Tharo Systems Gemini, Operator'S Manual

Page 1: ...Gemini Thermal Thermal Transfer Windows Label Printer Operator s Manual Edition 6 00 ...

Page 2: ...difiables sans prévais Gesellschaft für Computer und Automations Bausteine mbH cab Produkttechnik GmbH Postfach 19 04 D 76007 Karlsruhe Haid und Neu Straße 7 D 76131 Karlsruhe Telefon 49 0 721 66 26 0 Telefax 49 0 721 66 26 249 Internet http www cabgmbh com E mail cab_GmbH compuserve com Tharo Systems Inc 2866 Nationwide Parkway P O Box 798 Brunswick OH 44212 0798 Web http www tharo com tharo E ma...

Page 3: ... Manual All rights reserved including those of the translation No part of this manual nor any translation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means for any purpose other than the purchaser s personal use without the express written permission of cab Produkttechnik GmbH Karlsruhe Edition 6 00 Printed in Germany ...

Page 4: ... 5 Connecting the Printer 17 Connection to a Computer 17 Connection to Power Supply 17 6 Media loading 18 Processing Mode 18 Loading Labels 19 Ribbon Loading 22 7 Adjustments Concerning the Labels 23 Adjustment of the Printhead Support 23 Adjustement of the Transfer Ribbon Feed 24 8 Installing and Using the Software 25 Introduction 25 Installation information 25 Updates 25 The Gemini Control Panel...

Page 5: ...g Labels from the Dispenser Roller 36 11 Printhead Horizontal Alignment 37 12 Troubleshooting 39 EC Conformity Declaration 40 Trademarks Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation TrueType is a registered trademark ofApple Computer Inc Easylabel is a registered trademark of Tharo Systems Inc ...

Page 6: ... exceptionally quick time to first label printing The Gemini is built to work only with Windows and takes full advantage of Windows features Its simple design requires a minimum of effort and expertise for loading and maintaining the printer From configuration and setup to ongoing operation use of the online Gemini Control Panel Application simplifies the operator s job Extensive Online Help is pr...

Page 7: ... These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this manual it may cause harmful interference to radio communications Operation of this equipment in a residential...

Page 8: ...rosoft Windows Bar Code Symbologies Barcode symbologies along with a variety of check character options are provided as fonts in the Gemini Driver These include Codabar Code 128 Code 39 Code 39 Mod 43 EAN13 EAN8 Interleaved 2 of 5 Interleaved 2 of 5 Mod 10 MSI 10 PDF417 POSTNET UCC UPC EAN 2 digit Add On UPC EAN 5 digit AddOn UPC A UPC E0 UPC E1 Bar Code Density Fixed choices are available which f...

Page 9: ...ect Thermal Thermal Transfer and various Synthetics including thermal transfer plaincoated papers vinyl Mylar metalized paper non woven fabric fine woven fabric thermal visible light scannable paper infrared scannable paper thermal ticket tag stock thermally sensitive plastic stock Transfer Ribbon Width up to 4 5 114mm Length 1182 360m Rolls up to 3 75mm diameter on 1 25mm cores Printer Memory Int...

Page 10: ...tus Indication LED on front panel uses slow blink to indicate pause and rapid blink to indicate error Status provided through the on screen Gemini Control Panel application includes Number of labels left in printer Out of labels Out of ribbon Printer state paused or not paused Demand Mode indication Miscellaneous error messages Sensors See through media photosensor at 0 7 17 5 mm from the paper ed...

Page 11: ...o a power outlet with a grounded contact Power must be off before plugging in any accessory connecting to a computer and before performing any maintenance on the printer Do not expose the printer to any moisture or use in damp or wet areas The printer will operate with the cover open when necessary This is not recommended as it might allow debris to collect within the printer If the printer must b...

Page 12: ...the chance of moisture damage during shipment Please keep the original packaging in case the printer must be returned Equipment Supplied Your Gemini shipping container will contain the following standard components Gemini Thermal Transfer Printer Power Cord Cardboard Core for the transfer ribbon rewinder Gemini User Manual Gemini Windows Software Diskette Note We offer additional items that may be...

Page 13: ...13 cab Produkttechnik GmbH Tharo Systems Inc 4 Printer Component Location Figure 4 a Frot view 1 Cover 2 Power LED 3 Power Switch 1 2 3 Gemini ...

