AGFA SelectSet Avantra Series User manual

ABC
SelectSet Avantra Series
Control Panel and Operating Guide
Part Number: M00123-0002

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a res-
idential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
CAUTION: Only computers and other peripheral devices which as a
minimum comply with Class A limits should be used with this equip-
ment. Shielded I/O cables should be used for equipment connections
in order to ensure FCC emission limits are met. Any changes or mod-
ifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Agfa Division,
Bayer Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
CANADIAN RADIO INTERFERENCE
REGULATIONS STATEMENT
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio
noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interfer-
ence Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numerique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques (de la
class A) prescrites dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélec-
trique édicté par le ministére des Communications du Canada.

ABC
SelectSet Avantra Series
Control Panel and Operating Guide
Part Number: M00123-0002

Part Number M00123-0002
Note to Users
Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation (also referred to as “Agfa”) reviews all customer
documentation and software for accuracy before shipment. Occasionally, in spite of
precautions, the product you receive may differ somewhat from the customer documen-
tation shipped to you. Generally, if such variations are known to exist and to signifi-
cantly affect operation, a release note accompanies the documentation or software. If
you receive such a note, be sure to read it before using the product.
Copyright © 1996 by Bayer Corporation. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a
retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or
by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, or manual,
without prior written permission from Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation, 200
Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887.
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by Customer Documentation, Agfa Division, Bayer
Corporation. Illustrations are meant to be representative of, but not duplicates of, actual
equipment and software. Agfa shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions.
Please report any errors to Customer Documentation, Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation,
200 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887.
AGFA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE
CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT OR THE SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT,
ITS QUALITY, OR PERFORMANCE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Agfa reserves the right to revise this document and to change the contents without any
obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes.
Trademarks
AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Agfa is a
registered trademark, and SelectSet and Avantra are trademarks of Bayer Corporation.
Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders and have been used in an editorial fashion with no intention of
infringement.
Colophon
The following typefaces appear in this document:
Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rotis Serif
Headings . . . . . . . . . . . .Rotis Sans Serif Extrabold
Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rotis Sans Serif

Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Overview of Documentation.........................................................xiii
This User Guide.......................................................................xiii
Other Manuals.........................................................................xiii
Audience..................................................................................xiv
Product Overview
Introduction ...................................................................................1–1
Specifications and Features..........................................................1–2
Parts of the Imagesetter................................................................1–5
Media Compartment..............................................................1–5
Main Power Switch................................................................1–5
The Control Panel ..................................................................1–7
Product Options.............................................................................1–7
Avantra 20 and 25 Options...................................................1-7
Avantra 30 Options................................................................1-9
Avantra 36 and 44 Options.................................................1-10
Imaging System Configuration..................................................1–12
Raster Image Processors......................................................1–13
Operating Environment..............................................................1–13

iv SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
Safety Information......................................................................1–14
Laser Information ................................................................1–14
Laser Safety Instructions.....................................................1–15
General Safety Instructions................................................1–16
Sound Level..........................................................................1–17
Safety and Compliance Labeling.......................................1–17
Product Compliance Standards ..........................................1-20
Product Safety...............................................................1-20
Electromagnetic Emissions and Immunity................1-20
Using the Imagesetter Control Panel
Introduction ...................................................................................2–1
Control Panel Description ............................................................2–2
Overview of Screens......................................................................2–3
Basic Controls................................................................................2–5
Using Plus, Plus Plus, Minus, and Minus Minus ...............2–7
Using Accept and Cancel......................................................2–8
Flashing Buttons....................................................................2–9

Table of Contents v
Displaying and Setting Parameters...........................................2–10
Selecting a Screen................................................................2–10
Displaying Current Parameter Settings.............................2–12
Selecting Parameters...........................................................2–13
Specifying Numerical Values.............................................2–14
Starting Up and Shutting Down the Imagesetter....................2–15
Starting Up the Imagesetter................................................2–15
Viewing Software Revisions...............................................2–17
Shutting Down the Imagesetter .........................................2–17
Using Control Panel Screens......................................................2–18
The Run Screen............................................................................2–19
Basic Operating Modes........................................................2–19
Monitoring Jobs with the Progress Bar ............................2–20
Viewing Current Job Information......................................2–20
Selecting and Canceling Pause Pending Mode................2–21
The Pause Screen.........................................................................2–22
Loading Media from a Supply Cassette ............................2–23
Feeding and Cutting Media................................................2–23
Unloading Media..................................................................2–25
Displaying Job History........................................................2–25
Tracking Lifetime Media Usage..........................................2–26

