CIM K 500 Optima User Manual

FOREWORD

This manual contains installation and operation information for the CIM K500 Optima

Series card printe rs manufactured by CIM.

RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION

Before returning a ny equipment to CIM S.p.A. for in-warranty or out-of-warranty repair,

contact Repair Administration for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number.

Repack the equipment in the original pa cking material and mark the RMA number

clearly on the outside. Ship the equipment, freight prepaid, to the address listed below:

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This document contains information proprietary to CIM S.p.A.

This document and the information contained within are Copyrighted by CIM

S.p.A. and may not be duplicated in full or in pa rt by any person without

written approval from CIM. While every e ffort has been made to keep the information

contained within current and accurate as of the date of publication, no guarantee is

given that the document is error-free or that it is accurate with regard toany specification.

CIM reserves the right to ma ke changes, for the purpose of product improvement,

at any time.

TRADEMARKS

K 500 Optima is a service mark and CIM is a registered trademark of CIM S.p.A.

Windows and MS.DOS are registered trademarks of Microso ft Corp. All other trademarks

or registered trademarks are marks of their respect ive holders.

iii

iii

WITH THE CIMAGE CARD A WORLD OF SERVICES ARE NOW A V AILABLE TO YOU

Dear Customer, Thank you for buying a CIM product. The quality of CIM products is guaranteed over
time and backed by quality service. CIM provides through the CIMAGE CARD an after-sales service
wich you can make use of by providing us the code number printed on the back side of the card. This
will enable to you contact uor technical Service for a period of 12 months.

WHA T DOES THE CIMAGE CARD OFFER

1 YEAR OF TECHNICAL SUPPOR T FREE OF CHARGE HELP DESK SUPPOR T
T el [phone] - fax [phone]
e-mail: dolphinsupport@cimitaly .it - www.cimital y .it

On demand assistance with all problems relating to hardware, software, installation or outright
malfunctioning of the printer product. The technical support is offered free of charge within the
appliacable 24 month warranty period of the product and thereafter extended on request and on
contractual basis.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Repair or upgrades of defective printers is carried out by CIM certified technicians. In-house service
and repair is offered free of charge (all shipping and handling charges to be paid by customer) within
the applicable 12 months warranty period on the product. In -house service and repair is also available
for products beyond the standard warranty period. In such case the current rate for in-house service
and repair will be applied.

CIM TECHNICAL SUPPORT

v

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the CIM K 500 Optima Plastic Card Printer.

CIM’s P series card printers offer a low cost, high quality solution to those requiring
computer-controlled printing and encoding of credit card style plastic cards, Card
applications include personalized identification, access control, visitor, membership,
badges and tags.

This manual guides you to efficient start up and operation of your new Card Printer.

K 500 Optima PRINTER MODELS

The CIM Product Number tells a story:
Here is a quick review of the CIM Card Printer Series numbering and lettering

system to help you.
The K 500 Optima Plastic Card Printer employs Dye Sublimation and Resin Thermal

Transfer technologies. Model numbers include identifiers that specify options are shown
using the following lettering conventions:

K500 Optima - X X X X X - X X X

Smart Card: Software:

O = No O = WindCard Cd only
E = Yes F = Windows driver only
Magnetic Encoder: B = WindCard & drivers
O = No Language:
M = Yes O = No manual
Magnetic Encoder Options: A = English & Spanish
O = No B = French & German
1 = Stripe down HICO I = Italian
2 = Stripe Down LOCO P = Brazilian Portugese
3 = Stripe Up HICO C = Chinese
4 = Stripe Up LOCO J = Japanese

Memory: Power Cord:

O = Standard O = None
Interface: A = 120 VAC
P = Parallel (Centronics 36 pins) E = 220 VAC

U = UK

}

Ship-away kit

vi

ICONS

Throughout this manual, different icons highlight important information, as follows:

Important general information.

Mechanical hazard, such as one associated with moving parts,
capable of resulting in equipment damage or personal injury.

Electrical hazard, such as an exposed voltage point, capable of
causing electrical shock and personal injury.

An area where electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause
component damage. Use a grounding wrist band.

Elevated temperature hazard, capable of producing a burn.

Keep Card Printer clean by minimizing cover open time.

vii

1

2

3
4
5
6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED • • • • • • • • • 1

1•1 Unpacking your • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1
1•2 Indicators and control • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3

1•3 Printer installation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4

OPERATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5

2•1 Printer Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5
2•2 Loading Printing Ribbons • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6

2•3 Loading Lamination Patch • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 8
2•4 Loading cards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9

A- Card Feeder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9
B- Card Cleaning Cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
C- Card Thickness Control Lever • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11

D- Card Output Hopper • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11

2•5 Reject Card Box • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12
2•6 Feeding one card at a time • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
2•7 Printing a test card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15
2•8 Printer menu information • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD • • • • • • 21

3•1 Install Driver on windows 95/98 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
3•2 Install Driver on windows 200 0 & NT4.0 • • • • • • • • • 23

3•3 Set Printer Driver Option • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
3•4 printing a sample card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 24

CLEANING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 25

4•1 Cleaning system • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26
4•2 Cleaning the print head • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27

4•3 Cleaning the Laminator rollers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 28
4•4 Card Cleaning cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29

TROUBLESHOOTING • • • • • • • • • 31

5•1 Interpreting LCD Display messages • • • • • • • • • • • • 31

A- About the Printing Station • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 31

B- About the Laminator Station • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 34

5•2 Print Quality Issues • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 35

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • 39

viii

APPENDIX A • • • • • • • • • • • • • 43

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 43

A- Media Loading orientation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 44
B- Magnetic Encoder Cleaning • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 45

APPENDIX B • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46

A- Media Loading orientation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 47
B- Smart Card Contact Station Interface • • • • • • • • • 47

1

GETTING STARTED

1

GETTING STARTED

1 • 1 Unpacking your card printer

Your K 500 Optima printer ships in a carton and protective anti-static bag. Keep all

packaging material in case you need to move or re-ship the printer.

