How to Remove the "Pie Wheels" from the Epson 3000

How to Remove the "Pie Wheels" from the Epson 3000

On the Left is an image of the "pie wheel" roller that Epson uses in their Ink-jet printers. Above is an example of the tracks across a printed piece of film. Epson built the "pie wheels" into their printers to keep the paper moving straight along the feed path and also to minimize warpage, about half are mounted on springs and half are fixed into place. Unfortunately the wheels that are fixed are not designed to allow for thicker paper than the Epson OEM paper. When thicker paper is fed through the printer, after the ink is laid down by the print head it passes the "pie wheels" and they leave tracks down the paper or film in the solid black areas. It is possible to remove these wheels easily and without damaging your printer or effecting print quality. Here are step-by-step instructions for removing the "pie wheels" so you can print with paper and POSJET film with your Epson 3000. The instructions are for the Epson Stylus 3000, preferred for it's large 17"x22" printable area and economy of ink. It is recommended that you leave the wheels on the outermost, upper plastic pieces as they are in the margins and will be sufficient to keep the film on track.

The procedure below describes the removal of the fixed pie wheels - we have also tried the printer with all but the far end pieces removed entirely with no apparent consequence to registration of the film.

In case it's hard to tell, this is a view of the area where the print head passes back and forth. Most people should be familiar with it because when you're waiting for a print, you lift up the cover with the "EPSON StylusCOLOR 3000" logo on it so you can see it printing, and contain your boredom. You'll also want to remove the translucent, darkened cover and the paper tray cover so the procedure will go easier. First, take a small flat-head screw driver and push down the small tab on the white upper plastic pieces.

While pressing down, use another flat head screw driver to push the plastic piece forward.

Remove the first, small, screw driver once you have pushed the plastic piece forward a little, otherwise it will prevent you from pushing the plastic piece forward.

Pop out the plastic piece all the way.

Repeat the same procedure for the lower plastic pieces.

One issue on the lower pieces: once you have pushed them out a little, you will need to push the end closest to you down because it will be pressing against the metal assembly and will not come out.

Use normal pliers to remove the "pie wheels" from the sides, do not remove the center, spring-loaded wheels.

Repeat for the lower pieces

The lower pieces also have a third wheel which is the one that causes the majority of the tracks across the paper, ideally use needle-nose pliers to remove it, otherwise, just use the small screw driver.

Notice the difference between the Upper and Lower finished pieces. The lower ones are longer.

Replace the lower pieces.

Replace the upper pieces, be sure to line the tabs up over the metal, just like the lower plastic pieces.



In case it's hard to tell, this is a view of the area where the print head passes back and forth. Most people should be familiar with it because when you're waiting for a print, you lift up the cover with the "EPSON StylusCOLOR 3000" logo on it so you can see it printing, and contain your boredom. You'll also want to remove the translucent, darkened cover and the paper tray cover so the procedure will go easier. First, take a small flat-head screw driver and push down the small tab on the white upper plastic pieces.
While pressing down, use another flat head screw driver to push the plastic piece forward.
Remove the first, small, screw driver once you have pushed the plastic piece forward a little, otherwise it will prevent you from pushing the plastic piece forward.
Pop out the plastic piece all the way.
Repeat the same procedure for the lower plastic pieces.
One issue on the lower pieces: once you have pushed them out a little, you will need to push the end closest to you down because it will be pressing against the metal assembly and will not come out.
Use normal pliers to remove the "pie wheels" from the sides, do not remove the center, spring-loaded wheels.
Repeat for the lower pieces
The lower pieces also have a third wheel which is the one that causes the majority of the tracks across the paper, ideally use needle-nose pliers to remove it, otherwise, just use the small screw driver.
Notice the difference between the Upper and Lower finished pieces. The lower ones are longer.
Replace the lower pieces.
Replace the upper pieces, be sure to line the tabs up over the metal, just like the lower plastic pieces.