Kortho qic i series User manual

MANUAL
QiC i-series
Thermal Transfer Printer
Edition: H325 IAE Rev.:004
English
kortho

kortho QiC i-series H325 IAE Rev.: 004
ii
bv korthofah
P.O. box: 3040
2220 CA, Katwijk
The Netherlands
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.kortho.com,www.kortho.eu
Document date: 23/03/2016
Manual: H325 AE QiC 30i-53i-107i EN 004
Number of pages: 186
The basis for this manual is:
Series: QiC i-series
Production year: 2016
Original language: English
Standard models: QiC 30i/53i/107i + TsC12
QiC Control version: V1.0-23102013A
Copyright

2016 bv korthofah
All Rights Reserved
QiC, QiC Draw, the kortho logo and the bv Korthofah logo are trademarks of Korthofah BV. All other
brand and product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.
Printed in the EC 2016
In light of continuous development and improvement, Korthofah BV reserves the right to modify the
specifications without prior notice. The figures printed in this manual may slightly differ from the Kortho
QiC i–series thermaltransfer printers. Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, without the written permission of Korthofah BV.

H325 IAE Rev.: 004 kortho QiC i-series
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Preface
Welcome to the QiC i-series manual.
Read the manual before you start and read it carefully. This will avoid unnecessary problems and loss of
performance.
This manual is meant for all personnel who are involved with the QiC i-series, which includes the QiC 30i,
the QiC 53i and the QiC 107i. The purpose of this manual is to get familiar with the QiC i-series. This
involves operational, safety, transport & storage, installation, commissioning, fault diagnosis and
maintenance instructions.
The general construction of the different type of coding units of the QiC i-series is the same. Because of this
there is no need to show pictures of each individual model. All pictures shown in this manual are of the QiC
30i.
All personnel must read the first four sections named INTRODUCTION, TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION,
PRINT PROCESS DESCRIPTION and SAFETY. The other sections provide instructions or information for
different aspects of the QiC i-series.
Keep this manual on a sensible and safe place for future use.
Contact Korthofah BV or your local distributor if you have any questions.
Conventions in this manual:
The printers of the QiC i-series will be referred to as the printer.
Any material that is used to print on is called substrate.
The customer is the person or company who is the owner of the printer.
Follow the instruction order as indicated when you carry out any of the procedures described.
Instruction format:
1. Instruction. Comment(s).
a. Sub-instruction. Comment(s).
b. Sub-instruction. Comment(s).
2. Instruction. Comment(s).
Symbols in this manual
In this manual, the following symbols are used:
WARNING:
This symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if instructions are not followed,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION:
This symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if instructions are not followed, may
result in minor or moderate injury or damage to property.
The statements above are notes for your safety.
Beware:
A notice with useful information for the user in relation to the product. It attends the user to
possible problems.
Note:
Gives the user suggestions and helps the work to be carried more rapidly.
i

kortho QiC i-series H325 IAE Rev.: 004
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Glossary
Bitmap: A data file or structure. A set of bits that represents a graphic image, with each bit
or group of bits corresponding to a pixel in the image.
Host: A machine or production system that handles the product or substrate and can be
connected by an interface to the printer, e.g. a printer alarm to stop the machine.
Index: Distance between two printed areas on the used ribbon, also known as ‘ribbon
gap’.
Label: A design file from which the printer generates the bitmap to print. This design file
can contain a unique combination of text, numeric, date, time, barcode and/or
graphical items.
Label memory: Memory on the MMI board in which the labels can be stored. From this memory
labels can be selected for printing (stored in the print memory).
Pixel: A pixel is the smallest portion of a bitmap. For a printer one pixel represents one
dot (= one sequence of heating up of a single heating element of the print head).
Print: The result of printing a label on a substrate.
Print memory: Memory on the main board (PX2) in which the label to be printed is stored. Only
one label can be printed at the same time, so only one label can be stored in this
memory.
Print request: A signal generated by a sensor or host machine. It is a trigger to start a print cycle.
Print cycle: The moment from which the printer accepts a print request until the printer is
ready to accept a new print request.
Product: In this manual, the substrate the printer prints on, e.g. a packaging foil.
QiC Draw: A design tool on a PC to create and edit labels. It also contains a service module
which can be used during service/problem solving.
Ribbon: Thermal transfer ribbon, pigment carrier foil.
Sensor: A product detection device connected to the control unit.
Substrate: This is the material to print on, e.g. packaging foil.

