Little David™ MicroJet High Resolution Printer HRP

MicroJet HRP Thermal Ink Jet

System

Part Number MJHRP-OM Version: 05A

Operator’s Manual

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L ITTLE DAV ID™ MICRO JET HRP SY STEM

Printer System Operation

The information contained in this manual is correct and accurate at the time of its publication. Loveshaw reserves the right to

change or alter any information or technical specification at any time and without notice.

Copyright 2008 Illinois Tool Works, Inc All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America

Loveshaw, Inc. 2206 Easton Turnpike, PO. Box 83

South Canaan, PA 18459 Tel: 1-800-962-2633 • 570-937-4921

Fax: 570-937-4016

www.loveshaw.com

LOVESHAW EUROPE, LTD Unit 9 Brunel Gate

West Portway Industrial Estate Andover, Hampshire SP10 3SL

ENGLAND Tel: 264-357511 Fax: 264-355964

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 3

Chapter 2: Operating Safety 4

Chapter 3: Overview 7 Installing the Printing System

Chapter 4: System Installation and Pen Installation 13 Section 1:

Section 2: Inserting Cartridge Pen into Print Head

Chapter 5: PC GUI Software and Hand Held Configuration 14 Section 1: PC GUI Software Configuration

Section 2: Hand Held Controller

Chapter 6: Product Sensing 55

Chapter 7: External Encoder 56 Floating Head Bracketry

Chapter 8: Ink and Ink Formulations 58

Chapter 9: Features and Options 59

Hand Held Controller

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Chapter 10: Maintenance 60

System Troubleshooting

Chapter 11: Service 64

Chapter 12: Warranty 65

Appendix A: Specifications 66

Appendix B: Theory of Operation 67

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Introduction

hank you for purchasing the Little David™ High Resolution Printing System, the MicroJet HRP. The MicroJet HRP thermal ink jet printer is designed to be versatile enough to suit a variety of carton coding requirements. All employees who will be required

to operate the printing system should read this manual to ensure proper set-up and a long machine life. After reading this manual you will know how to perform the following functions,

• How to position the printing system to achieve maximum performance.

• How to install the ink cartridge, purge the system and adjust the mounting strategy to apply codes in the most efficient manner.

• How to use the controller interface. PC Graphic Users Interface (GUI) and Hand Held Controller Option.

• Maintenance and Troubleshooting of worn or defective ink cartridges.

Throughout this manual there are several illustrations designed to help you perform the variety of tasks described.

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Operating Safety

The flowing is a list of safety symbols and their meaning, which are found throughout this manual. Pay attention to these symbols where they appear in the manual.

Wear Safety Goggles when performing the procedure described.

Caution or Warning! Denotes possible personal injury and/or damage to the equipment.

Caution or Warning. Denotes possible personal injury and/or equipment damage due to electrical hazard.

NOTE: (will be followed by a brief comment or explanation.)

ESD protection should be worn when servicing internal printed circuit boards. After service to the equipment is completed, replace all protective devices such as grounding cables and covers before operating the equipment.

Wear safety glasses and protective clothing, including gloves, when handling all inks and conditioners. It is extremely important to clean up all spills with the appropriate solvents immediate and dispose of all wastes according to local and state regulations. Store inks and solvents under the recommend conditions found on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

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Instruction: Requirement to System Operation

Socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible.

Warnings: Potential Bodily Injury or Equipment damage

Avoid liquid or excessive moisture when using the system. Do not operate the system with wet hands, nor in a very humid environment. Do not spill liquid on the system. Always wear safety goggles when handing inks.

Do not touch the cartridge print head nozzle array. Wiping the nozzle array with anything other than a clean low lint text wiper may cause damage to the print head nozzle array. Always wear safety goggles when handing inks.

If a problem arises that is not covered in this manual, do not attempt to repair the system yourself, instead, call your nearest service office for immediate and correct care of the equipment. Trained personnel should perform all adjustments and service.

The Little David MicroJet HRP has been engineered and designed to work with Loveshaw ink cartridges. The Little David MicroJet HRP Smart Level Ink Detection System, which provides ink level monitoring to ensure complete ink usage and product safety, will not be functional if used with non-Loveshaw cartridges.

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This manual contains operator information for Little David MicroJet HRP Equipment. It is directed toward the person who operates that system. You should take the time to read through this manual once before operating it. Thereafter, refer to it as necessary.

Take special note of all warnings, cautions, and maintenance instructions. Like any other piece of equipment, the Little David Printing Systems functions best when cared for and used carefully. Note that only an authorized technician should perform any procedures not described in this manual.

Caution: Potential Machine Damage

Do not install the system in temperature extreme environments.

Provide and use proper electrical power.

Do not operate, maintain, or otherwise use the system, except as described in this manual. The system is not a toy.

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MicroJet HRP System

Overview

This manual covers several parts of the machine. The following diagram identifies the key sections of the printer. A typical installation is shown below.

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Installation

lways check for any signs that the machine may have been damaged before fully removing it from the shipping container.

