Preventing Jams

The best way to prevent jams is to use forms and applications that were designed for use with the printers. Form and application problems cannot be corrected by adjusting or repairing the printer.

If a particular form jams frequently, refer the application owner to the Forms Design Reference for Continuous Forms Advanced Function Printers. This book contains detailed information about selecting forms and designing applications for use with continuous-forms printers.

It is also important to ensure that the forms are loaded correctly. To prevent jams from happening, do the following:

• Ensure that the forms are not being damaged in one of the following areas:
  • Forms input area
  • Before they reach the transfer corona within the printer engine
  • In the Buffer/Flipper Unit between the printers when they are in duplex mode.
• Ensure that the perforations have ties at the ends, not cuts.
• Ensure that the back sides of the forms do not have dark colors or markings when you use simplex mode. Also ensure that both sides of the forms do not have dark colors or markings when the printers are in duplex mode.
• If you are using fan-fold forms, ensure that the folded or leading edge is not wrinkled or torn.
• If you are using fan-fold forms and the first page is folded under, ensure that the tractor holes line up exactly. This is especially important if you are using forms with a ¹/₃-inch or ²/₃-inch length.
• Ensure that the tractor holes are aligned correctly on the tractor pins.
• Ensure that the forms are positioned correctly in the forms input area. The forms must not twist or tear when they travel around the forms guide and through the transfer station.
• If the forms are in a box, ensure that the box does not interfere with form movement.
• If you are using fan-fold forms and the stack of forms seems to curve (dishing), roll the first form in the opposite direction of the curve. Then unroll it before you put the form on the transfer station lower tractors.
• Load different forms, or if you are using fan-fold forms, a new box of the same forms. Ensure that the forms are loaded correctly.
• If the jam occurs only with one kind of form, especially one that has not been used before on the printers, the problem may be form-related. Forms that are unusually heavy or light, forms that have holes or cuts, and adhesive-label forms are all likely to cause jams.

  Forms orientation may have an effect on stacking and jam frequency. On non-preprinted forms:

  • If you are using fan-fold forms, rotating the box 180° can change the frequency of jams.
  • Remove damaged sections.
• If you are using fan-fold forms and you folded back the first page of the form, try loading the form without folding. Conversely, if you did not fold the form, try doing so.
• If you have been running labels, print a test job on plain paper forms to remove any adhesive residue that the labels may have left in the printer.
• If you are using fan-fold forms, ensure that you leave four to five blank forms correctly folded in the stacker when you resume printing.