Problem with fuser temps

[JimSchuuz]

We recently replaced an aging line of older HP LaserJet printers with the newer M607 units, but we are consistently having a problem with getting the factory OEM toner to fuse properly.  There are several instances when the bottom half of the printed page has unfused toner and it just smears on the page.  (This is happening on all printers, so we know it isn't a one-off fuser or toner problem.)  In the past, all I needed to do was adjust the fuser temperature in the settings, however that is no longer an option on these printers.  I have updated to the latest firmware release on each printer.  Does anyone have any legitimate suggestions?

[Alex-TATS]

Hi JimSchuuz,

May I ask what are the paper specifications you are using? Is it a ColorLok technology paper? Is it suitable for laser printers?

 Have you set the correct settings for trays so that they meet your paper's specifications?

[Imagecomputer]

Hi.  

What paper (type, weight, etc) are you running through these machines?  

It's unusual to have to fiddle too much with the fuser temperatures on HP lasers to get good print quality.  You indicated that this is happening on multiple M607s.  That, along with the fact that you've had to fiddle with fuser temps on other HP laserJets in the past, makes me suspicious of:

-Your media specs or the way you're storing it, or

-The power consistency in your facility

Good luck!

Matt

Image Computer Corporation

[JimSchuuz]

The problem isn't with any environmental factors, it's a fuser temperature problem.  Actually, we're using standard 20 lb. plain paper, 92 brightness, and there are no power problems in the building.  Each is running between 115-122 v, almost always hovering right at 118 v.  Paper is stored in the traditional wax paper sleeves around each ream to protect against humidity fluctuations, so that's not it either.  Ambient air temps are approx. 73°, regulated in both summer and winter.  Each printer runs between 500-15,000 pages per month, with an occasional peak of 30,000 pages (although these are new and have never hit that yet - each one is still on the original toner cartridge that came with the printer.)

What prompted me to look at the firmware is that on print jobs that draw the first page from tray 1 and the remaining pages from tray 2, the display actually says "cooling fuser" in between the tray change.  Then, on page 2 (and occasionally on page 3 also), light toner specks get scattered across the page.  The fuser should never "cool" on an active print job.  The fact that it actually displays that message indicates that the firmware is telling it to do so.

HP would never have included settings such as "High" and "Very High" on most of their printers in the past if there wasn't a reason for those settings to be used.  Q. Why would it be available if there was never a need for it?  A. It wouldn't.  There are instances where specific temps might need to be adjusted based on the toner coverage, and we've needed it especially on certain print jobs that are several hundred pages in length.

On the pages I looked at today, the printing of non-text items never fused more than 5-10%... I can lay a piece of tape over them and lift the entire image off of the paper except for a very faint base image.  By the way, the image I'm referring to is simply an image of a signature, not like a photo or anything detailed.  The vast majority of text on the page fused properly.

[JimSchuuz]

Maybe I need to ask my question in a different way.

The M607 printers can no longer increase the fuser temperature, but have multiple print options:

 

Will changing any of these settings adjust how the toner gets fused to the paper?  The "Fuser Temp Mode" has only "Normal" and "Down" options, but what about adjusting the Print Mode to "Heavy" or "Cardstock", or adjusting the humidity to "High" - would any of those settings have the same effect as bumping up the fuser temp one setting?

[Valsimot]

If you set the paper type to more heavier or paper type that is rougher than the plain paper the printer should increase fusing temperature, a side effect is slow down print speed.

[JimSchuuz]

Thank you, I followed the "Help" link on the corresponding pages but they only discuss custom paper definitions, not what the effects would be of each setting.

What I would like to do is only go up in temp in as small increments as possible so that it doesn't

1. slow down any more than is absolutely necessary, and
2. make the fuser burn out too much sooner than it otherwise would.

I will start experimenting and see if I can come up with an optimal setting.  I appreciate your help, +VALSIMOT!