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V-JET FAQ - FIXED HEAD PRINTER
I. FAQ'S – PRINTER SET UP
II. FAQ'S – PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
III. FAQ's - NOTES AND PRINTING EXAMPLES
This section is for the person who is new to the 24K-P/24KPS/V-Jet and needs assistance to set up and operate the printer. You may notice that there are several naming designations for this printer, that is due to the fact that this printer has been offered in different configurations and undergone a name change. For documentation purposes, from this point forward in this document it will be referred to as the V-Jet for ease of readability. For more technical information fill out the request form with your particular question or call us to find out the name of your local dealer at 800.523.0320.
Q. How do I Connect the Printer to my Computer?
A. Connect the printer to the serial parallel port or parallel port of the computer. Initialize the Address printer communications port by sending data to either the parallel or serial port. To change from the serial port to the parallel port or vice versa the printer must be reinitialized or manually changed through the Setup Menu. Doing otherwise may affect the operation and performance of the address printer.
1. Align male end of parallel cable or female end of serial cable connector to the port on the printer. Push the cable connector completely in.
2. Secure the cable. Use the 2 wire clips to snap into the tabs on the connector. Use the thumb screws on the serial connector to screw into the hex jack screws on the electrical bracket.
3. Align the other end of the cable to the connector on the computer and push into the port.
4. Secure the cable in place. Use the thumb screws on the connector to screw into the hex jack screws on the computer.
Q. How do I Connect the Printer to the Conveyor?
A. The conveyor port can maximize the operation of a conveyor when used with the printer. Settings used for configuring the port for a conveyor are found in the Main Menu.
(Notes: The port is designed to connect to the pulse box (optional) then the box to the conveyor. With the pulse box connected the conveyor will only operate while the printer is printing addresses. The printer can control the singling of media onto the conveyor by fine-tuning the conveyor speed adjustment in the Main Menu of the printer. This will allow the maximum number of pieces of media to be fed onto the conveyor and the longest drying time before the conveyor stacks the media. Modifications to the amount of time the conveyor continues to run after printing a record is done through the conveyor time option in the main menu.
Q. How Do I install an Ink Jet Cartridge?
A. The V-Jet uses six black, C8842A cartridges. You must install three black print cartridges into one of the print head carriages before you use the machine. To install the cartridge verify the LCD on the top of the On Line button is lit. The LCD is either unlit for Off Line or lit for On Line, then do the following:
1. Being carefully not to touch the copper ribbon, gently remove both pieces of tape covering the ink nozzles on the print cartridge. Be careful not to touch the nozzles.
2. Holding cartridge from the notched handle on top of the cartridge, gently insert cartridge down at 45 degree angle into the cradle.
3. Hold the handle on top of the ink cartridge. Gently lift up on the handle until the cartridge snaps into place.
Q. Do I Need to Prepare the Media Before Running My Job?
A. To assist the media and have your job run smoothly, it is recommended the media be prepared for the printer. Use the following steps:
1. Take a pile of media and fan all sides of the media to make sure each piece is free from one another.
2. Square (tap) the pile against the table top, assuring a square pile on all sides. This allows media to settle toward the bottom of a stuffed envelope and will increase the feeding capabilities of the printer.
Q. What Types of Media Can I Use?
A. The printer is designed to feed and print on a variety of media with various finishes and coatings. The sharpness of the print quality will vary with different media types, depending on how absorbent the media is, as well as other qualities. The best results can be achieved using white wove bonded stock. The printing quality will be less sharp on tyvek, recycled and glossy media.
Acceptable media:Envelopes (these should be stacked to feed with the left or right edge first. Booklets (these should be stacked to feed with the sealed edge leading or stacked with the sealed edge placed to feed first), Catalogs (should be stacked with the sealed edge leading or stacked with the sealed edge placed to feed first. Postcards (must be 3.5” x 5” or larger), Self Mailers (folded in half or C or Z folded, and tabbed), Paper (16 to 80 lb. of uncoated to coated stock). Note: Check on postal guidelines for tabbing folded material and catalogs.
Acceptable paper types: white wove, bond, recycled, coated, card stock, brown kraft, manila.
Q. How Do I Set the Right Height Adjustment for Media Thickness?
A. Different sizes and types of media call for unique settings of the Left Print Head Carriage Assembly. To accommodate different sizes turn the Knob Assembly to raise or lower the two carriage assemblies until they touch the top of the media. Enough pressure has to be applied by the metal wipers underneath the carriages to keep the media from moving around beneath the Print Cartridges while printing. Increase print clarity by adjusting the Knob Assembly to the print head carriages.
1. Turn the knob clockwise to raise the carriages higher than the thickness of the media.
2. While the printer is printing, close the knob assembly turning counterclockwise until the wiper under the carriages just touches the media.
3. Print test message and when it smudges, adjust the carriages up to get the desired print quality.
Q.How do I Synchronize the Print Cartridges?
A. The Left Print Head Cartridge is able to run independently of the Right Print Head Carriage. Separating the two allows one cartridge to print either a return address, indicia or company logo on the top or bottom of the piece while the other carriage handles the mailing address and USPS barcode.
A carriage needs realignment when a new print cartridge is installed. Synchronizing the print cartridges is accomplished using the Service Menu option/adjust print.
Each bank of three print cartridges has to be synchronized to print graphics, scaleable fonts or to justify the left edge of print. If the print cartridges are not synchronized anything that requires two or three print cartridges to line up a left edge or to print next to each other may print to the left of one another or on top of each other. The Left Print Head Carriage Assembly is referred to as Bank A, and the Right one is referred to as Bank B. Synchronize each bank by aligning the test pattern that is printed by each of the print cartridges.
