Do Primera Bravo Duplicators or LX Series Printers require any regular maintenance?

Do Primera Printers require any regular maintenance?

 In most cases, the Bravo Duplicators or LX Series Printers need no regular maintenance. However, there are a few things that can be done when they show signs of ink build-up or label debris build-up.

 
1. Encoder Strip. Periodically check the encoder belt/strip for ink build-up. Clean the front and back with a soft cloth and alcohol. Ink overspray can build-up on this strip and cause horizontal movement problems including offset printing and picking problems. The encoder belt is the clear plastic strip about 1/4" in width inside the unit running parallel to the metal bar that the arm (if applicable) and cartridges glide on. (Not the white ribbon cable connected to the print carriage.) It looks tinted because there are many little vertical lines on it that the head carriage reads like a road map to find its way left and right.

Follow this article to clean the encoder Strip.

2. Grease moving parts. Periodically check the metal guide shaft/bar for ink build-up. The metal guide bar is what the arm (if applicable) and cartridge glide back and forth on. Clean it with rubbing alcohol. Re-grease with light or white lithium grease (Use Nyogel 744 if available). Also, put a small amount of white lithium grease on the metal frame. The cartridge carriage hooks over the top or underneath the metal frame. The frame guides the top of the carriage whereas the guide shaft guides the bottom. 

3. Check the Maintenance (Capping) Station for ink build-up / Replace Wipers. (Does not apply to LX1000 or LX2000) The capping station is where the cartridges dock when not printing. The rubber cap just naturally builds up ink over time. There can also be ink residue on the wiper. The fix is easy. Just wipe off the capping station components occasionally with a damp cloth. The components that need cleaning include the cap itself as well as the two clear plastic wipers just to the right of the cap. See the images below:

Follow this article for Wiper Cleaning instructions on all products.

4. (LX Series Printers Only) Check the grit roller (feed roller) for label debris build-up. Clean with a Cotton Swab (Q-Tip) and alcohol.

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5. (LX Series Printers Only) Using canned air blow out the infeed area where the label stock is fed into the printer.  First, remove the label stock.  Label debris and dust can build up here and prevent the printer from sensing gaps between labels or black marks. 

6. (LX2000 and LX1000 Only) There are some additional cleaning/maintenance procedures that apply only to the LX1000 and LX2000.  LX2000-LX1000 Maintenance Instructions.  Purchase the Maintenance Kit.

7 (LX500) After 20,000 prints the ink pads may need replacement.  Follow the procedure attached below.  Purchase the Ink Pad Kit.

Article ID: 45101