Printers these days have been engineered to such a point where the slightest speck of errant dust can be the hairs breadth difference between smooth operation and professional documents or sayonara to the skip bin.
With that in mind, and noting that the current cost of most high performing office machines now exceeds New Zealand's GDP, a few small but invaluable procedures could save your pocket, your business and your sanity far more than the 5 minutes of precious time it will take to service that old faithful printing thingamajig.
Inkjet Printers
Some tools required when cleaning an inkjet printer, laser printer and cartridge etc. are a micro-fibre cloth, paper towel, cotton balls, cotton buds, isopropyl alcohol and an air compressor.
Below are a few steps to ensure your Inkjet Printers smooth operation and longevity.
1. Do not allow your printer to entirely run out of ink. In some inkjet printers the ink is also the lubricant for the print head.
2. Regularly check print-head nozzles. For Windows Users this can be done by clicking Start => Control Panel => Printers and then by right-clicking on your printer and selecting "Printer Properties". Select the Maintenance Tab and click "Nozzle Check" If any nozzles are blocked perform a cleaning procedure.
3. At least once a week clean print head. For Windows Users this can be done by clicking Start => Control Panel => Printers and then by right-clicking on your printer and selecting "Printer Properties". Select the Maintenance Tab and click "Cleaning"
4. At least once a month align print head. For Windows Users this can be done by clicking Start => Control Panel => Printers and then by right-clicking on your printer and selecting "Printer Properties". Select the Maintenance Tab and click "Print head Alignment"
5. At least once a month remove the ink cartridges entirely from the printer and manually inspect the internal working components. Some inkjet printers require the power to be on to remove the ink cartridges and make sure the printers power source has been turned off upon completion.
6. Now you have removed the cartridges be careful not to touch the metal components if yours is a cartridge which has the print head built into it. Wipe the excess ink from the print head of the cartridge by pushing the ink side down firmly onto some paper towel. Once cleaned place in a secure place until ready to be reinstalled.
7. Some printer heads can also be removed entirely and cleaned with paper towel and isopropyl alcohol. If this is not the case, where the cartridges dock you will see excess ink and fine particle paper dust. Use a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove as much of this as possible.
8. With the printer still open check for paper fragments, ink, dust and any other fine particles that do not belong there.
9. Use a dry micro-fibre cloth to carefully wipe the other accumulated ink, dust etc from inside the printer. Do not use paper towel for this procedure. If you have access to compressed air a gentle clean can do a great job clearing the fine particle dust inaccessible with a cloth.
10. Once you are satisfied with the internal clean it will not hurt to also give the external casing a thorough wipe down with a micro-fibre cloth and compressed air if available.
11. Finally there is one more piece of advice as far as inkjet printers go and it is also quite controversial. DO NOT TURN THE PRINTER OFF IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO.
Printers generally use minimal electricity and by leaving the printer on it is able to cycle the ink at the appropriate intervals preventing the print heads from clogging.
Also when you first turn on an inkjet printer it usually performs a clean which not only wastes ink but this excess ink will be absorbed by waste pads beneath the printer and once full will cost more to repair than it will to replace the entire printer.
If you absolutely must turn the printer off do so from the power button. The printer will go through a shutdown phase clearing the residual ink and closing the heads to mitigate the chance of clogging. Turning a printer off at the power point bypasses this important procedure.
Laser Printers
Each specific laser printer includes an instruction manual and a section on how to clean and maintain and should be followed at all times. However there are some procedures which are generally universal and can be applied to most laser printers when in the process of cleaning.
Some tools required when cleaning an inkjet printer, laser printer and cartridge etc. are a micro-fibre cloth, paper towel, cotton balls, cotton buds, isopropyl alcohol and an air compressor.
Never attempt to clean your laser printer while the power is still on and ensure machine has cooled down before proceeding.
Below are a few steps to ensure your Laser Printers smooth operation and longevity.
1. Before cleaning gently remove the toner cartridges from machine and carefully wipe with a dry micro-fibre cloth and place aside.
2. Remove paper trays and wipe these and paper tray bay clean with a dry micro-fibre cloth.
3. Clean empty cartridge compartment with dry micro-fibre cloth taking particular care not to damage any wires or sharp edges that are exposed. (Corona Wires etc.)
4. Dampen a cotton bud with isopropyl alcohol and clean the Corona Wire by gently running it along the top and underside being careful not to apply any pressure.
5. Clean the transfer roller and fuser assembly with a dry micro-fibre cloth. Be careful not to touch the transfer roller with your fingers as oil from your skin may damage it.
6. If you have access to compressed air now is the time to apply a low gentle flow which will clear the fine particle dust inaccessible with a cloth.
7. Once you are satisfied with the internal clean reinstall the toner cartridges.
8. Clean the external casing with a slightly dampened micro-fibre cloth and compressed air if available.
9. With compressed air and a dry micro-fibre cloth clean paper feed rollers which can be accessed from the rear and once complete reinstall paper tray.
10. Finally perform a test print to ensure all is well.
Nicholas Champ
http://www.greengage.net.au
http://www.greengage.net.au/content/10-gps-blog
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