Printhead - Intermec EasyCoder PC4 Service Manual

Chapter 4—Print Frame

4.5 Printhead

Description
22
There are two types of thermal printheads; one with a density of 203.2 dpi
(8 dots/mm), and another with a density of 300 dpi (11.81 dots/mm).
These printheads fits both the DT model and the TTR models. Printheads
need to be replaced at intervals depending on type of printing, print speed,
ambient temperature and other environmental conditions, type of media
and ribbon, etc.
Some simple measures can be taken by the user to prevent premature wear-
out:
• Clean the printhead regularly, as described in the EasyCoder PC4 User's
Guide. Not only will a dirty printhead result in an inferior printout, but
any residue on the dots will prevent heat to dissipate through the ribbon
and media.
• Follow the recommendations regarding density setup, see the D com-
mand in the ESim v6.xx, Programmer's Reference Manual. Too much
energy to the printhead will wear it out rapidly.
• Do not use higher Print Speed setting than necessary, see the S com-
mand in the ESim v6.xx, Programmer's Reference Manual.
• Low ambient temperature requires more energy to the printhead dots
than room temperatures and will therefore cause more wear to the print-
head. High print speed accelerates the wear. Thus, at low temperatures,
select as low a print speed as is acceptable.
• Never print outside the media path. Dots that are not in contact with
the media will not be cooled properly.
• 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 original Intermec transfer ribbon or ribbons recommended by
Intermec.
Note: There are two different types of V-springs; a standard type for media
fulfilling the specifications in the EasyCoder PC4 User's Guide, and a stron-
ger type for thick and stiff media (>150µm/5.9 mils). The latter is recog-
nized by its yellow paint coating.
Intermec EasyCoder PC4—Service Manual