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75 User Manual
Appendix 1:Installations & Setting Up
The above illustration shows the rear of the EC-JET with all available connections.
Setting up the Shaft Encoder
Shaft encoders are recommended for production lines where variable speed is likely. A shaft encoder
generates a pulse for a fixed distance of product movement. This can be used to produce constant width
print as the line speed increases or decreases.
If an encoder is to be fitted, it should be attached to a suitable production line drive shaft, with appropriate
gearing if necessary. It must be installed and driven in a position where it best follows the movement
of the product being printed on.
The calculations shown in the next few pages should be used to select the optimum arrangement for
your application. EC-JET will be happy to advise on the best position and gearing for shaft encoder
installation.
The selection of encoder and gearing will determine the printed pitch and the maximum possible line
speed for the application. The printer allows some variation
using the Print Width parameter, but the
initial selection of the encoder and gearing is critical.
EC-JET offer a range of shaft encoders:
- 2500 pulses per revolution
- 5000 pulses per revolution
Each is available with either a 3 m or 5 m connecting cable.
For applications where the encoder needs to be driven from a conveyor belt or from the product, EC-
JET has a selection of encoder wheels:
- 500 mm circumference
- 333 mm circumference
- 200 mm circumference
A given encoder and drive gearing will have a fixed encoder pitch - that is, the distance travelled by the
product for each pulse cycle of the encoder output. The width control in the printer is used to generate
rasters at integer multiples of the encoder pitch. This multiplier is the pitch factor and will always be a
whole number. The calculations on the following pages show how this is used and explain the difference
between pitch factor and print width.
Shaft Encoder Connections
The shaft encoder is connected to the system via a 9-pin D - Type connector. The function of each pin
is described below:
Pin 3 +5 volts
Pin 2 0 volts
Pin 8 Single Ended Input
EJ111
On/Off Switch
Mains Power Cables
Alarm Beacon
Printhead Conduit
Photocell / Shaft Encoder
RS-232
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