Section 1: Placing the Printing System

The Little David MicroJet HRP comes complete with mounting bracketry and all necessary power, communication cables and software for installation. The Plant Manager at your facility might have already determined a pre-arranged location for the printing system. If no pre-arranged location exists following the steps below will help determine the ideal spot.

Step One: Carefully remove all of the items in the shipping box. Retain the packaging material so that it can be repackaged if the need arises. All system components are shipped in one carton with the exception of ink which is packaged and sold separately. Take care in removing the printer head from the shipping carton and ensure all parts are removed.

Step Two: You will need to select a suitable mounting location for your printing system. Orient the printing system along your production line in a position relative to your product code location. Take care as to not mount to near glue sealing equipment as glue strands may drift on to the printing system and interfere with the quality of print.

Step Three: Install the system as illustrated on the drawings provided. Remember that you will need to mount and orient the printing system along your production line in a position relative to your product code location.

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S E C T I O N 1 : P L A C E M E N T

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Head Setup and mounting

Mount the Print head to extrusion and bracket as shown.

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Head Setup and mounting

Mount the Print head and extrusion to L Bracket as shown.

Mount the mounting block to the conveyor frame as appropriate to the mounting location. Little David LD7 Case Sealer Mounting Adaptor is shown below.

S E C T I O N 1 : P L A C E M E N T

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Typical Installation to Conveyor

Head to Box Alignment Setup

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Power Supply and Bracket Kit:

PN: MJHRP-005

Mount the Power supply bracket to the conveyor frame or conveyor leg as appropriate for the application.

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PC GUI Software Installation

You are at the phase where you will need to configure and communicate from a host computer or Hand Held Controller to the MicroJet HRP print head. Each print head is supplied with a CDROM that contains the PC Graphic User Interface or GUI software that allows the user to communicate from Desktop or Laptop / Notebook PC that has a DB9 Serial interface. An optional Hand Held Controller is available to provide a more robust data entry device intended for warehouse / factory environments where a PC is not desired.

Section 1: PC Graphic User Interface (GUI)

Software

When a computer is being used, install the PC GUI software using the CD included with the print head. Follow the installation instruction prompts, and then launch the program. Connect the included serial cable between the computer COM PORT and the rear of the print head as shown.

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When installing the software from the CDROM select “Serial Print Head” from the menu which is the last selection on the screen. Ensure the home screen menu is present via the Hide Menu / Show Menu button, and then press the Control Panels button.

Press the System Setup button, and then the Serial Ports tab.

Press the first Port/Baud button and ensure the baud rate is set for 57600. Press the OK button to exit the Serial Port Setup screen.

Press the first Function button and select the Serial Print Head option. Press the OK button to exit the COM 1 Function screen.

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Press the Print Heads tab and then the Redo Print Head Setup button. Select the desired direction.

Select the number of print heads and identify the first in the daisy chain.

Configure the Printhead(s) and press Done. Note that negative print heads offsets are not allowed. The first head in the daisy chain should also be the first print on the product.

Other print heads can be inline (0.00 offset), but not farther upstream to the product.

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Select the Encoder tab, and choose the desired encoder type.

If an external photocell is desired, then select the Task Options Tab, and check the External product sensor box.

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Create a Message

From the home screen, select the Messages button and then the New button to enter the message editor.

Create as save the message, and then exit the message editor.

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Print a Message

From the home screen, push the Print button.

Select the desired message to print, and push the Print It button.

The message will print on the next photocell trigger.

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Keyboard

ESC (Escape):

• Closes the current window, a dialog box, or menu.

• Restores the original contents of any input entry box, if Enter has not been pressed.

Arrow Keys:

• Shift focus between screen controls.

• Moves highlighted fields or the cursor around the Message Editor.

Tab:

• Shifts focus between screen controls.

• Shifts focus between fields in the Message Editor.

Backspace in Message Editor:

• Normal functionality as QWERTY keyboard.

• Deletes a highlighted field.

Ctrl (Control) in Message Editor:

• Amplifies the movement of the arrow keys.

• Holding the Ctrl key while pressing the Enter key at the end of a text line enables paragraph functionality.

F4/F8:

• The F4/F8 key pulls up the extended characters dialog.

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Home Screen

Message Window

• Displays the current print message.

• Updated approximately every second, so it is likely to show each print.

• Long print messages can be viewed by using the F1 and F2 keys to scroll the message left and right respectively.

• White or beige bars represent a print head in the daisy chain and are identified by their respective numbering.

• The header displays the task number and file name of the message being printed. If no message is located to print, “None” is displayed.

Task Select Button

• Places focus on the selected task. This allows one to view what is being printed on either task in the home screen. Additionally, items in the main menu vary from one task to the other.

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Task Print / Pause Button:

• Starts and Stops print after an operator responds to a confirmation dialog popup box.

• If a message is currently printing, pressing the Pause button will discontinue printing after the message completes printing.

• If the Play button is pushed, print will resume on the nest product detected.

Quick Print Menu Button:

• Allows one to access the Print Menu directly even with Restricted User Access enabled. Simply select the desired message and press the Print It button. The message will print after the next photocell trigger.

Zoom:

• Expands the message window to full screen and magnifies the print message so that fine details may be seen.

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• F1, F2, F5 and F6 keys, or Arrow keys, scroll the message left, right, up and down.