vi SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
Run and Pause Screen Status Icons..........................................2–27
Viewing Media Status.........................................................2–27
Viewing Engine Status........................................................2–31
Viewing Job Status..............................................................2–32
Viewing Humidifier Status.................................................2–33
Monitoring the Amount of Media
in the Supply Cassettes.....................................................2–34
Monitoring the Amount of Media
in the Take-up Cassette ....................................................2–35
The Cassette Setup Screen..........................................................2–36
Definition of Cassette Setup Functions.............................2–38
Using Cassette Setup Functions.........................................2–39
Setting the Imaging Exposure............................................2–40
Storing Supply Cassette Parameters..................................2–41
List of Programmed Supply Cassette Parameters............2–42
Specifying a Supply Cassette and Program Number.......2–43
The Feed Amounts Screen..........................................................2–44
Definition of Feed Amounts Functions.............................2–46
Using Feed Amounts Functions.........................................2–47
The Utilities Screen.....................................................................2–48
Definition of Utilities Functions........................................2–49
Using Utilities Functions.....................................................2–51
The Configuration Screen...........................................................2–52
Definition of Configuration Functions..............................2–54
Using Configuration Functions..........................................2–56
Using Auto Dial Out to Report Fatal Errors .....................2–57

Table of Contents vii
Running Exposure Tests
Introduction ...................................................................................3–1
Using The Exposure Test Page.....................................................3–2
Test Page Components ..........................................................3–2
The 4 DPI’s Test Page............................................................3–4
Running Exposure Tests...............................................................3–5
When to Image a Test Page..................................................3–5
How to Image a Test Page....................................................3–6
Basic Steps.......................................................................3–6
Guidelines........................................................................3–7
Evaluating a Test Page .................................................................3–9
How to Read a Test Page ......................................................3–9
Using a Densitometer...........................................................3-11
Density...........................................................................3–11
Exposure........................................................................3–12
Types of Densitometers................................................3–12
Controlling the Development Process.......................................3–13
Development Variables to Control ....................................3–13
Replenishment......................................................................3–14

viii SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
Diagnostic and Error Messages
Introduction ...................................................................................4–1
Control Panel Display...................................................................4–2
Clearing Error Messages...............................................................4–2
Resetting the System.....................................................................4–3
List of Error Messages and Corrective Actions..........................4–4
Media and Operator Errors.........................................................4–26
Unloading Media Using the Utility Screen.......................4–26
Overriding Error 44: Cut Not Allowed..............................4–27
Correcting Error 80: Bridge Is Not In Light Mode...........4–28
Boot Errors...................................................................................4–30
Displaying Boot Errors........................................................4–30
Bypassing Boot Errors.........................................................4–31
Remote Diagnostics.....................................................................4–32

Table of Contents ix
Imagesetter Maintenance
Introduction ...................................................................................5–1
Universal Maintenance Procedures.............................................5–2
Table of Universal Maintenance Procedures......................5–2
Model-Specific Procedures...........................................................5–4
Cleaning Avantra 20 and 25 Intake Filters........................5–4
Cleaning Avantra 20 and 25 Punch Trays .........................5–5
Cleaning Avantra 30 Intake Filters......................................5-6
Cleaning Avantra 30 Punch Trays.......................................5-8
Cleaning Avantra 36 and 44 Intake Filters........................5–9
Cleaning Avantra 36 and 44 Punch Trays.......................5–10
Cleaning the Avantra 44 Supply Punch Chaff Tray........5–10
Cleaning Avantra 36 and 44
Take-up Area Punch Trays...............................................5–12
Appendix A: RIP and Avantra User Tools
Introduction...................................................................................A–1
What Are RIP and Avantra User Tools?....................................A–2
User Tools that Perform Control Panel Function .....................A–3
Pause Tools ............................................................................A–3
Cassette Setup Tools..............................................................A–3
Feed Amounts Tools .............................................................A–4
Configuration Tools..............................................................A–5
User Tools that Perform Additional Functions.........................A–6
SelectSet Avantra Special Tools .................................................A–7
Operating in Virtual Cassette Mode....................................A–7
Using Media Optimization ...................................................A–8
Changing the Media Savings Percentage...........................A–9
Index.....................................................................................................I-1

Overview

Overview xiii
Overview of Documentation
This User Guide
This guide describes how to operate the control panel on SelectSet®
Avantra® internal drum imagesetters. It also provides information on
error messages and maintaining the imagesetters.
This user guide contains the following sections and documents:
nSelectSet Avantra Series Product Overview
nSelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel Operations
nSelectSet Avantra Series Exposure Tests
nSelectSet Avantra Series Diagnostic and Error Messages
nSelectSet Avantra Series Imagesetter Maintenance
❖Note: For information on the SelectSet Avantra On-line Processor,
refer to the guide for your specific imagesetter.
❖Note: When this guide describes the 20/25, the 30, or the 36/44
series of imagesetters, it describes all imagesetters in that series.
Specific notes appear if one member of the series differs from the
others.
Other Manuals
A number of different raster image processors (RIPs) can be used to
drive SelectSet Avantra imagesetters. Each RIP comes with its own
documentation. Consult the user documentation that comes with your
RIP for information about RIP and Avantra software that lets you
control the imagesetter from your front-end computer. Also refer to
the RIP user documentation for information about fonts and about
PostScript® language as it applies to SelectSet Avantra imagesetters.

xiv SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
Audience
This guide is written for imagesetter operators who are familiar with:
nBasic concepts of desktop publishing
nOperation of the software applications, computers, and other
hardware in use with the imagesetter
nOperation of the RIP that drives the SelectSet Avantra imagesetter
This basic knowledge is critical to the effective and successful opera-
tion of this imagesetter.

