Amano TCX-85 User manual

TCX-85 www.amano.com/time •1-800-253-9836
TCX-85
Atomic Time Clock
Quick-Start Guide

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Proprietary Notice
This document contains proprietary information and such information
may not be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission
from Amano Cincinnati, Inc. 140 Harrison Ave., Roseland, New Jersey
07068.
Amano Cincinnati, Inc. reserves the right to make equipment changes
and improvements, which may not be reflected in this document.
Portions of this document may have been updated to include the latest
hardware or firmware version, if applicable.
To ensure safe use of this time recorder/stamp, be sure to thoroughly
read this manual in its entirety before any attempt is made to operate
the equipment. After you have finished reading this manual, be sure to
store it in a safe place for future reference.
Thank You….
For purchasing another fine product from Amano Cincinnati, Inc.
For Safe and proper operation, please carefully read the
manual before using the time clock and save it for reference.
Warranty Notice
Any claim for warranty, express or implied, due to the clocks failure to
properly receive the radio signal because of interference, whatever
may be the source of this interference, are hereby expressly excluded.
The TCX-85 has the atomic clock (radio-controlled clock) feature
which displays the current time precisely by automatically receiving
time code signals on long wave radio from the transmitting station.
The unit receives the time code signal via its built-in antenna system.
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 interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.

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Table of Contents
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE OPERATION….. .................................5
Step 1..............................................................................7
Remove the Cover & Packing Material .............................7
Step 2..............................................................................8
Setting the Time..............................................................8
Step 3..............................................................................9
Changing the Print Format (P4)........................................9
Voice Programming.......................................................10
Voice Programming Print Format Example ....................12
Button Programming.....................................................13
Setting the Time (P1)......................................................13
Setting the Date [Month/Date/Year](P2) ......................13
Enabling or Disabling Daylight Saving Time (P3)............14
Enabling/Disabling Auto Print (P508) .............................15
Wall Mounting ...............................................................16
Operation ......................................................................17
Enable/Disable Atomic Clock Feature (P512) ...................17
Ribbon Cartridge Replacement ......................................17
Parts .............................................................................19
Error Messages..............................................................20
TCX-85 Cleaning............................................................21
Resetting Clock After Extended Loss of Power ..............21
TCX-85 Power Modes ....................................................21
TCX-85 Time Display Modes ..........................................21
Wall Mounting Template................................................22
Specifications ................................................................23

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Ι
Important! Do not return this clock to the retailer. If
you have any questions or need assistance, please call us
toll free at 1-800-253-9836
Need Ribbons, Keys and Accessories?
Visit
www.amano.com/time
Or call 1-800-253-9836
External View
Internal View

TCX-85 www.amano.com/time •1-800-253-9836 2-5
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE OPERATION…..
To ensure safe operation, please carefully read the following warnings and
cautions prior to using the TCX-85 Electronic time recorder/stamp.
Warning
Do not disassemble the unit. There is a high voltage present inside,
possibly leading to an electric shock.
Do not modify the unit. Modifications may cause a fire and/or electric
shock.
If any anomaly occurs, for example, heat or smoke is generated or an
odor is emitted, unplug the unit immediately and contact your dealer
for servicing. There is a danger that further use may cause a fire or
electric shock.
Do not use any voltage of the power source other than designated.
Do not share a single outlet with another plug. These may lead to fire
or shock hazards.
Do not damage, break, or modify the power cord. Do not put a
heavy object on, pull, or
forcefully bend the cord, either. These may
damage the cord, possibly resulting in a fire or electric shock.
If foreign matter should get in the unit (including a piece of metal,
water, or liquid), disconnect the plug from the outlet immediately and
contact your dealer for servicing. There is a danger that further use
may cause a fire or electric shock.
Do not plug or unplug the unit with a wet hand. You may get an
electric shock.
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Caution
Do not place the unit on an uneven or tilted surface. This may result
in injuries due to the unit dropping or falling off.
Do not put a water-filled container or a metal object on top of the unit.
If water is spilled or the metallic object slips inside, a fire or shock
hazard may occur.
Do not install the unit in a humid or dusty environment. It may cause
a fire or electric shock.
Do not place the unit near kitchen counter or humidifier. Oil, smoke,
or steam generating from them may cause fire or shock hazards.
Do not yank the power cord to disconnect from the outlet. Hold the
plug with your hand to do so, or the cord may be damaged, possibly
leading to a fire or electric shock.
Remove the line cord plug from the outlet before transferring the unit,
or it may damage the cord, possibly leading to a fire or electric shock.
Be careful not to contact the print head, as you may get hurt or
burned.
Make sure to insert the power plug as far as it will go. Improper
insertion of the plug may develop fire or shock hazards.
Do not insert or drop any other time card than specified into the slot.
Such misuse may cause a fire or electric shock.
If the unit should be dropped or the case is broken, unplug the unit
and contact your dealer for servicing. Further use may lead to a fire or
shock hazard.
Relation to the Health and the Environment
The plastic currently used for the outer enclosure of this apparatus does not
contain the halogen substance.
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Step 1
Remove the Cover & Packing Material
1. Insert the key provided into keyhole on the top of the clock,
turn clockwise ¼ turn to unlock the cover and lift the cover
to remove.
2. Remove the
cardboard spacer
located above the
ribbon cartridge by
pulling straight out
(see right-hand
Figure).
3. Lift up the printer
carriage by placing
your fingers
under the metal
motor on the left-
hand side and
remove the foam
spacer (white)
located under the
print head (see
right-hand Figures).
Release the printer
carriage.
4. After removing the foam spacer with the cover off plug in
the clock!
5. The TCX-85 will announce “Voice mode
enabled” and display the time with Setup on
the bottom line.
Note –Should the clock not power up,
verify that the AC Adapter is plugged
into the rear of the clock.

