Schneider Electric ImageCard Magna, UltraGrafix Magna Printers Users Manual

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

January 2002

Part No. 539177-001

Please note and heed the WARNING and CAUTION labels that have been placed on the equipment for your safety. Please do not attempt to operate or repair this equipment without adequate training.

Liability statement

This Datacard® product has been built to the high standards of DataCard Corporation. See “Safety and compliance” on page A-1 for the statement of liability.

Regulatory compliance

This Datacard product conforms to regulatory requirements as specified in North America and Europe. See “Safety and compliance” on page A-1 for detailed regulatory compliance information.

Trademark acknowledgments

Trademark, service mark, and copyright acknowledgments are listed in “Safety and

compliance” on page A-1.

Proprietary Notice

Revision Log: User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™

Printers

Revision Date Affected Pages Description of Changes

A January

2002

All Initial release

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Contents

Section 1: Operating the Printer

Chapter 1: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

About the Magna Class printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

About Advanced Imaging Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Printer models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Printer features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

How options are identified in this manual . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Chapter 2: Using the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Tips for success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Loading cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Loading the print ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Loading the overlay or topcoat material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Verifying the debower position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Powering on the printer and PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Ready button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Status light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Making cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Operating tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Removing cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18

Responding to messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19

Shutting down the printer and PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

iii

Chapter 3: Using the printer driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Working with Properties and other driver dialog boxes . 3-2

Tips for Properties, Printing Preferences, and

Default Document Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Properties for Windows Me & 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Properties & Printing Preferences for

Windows 2000 & XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Properties & Default Document Properties for

Windows NT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Using the Status Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Opening and using the Status Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Viewing Status Monitor information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Chapter 4: Maintaining the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Running a cleaning cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Using the printer cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Replacing the cleaning roller sleeve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Using the magnetic stripe cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Cleaning the printer rollers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Using the duplex/laminator cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Cleaning the supply tracker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Cleaning the heated roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Cleaning tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Cleaning the printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Replacing the printhead cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Chapter 5: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Troubleshooting guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

If you think the printer is not working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Making and evaluating test cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Printer test card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Windows test page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Magnetic stripe test card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Problems with card appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Print module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Topcoat applied using the print module . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Optional topcoat module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Optional overlay module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18

Obtaining service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

When to obtain service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

Packing the printer for shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

Section 2: Installing the Printer

Chapter 6: Before you install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Installation audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Selecting the site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Environmental requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Electrical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Physical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

PC and software specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

ID system installation sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Chapter 7: Install the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Unpacking the printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Who to call for assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Connecting cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Preparing the printer for driver installation . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

Installing the printer driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Changing required printer settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16

Printing sample cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17

Setup tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17

Changing optional settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18

Setting printer permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19

Section 3: Reference Information

Appendix A: Safety and compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Regulatory compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Notice for USA (FCC notice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Notice for Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Notice for Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Notice to Users of Printers Equipped with

Contactless Smart Card Coupler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Liability statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Safe environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Safe human interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

Appendix B: Supplies and cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Personalization supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Print ribbons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Overlay material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Topcoat material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Supply roll storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

Card specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

Card quality guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

Card storage specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Cleaning supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Printer cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Replaceable cleaning sleeve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10

Cleaning kits (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10

Magnetic stripe cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10

Duplex/laminator cleaning card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Cleaning pen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Heated roller cleaning stick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Printer driver CD-ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11

Printer components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13

Printhead cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13

Print ribbon cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-14

Card cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Cleaning roller spindle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Card output stacker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Data cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16

Power cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16

Smart card serial cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Overlay cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Topcoat cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Spool cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Replacement keys for optional locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Optional security lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Related publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19

Appendix C: PC port settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Appendix D: Magnetic stripe encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

Magnetic Stripe Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

IATA, ABA, and TTS character sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

NTT character set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3

Magnetic Stripe settings used by the Magna Class printer D-4

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overview

This chapter presents the following:

•

The purpose of this manual

Who should use this manual

The Datacard® Magna™ Class photo ID printer with Advanced Imaging Technology™, including a description of the printer, the models available, and their components

How information about optional features is identified in this manual

Specifications for the PC used with the printer and the software that runs on the PC

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-2 Overview

About this manual

This manual provides detailed information about the Datacard® Magna™ Class photo ID printer with Advanced Imaging Technology™. The first section provides operators with information about the printer and how to use it. The second section provides installers with requirements for installation and installation procedures. The third section provides reference information.

