Upload
bettie56
View
101
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Confidential
Laboratory & Trouble Shooting Services
DNP IMS America Pittsburgh
Confidential
DNP Pittsburgh’s Applications Lab is known as the quickest, most responsive testing laboratory in the industry (less than 3 day turnaround).
Capabilities: Compatibility TestingCo-supplier TestingChemical Resistance TestingRibbon RecommendationsDurability TestingTroubleshootingCompetitive Ribbon Substitutions
Applications Laboratory
Confidential
Applications LaboratoryMeet our Lab Technical
Support Team:NevinMaryAnnLarry andMike
• Product Applications 24 to 48 hr turn around
• Quality Trouble Shooting • Call us Direct
800# 855-669-4367
Confidential
Applications Laboratory
There are over 70 thermal transfer printers availablein the Quality / Applications lab for testing.
Confidential
Applications Laboratory
DNP Pittsburgh Standard Test Label Format
Rotated Barcode(ladder barcode)Scan: ANSI Grade A
Non-rotated Barcodes(picket fence barcodes)
Scan: ANSI Grade AScan grading basedon the AmericanNational StandardsInstitute (ANSI)
Density Box
Confidential
Quality / Applications LaboratoryAB-301 Colorfastness Tester
(Used for smudge and scratch testing)
Confidential
Smudge Testing:
50 cycles for wax and wax/resin ribbons, 100 cycles forresin ribbons with 500g downward force
500g weight
Cotton Cloth
Quality / Applications Laboratory
Confidential
Scratch Testing:
20 cycles for wax and wax/resin ribbons, 50 cycles forresin ribbons with 200g downward force
200g weight
Stainless SteelTip
Quality / Applications Laboratory
Confidential
DNP Pittsburgh’s Quality Laboratory is quick and responsive to production and customer needs.
Capabilities: Specification Testing of CoresSpecification Testing of WebsCustomer IssuesJumbo Roll QualityTroubleshooting in Production and FinishingPhysical Property Ribbon TestingTrial Qualifications
Quality Laboratory
Confidential
Quality Laboratory
Confidential
Troubleshooting
Guide
Confidential
Common Maintenance Tips
Recommend your customers clean their print heads after every rollof ribbon with a non-abrasive cloth soaked with Isopropyl Alcohol(IPA).
Improper use of print head cleaning cards can result in print headdamage.
Vacuum and dust printers frequently.
Always recommend your customers use ribbons which are slightlywider than the label stock. Too wide will cause ribbon wrinkleduring printing. Too narrow causes a white wear mark onprint head resulting in print head damage.
Confidential
TroubleshootingThe Ribbon Does Not Print; Why?
Print Temperature - (i.e. heat setting on the printer) - too low, no image
Print Speed - ex. Too slow with too high heat or too fast without enough heat
Print head Pressure - Optimize according to OEM guidelines, uneven causes light and dark print across printed label
Winding Tensions - Unwind and rewind spindles
Dust Voids - Small circular areas on a printed image where ink didn’t transfer
Ink Wind -Ink wound direction is per printer OEM specifications. Reversingrolls is not approved.
Label Incompatibility - Ribbon not designed for label resulting in poor print quality
Confidential
The Ribbon Does Not Print; Why?
Printer location: Is the printer located in a cold, warm, or dusty environment?
What type of label stock and ribbon is being used?
What type of printer is being used?
What is the print speed, and temperature?
What type of ribbon is being used?
What is the ribbon lot, part or other identification number?
Troubleshooting
Confidential
OBSERVATION: Print Voids
Possible Causes:
Dust on label stock from shipping material, storage, or the label core.
Atmospheric Dust - from storage for long periods of time.
Solutions:
Clean label with compressed air, a vacuum, or use static tinsel.
Remove a few feet of label stock exposing the protected inner surface which is free of dust and dirt.
When storing, cover or place labels in plastic.
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Fingerprints - handling of label stock; skin oils adhere to surface.
Label Surface - Uncoated and/or rough surface.
Adhesive Ooze.
Solutions:
Wipe label stock with cloth, or remove a few feet of the label to expose a clean area. Handle labels by the edges.
Use smooth (coated) label stock, or use a soft wax for printing.
Use new label stock, adhesive ooze is observed in aged label stock.
OBSERVATION: Print Voids Due to label stock Surface
Troubleshooting
Confidential
OBSERVATION: Vertical Line Through the Printed Image
Possible Causes:
Dirt on printhead
Damaged printhead
Solutions:
Clean printhead with IPA.
Inspect printhead for visual damage if cleaning does not eliminate the problem.
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Unwind and rewind shafts on printer out of sync.
Uneven printhead pressure.
Printhead misaligned.
Solutions:
Reset tension on shafts.
Adjust printhead pressure to spec.
Realign printhead to ensure uniform pressure.
OBSERVATION: Ribbon Wrinkling
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Printer heat setting too high.
Ribbon much wider than label stock.
Laying down an excessive amount of ink.
Solutions:
Print at lowest temperature which gives a satisfactory image.
Use ribbon that is slightly wider than label stock.
Reduce size of density box, or lower print temperature.
OBSERVATION: Ribbon Wrinkling
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Unfamiliarity with near edge ribbons and printers.
Results in ribbon flaking during printing and poor image quality.
Solutions:
Use near edge type ribbon.
Near edge ribbons are formulated for quick release of the ink from the base film.
OBSERVATION: Using non-near edge ribbon on near edge printer.
Troubleshooting
Confidential
OBSERVATION: Ribbon images well, but scratches off easily
Possible Causes:
Improper ribbon/label combination
Solutions:
Usually observed with a wax or wax/resin on a polyester or other high end synthetic label stock. Use proper ribbon/label combination.
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Improper wind for printer.
Buildup of debris on printhead.
Printer in direct thermalmode
Solutions:
Ensure proper ribbon configuration for the printer being used.
When improper ribbon is run, ink melts on printhead. Printhead should be thoroughly cleaned.
Ensure printer is in thermal transfer mode. Be familiar with printer setup.
OBSERVATION: Printing does not result in an Image
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Excessive printhead heat.
Ribbon flow is halted. Tension on ribbon is too great.
Head pressure too high.
Solutions:
Ensure printing is performed using the lowest temperature which results in a satisfactory image.
Ensure ribbon flows properly through the printer.
Reduce head pressure manually or using software. Ensure pressure setting is correct.
OBSERVATION: Ribbon Breakage
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Possible Causes:
Unwind tension too high. Increases tension on ribbon as it is pulled through the printer.
Printer set in direct thermal mode.
Solutions:
Reset unwind shaft to printer specification.
Ensure printer is in thermal transfer mode.
OBSERVATION: Ribbon Breakage
Troubleshooting
Confidential
Thank YouFor Your Time
and Participation!