Polaroid Printer P50i User manual

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Part Number: 980299-001 Rev.1.1
© 2004 POLAROID
Welcome to your new
Polaroid P50i
User’s Manual

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FOREWORD
This manual contains installation and operation information for the Polaroid P50iSeries card printers.
RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION
Before returning any equipment to Polaroid for in-warranty or out-of-warranty repair, contact Repair Administration
for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Repack the equipment in the original packing material and mark
the RMA number clearly on the outside. Ship the equipment, freight prepaid, to the address below:
Polaroid Digital ID Systems
4650 Executive Blvd.
Ft.Wayne, IN 46808
www.polaroid-id.com
Free number: 1-866-484-0611
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This document contains information proprietary to Polaroid. This document and the information contained within is
Copyrighted by Polaroid and may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without written approval from
Polaroid. While every effort has been made to keep the information contained within current and accurate as of the
date of publication, no guarantee is given that the document is error-free or that it is accurate with regard to any
specification. Polaroid reserves the right to make changes, for the purpose of product improvement, at any time.
TRADEMARKS
“Polaroid and Pixel Design” are trademarks of Polaroid Corporation. Windows and MS.DOS are registered trade-
marks of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are marks of their respective holders.

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Warranty information
Printers:
All Polaroid Card Printers are warranted against defects in material or workmanship for twelve (12) months from the
purchase date.
Proof of purchase or shipment date is required to validate the warranty period. The warranty becomes void if the
equipment is modified, improperly installed or used, damaged by accident or neglect, or if any parts are
improperly installed or replaced by the user.
Note: Products returned must be packaged in the original or comparable packing and shipping container. In the
event equipment is not so packaged, or if shipping damage is evident, it will not be accepted for service under
warranty. Surface transportation charges for return to customers in the continental United States is paid by Polaroid.
Otherwise, Polaroid pays CPT (carriage paid to) nearest airport, customer pays customers, duties, taxes, and freight
from airport to destination. If Polaroid determines that the product returned for warranty service or replacement is
not defective as herein defined, the customer will pay all handling and transportation costs.
Printheads:
Since printhead wear is part of normal operation, the original printhead is covered by a twelve (12) month
warranty. Warranty period begins on purchase date.
To qualify for this warranty, the printhead must be returned to the factory or to an authorized service center.
Customers are not required to purchase Polaroid supplies (media and/or ribbons) for warranty qualification.
However, if it is determined that the use of other manufacturer supplies has caused any defect in the printhead for
which a warranty claim is made, the user is responsible for Polaroid’s labor and material charges required to repair
the defect. The warranty becomes void if the printhead is physically worn or damaged; also if it is determined that
failure to follow the preventive maintenance schedule listed in the User's Guide has caused defect in the thermal
printhead for which a warranty claim is made.
Spare Parts:
All parts, maintenance kits, optional kits, and accessories are warranted to be free of defects in material and
workmanship for 90 days (except where otherwise denoted) from date of purchase. This warranty becomes void if
the item is modified, improperly installed or used, or damaged by accident or neglect.

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DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY
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’s by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The user may find the following booklet, prepared by the Federal Communications Commission, helpful:
How to identify and resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government
printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
Use of a shielded cable is required to comply within Class B limits of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Pursuant to Part 15.21 of the FCC Rules, any changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by
Polaroid may cause, harmful interference and void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment.
Model: P50iconforms to the following specification:
FCC Part 15, Subpart A, Section 15.107(a) and Section 15.109(a)
Class B digital device

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DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY
Polaroid Digital ID Systems
4650 Executive Blvd.
Ft.Wayne, IN 46808
www.polaroid-id.com
Products:
Plastic Card Printer P50i
Declare under his whole responsibility that the products cited above are in conformity
with the applicable essential requirements (and in particular those from the directive
1999/5/CE) following:
Article 3.1 a: (health protection and user ‘s security)
by the application of the norm EN60950 (2000)
Article 3.1 b (protection requirements concerning the electromagnetic compatibility)
by the application of the norms
EN55022 (1998), EN55024 (1998), EN301489-3 (2001),
EN 61000-3-2 (2000), EN 61000-3-3 (1995)
Article 3.2: (right use of the radioelectrical spectrum to avoid harmful interferences )
by the application of the norm EN300330-2 (2000)
Declare that all radio tests were fulfilled.

