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KGK PC Coder JET HQC Instruction Manual

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Instruction Manual
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edition, December 07, 2023
Supports program versions 2.10.00.E and later
TEC2678Q
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Summary of Contents for KGK PC Coder JET HQC

  • Page 1 Instruction Manual edition, December 07, 2023 Supports program versions 2.10.00.E and later TEC2678Q...
  • Page 3 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the “PC Coder JET HQC”—our high-quality ink jet printer for industrial use. (Hereinafter, the HQC.) In order to properly use the HQC, carefully read this instruction manual. In particular, thoroughly read the section “In order to use the HQC safely.”...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents ●Chapter 1 Overview..................13 Features of the HQC ....................14 Available printing patterns .................... 16 Name of each section ....................18 ●Chapter 2 Preparation ..................23 Checking the contents in package ................25 Installing the stand ....................... 29 Installing the HQC ......................
  • Page 5 Setting the OFF timer of LCD display ................87 Setting a weight of 16-dot characters ................89 Replacing a date and time with other characters for printing ........91 Setting the conditions to turn off READY signal ............98 7.10 Setting print pulse widths of the printhead ..............
  • Page 6 12.3 Output signals ......................186 12.4 Details of each output signal ..................189 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ................. 195 13.1 Confirm and edit the print count ................. 197 13.2 Initializing the memory ....................199 13.3 Testing external signal I/O ..................201 13.4 Sending/receiving information between HQCs ............
  • Page 7 16.2 After-sales service ...................... 265 ●Chapter 17 Appendix ..................267 17.1 Errors and solutions ....................268 17.2 Product specifications ....................271...
  • Page 8 In order to use the HQC safely Before using the HQC, thoroughly read this manual and correctly use the HQC so as to obtain its best performance. This manual also describes safety precautions classified into “DANGER,” “WARNING” and “CAUTION” in order to prevent personal injury and/or property damage. Indicates that improper handling in disregard of this DANGER indication may result in death or severe injury.
  • Page 9 CAUTION Electrical security Disconnecting or connecting power or other cables while the HQC is turned on may damage or break the HQC or its peripheral equipment. When installing, transporting or maintaining the HQC, connect or disconnect the cables according to the following procedures: ...
  • Page 10 ● Installation place DANGER ● Do not install in a place with high humidity. Do not use the equipment near a place with high humidity. Failure to observe this may cause electric shock or fire. ● Do not install in a place near fire. Do not use the HQC near fire.
  • Page 11 ● Power supply DANGER ● Handle the power cables with care. Do not damage, alter or heat the power cable. Do not put any heavy object on it. Failure to observe this may damage the cable, resulting in fire or electric shock. ●...

  • Page 13: Chapter 1 Overview

    ●Chapter 1 Overview ●Chapter 1 Overview...

  • Page 14: Features Of The Hqc

    ●Chapter 1 Overview Features of the HQC The HQC is a high-end ink jet printer for industrial use, which can print high-quality characters in various production lines. By reviewing all of the printhead, ink, hardware and software from basic design, the HQC has realized superior character quality, operating efficiency, reliability and maintenance-friendliness.
  • Page 15 ●Chapter 1 Overview 1.1.2 Principle of propelling ink The printhead of the HQC controls a 32-channel nozzle. Each channel consists of two (2) holes. Front view of the printhead Magnified→ Two holes 32 channel nozzle One “point” consists of two ink droplets propelled from one channel onto a target product. This one point is called a dot.

  • Page 16: Available Printing Patterns

    ●Chapter 1 Overview Available printing patterns Typical printing of the HQC is as follows: Types of characters can be selected. For details, see “10.1 Character types available for entry” on page 114. AB123  A free combination of alphabets, numeric characters, symbols, and user fonts is available. User fonts are selected from up to 404 kinds of characters.
  • Page 17 ●Chapter 1 Overview A date and time can be printed. For details, see “10.5 Using “Time characters” on page 126. Production date 05.09.01 Use-by date 05.10.10 A production date and time, use-by date, peak ripeness date, etc. can be printed. Once set, the date and time are automatically updated.

  • Page 18: Name Of Each Section

    ●Chapter 1 Overview Name of each section Body Display screen Confirmation/warning lamp Operation keys Level Front cover Ink drain port Power switch...
  • Page 19 ●Chapter 1 Overview Back of the body Fuse holder Print command input connector Power inlet Output signal terminal Inside of the front cover Ink bottle Ink reservoir cap for purging Ink reservoir cap for transportation Purge pump Tray Nozzle cap...
  • Page 20 ●Chapter 1 Overview Back of the tray Spare fuse Spare fuse Inside view with the tray removed Ink reservoir Battery cover Inside of the battery cover Dip switches Backup battery Communications connector...
  • Page 21 ●Chapter 1 Overview Indicators Ready lamp: Ink refill lamp: Turns ON when printing is ready. Turns ON when the ink is low. Power lamp: Warning lamp: Turns ON when power is Turns ON in abnormal condition. Printhead Clamping knob of printhead arm Printhead angle adjustment dial...
  • Page 22 ●Chapter 1 Overview Inside of the printhead cover Drain side Luer fitting Printhead Sensor mounting connector Connector Inlet side...

  • Page 23: Chapter 2 Preparation

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation ●Chapter 2 Preparation...
  • Page 24 ●Chapter 2 Preparation Work flow Check the contents in package P. 25 Install the stand P. 29 Install the HQC P. 31 Install the ink bottle →See “2.4 Installing Install the nozzle guard necessary parts to the HQC” on page 34. Install the product detector Perform draining →See “2.5 Other preparations...

  • Page 25: Checking The Contents In Package

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation Checking the contents in package Items included as standard Please check that your package includes all of the following items: The unit consists of the controller, printhead and ink reservoir. Nozzle guard Power cable Instruction manual (this document) Abridged version of the instruction manual BC wiper This is used to clean the nozzle face.
  • Page 26 ●Chapter 2 Preparation Items installed/placed inside the HQC Nozzle cap This cap has been installed to the printhead before unpacking (during transportation). In normal operation, this should be removed and stored in the tray. This cap prevents ink leakage and entry of air from the printhead nozzle during transportation.
  • Page 27 ●Chapter 2 Preparation Options Options vary depending on the contents of your order. Please check that all the goods ordered are delivered. Ink bottle (CK black) Special ink for the HQC Product detector This is a print command sensor and is connected to the product detector connector at the printhead.
  • Page 28 ●Chapter 2 Preparation Anchor bolts These are used to fix the self-supporting stand to a floor etc. Backup software (HqcFileTransfer) This is PC software to back up and transfer set data, print fonts and system software.

  • Page 29: Installing The Stand

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation Installing the stand There are two types of stands: conveyor-supported and self-supporting stands. Select a stand according to your line status or print target and install it using an appropriate method. 2.2.1 Conveyor-supported stand Loosen this screw to slide the seat Fixing screw up or down if the seat interferes with peripheral equipment.
  • Page 30 ●Chapter 2 Preparation 2.2.2 Self-supporting stand Loosen this screw to slide the seat back or forth if the seat interferes with peripheral equipment. Loosen this screw to slide the seat up or down if the seat interferes with WARNING peripheral equipment. If the screw is loosened, the seat will slide down from its own weight.

  • Page 31: Installing The Hqc

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation Installing the HQC 2.3.1 Installing the HQC to the stand Place the unpacked HQC (i.e., with each cap attached) on the stand and fix it with four (4) screws (supplied with the stand) from the stand side toward the HQC. Check the levelness with the level that comes with the HQC;...

  • Page 32: Adjusting The Stand Height

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation 2.3.2 Adjusting the stand height When installing the HQC to the stand, adjust the stand height with a product placed in front of the printhead. If this is difficult, remove the nozzle cap at the printhead to proceed with work. For how to remove it, refer to “13.11Removing/installing the nozzle cap”...
  • Page 33 ●Chapter 2 Preparation 2.3.3 Adjusting the stand width Adjust a gap between the nozzle face and a product using the slide shaft and telescopic printhead arm so that the gap falls within a range of 1 to 5 mm. Loosen this screw to slide the body back or forth.

