ASTRO AstroJet 2000 User manual

ASTRO
AstroJet 2000
High-Speed Inkjet Printer
Installation, Operating, and Parts Manual

REQUIREMENTS
1. An IBM or Compatible Pentium 100 Megahertz PC or better.
2. Windows 95 or 98 installed.
3. A minimum of 10 Megabytes of free hard disk space.
4. At least 16 Megabytes of RAM.
5. A 2X CD ROM or better.
6. An 800 X 600 SVGA Monitor or better.
7. Parallel (Centronics) printer cable, no longer than 6 feet.
8. The Parallel Port must be set to the EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) setting in the
CMOS of the computer.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
THIS EQUIPMENT PRESENTS NO PROBLEM WHEN USED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, CERTAIN SAFETY
RULES SHOULD BE OBSERVED WHEN OPERATING THE ASTROJET 2000 SYSTEM.
BEFORE USING THE PRINTER, YOU SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES, SAFETY WARNINGS, AND INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Keep hands, hair, and clothing clear of rollers and other moving parts.
2. Always turn off the machine before making adjustments, cleaning the machine, or performing any
maintenance not covered in this manual.
3. Turn power off, including conveyor when not in use.
4. Keep this manual with the printer for future reference.
5. If you have any questions contact your local Astro Machine Corporation Distributor.
CAUTION
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE CONNECTED TO
A PROPERLY GROUNDED OUTLET. FAILURE
TO DO SO CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK!
This manual is intended solely for the use and information of Astro Machine Corporation, its designated agents,
customers, and their employees. The information in this guide was obtained from several different sources that
are deemed reliable by all industry standards. To the best of our knowledge, that information is accurate in all
respects. However, neither Astro Machine Corporation nor any of its agents or employees shall be responsible
for any inaccuracies contained herein.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Corporation.
Windows 95 and Windows 98 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
All other TradeMarks are the property of their respective holders.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 –Introduction 1
Section 2 –Getting Acquainted 3
Components 3
Feeder Section 4
Printer Section 4
KeyPadDefinitions 5
Operator Display Screen and Menu 7
Section 3 –Installation and Setup 9
Choose a Location 9
Install the Inkjet Cartridge 9
Plug in the AstroJet 2000 10
Setting up the AstroJet 2000 10
Install Software on the Computer 11
Section 4 –Operating the AstroJet 2000 13
Software Tutorial 13
Bundle and Bag Break 25
Running a Job 26
Printing Tips 28
Databases 29
Section 5 –Maintenance 33
The Inkjet Cartridge 33
Jams in the AstroJet 2000 Printer 36
Cleaning 36
Section 6 –Trouble Shooting Guide 39
Inkjet Cartridges 39
AstroJet 2000 Printer 40
AstroJet 2000 Software 41
Appendices 43
Specifications 43
Supplies and Optional Hardware 44

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Notes

1
Section 1 –Introduction
Section 1, Introduction, describes how this manual is arranged. The manual covers the
AstroJet 2000.
Section 2, Getting Acquainted, introduces the AstroJet 2000 System and describes the
major components, controls, indicators, and important areas with which the user or operator
should be familiar.
Section 3, Installation and Setup, describes how to install the software and get the
AstroJet 2000 System ready for printing.
Section 4, Operating the AstroJet 2000, describes how to set up the AstroJet 2000
System and Software to run a particular addressing job.
Section 5, Operator Maintenance, shows how to replace inkjet cartridges, how to safely
and quickly clear paper jams, and how to care for your AstroJet 2000. Also, covered in this
section are tips and suggestions that will help you increase efficiency and avoid problems.
Section 6, Trouble Shooting Guide; gives advice on how to remedy problems that may
occur during use of the AstroJet 2000.
Appendices, is where important but infrequently used information is presented. The
appendices are arranged as follows:
Appendix A, Specifications, lists the more important AstroJet 2000 characteristics,
e.g., electrical, physical, etc.
Appendix B, Supplies and Optional Hardware, presents a list of supplies for the
AstroJet 2000 System and optional equipment which will further enhance the
operation of the AstroJet 2000.