While unpacking, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage occured during

shipping.

Please ensure that you have a clean and nearly dust free environment for proper

operation and storage of the printer.

2

GETTING STARTED

In addition to user documentation, make sure the following items are included with

your K 500 Optima printer:

If any items are missing, please contact your dealer.

CLEANING KIT

POWER CABLE

PRINTER DRIVER DISK

(floppy or/and CD)

CARD HOPPER

CLEANING CARTRIDGE

CENTRONICS CABLE

1 • 3 Printer Installation

The following will guide you through the installation of your K 500 Optima printer.

CAUTION: Limit AC power supplied to the K 500

Optima Printer to 110 - 230 V AC, 60 - 50 Hz for an

associated 1,40A - 0,80A. Limit excess current draw

to 16 amps or less, using an associated circuit breaker

or other such device. Never operate the printer in

a location where operator, computer, or printer can

get wet. Personal injury could result. The

printer must be connected to an earthed electrical

power supply and properly protected against

electrical surges and grounding faults.

1 • Place the printer in a location that allows easy

access to all sides. The printer should never be

operated while resting on its side or upside down.

2 • Place the printer’s power switch in the OFF (O)

position.

3 • Insert the power cable to the printer power

socket and attach to grounded electrical socket of

the proper voltage and type.

4 • Attach interface cable to printer and computer

and then secure.

5 • Switch power on.

CAUTION: Intermittent or unpredictable operation

may occur from unsecured connectors. If

damaged, the power cable must be replaced by an

exact equivalent.

Use only Parallel Cable under 3 Meters in length.

3

4

GETTING STARTED

4

5

OPERATION

2

OPERATION

2 • 1 Printer Features

The following shows the features found on your K 500 Optima Printer:

Standard Features: Optional Features:

1 • Print Head Unlock Lever A • Smart Card Contact Station
2 • Print Head B • Magnetic Encoder Station
3 • Card Thickness Control Lever
4 • Card Feeder
5 • LCD Display and two panel Buttons
6 • Card Cleaning Cartridge
7 • Laminator
8 • Laminator Unlock Lever
9 • Card Output Hopper
10 • Rejected Card Box
11 • Cleaning Roller

OPERATION

6

2 • 2 Loading Printing Ribbons

The K 500 Optima Printer requires approved ribbons. The Resin Thermal Transfer

and Dye Sublimation ribbons and Lamination are specifically designedfor your K 500

Optima Printer. For optimum performance and printer life (Print Head), always use

approved ribbons.

DO NOT TOUCH the print head or the electronic

components on the print head carriage.

Discharges ofelectrostatic charge from the human

body or other surfaces can damage the print head

or other electronic components used in this device.

1 • Remove ribbon from packaging.

2 • With printer power ON and Printer Ready status,

open cover and press down on the Print Head

Unlock Lever to open the print head carriage. The

print head carriage will pop open.

OPERATION

7

3 • Load ribbon onto the supply spindle “1”

(under print head carriage) and empty core (with

tape attached) onto the take-up spindle “2”. Make

sure the ribbon comes off the top of the supply

spindle and feeds to the top of the take-up spindle.

4 • Push down on the Print Head Lock Lever until an

audible “click” signals the locked-down position.

5 • Close Cover

Please note that the ribbon automatically

synchronises whenever the print head lock down

occurs.

The card flipper will not operate and an error will

be indicated if you try to flip a card when the cover

is open.

2

1

OPERATION

8

2 • 3 Loading Lamination Patch

The K 500 Optima Printer requires approved patches.

Clear patches, hologram patches or Overlay varnishes are specifically designed for

your K 500 Optima Printer. For optimum performance and printer life (Laminator),

always use approved patches.

1 • Remove patch from packaging.

2 • With printer power ON and printer Ready status,

open cover.

3 • Press down on the Laminator Unlock Lever to

open the laminator bracket. The laminator bracket

will pop open.

4 • Load patch onto the supply spindle “1”

(under laminator bracket) and align the notch of the

empty core with the spindle screw (with tape

attached) onto the take-up spindle “2” .

Make sure the patch comes off the top of the supply

spindle and feeds to the top of the take-up spindle.

5 • Push down on the Laminator Lock Lever until an

audible “click” signals the locked-down position.

6 • Close Cover

.Please note that the ribbon automatically
synchronises whenever the laminator head
lock down occurs.

2

1

OPERATION

9

2 • 4 Loading Cards

To help you load, print, and collect cards, the K 500 Optima has the following items:

A - CARD FEEDER

This items is used for loading cards.

1 • Open Card Feeder Cover by putting your fingers

on both sides and rotating the cover in a clockwise

direction to the open position.

2 • Install cards into Feeder* as shown.

3 • Close Card Feeder Cover.

DO NOT bend cards or touch print surfaces as this

can reduce print quality. The surface of the cards

must remain clean and dust free. Always store

cards in an enclosed container. Ideally, use cards

as soon as possible. If cards stick together,

carefully shuffle them.

