Maintaining the Printer

Maintaining the Printer

This section covers how you can maintain the printer in an optimal operating condition.

The printer may require periodic maintenance to keep the printer functional and printing high-quality labels, receipts, tags, etc.

Cleaning Supplies

Use the recommended cleaning supplies to maintain printer function and prevent damage to the printer from unapproved cleaning materials.

The following printer cleaning supplies are recommended for use with the printer:

• Printhead Cleaning Pens for simple operator printhead cleaning

• Isopropyl alcohol (minimum 99.7% pure). Use a labeled alcohol dispenser. Never re-moisten cleaning materials used to clean the printer)

• Fiber-free Cleaning Swabs for media path, guides, and sensors.

• Cleaning Wipes for media path and interior (for example Kimberly-Clark Kimwipes).

• Can of Compressed Air.

IMPORTANT:

The cutter mechanism does not require maintenance cleaning. Do not clean the blade or mechanism. The blade has a special coating to resist adhesives and wear.

Using too much alcohol can result in contamination of the electronic components requiring a much longer drying time before the printer will function properly.

Do not use an air compressor in place of the can of compressed air. Air compressors have micro contaminants and particles that get into the air compressor system and damage the printer.

CAUTION—EYE INJURY: Use eye protection to protect your eyes from particles and objects when using compressed air.

See Also

Get Zebra Supplies and Accessories for cleaning the printer at zebra.com/accessories

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Recommended Cleaning Schedule

Use the following guidelines to help you print high-quality labels and keep the printer running well.

Printhead

Interval:

Clean the printhead after every 5 rolls printed.

Procedure:

See .

Standard Platen (Drive) Roller

Interval:

As needed to improve print quality. Platen rollers can slip causing print image distortion and in worst-case scenarios not move the media (labels, receipts, tags, etc.).

Procedure:

See Platen Cleaning and Replacement on page 131.

Media Path

Interval:

Clean as needed.

Method:

Clean it thoroughly with fiber-free cleaning swabs and cloths moistened with isopropyl alcohol

(minimum 99.7% pure). Let the alcohol evaporate completely.

Procedure:

See Media Path Cleaning

on page 126.

Interior

Interval:

Clean the printer as needed.

Method:

Use a soft cloth, brush, or compressed air to wipe or blow dust and particles out of the printer.

Use isopropyl alcohol (minimum 99.7% pure) and a fiber-free cleaning cloth to dissolve contaminants like oils and grime.

Procedure: See the following:

Media Path Cleaning on page 126

Sensor Cleaning on page 129

Platen Cleaning and Replacement

on page 131

Exterior

Interval:

Clean as needed.

Method:

Use a soft cloth, brush, or compressed air to wipe or blow dust and particles out of the printer.

Use isopropyl alcohol (minimum 99.7% pure) and a fiber-free cleaning cloth to dissolve contaminants like oils and grime

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Label Dispenser Option

Interval:

As needed to improve label dispensing operations.

Procedure:

See Cleaning the Label Dispenser Option

on page 128.

Cutter Option

Interval:

Not an operator serviceable component. Do not clean inside the cutter opening or blade mechanism. You may use exterior cleaning to clean the cutter bezel (housing).

Method:

Call a service technician.

Procedure:

Not applicable.

WARNING: There are no operator serviceable parts in the cutter unit. Never remove the cutter cover (bezel). Never attempt to insert objects or fingers into the cutter mechanism.

IMPORTANT:

The blade has a special coating to resist adhesives and wear. Cleaning it may ruin the blade.

Using un-approved tools, cotton swabs, solvents (including alcohol), etc.; all may damage or shorten the cutter’s usable life or cause the cutter to bind.

Cleaning the ZD411T Printhead

Clean the printer's printhead often to maximize print quality and printer life.

Always use a new cleaning pen on the printhead (an old pen carries contaminants from its previous use that may damage the printhead).

CAUTION—ESD: The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Only use the cleaning pen to perform printhead maintenance.

CAUTION—HOT SURFACE: The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the human body or other surfaces can damage or destroy the printhead and other electronic components used in this device. You must observe static-safe procedures when working with the printhead or the electronic components under the top cover.

NOTE: When you load new media or ribbon, you can also clean the printhead.

The printer is open for replacing the media roll or performing printer service.

1.

If the transfer ribbon is installed, remove it before proceeding.

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2.

Rub the cleaning pen across the dark area of the printhead. Clean from the middle to the outside. This will move adhesive transferred from the outer edges of media to the area outside of the media path. Do not use the cleaning pen on the platen roller.

