HP Designjet Z6100 Quick Reference Guide

HP Designjet Z6100 Printer series

Quick reference guide

Legal notices

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical and editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Adobe®,Photoshop®, and PostScript® are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

PANTONE®* is *Pantone, Inc.'s check-standard trademark for color.

Table of contents

1 Introduction

2 Handle the paper

3 Handle the ink system

Using this guide ..................................................................................... 1

Introduction ........................................................................... 1

Warnings and Cautions ......................................................... 1

The printer's main components ................................................................. 1

Front view 42–in printer ......................................................... 1

Front view 60–in printer ......................................................... 2

Rear view 42–in and 60–in printers ......................................... 3

Take-up reel motor ................................................................. 3

The front panel ...................................................................... 4

Turn the printer on and off ....................................................................... 6

Access the Embedded Web Server ........................................................... 7

Printing paper info ................................................................................. 7

Load a roll onto the spindle ..................................................................... 9

Load a roll into the printer ..................................................................... 11

Unload a roll from the printer ................................................................. 15

The normal procedure (roll attached to spindle) ....................... 15

Roll is detached from spindle ................................................ 16

No paper visible ................................................................. 16

Use the take-up reel .............................................................................. 16

Attach a roll to the take-up reel .............................................. 17

Unload a roll from the take-up reel ......................................... 22

View information about the paper .......................................................... 23

Perform paper advance calibration ........................................................ 24

Overview of the paper advance procedure ............................. 25

Return to default calibration .................................................. 25

Download paper profiles ...................................................................... 25

Remove an ink cartridge ....................................................................... 27

Insert an ink cartridge ........................................................................... 29

Remove a printhead ............................................................................. 29

Insert a printhead ................................................................................. 32

Align the printheads ............................................................................. 34

Use the Printhead status plot .................................................................. 35

Print the Printhead status plot ................................................. 35

Interpret the Printhead status plot ........................................... 36

Corrective action ................................................................. 37

What to do if problems persist .............................................. 37

Remove the maintenance cartridge ......................................................... 38

Insert the maintenance cartridge ............................................................ 39

Check the status of the ink system ........................................................... 40

iii

4 Manage print options

Select print quality ................................................................................ 41

Use the Embedded Web Server ............................................. 41

Use a driver ........................................................................ 41

Use the front panel .............................................................. 42

Select page size .................................................................................. 42

Custom page sizes .............................................................. 42

Use the Embedded Web Server ............................................. 42

Use a driver ........................................................................ 43

Use the front panel .............................................................. 43

Adjust margins and layout options .......................................................... 43

Use the Embedded Web Server ............................................. 44

Use a driver ........................................................................ 44

Use the front panel .............................................................. 45

Print crop lines ..................................................................................... 45

Use the Embedded Web Server ............................................. 45

Use a driver ........................................................................ 45

Use the front panel .............................................................. 46

Nest jobs to save paper ........................................................................ 46

Configure the nesting option ................................................. 46

How job compatibility is defined ........................................... 47

Nest with crop lines ............................................................. 48

5 Manage calibration

Color calibration .................................................................................. 49

Color profiling ..................................................................................... 50

Create your own profile ....................................................... 51

Use a third-party profile ........................................................ 52

Color adjustment options ....................................................................... 52

Color emulation modes ......................................................................... 53

CMYK color emulation ......................................................... 54

RGB color emulation ............................................................ 56

6 Troubleshoot print-quality issues

General advice .................................................................................... 57

The Embedded Web Server Print Quality Troubleshooting wizard .............. 57

Lines are too thick, too thin, or missing .................................................... 58

Lines appear stepped or jagged ............................................................. 59

Parts of lines or text are missing ............................................................. 59

Lines are printed double or in wrong colors ............................................. 60

Lines are blurred (ink bleeds from lines) .................................................. 60

Dark or light horizontal lines across the image (banding) .......................... 61

The image is grainy .............................................................................. 62

The image has a metallic hue (bronzing) ................................................. 63

The printed output is not flat .................................................................. 63

The print smudges when touched ........................................................... 63

Ink marks appear on the paper .............................................................. 64

