Anti-White Line Feature (A.W.L.)
The A.W.L. Feature are two sweepers (ALPS uses as standard only on the latest MD-5500 model) that remove any grit/sand/etc from the platen to prevent fatal damage (white lines, called ‘banding’) to the ALPS head (ALPS original parts no longer available) as the head repeatedly & forcefully descends during a print operation.
All ALPS printers we sell now come equipped with the H.A.A.M. A.W.L. Feature. We also retrofit, without charge, printers sent in for service/repair.
Note: We sell the double sweeper (MD-1300, MD-5000) A.W.L. Feature individually for $15USD/set. Shipping (any qty): $10USD
On the MD-1000 (no damper weight), only 1 sweeper is used.
Note: I can sell the single sweeper (MD-1000) A.W.L. Feature individually for $10USD/set. Shipping (any qty): $10USD
We combine shipping of the items on this page: $10 USD maximum within North America.
Installation:
Refer to the above picture of an ALPS MD-5000 printer head assembly.
The left Anti-White-Line sweeper is used for the MD-1000, MD-1300, MD-5000.
Slip the left Anti-White-Line sweeper into the open slot at the bottom left side of the printer head until the sweeper snaps into a locked position. Orientation of the sweeper should be as illustrated.
The right Anti-White-Line sweeper is used only for the MD-1300, MD-5000.
Refer to the para below to test the sweeper foam before finally securing this right sweeper.
Remove only the small top paper skin of the double sided tape located within the larger Anti-White-Line sweeper.
Orient the sweeper as illustrated on the right side of the printer head and slip over the metallic gray mechanical damper weight until the double sided tape contacts the damper weight.
The black sweeper foam should just contact the platen in operation. If the foam is excessively long, the drive motor may detect the additional load and printing may be adversely affected. In such a case remove the sweeper and trim the sweeper foam by 1/32″ at a time until the foam evenly just contacts the platen.