Aligning Forms.— Most high-speed impact
printers are designed with a ribbon shield. This ribbon
shield protects the form from coming into contact with
the printer ribbon, thus eliminating ink smears. It also
serves as a print line indicator, which we use to align the
form. The ribbon shield swings in front of the form
(figure 2-22, frame A). Once the ribbon shield is in
position, it can be used as illustrated in figure 2-22,
frame B, to help in the adjustment of the form. Use the
horizontal adjustment control shown in figure 2-23, to
slide the entire print mechanism to the left or right.
When the left margin of the form is even with the first
ruled line on the ribbon shield print line indicator (figure
2-22, frame B), release the horizontal adjustment
button. At this point, the horizontal printing is accurate
to within one print position. Use the horizontal
adjustment button (figure 2-23) for any additional fine
horizontal adjustments that may be necessary. This
Figure 2-22.—Using the ribbon shield for alignment.
control is especially useful when working with
preprinted forms, such as your LES statement. Now
that the form is positioned horizontally, you can make
the necessary vertical adjustments.
Again, using the ribbon shield print line indicator as
a guide, you can move the form up or down one line at a
time until the form is vertically aligned by pushing the
line feed button. Use the vertical print adjustment
button (figure 2-23) for any additional fine vertical
adjustments to align the print line to its proper position.
Now that the form is vertically adjusted, close the print
mechanism and lock it into place with the print-unit
release lever.
Print forms not only vary in size but in thickness as
well. For this reason, you will have to adjust the printer
to accommodate for thickness differences. To do this,
you move the form thickness control knob (figure 2-23)
either left or right. This will move the print unit
mechanism closer to or farther away from the print
hammers, thereby giving the forms sufficient clearance
to pass between these two components. The paper
Figure 2-23.—Vertical and horizontal alignment controls used
to adjust printer paper.
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