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Step 2
Setting the Time
1. Press the HOUR button to advance hour by increments of
one (1) until the correct hour appears.
2. Press the MINUTE button to advance minutes by
increments of one (1) until the correct minute appears.
Figure 1: Programming Button Locations.
3. The default print format is Format-1 (YEAR, MONTH, DATE
and TIME with AM or PM).
If this format is acceptable replace the cover and the clock
is ready for use. If you need to change the print format
proceed to Step 3 on the next page.

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Step 3
Changing the Print Format (P4)
1. With the cover removed, press the PROGRAM button to
begin button program mode and P1 TIME will appear.
2. Press the +button to change the current
programming mode until the display shows
P4 PRint FORMAT.
3. Press the ENTER button once and the clock
will flash the current print format. The default setting =
FORMAT-1.
4. Press the + or – button to increase or decrease the print
format value to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. See the following for
examples of Print Format:
5. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current value.
6. Replace the cover for normal operation.

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Should you want to change anything else, i.e., disabling
auto print, disabling daylight savings, etc., the clock can
now be programmed using voice commands (see below)
or through the program buttons (see starting page 1-9).
Voice Programming
1. With the cover off say “Hello Clock”to begin voice
programming the clock. The clock will respond by saying
“Welcome, to the Amano time clock, what would you
like to change?” and the
clock willBEEP.
You must wait for the BEEP
before saying command!!
2. Voice commands can be
entered in any order. See
voice commands on the
following page.
Only valid commands will be
accepted by the clock.
1. Say “Time” to enter into the set time mode.
Sequence for Time Entry with Voice Commands
2. The clock will announce, “Current time is……” followed
by, “Please tell me the new time” followed by a BEEP.
3. After the BEEP, say the desired time, i.e., “Two Twenty
PM” to set the current time as 2:20 PM. The user must end
the sentence with “AM” or “PM” to complete time entry.
When entering a time for the top of the hour you must say
the hour followed by o’clock. For example, for 7:00 AM,
please say, “seven o’clock AM”. In another example, for
10:02 PM, please say “ten o’ two PM”.
Upon acceptance of the voice entry, the clock will announce
“New time is……”
Note – If the clock does not accept the new setting, it will
announce an error message and keep asking the user every
3 - 4 seconds to speak the new value until the new value is
accepted. During voice program mode the buttons on
top of the clock will be ignored.
“Welcome…, what
would you like to
change?” followed
by a BEEP.
“Hello Clock”

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4. Say “Exit” to quit all voice programming or say new voice
command (see chart below). When quitting voice
programming the clock will respond by announcing,
“Goodbye”.
At any time say “EXIT”, press the Program button,
or replace the cover to stop voice programming.
“Welcome…, what would
you like to change?”
followed by a BEEP.

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Voice Programming Print Format Example
The following table lists the typical pattern of announcement
messages that the clock might play for changing print format.
Voice Message Prompt Reason
“Welcome to the Amano time
Clock” “What would you like to
change?”
To greet the user and
prompt for command.
The User says “Print Format” Request the clock to change
the print format.
“The current print format is”
followed by “Please tell me the
new print format” followed by a
BEEP.
To announce the current
print format, request the
new print format and prompt
with BEEP.
The User says “Format Three” Request the clock to set the
print format = Format 3.
“The new print format is format
three” followed by
“What would you like to
change?”
To announce the new print
format set by the user and
inquire for the next possible
change.
The User says “Exit” Request the clock to quit the
voice programming mode.
“Good Bye” To acknowledge exit.
During a typical voice command, the clock might say;
•“Sorry, Command not recognized” To inform the user
that it could not understand the command so the user can
repeat the command again.
•“Sorry, data not recognized” To inform the user that it
could not understand the verbal value from the user for the
current setting so the user can repeat the value again.