Note: When lines of print start to run on top of each other the Print Cartridges have to be synchronized vertically. Perform a vertical adjustment whenever the center of the test pattern isn’t a solid crooked line. When a line of print is split apart or the left edge of a block of lines don’t line up with the left edge of the other lines the Print Cartridges have to be synchronized horizontally. Perform a horizontal adjustment whenever the large solid line and the set of 18 thin vertical lines do not form long vertical lines for the whole bank of print cartridges.
The two banks combine for one large block for large fonts and big graphics or two dimensional barcoding using the Service Menu. To combine Bank A and Bank B use the mechanism on the front of both the Right Print Head Carriage and the Left Print Head Carriage. Use the following steps to adjust the two print head carriages together:
1. Move the left print head carriage assembly to the area that the carriages will be printing on the piece.
2. Lock the left print head carriage assembly in place using the green locking knob. Pull up the handle of the horizontal handle toggle clamp to verify it is up.
3. Unlock the right print head carriage assembly.
4. Line the front edge of the two carriages.
5. Pull on the knurled knob of the carriage alignment latch to release the latch and slide it over to the latch knob on the right hand print head carriage assembly.
6. Set the latch into the groove of the latch knob.
7. Print out a adjust printing test message.
8. Made adjustments by turning the screwing the latch knob in or out.
9. When the adjust printing test pattern makes a solid pattern across both banks then level both banks A & B. Push down on the horizontal handle toggle clamp to put pressure and level both carriages.
10. Lock the right print head carriage in place using the green knurled locking knob.
Q. What Are the Different Menus for and How Do I Access Them?
A. On the 24K there are 3 levels to the printers’ menus: Use the Main Menu to choose the format and style of address printed and for information to assist in production. Selected menu options from a sub-menu will appear first in the list of options. Use the Set Up Menu to configure the printer so it will function correctly with the computer and for servicing or troubleshooting the printer. Hold the Menu button down for two seconds until Set Up is displayed on the LCD. Selected menu options from a sub-menu will appear first in the list of options. Use the Service Menu for adjusting the print heads in each bank and the banks to each other, checking the transport and sensors and testing the display for proper functionality.
II. FAQ’S - PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
The V-Jet printer is designed for trouble free service with a minimal amount of care. Periodic cleaning of the transport belt, photo sensor, and pinch roller assembly will be necessary to keep the machine running at peak performance.
Q. How Do I Clean the Transport Belt and Feed Rollers?
A. Lint and paper dust tends to build up with normal use. When the rollers are glazed or have a yellowish residue, clean the rollers. Use alcohol to dampen a soft cotton cloth to clean all rubber rollers.
Q. When Should I Clean or Replace the Ink Cartridge?
A. If the print quality is unacceptable select the Purge Print Head function from the Main Menu. If the problems still persist do the following:
1. Remove the Print Cartridge. Clean the nozzles with a soft lint free cloth. Use a dry cloth or one moistened with water to clean the ink jet cartridge.
2. Remove problem cartridge and install a new one.
Perform a self cleaning cycle at the start before printing and periodically while printing to keep the nozzles clear of dry ink and debris.
Q.What Could Be the Cause of Misfeeds?
A. With use, a film and/or dust builds up on the sensors causing misfeeds of media. Periodically use compressed air to blow dust from the sensors and wipe the outside with a soft damp cloth moistened with water only.
For more cleaning and preventative maintenance tips refer to your users manual or call us for local dealer support and service.
III. General FAQ / Notes and Printing Examples
Below are some notes, examples, and files to assist users of Secap printers to maximize the use of their printers.
V-Jet, 24KP Word97 Overlay Example
V-Jet, 24KP and Mail Manager 2010
Printing White Text on a Colored Background
Printing with the V-Jet
Examples of Bad Printing and Their Causes
V-Jet, 24KP Word97 Overlay Example
There are two Word 97 document files that show how to perform a page layout for the V-Jet and 24K-P printers. One file contains a simple 5 page layout. The other file contains the same 5 page layout that uses the V-Jet overlay feature.
Click here for simple 5 page layout
Click here for overlay 5 page layout
V-Jet, 24KP and Mail Manager 2010
The V-Jet and 24KP printers are not supported with a printer driver for Mail Manager 2010. The 'Secap' printer driver in Mail Manager 2010 is for 12K, 16K and 20K printers. The 'Secap' printer driver does not support the 24K or 24KP printer. Use the 'universal' printer driver under Mail Manager 2010 for 24K and 24KP printers.
Mail Manager 2010 Printer Escape Commands
Mail Manager 2010 uses the left curly brace, '{', to start printer escape commands. The next letter after the left curly brace defines some print command such as Bold On or Bold Off.
Make sure that your addresses do not contain this character or Mail Manager 2010 will send unexpected commands to the printer.
The left curly brace has been seen in mailing lists where the 'nickname' is included in the name field. Example:
Mr. and Mrs. John {Jake} Jones
The {J is read by Mail Manager 2010 as a command and is not printed. Even if the command does not change the output on the printer (i.e. the command is not support by the printer), the {J is not printed. Thus the name would be printed as
Mr. and Mrs. John ake} Jones.
Printing with the V-Jet
Click here to download a Word 6.0 document that discusses printing concepts of the 24K. It discusses positioning the printable image of the 24K on the media and how to print using one print head bank and printing in Invert mode to print on media wider than 13.5".
Examples of Bad Printing and Their Causes
Below are several examples of bad printing caused by problems with ink cartridges. The pictures are scans of actual output. The examples shown illustrate a particular problem and the most likely solution.
Partially Obstructed Ink Nozzles