* See Chapter 6, Technical Specifications, for card requirements and capacities.

10

OPERATION

B - INSTALL CARD CLEANING CARTRIDGE

This items is used to clean the cards entering the printer.

It must installed before using the printer.

1 • Remove Card Cleaning Cartridge from

plastic bag and peel off protective wrapper from

adhesive cleaning roller.

2 • Open printer cover and remove the yellow

reminder tape from the location for the Cleaning

Cartridge.

3 • Make sure the arrow on top of the assembly is

facing towards the rear of the printer.

Hook assembly into slot on printer and rotate down.

Ensure the assembly locks in place.

11

OPERATION

C - CARD THICKNESS CONTROL LEVER

This items is operated by the user to prevent more than one card feeding into the

printer at the same time and causing a jam.

Open cover, and adjust lever to the correct

position for the card thickness you are using. Repeat

for different card thickness. (Factory setting is for 30

mil (0,762 mm) card thickness). See diagram below:

Card thickness:

A - 60mil (1.524mm) to 50mil (1.27mm)

B - 40mil (1.016mm)

C - 30mil (0.762mm)

D - 20mil (0.508mm)

E* - Less than 20mil (0.508mm)

*Start at lowest position and move lever up

to match card thickness.

For other card thickness, start lever at lowest

position and move up until cards feed.

Note: For Lamination cards should only be 30 mil cards, and composite PVC is prefered

D - CARD OUTPUT HOPPER

This items is used for printing cards.

Install card Output hopper onto printer by hooking

over bottom edge of card exit aperture.

12

OPERATION

2 • 5 Rejected Card Box

The K 500 Optima Printer is equipped with a Rejected card Box. When an encoding cannot

be completed, the card is ejected into the Rejected Card Box. The K 500 Optima Printer

counts the number of cards which go into the Reject Card Box. After 20 cards the printer

stops, the Amber LED Flashes and a LCD Message is displayed indicating the need to empty

the reject box.

WHEN TO MAINTAIN

When the LCD screen reports message

HOW TO MAINTAIN

1 • Press the top of the Rejected Card Box Door as

shown. Allow the door to swing down and open.

2 • Remove all cards from the Rejected Card Box.

REJECT BOX FULL

OPERATION

13

3 • Swing the Rejected Card Box Door and press the

top. An audible “click” signals the locked position.

4 • Press the Clear Button on the front panel to

re-start the current printer job and to clear the

rejected cards counter.

14

OPERATION

2 • 6 Feeding one card at a time

A Manual Feed Slot is avalable on the side of the Card Feeder cover for feeding single

cards. Cleaning Cards are fed manually through this slot.

The Feeder must be empty

for manual card feeding to work properly.

For one-at-a-time printing, feed cards through slot

on side of Feeder.

Do not feed more than one card at a time.

16

OPERATION

2 • 8 Printer Menu Information

The printer is equipped with an LCD Display and two key buttons which gives access

to printer menus.

When the printer status shows READY, press the Menu button to enter the Menu Mode

Menu Button “NEXT”(left)

Clear Button “SELECT”(right)

When you are in Menu Mode the top line display shows

menu information and the second line of

display clarifies the function of the two “NEXT” and

“SELECT” key buttons relative to the current menu item.

The printer will return to READY Mode if either of

the two key Buttons is not pressed within ten

seconds of entering Menu mode.

PRINTING ST

A

TION:

• PRINTER INFO

• CLEANING MENU

• SELF TEST MENU

• PRINTER DEFAULTS

See next page:

K 500 Optima LCD Menu Tree: Printing Station

*If the printer is equipped with a Magnetic Stripe Encoder

LAMINATOR ST

ATION:

• LAMINATOR INFO

• SELF TEST MENU

• LAM DEFAULTS

17

OPERATION

READY

Printer info

Menu Lamination

(See Page N°19)

Cleaning Menu

Self Test Menu

Printer Defaults

(follow next page)

Printer Model number

Printer Firmware

Number of Impressions

Reject Box status

To show the number of

cards remaining in the

reject box

Clean Print Head

To Clean the Thermal Print

Head and card transport

system

Clean Mag. Head

To Clean the magnetic

Encoder Head

Go to main Menu

Test Pattern

To print a printer test card

Print Parameters

To print a test card showing

the operating parameter

settings of the printer

Mag. Parameters*

To print a test card showing

the operating parameter

settings of magnetic

encoder.

Go to main Menu

N

S

S

N

N

N

N

N

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

To run printing

To run cleaning

N: NEXT
S: SELECT

Menu Printer

N

N

OPERATION

18

Printer Defaults

Ribbon Type

To show the type of ribbon

installed.

It may not match the ribbon

physically installed until the

installed ribbon has been

selected through the driver.

S

Offset X: aa-Y:bb

To show the X print

location offset value in pixels (aa)

To show the Y print

location offset value in pixels

(bb)

Mag. Option: cccc

To show the setting of the

magnetic encoder as (cccc),

which can be:

-HICO (high coercivity)

-LOCO (low coercivity)

-NONE (no encoder present)

Color Parameters

To show the intensity values

of yellow (Y), Magenta (M)

and Cyan (C) panels and

contrast value of black Resin

(K) panel.