Smears on the front of coated paper ...................................... 64

Smears or scratches on the front of glossy paper ..................... 64

Defects near the top of a print ................................................................ 64

Colors are inaccurate ........................................................................... 65

The output is completely blank ............................................................... 66

The output contains only a partial print ................................................... 66

The image is clipped ............................................................................ 66

One image overlays another on the same print ........................................ 67

The image has a wood-grain appearance (aeroworms) ............................ 68

7 Troubleshoot paper issues

The paper cannot be loaded successfully ................................................ 69

The paper has jammed ......................................................................... 69

Check the printhead path ..................................................... 69

Check the paper path .......................................................... 70

Automatic paper-cutter does not function ................................................. 71

Take-up reel paper jammed ................................................................... 71

Take-up reel does not wind .................................................................... 71

8 Troubleshoot ink system issues

Clean the printheads ............................................................................ 74

Align the printheads ............................................................................. 74

Reinsert printheads procedure ............................................... 75

Image Quality Maintenance menu procedure .......................... 76

Scan errors during alignment ................................................ 77

9 Front-panel error messages

10 Get help

Introduction ......................................................................................... 82

HP Instant Support ................................................................................ 82

HP Proactive Support ............................................................................ 82

HP Customer Care ............................................................................... 82

Telephone numbers .............................................................. 84

HP Designjet Online ............................................................................. 86

Other sources of information .................................................................. 86

11 Legal information

Hewlett-Packard Limited Warranty—HP (HP Designjet Z6100 Printer

series) ................................................................................................. 87

A. Extent of HP Limited Warranty .......................................... 87

B. Limitation of warranty ....................................................... 89

C. Limitations of liability ....................................................... 89

D. Local law ........................................................................ 89

Hewlett-Packard Software License Agreement .......................................... 89

HP SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS .......................................... 90

Open source software ........................................................................... 91

Open source acknowledgments ............................................. 91

Open source written offer ..................................................... 91

Regulatory notices ................................................................................ 91

Material Safety Data Sheet ................................................... 91

Regulatory Model Number .................................................... 92

Regulatory Statements .......................................................... 92

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ......................................................... 96

Index .................................................................................................... 98

Introduction

Using this guide

The Hp Start-up Kit CD/DVD is the most complete source of information about this product and is organized into the following chapters.

Introduction

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the printer and its documentation. The remaining chapters offer information about how to use and maintain the printer, and how to troubleshoot issues.

Warnings and Cautions

Symbols are used in this manual to ensure the proper use of the printer and to prevent printer damage. Follow the instructions that are marked with these symbols.

WARNING! Failure to follow the guidelines that are marked with this

symbol could result in serious personal injury or death.

CAUTION: Failure to follow the guidelines that are marked with this

symbol could result in minor personal injury or damage to the product.

The printer's main components

The following views illustrate the main components of the HP Designjet Z6100 42– in and 60–in Printers.

Front view 42–in printer

Introduction

Ink cartridge

Platen

Using this guide

Printhead

Introduction

Printhead carriage

Front panel

Maintenance cartridge

Paper-load lever

Spindle

Bin

Front view 60–in printer

Ink cartridge

Platen

Printhead

Printhead carriage

Front panel

Maintenance cartridge

Paper-load lever

Spindle

Take-up reel deflector

Take-up reel motor

10.

Take-up reel cable and sensor housing unit

11.

2 Chapter 1 Introduction

Take-up reel sensor

12.

Take-up reel spindle hub

13.

Rear view 42–in and 60–in printers

HP Designjet Z6100 42–in Printer HP Designjet Z6100 60–in Printer

Quick Reference Guide holder

Hard power switch and power-cord plug in

Sockets for communication cables and optional accessories

Take-up reel motor

NOTE: The take-up reel is a standard feature on the HP Designjet Z6100

60–in Printer. It is an optional accessory on the HP Designjet Z6100 42–in Printer.

Introduction

The printer's main components

Introduction

The front panel

Your printer's front panel is located on the front of the printer, on the right-hand side. Use if for the following functions:

●

Take-up reel spindle lever

Manual winding buttons

Wind-direction switch

Use it to perform certain operations, such as loading and unloading paper. View up-to-date information about the status of the printer, the ink cartridges,

the printheads, the maintenance cartridge, the paper, the print jobs, and other parts and processes.

