Chapter 5

MAINTENANCE

AND TROUBLESHOOTING

Dust and heat will make any mechanism wear more quickly. The best

maintenance is preventive, and the first step is correct location of the printer. This is covered in greater detail in Chapter 1, but in general an environment

comfortable for humans is best for both the computer and the printer. Subjects covered in this chapter are:

Cleaning the printer

Replacing the ribbon

Replacing the print head

Replacing the battery in the RAM card

Troubleshooting

CLEANING THE PRINTER

Cleaning the printer regularly will prolong its service life. Use a damp cloth on the exterior every week or so. For stubborn dirt, you may moisten

the cloth with alcohol or water containing a mild detergent, but be careful not to spill any liquid into the interior of the printer.

Use a soft brush to remove paper dust and lint from the interior. A small vacuum cleaner can also make this task easier, but be very careful not to bend or injure any electronic parts or wiring. The printer contains delicate electronic parts, so only clean those places where you have easy access.

REPLACING THE RIBBON

The printer uses an endless-type ribbon cartridge in which the ribbon

is recycled automatically. When the print becomes faint, it is time to replace the ribbon cartridge.

To remove the old cartridge, take off the top cover, grasp the ribbon cartridge by the two arms at the both sides and lift straight up. To fit the new cartridge, guide the ribbon between the print head and platen, then press down until the cartridge snaps into place. See Figure 5-l.

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Star Micronics LC24-10 user manual Cleaning the Printer, Replacing the Ribbon

LC24-10 specifications

The Star Micronics LC24-10 is a robust and high-performance dot matrix printer that caters primarily to the needs of businesses requiring reliable and efficient printing solutions. Known for its durability and versatility, the LC24-10 is ideal for environments such as retail, manufacturing, and warehousing, where multi-part forms and continuous printing are crucial.

One of the standout features of the LC24-10 is its ability to handle various paper types and formats. It can print on single-sheet paper, multi-part forms, and labels, making it a versatile choice for myriad applications. The printer supports both standard and custom paper sizes, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of end-users.

In terms of technology, the LC24-10 utilizes a 24-pin print head which offers high-speed and high-quality printing. This print head technology enables the printer to produce sharp and clear characters, even when printing on thick or multi-part media. The printer can reach print speeds of up to 550 characters per second, significantly improving productivity in fast-paced environments.

The LC24-10 is designed with user-friendliness in mind. It features a simple control panel that allows for easy configuration and status monitoring. Additionally, the printer supports a variety of connectivity options, including parallel, serial, and USB interfaces, making it compatible with a wide range of systems and devices. This flexibility allows businesses to integrate the printer seamlessly into their existing operations.

Durability is another key characteristic of the LC24-10. Its rugged design ensures that it can withstand the rigors of busy working environments, with a mean time between failure (MTBF) rated at over 10,000 hours. This reliability translates to less downtime and lower overall maintenance costs for businesses.

Furthermore, the LC24-10 is equipped with advanced features such as a slip-feed mechanism that allows for easy loading of various media types without jamming. It also boasts multiple character sets and emulations, enabling it to cater to different printing needs without compromising on quality.

In summary, the Star Micronics LC24-10 stands out in the world of dot matrix printers due to its robust design, versatility in handling various media, high-speed performance, and user-friendly features. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for businesses that require heavy-duty printing capabilities.