  • Page 34: Installing Necessary Parts To The Hqc

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation Installing necessary parts to the HQC When the HQC is transported, some parts necessary for operation may be removed or, on the contrary, parts necessary for transportation may be installed. Observe the following procedure to install or remove such parts. 2.4.1 Installing the ink bottle The HQC runs with the ink bottle inserted.

  • Page 35: Other Preparations For Printing With The Hqc

    ●Chapter 2 Preparation Other preparations for printing with the Proper printing is not achieved simply through installing the HQC to equipment. Preparations for printing must be made adequately according to the following procedures: 2.5.1 Draining Air may enter the piping due to shock or vibration during transportation. Using the HQC with air trapped in the piping may lead to poor printing.
  • Page 36 ●Chapter 2 Preparation...

  • Page 37: Chapter 3 Turning On/Off The Power

    ●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power ●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power...

  • Page 38: How To Turn On The Power

    ●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power How to turn ON the power  Push the power switch, located on the front of the body, to ON (I) position. CAUTION Do not unplug or shut down the power source while the power switch is still turned...

  • Page 39: How To Turn Off The Power

    ●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power How to turn OFF the power  Confirm that the main screen is displayed <Main screen> and then press Exit If the main screen is not displayed, repeatedly press until the main Return screen appears. This screen is only for reference.
  • Page 40 ●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power...

  • Page 41: Chapter 4 Interpretation Of Screens

    ●Chapter 4 Interpretation of screens ●Chapter 4 Interpretation of screens...
  • Page 42 ●Chapter 4 Interpretation of screens This chapter describes characters and marks displayed on the screen. The HQC display screen provides quad-line indication (except for 32-dot character indication and date-and-time indication). Message number Running status Heating status Date and time of the system Function selection Printing content...
  • Page 43 ●Chapter 4 Interpretation of screens Printing content Indicates printing content of the currently selected message. If full content cannot be displayed on the screen, pressing can display hidden content. Function selection The four indications correspond to the functions of (available if four , respectively.
  • Page 44 ●Chapter 4 Interpretation of screens Right and left arrows Cursor Cursor Indicates that one item is selected among the items displayed and that a numeric value, etc. can be entered into the item. If the item accepts a numeric value, the value can be changed with keys.

  • Page 45: Chapter 5 Name And Function Of Each Key

    ●Chapter 5 Name and function of each key ●Chapter 5 Name and function of each key...
  • Page 46 ●Chapter 5 Name and function of each key This chapter describes the name and function of each key. Select Exit Return /Stop a msg Space － When four highlighted functions are displayed at the bottom of the screen, pressing any of these keys executes the function corresponding to the key position.
  • Page 47 ●Chapter 5 Name and function of each key This key is used to select a message. Select a msg “Message Selection key” This key can be used only on the main screen. This is used to delete a character at the cursor position. “Delete key”...
  • Page 48 ●Chapter 5 Name and function of each key...

  • Page 49: Chapter 6 Printing With The Hqc

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC...

  • Page 50: Printing The Test Print Message

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC Printing the test print message 6.1.1 About the test print message The “test print message” is a printing test pattern. Since the pattern uses all of 32 vertical dots, it is convenient for “checking missing dots” or “adjusting a character height.”...

  • Page 51: Turning On The Power

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.1.2 Turning ON the power ▼ Turning ON the power.  Press the ON (I) side of the power switch at the body. → The main screen appears on the display.
  • Page 52 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.1.3 Selecting a message A “message” is a collection of information required for printing such as printing content, conveyor speed, and character width. The HQC can use up to 31 messages. (For details of the “messages,” refer to “●Chapter 8 Selecting a message”...

  • Page 53: Setting Printing Conditions

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.1.4 Setting printing conditions Set printing conditions for the message. The “printing conditions” are conditions required for printing such as printing start position and character height. In this example, set them to the values as shown in the following table: (For details of the “printing conditions,”...
  • Page 54 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC ▼ Setting printing conditions. “Print cond.” on the  Press main screen. → Switches to the Printing Conditions Setup screen.  to select an item and enter an appropriate value with key. Enter values described in the table in the previous page.
  • Page 55 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.1.5 Switching to running mode Putting the HQC into running mode makes it ready for printing. For details about running mode, refer to “●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode” on page 109. ▼...
  • Page 56 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC Let’s actually perform printing 6.1.6 When the “Ready” lamp at the top of the body is lit, the HQC is ready for printing. Now, let’s actually perform printing. Entering a printing command from the product detector starts printing operation. ...

  • Page 57: Turning Off The Power

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.1.7 Shutting down and turning off the HQC ▼ Turning OFF the power.  Press on the main screen. Exit → The Confirmation screen appears. to select “Yes” and then  press . This makes the HQC ready for turning off the power.

  • Page 58: Printing The Word "Abc

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC Printing the word “ABC” To get used to the operation of the HQC, let’s print the word “ABC.” An operational flow is roughly described as below: →Same procedure described in “6.1.2 Power ON Turning ON the power” on page 51. →Same procedure described in “6.1.3 Switch a message Selecting a message”...
  • Page 59 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.2.1 Turning ON the power Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.2 Turning ON the power” on page 51. 6.2.2 Selecting a message Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.3 Selecting a message” on page 52, but select the message No.
  • Page 60 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC  Press once. → “A” was entered. If character type indication at the top right of the screen is not “Alph”, “A” cannot be entered. When any character type other than “Alph” has been indicated, “Alpha/Num”...
  • Page 61 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC  Pressing completes entry and displays the Confirmation screen. Confirm that the cursor is above “Yes” and press → Character entry is determined and the screen returns to the Printing Conditions menu screen.  Press to return to the main screen.
  • Page 62 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.2.4 Setting printing conditions to perform printing Follow the same procedures described in “6.1.4 Setting printing conditions” on page 53 to “6.1.6 Let’s actually perform printing” on page 56. 6.2.5 Shutting down and turning off the HQC Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.7 Shutting down and turning off the HQC”...

  • Page 63: Printing A Use-By Date

    ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC Printing a use-by date Let’s print a use-by date. <The following image is printed in this example:> Produced on 10.01 Best before 10.20 ( Printing a current date) ( Printing a date after 19 days) An operational flow is roughly described as below: →Same procedure described in “6.1.2 Turning ON the power”...
  • Page 64 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC 6.3.1 Turning ON the power Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.2 Turning ON the power” on page 51. 6.3.2 Selecting a message Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.3 Selecting a message” on page 52. In this example, select the message No.
  • Page 65 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC ▼ Registering “Produced on 10.01 Best before 10.20” in the message No. 2.  “Content” on the main Press screen. → The Printing Content menu screen appears.  to select “Type in characters” and then press ...
  • Page 66 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC  Enter the remaining characters of “Produced on ” in the same way.  Press to enter a space.  “Spec.chrs” (“Next Press kind”) several times to display a list of “Time 1” as shown in the figure at right. ...
  • Page 67 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC Enter the characters “ Best before ” in the ○ same way. “Spec.chrs” (“Next ○ Press kind”) several times to display a list of “Time2” as shown in the figure at right. ○ select “ M1”...
  • Page 68 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC ○ Pressing completes entry and displays the Confirmation screen. Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and press → Character entry is determined and the screen returns to the Printing Content menu screen. ▼ Setting the time offset between “Time1” and “Time2” (in this example, the time offset is 19 days).
  • Page 69 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC ○ Press to return to the main screen. Return 6.3.4 Setting printing conditions and then printing Follow the same procedures described in “6.1.4 Setting printing conditions” on page 53 to “6.1.6 Let’s actually perform printing” on page 56. 6.3.5 Shutting down and turning off the HQC Follow the same procedure described in “6.1.7 Shutting down and turning off the HQC”...
  • Page 70 ●Chapter 6 Printing with the HQC...

  • Page 71: Chapter 7 Using The Function In "Various Settings

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”...

