1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Primera Manuals
  4. Printer
  5. Catalyst
  6. User manual

Primera Catalyst User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
User's Manual
© 2021 All rights reserved.
For the most recent version of this manual please visit
http://www.primera.com/Catalystdownloads

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Primera Catalyst

Summary of Contents for Primera Catalyst

  • Page 1 User’s Manual © 2021 All rights reserved. For the most recent version of this manual please visit http://www.primera.com/Catalystdownloads...
  • Page 2 Trademark Acknowledgments: Primera and Primera Catalyst are registered trademarks of Primera Technology, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    2E Replacing the Cutting Knife ........................32 2F Adjusting the Gap Sensor Position (Pre Die-Cut Labels Only) ..............33 Section 3 Primera PrintHub (PC Only) ........................ 34 3A XY Cutter Settings – Cut Offsets, Knife Pressure and Stretch Factor ............35 3B Set the Gap Sensor Mode (Pre Die-Cut Labels Only) .................
  • Page 4 6E Technical Support ............................64 Section 7: Technical Specifications ........................65...

  • Page 5: Section 1: Getting Started

    Caution – Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those • specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. Do not attempt to operate the Catalyst with the Top Cover open. To prevent injury, the • internal laser will switch off as soon as the Top Cover is opened.
  • Page 6 Safety Labels Safety labels are affixed to the Printer in the following locations:...

  • Page 8: Choosing A Good Location

    1B Choosing a Good Location • Place the Printer on a flat surface in a location with adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat buildup. • Do not place the Printer near heat sources such as radiators or air ducts, or in a place subject to direct sun light, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.

  • Page 9: Unpacking And Inspection

    1C Unpacking and Inspection While unpacking your Printer, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage has occurred during shipping. Make sure that all supplied accessories are included with your unit. The following items are included in the supply box: 1.

  • Page 10: Installing The Roll Holders

    1D Installing the Roll Holders Some light assembly is required before operating the Printer. Follow these instructions to install the roll holders. 1. Set the Printer on its front so the bottom is facing you. Notch 2. Install the movable label roll holder by attaching the hooked end on the rail. The bottom of the holder will fit in the notch on the Printer.
  • Page 11 3. Slide the Roll Holder to the far right. Notch 4. Install the roll guide by attaching Roll Guide the hooked end on the rail. The bottom of the holder will fit in the notch on the Printer. Roll Guide...
  • Page 12 Stop 5. Slide the guide to the stop. 6. Locate the remaining roll holder with the protruding wire. Connect the wire to the port on the Printer. Tuck the wire inside the cavity. Push the wire into the cavity as you move the holder closer to the notch Wire...
  • Page 13 7. Snap the holder in place so the two screw holes line up with the holes on the Printer. 8. Install the T8 screws using the INCLUDED Allen key or a Torx T8 screwdriver. 9. Rotate the Printer back on its feet.

  • Page 14: Identifying The Parts

    1E Identifying the Parts The illustrations on the following pages show the Printer from various angles so all important parts can be identified. Control Panel Front Cover The Power LED indicates that the Printer is on and ready to receive print jobs. The Pause Button is pressed to pause a job to allow for loading of label stock and ink cartridges.
  • Page 15 Interior Die Cutting Carriage Electromagnet Laser Media Fiber optic wire Laser Print head Dual Safety Interlock Wear Strip Die Cutting Pre die-cut Knife Collar Output Cutter Die Cutting Knife rollers Handle Wheel Mechanism Pinch Rollers...
  • Page 16 Back Movable Gap Sensor Infeed Area Power Switch Throat Guide Adjustment Ethernet Fixed Guide Movable Roll Power Fixed Roller Holder Holder w/ Chip Reader...

