Bulletin
Label
Printer Applicator, Model TP-7
EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR PRINTHEAD
The printhead is the most critical component in your printer, and possibly
the most delicate. It is a consumable item just like the brakes on your car, which will eventually
wear over time. However, with ongoing careful attention and maintenance, you
can extend the life of your printhead. Below are photographs of three
printheads.
The first printhead is brand new. The second has printed over one million
linear inches of thermal transfer labels and has been properly maintained.
The third printhead has printed far fewer labels, but without proper care
and maintenance, signs of abrasion and contamination build-up are evident.
Preventive Maintenance
For optimum performance, clean the printhead regularly after every roll of
thermal transfer ribbon or after every roll of direct thermal labels. Take
care when handling or cleaning the printhead by removing any jewelry that
may scratch the printhead and use a grounding strap or anti-static mat to
discharge static electricity that could damage the printhead.
Only use pre-soaked isopropyl alcohol cleaning cloths. Turn off the printer
and open the printhead. Lightly blow or brush away any loose dust and lint
particles within the print mechanism. Never use any hard, metallic or abrasive
objects to remove adhesives or other contaminants that may have built up on
the printhead.
Press the cloth against the printhead and swipe the print elements from end to end. Then, turn the platen rollers while wiping them from side to side. Repeat this step until the cloth no longer shows dirt.
Factors to Premature Printhead Failure
Over time, the movement of media/ribbon across the printhead will wear through
the protective ceramic coating, exposing and eventually damaging the print
elements.
In Order to Avoid Abrasion:
-
Clean your printhead frequently and
use appropriate thermal transfer ribbons with backcoatings optimized to reduce
friction.
- Minimize printhead pressure and burn temperature settings by optimizing the
balance between the two.
- Ensure that the thermal transfer ribbon is as wide or wider than the label
media, to prevent exposing the elements to the more abrasive label material.
Printhead contamination from direct thermal media or thermal transfer ribbon
may occur in applications requiring high burn settings, high head pressure,
high speed or high volume. This contamination will build up on the printhead
elements, creating a barrier to the heat transfer required to produce high
quality images. Contaminant build-up occurs gradually and results in poor
print quality that may look like faded print or failed print elements. This
build-up is very resistant to cleaning with the pre-soaked cloths and is difficult
to remove.
To Avoid Ribbon Backcoating Build-up:
- Follow the recommended printhead preventive maintenance procedures.
-
Use our cleaning cards to remove printhead contamination build-up quickly
and easily.
-
Cleaning cards They consist of a specially coated film that removes contamination
build-up without damaging the printhead. It is recommended to use them when
you see degrading print quality that looks like faded print or a failed print
element that cannot be corrected by cleaning with the pre-soaked cleaning
swabs.
-
Cleaning cards extend the life of your printhead, a costly part in your
printer.
They are an inexpensive, easy and quick way to remove contaminants without
having to remove the printhead.
How to Use the Cleaning Cards:
- Turn power off from the printer.
- Open the printhead, remove media and ribbon from the print mechanism.
- Clean the printhead per the recommended preventive maintenance procedures.
- Position the card in the print path, placing the glossy side down away from the printhead.
-
Close and latch the printhead. Slowly pull the full length of the card through
the print mechanism.
-
Again, clean the printhead per the recommended preventive maintenance
procedures.
-
Reload media and ribbon, close and latch the printhead.
-
Print labels and inspect for improved print quality. If quality has not
improved,
use the cleaning card once again
If the situation remains, contact our technical support staff. Usually, only one pass is required to remove contamination build-up.
Each card can be used up to ten times. Dispose of the card when residue build-up
or other contamination is apparent. We offer several cleaning card formats, according
to the width of your printer. Please refer to the list below to identify the
format that suits your needs.
Original
Products:
TP2386 (3 1/2 x 10)
TP2388 (5 1/4 x 10)
TP2389 (6 3/4 x 10)
TP2390 (8 3/4 x 10)
Generic Products:
TP2439 (4 x 6)
TP2440 (6 x 6)
You can order your cleaning cards by contacting Fabienne
Martin at 450-922-6622
ext. 210,
or
by fax at 450-922-3422.