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Button Programming
The following paragraphs must be performed with the clock
cover removed.
Setting the Time (P1)
1. With the cover removed, press the
PROGRAM button and P1 TIME will appear and
the voice mode will be disabled.
2. Press the ENTER button and the hours will
start flashing.
3. Press the +or –button to increase or decrease the hours to
the desired value.
4. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current hours
and go to the minutes setup mode and the minutes will
start flashing.
5. Press the +or –button to increase or decrease the
minutes.
6. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current
minutes.
7. Replace the cover for normal operation.
Setting the Date [Month/Date/Year](P2)
1. With the cover removed, press the PROGRAM button to
begin button program mode and P1 TIME will appear.
2. Press the +button to change the current programming
mode until the display shows P2 DATE.
3. Press the ENTER button once and the clock
will display the current date on the 2nd line
(see right-hand Figure). The month will
start flashing. Press the + or – button to
increase or decrease the month value.
4. When the desired month is reached, press the ENTER
button once to accept the current month and go to the date
setup mode.

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5. The date of the month will start flashing. Press the +or –
button to increase or decrease the date to the desired
value.
6. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current
displayed date of the month and go to the year setup mode.
7. The year will start flashing. Press the +or –button to
increase or decrease the year to the desired value.
8. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current
displayed year and complete the set date mode.
9. Replace the cover for normal operation.
Enabling or Disabling Daylight Saving Time (P3)
Note – when this setting is set to ENABLED, the clock’s
time will automatically change for Daylight Saving. When this
setting is set to DISABLED, the clock’s time will not change
for Daylight Saving.
1. With the cover removed, press the PROGRAM button to
begin button program mode and P1 TIME will appear.
2. Press the +button to change the current
programming mode until the display shows
P3 Daylight saving. [The second line will
scroll]
3. Press the ENTER button and the clock will begin flashing
the current Daylight Saving setting.
4. Press the + or – button to change the Daylight Saving
setting to the desired value of Enabled or Disabled.
The default setting = Enabled [ON].
5. Press the ENTER button to set [save] the current value.
6. Replace the cover for normal operation.

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Enabling/Disabling Auto Print (P508)
1. With the cover removed, press the PROGRAM button to
begin button program mode and P1 TIME will appear.
2. Press the +or –button to change the current
programming mode until the display shows P5 others.
3. Press the ENTER button once and the clock will display the
submenu for other settings such as P501.
4. Press the + or – button until the display
shows P508 Print method. [The second line
will scroll]
5. Press the ENTER button once and the clock
will start flashing the current print method format. The
default setting = AUTO. The mode choices are:
6. Press the + or – button to change the value.
7. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current
displayed value.
8. Replace the cover for normal operation.
Note – when the clock is in the manual or combination print
mode, the print buttons (+ and – buttons –see Figure 1 on
page 1-4) are enabled when the cover is on. Pressing either
of these buttons will cause the clock to print.
Mode Description
Auto Will automatically print a single print when
media is inserted.
Manual Requires you to use the PRINTbutton when
printing.
Combination Requires you to insert media to trigger and
press the PRINT button.

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Wall Mounting
Avoid the following:
1. Using the supplied mounting template (see last page of this
guide), mark the two (2) mounting slots on the wall. A 3rd
mounting slot can be used to provide security (see Figure 2
below).
2. Verify that the cable for AC Power Adapter is plugged into
the back of the TCX-85 before hanging on the wall.
3. Hang the TCX-85 on the wall level using #10 wood screws
[not included] or equivalent in the two mounting slots
without removing the cover.
4. If security is an issue for removing the TCX-85 from the
wall, remove the cover, and use the upper mounting slot
(see Figure 2 below) to firmly secure the back of the TCX-
85 to the wall. Secure to the wall using #10 wood screw (or
equivalent).
5. Replace the cover for normal operation.
Figure 2: TCX-85 Rear View for Wall Mounting.

