Neopost As-940 User manual

4136126P/B

22/05/2008

AS-940

Addressing Solution

Operating Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Section Page#

SECTION 1 – GETTING ACQUAINTED ________________________________________________4

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ________________________________________________________________4

PACKAGING/SHIPPING ________________________________________________________________5

CONTENTS _________________________________________________________________________5

INITIAL ASSEMBLY___________________________________________________________________6

Attach the Print-Carriage Cover______________________________________________________6

Attach the Media Side Guides ________________________________________________________6

Attach the Rear Paper Support and Rear Media Guide ____________________________________7

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ______________________________________________________________7

OPERATOR VIEW ____________________________________________________________________8

REAR VIEW ________________________________________________________________________9

PRINT CARRIAGE VIEW ______________________________________________________________10

CONTROL PANEL ___________________________________________________________________ 11

SECTION 2 – PRINTER INSTALLATION AND SETUP __________________________________ 13

CHOOSE A LOCATION ________________________________________________________________ 13

CONNECTING POWER TO THE PRINTER ___________________________________________________ 13

CONNECTING TO THE COMPUTER _______________________________________________________ 13

INSTALLING THE INK CARTRIDGES______________________________________________________ 14

Ink Level Monitor Reset____________________________________________________________ 14

SETTING UP THE FEED SYSTEM ________________________________________________________ 15

Sheet Separation Adjustment________________________________________________________ 15

Media Side Guide Adjustments ______________________________________________________ 16

Rear Media Guide Adjustments______________________________________________________ 16

Loading Media___________________________________________________________________ 17

Media Thickness Adjustment________________________________________________________ 18

PRINT UNIT POSITIONING (VERTICAL ADDRESS POSITIONING) ________________________________ 19

PAPER FEED (MEDIA TRANSPORT)TEST _________________________________________________20

TEST PRINT _______________________________________________________________________20

SECTION 3 – OPERATING THE PRINTER ____________________________________________ 21

PRINTER CONTROL PANEL &MENU FEATURES ___________________________________________ 21

PRINT RECOVERY AFTER A JAM________________________________________________________ 23

INSTALLING THE PRINTER DRIVER ______________________________________________________24

USB Port Selection and Verification Process____________________________________________28

Printer Driver Properties______________________________________________________30

Print Heads Tab (Head Adjustment) __________________________________________________30

SOFTWARE SETUP EXAMPLES _________________________________________________________32

Printing from Satori Bulk Mailer® 5.0 ________________________________________________32

Printing from Microsoft Word_______________________________________________________34

SECTION 4 – MAINTENANCE _______________________________________________________ 37

INKJET CARTRIDGE MAINTENANCE _____________________________________________________ 37

Replacing the Inkjet Cartridge:______________________________________________________ 37

Inkjet Cartridge Storage ___________________________________________________________ 38

Cartridge Disposal _______________________________________________________________ 38

Cleaning the Inkjet Cartridge (Printhead) _____________________________________________ 38

Limitations of this document: The information presented herein is subject to change. 10/14/2009 Neopost USA Inc. assumes no liability whatsoever

11/24/2009

Purging the Nozzles_______________________________________________________________ 37

JAMS IN THE PRINTER ________________________________________________________________ 37

Removing Jammed Media __________________________________________________________ 37

REPLACING THE SHEET SEPARATORS ____________________________________________________ 37

CLEANING THE PRINTER ______________________________________________________________40

Rubber Rollers ___________________________________________________________________40

Media Transport Belts _____________________________________________________________40

Cleaning the Media Sensor _________________________________________________________41

SECTION 5 – TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ___________________________________________43

HP INKJET PRINT CARTRIDGES ________________________________________________________43

THE PRINTER ______________________________________________________________________44

PRINTER DISPLAY MESSAGES _________________________________________________________45

APPENDIX A – AS-940 SPECIFICATIONS_____________________________________________ 47

APPENDIX B – SUPPLIES, SERVICE AND SUPPORT __________________________________ 48

INDEX ___________________________________________________________________________ 49

Limitations of this document: The information presented herein is subject to change. 10/14/2009 Neopost USA Inc. assumes no liability whatsoever

11/24/2009

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Section 1 – Getting Acquainted

Safety Precautions

THIS EQUIPMENT PRESENTS NO PROBLEM WHEN USED PROPERLY. HOWEVER,

CERTAIN SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE OBSERVED WHEN OPERATING THE PRINTER.

BEFORE USING THE PRINTER, YOU SHOULD READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY

AND FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES, SAFETY WARNINGS, AND

INSTRUCTIONS:

9Keep hands, hair, and clothing clear of rollers and other moving parts.

