Intermec EasyCoder 501 XP & 601 XP – Service Manual
84
Chapter 8 Print Unit
8.10 Ribbon Assist
Roller
Description (EasyCoder 501 XP and 601 XP)
The purpose of the ribbon assist roller is to help the ribbon rewind
unit to keep the transfer ribbon tight, thereby avoiding ribbon wrin-
kling, which could ruin the printout. The angle of the ribbon assis-
troller relative to the printhead is adjustable.
The ribbon assist roller is subject to very little wear and is expected
to last as long as the printer as a whole. Replacement involves
removing the belt and pulley as well as the upper, outer gable of
the print unit (see illustration in Chapter 8.9.)
Adjustment (EasyCoder 501 XP and 601 XP)
If the ribbon becomes wrinkled, a few checks should be performed
before the ribbon assist roller is readjusted:
• Is the printhead pressure properly adjusted?
• Is the green edge guide correctly positioned?
• Is there anything that may interfere with the transfer ribbon, for
example the printhead cables.
If the wrinkling problem remains, proceed as follows:
• Using a #T20 Torx screwdriver, loosen the locking screw that
runs in the crescent-shaped hole in front of the headlift lever.
• By turning the Torx screwdriver, you can move the outer end of
the roller back and forth:
- Turn it clockwise to move the end of the roller forward.
- Turn it counterclockwise to move the end of the roller rear-
ward.
• If the ribbon gets wrinkled at the inner edge, you should move
the end of the roller slightly rearward, that is rotate the screw-
driver counterclockwise and vice versa.
• Select an appropriate layout, for example a test label, and print
it repeatedly while carefully moving the end of the roller back
or forth, depending on which side the wrinkling has occurred.
• When the wrinkling ceases, continue the movement ever so
slightly to create a small safety margin. The movement is best
detected by the relation between the roller bearing and the hole
through the upper gable.
Another method is to determine the positions where wrinkling
starts at either side and adjust the roller to the middle.
• You will need to print several labels before a new adjustment
has any noticeable effect.
• When you are satisfi ed that the problem is cleared, tighten the
locking screw and test again by printing several more labels.
Readjust if necessary.
Refer to the illustrations on the next page!
