Datamax M-Class Mark II Maintenance Manual

Adjustments and Maintenance
2-23
2.5 Printhead Pressure Adjustment
The pressure applied to the media affects print quality. However, a pressure adjustment
should only be performed after attempting to improve print quality using (1) HEAT and/or
(2) PRINT SPEED, and then only by the minimum amount needed for improvement:
1. Load 4-inch (102 mm) wide media and ribbon.
2. Disengage the Media Width Adjustment (its left-most
position); see Section 2.3.
3. Print a Test Label:
• Non-Display Models: Simultaneously press
PAUSE and FEED.
• Display-Equipped Models: Select a Print Quality
Label.
4. Making equal adjustments to each screw to achieve even print contrast across the
media, rotate the Printhead Pressure Adjustment Screws counterclockwise to increase
the pressure or clockwise to decrease the pressure. Set the Media Width Adjustment;
see Section 2.3.
 Notes: (1) Narrow thermal transfer media can sometimes require an increased setting
on the left screw to prevent ribbon smudging; (2) Excessive pressure can reduce
the service life of the printhead and platen; and, (3) Unequal pressure may
cause ribbon and label tracking problems.
2.6 Ribbon Path Alignment
When irregular voids extend diagonally through printed images on thermal transfer-
equipped models, the cause may be ribbon overlap (wrinkling). Before performing this
alignment, check other factors which can cause ribbon wrinkle:
• Misadjusted Media Width setting (Section 2.3);
• Misadjusted Printhead Pressure setting (Section 2.5);
• Severely misadjusted Printhead Burn Line (Section 2.4);

Datamax M-Class Mark II Specifications

General

Media Sensor	Adjustable reflective and transmissive sensors
Print Method	Thermal Transfer
Print Resolution	203 dpi
Memory	8 MB Flash, 16 MB SDRAM
Interface Options	USB, Serial, Ethernet, Parallel
Media Type	Roll-fed, die-cut, continuous, fan-fold, tags, ticket stock
Media Width	1.0 in (25.4 mm) to 4.65 in (118 mm)
Media Thickness	0.0025 in (0.0635 mm) to 0.010 in (0.254 mm)
Media Roll Diameter	8 inches (203 mm) max
Ribbon Width	1 to 4.33 inches (25.4 to 110 mm)
Ribbon Length	1968 ft (600 m)
Ribbon Core	1 inch (25.4 mm)
Label Width Range	1.0 in (25.4 mm) to 4.65 in (118 mm)
Label Length Range	0.25 to 39 inches (6.35 to 991 mm)