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General| Brand | Dover |
|---|---|
| Model | markem-imaje SmartDate 5 |
| Category | Recording Equipment |
| Language | English |
Overview of Markem.Imaje's comprehensive service program designed to maximize uptime and productivity.
General advice for ensuring the SmartDate 5 operates at its most efficient.
Covers critical setup parameters like air pressure, print anvil, printhead gap, and ribbon considerations.
Details on setting air pressure, its critical role in printhead performance, and optimal ranges.
Discusses the print roller and platen as wear parts and the impact of damage on print quality.
Defines printhead gap, measurement methods, recommended settings, and adjustment procedures.
Explains ribbon types, correct webbing, substrate/paper match, and where to find more details.
Overview of various printer settings affecting SmartDate 5 performance.
Explains print darkness adjustment, its effect on smudging, and relation to print speed.
Details print speed for intermittent and continuous printers, encoder use, and Hi-Speed Operation.
Covers issues related to print signals, including debounce time and print delay.
Explains debounce time for intermittent printers to avoid double triggering of the print signal.
Describes debounce distance for continuous printers, ensuring valid print signals.
Details print delay for intermittent printers, allowing substrate to settle before printing.
Discusses settings affecting print quality like head out time, start/end borders, and ribbon advance.
Defines head out time, its role in printhead positioning, and troubleshooting common issues.
Allows blank lines before printing for better quality; setting too high increases cycle time.
Allows blank lines after printing for better quality; setting too high increases cycle time.
Time allowed for the printhead to move from substrate to normal position.
Sets the distance the ribbon advances between prints.
Explains how to change print position using Registration and Offset coordinates.
Allows moving the print image down the print area; useful for small adjustments.
Provides fine adjustment of print position across the printhead.
Addresses timing issues common to SmartDate 5 and 5s, noting differences in machine operation.
Lists speeds and times for the last print cycle, accessed via Engineering > Diagnostics.
Discusses timings for intermittent mode, emphasizing dwell time of host machine.
Details components of Printing Time for intermittent printers and its relation to dwell time.
Outlines the sequence of events in the print cycle for intermittent printers.
Notes timing differences for continuous printers, where Repeat Time is critical.
Lists components of Printing Time for continuous printers.
Outlines the sequence of events in the print cycle for continuous printers.
Tool for continuous printers to determine print timing and analyze substrate speed.
Factors affecting the distance between prints on the ribbon, including acceleration and tension.
Factors affecting print distance on substrate for intermittent and continuous printers.
Explains how DRS mode affects ribbon saving and print distance.
Overview of the section on keeping the SmartDate 5 in good working order through maintenance.
Guidelines for regular cleaning of the printer unit, emphasizing interior care.
Recommended actions for consistent high quality output from the SmartDate 5.
Daily checks including printhead, ribbon tracking, peel roller, and air pressure.
Monthly maintenance tasks including roller inspection, magnet check, and test prints.
Maximizing printhead life through careful installation, maintenance, and proper usage.
Procedure for cleaning the printhead using a cotton swab and Isopropanol solvent.
Instructions for quick and easy printhead replacement, including anti-static precautions.
Step-by-step guide to safely remove a damaged printhead from the printer module.
How to enter the printhead resistance value into the controller for voltage adjustment.
Procedure for removing and fitting a new peel roller body.
Procedure for removing and replacing damaged ribbon guide rollers.
Instructions for replacing the roller magnet on the movement roller.
Procedure to remove and replace the magnet on the ribbon movement roller.
Procedure for replacing the ribbon movement roller, same as guide rollers.
Steps to replace the ribbon movement sensor, involving power disconnection and screw removal.
Procedure for replacing the entire ribbon tension roller assembly.
Steps to replace the ribbon tension sensor, including calibration requirements.
Procedure for replacing micro switches, including connector disconnection and screw removal.
Steps for replacing solenoid valves, involving PCB disconnection and air pipe disconnection.
Guidance on checking drive belts for wear and replacing them.
Detailed steps for replacing the drive belt on a combined printer.
Detailed steps for replacing the drive belt on a shuttle printer.
Procedure for changing the printer hand orientation for combined printers.
Procedure for changing the printer hand orientation for shuttle printers.
Instructions for re-handing the associated cassette when the printer hand is changed.
Steps for replacing printer PCBs, including cover removal and connector disconnection.