  • Page 72: Overview Of Various Setting Items

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Overview of various setting items General operations, which do not involve individual messages, of the HQC can be specified in “Various settings.” The following items can be set: Item Description System clock setting Sets the clock in the main unit Set offset rule (Time1->2) Sets what printing is carried out when a date with...

  • Page 73: Setting The System Clock

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting the system clock This section describes how to set the system clock. The system clock is a main clock incorporated into the HQC. ▼ Setting the system clock. “Settings” on the main ...
  • Page 74 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”  First enter a Christian year with the keys. After entering, use － to move to the next item, and enter a month with the keys. Space － Repeat this procedure until entering a second.

  • Page 75: Setting For Non-Existent Dates

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting for non-existent dates “Set offset rule (Time1->2)” setting 7.3.1 The HQC can print two types of dates (such as the current date and use-by date) with time offset feature. These two types of dates (time) are called “Time1” and “Time2.” In particular, “Time2” is generated by adding a time offset to “Time1.”...
  • Page 76 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Time offset is set to “one month” Example 1) Case 1) When a date after one month exists (example for a non-leap year): Since a date after one month exists, the same date is printed for all three options of “End of month,”...
  • Page 77 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Time offset is set to “one month + one day” Example 2) When a date after “one month + one day” exists (example for a non-leap year): Case 1) Since a date after “one month + one day” exists, the same date is printed for all three options of “End of month,”...
  • Page 78 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Time offset of “one month – one day” Example 3) When a date after “one month – one day” exists (example for a non-leap year): Case 1) Since a date after “one month – one day” exists, the same date is printed for all three options of “End of month,”...
  • Page 79 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.3.2 How to set ▼ Setting for non-existent dates.  “Settings” on the main Press screen. → The screen switches to the Various Settings menu screen.   to move “Set offset rule (Time1->2)” and then press →...
  • Page 80 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”  You can select the time offset method from three options: “End of month,” “Carry-over” and “Start of month.” to select an option. For details of “End of month,” “Carry-over” and “Start of month,” refer to “0 Setting for non-existent dates “Set offset rule (Time1->2)”...

  • Page 81: Setting The Numbering Reset Operation At The Start Of Date

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting the numbering reset operation at the start of date “Daystart num reset” setting 7.4.1 The HQC is provided with a function of “Daystart num reset.” The function is to reset a “current value”...
  • Page 82 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.4.2 How to set ▼ Setting the operation of the “Daystart num reset” function. “Setting” on the main  Press screen. → The screen switches to the Various Settings menu screen.  to move ...
  • Page 83 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”  You can select one of two reset targets: “All messages” and “Selected message.” to select an option. For details of “All messages” and “Selected message,” refer to “0 Setting the numbering reset operation at the start of date “Daystart num reset”...

  • Page 84: Setting The Running/Stop Mode Of The Hqc At The Time Of Startup

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting the running/stop mode of the HQC at the time of startup. “Set Run/Stop mode at start” setting 7.5.1 This setting specifies that the system should be automatically switches to the running or stop mode when the HQC is turned on.
  • Page 85 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.5.2 How to set ▼ Specifying that the system should be automatically switches to the running or stop mode when the HQC is turned on “Settings” on the main  Press screen. →...
  • Page 86 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Select one of three options: “Stop,” “Run”  and “Last status.” to select an option. For details of “Stop,” “Run” and “Last status,” refer to “0 Setting the running/stop mode of the HQC at the time of startup.

  • Page 87: Setting The Off Timer Of Lcd Display

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting the OFF timer of LCD display “Set LCD OFF time” setting 7.6.1 The display screen of the HQC is illuminated by a light source (backlight) placed on its back. If no operation key is used for a certain period, the backlight can automatically go out.
  • Page 88 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.6.2 How to set ▼ Setting the OFF timer of LCD display “Settings” on the main  Press screen. → The screen switches to the Various Settings menu screen.   to move “Set LCD OFF time”...

  • Page 89: Setting A Weight Of 16-Dot Characters

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting a weight of 16-dot characters “Set weight of 16-dot chars” setting 7.7.1 The HQC can print two character sizes: 16-dot (small) and 32-dot (large) character sizes. “Set weight of 16-dot chars” is a setting item to change a weight of 16-dot characters. The weight of characters can be selected from two options: “light”...
  • Page 90 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.7.2 How to set ▼ Setting a weight of 16-dot characters. “Settings” on the main  Press screen. → The screen switches to the Various Settings menu screen.   to move “Set weight of 16-dot chars”...

  • Page 91: Replacing A Date And Time With Other Characters For Printing

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Replacing a date and time with other characters for printing “Assign time characters” setting 7.8.1 When printing a date and time, the HQC can print other characters in place of its number. “Assign time characters”...
  • Page 92 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.8.2 How to set In this example, printing content of the tens place of day for “Time1” (time characters of “ D1”) is replaced as follows: 0 → “9” 1 → “E” 2 →...
  • Page 93 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ▼ Procedure for displaying the Replacement Setting screen for “Time1” from the main screen “Settings” on the main  Press screen. → The screen switches to the Various Settings menu screen.  to move ...
  • Page 94 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ▼ Specifying “9” as printing content when the tens place of day is 0.  Confirm that the cursor is positioned at “0” “Alpha/Num” and then press to switch to “Num” for entry. “Alpha/Num”...
  • Page 95 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ▼ Specifying “E” as printing content when the tens place of day is 1.  to move the cursor to “1.”  “Alpha/Num” to switch Press to “Alph” for entry. “Alpha/Num” toggles Pressing the character type between: →...
  • Page 96 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ▼ Specifying “” as printing content when the tens place of day is 2.  to move the cursor to “2.” “Spec.chrs” (“Next ○ Press kind”) several times to display a list of symbols as shown in the figure at right.
  • Page 97 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” ▼ Specifying “+” as printing content when the tens place of day is 3. ○ to move the cursor to “3.” Select “+” from a list of symbol characters ○ in the same way and press →...

  • Page 98: Setting The Conditions To Turn Off Ready Signal

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” Setting the conditions to turn off READY signal The HQC externally outputs some types of signals. Of those signals, output conditions of “READY” signal can be changed by setting. This section describes how to set the output conditions of READY signal. For details of READY signal, refer to “12.4 Details of each output signal /Ready”...
  • Page 99 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”  to select a setting item and choose “OFF” or “notOFF” with For details of READY signal and descriptions of individual setting items, refer to “12.4 Details of each output signal /Ready” on page 189. ...

  • Page 100: Setting Print Pulse Widths Of The Printhead

    ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings” 7.10 Setting print pulse widths of the printhead When replacing a printhead, you must set print pulse widths according to its characteristics. Since the setting values depend on individual printheads, their specifications should be referred to when determining the settings.
  • Page 101 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”   to move “Set print pulses” and then press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Press any key. → The screen for setting the print pulses appears.  You can select from three options: “32-A”, “32-B”...
  • Page 102 ●Chapter 7 Using the function in “Various settings”...

  • Page 103: Chapter 8 Selecting A Message

    ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message...

  • Page 104: What Is A Message

    ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message What is a message? The HQC can register 30 types of printing content. Different printing conditions (character width, print speed, density, etc.) can be specified for each of printing content. One set of such printing content and printing conditions is called a “message.”...

  • Page 105: Selecting A Message

    ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message Selecting a message What is “selecting a message”? 8.2.1 The HQC cannot edit or print multiple messages at the same time. To edit or print a message, you must select one of the messages to be edited (or printed) in advance. For example, if you want to edit the No.

  • Page 106: To Edit A Message

    ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message other than To edit a message a selected message Assume that the No. 3 message has been selected. Then, if you want to edit printing content/conditions of the No. 4 message, normally you must newly select the No. 4 message before editing.
  • Page 107 ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message 8.2.2 Selecting a message ▼ Selecting a message (in this example, the message No. 2 is selected).  Press on the main screen. → The screen switches to the Message Selection screen.   to move to a message to be selected and then press .
  • Page 108 ●Chapter 8 Selecting a message...

  • Page 109: Chapter 9 Switching Between Running And Stop Mode

    ●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode ●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode...

