Ab

Users Guide
9,'(2-(7
'DWD)OH[
Thermal Transfer Overprinter

P/N 361341-01
Rev. AB 02/02
recycled paper
9,'(2-(7 7(&+12/2*,(6 ,1&
1500 Mittel Boulevard

Wood Dale, IL
60191-1073 USA
www.videojet.com
Phone: 1-800-843-3610
Fax: 1-800-582-1343
International Fax: (630) 616-3629
2002 by VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC. All rights reserved.
Offices: USA: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles,

Philadelphia; INTL: Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan,
The Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom
Distributors Worldwide
Users Guide
2002 by Videojet Technologies Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Inquiries should
be addressed to Videojet Technologies Inc., 1500 Mittel Boulevard, Wood Dale, IL 60191.
9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4
1.1 About the Printer.................................................................................................................4
1.2 About the Documentation ...................................................................................................4
2 Safety................................................................................................................ 6
2.1 Safety Warnings..................................................................................................................6
2.2 Safety Guidelines ................................................................................................................8
3 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 9
3.1 About the CLARiTY Operating System.........................................................................9
3.2 Operation - Frequently Asked Questions (How do I?) .......................................................11
4 Setup Frequently Asked Questions (How do I set ..?)................................ 52

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
Set the Printhead Resistance ...............................................................................................52

Set the Print Darkness.........................................................................................................54
Choosing a Darkness Value:...............................................................................................55
Intermittent Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Print Delay......................................................56
Intermittent Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Print Speed .....................................................57
Continuous Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Printhead Print Position ..................................57
CLARiTY System Time & Date.........................................................................................59
CLARiTY Language and Internationalization....................................................................61
5 Troubleshooting................................................................................................ 62
5.1 Diagnosing Problems..........................................................................................................62
5.2 The Host Packaging Machine Wont Run ..........................................................................63
5.3 Only Half of the Image Comes Out ....................................................................................63
5.4. The Print Signal is Connected, But It Doesnt Print. ..........................................................64
5.5 The Print Appears Smeared ................................................................................................64
Users Guide
1 Introduction
1.1 About the Printer
WARNING: READ SECTION 2, SAFETY THOROUGHLY
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS
PRODUCT.
The printer uses high-resolution thermal transfer technology with a

unique ribbon drive system. This system eliminates all the wear
parts and maintenance adjustments normally associated with
thermal transfer coder ribbon drives. The printer offers greater
reliability and ease of operation than all previous generation
equipment. It is capable of printing barcodes, dates, text and
graphics onto flexible packaging films and labels.
The printer is designed as a suitable replacement for either hot
stamp or rotary coders. It is capable of printing in either
Intermittent Mode (i.e. while the substrate is stationary) or
Continuous Mode (i.e. while the substrate is moving) and is
therefore suitable for use on most Horizontal Form/Fill/Seal,
Vertical Form/Fill/Seal and Self Adhesive labelling machines.
The product is available in either left- or right-handed versions to
suit different configurations of packaging machine.
1.2 About the Documentation

Four manuals are provided with the 'DWD)OH[ printer.
The Getting Started Guide (P/N 361340-01) is intended to
facilitate self-installation for straightforward applications, which
do not require the expertise of a trained specialist.
The Users Guide (P/N 361341-01) is intended as a quick
reference for printer operators. The guide is set out in a Frequently
Asked Questions format and is split into three main sections:
An Operation section is aimed at providing answers to a

variety of How do I ? questions.
A Setup section explains how to set the various modes of

operation to best match the application requirements
A Troubleshooting section is also intended for printer

operators. This documentation aims to provide fast assistance
to resolve superficial operating issues that may arise. It is by no
means comprehensive and separate technical documentation is
provided for trained in-house maintenance staff.
The Illustrated Parts Breakdown (P/N 361342-01) is provided so

