Printers Unit objectives Compare and contrast printing technologies Install, configure, and manage printers Perform routine maintenance tasks for printers.
Post on 31-Mar-2015
226 Views
Preview:
Transcript
Printers
Unit objectives Compare and contrast printing
technologies Install, configure, and manage printers Perform routine maintenance tasks for
printers Troubleshoot printer problems
Topic A
Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and
maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting
Dot-matrix printer
Can print multipart forms Slow and noisy compared to other
printer types Impact printer
– Use mechanical means to press ink onto a page
Near letter quality (NLQ)
Dot-matrix printer components
9- or 24-pin print head Pins pushed forward in patterns to strike ink
ribbon 9-pin quality not as good as 24-pin Tractor feed and friction feed Horizontal and vertical perforations in paper Banners Preprinted forms require careful alignment Friction feed for envelopes and single-sheet
papers
Dot-matrix printer connections
Serial Parallel Rare network interface Some have both serial and parallel
Dot-matrix options
Font card slots Memory Paper feeders
Other impact printers
Daisy wheel Band printer
Activity A-1
Examining the dot-matrix printing process
An inkjet printer
Ink dispersion Forces ink through nozzles Nozzles are 50 to 60 microns in
diameter Two methods:
– Thermal bubble– Piezoelectric bubble
Inkjet process
Thermal bubble technology Piezoelectric technology Ink cartridges Dithering Print heads
Inkjet cartridge print heads
Print head part of cartridge New ink cartridge = new print head Makes cartridge more expensive
Inkjet print quality
Standards– Laser printer for text– Darkroom photographs for graphics
Affected by:– Resolution (dpi) of printer– Quality of paper– Quality of ink if printed page gets wet
Straight-through paper path
Curved paper path
Inkjet photo printers
Good print quality Quality not quite as good as that of
chemically produced prints Use special photo paper Some printers allow you to print
CD/DVD labels
Printing onto a CD
Activity A-2
Examining how inkjet printers work
Laser printer
Standard of quality for other printer types High-quality, high-volume Black-and-white, and color Dropping in price
– Consumables can cost as much as printer
Laser printer components
Toner cartridge Laser scanning assembly Power supplies Paper control and transport assembly Transfer corona assembly Fusing assembly Electronic control package
Toner cartridge components
Hopper filled with toner EP drum Blade to remove used toner Corona charging assembly
Laser scanner assembly
Laser Mirror Lens, or lenses
Power supplies
High-voltage power supply (HVPS) Converts 120 volt, 60 Hz AC to high-
voltage electricity used by EP process DC power supply (DCPS) used to
power components that don’t require high voltages
Paper control and transport assembly
Paper moves through series of rollers Rollers
– Some guide paper– Some apply pressure to fuse toner
Transfer corona assembly
Primary charge roller charged by HVPS
Primary charge roller charges paper to accept toner
Static charge eliminator strip drains charge
Fusing assembly
Composed of rollers and heating lamp Applies heat and pressure to adhere
toner to page
Electronic control package
Also known as “printer control circuitry” or “main logic assembly”
Communicates with – Printer memory– Control panel– Computer
Laser printing process
continued
Laser printing process, continued
1. Cleaning and erasing
2. Charging or conditioning
3. Writing or exposing
4. Developing
5. Transferring
6. Fusing Note: Some sources place the cleaning and
erasing stage at the beginning of the process. Others place it at the end of the process. In either case, it prepares the drum for receiving and printing the next image.
Activity A-3
Examining how laser printers work
Other printer types
Solid-ink Dye sublimation Thermal
– Thermal wax transfer– Direct thermal– Thermal autochrome
Plotter
Creates line images Uses pens Often available in large format for CAD
drawings Draws smooth lines and curves
Additional printer types
Snapshot printers Large-format printers Art printers
Activity A-4
Identifying other printer technologies
Topic B
Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and
maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting
Main Windows print processes
Client Spooler Printer
Activity B-1
Examining the Windows printing process
Inkjet printer installation
Connect via USB Windows autodetects and installs
drivers Can install additional software from
manufacturer
Ink-level monitoring utility
Printer interfaces
USB Parallel SCSI Serial Wired or wireless Ethernet network
connections
Inkjet communications interfaces
Parallel interface USB interface
Configure the connection type
SCSI — Assign a unique device ID Parallel — Specify the correct LPT
port Serial — Specify the correct COM port
Parallel port in Device Manager
Installing an inkjet printer
1. Connect the printer to a computer, using the correct interface
2. Plug the printer in
3. Power it up
4. Windows will probably recognize the new device and install drivers for it
5. If drivers aren’t installed automatically, do it manually with materials that shipped with the printer
Upgrading a device driver
Use Device Manager utility Follow prompts in wizard or use printer
installation file Configure options Calibrate for best performance
Laser printer installation
Remove packaging Install toner cartridge
– Rock from side to side
Might need to install drum or other components
Remove Styrofoam and tape before installing toner and using printer
Laser printer interfaces
Parallel SCSI USB Serial IEEE 1394/FireWire Wired or wireless Ethernet network Infrared ports
Communications interfaces
Installing a laser printer
1. Connect the printer to the network or a computer, using the correct interface
2. Plug the printer in
3. Power it up
4. Windows will probably recognize the new device and install drivers for it
5. If drivers aren’t installed automatically, do it manually with the materials that shipped with the printer
Activity B-2
Installing a local printer
Topic C
Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and
maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting
Printer configuration options
Orientation Collation Copies Quality Color Order Switch print trays Spool settings Some configuration can be done
through buttons on printer itself
Print queue
Queue - waiting to be output on the printer
To view - double-click printer’s icon in the Printers utility
Users with Print permissions can, for their own documents:– Pause– Resume– Restart– Cancel
Activity C-1
Configuring printing
Printer options
Dot-matrix printer options and upgrades– Paper park– Input/output trays– Font cartridges– Paper cutter
Inkjet printer options and upgrades– Vary by manufacturer– Scanner head– Multifunction devices– Additional paper trays – Alternative media holders– PostScript upgrade kit continued
Printer options, continued Inkjet printer options and upgrades,
continued– Batteries– Bluetooth adapter– Network card
Laser printer options and upgrades– Page description languages– Input and output trays– Network connection– Internal hard disk– Duplexers
Other types of printers options and upgrades
Activity C-2
Installing printer add-ons and upgrades
Maintenance
Common tools– Cleaning solutions, including rubbing
alcohol– Cleaning equipment, including soft cloths
and cotton swabs– Lubricants– Compressed air– Toner vacuums and toner rags, or
extension magnet brushes – Screwdrivers (to open compartments)– Chip puller
Dot-matrix printer maintenance
Compressed air to blow out paper, dirt, and debris
Mild household cleaners on exterior Rubbing alcohol to clean roller Use ESD precautions and remove
neckties, watches, and jewelry
Inkjet printer maintenance
Consumables– Change low ink cartridges– Paper
Clean print nozzles and recalibrate printer
Remove dust Adjust ink output calibration for color
matching Proper ventilation Use ESD precautions and remove
neckties, watches, and jewelry
Laser printers maintenance
Scheduled maintenance and unscheduled service calls
Routine maintenance– Replace toner cartridges– Clean and lubricate components– Replace components (parts-life counters)– Check and update firmware– Remove accumulated toner– Maintain adequate ventilation– Test page
Consumables
Keep adequate supply on hand Store in cool, dry locations
Activity C-3
Performing inkjet and laser printer maintenance tasks
Topic D
Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and
maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting
Printer troubleshooting
Application trying to print Printer Operating system and drivers Connection
Testing the application
Restart the application If you can print other files from that
application, troubleshoot the file that wouldn’t print
If other files won’t print, try printing from another application
If you can print from another application, troubleshoot the application that’s causing problems
If you can’t print from any applications, test the printer
Testing the printer
Verify that it’s online and ready Check service error messages
– “Add media” – “Add supplies” or “Add toner”– “Regular maintenance”– “Paper jam”– “Incorrect media”
Engine test page
Operating system and drivers
Print test page from printer’s Properties dialog box
If test page prints, troubleshoot the application and driver settings
If test page doesn’t print, check:– Printer status– Driver– Port settings– Accessories and options– Event logs
Connections
Network– Test TCP/IP connectivity– Consult with network technician
Local– Cable– Different computer
continued
Connections, continued
Connectivity issues– Loose, broken, damaged, or improperly
wired cables– Broken or malfunctioning network
devices– Incorrect protocol, network settings, or
TCP/IP settings– Bad network cards– Firmware– EMI– Wireless connection problems
Dark images
Application settings Printer settings
Light or weak images
Low toner Laser failing Incorrect paper
Repetitive image defects
Drum defect Faulty registration rollers Debris on heated roller
Ghosting and shadows
Residual toner on drum Drum not discharging properly Primary corona
Smearing
Dirty or worn registration rollers Dirty or worn registration assembly Dirt or debris on polygon mirror Damp or moist paper Incorrect paper Fuser not at correct temperature
Banding
Paper feed problem Specially coated paper Registration roller worn or dirty HVPS ground loose (heavy banding) Laser/scanner assembly failure (white
horizontal lines)
Focus
Not enough toner on drum Loose or improperly mounted laser
assembly Incorrect paper Fusing temperature or pressure too
low HVPS failing
Voided areas
Paper entering printer too early Damaged drum Limited memory Slipping gear; failing motor drive
Registration, jitters, skew
Problems with pickup roller or separation pad
Faulty rollers or roller assembly Drive train worn or clogged Paper path obstructions Damaged paper tray Special paper Paper in paper path at wrong angle
Misaligned color registration
Misaligned print heads on inkjet printers
Misaligned or worn transfer belt
Weak color, missing color
Low toner supply (laser printer) Low ink supply (inkjet printer) Dried ink in nozzles (inkjet printer) Incorrect paper
Vertical and horizontal lines
Misaligned beam detector (horizontal black lines)
Dirty transfer corona (vertical white lines)
Blocked laser beam or LED (vertical white lines)
Failed or failing beam sensor (horizontal white lines)
Debris in toner cartridge (vertical white lines)
Black or blank pages
Damaged primary corona (black pages)
Faulty drum (blank pages) Defective logic board (black pages,
banding) Defective toner cartridge
Transport/feed issues
Media jamming Skewing Creasing, wrinkling, folding, and
tearing Multiple sheets feeding in at one time
(multifeeding); misdirected media (misfeeding)
Burning
Transport/feed causes
Foreign objects Damaged media Media feed problems Media feed timing Separation Duplex Fusing Media exit and delivery Faulty sensors
Activity D-1
Troubleshooting printer problems
Unit summary
Compared and contrasted printing technologies
Installed, configured, and managed printers
Performed routine maintenance tasks for printers
Identified and resolved problems with printers
top related