The HID FARGO DTC1500 ID Card Printer & Encoder is Cost-effective, versatile, secure card printing. To clean a FARGO DTC1500 card printer is essential for maintaining optimal print quality and prolonging the life of your printer. Here are few step-by-step guide to cleaning it properly:
- Materials Require:
- Cleaning Kit: FARGO usually provides a cleaning kit with cleaning cards and wipes. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a compatible cleaning kit from FARGO or a third-party supplier.
- Lint-Free Cloths: For wiping down exterior surfaces.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (at least 70%): For cleaning stubborn areas.
General Cleaning Guidelines:
- Power Off the Printer
Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
Open the printer cover to access the interior components. - Clean the Printer Exterior
Wipe the outside of the printer with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and dirt.
Use isopropyl alcohol if needed, but avoid applying it directly to the printer — apply it to the cloth first. - Clean the Printer’s Card Feed Area
If the printer has a card input or output tray, use a cleaning card to clean the card feed mechanism.
Insert a cleaning card into the card feed area as instructed by the cleaning kit. The card should move through the mechanism and clean it as it passes through. - Clean the Printhead
Caution: The printhead is a delicate component. Use a clean, lint-free cloth and gently wipe across the printhead.
Use a printhead cleaning pen or wipe (if available) to remove any dirt or debris. Do not apply excessive pressure.
Make sure the printhead is dry before closing the printer cover. - Clean the Card Hopper and Output Tray
Gently wipe the card hopper (the area where you load cards) and the output tray (where printed cards come out) to remove dust and debris.
Check the input and output rollers for any buildup of dirt or card dust. Clean them with a dry lint-free cloth. - Clean the Ribbon (if necessary)
If you’re using a ribbon, you may also need to clean the ribbon rollers. This is usually done with a cleaning card or a specific cleaning wipe for ribbons, depending on your printer’s cleaning kit. - Perform a Cleaning Cycle (Optional but Recommended)
Many Fargo printers, including the DTC1500, have a built-in cleaning cycle. You can usually initiate this from the printer’s menu on the display screen. This will automatically clean the printhead and rollers.
Follow the instructions in the printer’s manual or on-screen prompts to perform this cycle. - Clean the Magnetic Encoder (Optional)
If your printer has a magnetic encoding module (for encoding cards with magnetic stripes), you can clean the magnetic encoder area with a cleaning card specifically designed for that purpose. - Recommended Cleaning Frequency:
Daily/Weekly: - Clean the exterior of the printer and card feed mechanisms.
Every 500–1000 Cards: - Perform a more thorough cleaning of the printhead and rollers.
Every Ribbon Change: Clean the printer’s components, especially the printhead and rollers, to ensure smooth printing and encoding. - Always use the recommended cleaning supplies and avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals that could damage the printer.
By performing regular maintenance, you can ensure that your FARGO DTC1500 card printer continues to produce high-quality prints and functions smoothly for a long time. - DTC1500 FARGO Printer Specification
- HID FARGO DTC1500 Printer Datasheet
