User Manual

Zebra Thermal Printhead Life
5
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)
Electrostatic discharge can damage a printhead’s internal electronic circuitry.
Contributing Factor
Recommendation
Improper handling
of the printhead assembly
See your printer’s user guide for more
information about how to prevent ESD when
handling the printhead.
Static buildup
from media/ribbon
Ensure that any static brushes (if applicable)
and printhead mechanism wiring are properly
secured.
RESIDUE BUILDUP
Buildup of ribbon coating or direct thermal media coatings on the printhead’s elements can interfere
with heat transfer, causing the heater elements to overheat to the point of failure
Contributing Factor
Recommendation
Improper maintenance
Follow recommended cleaning intervals using
the proper cleaning accessories. Try the
Save-
a-Printhead
cleaning strip for more aggressive
buildup.
Excessive darkness settings
Possibly a compensation for improperly matched
ribbon/media, imbalanced printhead pressure,
higher print speed than recommended for the
materials used.
IV. Maintenance
•
Zebra recommends the cleaning of the printhead regularly, either after every roll of thermal transfer ribbon or
after every roll of direct thermal labels. (Additional cleaning may be necessary based on the application and
environment.)
Note
: For 600 dpi printers, clean after each roll of media or when a “CLEAN HEAD NOW” warning appears on the
liquid crystal display (LCD).
•
When handling or cleaning the printhead, remove any jewelry that may scratch it. Use a grounding strap or
antistatic mat to discharge static electricity that could also damage the printhead.
•
Zebra recommends cleaning the printhead with Zebra-approved cleaning supplies.
•
Zebra media provides the highest compatibility and favorably contributes to printhead life.