Domino C Series, C7, C16, C34 Operation And Maintenance Manual

C-SERIES PRINTERS

OPERATION AND

MAINTENANCE MANUAL

MODELS

C7, C16 AND C34

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

We

Domino UK Ltd, Bar Hill, Cambridge, England CB3 8TU

declare under our sole responsibility that the products,

Domino C7, C16 and C34 Printers

to which this declaration relates, are in conformity with the following standards:

BS EN 60204 - 1:1992 Safety of machinery - electrical equipment of machines
73/23/EEC : Low Voltage Directive as amended by 93/68/EEC
Council Directive 89/336/EEC EMC compatibility as amended by directive

92/31/EEC of 28th April 1992
BS EN 50082 - 1:1992 Electromagnetic Compatibility-Generic Immunity

Standard
BS EN 50081 - 1:1992 Electromagnetic Compatibility - Generic Emission

Standard
EN 55022:1987 Limits and measures of measurement of radio interference

characteristics of information technology equipment

EN 55011:1996 Conducted emissions
EN 61000 - 4 - 1:1995 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Part 4. Testing

and measurement techniques
EN 61000 - 4 - 2:1995 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Electrostatic

discharge immunity test
EN 61000 - 4 - 3:1996 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Radiated RF

immunity.
EN 61000 - 4 - 4:1995 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Electrical fast

transient burst immunity test
EN 61000 - 4 - 6:1996 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Direct injection

immunity to RF signals
EN 61000 - 4 - 11:1994 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Part 4. Voltage

dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity tests.

L. J. Mason
Technical Director

2 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

C-SERIES PRINTERS

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

MANUAL

MODELS C7, C16 AND C34

This manual, Domino Part No. 77091, is for use in the maintenance of Domino
C7, C16 and C34 printers.

Users of this equipment are warned that it is essential to read, understand and act
according to the information given in Health and Safety, page 9. This part of the
manual also specifies a set of symbols which are used elsewhere in the manual to
convey special warnings or requirements. It is, therefore, essential that users are
also familiar with these symbols and act accordingly.

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

Domino UK Ltd has a policy of continuous product improvement, the Company
therefore reserves the right to modify the specification contained in this manual
without notice.

© Domino UK Ltd 2001.
For sales, service and inks please contact:
Domino UK Ltd Domino Amjet Inc

Bar Hill 1290 Lakeside Drive
Cambridge CB3 8TU Gurnee IL.60031
England U.S.A.
Tel:[phone] Tel:[phone]
Fax:[phone] Fax:[phone]

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 3

FCC Notice

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Communication Commission
(FCC) Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communication. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, the user will be required
to correct the interference at his own expense.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Re-orientate or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

TÜV CERTIFICATION

This product has been designed for maximum safety, and has been certified as such
by TÜV Product Services.

Modifications to this machine that are not approved by Domino, or the use of
non-Domino approved spares, will invalidate the CE mark and the TÜV
certification.

4 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

AMENDMENT RECORD

Amendment Date

All Parts at Issue 1 October 2001
All Parts at Issue 2 November 2003

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 5

6 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

CONTENTS

HEALTH AND SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Basic Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Fire Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Spillages and Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SYSTEM OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

How it works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Ink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The Base Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

One Litre Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Three Litre Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Where to Site the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Buffer plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Mounting the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Voltage Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

One Litre Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Three Litre Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

All Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Connecting an Ink Bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Connecting the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Priming the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Purging the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Two Line LCD Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Four Line LCD Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

All Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

PROGRAMMING AND PRINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Selecting a language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Password Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Creating a Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Printing a Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 7

CONTENTS

Adjusting the Dot Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Adjusting the line print density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Adjusting the Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Adjusting the delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Setting the Print Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Setting the Print Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Product Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Setting Up a Second Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Clearing all Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

FORMATTING MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Formatting Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Slashed and Non-Slashed Zeros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Bold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Text Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Standard Text Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Box Counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Pallet Counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Setting Up Counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Printing the Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Printing the Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Printing a Sell-by-Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Start code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Incremental value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Date code letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

End code “e” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Printing Shift Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Routine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Before Long Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Six Monthly Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

The Ink Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Flushing the Jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Solenoid Valve Tubing Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

8 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

HEALTH AND SAFETY

HEALTH AND SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

Domino supplies Safety Data Sheets (SDS's) giving specific safety information with
each of its ink products. There are also warnings on each container. The
following notes are for general guidance only.

