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5.3 Printhead Adjustments
5.3.1 Burn Line Adjustment
The Burn Line is the row of thermal elements extending the length of the
printhead. At the factory, the printhead has been adjusted to meet strict print and
bar code compliance requirements with 6.5-mil (.0065″) media, enabling the
printer to accommodate a majority of media types.
Depending upon the equipped printing option, the printhead alignment is
slightly different. Thermal transfer models have the Burn Line positioned
slightly forward of the Platen Roller vertex to allow the liquefied wax/ink to
separate easily from the ribbon base-film and adhere to the label while still hot.
Direct thermal models have the Burn Line positioned over the vertex for the
more efficient heat transfer.
When media with a different thickness or rigidity is used (e.g., heavy tag stock),
an adjustment may be needed if the print quality has been adversely affected.
Generally, thicker media requires a slight forward adjustment of the printhead
and thinner media requires a slight backward adjustment to compensate for the
resulting change in the Burn Line to vertex relationship.
To adjust the Burn Line of the printhead:
With the printer loaded with media (and ribbon, if thermal transfer
printing), lower and rotate the Printhead Latch to the locked position.
Loosen the two Locking Screws.
Turn the Adjustment Screws counter-clockwise until the Burn Line is past
the Platen Roller vertex. Print a Validation Label from the Quick Test
menu. The label should look light and uneven.
Tighten the Locking Screws just until they are ‘snug’– tight enough to
remove any play in the printhead assembly, yet loose enough to allow the
Adjustment Screws to move the printhead.
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