Epson Stylus Pro 7900 CTP User manual

Epson Stylus®Pro 7900CTP Large Plate Accessory Kit
User’s Guide

2 | Introduction
Introduction
The Large Plate Accessory Kit enables the Epson Stylus
®
Pro 7900CTP Computer to Plate System to print and
cure large aluminum plates. The kit contains a large plate guide for the printer and a tray extension for the
plate curing unit (PCU).
The Large Plate Accessory Kit is recommended for Epson DirectPlate Aluminum plates over 16 inches
(406 mm) wide. See the Epson Stylus Pro 7900CTP Computer to Plate System User’s Guide for information
about the system.
Parts Included in the Kit
• Large plate guide
• Tray extension, two extension supports, four screws, four slider screws, and a hexagonal (2.5 mm/0.10
inch) wrench

Installing the Large Plate Guide on the Printer | 3
Installing the Large Plate Guide on the Printer
To ensure proper registration when printing on Epson DirectPlate Aluminum plates, you need to install the
large plate guide on the printer.
1. Open the roll paper cover on the printer.
2. Remove the roll paper if installed (see the Epson Stylus Pro 7900/9900 Printer Guide for information).
3. Remove the small plate guide if installed.
4. Locate the first and last slots in the back row of slots.
5. Insert the rear tabs on the bottom of the guide into the first and last slots of the printer.
Once the rear tabs are in position, the front of the paper guide lies on the top of the printer.
Location of
first slot

4 | Aligning the Large Plate Guide
6. Gently press the top of the guide on both sides to secure it into position.
Aligning the Large Plate Guide
The large plate guide must be correctly aligned to prevent any skew when printing on the plate.
1. Press the lPaper Source button until the Sheet icon appears on the LCD screen.
2. Insert a test plate (see “Loading a Plate in the Printer” on page 7) and print the file
“7900CTP_alignment_sheet.pdf” that is included on the CD with the Epson Stylus Pro 7900CTP
system. If you don’t have the CD, you can download it from www.proimaging.epson.com.
If you are using the RIP included with the Epson Stylus Pro 7900CTP system, you can print the file using
the menu options.
Note:
You must use an Epson DirectPlate Aluminum plate for this test because paper won’t be accurate. You should
use the same size plate you will use for final printing.

Aligning the Large Plate Guide | 5
3. Use a metric ruler to measure the distance from the left edge of the plate to point A on the printed plate.
Then measure the distance from the left edge of the plate to point B. If the distances to points A and B are
equal, go to step 6. If they vary by more than 0.5 mm, the plate guide is not correctly aligned. Continue
with step 4 to adjust the alignment.
Note:
For best results, use a ruler delineated in half-millimeter increments and a magnifying lens.

6 | Aligning the Large Plate Guide
4. Using the included hexagonal wrench, adjust the alignment of the plate guide. If distance A is greater than
distance B, tighten the alignment screw; if distance B is greater than distance A, loosen the screw. Half a
rotation of the screw moves the guide approximately 1.0 mm (0.04 inch).
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 and, if required, step 4 until the measurements are nearly equal, within 0.5 mm.
6. Once the plate guide is aligned, you need to confirm the alignment. Use a new plate to print the test
pattern, then print the test pattern again on the same plate. The plate is correctly aligned when the line
thickness at the top and bottom of the printed pattern is no greater than 0.5 mm.
Alignment
screw
Tighten
Loosen
No more than 0.5 mm
difference
Plate
More than 0.5 mm
difference
Plate
Correct alignment Incorrect alignment
Trailing edge
Leading edge
Trailing edge
Leading edge

Loading a Plate in the Printer | 7
Loading a Plate in the Printer
Caution:
Use only Epson DirectPlate Aluminum plates.
Examine each plate carefully before you use it. If the plate is dented or the corners or edges are bent, do not use it.
Even the slightest bent corner can damage the printer.
WARNING:
The plate edges are sharp. Use caution to avoid injury.
1. When working with large size plates, position the media catch bin (fabric bin) as shown to enable the plate
to exit the printer without interference.
2. Make sure the printer is turned on and the Ppower light is not flashing.
3. Press the lPaper Source button until the Sheet icon appears on the LCD screen.
Media catch bin

8 | Loading a Plate in the Printer
4. Press the Paper release (ePlaten) button to disengage the feeder rollers.
5. Set the printer to the highest paper suction setting. This will help load the plate. To do that, press uto
increase the suction.
6. Lower the plate (with light gray, coated side face up) into the paper slot (short edge first) so at least
1 to 2 inches of the top edge are above the large plate guide. For example, the top edge of a 19-inch long
plate should be no less than 2 to 3 inches above the plate guide.
Slide the plate against the two alignment points along the top and bottom of the large plate guide. Make
sure that the plate touches both top and bottom alignment points.
7. While gently holding the plate against the guide, press the Paper release (ePlaten) button again to
engage the paper feeder rollers.
The
PRESS PAUSE message appears on the printer’s LCD screen when the printer detects the plate and
the paper release has closed.
WARNING:
The plate edges are sharp. To avoid injury, remove your hand from the plate after you press the
Pause/reset button.
Paper release
(ePlaten) button
Top alignment
point
Bottom
alignment point

Unloading a Plate from the Printer | 9
8. Press the Pause/reset button and let go of the plate. The printer loads and aligns the plate in the
correct position.
If the plate was not in correct position (either too high or too low) in step 6, you get a loading error
message.
9. When you see PAPER SETTINGS > ARE THESE SETTINGS OK? on the LCD screen, be sure to select
NO PAPER SELECTED .
Note:
If you will use multiple plates consecutively on the printing press, it is best to load plates into the printer in the same
direction each time. Otherwise, there is a possibility of minor differences in final printing.
Unloading a Plate from the Printer
After printing is finished, the plate stays in the printer. To prevent damage to the plate, make sure it doesn’t
fall. Hold the plate and do one of the following:
• If you plan to print more plates, press the Paper release (ePlaten) button. The plate currently in the
printer is released and you can load another plate.
• If you’re done printing plates, press the dbutton.

10 | Attaching the PCU Tray Extension
Attaching the PCU Tray Extension
The extension attaches to the larger tray supplied with the PCU; the tray should be used as the input tray.
Note:
The extension adds a small incline for the plate to travel into the oven.
1. Attach the extension supports to both sides of the tray extension. Secure the screws with included
hexagonal wrench, as shown below.
2. Set the PCU tray upside-down on a table. Attach the extension supports to the tray with the four slider
screws.
Note:
For best results, hang the tray extension over the edge of a table so the tray lies flat while you are attaching the
extension supports.