Go to main Menu

S

(back to) Menu Printer

N

N

N

N

N

N

Menu Tree: Printing station (continuation)

N: NEXT
S: SELECT

19

OPERATION

READY

Printer info

see page N°17

Menu Lamination

N

N: NEXT
S: SELECT

Temp: 170°C (U)

Shows current setting for

laminator temperature

Laminator Info

Speed: 08.84 (D)

Speed setting

Patch Clear 0.6

Ribbon setting

Firmware: V1.00

LAM CYCLE

Causes a single cycle of the

lamination operation

i.e produces a single sided

lamination on a blank

(unprinted) card.

Selt test menu

Go to main menu

Off. 1st: +100

offset value

Lam Defaults

Off. syn.: +140

Peel off: 90

Go to main Menu

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Menu Printer

S

N

N

READY

N

S

S

S

S

S

S

Menu Tree: Lamination station

S

Go to main Menu

N

N

N

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

21

3

P

RINTING A SAMPLE CARD

Printing with the K 500 Optima Printer requires the Windows Printer Driver,
your card design/issuing software or printer command level programming through
the printer interface.

The K 500 Optima Card Printer can be used with any Windows 95/98 or Windows
NT 4.0 software application program, using the drivers provided with the printer.

This section contains information on the printing of a dual-sided card in color
(using the 6-Panel color ribbon YMCKOK) and the Windows Printer Driver.

BEFORE installing updated printer dri ver ver sions,
always delete the existing printer driver version
from your computer.

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

22

3 ï 1 To install the K 500 Optima Printer Driver in

windows 95/98, use the following steps:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ensure that your PC printer

port is set to standard mode and also ensure that
you have deleted any previous versions ot this
printer driver. If you have any doubts please
contact your IT department.

This installation uses floppy drive “A” or from CD Rom as the installation drive with
the printer used as stand alone.

❐ Start your computer and then Windows.

❐Insert your “CIM Software” diskette into the drive “A” or CD drive.

❐ Under windows click the Start button, select Settings, then Printers.

❐ Double click on the Add Printer icon and also Next.

❐ Ensure Local Printer is selected and click on Next.

❐ Click on Have disk and then type in “A:\win95” if using the floppy disc

or“D:\win95” if using the CD and click OK.

❐ K 500 Optima CARDPRINTER should be displayed after which click on Next.

❐ Choose LPT1: Standard Printer P ort, click on Next, select Ye s to set as Default

Printer and click on Finish to install.
The Printer wizard will copy the necessary files to the PC for you and the K 500

Optima printer driver installation will be completed.

23

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

3 • 2 To install the K 500 Optima Printer Driver in

windows 2000/NT4.0:

Ensure that you have administrative privileges to
perform this installation or contact your IT
department.

Set printer as Not Shared for stand alone use.

To install the printer drives follow instructons on the Rainbow CD-ROM

Once the printer driver has been successfully installed, you will need to configure it
for your printer. This driver provides control of several printer features when printing
from Windows applications. These features are accessed through the K 500 Optima

Plastic Card Printer Properties. To access these properties select the K 500 Optima
Printer icon in Printers. Then click File Menu and select Properties.

3 • 3 Set Printer Driver Options:

The K 500 Optima Printer screen appears. Change the options as follows:

❐ On the Printer tab configure the magnetic encoder feature. If your Printer is

equipped with a Magnetic Encoder option, select With Magnetic Encoder
option.

❐ On the Card tab select card orientation:

Landscape or portrait - Select “Landscape”.

❐ On the Ribbon tab, select the Ribbon Type. SelectYMCKOK for the standard

6-panel ribbon.

❐ In the same tab, go to Black Panel area and select Text Only. this option

allows the text printing using the Black Resin Panel from the Color Ribbon.

❐Close the CIM K 500 Optima Printer Properties screen.

Now that you have loaded media and set up the printer driver, the K 500 Optima
Printer is ready to print.

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

24

3 • 4 Printing a sample card:

Follow the steps to print your first card

❐Go to the Microsoft Word Software.

❐ If the printer was not selected as the default printer, go to the file menu

and Select Printerand choose CIM K 500 Optima Card Printerin the printer
names list. Then Close the print dialog box.

❐ Come back to file menu and choose Page Setup.

❐Select Paper Sizetab and in Paper Sizechoose Card. Then select the

orientation: “landscape”.

❐Go to Marginstab, Set the Top, Bottom, left and right margins to O (zero)

values.

❐Press OKto close Page Setup window.

❐ The card appears on the screen.

❐Design a card with 2 sides as follows:

❐ Once you are ready to print, go to File and point Print

❐ The printer will feed in a card and start printing (the data download time will

vary depending on the complexity of the card design and the processing speed
of the computer).

❐ Once the printing job is achieved the card is ejected from the printer.

Front Side:

Back Side:

25

CLEANING

4

C

LEANING

PROTECT YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY!

The recommended maintenance procedures must be perfor-
med to maintain your factory warranty.
Other than the recommanded cleaning procedures described
in this manual, allow only CIM S.p.A. authorised

technicians to service the K 500 Optima Printer.

NEVERloosen, tighten, adjust, or bend, etc. a part

or cable inside the printer.

NEVER use a high pressure air compressor to

remove particles in the printer.

CLEAN PRINTER

Although the CLEAN PRINTER message is
displayed until the cleaning process has been
performed, the printer will continue to operate.

4 • 1 Cleaning System

Your K 500 Optima Printer includes a simple cleaning system using the Pre-Satured
Cleaning Cards provided. The regular use of these cards will clean and maintain important
parts of your printer that cannot be reached: including the Print Head, the Lamination

station and Transport Rollers.

WHEN TO CLEAN

When the LCD screen reports messages.