Basic Requirements

When used correctly, printing inks do not cause problems. However, everybody
using them should be familiar with the appropriate safety standards and be aware of
the precautions that should be taken. The following are basic requirements.

• Proper standards of industrial practice relating to cleanliness and tidiness must
be maintained

• Inks and their containers must be stored and handled with care

• All who come into contact with inks must be properly instructed in their
use.

Directions for safe working practices vary according to the environment. The
following are broad principles so that necessary precautions may be taken.

• Contact with the mouth must be avoided. Therefore eating, drinking or
smoking, or any personal habits or actions which may transfer ink to the
mouth, must be avoided

• Contact with the eyes must be avoided. Suitable eye protection must always
be worn whenever there is any risk of splashing or misting. If ink does get
into the eyes, first aid treatment is to flood the affected eye for 15 minutes
with saline solution, (or clean water if saline solution is not available), taking
care not to allow the water to run into an unaffected eye. Medical aid must
be obtained immediately

• Most inks contain ingredients which may injure the skin. Warning of this is
given on the SDSs. Barrier creams should be used and protective clothing
worn

• Many inks contain materials which vaporise easily and can be inhaled. Good
ventilation is necessary

• Any used cleaning materials, e.g. rags, paper wipes, are a potential fire hazard.
They must be collected for safe disposal after use

• After exposure to ink, all possible traces must be washed off as soon as
possible at the nearest washing facility.

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 9

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Storage

Store in a cool dry place, avoiding direct sunlight. Keep in the original container
and keep the container fully closed.

Fire Risk

For an electrical fire, do not use water. If water must be used, the power MUST
BE REMOVED first.

Water-based inks will not burn, although inks based on water-alcohol mixtures
may burn if there is sufficient alcohol present. Prolonged exposure of water-based
systems to high temperatures may evaporate the water to give a flammable residue.

If there is a fire, there is a likelihood that dangerous fumes will arise from printing
inks. For this reason ink must be stored where it can be reached quickly by the fire
fighting service, and where it will not spread beyond the store.

Spillages and Disposal

WARNING: Some dried inks are highly flammable. Clean up all

ink spillages immediately. Do not allow the ink to
dry or allow any build-up of dried ink spills.

Spillages must be cleaned up as soon as possible with the appropriate solvent
materials and with regard to the safety of personnel. Care must be taken to prevent
spillages or residue from cleaning up entering drains or sewage systems.

Inks and associated fluids are materials which conduct electricity. Therefore,
power to the printer must be switched off while spillages are being cleaned up.

Printing inks and associated fluids must not be treated as ordinary waste. They
must be disposed of using approved methods according to local regulations.

10 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The Domino C-Series is a family of high quality ink jet printers enabling printing
at speeds of up to 35 metres per minute. Each C-Series unit is designed to be
compact and efficient, requiring no external connections except power.

The C-Series printers are capable of printing up to four lines of text at once
(depending on the model used), each line containing up to 40 characters. Text
heights range from 10mm to 68mm. Each line (or lines) of text printed at once is
known as a “message”. 50 separate messages can be stored in the printer’s memory.
Once input, these messages can be recalled for printing at the touch of a button
and are entirely unaffected by power loss.

Production dates, sell-by-dates, shift codes and incremental box counting can be
generated automatically. The system is quick and easy to install and operate,
requiring minimal user input and maintenance. All communication with the
printer is made using the combination membrane keypad and LCD panel on the
top of the unit.

Ink is held in a special disposable container inside the printer case. A window in
the case allows an instant check on ink level to be made.

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 11

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The C7, C16 and C34 printers are robust, stand-alone units manufactured from
high quality metal and will give many years of service in even the most demanding
of environments.

