The line of Datamax-O’Neil label printers include stationary printers such as ticket printers, RFID printers/encoders, compact desktop printers, and industrial bar code printers. Portable label printers are also available which include forklift printers, thermal receipt printers, ultra-rugged receipt printers, and multi-part dot matrix printers. While each of the Datamax-O’Neil printers has a distinctive function, without proper care and maintenance these printers will fail to do their job successfully resulting in frustration, poorly printed labels and higher maintenance costs.
Before you start cleaning you will need to be able to identify the various parts of your printer. The most important parts are the print-head, platen roller, and media sensor. The media sensor is the mechanisms that detects if the label and ribbon is in place as they roll simultaneously through the printer. The print-head, via heat exchange, prints the image directly on the media or ribbon which transfers ink to the media. The platen roller advances the media as it prints. Check your manual to give you a visual for each of these parts.
Before you clean anything on a Datamax printer, turn the power to ‘off’ and unplug the printer. Never clean a printer that is hot to the touch to avoid getting burned. Keep in mind that alcohol is flammable, so never use it around open flame. Also never use a sharp object, such as a knife or toothpick, to clean the print-head, media sensor, or platen roller.
In order to clean the media sensor, or the ‘eye’ of the print-head, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe it clean. This should be done at least once a month, or if you see visible buildup of residue. Each time you replace a roll of labels or ribbons, inspect the interior space to ensure there are no scraps of paper or pieces of ribbon that are loose in the printer. Clean the interior of the label printer using compressed air to remove label and ribbon debris, as well as dust, at least once a month or as needed. For the exterior of the printer, wipe it down using a cloth soaked in alcohol to remove dirt and dust. You should clean the exterior at least once a month.
When a label printer is not clean your labels will come out with incomplete bar codes, faded lettering, skips in graphics, and wrinkles. If bar codes are poorly printed they won’t be able to be read by bar code scanners which will cause frustration and wasted time for all involved. Avoid these issues by keeping your Datamax label printer at peak performance with regular cleaning and proper maintenance. All in all using Lint free Wipes Roll is a good choice.
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