HOW TO CLEAN

1 • Leave power on.

Open Cover and release Print Head Bracket to
remove ribbon.
Close Print Head Bracket
Close Cover. Remove cards from Card Feeder.

2 • Insert one Pre-Saturated Cleaning Card

(provided) through slot on the side of the Card

feeder Cover.

3 • Press the right panel button for a few seconds.

The card will feed into printer and carry out the
cleaning process. repeat the process with a new
Cleaning card if necessary.

Note: For a printer cleaning prior to the WHEN TO CLEAN signal, press the Left Panel

button until the LCD screen shows “CLEANING MENU”. Press the right Panel button to
select and one more time again to run the cleaning process (Repeat first steps 1 & 2
above).

CLEANING

26

27

CLEANING

4 • 2 Cleaning the Print Head

A cleaning using the cleaning system with cards usually suffices. However, a
separate Print head cleaning using swabs can remove more stubborn deposits when
print anomalies persist. To avoid deposits, only use foam-tipped swabs.

1 • Switch power Off, open cover, raise Print Head

and remove the Ribbon.

2 • Clean Print Head by moving alcohol-moistened

swab tip side-to-side across Print Head elements.
Only use moderate force.
Make sure the elements are dry before switching on.

Never use a sharp object to scrape deposits from
the print head. Permanent damage will result.

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

28

4 • 3 Cleaning the Laminator Rollers

A cleaning using the Cleaning System with cards usually suffices, moreover your
printer is equipped with two cleaning rollers situated before the card enters the
Laminator. The upper roller has a coating that collects any loose particles on the
surface of cards. However, a separate Laminator Station cleaning can remove more
stubborn deposits.

To avoid deposits, only use foam-tipped swabs.
Never touch the rollers with fingers.

WHEN TO MAINTAIN

Cleaning frequency varies with different
environments. Clean when lamination anomalies
persist.

HOW TO MAINTAIN

1 • Switch OFF your printer and open cover. Make

sure the Laminator rollers cool down.

2 • Press down on the unlock lever to open the

Laminator braquet.

3 • Clean the two Laminator rollers and the

two transport rollers gently with a swab.
(The above transport roller “1” can be temporary
removed for an easy clean)

4 • Make sure the rollers are dry before Pushing

down the braquet and switching on your printer.

1

29

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD

4 • 4 Card Cleaning Cartridge

Your K 500 Optima Printer also has a Card Cleaning Cartridge. This item cleans
the cards entering the printer. To ensure print quality, the cleaning roller requires
periodic replacements.

WHEN TO MAINTAIN

When LCD screen reports message.
Run a printer cleaning first.
(see 4.1 Cleaning System for more instructions).

HOW TO MAINTAIN

1 • Open Cover and locate Cleaning Cartridge

2 • Gently remove Cleaning Cartridge by rotating up

and away from printer.

CLEAN PRINTER

CLEANING

30

3 • Remove Cleaning Roller from Cartridge and dis-

card.

4 •Install new Cleaning Roller into Cartridge. To

avoid contamination, always hold the Cleaning
Roller assembly by the ends.

5 • Carefully peel off wrapper from new Cleaning

Roller while in Cartridge.

6 • Replace Cartridge into printer. Make sure the

arrow on top of the assembly is facing towards the
rear of the printer. Hook assembly into slot on prin­ter and rotate down. Ensure the assembly locks in
place.

DO NOT touch the roller surface that contacts the

cards.

7 • Close Cover

Although the CLEANING PRINTER message is
displayed until maintenance has been performed,
the printer will cotinue to operate.

5

T

ROUBLESHOOTING

This section offers solutions to potential problems you may experience with your K 500
Optima printer. The table below lists the screen messages that will be displayed
on the printer’s LCD, both during normal operation and to alert operator of any
error conditions. There is also some additional information dealing with quality
issues concerning printing onto cards.

5 • 1Interpreting LCD Display messages

A • About the Printing Station

SCREEN MESSAGE

INITIALIZING

READY

W AIT TEMPERATURE

SELF TEST

DOWNLOADING DATA

PRINTING YELLOW

PRINTING MAGENTA

PRINTING CYAN

MEANING

The printer is performing
an internal test before use

Ready for use
Print Head cool down

mode
Self test card printing

The card data is being
transmitted

The yellow panel is being
printed
The magenta panel is
being printed
The cyan panel is being
printed

ACTION

Wait for the ready message

Wait for card printing to start

31

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING

32

SCREEN MESSAGE

PRINTING BLACK

PRINTING V ARNISH

PRINT HOLOGRAM

CLEAN PRINTER

CLEAN MAG HEAD

CLEANING

REMOVE RIBBON

OUT OF RIBBON

MECHANICAL ERROR

OUT OF CARD

ROTATION ERROR

COVER OPEN

HEAD OPEN

COMMAND ERROR

PARAMETERS ERROR

ENCODING ERROR

MEANING

A monochrome panel is
being printed

The overlay is printing
A hologram overlay is printing

The printer is prompting
operator maintenance

The printer is prompting
operator

The printer is performing an
internal cleaning routine

The ribbon has not been
removed while the cleaning
operation is in progress

The printer ribbon has run out

The printer has an error
moving the card internally

The card feeder is empty
The printer has an error

moving the card in the flip
The cover is open

The print head is not locked
into position

The data being sent from the
host is not recognised

The features of the card are
not recognised

Data cannot be written or read
from the card’ s magnetic stri­pe
Data cannot be read from the
card’ s magnetic stripe
The reject box is full
The printer cannot detect a
magnetic stripe on the card

ACTION

Carry out the cleaning
procedure as detailed in
section 4 of this manual
Carry out the cleaning
procedure as detailed in
Appendix A of this manual

Remove ribbon

Replace printer ribbon
Remove the jamed card.

