Print Speed; Cleaning The Print Head, Platen And Rollers - SATO CL408 Operator And Technical Reference Manual

Section 3: Cleaning and Maintenance
Print
The fine adjustment for Print Darkness is the PRINT potentiometer on the operator
panel. It provides a continuous range of adjustment, allowing you to make precise
changes. Use a small cross-point screwdriver, turning clockwise for darker print and
counterclockwise for lighter print. See Section 2: Installation and Configuration for
instructions on performing potentiometer adjustments
NOTE: The PRINT potentiometer adjustment will affect the darkness in all of the
command code speed ranges, i.e. if the PRINT potentiometer is adjusted for lighter
print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges selected by the command code.

Print Speed

The other method of controlling print quality is by controlling the speed at which the
label is printed. This adjustment is made only on an individual label basis using either
the Print Speed command code or the LCD display panel. For more details on this
command, see page 4-62 in Section 4: Programming. Changing the print speed allows
the user to control the amount of time allowed for print element cooling before the
media is stepped to the next print position. It is especially critical when printing
"ladder" bar codes (bar codes printed with the bars parallel to the print line). When
printing a "ladder" bar code, it is important to allow the head to cool sufficiently
before stepping to the next position. If it does not have sufficient time to cool, the bar
will be "smeared" on the trailing edge.
CL612 -The Print Speed can be set to 4, 6 or 8 inches per second using the LCD
panel (see page 2-12) or with the Print Speed command code (see page 4-62). The
software command will override the any setting entered using the LCD panel.
CL608 - The only method of setting the print speed on the CL608 is by using the
Print Speed command code, see page 4-62.

CLEANING THE PRINT HEAD, PLATEN AND ROLLERS

Supplies needed:
Cleaning the Print Head
1. Turn the printer off and remove the power cable.
2. Open the Label Access door.
3. Open the Print Head Assembly by pushing the Head Latch toward the rear of
the printer. The Print Head Assembly is spring-loaded and will automatically
open as soon as the Head Latch is disengaged. Remove the ribbon.
4. Apply SATO Thermal Print Head Cleaner to a cotton swab.
5. The Print Head faces downward along the front edge of the assembly. Pass the
end of the dampened swab along the entire width of the Print Head (you may
need to move the ribbon out of the way to do this).
Page 3-2 9001035 Rev. E
CL608 and CL612
SATO SA070 Cleaning Kit
SATO CL Series Printers