Ricoh A251 User Manual

®

A251

Operating Instructions

INTRODUCTION

This copier is a desktop plain copier carefully manufactured to exacting standards of high perfor­mance. it consistently yields high contrast copies with a superior finish.
This manual contains detailed instructions on the operation and maintenance of this copier. To get
maximum versatility from this copier, all operators should carefully read and follow the instructions
in this manual. Please keep this manual in a handy place near the copier .
Please read the next section before using this copier. It contains important information related to
USER SAFETY and PREVENTING EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS.

SAFETY INFORMA TION

When using your machine, the following safety precautions should be always be followed.

Safety During Operation

In this manual, the following important symbols are used:

WARNING:

R

Ignoring this warning could cause serious injury or even death.

R

CAUTION:

Ignoring this caution could cause injury or damage to proper ty.

Examples Of Indications

R

v
q

r

Symbol R mean a situation that requires you take care.

Symbol v mean “Hot surface”.

Do NOT carry out the operation represented by this symbol m.
This example means “Do not take apart”.

Symbols ● mean you MUST perform this operation.
This example means “Y ou must remov e the wall plug”.

i

R R

R W ARNING:

R R

• Only connect the machine to the power source described on the
inside front cover of this manual.

m

• Avoid multi-wiring.

• Do not damage, break or make any modifications to the power
cord. Do not place heavy objects on it, pull it hard or bend it more
than necessary. These actions could cause an electric shock or
fire.

• Do not plug or unplug the power cord with your hands wet. Other­wise, an electric shock might occur.

• Make sure the wall outlet is near the machine and freely acces­sible so that in event of an emergency it can be unplugged easily .

o

• Do not remove any covers or screws other than those specified
in this manual. Some parts of the machine are at a high voltage

q

and could give you an electric shock. Also, if the machine has
laser systems, direct(or indirect)reflected eye contact with the
laser beam may cause serious eye damage. When the machine
needs to be checked, adjusted, or repaired, contact your service
representatives.

• Do not take apart or attempt any modifications to this machine.
There is a risk of fire, electric shock, explosion or loss of sight. If
the machine has laser systems, there is a risk of serious eye
damage.

ii

r

m

• If the machine looks damaged or breaks down, smoke is coming
out, there is a strange smell or anything looks unusual, immedi­ately turn off the operation and main power switches then unplug
the power cord from the wall. Do not continue using the machine
in this condition. Contact your service representative.

• If metal, liquid, or foreign matter falls into the machine, turn off the
operation and main power switches, and unplug the main power
cord. Contact your service representative. Do not keep using the
machine with a fault or defect.

• Do not put any metal objects or containers holding water(e.g.
vases, flowerpots, glasses) on the machine. If the contents fall
inside the machine, a fire or electric shock could occur.

s

• Do not incinerate used toner, toner bottles or toner cartridges.
T oner dust might ignite when exposed to an open flame. Dispose
of the used toner cartridges according to local regulations for
plastics.

iii

RR

RCA UTION:

RR

• Keep the machine away from humidity and dust. A fire or an
electric shock might occur.

m
o

r

• Do not place the machine on an unstable or tilted surface. If it
topples over , it could cause injury .

• After you move the machine, fix it with the caster fixture. Other­wise, the machine might move or come down to cause a personal
injury.

• When you move the machine, unplug the power cord from the wall
outlet to avoid fire or electric shock.

• When the machine will not be used for a long time, unplug the
power cord.

• When you pull out the plug from the socket, grip the plug to avoid
damaging the cord and causing fire or electric shock.

t

• If you use the machine in a confined space, make sure there is a
continuous air turnover .

o

• Do not reuse stapled paper. Do not use aluminium foil, carbon

m

containing paper or other conductive paper. Otherwise, a fire
might occur.

iv

n

R
R

R

• When removing misfed paper, do not touch the fusing section
because it could be very hot.

• This machine has been tested for safety using this supplier’s
parts and consumables. We recommend you onl y use these speci­fied supplies.

• Do not eat or swallow toner .

