FP Mailing Solutions Optimail Operator's Manual

Optimail
Postage meter
Operator Manual

About this Operator Manual

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Please read this operator manual before using the Optimail postage meter. Please keep the manual near the Optimail at all times for reference.
The quick reference gives you an overview of the most frequently used functions.
The following keywords and symbols identify the safety tips in this operator manual.
Warning! indicates a potential hazard which may result in injury.
Caution! indicates a potential hazard that may result in damage to the Optimail or impair the metering process.
The following symbols and graphic representations are used in this operator manual:
A tip offers advice or additional suggestions for improving the operati on.
Displays show the inputs and current settings. Fields which refer to the text have a dark background. An arrow points out a field to which you should pay special attention.
The keys to be pressed are highlighted in the key field symbol. In the example: Press the Postage value key.

Optimail – Display

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– Next maintenance due – Fault: Display with error number,
and/or
Available postage warning: Low postage
Service: Memory component / data backup measure
– Time display – Fault: System clock
Print: Account/register report Incoming mail stamp
Register (1 … 8)
Account (1 … 9)
Advertisement
Endorsement
Incoming mail stamp
No postage, metering not possible
Postage scale connected, automatic postage value / endorsement setting
Fault: Ribbon cassette or mail jam
Flashing: Print offset ON
4)
1)
Display for
– Postage value –Time – Register values –…
1)
Postage used by the account
Number of meter imprints of the account
Date in the meter imprint

Optimail – Keyboard

4
TELESET Display/set print offset
Display/set date
Program basic settings
1)
register
Display
Connect/disconnect
postage scale
Display postage used by an account
Display/set time
Display number of meter imprints of an account
4)
Set endorsement
Numeric keys: Enter numerical values
Delete, abort input
Change account
Set
–Advertisement – Incoming mail stamp
2)
Set postage value
Legend
1) in incoming mail stamp mode only
2) optional, only if special incoming mail stamps are ordered
3) close ‘incoming mail stamp mode’ or ‘account/register report print mode’
4) only available if the Optimail displays the postage in tenths of a cent (‘0.000’)
High postage value – Confirm for metering
–Set limit value
Back to metering
3)
Contents
1 Safety tips ___________________________________________________7 2 A short description of the Optimail _______________________________8 3 Switching Optimail on/off ______________________________________10 4 Metering ____________________________________________________11
4.1 Setting the postage value __________________________________12
4.2 Setting the advertisement __________________________________13
4.3 Setting the optional endorsement ____________________________14
4.4 Date of the meter imprint / print without date ___________________15
4.5 Changing the account _______ ___ ___ ___ ___________________ __16
4.6 Positioning and metering a letter _____________________________17
5 Account function _____________________________________________ 18
5.1 Showing account data _____________________________________18
5.2 Printing an account report __________________________________20
5.3 Deleting account information ________________________________21
6 Displaying and printing register values __________________________22 7 Loading postage – TELESET ___________________________________24
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8 Basic settings _______________________________________________28
8.1 Setting the date __________________________________________28
8.2 Setting the time __________________________________________29
8.3 Setting a high postage value ________________________________30
9 Using the incoming mail stamp function _________________________31
9.1 Things worth knowing about incoming mail stamp _______________31
9.2 Stamping incoming mail ___________________________________31
9.3 Setting a print offset ______________________________________33
9.4 Selecting another incoming mail stamp
10 Using Optimail with the postage scale ___________________________35
10.1 Connecting the postage scale _______________________________35
10.2 Weighing and metering ____________________________________36
11 Maintenance and care _________________________________________38
11.1 Cleaning _______________________________________________38
11.2 Changing the ribbon cassette __________________ ___ ___ ___ ____39
(optional)
_________________34
Optimail Operator Manual
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12 Error messages and tips for helping yourself _____________________ 41
12.1 Error messages – device faults _____________________________41
12.2 Error messages – TELESET _______________________________ 44
12.3 Tips for helping yourself ___________________________________ 47
Appendix
Instructions for installation ______________________________________51 Setting the outside dialing parameters for the modem _________________ 59 Glossary ____________________________________________________ 61 Technical data ________________________________________________ 63 Index _______________________________________________________ 65 Service _____________________________________________________ 69
Safety tips

