FARGO electronics Pro-L User manual

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Notices
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
No liability is assumed for errors contained herein or for incidental damages in connection
with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights
are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated into
another language without prior written consent.
Patent Pending
Trademark Acknowledgements
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Windows is
a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Printing History
Edition 1.0, 080100, P/N L000096
© Copyright 2000 All rights reserved.
iii
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
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iv
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
For Users in the United States:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
nRe-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.
nIncrease the separation between the equipment and receiver.
nConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
nConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
nUse of a shielded cable is required to comply with the Class A limits of Part 15 of the
FCC Rules.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual
could void your authority to operate and/or obtain warranty service for this equipment.
For Users in Canada:
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise for digital
apparatus set out on the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.
Le present appareil numerique nemet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numeriques de la class B prescrites dans le Reglement sur le
brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des Communications du Canada.
For Users in Taiwan:
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Table of Contents
v
Section 1: Introduction
A. How Your Card Printer Works........................................................1
B. Special Features.................................................................................2
Section 2: Safety Precautions ............................................................3
Section 3: Getting Started
A. Choosing a Good Location............................................................13
B. About Moisture Condensation .....................................................13
C. Unpacking and Inspection.............................................................14
D. Applying Power ..............................................................................14
E. Identifying the Printer Features....................................................16
Section 4: Ribbons and Cards
A. About Ribbons.................................................................................19
B. Loading Ribbon into the Printer...................................................22
C. About Cards.....................................................................................24
D. Loading Cards into the Printer.....................................................24
E. Running the Self Test......................................................................26
Section 5: Card Laminating
A. About the Laminator......................................................................27
B. About Overlaminates .....................................................................28
C. Loading Overlaminate into the Printer .......................................28
Section 6: Using Your Card Printer
A. Connecting the Printer to Your Computer..................................31
B. Installing the Windows Printer Driver........................................32
C. Installing the 32-Bit Print Spooler for Windows 95/98.............34
D. Setting Up the Printer Driver........................................................36
E. Printing a Card................................................................................48
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Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Section 7: Maintenance
A. Supplies Required...........................................................................50
B. Standard Printhead Cleaning........................................................51
C. Expanded Printhead Cleaning......................................................51
D. Cleaning the Printers Case...........................................................51
E. Cleaning the Inside of the Printer ................................................52
F. Clearing a Card Jam .......................................................................52
G. Clearing a Ribbon or Overlaminate Jam.....................................53
H. Cleaning the Card Feed Rollers....................................................53
I. Cleaning the Drive Roller..............................................................54
J. Maintaining the Cleaning Rollers.................................................55
Section 8: Mechanical Adjustments
A. Adjusting the Card Input Guides.................................................57
B. Adjusting the Internal Card Guides.............................................58
C. Adjusting the Card Separator Flap ..............................................59
D. Adjusting the Laminator................................................................62
Section 9: Troubleshooting
A. Interpreting LCD Display Messages............................................65
B. General Troubleshooting Suggestions .........................................77
Section 10: Technical Specifications ..................................................81
Appendix A: Magnetic Stripe Encoding Module
A. Magnetic Track Options.................................................................83
B. ISO Track Locations........................................................................87
C. Sending Track Information............................................................87
Appendix B: Interfacing Information
A. Introduction .....................................................................................89
B. Centronics-Type Parallel Interface................................................89
Index ...............................................................................................................91
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Introduction 1
Section 1: Introduction 1
Thank You...
for choosing the Pro-L Card Printer. This printer has been designed to provide you
with stunning, photo-quality color output on a variety of different card sizes and
thicknesses. It offers many features which easily allow you to create full-color
photo ID cards complete with high resolution graphics, text, bar codes, and much
more.
