Intermec PX4i Thermal Printhead Installation Instructions - Page 4

Introduction This Installation Instructions booklet describes how to install a replacement printhead in an EasyCoder PF2i, PF4i, PF4i Compact Industrial, PM4i, PX4i, or PX6i printer. If the printer is fitted with an optional printhead spring (EasyCoder PF4i only), the spring must be removed to allow the printhead to be pulled out and refitted after the replacement printhead has been installed. When installing a printhead, make sure that the printhead density and alignment is the same as in the one you replace and that the printhead is designed for the type of printer in which you are going to install it. Why Printheads Wear Out When the media 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 direct thermal paper or the thermal transfer ribbon 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. Simple Precautions Some simple measures can be taken by the user to prevent premature wear-out: • Clean the printhead regularly, as described in the User's Guide. Not only will a dirty printhead produce an inferior printout, but any residue on the dots will prevent heat to dissipate through the media. • Follow the recommendations regarding Paper Type or Media Sensitivity setup in the User's Guide. Too much energy to the printhead will wear it out rapidly. • Do not use a higher Print Speed setting than necessary. Thermal Printhead Installation Instructions