you can order spare or replacement parts for your printer.
The Service Manual (P/N 361338-01) includes information on
performing a variety of maintenance procedures, and a
Troubleshooting Guide.
Keep these manuals in a safe location where they can be easily
accessed for reference.
Users Guide
2 Safety
2.1 Safety Warnings
Observe the following safety warnings while working with the
'DWD)OH[printer.
WARNING: READ THIS SECTION THOROUGHLY BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS PRODUCT.
WARNING: CUSTOMERS WHO INTEND TO SERVICE AND
MAINTAIN THE PRINTER THEMSELVES MUST
ONLY HAVE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL PERFORM
THESE PROCEDURES. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THOSE PERSONS
WHO HAVE THE PROPER TECHNICAL TRAINING
(SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A TRAINING
COURSE COVERING THIS PRINTER), HAVE
EXPERIENCE TO WORK ON THIS EQUIPMENT,
AND ARE AWARE OF THE HAZARDS TO WHICH
THEY WILL BE EXPOSED. THE MANUALS ARE
INTENDED TO BE SUPPLEMENTS TO (AND NOT
REPLACEMENTS FOR) FORMAL TRAINING.
WARNING: ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHTN
WORKING WITH THE PRINTER.
WARNING: BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY MAINTENANCE OR
REPAIR ON ANY PART OF THE PRODUCT:
,62/$7( (48,30(17 )520 7+( 0$,1
POWER SUPPLY
5(029( 0$,1 32:(5 &211(&725
POWER SUPPLY
,62/$7( 7+( 35,17(5 )520 $1< (;7(51$/
ENERGY SOURCES INCLUDING ANY

CONNECTED EQUIPMENT
WARNING: BEFORE CONNECTING COMPRESSED AIR

SUPPLY TO PRINTER, ENSURE THAT THE AIR
SUPPLY HAS BEEN ISOLATED AND THAT THE
REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT KNOB HAS BEEN
TURNED FULLY COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.

WARNING: THE PRINTER USES AN OPERATOR CONTROL
CONSOLE. ENSURE THAT THIS PANEL IS
MOUNTED AT AN APPROPRIATE WORKING
HEIGHT AND ORIENTATION FOR COMFORTABLE
OPERATION.
WARNING: KEEP HANDS AND CLOTHING CLEAR OF THE
PRINTER WHILE IT IS ON.
WARNING: TO ENSURE THAT CONNECTING CABLES AND
PIPES DO NOT BECOME A TRIP HAZARD OR
BECOME ENTANGLED IN ANY MACHINERY, ALL
CONNECTING CABLES AND PIPES MUST BE
SECURED SAFELY DURING INSTALLATION.
WARNING: BEFORE AND AFTER PERFORMING ANY
MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR ON THE PRODUCT,
CHECK THAT THE TWO SAFETY LABELS ARE
CLEARLY VISIBLE:
21( 21 7+( 32:(5 6833/< &29(5

21( %< 7+( 327(17,$/ 1,3 32,17 1(;7 72
THE PULLEY IN THE PRINTER BODY
WARNING: VOLTAGES USED TO CONNECT THE PRINTER TO

OTHER EQUPMENT MUST BE LIMITED TO NO
GREATER THAN 50V D.C. OR PEAK A.C.
WARNING: THE USE OF INCOMPATIBLE RIBBON CAN
SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR PRINTER AND SUCH
DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED BY YOUR
PRINTER WARRANTY. ONLY USE RIBBON
APPROVED BY YOUR DEALER.
Users Guide
2.2 Safety Guidelines

This section contains important safety guidelines pertaining to
the operation and handling of the printer and associated
equipment.
WARNING: ALWAYS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
GUIDELINES WHEN OPERATING AND HANDLING
THE PRINTER AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Comply with Electrical Codes
All electrical wiring and connections must comply with

applicable local codes. Consult the appropriate regulatory
agency for further information.
Do Not Remove Warning Labels
Do not, under any circumstances, remove or obstruct any

warning or instruction labels in the printer.
Placement of the Printer
Do not place the printer in a hazardous location. Hazardous

locations, as defined in the United States, are those areas that
may contain hazardous materials in sufficient quantity to create
an explosion. These are defined in Article 500 of the National
Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70-2000.
Outside the United States, you must ensure compliance with all
local regulations regarding equipment placement in potentially
hazardous locations.
Using Printer Accessories
To maintain regulatory approval for the printer, you must use

only 9,'(2-(7approved accessories when attaching any
device to the equipment.

