Clear jet CX-one User Manual

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CLEARjet Printer

User Manual

V1.4

© CLEARjet GmbH 2004

CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

CX-one User Manual
Last Edition: June 2004 Copyright CLEARjet GmbH 2004

Editor: Zirl

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, translation or otherwise, without prior
permission in writing.

Liability Statement

This CLEARjet product has been built in accordance with the ISO 9001standard. CLEARjet GmbH makes no claims
regarding this product, its commercial quality or its suitability for any particular task.
Please note and heed the WARNING and CAUTION labels that have been placed on the equipment for your safety.
Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training. Any use, operation or repair in
contravention of this document is at your own risk. By acceptance of this system you hereby assume all liability
consequent to your use or misuse of this equipment. CLEARjet GmbH assumes no liability for incidental, special or
consequential damage of any kind. Equipment specifications, applications and options are subject to change at the
sole discretion of CLEARjet GmbH without notice.

Safety

All CLEARjet products are built in accordance with strict safety and reliability specifications. The following basic
safety tips are given to ensure safe installation, operation and maintenance of CLEARjet equipment and are not to be
considered as comprehensive on all matters of safety.

• Connect equipment to a grounded facility power source. Do not defeat or bypass the ground lead.

• Place the equipment on a stable surface (table) and ensure floors in the work area are dry and non-slip.

Insulated rubber floor mats are preferred.

• Know the location of equipment branch circuit interrupters or circuit breakers and how to turn them on and
off in case of emergency.

• Know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them. ABC type extinguishers may be used on
electrical fires.

• Know local procedures for first aid and emergency assistance at the customer facility.

• Use adequate lighting at the equipment location.

• Maintain the recommended temperature and humidity ranges at the equipment location.

• Use proper lifting techniques when moving or installing the equipment.

• Use standard electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when working on or near electrical circuits.

• Do not defeat or disconnect safety interlocks on covers. Operate the printer with the cover closed.

Conformity Regulations

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If it is not installed and used in accordance
with this instruction manual, it may interfere with radio communications. We confirm that the CX-one complies with
the requirements of the EM Directive 89/336/EEC. This equipment has been tested and found to be within the limits
for Class A, pursuant to norm EN55022. This product is equipped with reasonable protection against radio
interference. Operation of this equipment may possibly cause interference. In the event of interference, the user, at
their own expense, will be required to take whatever measures are necessary to correct the problem.

Notice to Users of Printers Equipped with a Contactless Smart Card Coupler

The contactless smart card coupler emits radio-frequency waves and must be used as installed and recommended
by CLEARjet. You may not modify the coupler or how it is used without the written permission of CLEARjet. You may
not operate the printer after modifying the coupler or its method of operation.

Trademarks

• Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

• CLEARjet is a trademark or registered trademark of CLEARjet GmbH, Grambach, Austria.

• All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CLEARjet GmbH

http://www.clearjet.com

[e-mail]

Schloss Spielerhof
Hauptstrasse 12
A-8071 Grambach / AUSTRIA

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

CONTENTS

1 GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 5

1.1 Contents of package...................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 6

1.3 Functionality................................................................................................................................... 7

1.4 Applications.................................................................................................................................... 8

1.5 Product Descriptions...................................................................................................................... 9

1.6 Compatible Card Systems........................................................................................................... 12

1.7 Type Styles .................................................................................................................................. 13

2 TECHNICAL INFORMATION............................................................................................................. 14

2.1 Specifications............................................................................................................................... 14

2.2 Environment................................................................................................................................. 14

2.3 Dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 15

2.4 Power Source and Consumption................................................................................................. 16

2.5 Interfaces ..................................................................................................................................... 16

2.6 Print Head.................................................................................................................................... 17

2.6.1 Print Head DK 200 – 1.......................................................................................................... 17

2.6.2 Print Head DK 300 – 1.......................................................................................................... 17

2.7 Printing Area ................................................................................................................................ 18

2.8 Card Design................................................................................................................................. 19

3 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE........................................................................................................ 20

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 20

3.2 Maintenance Intervals.................................................................................................................. 20

3.3 Self-cleaning Mode ...................................................................................................................... 21

3.3.1 CLEARjet Cleaning Card...................................................................................................... 21

3.4 Cleaning of the Housing............................................................................................................... 22

3.5 Consumables – Expected Lifespan ............................................................................................. 23

3.5.1 Lifespan: Print Head DK 200 – 1.......................................................................................... 23

3.5.2 Lifespan: Erase Roller ..........................................................................................................23

