In today’s digital world, cheque scanners offer a convenient and efficient way to process cheques. These handy devices quickly convert paper cheques into digital images, streamlining financial transactions for businesses and individuals. But just like any other electronic equipment, regular cleaning is crucial for maintaining optimal performance of your cheque scanner.
Neglecting to clean your cheque scanner can lead to several problems. Here’s why keeping your scanner clean is essential:
- Poor Image Quality: Dust and debris buildup on the scanner glass or transport path can result in blurry or unclear scanned images. This can make it difficult to accurately read cheque information, potentially leading to processing errors and delays.
- Paper Jams: A dirty scanner is more prone to paper jams. Dirt and debris can accumulate in the feeder mechanism, causing cheques to get stuck and interrupting your workflow.
- Hardware Damage: Dust accumulation can damage delicate scanner components over time, leading to costly repairs or even scanner failure.
On the other hand, maintaining and cleaning a cheque scanner offers several benefits:
- Improved Image Quality: Regular cleaning ensures clear and accurate scans for efficient cheque processing. Crisp images minimize the risk of errors and delays.
- Reduced Jams: A clean scanner experiences fewer paper jams, minimizing downtime and frustration.
- Extended Lifespan: Proper cleaning helps prevent dust buildup that could damage internal components, extending the lifespan of your digital check scanner.
How Often Should You Clean Your Cheque Scanner?
The frequency of cleaning your cheque scanner depends on two main factors:
- Scanner Usage: Scanners used frequently require more frequent cleaning compared to those used less often. Here’s a breakdown:
- Low Usage (less than 50 cheques per week): Clean your scanner every 1-2 months.
- Moderate Usage (50-200 cheques per week): Clean your scanner every 2-4 weeks.
- High Usage (over 200 cheques per week): Clean your scanner weekly. High usage could be for businesses processing hundreds of customer cheques daily or companies like remittance processors handling a large volume of cheques.
- Environment: Cheque scanners used in dusty environments will need cleaning more often than those in clean, controlled environments. Dusty environments can include construction sites, warehouses, or businesses that handle a lot of paper.
Essential Equipment for Maintaining Your Cheque Scanner
Having the right tools on hand makes cleaning your cheque scanner a breeze. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lint-free Microfiber Cloth: This is essential for cleaning delicate surfaces without scratching. A microfiber cloth removes dust and debris effectively.
- Cleaning Wipes: These wipes are used to clean ink cartridges (if your scanner has an endorser)
- Manufacturer-approved Cleaning Cards: These cards are designed with Waffle- technology to clean the scanner’s optics of built up dirt and ink. In addition, it will also clean the magnetic heads and the transport roller mechanisms that allow the check to pass through the scanner.
- Cleaning Swab: These swabs are specifically designed to clean the cheque scanner camera lenses, remove endorsement ink residue, paper flash, and other debris left behind during normal operation from cameras.
- Canned air: Compressed air helps remove dust buildup from areas that are difficult to reach with a cloth.
Paystation, a trusted provider of payment solutions, offers a comprehensive cheque scanner cleaning kit containing cleaning cards, wipes and swabs (check the linked webpage for details). This kit provides everything you need to keep your cheque scanner in a good condition.
Keeping Your Cheque Scanner in Good Shape
Weekly Routine Cleaning Steps:
- Remove the ink cartridge.
- Clean the bottom of the cartridge with Panini Ink Cleaning Wipes and set it aside.
- Insert the cleaning card into the document feeder.
- Run the cleaning card through the transport 3-6 times, flipping and rotating it each pass.
- Discard the used cleaning card.
- Reinstall the ink cartridge.
Check out these video on cleaning
Digital Check Scanner Cleaning Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtffK82jCHU&t=3s
Panini Scanner Cleaning Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWoK07pK-BM&t=2s
Monthly Detailed Cleaning Steps
- Remove inner and outer covers, use canned air to clean the cheque feed path.
- Remove the ink cartridge and clean the bottom with Ink Cleaning Wipes.
- Open the lens door and clean the lenses with the cleaning swab.
- Reassemble covers but do not reinsert the ink cartridge.
- Insert the cleaning card into the document feeder and run it through the transport 3-6 times, flipping and rotating it each pass.
- Discard the used cleaning card.
- Reinstall the ink cartridge.
For cleaning kits and cleaning cards, view and purchase here: https://portal.paystation.ca/shopnow/
Remember: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning specific components to avoid damaging your cheque scanner. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the cleaning process, consult your user manual or contact the scanner manufacturer for guidance.
By following these simple steps and using the right equipment, you can keep your cheque scanner clean and functioning optimally for years to come.
Conclusion
By following the recommended frequency of cleaning, adhering to step-by-step cleaning instructions, and implementing maintenance tips, you can ensure that your scanner operates smoothly and accurately. At Paystation, we offer Panini and Digital Check cleaning cards and cleaning kits in different sizes depending on your usage. Keep your cheque scanner clean and keep your transactions running smoothly.