• Keep toner(used or unused) and toner cartridges out of reach of
children.

• This equipment is only to be installed by a qualified service
personnal.

R

• Deliver to collection point for waste products. Do not be disposed
of via domestic refuse collection.

v

vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GETTING ST ARTED .................................................. 1

HOW TO USE THIS COPY MACHINE............................. 1

WHERE IT IS & WHAT IT IS ........................................... 4

Copier Exterior ............................................................. 4

Operation Panel ........................................................... 6

RECOMMENDED ORIGINALS ....................................... 8

RECOMMENDED PAPER ............................................ 1 0

TONER ........................................................................ 12

2. COPYING ................................................................ 1 3

BASIC COPYING......................................................... 13

Using the Rear T ab le .................................................. 18

COPYING ONTO ROLL PAPER ................................... 19

Semi Synchro Cutting ................................................ 20

Preset Cutting............................................................ 22

V ariable Cutting.......................................................... 2 3

USING THE R OLL CUTTING RAIL................................ 2 4

3. COPY SETTINGS .................................................... 27

COPYING ONTO O THER MEDIA ................................. 27

ADJUSTING COPY IMAGE DENSITY.......................... 2 9

MAKING SEVERAL COPIES OF THE

SAME ORIGINAL..................................................... 3 0

SETTING A LEADING EDGE MARGIN ........................ 3 1

PARTIAL COPYING ..................................................... 32

PROGRAMMING SETTING YOU OFTEN USE............. 3 4

A) Program key......................................................... 3 4

B) Changing The Default Setting ................................ 35

vii

USER TOOLS ...............................................................3 6

Semi Synchro Cut Adjustment ....................................36

WHA T YOUR SER VICE REPRESENT A TIVE

CAN CHANGE...............................................................3 7

4. MAINTAINING YOUR COPIER ..................................39

CHANGING THE TONER BOTTLE.................................3 9

ADDING TONER ...........................................................42

LOADING A ROLL OF PAPER ......................................4 5

LOADING A NEW ROLL

(ONTO ROLL CUTTING RAIL) .......................................49

5. TROUBLESHOOTING ...............................................51

If Something Goes Wrong ...........................................5 1

If A Service Indicatior Lights Up ..................................5 1

IF JAMS OCCUR ..........................................................52

OTHERS .......................................................................58

THINGS TO DO EVER Y DAY ........................................60

DO’S & DON’TS ............................................................61

WHERE TO PUT YOUR COPIER...................................62

6. SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................65

COPIER ........................................................................65

OPTIONS......................................................................6 6

INDEX...........................................................................67

viii

1. GETTING STAR TED

HO W TO USE THIS COPY MACHINE

1 Turn the machine switch on.

When the “W ait “ indicator goes off and the ”Set P aper” indicator goes on, the copier enter the
ready condition.

Clear Modes/

Lighter

Cut Select

Preset Cut

RF Select/ Cut

Set
Original

Set
PaperRFSelect

Wait

Lighter Copy

Darker

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

Lighter

Energy Saver

Program

Clear / Stop

Set
Original

Set
PaperRFSelect

Wait

Lighter Copy

Darker

Clear Modes/
Energy Saver

Program

Clear/ Stop

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

PM001

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

2 Select any copy settings you require, such as the media type or copy density .

If you have Roll Feeder (option), press the R/F Select key to select “Roll Feeder”.

Paper Length
Semi Synchro

Preset/
Variable

Leading Edge
Copy Counter

Function Select

3 Center the paper

❐ These illustrations shows the copier with the Original Guides, the Paper Guides, and other

face up on the Copy Paper T able and slide the paper straight into the copier .

PB001

optional equipment.

1

4 Set the Original Guides (option) to match the original size mark. Set the original face up and

slide it straight into the copier along the Original Guides.

PB002

PB003

5 The original comes out from the opening just under the original table ➀.

The copy is delivered from the slot on top of the copier ➁.

PB004

If you make several copies of the same original, when the copy comes out, remove it and repeat from
step3.