  • Page 110: What Are "Running" And "Stop" Modes

    ●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode What are “Running” and “Stop” modes? The HQC can switch between running and stop mode, as needed. Switch to running mode to perform printing operation. When a print command signal is input from the product detector in running mode, the HQC prints a selected message.
  • Page 111 ●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode In some cases, a print command cannot be received in running mode. Even in running mode, the HQC cannot receive a print command signal when the signal is input under any of the following circumstances; in which case, printing is not performed for the print command: ●...

  • Page 112: Switching Between Running And Stop Mode

    ●Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode Switching between running and stop mode ▼ Switching between running and stop mode.  Press on the main screen. /Stop → The Confirmation screen appears. (In this example, since pressed in stop mode, the Confirmation screen appears and asks whether to switch to running mode.

  • Page 113: Chapter 10 Entering Printing Content

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content...

  • Page 114: Character Types Available For Entry

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.1 Character types available for entry You can prepare printing content by freely combining the following seven types of characters. Type Example Alphabets ABC abc Numerals 12345 Symbols @#¥,%() (←Blank) (Installed user fonts differ according User fonts to customers.) (They may not be installed on your...

  • Page 115: Basic Operations For Character Entry

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.2 Basic operations for character entry Printing content is prepared by combining the seven types of characters mentioned in the previous page. In this section, basic operations for entering those characters are described. 10.2.1 Displaying the Input Character screen ▼...
  • Page 116 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.2.2 How to interpret the Input Character screen This is a cursor that indicates the position of a character to be entered. “Chr.size” toggles the cursor Pressing size between a 32-dot character and a 16-dot Number of characters character for entry of each size.
  • Page 117 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.2.3 Printing image and character arrangement Arrange input characters according to an image that you actually want to print them on a product. For example, if you want to print in the following style, The word “DATE” and the value “date”...
  • Page 118 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content “Time characters” and “Numbering characters” are displayed in special characters. “Time characters” and “Numbering characters” are used to print ever-changing numbers. To prevent confusion with a fixed figure when entering, they are indicated by special characters such as “...
  • Page 119 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content An unselected can also be edited. message This chapter describes the procedure for entering printing content of the currently selected message. “Content” on the main screen can also enter printing content of any Long pressing other message.

  • Page 120: Using "Alphabets" And "Numeric Characters

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.3 Using “Alphabets” and “Numeric characters” This section describes how to enter “Alphabets” and “Numeric characters.” Example: Entering “Apple100” 10.3.1 First, follow the procedure in “10.2.1 Displaying the Input Character screen” on page 115 to display the Input Character screen.
  • Page 121 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Entering “100” in the “Numeric” input mode.  “Alpha/Num” to change Press an input character type to the “Num.” → The cursor moves to the right by one character.  Press once and twice. →...
  • Page 122 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content List of “Alpha”/”Numeric” characters and 10.3.2 the input keys Here is a list of characters that are entered when any of the numeric keys is pressed: （Pressing each key displays the corresponding character in the order shown below.） The “Input mode”...

  • Page 123: Using "Symbols" And "User Fonts

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.4 Using “Symbols” and “User fonts” This section describes how to enter a character in the “Symbols” or “User fonts” input mode. Example: Entering “%” 10.4.1 First, follow the procedure in “10.2.1 Displaying the Input Character screen” to display the Input Character screen.
  • Page 124 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Determining entry.  Press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → Character entry is determined and then the screen returns to the Printing Content menu screen. 10.4.2 How to input user fonts User fonts can be input with the same procedure as entering symbols.

  • Page 125: Symbol Characters

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content List of “Symbol” characters 10.4.3 Here is a list of “Symbol” characters that shows up when “Spec.chrs” is pressed: Symbol characters ! “ ♯ $ % & ’ ( )  + , — . / : ;...

  • Page 126: Using "Time Characters

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.5 Using “Time characters” This section describes how to use “Time characters”—a special character type. What are “Time characters”? 10.5.1 While the “Numeric” characters are used for printing constants, “Time characters” are used for printing variables. They are used to print “Date”...
  • Page 127 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content Difference between “Time1” and “Time2” 10.5.2 “Time1” and “Time2” differs in the way of adding time offset, as shown below. What date and time is time Items to which time Initial value of time Type offset added to? offset can be added offset...
  • Page 128 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.5.3 Example of entering a production date This section describes how to enter a production date in the format “○○. ○○”, which separates the month (preceding numbers) from the date (subsequent numbers) with a dot. In this example, we use “Time1”...
  • Page 129 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Entering “ M1,” “ M2,” “ D1” and “ D2” from a list of “Time1” characters.  Press the key once to move the cursor to the dot. → The cursor was moved in order to insert a Move the cursor to a position before which a character before the dot.
  • Page 130 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content  Press once to move the cursor to the position after the dot. → The cursor was moved in order to insert a character after the dot.  As in steps  and , enter “ D1"...
  • Page 131 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Setting the time offset (in this example, “Time1” is set to a date one day after the system clock date).  ○ to move “Enter time offset: Sys->T1” on the Printing Content menu screen and then press “+/–”...
  • Page 132 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.5.4 Example of entering a use-by date This section describes how to enter a use-by date in the format “○○. ○○”, which separates the month (preceding numbers) from the date (subsequent numbers) with a dot. In this example, we use “Time2”...
  • Page 133 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Entering “ M1,” “ M2,” “ D2” and “ D2” from a list of “Time2” characters.  Press the key once to move the cursor to the dot. → The cursor was moved in order to insert a Move the cursor to a position before which a character before the dot.
  • Page 134 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content  Press once to move the cursor to the position after the dot. → The cursor was moved in order to insert a character after the dot.  As in steps  and , enter “ D1”...
  • Page 135 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Setting the time offset (in this example, “Time2” is set to the date seven days after the “Time1” setting). ○ on the Printing  Content menu screen to move “Enter time offset: T1->T2” and then press An allowable input range at the cursor appears in this field.
  • Page 136 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content What is the “–1 day” setting used for? “–1 day ” in the Days (Dys) field of the “Time offset (Time1->Time2)” Pressing setting enables “–1 day” feature. If “Time offset (Time1→Time2)” is set to one month, For example ··················...
  • Page 137 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content A list of “Time characters” 10.5.5 Here is a list of “Time1” and “Time2” characters that show up when “Spec.chrs” is pressed: Time character Content actually printed (when the time is Value Time1 Time2 15:46:37, October 28, 2005) Thousands place of year (AD) of year 2005 Hundreds place of year (AD)
  • Page 138 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content Hundreds place (Sequential of the 301 of date number numbers starting with 1 for January 1 Tens place of are printed as 1 to of the 301 date number 365.) Unit’s place of (1 to 366 in leap of the 301 years) date number...
  • Page 139 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.5.6 Setting the date update time to a time other than 0:00 a.m. By default, the date used in time characters changes at 0:00. However, the date update time for printing content can be set to a time other than 0:00 a.m. 0:00 Default setting April 3...
  • Page 140 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content The following procedure describes how to set the date update time. In this example, a setting is made to change the dates of “Time1” and “Time2” characters at 2:00 a.m. ▼ Setting the date update time for “Time1” characters. ...
  • Page 141 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content  Press → The screen for entering the date update time appears. Making the time earlier or later can be changed with the (E/L) key. This screen shows the hour and minute at which the date changes. ...
  • Page 142 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Setting the date update time for “Time2” characters.   “Alter to move date update time: T2”.  Press → The screen for entering the date update time appears.  As with the setting for “Time1” characters, specify “2Hrs 0Mns Later”...
  • Page 143 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content What clock is the date update based on? For example, if the date update time is set to “2 hours later” for “Time1” characters, the printing content of “Time1” characters may be updated at 2:00 a.m. But... It does not mean that “Time1”...
  • Page 144 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content A big difference between making the date update time earlier and later Setting the date update time to:  2 hours earlier and  22 hours later both update the date at 10:00 p.m. However, there is a great difference between them. The following example compares the content printed at 0:00 a.m.

