more wasted phone calls To Spandex

Since my last post a few weeks back, I have been waiting patiently for a call back from Spandex telling me the results of the test the engineer did. I called the 2 days ago and the young lady I spoke to said she would need to chase up the engineer and call me back, Guess what no call back - Surprise Surprise

I called again yesterday to speak to accounts to tell them that I am cancelling my payments for the gerber, the Spandex Representative just said its nothing to do with them (Funny that - after all they sold me the machine that does not work correctly, well at least I think so - It would be nice for somebody to give me a straight answer)

I then called the finance company and they also said its nothing to do with them, and I I did cancel the payments they would chase me.

So here is the scenario

1: I am on my second Gerber edge in a few months (I still don't think its working - but nobody will tell me)
2: Spandex wont help and have the money for the machine.
3: The finance company wont help either saying its a spandex problem

what now - Oh by the way still no call backs !!!!!!!!

self cling is a problem it seems with the Gerber FX

A massive thank you to the guys at http://www.4edgetalk.com/ forum for pointing this out to me, I am just amazed that after dealing with at least 5 different people at Spandex UK, not one of them knew this - simply appalling !!!!!
__________________________________________

Gerber Scientific Products Inc.
Product Bulletin
Reference PS-Static February 1997 FastFacts # 5551
Gerber Static Cling Vinyl

DESCRIPTION
Gerber Static Cling is a 7.5 mil, highly plasticized vinyl film designed to adhere to glass and other clean, smooth nonporous
surfaces. Static Cling has been designed for use with Gerber Digital Color Printing Systems and GerberColor Foils.
Gerber Static Cling is available in clear and white.

INTENDED APPLICATIONS
Static Cling vinyl is ideally suited for producing attractive single and multi-color graphics for interior signs and displays.
Static Cling can also be used as a substrate for easily-mounted and removable, temporary signs.
This vinyl is intended for temporary application to glass. It may also function adequately on smooth, non-porous plastics
and metals. Static Cling is not intended for use on painted surfaces without prior test and approval by the user. The user
should determine the suitability of all substrates prior to application.
Static Cling is intended for interior applications only. It is not intended for applications where petrochemical contact may occur.

APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
Applying the decorated surface of Static Cling directly to the substrate may result in partial transfer of the graphic. Print
graphics in reverse mode if the opposing substrate surface is the preferred viewing mode (clear Static Cling only).
Clear Static Cling may develop a surface haze. The haze will dissipate after the graphic is applied.
The application surface must be clean, smooth, and as close to room temperature as possible. Small Static Cling graphics
can be applied dry and without application tape. Use a roller or a squeegee with a non-friction sleeve to smooth Static Cling into place.

PRINTING
If your software material selection palette does not have Gerber Static Cling, use Scotchcal 220 lighter print settings.
GerberColor Spot (GCS) Series, GerberColor Process (GCP) SUPER CMYK Series, and GerberColor Transparent
(GCT) Series Foils can be used to print onto Gerber Static Cling. Blot away any excess pigment transfer of certain
GerberColor Foils with application tape immediately after printing.
The bail arm squeegees on your Gerber Digital Color Printing System may stick to the surface of Static Cling. Applying a
strip of Gerber Hi-tack application tape on the squeegees should eliminate this occurrence.