Page 14: ...technik GmbH Tharo Systems Inc 1 Ribbon Take Up Hub 2 Ribbon Supply Hub 3 Media Retainer 4 Media Hub 5 Media Retainer Knurled Screw 6 Media Guide 7 Media Assist Bar Figure 4 b Side view with cover open 1 2 5 3 4 7 6 ...

Page 15: ...hermal Printhead 2 Printhead Adjustment Screw 3 Printhead Locking Lever 4 Label Edge Sensor 5 Dispenser Locking Lever 6 Dispenser Locking Roller 7 Dispenser Drive Roller 8 Media Feed Roller 9 Tear Off Peel Off Plate 10 Transfer Ribbon Shield 11 Present Sensor 12 Tear Off Plate 10 12 8 2 4 7 6 8 9 10 11 1 2 3 1 3 4 5 ...

Page 16: ...16 cab Produkttechnik GmbH Tharo Systems Inc 1 Centronics Parallel Port 2 Specifications Label power supply and voltage information 3 Power Cord Connection 4 Fuse Holder Figure 4 d Rear View 1 2 3 4 ...

Page 17: ...r available power supply voltage corresponds with the voltage shown on the printer s specification label 2 The voltage requirement shown will designate either 230 V 50 Hz order 115 V 60 Hz Do not connect the printer to the power supply until the voltage has been verified After inserting the power cord into the power supply socket 3 at the rear of the printer connect the power cord to a grounded po...

Page 18: ...following operation methods are available For Tear off operations the labels are loaded so that they exit the printer straight out the front as in Batch Mode The label exits the printer still attached to the backing How far the label protrudes can be adjusted with Presentation Position parameter in Printer Setup When the label has been torn off the present sensor registers the removal and the next...

Page 19: ...rd until it rests on the media supply hub 4 against the side of the label roll Retighten the knurled screw 5 5 Slide the media guide 6 outward allowing enough clearance for the label stock s width when loaded 6 Unroll a length of label stock from the media roll From the side slide the media under the media assist bar and inside the media guide 6 as shown in Figure 6a It is particularly important t...

Page 20: ...ute the media strip forward straight through the front of the printer as shown in Figure 6a 9 Check the position of the media guide 6 and if necessary slide it inward until it lightly touches the sides of the media strip 10 Adjust the media roll to remove any slack then lower the printhead by rotating the printhead lever 1 counterclockwise until it stops Make sure that the dispenser locking roller...

Page 21: ...ispenser locking lever 9 clockwise until itstops to lift the dispenser locking roller 10 from dispenser drive roller 11 11 Feed the folded backing strip downward in front of the peel plate 12 and behind the dispenser drive roller 11 as shown in Figure 6b Continue feeding the backing strip through until the leading edge appears below the dispenser drive roller 11 12 Grasp the edge of the folded bac...

Page 22: ...of the printhead In Figure 6 c the solid line shows the path of inside wound ribbon and the broken line represents the path of outside wound ribbon 3 Turn the knurled knob 7 until offering resistance and so jam fast the transfer ribbon 5 at the ribbon supply hub 6 4 Slide an empty cardboard core 2 onto the ribbon take up hub 3 and jam fast it by turning the knurled knob 4 5 From the side feed the ...

Page 23: ...hin the adjustment slot 3 This will cause the cam shaped printhead support 4 to rotate in effect providing a higher or lower base on which the printhead mounting 1 rests 3 When using wide labels start with a setting of 2a this places the printhead support at its lowest position providing the most complete contact of the printhead to the drive roller along the entire width When using very narrow la...

Page 24: ...on of the ribbon should be made even from the left to the right by moving the ribbon shield 4 up or down 1 Loosen the locking screw 3 2 Shift the transfer ribbon shield 4 sideways into the direction of the wrinkle Moving it to the left will increase the tension on the left Use the scale 2 provided to monitor the adjustments made If the screw is in position 1 the tension is highest on the outside a...

Page 25: ...el design Not intended as an accurate representation 3 Gemini Control Panel Application Provides control of the printer and current print job Gemini drivers are available for Windows 3 1X and Windows 95 98 as well as for Windows NT 4 0 and greater Installation information Depending on the Windows version used the Gemini Printer software needs to be installed through either the setup program of the...

Page 26: ...ng pause the printer and so on Detailed information on the options currently provided with the Gemini Control Panel is available through Online Help and will not be included here To start the application double click on the Gemini program group then double click on the Gemini icon Once started this application should be left open as long as the printer is turned on Figure 8a Startup window of the ...

