All about print head. Maintenance, Do's and Don't, Cleaning etc.

1. Print Head
Source: Datamax - Oneil

2. Introduction
1. Understand and identify some reasons print
heads fail.
3. Analyze print heads and determine if they will
be covered under warranty.
Learning to evaluate print heads for their ability to be covered under warranty

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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Print Head
Residue buildup from
not cleaning often
Burn Lines
enough or properly
New Print Head Print Head – Not Cleaned

10. 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.
How Does Not Cleaning Effect My Print head

11. Print Head
These dots have build up on them and
are damaged from over heating
How Does Not Cleaning Effect My Print head

12. Print Head
Print Head shows extensive neglect on maintenance

13. Print Head
• This can cause an abrasion on your print head.
• This abrasion may cause the other areas of the print
head to fail more rapidly.
If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

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

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

16. Print Head
• 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.
If You Don’t Adjust Your Print head Carriage for Narrow Labels

17. Print Head
This
Discoloring
is the sign
of over
heating
Heat Settings – Too High

18. This Discoloring
Print Head 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.
Heat Settings – Too High

19. Print Head
• 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
Ribbon – Types and Width

20. Print Head
Ribbon - Too Narrow

21. Print Head
Ribbon - Too Narrow

22. Print Head
• 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
Ribbon - Types and Width

23. Print Head
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
ESD – Electro Static Discharge

24. Print Head
• 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.
ESD – Electro Static Discharge

25. Print Head
ESD – Electro Static Discharge (Impact Damage)

26. Print Head
• 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
ESD – Electro Static Discharge (Impact Damage)

27. Print Head
• 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.
Moisture Damage

28. Print Head
• 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.
Moisture Damage

29. Print Head
Incorrect Cleaning Tools
Misuse / Cleaning with Unapproved Method

30. Print Head
None of these are covered under warranty
Misuse / Cleaning with Unapproved Method

31. 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.
Too Many Inches on Print Head

32. Print Head
• 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.
Summary

33. Thank You
INDIA
STALLION SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS PVT.
LTD
Stallion House, Paadam Stop, K.P. Vallon
Road, Kadavanthra, Kochi- 682 020
Phone: +91 484 2314592, 2312986, 2310224,
2320161, 2320162 Fax: +91 484 2313108
MIDDLE EAST
STALLION SYSTEMS FZE
Post Box No. 9283, Sharjah Airport
International Free Zone,
Sharjah, UAE,
Phone: +971 6 5578305, Fax: +971 6 5578365