A. HOW YOUR CARD PRINTER WORKS
Your card printer utilizes two different, yet closely related printing technologies to
achieve its remarkable, direct-to-card output  dye-sublimation and resin thermal
transfer. The following describes how each of these technologies works:
Dye-Sublimation
Dye-sublimation is the process your printer uses to print smooth, continuous-tone
images that look truly photographic. This process uses a dye-based ribbon roll that
is partitioned by a number of consecutive color panels (see Section 4-A for more
ribbon information). The panels are grouped in a repeating series of the four
process colors  yellow, magenta, cyan, and black  along the entire length of the
ribbon. The printer always prints the yellow panel first, followed by the magenta
panel, the cyan panel, and finally the black panel.
As the ribbon and card pass simultaneously beneath the printhead, hundreds of
thermal elements within the printhead heat the dyes on the ribbon. When these
dyes are heated, they vaporize and diffuse into the surface of the card. By varying
the heat intensity of each thermal element within the printhead, it is possible for
each transferred dot of color to vary in hue, thus blending one color smoothly into
the next and producing photo-realistic images.
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Resin Thermal Transfer
Resin Thermal Transfer is the process your printer uses to print sharp black text and
crisp bar codes which can be read by both infra-red and visible-light bar code
scanners. It is also the process used to print ultra-fast, one-color ID cards. Like dye-
sublimation, this process uses the same thermal printhead to transfer color from the
ribbon roll to the card. The difference, however, is that solid dots of color are
transferred in the form of a resin-based ink which fuses to the surface of the card
when heated. This produces very durable, single-color images. For more information
on resin ribbons, please refer to Section 4-A.
B. SPECIAL FEATURES
Your card printer has many distinct advantages over other card printers. Its 100 card
capacity card hopper allows for automatic card feeding which reduces the time and
personnel required to create a photo ID card. In addition, the printer offers:
nAutomatic, dual-sided printing in full-color or monochrome
nSimultaneous dye-sublimation/resin thermal transfer printing capability for
printing continuous-tone photos and crisp, readable bar codes
nOptional SmartGuard Security Feature for controlling printing access
nThermal Transfer Film or PolyGuard polyester chip overlaminate
capabilities
nOptional magnetic stripe or smart card encoding capabilities
nA fast print speed of 30 seconds per full-color card
nFast, 32-bit print spooler for Windows 95/98
nDual-sided card cleaning system
nUpgradable memory
nOptional color matching software
nOptional Ethernet network support
And best of all, operation of the printer is simple and straight forward. The printer
will print from any IBM-PC®or compatible running Windows 3.1x, Windows
95/98, or Windows NT. This means you can use the printer with virtually any
software package running under Windows without any special set-up or
configuration beyond the initial installation of the specific software driver and
interface cable.
To begin using your new printer, please refer to the remaining sections of this
manual in the order in which they appear. This Users Manual is your complete step-
by-step guide to setting up and printing with your new card printer.
2Section 1: Introduction
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
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Safety Precautions
Section 2: Safety Precautions 3
2
Before operating the unit, please read the following safety precautions carefully.
WARNINGS
CAUTION!
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THE UNIT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE FRONT, TOP OR BACK PANELS. NO USER-
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
nOperate the unit only on 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. If you have any doubt as to
whether you have a unit with the correct voltage rating for your countrys
power supply, DO NOT attempt to use the unit. Contact your dealer or the
factory.
nStop operation immediately if any liquid or solid object should fall into the
cabinet. Unplug the unit and have it checked by qualified service personnel.
nUnplug the units power transformer from the wall outlet if you do not use the
unit for a long time. Disconnect the cord by grasping the plug. Never pull the
cord itself.
nThe unit is not disconnected from the main power source as long as the power
transformer is plugged into the wall outlet, even if the unit itself has been
turned off.
nDo not disassemble the cabinet. Refer servicing only to qualified personnel.
nService personnel: parts of this device may be damaged if exposed to static
electrical discharges generated by various means, such as walking on a
carpeted floor. To avoid potential damage, always wear an appropriate
personal grounding device, such as a wrist strap (with integral resistor)
connected to an ESD ground. Or, at a minimum, make positive contact with the
bare metal chassis of the printer with your hand prior to touching any internal
electrical components.