2

Notes

❐ If you want to catch copies the back of the

machine, change the copy delivery directions
as shown in the figure.

SB011

3

WHERE IT IS & WHAT IT IS

Copier Exterior

1a 2 4 3 13 5 6

1b

7 8 9 10 11 12

Set the Manual Pocket as shown in the figure.

4

SB001

SB002

1a & 1b Locks

Squeeze both locks to open the unit. Open the unit to empty the used
toner bottle and to remove jammed paper .

2. Front Cover

3. Original Tabl e

4. Original Guides

(option)

5. Operation Panel

6. Rear T able

7. Roll Feeder (option)

8. Paper Guides (option)

9. Copy Paper T a ble

10.Roll Feeder Covers

11.Table (option)

12.Main switch

Open the cover(and the unit) to access the toner cartridge.

Place your original here, face up. If you want to copy a stiff original
that can’t be bent, use the Rear T able (see 6).

Use the guide to keep the original going straight as you feed the origi­nal into the copier.

See page 6.

Place stiff originals here, face down.

Feeds paper from a roll to the copier.

Use the guides to keep the copy paper going straight as you feed the
into the copier.

Open this table if you are copying to sheets, changing the toner car­tridge, or if you have to open the copier .

Open these covers to change the roll of paper and to clear paper jams.

Holds your copier and the Roll Feeder.

Turn to start the copier and off when you’re done for the day. The
copier will need about 5 minutes to warm up, if it’s been turned of f for
a long time.

13.Copy Exit Guide

Makes sure the copies don’t fall off as they come out.

5

Operation Panel

1234567891011

Paper Length
Semi Synchro

Preset/
Variable

Leading Edge
Copy Counter

Function Select

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

1. Function indicators

2. Paper length display

3. Preset Cut key

Cut Select

Preset Cut

RF Select/Cut

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

Set
PaperRFSelect

Lighter Copy

Lighter

Set
Original

Wait

Darker

Clear Modes/
Energy Saver

Program

Clear / Stop

These indicators show which setting you are currently editing, Press
the Function key to cycle through them.
The top indicator lights when the paper length is being set.
The middle indicator lights when the lead margin is being set.
The bottom indicator lights when the number of copies is being set.

Shows the length of paper the Roll Feeder will send.

Scrolls through the preset paper lengths for the Roll Feeder.

4. Cut Select key

5. Energy Saver indicator

6. Troubleshooting

7. Wait indicator

8. Ready/Set Original

6

Turns Semi synchro Cut, or Preset/Variable Cut on/off.

Shows that it is in a state of wait (Energy Saver). Press key 10.

See page 51 for details.

Shows that the copier is not yet ready to copy .

Lights up when the copier is ready to receive an original.

9. Set Paper or RF

Select indicator

The Set Paper indicator on the left lights when the copier is ready to
receive an paper . The RF Select indicator on the right lights when you
select the Roll Paper .

10. Clear Modes/Energy

Saver key

11. Program key

12. Function Select key

13. Plus and minus key

14. Leading Edge/Copy

Counter indicator

15. RF Select/Cut key

16. Copy Media key

17. Emergency Stop key

Cancels all of current settings. When you hold down this key for
three seconds or more, the copier enters the Energy Saver mode
allowing you to conserve power .
T o exit Energy Sa ver mode, press this ke y again.

Allows you to recall or set a program.

Press to change which setting you are editing. The current selection
is shown by the indicators above: Paper Length

Leading Edge
Copy Counter

Also used for copying a selected portion of the original.

Press to increase the setting being edited.
Press to decrease the value being edited.

Displays the margin settings and the number of copies made.

Selects the paper feed type (when the Roll feeder option is installed).
Also press to stop a copy job.

Press to select the type of copy paper you are using.
The copier will apply more or less heat accordingly.

Press to stop the copying process immediately.
Use if your original is getting stuck in the copier.
If you stop the operation by pressing this key, remove both the
original and paper.