  • Page 145: Using "Numbering Characters

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.6 Using “Numbering characters” This section describes how to use “numbering characters”—a special character type. What are “Numbering characters”? 10.6.1 While the “Numeric” characters are used for printing constants, the “Numbering characters” are used for printing variables which regularly change values. This feature is used when “...
  • Page 146 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content Example: Entering “No.:○○○○” 10.6.2 This section describes the procedure for entering “No.:○○○○”. “Numbering characters” are specified in the field “○.” The sequential patterns are as follows: 0000 0001 0002 4998 4999 5000 0000 0001…… < A set of sequential numbers starting with 0000 and counting up by 1, …… and resets to 0000 when reaching 5000 >...
  • Page 147 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Entering “N5,” “N6,” “N7” and “N8” using “Numbering characters.”  Follow the same procedure in “10-4 Using “Symbols” and “User fonts” on page 123 to enter a dot “.” from a list of symbol characters.
  • Page 148 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Determining entry.  Press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → Character entry is determined and the screen returns to the Printing Content menu screen. ▼...
  • Page 149 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ○ Press to move the cursor and confirm the following: “Up/Down” field is “Up”; “Increment” field is “1”; “Repeat count” field is “1”; For details of each item, refer to “10.6.4 A “Show high-order 0’s” field is “Yes”; list of “Numbering Settings””...
  • Page 150 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.6.3 Changing a current value of numbering characters Numbering characters regularly change each time they are printed. This section describes how to change a current value of a numbering character and how to reset the value to its initial value. In this example, a numbering character that has reached 0280 is reset to its initial value (= 0 in this case).
  • Page 151 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content ▼ Resetting a numbering character to its initial value. “Reset.”  Press → Both of “Current value” and “Current Repeat count” return to their respective initial values. To enter a value rather than resetting to the “Reset”...
  • Page 152 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content A list of “Numbering Settings” 10.6.4 This section describes how to go to the Numbering Setting screen. <Main screen> <Printing Content <Numbering Setting menu screen> screen> “Content”. Press Select “Set Numbering numbering rule” and Setting screen appears.
  • Page 153 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content Which message is reset when the date changes? If there are multiple messages whose “Daystart reset” setting is “Yes,” which message is reset when the date changes? Only a message that has been selected at that time is reset? Or all messages that have been set to “Yes”...
  • Page 154 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content A list of “Numbering characters” 10.6.5 “Spec.chrs”: Here is a list of numbering characters that appear by pressing Numbering Actually printed number Value character (for 06314782) Ten millions place of 06314782 Millions place of 06314782 Hundred thousands place of 06314782 Ten thousands place...

  • Page 155: Deleting/Inserting A Character

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.7 Deleting/inserting a character ▼ Deleting a character mistakenly entered and inserting a correct character.  move the cursor to a character to be deleted.  Press → The character under the cursor is deleted and each character on the right of the cursor shifts to left by one character.
  • Page 156 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content The following procedure describes how to delete input characters completely. ▼ Delete input characters completely. “Clear”.  press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → Characters are deleted and then the screen returns to the Input Character screen.

  • Page 157: Deleting Printing Content

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.8 Deleting printing content This section describes how to delete whole printing content. When this procedure is done, what is set in the Printing Content menu screen will all be initialized. In other words, ● All characters input in the Input Character screen will be deleted.

  • Page 158: Copying Printing Content

    ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content 10.9 Copying printing content ▼ Copying “Printing content” of a selected message to other message.  Confirm that the message number of a Message number copy source has been indicated on the main screen and then press “Content.”...
  • Page 159 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → Copying is complete and a screen asking whether you wish to continue copying to other target will appear.  Select “Yes” to continue or “No” to quit When “Yes”...
  • Page 160 ●Chapter 10 Entering printing content...

  • Page 161: Chapter 11 Setting Printing Conditions

    ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions...

  • Page 162: A List Of Setting Items

    ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.1 A list of setting items “Printing conditions” are conditions required for printing such as printing start position and character height. The printing conditions can be set for each message. Items of printing conditions available for setting are as follows: [A list of printing conditions] Item Brief description...

  • Page 163: Details Of The Printing Conditions

    ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2 Details of the printing conditions 11.2.1 Print position The print position represents the distance from a position where a print command is input from the product detector to a position where printing begins by actually propelling ink from the printhead. However, actual print position differs from its setting due to a printhead angle (character height), position of sensor, sensor input timing error, etc, resulting in printing at a position with an offset (a shift).
  • Page 164 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 1: Print direction is “forward” (i.e. printing from the top of text)> Step 1 Temporarily set the distance from the left edge of a box to the head of text to be printed (in this example, 200 mm) to the print position setting of the printing conditions.
  • Page 165 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 2: Print direction is backward (i.e. for printing from the end of text)> Step 1 Temporarily set the distance from the right edge of a box to the end (E) of text to be printed (in this example, 150 mm).

  • Page 166: Character Height

    ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.2 Character height The character height is determined by this “Character height” setting and printhead angle adjustment. Enter a height of a character to be printed in the “Character height” field. An available setting range of character height is 1 to 20 mm and 25 mm. The HQC printhead is a 32-dot head.
  • Page 167 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.3 Pitch (character width) How to set the character width depends on whether the printhead is vertically positioned (the character height is 25 mm) or tilted (the character height is 20 mm or less). With the printhead vertically positioned, directly set the width in 0.1 mm. On the other hand, with the printhead tilted, specify the character width using a value called the “pitch.”...
  • Page 168 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions “Character width” and “Width of a character” the same!? In a strict sense, a width achieved by 32 dots, instead of the width of a character, is set to the “Character height”. The HQC can print two types of character sizes: 32-dot and 16-dot types. The 32-dot type character consists of 32 vertical dots x 32 horizontal dots, whereas 16-dot type character consists of 16 vertical dots x 16 horizontal dots.
  • Page 169 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.4 Density The density is a setting to change the “pseudo-density” of a character to be printed. Changing the density setting does not actually make the ink thicker or thinner. Rather, increasing a value of the density makes the horizontal printing interval smaller and makes printed dots overlap, thus creating condition that looks like “thicker.”...
  • Page 170 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.5 Direction and character orientation Direction is an item to set whether text is printed from its head or from its end. Direction = “Forward”: Direction for printing from the head of text to be printed Direction = “Backward”: Direction for printing from the end of text to be printed Character orientation is an item for setting whether to make characters printed in the upright or inverted position.
  • Page 171 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 1: Direction: Forward Character orientation: Normal> Fixed printhead Box flow direction position  A box approaches printhead.  Printing starts.  Printing is in progress.  Printing is completed.
  • Page 172 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 2: Direction: Backward Character orientation: Normal> Fixed printhead position Box flow direction  A box approaches printhead.  Printing starts.  Printing is in progress.  Printing is completed.
  • Page 173 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 3: Direction: Backward Character orientation: Inverted> Fixed printhead Box flow direction position  A box approaches printhead.  Printing starts.  Printing is in progress.  Printing is completed.
  • Page 174 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions <Case 4: Direction: Forward Character orientation: Inverted> Fixed printhead position Box flow direction  A box approaches printhead.  Printing starts.  Printing is in progress.  Printing is completed.
  • Page 175 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.6 Speed Conveyor speed is set in 0.1 m/min. During printing, the conveyor speed should be kept constant. Also take into account the timing that a product is transferred from a conveyor to another. At the timing, the conveyor speed may change or vibration may occur, resulting in slanted characters or unstable printing status.
  • Page 176 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.2.7 Repeated print This enables you to do printing as many times as specified by a single print command input. The choice of repeated print method lies among "Trigger" or "During ON". The number of prints may be 1 to 9999 times and infinite.
  • Page 177 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions With the "Update time" setting and the "Update numbering" setting, it is possible to specify whether to update time and/or numbering during repeated printing. repeated printing Does not update time data during if this field is set to "No". Update time Updates time data during repeated printing...

