Problem & answerP-02
Half Print or Part of the Code Missing
Also covers: Ribbon not straight or misaligned
Likely causes
- Ribbon running at an angle (not straight) across the print head
- Ribbon shifted sideways so it does not cover the full print area
- Guide rollers out of line or the adjuster moved
- Uneven print head pressure (one side lifting)
- Ribbon width narrower than the code
How to fix it
- 1Stop the line and segregate bottles printed since the last good check.
- 2Isolate the printer before touching the ribbon path.
- 3Check the ribbon runs straight and flat over every guide roller, centred over the print area (see Section 6.4).
- 4Re-align the ribbon: loosen the guide adjuster, centre the ribbon so it overlaps the code area by at least 2–3 mm each side, then lock the adjuster.
- 5Check the ribbon path length: ribbon follows the marked path around each roller, with no shortcuts or twists.
- 6Check the print head is parallel to the label/bottle surface and pressure is even on both sides.
- 7Confirm the ribbon is wider than the code.
- 8Print 5–10 test codes; check every character is complete before restarting.
Technical note
A ribbon that runs even slightly crooked walks sideways as it advances, so print can start full and become half print after a few minutes. Always check the first test prints and again after 5–10 minutes of running.It is fixed when
Complete, sharp code on 10 consecutive bottles and after 10 minutes of running.
Stop it coming back
- Re-align the ribbon at every ribbon change.
- Mark the correct ribbon path and adjuster position on the machine.
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