Microtech Xpress User manual

Document # 003-0075-04 Revised April 2004
Revision 4
Xpress
Disc Production System
Hardware Manual
Microtech Systems, Inc.
2 Davis Drive
Belmont, CA 94002 USA
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Web microtech.com
email [email protected]

Regulatory Compliance
Statements
Notice for USA
Federal Communications
Commissions (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the radiated energy limits for a Class A digital device, in
accordance with FCC CFR 47 Part 15 Rules and Regulations.
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Notice for Europe
European Standards
This equipment conforms to the EMC Directive
(89/336/EEC) by compliance with the following European
standards:
EN 55022:1998 + A1:2000, CISPR 22:1997 + A1:2000 (Emissions):
EN 50024:1998 + A1:2001, CISPR 24:1997 + A1:2001 (Immunity):
EN 60950:2001 First Edition (Safety)

Contents
Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Introducing Xpress........................................................................................................................................2
Xpress’s Parts .............................................................................................................................................................2
Xpress Specifications................................................................................................................................................4
Setting Up Xpress.............................................................................................................................. 5
Disc Production Workspace....................................................................................................................................6
Checking In Your Shipment ...................................................................................................................................7
Unpacking Xpress .....................................................................................................................................................7
Xpress Contents.........................................................................................................................................................8
Xpress Assembly Procedures ..................................................................................................................................9
Xpress Basics .................................................................................................................................... 13
Powering Up Xpress ...............................................................................................................................................14
The Xpress Desktop................................................................................................................................................15
Checking the Xpress Software Configuration..................................................................................................16
Initial System Calibration.....................................................................................................................................17
Testing Xpress .........................................................................................................................................................19
Placing Discs on Spindles.....................................................................................................................................20
Shutting Down Xpress ...........................................................................................................................................21
Calibrating Xpress........................................................................................................................... 23
Calibrating Xpress ..................................................................................................................................................24
Microtech Support..................................................................................................................................................25
Index .................................................................................................................................................. 27

Introduction

2 Introduction
Introducing Xpress
This section will provide all the information you need to unpack, install,
configure and use this system.
Xpress’s Parts
The following section shows and identifies all the important parts of
your Xpress. These components will be referred to later in the manual;
take a few moments to become familiar with them.
The main parts of the Xpress production system are indicated below
(front view).
Hoist
Printer Plate
Digital Camera for
(ImageAligner) option
A
rm
Control Panel
Floppy Disc Drive
Elevato
r
Disc Printer
Reject Spindle
Spindle #4
Spindle #3
Spindle #2
Spindle #1
Light Shield/
Camera Mount Disk
Camera Support Boom
Handhold
Disc Readers
Drive Enclosure
Base Unit (PC Enclosed)
Disc Writers

Introduction 3
The elevator contains all automation elements including the hoist and
the disc transport arm.
The hoist is part of the elevator and raises/lowers the arm.
The arm contains a disc gripper mechanism which holds discs during
transport. The arm can rotate to reach all disc positions (spindles, disc
writer drives and printer).
The drive enclosure holds the disc writers and acts as a platform for the
printer.
The disc writers are the drives that write to blank discs. The exact
number of writers installed (from 1 to 4) depends on your particular
system. Writers can be CD-R, DVD-R, or a mix.
The PC module contains the entire PC including disc readers, hard disk
and power supply.
The disc readers read master discs to be duplicated and other tasks.
Typically, one reader will be a CD-ROM reader and the other will be a
DVD-ROM drive.
The disc spindles hold discs in various stages of processing. There are
four full height spindles for holding blank and completed discs, and one
shorter reject spindle. All spindles can be lifed off and on for easy disc
handling.
Xpress Back View
Printe
r
Drive Enclosure
Base Unit
Light Shield/Camera Mount Disc
Camera
Elevato
r
Printer Base Plate
Camera Support Boom

4 Introduction
Xpress’s Control Panel
The control panel on the front of Xpress’s base unit contains the power
switch and several indicator lights.
Besides the labeled indicator lights for power and the hard drive, there
are four lights in a column, these lights are used to indicate the activity
on drives or buses.
Xpress Specifications
• Dimensions:
23” w X 23” d X 31” h [58mm x 58mm x 79mm]
• Weight:
System without printer: 135 lb. [61 kg]
System with printer: 155 lb. [70 kg]
Power Switch
Disc Drive
A
ctivity Lights
Flo
ppy
Drive

