Cleaning the Printhead | Datamax PE manual

6.2Cleaning the Printhead

When print quality begins to degrade the typical cause is a dirty printhead. Unreadable barcodes, print drop-out areas, streaking and smudging are all possible symptoms. In addition, if this build-up is left on the printhead it will greatly reduce it’s life. Follow this simple procedure to clean the printhead:

nTurn ‘Off’ and unplug the printer.

oOpen the cover. Raise the Head-Lift Lever ‘up’ to access the printhead. Move ribbon or paper away as necessary.

pGently wipe the underside of the printhead clean using a cotton swab moistened (not soaked) with isopropyl alcohol. Allow to dry.

qRe-install ribbon and media, if necessary. Lower the printhead by turning the Head-Lift Lever ‘down’ until it locks into position.

rClose the cover. Plug in and turn ‘On’ the printer. Feed several labels to normalize label tracking.

Figure 6-1 Cleaning the Printhead

; Note: NEVER use a sharp object when cleaning the printhead.

50	PE Series Operator’s Manual

Image 60

Datamax PE manual Cleaning the Printhead

Contents

PE Series Operator’s Manual Page 88-2082-01 Rev. C1 Page Agency Compliance and Approvals Important Safety Instructions Contents Using Your Printer Appendix a Appendix BAppendix C Appendix DPage Printer Overview IntroductionRight-Hand Model Standard Features About This Printer Optional Features PE Series Operator’s Manual Before Using This Printer Getting Started Inspecting the Printer General Overview Right-Hand Model, External Front View Right-hand Model, Interior Front View Setting Up the Printer Connecting the Printer Loading Media Head-Lift Lever Media Loading Media Loading detail Loading Ribbon Thermal Transfer Ribbon Loading Path J-Hook Ribbon Removal Removal of a Partially Used Roll of Ribbon Removal of a Completely Used Ribbon Installing a Flash Cartridge Flash Cartridge Connector Location 10 Inserting the Memory Cartridge Printing a Configuration Label 11 Configuration Label PE Series Operator’s Manual Configuration Label Explanation Test Pattern Label 12 Test Pattern Label Applicator Connection Applicator Port Pin Assignments Pin function explanationPin 4 Not Used Pin # Function Direction 13 End Print Signal Options Options Port DescriptionOptions Port Pin Assignments PE Series Operator’s Manual Using Your Printer Using the Printer’s Front PanelControl Buttons Lights Menu KeypadLCD Contrast Accessing the Menu Tree Basic Functions Factory preset Value range Advanced Setup PE Output Signal Heat Setting Backfeed CntrlRibbon Low Print Speed Slew SpeedBackfeed Speed Label Width Factory Settings Modify PasswordSymbol Set Security Check ProdigyPlus Mode Pause ModeFeedback Mode Offset Bias *220 Test Mode Comm Setup *PORTA *9600 *8 *N *1 *BOTH Control Codes Test Print Front PanelTest I/O Serial Loopback Installed Options Print DirectoryPrint File Copy Module Sensor Definitions Inputs Sensor Name Possible Condition PE Series Operator’s Manual Media Sensor Adjustment Media Width Adjustment Example of the Media Width Adjustment Label Start of Print Label Presentation Setting Start of Print and Peel Position Controlling Print Quality PE Series Operator’s Manual Interior Exterior Cleaning Schedule Printer Cleaning ScheduleArea Method Interval Cleaning the Printhead Cleaning the Printhead Cleaning the Platen Roller Troubleshooting Tips Printer fails to power up no lights Black boxes in display Skips Labels every other No Print Poor Print Quality Missing Data in the printed label Error Messages Alarm DescriptionLCD Display BQQMJDBUPS!CVTZ DPWFS!PQFO!GBVM U IFBE!VQ!GBVMU PVU!PG!TUPDL QSJOUIFBE!GMU SJCCPO!GBVMU SJC!TBWFS!GBVMU UPG!GBVMU Character Dump Mode Ascii Character Dump LabelPage Ascii Control Chart Appendix a PE Series Operator’s Manual Appendix B Available Fonts and Barcodes Human-Readable Fonts Table B-1 Human-Readable Font SizesTable B-2 Valid Human-Readable Font Ascii Characters Font Matrix Sizes Charac. Per Inch Dot 203 Height WidthPage Identifies the internal Triumvirate font Barcode Fonts Table B-3 Valid Bar Code Font Ascii Characters PE Series Operator’s Manual Barcode O Barcode S Barcode T Barcode z Appendix C Cable ListingTable C-1 Serial Cable Requirements PE Series Operator’s Manual Appendix D Applicator Port Test Box PE Series Operator’s Manual Error Codes Appendix E PE Series Operator’s Manual Printer Specifications Appendix FPrinting Communications Electrical EnvironmentalPhysical Media Fonts and Bar Codes Printer Dimensions Figure F-1 Print Engine Critical Dimensions Media Specifications Table F-1 Acceptable Media Specifications Media and Ribbon Basics Table F-2 Media and Ribbon OverviewLabel Type Print Image Ribbon Type Speed Energy Durability Appendix G Menu Tree PE Series Operator’s Manual Warranty Information Appendix HPrinter Thermal printhead Warranty Service Procedures General Warranty Provisions Limitation of Liability PE Series Operator’s Manual