iSys i24 User Manual

i24 User Guide

i24 plotter is a product of iSys - The Imaging Systems Group Inc. © 2005

i24 User Guide

Thank you for selecting the i

plotter. The employees and management at

iSys

will make every effort

24

to assist you with operation of your new plotter. It is our sincere desire that your ownership experience
meets high expectations.

This guide is provided to help you easily install and operate your new plotter. It contains important

24

information on the features and functions of the i

.

Need Help?

iSys

If you require additional assistance or information, please contact the

iSys - The Imaging Systems Group Inc.

911 28th Street N.E.
Calgary, AB T2A 7X1
Canada

Toll Free in North America: 1-800-415-4797
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support team at:

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LOCAL LAW, ISYS - THE IMAGING SYSTEMS GROUP INC. (iSys) MAKES NO
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. iSys shall not
be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance or use of this material.

Trademarks: Centronics is a trademark of Centronics Data Corp. Versatec is a trademark of Xerox Corp.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. UNPACKING ………………………………………………………… 3

2. PRINTER ENVIRONMENT ………………………………………………………… 4

3. OVERVIEW ………………………………………………………… 5

4. CABLE CONNECTIONS ………………………………………………………… 6

Installing the Data Cable to plotter ………………………………………………………… 6
Installing the Data Cable to RIP Box ………………………………………………………… 6
Installing the AC power cord & Network to RIP ………………………………………………………… 6
Installing the AC power cord to plotter ………………………………………………………… 6

5. MEDIA INSTALL ………………………………………………………… 7

6. MEDIA ………………………………………………………… 8
Premium Paper ………………………………………………………… 8
Report Paper ………………………………………………………… 8

7. STARTING THE i24 ………………………………………………………… 9
Using the Control Panel ………………………………………………………… 9
Menu Selections ………………………………………………………… 9
Functions & Settings ………………………………………………………… 10
Setting up the RIP processor ………………………………………………………… 14

8. MAINTENANCE ………………………………………………………… 15

9. SETUP RIP IP ADDRESS ………………………………………………………… 16

10. CONNECTING i24 TO PC ………………………………………………………… 17

11. PRINTER SETUP FOR PC USERS ………………………………………………………… 20

12. PRINTER SETUP FOR MAC USERS ………………………………………………………… 27

13. PRINTER WARRANTY ………………………………………………………… 30

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 2

1 UNPACKING

WARNING: The i24 plotter weighs approximately 60 lbs. Use appropriate care when unpacking,

lifting or moving the unit.

1) Shipments are checked for completeness. Please confirm receipt of the following items:

 Power Cord – 110/120 volt AC
 Warranty Statement
 Media Spindles
 Sample Media Roll
 Print Head Cleaning Pen
 User Manual

2) Inspect the shipment for any concealed damage that may have occurred during shipment.

3) Report any damage to the carrier of the shipment and the iSys Technical Support team

immediately. While iSys assumes no liability for “in transit” damage, we will assist in damage
claims with carriers.

4) Save the original packaging materials. Any future shipment should be made in the original
packaging. iSys is not responsible for damage caused in any future shipping due to improper
packaging.

5) During shipment, storage or long idle periods, place a length of thermal media between the print
head and platen roller to prevent possible damage to the print head.

6) If plotter is idle for more than 8 hours release head pressure to prevent platen roller from flat
spotting.

7) The electronic components of the i24 plotter can be damaged by electrostatic
discharge (ESD). To avoid ESD, maintain contact with a ground source. A grounded wrist strap
or similar should be used.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 3

2 PRINTER ENVIRONMENT

Properly locating the i24 will help to enhance its performance and extend its useful life. The plotter has
a wide operating range and functions well under various conditions. For best performance, we
recommend the following conditions:

 Place in a well ventilated, stable environment free from abrupt temperature or humidity changes.

 Temperature – 10 to 40 deg. Celsius (50 to 104 deg. F)

 Relative Humidity 40% and 70% (non-condensing)

 Place on a firm, flat surface.

 Avoid sources of direct heat and sunlight.

 Allow a minimum of 20 cm (9 in.) side clearance for proper airflow.

CAUTION: Do not touch the thermal print head. Natural body oils can damage it. Scratches in the

print head will affect image quality. Print head damage caused by users is not covered
by warranty. Do not block the air vents. Proper airflow helps maintain operating
temperature.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 4

3 OVERVIEW

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 5

4 CABLE CONNECTIONS

4.1 Installing data cable to the plotter.

I. Push the black button on the left side panel of the plotter.

II. With the black button sticking out, pull on the button to open the side panel exposing the data

bulkhead.

III. Install the 36 pin connector data cable into the bulkhead and secure thumbscrews.

IV. Slide cable into the exit slot on the bottom back corner and close side panel.

V. To lock side panel, press the black button.

4.2 Installing data cable to the RIP.

Install 25 pin connector data cable to the Parallel (lpt out) port on the rear of the RIP box.

4.3 Installing the AC power cord to the RIP box and connecting to network.

Install power cord and network to connectors on rear of the RIP box.

