL
• Trendsetter Spectrum

Machines affected

All devices with MPE firmware

Symptoms

On positive plates, for some plate sizes, a 0.5-1.0 mm strip is unimaged on the away side of the plate. This artifact has been seen after firmware upgrades on Trendsetter VLFs and Trendsetter Spectrums, but it probably affects all MPE devices.

Cause

Not yet known; under investigation by the Firmware Engineering team.

Solution

Solution:  The only known solution is to downgrade to an earlier version of MPE firmware.

Workaround:  A possible workaround is to increase the plate subscan size definition in the device control software (e.g., Print Console), generate a new PPD, and re-align the image in the imposition software to re-center the image on the plate.

Note:  This workaround is not suitable for customers who have a large archive of previously-imposed images that would need to be adjusted to fit the new plate size dimensions.

If you must upgrade firmware because you are replacing a thermal head, or for some other reason, you will have to submit customer jobs for every size of positive plate to verify that the artifact is not seen on any size. Keep in mind that even if every plate you test is unaffected after the firmware upgrade, the next batch of plates might be slightly bigger and the problem could appear. Be prepared to downgrade the firmware if the artifact appears and the customer is not willing to consider the workaround.

Technical contact(s)

Eric Nelson

Submitted by

Eric Nelson

Date submitted

15 Jul 2002