Protecting Printer Ports

When designing a printer enclosure, manufacturers must take into consideration how users will be able to access printouts and reload the machine, while still providing protection. Protecting printer ports is essential.

For many machines, the enclosure surrounding it spends much of its lifetime closed. Therefore, there are very few opportunities for dust and other particulates to get inside and harm the machine. In regard to printers, though, team members regularly have to access them to get the printouts or labels, and then again regularly to refill the paper.

At DustShield, we take those factors into consideration when designing and developing enclosures to protect printers.

Read on to learn more.

Label Printers

While it may not seem like a huge deal due to its small size, the label ribbon port provides an optimal place for particulate ingress if left open.

To accommodate label ribbons, DustShield builds a slot into the front door that is then covered by a hinged hatch. With the ribbon threaded through the slot, the hatch rests almost completely closed. This helps reduce the chance of particulates being forced into the port. The flap also keeps falling particulates from getting inside.

In addition, if the enclosure has a fan filtration system, that will cause air to flow out of the port, keeping dust out even better.

At some point, team members will also need to replace the label ribbons. DustShield designs in a gullwing door that opens over the enclosure. The side and top remain at a 90-degree angle, instead of folding down against each other. This prevents particulates that are on the side of the enclosure from being knocked onto the printer when the door is open.

Paper Printers

For paper printers, DustShield enclosures feature a hinged front door for easy access to the front of a printer. This will keep dust from getting in while closed, and the outward-swinging door will push any accumulated particulates away from the enclosure.

For access to the top, a hatch in the enclosure roof opens so as to knock any accumulated dust or debris away from the opening.

 

In addition, DustShield enhances protection even further with the DS 500 ingress protection upgrade. This adds a filter guard for blocking liquids from getting into the filter, as well as keeping heavy debris from blocking the filter. We also install grommets into the cable entry points, which help seal up the remaining intrusion ports, while also boosting air pressure.

If you’re interested in extending the life of your printers or other electronics, DustShield can help! Contact an enclosure specialist at 417.736.3746 or sales1@amprod.us to learn more about protecting printer ports.