Get guidance in using the printer. See warning and error messages, when appropriate. Use it to change the values of printer settings and the operation of the printer.

However, settings in the Embedded Web Server or in the driver override changes made on the front panel.

4 Chapter 1 Introduction

The front panel has the following components:

The display area, shows information, icons, and menus.

The Power button turns the printer on and off. If the printer is in sleep mode, this

button will wake it up. (This is different from the hard power switch on the back of the printer. See

The Power light is off when the printer is off. This light is amber when the printer

Turn the printer on and off on page 6.)

is in sleep mode, green when the printer is on, green and flashing when the printer is in transition between off and on.

The Form Feed and Cut button normally advances and cuts the roll. Here is a

list of its other functions:

If the printer is waiting for more pages to be nested, this button cancels the

●

waiting time and prints the available pages immediately. If the printer is drying the ink after printing, this button cancels the waiting

●

time and releases the page immediately. If the take-up reel is enabled, this button advances the paper 10 cm (3.9

●

inches), but does not cut the paper.

The Reset button restarts the printer (as if it were turned off and turned on again).

You will need a non-conductive implement with a narrow tip to operate the

Reset button.

The Cancel button cancels the current operation. It is often used to stop the

current print job.

The Status light is off when the printer is not ready to print: the printer is either

off, or in sleep mode. The Status light is green when the printer is ready and idle, green and flashing when the printer is busy, amber when a serious internal error has occurred, and amber and flashing when the printer is awaiting human attention.

The Up button moves to the previous item in a list, or increases a numerical

value.

The OK button is used to select the item that is currently highlighted.

The Back button is used to return to the previous menu. If you press it repeatedly,

10.

or hold it down, you return to the main menu.

The Down button moves to the next item in a list, or decreases a numerical value.

11.

To highlight an item on the front panel, press the Up or Down button until the item is highlighted.

To select an item on the front panel, first highlight it and then press the OK button.

Introduction

The printer's main components

Introduction

The four front-panel icons are all found on the main menu. If you need to select or highlight an icon, and you do not see the icons in the front panel, press the Back button until you can see them.

Sometimes this guide shows a series of front panel items like this: Item1 > Item2 > Item3. A construction like this indicates that you should select Item1, select Item2, and then select Item3.

You will find information about specific uses of the front panel throughout this guide.

Turn the printer on and off

TIP: Turn the printer on with the hard power switch on the back of the printer

or by pressing the Power button on the front panel. You can leave the printer on without wasting energy. Leaving it on improves response time and overall system reliability. When the printer has not been used for a certain period of time, it saves power by going into sleep mode. Any interaction with the printer returns it to active mode, and it can resume printing immediately.

If you want to turn the printer on or off, the normal and recommended method is to use the Power button on the front panel. When you turn off the printer this way, the printheads are automatically stored with the maintenance cartridge, which prevents them from drying out.

However, if you plan to leave the printer turned off for a long period of time, you are recommended to turn it off using the Power button, and then also switch off the power switch at the rear.

NOTE: In sleep mode, the printer wakes up from time to time to do

maintenance service to the printheads. This avoids the need of doing long preparation after long idle periods.

To turn it back on later, use the power switch at the rear, and then press the Power button.

When the printer is turned on, it will take some time to initialize itself. This time is about 10 minutes for the HP Designjet Z6100 Printer series.

6 Chapter 1 Introduction

Access the Embedded Web Server

Use the Embedded Web Server to manage your printer remotely through an ordinary Web browser running on any computer.

NOTE: To use the Embedded Web Server, you must have a TCP/IP

connection to your printer.

The following browsers are known to be compatible with the Embedded Web Server:

Internet Explorer 5.5 or later for Windows

●

Safari 1, 2, 3 or later for Mac OS X

●

Netscape Navigator 6.01 or later

●

Mozilla 1.5 or later

●

Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or later

●

To use the Embedded Web Server on any computer, open your Web browser and type the printer address. The printer address appears on the status screen on the printer's front panel (192.168.1.1 in this example):

If you follow these instructions but fail to open the Embedded Web Server, see Cannot access the embedded web server in Using your printer.

