Print Quality - IBM Infoprint 6500-v05 Maintenance Manual

Symptom
Characters or dots are missing,
smeared, too light, or too dark, or the
output is missing entire dot rows
Table 5. General Symptom List

Print Quality

1. Check the forms thickness lever: if it is set too loose or too tightly print quality can be affected. Set
the forms thickness lever to match the thickness of the paper being used. Verify that the customer's
forms are within specifications.
2. Check the paper tension between the tractors. Adjust the right tractor so that it does not pull paper
too tightly or leave it too loose. The right tractor should hold the paper under "slight" tension.
3. Inspect the shuttle frame assembly for print chaff, debris, or ink residue that could be causing the
problem. Clean the shuttle frame assembly.
4. Check the ribbon for folds or tears. Check that the ribbon guides are tight and the ribbon tracks
straight across them. Rewind or install an approved IBM ribbon. If the ribbon does not track straight
across the ribbon guides, adjust the ribbon guides. If the ribbon guides are loose, tighten them. If
the ribbon guides are damaged, replace them.
5. Power off and unplug the printer. Remove the shuttle cover. Remove the shuttle frame assembly.
Inspect the ribbon mask for bends or deformation that adversely affect paper feeding. Make sure
the hammer bank cover assembly is correctly installed on its mounting pegs. Check the shuttle
frame assembly for broken hammer springs, hammer tips, or contaminations. Replace any
damaged hammer spring assemblies. Replace the hammer bank cover assembly if it is deformed or
damaged.
6. Inspect the paper ironer. If the paper ironer has slipped up into the print line, reposition the paper
ironer.
7. Check the shuttle for electrical shorts (page 252).
8. Check and adjust the platen gap.
Corrective Action
General Symptom List
193