This User Guide works with the online e-Guide, which you can see using the desktop icon installed with the printer driver. Figure 1-1 shows the e-Guide icon.

Figure 1-1: Desktop icon for the e-Guide

Audience

This manual is intended for persons using a Magna Class printer. To operate the printer, you must have the following skills:

•

Ability to read and understand written and graphical instructions

•

Ability to operate a personal computer (PC)

•

Experience with Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows Me

•

Ability to load supplies

•

Ability to perform simple troubleshooting using written and graphical instructions

For the skills needed for installation, see “Installation audience” on page 6-2.

, or Windows NT®

About the Magna Class printer

The Magna Class photo ID printer includes the printer and a printer driver which runs on a PC. The printer uses supplies when printing cards, including:

•

New Platinum™ Series Advanced Imaging Technology™ print ribbon

•

New replaceable cleaning sleeves

•

Blank cards

•

Optional topcoat or overlay supply material

The Magna Class printer prints full-color or monochrome images on one or both sides of PVC cards. The images printed can include photos, text, logos, barcodes and digitized signatures. The printer can perform additional personalization tasks, such as encoding magnetic stripe data and sending data to smart card chips. With the optional overlay module, the printer can apply a durable polyester patch (overlay) to one or both sides of the personalized card. With the optional topcoat module, the printer can apply a protective clear topcoat or a secure holographic topcoat to the surface of the card. Magnetic stripe encoding, smart card programming, overlay, and topcoat are

ser’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overview 1-3

options that can be purchased as part of the printer. See “Printer models” on page 1-3 for details about which combinations are supported.

The printer driver receives digital information from a card creation application and processes the data to send to the printer. When the printer receives the data, it prints the card. The driver keeps track of the progress of the card in the printer and sends data for the next card as soon as the printer is ready and the data is available.

See “PC and software specifications” on page 6-5 for more information about the printer driver and the PC on which it runs.

About Advanced Imaging Technology

With Advanced Imaging Technology, processing and printing are enhanced for the highest quality images. Three features of the printer work together to provide the benefits of Advanced Imaging Technology:

Print ribbon:

Technology must be used in the Magna Class printer with Advanced Imaging Technology.

Printer unit:

Printer Driver:

on page 3-10 provides more information about color settings.

Printer models

Several models of the printer are available. ImageCard printers can print full-color or monochrome images, while UltraGrafix printers can print only monochrome images. The printer label provides information about the options in your printer (see

Figure 1-2). The label also includes the printer serial number.

New Platinum series print ribbon for use with Advanced Imaging

The printer has been enhanced to provide optimal color printing.

The printer driver includes color settings. “Using the Status Monitor”

Printer label

Figure 1-2: Printer label

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-4

A printer can be ordered with the following optional modules:

•

Duplex module. The duplex module flips the card to automatically print on both sides of the card. The printer label includes the number “2” if the printer has a duplex module.

•

Magnetic stripe module, for either 3-track (IAT) encoding or single-track NTT (J) encoding. The module is installed in-line with the print operation. It encodes data on the magnetic stripe and then verifies the data.

•

Smart card module. The smart card module can have one of the following:

– Contact coupler (SC410 on the printer label)

– Contactless (RF) coupler (SC680 on the printer label)

– Both contact and contactless couplers (SC4/6 on the printer label)

– Contact station (SCCS on the printer label) with external coupler

– Smart card ready (SCR on the printer label), which is shipped without a

coupler installed

A custom smart card application can use the module to initialize and program

the smart card chip on a card.

•

Optional overlay module. The optional overlay module applies a durable polyester patch (overlay) to one or both sides of the personalized card. The patch can be

clear or have a holographic image on it.

•

Optional topcoat module. The optional topcoat module applies a protective film to the card surface. The topcoat can be clear, which protects images, or have a tamper-evident holographic image on it.