Procedure for replacing the controller PCB, involving cover removal and connector disconnection.
Provides quick access to technical information about the SmartDate 5 machines.
Overview of the SmartDate 5 printer, its components, and two distinct versions.
Identifies main components of the SmartDate 5 printer with a labelled diagram.
Identifies main components of the SmartDate 5s printer with a labelled diagram.
Explains the function of linear slides for print module/shuttle carriage movement.
Describes the intermittent drive system for moving the printhead carriage.
Details the continuous drive system where the printhead is fixed.
Explains the continuous shuttle drive system where the printhead is fixed.
Details the ribbon drive system for tension, movement, and operating speed control.
Describes the modular printhead, its compatibility, and easy replacement.
Lists and illustrates the components of the print module.
Explains how the printhead module moves to prime and print positions via air cylinders.
Designed for easy removal and replacement, attached by dowel pins and screws.
How the micro-controller determines printhead type based on thermistor inputs.
Monitors printhead temperature using thermistors for consistent print darkness.
Electronically adjusts printhead voltage based on resistance and processor control.
Critical understanding of printer orientation (Left/Right hand) for substrate and access.
How the combined printer calibrates carriage orientation on power up.
How the micro-switch determines left/right hand for the fixed shuttle print module.
Process for printer calibration on power up or after cassette removal/replacement.
Calibration sequence to determine printer hand and carriage positioning.
How ribbon drive is calibrated using stepper motors and a Hall-effect sensor.
Describes the printer cassette used to house ribbon, its styles, and components.
Illustrates and lists the components of the SmartDate 5 cassette.
Illustrates and lists the components of the SmartDate 5s Shuttle cassette.
Role of the ribbon movement roller in controlling ribbon drive via magnetic field variations.
Maintains constant ribbon tension by interacting with a tension sensor.
Identifies main electrical components like PCB, stepper motors, and connectors.
Details the three stepper motors for carriage and ribbon control, their configuration, and connections.
Monitors ribbon supply/waste reel diameters and enables ribbon break detection.
A pressure sensor that measures ribbon tension via contact with the tension roller shaft.
Describes the three micro switches: Printer Hand, Left Hand Home, and Cassette Open/Closed.
How the printer determines its hand (Left/Right) using handing and home switches.
Explains the two solenoids that activate printhead module cylinders for prime and print positions.
Used with continuous printers to calculate substrate speed and match ribbon speed.
Located in the printer unit, controls printhead signals, motors, and solenoids.
Identifies main components on the printer PCB with labels.
Lists and describes the printer PCB connectors and their functions.
Lists printer PCB test points and their corresponding functions for testing.
Identifies the two thermal resettable fuses on the printer PCB.
Details the printer PCB LEDs, their descriptions, and functions.
Contains power supplies, controller board, UI panel, and connection points.
Illustrates and labels the main components of the SmartDate 5 Controller unit.
Describes the power supply connector with On/Off switch, socket, and fuse holder.
Details the power supply unit, its outputs (+45V, +24V), logic supplies, and printhead supply.
Located in the controller unit, provides connections for comms, I/O, and UI.
Responsible for image manipulation, data transfer, comms, and I/O control.
Identifies various components on the Controller PCB with labels.
Lists and describes the Controller PCB connectors and their functions.
Lists Controller PCB test points and their functions for testing.
Details the Controller PCB LEDs, their descriptions, and functions.
Lists Controller PCB links used to configure board functions.
Lists the thermal resettable fuses fitted to the Controller PCB.
Describes interfaces for communication with the printer and external world.
Details the multi-core cable interface between controller and printer.
Connections between Controller PCB and User Interface (Keypad, Backlight, LCD).
9-way D-type connector for RS-232/485 communications.
Standard Ethernet connection for networking and communicating with SmartTouch UI.
15-way D-type connector for customer I/O signals, inputs, and outputs.
Guide to quickly solving problems that may stop the SmartDate 5 from working efficiently.
Explanation of status LED indicators for machine mode and fault conditions.
Lists messages with potential causes and remedial actions for troubleshooting.
Details fault messages displayed on screen, their causes, and recommended actions.
Details warning messages displayed on screen, their causes, and recommended actions.
Lists common faults and suggests possible corrective actions.
Troubleshooting steps for the printer not receiving power.
Checks for loose connections, kinks, or damaged cables affecting printhead operation.
Troubleshooting encoder rotation, signal, calibration, and configuration.
