Microcom 326M User Guide - Manual (Page 46)

Maintenance and Adjustments Chapter 6
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326M User’s Guide
6.2 Thermal Printer Card
Decline in print quality, voids or drop out areas in bar codes and/or graphics may indicate
that the print head is dirty and needs to be cleaned. The necessary cleaning materials can
be purchased through Microcom Corporation by contacting your sales representative and
ordering the Cleaning Kit, part # 040005-0000. The print head should be cleaned after every
roll of media or after every 512 feet (a typical stack of tag or fanfold media is about 3200
tags).
A thermal printer card is the quickest and easiest way to clean the print head, drive roller,
and peel edge all at the same time. Follow the steps below for the proper cleaning
procedure.
1. Remove any installed media.
2. Dampen both sides on one end of the cleaning card with isopropyl alcohol.
3. Release the print head (Figure 15) by pushing the Head Release Levers towards the
center of the printer and insert the thermal card into the front of the printer between
the print head and the drive roller.
4. Continue inserting the card into the media path until you feel resistance, now latch
the print head making sure the Head Release Levers lock into place.
5. Using both hands, slowly pull the card out of the printer at a 45º down angle (See
Figure 16).
6. Repeat as necessary
7. Reinstall media.
Thermal cleaning cards should not be used more than three times each. Extremely dirty
cards should be disposed of immediately.
CAUTION: Never touch or clean the print head with any abrasive
solvents and/or with any metal or sharp object.