  • Page 178: Editing Printing Conditions

    ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.3 Editing printing conditions 11.3.1 How to edit printing conditions The following example describes the procedure for entering printing conditions for the message number 1 by using the data shown in the following table: Item Set value Print position (mm) Character height (mm)
  • Page 179 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions ▼ Setting printing conditions.  Confirm that the number of a message to Message number be edited has been displayed on the main “Print screen and then press cond.”. (For selecting a message number, refer to “●Chapter 8 Selecting a message”...
  • Page 180 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions  to move the cursor to “Direction” and use to change the direction. (In this case, the direction is unchanged.)  to move the cursor to “Speed” and then press in the order. － － ...
  • Page 181 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions ○ A message as shown at right may appear if printing condition settings in total exceeds printing capacity. In such a case, review the settings until the message does not show up. In particular, changing the following conditions are effective: Enlarge ·······...
  • Page 182 ●Chapter 11 Setting printing conditions 11.3.2 Procedure for copying printing conditions to other messages Printing conditions for the currently selected message can also be copied to all other messages. This procedure is described below. ▼ Copying printing conditions to other messages. “Print cond.”...

  • Page 183: Chapter 12 Using An External Signal

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal...

  • Page 184: Input Signal

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.1 Input signal 12.1.1 List of input signals Only a product detection signal is an external input signal. A product detector is a sensor to detect a product and sends a printing command signal to the HQC.

  • Page 185: Details Of Input Signal

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.2 Details of Input signal 12.2.1 /Print command A print command is effective only when a /Ready signal is low. A signal—entered when the READY signal is high—is ignored. Note that a relay contact should not be used. /Print command (input signal) /Ready (output signal) /Running...

  • Page 186: Output Signals

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.3 Output signals 12.3.1 List of output signals Signal name Signal description Terminal No. Operating status of HQC (Output conditions can be /Ready – changed with a setting.) Remaining amount of ink is lower than its specified /Ink low value (printing can be continued).

  • Page 187: How To Connect

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.3.3 How to connect External output signals can be used by connecting cables from the output signal terminal block of the controller unit to external equipment (such as PATLITE signal towers). Since terminals of the output signal terminal block are arranged as shown in the following figure, refer to the figure to connect cables from the external equipment to necessary output signal points.
  • Page 188 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.3.4 Output signal diagram Switchable Inside of HQC by setting True or false True or false True or false True or false True or false Waiting print pos. During printing Making print data /Ready In STOP mode During heating During alarm...

  • Page 189: Details Of Each Output Signal

    ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.4 Details of each output signal 12.4.1 /Ready Operating status of the HQC is output. Conditions for outputting the status can be changed with a setting. (For how to change, refer to “7.9 Setting the conditions to turn off READY signal” on page 98.
  • Page 190 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal Inside of HQC Switchable between true and false by setting (Factory default setting is true.) True True True True True Waiting print pos. During printing Making print data /Ready In STOP mode During heating During Alarm (out of ink etc.) Each processing status shown in the above diagram is described in the following table:...
  • Page 191 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal /Ready /During heating /In STOP (Running) mode /Making print data /Waiting print pos. /During printing /During alarm...
  • Page 192 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.4.2 /Ink low The HQC controls an amount of ink in the ink reservoir at two levels. An amount of ink is detected by a float sensor built in the ink reservoir. When the float sensor detects that a remaining amount of ink is lower than its specified value, a “/Ink low”...
  • Page 193 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal 12.4.3 /Alarm Printing is not allowed during the alarm. In addition, once an alarm is issued, no operation is possible unless the alarm is cleared. After solving a problem that triggered each alarm, clear the alarm.
  • Page 194 ●Chapter 12 Using an external signal...

  • Page 195: Chapter 13 Maintenance

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ●Chapter 13 Maintenance...
  • Page 196 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance This chapter describes the following maintenance procedures: Work items Page for detailed explanation Confirm and edit the print count 13.1 Confirm and edit the print count (page 197) Initialize the memory 13.2 Initializing the memory(page 199) I/O test for external signal 13.3 Testing external signal I/O(page 201) Transfer information between...

  • Page 197: Confirm And Edit The Print Count

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.1 Confirm and edit the print count The number of the action of printing is stored, and you can confirm, reset, or edit it. This section describes how to confirm, reset, and edit the print count. In this example, the print count that has reached 1256 is reset. ▼...
  • Page 198 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Resetting the print count. “Reset”.  Press → The print count is reset to 0. If pressing , you can edit the print count as you like as shown below:  Press → The Confirmation screen appears. ...

  • Page 199: Initializing The Memory

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.2 Initializing the memory This section describes how to initialize a certain memory in the HQC. Initializing the memory resets the items to their factory default conditions. But, date and time of the system clock and print pulse settings are not initialized even if initialization is carried out. ▼...
  • Page 200 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance  to select “Memory initialization” and then press → The Confirmation screen appears. Executing the next step initializes registered contents in the HQC to their factory default status. Be careful to avoid improper operation. to select “Yes” and then ...

  • Page 201: Testing External Signal I/O

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.3 Testing external signal I/O “External signal I/O test” 13.3.1 The “External signal I/O test” function can execute the tests mentioned below. Use them to check whether external signal cables have been properly connected, etc. ● To check whether an input signal (a print command) is input to the HQC ●...
  • Page 202 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance  to select “External signal I/O test” and then press → The Confirmation screen appears. to select “Yes” and then  press → The External Signal I/O Test screen appears. ▼ Performing a signal input test.  When a print command signal is input, “ON”...
  • Page 203 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Performing a signal output test.  to select an output signal to be test.  to switch between “ON” and “OFF.” Switching to “ON” outputs a signal from the output terminal block. Switching to “OFF” stops the signal. →...
  • Page 204 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance A momentary change of an input signal cannot be detected. On the Test screen, print command entry confirmation and screen display update are being executed at intervals of a fixed time (about 200 ms). Therefore, any signal change such as momentary input of the print command occurred between updates is not displayed on the screen.

  • Page 205: Sending/Receiving Information Between Hqcs

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.4 Sending/receiving information between HQCs 13.4.1 Communications function The HQC is equipped with a communications function through the RS232C interface. The function allows miscellaneous information to be sent between two units of HQCs by connecting them with a communications cable (sold separately).
  • Page 206 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Operations described on the subsequent pages of this chapter use the “communications connector” and “dip switches” of the HQC. These are found in the inside when the HQC tray is removed. Before commencing the operation of this chapter, refer to “1.3 Name of each section” on page 18 to locate them. To make a backup copy to a PC Special communications software “HQCFileTransfer”...
  • Page 207 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.4.2 Connecting HQCs with a communications cable To perform communications, you must connect HQCs with a RS232C communications cable (sold separately) in advance. Connect according to the following description: In this section, two units of HQCs communicating with each other are called “HQC1” and “HQC2.” ...
  • Page 208 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance About the communications cable The following RS-232C cable is used for the HQC. The cable is commonly called a cross-over cable. Since various types of cross-over cables are commercially available, make sure to check its wiring connection when using one. Signal name (pin #) Signal name (pin #) TXD(3)
  • Page 209 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.4.3 Sending/receiving set data This section describes how to send set data from an HQC to another HQC. (The set data are not erased from the source HQC after data transfer). ▼ Connecting two units of HQCs with a communications cable. ...
  • Page 210 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance (Operation on the side of target HQC)   to move “Receive set data” and then press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → The HQC goes into standby for receiving data.
  • Page 211 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Sending set data from the source HQC and getting the target HQC ready for receiving data. (Operation on the side of source HQC)  “Maintenance” on the Press main screen. → The Maintenance menu screen appears. (Operation on the side of source HQC) ...
  • Page 212 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Completing communications on the side of source HQC. (Operation on the side of source HQC)  The message “Transmission is complete” appears on completion of data transfer. Pressing any key returns to the Maintenance menu screen. (All operations on the side of source HQC are now complete.) ▼...
  • Page 213 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance (Operation on the side of target HQC) ○ A screen, stating that the program version has been changed (Program Version Change screen), appears. Press any key. If the source file and target file have the same version number, this screen does not appear (Instead, the main screen appears).