3 Introduction
3.1 About the CLARiTY Operating System
CLARiTY is an intuitive touch screen, icon-based operator
control system.
It behaves much like web pages of a typical Internet Browser.
Each area of the screen is clearly shown and most areas are
active, i.e. simply touching that area of the screen is like pressing
a button on a traditional control panel. As well as active areas,
there are specific button icons, as described below.
Shortcut buttons take you directly to key pages regardless of which

page you are currently viewing. These buttons are for:
^ HOME page
^ Tools Page
^ Fault and Warning Pages
^ Job Page (To load the next image, or Job, to be printed and
to enter any variable data)
Users Guide
^ Current Job (shown as the Current Job Name)

The Navigation bar indicates the location of your current page in
the menu tree. At any time you can either:
^ Press the BACK button to go back to the previous page, or
^ Press any title on the Navigation bar to take you directly to
that page.
On the left hand side, there is a constantly available Control

Frame of buttons for immediate control of your printer. These are:
^ Stop
^ Start
^ Test Print
Two further areas show production performance and consumables
status. Pressing each of these areas takes you to pages containing
further details and statistics.
All user data entry is provided in CLARiTY by way of a screen
based alphanumeric keypad (see later).
Further chapters in the Users Guide describe each page of
CLARiTY in specific detail.
10

3.2 Operation - Frequently Asked Questions (How do I?)
3.2.1 Power On
Turn the printer On at the power switch on the front of the power
supply unit.
The printer will perform a number of self-diagnostic checks and

boot-up will take up to approximately 90-seconds. During this
period, the CLARiTY controller screen first displays an initial
set of diagnostic data (this can be ignored), then after a period in
which the screen becomes entirely blank, a CLARiTY
Initializing System message is displayed. The CLARiTY
HOME page is then displayed.
11
Users Guide
The status message (in the banner at the top of the screen) will
report that the printer is SHUTDOWN. At this point the printer
will be initializing; this takes approximately 15-seconds. When the
initialization is complete:
^ The CLARiTY status panel will report that the printer is
OFFLINE.
^ The CONSUMABLES area will display the percentage of
ribbon remaining.
^ In the control frame the START and STOP buttons will
become enabled.
12
13
Users Guide
3.2.2 Set the Air Pressure
On the air regulator, installed close to the printhead and connected

by a 4mm air line to the printhead, check that the air pressure is set
to 51 psi (3.5 bar).
Turn the air regulator control knob clockwise to increase pressure
or counter-clockwise to decrease pressure.
DO NOT set the pressure at any different level without first
referring to 9,'(2-(7. Proper operation of the machine relies
upon the air pressure being set correctly.
14

3.2.3 Start the Printer Running
The printer powers-on in an OFFLINE state, to allow you to check

that your line and printer are ready for production, before
switching the printer to RUNNING. In the Offline state, inputs are
ignored; so print sensor signals will not trigger a print.
Press the START button to switch the printer to the RUNNING
state.
The CLARiTY HOME page will be displayed as follows:
15
Users Guide
NOTE: If the printer has a Fault or a Warning, then RUNNING

will be replaced with FAULT or WARNING. If FAULT is
displayed, you must fix the problem before trying to print. See
section Clear a Fault, (Section 3.2.5).
16

3.2.4 Switch the Printer Offline
To disable the printer and stop it running, press the red STOP
button. The printer will be returned to its OFFLINE state.
17
Users Guide
3.2.5 Clear a Fault or Warning
When a fault or warning occurs, CLARiTY displays a message

at the top of ALL pages, so no matter where you are within the
CLARiTY system, you will see the message.
For faults, the printers fault outputs will display and the ready-toprint outputs go open circuit. These outputs can be used to
interlock to production line controls in order to stop the line.
It is possible that several faults or warnings can occur
simultaneously. Faults will always be displayed in precedence over
warnings.
To view the faults/warnings in more detail and to gain on-screen
instructions on how to address them, press the RED or YELLOW
area at the top of the CLARiTY screen.
Lets take the example where the entire reel of ribbon has been
used.
CLARiTY will display the red FAULT banner with the message
RIBBON BREAK, as shown below:
18
1.
Press the red FAULT message to view the list of faults.
2.
Now press RIBBON BREAK to read the details and access

on-screen instructions on how to clear the fault.
19
Users Guide
20

3.2.6 View Details of the Current Job (or Image)
The name of the current job is displayed on the HOME page. To

view the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) details,
press the current job area of the home screen.
21
Users Guide
Press the Navigation BACK button or the HOME button to return

to the HOME page.
22

3.2.7 Select an Image to Print
You can select a new image or JOB while the printer is running, or
while it is offline. You can go as far as viewing your new job on
the WYSIWYG display, before actually selecting it. Only at the
last OK do you replace the current job with the new job. You can
cancel at any time.
1.
To select a new image or job, press the JOB button on the

HOME screen. A list of the different currently available
Job Names is displayed.
2.
Either press the name you want or, if the list is very long,
type in the name of the job on the alphanumeric keypad.
23
Users Guide
3.
24
Press OK and the new job will be pre-loaded into the

printer.