  • Page 17: Section 2: Media And Knives

    Primera offers laser marking media from Schreiner which is a black media with a yellow liner. Text and graphics appear white when the media is marked. Other media cannot be used even if you take the chip from new/old Primera media for the following reasons: •...
  • Page 18 Important! • Catalyst can only be used with phase change laser marking label stock manufactured or approved by Primera. This Printer will not work with media that produces smoke/fumes/etc that will obscure the laser. There is no integrated filtration system to clear the smoke.
  • Page 19 Adjustment the weight or thickness of the liner is a variable that cannot easily be defined. Primera recommends and uses 40# liner with all Pre Die-Cut label stock. It is important to test all label stock with the intended Printer before ordering large 2.05”...
  • Page 20 Roll Specifications: Note on Label Orientation: If you are using an applicator to apply your labels, be sure to order label stock with the correct orientation for your applicator. For example, most applicators will apply the side of the label first, so you will want to print the labels sideways. Digital Die Cut Media Notes: Even though the width of the media is 4.75 inches, the drive rollers on either side prevent printing in the areas indicated.

  • Page 21: Installing Digital Die-Cutting Label Stock

    Digital Die-Cut Labels. If you are using the Printer to digitally die-cut your own shapes and sizes only Primera label stock can be used. This media comes from Primera with a smart chip that identifies the media, tracks the percentage remaining and automatically sets the sensor type to continuous.
  • Page 22 1. Move the roll holder to the preset position for on demand digital die-cutting (3 mark from the left – 1.25”) Move to third mark from Left 2. Install the Blue Hub on the open side of the digital die-cutting media. Note: The green hub is not needed for digital die-cutting and can be stored in the notch on the movable holder.
  • Page 23 3. Set the roll in place so that the blue pin sits in the notch on the roll holder. Blue Pin Notch 4. Make sure the gray chip holder fits in the green slot on the roll holder. Gray Chip Holder Notch...
  • Page 24 5. Before feeding the stock, you must plug-in power and switch on the Printer. Power Switch Power Cable 6. Guide the leading edge of the roll into the feed area. Move the blue guide to the far side. Align the media with the “Continuous Stock” marks in the plastic infeed area. Blue Guide Continuous Stock 7.

  • Page 25: Installing Pre Die-Cut Label Stock

    Pre Die-Cut Labels. A wide variety of pre-die-cut label stock can be used in the Printer. This media has the shape already cut on the roll before you load it into the Printer. The plotter cutter is not used for this label stock. These are available from Primera or other companies. Black Hub...
  • Page 26 1. Move the roll holder to the approximate position which matches the width of the stock you are installing. You can always fine-tune this later. 2. Install the Green Hub on the right side of the pre die-cut media. 3. Install the Blue Hub on the left side of the pre die-cut media. Blue Hub Die Cuts 4.
  • Page 27 Blue Pin Notch 5. Make sure the green blank chip holder fits in the corresponding green slot on the roll holder. Blank Chip Holder Notch...
  • Page 28 Before feeding the stock you must plug in power and switch on the Printer. Power Switch Power Cable...
  • Page 29 6. Guide the leading edge of the roll into the feed area. Move the blue guide so that it touches the label stock. Gap sensor should intersect the gap between labels Blue Guide Gap Sensor Position Indicator Note the position of the label sensor. Slide from right edge of media.

  • Page 30: Replacing The Digital Die-Cutting Knife Holder

    2D Replacing the Digital Die-Cutting Knife holder Install the included die-cutting knife shown here. 1. Open the cover. 2. Pull out on the blue handle to loosen the knife collar.
  • Page 31 3. Install the knife holder. 4. Push on the knife so it goes all the way down before pushing the collar in. 5. Push the collar to tighten the knife holder and allow it to cut. Correct Incorrect...

  • Page 32: Replacing The Cutting Knife

    2E Replacing the Cutting Knife When a knife is dull it will no longer cut through the label at maximum pressure. You will start to see ragged cuts or cuts that do not cut all the way through the label material. You can attempt to increase the pressure but you’ll probably need to replace the knife.

  • Page 33: Adjusting The Gap Sensor Position (Pre Die-Cut Labels Only)

    2F Adjusting the Gap Sensor Position (Pre Die-Cut Labels Only) If you are using label stock other than standard square / rectangular die-cut labels such as circular die-cut labels or through-hole stock use the instructions below to adjust the position of the label stock gap sensor.