1 Safety tips

The Optimail is a fully electronic postage meter for metering letters. The Optimail complies with the pertinent safety regulations for office information
equipment. Please observe the following tips for your own safety.
Only use the power and interface cables supplied with the machine by
Francotyp-Postalia. Makes sure that the cables are not damaged.
Connect the Optimail to a grounded single-phase power socket only. Make sure
your office power supply con form s to the powe r requ irem en ts show n on the s eri al number plate of the Optimail.
Make sure the socket for connec ting the Opti mail is clo se by and the ma ins plug is
easily accessible at all times.
Switch off the Optimail and all devices connected to it before plugging in or
removing interface cables.
Never plug in interface cables during a thunderstorm.
Switch off the Optimail before cleaning it or moving it to another location.
Make sure that no liqu ids or forei gn object s penetrate the interio r of the O ptimail . If
this happens, pull out the mains plug immediately. Have the Optimail checked by your local servicing dealer before using it again.
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Only have maintena nce and repai r work done by q ualified pers onnel authori zed by
Francotyp-Postalia. Fai lure t o do so will result in voidi ng of you r warrant y and los s of your postal licence. You will be liable for any damages.
The Optimail is des igned s o that you ca n inst all and st art it yo ursel f. Pleas e read th e
chapter “Instructions for installation” in the appendix to this manual. You are also welcome to contact our Service department who will help you get started.
Optimail Operator Manual
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2 A short description of the Optimail

Display
Letter guide
Letter receiving tray
Operating instructions (removable, with advertise­ments and endorsements)
flap/ribbon cassette compartment with ribbon cassette behind
Keyboard
Release key
(for flap/ribbon cassette
compartment)
Keylock with key
Power connection
25-pole port for connecting the postage scale
Modem socket (for loading postage via TELESET)
A short description of the Optimail
Things worth knowing about the Optimail
The Optimail is a postage meter for small mail volumes. It meters letters up to a thickness of 0.2" (5 mm) and self-adhesive FP labels.
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Mode of operation
Very clean meter imprints
Fast cassette change
TELESET
Extended functions
All the information for the metering process is electronically stored. The memory component provides space for new advertisements.
The settings for the meter imprint can be selected quickly and easily at the push of a button. The dis­play shows you th e current setti ngs at a gla nce. You
only have to put the letter in place – the Optimail takes the letter, meters it, and ejects the ready to send letter to the right.
The thermal printing process provid es a clean, smudge-proof imp rint. The solid ink on t he ribb on is heated up as it passes the the rmal printhe ad. Under pressure, the liquefied ink penetrates the paper of the envelope and remains permanently bonded. The ribbon cassette can ea sily be rep laced with ju st a few actions.
You load postage with the TELESET process via a built-in modem – fast, comfortable and, if need be, 24 hours a day.
– Automatic date setting. – Separate registration and accounting of the
postage costs for up to 9 accounts. – Printing of account information and register data. – Warning of high postage values and insufficient
available postage. – Incoming mail stamp function to register inc oming
mail.
Operation with postage scale
You can combine O ptimail with a pos tage scale from Francotyp-Postalia. The postage scale then controls setting of the postage value.
Optimail Operator Manual
ON
OFF
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3 Switching Optimail on/off

Switching on
Insert the key in the keylock on the back of the
Optimail.
Turn the key to the horizontal position ( = ON).
Self-test
Ready for metering
Sleep mode
The display shows a dash running from the right to the left side. This is conc luded w ith t wo beeps . Now all segments of the display will briefly illuminate, followed by another beep. The current date is then displayed.
After about 18 seconds, the self-test is completed. The Optimail will beep again and the last set postage value appears. The Optimail is ready for metering.
If the Optimail is not used for about one minute, i.e. no imprints are made or no key is pressed, the postage meter switches over to the time display.
Reactivate the Optimail with the key .
Switching off
Turn the key to the vertical position ( = OFF).
Remove the key. Your Optimail is now safe from
unauthorized use.