3.2.8 Change Any Variable Information
If there are any Job Variables (variable information fields) on

your chosen image, then CLARiTY will automatically prompt
for them. In our Manual Example, there are two different types of
Job Variables:
^ A variable TEXT field (for use as a Batch Code)
^ A variable DATE field (for use as a Sell-By Date)
First, CLARiTY displays all the variable text fields in a list
(there is only one in our example list).
NOTE the check box at the side of the variable field(s). This
shows you which fields you have and have NOT entered. Note that
the check boxes start UN-checked. As you enter the variable data
and press OK, then CLARiTY automatically checks the box.
Only when all the boxes are checked, can you proceed to the next
step.
1.
To select a Job Variable from the list, press it (the first one
in the list is already automatically selected for you)
Notice that the default data for that Job Variable now appears in
the Data Window.
25
Users Guide
2.
You can now do one of two things:

^ If the default data is the data that you want to print,
simply press OK
^ If you want to change the data, press in the data window, to
the right of the text, to bring up the cursor.
3.
Now press the C/CE key to delete the data that you do not
want.
4.
Key in the new data that you want, using the keypad.
5.
Finally, press OK and the check box will become checked.
NOTE: If you want to re-enter any information, press either the

Navigation BACK button or the CANCEL button, and repeat the
appropriate steps.
In our example, CLARiTY will now move on to the Date
Variables in this new Job.
26

As with the Text variables, the date variables are set out in a list (in
our example, there is only one in the list). Each variable also has a
check box.
The default data is shown in the Data Window.
You can do one of two things:

^ If the default data is the data that you want to print,
simply press OK
^ If you want to change the date information, press on the
data window to move onto the CALENDAR page.
27
Users Guide
1.
To change the month and year, press the + or button.
2.
To select a day of the month, press directly on the date.

Dates that are not permitted are greyed out.
3.
Press OK.
4.
If you have multiple dates in your Job, repeat the process

for each date.
In our example, we have finished entering the date information, so

we return to the Job Variables list and see that our date field check
box is now checked.
28
5.
Press OK to proceed to the WYSIWYG PREVIEW screen.
29
Users Guide
You are now ready to select and run the job.

^ If the image that you have created is satisfactory and you
and want to run the new job, press OK and all future
products will be printed with the new image.
^ Alternatively, you can leave this screen as it is, and press
OK at some later stage, to select the Job at that time.
^ If you want to step back through the job select screens to
make alterations to variable data, press CANCEL.
^ To cancel the Job Select altogether, press HOME.
30

3.2.9 Perform a Test Print
A test image can be printed before running the printer to check that
the position of the printed image is correct. This feature will only
be available if it is appropriate for the application the printer is
being used for. The TEST PRINT button, will appear greyed out if
this feature is not available. Also, the printer must be set to the
RUNNING state for the TEST PRINT button to become available.
To perform a test print:

1.
Place a test sample of the target material in front of the

printhead.
2.
Press the TEST PRINT button in CLARiTYs control

frame. This button can be used only when the printer is in
the RUNNING state.
This immediately triggers a test print.

The test sample can be examined to decide whether the images
print position requires any alteration (see Adjust the print
position, Section 3.2.10.).
31
Users Guide
3.2.10 Adjust the Print Position
1.
From the HOME page, press TOOLS - SETUP PRINTHEAD.
The printhead setup page will appear. For printers that have been
installed to work intermittently (printing only when the target
material is stationary), the following page will be displayed:
For printers that have been installed to work continuously (printing

while the target material is moving), the following page will be
displayed:
32
2.
Press on either the HORIZONTAL REGISTRATION or

VERTICAL REGISTRATION bar to bring up the relevant
page for editing the parameter:
33
Users Guide
3.
Use the + or buttons to make small adjustments

^ Or key in a new number
^ Or select from the Min, Max or Default values.
4.
34
Press OK.

3.2.11 Change the Print Orientation
If images have been designed in a different orientation to that in

which the printer has been installed to print, then this can be
corrected for using the Print Orientation parameter.
1.
2.
Press on the PRINT ORIENTATION bar. The following

page will be displayed:
3.
Select 0 or 180 degrees by pressing on the required value

from the OPTIONS list.
4.
Press OK.
35
Users Guide
3.2.12 Check the Printer Ribbon Supply
At all times, the CONSUMABLES area of the HOME page

displays a bar meter of the amount of ribbon remaining in the
cassette.
The meter displays three different colors, to help check the ribbon
level at a glance.
36
^ BLUE
= adequate ribbon.
^ YELLOW
= approximately 50m (164-ft.) of ribbon

remaining.
^ RED
= approximately 20m (66-ft.) of ribbon

remaining.