Ta bl e 1 -1 lists the models and their features.

Overview

Table 1-1: Magna Class printer features

Model name Colors

printed

ImageCard Magna

Ultragrafix

Full color or monochrome

Monochrome No No

Magna

#. Only one of these modules can be installed; the printer cannot have both topcoat and overlay modules. †. Optional

Monochrome printing uses a ribbon with a single color, such as black. To optimize

monochrome printing, use a monochrome printhead.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overlay

module

†

Ye s

Topcoat

†

module

Ye s

Magnetic

†

stripe

†

Duplex

module

†

Ye s

†

Ye s

†

Smart card

module

†

Ye s

†

Overview 1-5

Figure 1-3 shows the Magna Class printer without a topcoat or overlay (laminator)

module. All UltraGrafix Magna printers look like this.

Figure 1-3: Magna Class printer without an optional laminator

Figure 1-4 shows the Magna Class printer with an optional topcoat or overlay

(laminator) module.

Figure 1-4: ImageCard Magna printer with an optional laminator

The ImageCard model of the printer can include the optional topcoat or overlay (laminator) module. The topcoat module applies clear or holographic topcoat to the printed card as part of processing. The overlay module applies a polyester patch to the printed card as part of processing.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-6 Overview

Printer features

Use the information in this section to identify the features and controls you use on the printer.

Topcoat or overlay (laminator) module (optional)

Exception card slot

Card cartridge

Card cartridge locks (optional)

Ready button

Top cover

Card output stacker

Top cover lock (optional)

Status light

Front of the printer

Find the following on the outside of the printer:

Top cover

The cover protects the internal parts of the printer from dust and debris. It also lessens the sound from the printer.

Top cover lock (optional)

The optional top cover lock allows you to lock the top cover into position, preventing access to the inside of the printer without authorization.

Status light

The status light indicates that the printer power is on, is processing data, is ready to receive data, or is in an error condition.

Card cartridge

The card cartridge holds blank cards to print. It holds about 100 cards (with a nominal thickness of 0.030 inches (0.76 mm)). At the bottom of the card cartridge, the

exception card slot

in the card cartridge.

Figure 1-5: Front of the Magna Class printer

allows you to insert a single card that is different from the cards

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overview 1-7

Card cartridge lock (optional)

The optional card cartridge lock allows you to lock the card cartridge into position, preventing cards from being removed without authorization. Some printers have two locks to meet the security requirements of the organization.

Card output stacker

The card output stacker holds the cards after they have been processed. Both completed cards and rejected cards go to the card output stacker.

Optional laminator module

The optional laminator module applies a protective surface to the card. A printer can have a topcoat module or an overlay module, but not both. “Laminator” is the general term that describes the process of applying the protective surface.

Overlay module (optional)

The overlay module is available on ImageCard Magna printers. It applies a die-cut polyester patch to one or both sides of the card after it has been personalized. You can choose the DuraGard™ protective overlay or a holographic overlay. Both provide a durable and long-lasting protective surface to the card. The holographic overlay includes a tamper-evident image.

Topcoat module (optional)

The topcoat module is available on Image Card Magna printers. It applies a protective film to one or both sides of the card surface to protect card images. The topcoat applied can be clear or it can include a hologram or other images that make the card resistant to tampering.

Ready button

The Ready button allows you to pause the printer while printing a card, to clear an error condition, to cancel a print job and delete all data for the job, or to create a printer test card.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-8

Inside the printer

Overview

Open the cover to find the following on the inside of the printer.

Duplex or pass-through mechanism

Swing arm

Figure 1-6: Internal parts of the Magna Class printer

Duplex or pass-through mechanism

Top cover support

Supply tracker

Topcoat or overlay supply cartridge

Debower

Laminator advance knob

Printer label

Print ribbon cartridge

Printhead cartridge

Card advance knob

RIbbon tracker (hidden in this view)

Continuous cleaning roller (hidden in this view)

The optional duplex module flips the card to automatically print on both sides of the card. Magna printers that do not have a duplex mechanism will have a pass-through mechanism in this location. If the printer includes an optional smart card module, it is located under the duplex mechanism.