4.4 Installing the AC power cord on Plotter.

WARNING: Electric shock warning.

I. Push the black button on the right side panel.

II. With the black button sticking out, pull on the button to open the side panel exposing the AC

receptacle.

III. Plug the supplied AC power cords into the receptacle.

IV. Slide cord into the slot on the bottom back corner and close side panel.

V. To lock side panel, press the black button.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 6

5 MEDIA INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Do not touch the thermal print head. Natural body oils can damage it. Scratches in the print head

will affect image quality. Print head damage caused by users is not covered by warranty.

To install or replace media, refer to the following procedure:

1. Pull up on both lid latches and lift lid up until lid support is locked.

2. Insert spindles in the core ends of the new media roll.

3. Carefully position the new roll in the media housing and seat the spindles in the spindle blocks.
Press down firmly to seat the roll in the blocks. Ensure the roll is seated squarely in the blocks.

4. The media unwinds from the bottom of the installed roll.

5. The media is threaded as shown in Figure A. Allow an extra few inches of media through the
exit path, past the cutter assembly.

6. Once the media is through the exit path, hold the opposite sides of the media and tug forward to
squarely align and remove wrinkles.

7. Clean the print head with the Print Head Cleaning Pen shown in Figure B.

head should only be cleaned with the Print Head Cleaning Pen or with a solution of 99.9% Isopropyl alcohol
on a lint free wipe. Water and other solvents can damage the print head. Print head damage caused by
users is not covered by warranty.

The thermal print

8. Ensure the lid latches are in the “open” position.

9. Lift up on lid and pull up on lid support to release, slowly lower the lid.

10. Close and seat the lid latches by pressing down on one corner and pushing the latch lever down
and in. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the lid assembly. If the lid latches are not
properly seated, the red error light will display on the Control Panel and “ Latches Open” will
appear in the LED display.

11. Set Control Panel to “ONLINE” (see Section 8 for information). Ensure the media type shown in
the Control Panel Menu corresponds with the actual installed media. (Refer to Section 8 if
changes to settings are required).

Figure A Figure B

CAUTION:

The imaging characteristics of approved media are matched to the thermal output of the print
head. Operating at incorrect media settings or with unapproved media may damage the print
head. Print head damage caused by such use is not covered by warranty.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 7

6 MEDIA FOR THE i24

The iSys

line of direct image media is matched to the performance characteristics of our plotters to give
you consistent, high quality results at an economical price. Qualified papers are an essential part of the
imaging system that help to assure peak performance and long, trouble-free imager life.

Premium Paper (Top Coat Roll)

A premium, heavyweight paper that has the look and feel of bond paper. The high-sensitivity imaging
layer and bright white background produce sharp, crisp, fine-line detail and dense solids. It features a
protective topcoat that resists water, scratching, scuffing and marring. It is ideally suited for plots
requiring frequent handling.

Report Paper (Non-Top Coat Roll)

This medium-weight, high-sensitivity paper has a bright white background to produce high-contrast
output with crisp fine-line detail and dense solid fills. Report is an economical choice for your high­volume, general-purpose output needs.

Cleaning Pens

The convenient cleaning pen assures proper print head maintenance, helps enhance print quality and
prolongs print head life.

Note: For pricing and delivery on qualified media, please contact your iSys sales representative or
authorized dealer.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 8

7 STARTING THE i24 PLOTTER

To start the plotter, press the main Power (ON/OFF) Switch. The plotter will go through its start up
sequence, beginning with the warm-up phase, which brings the unit to its operating temperature.

During the warming phase, “Warming” will appear in the LED display, plotter is not operational until this
message is replace by “Idle”.

The i24, will move the media back and forth when the plotter stops plotting or when data transfer rate
from the host is slow.

Using The Control Panel

The control panel of the i24 consists of an eight-character LED display, three indicator lights and four
buttons. It allows users to check plotter operating status and operating settings. It also provides
warning/error messages and feedback to the operator. Plotter settings and operating conditions can be
changed through the control panel menus.

The indicator lights show status as follows:

1. ON LINE – Green when the plotter is on line and ready.

2. ERROR – Red when an error condition stops the plotter.

3. DATA – Yellow when plotter is receiving data from the host.

Button functions are identified as follows:

ON / OFF Toggles between ONLINE and OFFLINE modes.
LINE

FF With plotter OFFLINE, pressing this button once will cause
ADV. the plotter to form feed up to 250 inches, pressing and holding the

button will feed media until button is released.

CANCEL With plotter ONLINE and receiving data pressing this
CUT button will cancel the current job plotting. When plotter is OFFLINE

pressing this button will cut the media.

MENU When plotter is OFFLINE pressing this button will scroll through the

setup menus. When menu to change is selected use the UP Arrow
(FF/ADV.) button to scroll up and the DOWN Arrow (CANCEL/CUT)
button to scroll down to move through the settings in each submenu.
Once the menu changes are complete press ON/OFFLINE button to save
your changes.

i24 USERS GUIDE - 3.31.2005 9