5 Factors That Cause Premature Printhead Failure
Abrasive wear
No matter what material is used or what maintenance is performed, printhead wear can occur due to friction, which can lead to printhead failure. Here are some ways you can reduce wear and tear.
Paper buildup: Clean any paper buildup on the platen and printhead to make sure the surface is as smooth as possible. Always refer to the printer user guide when wiping the printhead and platen to ensure you are using approved materials that will not exacerbate the problem, as some materials can leave residue.
Printhead Pressure: It is necessary to properly adjust the pressure setting according to your printer and media requirements. By making sure the pressure switch is adjusted correctly, you can distribute the pressure more evenly across the media, reducing the pressure on the printhead.
Pollution
Contamination occurs when the media contains or is introduced into abrasive substances that visibly damage the protective coating through the printhead. Once the coating is damaged, the print head will fail. There are some controllable factors to be aware of to avoid contamination of the printhead.
Contaminated Media: Check with your supplier to ensure that the media you are using is compatible with your printer. A better understanding of your supplies and equipment will help you identify areas of potential contamination or damage to prevent future problems.
Environment: Do your best to protect the media and printer you use from contaminants. If the location seems problematic, consider installing a protective case for your printer.
corrosion
If the substances that come into contact with the printhead are corrosive, they can produce corrosive substances when heated, which can damage the protective coating of the printhead, causing it to fail. To prevent corrosion, you can avoid the following:
Unapproved Media: This usually manifests as rapid failure of the flood-coated area of the printhead. If you suspect this is your problem, consult your media provider.
Physical contact with printhead element surfaces: Try to avoid physical contact with the printhead. If you deem it necessary, be sure to clean any surfaces with an approved cleaning solution using appropriate materials before operating the printer.
Improper cleaning: Make sure to use only approved tools to clean the printhead. The printer user guide will provide proper cleaning instructions.
electrostatic discharge
Electrostatic discharge is the sudden flow of electrical current between two charged objects caused by contact or short circuit. This is something to be aware of as it can seriously damage the internal electronic circuitry of the printhead. Some potential causes of this issue are as follows:
Mishandling: Many printers' user guides will provide proper instructions on how to care for the printer, including details on how to avoid electrostatic discharge.
Static buildup: It is recommended that you check to ensure that all electrostatic brushes (if applicable) and printhead mechanism wiring are properly seated so static buildup does not occur.
residue buildup
Residual ribbon coating or media coating on the printhead can interfere with heat transfer and cause the printhead to overheat, resulting in printhead failure. Residue buildup can be a direct result of:
Improper maintenance: We recommend that you pay close attention to the instructions in the user guide on how to clean and maintain the printer. Make sure you only use proper cleaning accessories.
Speed or Density setting too high: We recommend that you run your printer at a slower speed and at the lowest density setting that provides the desired hue. Doing so extends the life of the printhead while providing better print quality.
