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Zebra 170 XiIII Plus

•Removing and Installing Printhead•Calibrating Head Resistance•Print Quality Adjustments

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Removing Printhead

1. Turn the power switch off and disconnectboth the power cord and printer communications cable.

2. Open Cover.3. Open Printhead Lever.

*Make sure you are appropriately grounded using proper anti-static procedures.

Printhead Lever

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1. Remove media and ribbon (if applicable).2. Unscrew Printhead mounting screw with flat-head

screwdriver.

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1. Holding the Printhead, carefully disconnect the left Printhead cable (gray), then the right Printhead cable (white) from the back of the Printhead.

2. Remove the Printhead.

Left Printhead Connector

Right PrintheadConnector

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Installing the Printhead

1. Turn the power switch off and disconnect both the power cord and the printer communications cable.

2. Open the side cover.

Make sure to note the new Printhead resistance before installing in the printer. Resistance needs to be calibrated before test printing labels. See calibration instructions.

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Carefully position the new Printhead under the Printhead mounting bracket and connect both Printhead cables into the appropriate ports.

Strip Plate

Left Printhead connector

Right Printhea

d Connecto

r

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Position the alignment slots in the new Printhead with the alignment posts on the bottom of the mounting bracket. You should hear a “clicking sound” which signifies that the Printhead is securely in place. Tuck the Printhead cables behind the Printhead.

Alignment slotsIn Printhead

Alignment Posts

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Print line

Alcohol swab

Clean the Printhead using an alcohol swab, removing dirt or oil that may

have been deposited during installation.

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Reinstall media and ribbon (if applicable).

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1. Lower the Printhead Assembly.2. Close the Printhead lever and check for proper alignment.3. Close the side cover.4. Connect the power cord and printer communications cable. 5. Turn power on.

If the print line is not parallel with the platen roller, check that the Printhead Assembly guides fit snug into the Printhead slots.

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Printhead Resistance Calibration

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1. On the LCD, press setup/exit.

2. Pressing the left arrow button (Previous), scroll left until LCD displays HEAD RESISTOR.

3. Press left or right back oval key to decrease or increase ohm value.

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LCD will display ENTER PASSWORD. The default password is 1234.

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1. Change ohm value to match the new Printhead. The right black oval key increases the digit, while the left black oval key moves cursor.

2. Check that the new ohm value matches the new Printhead. Press SEUP/EXIT. The LCD displays SAVE CHANGES PERMANENT. Press NEXT/SAVE button to save.

Resistance

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Printhead Position Adjustment

If print is lighter toward one side of the label and Printhead has been correctly

installed, perform the Printhead Position

Adjustment.

Loosen the four top screws, found at the rear of the Printhead Assembly (do not remove).

Top screws

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1. Adjust the two gold hex nuts found at the rear of the Printhead Assembly (as viewed from the rear of the Printer). Adjusting the gold hex nuts clockwise will move the Printhead toward the back. Making 1/8 turns will have a noticeable affect in the print.

Gold hex nut

2. Adjust the hex nut on the same side as the lighter print. Adjust in one direction, printing a test label after each adjustment. If print begins to darken, continue until desired darkness is achieved. If print becomes lighter, adjust the hex nut the opposite direction until maximum print darkness is reached.

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Toggle Position Adjustment

1. Loosen locking nuts so the toggles slide freely.

2. Position the two toggles so they distribute even pressure across entire label.

Locking nut

Upper knurled nut

Adjusting nut

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Wear Plate Adjustment

Perform this adjustment to help achieve even

pressure.

1. Run several test labels at 2 ips.

2. During label testing, use the LCD panel to lower the darkness setting until the labels print gray instead of black.

3. Use a 7/64 hex wrench to loosen two hex screws attached to wear plate.

Wear Plate

Hex nuts

Silver Adjustment Knob

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Wear Plate

Hex nuts

Silver Adjustment Knob

1. For even pressure across width of label, adjust the Silver Adjustment Knob with your hand or with a 7/16 wrench.

2. Turning the Silver Adjustment Knob clockwise will increase pressure on the left side of label (as viewed from front of printer). Adjusting it counter-clockwise will increase pressure on right side of label.

3. When gray print is even across label, tighten the two hex nuts to secure wear plate in place.

4. On the LCD, increase darkness setting to achieve desired print quality.

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Printhead Pressure Adjustment

1. Selecting 2 ips from the printer or the label software, print several test labels.

2. During the test printing, use the LCD panel to lower the darkness setting until the labels print gray instead of black.

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1. On the toggle assemblies, loosen the Upper knurled nuts found above the adjusting nuts.

2. Looking down at the printer, use the adjusting nuts to increase (clockwise) or decrease (counter-clockwise) pressure until the darkness is uniform across label.

3. Once uniformity is achieved, adjust the darkness level on the LCD until printing is clear.

4. Tighten the Upper knurled nuts against the Adjusting nuts.

Too much pressure applied to the toggles will shorten the life of the Printhead. Choose the lowest pressure that produces the desired print quality, which will maximize Printhead life.

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(*) Contents Subject to Change Without Notice. Doc. No. Z170XiIII-Instructions