Ribbon Sensor Adjustment - SATO XL400e Operator's Manual

Unit 6: Maintenance

RIBBON SENSOR ADJUSTMENT

This sensor adjustment regulates penetrating ability for ribbon feed. Penetration modification is
performed via a potentiometer that is part of the potentiometer complex located behind the
access panel on the left side of the printer.
To establish the penetration level, upper and lower limits must be set. These activities require the
use of a multimeter and may be perfomed with or without the assistance of the SATO Test
Module. The test module is a purchase option sold by SATO America. Refer to the procedure
below for directions using the test module.
NOTE: Refer to the RIBBON REFERENCE CHART table above for the
assigned potentiometer to be adjusted for to the media used. The table also
identifies the relative test module dial setting and the lower and upper limit
multimeter requirements.
1 Detach the access panel located on the left side of the printer.
2 Load the printer with ribbon stock.
3 Connect the test module to the available test connector.
4 Connect the multimeter ground probe to the pin identified as GRD on the test module.
5 Connect the multimeter positive probe to the pin identified as SIG
6 Turn the printer on and rotate the test module dial to the required position.
7 Rotate the ribbon supply spindle to align one of the slots with the sensor eye.
8 Adjust the relative potentiometer to the required multimeter reading.
9 Rotate the ribbon supply spindle to align one of the tabs with the sensor eye.
10 Regard the multimeter reading to determine the difference or upper limit.
11 Repeat steps 6 through 10 until the required difference is achieved.
12 Begin normal printing to ensure proper adjustment.
Multimeter Alone
Sensor adjustment may be performed by using a multimeter without the assistance of the test
module. To perform this task the multimeter probes must be attached to the correct connector
pins of the test connector. Refer to the table above to correlate the desired adjustment function
with its relative connector pin. Refer to Figures 6-11 and 6-12 for guidance.
RIBBON REFERENCE CHART
MEDIA
Ribbon Stock
SATO XL400-410e Operator Manual
POTENTIOMETER
VR3
PN 9001135A
DIAL CONNECTOR PIN
6 Pos: 1A, Neg: 3B
MULTIMETER
Lower Limit: +0.5V
Upper Limit: +2.0V
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