9Avoid touching moving parts or materials while the machine is in use. Before clearing a jam, be sure

machine mechanisms come to a stop.

9Always turn off the machine before making adjustments, cleaning the machine, or performing any

maintenance covered in this manual.

9Use the power cord supplied with the machine. Plug it into a properly grounded wall outlet located

near the machine and easily accessible. Failure to properly ground the machine can result in sever

personal injury and/or fire.

9The power cord and wall plug is the primary means of disconnecting the machine for the power

supply.

9DO NOT use an adapter plug on the line cord or wall outlet.

9DO NOT remove the ground pin from the line cord.

9DO NOT route the power cord over sharp edges or trapped between furniture.

9Avoid using wall outlets that are controlled by wall switches, or shared with other equipment.

9Make sure there is no strain on the power cord caused by jamming between the equipment, walls or

furniture.

9DO NOT remove covers. Covers enclose hazardous parts that should only be accessed by a qualified

service representative. Report any damage of covers to your service representative.

9This machine requires periodic maintenance. Contact your authorized service representative for

required service schedules.

9To prevent overheating, do not cover the vent openings.

9Use this equipment only for its intended purpose.

9Follow any specific occupational safety and health standards for your workplace or area.

Limitations of this document: The information presented herein is subject to change. 10/14/2009 Neopost USA Inc. assumes no liability whatsoever

11/24/2009

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Packaging/Shipping

The printer is shipped in appropriate packaging so that, under normal shipping conditions, it

reaches its destination without damage.

NOTICE: Report damage to the carrier. The carrier is liable for any damage during transport. Transport

and storage should take place under normal conditions, i.e. at temperatures between +5°C and +70°C and

relative air humidity of up to 80%. Exposure to conditions that are not permissible may lead to damage

which is not externally visible.

Please save the packaging for future use! It will be required if you ever need to ship the printer.

Contents

The following items are included with your printer:

1 Print-Carriage Cover (including mounting hardware)

1 Power Cord

2 Media Side Guides (mounting hardware attached to printer)

1 Rear Paper Support (mounting hardware attached to item and printer)

1 Rear Media Guide (attached to Rear Paper Support)

1 Product CD ((Operations Manual (PDF) and all necessary Drivers files included on this CD))

Note: Parallel and USB interface cables and Ink cartridges are not included with the printer.

Interface USB cables (recommend 6 ft or less) can be purchased from computer and office supply

stores.

Ink cartridges can be purchased through your local Neopost dealer or branch.

Figure 1

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Initial Assembly

Attach the Print-Carriage Cover

Using the 4 flat-head Philips screws supplied; attach the Print-Carriage Cover to the printer.

WARNING! Be careful not to over tighten the screws or you will damage the cover.

Attach the Media Side Guides

Using the 4 flat-head Philips screws supplied;

attach the Media Side Guides to the printer.

Note: The screws are shipped; attached to side

guide securing plates, on the printer.

Figure 2

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Attach the Rear Paper Support and Rear Media Guide

Note: The Rear Media Guide is shipped attached to the Rear Paper Support. The Rear Paper

Support mounting screws are shipped; attached to rear paper support and the printer.

Loosen the two large Rear Paper Support

securing screws (2 Philips head screws)

about 3 revolutions.

Positioned the upper portion, of the paper

support assembly, inside the table-top

cutout and then slide the lower portion of

the paper support behind the two

loosened screws.

Using the two small Philips head screws

supplied, attach the upper portion of the rear

paper support to the deck of the printer.

Secure the two lower Philips head screws.

System Requirements

•Pentium III-class PC (500 MHz or higher recommended)

•Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 6 or higher), Windows 2000,Windows

XP or Windows Vista (32 or 64 bit). You must have administrative privileges on the system.

•Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.

•System memory depending on your operating system.

•At least 120 Mb free hard-disk space.

•CD-ROM drive

•Centronics Parallel and or USB port

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Operator View

1. PRINT-CARRIAGE COVER – The Print-Carriage Cover encloses the printhead

carriage and media transport rollers/belts.

2. MEDIA SIDE GUIDE SECURING KNOBS – Used to secure the Media Guides

at their desired locations.

3. MEDIA SIDE GUIDES – Used to center the media in the printer and provide

straight feeding of media.

4. REAR PAPER SUPPORT – Provides the proper angle to enhance media feeding

and separation.