Swing arm

The swing arm opens to give you access to the print ribbon cartridge, continuous cleaning roller, and printhead cartridge. Push down on the raised end of the swing arm to unlatch it and then open it.

Ribbon tracker

The ribbon tracker measures the movement of the print ribbon as it moves from the supply spool during printing. (Hidden in this view.)

Overlay supply cartridge (optional)

This cartridge holds the overlay supply and can be removed for easy reloading.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overview

Topcoat supply cartridge (optional)

This cartridge holds the topcoat supply and can be removed for easy reloading.

Laminator advance knob (optional)

The laminator advance knob turns to move a card along the card transport track in the topcoat or overlay module. Use it to release stuck cards in the topcoat or overlay module.

Debower (optional)

The debower is part of the optional laminator module and corrects for any change to the flatness of the card caused by heat applied by the laminator module.

Supply tracker (optional)

The supply tracker is part of the optional laminator module and measures the movement of the supply material as it moves from the supply spool.

Printhead cartridge

1-9

The printhead, contained in the printhead cartridge, applies heat and pressure, which transfers dye and other material from the print ribbon to the card. The printhead cartridge is replaceable.

Printer label

The printer label includes the printer serial number and information about optional components of the printer.

Print ribbon cartridge

The print ribbon cartridge holds the print ribbon.

Card advance knob

The card advance knob turns to move a card along the card transport track. If a card remains in the printer, use this knob to move the card in the card track.

Continuous cleaning roller

The continuous cleaning roller is a new feature of the Magna Class printer with Advanced Imaging Technology. The roller includes a spindle and a replaceable cleaning sleeve. The spindle holds the roller in place. The replaceable cleaning sleeve removes dirt and debris from the permanent cleaning roller in the printer and should be changed regularly.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-10

Top cover support

Back of the printer

Overview

The top cover support holds the top cover in the open position while you perform tasks with the printer, such as changing the print ribbon or optional overlay material, or clearing a card jam. Use the top cover support whenever you work inside the printer.

Figure 1-7 shows the back of the Magna Class printer:

Data port

ECP parallel port

USB port

Contactless smart card serial port

Data Port

Power switch

Contact smart card serial port

Power switch

Security lock receptacle

Power receptacle

Figure 1-7: The back of the Magna Class printer

If the printer includes an optional laminator module, that module extends farther than the ports and receptacles area.

Find the following on the back of the printer:

The printer includes two data ports. Select only one data port to use.

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ECP parallel port

Use the ECP parallel port to connect the printer's data cable to the PC, if the printer was ordered with a parallel cable.

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USB port

Use the USB port to connect the printer's data cable to the PC, if the printer was ordered with a USB cable.

Use the Power switch to power on or power off the printer.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Overview

Power receptacle

This is the receptacle for connecting the power cable.

Smart card serial port(s)

On printers equipped with the smart card option, use these connectors for the serial cable from the PC or contact station that carries the data to encode on the smart card chip. If the printer does not have any smart card options, the ports will not be installed in the printer.

Security lock receptacle

Included on all printers, an optional printer security lock can be inserted in this receptacle to secure the printer to the work surface.

How options are identified in this manual

This manual describes all of the features of the Magna Class printer, including all the options. Because many printers do not have all options, the following method is used to help you identify information that applies to an option.

1-11

The icons for each option are:

Magnetic stripe encoding module

Smart card module

Overlay or topcoat module

When you see the icon for an option, use the section or follow the step if you have the option installed in your printer. If your printer does not have the option, you can ignore the section or step.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

1-12 Overview

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer

This section describes how to perform basic tasks required to operate the Datacard® Magna™ Class photo ID printer with Advanced Imaging Technology™. It describes:

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Tips for success

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Loading cards

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Loading print ribbon

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Loading topcoat or overlay supply

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Powering on the printer

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Making cards

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Removing cards

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Responding to messages

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Powering off the printer

Begin with the printer set up and the printer driver installed. If the printer is not set up, see “Before you install” on page 6-1 and “Install the printer” on page 7-1 to set up the printer and install the driver.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

2-2 Using the printer

Tips for success

To achieve the best quality cards and to maintain optimum performance of your printer, follow these tips for success:

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Use the correct cables, connect them correctly, and keep them out of the way. See “Connecting cables” on page 7-5 for information on connecting cables.

