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ASTRO ASTROJET IMAGE BLASTER Installation And Operating Manual

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ASTRO
™
ASTROJET
IMAGE BLASTER
High-Speed Inkjet Printer
Installation, Operating, and Parts Manual

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Summary of Contents for ASTRO ASTROJET IMAGE BLASTER

  • Page 1 ASTRO ™ ASTROJET IMAGE BLASTER High-Speed Inkjet Printer Installation, Operating, and Parts Manual...

  • Page 2: Safety Precautions

    A PROPERLY GROUNDED OUTLET. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK! This manual is intended solely for the use and information of Astro Machine Corporation, its designated agents, customers, and their employees. The information in this guide was obtained from several different sources that are deemed reliable by all industry standards.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 – Introduction Section 2 – Getting Acquainted Printhead Carriage Media Sensor Reflective Tape Media Thickness Knob Bulk Ink Supply Tray Control Panel Interface and Power Panel Encoder Section 3 – Installation and Setup Choosing a Location Installing Image Blaster on Base Installing the Encoder on Kirk-Rudy Base Installing the Inkjet Cartridge...
  • Page 4 Notes...

  • Page 5: Section 1 - Introduction

    Section 5, Operator Maintenance, shows how to replace inkjet cartridges, how to safely and quickly clear paper jams, and how to care for your AstroJet Image Blaster. Also, covered in this section are tips and suggestions that will help you increase efficiency and avoid problems.
  • Page 6 Notes...

  • Page 7: Section 2 - Getting Acquainted

    These areas are described in the paragraphs that follow. Printhead Carriage The AstroJet Image Blaster has six printhead cartridges. There are two sets of rails on the print head carriage, each with banks of cartridges that correspond to printing areas in the software.

  • Page 8: Media Sensor

    The Media Thickness Knob is to the right of the STANDBY button on the side cover. It adjusts for media thickness and is turned counter-clockwise for thin media, and clockwise for thick media. The AstroJet Image Blaster may be adjusted for media up to 1-1/4” thick.

  • Page 9: Interface And Power Panel

    CONTROL / INDICATOR DESCRIPTION OPERATOR DISPLAY Indicates AstroJet Image Blaster status including menus and error messages. Any display readout indicates that the unit is ON. ON LINE When this indicator button is lit, the AstroJet Image Blaster is ready to accept data from your computer and begin printing.
  • Page 10 Encoder The Encoder is mounted on the base unit and controls the printing of the information on the media. Refer to Section 3 – Installation and Setup for more information about the encoder and its installation.

  • Page 11: Section 3 - Installation And Setup

    Section 3 – Installation and Setup Before using the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer for the first time, the following procedures must be performed: • Choose a location for the AstroJet Image Blaster system • Install the Image Blaster on the base unit •...

  • Page 12: Installing The Encoder On Kirk-Rudy Base

    NOTE: The rear edge of the template has to be flush or hanging over the back of the base unit. You cannot mount the Image Blaster forward of the rear of the base due to its design, but you can have it hanging over the back of the base. 4.

  • Page 13: Installing The Inkjet Cartridge

    38. HP 51645A Inkjet Cartridges The AstroJet Image Blaster is configured with 6 inkjet cartridges standard or 8 as an option. The cartridges are installed as follows: • Remove the inkjet cartridge from its packaging, taking care not to touch the copper contacts, the metal plate, or the gold printhead.
  • Page 14 A holder for these cartridges is included with each AstroJet Image Blaster Printer. To use, simply attach the Bulk Ink Cartridge holder on the rear of the printer cover with the screws supplied. To install the cartridges follow the directions below: •...
  • Page 15 • Install each printhead in turn taking care to route the hoses through the hose guide and away from moving parts. Make sure that the hoses are not bent or pinched as this would impede the flow of ink to the printheads Once the connection is made between the printhead and the ink reservoir, it cannot be taken apart without damaging the system.

  • Page 16: Plugging In The Image Blaster

    Plugging in the AstroJet Image Blaster Make sure that the main power switch of the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer is in the OFF position. 1. Connect one end of the power cord to the rear of the AstroJet Image Blaster in the corresponding receptacle.

  • Page 17: Adjusting The Image Blaster To The Media

    5. If this is software and firmware update you must download new bios to the printer. Connect printer to the computer and turn it on. Open AstroJet Control Panel and click on Advanced… button then Update BIOS button. Follow instructions on screen. 6.
  • Page 18 Notes...