HOW IT WORKS

Each printer is manufactured in two main parts. The base unit holds the ink
storage and delivery system, power supply unit and in-built air pump.

Print Head

Print Head
Ink Supply

Print Head

Power Cable

Ink Bottle

Base Unit

Print Head and Base Unit

The print head contains the printer’s processor, memory and ink valve driver
electronics, keypad, LCD screen and photocell (or other product sensor). It also
contains all the electro-mechanical valves, tubing, filters and ink jet system
required to form a matrix of alphanumeric characters.

Air is supplied from an internal air pump mounted in the base unit, which remains
active while power is switched on. Low pressure air is fed into the sealed ink
bottle, forcing ink up into the print head. A manually operated pressure release

Air Pump

Air Pressure

Release

12 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

e

valve is fitted in order to depressurise an empty ink bottle when changing to a fresh
supply.

Due to the air pump, there is a constant pressure of ink driven up the coiled
supply tube linking the base unit to the print head (a second, separate coiled tube
provides the print head with power). A quick disconnect “QD” plug at the end of
the ink supply tube is fastened into the rear of the print head.

Ink Filter

QD Ink

Connector

Print Head Ink Distribution

Entering the print head, the ink passes through a 25 micron ink filter which traps
any minute particles suspended in it, then an ink reducer. Finally it is distributed
to all the inlets in the solenoid valve array. The diagram above shows the ink path
in a typical print head. For clarity, only two of the valves are shown. The number
of valves and layout of the ink distribution assembly depends on the model used.

Printer Nozzle Plate

Valv esReducer

On activation, each solenoid valve allows a
measured amount of ink (still under air pump
pressure) to move forward into the outlet tube
linking the valve with the nozzle plate. The
nozzle plate consists of a series of openings
arranged vertically. The ink is ejected from
these openings in droplets, driven a few
millimetres onto the surface of whatever is to be
printed. Each time the valve is activated more
ink is released into the relevant outlet tube,
forcing another droplet of ink out of the nozzle
plate.

Ink Distribution

Assembly

Nozzl

Plate

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 13

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The vertical component of text is produced
by the vertical arrangement of openings in
the nozzle plate. Since the printer is fixed in
position, the horizontal component of text is
produced by the movement of product on the
conveyor. It is similar to the action of a
typewriter; the place at which printing takes
place is fixed, and the carriage moves (to the
left) correctly positioning the paper for each
character. In the case of the C-Series
printers, it is not each character which needs
to be positioned but each vertical row of dots.

C-Series printers produce text in several
available matrices, depending on the text size
chosen and the capabilities of the model used. These matrices can range from 5 x
5 (five dots high and five dots wide) to 34 x 24.

Printing single and

two line text

The previous diagram shows the smallest and largest matrices available in the C7,
C16 and C34 printer range. The text is to scale but not full size; the numbers give

14 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

the actual height of the text in millimetres. Each character in the top row is
formed using a 5 x 5 matrix; each character in the bottom row is formed using a
34 x 24 matrix.

The number of jets per nozzle plate, and hence the
largest matrix available, is fixed for each model. Thus,
a C14 has 14 jets arranged in two blocks of seven.
This allows two lines of 7 x 5 matrix text to be
produced. (Note: it cannot produce one line of text
14 jets high - multi-line text requires a C14.)

Heigh

The diagrams below show proportionally the print
capabilities of each of the printers. In each case, the
number is the height of the relevant text in
millimetres.

Nozzle Plate Height

Note: The sizes given are representative only. When

dealing with nozzle plates, the “height” is assumed
to be the measurement between the middle of the top jet and the middle of the
bottom plate in the array.

C7

The print capabilities differ widely between models. The larger model number
printers are capable of a bigger range of text sizes. The models also differ in the
size of LCD screen. Functions and features detailed in this manual are relevant to
all models in the range except where indicated.

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 15

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

C14

An Example of a Printed Message

16 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

C34

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 17

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

C34 (continued)

18 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The printer is fixed to the side of a conveyor
along which move the items to be printed.
As an item reaches the print head it is
detected by a built-in photocell mounted just
above the nozzle plate. (The diagram left
shows a C16 print head. The arrangement is
slightly different for some printers, but the
principle remains the same.)