Page 27: ...ains a test pattern and the following information Firmware Version The Gemini s current firmware version Gemini Printer Driver Version The current version of the Gemini Windows Printer Driver Gemini Control Panel Version The current version of the Gemini Control Panel software Windows Version The version of Windows the Gemini Control Panel software is running on Total Print Length The total length...

Page 28: ... must select those symbologies that should be made available to your Windows applications Detailed information on the features and options currently available in Printer Setup is available through Online Help and will not be included here Printer Setup can be reached in a variety of ways This can take place from Windows Control Panel Printers group or from various application software in the Print...

Page 29: ...hnik GmbH Tharo Systems Inc Figure 8e Printer Setup Printer Mode Window under Windows 3 1X Windows 95 and Windows 98 Figure 8f Printer Setup Add or Delete Barcode Font Window under Windows 3 1X Windows 95 and Windows 98 ...

Page 30: ...up Windows under Windows NT 4 0 Figure 8h Printer Setup Document Properties Window under Windows NT 4 0 Overview Figure 8g Printer Setup Printer Properties Window under Windows NT 4 0 Window accesseable from Gemini Control Panel by the Properties button only ...

Page 31: ...bH Tharo Systems Inc Figure 8k Printer Setup Document Properties Window under Windows NT 4 0 Section Bar Code Options Figure 8i Printer Setup Document Properties Window under Windows NT 4 0 Section Print Mode and Media Control ...

Page 32: ...gn the label considering the label s dimensions even if your application does not display a work area that matches the actual label size place text graphics and barcode fields within the dimensions of your label 6 If possible use Print Preview to assist in proper field placement 7 Print a single test label to see actual layout and size of the fields This is the only way to see an accurate represen...

Page 33: ... paused After solving the problem the print job is continued by clicking OK in the error message window If the problem is corrected the print job will continue However If the problem still exists the message box will reappear Additionally an error is indicated by a rapid blinking LED on the printer s front panel A Slow blinking LED indicates the printer is paused The following table contains a ref...

Page 34: ...t may be needed If a different type or width of ribbon is loaded adjustment of the transfer ribbon feed may be needed to maintain wrinkle free operation Before beginning any maintenance turn off the power and disconnect the power cord General Cleaning Remove particles of dust and paper that have accumulated inside the printer with a soft brush Wipe the cover with a standard non abrasive cleaner as...

Page 35: ...l printing at every label roll change Thermal Transfer printing at every ribbon change Do not use sharp objects for cleaning the printhead Do not touch the protective layer of the printhead with your hands To clean the printhead 1 Turn the printer power off and disconnect the power cord 2 Raise the printhead as far as possible 3 Remove the labels and the ribbon from the printer 4 Clean the surface...

Page 36: ...ller to rotate and feed the paper towel through 6 Wrap the soaked paper towel around the Dispense Drive Roller as completely as possible and leave it for about 5 minutes When the WD 40 has softened the adhesive remove the paper towel 7 Begin peeling through the layers of label until you can grasp a section Pulling all layers from an area at once rather than peeling each layer separately generally ...

Page 37: ...ead Horizontal Alignment Adjust the printhead as follows 1 You may leave the transfer ribbon 1 inside the printer and simoply poke through it with your tools 2 Loosen thelocking screw 2 on the printhead by half a turn This will allow for the required horizontal adjustment of the printhead 3 By turning the two screws underneath 3 you may shift the printhead as follows The overall distance for adjus...

Page 38: ... be opened after every single adjustment step to make the change effective 5 Tighten the locking screw 2 6 Perform a test print for instance a wide black line over the whole width of the label and review the results 7 Repeat steps 2 to 6 as necessary to complete the adjustment ...

Page 39: ...he value preceding the ohm W sign on the printhead and enter it under Windows 3 1X Windows 95 Windows 98 in the Gemini Control Panel Replace Printhead function or under Windows NT 4 0 in the Gemini Control Panel Printer Properties Set Printhead Resistance function Print density is uneven the image is light on one side of the label The printhead is adjusted for a narrow label Readjust the printhead...

Page 40: ...y Regulations 98 37 EU Machine Safety EN 292 2 1991 A1 1995 EC Low Voltage Regulations 73 23 EEC Data and Office Machine Safety EN 60950 1992 A1 1993 EN 60950 A2 1993 A3 1995 A4 1997 EC Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 89 336 EEC Threshold values for the Interference EN 55022 1998 of Data Machines Limits for harmonic current emission EN 61000 3 2 1995 A1 1998 A2 1998 A14 2000 Limits of vo...