Printer Advice - Safely Transporting Your Large Format DesignJet Printer
Is your business relocating or perhaps you are planning to rejig the office layout? Whatever your situation may be, if you plans include moving your large format printer, here are a few factors that you should take into consideration beforehand.
Costly Damage
Using a couple of guys from the office that can lift heavy weights may seem like the best bet to use when moving your machine. Whilst you may save money on moving costs, you could end up out of pocket, due to the printer needing repair due to an accident. All it takes is for one person to lose their grip whilst at the top of the stairs and for the printer to fall, hitting the ground at the bottom. For this reason, if possible plan a route that does not involve stairs, or give the movers gloves which will help with grip.
Must Be Kept Level
Some printers have toner and developer, otherwise known as an iron carrier particle, which require the large format machine to be kept level at all times. During a move, a printer can easily be tilted, resulting in the developer falling into other parts of the machine such as the motors.
If this happens, it can cost a small fortune to clean up and replace the developer. Moreover, most developers are metal, which can cause motors and circuit boards to short out, which will also cost a small fortune. Before the machine is moved, insure that everyone involved knows of these risks, so that this can be prevented.
Secure Internal Parts
Yes, it may be obvious that all external parts should be secured before moving the printer, but did you know that internal parts are just as important? Large format printers have a drum. This drum transfers the image to the paper. This part is very fragile and can be easily damaged. If internal parts are not secured, then they can end up causing damage to this important part. Just like motors and circuit boards, drums are expensive to buy.
Storage
If your machine needs to be left in storage during an office move, make sure that it is left in the correct conditions. If you are leaving the machine in an unmarked box, then at least make it known that it is fragile; this way people won’t end up storing items on top of it, which can lead to the printer breaking.
Large format printers do not come cheap and that is why it is so important to know how to correctly transport one. If you ever have any worries, then it is best to get in touch with the company who sold the machine to you. They may offer a moving service or at the very least help you to ensure that your printer is properly ready for a move.
Costly Damage
Using a couple of guys from the office that can lift heavy weights may seem like the best bet to use when moving your machine. Whilst you may save money on moving costs, you could end up out of pocket, due to the printer needing repair due to an accident. All it takes is for one person to lose their grip whilst at the top of the stairs and for the printer to fall, hitting the ground at the bottom. For this reason, if possible plan a route that does not involve stairs, or give the movers gloves which will help with grip.
Must Be Kept Level
Some printers have toner and developer, otherwise known as an iron carrier particle, which require the large format machine to be kept level at all times. During a move, a printer can easily be tilted, resulting in the developer falling into other parts of the machine such as the motors.
If this happens, it can cost a small fortune to clean up and replace the developer. Moreover, most developers are metal, which can cause motors and circuit boards to short out, which will also cost a small fortune. Before the machine is moved, insure that everyone involved knows of these risks, so that this can be prevented.
Secure Internal Parts
Yes, it may be obvious that all external parts should be secured before moving the printer, but did you know that internal parts are just as important? Large format printers have a drum. This drum transfers the image to the paper. This part is very fragile and can be easily damaged. If internal parts are not secured, then they can end up causing damage to this important part. Just like motors and circuit boards, drums are expensive to buy.
Storage
If your machine needs to be left in storage during an office move, make sure that it is left in the correct conditions. If you are leaving the machine in an unmarked box, then at least make it known that it is fragile; this way people won’t end up storing items on top of it, which can lead to the printer breaking.
Large format printers do not come cheap and that is why it is so important to know how to correctly transport one. If you ever have any worries, then it is best to get in touch with the company who sold the machine to you. They may offer a moving service or at the very least help you to ensure that your printer is properly ready for a move.
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