Intermec EasyCoder 501XP Install Manual

Intermec EasyCoder 501 XP Thermal Printhead– Installation Instructions Ed. 2

1

Why does the printhead

wear out?

The EasyCoder 501 XP is fitted with a 12 dots/mm high-perform-

ance thermal printhead. While the receiving face material (e.g.

labels, tickets, or continuous strip) is fed past the printhead, small

resistor elements (dots) on the printhead are electrically charged

and thereby heated. The heat from the dots is transferred to the

thermal transfer ribbon or direct thermal paper so as to form the dot

pattern which makes up the text, images or bar codes.

Printhead wear-out is an inevitable process which applies to all

thermal printers regardless of brand. During printing, the dots must

be heated and cooled off very rapidly, which in combination with

mechanical abrasion sooner or later will wear out the printhead,

making the printout gradually weaker. Some dots may even cease

to produce any imprint.

Some measures can be taken to prevent premature wear-out:

• Clean the printhead regularly, as described in the Installation &

Operation manual. Not only will a dirty printhead produce an

inferior printout, but any residue on the dots will prevent heat to

dissipate through the transfer ribbon and paper.

• Use original Intermec transfer ribbons only. These are optimized

specifically for your printer. Inferior back coating on a non-

approved transfer ribbon may cause residue which can com-

pletely destroy the printhead.

• Follow the recommendations regarding Paper Type setup in the

Installation & Operation manual. Too much energy to the print-

head will wear it out rapidly.

• Do not use higher Print Speed setting than necessary.

• Do not use a higher Contrast setting than necessary, especially

not in combination with the highest Paper Type Constant

settings.

• Do not use a higher printhead pressure than necessary.

• Never print outside the paper width. Dots not in contact with the

paper will not be cooled properly.

• In case of thermal transfer printing, use a ribbon wider than the

paper (if available).

• When using a paper with less than full width, be careful to adjust

the printhead lift arm so there is an even pressure across the paper

web. Not only will an uneven pressure impair the printout

quality, but it may also prevent the dots from being properly

cooled. Moreover, a sharp outer paper edge in direct contact with

the printhead may cause excessive mechanical wear on some

dots, which may be visible when printing on wider paper later.

• When using preprinted labels or labels with some type of varnish

or non-standard top coating for direct thermal printing, use

original Intermec labels or inks recommended by leading manu-

facturer's of direct thermal paper. The labels should not contain

any aggressive substances such as chloride or grinding sub-

stances such as titanium dioxide.

EasyCoder 501 XP

Thermal Printhead

Installation Instructions

Edition 2, September 1998

Part No. 1-960448-01

Simple precautions

Printhead Replacement