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Polaroid P50iPlastic Card Printer.
Polaroid’s card printers offer a low cost, high quality solution to those requiring computer-controlled
printing and encoding of credit card style plastic cards. Card applications include customer loyalty, access control,
visitor, membership, gift cards, durable business cards.
This manual guides you to efficient start up and operation of your new Card Printer.

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ICONS
Throughout this manual, different icons highlight important information, as follows:
Important general information.
Mechanical hazard, such as one associated with moving parts, capable of resulting in equipment
damage or personal injury.
Electrical hazard, such as an exposed voltage point, capable of causing electrical shock and
personal injury.
An area where electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause component damage. Use a grounding
wrist band.
Elevated temperature hazard, capable of producing a burn.
Keep Card Printer clean by minimizing cover open time.

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1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
1•1 Unpacking your P50i• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
1•2 Indicators and control • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12
1•3 Printer installation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13
OPERATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
2•1 Printer Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
2•2 Loading ribbon cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15
2•3 Loading cards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16
A- Card Feeder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16
B- Card Output Hopper • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 17
C- Install Card Cleaning Cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18
2•4 Feeding one card at a time • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19
2•5 Printing a test card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20
PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
3•1 Install Driver on windows 98/ME/XP • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
3•2 Install Driver on windows 2000 & NT4.0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
3•3 Set printer driver option • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
3•4 Printing a sample card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 24
CLEANING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 25
4•1 Cleaning system • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26
4•2 Cleaning the print head • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27
4•3 Card cleaning cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 28
TROUBLESHOOTING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 30
5•1 Print quality Issues • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 30

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GETTING STARTED
1 • 1 Unpacking your card printer
Your P50iprinter ships in a carton and protective anti-static bag. Keep all packaging material in case you need to move
or re-ship the printer.
Pull your printer out of the carton by grabbing it on both sides.
While unpacking, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage occured during shipment.
Please ensure that you have a clean and nearly dust free environment for proper operation and storage of the printer.

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PRINTER DRIVER &
USER’S MANUAL CD
Quick
Start
Guide
Make sure the following items are included with your P50iprinter:
If any items are missing, please contact your dealer.
To reorder, please refer to Appendix C of this manual.
QUICK START
CLEANING CARTRIDGE
INTERFACE CABLE
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY

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1 • 2 Indicators and Control
Your P50iprinter is equiped with a Multi Function Panel Button with a surrounding light ring that glows in three
colors to provide printer status indication.
The Multi Function Panel Button is used to perform the following operations:
- Clear Error
- Cleaning process (see chapter 4)
- Test Card (see chapter 2)
Power Switch:
The Power switch is located on the right-rear of the printer unit.
ON FLASHING
POWER ON
READY
RIBBON OR CARD OUT
HARDWARE
OR FATAL ERROR
Refer to troubleshooting
COMMUNICATION ERROR
CLEANING
RECEIVING DATA
PROCESSING
Green
Orange
Red

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1 • 3 Printer Installation
The following will guide you through the installation of your P50iprinter.
CAUTION: Limit AC power supplied to the P50iPrinter to 24 VDC. Limit excess
current draw to 16 amps or less, using an associated circuit breaker or other such
device. Never operate the printer in a location where operator, computer, or
printer can get wet. Personal injury could result. The printer must be connected
to an earthed electrical power supply and properly protected against electrical
surges and grounding faults. The power supply pack can only be
replaced by the same product from the constructor.
1 • Place the printer in a location that allows easy access to all sides. The printer
should never be operated while resting on its side or upside down.
2 • Place the printer’s power switch in the OFF “O” position.
3 • Insert the power supply to the printer power socket “1” and attach to grounded
electrical socket of the proper voltage and type.
4 • Attach interface cable “2” to printer and computer and then secure.
5 • Switch power on.
CAUTION: Intermittent or unpredictable operation may occur from unsecured
connectors. If damaged, the power cable must be replaced by an exact
equivalent. Use only Parallel Cable under 3 Meters in length.
The socket should always be easily accessible to power off the printer.