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Operation
Enable/Disable Atomic Clock Feature (P512)
1. With the cover removed, press the PROGRAM button to
begin button program mode.
2. Press the +button to change the current programming
mode until the display shows P5 others.
3. Press the ENTER button once and the clock will display the
submenu for other settings such as P501.
4. Press the + or – button until the display
shows P512 atomic clock.
[The second line will scroll]
5. Press the ENTER button once and the clock
will start flashing the current atomic clock setting.
6. Press the + or – button to change the value to either
enabled or disabled. The default setting = ENABLED [ON].
7. Press the ENTER button once to accept the current
displayed value and go back to the previous menu.
8. Replace the cover for normal operation.
Note FAQ – If the Atomic Clock feature has been
turned off by setting to disable, pressing the “Reset”
button or changing the time will not turn the feature
back on. The feature must be Enabled by following the
steps above.
Ribbon Cartridge Replacement
Step 1. Insert the clock key and turn clockwise to unlock the
cover, lift up the cover, and remove for ribbon access.
Locate the ribbon cartridge cradle (See page 2-3).
Note – You MUST have the key to remove the cover for
ribbon replacement.

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The Amano TCX-85 clock in Figure 3 shows a typical layout with
the ribbon cartridge removed from the cradle.
Step 2. Pull the ribbon cassette out of the
cradle (see Figure 3 on page 2-3).
Step 3. Insert a new ribbon and be sure to
guide the ribbon between the ribbon
shield and the printer head as
illustrated (see Figure to right and
arrows).
Step 4. Turn the knob on the cassette
clockwise one turn to take up any
slack in the ribbon (see right-hand
Figure).
Step 5. To reset the INK indicator, press and
hold the ENTER button for three (3)
seconds.
Step 6. Replace the cover and stamp a card to check the
printing quality and confirm that you have installed the
ribbon properly.
The LCD display contains an INK indicator. The TCX-85
calculates the ink capacity of the ribbon cartridge from the
number of imprints made. As the ink capacity decreases, the
amount of ink in the drop [indicator] will disappear. This shows
the amount of ink remaining in the ribbon cartridge using 3
drop segments, from = empty, to = half-full,
to = full.
The empty indicator will flash when the print counter
reaches a VERY LOW level. The drop indicator and “INK”
segment will continue to blink until the print counter is reset.

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Note – Reset the INK indicator by pressing the ENTER
button and holding for three (3) seconds while in the “Quick
Setup Mode” [must see “
SETUP”
in line 2]. Whenever the cover
is removed you are automatically in the “Quick Setup Mode” .
Figure 3: Ribbon Cartridge Cradle Location.
Note – If the print mechanism is down (a piece of paper
could not be inserted), press the RESET button to move the
carriage to the up position. This will make the ribbon
cartridge installation easier. The Margin Selector (see
Figure 3 above) can be moved toward the rear of the
clock to provide more clearance for ribbon
replacement.
Parts
The Amano Part number for a set of TCX-85
replacement keys is AJR-201150
Note – A key is required to unlock the top cover which
allows you access to the ribbon cartridge for replacement
and/or the programming buttons.
The TCX-85 ribbon cartridge in Black ink is: Part No. CE-315151
The TCX-85 ribbon cartridge in Red ink is: Part No. YK-629671
The TCX-85 ribbon cartridge in Green ink is: Part No. YK-629771
These ribbon cartridges are normally good for approximately
9,000 stamps. They are supplied sealed in plastic to provide an
average shelf life of 2 plus years.

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Error Messages
In the event of an error, a message will appear in the display.
The possible error messages are listed in the following table
along with their probable causes and solutions.
Note – The Reset button is recessed, so it will require using
an object such as the tip of a ballpoint pen to press.
Table: Error Messages
Error Cause Solution
Er 01
Home Position
Error,
Carriage
Stuck.
Unlock cover and remove. Set TCX-85 on side
with the ribbon side up. Press the Reset button to
reset the printer carriage and blow air into the
printer platen to remove or dislodge jammed
objects (i.e., staples).
Er 02
Motor Sensor
Error,
Carriage
Stuck.
Unlock cover and remove. Set TCX-85 on side
with the ribbon side up. Press the Reset button to
reset the printer carriage and blow air into the
printer platen to remove or dislodge jammed
objects. If the error reoccurs, check the wires and
cables to verify all components are connected
properly.
Er 03 Motor Moving
Error.
Unlock cover and remove. Press the Reset button
to reset the printer carriage and the time should
reappear on the display. Replace the cover and try
to stamp a card again so you can hear the
machine attempting to stamp.
Er 04 Print Buffer
Empty.
User has configured clock for symbol printing
without entering a symbol for line 1 or line 2.
Select a pre-defined print format or re-configure
symbol printing.
Er 05 Print Buffer
Full.
User has configured clock for symbol printing with
more than allowed number of dots per line. This
error could also occur with a pre-defined print
format and overwriting print/minutes/year format.
To correct this problem, select a pre-defined print
format or enter less than 160 dots per line. In this
instance the clock will ignore the print request and
display the error.