EC-JET EC-JET500 User manual

Excellent EC-JET Intelligent Choice
USER MANUAL
PRINTER
Stock Code：835766
EC-JET500

| i
About this Manual
User Manual
i
Copyright Notice
This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in whole or in part,
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, for any
purpose without the written permission of EC-JET.
Neither whole nor part of the product described in this user manual, may be adapted or reproduced in
any material form without prior written permission of EC-JET.
Disclaimer
Information of a technical nature and particulars of the product and its use are given by EC-JET in good
faith. However, it is acknowledged that there may be errors or omissions in this user manual.
EC-JET shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of any information, particulars
or errors in this user manual, or maintenance carried out by unauthorized personnel, or any incorrect
use of the product, whatsoever.
At all times the printer must be operated with EC-JET approved spares and consumables. Maintenance
not identified in this user manual must be carried out by EC-JET engineers or authorized distributors.
About this Manual
The purpose of this user manual is to provide the operator with sufficient information to operate the EC-
JET Ink Jet Printer.
Products described in this user manual are subject to continuous development, and reviews of this user
manual will be made accordingly in subsequent editions or reissues.

ii |
User Manual
Safety
ii
Safety
Warnings and Cautions
At appropriate points within the text of this manual, additional safety statementswill be displayed. These
are designed to alert your attention to hazards and important information that assists you in carrying
out your activities on this printer safely and efficiently. Each safety statement has a separate meaning
so that you can identify the importance of the information provided. Examples and descriptions of safety
statements have been provided as follows:
WARNING: A WARNING ALERTS YOU TO HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY LETHAL ACTIVITIES.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE HAZARD IS GIVEN AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF
IGNORING THEM. A WARNING CAN ALSO BE SHOWN AS A SPECIFIC HAZARD,
FOR EXAMPLE, EYE PROTECTION (SEE BELOW).
THEEYEPROTECTION WARNING ICONISSHOWNTHROUGHOUTTHEMANUALTOINDICATE
THATAPPROVEDEYEPROTECTION,WHICHCONFORMSTOEUROPEANANDINTERNATIONAL
SAFETY STANDARDS, MUST BE WORN WHEN CARRYING OUT INK OR SOLVENT RELATED
ACTIVITIES.
CAUTION: A caution alerts the user to activities that may cause damage to equipment or reduce its
operating efficiency, but is not directly hazardous to personnel.
NOTE: A Note provides important additional information but is not safety related. The hand icon
may not always be shown depending on the importance of the Note. A Note with a hand
icon indicates that you should take particular notice of the information provided.
Lethal Voltages
WARNING: LETHAL VOLTAGE. DANGEROUS VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT IN THIS EQUIPMENT
WHEN ELECTRICAL POWER IS APPLIED. THERE IS A DANGER OF DEATH OR
INJURY FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE PRINTER COVER OR
ATTEMPT TO REMOVE OR ADJUST ANY COMPONENTS FITTED WITHIN THE PRINTER. ONLY
FULLY TRAINED EC-JET APPROVED SERVICE ENGINEERS ARE QUALIFIED TO OPEN THE
PRINTER COVER.
Operation
All users operating the printer must be aware of the following hazards associated with ink jet printers.
The following safety information should be made available to all personnel and is applicable to anybody
in the printer’s operating environment. Only fully trained and competent personnel should operate or
maintain EC-JET printers. If you are in any doubt as to your ability to operate or maintain the printer,
DO NOT DO SO; consult your supervisor for guidance or contact your local EC-JET distributor who will
be happy to advise you.
1. DO NOT smoke or use naked flames in the vicinity of the printer. The printer contains
flammable inks and solvents.
2. ALWAYS ensure that the printer electrical supply is isolated prior to performing cleaning
or maintenance activities. Lethal voltages are present in the printer cabinet and printhead
when mains power is applied which can cause death or serious injury if the correct
electrical procedures are not observed. When a mains operated external alarm is
connectedtotheexternalalarmsocket,thismustbedisconnectedbeforeanymaintenance
activities are carried out. Never attempt to remove the printer cover. The printer cover
must only be removed by qualified EC-JET service engineers.
3. ALWAYS check that all covers are correctly fitted to the printer before you use it. If you
are not sure, ask your supervisor for guidance. Covers act as safety barriers and also
ensure the printer retains its electromagnetic compatibility.