Photocell

Direction of Travel

The system then allows a short time delay to enable the item to be carried on past
the print head. This delay depends on the speed of the conveyor and the length
and position of the message and is set by the operator for each message.

Photocell

Direction of Travel

When the item is at the correct position in respect to the print head, the desired
text is printed by repeated triggering of the solenoid valves.

Meanwhile a second item may be approaching the print head. Items do not need
to be equally spaced along the conveyor since the printer senses each one
individually as it reaches the photocell.

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 19

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

As mentioned earlier, it is the steady horizontal motion of the item along the
conveyor which produces the text. On a stationary item only a single vertical band
of ink would be produced.

The printer is capable of high volume printing (at a maximum line speed of 35
metres per minute) dependent on the speed of the conveyor. Software controls
regulate the speed at which the vertical lines of dots are produced in order to
match the speed at which the items pass by the nozzle plate.

It is important that the conveyor runs at a steady, uniform speed. Conveyors
which judder or run at variable speed will produce uneven print. On a suitable
conveyor the ink jet system is capable of good quality text due to its extremely
accurate timing and control of ink drop release.

Ink

CAUTION: Do not use ink or cleaner not supplied by Domino. The use of any

other ink or cleaner can cause serious damage to the printer. Contact
your nearest distributor or Domino Service for advice on ink and
printing applications.

Printer ink comes in a choice of colours and is specially formulated to maintain the
long life of the printer and to provide the optimum performance in a wide variety
of applications. There is no messy mixing or topping up of ink as this is supplied
in easily-changed disposable containers.

Domino’s water-based inks are best suited to porous surfaces such as cardboard,
paper and fibres. The main advantage of using water-based ink is that the ink is
less prone to drying while in the tube and on the jet openings which are exposed
to the atmosphere. Spirit-based inks tend to dry in and on the jets, creating a need
for more maintenance. Domino only use water-based ink in the C7, C16 and
C34 printers.

20 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The Base Unit

Two different sizes of base unit have ink
containers of different capacities.. The C7
and C16 printers are supplied with a one litre
base as standard. The C34 is supplied with a
three litre base as standard. The larger base
with its larger capacity ink container, allows
extended operation between ink changes.

One Litre Base

In the one litre base the ink bottle is located
inside the base unit, accessed by rotating the
door catch ring on the front of the unit 90°,
allowing the door to swing down. The diagram below shows the layout of the ink
bottle compartment behind the door.

Door

Catch

Ink Level Indicator

Switch

Pressure Release

Valv e

Power
Switch

Ink Level

Window

Ink Level

Indicator Lamp

77091 Issue 2 November 2003 21

Ink Cap

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

To check the level of ink in the bottle, press
the red push-button on the top of the base
unit. This switches on the ink level indicator
lamp inside the unit. The light from the
lamp shines through the ink bottle. The
remaining ink can be seen through the ink
level window at the front of the base unit. (If
the unit has been moved, allow the ink to
settle before checking the ink level.) It can
then be seen when the ink bottle should be
replaced.

Power is supplied to the printer by the mains
input plug located on the bottom face of the
base unit, just behind the hinged door. This
is the only input that is required for
operation of the printer.

Ink Level Indicator

Switch

Power Input

The power switch is located on the right side
face of the base unit. When power is turned
on, this switch will illuminate. A serial
number label near the switch will indicate
the supply voltage to which the printer unit
is set. Before switching on the printer,
ensure that the supply matches the voltage
stated on this label. If the unit is set to the
wrong voltage, before switching on the
printer, change the voltage settings inside
the base unit as given in the
INSTALLATION chapter of this manual.

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Power Switch

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

To open the ink compartment door, grasp
the door catch ring and rotate it 90° anti­clockwise to disengage the catch. The door
will then fall forward on its hinge allowing
access to the interior. A stopper beneath the
door ensures that it will not trap the mains
cable.

