[Histonet] slide labeler advice

[Brian Wood]

Hi Liz,

As a provider of on-demand-printing solutions I've worked closely with labs using Thermo SlideMate printers.  I've noticed a couple of simple maintenace steps that may dramatically improve your printing results.

First, clean the print head daily.  To do this, press the Setup button, then press Load.  This releases the takeup spool that keeps pressure on the ribbon.  Now, open the door and loosen the ribbon where it wraps around the print head - that's the half gold/half silver rectangular bar and the print head is at the lowest point where it comes to a "V" shape.  Wet a Kwik Wipe with alcohol and gently clean the print head.  If you haven't done this in a while you'll want to clean it well the first time around.  Get the Kwik Wipe good and wet (but not dripping) and dab the alcohol on, let it sit for a few seconds, then wipe dry.  Do it a few times using a new clean wipe and get all around the "V" shape.  Also wipe away any dust or dirt around the inside.  After that initial cleaning, you should only need to do a quick "wipe it clean", but make it a part of daily maintenance at the start or end of each day.  Before you close the door, wind the takeup spool to remove any slack in the tape.

Second, remove excess tape from the takeup spool.  As more tape winds up on the takeup spool the tension can become "spongy".  This can cause the tape to crease which will leave a white line in the printed area.  When you do your daily maintenance, just strip the day's tape from the takeup spool and re-thread it.

Performing these steps daily should take 2 - 3 minutes and should keep print quality consistent.

There are other things I've come across for programming and utilities for the SlideMate, etc. but too much to include here.  Also, we provide our own print-on-demand software solution that works with the SlideMate and other label printers.  Feel free to post additional questions, or contact me off line.

Best Regards,

Brian

Brian Wood
Detangle IT, Inc.
516 594-9344
brian <@t> detangleit.com<mailto:brian <@t> detangleit.com>

On Feb 2, 2011, at 5:56 PM, "Liz Chlipala" <liz <@t> premierlab.com<mailto:liz <@t> premierlab.com>> wrote:

Hello again



We are in the market for a slide labeler. We currently have the
SlideMate from Thermo Scientific. We have had it for about 2 years now
and we are just not happy with the quality and consistency of the
printing. We are a contract research lab and not a clinical lab.
Entering data for each slide is not an option. The programming that
comes with the Slide Mate is nice, except that no one has really spent
the time to train us on it, we have figured it out a bit. We would want
a labeler that we could create formats for different sample types, so
all we would have to do is put the animal ID in and the printer would
print all of the slides needed. Would like barcoding capabilities just
incase we move to that in the future. Any advice or suggestions are
appreciated. Vendors welcome also.



Thanks in advance.



Liz



Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

Manager

Premier Laboratory, LLC

PO Box 18592

Boulder, Colorado 80308

office (303) 682-3949

fax (303) 682-9060

<http://www.premierlab.com>www.premierlab.com<http://www.premierlab.com>





Ship to Address:

1567 Skyway Drive, Unit E

Longmont, Colorado 80504



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