Ensure the card is not
out of specification

Add more cards or adjust
the card feeder to accept
the cards

Remove card
Close the cover

Lock the print head in its
lower position

Check that the data is sui­table for printing. Try
reprinting a card from
known “good” data

Check the windows driver
options and printer type
Check that the cards are
loaded with the magnetic
stripe in the correct orien­tation. Check whether high
or low coercivity cards
have been specified. Check
that the data conforms to
ISO specifications. See
Appendix A of this manual
for further information.

Ribbon Errors: Check that the print ribbon has not “run out”. Lock and then unlock the

print head assembly; this resynchronises the ribbon automatically. When using a color
ribbon, it should advance automatically so that the leading edge of the yellow panel is
beneath the print head. Ensure that the correct ribbon type has been specified in the
Windows driver.

Card Feed & Mechanical Errors: Ensure that the card thickness adjustment has been

set-up correctly to allow one card to feed.

Magnetic Encoding Errors: Check that the cards are inserted correctly in the printer.

Ensure that the cards are low or high coercivity as required, and are set-up correctly
in the printer driver.

Cleaning Alert: The printer has counted the number of cards printed and has

automatically flagged that a cleaning routine needs to be carried out. (See Chapter 4).

SCREEN MESSAGE

READING ERROR

REJECT BOX FULL

MAGNETIC ERROR

FLASH ERROR

NO ACCESS

MEANING

Data cannot be read from
the card’s magnetic stripe

The reject box is full
The printer cannot detect a

magnetic stripe on the card

ACTION

Check that the cards are
loaded with the magnetic
stripe in the correct orienta­tion. Check whether high or
low coercivity cards have
been specified. Check that
the data conforms to ISO
specifications.See
Appendix A of this manual
for further information.

Empty the reject card box and
press the right panel button

Check the card orientation

Contact your dealer for
technical support

33

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING

34

B • About the Laminator Station

SCREEN MESSAGE

INITIALISING

READY

COVER OPEN

ROTATION ERROR

LAMINATING

OUT OF RIBBON

MECHANICAL ERR

TEMPERATURE ERR

WARMING UP

RIBBON FAILURE

STANDBY MODE

MEANING

The printer is performing
an internal test before use

Ready for use
The cover is open

The printer has an error
moving the card in the flip
The printer is processing a
lamination

The printer ribbon has run
out
the printer has an error
moving the card internally

The printer has detected a
temperature error
A lamination command has
been sent and the tempera­ture has not reached +/- 7°C
of the recommended temp.

The film is glud to the card
during the cool down

period.
Laminator power reduced.

ACTION

Wait for the ready message

Close cover

Remove card
Wait for the laminated card
Load a new ribbon

Remove the jamed card.
Ensure the card is not out of
specification.
Proceed an initialization by
switching Off and On.

Wait until the printer has
reached the recommended
temperature

Open laminator bracket.
Remove card.
Close laminator bracket.

5 • 2 Print Quality Issues

This section will help you resolve print quality problems. The print quality is
dependent on several factors. The two most important factors that will increase your
print quality are cleanliness and card stock. To diagnose and fix print quality problems,
follow the troubleshooting procedure below:

• Small spots appear on the printed card with a non-printed area or a different color.

Possible Cause

A • Contamination on the card surface.
B • Dust inside the printer and/or dirty Cleaning Roller.

>> Solution
A1 • Check that cards are stored in a dust free environment

A2 • Use a different supply of cards.
B1 • Perform a Cleaning of the printer (see Cleaning section).

B2 • Replace Cleaning Roller (see Cleaning section)

• There are non-printing horizontal lines (white) on the card surfaces.

Possible Cause

A • Ribbon is not correctly positioned.
B • Print Head may be dirty.
C • Print Head elements may have been damaged

(e.g. scratched or burnt).

>> Solution
A1 • Open cover and press down the Print Head Unlock Lever to open the Print

Head carriage. The Print Head will move up.

A2 • Check that the ribbon is properly rolled onto the ribbon cores and there

are no wrinkles in the ribbon.

A3 • Push down on the Lock Lever until an audible “click” signals the lock ed-

down position.

A4 • Ribbon will automatically synchronize.
A5 • Print again.

B1 • Perform a Cleaning of the Print Head (see 4 • 2 Cleaning the Print Head).
C1 • Call service for Print Head replacement information.

35

TROUBLESHOOTING

TROUBLESHOOTING

36

• Printing shows very pale or inconsistent results.

Possible Cause

A • Ribbon have been stored improperly or is damaged.
B • Cards may not meet specifications.
C • Contrast and/or Intensity may be set to values

which are too high.

D • Dust or embedded contamination on elements of

the Print Head.

>> Solution
A1 • Change ribbon and print again.
B1 • Use a different supply of cards.
C1 • Adjust Contrast and/or Intensity values in software.
D1 • Perform a Cleaning of the Print Head (see 4 • 2 Cleaning the Print Head).

• Printing shows blurry printed image.

Possible Cause

A • Ribbon may not be correctly positioned.
B • Ribbon may not synchronized on the correct color

panel position.

C • Cards may not meet specifications.
D • Dust inside the printer and/or dirty Cleaning Roller.