18. Density indicator

Density keys

19. Clear/Stop key

Shows the density level the copies will have.
Press the left key to make copies lighter .
Press the right key to make copies darker .

While entering numbers, press to cancel a number to have entered.
While copying, press to stop copying.

7

RECOMMENDED ORIGINALS

❐ You can set originals with weight in the range 21g/m2, 6 lb to 157 g/m2, 41 lb in this copier.
❐ Feedable size is between 914×2,000 (W×L), 36”×80” (maximum width that can be fed: 960mm,

38.4”) and 210×297 (W×L), 8.5”×11” for minimum.

❐ You can not use the Repeated Copying function in the following cases.

When using the Carrier Sheet (option)
When setting an original longer than 1200mm (47”)

❐ Fix the curl of original to within the following range.

• For the curl of the leading edge and the trailing edge: R50mm (2.0”) or more, H20mm (0.8”) or
less

• For the curl of the whole area of the paper: Ø30mm (1.2”) or more

❐ When you copy the follo wing originals, set them in the Rear T able:

cSee page 18, “Using the Rear Table”

• Thick originals (0.19mm, 35µ~1mm)

• Originals which cannot be folded.

• Originals less than 297mm (12”) in width and more than 1200mm (47”) in length.

❐ When you copy the following originals, use the Carrier Sheet (option) to set them:

• Piled originals • Folded originals

• T aped or pasted originals • Originals which have a hole near the leading edge 40mm

(1.6”) to the right or left of the center

• Dog-eared originals • Creased, torn, or clipped-out originals

• W avy originals • Pasted originals

• Originals whose leading edge is • Curled originals
not straight

8

Non-recommended originals

❐ The following types of originals are not recommended.

• W et originals • Originals with cardboard stuck on the leading edge

• Originals with clips or staples • Originals with wet ink or white-out

• Carbon paper • Originals made of materials other than paper or film

(thermosensitive paper, aluminium foil, etc.)

Notes For Originals

❐ Margins on the leading and side edges of originals are not copied as shown in the illustration.

a= 0 ±3mm (0.12”)
b1 + b2 < 0 ±2mm (0.08”) (A1 )

SB042

9

RECOMMENDED P APER

❐ Standard paper sizes that can be used in this copier are shown belo w .

Metric version Inch version Bypass Roll Feeder

A0 E (36” × 48”)

A1 D (24” × 36”)

A2 C (18” × 24”)

A3 B (12” × 18”)

A4 A ( 9” ×12”)

❐ When you make a copy on a non-standar d size of paper, set the paper on the Cop y Paper T able.
❐ W eight of paper suitable for this copier: 51g/m
❐ Do not use the following kinds of pa per or a paper jam might occur .

• Bent, folded, or creased paper

• T orn paper

• Perforated paper

• Non-smooth paper

• Slippery paper

• Thin paper that has low stiffness

❐ Do not make a copy on paper with any kind of coating, such as thermosensitive paper, art paper,

aluminium foil, and carbon paper.
A fault might occur.

❐ Do not use paper with strong curls at the edges or corners. (Curls rising more than 5mm(1/4”) or

falling more than 20mm (3/4”) over a 40mm (1.5”) radius.)

❐ When you make copies on film, take out the copies delivered to the copy guide one sheet at a time

and place them on a flat surface.

KK

KL KL

KL KL

KL KL

KK

2

, 14lb to 134g/m2, 36lb.

10

❐ If copying to natural tracing paper (all pulp, translucent paper) at a relative humidity of 35% or

less.
a) If the paper was left out of its package for 5 minutes or more, remove the first 700mm (28”)

before copying.

b) If copies come out wavy or with white spots, use vellum tracing paper instead of natural

tracing paper.

c) Always keep the paper in a bag when not using it.

❐ Store the paper in a sealed polyvinyl bag if not used for a long period.

If it gets humid, paper will curl or wave causing a paper jam or part of the image not to be copied.

❐ When you use paper in high humidity under hot conditions, take out only the necessary amount

of paper at a time from the bag. Do not take all the paper out of the bag.

