SATO CL412E service manual Print Quality Problems

Section 8. Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

Symtom	Probable Cause	Suggested Corrective Action
Light Images	Low print head pressure	Adjust head balance (Sec. 5.6)
		Use Premier II ribbon with a "1C"
	Ribbon not matched to label stock	thermal transfer ribbon stock or
		equivalent for optimum results
	Low ribbon drive torque	Adjust ribbon drive clutch (Sec. 5.2)
	No ribbon movement
	Foreign material on head	Clean head and platen
	Poor head alignment	Align print head (Sec. 5.5)
	Excessive print speed	Reduce print speed setting
Smearing	Poor quality labels	Use high quality label stock
	Poor quality ribbons	Use genuine SATO ribbons
	Foreign material on head/platen	Clean head and platen
	Foreign material on labels	Use high quality label stock
	Excessive print head energy	Adjust darkness control
	Excessive print speed	Adjust print speed
	Excessive head pressure	Adjust head balance (Sec. 5.6)
	Carbon tension wrong
No Ribbon	Incorrect ribbon core size	Use genuine SATO ribbons
Movement
	Loose drive clutch	Adjust drive clutch tension (Sec. 5.2)
	Loose platen drive belt	Adjust/replace belt (Sec. 6.6)
	No +24 volt output	Test power supply and replace if
		required (Sec. 6.4)
	Damaged electronics	Replace circuit board (Sec. 6.2)

Page 8-12 SATO CL408e/CL412e Service Manual

PN 9001078 Rev. B