• Zoom button or the ESC key to zoom back.

Counter:

• Inactive.

Variable Field:

• Inactive.

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Creating Logos:

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Uploading Files to the Print Head

NOTE: The BMP must reside on the controller and print head in order to select it for message creation and print, respectively. Copy the same BMP file into the INKJET Folder of the MicroJet HRP Inkjet Program. (Go to My Computer, select Program Files, then Open up the Inkjet folder, then open up the bmps folder and copy the BMP file into this location.

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Section 2: Hand Held Controller Connection

Hand Held Controller Kit PN: .MJHRP-HANDKIT

When portable Hand Held Controller is being used connect the included serial cable between the Controller and the rear of the print head as shown.

Take note that the DB9 connector is mated to the left side COMM PORT on the print head.

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Section 2: Hand Held Controller Section 2: Hand Held Controller Section 2: Hand Held Controller Section 2: Hand Held Controller

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

This manual describes the operation of the Loveshaw Handheld Controller as used to control HRP print heads. The Handheld Controller can be used to individually operate from one to four HRP print heads hooked together in a daisy chain configuration: print head configuration may be set or checked, print head status can be monitored, and print messages can be created, edited, saved, retrieved and uploaded to the attached print head(s). HRP print heads can operate stand-alone, so once they are set up and printing their operation can be secured by disconnecting the Handheld Controller. This feature also allows multiple HRP print stations to be controlled using a single Controller. Simply carry the Handheld Controller to the print station that needs attention, plug in, perform the desired task, unplug and move on to the next print station.

Overview The HRP Handheld Controller has a back lit, 3.75” (95 mm) diagonal black and white graphics display and a 40-key keypad (see illustration, right). LEDs on the keypad indicate Power On (upper right corner or the POWER key), Shift Lock (upper right corner of the SHIFT key), Num Lock (NUM LED, right side of LED bar just below F5), and which one of up to four possible print heads is being addressed (LED bar, LEDs 1 – 4).

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A brief summary of the keypad and display operation follows. More detailed descriptions are given elsewhere in this manual as required. Keypad

Function Keys: Use the five function keys (F1 – F5) at the top of the keypad to navigate from screen to screen and to select options within a screen. Each key’s function, which changes from

screen to screen, is displayed at the bottom of the screen just above the key. When a function key has no function its corresponding spot at the bottom of the display is blank (see F5, right).

SHIFT Key: Press the SHIFT key for lower case letters; normal (un-shifted) keypad operation produces upper case letters. The SHIFT key operates push on/push off: press it once for shift

mode, enter your lower case letters, then press it again to return to normal keypad operation. An LED in the upper right corner of the SHIFT key lights when the keypad is in the shift mode.

NUM LOCK Key: Press the NUM LOCK key to access the numeric keypad. The NUM LOCK key operates push on/push off: press it once for num lock mode, enter your numbers, then press it

again to return to normal keypad operation. The NUM LED (located just under the F5 key) lights when the keypad is in the num lock mode.

Arrow Keys: Use the arrow keys to move input focus from one screen element to another, to move about within a screen element, and to move

the cursor while creating or editing a print message. The arrow keys can also be used to stop from print head to print head on the Print and Status screens.

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ENTER Key: Use the ENTER key to move input focus into and out off a screen element. For example, a screen has, among other elements, a list box, and using the arrow keys, the list box is

selected. Selecting the list box gives it input focus, but focus is only on the exterior of the box, and if an arrow key is pressed input focus will move to another screen element. To move input focus to the interior of the box press ENTER: now use the arrow keys to select an item in the box. Press ENTER again to return focus to the exterior of the box.

ESC Key: The ESC (Escape) key functions as a limited “undo” key. For any entry box, text or numeric, press ESC to undo any immediate

changes made; for list boxes press ESC to return to the first item on the list.

POWER Key: Press the POWER key to put the Controller into a low power sleep mode; press it again to instantly resume operation with no loss of data.

NOTE: If power is removed while the Controller is in the sleep mode any unsaved data will be lost.

Intelligent Operation: The number keys and the arrow keys feature intelligent operation: on screens where numeric input is the only possible operation (entering a product count, for example) the keypad automatically goes to NUM LOCK mode. Similarly, where up/down arrow key operation is the only choice possible (scrolling through the items in a list box, for example), using the arrow keys un-shifted automatically gives you up/down operation. Display Elements

Check Box: Used to indicate which option from a number of options is the current selection.

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Edit Box: Used to enter or edit text or numeric data. An edit box must have input focus in order to enter or edit data.

An edit box has two types of input focus: exterior and interior. A large dashed line around the box indicates exterior focus. When an edit box has exterior focus, pressing an arrow key moves focus off the edit box and onto the next screen element.

A small dashed line around the box indicates interior focus. When an edit box has interior focus it is in the edit mode: data can be entered

and edited, and pressing the arrow keys moves the cursor left and right through the data. Press ENTER to switch between exterior and interior focus.

List Box: Used to select one item from a list of many.

A list box has two types of focus: exterior and interior. A large dashed line (see Edit Box examples above left) around the box indicates exterior focus. When a list box has exterior focus, pressing an arrow key moves focus off the list box and onto the next screen element.

