Anser X1 User manual

X1 User Manual
Thermal Inkjet Technology
Version 1.7, June 29, 2022
Copyright 2022 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.
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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
1X1 User Interface ............................................................................................................................................... 1
Getting Started with X1 User Interface ......................................................................................................2
X1 Wizard Setup .........................................................................................................................................3
1.2.1 Create a Production Line........................................................................................................................5
1.2.2 Assign a Print Station .............................................................................................................................7
1.2.3 Print Station Settings............................................................................................................................11
Getting to Know the Homepage...............................................................................................................13
Getting to Know the Message Editor .......................................................................................................17
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
1.4.1.2 Add Object: Date/Time .............................................................................................................27
1.4.1.2.1 Add a Time Template ....................................................................................................29
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
Getting to Know the Device Configuration Page......................................................................................40
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ANSER CODING INC. ii Table of Contents
1.5.1 Production Line Page............................................................................................................................40
1.5.2 Print Station .........................................................................................................................................43
1.5.2.1 Single Print Station Mode .........................................................................................................43
1.5.2.1.1 Print Station Delay.........................................................................................................44
1.5.2.2 Stitch Print Station Mode..........................................................................................................45
1.5.2.3 Parallel Print Station Mode.......................................................................................................46
1.5.3 Printhead Settings................................................................................................................................48
1.5.4 External Devices...................................................................................................................................50
1.5.4.1 Wi-Fi ..........................................................................................................................................50
1.5.4.2 Ethernet ....................................................................................................................................51
1.5.4.3 USB............................................................................................................................................51
1.5.4.4 RS-232 .......................................................................................................................................52
1.5.4.5 Scan Selector.............................................................................................................................52
1.5.4.6 Scan & Print...............................................................................................................................53
1.5.4.7 Scan & Select.............................................................................................................................55
Getting to Know the Settings Page...........................................................................................................57
1.6.1 System Settings ....................................................................................................................................57
1.6.2 Template Management........................................................................................................................59
1.6.3 File Management .................................................................................................................................60
1.6.4 User Management................................................................................................................................61
1.6.5 About Printer........................................................................................................................................63
2X1 Printing Setup............................................................................................................................................. 64
Production Line Setup ..............................................................................................................................64
Print Station Setup....................................................................................................................................65
Printhead Settings ....................................................................................................................................66
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ANSER CODING INC. iii Table of Contents
2.3.1 Stitching Alignment..............................................................................................................................67
2.3.2 Repeat Print Settings............................................................................................................................68
2.3.3 Pre-Purge Settings................................................................................................................................69
Quick Edit..................................................................................................................................................70
3X1 Operation ................................................................................................................................................... 73
Usage of the Variable Object....................................................................................................................73
3.1.1 Internal Variable Table.........................................................................................................................74
3.1.2 Excel Files or Database.........................................................................................................................74
3.1.3 Data Update Using Communication Protocol (0xCA)...........................................................................75
3.1.4 Data Stream Using Communication Protocol (0xCF) ...........................................................................75
3.1.5 Data from USB......................................................................................................................................75
Format Preferences..................................................................................................................................76
3.2.1 Customized Month...............................................................................................................................76
Export and Import Data............................................................................................................................77
3.3.1 About Printer........................................................................................................................................77
3.3.2 File Management .................................................................................................................................77
File and System Backup ............................................................................................................................80
I/O Management ......................................................................................................................................81
3.5.1 I/O Assign .............................................................................................................................................81
3.5.2 I/O Edit .................................................................................................................................................82
3.5.3 Advanced Action Settings.....................................................................................................................86
4Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................. 87
Fault Messages and Warnings..................................................................................................................87
4.1.1 Ink Cartridge Fault................................................................................................................................87
Status Definition.......................................................................................................................................88
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ANSER CODING INC. iv Table of Contents
4.2.1 UI Icon Status .......................................................................................................................................88
4.2.2 UI and Warning Light............................................................................................................................88
4.2.3 Printhead LED Status............................................................................................................................89
Appendix ................................................................................................................................................................. 90
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ANSER CODING INC. v List of Figures
List of Figures
Figure 1-1. X1 Controller Manu Tree ................................................................................................................... 1
Figure 1-2. X1 System Login Page........................................................................................................................ 3
Figure 1-3. Set a Password for the Admin Account.............................................................................................. 4
Figure 1-4. X1 System Initial Setup –System Time .............................................................................................. 4
Figure 1-5. X1 Printing Setup Diagram ................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 1-6. X1 System Initial Setup –Production Line Settings ............................................................................ 5
Figure 1-7. X1 System Initial Setup –Production Line Speed ............................................................................... 6
Figure 1-8. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Single) .............................. 8
Figure 1-9. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Stitch)............................... 8
Figure 1-10. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Parallel I) ........................ 9
Figure 1-11. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Parallel II) ..................... 10
Figure 1-12. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Print Direction and Delay .................................... 11
Figure 1-13. Complete X1 System Initial Setup.................................................................................................. 12
Figure 1-14. Create a Message after X1 System Initial Setup ............................................................................. 12
Figure 1-15. X1 System Homepage.................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 1-16. X1 System Homepage –A Menu for More Settings........................................................................ 16
Figure 1-17. X1 Message Editor Page ................................................................................................................ 17
Figure 1-18. To Add Eight Types of Object......................................................................................................... 20
Figure 1-19. Add Object –Select a Text Template ............................................................................................. 21
Figure 1-20. Add Object –Edit a Text ................................................................................................................ 22
Figure 1-21. Add Object –Format a Text........................................................................................................... 22
Figure 1-22. Add Object –Adjust Text Styles: Density, Stretching and Spacing .................................................. 23
Figure 1-23. Add Object –Adjust Text Size........................................................................................................ 24
Figure 1-24. Add Object –Adjust Message Height............................................................................................. 24
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ANSER CODING INC. vi List of Figures
Figure 1-25. Add Object –Hold to Adjust Message Position .............................................................................. 25
Figure 1-26. Add Object –Date/Time................................................................................................................ 27
Figure 1-27. Add Object –Select Date/Time Template...................................................................................... 27
Figure 1-28. Add Object –Date/Time Format Preference.................................................................................. 28
Figure 1-29. Add Object –Date/Time Settings .................................................................................................. 28
Figure 1-30. Add Object –Date/Time Template Management .......................................................................... 29
Figure 1-31. Add Object –Add Time Template .................................................................................................. 29
Figure 1-32. Add Object –Add Time Digit ......................................................................................................... 30
Figure 1-33. Add Object –Select Time Template............................................................................................... 30
Figure 1-34. Add Object –Barcode.................................................................................................................... 31
Figure 1-35. Add Object –Barcode Type ........................................................................................................... 31
Figure 1-36. Add Object –Barcode Content ...................................................................................................... 32
Figure 1-37. Add Object –Barcode Message ..................................................................................................... 32
Figure 1-38. Add Object –Variables.................................................................................................................. 33
Figure 1-39. Add Object –Variables Page.......................................................................................................... 33
Figure 1-40. Add Object –Variables Message ................................................................................................... 34
Figure 1-41. Add Object –Counter, Image, Shape and Shift .............................................................................. 35
Figure 1-42. Add Object –Templates in Counter, Image, Shape and Shift.......................................................... 35
Figure 1-43. Add Object –Settings in Counter, Image, Shape and Shift ............................................................. 36
Figure 1-44. Message Delay .............................................................................................................................. 37
Figure 1-45. Homepage (Production Line Page)................................................................................................. 38
Figure 1-46. Select Message Page ..................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 1-47. Print Station Page ......................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 1-48. Message Printing Page .................................................................................................................. 39
Figure 1-49. Production Line & Print Station Page............................................................................................. 40
Figure 1-50. Add a Production Line ................................................................................................................... 41
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ANSER CODING INC. vii List of Figures
Figure 1-51. Add a Print Station ........................................................................................................................ 41
Figure 1-52. Add a New Print Station –Single Mode, Top Half of the Page........................................................ 43
Figure 1-53. Add a New Print Station –Single Mode, Bottom Half of the Page.................................................. 43
Figure 1-54. Print Station Delay ........................................................................................................................ 44