  • Page 34: Section 3 Primera Printhub (Pc Only)

    Primera PrintHub is used to interact with the Printer for status, maintenance, alignment, and several other functions. You can use it to manage these functions on multiple Catalyst printers and other Primera label printer models. PrintHub automatically installs with your printer driver and can be accessed through the printer driver preferences or as a program on your Windows start menu.

  • Page 35: Xy Cutter Settings - Cut Offsets, Knife Pressure And Stretch Factor

    3A XY Cutter Settings – Cut Offsets, Knife Pressure and Stretch Factor Cut Offsets, Knife Pressure and Stretch Factor settings can be found in Primera Print Hub on the XY Cutter Tab. Cut Offsets If your cut does not line up with your printed image, you can adjust it using the Horizontal Offset and Vertical Offset settings.
  • Page 36 Adjusting Knife Pressure over time. Eventually, the knife blade will begin to wear and require more cut pressure to cut at the same depth as when it was brand new and sharper. Therefore, you may need to add cut pressure when cutting any media.

  • Page 37: Set The Gap Sensor Mode (Pre Die-Cut Labels Only)

    Printer's internal memory so you will not be able to access it unless the Printer is turned on and properly communicating with the computer. 2. Go to Start - Programs - Primera Technology - Primera PrintHub. 3. Click on the Label Feed (3rd tab from left).
  • Page 38 rolls, or label where the label waste matrix (waste) is left on the liner. Black marks can also be used for irregular shaped labels, circles larger than 4 inches or on any stock where the print starting position cannot be sensed using the label itself. Continuous.

  • Page 39: Set The Label Feed / Cut Mode

    Printer is turned on and properly communicating with the computer. 2. Go to Start - Programs - Primera Technology - Primera PrintHub. 3. Click on the Label Feed Tab.

  • Page 40: Adjusting Print Alignment

    This is to avoid any need for alignment. The Catalyst senses the beginning of the label with an optical sensor and is capable of printing to top, bottom, left and right edge. Because of this it is necessary to align the Printer to work with specific types of label stock.
  • Page 41 Click on Test Alignment to print the alignment shown to the right. Look at the print to determine how much white space is visible on the edges. The black lines should print right on the leading edge and left edge. In this example the Top of Form needs approximately - 10.

  • Page 42: Printhub Settings

    3E PrintHub Settings General application settings that apply to the software and all printers can be found by clicking the blue “Settings” button in the lower left. Printer specific settings can be found on the “Printer Settings” Tab. See next section. Language.
  • Page 43 Advanced. Check the “Generate Printer Status XML” box to create an XML at "C:\ProgramData\PTI\PrintHub\PrinterStatus.xml". Software developers can use this file to display status information such as error messages and ink levels in 3rd party applications.

  • Page 44: Printhub Printer Settings

    3F PrintHub Printer Settings Printer settings can be found in Primera Print Hub on the Printer Settings Tab for the Catalyst. Information. This section displays all current driver, software and firmware versions. Advanced Setting Button. Click the Advanced Settings button to view the following settings.

  • Page 45: 3F1. Multiple Printer Support

    Windows printer list. 5. You will now see a second printer appear in the left column – Catalyst (Copy 1). Click on it to display information about this Printer. If this is the last Printer, you will connect you are...
  • Page 46 Calibrate the paper sensor if you are receiving TOF errors. The calibration process will prompt you to remove all paper/stock from the Printer before calibrating. Advanced Catalyst. Adjust these settings only if directed to do so by Tech Support. Laser Bi-directional Offset. Increase or decrease offsets if text, graphics, or barcodes are blurry.

  • Page 47: Section 5: Printing With Bartender

    Section 5: Printing with BarTender 5A Using BarTender for Pre Die-Cut Printing Primera Special Edition BarTender UltraLite is included with the Catalyst. You can download it at the link below. Use the code below when prompted after installation. Download: https://portal.seagullscientific.com/downloads/bartender...
  • Page 48 Select "Catalyst". Click "Next". Select "Specify Custom Settings". Click "Next".
  • Page 49 Select Single Item per page. Click “Next”. Select No, it does not for Side Edges.
  • Page 50 Select your label shape. This is typically "Rounded Rectangle" for standard labels from Primera with a .125 corner radius. Click Next. Set the template size to match labels installed in the Printer. Change the Template Size to User Defined Size to gain access to width and height. Click "Next".
  • Page 51 Check the "Picture" box to add a background photo or graphic to your label. Click "Next". If you click "Finish", the remaining default wizard options will be set and no picture will be added. Select "Embedded Picture". Click the "File" Button to browse to the location of your photo/graphic file.
  • Page 52 Review the label setup summary. If it is correct, click "Finish". Your blank label or label with background will be displayed. You can edit any of these initial settings by going to the File Menu and selecting "Page Setup". Basic and advanced settings are available on the various tabs.