A small dashed line around the box indicates interior focus. When a list box has interior focus, pressing the arrow keys moves the selection bar up and down through the list.

Press ENTER to switch between exterior and interior focus.

Getting Started

The Handheld Controller plugs into the left hand connector on the back of the HRP print head. About twelve seconds after being plugged in the Startup Screen appears:

From the Startup Screen you can adjust the display’s contrast and backlight brightness, select the units of measure used

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throughout the other screens, or proceed to the main operating screens. Once you exit the Startup Screen you cannot return except by cycling power to the Handheld Controller.

Select the Unit of Measure

Press English / Metric (F3) to toggle between English (feet & inches) and Metric (meters & centimeters) units of measure. An asterisk ( * )

indicates the current selection. The selection is saved while the controller is turned off.

Adjusting the Display

Press LCD Contrast (F1) to adjust the display’s contrast or

backlight brightness:

Adjust the contrast and brightness as desired, and then press Exit (F5). The display settings are lost when the controller is unplugged.

Press Main Screen (F2) to proceed to the Print Screen. The Print Screen is one of three main operating screens; the other two are the Edit Screen and the Status Screen. Any one of the main screens is directly

accessible from the others.

The Status Screen

The Status Screen displays the status of the currently selected print head, and function keys provide access to the Print Screen, Edit Screen, Print Head Selection Screen, and Print Head Setup Screens. Print head status includes:

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Print head: Indicates the current print head selection. Use the left/right arrow keys to sequence through the print heads, or go directly to a particular print head by pressing the 1 – 4 keys.

Photocells: When a print head is configured to use its internal photocells the status is reported as

- no response – the controller received no photocell status information.

- off – neither photocell is blocked. - left – the left photocell is blocked (as seen from the

front of the print head).

- right – the right photocell is blocked (as seen from the front of the print head).

- both – both photocells are blocked. When a print head is configured to use an external photocell the status is reported as

- no response – the controller received no photocell status information.

- off – the photocell is not blocked. - on – the photocell is blocked.

Print status:

- printing – the print head is active. It will print when the photocell is blocked.

- paused – the print head is inactive. It will not print when the photocell is blocked.

Ink supply:

- no response – the controller received no ink supply status.

- OK – ink supply is between 100% and 10% - low – ink supply is between 10% and 2% - out – cartridge has less than 2% of ink supply

remaining. - stop print – ink supply unknown or print head is in

thermal shutdown; printing stops.

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Date: 2-digit month, 2-digit date, 4-digit year as reported by the clock in the print head. Time: Hours and minutes as reported by the clock in the print head. Version: Print head firmware version number. At the lower left corner of the display, just above the Print and Edit buttons, is the Handheld Controller’s firmware version number.

Configuring the Print Head(s) The HRP Handheld Controller operates from 1 to 4 print heads attached one to another in a daisy chain configuration, but communicates with only one print head at a time. LEDs 1 to 4 on the LED bar on the keypad indicate which print had is being addressed. Print head # 1 is always at the end of the daisy chain farthest from the controller, then moving towards the controller, print heads # 2, # 3, and # 4. The controller defaults to addressing print head # 1 at power up.

The print head being addressed may be changed from any screen that includes an element similar to what is seen at left.

To sequence through the print heads press the left or right arrow key; to go directly to a particular print head press the 1 – 4 button.

To configure the selected print head press Settings (F4) on the Status Screen; the Settings menu replaces the normal Status Screen menu at the

bottom of the display:

Setting the Line Speed, Photocell, and Encoder

Press Line Speed (F3) to configure a print head’s line speed, photocell, and encoder:

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The Line Speed Screen displays the current configuration for the print head. Press Speed Control – Auto/Fixed (F1) to toggle between automatic speed detection and printing at a fixed line speed. The current selection is indicated by an ‘X’ in the check box. Automatic print speed detection requires that internal photocell and internal encoder be selected. Fixed Speed requires that internal encoder be selected. When Fixed Speed is selected enter the line speed in the box provided. Press Photocell Source – Internal/External (F2) to toggle between the internal and external photocell selection. The current selection is indicated by an ‘X’ in the check box. Using an external photocell requires using a fixed print direction (see Setting the Print Direction, below), and either a fixed print speed or an external encoder. Press Encoder Source – Internal/External (F3) to toggle between the internal and external encoder selection. The current selection is indicated by an ‘X’ in the check box. Press OK (F5) when done to return to the Settings menu. Setting the Print Direction

Press Direction (F4) on the Settings menu to configure a print head’s print direction. An ‘X’ in the check box indicates the current

configuration.

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Press Auto (F1) for automatic print direction detection. Auto detection requires using the print head’s internal photocells.

Press <--- (F2) for a fixed print direction when the package moves right to left past the print head, as seen from the back of the print head.

Press ---> (F3) for a fixed print direction when the package moves left to right past the print head, as seen from the back of the print head. Press OK (F5) when done to return to the Settings menu.

Setting the Time and Date

Press Date/Time (F5) to display the current date and time as reported by the selected print head’s internal clock:

Press Set Time (F3) to set the clock:

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Press Hour (F2); enter the hour.