  • Page 214: Chapter 13 Maintenance

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.4.4 Sending/receiving a print font This section describes how to send a print font from an HQC to another HQC. (The print font is not erased from the source HQC after data transfer). ▼ Connecting two units of HQCs with a communications cable. ...
  • Page 215 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Sending a print font from the source HQC and receiving it at the target HQC. (Operation on the side of source HQC)  “Maintenance” on the Press main screen. → The Maintenance menu screen appears. (Operation on the side of source HQC) ...
  • Page 216 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance (Operation on the side of source HQC)   to move to “Send print fonts” and then press → The Confirmation screen appears.  Confirm the cursor is above “Yes” and then press → Transmission starts. It takes about several minutes to complete.
  • Page 217 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Completing communications on the side of target HQC. (Operation on the side of target HQC)  When the message changes from “Writing” to “Done” and a buzzer sounds, the data transfer is complete. Turn OFF (O) the power switch of the HQC. Never turn OFF the power while “Writing”...
  • Page 218 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.4.5 Sending/receiving the system software This section describes how to send system software from an HQC to another HQC. (The system software is not erased from the source HQC after data transfer). ▼ Connecting two units of HQCs with a communications cable. ...
  • Page 219 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Sending system software from the source HQC and receiving it at the target HQC. (Operation on the side of source HQC)  “Maintenance” on the Press main screen. → The Maintenance menu screen appears. (Operation on the side of source HQC) ...
  • Page 220 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Completing communications on the side of source HQC. (Operation on the side of source HQC)  The message “Transmission is complete” appears on completion of data transfer. Pressing any key returns to the Maintenance menu screen. (All operations on the side of source HQC are now complete.)
  • Page 221 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance ▼ Completing communications on the side of target HQC. (Operation on the side of target HQC)  When the message changes from “Writing” to “Done” and a buzzer sounds, the data transfer is complete. Turn OFF (O) the power switch of the HQC. Never turn OFF the power while “Writing”...

  • Page 222: Confirming The Versions

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.5 Confirming the versions This section describes how to confirm the program and font versions that have been incorporated into the HQC. ▼ Confirming version information. “Maintenance” on the  Press main screen. → The Maintenance menu screen appears. ...

  • Page 223: Removing/Installing An Ink Bottle

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.6 Removing/installing an ink bottle When an amount of remaining ink is low, the “Ink refill lamp” at the top of the body turns on. At the same time, an “ink low” signal is also sent to the terminal block of output signal. Refer to “12.4.2 /Ink low”...
  • Page 224 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance [Preparation] Get an ink bottle for HQC (CK black). [Procedure] Open the front cover. Remove the ink bottle—inserted into the ink reservoir—by turning the ink bottle counterclockwise (about 90°). When the ink reservoir cap for transportation has been attached, turn it counterclockwise to remove it.

  • Page 225: Replacing A Backup Battery

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.7 Replacing a backup battery The HQC is equipped with a battery for data backup. When the battery has almost run out, the HQC issues a “6060 Battery voltage low error” at power-on. In that case, replace the backup battery according to the procedure described below.
  • Page 226 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Take out an old battery from the battery holder. (The battery can be easily removed with a flat-blade screwdriver.) Thoroughly wipe a new battery with a dry cloth and then set the battery with its plus (+) side facing toward you. Reinstall the battery cover, tray and ink bottle to their original positions.

  • Page 227: Replacing A Fuse

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.8 Replacing a fuse The HQC is equipped with a fuse in order to prevent breakage due to an excessively high AC power supply. When the fuse blows, the HQC is powered OFF regardless of whether the power switch is ON or OFF.
  • Page 228 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Insert the fuse holder cap back into the fuse holder by turning it clockwise while pushing in. If the HQC cannot be turned on even after fuse replacement, contact Kishu Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.

  • Page 229: Replacing A Printhead

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.9 Replacing a printhead Replace a printhead according to the following procedure: [Preparation] Get a new printhead for replacement. Turn off the power switch. (Refer to “●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power” on page 37.) [Procedure] Make sure that the power switch is OFF. Open the front over and take out the ink bottle.
  • Page 230 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Remove the inlet plug for the new printhead and the inlet plug for the body, and connect the luer fittings. Align the O-ring of the new printhead with the groove in the printhead arm and connect the connecter. Be extremely careful to prevent ink from making contact with the printhead board, connecter and sensor fixing connecter.
  • Page 231 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Draining at the time of printhead replacement ● Fully drain the ink. Air trapped inside the pipe bubbles out of the outlet. Perform draining until the “bubbling” stops.

  • Page 232: Replacing An Ink Reservoir

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.10 Replacing an ink reservoir Replace the ink reservoir according to the following procedure: [Preparation] Get a new ink reservoir for replacement. Turn off the power switch. (Refer to “●Chapter 3 Turning ON/OFF the power” on page 37.) [Procedure] Make sure that the power switch is OFF.
  • Page 233 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Draining at the time of printhead replacement ● Fully drain the ink. Air trapped inside the pipe bubbles out of the outlet. Perform draining until the “bubbling” stops.

  • Page 234: Removing/Installing The Nozzle Cap

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.11 Removing/installing the nozzle cap 13.11.1 Removing the nozzle cap [Preparation] Get a BC wiper. [Procedure] Remove the nozzle cap by vertically pinching it. Nozzle cap Printhead cover Printhead arm CAUTION When the nozzle cap is removed, ink may drip from the nozzle. Therefore, get some BC wipers. The nozzle face should be wiped with a clean portion of the BC wiper in one way and at one time.
  • Page 235 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.11.2 Installing the nozzle cap [Preparation] Get a nozzle cap. [Procedure] Push in the nozzle cap while pressing the nozzle cap handle inside so that the lug at the tip of the nozzle cap fits in the nozzle cap groove of the printhead cover. Nozzle cap Printhead cover Printhead arm...

  • Page 236: Installing The Nozzle Guard

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.12 Installing the nozzle guard 13.12.1 Installation direction The orientation of the nozzle guard depends on the printing direction (product flow direction). The nozzle guard is designed so that its protruding face is positioned on the upstream side of a product flow.
  • Page 237 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.12.2 Procedure for installing the nozzle guard  Make sure that the power is OFF. When the power is ON, power OFF before starting any work. → For how to power off, refer to “●Chapter 3Turning ON/OFF the power” on page ...

  • Page 238: Installing The Product Detector

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.13 Installing the product detector This section describes how to install the product detector onto the printhead. To use a device such as an external product detector and a sequencer, refer to “●Chapter 12 Using an external signal” on page 183. 13.13.1 Installation position of the sensor The sensor installation position depends on the print direction (product flow direction) and character height.
  • Page 239 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.13.2 Procedure for installing the sensor Installing the nozzle guard along with the product detector saves your time.  Make sure that the power is OFF. If the power is ON, power off before proceeding with any work. →...
  • Page 240 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance  Slowly insert the sensor unit along the groove of the printhead cover or printhead arm until it hits against the end. CAUTION Carefully fit in the sensor unit along the groove. Applying excessive force will break the groove, so that the sensor unit cannot be properly installed.

  • Page 241: Purging

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.14 Purging 13.14.1 What is purging? Purging discharges air, dirt and degraded ink deposited in the flow passage inside the nozzle. It is effective for the following daily maintenance work and minor printing Printhead defects: Drain Nozzle •...
  • Page 242 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance [Precautions for purging] CAUTION ● For wiping the nozzle face, always use a BC wiper specified by us. Wiping the nozzle face with commercially available tissue paper etc. causes nozzle clogging etc. ● Do not use any solvent for cleaning the nozzle. ●...
  • Page 243 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance [Procedure] In order not to get stained with ink, set operating status to “Stopped” by referring to “● Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode” on page 109 and cover the conveyor, the floor, etc.—which are under the printhead—with mats. Make sure that completion of printhead heating is displayed on the screen.
  • Page 244 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Put the nozzle in upright position as shown in the photograph at right. Hold a BC wiper against the nozzle bottom for prevention of ink dripping. While pressing the purge pump located on the right side of the tray against the opening of the ink reservoir cap for purging, intermittently pressurize the purge...
  • Page 245 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Thoroughly wipe off ink that has adhered around the nozzle with a BC wiper and then print on a dummy workpiece to check print quality. –90° turned When defective printing is found by checking +90° turned the print quality, repeat steps 5 and 6 at each of three printhead positions (–90°...