3.2.13 Remove and Reinstall the Cassette
To remove the cassette:

1.
Turn the printer OFFLINE (see section To switch the

printer offline, Section 3.2.4.).
2.
Press down on the circular black release button on the top

of the printer. The button will click as the cassette unlocks
from the printer body.
3.
Grasp the recessed handles and lift the cassette straight up

and away from the body.
37
Users Guide
At this point CLARiTY will display the CASSETTE OPEN

fault.
To reinstall the cassette:

1.
38
Hold the cassette above the printer body and align the two
locating rods (protruding up from the printer body) into the
holes at the ends of the two ribbon rollers on the cassette.
Ribbon Roller
Locating Rod
2.
Lower the cassette onto the printer body and press down to
lock it back into place. The CASSETTE OPEN fault
message will be automatically cleared from CLARiTY,
and the printer will be returned to the OFFLINE state.
To continue printing, see the section Start the printer running

(Section 3.2.3).
39
Users Guide
3.2.14 Change the Ribbon

WARNING: THE USE OF INCOMPATIBLE RIBBON CAN
SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR PRINTER AND SUCH
DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED BY YOUR
PRINTER WARRANTY. ONLY USE RIBBON
APPROVED BY YOUR DEALER.
40
1.
Remove the cassette (see Removing and replacing the

cassette Section 3.2.13.).
2.
Put the cassette down on a flat surface with the ribbon

spools facing upwards, and the ribbon rollers towards you.
3.
Firmly pull the two used ribbon spools (one full of used
ribbon) from the cassette. There is a disc situated beneath
each spool that can be used to hand lever the spool off the
cassette.
4.
Discard the used ribbon and spools.
5.
Open a new shrink-wrapped roll of ribbon and unwind

about 12-inches of ribbon (30cm). Ribbons of 1000m or
less can be fitted using this same procedure.
The spool holders on the cassette have different colored discs:

^ The black disc is for the new roll of ribbon
^ The silver disk is for the empty roll
When the printer is running, new ribbon will roll off the black
holder and will wind onto the silver holder after it has been used.
6.
Slide the full spool onto the holder that has a black disc.
The roll should be held the correct way up so that ribbon
comes off the outside of the reel and will pass down the
outside of the white ribbon roller. Make sure that the spool
is pushed fully down onto the holder.
41
Users Guide
7.
Route the ribbon so that it:

^ passes down from the outside of the full roll
^ goes around the outside of the white roller nearest to the
full roll
^ runs along the bottom of the cassette
^ goes around the outside of the second roller
^ passes up to the outside of the empty spool
8.
42
Slide the empty spool fully down onto the holder that has a
silver disc.
9.
Turn the empty spool by hand to take up any excess ribbon.

Stop turning when the full spool starts to rotate.
10.
If the supplied ribbon has a transparent section at the end,

then rotate the empty spool to take up all of the transparent
ribbon.
43
Users Guide
44
11.
Replace the cassette onto the printer body (see section

Removing and replacing the cassette, Section 3.2.3.).
12.
Check that the ribbon runs between the printhead and the
printheads ribbon roller, and that it is not twisted or
caught, and that in replacing the cassette the ribbon has not
become loose.

3.2.15 Use Ribbons of Different Widths
It is possible to use ribbons of widths smaller than the maximum of

55mm. Follow the same Change the ribbon (Section 3.2.14)
procedure as above for inserting thin width ribbon.
When a different width ribbon is inserted, CLARiTY must be
told what the new width is. To do this:
1.
From the HOME page, press TOOLS - SETUP CONSUMABLES.
2.
Press on the RIBBON WIDTH parameter.
3.
Use the keyboard to enter a new value.
4.
Press OK to complete the change.
WARNING: FAILURE TO SET THE RIBBON WIDTH

