ASTRO AJ-300P, AJ-500P Operator's Manual
ASTRO MACHINE CORP.
630 Lively Blvd..
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: (847) 364-6363
Fax: (847) 364-9898
www.astromachine.com
TM
AstroJet
300P/500P
PRINTER
OPERATOR MANUAL
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
THIS EQUIPMENT PRESENTS NO PROBLEM WHEN USED PROPERLY.
HOWEVER, CERTAIN SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE OBSERVED WHEN
OPERATING THE ASTROJET 300 OR 500 PRINTER.
BEFORE USING THE PRINTER, YOU SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL
CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES, SAFETY
WARNINGS, AND INSTRUCTIONS:
Keep hands, hair, and clothing clear of rollers and other moving parts.
Avoid touching moving parts or materials while the machine is in use. Before clearing a jam, be
sure machine mechanisms come to a stop.
Always turn off the machine before making adjustments, cleaning the machine, or performing any
maintenance covered in this manual.
Use the power cord supplied with the machine and plug it into a properly grounded, easily
accessible wall outlet located near the machine. Failure to properly ground the machine can result
in severe personal injury and/or fire.
The power cord and wall plug is the primary means of disconnecting the machine from the power
supply.
DO NOT use an adapter plug on the line cord or wall outlet.
DO NOT remove the ground pin from the line cord.
DO NOT route the power cord over sharp edges or trap it between furniture.
Avoid using wall outlets that are controlled by wall switches, or shared with other equipment.
Make sure there is no strain on the power cord caused by jamming between equipment, walls or
furniture.
DO NOT remove covers. Covers enclose hazardous parts that should only be accessed by a
qualified service representative. Report any cover damage to your service representative.
This machine requires periodic maintenance. Contact your authorized service representative for
required service schedules.
To prevent overheating, do not cover the vent openings.
Use this equipment only for its intended purpose.
In addition, follow any specific occupational safety and health standards for your workplace or area.
This manual is intended solely for the use and information of Astro Machine Corp., its designated
agents, customers, and their employees. The information in this guide was obtained from several
different sources that are deemed reliable by all industry standards. To the best of our
knowledge, that information is accurate in all respects. However, neither Astro Machine Corp. nor
any of its agents or employees shall be responsible for any inaccuracies contained herein.
AstroJetTM is a registered trademark of Astro Machine Corp.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Corporation.
Windows 98, 2000, NT and XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher
Section 1 – Getting Acquainted
1
Operator View
Rear View
Control Panel
1
2
3
Section 2 – Installing the Printer
5
Choosing a Location
Connecting the AstroJet 300/500
Connecting the Computer
Installing the Inkjet Cartridges
Setting up the Feed
Installing the Printer Driver
5
5
5
6
6
7
Section 3 – Operating the AstroJet 300/500
9
Printer Operation
Printer Driver Properties
Printing from Microsoft Word
Printing from DeskTop Mailer®
9
11
15
17
Section 4 – Maintenance
21
The Inkjet Cartridge
Jams in the Printer
Replacing the Sheet Separators
Cleaning
21
23
23
24
Section 5 –Troubleshooting
25
HP Inkjet Print Cartridges
The Printer
25
26
Appendices
27
Appendix A – Specifications
Appendix B – Supplies and Optional Hardware
27
28
Index
29
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notes
ii
SECTION 1
1.
Safety Cover – Encloses the Printheads. When raised it interrupts the feeding of
the media and stops the Printer.
2.
Media Side Guides – Help guide the media to the Printheads.
3.
Rear Media Guide – Holds the media against the front plate.
4.
Rear Paper Support – Holds longer media in position.
5.
Printer LCD Display – Displays information about the status of the Printer.
6.
Printer Control Panel – Keys are used to operate the Printer.
7.
Media Thickness Adjustment Knob – Used to set the Printheads at the proper
height for printing on the media. Always raise the Printheads to their
uppermost position when storing the Printer.
GETTING ACQUAINTED
Section 1 – Getting Acquainted
NOTE: The AstroJet 300 and 500 are similar in operation. The only difference is that the
AstroJet 300 has only one print speed regardless of print resolution, while the AstroJet 500 has
variable printing speeds based on the print resolution.
Operator View
1
SECTION 1
1.
Separator Locking Knob – Used to lock the Separator in place after it is
adjusted.
2.
Sheet Separator – Separates each piece of media as it is feed.
3.
USB Port – Connects the Printer to your computer using your USB Port.
4.
Parallel Port – Connects the Printer to the Parallel Printer Port on your
computer.
5.
Main Power Fuse – Protects all of the electronic circuits in the Printer.
6.
Motor Circuit Breaker – Protects the Printer’s Motor from overload.
7.
Main Power Switch – Turns the Printer ON and OFF.
8.
Power Receptacle – Power cord plugs in here.
GETTING ACQUAINTED
Rear View
2
SECTION 1
1.
ON LINE key – Indicator lights when data is sent to the AstroJet 300/500 and
printing is ready to begin. Also turns the Printer offline to access the Menu Mode.
2.
- key – In Menu Mode, use this key to scroll to the previous selection.
3.
ENTER key – Starts and stops printing.
4.
FAULT Indicator – Lights when there is a problem with the printing process.