>> Solution
A1 • Open cover and press down the Print Head Unlock Lever to open the Print

Head carriage. The Print Head will move up.

A2 • Check that the ribbon is properly rolled onto the ribbon cores.
A3 • Push down on the Print Head Lock Lever until an audible “click” signals

the locked-down position.

A4 • Ribbon will automatically synchronize.
A5 • Print again.

B1 • Open cover and press down the Print Head Unlock Lever to open the Print

Head carriage. The Print Head will move up.

B2 • Push down on the Print Head Lock Lever until an audible “click” signals

the locked-down position.

B3 • Ribbon will automatically synchronize.
B4 •Print again.

C1 • Use a different supply of cards.
D1 • Perform a cleaning of the Print Head (See 4 • 2 Cleaning the Print Head).

D2 • Replace Cleaning Roller (See 4 • 3 Cleaning Cartridge).

• No printing on the card.

Possible Cause

A • Ribbon may not be installed in the printer.
B • Cards may not meet specifications.
C • Cable on Print Head may be disconnected.
D • Print Head elements may be scratched or burnt.

>> Solution
A1 • Check for ribbon in the printer.
B1 • Use a different supply of cards.
C1 • Power off the printer and check the Print Head cable connections.
D1 • Call Service for Print Head replacement information.

For optimum print quality, always keep cover of
the printer closed except during ribbon loading
and card thickness control procedures.

The card flipper will not operate and an error will
be indicated if you try to flip a card with the cover
open.

37

TROUBLESHOOTING

39

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

General • High speed printing & laminating

YMCK & 1.0 mil lamination 110 cards per hour
YMCK & 0.6 mil lamination 120 cards per hour
YMCK-K & 1.0 mil lamination 95 cards per hour
YMCK-K & 0.6 mil lamination 105 cards per hour

• Small footprint

•Windows Dri vers for 95/98/2000 and NT 4.0

• One year printer warranty

• One year print head warranty`

Color Printing • Color dye sublimation or monochrome thermal

transfer printing

• 300 dpi (11.8 dots/mm) print resolution

• Edge to edge printing standard

Bar Code • Code 39

• Code 128 B & C with & without check digit

• 2 of 5 & 2 of 5 industrial

• UPCA

• EAN8 &EAN13

• PDF 417 2D bar code and other symbologies

available via Wincard Classic utility tool (option)

Fonts • Resident: Arial Normal 10 0, Arial Bold 100

•True Type fonts available via Windows Dri ver

Cards •Types PVC, Composite

• Card width/length: ISO CR-80 - ISO 7810,

2.125” (54mm) by 3.375” (86mm)

• Option: Magnetic Stripe - ISO 7811

• Option: Smart Card - ISO 7816-2

•Card thickness: 1 0mil (0,25mm) to 50mil (1,25mm) fo r

printing only and 0,8mm for printing and lamination.

• Card Feeder capacity: up to 300 cards (10mil), up to

100 cards (30mil)

• Card Output Hopper capacity: 300 cards (10mil),

up to 100 cards (30mil)

CARD DIMENSIONS

ISO STANDARD DIMENSIONS FOR PLAIN CARD

ISO STANDARD DIMENSIONS FOR MAGNETIC STRIPE CARD

CHIP POSITION FOR SMART CARD

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

40

Ribbons • Monochrome: 1500 cards/roll

• Monochrome colors: back, red, blue, green, yellow,

silver, gold, white.

• K-resin + O: 800 cards/roll

• K-dye + O: 800 cards/roll

•YMC: 300 cards/roll

•YMCK: 250 cards/roll

•YMCK-K: 200 cards/roll

•YMCKO: 350 cards/roll

•YMCKOK: 250 cards/roll

Patches • Clear Patch 1 or 0.6 mil

• Clear Patch for mag. stripe 1 or 0.6 mil

• Clear Patch for smart card 1 or 0.6 mil

• Hologram Pcard Patch 1 or 0.6 mil

• Advantage seal Pcard image Patch 1 mil

• Hologram Pcard full overlay

•Varnish full overlay

Overlay V ar nish •Thermal transfer

• 4 microns thick

• Clear and holographic options:

- Clear

- Genuine/Secure Hologram

- Custom Hologram

Interfaces • Centronics Parallel Standard

• USB port (Optional)

Mechanical •Width: 31,69” (805mm*)

• Depth: 9,25” (235mm*)

• Height: 10,43” (265mm*)

•Weight: 47,28 Ibs (21,45 kg)

Electrical • 110 ~ 230 Volts AC, 60 ~ 50 Hz

• FCC Class A, CE, UL, and CUL approved

Environmental • Operating Temperature: 60 to 86°F (15 to 30°C)

• Operating Humidity: 20 to 65% non condensing

• Storage Temperature: -23 to 158°F (-5 to 70°C)

• Storage Humidity: 20 to 70% non condensing

•Ventilation: Free air

Dye sublimation printing requires dye sublimation ribbons,with either black or cyan,
magenta, and yellow (plus black resin) panels.

*Measured without card output hopper.

Options • USB port

• Smart card Contact Station (0.76mm cards only)

• Magnetic Encoder (0.76mm cards only)

• Cleaning supplies

41

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

CENTRONIC CABLE INTERFACE

The above drawing shows the required connections to use the printer centronic interface.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

42

Printer Pin Lign Name

1 -STROBE
2DO
3D1
4D2
5D3
6D4
7D5
8D6

9D7
10 -ACK
11 -BUSY
12 PE
13 SLCT
14 -AUTO FEED
32 -ERROR
31 -INIT
36 SLCT IN

19-30-33 GND

Note: The printer pins number 15, 16, 18, 30, 34, 35 are not connected.