Figure 1-55. Add a New Print Station –Stitch Mode.......................................................................................... 45
Figure 1-56. Add a Parallel Print Station –Alternative Printing Mode ............................................................... 46
Figure 1-57. Add a Parallel Print Station –Dual Color Printing Mode................................................................. 47
Figure 1-58. Printhead Settings Overview Page................................................................................................. 48
Figure 1-59. Printhead Settings Page ................................................................................................................ 48
Figure 1-60. Repeat Print –Initial Delay............................................................................................................ 49
Figure 1-61. X1 System Settings Page................................................................................................................ 57
Figure 1-62. The Template Management Page.................................................................................................. 59
Figure 1-63. The File Management Page ........................................................................................................... 60
Figure 1-64. The User Management Page.......................................................................................................... 61
Figure 1-65. The About Printer Page ................................................................................................................. 63
Figure 2-1. Stitching Alignment......................................................................................................................... 67
Figure 2-2. The Repeat Print Settings Page........................................................................................................ 68
Figure 2-3. Quick Edit Page –General and Counter ........................................................................................... 70
Figure 2-4. Quick Edit Page –Variable Input and Database ............................................................................... 71
Figure 3-1. Variable Message Sources............................................................................................................... 73
Figure 3-2. Variable Input Sources .................................................................................................................... 74
Figure 3-3. The Scan and Print Page .................................................................................................................. 75
Figure 3-4. Add Format Preference Template Page ........................................................................................... 76
Figure 3-5. To Import from USB (1) ................................................................................................................... 78
Figure 3-6. To Import from USB (2) ................................................................................................................... 78
Figure 3-7. To Import from USB (3) ................................................................................................................... 79
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ANSER CODING INC. viii List of Figures
Figure 3-8. The Restore & Backup Page............................................................................................................. 80
Figure 3-9. External Devices Page ..................................................................................................................... 81
Figure 3-10. I/O Management Page .................................................................................................................. 81
Figure 3-11. I/O Edit Settings Page.................................................................................................................... 82
Figure 3-12. I/O Edit Settings Page –Event List (1) ............................................................................................ 82
Figure 3-13. I/O Edit Settings Page –Event List (2) ............................................................................................ 83
Figure 3-14. Action Settings –Digital Output .................................................................................................... 85
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ANSER CODING INC. ix List of Tables
List of Tables
Table 1-1. Print Station and Printhead Combinations.......................................................................................... 7
Table 1-2. Related Options in Print Settings...................................................................................................... 11
Table 1-3. X1 System Homepage Settings ......................................................................................................... 14
Table 1-4. X1 Message Editor Settings .............................................................................................................. 18
Table 1-5. X1 Fonts Supported.......................................................................................................................... 25
Table 1-6. X1 System Languages and Virtual Keyboards Supported................................................................... 26
Table 1-7. Message Related Settings................................................................................................................. 37
Table 1-8. Production Line and Print Station Settings........................................................................................ 42
Table 1-9. Alternative Print Ratio...................................................................................................................... 46
Table 1-10. Detailed Printhead Settings Descriptions........................................................................................ 49
Table 1-11. X1 System Settings Description ...................................................................................................... 58
Table 1-12. Detailed Descriptions in Template Manage Settings ....................................................................... 59
Table 1-13. X1 User Accounts Management Table ............................................................................................ 62
Table 2-1. The Example of Repeat Print Settings............................................................................................... 68
Table 3-1. Variable Input Methods ................................................................................................................... 74
Table 3-2. Customized Inputs............................................................................................................................ 76
Table 3-3. I/O Edit Settings –Event List Definition ............................................................................................ 83
Table 3-4. I/O Edit Settings –Logical Operand Definition .................................................................................. 84
Table 3-5. I/O Edit Settings –Action List ........................................................................................................... 84
Table 4-1. Ink Cartridge Fault and Description .................................................................................................. 87
Table 4-2. UI Icon Status Definition................................................................................................................... 88
Table 4-3. UI and Warning Light Definition ....................................................................................................... 88
Table 4-4. Printhead LED Status and Definition................................................................................................. 89
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ANSER CODING INC. x Revision History
Revision History
Version
Date
Modification
1.6
2021/11/24
Extracted from X1 Product Manual V1.6
Added Figure 1-1
1.7
2022/5/30
Updated date in cover page
Updated description in Section 1.2, 1.2.1
Added Section 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.4.1, 1.4.1.1~1.4.1.5, 1.4.3, 1.5.2.1.1,
1.5.4, and 3.5
Updated description in Section 1.4.2
Updated Figure 1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 1-7, 1-11, 1-14, 1-15, 1-16, and 3-3
Added Figure 1.3, 1.6, 1-8, 1-9, and 1-10
Updated Table 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 and 1-5
Added Table 1-9
Moved Figure 1-5 from Section 2 to 1.2.1
Moved Sec 2.4 into 1.4.3
Updated descriptions and figures in Appendix
Updated format of notes
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ANSER CODING INC. 1 X1 User Interface
1X1 User Interface
This document describes setting and configuration of ANSER X1 Thermal Inkjet controller. How to set printing message,
how to set printhead combination mode, how to setup production line, and how to troubleshoot are all included. Please
see the following figure for menu tree and main functions of X1 controller.