User Manual
Safety
iii
4. It is recommended that the printer is situated at least 600 mm from floor level for your
comfort.
Inks and Solvents
Whenever inks and solvents are used, safety eyeglasses to the appropriate European and
International Directives must be worn. Solvent resistant gloves must be worn when contact with inks
or solvents is likely.
The effects of solvents and inks are potentially harmful. Prior to use, ensure the printing area is
properly ventilated and the Material Safety Data Sheets have been read and fully understood. If you
are unsure, contact your supervisor for guidance.
If the Material Safety Data Sheets have not been supplied or are not available, please contact your
local EC-JET distributor. ALWAYS refer to the Material Data Safety Sheets before working with inks
and solvents.
Store all inks and solvents in original containers, in a well ventilated cabinet and away from heat
sources. Ensure all spilt ink or ink deposits are removed immediately using the correct solvent for
the ink used.
First AidEnsure that first aid information is readily available in the event of ingestion, inhalation, or contact
with the skin or eyes. Ideally all operators should be trained in First Aid and should be aware of the
effects of working with flammable and toxic substances. All operators should have access to the ink
and solvent Material Safety Data Sheets, which explain the hazards and medical action to be taken
if first aid is necessary.
Eye Contact
Flush eyes using clean running water for a minimum of 10 minutes. Obtain immediate medical
attention.
Skin Contact
Remove any contaminated clothing and wash the affected skin area thoroughly with proprietary
cleaner. Do NOT attempt to use solvents to remove ink from skin.
Inhalation
Evacuate the person into a fresh air environment. If the person experiences any difficulty in
breathing, obtain immediate medical attention.
Ingestion
Do NOT induce vomiting; obtain immediate medical attention and give the casualty half a litre of
water to drink.
In Case of Emergency
If the printer needs to be stopped quickly due to an emergency, press the red [stop] key on the printer
to stop the printing and switch the printer power switch on the rear panel of the printer to the ‘O’ (off)
position. Call for medical assistance as required.
Noise Emissions
The noise emission level from this printer does not exceed 70 dB. This means that there is no hazard
to hearing and, therefore, no legal requirement for ear protection to be worn when working in the
vicinity of this printer.

iv |
User Manualiv
Content
Contents
Copyright Notice .................................................................................................................................i
Disclaimer .................................................................................................................. .........................i
About this Manual ...................................................................................................... .........................i
Safety...........................................................................................................................................................ii
Warnings and Cautions.............................................................................................. ........................ii
Lethal voltages ........................................................................................................... ........................ii
Operation ................................................................................................................... ........................ii
Inks and Solvents...............................................................................................................................iii
FirstAid ............................................................................................................................................. iii
In Case of Emergency ..............................................................................................................iii
Noise Emissions ................................................................................................................................iii
Using this Manual....................................................................................................................................viii
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1
Printer System Overview....................................................................................................................1
System Description .................................................................................................... ........................2
Operating Simplicity .......................................................................................... ........................2
Real-time System Control .........................................................................................................2
Diagnostics ....................................................................................................... ........................2
Printhead Desigb .............................................................................................. ........................2
Printing Drops ................................................................................................... ........................2
Leaving Gaps .................................................................................................... ........................2
Detecting Products....................................................................................................................2
Conveyor Speed ............................................................................................... ........................2
Ink Blockage Prevention ................................................................................... ........................3
Velocity of Drop.........................................................................................................................3
Principles of Operation.......................................................................................................................4
controls and Indicators..............................................................................................................................5
Front Panel ................................................................................................................ ........................5
Screen Display..........................................................................................................................7
LED Status Indicators ....................................................................................... ........................7
Start and Stop Keys .......................................................................................... ........................7
Cursor Control Keys..................................................................................................................8
Function Keys ................................................................................................... ........................9
Text Control Keys......................................................................................................................9
General Control Keys................................................................................................................9
Character Keys ................................................................................................. ........................9
Advanced Editing Features............................................................................... ......................10
Getting Started .................................................................................................................. .......................11
Installation .................................................................................................................. .......................11
Power Connection ...................................................................................................... .......................11
Starting ( Switching on ) the Printer ........................................................................... .......................11
Checking the Current Status of the Printer ................................................................ .......................12
System Status Line ........................................................................................... .......................12
Print Status Screen ........................................................................................... .......................12
Creating a Simple Message..............................................................................................................12
Printing..............................................................................................................................................13
Stopping ( Switching off ) the Printer£© ..................................................................... .......................13
Using the System .............................................................................................................. .......................15
Moving around the Menus ......................................................................................... .......................16
Selecting Menus ............................................................................................... .......................16
Menu Options.................................................................................................... .......................16
Selecting and Editing Messages.......................................................................................................16
The Current Message Screen........................................................................... .......................16
Message Description ................................................................................................. .......................18
Messange Structure.......................................................................................... .......................18