Setting Up Xpress

6Setting up Xpress
Disc Production Workspace
The workspace for the Xpress disc production system should be in an
environment free of dust and debris. Contamination can adversely affect
production yield, degrade the quality of the discs produced, and reduce
the life of the equipment. A typical office environment will provide the
necessary cleanliness, temperature, and humidity control required to
maximize system performance and service life.
The workspace should have the following features:
Sturdy workspace
A working surface sturdy enough to support a total weight of
200 lbs.
Large workspace
A large enough workspace: a recommended minimum of
60” W x 48” D x 36” H, with 36” of clearance above.
Electrical power
The production system needs adequate power and enough power
receptacles. Ensure that the power receptacles are properly grounded.
The average power requirement for the entire system is 250 watts. The
peak requirement may reach 400 watts. Microtech recommends using a
surge protector and/or power conditioner for optimal setup.
Adequate lighting
There should be enough light both for operating the equipment and for
examining the discs you produce and print. In addition, if the
ImageAligner option is installed, adequate lighting for the digital camera
to capture disc images is necessary (adequate light must be available
even when the system is running jobs unattended after-hours). Direct
sunlight or spotlights can adversely affect the robotic sensors of the
Xpress as well as affecting the performance of the ImageAligner.
Document storage
Keep the documentation and software handy for future assistance,
trouble shooting, etc.
Important Unpacking
Information
Be sure to save all packing
material in case you need
to move or ship your
system.
Microtech Systems will
only accept merchandise
returned in the original
shipping container.

Setting up Xpress 7
Checking In Your Shipment
Before unpacking Xpress:
• Check shipping cartons against table below
• Check for shipping damage
The shipment should include the following number of cartons:
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION NUMBER OF CARTONS
No printer 3
System with printer 4
System with printer and
IMAGEALIGNER option 5
Please examine all of the shipping cartons. If any cartons are missing or
damaged, notify the shipping carrier as soon as possible, then contact
Microtech technical support at [phone]. Technical support is available
Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time. Please
contact us with any questions or problems during the unpacking,
installation, and set up of the Xpress disc production system. If the
shipping cartons are present and not damaged, start setting up a
workspace for your production system.
Unpacking Xpress
There are four basic Xpress configurations:
1. Basic system only (no printer)
2. Basic system with the Signature IV or Signature Pro (inkjet)
printer
3. Basic system with the Perfect Image (thermal transfer) printer
4. Basic system with the Perfect Image (thermal transfer) printer and
ImageAligner for printing on pre-printed discs
A printer (and ImageAligner for printing on pre-printed discs) can be
added to a basic system. Ask your dealer or sales representative about
upgrade kits.
All Xpress configurations are equipped with up to four CD-R or DVD-R
writer drives and an additional 1 or 2 reader drives.
Moving Xpress: Never pick
up the main unit up by
grasping the tower, as this
can damage the unit.
A
lways lift it using the
handholds in the sides of
the unit’s base

8Setting up Xpress
Xpress Contents
Box # 1 Contains
Base Unit (housing PC Module)
Keyboard
Mouse
Software Key
Cables (Xpress Power Cord, and Serial Cable)
Box #2 Contains
Drive Enclosure
Elevator
Arm
Printer Base Plate (w/ Printer Option Only)
Box #3 Contains
Monitor
Cables
Box #4 Contains
Printer
Cables (Data Cable, Power Cord, Control Cable {Signature Pro only})
Box #5 Contains
Digital Camera
Camera Support Boom
Light Shield/Camera Mount Disk
Thumbscrews (3 Male and 1 Female)
Camera Cable
Calibration Disc
During unpacking, visually inspect parts for dents, scratches or other
damage. If any parts are damaged, call Microtech’s Customer
Support Department at 650-596-1900 7:30 – 5:30 PST
Microtech Systems will only accept merchandise returned in the
original shipping container.
Optional