Figure 1-1. X1 Controller Manu Tree
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ANSER CODING INC. 2 X1 User Interface
Getting Started with X1 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.
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ANSER CODING INC. 3 X1 User Interface
X1 Wizard Setup
Upon powering up X1 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 the settings directly from another X1 controller using a USB drive.
Press Set Password to create the admin account; press Import and connect a USB drive with backup files to restore X1
controller settings; press the globe icon in the lower  
Figure 1-2. X1 System Login Page
Caution: If you want to start printing right after setting up X1 controller, please install the printhead(s)
before powering up X1 controller to avoid damaging the controller and the printhead(s). For
printhead installation, please refer to X1 Installation Guide V1.7.
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ANSER CODING INC. 4 X1 User Interface
Figure 1-3. Set a Password for the Admin Account
After creating the admin account, the X1 wizard will guide users to configure the system date time and the necessary
settings to start X1, as seen in the following image. Press the drop-down button to select
which area and city you are at.
Figure 1-4. X1 System Initial Setup –System Time
Click Next and OK to complete more initial settings following X1 Wizard.
Select an area and a city
Go to numbers
and symbols.
Press Enter
after setting.
Leave and hide
pop-up keyboard.
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ANSER CODING INC. 5 X1 User Interface
1.2.1 Create a Production Line
Figure 1-5. X1 Printing Setup Diagram
One or multiple print stations can be installed for printing on different products. Please refer to Section 1.5.1 for detailed
settings.
Figure 1-6. X1 System Initial Setup –Production Line Settings
Adjust the size and density of
the messages to be printed.
Press to enter a name
with pop-up keyboard.
Press to select.
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ANSER CODING INC. 6 X1 User Interface
Turn off Encoder to set Production Line Speed.Input speed value when a conveyor moves at a constant speed.
Figure 1-7. X1 System Initial Setup –Production Line Speed
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ANSER CODING INC. 7 X1 User Interface
1.2.2 Assign a Print Station
After setting up a production line, the next step is to assign a print station which may be a single or union of two
printheads installed in a production line. Set this print station according to the physical installation and combination of
printhead(s). Please refer to the following table, figures and Section 1.5.2 for more details.
Table 1-1. Print Station and Printhead Combinations
Item
Description
Single Mode
A print station containing single ½ " or 1" printhead.
Stitch Mode
A print station composed of two ½ " or two 1" printheads stitching
together to achieve a larger message printing.
Parallel Mode
A print station composed of two ½ " or two 1" printheads installed
parallelly for non-stop printing.
Note: If the printhead(s) is not properly connected, neither the production line nor printing can be started.
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ANSER CODING INC. 8 X1 User Interface
Press the     that you are using. Press the
cercle  the installed printhead(s).
Figure 1-8. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Single)
Figure 1-9. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Stitch)
Note: Printhead-1 is always the printhead at the bottom when using stitch printheads.
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ANSER CODING INC. 9 X1 User Interface
Figure 1-10. X1 System Initial Setup –Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement (Parallel I)
In Parallel mode, two printing modes are available Alternative and Dual Color. Alternative printing allows printheads
to print alternatively in a ratio of 1:3, 1:6, or 1:12. For example, when ratio 1:3 is selected, printhead-1 will first print one
time/item and then printhead-2 prints three, and printing goes on by repeating this 1 to 3 ratio. So 1:6 and 1:12 ratio
means printhead-2 prints six times/items or 12 times/items after printhead-1 printing one. Please see Section 1.5.2.3
for more information.
Note: When the high-ratio cartridge is empty and a new one is inserted, the high ratio will be applied to the
cartridge with less ink.
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