Evolis Pebble Operator's manual

Quick Operating Guide
Designed by evolis

1
Welcome
To The World of Evolis Card Printer Products!
Congratulations on making the Pebble printer your choice!
Please read carefully this Operating Guide before installing your printer.
It is a quick guide to help you to use your Pebble Card Printer.
October 2004 © Evolis Card Printer. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced by any method, either mechanical, electronic,
photographic, or otherwise without prior written permission from Evolis Card Printer.
All information contained in this document is subject to changes without prior notification.
Rev.1.0

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Printer description ................................................... 3
Printer connection.................................................... 4
Driver installation .................................................... 5
Indicators .............................................................. 6
Cards loading ......................................................... 9
Card feeder ............................................................. 9
Manual feed tray ..................................................... 10
Card thickness adjustment .......................................... 10
Card output hopper ................................................... 11
Ribbon loading ..................................................... 12
Cleaning ............................................................. 13
Cleaning of the printer interior ...................................... 13
Cleaning of the print head .......................................... 15
Maintenance of the cleaning roller ................................. 16
Help & Support ..................................................... 17
Troubleshooting ....................................................... 17
Logging on evolis.com ................................................ 19
Contacting an Evolis reseller ......................................... 19
Notes .................................................................. 20
Summary table

3
Output hopper Collects the printed and/or encoded cards
Cover lever Enables the printer cover to be opened and closed
Card feeder Receives the cards for printing
Control panel Shows the printer activity
Manual feed tray Enables the cards to be inserted one by one (optional)
Carrying handle Enables the printer to be carried
Electrical connector Enables the printer to be connected to its power supply
Centronics parallel port (std) Enables data to be received and sent from and to the computer
USB port (std) Enables data to be received and sent from and to the computer
DB-9 connector (optional) Enables data to be received and sent from and to the computer
or a coupler to be connected for chip cards personalization
Magnetic encoder Enables cards with magnetic tracks 1, 2 and 3 to be encoded
Cleaning roller Removes all dust before the cards are printed
Card thickness gauge Enables the thickness of the card to be adjusted from 0.25 mm to 1 mm
Thermal print head Enables the cards to be printed in 300 dpi
Identification label Indicates the model and the serial number of the printer
IMPORTANT !
The printer must be placed on a flat surface, in a dust free environment.
It is essential to be able to access the printer from all sides for its installation.
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Printer description

Printer connection
4
IMPORTANT !
To disconnect the printer, pull the plug out of the socket which must remain
easily accessible.The printer must be connected to an electrical wiring properly
installed and equipped with a earth socket.
Use only the printer power supply provided by Evolis.
IMPORTANT !
La mise hors tension de ce produit se fait par le retrait de la fiche secteur qui
doit rester accessible. Ce produit doit être raccordé à une installation électrique
correctement protégée et équipée d’une terre.
Utiliser uniquement l’alimentation de l’imprimante fournie par Evolis.
IMPORTANTE !
Para desconectar este aparato quite el enchufe del conector, éste debe permanecer
fácilmente accesible. Este aparato debe estar conectado a una instalación eléctrica
correctamente protegida y con toma de tierra.
Utilizar unicamente la alimentación de la impresora suministrado por Evolis.
WICHTIG !
Um den Drucker vom Netz zu trennen, soll einfach der Netzstecker aus der Steckdose
gezogen werden. Der Drucker selbst soll ausschließlich an einer geeigneten
Stromquelle mit korrekter Erdung angeschlossen werden.
Nur die mit dem Evolis Drucker belieferten Stromversorgung und Stromkabel benutzen.
Power
Parallel

Driver installation
5
Before using the Pebble printer, you must install its driver.
The Pebble operates under Windows 2000, NT 4.0 or Xp.
The enclosed CD-Rom includes a utility which automates the installation of the
printer driver. This utility installs the suitable driver for your computer configuration.
To install the Pebble Windows Drivers, please proceed as described below:
NOTE !
For further information or, if the installation program does not run automatically,
refer to the User’s Guide supplied on the enclosed CD-Rom.
Insert the CD-Rom in your
computer CD drive.
The program runs automatically.
Click on the menu
“Driver Installation” .
The driver installation runs
automatically.

There is a Control Panel on the upper part of the printer with four LED’s.
Each is associated to a symbol showing the Pebble activity during printing.
The lights show:
The Control Panel LED’s are in either of the following conditions:
6
SWITCHED ON SWITCHED OFF FLASHING
Turned on
Data reception
(Pushbutton)
End of
ribbon No card in the
feeder or feeder
not present
Cleaning
signal Cover open
Indicators
The push button returns the control panel to its original state after dealing with
the following cases:

ABSENCE OF CARD or INTERNAL PRINTER PROBLEM

ERROR IN MAGNETIC ENCODING

CARD EJECTION
The push button also enables:

The printer to be set to stand-by

A test card to be printed

A cleaning cycle to be started

7
PRINTER READY
END OF RIBBON
NO CARD IN FEEDER
OR FEEDER NOT PRESENT
PROCESSING
The printer is ready to process
The printer automatically goes into stand-by after
10 minutes of inactivity. All the lights turn off.
To re-activate power, push one second on the push
button.
The printer is receiving data.
There is no ribbon inside the printer.
The ribbon is finished.
The ribbon has been incorrectly installed.
The ribbon has cut.
Check the state of the ribbon in the printer.
If you are have a printing job in course, this restarts
with a new card.
There is no card in the feeder.
The thickness of the cards has not been
correctly adjusted.
The cards are curved.
The cards are stuck together.
The feeder is not present in the printer or is
badly inserted.
Check the state of the cards in the feeder or make
sure that the feeder is present in the printer and cor-
rectly inserted. Then, press the push button for one
second. The printing restarts.
Refer to the following conditions to determine the status or current activity of
your printer.
Indicators

The printer is waiting for a card to be
manually inserted.
The printer is fitted with the manual feed tray option:
insert a card in the printer.
The printer has to be cleaned.
See the Cleaning section for more information.
The printer has to be cleaned.
See the Cleaning section for more information.
The printer cover is open.
Close the printer cover. The activity in course restarts.
There is a card jammed.
A mechanical part in the printer is faulty.
Press the push button for one second. If the problem
persists, call your Evolis reseller for technical assistance.
The magnetic stripe card orientation in the
feeder is not correct.
The type of encoding is incorrectly set
(HICO or LOCO).
The encoding data does not comply
with ISO 7811 Norms.
Press the push button for one second. The printer restarts
the magnetic encoding cycle with a new card. If the pro-
blem persists, call your Evolis reseller for technical assistance.
The print head cooling is activated.
The printer stops working for a few seconds. As soon as the
print head reaches the normal working temperature, the
pending printing job restarts automatically.
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PRINTER COVER OPEN
MECHANICAL PROBLEM
MAGNETIC ENCODING ERROR
COOLING MODE
PRINTER CLEANING ALERT
(STATUS AFTER 1000 INSERTIONS)
PRINTER CLEANING ALERT
(STATUS AFTER 1200 INSERTIONS)
CARD INSERTION SIGNAL
Indicators

9
Remove the feeder from
the printer as shown.
Replace the feeder in the
printer Then press on the
top of the feeder until it
clicks.
Press the spring system down
inside the feeder and insert
the cards as shown (100 cards
max. 0.76mm-30mil).
Note: The side to be printed
must be facing down.
CLIC
max.
max.
max.
max.
max.
Remove the
feeder from
the printer as
shown.
Using the lever, adjust
the thickness of the
card to MAX.
Insert the cards
as shown.
Manual feed tray (optional)
Card feeder
Place the
manual supply
tray in the
printer as indi-
cated. Then,
press on the
top of the tray
until it clicks.
CLIC
Cards loading

The Pebble printer is fitted with a manual adjustment system for the
thickness of the cards that is accessible either from inside the printer
or when the cover is open.
To adjust the thickness of the cards using the feeder cage:
To adjust the card thickness from inside the printer:
10
Remove the feeder
from the printer as
shown.
Adjust the thickness of the
cards used by moving the
handle from right to left on
the required card thickness.
Card thickness adjustment
Replace the feeder in
the printer Then press
on the top of the feeder
until it clicks.
max.
Open the printer
cover by pressing the
opening lever and
then turn it.
Remove the ribbon if there is one
in the printer. Then adjust the
thickness of the cards used by
moving the handle from right to
left on the required card thickness.
Reinstall the ribbon in
the printer and close
the cover.
CLIC
Cards loading

11
Card output hopper
IMPORTANT !
Advice about selecting cards
Only use the types of card which comply with the Pebble printer specifications.
Do not touch the printing surface of the cards, as this would affect the quality of
the printing.
Do not use damaged or folded cards or cards with a raised texture.
Always store new cards in a clean, dust free location.
Only use the magnetic stripe cards that comply with ISO Standard 7810 and 7811.
In order to function correctly, the magnetic stripe must be moulded to the card.
Never use a card with a glued magnetic stripe.
Only use smart cards that comply with ISO Standard 7816-2.
Do not print on the chip of the card.
Card thickness
The Pebble printer accepts cards with a thickness of 0.25 mm (10mil) to 1 mm (40mil).
Remove the printed and/or
encoded cards as shown.
Locate the output
hopper.
Cards loading

12
Open the printer cover by
pressing on the lever, then
pivoting it.
IMPORTANT !
The type of the ribbon is selectable through the printer driver in the “Main”
dialog box. The ribbon must be correctly installed for the printer to work.
Only use Evolis ribbons.
Evolis declines all responsibility if the printer or the print head are damaged
through the use of an unapproved ribbon.The ribbon is automatically positioned
each time the cover is closed.
Close the printer cover.Install the ribbon in
the printer as
shown.
Ribbon loading