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Use the best quality cards available. Good quality cards have a smooth, glossy PVC surface (with no debris embedded in the surface), a mylar signature panel

(optional), a flush magnetic stripe (optional), are not pre-punched, and are printed only once. See “Card quality guidelines” on page B-8.

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Keep a stock of supplies on hand and store them safely. Also, keep a replacement printhead cartridge on hand to ensure high quality cards. See “Supplies and cards”

on page B-1.

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Match the card design, the supplies you use, and the printer to obtain the results you want.

– Edge to edge printing requires high-quality cards and can require fine-tuning

the printer and the card design.

– Do not place an important image, such as a photo, on the front of the card in

the same area as a magnetic stripe. Frequent use of a card in a magnetic stripe reader can wear away the image on the opposite side of the card. (Or, apply overlay to the front of the card to protect it from wear.)

– Locate bar codes at least .25 inches from other printing and from the edge of

the card. Make sure the color used to print the bar code works in your bar code readers. (Infrared readers require that the K panel be used to print the bar code.)

– Do not print closer than .1 inch from a signature panel, magnetic stripe, or

smart card chip.

– Avoid placing a photo directly on the other side of a signature panel. Residue

from the panel can cause printing problems on an adjacent card.

– Avoid placing a photo or other critical information directly on the other

side of a smart card chip. The card might not be as flat in that area and printing voids can occur.

– Do not apply topcoat or overlay over a magnetic stripe or over a smart card

chip.

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Follow instructions carefully when replacing supplies, correcting problems, cleaning the printer, and replacing parts.

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Keep the printer clean and keep the area around the printer clean.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer 2-3

Loading cards

Load cards when beginning work or when the card cartridge is low on cards or empty. You can load cards when the printer power is on or off. You can also load cards while the printer is printing.

To order more cards, contact your card vendor. For information on card requirements, see “Supplies and cards” on page B-1.

Load cards

If the printer has a locking card cartridge, unlock the cartridge before removing it.

1 Pull up on the lower edge of the card cartridge (step 1 in Figure 2-1). Lift the card

cartridge up and out of the printer (step 2 in Figure 2-1).

Figure 2-1: Remove the card cartridge

Do not touch the surface of cards before printing them. Oils on hands can cause discolored printing. Handle cards by the edges or wear gloves to protect cards.

2 Fan cards to separate the edges of the cards (see Figure 2-2).

Figure 2-2: Fan cards

3 Place up to 100 blank cards into the card cartridge. (If cards are thicker or thinner

than 0.030 inch (0.76 mm), the maximum number of cards you can load varies.)

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

2-4 Using the printer

For magnetic stripe cards, the magnetic stripe faces down and is positioned toward the side of the printer that opens (see Figure 2-3). (For some custom applications, you might receive instructions to place cards in a different orientation.)

For smart cards, position the card so the chip is up and toward the open end of the card cartridge.

If you use a topcoat or overlay module, use composite cards with a nominal thickness of at least 0.030 inch (0.76 mm).

Smart Card Chip

Magnetic Stripe

Figure 2-3: Load cards into the card cartridge

Do not run the printer for an extended time without cards in the card cartridge. Load more cards as soon as you are prompted.

4 Replace the card cartridge in the cavity (step 1 in Figure 2-4). Push the bottom of

the card cartridge toward the printer until it clicks into place (step 2 in Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4: Replacing the card cartridge

If the printer has a locking card cartridge, lock the cartridge after replacing it.

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User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer 2-5

Loading the print ribbon

The printer uses print ribbon with color panels, continuous color, or color and topcoat. Full-color ribbon (such as YMCKT) must be Platinum Series ribbon, which uses blue ribbon spools. Monochrome (one color) ribbon on teal ribbon spools can also be used. (Full-color ribbon on teal spools cannot be used.)

The type of ribbon in the printer must match the print ribbon setting in the driver.

To order new ribbon, contact your service provider. See “Supplies and cards” on

page B-1 for information about ribbons available.

Remove the print ribbon cartridge

If the printer has a locking cover, unlock the cover before opening it.

