Astro Machine Astrojet 2 User manual

ASTRO MACHINE CORP.
Astrojet II
High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer
Installation and Operating Manual

Table of Contents
Section
Section 1 - Introduction....................................................................................1
Section 2 - Getting Acquainted.......................................................................2
Components................................................................................................................2
Operator Display Screen and Menu...........................................................................6
Section 3 - Installation and Setup...................................................................8
Choosing a Location...................................................................................................8
Installing the Inkjet Cartridges....................................................................................9
Plugging in the Astrojet II............................................................................................9
Setting up the Astrojet II............................................................................................10
Section 4 - Operating the Astrojet II.............................................................12
Starting Up.................................................................................................................12
Preparing a Job.........................................................................................................12
Running a Job...........................................................................................................15
Printing Tips...............................................................................................................16
Section 5 - Operator Maintenance................................................................18
Replacing the Inkjet Cartridges................................................................................18
Jams..........................................................................................................................20
Troubleshooting Table..............................................................................................21
Cleaning.....................................................................................................................22
Section 6 - Appendices..................................................................................23
Specifications............................................................................................................23
Setting up the Computer...........................................................................................24
Optional Hardware and Software.............................................................................26
Electrical Parts Layout..............................................................................................29
Mechanical Parts Layout ..........................................................................................30
Wiring Diagram..........................................................................................................31

Section 1
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Introduction
1
Section 1 - Introduction
This Section, Introduction, describes how this manual is arranged.
Section 2, Getting Acquainted introduces the Astrojet II and describes major controls,
indicators, and important areas with which the user or operator should be familiar.
Section 3, Installation and Setup describes and illustrates how to install and get the
Astrojet II ready for printing. This procedure is usually a one-time requirement.
Section 4, Operating the Astrojet II describes and illustrates how to set up and get the
Astrojet II to run a particular addressing job.
Section 5, Operator Maintenance shows how to replace inkjet cartridges, and how paper
jams may be quickly and safely cleared. Other problems such as no printing, poor print
quality, etc., are also covered. Included in this section are special tips and suggestions that
will help you increase efficiency and avoid problems.
The Appendix is where important but infrequently used information is presented. The
Appendices are arranged as follows:
Appendix A, Specifications, lists the more important Astrojet II characteristics,
e.g., electrical, physical, etc.
Appendix B, Setting Up Your Computer, provides some general information on
setting up either your personal or mainframe computer so that it is compatible with
the Astrojet II.
Appendix C, Optional Hardware and Software, as its name implies, presents a
brief list of other equipment which may be used to further enhance the operation of
the Astrojet II. They are available as options.

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
2
Section 2 - Getting Acquainted
The Astrojet II is a high-speed in-line inkjet printer capable of printing addresses, and if required, bar
codes up to 20,000 mail pieces per hour. Before getting into the operation of the Astrojet II, there is
some basic information necessary for its efficient and problem-free use.
To understand and operate the Astrojet II better, let's look at its two main areas.
1. Components
2. Operator Display Screen And Menu
Components
The main areas of the Astrojet II are shown in the following drawing.
These areas are described in the following paragraphs.
Power Switch
Power Cord Receptacle Centronics
Parallel Port
Interface
Socket
Fuse
Figure 1

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
3
Transport
The media to be addressed rides on the transport belts. The transport has adjustable side guides and
belts that adjust to differently-sized media.
Printer
The printer is the most important area of the Astrojet II. It is here that addresses are printed on the
media. Two important features of the printer that you should become familiar with are:
•The Control Panel
•The Media Thickness Adjustment
The Control Panel
The control panel is on the front of the printer and contains the controls and indicators (described in
the following table) used to set up and operate the Astrojet II.
The Media Thickness Adjustment
The Envelope Thickness Adjustment is to the left and on the side cover of the ON-LINE button. It
adjusts for media thickness and is turned counter-clockwise for thin media, clockwise for thick media.
Control Panel
Media Thickness
Adjustment
Figure 2

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
4
Keypad Definitions
CONTROL OR INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
OPERATOR DISPLAY
ON-LINE
PREVIOUS
NEXT
SELECT
TEST
RESET
STANDBY
Indicates Astrojet II status including menus and error
messages. (Any display readout indicates that unit is ON).
When this indicator key is lit, the Astrojet II is ready to accept
address data from your computer and begin printing. Turns
the printer on and off-line.
When in the menu, will scroll to the previous selection.
When in the menu, will scroll to the next selection.
Locks and unlocks selection when in the menu. When
pressed while the printer is on-line, the printer will feed, but
will not print.
Will print a test pattern.
Will reset the counter and put the count into memory.
Will put the printer back on-line after timing out.

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
5
Interface and Power Panel
While facing the control panel of the Astrojet II, the interface panel can be found at the rear of the
machine. It contains an outlet for an interface cable for an output conveyor and a Centronics parallel
port. From the same perspective, the power panel can be found at the left side of the Astrojet II. It
contains the main power switch and power-cord receptacle. The font card slot is located above the
control panel.
The printer has several devices that you need to know about. The internal components are shown in
the following drawing.
Power Switch
Power-cord
Receptacle
Figure 3
Centronics
Parallel Port Interface
Socket
Figure 4
Figure 5
Font Card Slot

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
6
Printhead Carriage
This carriage, at the center of the machine, contains the five inkjet cartridges used in printing the
addresses. How these cartridges are installed and replaced will be explained later.
You can move the carriage side to side and up and down to position the address properly on the
media.
NOTE: This carriage can be raised to check for jams, and if required, for cleaning.
Media Sensor
This media sensor senses the position of the media and must be kept clean.
Operator Display Screen and Menu
When you first turn on the Astrojet II, you see the STANDBY mode screen.
MENU
Use the MENU to select or change one of the following options:
•Font/Print Quality
•Barcode
•Print Speed
•Left Margin
•Direction of print
•Purge
•Counters
•Address Recovery
Figure 6

Section 2
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
7
NOTES:

Section 3
Astrojet II High-Speed In-Line Inkjet Printer Installation and Setup
8
Section 3 - Installation and Setup
Before using the Astrojet II for the first time, the following procedures must be performed:
•Choosing a location for the Astrojet II
•Installing the inkjet cartridges
•Plugging in the Astrojet II
•Setting up the Astrojet II
•Setting up the transport
•Adjusting for media thickness
•Positioning the address (on the media)
Choosing a Location
•Place the Astrojet II on a table or other suitably stable and level surface within cable's
length of your computer.
•Use a grounded electrical outlet. DO NOT use an adapter plug!
•Avoid using outlets that are controlled by wall switches.
•Avoid using an outlet that shares the same circuit as large electrical machines or
appliances.
•Protect the Astrojet II from excessive heat, dust, and moisture - avoid placing it in direct
sunlight.