Press Minute (F3); enter the minute.

Press OK (F5) to set the selected print head’s clock, then return to the Date/Time Screen.

Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Date/Time Screen without changing the print head’s clock.

Press Set Date (F4) to set the date:

Press Day (F3); enter the date. Press Month (F2); enter the month.

Press Year (F4); enter the year.

Press OK (F5) to set the date on the selected print head, then return to the Date/Time Screen.

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Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Date/Time screen without changing the print head’s date.

Synchronizing Multiple Print Heads to the Same Time and Date

On the Date/Time Screen, press Synchronize (F5) to set all print heads in the daisy chain to the same time and date as that of the print head

currently being addressed.

Press Back (F1) to return to the Settings menu.

Print Messages

A print message, for purposes of using the Handheld Controller, is defined as all data printed by a single HRP print head. A print message may contain up to 10 data fields, with each field being fixed text, a date code, a time code, or a product count. Each field may be printed using a large (½”) or small (¼”) Arial style font, and with the small font, two lines of data may be printed one atop the other.

The Edit Screen Print messages are created, edited, and saved on the Edit Screen. Open the Edit Screen from the Status or Print Screen by pressing Edit (F2).

Dominating the central part of the Edit Screen are long text boxes for the input and display of the up to ten data fields that make up a print message. To the right of each of the field data boxes are boxes for displaying the field’s indent, or its distance from the product’s left edge, and a graphical representation of the font used to print the field. Images used to represent the font are:

= Large (1/2”) font.

= Small (1/4”) font printed on the top line.

= Small font printed on the bottom line.

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At the top left of the Edit Screen is the message name; at the top right is the product width.

Edit Screen Menu Functions At the bottom of the page is the Edit Screen menu. The Edit Screen menu contains a total of ten items spread over three pages. To scroll through the pages press MORE (F5). The entire Edit Screen menu is:

Print (F1): Go to the Print Screen. Going from Edit Screen to Print Screen, and back, is done with no loss of print message data.

Status (F2): Go to the Status Screen. Going from Edit Screen to Status Screen, and back, is done with no loss of print message data.

New (F3): Create a new print message. All fields are cleared, and field and message properties are set to their default values:

• The indent for field #1 is set to 0.00.

• The font for field #1 is set to Large.

• Product Width is set to 12.00 inches (30.48 cm).

• Repeat Print is set to Off

• Message name is set to Untitled.

File (F4): Save, open, and delete print message files.

Codes (Page 2, F1): Make a field a date, time, or count code.

Font (Page 2, F2): Select the current field’s font: Large, Small top line, or Small bottom line.

Indent (Page 2, F3): Set a field’s horizontal position by specifying its distance from the left edge of the product.

Clear (Page 2, F4): Clear or erase the current field contents; indent is set to 0.00; font is set to Large.

Width (Page 3, F1): Specify the product width.

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Repeat (Page 3, F2): Specify if the message is to print continually in web mode.

Creating a Print Message

Press Edit (F2) from the Print Screen or Status Screen. Press MORE (F5) twice to go to the third page of the Edit Menu.

Set the Message Properties

Press Width (F1) to open the Product Width Screen:

Enter the product width; to enter a decimal point press F1 or the W key. For web printing applications enter the print-to-print distance as the product width.

Press OK (F5) to return to the Edit Screen. Note that the product width box at the top right of the display shows the product width just entered.

If the message is for a web application press Repeat (F2) to open the Repeat Print Screen:

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Press On (F1) to enable repeat print. Press OK (F5) to return to the Edit Screen.

Add the Print Fields

There are three steps to adding a field to a print message: select the font, set the indent, and enter the print data. The steps do not have to be performed in any particular order. Use the up/down arrow keys to move from field to field. PLEASE NOTE: In order for a message to print properly, print fields MUST be added in the order that they appear in the print message, left to right, top to bottom. To make this easier, the editor prevents any data from being entered into a field until the field before it contains data. Nothing can be entered into field #2, for example, until field #1contains something. Also, as each field is entered, the minimum indent for the next field is calculated and added to the display. This indent is the minimum required to prevent a field from overlapping the field to its immediate left, and does not provide for any additional spacing between fields. If a field is not to be butted up against the one to its left its indent will need to be set larger than the minimum. See Set the Field Indent.

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Select a Font

Press Font (Page 2, F2) to display the Fonts Screen. An ‘X’ in the check box indicates the current font selection.

Press Large (F1) to select the large font. Press Small (F2) to select the small font, then… Press Top (F3) to place the field on the top print line, or… Press Bottom (F4) to place the field on the bottom print line. Press OK (F5) to return to the Edit Screen.

Set the Field Indent

Press Indent (Page 2, F3) to display the Indent Screen; the current indent setting is shown in the edit box. Enter the indent; to enter a decimal point press F1 or the W key. The indent cannot be made larger than the product width, or smaller than the minimum indent shown just beneath the edit box.

Press OK (F5) to return to the Edit Screen.