Setting up Xpress 9
Xpress Assembly Procedures
Base Unit
1. Place Base Unit on Work surface.
2. Set keyboard, mouse, Software Key, and cables aside for later
connection.
Drive Enclosure
1. Remove thumbscrews (2) from the back of the Drive Enclosure –
set aside.
2. Remove back plate of Drive Enclosure.
3. Place Drive Enclosure on top of Base Unit (back of enclosure fits
flush with back of the Base Unit.)
Caution – do not pinch any wires!
4. Finger-tighten thumbscrews (6) inside Drive Enclosure to secure
it to Base Unit.
Elevator
1. Place Elevator securely onto pegs on Base Unit (center of Drive
enclosure).
Caution – do not pinch any wires!
2. Finger-tighten thumbscrews (2) inside Drive Enclosure to secure
Handler Module to Drive Enclosure.
Cabling
1. Drive Power Cable (indicated by blue dot) – connect the Drive
Power cable to port with the corresponding blue dot.
2. Fan Power Cable (indicated by yellow dot) – connect the Fan
Power Cable to port with the corresponding yellow dot.
3. Control Cable (indicated by red dot) –- connect the Control
Cable to port with the corresponding red dot.
4. Connect two ribbon cables from under fans to the Arm located
on the Elevator – Undo the twist-tie holding them together –
push into connectors firmly until connector locks.
5. Connect Drive Cables (4)
6. Replace back of Drive Enclosure.
7. Replace and tighten thumbscrews.

10 Setting up Xpress
Arm to Elevator
1. Remove threaded knob from underside of Hoist (on Elevator).
2. Line up holes on rear end of Arm with pins on Hoist.
3. Replace threaded knob and finger tighten to secure Arm to
Hoist.
4. Connect Arm to Hoist with small “phone” cord.
5. Place long Spindles on locations 1 – 4.
6. Place short Spindle on location 5.
7. Replace packing material in shipping box and store for
moving/shipping.
Disc Printer Option
1. Slide Printer Base Plate (from Box #2) into slots on top of drive
enclosure.
2. Finger-tighten two thumbscrews to secure Printer Base Plate to
Drive Enclosure.
3. Place Printer onto pegs on surface of Printer Base Plate.
Printer Connection
Perfect Image
1. Connect data cable between port on back of Printer and COM1
on back of Xpress Base Unit.
2. Connect Printer Power Cord to port on back of Printer, plug
opposite end into standard electrical outlet.
3. Install Software Key into any USB port on back of Xpress Base
Unit.
Note: If using ImageAligner Option, insure that Software Key is installed
in Parallel Port on back of Xpress Base Unit.
Signature Pro
1. Connect Data Cable between port on back of Printer and port on
back of Xpress Base Unit.
2. Connect Control Cable between port on back of Printer and port
on back of Drive Enclosure.
3. Connect Printer Power Cord to port on back of Printer, plug into
standard electrical outlet.
4. Install Software Key into any USB port on back of Xpress Base
Unit.
PRINTER IS READY FOR INITIAL TESTING

Setting up Xpress 11
Installing ImageAligner Option
1. Place Camera Support Boom on top of Printer Base Plate behind
Elevator.
2. Tighten attached knobs (3) to secure Camera Support Boom to
threaded holes in Printer Base Plate.
3. Line up pegs (2) and threaded rod on top of Light
Shield/Camera Mount Disk with holes on bottom of Camera
Support Boom.
4. Finger tighten knob onto threaded rod to secure Light
Shield/Camera Mount Disk to Camera Support Boom.
5. Open Camera Lens.
6. Attach Camera to Mount by finger tightening attached
thumbscrew.
7. Connect Camera Cable between port on top of Camera and port
on back of Xpress Base Unit.
8. Secure Camera Cable to Camera Support Boom using attached
cord clips
PRINTER IS READY FOR INITIAL TESTING
Additional Cables
1. Connect Xpress Main Power Cord to port on back of Base Unit,
plug into standard 110v electrical outlet.
2. Install Software Key into any USB port on back of Base Unit.
Note: With ImageAligner option, install Software Key into Parallel Port on
back of Base Unit.
3. Connect Serial Cable from back of Base Unit in COM2 to back of
Drive Enclosure.
XPRESS IS READY FOR INITIAL TESTING

Xpress Basics

14 Xpress Basics
Once Xpress is set up, test it to make sure everything is operating
properly. This chapter covers two quick test procedures. The first is an
automated test, that confirms that the system mechanics are working,
and that discs can be picked up, dropped and moved around correctly.
The second part of the test actually makes disc copies to verify that the
system’s electronics and disc writer drives are working properly.
Powering Up Xpress
• Press and release the power switch (located on the control panel on
the front; see page 3 for its location.)
• Xpress is a Microsoft Windows-based system that needs to go
through its boot-up process. As shipped from Microtech, each
system is set up to log you in as the user Administrator, with no
password (leave the password field blank in the login dialog). Once
the system is set up and running on your network, create a new user
account and make a practice of logging in as that user.
After your login information has been validated, the Windows desktop
will appear, and you may begin using the system.