Epson DFX-8500 service manual Tractor Wire Operation

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

2.1.4.1 Tractor Wire Operation

The printer is equipped with a tractor wire (white line) to prevent paper jams when continuous paper is loaded from the front or rear entrance. The tractor tension spring on the right side frame pulls the wire and releases the stress on the continuous paper being fed. Figure 2-10 shows how the tractor wire operates.

The front left tractor sprocket or rear right tractor sprocket is fixed in position by the shape of the bottom frame of the printer mechanism, while the other sprocket (the front right sprocket or rear left sprocket) can move along the tractor shafts. When the tractor release lever is released, the sprocket can move smoothly side to side along the tractor shafts. When the tractor release lever is engaged, the sprocket can move along the tractor shafts, but it cannot move smoothly, because the tractor wire tension is valid.

In the Figure 2-10, point A shows the movement range of the left tractor sprocket when the tractor release lever is released. Point B shows the movement range of the right tractor sprocket when the release lever is engaged or released.

If the paper in the printer becomes bubbled, you can pull the tractor wire to the right to stabilize the paper tension between the left and right tractor sprockets.

Tension

Tractor Wire

Tractor Wire

Tension Spring

(in case of front enterance)

Figure 2-10. Tractor Wire Operation

Rev. B 2-9