While field indents cannot be made smaller than the calculated minimums, but it is possible, when editing a field, to make the field longer than it previously was, or to move it to the right on the product, causing it to overlap any field to its immediate right. When this occurs the indent box on the next field turns black. See top of next page:

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The top figure on the left shows the message before field #1 is edited; the bottom figure shows it afterwards. The black indent box on field #2 indicates that the indent setting for that field is now less than the

minimum necessary to prevent field overlap. To correct the error go to field #2 and press Indent to display the Indent Screen. The new minimum indent is automatically put in the edit box; change the indent to provide the field separation desired and press OK (F5).

Adding a Text Field

To add a text field to a print message, go to the first blank field, press ENTER to put the edit box into the edit mode, and enter the text. Press ENTER when done. A text field may have up to 52 characters, including spaces.

Upper case letters, lower case letters, and numbers can be entered directly from the keypad. Punctuation marks and other symbols are available via a symbol table. To access the symbol table the edit box must be in the edit mode, which displays the edit mode menu:

Press Symbols (F1) to display the symbol table.

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Use the arrow keys to select the desired symbol, and press ENTER to add the symbol to the text field and return to the Edit Screen. When editing a message, to change a date, time, or count field to a text field, first clear the field (press F4 on page 2 of the Edit Screen menu).

Adding a Date Code

To add a date code to a print message, go to the first blank field and press Codes (Page 2, F1) to display the Codes Menu:

Press Date (F3) to display the Date Code Screen:

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Use the arrow keys to select the desired date format from the list.

If the date is to be offset (for a best by date, sell by date, etc.) press Date Offset (F3) and enter the number of days for the offset.

Press OK (F5) to add the date code to the print message and return to the Edit Screen.

Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Edit Screen without adding a date code.

On the Edit Screen, a date code is displayed as the date format chosen followed by the date offset. See field #2, below.

Adding a Time Code

To add a time code to a print message, go to the first blank field and press Codes (Page 2, F1) to display the Codes Menu:

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Press Time (F4) to display the Time Code Screen:

Use the arrow keys to select the desired time format from the list.

Press OK (F5) to add the time code to the print message and return to the Edit Screen.

Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Edit Screen without adding a time code.

On the Edit Screen, a time code is displayed as the time format chosen. See field #3, below.

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Adding a Product Count

To add an incrementing product count to a print message, go to the first blank field and press Codes (Page 2, F1) to display the Codes Menu:

Press Count (F4) to display the Count Screen:

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Enter the starting count. Use leading zeros to specify the number of digits, up to a maximum of 9. The count may start at any value, but when it rolls over, it goes to 1. Counts print with leading zeros.

Press OK (F5) to add the count to the print message and return to the Edit Screen.

Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Edit Screen without adding a count.

On the Edit Screen, a count field is displayed as shown in field #4 below.

Saving, Retrieving, and Deleting Print

Messages

Press File (Page 1, F4) to open the File Screen and display a list of existing print messages.

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Saving a Message

Press Edit Name (F2) to assign input focus to the Name box. Enter a file name for the print message.

Press Save (F4) to save the message.

Press Back (F1) to return to the Edit Screen.

Retrieving a Message

Using the arrow keys, select the desired message from the list.

Press Open (F5) to open the file in the editor and return to the Edit Screen.

Deleting a Message

Using the arrow keys, select the desired message from the list.

Press Delete (F3) to delete the message.

Press Back (F1) to return to the Edit Screen.

Printing a Message

Messages are sent to the print head(s) for printing from the Print Screen. The print screen also displays what the currently selected print head is printing, as well as allows the operator to pause and resume print.

The Print Screen

The Print Screen is accessible from either the Status or Edit screen by pressing Print (F1).

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The information shown is retrieved from the print head so it may take a second or two for the screen to update when it is first displayed or when switching from print head to print head. Information shown is (left to right):

- The field number. - The field’s contents. In the illustration above, field 1 is

text, field 2 is a date code with a zero offset, 3 is a product count, and 4 is text.

- The field’s indent. - The field’s font. Fields 1 and 2 use the large font, field

3 uses the small font on the top line, and field 4 uses the small font on the bottom line.

And along the top of the screen:

- The message’s file name. - The currently selected print head. - The current print status: Printing or Paused.

To select a different print head, use the left/right arrow keys to sequence through the heads, or go directly to a particular print head by pressing 1 – 4.

Print Screen Function Keys

Press Status (F1) to go to the Status Screen.

Press Edit (F2) to go to the Edit Screen.

Press File (F3) to open a print message file and send it to the currently selected print head for printing.

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Press Pause/Start Print (F5) to toggle print on and off. Press Pause Print to stop print; press Start Print to resume

print.

Printing a Message from Memory

To print a message previously created and saved in memory: On the Print Screen:

Press File (F3) to open the File Screen:

Use the arrow keys to select the desired message.

Press Print It (F5) to open the message, send the message to the print head for printing, and return to the Print Screen.

Press Cancel (F1) to return to the Print Screen without opening a file or changing the print message.

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Product Detection

The print head operates when it gets a signal from the product sensor telling it that the product is in place to receive a printed message. The internal photocells are pre-set to a depth of field of no more than 1/4 inch. Proper print head placement and proper material handling are required to properly trigger the print head.