43

APPENDIX A

A

APPENDIX

Magnetic Card Stripe Encoder

This section contains information on the additional operations of the K 500 Optima
Printers with Magnetic Card Stripe Encoder.

(See Chapter 2 for location.)

INTRODUCTION

Operation and maintenance requirements for the K 500 Optima Printer with the
optional magnetic card stripe encoder.

(See Chapter 2 for location.)
The magnetic encoder can be set for either high or low coercivity.

A • MEDIA LOADING ORIENTATION

The magnetic encoder is a factory installed item
with the read/write head positioned below the card
path, available with HICO encoding or LOCO enco­ding.

When loading cards into the Card Cartridge, please
ensure that the magnetic stripe is facing down and
closest to the rear.
Also available are Printer models with the Magnetic
Read/Write head positioned above the card path,
with HICO encoding or LOCO encoding.

When loading cards, please ensure that the
magnetic stripe is facing up and closest to the rear.

Note:

M1 = Stripe Down HICO M3 = Stripe up HICO
M2 = Stripe Down LOCO M4 = Stripe up LOCO

approved HICO & LOCO PVC cards are available.

ONLY USE cards that comply with ISO 7810 & 7811
standards for magnetic stripe cards. The magnetic
stripe must be flush to the surface of the card to
work properly. Never use cards which have
taped-on magnetic stripes.

APPENDIX A

44

B • MAGNETIC ENCODER CLEANING

There exists two different processes to clean the Magnetic stripe Encoder.
The first process consists of a standard cleaning of the printer. This cleans the most
important parts of the printer; including the print Head, Transport Roller and Magnetic
Stripe Encoder (refer to chapter 4 “Cleaning” for more instructions.)

The second process consist of a cleaning of the Magnetic Encoder using the Menu
Button from the LCD Display.
To access the Magnetic Cleaning Menu proceed as below:

1 • Leave power on.
2 • Remove cards from the card feeder.
3 • Insert one presaturated card (provided) through

slot on the side of the Card Cartridge.

4 • Press the Menu button until the LCD screen

shows CLEANING MENU.

5 • Press the Select button to select.
6 • Press the Menu button again until the LCD screen

shows CLEAN MAG HEAD.

7 • Run this operation by pressing the select button.

ISO STANDARD ENCODING

45

APPENDIX A

Track # Field Separator Track density Valid Characters # of characters

1 ^ 210BPI* Alphanumeric 79***

(ASCII 20 - 95**)

2 = 75BPI* Numeric 40***

(ASCII 48 - 62)

3 = 210BPI* Numeric 107***

(ASCII 48 - 62)
* Bit per inch
** Except the “?” character
*** Including Start, Stop and LRC characters. Also note that these 3 characters are

automatically managed by the magnetic encoder according to the ISO Standard norms.

NOTE:Refer to the Card Printer Programmer’s Manual for complete programming information.

APPENDIX B

46

B

APPENDIX

Smart Card Contact Station

This section contains information on the additional operations of the K 500 Optima
Printers with Smart Card Contact Stations.

(See Chapter 2 for location.)

INTRODUCTION

Your K 500 Optima may be equipped with an optional Smart Card contact

station.

Smart Cards can store fingerprints, voice recognition patterns, medical records and other
such data. This printer model basically responds to commands that position the cards
to the contact station, where the printer connects the pins to the contacts connector on
the Smart cards.

An external “encoder/reader” is necessary for programming Smart Cards (ISO 7816).
All other printer operations remain the same as the standard K 500 Optima model.

DB - 9 SMART CARD DB - 9 SMART CARD

PINS CONTACT POINTS PINS CONTACT POINTS

1 CI (VCC) 6 C6 (Vpp)
2 C2 (Reset) 7 C7 (I/O)
3 C3 (Clock) 8 C8 (RFU)
4 C4 (RFU)
5 C5 (GND)

9 (GND when chip is at station)

A • MEDIA LOADING ORIENTATION

Position the cards with the Smart Card Chip at the
top of the card and towards the printer.

B • SMART CARD CONTACT STATION INTERFACE

When a command to the parallel printer interface
sends a card to the Smart Card Contact Station, the
printer connects the Smart Card Contact Station to
the female DB-9 connector on the rear of the printer.
An attached external Smart Card Programmer can
be used to program Smart card chips

Refer to the Card printer programmer’s Manual for complete programming information.

DO NOT position printing over the Smart Card Chip.

47

APPENDIX B

INDICE ALFANUMERICO

Timbro rivenditore Sales Mark

CIM S.p.A. Head Quarters

Via O. Serra, 2
40012 Calderara di Reno Bologna - ITALY
Tel. [phone]
Fax + 39 051 64.65.012
E-mail: [email protected] www.cimitaly.it

CIM USA Inc. - Americas

1912 N.W. 84th Avenue
Miami, FL 33126 - USA
Tel. + 1 305.639.30.40
Fax. + 1 305.639.30.60
[email protected] www.cim-usa.com

CIM S.p.A. Head Quarters

Via O. Serra, 2
40012 Calderara di Reno Bologna - ITALY

I-270 T 1000 PROREV. 04.2001

Tel. [phone]
Fax + 39 051 64.65.012
E-mail: [email protected] www.cimitaly.it

Timbro rivenditore Sales Mark