  • Page 19: Astrojet System Software Tutorial

    Section 4 – Operating the AstroJet Image Blaster Once the AstroJet Image Blaster is installed on the feeder base, the software has been installed on the computer, and the printer has been supplied with ink cartridges, it is ready to print. Using your existing database, you create a Layout template and Job file with the AstroJet Layout Editor software.
  • Page 20 When a job is printed from the AstroJet Control Panel the fonts and logos used for that job are rendered in a format that the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer can use. These rendered fonts and logos are stored in this folder for future use when the job is run again.
  • Page 21 The Wizard will switch to the “Database View – (file name)”. The first record of the database will be displayed. There is a series of arrows just below the record. These can be used to step through the records as follows: Move 1 Backward Move 1 Forward Move 10 Backward...
  • Page 22 The heads that are banked together can not be separated. Before continuing, spend a little time exploring the “Layout Editor – Untitled” screen. The AstroJet Image Blaster uses six print heads. To eliminate the unused heads, click on Setup, then Print head.
  • Page 23 The drop down menus duplicates the function of some of the icons. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will use the icon buttons to set up a sample job. Setting up the Job When you first opened the job you set the size of the piece. The piece size may be changed at any time during or after the setup of the job by clicking on Setup and then Envelope Size or by clicking on the Envelope Size icon on the menu bar.
  • Page 24 After enabling the lines, select the style of font, size of type, and whether the type should be bold, italicized, underlined or struck through. The down arrow will permit you to access the other sixteen lines of data that are available for use. Click OK to continue.
  • Page 25 The next step is to enter the rest of the return address. Double click on the second line in the return address area in the layout and enter the following in the “Text Field Editor – Field 3” window: Once you click the OK button, the second line will appear as you typed it in the “Layout Editor”...
  • Page 26 You may add as many messages to the layout in any position on the media by simply enabling an Address Line in the “Text Field Properties” window and dragging the line from the blotter area to the position you would like to have it appear on the media.
  • Page 27 Drag the field to a position under or over the address and double click on it. When the “Text Field Editor” window opens, click on the barcode icon to select the “Astro USPS” font. Then select the fields that contain the barcode information from the drop down box and combine them on the same line without any spaces.
  • Page 28 Click on File and select either Save Template or Save Template As… and the “Save As” window will appear. You must give the template file a unique name with the extension “.AJPJT” then click Save. The Template will be saved in the AstroJet Data 1Projects folder.
  • Page 29 By clicking on the Open Folder 1 icon, the Load Job window will open. Choose the job you just created and then click Load Job.
  • Page 30 The database information will now display in the Control Panel. The arrows below the database information can be used to step through the data. In addition, a Search , Search next , and Jump buttons are available to help you find a specific record in the database.
  • Page 31 A description of the Control Panel controls follows: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 1. Name of the Job file. 11. This button will print one piece for setup. 2.

  • Page 32: Bundle And Bag Breaks

    NOTE: When the job is running the display in the lower right hand corner of the Control Panel will tell you the speed of the printer in Inches Per Second (ips) and the approximate number of pieces being processed per hour. This only displays when the Printer is connected and printing pieces.

  • Page 33: Starting Up

    Starting Up Each time you turn on the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer check the print quality. If the quality is poor, purge the printheads as described in “Purge the Printheads” under Preparing a Job.

  • Page 34: Running A Job

    Set up the base unit feeder per the manufacturer recommendations. Turn on the AstroJet Image Blaster and the computer. Click on the Control Panel icon and open the job. Click GO to download the job into the AstroJet Image Blaster’s memory. Press SELECT on the printer to start printing and then start feeding the media.

  • Page 35: Printing Tips

    In addition, when humidity is high, drying time is increased. Media Thickness The AstroJet Image Blaster will handle pieces up to 1-1/4”” thick (1.250”). All folds must be crisp and even. CAUTION DO NOT use stapled pieces in the AstroJet Image Blaster.
  • Page 36 Editor and Control Panel to warn you and offer a means of changing the database and improving the performance of the system. The following solutions have been programmed into the AstroJet Image Blaster software: 1. The Layout Wizard generates a warning when an ODBC database has been selected.
  • Page 37 7. The wizard will ask about # of fields per record – leave it at 0, is the “First record is used to record field names” – check this box, and delimiter information – leave the defaults. Press “Next” or “Finish”. Your project is now associated with the converted database.
  • Page 38 8. Click “Okay” and “Yes” to make structures permanent. 9. Exit FoxPro.

  • Page 39: Section 5 - Maintenance

    The Inkjet Cartridge The AstroJet Image Blaster inkjet cartridges must be replaced when out of ink, when print quality is poor, or when purging and cleaning have not helped the image quality.
  • Page 40 To Replace an HP C6119A Ink System 1. Remove the cartridge by pulling the top toward you until the cartridge is free from the retaining latch. Lift the cartridge up and out of the holder. 2. Remove the reservoir from the holder. Take care to not disconnect the supply hose from the cartridge.
  • Page 41 Long-term storage is defined as more than 2 days or more than 1 day in a hot and dry environment. Short-term Storage Leave the cartridge in the AstroJet Image Blaster for short periods of time, 2 days or less. The next time that the AstroJet Image Blaster is used, the printhead may have to be cleaned per the cleaning instructions, below.
  • Page 42 Cleaning the Printhead In order to achieve good print output; maintenance of the printhead is required. Paper fibers and dust can build up on the printhead degrading the print quality. Proper printhead maintenance will allow the cartridge to produce good print quality its whole ®...