5. LCD DISPLAY – Displays information about the status of the printer.

6. PRINTER CONTROL PANEL – The keys on the printer control panel are used

to operate the printer.

Figure 6

1 2

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Rear View

7. REAR MEDIA GUIDE – Allows for adjustments in stack angle, based on media

type and length. Helps to force the media against the separation area.

8. MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER – The circuit breaker protects the printer’s motor from

overload.

9. FEED ROLLERS – (8 serrated, 4 black) Delivers the bottom piece of media, from the

stack, through the separation area, and under the forwarding rollers.

10. MEDIA THICKNESS ADJUSTMENT DIAL – Is used to set the printheads at the

proper height for printing on the media.

11. SHEET SEPARATOR LOCKING LEVER – Is used to lock the separators in place

after they are adjusted.

12. SHEET SEPARATORS – (four) Use to separate a single piece of media from the stack.

13. USB PORT – Connects the printer to the USB port on your computer.

14. PARALLEL PORT – Connects the printer to the parallel printer port on your computer.

15. MAIN POWER SWITCH – This switch turns the printer ON and OFF.

16. MAIN POWER FUSE – This fuse protects all of the electronic circuits in the printer.

17. POWER RECEPTACLE – The power cord is plugged in here.

Figure 7

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Print Carriage View

18. PRINT UNITS – One holds 3 ink cartridges (cartridges 1, 2, 3) and the other holds 2 ink

cartridges (cartridges 4, 5). Can be moved to adjust the vertical print position.

19. INK CARTRIDGE LATCH LEVERS – Used to secure the inkjet cartridge in to the

Pen Stall.

20. PEN STALL – The area where the inkjet cartridge is inserted.

21. PRINT UNIT SECURING KNOBS – Used to secure the print unit positions.

22. PRINT AREA REFERENCE – Visual reference to help the operator adjust print area

position.

23. MEDIA TRANSPORT BELTS – Drives the material through the system.

Figure 8

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Control Panel

ON LINE key – This key is used to put the printer on/off line.

LED “slow flash” = Printer is powered on, but off-line.

LED “on” = Printer is on-line

Note: The printer must be off-line to access the menu modes or TEST print.

2. - key – In the menu mode this key will scroll to the previous selection.

ENTER key – This key is used to start/stop media feed.

When the printer is placed in any of the menu modes, the ENTER key is used to select the

options available.

When the printer is off-line this key is used to start the Paper Feed function.

4. ERROR Indicator – This indicator lights when there is a problem with the printing process.

5. RESET key – Holding down this key, until all LED’s light momentarily, will reset the printer

to its normal ready state.

6. + key –In the menu mode this key will scroll to the next selection.

7. MENU key – This key causes the printer to enter the menu mode where several operator

functions can be accessed.

8. TEST key – Pressing this key will put the printer into the test pint mode (LED on); allowing the

printer’s internal “test image” to be printed.

9. LCD DISPLAY – Indicates the status of the printer including piece count, menus, and error

messages.

10. MEDIA THICKNESS ADJUSTMENT DIAL– The dial on the right side of the control panel

is used to adjust the height of the print heads to compensate for different media thickness.

NOTE: A complete description of the functions and operation of the printer keys

can be found in Section 3 – Operating the Printer.

Figure 9

SECTION 1

GETTING ACQUAINTED

Notes

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Section 2 – Printer Installation and Setup

Before using the printer, the following must be done:

•Choose a location for the printer

•Connect power to the printer

•Connect it to the computer

•Install the Inkjet Cartridges

•Set up the feed system (media separation and transport) on the printer

•Position the Print Units

Choose a Location

The printer should be placed on a sturdy worktable or cabinet at least 12 inches from any walls.

Protect the printer from excessive heat, dust, and moisture – avoid placing it in direct sunlight.

Connecting Power to the Printer

1. Make sure that the main power switch of the Printer is in the

OFF (0) position.

2. Verify that the power source is the correct voltage for your

printer, and it is properly earth grounded. The use of a surge

protector is recommended.

3. Connect one end of the power cord to the rear of the Printer in

the corresponding receptacle.

4. Plug the other end into a 115 Volt AC, 50/60 Hz. Grounded

outlet.

CAUTION

Do not use an adapter plug or extension cord to connect the

printer to the wall receptacle. Figure 10

Do not use outlets controlled by wall switches.

Do not use an outlet that shares the same circuit with large electrical machines or appliances.

Surge Protectors are recommended.

Connecting to the Computer

USB Users: Plug the USB cable from your

computer, into the printer’s USP USB Port,

located next to the parallel port connector.