External PhotocellExternal PhotocellExternal PhotocellExternal Photocell Kit Kit Kit Kit

Assembly P/N: MJHRP-003

An External Photocell is available as an option. Note: Requires custom “Y” cable adaptor PN: 5780-339 to fully operate.

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Encoder

Assembly P/N: MJHRP-001

External Encoder Kit

The Little David MicroJet HRP printing system is designed to support an external encoder for applications that have either a variable speed line or an operation that has the product stop and start in front of the print head during its normal conveyor operation. Note: Requires customer Y cable adaptor PN: MJHRP-002 to fully operate.

Mount the encoder to monitor the speed of the conveyor.

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Floating Head Bracketry

Assembly P/N: .MJHRP-FHB

Floating Head Bracketry

The Little David MicroJet HRP printing system is designed to support an optional floating head bracketry for applications that have variance in the width of a uniform standard size case. This bracketry will accommodate a range of no more than 1 inch of displacement. Note: Proper material handling and side rails are recommended for all MicroJet HRP installations.

Mount head to bracketry as shown.

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Ink

Loveshaw offers two Black Ink formulations suitable for printing on standard porous corrugate box surfaces.

Black Ink is available in either a High Throughput Ink or a Standard High Grade cartridge.

Note: The Standard High Grade ink offers a higher image quality with a better de-cap time and a darker image over the High Throughput ink.

Inks are sold as either a 5 pack or 10 pack configuration only.

PN Description Qty

MJHRPS/BLK-5 * High Throughput Ink Black 5 Pack

MJHRPH/BLK-5 Standard High Grade Ink Black 5 Pack

MJHRPS/BLK-10 * High Throughput Ink Black 10 Pack

MJHRPH/BLK-10 Standard High Grade Ink Black 10 Pack

* For use for High Frequency printing only

Other ink formulations and colors are available. Consult factory for part numbers and pricing based on your application.

The Little David MicroJet HRP has been engineered and designed to work with Loveshaw ink cartridges. The Little David MicroJet HRP

Smart Level Ink Detection System, which provides ink level monitoring to ensure complete ink usage and product safety, will not be functional if used with non-Loveshaw cartridges.

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Features and Options

Optional: Portable Hand Held

Controller Assembly

Assembly P/N: .MJHRP-HANDKIT

P/N: G55-QSIHRP Hand Held Controller

P/N: N04-426 Hand Held Controller Cable

A portable hand held controller and cable assembly may be included with your system. Please refer to the manual for operating instructions. An Optional Holster is available as shown below.

Optional Holster Show above

P/N: N04-638 Optional Holster for Hand Held Controller

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Maintenance and

Troubleshooting

Overview

his section will cover the aspects of the printer maintenance and troubleshooting. From here you will learn how to:

• Determine the cause of the fault.

• Clean the nozzle array.

Maintenance

n normal operation, the printing system is simply turned-on and products are moved past its sensor equipment and the printing responds by printing a code on the box. There may be times when a part of the message being printed fails to print

correctly. This section will guide you through servicing and maintaining your printing system. Typically the replacement of the Pen cartridge will correct the problem.

The printing system is designed to run in a typical factory / warehouse environment at an ambient temperature and air quality. At times, typical corrugated dust and debris along with the manufacturing environment may block the nozzle array and cause a portion of the printed message not to print.

The printing system comes equipped with an on board purge button located at the rear of the print head. To purge the print head, simply place a piece of corrugated material in front of the print head and press and hold the purge button.

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Pass the corrugated material in front of the print head to observe the print pattern. A “block” pattern will print and clear the blocked nozzle array.

To clean the face of the Pen cartridge use a lint free wiper and gently wipe horizontally across the face of the nozzle array.

PURGE Button

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NO PRINT

System Symptom Possible Cause Actions

No print head power / green LED on rear of print head

• Power Supply

• AC Source

• Check power supply light indicator

• Check for AC power source between power supply input limits

PURGE Button on rear of rear of head does not work

• Ink cartridge is damaged or empty

• Print Head Board

• Replace with new cartridge and repeat PURGE

• Replace print head printed circuit board or Print Head (Factory Service Required)

Print Head purges but won’t print desired message

• Loose or missing cables

• Controller or PC software not configured for the Serial Print Head

• Encoder Malfunction

• Product not triggering photocell

• Tighten or install cables

• Ensure Print Heads are installed and plugged into the last Print Head in the daisy chain

• If an external encoder is installed, navigate to the controller Status screen from Home Screen. While the encoder is turning, check the line speed for greater than 0 ft/min or 0 m/min

• Ensure the product is within ¼” of the front face of the Print Head

• If an external photocell is installed, then validate the setting form the Control Panels. System Setup, Task Option Tab

POOR PRINT QUALITY

System Symptom Possible Cause Actions

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he Little David MicroJet HRP system is engineered and designed to provide minimum maintenance since the working part of the system, the thermal ink jet Pen cartridge, is user replaceable and provides for a new print head and ink each

time the cartridge is replaced. This thermal ink jet cartridge design provides the best method of ensuring printing performance with minimal maintenance and maximum up time.