Chapter 1
Product Overview

Product Overview 1–1
Introduction
This product overview provides the following information about the
SelectSet Avantra imaging system:
nSpecifications and features
nParts of the imagesetter
nProduct Options
nImaging system configuration
nOperating environment
nSafety information
Please read the Safety Instructions and Laser Safety Information
sections later in this chapter before you operate your SelectSet
Avantra imagesetter.

1–2 SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
Specifications and Features
The SelectSet Avantra 20 and SelectSet Avantra 25 are internal drum
laser imagesetters designed to provide high standards of image quality
and versatility. The following table lists their basic specifications.
Avantra 25E Avantra 25S
Maximum 17.7” x 25” 17.7" x 25"
Image Size 449 x 635 mm 449 x 635 mm
Resolutions 1200, 1800 1200, 1800,
2400 dpi 2400, 3600 dpi
Imaging Speed 417 sq. in./min. 625 sq. in./min.
@ 1200 dpi @ 1200 dpi
Avantra 20 Avantra 25
Maximum 13.7" x 20" 17.7" x 25"
Image Size 347 x 508 mm 449 x 635 mm
Resolutions 1200, 1800, 1200, 1800,
2400, 3600 dpi 2400, 3600 dpi
Imaging Speed 334 sq. in./min. 417 sq. in./min.
@ 1200 dpi @ 1200 dpi

Product Overview 1–3
The SelectSet Avantra 30 is a medium-format, internal drum laser
imagesetter designed to provide high standards of image quality and
versatility. The following table lists its basic specifications.
The SelectSet Avantra 36 and SelectSet Avantra 44 are large-format,
internal drum laser imagesetters designed to provide high standards of
image quality and versatility. The following table lists their basic
specifications.
Avantra 44 Avantra 44S
Maximum 35.7" x 44.5" 35.7" x 44.5"
Image Size 906 mm x 1130 mm 906 mm x 1130 mm
Resolutions 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600 dpi 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600 dpi
Imaging Speed 500 sq. in./min. 742 sq. in./min.
@ 1200 dpi @ 1200 dpi
Avantra 36 Avantra 36S
Maximum 35.7" x 28.5" 35.7" x 28.5"
Image Size 906 mm x 723 mm 906 mm x 723 mm
Resolutions 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600 dpi 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600 dpi
Imaging Speed 320 sq. in./min. 475 sq. in./min.
@ 1200 dpi @ 1200 dpi
Avantra 30
Maximum 29.7" x 25"
Image Size 754 mm x 635 mm
Resolutions 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600 dpi
Imaging Speed 625 sq. in./min.
@ 1200 dpi

1–4 SelectSet Avantra Series Control Panel and Operating Guide
SelectSet Avantra imagesetter features include:
nIcon-based control panel
The control panel uses a series of graphic pictures to show the
system status and functions.
nLaser spot in multiple sizes
Laser spot size is optimized for each imaging resolution.
nMemory for cassette parameters
Cassette parameters include the media type, exposure values,
media width, and media remaining. The system stores the settings
you enter for each cassette.
nInternal drum imaging system
This system yields the precise registration required to image jobs
that use more than the standard four processing colors (cyan,
magenta, yellow, and black), such as HiFi™ color jobs.
nReloadable supply cassettes
The Avantra imagesetters use reloadable supply cassettes that
accept daylight-loadable or darkroom-loadable media.
nMedia Optimization
Through the RIP, you can program the imagesetter to rotate jobs
for the most efficient use of media.

Product Overview 1–5
Parts of the Imagesetter
This section describes the basic components of the SelectSet Avantra
imagesetter. See Figure 1.1.
Media Compartment
The media compartment contains:
nSupply Cassettes
Supply unexposed media to the imaging drum. Load them with
bulk rolls of media.
nTake-up Cassette
Receives imaged media from the imaging drum. A take-up
cassette is supplied with the imagesetter for use with off-line
processing.
nCutter
Cuts media when you are ready to remove the take-up cassette to
process exposed media during off-line processing. You can
activate the cutter from either the control panel or the front end
of your imaging system.
❖Note: On systems equipped with the optional Avantra on-line
processor, the media transport bridge is installed in the media
compartment.
Main Power Switch
The main power switch is located at the front of the imagesetter, to
the left of the control panel. Use it to turn the imagesetter on and off.