Astro Machine Astrojet I User manual

ASTRO MACHINE CORP.
Astrojet I
High-Speed Inkjet Printer
Installation and Operating Manual

Table of Contents
Section
1. Introduction.............................................................................................1
2. Getting Acquainted ................................................................................2
External Components....................................................................................2
Internal Components.....................................................................................5
Operator Display Screen and Menu.............................................................6
3. Installation and Setup............................................................................8
Choosing a Location.....................................................................................8
Installing the Inkjet Cartridges......................................................................9
Plugging in the Astrojet I...............................................................................9
Setting up the Astrojet I...............................................................................10
Loading the Hopper.....................................................................................10
4. Operating the Astrojet I........................................................................12
Starting Up...................................................................................................12
Preparing a Job...........................................................................................12
Running a Job.............................................................................................15
Printing Tips.................................................................................................16
5. Operator Maintenance..........................................................................18
Replacing the Inkjet Cartridges..................................................................18
Jams.............................................................................................................19
Troubleshooting Table................................................................................20
Cleaning.......................................................................................................21
6. Appendices ...........................................................................................23
Specifications..............................................................................................23
Setting up the Computer.............................................................................24
Optional Hardware and Software...............................................................26
Electrical Parts Layout................................................................................28
Mechanical Parts Layout.............................................................................29
Wiring Diagram............................................................................................30

Section 1
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Introduction
1
Introduction
This Section, Introduction, describes how this manual is arranged.
Section 2, Getting Acquainted introduces the Astrojet I 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 I ready for printing. This procedure is usually a one-time requirement.
Section 4, Operating the Astrojet I describes and illustrates how to set up and get the
Astrojet I 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 I characteristics,
e.g., electrical, physical, etc., for your convenience.
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 I.
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 I. They are available as options.

Section 2
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
2
Getting Acquainted
The Astrojet I is a high-speed 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 I there is some
basic information necessary for its efficient and problem-free use.
To understand and operate the Astrojet I better, let's look at its three main areas.
1. External Components
2. Internal Components
3. Operator Display Screen And Menu
External Components
The four main external areas of the Astrojet I are shown in the following drawings
(Figs. 1-3).
These areas are described in the following paragraphs.
Centronics
Parallel Port
Figure 1- Rear View
Printer Hopper
Control Panel
Figure 2- Top View
Power Switch
Power Cord
Receptacle
Reserved for
future use
Figure 3- Right Side View

Section 2
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
3
Hopper
The media to be addressed is placed in the hopper. The hopper has adjustable side guides that
adjust to differently sized media.
Printer
The printer is the most important area of the Astrojet I. 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 I.
The Media Thickness Adjustment
The Envelope Thickness Adjustment is to the left of the ON-LINE button. It adjusts for media
thickness and is turned counter-clockwise for thin media, clockwise for thick media.
Figure 4
Figure 5

Section 2
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
4
Keypad Definitions
CONTROL OR INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
OPERATOR DISPLAY
ON-LINE
OFF-LINE
PREVIOUS
NEXT
SELECT
TEST
RESET
STANDBY
Indicates Astrojet I status including menus and error
messages. (Any display readout indicates that unit is ON).
When this indicator key is lit, the Astrojet I 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 I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
5
Interface and Power Panel
While facing the control panel of the Astrojet I, the interface panel can be found at the rear of the
machine. It contains a Centronics parallel port. From the same perspective, the power panel can be
found at the right side of the Astrojet I. It contains the main power switch, power cord receptacle, and
the font card slot.
Internal Components
Inside the printer there are several devices that you need to know about. To look at them, lift the top
cover of the printer by placing one hand on the right side and then gently raise the cover. The
internal components are shown in the following drawing.
Centronics
Parallel Port
Figure 6
Power Switch
Power Cord
Receptacle
Reserved for
future use
Figure 7
Figure 8

Section 2
Astrojet I High-Speed 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.
Feed Roller Assembly
The Feed Roller Assembly, located at the right side of the printer, accepts the media from the hopper
and guides it towards the printheads. Occasionally, it needs to be cleaned. It moves up and down
with the printhead carriage.
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 I, you see the STANDBY mode screen.
Figure 9
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
•Media Length

Section 2
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Getting Acquainted
7
NOTES:

Section 3
Astrojet I High-Speed Inkjet Printer Installation and Setup
8
Installation and Setup
Before using the Astrojet I for the first time, the following procedures must be performed:
•Choosing a location for the Astrojet I
•Installing the inkjet cartridges
•Plugging in the Astrojet I
•Setting up the Astrojet I
•Loading the hopper
•Adjusting for media thickness
•Positioning the address (on the media)
Choosing a Location
•Place the Astrojet I 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 I from excessive heat, dust, and moisture - avoid placing it in direct
sunlight.