CUTTING
Gerber Static Cling can be cut on any 15” GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE compatible plotter. A 30° SuperSharp blade is
recommended. Plotters can be set to full speed. A test cut should be performed by the user to determine the proper tool
force setting.
PROTECTING GRAPHICS
Abrasion Guard is a clear, top-coat GerberColor Foil designed to protect graphics from moderate contact or handling.
SHELF LIFE AND STORAGE
Gerber Static Cling can be stored for six months after purchase. Film should be kept in a clean area free from excessive
moisture and direct sunlight. Maintain temperature at less than 75°F (23°C) and ensure 75% RH.
Use a paper interleaf between printed materials that are stacked or rolled. Do not store printed graphics face to face.
MAINTENANCE
To clean printed graphics, use a mild, non-abrasive soap with a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid using alcohol-based cleansers
or soaps containing grit or abrasives
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Thickness 7.5 mil
Film Color Clear, White
Adhesive n/a
Adhesive Color n/a
Minimum Application Temp 40°F (5°C)
RELATED LITERATURE
GerberColor Spot (GCS) Series, GerberColor Process (GCP) SUPER CMYK Series, and GerberColor Transparent (GCT)
Series Product Bulletins.
For help with questions concerning Gerber products, please call your distributor or Gerber Customer Service at 1-800-
222-7446 or (860)643-1515.
GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE is a Registered Trademark of Gerber Scientific Products, Inc.
GerberColor and GerberColor SUPER CMYK are Trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products, Inc.
Scotchcal is a Trademark of The 3M Corporation.

Self Cling Vinyl problems

After about 3 days and 20+ ms of self cling I have finally figured out what is going on. The biggest problem I have with this Gerber fx is that it keeps jamming when printing self cling. It just so happens that its the material I print on the most (car park passes etc...)
I even went as far as going up to Spandex and got the demo room machine up and running, that machine failed to print them, so we got another brand new FX from one of the class rooms and low and behold that jammed as well. I was then told that guys that print onto self cling just expect wastage and don't do long runs. This amazed me, my average run would be 2000+ labels in one go and to do them one meter at a time is ridiculous.

Eventually I found that the 2 white dust strips stick to the self cling. I ripped them out and it now works a treat. My question to the engineer was is this normal, he replied with - clients do what ever they need to to get the machine running as they want it to. I just assumed that the Gerber FX would cope with self cling - is this not the case?

just to set the record straight

The sales guys that I deal with for material orders are fantastic, the guy that sold me the Gerber FX, is probably the most helpful sales guy I have ever met. He went out of his way to help me, If only he was upper management.

Gerber FX not printing as well as the Edge 1

After years of having these labels printed by a local sign maker I am convinced that the Gerber FX is not quite up to the job.

Even after having an engineer down, when printing over 3 meters of these labels, they seem to degrade a lot, I am having to do them in batches of 50. These print fine on an edge 1

materials ordered for the Gerber FX DAMAGED

When the correct materials do arrive they are often damaged, here is just one example: I ordered a roll of static self cling, firstly they sent the wrong width, that's gone back now, but when the correct material arrived it was in this condition















I called sales and told them about it, the fact that I had to bin at least 10 metres, and not even a follow up or a credit ???

When I questioned the delivery company, all the delivery guy said was - " ah Spandex again, they never package their deliveries correctly and we have loads of returns" - I personally think its to do with the delivery company in this case, they simply don't care.

The most important thing was that I got my order out and did not let my clients down.

the vinyl does not fit

Just a quick one before I detail the catalogue of problems I have had.

Yesterday I phoned and ordered a roll of Static self cling for the GERBER FX. The sales guy said that it was out of stock, which is understandable and I can wait.

This morning, a Spandex box arrived and I jumped for Joy thinking they had come through for me. However upon opening the box I discovered a 1200mm unsprocketed roll of self cling. (How does this happen???)

Now the thing is that in a space of the last month this is the second order that has been dispatched and the wrong goods have arrived. So I guess this roll just goes into the pile waiting to go back.

My Little Gerber FX Story - INTRO.

After using various unreliable signage companies for years to outsource my label printing, I decided to purchase the fantastic Gerber Edge. The latest Gerber Edge happened to be the Gerber FX.
This Blog is to let everybody know what a complete nightmare this has been for me.
Although the Gerber FX machine is a fantastic machine, the experience of actually dealing with Spandex to get a machine up and running has been a complete nightmare. I would expect for paying over £8000 for this new FX, there would be a little product support and customer service, but so far its been the worst service I have ever received.
I have run a very successful business for many years now and we will go out of our way to never let our clients down. A concept that Spandex I believe just does not understand, perhaps £8000 is not enough for them to care about.