Anser A1 User manual

User Manual
A1 Thermal Inkjet Printer
Version 1.0, April 12, 2023
Copyright 2023 ANSER Coding Inc. The information contained herein is subject to
change without notice. Reproduction, adaptation or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.

ANSER CODING INC. i Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................... i
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................................... v
List of Tables...........................................................................................................................................................ix
Revision History...................................................................................................................................................... x
1A1 User Interface............................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Getting Started with A1 User Interface......................................................................................................2
1.2 A1 Wizard Setup .........................................................................................................................................3
1.2.1 Create a Production Line........................................................................................................................5
1.2.2 Production Line Settings ........................................................................................................................5
1.2.2.1 Assign Print Message ................................................................................................................8
1.3 Getting to Know the Homepage...............................................................................................................15
1.4 Getting to Know the Message Editor .......................................................................................................18
1.4.1 Adding Message Objects ......................................................................................................................20
1.4.1.1 Add Object: Text......................................................................................................................21
1.4.1.1.1 Adjust Size and Position.........................................................................................24
1.4.1.1.2 Font and Language Supported...............................................................................26
1.4.1.2 Add Object: Date/Time ...........................................................................................................28
1.4.1.3 Add Object: Barcode ...............................................................................................................31
1.4.1.4 Add Object: Variables..............................................................................................................33
1.4.1.5 Add Object: Counter, Image, Shape, and Shift........................................................................35
1.4.2 Message Related Settings ....................................................................................................................37
1.4.3 Printing a Message ...............................................................................................................................38
1.5 Getting to Know the Device Configuration Page......................................................................................40

ANSER CODING INC. ii Table of Contents
1.5.1 Production Line & Print Station Page...................................................................................................40
1.5.2 Print Station Settings............................................................................................................................42
1.5.2.1 Single Print Station Mode .......................................................................................................42
1.5.2.1.1 Print Station Delay .................................................................................................42
1.5.2.2 Stitch Print Station Mode........................................................................................................43
1.5.3 Printhead Settings ................................................................................................................................44
1.5.4 External Devices ...................................................................................................................................46
1.5.4.1 Wi-Fi ........................................................................................................................................46
1.5.4.2 Ethernet ..................................................................................................................................47
1.5.4.3 USB ..........................................................................................................................................47
1.5.4.4 RS-232 .....................................................................................................................................48
1.5.4.5 Scan Selector ...........................................................................................................................49
1.5.4.6 Scan & Print.............................................................................................................................49
1.5.4.7 Scan & Select...........................................................................................................................51
1.6 Getting to Know the Settings Page...........................................................................................................53
1.6.1 System Settings ....................................................................................................................................53
1.6.2 Template Management........................................................................................................................55
1.6.3 File Management .................................................................................................................................56
1.6.4 Account / User Management...............................................................................................................57
1.6.5 Report...................................................................................................................................................59
1.6.6 About Printer........................................................................................................................................60
2A1 Printing Setup.......................................................................................................................................... 61
2.1 Production Line Setup ..............................................................................................................................61
2.2 Print Station Setup....................................................................................................................................63
2.3 Printhead Settings ....................................................................................................................................64

ANSER CODING INC. iii Table of Contents
2.3.1 Pre-Purge..............................................................................................................................................65
2.3.2 Cartridge Idle Alert...............................................................................................................................66
2.3.3 Stitching Alignment ..............................................................................................................................67
2.4 Quick Edit..................................................................................................................................................68
2.4.1 General.................................................................................................................................................69
2.4.2 Counter.................................................................................................................................................69
2.4.3 Variable Input.......................................................................................................................................69
2.4.4 Database...............................................................................................................................................69
2.4.5 Repeat Print..........................................................................................................................................69
2.4.6 Stitch ....................................................................................................................................................70
3A1 Operation................................................................................................................................................ 71
3.1 Usage of the Variable Object....................................................................................................................71
3.1.1 Internal Variable Table .........................................................................................................................72
3.1.2 Excel Files or Database.........................................................................................................................72
3.1.3 Data Update Using Communication Protocol (0xCA)...........................................................................73
3.1.4 Data Stream Using Communication Protocol (0xCF) ...........................................................................73
3.1.5 Data from USB......................................................................................................................................73
3.2 Format Preferences ..................................................................................................................................74
3.2.1 Customized Month...............................................................................................................................74
3.3 Export and Import Data............................................................................................................................75
3.3.1 About Printer........................................................................................................................................75
3.3.2 File Management .................................................................................................................................76
3.4 File and System Backup ............................................................................................................................78
3.5 I/O Management ......................................................................................................................................79
3.5.1 I/O Assign .............................................................................................................................................79

