Intermec EasyCoder PD4 Service Manual page 57

Precautions
Intermec EasyCoder PD4—Service Manual
Some simple measures can be taken by the user to prevent premature wear-
out:
• Clean the printhead regularly, as described in the User's Guide. Not only
will a dirty printhead produce an inferior printout, but any residue on
the dots will prevent heat to dissipate through the media.
• Use as low density setting as possible. Too much energy to the printhead
will wear it out rapidly.
• Do not use higher speed setting than necessary.
• Low ambient temperature requires more energy to the printhead dots
than room temperatures and will therefore cause more wear to the
printhead. High print speed accelerates the wear. Thus, at low tempera-
tures, select as low a print speed as acceptable.
• Do not use a higher printhead pressure than necessary.
• Never print outside the media path. Dots that are not in contact with
the media will not be cooled properly.
• When using media with less than full width, be careful to adjust the
printhead balance so there is an even pressure across the media. Not only
will an uneven pressure impair the printout quality, but it may also pre-
vent the dots from being properly cooled. Moreover, a sharp outer media
edge in direct contact with the printhead may cause excessive mechanical
wear on some dots, which may be visible when printing on wider media
later.
• When using preprinted labels or labels with some type of varnish or
non-standard top coating for direct thermal printing, use original
Intermec labels or inks recommended by leading manufacturers of direct
thermal media. The labels must not contain any aggressive substances
such as chloride or grinding substances such as titanium dioxide.
• Only use transfer ribbons recommended by Intermec.
Chapter 7—Print Mechanism
47