User guide

86 170PAX 4 User Guide 10/12/2004 57516L-001 Rev. 1

Routine Maintenance

Printhead Pressure Adjustment

Before adjusting the printhead pressure, check that the toggles are positioned correctly. See

Toggle Positioning on page 85.

You may need to adjust the printhead pressure in the following instances:

• if there is noticeable bleed or swelling in the printed image (too much pressure)

• if there are voids (too little pressure)

• if the darkness setting (burn duration) is set properly, but printing is too light (too little

pressure)

To adjust printhead pressure, complete these steps:

1. See Figure 46. As a starting point for adjustment, set the position of the adjusting nuts so

that when the locking nut is tightened, it is approximately 7/16 in. (11 mm) from the yoke.

2. Refer to Adjust Print Darkness on page 57 to set the darkness value (burn duration)

appropriately for your media and ribbon.

3. Refer to PA U S E S e l f Te s t on page 102 to print test labels.

4. Adjust the position of the adjusting nuts on both toggles until the print quality is

acceptable (turning it clockwise increases the spring pressure, and counterclockwise

decreases the pressure). Use the lowest pressure that provides the desired print quality.

5. Hold the adjusting nut in position, and tighten the locking nut against it.

Figure 46 • Printhead Pressure Adjustment

Note • Printhead and drive system (belts and bearings) life can be maximized by using the

lowest pressure that produces the desired print quality.

Yoke

Locking nut

Adjusting nut

7/16 inch

(11 mm)