Repair Issues

When it comes to laser camera problems, the majority of issues are film-feed related which can usually be avoided when regular maintenance checks are performed.


"The problems with the laser cameras usually involve calibrations, image quality and mechanical problems. The biggest problem you typically are faced with is film jams, which result from mechanical disruption of moving parts within the printer as the film travels to all the different sections," says Cooper. "Take the Fuji printers for example. Sometimes some brackets will break or some rollers need to be changed. Those are the simple things. All this can be prevented with a PM where we replace these parts to stop it from happening in the future."

Moretti believes major repairs are relatively few when sticking to the more reliable and better quality brands of imagers that have proven themselves over the years.

Denholtz likens the repairs to any printer. "You have a drum that goes bad and after thousands of thousands of printings, guides need to be tweaked and adjusted and a preventative maintenance program can help a great deal with any problems."

Because of a buildup in inventory, the companies also aren't too worried about finding the parts they need, as most insist that parts are easier to come by than ever before.

A World View

It's not lost on those who refurbish equipment that countries outside of the United States are a great market for laser cameras.

"We are growing in the international market, specifically in the South America and Central America areas," says Ruth. "They usually can't afford the newer systems so a lot of the older systems get sent down that way."

Moretti is finding a lot of business in Mexico and Korea for the laser cameras and the company is trying to delve deeper into the international market.

Over in India, KS Biomed Services provides sales, service and third-party
maintenance on Fuji Film laser camera equipment

"Laser cameras have a great future for third world countries for filming," says Kaushik Shah, owner of the company. "I feel that business of used laser cameras will increase by at least 30% in my country for 2009."

The biggest challenge the company faces is in price and consumable prices
competition with thermal cameras and an increase in PACS awareness.

"A build up in inventory has helped me get more and more orders and good after-sales spare support," he says. "In the current recession, there is an increase in a requirement of used equipment due to less capital requirement."

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