2
Notes

3
Section 2 –Getting Acquainted
The AstroJet 2000 is a high-speed printing and addressing systems that can print
addresses, bar code, return addresses, bitmapped graphics, and special messages using
TrueType scaleable fonts simultaneously on up to 30,000 postcard (3.5 X 5.5 inch) mail
pieces per hour. The AstroJet 2000 has its own built in top loading feeder.
Before getting into the operation of the AstroJet 2000, there is some basic information
necessary for its efficient and problem-free use.
To understand and operate the trouble free AstroJet 2000 System lets look at the two main
areas on the printer.
1. Components
2. Operator Display Screen and Menu
Components
The main areas of the AstroJet 2000 printer are shown in the following drawing. These
areas are described in the paragraphs that follow.

4
Feeder Section
The media to be printed and addressed is loaded into the feeder section of the AstroJet
2000. It is fed into the printer section as required at the speed selected by the operator from
the AstroJet 2000 Software Control Panel. The feeder is adjustable for a wide variety of
media.
Printer Section
The Printer is the most important part of the AstroJet 2000. It is here that the address and
other information are printed on the media. Two important features of the printer that you
should become familiar with are:
•The Control Panel
•The Medial 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 2000.
The Media Thickness Adjustment
The Media Thickness Adjustment is to the left of the ON LINE button on the control panel. It
adjusts for media thickness and is turned counterclockwise for thin media, and clockwise for
thick media.

5
Keypad Definitions
CONTROL / INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
OPERATOR DISPLAY Indicates AstroJet 2000 status including menus
and error messages. Any display readout
indicates that the unit is ON.
ON LINE When this indicator button is lit, the AstroJet 2000
is ready to accept data from your computer and
begin printing. Turns the printer on and off line.
PREVIOUS When in menu mode, will scroll to the previous
selection. When in select mode, will scroll
through choices.
NEXT When in menu mode, will scroll to the previous
selection. When in select mode, will scroll
through choices.
SELECT/FEED Locks and unlocks selection when in the menu
mode. In the operational mode it starts and stops
the feeder.
TEST NON FUNCTIONING.
RESET NON FUNCTIONING.
STANDBY Toggles the printer between the ON LINE and
STANDBY modes.
Interface and Power Panel
While facing the control panel of the AstroJet 2000, the power panel can be found on the
right of the machine. It contains the main power switch, fuse, power cord receptacle, circuit
breaker, and accessory plug. At the rear of the printer you will find the Centronics parallel
port.

6
Printhead Carriage
The AstroJet 2000 has five printheads. The heads are arranged in the following
configuration:
Head 1 is on a separate rail and can be positioned between the other two banks of heads.
Heads 2 and 3 are banked together as are heads 4 and 5. These heads share the same
rail assembly.
The AstroJet 2000 Layout software shows the position of the heads and how they are
banked together. For more information on this feature, please check Section 4Operating
the AstroJet 2000 or the AstroJet 2000 software help program.
You can move the various printing banks from side to side to position the information
properly on the media with the following restrictions:
Head 1 prints a band 1/2” wide and may be positioned anywhere within a range of 9-3/8” on
the media. It can be positioned next to and stitched to Head 2 or Head 4 to form a printing
band 1-1/2” wide. It should not be positioned next to Head 3 or Head 5, as the exit rollers
will cause tracking on the printing from those respective heads.
Heads 2 and 3 and Heads 4 and 5 form a continuous printing bank of 1” each. The
maximum distance that these two banks can be placed apart is 9-3/8”. The minimum
distance they can be placed with respect to each other is 1-3/4”. When the banks are
placed that distance from each other Head 1 can be placed between them. It is
recommended that Head 1 be placed as close to Head 4 under these circumstances if a 1-
1/2” printing width is required.
A minimum of a 1/4” margin should be left at the top and bottom of the media to insure good
feeding and print quality. In addition a 1/4” margin should be left at the leading and trailing
edges of the media.