4 Metering

Advertisement
Current account Postage value
Endorsement
Date
Postage value
Metering
The display shows all the settings for the meter imprint at a glance:
– Postage value –Date. – Endorsement – Advertisement
The symbolic representation of the stamp in the display makes orientation easier.
You will also find the stamp image symbol on the keys for setting th e meter imprint. Th e assigned field is shown filled on the respective keys.
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Input errors
You can test the current printing settings in a trial run. Set the postage value “0” for trial runs.
The Optimail will not accept incorrect inputs. An acoustic signal warns you that the setting is not possible with the entered values. The previous setting reappears in the display.
You can delete wrong entries with the key . The Optimail aborts the setting and shows the previous setting in the display.
Optimail Operator Manual
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4.1 Setting the postage value

Type the desired postage value with the numeric
keys.
You can check the entered number sequence in the display.
Confirm with the key.
The display shows the set postage value with decimal point.
Message ‘High postage value’
If an acoustic signal s ounds and HP and the po stage value flash in the display after confirming the
postage value, the ‘High postage value’ is exceede d. In this way the Optimail helps you to prevent overmetering and loss of postage.
If you want to meter with the set postage value …
Confirm the displayed postage val ue with the
key again.
If you have accidentally set too high a postage
value …
Type a new postage value.
Confirm with the key.
Read Chapter 8.3 to find out how to chan ge the limit
for the ‘High postage value’ message.

4.2 Setting the advertisement

Francotyp-Postalia can equip the Opti mail with up to 9 different advertisements according to the
customer’s wishes. The available advertisements and the assigned
numbers can be found as operating hints on the Optimail (can be pulled out at the front left).
Select the image you want to use and find the
number next to it.
Press the key repeatedly until the desired
number appears in the appropriate field of the
stamp image symbol.
Metering
13
Metering without advertisement
Press the key repeatedly until “0” appears in
the appropriate field of the stamp image symbol.
Optimail Operator Manual
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4.3 Setting the optional endorsement

Specific types of mail can be marked with the respective endorsement imprint (e.g. FIRST CLASS, PRIORITY, NON-PROFIT ).
This function is avai lable only if the Op timail displays the postage in tenths of a cent. To switch to the
‘0.000’ meter type, please contact Francotyp­Postalia.
The available endorsements and the assigned numbers can be found as operating hints on the Optimail (can be pulled out at the front left).
Select the endorsement you want to use and find
the number next to it.
Press the key repeatedly until the desired
number appears in the appropriate field of the stamp image symbol.
Metering without endorsement
Press the key repe atedly until “0” appears in
the appropriate field of the stamp image symbol.

4.4 Date of the meter imprint / print without date

The built-in clock s ets th e d ate for the meter imprint automatically.
Show date
Press the key.
The displayed date appears in the meter imprint when metering.
You can end the date display with the key.
The display shows the postage value again.
Read Chapter 8.1 to find out how to chan ge the date of the system clock.
Metering
15
Printing without a date
The Optimail allows the date to be omitted from the meter imprint. Please take note of the cu rrent posta l regulations.
Press the key.
The Optimail shows the set date.
Press the key.
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4.5 Changing the account

The Optimail returns to the postage value display. Short signal tones a nd th e fl as hing
that the meter imprint contains no date.
Printing the date again
“DATE” indicate
Press the key. The Optimail shows the set
date.
End the date display with the k ey. The display
shows the postage value again.
The Optimail can record and evaluate meterings separately according to accounts (M1 to M9).
Press the key repeatedly until your account
number appears at the b ottom of the displ ay in the
‘M’ field.
All subsequent meterings are recorded for this account. The ac cou nt rem ain s set until you sele ct a new account.
In Chapter 5 you will find detailed informa tio n about the account function.