Parallel Users: Plug the parallel printer

cable from your computer into the printer’s

Parallel Port and latch the two locking

clips. Figure 11

NOTE: The cable used to connect the printer to the computer must not exceed 6 feet long. The parallel

port may be used for all versions of Windows. The USB Port is used only for Windows ME, 2000,

and XP.

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Installing the Ink Cartridges

The printer can accommodate 5 HP45A style inkjet cartridges. The cartridges are installed as follows:

Remove the inkjet cartridge from its packaging,

taking care not to touch the copper contacts or the

nozzle plate. Remove the protective tape from the

inkjet cartridge.

See “Appendix B” for a list of ink cartridges that are

available for your printer.

•The cartridges are held in place by a latch lever

mounted on the inkjet cartridge holder (pen stall).

Release the lever by raising it vertical.

•With the cartridge’s nozzle plate pointing down, slide

the cartridge into the pen stall and push down and

toward the contacts in the pen stall.

•Make sure the cartridge is seated in the pen stall then

close the latch lever to secure the cartridge in the pen

stall. Do not force the lever into place. (See the

diagram.)

•Reset the ink level monitor for this cartridge.

See “Ink Level Monitor Reset” below.

•Repeat the above for the remaining cartridges.

Ink Level Monitor Reset

The printer can automatically calculate the approximate ink level available in each cartridge. It does

this using a drop count method. When the level is calculated as being low (~5% ink remaining in the

cartridge) the printer will stop and display “Head # Low. Press Enter.”. After you press Enter, you

can choose to ignore the warning or you can check the cartridge. If the cartridge is almost empty, you

should replace the cartridge and reset the Ink Level Monitor using the flowing procedure.

Press the MENU key momentarily.

Use the “+” or “-” key to highlight “Enter when head (n) is filled”.

Press the ENTER key and install a new cartridge.

Repeat for each cartridge you install. When the ENTER key is pressed the display will change to

“Head (n) has a new cartridge”.

NOTE: This feature is only valid if the cartridges remain in their original positions, where they were

first installed. If you swap the cartridges from one stall position to another, the calculated ink levels

will not be accurate. It is suggested that you tag the cartridges with their original position number.

Quick Ink Level Monitor Reset (all Heads):Power the printer on while holding down the MENU key,

until the printer displays “Resetting all Ink Levels in Flash”. Then release the MENU key.

To check the level of ink in the cartridges, Press and hold the TEST key until the “Service Menu”

appears. Use the “+” or “-” key to scroll to the “Service Menu: Ink Levels, 100%100%100%”. This

will show how much ink remains in the cartridge.

The ink in the cartridge may be harmful if swallowed. Keep new and used

cartridges out of reach of children. Discard empty cartridges immediately.

Figure 12

Figure 13

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Setting up the Feed System

The printer is equipped with four sheet separators, two media side guides, a rear media guide, and a media

thickness adjustment dial.

Sheet Separation Adjustment

The sheet separators are adjusted individually as follows:

1. Move the side guides so that the separators and

separator locking lever are accessible.

2. Release the Separator Locking Lever, by pulling it

forward and down, as shown in .

Figure 15

3. Lift each individual separator up, until it locks in

the upper position, as shown in .

Figure 16

4. Place a single piece of media under the separators,

as shown in .

It is best to place the media so it is in the center

position on the table.

Figure 17

5. Unlock the separators that have media beneath

them and allow them to fall (by their own weight)

onto the media, as shown in .

Repeat for each separator that has media under it.

IMPORTANT

Be sure that unused separators are locked in their

raised position. If not, they will rub on the feed

rollers, causing transport problems and damage to

the rollers and separators.

Figure 18

6. Raise the Separator Locking Lever, by lifting it up

and back, as shown in . This will lock

the separator positions.

Figure 19

Figure 14

Figure

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 15

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Media Side Guide Adjustments

Figure 19

1. Loosen the Media Side Guide Securing Knobs, as

shown in .Figure 20

2. Move the side guides apart, so the media will fit

between them and be centered in the feed area.

3. If not already present; place one piece of media

between the side guides, so the media is centered in

the feed area.

4. Adjust the Media Side Guides so that they are about

a dimes width (~1/32-inch) from the sides of the

media, as shown in .

Figure 21

5. Tighten the Media Side Guide Securing Knobs, to

secure the side guide positions.

Figure 20

Rear Media Guide Adjustments

1. Place two pieces of media into the hopper, making sure the leading edges of the media is resting

against the separators.