Dehumidifing Heater

❐ Under humid conditions, the copier turns on the dehumidifying heater . It is turned on automati-

cally even when the main switch is off. Do not unplug the po wer .

11

Toner

Handling Toner

R

WARNING:

• Do not incinerate used toner, toner bottle or toner cartridge.

• T oner dust might ignite when exposed to an open flame.

s

R

Caution:

R

R

Caution:

R

❐ If you use toner other than that recommended, a fault might occur .
❐ If you want to add toner, see ⇒ P.42 ”ADDING TONER”

• Dispose of the toner bottle and the used toner cartridge
according to local regulations for plastics.

• Do not eat or swallow toner.

• Keep toner(used or unused), toner bottle, and toner cartridge out of

reach of children.

• This machine has been tested for safety using this supplier’s parts
and consumables. We recommend you only use these specified
supplies.

T oner Storage

❐ Store toner cartridge horizontally in a cool, dark place.
❐ Do not leave toner cartridge in your car on a hot day for a long period of time, or anywhere the

toner could be subjected temperatures of over 95°F (35°C).

❐ Never store toner where it will be exposed to heat.
❐ Do not lay heavy objects on toner bottles.

Used Toner

❐ Used toner cannot be re-used.

12

2. COPYING

BASIC COPYING (COPYING TO SHEETS)

Use the Copy Paper T able to copy onto paper .

Notes

❐ For acceptable types of original and paper see ⇒ page 8 and 10.
❐ Set one sheet of paper at a time on the Copy Paper T a ble. Never insert more than one sheet of

paper.

❐ If the copy paper is curled, set it with curl facing downwards.
❐ When you set A0 size(36” × 48”) paper, to mak e sure the ends do not touch the floor and get dirty,

lay a wide piece of paper or some other covering on the floor .

❐ Do not use the paper which is cut obliquely, when the difference between the right side and the left

side of the paper is more than 5mm (4/5”), creasing or a paper jam might occur.

❐ You cannot copy to both sides of the paper a t a time.
❐ It takes about 5 minutes until you can start copying after you turn the copier on. The machine is

warming up when the “Wait” indicator is lit, b ut you can still edit settings, insert copy paper or
insert your original.

❐ You can set either paper or an original first. When you have set both of them, the copier starts

copying automatically .

❐ Do not lean on the copy table or lay heavy objects on it.

CAUTION : If during copying your original gets stuck in the copier, press the

Emergency Stop key .

If you stop the operation by pressing this key, remove both the
original and paper.

13

1 Pull down the Copy Paper T able.

2 Set the Paper Guides(options) on the

Copy Paper T able, and set the Original
Guides (option) on the Original T able.

3 Open the guides to keep original away from

the paper entrance so that the edge cannot slip
into the paper entrance.

SB003

SB004

14

SB005

4 Make sure that the “Set Paper” indicator is lit.

If it is off, press the Energy Saver key to exit Energy Saving mode.

5 If any previous settings remain, press the Clear Modes ke y .
6 Set the density , the number of copies, and other optional settings you require such as Leading

Edge.

Clear Modes/

Set
PaperRFSelect

Lighter Copy

Lighter

Set
Original

Wait

Darker

Energy Saver

Program

Clear / Stop

Paper Length
Semi Synchro

Preset/
Variable

Leading Edge
Copy Counter

Function Select

Cut Select

Preset Cut

RF Select/Cut

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

7 Set the paper along the size indication on the

Copy Paper Table. Or set the Paper Guides
(option), to match the paper width.

8 Slide the paper straight into the copier until it

stops. The copier will soon pull it in.

A1

A2

A2

A3

SB007

SB008

15

9 Set your original along the size indication on

the Original T able. Or set the Original Guides
(option) to match the original width.

a Make sure that the “Set Original” indicator is

lit.

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

Set
PaperRFSelect

Lighter Copy

Lighter

Set
Original

Wait

Darker

Clear Modes/
Energy Saver

Program

Clear / Stop

b Center your Original

face up on the Original

T able. Slide the original straight into the copier
until the copier pulls it in.

c The original comes from the opening just

under the Original T able ➀. The copy is
delivered from the slot on top of the
copier ➁.