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4Section 2: Safety Precautions
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Sicherheitsmaßnahmen
Machen Sie sich vor Inbetriebnahme des Geräts mit den Sicherheitsmaßnahmen
gründlich vertraut.
SICHERHEITSHINWEISE
VORSICHT!
ZUR VERHÜTUNG VON FEUERGEFAHR ODER ELEKTRISCHEN
SCHLÄGEN DAS GERÄT VOR REGEN ODER FEUCHTIGKEIT
SCHÜTZEN. UM DIE GEFAHR VON STROMSCHLÄGEN ZU
VERHINDERN, OBERE, SEITLICHE UND HINTERE ABDECKUNG NICHT
ABNEHMEN. DAS GERÄT ENTHÄLT KEINE TEILE, DIE VOM BENUTZER
GEWARTET WERDEN KÖNNEN. WARTUNGSARBEITEN DÜRFEN NUR
VON QUALIFIZIERTEM FACHPERSONAL DURCHGEFÜHRT WERDEN.
nDas Gerät nur mit 100-240 V 50/60 Hz Wechselstrom betreiben. Wenn Sie nicht
sicher sind, ob Ihr Gerät mit der Spannung des örtlichen Stromnetzes arbeitet,
DAS GERÄT NICHT IN BETRIEB NEHMEN. Wenden Sie sich an Ihren
Händler oder den Hersteller des Geräts.
nDen Betrieb sofort unterbrechen, wenn ein Gegenstand in das Gehäuse gefallen
oder Flüssigkeit eingedrungen ist. Den Netzstecker ziehen und das Gerät von
qualifiziertem Wartungspersonal überprüfen lassen.
nWenn das Gerät längere Zeit nicht verwendet wird, den Netzstecker des
Transformators ziehen. Immer am Stecker, nicht am Kabel ziehen.
nSolange der Transformator ans Netz angeschlossen ist, steht das Gerät unter
Spannung, auch wenn es ausgeschaltet ist.
nKeine Gehäuseteile abnehmen. Wartungsarbeiten nur von qualifiziertem
Fachpersonal durchführen lassen.
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Section 2: Safety Precautions 5
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Consignes de sécurité
Avant dutiliser lappareil, prière de lire attentivement les consignes de sécurité
suivantes.
AVERTISSEMENTS
ATTENTION !
POUR EVITER TOUT RISQUE DINCENDIE OU DELECTROCUTION, NE
PAS EXPOSER LAPPAREIL A LA PLUIE OU A LHUMIDITE. POUR EVITER
TOUTE DECHARGE ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS RETIRER LES PANNEAUX
AVANT, SUPERIEUR OU ARRIERE. NE PAS TENTER DE REPARER SOI-
MEME LES PIECES A LINTERIEUR DE LAPPAREIL. CONFIER
LENTRETIEN DE LAPPAREIL A UN PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
nFaire fonctionner lappareil uniquement sur courant alternatif de 100/240 V, 50
ou 60 Hz. En cas de doute sur la compatibilité entre la tension nominale de
lappareil et le courant du pays dutilisation, NE PAS TENTER DUTILISER
LAPPAREIL. Contacter le revendeur ou lusine.
nArrêter immédiatement le fonctionnement si un liquide ou un solide venait à
sinfiltrer à lintérieur de larmoire. Débrancher lappareil et le faire vérifier par
un personnel qualifié.
nDébrancher le transformateur de la prise murale si lon prévoit de ne pas
utiliser lappareil pendant un certain temps. Pour débrancher le cordon
dalimentation, tirer sur la prise. Ne jamais tirer sur le cordon.
nLappareil sera connecté à la source dalimentation principale aussi longtemps
que le transformateur de tension restera branché sur la prise murale, même si
lappareil lui-même a été mis hors tension.
nNe pas démonter lappareil. Confier lentretien de lappareil uniquement à un
personnel qualifié
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6Section 2: Safety Precautions
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Precauciones de seguridad
Antes de operar la unidad, haga el favor de leer detenidamente las siguientes
precauciones de seguridad.