CORRECTLY CAN RESULT IN EITHER:
Ribbon break errors being displayed by CLARiTY when

the ribbon has not broken.
5LEERQ EHLQJ ZRXQG WRR WLJKWO\ RQWR WKH XVHG ULEERQ

spool. This can make the used ribbon spool
difficult to remove.
It is possible to change ribbon before it has all been used. This is

useful if the printer is used for printing images that are suited to
different width ribbons. The partially used ribbon should be
removed and stored. Later, it can be put back into the printer.
When putting a partially used reel back into the printer, ensure that
the unused reel is pushed onto the black disc holder, and that the
used ribbon reel is pushed onto the silver disc holder.
45
Users Guide
3.2.16 Clean the Printhead
To maintain maximum print quality, you should clean the

printhead every time the ribbon is changed
1.
Put the printer OFFLINE.
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE PRINTHEAD

WITH THE CASSETTE IN PLACE.
2.
Remove the cassette from the printer.
WARNING: THE USE OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CLEANING KIT

CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR PRINTER.
SUCH DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED BY
YOUR PRINTER WARRANTY. USE ONLY
CLEANING KITS APPROVED BY YOUR DEALER.
3.
Using the cleaning swabs provided with the printer, gently

clean the printhead pixel line (Figure 6-29), the white
cassette rollers and the peel roller. NOTE: Never touch the
printhead with sharp objects and never use any cleaner than
isopropanol.
Figure 6-29. Cleaning the Printhead
46
4.
Allow one minute for excess isopropanol to evaporate.

Failure to allow this interval can result in damage to the
printhead by thermal shock.
5.
Replace the cassette.

3.2.17 Review Printer Performance Statistics
The basic production performance details are shown on the

CLARiTY HOME page.
^ Product Throughput (packs per minute)
^ Total Count (total packs ever coded by the printer)
^ Batch Count (total packs coded on the current Job. This is
reset to zero each time a new Job is selected)
Press the PERFORMANCE area of the HOME page to view more
detailed performance statistics.
47
Users Guide
3.2.18 What Do the Printhead LEDs Indicate?
^ BLUE (ON)
= Power On
^ BLUE (OFF)
= No power to the printhead
^ GREEN (ON)
= Printhead is RUNNING
^ GREEN (OFF)
= Printhead is OFF-LINE
^ GREEN (FLASHING) = Printhead is printing

^ AMBER (ON)
= Printhead is in warning.
^ AMBER (OFF)
= No warning or fault.
^ AMBER (FLASHING) = Printhead is in fault. (The

amber LED also flashes during power-on while the
printhead is initializing.)
48

3.2.19 What Do the Keys on the Alphanumeric Keypad Do?
Key
Characters (in turn)
1.,?/:!-&;+#()\"_@&$%<>=
ABC2abc
DEF3def
GHI4ghi
JKL5jkl
MNO6mno
PQRS7pqrs$
TUV8tuv
WXYZ9wxyz
Cursor left
0*
Cursor right
Backspace Clear (hold down to clear)
Space
OK return
49
Users Guide
3.2.20 Remove Jobs That Are No Longer Required
1.
From CLARiTYs Home screen, press the TOOLS

button.
2.
Select the DATABASE tools.
A list of all jobs in the printer is displayed. Also statistics that can
be used to determine approximately how many more jobs can be
stored in the printer are visible.
3.
Scroll through the list of jobs and press on one that you
may want to remove.
The DELETE and PREVIEW buttons will become available.
50
4.
Press on PREVIEW to see the jobs image so that you can

verify that is indeed a job that is no longer required.
5.
If this job definitely is not required, then press the

DELETE button, either on the job preview screen, or on
the database screen.

6.
You will be asked to confirm that the jobs should be

removed.
7.
Press OK to go ahead and remove the job.
8.
Continue to select other jobs that arent required, and

remove them in the same way.
9.
When finished, either press on the BACK button on the

Navigation bar, or press on the CLARiTY HOME button.
51
Users Guide
4 Setup Frequently Asked Questions (How do I set ..?)

4.1 Set the Printhead Resistance
4.1.1 Printhead Resistance
Printheads are manufactured with variations in their resistance.

The printer must be set up with the correct printhead resistance.
WARNING: IF THE PRINTHEAD IS CHANGED, THEN THE NEW
PRINTHEAD RESISTANCE MUST BE SET. IF NOT
SET CORRECTLY, THEN DAMAGE COULD
OCCUR TO THE PRINTHEAD, OR POOR QUALITY
IMAGES COULD RESULT. SUCH DAMAGE WILL
NOT BE COVERED BY YOUR PRINTER
WARRANTY.
4.1.2 To Set the Printhead Resistance:
Find and note the printhead resistance value from the new
printhead. It is marked on the printhead label as PHR = value.
1.
52

2.
Press on the PRINTHEAD RESISTANCE parameter.
3.
Key in the new resistance.
4.
Press OK.
5.
A confirmation message will be displayed to ensure that

this parameter is not changed inadvertently. Choose Yes
to proceed to set the new value.
53
Users Guide
4.2 Set the Print Darkness

1.
2.
Press on the PRINT DARKNESS parameter. The following

page will be displayed:
3.
Use the + or buttons to make small adjustments

^ Or key in a new number
^ Or select from the MIN, MAX or DEFAULT values.
4.
54
Press OK.