ANSER CODING INC. iv Table of Contents
3.5.2 I/O Edit .................................................................................................................................................80
3.5.3 Advanced Action Settings.....................................................................................................................84
4Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................... 85
4.1 Fault Messages and Warnings ..................................................................................................................85
4.1.1 Ink Cartridge Fault................................................................................................................................85
4.2 Status Definition .......................................................................................................................................86
4.2.1 UI Icon Status .......................................................................................................................................86
4.2.2 UI and Warning Light............................................................................................................................86
4.2.3 Printer LED Status.................................................................................................................................87
Appendix.............................................................................................................................................................. 88

ANSER CODING INC. v List of Figures
List of Figures
Figure 1-1. A1 Printer Manu Tree ..................................................................................................................... 1
Figure 1-2. A1 System Login Page ..................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 1-3. Initial Setup – System Time............................................................................................................. 4
Figure 1-4. A1 Printing Setup Diagram.............................................................................................................. 5
Figure 1-5. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (1) ...................................................................................... 5
Figure 1-6. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (2) ...................................................................................... 6
Figure 1-7. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (3) ...................................................................................... 7
Figure 1-8. Initial Setup – Create Message (1) ................................................................................................... 8
Figure 1-9. Initial Setup – Create Message (2) ................................................................................................... 8
Figure 1-10. Initial Setup – Create Message (3) ................................................................................................. 9
Figure 1-11. Initial Setup – Select from Template (1)....................................................................................... 10
Figure 1-12. Initial Setup – Select from Template (2)....................................................................................... 11
Figure 1-13. Initial Setup – Select from Template (3)....................................................................................... 11
Figure 1-14. Initial Setup – Select from Template (4)....................................................................................... 12
Figure 1-15. Initial Setup – Import File (1)....................................................................................................... 13
Figure 1-16. Initial Setup – Import File (2)....................................................................................................... 13
Figure 1-17. Initial Setup – Import File (3)....................................................................................................... 14
Figure 1-18. A1 System Homepage................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 1-19. A1 Message Editor Page.............................................................................................................. 18
Figure 1-20. Add Eight Types of Object ........................................................................................................... 20
Figure 1-21. Add Object – Select a Text Template ........................................................................................... 21
Figure 1-22. Add Object – Edit a Text.............................................................................................................. 22
Figure 1-23. Add Object – Text Settings .......................................................................................................... 22
Figure 1-24. Add Object – Edit Text Styles....................................................................................................... 23
Figure 1-25. Add Object – Adjust Object Size .................................................................................................. 24
Figure 1-26. Add Object – Adjust Message Height........................................................................................... 24

ANSER CODING INC. vi List of Figures
Figure 1-27. Add Object – Hold to Adjust Position........................................................................................... 25
Figure 1-28. Add Object – Adjust Position in Clipboard ................................................................................... 25
Figure 1-29. Add Object – Date/Time Template .............................................................................................. 28
Figure 1-30. Add Object – Date/Time Format Preference ................................................................................ 29
Figure 1-31. Add Object – Creating Date/Time Template ................................................................................ 29
Figure 1-32. Add Object – Date/Time Settings ................................................................................................ 30
Figure 1-33. Add Object – Select Barcode Type ............................................................................................... 31
Figure 1-34. Add Object – Edit Barcode Content ............................................................................................. 32
Figure 1-35. Add Object – Barcode Settings .................................................................................................... 32
Figure 1-36. Add Object – Variables................................................................................................................ 33
Figure 1-37. Add Object – Variable Settings .................................................................................................... 34
Figure 1-38. Add Object – Counter, Image, Shape and Shift............................................................................. 35
Figure 1-39. Add Object – Counter, Image, Shape and Shift Settings................................................................ 35
Figure 1-40. Message Delay ........................................................................................................................... 37
Figure 1-41. Homepage and Select Message ................................................................................................... 38
Figure 1-42. Select a Production Line.............................................................................................................. 38
Figure 1-43. Print Message............................................................................................................................. 39
Figure 1-44. Production Line & Print Station Page........................................................................................... 40
Figure 1-45. Production Line Settings Page ..................................................................................................... 41
Figure 1-46. Print Station Settings – Single Mode............................................................................................ 42
Figure 1-47. Print Station Delay...................................................................................................................... 42
Figure 1-48. Print Station Settings – Stitch Mode ............................................................................................ 43
Figure 1-49. Printhead Settings Page .............................................................................................................. 44
Figure 1-50. External Devices Page................................................................................................................. 46
Figure 1-51. Wi-Fi Settings Page ..................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 1-52. Ethernet Settings Page................................................................................................................ 47
Figure 1-53. RS-232 Page................................................................................................................................ 48
Figure 1-54. Scan Selector Page...................................................................................................................... 49