There are no user serviceable parts beyond the Pen cartridge inside the Print Head system.

For service contact your local Little David Authorized Distributor to obtain a Return RMA number.

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Little David® Warranty For: MICROJET HRP PRINTING SYSTEMS

1 Year (12 Months) WARRANTY (EXCEPT FOR MOVING PARTS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO NORMAL WEAR, TEAR AND REPLACEMENT WHICH ARE WARRANTED ONLY TO BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP).

ABOVE WARRANTY EXCLUDES ANY PURCHASED MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM (CONVEYOR). CONVEYOR WARRANTY AVAILABLE UNDER SEPARATE COVER.

*LIMITED WARRANTY – LOVESHAW, an ITW COMPANY (HEREIN AFTER “LOVESHAW”) WARRANTS ONLY THAT THE GOODS SOLD BY IT SHALL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP, UNDER PROPER AND NORMAL USE AND MAINTENANCE,

AS FOLLOWS: THE WARRANTY PERIOD SHALL COMMENCE AS OF THE DATE OF DELIVERY TO THE PURCHASER. THE OBLIGATION OF LOVESHAW UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THE COST OF REPAIRING OR REPLACING, AS LOVESHAW MAY ELECT, ANY PART OR PARTS THAT PROVE IN LOVESHAW’S JUDGMENT TO HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP AT THE TIME THE GOODS WERE SHIPPED FROM LOVESHAW’S PLANT. ANY WARRANTY CLAIM NOT MADE IN WRITING TO LOVESHAW AT ITS HOME OFFICE WITHIN THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD AND WITHIN 10 DAYS OF FAILURE WILL NOT BE VALID. THIS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AVAILABLE UNDER THIS WARRANTY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL LOVESHAW BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IF REQUESTED BY LOVESHAW, PURCHASER SHALL RETURN ANY DEFECTIVE PART OR PARTS TO LOVESHAW’S PLANT, FREIGHT PREPAID. ALL WARRANTY PART REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS MUST BE MADE BY LOVESHAW OR A LOVESHAW DEALER AUTHORIZED TO HANDLE THE GOODS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY. ANY OUTSIDE WORK OR ALTERATIONS DONE WITHOUT LOVESHAW’S PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL WILL RENDER THIS WARRANTY VOID. LOVESHAW, an ITW COMPANY WILL NOT ASSUME ANY EXPENSE OR LIABILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS MADE TO ITS GOODS OUTSIDE ITS WORKS WITHOUT ITS PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. THIS WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY ITEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED, OPERATED, AND MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOVESHAW’S RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES. LOVESHAW SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER WHERE THE GOODS HAVE BEEN ALTERED, MISUSED, ABUSED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY WARRANTY OR TO CREATE ANY LIABILITY BINDING UPON LOVESHAW WHICH IS NOT STATED IN THIS WARRANTY. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WHICH ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. IN PARTICULAR, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, AS WELL AS THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED.

LOVESHAW an ITW Company

2206 Easton Turnpike, PO. Box 83 SOUTH CANAAN, PA 18459

570.937.4921 - 800.572.3434 – (FAX 570.937.3229)

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Appendix B: Theory of Operation MicroJet HRP MicroJet HRP Technology The MicroJet HRP print head is a form of Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ) based on the hp® 45A cartridge. TIJ technology works on the principle of rapidly heating ink at any particular addressable channel. As the ink is heating, it ejects from the orifice of any combination of channels. Because channel orifice sizes are very small, many more orifices can be compacted in the same amount of space as conventional print technologies. With more orifices per vertical inch / millimeter, a much higher resolution image can be produced. MicroJet HRP Inkjet Similarities and Differences The HRP can print as a stand-alone printer or as part of a daisy chain. Up to four MicroJet HRP print heads can be daisy chained. A message can be sent down to the MicroJet HRP(s) via the included GUI software interface program for a computer, or an optional hand-held device. Additionally, the MicroJet HRP can be programmed to print one or two lines of print, and any combination of alpha / numeric, date / time, count, or UPC-A barcode. The difference between the MicroJet HRP and other Loveshaw inkjet technologies is its ability to store the message information locally on each print head. Therefore, the Hand Held controller or GUI interface computer can be disconnected from the print head daisy chain while printing; however, status information to the Hand Held Controller / GUI will be lost until reconnected. Essentially the Hand Held Controller / GUI interface provides the initial setup and message information. After the operator sends the print command, the MicroJet HRP takes over and the Hand Held Controller / GUI only report status information. Ink Cartridge Ink Status Each ink cartridge contains approximately 42 mL of ink and has been programmed at Loveshaw so as to make full use of ink level status. When a new cartridge is snapped into the MicroJet HRP, it is identified and ink level is monitored. As the ink depletes to 10% ink, remaining, Ink Low, the red LED on the rear of the print head turns on steady. The red LED changes to slow flashing, Ink Out, when there is approximately 2% ink volume remaining. The ink cartridge should be replaced at this point. At 0% ink volume remaining, the red LED changes to fast flashing indicating that the cartridge is empty and print is disabled. Ink status is reported back to the Hand Held Controller or GUI software as long as they are connected to the print head daisy chain.