SATO 400 Cleaning the Print HEAD, Platen and Rollers, Supplies needed, Cleaning the Print Head

Section 3: Cleaning and Maintenance

Print

The fine adjustment for Print Darkness is the VR1 potentiometer on the operator panel. It provides a continuous range of adjustment, allowing you to make precise changes. Use a small cross-point screwdriver, turning clockwise for darker print and counterclockwise for lighter print. See Section 2: Installation and Configuration for instructions on performing potentiometer adjustments

NOTE: The PRINT potentiometer adjustment will affect the darkness in all of the command code speed ranges, i.e. if the PRINT potentiometer is adjusted for lighter print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges selected by the command code.

Print Speed

The other method of controlling print quality is by controlling the speed at which the label is printed. This adjustment is made only on an individual label basis using the <ESC>CSPrint Speed command code. For more details on this command, see Section

4:Programming. Changing the print speed allows the user to control the amount of time allowed for print element cooling before the media is stepped to the next print position. It is especially critical when printing “ladder” bar codes (bar codes printed with the bars parallel to the print line). When printing a “ladder” bar code, it is important to allow the head to cool sufficiently before stepping to the next position. If it does not have sufficient time to cool, the bar will be “smeared” on the trailing edge.

CLEANING THE PRINT HEAD, PLATEN AND ROLLERS

Supplies needed: SATO SA070 Cleaning Kit

CLEANING THE PRINT HEAD

1.Turn the printer off and remove the power cable.

2.Open the Top Cover.

3.Open the Print Head Assembly by pushing the Head Latch toward the rear of the printer. The Print Head Assembly is spring-loaded and will automatically open as soon as the Head Latch is disengaged.

4.Rotate the Print Head Assembly upward to give access to the Print Head.

5.Remove the ribbon.

6.Apply SATO Thermal Print Head Cleaner to a cotton swab.

5.The Print Head faces downward along the front edge of the assembly. Pass the end of the dampened swab along the entire width of the Print Head.

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