ANSER CODING INC. vii List of Figures
Figure 1-55. Scan & Print Page ....................................................................................................................... 49
Figure 1-56. Scan & Select – Enable Data Key.................................................................................................. 51
Figure 1-57. Scan & Select – Enable Rule 1...................................................................................................... 52
Figure 1-58. A1 System Settings Page ............................................................................................................. 53
Figure 1-59. The Template Management Page................................................................................................ 55
Figure 1-60. The File Management Page......................................................................................................... 56
Figure 1-61. The Account Page ....................................................................................................................... 57
Figure 1-62. The Report Page ......................................................................................................................... 59
Figure 1-63. The About Page .......................................................................................................................... 60
Figure 2-1. Production Line Settings Page ....................................................................................................... 61
Figure 2-2. Production Line — Encoder Settings.............................................................................................. 62
Figure 2-3. Print Station Settings.................................................................................................................... 63
Figure 2-4. Printhead Settings ........................................................................................................................ 64
Figure 2-5. Printhead Settings — Pre-Purge .................................................................................................... 65
Figure 2-6. Printhead Settings — Cartridge Idle Alert ...................................................................................... 66
Figure 2-7. Printhead Settings — Stitching Alignment ..................................................................................... 67
Figure 2-8. Quick Edit – General, Counter and Variable Input .......................................................................... 68
Figure 2-9. Quick Edit – Database, Repeat Print and Stitch .............................................................................. 68
Figure 2-10. The Repeat Print Settings Page.................................................................................................... 69
Figure 2-11. Repeat Print – Initial Delay ......................................................................................................... 70
Figure 3-1. Variable Message Sources Diagram............................................................................................... 71
Figure 3-2. Variable Input Sources Diagram .................................................................................................... 72
Figure 3-3. The Scan and Print Page................................................................................................................ 73
Figure 3-4. Add Format Preference Template Page ......................................................................................... 74
Figure 3-5. Import from USB (1) ..................................................................................................................... 76
Figure 3-6. Import from USB (2) ..................................................................................................................... 77
Figure 3-7. Import from USB (3) ..................................................................................................................... 77
Figure 3-8. The Restore & Backup Page .......................................................................................................... 78

ANSER CODING INC. viii List of Figures
Figure 3-9. External Devices Page................................................................................................................... 79
Figure 3-10. I/O Management Page................................................................................................................ 79
Figure 3-11. I/O Edit Settings Page ................................................................................................................. 80
Figure 3-12. I/O Edit – Event List (1) ............................................................................................................... 80
Figure 3-13. I/O Edit – Event List (2) ............................................................................................................... 81
Figure 3-14. Action Settings – Digital Output .................................................................................................. 84

ANSER CODING INC. ix List of Tables
List of Tables
Table 1-1. Options in Production Line Settings (2)............................................................................................. 6
Table 1-2. A1 System Homepage Settings....................................................................................................... 16
Table 1-3. A1 Message Editor and Settings ..................................................................................................... 19
Table 1-4. A1 Fonts Supported ....................................................................................................................... 26
Table 1-5. A1 System Languages and Virtual Keyboards Supported ................................................................. 27
Table 1-6. Message Related Settings .............................................................................................................. 37
Table 1-7. Production Line and Print Station Settings...................................................................................... 41
Table 1-8. Detailed Printhead Settings Description ......................................................................................... 45
Table 1-9. Scan & Print Settings Definition ..................................................................................................... 50
Table 1-10. Scan & Select Settings Definition.................................................................................................. 52
Table 1-11. A1 System Settings Description .................................................................................................... 54
Table 1-12. Detailed Descriptions in Template Manage Settings ..................................................................... 55
Table 1-13. A1 User Accounts Management Table .......................................................................................... 58
Table 2-1. The Example of Repeat Print Settings............................................................................................. 70
Table 3-1. Variable Input Methods ................................................................................................................. 72
Table 3-2. Customized Inputs ......................................................................................................................... 74
Table 3-3. I/O Edit – Event List Definition ....................................................................................................... 82
Table 3-4. I/O Edit – Logical Operand Definition ............................................................................................. 83
Table 3-5. I/O Edit – Action List ...................................................................................................................... 83
Table 4-1. Ink Cartridge Fault and Description ................................................................................................ 85
Table 4-2. UI Icon Status Definition ................................................................................................................ 86
Table 4-3. UI and Warning Light Definition ..................................................................................................... 86
Table 4-4. Printer LED Status and Definition ................................................................................................... 87