Printing paper info

Enable the Printing paper info option to see the printer's estimation of the remaining roll length. The information is a combination of barcode and text that is printed on the leading edge of the roll when the paper is unloaded from the printer.

Introduction

NOTE: The paper-length estimation is only available if the printer

registered the amount of paper that was on the roll when you loaded it. To provide this informations to the printer, specify the roll length on the front panel when loading the paper, or load a roll that has the paper-data barcode printed on it.

Access the Embedded Web Server

Introduction

To enable the Printing paper info option, select the icon in the printer's front panel, and then select Paper handling options > Enable Printing paper info.

8 Chapter 1 Introduction

Handle the paper

Load a roll onto the spindle

Make sure that the printer wheels are locked (the brake lever is pressed down)

to prevent the printer from moving.

Remove the first end of the spindle from the right side of the printer, and then

move the spindle to the right in order to extract the other end. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process.

The spindle has a hub at each end to keep the roll in position. Remove the blue hub at the left end to mount a new roll. The hub slides along the spindle to hold rolls of different widths.

Slide the lever-lock on the blue spindle hub to the unlocked position and remove the hub (1) from the left end of the spindle.

Rest the roll of paper that you want to load on the take-up reel deflector. The

roll might be long and heavy, and you might need two people to handle it.

Handle the paper

Slide the spindle into the roll. Make sure that no space exists between the roll

and the fixed hub at the right end of the spindle. Make sure that the paper will wind off the roll in the correct direction. If it does

not, remove the spindle from the roll, turn the roll 180° and rest it on the deflector. Then slide the spindle into the roll.

Load a roll onto the spindle

NOTE: A label on the spindle also shows the correct winding

direction.

Handle the paper

Put the blue hub on to the upper end of the spindle, and push it towards the end

of the roll as shown in step 1 in the following image. Then slide the lever-lock to the locked position as shown in step 2.

With the blue hub on the left, insert the spindle into the left side of the printer

(1), and then into the right side of the printer (2).

If you regularly use different paper types, you can change rolls more quickly if you pre-load rolls of different paper types on different spindles. Extra spindles are available for purchase.

10 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

Load a roll into the printer

NOTE: To start this procedure, you need to have a roll loaded on the

spindle. See

At the printer's front panel, select the > Load roll.

Wait until the front panel prompts you to open the printer window.

After you have opened the printer window, lift the paper-load lever.

Pull out approximately 1 m (3 feet) of paper.

Load a roll onto the spindle on page 9.

icon, and then select Paper load

Handle the paper

Carefully insert the leading edge of the roll above the black-ribbed roller.

Wait until the paper emerges from the printer.

Load a roll into the printer

Handle the paper

WARNING! Take care not to touch the rubber wheels on the platen

while loading paper. These wheels can rotate and trap skin, hair, or clothing. Take care not to push your fingers inside the printer's paper path.

NOTE: If you have an unexpected problem at any stage of the paper

loading process, see

The paper cannot be loaded successfully

on page 69.

Align the edge of the paper with the blue line and the left edge of the semi-circle

to the right of the platen.

TIP: It may be helpful to also align the lead edge of the paper with

the front edge of the platen. You can use a blade or scissors to improve the lead edge of the paper if it is not straight or is not cut well.

When the paper is correctly aligned with the blue line and half-circle, lower the paper-load lever.

Wait for the front-panel message that prompts you to wind excess paper onto

the roll. Wind the excess paper onto the roll. Use the hub to turn the roll in the direction

shown.

12 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

Lower the printer window.

Wait for the front panel to again prompt you to wind excess paper onto the roll.

The printer will perform a color calibration if it has not already calibrated the

paper type you are using, and if color calibration is turned on. See

calibration on page 49.

Select the paper category and paper type of the roll you are loading. Then select

10.

the length of the roll you are loading.

NOTE: If it is not clear which paper category or paper type to select,

see the Supported paper types section in the HP Start-up Kit CD/DVD.

Handle the paper

Color

Load a roll into the printer

NOTE: If the paper that you are using has a paper-data barcode

printed on the leading edge of the roll, the paper information is automatically loaded into the printer.