1 Lift the top cover, and then move the support down so it rests on the internal

frame, as shown in Figure 2-5.

Optional laminator module

Figure 2-5: Open the cover

2 Press down on the swing arm until it clicks (step 1 in Figure 2-6). The push latch

releases the swing arm. Lift the swing arm until it is fully open (step 2 in

Figure 2-6).

Figure 2-6: Open the swing arm

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

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Using the printer

3 Grasp the ribbon cartridge handle, and lift up to remove the print ribbon cartridge

(see Figure 2-7). Avoid touching the printhead cartridge and ribbon tracker.

Figure 2-7: Remove the print ribbon cartridge

Some users run a cleaning cycle whenever the print ribbon is changed. If your site follows this policy, see “Running a cleaning cycle” on page 4-2 for the steps to follow, and then return to this section.

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Load the print ribbon

1 Remove the used ribbon and the used ribbon spools from the ribbon cartridge

shafts.

The print ribbon has a negative image of the information printed on the card. Dispose of print ribbon according to your policy for protecting the data that might be visible on it.

2 Unwrap the new print ribbon.

3 Slide the full supply roll onto the left ribbon cartridge shaft (see Figure 2-8).

4 Slide the empty take-up ribbon spool onto the right ribbon cartridge shaft (which

has a gear). Leave very little slack in the ribbon between the ribbon cartridge spools (see Figure 2-8).

Figure 2-8: Load new print ribbon on the ribbon cartridge

5 Make sure print ribbon unwinds over the top of the print ribbon cartridge, not from

the bottom.

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User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer

2-7

Replace the print ribbon cartridge

1 Place the ribbon cartridge onto the ribbon cartridge supports (see Figure 2-9).

Make sure the cartridge is securely seated. Avoid touching the printhead cartridge and ribbon tracker.

Figure 2-9: Replace the print ribbon cartridge

2 Close the swing arm, pressing it down until the push latch clicks into place.

3 To close the cover, lift the top slightly. Move the support up so it is parallel with the

hinges, and lower the cover.

If the printer has a locking cover, lock the cover after closing it.

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Loading the overlay or topcoat material

If your printer includes an optional overlay or topcoat module, the module uses supply material. For information about material, see “Supplies and cards” on page B-1.

This section describes the three steps of changing the topcoat or overlay material:

Remove the supply cartridge

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Load material in the cartridge

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Replace the supply cartridge

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If you change the type of supply material you use, see the e-Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers for more information.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

2-8 Using the printer

Removing the supply cartridge

Remove the supply cartridge when a "Supply empty" message appears, or when setting up the printer.

Remove the supply cartridge

If the printer has a locking cover, unlock the cover before opening it.

1 Lift the top cover, and then move the support down so it rests on the internal

frame, as shown in Figure 2-5.

The module is HOT to the touch and remains HOT for up to 30 minutes after the printer is powered off.

2 Lift the supply tracker, and then push until it clicks into place (step 1 in

Figure 2-10).

Supply tracker

Figure 2-10: Remove the supply cartridge

3 Pull out on the cartridge lock to release the supply cartridge (step 2 in

Figure 2-10).

4 Pull the supply cartridge out until the cartridge is out of the printer (step 3 in

Figure 2-10).

Loading supply in the cartridge

After removing the supply cartridge from the printer, remove the used material and load new material.

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User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer

2-9

Load supply in the cartridge

1 Place the supply cartridge upside down on a level surface, such as a table, with

the wide side away from you.

2 Remove the spool caps from both spools.

3 Pull up firmly on the full take-up spool to remove it.

4 Remove the end of the supply material from the empty supply spool if needed.

Dispose of the used supply according to your policy.

On a regular basis, such as weekly, use the cleaning pen to clean deposits from the guides of the supply cartridge and clean the supply tracker.

5 Remove the empty spool from the holder and press it into place on the take-up

holder (step 1 in Figure 2-11). Make sure the ribs inside the spool align with the grooves in the holder.

6 Press on the spool and turn it slightly (if needed) until the spool fully covers the

ribs of the holder.