| v
User Manual
v
Content
Message Fields................................................................................................. .................19
Passwords ................................................................................................................. .................19
Entering the Password .......................................................................................................19
Password Levels ............................................................................................... .................20
Creating, Editing and Delecting Message Fields ....................................................... .................20
Deleting Text Characters................................................................................... .................21
Editing Fields .................................................................................................... .................21
Deleting Fields .................................................................................................. .................21
Creating Date Fields ......................................................................................... .................21
Creating Sequential Number Fields .................................................................. .................23
Decrement Count .............................................................................................. .................24
Creating Time Fields ......................................................................................... .................25
Creating Timed Message Fields ....................................................................... .................26
Creating Remote Fields .................................................................................... .................28
Creating Logo Fields......................................................................................... .................28
Printing the Message ........................................................................................ .................29
Checking the Printer Status ....................................................................................... .................29
Listing Error Message.................................................................................................... ..............30
Changing the System Setup ...................................................................................... .................30
Password .......................................................................................................... .................32
Print Heigh ........................................................................................................ .................32
Scale Heigh....................................................................................................... .................32
Print Width .........................................................................................................................33
Print Delay ........................................................................................................ .................33
Print Count .........................................................................................................................33
Reverse Message ............................................................................................. .................33
Bold Ratio ......................................................................................................... .................33
Set Time............................................................................................................ .................33
Set Date ............................................................................................................ .................33
Photocell ........................................................................................................... .................33
Shaft Encoder ................................................................................................... .................34
Conduit Length.................................................................................................. .................34
Head Height ...................................................................................................... .................34
Print Head Code ............................................................................................... .................34
Ref. Modulation................................................................................................. .................34
Ink Selection ..................................................................................................... .................34
Alarm................................................................................................................. .................35
Change Password............................................................................................. .................35
Change Language .............................................................................................................36
Diagnostic Menu ............................................................................................... .................36
Solvent Add Time .............................................................................................. .................36
Diagnostics........................................................................................................................ .................37
Start Print .......................................................................................................... .................37
Test Print ........................................................................................................... .................37
Stop Print .......................................................................................................... .................37
Start Jet............................................................................................................. .................37
Quick Start Jet ...................................................................................................................37
Stop Jet............................................................................................................. .................37
Clear Nozzle ..................................................................................................... .................37
Flush Shut Down............................................................................................... .................38
Monitor Jet ........................................................................................................ .................38
System Timing Information ............................................................................... .................40
System Configuration Information..................................................................... .................40
Phase ................................................................................................................ .................41
Set Pressure ..................................................................................................... .................41
Filter Purge ....................................................................................................... .................41
Routine Maintenance ........................................................................................................ .................42
Cleaning the Printer Cabinet.......................................................................................................42
Cleaning the Printhead.................................................................................................................42
Cleaning Solvent............................................................................................... .................42

vi |
User Manualvi
Content
Printhead Cleaning Procedure...............................................................................................43
Replenishing Ink and Solvent .................................................................................... .....................44
Cleaning / Replacing the Air Filter.............................................................................. .....................45
Warning and Fault Messages........................................................................................... .....................46
Summary of Warnign Messages ................................................................................ .....................46
System Failures ................................................................................................ .....................46
Print Faulures.................................................................................................... .....................46
System Warning ................................................................................................ .....................46
System Failures ......................................................................................................... .....................47
Print Failures...................................................................................................................................47
2.00 Printhead Temperature ............................................................................. .....................47
2.01 Deflector Voltage....................................................................................... .....................47
2.02 Charge ...................................................................................................... .....................48
2.03 Velocity of Drop..............................................................................................................48
2.04 300V Power Supply .................................................................................. .....................48
2.05 Temperature / Deflector .................................................................................................48
2.06 Ink Tank Empty ......................................................................................... .....................48
2.16 Internal Spillage Fault ............................................................................... .....................48
System Warnings ....................................................................................................... .....................49
3.00 No VODAdjustments .....................................................................................................49
3.01 Jet Shut Down Incomplete .............................................................................................49
3.02 Over Speed ( Print Go ) ............................................................................ .....................50
3.03 Ink Low...................................................................................................... .....................50
3.04 Solvent Low .............................................................................................. .....................50
3.05 Print Go / Remote Data............................................................................. .....................50
3.06 Service Time ............................................................................................. .....................50
3.07 Print Head Cover Off................................................................................. .....................50
3.08 Bad Print Head Code .....................................................................................................51
3.09 New Print Head Fitted....................................................................................................51
3.10 Charge Calibration Range ........................................................................ .....................51
3.11 Safety Override Detected ...............................................................................................51
3.12 Low Pressure .................................................................................................................51
3.14 Over Speed ( Variable Data ).........................................................................................51
3.16 Memory Failure ......................................................................................... .....................52
3.17 Memory Corrupt .............................................................................................................52
3.18 No Message Stored In Memory ................................................................ .....................52
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ .....................53
Introducion ................................................................................................................. .....................53
Where to Start.................................................................................................................................53
Identifying Faults ........................................................................................................ .....................54
Identifying Faults by Print Sample .................................................................... .....................54
Identifying Faults by Symptom ...............................................................................................56
Problem Solving ......................................................................................................... .....................58
Problem Solving - Print Samples ...................................................................... .....................58
Problem Solving - Ink System Mechanical Faults..................................................................60
Problem Solving - Printhead Mechanical Faults ............................................... .....................61
Technical Specification .................................................................................................... .....................70
Introduction ................................................................................................................ .....................70
Technical Data ........................................................................................................... .....................70
Cabinet.............................................................................................................. .....................70
Power Requirements ........................................................................................ .....................70
Environmental ................................................................................................... .....................70
Ink System .............................................................................................................................70
Memory Capacity .............................................................................................. .....................71
Printhead........................................................................................................... .....................71
Printing Performance Data................................................................................ .....................71
Appendix 1: Installation & Setting Up ............................................................................. .....................72
Unpacking the System ....................................................................................................................72
Ink and Solvent Filler Cap Labels .............................................................................. .....................72
Where to Put the Printer ............................................................................................ .....................72