3.5.3 Lifespan: Printer Mechanism................................................................................................ 24

3.6 Replacing Consumables.............................................................................................................. 25

3.6.1 Replacing the Print Head...................................................................................................... 25

3.6.2 Replacing the Erase Module................................................................................................. 26

4 PRINTER CONFIGURATIONS........................................................................................................... 28

4.1 Using the DIP-Switches............................................................................................................... 28

4.2 Adjusting the Print Energy ........................................................................................................... 29

4.3 Adjusting the Erase Energy ......................................................................................................... 29

4.4 Test Mode.................................................................................................................................... 29

4.5 Loading New Firmware................................................................................................................ 29

5 ENCODING MODULES...................................................................................................................... 30

5.1 Magnet Encoding......................................................................................................................... 30

5.1.1 General................................................................................................................................. 30

5.1.2 Available Modules................................................................................................................. 30

5.1.3 Card Specification................................................................................................................. 30

5.1.4 Character Set........................................................................................................................ 31

5.1.5 Controlling the Magnetic Module.......................................................................................... 31

5.2 Contact Chip Encoder.................................................................................................................. 31

5.2.1 General Information.............................................................................................................. 31

5.2.2 Possible Installations............................................................................................................ 32

5.2.3 Controlling the Contact Chip Encoder .................................................................................. 32

5.3 RF Chip Encoding........................................................................................................................ 33

5.3.1 General Information.............................................................................................................. 33

5.3.2 Possible Installations............................................................................................................ 33

5.3.3 Controlling of the RF Chip Encoder...................................................................................... 34

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6 BARCODE READER.......................................................................................................................... 35

6.1 General Information ..................................................................................................................... 35

6.2 Reading Area of the Barcode Reader.......................................................................................... 35

6.3 Barcode Specification.................................................................................................................. 35

6.4 Controlling the Barcode Reader................................................................................................... 35

7 DIRECTION DETECTOR.................................................................................................................... 36

7.1 Functionality................................................................................................................................. 36

7.2 Processing ................................................................................................................................... 36

7.3 Card Design................................................................................................................................. 36

7.4 Command Sequence................................................................................................................... 36

7.5 Position of the Direction Marking................................................................................................. 37

7.6 Dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 37

7.7 Optical Parameter........................................................................................................................ 38

7.7.1 Measurement Conditions...................................................................................................... 38

7.7.2 Application Note.................................................................................................................... 38

7.8 Controlling the Direction Detector................................................................................................ 38

8 HOPPER (CARD FEEDER)................................................................................................................ 39

8.1 General Information ..................................................................................................................... 39

8.2 Card Specification........................................................................................................................ 39

8.3 Technical Data............................................................................................................................. 39

8.4 Application Note........................................................................................................................... 39

9 ORDER INFORMATION..................................................................................................................... 40

9.1 CX-one......................................................................................................................................... 40

9.2 CX-one Hopper............................................................................................................................ 40

9.3 Option (Print Head Upgrade)....................................................................................................... 40

9.4 Spare Parts and Accessories....................................................................................................... 40

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Contents of package

Please check contents of package before first time installation of CX-one.

Contents:

c 1 x CX-one
d 1 x Power supply
e 1 x Power cord
f* 1 x Serial cable
g 1 x USB cable
h 1 x CX-one CD
i 1 x CX-one User Manual
j 1 x Cleaning Card

* Packages with CX-one models with integrated CHIP or RF chip encoding modules
include two serial cables.

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1.2 Introduction

Printing and reprinting smart cards with visible information in top-quality resolution has
been possible for some time, thanks to the CP2 CLEARjet printer.
Now all this is possible at a fraction of the time – thanks to the CX-one, the embodiment
of CLEARjet’s new improved technology. To achieve this high level of performance all
printers in the CX-one range have a USB interface. The unique print/erase unit ensures
outstandingly efficient card throughput.
The technical basis of CLEARjet technology is protected by patents world-wide.

With CLEARjet you can give any card with a rewritable surface an individual look: A
user interface tailor-made to the needs of your application. The user benefits from being
able to see up-to-the minute information. If the data changes, the card is simply erased
and rewritten. The card is always up to date and can be reused several hundred times.

The CX-one can be used in conjunction with most computer systems.
In addition, read/write facilities for chip and magnetic cards can be built into your printer,
so that updating the card, erasing the surface and rewriting are part of the same single
transaction. You also have the option to enhance your system with an automatic card
feeder.

The CX-one is compatible with both ISO cards with a rewritable surface and one-way
tickets with a thermal coating.