If you have a take-up reel (a standard feature on the 60–in printer and an

11.

optional accessory on the 42–in printer) and it is enabled, you will see the “Takeup reel enabled” message on the front-panel Paper tab. In this case, a message will appear on the front panel asking if you want to load paper into the reel. If

Handle the paper

you select No (or if you do not have a take-up reel) the front panel displays the Ready message and the printer is ready to print. If you select Yes, a message will appear on the front panel asking if you want to load the take-up reel now or during printing.

● If you want to load the take-up reel now, select Load take-up reel now, read through the introductory text in the section Use the take-up

reel on page 16, and then continue to step 3 of the procedure.

●

If you want to load the take-up reel during printing, select Load it during printing, read through the introductory text in the section

Use the take-up

reel on page 16, and then continue to step 3 of the procedure.

NOTE: Familiarize yourself with the procedural steps, because

loading the take-up reel while printing requires you to complete the procedure while the printer is feeding and printing paper. Loading the take-up reel during printing saves approximately 1 m (3 feet) of paper.

If the take-up reel is not enabled and you would like to enable it, select the

icon, and then select Take up reel > Enable.

NOTE: During the initial printer set up, printhead alignment and color

calibration is performed automatically after the roll is loaded into the printer.

14 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

Unload a roll from the printer

NOTE: If you used the take-up reel (a standard feature on the 60–in printer

and an optional accessory on the 42–in printer) during printing, unload the printed roll from the take-up reel before attempting to remove the roll from the printer. See

Initiate the procedure for unloading a roll from the printer the front panel or by lifting the paper-load lever. In either case, a front-panel animation guides you through the remainder of the procedure.

Before unloading a roll, check whether the end of the roll is still attached to the spindle, and follow the appropriate procedure as described in the following sections.

The normal procedure (roll attached to spindle)

If the end of the roll is still attached to the spindle, use the following procedure.

At the printer's front panel, select the paper.

The paper is ejected from the printer.

If for some reason the paper is not automatically ejected from the printer, the front-panel display prompts you to lift the paper-load lever and wind the roll by hand until the paper leaves the printer. When you have finished, lower the paper-load lever.

Turn the hub by hand, until the paper is fully wound onto the roll.

Press the OK button.

Remove the roll from the printer, pulling out the right end on the right side of the

printer first. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process.

Unload a roll from the take-up reel on page 22.

icon, and then select Unload

Handle the paper

Unload a roll from the printer

Roll is detached from spindle

Use the following procedure if the end of the roll is visible but no longer attached to the spindle:

1. If you have already selected Paper unload at the front panel, press the

Cancel button to cancel that procedure.

Lift the paper-load lever. If the front panel shows a warning about the lever,

ignore it.

Pull out the paper from the front of the printer.

Remove the empty spindle from the printer, pulling out the end on the right side

Handle the paper

of the printer first. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process.

Lower the paper-load lever.

If the front panel shows a warning message, press the OK button to clear it.

No paper visible

Use this procedure if the end of the roll has entirely disappeared into the printer:

Press the Form Feed and Cut button on the front panel to eject the remaining

paper.

Remove the empty spindle from the printer, pulling out the end on the right side

of the printer first. Do not insert your fingers into the spindle supports during the removal process.

Use the take-up reel

CAUTION: Make sure the printer is turned off when installing the take-up

reel motor on the printer.

The take-up reel must be enabled and operated from the front panel. When the takeup reel is enabled, the “Take-up reel enabled” message appears on the Paper tab on the front panel. If the take-up reel is not enabled and you would like to enable it,

select the Follow these guidelines when taping rolls to the take-up reel spindle core:

Make sure that the paper is straight when it is attached to the spindle core.

●

Otherwise it skews as it winds onto the core. The spindle core on the take-up reel must be the same width as the paper that

●

you are using.

16 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

icon and then select Take up reel > Enable.

Check that neither side of the spindle core has end caps, and make sure the

●

spindle core is pushed firmly into both spindle guides. If you are using a HP Designjet Z6100 42–in Printer, make sure that the bin

●

loop is placed behind the foot brace so that it does not block the take-up reel sensors.

