Ultra Electronics Ltd
Pronto Maintenance Manual
- 36 -
Before leaving the factory, all thermal Print Head Assemblies are set to give optimum performance and uniform colour output.
Occasionally, due to differences in tolerances between Printers, some minor adjustments may be required.
The Print Head angle can be varied by a few degrees either side of vertical. This adjustment is necessary because the print
elements vary slightly on each Print Head. The position of each Print Head must be optimised to ensure the correct thermal
transfer through the Dye-Film onto the PVC Card. Once the Print Head angle is correct the density may need to be adjusted.
NOTE Failure to have the Print Head angle setup at the optimum position may cause the Dye-Film to wrinkle
and break. Cards may also look “washed out” with unsightly marks across them.
R=128
G=128
B=128
Correct Print Head Angle
Image is printed with uniform colour across
the complete Card. There is little or no
variation across the Card.
Print Head Angle too negative
Front end of the Card will show faded colour.
The image will be lighter at the front end of
the Card. Front of the Card is the end that
ejects out of the Printer first.
Print Head Angle too positive
Rear end of the Card will show wrinkling or
Dye-Film overheating. Rear of the Card is
the end that ejects out of the Printer last.
SECTION 10.5
PRINT HEAD SETUP AND ADJUSTMENT
The best type of image for ensuring the Print Head angle is setup at it’s
optimum position is a mid grey Card (R=128, G=128 and B=128) design. It
should be a constant colour with no texturing or gradients. A Card of this
design can be created in any graphical design package or even MS Word.
Adjusting the Print Head.
Print a Test Card from your application and analyse the result (refer to analysing Test Card).
Open the top cover and locate the Print Head assembly.
Adjustment screw is located directly above the electrical connector in the
center of the metal framework (see right, arrowed).
Should the Test print be too positive, adjust the Print Head angle by
turning the adjustment screw clockwise.
Should the Test print be too negative, adjust the Print Head by
turning the adjustment screw anti-clockwise.
Carry out a further Test print. Adjust as necessary to achieve the optimum
setting.
Analysing the Test Card
NOTE It is advisable to start the Print Head setup procedure with the Print Head angle slightly negative. It can
then be slowly adjusted more positive.