This manual includes information on the most important components, basic printer
functions and cleaning and servicing.
For information on printer controlling, software commands, etc. see the Programmers
Manual.

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

Thermorewrite Cards

The CX-one works with ISO cards which have a thermorewrite (TRW) surface.
Cards of this type can be erased and reprinted several hundred times. The TRW
coating is applied as part of the production process (TRW foil is supplied by CLEARjet
GmbH).

erasing
printing
chip encoding

updated information

As a result the cards can be used to make all kinds of data visible to the cardholder: for
example, up-to-the-minute information, points totals, card validity and advertising
slogans.

1.3 Functionality

The CX-one allows you to print and erase both cards with a TRW surface and thermo­direct tickets. TRW coatings are special materials which change their optical qualities
when subjected to heat. This makes them ideal for card surfaces which need to be
erased and reprinted.

When encoding modules are incorporated into your printer, you can alter and edit visual
information (as well as electronically saved data) in a single transaction.

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

Basic Print Procedure:

Insert card

Read/write
electronic data
(chip, magnetic stripe,...)

Erase old
text/graphics

Print new information

Eject card

1.4 Applications

The CX-one can be used in any situation in which frequently changing information
needs to be made visible to the user, as well as saved electronically to the card.

Possible applications include points cards, customer loyalty cards, membership
cards, visitor passes, travel cards, time cards, etc. You can also use the CX-one to
update advertising information on customer cards over and over again.

The printer is designed for use in an office or similar environment.
Special OEM versions of the printer, without a housing, are available for integration into
other devices (e.g. ticket/card dispensers, info points, etc.).

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

1.5 Product Descriptions

Front View

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1: Red LED
2: Yellow LED
3: Green LED
4: Card slot
5: Housing lock left and right

The card slot is found at the front of the printer (4). The card should be inserted with the
rewritable (TRW) surface

to the top.

On the top of the device are three indicator LEDs (red, yellow and green).

LED SIGNALS:
LED SIGNAL STATUS

green e on The printer is on
red c
yellow d
green e

flashing An error has occurred

yellow d on The printer is waiting for a card

to be inserted

green e flashing The printer is warming up.

You cannot insert a card.

red c + Beep flashing Cleaning of the printer with a

cleaning card is necessary

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Back View

Host

Power

Su

pply

Chip USB

Power
Switch

The CX-one printer mechanism can be controlled either via a serial interface (RS 232 ­Host) or a USB interface (USB).

A further serial interface (RS 232 - Chip) is available for connection to a card-read/write
device. This interface gives access to the built-in encoding module (depending on
device configuration).

There is also a power supply socket to connect the external power supply unit and a
power-switch at the back of the printer.

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Printer Mechanism

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Function Groups:
1: Rotating print/erase device
2: Central mount for print head
3: Card slot
4: Card transport mechanism (gear wheels)
5: DIP-Switches – to set various printer modes
6: Indicator LEDs
7: Main board
8: Print head-control board with keys for service functions

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CLEARjet GmbH CX-one

1.6 Compatible Card Systems

The CX-one can be upgraded with many read/write modules for ISO cards. Magnetic
cards, chip cards or contactless chip cards can not only be printed onto, but
electronically modified as well.

Card specifications regarding size, tolerance, quality and implementation must be
compatible with the relevant ISO standards for chip or magnetic cards.

The printer is compatible with most known TRW materials. However, we cannot
guarantee that the printer will work with any particular card.

As this technology is an emerging one, no specific standards are currently available. It
is for this reason that ISO standards for magnetic and chip cards are used for material
specifications.

The following standards are used to specify the quality of usable cards:
ISO 7810, ISO 7811 parts 1 to 5, ISO 7812, ISO 7813, ISO 7816

Thickness of Cards:
This device is made to process cards with thickness between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm.

To ensure the quality of the TRW surface, we also recommend the following additional
process:

1. Production of 30 sample cards

2. Order a test-run from CLEARjet

3. Testing and approval of sample cards by CLEARjet

4. Depositing of test cards by the client as a standard for later comparison

5. Agreement between client and card producer that all future cards must be identical
with the sample set (same production parameters, materials, card specifications,
tolerance levels, etc.)

6. Spot checks of card sets on delivery, as well as comparison with sample cards.

Rewritable Materials

The following materials are currently compatible:

Material Type Description

TYPE 1 RICOH TC stripe
TYPE 2 RICOH TC full-surface
TYPE 3 MITSUBISHI LEUCO
TYPE 4 RICOH LEUCO

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