13
Cleaning of the printer interior
Use Pre-Saturated Cards (UltraClean Cleaning Kit Part Number: A5011).
Cleaning cycle: every 1000 cards.
The Pebble printer is fitted with a cleaning alert, which is activated every
1000 inserted cards. The cleaning alert light switches on.
If the printer has not been cleaned after the cleaning light has come on,
it will begin to flash when a further 200 cards have been inserted.
Remove the feeder
from the printer as
shown.
Remove the
cards present in
the feeder.
Take a pre-saturated clea-
ning card and insert it in
the feeder as shown.
Check that the
card thickness is
set to MAX.
Replace the
feeder in the
printer.
CLIC
Cleaning

Following a cleaning cycle, wait two minutes for the cleaner to
evaporate completely before using the printer again.
IMPORTANT !
Protect the validity of the print head warranty!
If the cleaning cycle is not performed before the 1200th card is printed, the
print head warranty is void.
Remove the ribbon from
the printer.
Close the printer cover.
Press the push button on the
control panel for a second.
The cleaning starts.
The used cleaning card is
ejected in the output hopper.
14
Cleaning

Following a cleaning cycle, wait two minutes for the cleaner to
evaporate completely before using the printer again.
IMPORTANT !
The print head is a fragile component.
To avoid damaging it :

Never put the print head in contact with pointed and/or metal objects.

Avoid touching the print head surface with the fingers.

Always unplug the printer from the power supply before cleaning the print
head.
15
Cleaning of print head
Use the swabs (UltraClean Cleaning Kit Part Number: A5011).
Cleaning cycle: before inserting every new ribbon.
Switch the printer off.
Then, gently rub the
swab along the print
head for a few seconds.
Use a new swab and
press the middle of the
pipe until it clicks.
Switch the printer off.
Open the cover of the
printer and locate the
print head.
Cleaning

16
Following a cleaning cycle, wait two minutes for the cleaner to
evaporate completely before using the printer again.
Maintenance of the cleaning rollers
Use the cleaning wipes (UltraClean Cleaning Kit Part Number A5011).
Cleaning cycle: before inserting every new ribbon.
Remove the
cleaning roller
from the printer.
Open the printer cover. If there is
one, remove the ribbon and locate
the cleaning roller.
When the roller is dry, put it back in
the printer and close the cover.
Clean the roller with a wipe from
your cleaning kit. Eliminate all dust
by lightly rubbing the wipe on the
surface of the roller.
Cleaning

17
Troubleshooting
The information below will help you to solve possible problems that
can occur when using your printer and help you to solve printing quali-
ty issues.
A blank card is ejected from the printer
1. Check the ribbon
• Check that the ribbon is not finished or cut. Replace or reinstall the ribbon,
if necessary.
2. Check the printer cleanliness.
• Clean the print head.
3. Check the printer interface cable
• Check the connection to the computer and to the printer.
• Test with another cable of the same type.
4. Elements of the print head may be damaged.
• Print a test card
If the test card does not print, contact your reseller for a replacement print head.
The print quality is not satisfactory
1. Check the printer cleanliness.
• Clean the print head.
2. The contrast settings must be modified
• Increase the contrast settings in the printer driver configuration.
3. The type of card used may be inappropriate
• Check if the type of card used has the required specifications.
• The texture of the card is rough or not perfectly flat.
• Print test with another type of card.
Help & Support

18
Help & Support
Partial or incorrect printing
1. Check the settings defined for the printing
• Check that no element of your page setup is outside the print margins
• Check the orientation of the selected document in the printer driver confi-
guration (Landscape or Portrait)
2. Check the printer interface cable
• If unusual characters print, check that you are using the interface cable
appropriate to your printer.
• Check the connection to the computer and to the printer.
• Test with another cable of the same type.
3. Check the printer cleanliness
• Clean the inside of the printer, the cleaning roller and the print head if necessary.
4. Check the cards cleanliness
• Check that the cards are stored in a dust-free location.
5. Check the print head cleanliness
• See the procedure for cleaning the print head in the “ Cleaning ” section.
6. Check the ribbon
• Its location in the printer
• Its correct winding path
7. Check the print head
• If white horizontal lines appear on the card, some print head elements may
be clogged or damaged.
• Clean the print head
• If the problem is not solved after cleaning, contact an Evolis Reseller for a
replacement print head.
Help & Support

19
Logging on evolis.com
If you need some more help, the Evolis Web Site will offer you some technical
information in the Support & Services section.
This section provides drivers, firmware, software and user’s manuals downloads,
videos for the use and cleaning of the printers and FAQ’s giving replies to the most
common questions.
Contacting an Evolis Reseller
If the suggestions given in the previous section do not enable the problem(s) to be
solved, contact your local Evolis Reseller.
When you call an Evolis Reseller, you must be near your computer and be ready to
supply the following information:

The type and the serial number of your printer

The type of configuration and the operating system you are using

A description of the incident that occurred

A description of the steps you have taken to solve the problem
If you do not know any Evolis resellers, connect to www.evolis.com and send us
your request. Evolis will give you the address of the nearest Evolis reseller to you.
Help & Support