alignment problem with hp 3700 dtn printer

We have been using an HP 3700 DTN as a workhorse printer for the last
two years, with great results, but one nagging issue.

We regularly print 100lb. cover stock using the manual tray (tray 1),
and our prints often come out up to 1/8" out of alignment. We double
check the paper is going in straight, and have played with various
thicknesses of stacks. While we are not looking for perfect alignment,
we would like to keep it down to 1/16". We suspect we are pushing the
limits of the printer, but given the more experienced minds out there,
we wanted to see if there was an adjustment or other suggestion for
part replacement or anything else to try.

If not, what is a comparable laser printer that handles 100lb cover
stock that has better alignment? Not sure we'd go down that path, but
would be interested what machine may be better suited for heavy stock
and better alignment.

Thanks ahead of time... Rob

Try cleaning the transport rollers well with isopropyl alcohol to
improve traction and remove glazing.

Gently flex the cover stock slightly in the direction of the paper path
(it may take a few minutes to figure out the contours of the curves the
printer sends the paper through).

Art


recolligo wrote:

We have been using an HP 3700 DTN as a workhorse printer for the last
two years, with great results, but one nagging issue.

We regularly print 100lb. cover stock using the manual tray (tray 1),
and our prints often come out up to 1/8" out of alignment. We double
check the paper is going in straight, and have played with various
thicknesses of stacks. While we are not looking for perfect alignment,
we would like to keep it down to 1/16". We suspect we are pushing the
limits of the printer, but given the more experienced minds out there,
we wanted to see if there was an adjustment or other suggestion for
part replacement or anything else to try.

If not, what is a comparable laser printer that handles 100lb cover
stock that has better alignment? Not sure we'd go down that path, but
would be interested what machine may be better suited for heavy stock
and better alignment.

Thanks ahead of time... Rob

recolligo wrote:
We have been using an HP 3700 DTN as a workhorse printer for the last
two years, with great results, but one nagging issue.

We regularly print 100lb. cover stock using the manual tray (tray 1),
and our prints often come out up to 1/8" out of alignment. We double
check the paper is going in straight, and have played with various
thicknesses of stacks. While we are not looking for perfect alignment,
we would like to keep it down to 1/16". We suspect we are pushing the
limits of the printer, but given the more experienced minds out there,
we wanted to see if there was an adjustment or other suggestion for
part replacement or anything else to try.

If not, what is a comparable laser printer that handles 100lb cover
stock that has better alignment? Not sure we'd go down that path, but
would be interested what machine may be better suited for heavy stock
and better alignment.

Thanks ahead of time... Rob

By "out of alignment" are you referring to a vertical skew?
I believe you are pushing the printer too far. I am unfamiliar with US paper
weights but 80lb cover is the maximum card weight the printer is designed for.
The only part that is worth replacing is the feed roller in tray 1 but if this
issue happened at day one then I doubt you will see any improvement.
Most laser printers have excellent alignment but they rely on paper stock being
within tolerance to achieve this.
The only laser printers that may handle stock of this weight are likely to have
straight paper paths, usually with a back door. OKI colour LED printers have
this and some of their printers have a maximum weight of 110lb. There may be
some HP printers that can handle heavier stock also.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging