Print Head

Source: Datamax - Oneil

Learning to evaluate print heads for their ability to be covered under warranty

Introduction

1. Understand and identify some reasons print heads fail.

3. Analyze print heads and determine if they will be covered under warranty.

Overview

There are a lot of things to consider and understand when evaluating a print head.

• Cleaning of Burn Lines• Heat and Speed Settings• ESD – Electro Static Discharge• Keeping moisture out of media compartment• Misuse• Adjustments to the print head carriage• Ribbon Type and Width• Keeping the media and media compartment clean• How many inches have been ran on printer• Cleaning with un-approved method

Cleaning Print Head

Method – 1 : This process is most effective if you are only printing with wax ribbons

• The print head on your Datamax print head needs to be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol

• This cleaning should be done after every roll of label stock if you are printing “Direct Thermal”

• This cleaning should be done after each change of ribbon if you are printing “Thermal Transfer”

Cleaning Print Head

Method – 2 : This process is effective for all types of ribbons and most effective for applications using Resin Ribbons.

Print Head Cleaning

Film

Cleaning Print Head

Method – 2 : This process is effective for all types of ribbons and most effective for applications using Resin Ribbons.

• Remove the labels and ribbon from your printer.• Remove the "Print head Cleaning Film" from the plastic

bag.• Install the film in the media sensor and under the print

head, PRINTED SIDE DOWN. (Matte side up)• Leave about 1/2" of the film sticking out of the front of

the printer.• Close and latch the print head carriage.

Cleaning Print Head

Method – 2 : This process is effective for all types of ribbons and most effective for applications using Resin Ribbons.

• Press the feed button a few times until the entire length passes under the print head.

• NOTE: Ignore any faults that may appear while feeding the film under the print head.

• Ensure that you return the “Print Head Cleaning Film” to it’s bag after use to keep it clean and free of debris.

• After using this product on your printer, wipe the print head down with a soft cloth dampened with Isopropyl Alcohol

Cleaning Print Head

Method – 2 : This process is effective for all types of ribbons and most effective for applications using Resin Ribbons.

• Note: This process should be repeated with each thermal transfer ribbon roll change. If printing in direct thermal mode, the process should be repeated after each label roll change.

• Note: This film will wear out (after 20 + Cleanings) and become ineffective.

Print Head

New Print Head

Burn Lines

Print Head – Not Cleaned

Residue buildup from not cleaning often enough or properly

Print Head

How Does Not Cleaning Effect My Print head

• Ribbon back coating / adhesive build up, are not allowing the print head to dissipate heat properly. Eventually causing the dot (element) to burn out.

• NOTE: A print head may have buildup on it and effect print quality without actually having the print head burned out.

Print Head

How Does Not Cleaning Effect My Print head

These dots have build up on them and are damaged from over heating

Print Head

Print Head shows extensive neglect on maintenance

Print Head

If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

• This can cause an abrasion on your print head.• This abrasion may cause the other areas of the print

head to fail more rapidly.

Print Head

If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

Print Head

If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

Print Head

If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

• This abrasion is usually large and covers the entire part of the printhead that has no media between it and the platen roller.

• This type of failure is not covered warranty. Because the printer should have been adjusted for the narrow media.

Print Head

Heat Settings – Too High

This Discoloring is the sign of over heating

Print Head

Heat Settings – Too High

This Discoloring is the sign of over heating

• In this situations we try and work out with customers and see how we can reduce their heat setting on their printer.

• This type of failure may be considered under warranty.

Print Head

Ribbon – Types and Width

• Types: Resin ribbons are less forgiving to lapses of cleaning because of the high heat needed to print them.

• Width: Recommends that the ribbon that you use should be 1/8” to ¼” wider that the total width of you label stock Resin Ribbon

Print Head

Ribbon - Too Narrow

Print Head

Ribbon - Too Narrow

Print Head

Ribbon - Types and Width

• Types: Resin ribbons may need a little tighter cleaning process than wax ribbon

• Depending on the severity of this damage will determine if it will be covered under warranty

• Width: Need to ensure that the customer is using the proper width of ribbon

• This is not covered warranty

Print Head

ESD – Electro Static Discharge

This usually only happens in two types of environments:• Customers operating printers where there is low

humidity• Customers that are operating printers in carpeted

offices

Print Head

ESD – Electro Static Discharge

• This usually is covered under warranty because of low instance of this happening. The only reason we cannot include under warranty if this happens frequently.

• This is called “Impact Damage”• Some label or ribbon slitters do not vacuum the labels

or ribbons properly at the end of the process.• Customer may not be keeping the media compartment

lid closed while they are printing.

Print Head

ESD – Electro Static Discharge (Impact Damage)

Print Head

ESD – Electro Static Discharge (Impact Damage)

• Review with your label distributor their process to ensure their including the vacuum step

• Ensure that your customers are keeping their media compartments closed

• Keep media compartment clean and free of debris

Print Head

Moisture Damage

• This usually happens in the environment of food packing plants • At the end of the day these type of companies do a wash down. This creates a situation where condensation may build up in the media compartment.

Print Head

Moisture Damage

• Keeping the media compartment closed can help with this problem

• The customer needs to cover their printer with some type of plastic during a wash down.

Print Head

Misuse / Cleaning with Unapproved Method

Incorrect Cleaning Tools

Print Head

Misuse / Cleaning with Unapproved Method

None of these are covered under warranty

Print Head

Too Many Inches on Print Head

• User can print a configuration label of the printer after replacing the print head. This will give the inches run on the printer.

• On the I-Class and W-Class you can set the resettable counters in the menu on the front panel.

Print Head

Summary

• We learned that print heads fail for lack of cleaning, not adjusting for more narrow label width, too high of a heat setting, ribbon width too narrow, ESD, Dust, Debris and moisture being pulled under the print head.

Thank You

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