To close the ink compartment door, reverse
this procedure. Push the catch in while
rotating it 90° clockwise until it holds firm.
Take care not to trap the ink and air lines
when closing the door.

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW

In this photo the ink level indicator lamp
(which looks like a fuse) is visible on the left
hand side of the back wall.

A pressure release valve is located just inside
the door. This valve safely depressurises the
ink bottle when it is exhausted. Since the
internal air pump keeps the ink bottle
pressurised in order to force ink up into the
print head, it is not advisable to attempt to
remove an exhausted bottle without first
depressurising it.

Ink level

indicator

Pressure

release

valve

Switch the power off (stopping the air pump)
then press the valve stem upwards to release
the pressure from the bottle. The bottle can
then be removed and discarded.

Full instructions on connecting up a new ink
bottle are given in the INSTALLATION
chapter of this manual.

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Three Litre Base

The three litre base is identical in operation to the one litre base; the differences are
in the location of the various components and, of course, in the size of ink bottle it
uses.

Ink level indicator

switch

Door

catch

Power

switch

The mains input plug is again located on the
bottom of the base unit, this time on the
door itself. The power switch is located on
the left side face of the base unit door and
will illuminate when power is turned on.

Ink level

window

Like the one litre base, an ink level indicator
switch is located on the top of the base unit
in the form of a red push-button. When it is
pressed down the ink level indicator lamp
will illuminate and the level of ink in the
bottle can be seen through the window on
the right side face of the base unit door.

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW

To open the ink compartment door, pull
open the door catch so that it disengages
with the rear of the base unit (as shown
right). The door can then be swung open
on its hinge allowing access to the interior.

To close the ink compartment door, reverse
this procedure. Hook the catch around the
fastening on the rear of the base unit and
press it in place. Take care not to trap the ink
and air lines when closing the door.

This photo shows the interior of the three
litre base’s door. The captive ink bottle cap
can be clearly seen hanging from its
connecting air and ink tubes. All the base
unit’s electronics are located behind the panel
in the door.

26 77091 Issue 2 November 2003

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The pressure release valve is located at the
top of the base unit’s door. This valve safely
depressurises the ink bottle when it is
exhausted, enabling the supply to be
renewed.

Full instructions on connecting up a new ink
bottle are given in the INSTALLATION
chapter of this manual.

Pressure Release

Valve

The Print Head

Communication with the printer is achieved
by using the built-in membrane keypad and
LCD display on the top of the print head.

The C34 incorporates a four-line LCD
display. The other models use a two-line
LCD display. This reflects the larger models’
increased print capabilities - all other
functions are exactly the same.

All printers use the same keypad layout and
communicate with the operator in the same
way, with the same keys accessing the same
options and the same prompts requesting the
same information.

Notes: (1) The keys are activated by pressure-

sensitive pads just beneath the
printed surface of the keypad. Press
once firmly in the centre of the
selected key to activate it.

(2) Do not use pens or other sharp

objects to activate the keys as serious
damage could result. The keypad
was designed for fingertip use only.

The keypad is in three sections. Pressing any of the special icon keys at the top
accesses the appropriate function as detailed in the Programming and Printing

Keypad

LCD Display

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SYSTEM OVERVIEW

section of this manual. When pressed in combination with the SHIFT key (see the
following page) some of these keys access additional functions.

Password

Create and Edit

Messages

Dot Size

Speed

Delay Print

Purge Direction Orientation Set the

Clock

The central section of the keypad contains the number keys and the BACKSPACE
and ALL keys. The BACKSPACE key is used when editing messages to delete the
character to the left of the currently high-lighted character. When pressed in
combination with the SHIFT key (see below), the BACKSPACE key clears the
entire message line while editing messages; when not editing messages this key
combination erases all the messages in the printer's memory.

Backspace key All key

The ALL key is used in many functions to select all the messages in the printer’s
memory.

The bottom section of the keypad contains the letter keys and SPACEBAR. To
the right of the letter keys, the arrow keys (in blue) are used for navigating through
messages and other entered data.

Product

Count

Set the

Language

28 77091 Issue 2 November 2003