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2•1Printer Features
The following shows the features found on your P50iPrinter:

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2•2Loading Ribbon Cartridge
The P50iPrinter requires approved ribbon cartridges (see Appendix C). The Resin Thermal Transfer and Dye
Sublimation ribbons are specifically designed for your P50iPrinter. For optimum performance and printer life
(Print Head), always use approved ribbons.
You can print up to 100 cards in YMCKO with the ribbon cartridge.
When ribbon is completely used change the whole cartridge assembly.
DO NOT TOUCH the print head or the electronic components on the print head
carriage. Discharges of electrostatic charge from the human body or other surfaces
can damage the print head or other electronic components used in this device.
1•Open printer cover by pressing both Cover Release buttons on the sides of your printer.
2•With the “Top” label facing up and toward the front, vertically insert the ribbon cartridge into the slot and press
down gently until you can feel it engage properly.
Please note that the ribbon automatically synchronizes.

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2•3Loading Cards
To help you load, print, and collect cards, the P50ihas the following items:
A - CARD FEEDER
This item is used for loading cards, it can hold up to 50 cards of 30 mils.
You may have to install the Card Feeder.
Hold the card feeder on the sides and slide it into the rail guide.
• Install Cards into feeder at the front of your P50iprinter.
For Cards with magnetic stripe refer to Appendix A for loading instructions.
DO NOT bend cards or touch print surfaces as this can reduce print quality.
The surface of the cards must remain clean and dust free. Always store cards in an
enclosed container. Ideally, use cards as soon as possible. If cards stick together,
carefully shuffle them.
* See Chapter 6, Technical Specifications, for card requirements and capacities.

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B - CARD OUTPUT HOPPER
1 • Press on the card output hopper door and pull it down to place it in its functional position.
When not using the printer place the card output hopper back in its closed position to protect the printer from dust.

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C - INSTALL CARD CLEANING CARTRIDGE
This item is used to clean the cards entering the printer.
It must be installed before using the printer.
*Improper cleaning will reduce printer life and degrade print quality.
1•Open the lid by pressing both Cover Release buttons located on the sides of your printer.
2•If the ribbon cartridge is installed, remove it to access the cleaning cartridge location.
3 • Remove Card Cleaning Cartridge from plastic bag. Peel off protective wrapper from adhesive cleaning roller.
4 • Install adhesive cleaning roller supplied with your ribbon cartridge.
5 • A slide rail will guide you to insert the Cleaning Cartridge in the appropriate location.
A Cleaning Cartridge diagram is visible on the inside of your printer to help you find the appropriate location.
6 • Ensure the assembly locks in place by pressing gently on the top of the cartridge until it engages properly.
7 • Close the lid by pressing down firmly on both sides until you hear audible “clicks” as each side becomes latched.

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2 • 4 Feeding One Card at a Time
For feeding one card at a time, like Cleaning Cards for example, remove all cards from card feeder and insert one card
at a time at the bottom of the feeder.
Do not feed more than one card at a time.

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2 • 5 Printing a Test Card
With ribbon cartridge and cards loaded, your P50iprinter is ready to print. To check the operation of the printer,
you should print a test card.
1 •Place the printer’s power switch in the OFF (0) position.
2•While holding down the Multi Function Panel Button, switch printer ON (1). The status indicator will glow green.
3•Keep pressing the Multi Function button until the green indicator starts flashing.
3•Release the Multi Function button and a test card will print after a few seconds.
This is an example of the test card.
P50i
Head resistance: 1568
Offset: X002 - Y015
EC : 0014
Printing counter:!00002716
V1.50