Idler
- The idler is composed of a bracket, spring, fork, and pulley. The pulley’s posi-
tion is affected by the prongs of the fork; as they bend the pulley gets canted.
The fork prongs must be parallel to the idler bracket.
- The spring sets the tension, no adjustment is needed. However, if the spring is
fully compressed there will be insufficient tension; if it is fully extended there may
be too much tension. See comments about belt tension under the Main Carriage
Belt section as well.
Encoder Strip - The encoder is made of a Mylar strip that is very robust. The encoder
sensor reads a wide area of the strip, so small scratches do not cause a problem.
- The encoder must be clean and cannot be broken, cut, or torn.
- The strip must sit completely flush against the rail or the alignment will be off
between it and the head encoder sensor. Typical misalignment problems are
noise, head drag, and encoder scratches, which produce a fine white dust.
- The strip can be installed in the rail with some leeway in left-to-right placement.
However, installation of the strip as far to the left as possible is recommended.
Track - This assembly is also known as the Chain or Igus Chain. The assembly com-
prises individual links, the head data cable (LVDS/Low-voltage data system), and the
head power cable. Related to, but not part of, the track assembly is the gray plastic
conduit that shelters the cables between the electronics and the track itself.
- The assembly must be aligned parallel to the rail. If the track runs off or outside
of its foam support channel banding will appear where the links are hitting the
rail.
- The LVDS twisted-pair cable must have slack between the head board connec-
tion and the 90 degree bend that leads into the chain. Without slack the cable will
get pulled at the head board connection, which can lead to a corrupted data flow
to the headboard.
- Both the LVDS and power cables must be secured by tie wraps at the end of
the track, before they turn to connect to the headboard. Failure to secure the
LVDS cable can result in LVDS errors or other headboard-related errors.
2. Media drive system
This system encompasses all parts related to applying ink in the Y-axis, allowing ink to
be laid vertically. Typical anomalies caused by the media drive will show as horizontal
bands of some kind. These bands can be intermittent but typically are spaced evenly.
Media Drive Assembly (motor and bracket)
- The drive must be calibrated to advance the correct linear length of media.
- The motor must be securely mounted to its bracket, and the bracket in turn
securely mounted to the platen.
Grit roll - The grit roll shaft must be perfectly straight, any bend in it will fully disable
5400 Technical Training Manual
MacDermid ColorSpan Confidential
Page 19 of 39
MacDermid, Inc. 11311 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343
Phone: 952-944-9457 Fax: 952-944-8507