4.3 Choosing a Darkness Value:
Setting the darkness too low can cause a faded image to be printed.
Setting the darkness too high causes the edges of the image to be
blurred, and will also overdrive the printhead and thus cause its
lifetime to be shortened.
Choose a reasonable minimum setting that produces a good quality
print.
55
Users Guide
4.4 Intermittent Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Print Delay

The print delay is the time that the printer waits between receiving
a print signal and starting a print. It can be increased to ensure that
the target material has come to a complete stop before printing
starts. If printing occurs while the target material is still moving,
then the resulting image may appear to be stretched or squashed.
To enable maximum throughput, the Print Delay should be set to
the shortest time that produces consistent prints.
56
1.
2.
Press on the PRINT DELAY parameter.
3.

4.5 Intermittent Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Print Speed
The transfer used by the printer adheres more readily to some types
of target materials than others. The print speed can be:
^5HGXFHGWRLPSURYHERQGLQJDQGSULQWTXDOLW\
^Or, increased to increase print speed.
1.
2.
Press on the PRINT SPEED parameter.
3.
4.6 Continuous Mode Printers ONLY: Set the Printhead Print Position
When printing continuously, the printhead will press the target
material down against the roller.
Printhead
Target Material
By moving the Print Position, the printing corner of the head can
be made to press against different points on the roller. This causes
the angle of the printhead against the target material to change. The
angle affects the print quality. If the angle is not suitable, then the
resulting print may appear faded.
To find a suitable Print Position:
57
Users Guide
58
1.
2.
Press on the PRINT POSITION parameter.
3.
Use the on-screen keyboard to enter a new value.
4.
Try changing the value in steps of 1mm. The print position

parameter is in 0.01mm units, so a change of 100 units will
move the printhead by 1mm.
5.
Examine sample prints from each position until you find a

range of values in which the image is of high quality.
6.
Finally, set the Print Position to be in the middle of the

range of high quality prints.

4.7 CLARiTY System Time & Date
From the HOME page, press TOOLS SETUP CONTROL.
1.
Press and select DATE AND TIME from the list
2.
To set the Date, press DATE and the calendar page

appears
3.
Use the + and keys to select the current month and year
4.
Press on todays date box to select the current day.
5.
Press OK.
6.
To set the Time, press TIME and the time-set page appears
59
Users Guide
60
7.
Use the + and keys for each of Hours, Minutes and

(optionally) Seconds
8.
Press OK
9.
Press the HOME button to return to the HOME page.

4.8 CLARiTY Language and Internationalization
1.
From the HOME page, press TOOLS SETUP

CONTROL.
2.
Press to select INTERNATIONALIZATION from the list.
3.
The current language is displayed.
4.
Press the LANGUAGE button.
5.
Press to select your chosen language from the list (all

currently available languages will be listed).
6.
Press OK.
7.
Press HOME button to return to the HOME page.
61
Users Guide
5 Troubleshooting
5.1 Diagnosing Problems
CLARiTY presents a number of pages containing diagnostic
information that can often be used to deduce the source of any
problem that may be hampering the printer.
5.1.1
62
To Access the Diagnostic Pages:
1.
Press on the TOOLS button (near the top right of the

screen).
2.
Press on the DIAGNOSTICS panel; the following page

will be displayed.
3.
Select from the four areas, the area where the problem is
suspected to exist.