NOTE: If you want to load the take-up reel during printing, familiarize

yourself with the procedural steps. Loading the take-up reel during printing requires you to complete the procedure while the printer is feeding and printing paper. Loading the take-up reel during printing saves approximately 1 m (3 feet) of paper.

Attach a roll to the take-up reel

On the printer's front panel, select the reel > Load take-up reel.

2. If you want to load the take-up reel now, select Load take-up reel now on

the front panel. If you want to load the take-up reel during printing, select Load it during printing on the front panel.

icon, and then select Take-up

Handle the paper

Make sure that the take-up reel deflector is in its upright position.

Unlock the take-up reel spindle by pushing the spindle lever to its uppermost position.

Use the take-up reel

Handle the paper

Remove the take-up reel spindle.

The front-panel display guides you through the process of loading the take-up reel spindle core onto the take-up reel spindle. When that task is complete, load the take-up reel spindle into the printer by pushing firmly on both ends of the spindle.

Press the OK button on the front panel.

The printer advances the paper. Make sure that the paper passes in front of the take-up reel deflector.

On the front panel, select a winding direction.

18 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

Pull the paper taut to the take-up reel spindle core. Do not attempt to pull more

paper out of the printer. Use tape to secure the paper to the spindle core. You might need to use more tape than is shown in the following image. The paper should be secure enough to support the weight of the loop-shaping core, which you insert in step 10.

NOTE: If you are loading the take-up reel during printing you do not

need to pull the paper taut. Tape the paper to the spindle core when an adequate length of paper has fed from the printer after printing begins.

NOTE: To avoid having the paper skew as it winds onto the spindle

core, make sure the paper is straight when you attach it. It is sometimes useful to use the core grooves to align the paper.

Handle the paper

Use the take-up reel

Use the wind-direction switch on the take-up reel motor to select the winding

direction. Setting 1 winds the paper so that the printed image faces in. Setting 2 winds the paper so that the printed image faces out.

The front panel shows you to the correct setting based on the winding-direction decision you made in step 5.

Handle the paper

Gently lower the take-up reel deflector, and then press the OK button on the

front panel. The printer advances the paper. Assemble a loop-shaping core by matching the shape-coded and color-coded

lengths of plastic tubing. The loop-shaping core must be the same width as the paper that you are using. Make sure that both end caps are firmly fitted on the ends of the loop-shaping core.

NOTE: The front-panel display shows the required length of the loop-

shaping core based on the width of the roll that you have loaded into the printer.

20 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

Press the OK button on the front panel. The printer advances the paper.

NOTE: Make sure that you insert the loop-shaping core. The take-up

reel will not function correctly without it. The loop-shaping core must have end caps. Make sure that the end caps extend over the edges of the paper.

Carefully insert the loop-shaping core, and the press the OK button on the front

10.

panel. The Ready message appears.

NOTE: You are not required to press the OK button if you are loading

the take-up reel during printing.

NOTE: Make sure the loop-shaping is inserted. The take-up reel will

not function correctly without it. The loop-shaping core must have end caps. Make sure that the end caps extend over the edges of the paper.

When the printer is printing and the take-up reel is operating, the paper is fed from the printer, drops down in a loop, and then up into the take-up reel spindle.

Handle the paper

NOTE: While the take-up reel is operating, make sure that the take-

up reel sensors are not blocked.

Use the take-up reel

NOTE: The automatic paper-cutter is disabled when the take-up reel

is in use.

Unload a roll from the take-up reel

At the printer's front panel, select the Unload roll.

The printer advances the paper to allow for cutting.

Lift the take-up reel deflector to its upright position.

Switch the wind-direction switch to the Off position. The switch is in the off

Handle the paper

position when it is centered (in other words, when the switch is neither in position 1 nor position 2).

Remove the loop-shaping core.

Use the winding button on the take-up reel motor to wind the excess paper around the take-up reel spindle.

icon, then Paper unload >

Press the OK button on the front panel.

The printer knows if the type of paper that is loaded is suitable for the automatic

paper-cutter. The paper is cut if it is suitable. If the paper is not suitable, cut the paper manually.

22 Chapter 2 Handle the paper

+ 77 hidden pages