  • Page 43: Jams In The Image Blaster Printer

    In order to obtain better print quality, these ink plugs need to be forced out or purged. A Purge routine is built into the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer. It can be accessed from the control panel in the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer. Refer to Section 4 –...

  • Page 44: Cleaning The Image Blaster

    All pieces of the jammed media must be removed from the feed path. 2. Use the control panel in the AstroJet Image Blaster Software to recover any lost addresses. 3. Restart the job by putting the AstroJet Image Blaster back ON LINE and resume printing by using the GO button on the AstroJet Image Blaster Software Control Panel.
  • Page 45 Cleaning the Media Sensor Periodically check the media sensor located on the mounting bracket at the entrance of the Image Blaster. The sensor should be clean and free of accumulated paper dust. Use a soft lint free cloth to clean the sensor and the reflector tape material.
  • Page 46 Notes...

  • Page 47: Section 6 - Trouble Shooting Guide

    The following trouble shooting guides are provided to assist you in solving any problems that might occur with the AstroJet Image Blaster Printer or its software. We have tried to make them as complete as possible. The best advice we can offer is to make sure that the system is setup properly, plugged in, that it has an adequate supply of ink before attempting to trouble shoot any problem.
  • Page 48 HP C6119A Print Cartridges CONDITION PROBLEM SOLUTION • Air in the tube The system will function properly with as much as 4 inches of visible air in the tube. Connect the system and use it to print • Cartridge will not print Sheet is blank even after it has Check to make sure the tape gone underneath cartridge(s).

  • Page 49: Astrojet Printer

    Improper output (address inform- Wrong interface settings Check software or data base on PC ation out of order, misfeeding, Static electricity Turn AstroJet Image Blaster of and etc.) Dirty media sensor Clean media sensor Extra lines; losing data Data base problem...

  • Page 50: Astrojet Software

    Layout Editor and attempt to related .ajpjt file. open the file. Re-save the file and attempt to open the AstroJet Image Blaster Control Panel again. If the file still will not open in the AstroJet Image Blaster Layout editor, restart the computer and try again.
  • Page 51 Software continued… ERROR MESSAGE PROBLEM SOLUTION New Fields missing from layout Fields not visible in blotter area Right click on one of the fields screen. Continued… on Layout Screen. that has already been positioned and click OK on the field property sheet an they should re-appear Right click on one of the fields that has already been positioned...
  • Page 52 Notes...

  • Page 53: Appendices

    Appendices APPENDIX A – Image Blaster Specifications The information (electrical and physical dimensions, etc.) on the AstroJet Image Blaster is presented here for your reference. Specifications are subject to change without notice. PRINT QUALITY Executive 600 x 600 dpi (Dots Per Inch)

  • Page 54: Supplies And Optional Hardware

    APPENDIX B - Supplies and Optional Hardware The following supply items and optional hardware are available from your Astro Machine Distributor: Supplies Black Inkjet Cartridges HP 51645A Fast Drying Black Inkjet Cartridges HP 6195A Red Inkjet Cartridges HPC6173A Yellow Inkjet Cartridges...

  • Page 55: Parts Manual

    IMAGE BLASTER PARTS LIST...
  • Page 57 KEY# PART # DESCRIPTION QTY. KEY# PART # DESCRIPTION QTY. 23-100-11 COVER, R/H SIDE 23-106-09 PIVOT 94-100-10 CONTROL PANEL PRINTER REV.2 23-100-39 DECAL, FEEDER 94-100-24 BRK'T., PCB MOUNTING 23-106-07 BRK'T., R/H 123-0461 SCREW, 6-32x3/16 PH RND HD ZINC 23-106-08 PLATE 123-1343 IMAGE BLASTER DECAL 23-106-06 BRK'T., L/H...
  • Page 59 KEY# PART # DESCRIPTION QTY. KEY# PART # DESCRIPTION QTY. 23-500-05 FIBEROPTIC SENSOR ASSY. 123-0024 SCREW, 10-32x3/8 PH TRUSS HD MS ZINC 23-500-11 WIRE HARNESS, ENCODER EXTN. 123-0237 WASHER, STAR #10 EXTERNAL 21-500-04 POWER INLET GROUND 97-500-22 FLEXIBLE CABLE (OPTIONAL 8) 25-500-10 WIRE HARNESS, BASE/CONVEYOR INTERFACE 23-114-00...
  • Page 61 Notes...
  • Page 62 © Copyright 2000 Astro Machine Corporation Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 12/20/2000...

This manual is also suitable for:

Astrojet ii plusAstrojet iiiAstrojet iii plus

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