Checks for valid designs, print settings, contact, ribbon loading, air supply, and encoder signals.
Troubleshooting steps for printhead in/out motion failure, checking air supply and solenoid.
Covers ribbon drive, creasing, and breaking problems.
Checks for slipping ribbon cores and loose drive couplings.
Addresses ribbon breaking, waste ribbon winding, and interference issues.
Common causes of ribbon creasing: bent guide pins, peel bar, or roller alignment.
Troubleshooting ribbon breaking/scuffing, checking Head Out Time and print delay.
Checks printhead alignment, ribbon tracking, roller condition, and cleanliness.
Addresses issues with peel roller spinning difficulty or looseness on the shaft.
For intermittent printers: checks registration setting if head doesn't return to home.
Checks shuttle drive belt for damage or breakage.
Addresses drive belt slipping, tension, and motor stalling issues.
Troubleshooting carriage stall due to load, checking ribbon, mechanical interference, and belt condition.
Covers cassette release and insertion issues.
For SmartDate 5s: handling cassette release during print cycle or errors.
Checks for mechanical interference or bent rollers hindering cassette insertion.
Checks ribbon alignment around rollers for potential misalignment issues.
Troubleshooting blank displays, missing backlight, or low contrast.
Checks LCD contrast, connector, or module if only backlight is visible.
Checks back light connector, wiring, or LCD module if LCD text is visible but no backlight.
Checks printer status light, power, and LCD/back light connectors.
Common causes of poor print quality: dirty printhead, platen/roller issues, ribbon loading, vibration.
Adjusting ratio in Ribbon Save mode, noting print darkness and air pressure adjustments.
Factors affecting print quality: substrate, ribbon, darkness, air pressure, speed, and machine condition.
Caused by platen/roller misalignment; checks printer stability and alignment.
Caused by excessive darkness or DRS; recommendations to reduce darkness or increase print speed.
Due to dirty or damaged printhead; clean printhead or use offset.
Resolved by increasing Start Border setting to allow printhead run time.
Resolved by increasing End Border setting to allow printhead run time.
Reasons include low energy, high temp/humidity, or ribbon/substrate mismatch.
Increase Start Border; check Head Out Time if print start is missing.
Increase End Border for missing or ragged last dots.
For intermittent printers: modify Print Delay. For continuous: check encoder.
Check sensor triggering; adjust Debounce Time or distance if bouncing occurs.
Likely timing issue; reduce host throughput or increase SmartDate 5 cycle time.
In DRS mode, increase Ribbon Advance to allow bigger gaps between prints.
After changing from Intermittent to Continuous, re-power; image length limit is 75mm.
Issues related to selecting jobs, host PC configuration, and image corruption.
Requires valid job/test pattern in memory; all data files must be present.
Importance of correct communication parameters between PC and SmartDate 5.
Noticed as missing fields or inability to select job; re-download design.
How to check job presence in Local or Host modes.
Checking job presence in local memory via SELECT JOB.
Checking job presence on PC via Job Manager in CoLOS software.
Ensuring correct mode (Local/Host) for job selection.
Troubleshooting Ethernet and RS-485 communication failures with CoLOS Control.
Checks IP configuration, actor names, and cable integrity for Ethernet/RS-485.
Selecting RS-232 for NGPCL or RS-485 for DCP communication.
Setting unique actor names and node numbers for networked RS-485 operation.
Communication between external device and SmartDate 5 for image field data.
Common problems with data download due to baud rate or RS232/RS485 settings.
Checking cable installation and RS232/RS485 configurations.
Refers to Section 3 for pin connections and electrical schematics.
Checking wire resistance and connections for short circuits.
Importance of backing up printer settings and job information.
Using CoLOS Create Pro for job files and settings files backup/recovery.
Re-downloading jobs and uploading/saving printer settings via CoLOS Control.
Using PC Tools application on CD for job and printer settings upload/download.
Using Compact Flash card for local database replacement and data storage.
List of consumable parts including printheads, anvil rubbers, and cleaning kits.
List of replacement parts such as rollers, belts, sensors, and assemblies.
Summary of available spares kits: basic, hardware, and specific component kits.
Part number for a spare controller unit.
Part numbers for spare combined and shuttled printers by hand orientation.
Part numbers for spare combined and shuttled cassettes by hand orientation.
Part numbers for spare printer and cassette combinations by hand orientation.
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