3.

Wait one minute before closing the printer.

Media Path Cleaning

Use a cleaning swab and/or a lint-free cloth to remove debris, dust, or crust that has built up on the holders, guides, and media path surfaces.

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Lightly moisten the swab or cloth with isopropyl alcohol (minimum 99.7% pure). For hard-to-clean areas, use extra alcohol on a cleaning swab to soak the debris to break up any adhesive that may have accumulated on surfaces in the media compartment.

Do not clean the printhead, sensors, or platen as part of this process.

1.

Wipe the inside surfaces of the roll holders and the underside of the media guides with cleaning swabs and wipes.

2.

Wipe the movable sensor slide channel (but not the sensor). Move the sensor to get to all areas.

3.

Wait one minute before closing the printer. Discard used cleaning supplies.

1 — Media Guides 2 — Don’t Clean Sensor 3 — Media Roll Holders

Cleaning the Cutter Option

This procedure is a continuation of cleaning the media path for printers with a cutter option installed.

The plastic media path surfaces can be cleaned but not the internal cutter blades or mechanism.

IMPORTANT: The cutter blade mechanism does not require maintenance cleaning. DO NOT clean the blade. This blade has a special coating to resist adhesives and wear.

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WARNING: There are no operator serviceable parts in the cutter unit. Never remove the cutter cover (bezel). Never attempt to insert objects or fingers into the cutter mechanism.

ATTENTION: Using un-approved tools, cotton swabs, solvents (including alcohol), etc. all may damage or shorten the cutter’s usable life or cause the cutter to jam.

1.

Wipe the ridges and the plastic surfaces of the media entry (inside) and exit slot (outside) of the cutter.

Clean inside the areas outlined in blue.

2.

Repeat as necessary to remove any adhesive or contaminant residue after it dries.

Cleaning the Label Dispenser Option

This procedure is a continuation of cleaning the media path for printers with a label dispenser option installed.

1.

Open the door and clean the peel bar, inner surfaces, and ridges on the door.

2.

Wipe the roller while rotating it. Discard the swab or cloth.

3.

Clean the roller again with a new swab or cloth to remove diluted residue.

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4.

Clean the sensor window. The window should be clear of streaks and residue.

1 — Peel Bar

4 — Label Taken Sensor

2 — Pinch Roller

5 — Inside Wall

3 — Ridges

Sensor Cleaning

Removing dust (normally) cleans these sensors.

Dust can accumulate on the media sensors. Blow or gently brush dust away while a soft cloth.

IMPORTANT: Do not use an air compressor to remove dust. Compressors add moisture, fine grit, and lubricant which can contaminate the printer.

Adhesive particles and airborne substances can cover or coat the optical components in non-typical use media and operating environments.

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1.

Clean the Movable Sensor’s window (1). Gently brush away dust or use a can of compressed air; if necessary, use a dry swab to brush away dust. If adhesives or other contaminants remain, use an alcohol moistened swab to break them up.

2.

Use a dry swab to remove any residue that may be left from the first cleaning.

3.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 as required until all residue and streaks are removed from the sensor.

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4.

Spray the Upper Web (Gap) Array Sensor (1) below the printhead with a can of compressed air. If necessary, use an alcohol moistened swab to break up adhesive or other non-dust contaminants. Use a dry swab to remove any residue that may be left from the first cleaning.

Platen Cleaning and Replacement

The platen (drive roller) normally does not require cleaning. Normally, paper and liner dust can accumulate without affecting print operations.

Clean the platen (and media path) whenever the printer has significantly poorer performance, print quality, or media handling. The platen is the print surface and drive-roller for your media. If sticking or jamming continues even after cleaning, you must replace the platen.

IMPORTANT: Contaminants on the platen roller can damage the printhead or cause the media to slip or stick when printing. Adhesive, dirt, general dust, oils, and other contaminants should be cleaned off the platen immediately.

Clean the platen with a fiber-free swab (such as a Texpad swab) or a lint-free, clean, damp cloth very lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol (minimum 99.7% pure).

Removing the Platen Roller

1.

Open the cover (and dispenser door, if the dispenser is installed). Remove media from the platen area.

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2.

Pull the platen bearing latch release tabs (1) on the right and left sides towards the front of the printer and rotate them up.

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3.

Lift the platen out of the printer’s lower frame using the bearing arms (1).

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4.

Slide the gear and the two bearings off the shaft of the platen roller.

5.