  • Page 53: Using Bartender To Add Cut Lines

    5B Using BarTender to add cut lines Any Shape can be converted to a cutline that your Catalyst printer can cut. 1. Click the shape icon on the tool bar. 2. Drag the shape around the object(s) you want to cut. Adjust the size by dragging or set the size exactly by clicking properties.
  • Page 54 4. To convert it to a cut line click on the name of the object. By default, it will be named "Box 1" or "Ellipse 1" (for circles). You can also change the name to anything, but it will always be listed first in the properties window.

  • Page 56: Add Text, Barcodes And Graphics To A Bartender Label

    5C Add Text, Barcodes and Graphics to a BarTender Label Once you have created your label size you will be able to add text, a barcode and/or graphics. This can be done using one of the buttons on the button bar at the top of the screen. Add Text.

  • Page 57: Printing Only From Other Programs

    3. Choose the right printing program. There are many different applications that are capable of printing to the Catalyst. However, there are only a few that are ideal printing applications. For example, Adobe Illustrator is an excellent design program but is not always the best printing program.

  • Page 58: Printer Driver Settings

    To change these preferences, you will have to change printer preferences through BarTender. (File Menu - Printer Settings) Click the Start button, search for "Printers". Select Printers and Scanners. Select the Catalyst Laser Marking System. Choose Manage. Select Printing preferences.
  • Page 59 Note on PC Settings: Most applications allow you to change these same printer driver options from their "Print" and/or "Printer Setup" screens. Some applications such as BarTender save your settings with the label, others use settings only for the current print job just sent to the Printer. Paper Size If you are using BarTender, this setting is adjusted during the label setup wizard.

  • Page 60: Section 6: Troubleshooting

    Adjust Cutter Offsets by opening Primera Print Hub. Go to the XY Cutter tab. Click the Test Print button and adjust cutter offsets according to the diagram. To move the cut to the right increase the Horizontal Offset.

  • Page 61: Maintenance

    6B Maintenance Replacing the Cutter Wear Strip The wear strip is the surface directly underneath the cutting blade in the cutter mechanism. Over time this strip will wear down due to cutter knife pressure. It can also be damaged if the knife cuts through the liner and contacts the wear strip.

  • Page 62: Cleaning The Output Cutter

    Otherwise you can purchase a pack of ten cleaning cards at the link below. Cleaning Card 10 Pack – SKU 074550 - https://www.primera.com/output-cutter-cleaning-cards.html To manually perform a cleaning in PrintHub, go to the Printer Settings tab – Advanced Settings – Output Cutter Cleaning.
  • Page 63 Cleaning Cards are used to clean the output cutter wheel that cuts between each label or at the end of a group of labels. If the cutting wheel cuts through continuous adhesive backed paper (such as Catalyst digital die cutting media), it can accumulate adhesive build-up that will eventually cause cutting problems.
  • Page 64 6E Technical Support If you have difficulties operating your Printer, contact technical support using one of the methods listed below. Source Location Primera Knowledge Base www.primera.com/kb Email Support www.primera.com/customer-support 763-475-6669 (Mon - Fri 7 a.m. - 10 p.m CST Phone Support and Saturday 11 a.m.
  • Page 65 Section 7: Technical Specifications Print Technology: Fiber-optic coupled laser diodes Print Resolution: 300 x 300 dpi, 300 x 600 dpi Min. Print/Cut Width: 0.5” (13mm) Max. Print/Cut Width: 4.1” (104mm) – Die-Cut 5” (127mm - Pre-Die Cut) Max. Print/Cut Height: 12”...
  • Page 66 NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

Table of Contents