H325 IAE Rev.: 004 kortho QiC i-series
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Table of contents
Preface..................................................................................................................................iii
Symbols in this manual......................................................................................................... iii
Glossary................................................................................................................................iv
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................v
1INTRODUCTION
1.1 Qualified personnel............................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 Elementary personal protection......................................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Intended Use ..................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.4 Specifications..................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.4.1 Coding unit ....................................................................................................... 1-2
1.4.2 Control unit....................................................................................................... 1-2
1.4.3 Ribbon.............................................................................................................. 1-3
1.4.4 Label features................................................................................................... 1-4
1.4.5 Life span........................................................................................................... 1-5
1.4.6 Electrostatic charge.......................................................................................... 1-5
1.4.7 Shock & vibration ............................................................................................. 1-5
2TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
2.1 The printer system............................................................................................................. 2-1
2.2 Coding unit......................................................................................................................... 2-2
2.3 Control unit......................................................................................................................... 2-4
2.4 Air supply........................................................................................................................... 2-4
2.5 Label design ...................................................................................................................... 2-5
2.5.1 QiC Draw label design software....................................................................... 2-5
2.5.2 NiceLabel ......................................................................................................... 2-6
3PRINT PROCESS DESCRIPTION
3.1 Print cycle .......................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Printhead............................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.3 Coding unit......................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.4 User interface .................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.4.1 Menu structure ................................................................................................. 3-3
3.4.2 LED indicators on control unit .......................................................................... 3-4
3.4.3 LED indicators and front button on coding unit................................................ 3-4
3.4.4 Keyboard.......................................................................................................... 3-5
3.4.5 System information........................................................................................... 3-9
3.4.6 Menu structure ................................................................................................. 3-9
4SAFETY
4.1 General.............................................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Warning messages........................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.2 Caution messages............................................................................................ 4-1
4.1.3 Beware messages............................................................................................ 4-2
4.1.4 Notes................................................................................................................ 4-3
4.2 Control unit......................................................................................................................... 4-4
4.2.1 General information.......................................................................................... 4-4
4.2.2 Power supply.................................................................................................... 4-4
4.2.3 Precautions before power-up........................................................................... 4-6

