Brady PAM 3000 User Manual
Page 14
Printer-Applicator-System PAM 3000
14
Transfer Ribbon
The choice of a suitable transfer ribbon is important for the print quality of your printer as well
as the useful life of the printhead.
CAUTION !
Transfer ribbons of inferior quality may cause premature deterioration of
the printhead !
The ribbon material must be antistatic, because the extremely thin surface coating of the
thermal printhead can be damaged by electrostatic discharge.
Also, the material must be extremely resistant to high temperatures to avoid melting the ribbon
with the printhead.
The heat which arises during printing must be carried off by the label and by the transfer
ribbon itself. Transfer ribbons of inferior quality are often poor heat conductors. This may
cause overheating of the printhead in spite of electronic protection.
Poor transfer ribbons also tend to lose parts of the coating which leads to accumulating dirt on
the printhead and the sensors. With some ribbons the color rubs off and soils the printhead.
All of these effects contribute to poor print quality.
We have carried out numerous tests with many different ribbons and we recommend you use
transfer ribbons made by well-known/ brand manufacturers only. Depending on the label
material, several transfer ribbons may be suitable.
The quality of print is determined by the right combination of these materials.
The recognition of the transfer ribbon is sensed by the rotation control of the transfer ribbon
unwinder, rather than by photocell sensors. As a result, ribbons with a thinner coating or those
with a colored coating can be used safely. To be able to print all labels up to the exact end of
the transfer ribbon, the length of the uncoated trailer is limited.
NOTICE !
When buying transfer ribbons, make sure that the trailer of the ribbon has a
maximum length of 150 mm. Also note that the trailer easily can come loose from
the cardboard core.
Index
Characteristics
MIN. (mm)
MAX. (mm)
A
Width
25
114
Length
-
360
Core diameter
25
25
Inking
external
Table 1b Ribbon formats in mm