ADVERTENCIAS
¡PRECAUCION!
PARA EVITAR PELIGROS DE INCENDIO O CHOQUE ELECTRICO, NO
EXPONGA LA UNIDAD A LA LLUVIA NI A LA HUMEDAD. PARA
REDUCIR EL RIESGO DE CHOQUE ELECTRICO, NO QUITE LOS
PANELES FRONTALES, SUPERIORES, LATERALES NI DE FONDO. EL
INTERIOR NO TIENE PIEZAS REPARABLES POR EL USUARIO. PARA
SERVICIO DE REPARACION Y MANTENIMIENTO SOLICITE LA
ATENCION DE UN TECNICO DE SERVICIO AUTORIZADO.
nOpere la unidad sólo a 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. Si no está seguro que la unidad
que tiene es compatible al voltaje de la corriente eléctrica de su país, NO
INTENTE USAR LA UNIDAD. Llame al representante de ventas o a la fábrica.
nDetenga la operación inmediatamente si algún líquido u objeto sólido cayera en
el armario. Desenchufe la unidad y hágala revisar por un técnico de servicio
autorizado.
nDesenchufe el transformador del tomacorriente si no va a usar la unidad por
un período de tiempo prolongado. Desenchufe el cordón jalando del enchufe.
Nunca jale del cordón mismo.
nLa unidad no estará desconectada de la fuente de alimentación principal
mientras el transformador esté enchufado en el tomacorriente, incluso si la
unidad hubiese sido apagada.
nNo desarme el armario. Para servicio de mantenimiento, solicite la atención de
un técnico autorizado.
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Section 2: Safety Precautions 7
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Precauzioni per la Sicurezza
Prima di dare inizio al funzionamento dellunità, siete pregati di leggere
attentamente le seguenti precauzioni di sicurezza.
AVVERTENZE
ATTENZIONE!
ONDE EVITARE IL PERICOLO DI INCENDIO O SCOSSA ELETTRICA,
NON ESPORRE LUNITÀ ALLA PIOGGIA OD UMIDITÀ. EVITARE DI
RIMUOVERE I PANNELLI ANTERIORE, SUPERIORE, O POSTERIORE
PER RIDURRE IL RISCHIO DI SCOSSA ELETTRICA. LA
MANUTENZIONE DELLE PARTI INTERNE DELLUNITÀ NON É DI
COMPETENZA DELLUTENTE. AI FINI DELLA RIPARAZIONE
RIVOLGERSI AL PERSONALE DI COMPETENZA.
nNegli Stati Uniti e Canada lunità funziona solo con alimentazione a 100-240
VAC, 50/60 Hz. Qualora non abbiate la certezza che il trasformatore e la spina
di cui disponete siano quelli adeguati allalimentazione erogata nel vostro
paese, NON USARE LUNITÀ. Rivolgersi piuttosto al rivenditore o la fabbrica
del luogo.
nArrestare immediatamento il funzionamento dellunità qualora si verifichi un
versamento di liquido o la caduta di un oggetto solido allinterno del suo
alloggiamento.
nStaccare la spina del trasformatore dellunit à dalla presa a muro qualora non
ne prevediate lutilizzo per un protratto periodo di tempo. Disconnettere il
cordone elettrico afferrandone la spina, evitando sempre di tirare il cordone
stesso.
nLalimentazione alla unità non è interrotta se la spina del trasformatore di
tensione rimane collegata alla presa a muro, anche quando lunit à stessa risulta
spenta.
nNon smontare la struttura dellalloggiamento. Le riparazioni sono competenza
soltanto di personale qualificato.
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8Section 2: Safety Precautions
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
Precauções de Segurança
Antes de operar esta unidade, leia cuidadosamente as seguintes precauções de
segurança.
ADVERTÊNCIAS
CUIDADO!
