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9-1RibbonMinder
CHAPTER 9
RIBBONMINDER T
Introduction
The RibbonMinder (patent pending) ensures quality printing by determining when a ribbon
should be changed. The RibbonMinder monitors ink consumption by analyzing printer hamĆ
mer action. It is designed to alert the operator before the print quality falls below a certain
level.
RibbonMinder configuration parameters can be
set to meet the specific requirements of
any
job. In this way, you can determine at what level print quality is no longer acceptable. When
the
print quality reaches this point, a WHEN WORN A
CTION will occur. The printer can be
set
to either stop printing at this point, or
to display a message indicating it is time to change the
ribbon. R
eplacing the
ribbon when the WHEN WORN A
CTION occurs will prevent the proĆ
duction of unreadable documents and bar codes.
This
chapter provides step-by-step
instructions to use the RibbonMinder function. Applica
Ć
tion
hints and shortcuts are included at the end of the chapter. W
ords and phrases in uppercase
letters represent the actual buttons on the printer control panel and messages that appear in
the
display.
R
efer to the RibbonMinder diagram on page 9-13 and become familiar with the menu
struc
Ć
ture and messages displayed when using RibbonMinder features.
Overview
The
RibbonMinder operates much like the fuel gauge in an
automobile. In a car, the fuel gauge
indicates
how much
fuel remains. W
ith RibbonMinder, the message display on the printer con
Ć
trol panel indicates how much usable ink remains in the ribbon. This feature occurs without
operator
attention once it has been set. It may also be controlled through a host interface.
When the ribbon is new, the message display on the printer control panel indicates the ribbon
life is at 100%.
ON LINE 100%
DP AT 10 CPI
Typical new ribbon display
As printing continues, the percentage of usable ink remaining in the ribbon continues to fall.
ON LINE 74%
DP AT 10 CPI
ON LINE 8%
DP AT 10 CPI
Ribbon ink is being consumed
Ribbon life is approaching end