kortho QiC i-series H325 IAE Rev.: 004
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4.2.4 Precautions when opening the control unit ......................................................4-6
4.3 Anti-static precautions........................................................................................................4-7
4.3.1 Printhead ..........................................................................................................4-7
4.3.2 Printed circuit boards........................................................................................4-7
5TRANSPORT & STORAGE
5.1 Printer equipment...............................................................................................................5-1
5.1.1 Shipping and handling......................................................................................5-1
5.1.2 Pre-transport procedure ...................................................................................5-1
5.1.3 Pre-storage procedure......................................................................................5-2
5.2 Ribbon................................................................................................................................5-2
5.2.1 Handling and storage .......................................................................................5-2
5.2.2 Transport information .......................................................................................5-3
6INSTALLATION
6.1 Requirements.....................................................................................................................6-1
6.1.1 Provided by the customer:................................................................................6-1
6.1.2 Equipment.........................................................................................................6-1
6.2 Unpacking..........................................................................................................................6-1
6.2.1 Coding unit........................................................................................................6-1
6.2.2 Control unit TsC12............................................................................................6-2
6.2.3 Printhead cleaning set......................................................................................6-2
6.3 Mounting the coding unit....................................................................................................6-3
6.3.1 Coding unit mounting support...........................................................................6-3
6.3.2 Substrate adjustment........................................................................................6-3
6.3.3 Air supply..........................................................................................................6-4
6.4 Mounting the control unit....................................................................................................6-4
7COMMISSIONING
7.1 Initial setup.........................................................................................................................7-1
7.1.1 Load the ribbon on the magazine.....................................................................7-1
7.1.2 Aligning the printhead to the platen..................................................................7-2
7.2 Preparing the control unit...................................................................................................7-3
7.3 Optimising the print quality.................................................................................................7-3
7.4 User settings......................................................................................................................7-5
8OPERATION
8.1 Powering up.......................................................................................................................8-1
8.2 Operational.........................................................................................................................8-2
8.2.1 Start printing .....................................................................................................8-2
8.3 Operator data input............................................................................................................8-2
8.3.1 Text item input menu........................................................................................8-3
8.3.2 Date advance input menu.................................................................................8-4
8.3.3 Number start value input menu ........................................................................8-5
8.4 Label management ............................................................................................................8-6
8.4.1 Selecting a label for printing.............................................................................8-6
8.4.2 Transferring labels to the control unit...............................................................8-6
8.4.3 Moving a label...................................................................................................8-9
8.4.4 Deleting a label...............................................................................................8-10
8.4.5 Showing a preview .........................................................................................8-11
8.5 Magazine handling...........................................................................................................8-12
8.5.1 Removing the magazine.................................................................................8-12
8.5.2 Placing the magazine .....................................................................................8-12
8.5.3 (Re)placing ribbon ..........................................................................................8-13

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8.6Adjusting printer settings ................................................................................................. 8-13
8.6.1 System settings.............................................................................................. 8-14
8.6.2 Printer settings ............................................................................................... 8-20
8.6.3 Signal settings................................................................................................ 8-21
8.6.4 Network settings............................................................................................. 8-23
8.6.5 Label settings ................................................................................................. 8-25
8.6.6 Print settings................................................................................................... 8-27
9DIAGNOSTICS / TROUBLESHOOTING
9.1 Diagnostics ........................................................................................................................ 9-1
9.1.1 Test labels........................................................................................................ 9-1
9.1.2 Printer............................................................................................................... 9-3
9.1.3 Fonts................................................................................................................. 9-6
9.1.4 Diagnostics....................................................................................................... 9-6
9.1.5 Test................................................................................................................... 9-8
9.1.6 Reset Ribbon.................................................................................................... 9-9
9.2 Information....................................................................................................................... 9-10
9.2.1 General........................................................................................................... 9-10
9.2.2 System Info .................................................................................................... 9-11
9.2.3 Health............................................................................................................. 9-12
9.2.4 Upgrade.......................................................................................................... 9-12
9.2.5 Backup............................................................................................................ 9-14
9.2.6 Report............................................................................................................. 9-16
9.3 Screen calibration............................................................................................................ 9-18
9.4 Fault finding ..................................................................................................................... 9-19
9.4.1 Control unit..................................................................................................... 9-19
9.4.2 Coding unit ..................................................................................................... 9-20
9.4.3 Print request signal sensor............................................................................. 9-22
9.5 Error/warning messages.................................................................................................. 9-22
9.6 Poor print quality.............................................................................................................. 9-23
10 MAINTENANCE
10.1 Daily maintenance ........................................................................................................... 10-1
10.1.1 Printhead........................................................................................................ 10-1
10.1.2 Platen ............................................................................................................. 10-2
10.2 Maintenance after replacing the ribbon roll ..................................................................... 10-2
10.3 Weekly maintenance ....................................................................................................... 10-3
10.4 Half yearly and yearly maintenance ................................................................................ 10-3
10.5 Printhead replacement..................................................................................................... 10-3
10.5.1 Printhead safety notes.................................................................................... 10-3
10.5.2 Printhead replacement................................................................................... 10-4
10.6 Updating firmware and software...................................................................................... 10-5
11 DISMANTLING & DISPOSAL
11.1 Dismantling...................................................................................................................... 11-1
11.1.1 System............................................................................................................ 11-1
11.1.2 Coding unit ..................................................................................................... 11-1
11.1.3 Control unit..................................................................................................... 11-1
11.1.4 Sensor devices............................................................................................... 11-1
11.1.5 Ribbon............................................................................................................ 11-1
11.2 Disposal........................................................................................................................... 11-2
11.2.1 Disposal method............................................................................................. 11-2
11.2.2 Waste separation ........................................................................................... 11-2
Index

