A Digital Printing Network
I have 24 left
Today while rushing, I heard that grinding sound of a sheetcut blade riding the rafters of the long media clamp. I have used my machine for more than 2.5 years and never performed this feat. I often warned those who have the sp/vp's about the need to remove the long media clamps prior to doing a sheetcut. I never warn those with a VS during installs - I just tell them to do their sheetcut, which gives me the opportunity to let them know about the wonderful feature of the long media clamp warning.
So in my instance, I was using some media with a slight bending on the right side, knowing I saw a potential head strike - I pre-empted it by taking a lone long media clamp and replacing the short one. It solved the problem by allowing the printhead to smoothly and with elegance provide efficient profile regulated ink to the substrate. All is fine, life is good - print is wirelessly received and printed and one happy camper 'in the house'. Some time has transpired and the task of performing a sheetcut is at hand. I am a trained VCer so I look down and see the short media clamp and as John Wayne would do in any of his westerns without thinking I struck. Before the secondhand could reach 6 on a sundial - function - down two - enter sheet cut - Bam. The wind up of the VC motor - the detaching of printhead and cutting head - the transversing of the mechanism to its left most limit was observed - and with the precision of a brain surgeon the sheetcut blade extended and made the retreat to homebase to reunite with the printhead. It was ever so close to its goal when the right most media clamp blocked its path. The cuthead grunted, the media clamp absorbed the best of the cutter but stood its ground. The machine threw a flagged for the violation and suggested that I call for assistance. As I picked up the phone, it was like smelling sauce was placed beneath my nose. I would have been calling myself for the realization - it was me the machine was summonsing.
I sprung into immediate action. As I looked over my shoulder to tell anyone in airshot to call 911 - I proceeded with haste to turn-off that main power switch - which I instruct so many never to turn off (wink-wink). I realized I had to go it alone. With the pressure off of the cutter, I gently moved it back up the track to relieve the media and then proceeded to reunite it to the printhead. The main and sub power switches were engaged and I heard the two discussing -using proper machine language - what transpired. They decided to do a cleaning and proceeded as if I was not there. I decided two could play that game and continued on with my work.
It now came time to print and cut some flock. As a taxi dispatcher goes about his duties, I went about mine. Sending the right instructions to the right participants to do their tasking. All was fine, until I preformed the sheetcut function. Now I have 24 more times - to forget to remove my media clamps.
As I ponder why not provide 24 contourcut blades and 1 sheetcut blade - I will go find some trouble for a slow Sunday afternoon.
Moral of the story - replace clamps in pairs and place a marker to remind you when using.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Vicki Dunning on -
Irv, Let me start with "I'm really sorry you hit the long media clamp! (twice)" But this was a very entertaining narrative. It goes to show that we ALL can make mistakes. Even the highly trained and talented. I'm sure we will all make note of the moral of the story and hopefully remember it BEFORE we sheet cut with the long media clamps on the machine. Better days ahead. Have a cookie ;-) Vicki
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Permalink Reply by Butch on -
Irv, I did the same thing. Tried to cut the clamp in half but to no avail. It is a sickening feeling isn't it? As soon as I removed the long clamps I put flouresent green vinyl on the ends to remind me of the length.
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Permalink Reply by Vicki Dunning on
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That's a great idea. I was thinking red nail polish.
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on -
Butch - as always you have great ideas - but the red polish might win out - not -. I figured on a slow Sunday - let me entertain folks with my story. I would have been alright if I had used the pairs - but being swift - it caught up with me. I wished I had recorded it - it would have became my ringtone. I will be using some bright color to help be a reminder. Starting to love those VS's - I am wondering since the VS's only come with long media clamps - how would they respond to the short ones. hmmmm
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Permalink Reply by Ken Wagner on -
You know Irv, you could replicate this once more and have your recorder running. Then you could not only use it for your ring tone but your incoming mail sound. It was nice of you to share you mental lapses with the world. I'm sure we all will have some we can share here.
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on
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Thanks Ken, do you think I shoudl title it - Now I have 23 - why do they give us so many sheetcut blades - anyway?
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Permalink Reply by Vicki Dunning on
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You just don't want to get to duplicating the movie title "And then there were none"!
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Permalink Reply by Admin on -
Irv - Great story! I recall having a similar situation myself at one time. The VS will not let you cut with any clamps in - doesn't matter if they are long or short, it finds them and will not cut. I run the VS300 without clamps all the time now.
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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on
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@vicki - lol
@Steve - since working with the VS during the - u no what - I have been working more and more without clamps
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