2. Adjust the Rear Media Guide position by sliding it up or down on the Rear Media Support.

Position it so that the trailing edge of the media is raised approximately ½ to 1 inch above the Rear

Media Support, as shown in .Figure 22

Figure 21

0.5” – 1”

GAP

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Loading Media

When placing media into the printer, it is important to follow these steps.

1. Start by placing a single piece of media into the feed

section, so that it is touching or starting to feed under

the sheet separators.

2. Before adding media; fan the stack of material so the

bottom pieces are closest to the separation point, as

shown in . Then carefully place the stack

between the side guides, so the leading edge of the

stack is against the sheet separators, as shown in

Figure 23

Figure 24

3. Additional pieces can be placed onto the stack, as

described in the above step.

4. If the printer runs out of material, be sure to reload

the printer beginning with the first step.

Figure 22

ure 23

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Media Thickness Adjustment

The printhead carriage height must be set to accommodate the thickness of the media you will be

feeding. This printer incorporates a servo motor to control the height of the carriage.

1. Make sure the printer is off-line. If on-line, press the ONLINE key to take it off-line.

2. Press the MENU key, then use the +key to scroll to the menu item “Media Thickness Setup”. Press

the ENTER key to select this feature.

3. Turn the Media Thickness Dial [A] fully

clockwise. This will cause the servo motor

to raise the printhead carriage to its highest

position.

4. Place a piece of media [B] under the

printhead carriage rollers, as shown in

.Figure 25

5. Slowly adjust the Media Thickness Dial [A]

counter-clockwise until the printhead

carriage rollers touch and hold the Media

[B] securely. Figure 24

6. When properly adjusted the Media [B] will

be securely captured between the printhead

carriage rollers and the lower transport

belts. It should require a moderate amount

of force to pull the Media [B] from under

the printhead carriage rollers.

Tip: Make a note of the Media Thickness

Dial position, as a reference for future

adjustment when using this particular

media.

7. Press the MENU button to exit out of the

“Media Thickness Setup” mode.

NOTE: The printer will automatically raise the printhead carriage to its highest position, when you exit

the “Media Thickness Setup” mode. When the printer is told to print or feed material, it will

automatically lower the carriage to your preset value.

The chart below can be used as a general guideline for setting the position of the Media

Thickness Dial [A].

Media Thickness Dial Setting

.004” to 1/32” 0 to 2

1/32” to 1/16” 2 to 3

1/16” to 1/8” 3 to 7

1/8” to 1/4” 7 to 10

NOTE: The chart show general guidelines. It is best to adjust the carriage height using the

procedure outlined above.

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Figure 26

Figure 27

Print Unit Positioning (Vertical Address Positioning)

The print units are the device that contains the pen stalls and inkjet cartridges. To adjust the vertical

position of the address (printed image) on the media, you must move the Print Units to the desired print

positions. The red lines, at the exit end of the print unit, can be used to approximate the print position on

the media, as shown in Figure 27.

1. Loosen the Print Unit Securing Knobs. See .

2. Slide the Print Units to the desired positions as shown in .

3. Tighten the Print Unit Securing Knob.

Note: Horizontal print position is adjusted via your software (mailing program).

Figure 27

Note: The minimum gap (distance) between the print units (between heads 3 and 4) is 1 5/16”.

AREA

3, 2, 15, 4

No. 10 Envelope

SECTION 2

INSTALLATION & SETUP

Minimum Distance Between Print Units (Heads 3 & 4)

Figure 28 shows the minimum distance between print units.

This minimum is achieved by pushing the print unts against one another.

Figure 28

Paper Feed (Media Transport) Test

Test for proper media transport.

If the printer is setup properly, it should feed the media without hesitation, skewing or jamming.

1. With the printer off-line, press the ENTER key, to start the Paper Feed feature (feeds material

without printing).

2. Press ENTER again to stop the Paper Feed feature.

TEST Print

When off-line, the TEST key can be used to print a TEST image.

The TEST image can be used to:

Check the vertical print position.

Demonstrate the printer.

Check the condition or the ink cartridges.

Check the function of the printer.

Note: Horizontal print position is adjusted via your software (mailing program).

Customizing the TEST Print Image:

The TEST print image can be changed to any image you desire, by using the following

procedure:

1. Power the printer on while holding down the TEST key.

2. From your computer; send an image that you would like to be the new TEST image.

Note: Turning the printer on, while holding down the TEST key, will erase the previous TEST image. If a

new TEST image is not loaded, then a TEST image will not be available to print when you press the TEST

key.

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Neopost AS-940 User manual

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