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Keywords ............................................................................................................................... I
Figures ................................................................................................................................. III
Appendices
Appendix A Specifications....................................................................................................A-1
Appendix B Dimensions.......................................................................................................B-1
Appendix C Part lists & illustrations .....................................................................................C-1
Appendix D Connections......................................................................................................D-1
Appendix E NiceLabel driver tutorials..................................................................................E-1
Appendix F Quick reference ................................................................................................F-1
Appendix G Error list ........................................................................................................... G-1
Appendix H EC Declaration of conformity............................................................................H-1

H325 IAE Rev.: 004 kortho QiC i-series
1-1
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Qualified personnel
Operators are qualified when they have read and understand sections 1 to 8 of this manual. A specific
preliminary training is not required.
Technicians that carry out repairs and technical maintenance on the printer equipment should have
secondary technical education or comparable technical level of knowledge through practical experience.
Installation or servicing of the printer must only be performed by qualified personnel of Korthofah BV or a
local distributor, which is designated by Korthofah BV.
For customer installations authorisation must be obtained from Korthofah BV or a local distributor, which is
designated by Korthofah BV.
1.2 Elementary personal protection
When installing or servicing the equipment ensure that the host machine is stopped.
When installing or servicing the equipment ensure the control unit of the printer is switched off.
Please read the SAFETY section for more information
1.3 Intended Use
The QiC i-series Thermal Transfer Printers are industrial printers and are designed to print directly on
substrates e.g. packaging foils. The printer can print labels with fixed and/or dynamic items. Dynamic items
are items like operator input text, number, date and time. Beside text related items, the printer can also print
items such as barcodes, shift-codes and graphics.
The labels will be designed with a PC based design tool and downloaded by the user. The labels can be
downloaded to the control unit by Ethernet or by USB thumbdrive. Ethernet can be used to download a label
to the print memory. By using the USB thumbdrive many labels can be copied to the label memory. While
selecting a label for printing the label will be transferred form the label memory to the print memory. The
print memory can only hold one label.
Normal use means use under normal conditions as described in this manual i.e. use ribbons recommended
by Korthofah BV and use only original spare parts.
The printer may not be used in areas which have a fire or explosion hazard.
Korthofah BV does not accept any liability for damage to the equipment or personal injury resulting from
improper use of the equipment or improper maintenance. Neither does Korthofah BV accept any liability for
the normal wear-and-tear of the equipment.

INTRODUCTION
kortho QiC i-series H325 IAE Rev.: 004
1-2
1.4 Specifications
Only general specifications are described in this section. Refer to Appendix A for more detailed
specifications.
1.4.1 Coding unit
Fig. 1.1 Coding units, global dimensions
A general impression of the coding unit dimensions is given in Fig. 1.1. The dimensions (H x W x D) of the
coding units are (bracket excluded, see section 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 ):
Part.nr.
Printer
Height
Width
Depth
Print area
816629
Coding unit QiC 30i
196
166
192
53x30
816311
Coding unit QiC 53i
196
214
192
53x107
815722
Coding unit QiC 107i
196
214
244
107x107
The ambient temperature must be between 5 °C and 40 °C, with a relative humidity between 10% and 90%
(non-condensing).
Use only Kortho thermal transfer ribbon for this printer.
1.4.2 Control unit
Fig. 1.2 Control unit, global dimensions