5.1.2 Toggling Outputs
If it is suspected that the printer is not correctly setting one of its

outputs, e.g. the fault output is not being set correctly, this can be
tested by toggling the output.
1.
First, the printer must be Offline (see section Switch the

printer offline, Section 3.2.4.).
2.
Go to the page TOOLS DIAGNOSTICS PRINTHEAD

- OUTPUTS.
3.
Press on the toggle button for the appropriate output.
The displayed state of the output will be seen to change. If the

physical output does not change accordingly, then there could be a
problem with the output on the printer.
5.2 The Host Packaging Machine Wont Run

If CLARiTY is displaying a Fault, then the printer will be
activating its fault output. The fault output is intended to be wired
to interlock and stop the host packaging machine. Clear the fault
see section Clear a fault or warning (Section 3.2.5.) to clear the
fault. This will switch the fault output and allow the host
packaging machine to run again.
4.
The state of the output can be examined on the page

TOOLS DIAGNOSTICS PRINTHEAD - OUTPUTS.
This diagnostic should be checked to determine what the
expected output of the printer should be.
5.3 Only Half of the Image Comes Out

There is a minimum speed at which the printer can operate. If the
speed of the target material past the printhead falls below this
minimum during a print, then the image will stop printing at this
moment.
The solution to this problem is to ensure that the target materials
speed remains high enough.
63
Users Guide
5.
The diagnostic TOOLS DIAGNOSTICS PRINTHEAD

TIMINGS can be examined to determine if the print
speed dropped too low during the previous print.
Minimum print speed:

^ Continuous = 40mm/sec
^ Intermittent = 50mm/sec
5.4. The Print Signal is Connected, But It Doesnt Print.

View the diagnostics on the page TOOLS DIAGNOSTICS
PRINTHEAD - INPUTS. The state of the print signal input that
the printer is receiving is listed.
Manually trigger the print sensor/signal, and check whether the
diagnostic page shows a change in the state of the signal. If the
diagnostics do not show a change, then it is likely that the print
signal is not being generated correctly.
Check all of the print signal/sensors connections. If the diagnostic
page still does not show the expected read out, then change the
print signal/sensor.
5.5 The Print Appears Smeared

If the printer is working intermittently (the target material is
stationary while printing is taking place), then the material may not
be coming to a complete rest before the print begins. Alter the
Print Delay setting to correct the problem (see section
Intermittent mode printers only: Set the Print Delay, Section
4.4.).
64

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Users Guide

Thermal Transfer Overprinter

9,'(2-(7 7(&+12/2*,(6 ,1&

1500 Mittel Boulevard

2002 by VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC. All rights reserved.

Offices: USA: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles,

2002 by Videojet Technologies Inc.

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

4 Setup Frequently Asked Questions (How do I set ..?)................................ 52

Set the Printhead Resistance ...............................................................................................52

The printer uses high-resolution thermal transfer technology with a

1.2 About the Documentation

An Operation section is aimed at providing answers to a

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

A Setup section explains how to set the various modes of

A Troubleshooting section is also intended for printer

The Illustrated Parts Breakdown (P/N 361342-01) is provided so

,62/$7( (48,30(17 )520 7+( 0$,1

5(029( 0$,1 32:(5 &211(&725

,62/$7( 7+( 35,17(5 )520 $1< (;7(51$/

ENERGY SOURCES INCLUDING ANY

WARNING: BEFORE CONNECTING COMPRESSED AIR

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

21( 21 7+( 32:(5 6833/< &29(5

THE PULLEY IN THE PRINTER BODY

WARNING: VOLTAGES USED TO CONNECT THE PRINTER TO

2.2 Safety Guidelines

All electrical wiring and connections must comply with

Do Not Remove Warning Labels

Do not, under any circumstances, remove or obstruct any

Placement of the Printer

Do not place the printer in a hazardous location. Hazardous

Using Printer Accessories

To maintain regulatory approval for the printer, you must use

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

Shortcut buttons take you directly to key pages regardless of which

^ Current Job (shown as the Current Job Name)

On the left hand side, there is a constantly available Control

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

The printer will perform a number of self-diagnostic checks and

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

3.2.2 Set the Air Pressure

On the air regulator, installed close to the printhead and connected

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

The printer powers-on in an OFFLINE state, to allow you to check

The CLARiTY HOME page will be displayed as follows:

NOTE: If the printer has a Fault or a Warning, then RUNNING

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

3.2.5 Clear a Fault or Warning

When a fault or warning occurs, CLARiTY displays a message

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

Press the red FAULT message to view the list of faults.

Now press RIBBON BREAK to read the details and access

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

The name of the current job is displayed on the HOME page. To

Press the Navigation BACK button or the HOME button to return

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

To select a new image or job, press the JOB button on the

Press OK and the new job will be pre-loaded into the

9,'(2-(7 'DWD)OH[ Thermal Transfer Overprinter

If there are any Job Variables (variable information fields) on

You can now do one of two things:

Finally, press OK and the check box will become checked.

9,'(2-(7 7(&+12/2*,(6 ,1&