Cleaning and Lubricating the Cutter Module
Cleaning and Lubricating the Cutter Module

Cleaning and Lubricating the Cutter Module

If the cutter is not cutting the labels cleanly or if it jams with labels, clean the cutter blades. After cleaning the blades, apply lubrication to help extend the life of your cutter module.
Turn off the printer (
O
) and disconnect it from the power source before performing the following procedure.
  1. Turn off (
    O
    ) the printer and disconnect the AC power cord.
  2. Raise the media door.
  3. Remove media that is loaded through the cutter module.
    The cutter blade is sharp. Do not touch or rub the blade with your fingers.
  4. Remove the cutter catch tray (if used).
    Removing the thumbscrew.
  5. Loosen and remove the thumbscrew and lock washer on the cutter shield.
    Removing the thumbscrew.
  6. Remove the cutter shield.
    Removing the cutter shield.
    The cutter blade is sharp. Do not touch or rub the blade with your fingers.
  7. Is the cutter blade fully exposed?
    A
    Blade in lowered position
    B
    Blade fully exposed
    If the blade is...
    Then...
    Lowered (A)
    Perform the sub-steps in this step to remove the cutter module from the printer so that you can rotate the blade upward.
    Fully exposed (B)
    Skip to step 8 in this procedure.
    This part of the procedure should be performed ONLY by experienced users and only when the cutter blade is not fully exposed for cleaning, as shown in the previous step.
    1. Remove the cutter mounting screw.
    2. Using the image provided in this step as a reference, slide the cutter module to the right to align the cutter assembly tabs (1) and cutter cover tabs (2) with the corresponding slots (3) in the printer, and then lift the cutter module out of the printer. Take care not to damage the wires that connect the cutter module to the printer. If desired, you may disconnect these wires.
      The cutter blade is sharp. Do not touch or rub the blade with your fingers.
    3. On the back of the cutter module, rotate the cutter motor thumbscrew to fully expose the cutter blade.
    4. If you disconnected the wires that connect the cutter module to the printer, reconnect them.
    5. Using the image provided in this step as a reference, align the cutter assembly tabs (1) and cutter cover tabs (2) with the corresponding slots (3) in the printer, and then slide the cutter assembly back into the printer. Take care not to damage the wires that connect the cutter module to the printer.
    6. Slide the cutter module to the left, and then reinstall the cutter mounting screw.
    7. Continue with the next step in this procedure.
  8. Using the swab from the Preventive Maintenance Kit (part number 47362), wipe along the upper cutting surface and the cutter blade. In place of the Preventive Maintenance Kit, you may use a clean swab dipped in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the solvent to evaporate.
    Cleaning the cutter blade.
  9. When the solvent has evaporated, soak a clean swab in a general-purpose, higher-viscosity silicone or PTFE oil lubricant.
    Soak the swab.
  10. Apply an even layer along all exposed surfaces of both cutter blades. Remove any excess oil so that none of it comes in contact with the printhead or platen roller.
    Lubricating the blade.
    The cutter blade is sharp. For operator safety, replace the cutter shield.
  11. Replace the cutter shield.
    Replace the cutter shield.
  12. Secure it with the thumbscrew and lock washer that you removed earlier.
    Secure the cutter shield
  13. Reload the media.
  14. Close the media door.
  15. Reinstall the cutter catch tray (if used).
  16. Plug the printer into its power source, and then turn on (
    I
    ) the printer.
    The cutter blade returns to its operating position.
If the cutter continues to perform unsatisfactorily after it is cleaned and lubricated using this procedure, contact an authorized service technician for assistance.