1. Printers Unit objectives Compare and contrast printing technologies Install, configure, and manage printers Perform routine maintenance tasks for printers Troubleshoot printer problems

2. Topic A Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Dot-matrix printer connections Serial Parallel Rare network interface Some have both serial and parallel

6. Dot-matrix options Font card slots Memory Paper feeders

7. Other impact printers Daisy wheel Band printer

8. Activity A-1 Examining the dot-matrix printing process

9. An inkjet printer Ink dispersion Forces ink through nozzles Nozzles are 50 to 60 microns in diameter Two methods: –Thermal bubble –Piezoelectric bubble

10. Inkjet process Thermal bubble technology Piezoelectric technology Ink cartridges Dithering Print heads

11. Inkjet cartridge print heads Print head part of cartridge New ink cartridge = new print head Makes cartridge more expensive

12. 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

13. Straight-through paper path

14. Curved paper path

15. 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

16. Printing onto a CD

17. Activity A-2 Examining how inkjet printers work

18. 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

19. Laser printer components Toner cartridge Laser scanning assembly Power supplies Paper control and transport assembly Transfer corona assembly Fusing assembly Electronic control package

20. Toner cartridge components Hopper filled with toner EP drum Blade to remove used toner Corona charging assembly

21. Laser scanner assembly Laser Mirror Lens, or lenses

22. 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 dont require high voltages

23. Paper control and transport assembly Paper moves through series of rollers Rollers –Some guide paper –Some apply pressure to fuse toner

24. Transfer corona assembly Primary charge roller charged by HVPS Primary charge roller charges paper to accept toner Static charge eliminator strip drains charge

25. Fusing assembly Composed of rollers and heating lamp Applies heat and pressure to adhere toner to page

26. Electronic control package Also known as printer control circuitry or main logic assembly Communicates with –Printer memory –Control panel –Computer

27. Laser printing process continued

28. 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.

29. Activity A-3 Examining how laser printers work

30. Other printer types Solid-ink Dye sublimation Thermal –Thermal wax transfer –Direct thermal –Thermal autochrome

31. Plotter Creates line images Uses pens Often available in large format for CAD drawings Draws smooth lines and curves

32. Additional printer types Snapshot printers Large-format printers Art printers

33. Activity A-4 Identifying other printer technologies

34. Topic B Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

35. Main Windows print processes Client Spooler Printer

36. Activity B-1 Examining the Windows printing process

37. Inkjet printer installation Connect via USB Windows autodetects and installs drivers Can install additional software from manufacturer

38. Ink-level monitoring utility

39. Printer interfaces USB Parallel SCSI Serial Wired or wireless Ethernet network connections

40. Inkjet communications interfaces Parallel interface USB interface

41. Configure the connection type SCSI Assign a unique device ID Parallel Specify the correct LPT port Serial Specify the correct COM port

42. Parallel port in Device Manager

43. 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 arent installed automatically, do it manually with materials that shipped with the printer

44. Upgrading a device driver Use Device Manager utility Follow prompts in wizard or use printer installation file Configure options Calibrate for best performance

45. 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

46. Laser printer interfaces Parallel SCSI USB Serial IEEE 1394/FireWire Wired or wireless Ethernet network Infrared ports

47. Communications interfaces

48. 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 arent installed automatically, do it manually with the materials that shipped with the printer

49. Activity B-2 Installing a local printer

50. Topic C Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

51. Printer configuration options Orientation Collation Copies Quality Color Order Switch print trays Spool settings Some configuration can be done through buttons on printer itself

52. Print queue Queue - waiting to be output on the printer To view - double-click printers icon in the Printers utility Users with Print permissions can, for their own documents: –Pause –Resume –Restart –Cancel

53. Activity C-1 Configuring printing

54. 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

55. 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

56. Activity C-2 Installing printer add-ons and upgrades

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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

60. 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

61. Consumables Keep adequate supply on hand Store in cool, dry locations

62. Activity C-3 Performing inkjet and laser printer maintenance tasks

63. Topic D Topic A: Printing technologies Topic B: Printer installation Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

64. Printer troubleshooting Application trying to print Printer Operating system and drivers Connection

65. Testing the application Restart the application If you can print other files from that application, troubleshoot the file that wouldnt print If other files wont print, try printing from another application If you can print from another application, troubleshoot the application thats causing problems If you cant print from any applications, test the printer

66. Testing the printer Verify that its online and ready Check service error messages –Add media –Add supplies or Add toner –Regular maintenance –Paper jam –Incorrect media Engine test page

67. Operating system and drivers Print test page from printers Properties dialog box If test page prints, troubleshoot the application and driver settings If test page doesnt print, check: –Printer status –Driver –Port settings –Accessories and options –Event logs

68. Connections Network –Test TCP/IP connectivity –Consult with network technician Local –Cable –Different computer continued

69. 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

70. Dark images Application settings Printer settings

71. Light or weak images Low toner Laser failing Incorrect paper

72. Repetitive image defects Drum defect Faulty registration rollers Debris on heated roller

73. Ghosting and shadows Residual toner on drum Drum not discharging properly Primary corona

74. 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

75. Banding Paper feed problem Specially coated paper Registration roller worn or dirty HVPS ground loose (heavy banding) Laser/scanner assembly failure (white horizontal lines)

76. Focus Not enough toner on drum Loose or improperly mounted laser assembly Incorrect paper Fusing temperature or pressure too low HVPS failing

77. Voided areas Paper entering printer too early Damaged drum Limited memory Slipping gear; failing motor drive

78. 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

79. Misaligned color registration Misaligned print heads on inkjet printers Misaligned or worn transfer belt

80. Weak color, missing color Low toner supply (laser printer) Low ink supply (inkjet printer) Dried ink in nozzles (inkjet printer) Incorrect paper

81. 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)

82. Black or blank pages Damaged primary corona (black pages) Faulty drum (blank pages) Defective logic board (black pages, banding) Defective toner cartridge

83. Transport/feed issues Media jamming Skewing Creasing, wrinkling, folding, and tearing Multiple sheets feeding in at one time (multifeeding); misdirected media (misfeeding) Burning

84. Transport/feed causes Foreign objects Damaged media Media feed problems Media feed timing Separation Duplex Fusing Media exit and delivery Faulty sensors

85. Activity D-1 Troubleshooting printer problems

86. Unit summary Compared and contrasted printing technologies Installed, configured, and managed printers Performed routine maintenance tasks for printers Identified and resolved problems with printers