PARA EVITAR PERIGO DE CHOQUES ELÉTRICOS OU INCÊNDIO, NÃO
EXPONHA A UNIDADE À CHUVA OU UMIDADE. PARA REDUZIR O
RISCO DE CHOQUES ELÉTRICOS, NÃO REMOVA OS PAINÉIS
DIANTEIRO, SUPERIOR OU TRASEIRO. NENHUMA PEÇA NO
INTERIOR DESTA UNIDADE PODE SER CONSERTADA PELO USUÁRIO.
PEÇA ASSISTÊNCIA AO PESSOAL DE MANUTENÇÃO QUALIFICADO.
nOpere esta unidade somente em 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. Se você não souber se
a sua unidade tem a voltagem correta para o sistema elétrico do seu pais, NÃO
TENTE USAR ESTA UNIDADE. Entre em contato com seu revendedor ou
com a fábrica.
nPare imediatamente a operação se qualquer líquido ou objeto sólido cair em seu
gabinete. Desligue a unidade e mande examiná-la por pessoal qualificado.
nDesligue o transformador de força da unidade conectado à tomada de corrente
elétrica da parede se você não usar a unidade por um longo período de tempo.
Desconecte o fio segurando o plugue. Nunca puxe o próprio fio.
nA unidade não está desconectada da fonte de força principal enquanto o
transformador de força estiver ligado à tomada da parede, mesmo que a
própria unidade esteja desligada.
nNão desmonte o gabinete. Peça assistência somente ao pessoal qualificado.
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Section 2: Safety Precautions 9
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
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10 Section 2: Safety Precautions
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Section 2: Safety Precautions 11
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
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12 Section 2: Safety Precautions
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Getting Started 3
Section 3: Getting Started 13
A. CHOOSING A GOOD LOCATION
Place the unit in a location with adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat
build up.
1. Use the dimensions specified in Section 10 as a guideline for the minimum
clearances to the unit.
NOTE: Allow for adequate clearance above the unit to accommodate the height of the unit with its
cover open.
2. Do not install unit (a) near heat sources such as radiators or air ducts, or (b) in a
place subject to direct sun-light, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.
B. ABOUT MOISTURE CONDENSATION
If the unit is brought directly from a cold to a warm location, or is placed in a very
damp room, moisture may condense inside the unit. Should this occur, print
quality may not be optimum. Leave the unit turned OFF in a warm, dry room for
several hours before using. This will allow the moisture to evaporate.
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14 Section 3: Getting Started
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
C. UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
While unpacking your printer, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage has
occurred during shipping. Make sure that all supplied accessories are included
with your unit. The following items should be included with your printer:
nPrinter
nPower Supply (see Section 3-D)
nCleaning Roller Assembly (pre-installed)
nSoftware Installation CD (see Section 6)
nWarranty Statement and Registration Card
Save the carton and packing materials. They will come in handy when
transporting the unit.
D. APPLYING POWER
The power supply included with the printer is a universal power supply properly
configured for the power used in your country. To connect this power supply to the
printer, locate the appropriate power cord for your country and refer to the
following steps:
CAUTION! THE INCLUDED POWER SUPPLY IS DESIGNED FOR USE ONLY WITH THE
COLOR ID CARD PRINTER. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT THE
PLUG CONFIGURATION OR THE VOLTAGE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE
THE PRINTER. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED RESELLER FOR
INFORMATION ON THE CORRECT POWER SUPPLY CONFIGURATION.
1. Place the power cord into the power cord port of the power supply.
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Section 3: Getting Started 15
Pro-L Card Printer Users Manual
2. Place the DC power plug end of the power supply cord into the printers
Power Input Port.
3. Place the AC power plug end of the power supply cord into an available wall
outlet.
Power is automatically applied to the printer when it is plugged in. Press the
On/Cancel button if you wish to turn the printer OFF. If the printer will not be
used for a long period of time, unplug the power supply cord from the wall outlet.
Power Input Port
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