Section 8. Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

Symtom

Probable Cause

Suggested Corrective Action

 

 

 

Light Images

Low print head pressure

Adjust head balance (Sec. 5.4)

 

 

 

 

 

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. 5.3)

 

 

 

 

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. 5.4)

 

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 CL608e/CL612e Service Manual

PN 9001079 Rev. B

Page 166
Image 166
SATO CL608e/CL612e manual Print Quality Problems