The horizontal encoder is a critical component of your Sawgrass printer that helps the print head carriage determine its precise position as it moves across the printer. The encoder is located directly behind the carriage rail and passes through a sensor underneath the print head carriage. If the encoder becomes contaminated with ink, dust, grease or other debris, it can lead to print quality issues such as vertical white lines, carriage positioning problems, or, in some cases, Service Code errors.
The encoder design differs between printer models. On the SG400 and SG800, the encoder consists of a semi-transparent plastic strip that spans the width of the printer. On the SG500 and SG1000, the encoder was redesigned and is now a thin metallic strip. While this design is more robust in some respects, it is also significantly more delicate and can be easily damaged if handled incorrectly.
Important: Cleaning the encoder on an SG500 or SG1000 is not typically required as part of routine maintenance. Encoder cleaning should only be performed when specifically recommended during troubleshooting. If cleaning is necessary, extreme care must be taken, as bending, pulling, fraying, or misaligning the encoder strip may result in permanent damage and could lead to further print quality issues or Service Code errors.
What You Will Need
- Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
- A lint-free cloth
Do not use paper towels, tissues, kitchen roll, or microfiber cloths, as these may scratch, fray, or damage the encoder.
Cleaning the Encoder
- Power off the printer and unplug the power cable.
Open the printer cover and locate the encoder strip behind the carriage rail.
- Apply a small amount of Isopropyl Alcohol to the lint-free cloth. Do not apply alcohol directly to the encoder.
- Gently wipe along the length of the encoder strip to remove any ink, dust, or residue.
- Continue until the encoder appears clean.
For SG500 and SG1000 printers: Use the lightest possible pressure when cleaning. The encoder strip is extremely delicate and can be damaged if excessive force is applied.
After Cleaning
- Inspect the encoder strip and ensure it remains correctly positioned within the encoder sensor underneath the print head carriage.
- Allow any remaining alcohol to evaporate completely.
- Wait at least 10 minutes before reconnecting power and turning the printer back on.
- Perform a nozzle check or test print to verify that the issue has been resolved.
If print quality issues or Service Code errors persist after cleaning, further troubleshooting may be required.