ANSER CODING INC. x Revision History
Revision History
Version Date Modification
1.0
2023/4/12
External release

ANSER CODING INC. 1 A1 User Interface
1A1 User Interface
This document describes setting and configuration of ANSER A1 Thermal Inkjet Printer. How to set printing message,
how to set printhead, how to setup production line, and how to troubleshoot are all included. Please see the following
figure for menu tree and main functions of A1 printer.
Figure 1-1. A1 Printer Manu Tree

ANSER CODING INC. 2 A1 User Interface
1.1 Getting Started with A1 User Interface
The following information is described:
Initial Setup.
Getting to know the homepage.
Getting to know the message editor.
Getting to know the device settings.
Getting to know the settings page.

ANSER CODING INC. 3 A1 User Interface
1.2 A1 Wizard Setup
Upon powering up A1 for the first time, the system will prompt a login page (see Figure 1-2 below) where users can set
up an administrator account. Users can also import settings directly from another A1 printer using a USB drive.
Press Set Password to create the admin account; press Import and connect a USB drive with backup files to restore A1
printer settings; press the globe icon in the lower right corner “ ” to select a language.
Figure 1-2. A1 System Login Page

ANSER CODING INC. 4 A1 User Interface
After creating the admin account, the A1 wizard will guide you to configure the system date time and the necessary
settings to start A1, as seen in the following figure. Press the drop-down buttons “ ” in Time Zone to select the area
and the city you are at.
Figure 1-3. Initial Setup – System Time
Click Next and OK to complete more initial settings following A1 Wizard.
Select an area
and a city.

ANSER CODING INC. 5 A1 User Interface
1.2.1 Create a Production Line
Figure 1-4. A1 Printing Setup Diagram
1.2.2 Production Line Settings
STEP 1: Enter a name for your production line and set encoder speed. Please refer to Section 1.5.1 for detailed settings.
Figure 1-5. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (1)
Adjust message
size and density.
Press to edit.

ANSER CODING INC. 6 A1 User Interface
STEP 2: Press buttons “ ” or “” to select Single or Stitch printing mode.
Figure 1-6. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (2)
Table 1-1. Options in Production Line Settings (2)
Option Description
Printhead Select which printhead to be used. Gray out in Stitch mode.
Nozzle Row Select working mode of nozzle row: Auto Alternate, Left, Right, or HD
Vertical / Horizontal
Offset
Fine tune prints when Stitch printheads are already physically aligned (for Stitch mode
only).
Photocell Source Set the sensor signal coming from the Internal or the External device.
Photocell Mode Select Normal or Inverted mode of a photocell.
Normal Mode: Trigger photocell when the sensor detects an object (High-to-Low
signals).
Inverted Mode: Trigger photocell when the sensor detects no object (Low-to-High
signals).
Print Direction Set according to your products’ moving direction when they passing in front of the print
station. View angle is from the back of A1.
Print Upside Down Set all messages to be printed in upside down orientation or not.
A print station
containing one ½"
or 1" printhead.
A print station
composed of two ½"
or 1" printheads
stitched together to
achieve a larger
message print.

ANSER CODING INC. 7 A1 User Interface
Option Description
Station Delay The distance (unit: mm or inch) from the sensor trigger to the location on the product
where the print starts. Please refer to Figure 1-47 for more details.
Trigger Block Set a distance to temporarily disable sensor trigger from ink firing and printing.
STEP 3: The last step in the initial setup wizard is to create a message to be printed thru one of the following three
methods: Create Message, Select from Template, or Import File.
Figure 1-7. Initial Setup – Production Line Settings (3)

ANSER CODING INC. 8 A1 User Interface
1.2.2.1 Assign Print Message
Create Message
STEP 1: Press Create Message and set message property. Press OK and enter Message Editor.
Figure 1-8. Initial Setup – Create Message (1)
STEP 2: In Message Editor, hit Add Object “ ” to insert desired objects. Please refer to Section 1.4.1 for detailed
operations.
Figure 1-9. Initial Setup – Create Message (2)
Use “Add Objects”
to start editing.
Press to set
message
property.

ANSER CODING INC. 9 A1 User Interface
STEP 3: Once your message is saved, production line is ready. Press OK and start printing.
Figure 1-10. Initial Setup – Create Message (3)
Note:
1. If no message is created or saved, a
notification
will show. press OK and create message later.
2
. Skip steps for now and use Menu “ ” >
Wizard “ ”to go back later.
3
. Close A1 dust cover before hitting the Start “”botton to ensure that cartridge latch
remains closed.