Troubleshooting; Print Quality Problems - Open Date IQ User Operating Instructions Manual

Problem
Lines and or streaks
Print quality gradually
lightens
No print output although
printhead scans
Print not consistent over
printed area?
Print Pads
Factory supplied print pads are 45-50° shore hardness rubber bonded to an aluminium backing sheet
and ground flat. Pads will become uneven with use and this will affect print quality as will any
imperfections.
12.10.12

10.0 Troubleshooting

10.1 Print Quality Problems

Possible Cause
Incorrect ribbon tension
Printhead angle (roll & pitch)
Loss of vertical position / profile not correct for ap-
plication.
Check printhead resistance code (see software
manual)
Ribbon not compatible with substrate.
Temperature burn, settings too low.
Damaged or dirty print base.
Printer not correctly mounted in frame.
Printer frame not manufactured to correct dimen-
sions, clearance under printer excessive.
Printhead dirty.
Printhead pixels burnt out.
Ribbon indexing not enough.
Ribbon tracking on printer, causing creasing.
Ribbon perforated or broken.
Ribbon ink coating inconsistent.
Adjust ribbon brake on magazine
Adjust printhead to be level with print pad and to its
correct angle
Recalibrate printer by removing and replacing the
magazine
Check printhead resistance code. Generate new
code for same resistance
Try alternative ribbon for purpose.
Increase burn. (Low printing temperatures can give
the effect of the edges of characters appearing faint
or ragged)
Clean and check for any imperfections. Replace if
necessary. (see note below)
Check and adjust if necessary
See Standard Frame measurements drawings at
the end of this manual.
Clean the printhead and test print on plain fax pa-
per to confirm the condition of the printhead.
See previous page.
See previous page.
See previous page.
Return ribbon to supplier for testing
Page 16
Solution
Issue 1