7 Unwrap the new supply material.

8 Place the full supply roll on the right holder as you face the open side of the

cartridge (step 2 in Figure 2-11). Make sure the supply will unroll counterclockwise

, as shown.

Take-up spool

Figure 2-11: Load supply in the cartridge

9 Make sure the ribs inside the spool align with the grooves in the holder. Press on

the spool and turn it slightly (if needed) until the spool fully covers the ribs.

10 Lift the label on the supply roll and unroll about 8 inches from the supply roll.

Spool caps

Guides

Supply roll

11 Wind the supply material in front of the guides and around the take-up spool (step

3 in Figure 2-11). Make sure that the material will wind counterclockwise .

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

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12 Press the label onto the take-up spool to secure the supply material (step 4 in

Figure 2-11).

13 Press the spool caps back into position on the ends of the take-up spool and

supply roll (step 5 in Figure 2-11).

14 Pick up the supply cartridge and turn it over. Turn the take-up knob clockwise

to remove any slack in the supply material.

The supply cartridge is ready to be replaced in the printer.

Replacing the supply cartridge

When replacing the supply cartridge, begin with the top cover open.

Replace the supply cartridge

Make sure the supply tracker is raised and out of the way. See Figure 2-10.

1 Hold the loaded supply cartridge next to the module, with the cartridge handle

toward you.

♦

Using the printer

2 Align the supply cartridge so the spools in the cartridge are even with the spindles

in the module.

Supply tracker

Figure 2-12: Replace the supply cartridge

3 Push the supply cartridge into the printer (step 1 in Figure 2-12). Make sure the

supply material passes between the heated roller and the platen roller. Turn the supply knobs if needed to take up slack so the material does not wrinkle as the cartridge is pushed in place.

4 Hold the back of the printer and push firmly on the supply cartridge to seat it in the

printer.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

Using the printer

2-11

If the cartridge becomes stuck part of the way into the module, pull it out a few

inches and then turn the supply and take-up knobs clockwise slightly so the spindle ribs fit between the ribs. Push the cartridge in again.

5 Press the cartridge lock to secure the supply cartridge in the printer (step 2 in

Figure 2-12).

6 Lower the supply tracker until it rests on the supply material (step 3 in

Figure 2-12).

7 Verify that the cartridge is replaced correctly by making sure the locating posts

come through the locating holes in the cartridge (Figure 2-12).

If needed, release the cartridge lock and seat the cartridge completely. Press the cartridge lock again.

8 To close the cover, lift the top slightly. Move the support up so it is parallel with the

hinges and lower the cover.

If the printer has a locking cover, lock the cover after closing it.

♦

Verifying the debower position

The debower in the optional topcoat or overlay module should be set for the type of cards you print. The debower assures that the heat used to apply the topcoat or overlay does not leave cards bowed or curled.

Set the debower

Do not use the debower in the On position with proximity cards or smart cards.

Make sure power to the printer is off.

If the printer has a locking cover, unlock the cover before opening it.

1 Lift the top cover, and then move the support down so it rests on the internal

frame, as shown in Figure 2-5.

The overlay or topcoat module is HOT to the touch and remains HOT for up to 30 minutes after the printer is powered off.

User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

2-12 Using the printer

2 Pull out the handle for the debower and move it to the desired position for the card

type. Figure 2-13 shows the on and off positions for the debower.

Card or module type Debower position

0.030 inch (0.76 mm) card on

0.050 (1.27 mm) cards off

Smart card off

Proximity card off

Topcoat module off

If you use a topcoat or overlay module, you must use cards that are at least

0.030 inch or 0.760 mm thick.

Make sure the debower is seated in the latch.

Off

Figure 2-13: Lift the handle, move the debower, and lower it

3 To close the cover, lift the top slightly. Move the support up so it is parallel with the

hinges.

If the printer has a locking cover, lock the cover after closing it.

If you are setting up the printer, check the bow on the test card when you make it. If you are changing this settings after running the printer with other cards, make several test or sample cards to be sure the setting produces the result you want.

If you are switching to proximity cards or use smart cards, be sure to test the function of the card after applying the overlay or topcoat.

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User’s Guide for ImageCard® Magna™ and UltraGrafix® Magna™ Printers

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