Dot matrix printer....not enough pressure?

[iamme]

our family business has dot matrix printers that printer invoices. the invoices are three sheets that copy from the pressure of the printer. however, lately the pressure isn't strong enough to get the bottom copy to printer dark enough.

print model # is Epson LQ 570+

anyone know if there's a simple way to fix this?

 

[Rubycon]

Do the characters look clear? (i.e. dots aligned) If not the heads have probably reached their end of service life. The platen gap may have increased - this is the distance between the printhead and the platen (the roller behind the paper). It may have an adjustment - it's been a while since I've worked on DMP tech. :Q

 

[iamme]

thanks Rubycon.

The top copy is clear and looks normal. the middle and bottom copy get progessively lighter.

think there's a way I can make an adjustment to help w/ the pressure?

 

[DaveSimmons]

It's been a decade, but ones I worked with used to have a lever to adjust the impact force. It might be just a number or labeled number of sheets or thickness.

Find or google for The Friendly Manual, then Read?

 

[iamme]

the "friendly" manual *snicker*

will do

 

[Rubycon]

Yes you have a good printhead so the form thickness is probably set wrong.

 

[Zepper]

You may be able to adjust using the forms lever but many Epsons don't have very strong heads. That's particularly true of the 24-pin (LQ) models. The 8 or 9-pin heads are much stronger. Most people that need multi-part forms in their business use the Okidata 300 series 8 or 9-pin dot matrix units. I suppose the Epson FX series printers might do better too.

Citizen makes some good ones too but they aren't easy to find here.

.bh.