4.6 Positioning and metering a letter

1. 2.
Caution! By simple preventive measures and spe-
cial care when positioning letters, you can avoid gaps in the imprint, tearin g the ribbon and damaging the thermal print head:
– You can meter letters up to a thickness of 0.2"
(5 mm). The difference in thickness in the printing
area in letters containin g sev era l sh eets can lead
to an irregular imprint. In this case , meter the emp-
ty envelope or use FP labels. – Use envelopes with as smooth a surface as
possible. This gives optimum imprint quality. – Make sure you remove all staples and pa per clips
from the area around the imprint. – Before imprinting, knock the upper edge of the
envelopes again st a smooth unde rlay. By alig ning
the content of the letter with the upper edge of the
envelope you get an even surface to achieve bet-
ter meter imprints. – During metering, it is best to let go of normal for-
mat letters (e.g. Commercial #6¾, #10).
Give large envelopes (e. g. #14) a little support. – Under no circumstances should you attempt to
straighten the envelope whilst it is being printed.
Metering
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How to feed a letter
Place the letter on the letter receiving tray:
– The side to be printed facing upwards, the
address fi eld visible.
– The top edge must be flush with the l etter guid e.
Push in the letter in the direction of the arrow until
the Optimail grips the letter. As soon as the mail sensor detects a letter, a roller
presses the letter against the ribbon and print head
– the printing st arts. The imprinted letter is ejected to the right.
Optimail Operator Manual
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5 Account function

Record
Evaluate

5.1 Showing account data

With the account function, the Optimail offers a tool for recording and evaluating the incurred postage costs. Nine account memories are available. Accounts may be the divisions/departments of a company or individual companies in shared office facilities.
Simply set the desired account for metering. The Optimail stores the number and value of meter imprints.
You can read the number and postage used for every account. You can also print out an account report of all accounts if you want to.
Reading postage used by an account
Select the desired account (M1-M9) by pressing
the key.
The selected account appears in the ‘M’ field.
Press the key.
The Optimail displays the postage costs which have been accumulated for this account since last resetting the counter to zero.
Account function
Reading the number of meter imprints for an account
Select the desired account (M1-M9) by pressing
the key.
The selected account appears in the ‘M’ field.
Press the key.
The Optimail displays the number of meter imprints which have been made for this account since last resetting the counter to zero. Zero imprints are not recorded.
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The ‘M0’ account The grand total for all accounts is stored under the
‘M0’ account. With the ‘M0’ a ccount y ou c an c heck the g rand to tal
of all accounts using the and keys.
Optimail Operator Manual
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ON
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5.2 Printing an account report

Account report (sample)
The account report c ontains the accou nt information (postage used and quan tity ) of a ll a cc ou nts and the register states of your Optimail.
The Optimail must be switched off.
Keep the key pressed and switch on the
Optimail with the keylock.
You can release the key as soon as “M 0” for the
account and the printing sy mbol are visible in the display.
Insert an FP label or any sheet as normal.
The Optimail prints the account report.
You return to the metering function with the
key.

5.3 Deleting account information

To delete account information, reset the postage used counter and the piece counter individually to zero.
Select the desired account (M1-M9) by pressing
the key.
The selected account appears in the ‘M’ field.
Set the postage used counter to zero
Keep the key pressed and press the key
briefly.
The postage used counter is deleted for the set
account. The Optimail displays “0.00” for the postage used.
Account function
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Reset piece counter to zero
Keep the key pressed and press the key
briefly.
The piece counter is deleted for the set account. The
Optimail displays “0” pieces.
The data of the a ccount ‘M0’ canno t be zeroed in this way. However, when the information of individual accounts is deleted, the appropriate values are subtracted from the ‘M0’ account.
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