Cleaning Only — Clean the platen with the alcohol moistened swab. Clean from the center out. Repeat this process until all of the roller surfaces have been cleaned. If there has been heavy adhesive buildup or label jam, repeat with a new swab to remove residual contaminants, as the initial cleaning may thin but not completely remove adhesives and oils.

6.

Discard the cleaning swabs after use - do not reuse them.

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7.

Make sure the bearings and drive gear are on the shaft of the platen roller.

8.

Align the platen with the gear to the left and lower it into the printer’s bottom frame.

9.

Rotate the platen bearing latch release tabs down on the right and left sides towards the rear of the printer and snap them into place.

10.

Allow the printer to dry for one minute before closing the dispenser door, media cover, or loading labels.

Replacing the ZD411T Printhead

This procedure guides you through replacing the printhead.

Read this procedure first before you begin your repair.

• Turn the printer OFF.

• Open the printer to gain access to the printhead (1).

CAUTION—HOT SURFACE: The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Only use the cleaning pen to perform printhead maintenance.

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Maintaining the Printer

CAUTION—ESD: The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the human body or other surfaces can damage or destroy the printhead and other electronic components used in this device. You must observe static-safe procedures when working with the printhead or the electronic components under the top cover.

Removal

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1.

Push the printhead release latch toward the printhead (shown as green for visibility). The right side printhead releases down and away from the printhead lock arm.

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2.

Swing the loose right side of the printhead out of the printer. Pull it to the right a little to get the left side of the printhead clear. Pull the printhead down and free of the ribbon carriage to gain access to its attached cables.

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3.

Gently but firmly pull the two printhead cable bundle connectors (1) off of the printhead (2).

Installation

4.

Align the new printhead up to the printer. Push the right printhead cable connector into the printhead.

The connector is keyed to only insert one way.

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5.

Push the left printhead cable connector (2) onto the printhead (1).

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6.

Insert the center tab on the printhead assembly into the center slot on the printhead mounting bracket in the ribbon carriage.

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7.

Insert the left side tab of the printhead assembly (2) into the recessed slot (1) on the left side of the ribbon carriage.

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8.

Push the right side of the printhead into the printer until the latch locks the right side of the printhead into the printer.

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9.

Verify that the printhead moves up and down freely when pressure is applied and remains locked when released.

After Installation

1.

Clean the printhead. Use a new pen to wipe body oils (fingerprints) and debris off the printhead. Clean

from the center of the printhead to the outside. See Cleaning the ZD411T Printhead on page 125.

2.

Plugin the printer power is disconnected.

3.

Load full-width label or receipt paper roll. Printing with a full-width roll verifies all elements of the printhead function.

4.

Print a Configuration Report. See Print a Configuration Report to Test Printing on page 88.

Updating Printer Firmware

The printer’s firmware may need to be updated periodically to get new features, improvements, and printer upgrades for media handling and communications.

Use Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) to load new firmware.

1.

Open Zebra Setup Utilities.

2.

Select your installed printer.

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Maintaining the Printer

3.

Click on the Open Printer Tools button and a Tools window opens.

4.

Click on the Action tab.

5.

Load the printer with media. See

Loading Roll Media in the ZD411T Printer

on page 67.

6.

Observe the user interface and wait.

If the firmware version is different than the version installed on the printer, the firmware downloads to the printer.

The data indicator flashes green while the firmware is downloading. Then the printer restarts with all indicators flashing.

When the firmware update completes, the STATUS indicator displays solid green, as the firmware is validated and has finished installing.

A printer Configuration Report is automatically printed and the firmware update has been completed.

Other Printer Maintenance

There are no other user-level maintenance procedures beyond those detailed in the rest of this section.

The Real-Time Clock (RTC) battery, printer fuses, or power supply fuses are not user-serviceable in this printer.

RTC Battery

A Real-Time Clock (RTC) is included with the printer. The clock’s battery is rated to provide approximately ten (10) years of service and is not user-replaceable. See a Zebra authorized service technician to replace the circuit board.

You can discern a low battery if the printer provides a consistently delayed date stamp. Battery replacement must be performed by a qualified service technician. Only use a Zebra-approved replacement battery.

IMPORTANT:

Recycle batteries according to local guidelines and regulations. Wrap the battery when disposing

(or storing) to avoid a short circuit.

Do not heat, disassemble or dispose of battery in fire.

Do not short circuit the battery. Short-circuiting the battery may result in heat generation, fire or bursting.

Fuses

There are no replaceable fuses in the printer or power supply.

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