  • Page 246: Draining

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.15 Draining 13.15.1 What is draining? Draining discharges air, dirt and degraded Nozzle cap ink deposited in the flow passage inside the printhead. For daily maintenance work and minor printing defects, purging alone is enough. However, when purging cannot Printhead fully restore the printing quality or in the cases described below, draining is...
  • Page 247 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance [Procedure] In order not to get stained with ink, set operating status to “Stopped” by referring to “● Chapter 9 Switching between running and stop mode” on page 109 and cover the conveyor, the floor, etc.—which are under the printhead—with mats. Make sure that completion of printhead heating is displayed on the screen.
  • Page 248 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Place the container for receiving discharged ink under the ink discharge outlet. Remove the luer fitting at the end of the ink discharge outlet. While pressing the purge pump against the ink reservoir cap for purging, intermittently pressurize the ink reservoir to discharge ink containing air bubbles into the container.

  • Page 249: Changing A Printhead Angle

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.16 Changing a printhead angle The printhead should be installed with an inclination to the right as viewed from its back. The character height is changed by the angle of the inclination. Printhead (In this figure, the HQC printhead is installed from Product flow direction the closer side toward the...

  • Page 250: Extending/Retracting The Printhead Section

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.17 Extending/retracting the printhead section The distance between the nozzle face and product can be adjusted by extending or retracting the printhead section. [Procedure] Loosen the clamping knob of the printhead arm. Extend or retract the printhead section and then tighten the clamping knob of the printhead arm.

  • Page 251: Correcting Defective Printing

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.18 Correcting defective printing Types of printing defects that might occur in the HQC are described below. Restore to the normal printing status according to each solution. 13.18.1 Missing dots A printing defect that occurs most frequently in the HQC is missing dots. <Problem>...
  • Page 252 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance  Dot delay <Problem> Printing with some dots shifted to the downstream of printing. If you continuously print out without taking measures, it will develop into missing dots in time. <Cause> The air trapped in the printhead serves as a cushion to delay timing for ink jetting.

  • Page 253: Putting A Character In The Upright Position

    ●Chapter 13 Maintenance 13.19 Putting a character in the upright position 13.19.1 Methods for putting a character in the upright position The following two methods can be used for putting a character in the upright position: ● To adjust the “Speed” of “Printing conditions” to an actual conveyor speed ●...
  • Page 254 ●Chapter 13 Maintenance Adjust the printhead angle so that the measured height value will be the same as the “Character height” setting of the printing conditions. For details, refer to “13.16 Changing a printhead angle” on page 249. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to adjust the printhead angle until the height of the actually printed characters is the same as the setting.

  • Page 255: Chapter 14 Troubleshooting

    ●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting ●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting...
  • Page 256 ●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting A possible failure should be first checked with the following table: Problem Possible cause Solution Refer to Page The power cable is Correctly connect it. incorrectly connected. No voltage is applied to the Apply voltage to the power power receptacle.
  • Page 257 ●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting Problem Possible cause Solution Refer to Page There is ink dripping from the Make sure that the body has P. 34 nozzle face. been installed horizontally. The print command was input at the timing when the Change the timing of inputting P.
  • Page 258 ●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting Problem Possible cause Solution Refer to Page Ink refill (ink Remaining amount of ink is low) output is Refill ink. P. 34 small. not reset. “Out of ink” Remaining amount of ink is Refill ink. P. 34 small.

  • Page 259: Chapter 15 Storage And Transportation

    ●Chapter 15 Storage and transportation ●Chapter 15 Storage and transportation...

  • Page 260: If The Hqc Is Not Used For A Long Time

    ●Chapter 15 Storage and transportation 15.1 If the HQC is not used for a long time If the HQC is not used for a long time (one week or longer as a guideline), perform the following operation in order to prevent ink deterioration due to unnecessary heating: ...

  • Page 261: Chapter 15 Storage And Transportation

    ●Chapter 15 Storage and transportation 15.2 When storing/transporting the HQC When removing the HQC from its installation place for the purpose of its storage/transportation, observe the following procedure in order to prevent air from being trapped in the printhead, ink leakage from the ink reservoir and excessive refilling of ink to the ink reservoir: [Procedure] Installing the nozzle cap...
  • Page 262 ●Chapter 15 Storage and transportation...

  • Page 263: Chapter 16 Warranty And After-Sales Service

    ●Chapter 16 Warranty and after-sales service ●Chapter 16 Warranty and after-sales service...

  • Page 264: Warranty

    ●Chapter 16 Warranty and after-sales service 16.1 Warranty ● The warranty period of the HQC is one (1) year after acceptance. ● Consumables supplied will be charged regardless of the warranty period. ● Data loss or corruption may occur due to failure, repair or other handling. Therefore, it is recommended to back up the data just in case.

  • Page 265: After-Sales Service

    ●Chapter 16 Warranty and after-sales service 16.2 After-sales service When the HQC is out of order, Before asking for repair, read “●Chapter 14 Troubleshooting” on page 255 in this manual. If the condition does not improve, contact Kishu Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd. Within the warranty period Failure occurring under normal handling within the warranty period and caused within our work scope will be repaired free of charge.
  • Page 266 ●Chapter 16 Warranty and after-sales service...

  • Page 267: Chapter 17 Appendix

    ●Chapter 17 Appendix ●Chapter 17 Appendix...

  • Page 268: Errors And Solutions

    ●Chapter 17 Appendix 17.1 Errors and solutions Errors indicated by the HQC are shown below. If an error is indicated, clear the error according to the following procedure:  Take action based on the “Solution” in the table.  Press any key according to instruction on the screen. Example of error indication Error code Error...
  • Page 269 ●Chapter 17 Appendix Error Alarm Error name Error description Solution code The system software These errors are version differs from indicated at the time of 6040 Program version changed that used during the the next startup when last operation. any of the following operations has been The print font version carried out using the...
  • Page 270 ●Chapter 17 Appendix Error Alarm Error name Error description Solution code Refill ink specified by Ink in the ink reservoir  7000 Ink has run out Kishu Giken Kogyo Co., has been depleted. Ltd. Hardware error Contact the nearest  7010 HV error around the printhead...

  • Page 271: Product Specifications

    ●Chapter 17 Appendix 17.2 Product specifications Item Specification Configuration All-in-one type of controller, printhead and ink reservoir Printing method Piezoelectric ceramic drive, drop-on-demand 32-channel, 64-hole, 2 holes/channel Nozzle arrangement Serial arrangement (channel pitch: 0.82 mm, total pitch: 25.4 mm = 1 inch) Printhead temperature 60C 200 m/min at density 1...
  • Page 272 ●Chapter 17 Appendix Item Specification Type Dye-base liquid ink Item number CK black Capacity 180 ml Color Black Storage temperature 5 - 35C Usable period 6 months Power switch Seesaw switch Display LED Power, Alarm, Ink low, Ready Data input With rubber key switches 240 x 64 dots, graphic LCD Display device...
  • Page 273 ●Chapter 17 Appendix...
  • Page 274 Head Quarter: 466 Nunohiki, Wakayama-city Wakayama 641-0015 +81-73-445-6610 (Key-number) +81-73-448-2005 Kainan Technical Center: 1-1 Minami akasaka, Kainan-city Wakayama 642-0017 +81-73-483-3141 +81-74-484-2084 Tokyo Sales Office: 3-41-13 Mukojima, Sumida-ku Tokyo 131-0033 +81-3-3624-2111 +81-3-5608-7277 Osaka Sales Office: 8-10 Toyotsu-cho Suita-city Osaka 564-0051 +81-6-6330-6651 +81-6-6378-1203 Nagoya Sales Office: 3-96 Issha Meito-ku Nagoya-city Aichi 465-0093...

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