SB009

2

1

SB010

16

Notes

❐ Do not hold down or pull out the original during copying. Do not put pressure on the original

cover .

❐If you do not insert the original at a certain time after you have inserted the paper, the paper will exit

automatically.

❐If you do not insert the paper at a certain time after you have inserted the original, the original will

exit automatically .

❐If the copier is idle at a certain time after you have used it, the machine resets itself to the initial

settings (Auto Clear). If applicable, the copier will enter the Energy Saver mode automaticall y.

❐Y ou can preset the initial settings of the copier ⇒ see page 35 "Changing The Default Setting”
❐If the copier is not used for a long period, it will turn itself off.

17

Using the Rear T able

When you copy the following originals, set them in the Rear T able.

• Thick originals (0.19mm, 35µ ∼ 1mm).

• Originals which cannot be folded.

• Originals less than 297mm (12”) in width and more than 1200mm (47”) in length.

Notes

❐ You cannot use the following function using the Rear Table.

—Repeated Coping
—Semi Synchro Cut with roll paper

—Partial Copying

1 Choose any copy setting you require.
2 For mannual copying, set paper .
3 Pull up the holder and turn in the copy exit

guide.

SB012

4 Insert the original

face down from the Rear

Table.

5 Hold and take the original which has been

read and delivered in the front of the copier .

18

SB013

COPYING ONTO ROLL P APER (OPTION)

To mak e a copy using the Roll Feeder option, you do not need to set paper on the Copy Paper T able;
the paper will be fed to the copier from the Roll Feeder. You can copy onto roll paper using the
following techniques:

—Semi Synchro cutting
—Preset cutting

—V ariable cutting

Notes

❐ If unused roll paper is left in the copier, cut 700mm (28") from the edge of the paper before you

start copying.

❐ When you want to copy the long original, the curled originals, or the thin originals (less than

0.1mm) which can be easily bent down, open the guide to keep the original away from the paper
entrance.

SB014

CAUTION : If during copying your original gets stuck in the copier, press the Emergency

Stop key.

If you stop the operation by pressing this key, remove both the original and
paper.

19

Semi Synchro Cut

This feature lets you cut the roll paper manually to a length that approximates to that of the original.
This saves you having to measure and enter the length of every original.

Notes

❐ Semi Synchro Cut can handle the cut length in the range 410 ~ 2000mm, 16.5” ~ 80.0”.
❐ If you set the number of copies, Semi Synchro Cut can handle automatically by the length at your

setting for first copy .

1 Press the Cut Select key to turn on the “Semi Synchro” indicator .
2 Choose any copy settings you require.

3 Press the RF Select key to turn on the ”RF Select” indicator .
4 Make sure that the “Set Original” indicator is lit.

Clear Modes/

Set
PaperRFSelect

Lighter Copy

Lighter

Set
Original

Wait

Darker

Energy Saver

Program

Clear / Stop

Paper Length
Semi Synchro

Preset/
Variable

Leading Edge
Copy Counter

Function Select

Cut Select

Preset Cut

RF Select/Cut

Energy
Saver

Vellum
Film

Copy Media

Emergency Stop

5 Set your original along the size indication on

the Original T able, or set the Original Guides
(option) to match the original width.

20

A1

A2

A2

A3

SB007

6 Center your original face up on the Original

T able. Slide the original straight into the copier
until the copier pulls it in.

SB015

7 Just as the trailing edge of the original passes

the horizontal line of the Semi-auto synchro
cut mark, press the Cut key .

A4A3A2

A4 A3 A2

A3

SB016

Notes

❐ T o cancel copying, press the Clear/Stop k ey . The copier f inishes the operation in progress, and

delivers the copy and the original.

❐ T o call off on-going copying, for example, when you hav e inserted a wrong blueprint, press the

Cut key . The machine interrupts the operation in progress, and delivers the copy and the original.

21