| vii
User Manual
vii
Content
Accessories................................................................................................................ ....................72
Power Connection..........................................................................................................................72
Attaching the Printhead to the Production Line.......................................................... ....................73
Print Height ....................................................................................................... ....................74
Setting up the Photocell ............................................................................................. ....................74
Photocell Connections ...................................................................................... ....................74
Setting up the Shaft Encoder .........................................................................................................75
Shaft Encoder Connections ..................................................................................................75
Selecting the Encoder, Gearing, and Print Width ............................................. ....................76
Troubleshooting Encoder and Print Width Problems ............................................................80
Using the Printer Alarm Output .................................................................................. ....................80
Filling with Ink and Solvent ............................................................................................................80
Purging ( or priming ) the Filters ................................................................................ ....................81
Appendix 2: Printable Line Speeds .....................................................................................................82
Appendix 3: Line Speeds per Product Frrequency........................................................ ....................83
.

viii |
User Manual
Using this Manual
viii
Using this Manual
The manual is divided into the sections described below, together with appendices containing useful
reference information, and an index.
Safety Do not ignore this section, safety is in your own interest as well as ours. Preventative measures are
described here, together with first aid procedures to be followed in the event of an accident.
IntroductionThis gives a brief description of the EC-JET printer.
Controls and Indicators
Describes how the display is divided into menus with a message area, menu options and status
information. Illustrations of the keyboard identify the keys and define the function of special keys and
key combinations.
Getting Started
Describes how to switch on, create a simple message, start the printer, print the message, make
adjustments and shut down the printer.
Using the System
This details all of the functions available on the printer. An illustrated overview of all the menus shows
their hierarchy and purpose. A worked example explains how to create, edit and delete messages, list
errors, change the system setup, and other facilities provided through the menu options. By using the
SETUP menu certain system information, such as the language to be used, the date and time, etc., can
be changed.
Diagnostics All EC-JET printers includes diagnostics software to help identify and rectify operational problems.
Routine Maintenance
In addition to regular maintenance procedures, this section shows how to clean or replace air filters,
replenish ink and solvent, clean the printhead and complete basic maintenance procedures.
Warning and Fault Messages
This section describes the system error and fault messages which the user may see displayed. These
messages are described in turn together with possible causes and corrective actions.
Troubleshooting
This section deals with the most likely problems you may encounter and how to correct them, as a user.
Other problems should be dealt with by EC-JET or an authorized EC-JET distributor. Authorized EC-
JET distributors are trained by EC-JET to maintain and repair your printer in a safe and professional
manner. They are also kept up-to-date with the very latest technical information. Do not risk damage
or loss by using unauthorized organisations!
Technical Specification
Details all relevant technical data.
Appendices Describe how to install and set up the printer, explain factors that affect print quality.

|1
Introduction
1 User Manual
Introduction
A Safety section has been provided at the front of this manual for your use. You are strongly advised
to read the Safety section carefully before attempting to use the EC-JET printer.
Printer System Overview
The EC-JET printers provide a means of application of printed information onto a wide range of
products. This information would typically be the date, production codes, consumer information,
product or corporate identification, product traceability, and many others.
The printer is normally fixed to a production line in such a way that printing takes place as the product
passes the printhead. The presence of the product and printing can be synchronized using a product
detecting sensor.
The printer consists of a cabinet and a printhead. The cabinet houses the electronics module, the ink
system and a power supply. The cabinet also supports a full QWERTY keyboard and message screen
display. The printhead is attached to the rear of the cabinet via a flexible conduit.
The printhead is supplied with ink by the ink system which the printhead forms into a continuous stream
of ink drops which recycle to the ink system. When printing is required, drops of ink for printing the
message are deflected from the stream out of the printhead onto the product, providing a non-contact
method of printing. The process is controlled by the electronics module which also stores the messages
to be printed. The message is programmed using the keyboard and display.
1414
EJ01
EJ01