5.
RESET key – Resets the Printer to its wait state.
6.
+ key – In Menu Mode, use this key to scroll to the next selection.
7.
MENU key – Puts the Printer in the Menu Mode to access several operator
functions.
8.
TEST PRINT key – Puts the Printer in Test Mode and sends a sample copy to
check the Printer’s output.
9.
OPERATOR DISPLAY – Indicates the status of the Printer including menus
and error messages.
GETTING ACQUAINTED
Control Panel
NOTE: A complete description of the functions and operation of the printer keys
can be found in Section 3 – Operating the AstroJet 300/500.
3
SECTION 1
GETTING ACQUAINTED
Notes
4
SECTION 2
CAUTION
Do not use an adapter plug or extension
cord to connect the Printer to the wall
outlet.
Do not use on outlets controlled by wall
switches.
Do not use an outlet that shares the
same circuit with large electrical
machines or appliances.
INSTALLING THE PRINTER
Section 2 – Installing the Printer
Before using the AstroJet 300 or 500 Printer the following must be done:
Choose a location for the Printer
Plug in the Printer and connect it to the computer
Install the Inkjet Cartridges
Set up the feed on the Printer
Install the AstroJet 300 or 500 Printer Driver depending on the model
Choose a Location
The Printer should be placed on a sturdy worktable or cabinet at least 12 inches from any walls. Protect
the Printer from excessive heat, dust, and moisture – avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Connecting the AstroJet 300 or 500
Plugging in the Printer
Make sure that the Main Power Switch of the Printer is in the OFF position.
1. Connect one end of the power cord to the
rear of the Printer in the corresponding
receptacle.
2. Plug the other end into a 115-220 Volt
AC, 50/60 Hz. grounded outlet.
Connecting to the Computer
Parallel Port: Plug the Parallel Printer Cable from
your computer into the rear of the Printer and latch
the two locking clips.
USB Port: If using a USB Interface, plug that cable
into the connector mounted next to the Parallel Port.
The cable used to connect the Printer to the
computer must not exceed 6 feet long.
NOTE: The Parallel Port may be used for all
versions of Windows. The USB Port is used only
for Windows ME, 2000, and XP.
5
SECTION 2
The Ink in the Cartridge
may be harmful if
swallowed. Keep new
and used Cartridges out
of reach of children.
Discard empty
Cartridges immediately.
INSTALLING THE PRINTER
Install the Inkjet Cartridges
The Printer can be configured with 3 Inkjet Cartridges. To install the cartridges:
Remove the Inkjet Cartridge from its
packaging, taking care not to touch the
copper contacts, the metal plate, or the gold
printhead. Remove the protective tape from
the Printhead.
The Cartridges are held in place by a Latch
Lever mounted on the Inkjet Cartridge
Holder. Release the lever by raising it
vertically.
With the Cartridge’s Printhead pointing
down, slide the Cartridge into the Holder
and push down and toward the contacts in
the Holder.
Make sure the Cartridge is seated in the
Holder then close the Latch Lever to secure
the Cartridge in the Holder. Do not force
the lever into place. (See diagram.)
Repeat the above for the remaining
Cartridges.
Setting up the Feed
The AstroJet Printer is equipped with four Sheet
Separators, two Side Guides, and a Back Media
Guide. The Sheet Separators are adjusted
individually as follows:
1. Move the Side Guides so that the locking
screws are accessible.
2. Loosen the locking screw as shown and
raise the Separator, then tighten the locking
screw to hold the Separator in the up
position.
3. Place the media under the Separators. It is
best to place the media in the center position
on the Table.
4. Loosen the Separator locking screw. Place the Separator on the media and tighten the locking
6
screw. Repeat for each Separator that has media under it.
INSTALLING THE PRINTER
5. Adjust the Side Guides so that they are
about 1/32-inch from the sides of the
media. Tighten the locking screws on the
Side Guides.
6. Adjust the Rear Guide by loosening the locking screw and place it so that the media is raised
approximately 1/2-inch above the Feed Table.
7. Turn the Media Thickness Knob [A] fully
counterclockwise. Place a piece of media
[B] under the Printhead Carriage. Adjust
the Media Thickness Knob clockwise
until the Printhead Carriage just touches
the media. Then turn the Media Thickness
Knob counterclockwise until the media
[B] can be pulled from under the Print
Carriage with a slight pull.
SECTION 2
8. Test feed the media by pressing the ON
LINE key and then the ENTER key.
Press the ENTER key to stop feeding,
then press the ON LINE key to stop the Printer.
NOTE: When the Printer is not in use always raise the Printheads to their maximum up position.
Installing the Printer Driver
A dedicated Printer Driver is included with the Printer. It must be installed on your computer before you
install the AstroPrint Software.
NOTE: The Driver for the Printer should start when installed. If it does not, then use the steps below.
1. If you have any applications running on your computer
close them and restart the computer before beginning
the Driver installation.
2. Install the CD in the CD drive and click START. Then
click RUN, then type the following; D:\Setup.exe
(where D is the CD drive) then click OK.
3. The “Add Printer Wizard (n.nn)” window will open,
and then click Next>.
4. Type in your Name and Company and click Next>.
7
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