Printing problem, please help!!

[NTX JK]

My printer recently started to print out of alignment. How can I fix this?

 

 

How the print is suppose to look:

 

 

 

 

 

What the print actually looks like:

 

[Dana W]

Is that a printer or plotter?

 

Try the print head alignment utility that comes with the printer, if there is one.

 

Of course, it could be a hardware problem which may call for printer service.

[NTX JK]

Sorry, it is a plotter. it is a HP Designjet 650C. It is too old to call for support. I can't even pay to get support.

[Dana W]

Sorry, it is a plotter. it is a HP Designjet 650C. It is too old to call for support. I can't even pay to get support.

 

Well, to me it looks like a hardware problem, but there is an off chance that updating the plotter driver might help. Go to the HP site and look for an update. I don't know anything in AutoCAD that might cause that.

 

Any suggestions of what might be wrong with the plotter in a hardware way would just be guesswork on my part.

 

It looks like the return pass of the print head is off alignment by 1/4" or so.

[nukecad]

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It looks like the return pass of the print head is off alignment by 1/4" or so.

 

I agree, it loooks like a problem with backlash on the print head drive belt.

Could be a loose screw on one of the drive pulleys, or could be that there are teeth missing / worn out on the belt.

From looking at your plot I would say that the loose screw is more likley; try taking the front cover off and tightening the screws that hold the pulleys; check the belt for missing teeth whilst you are at it.