CHAPTER 9
RIBBONMINDER T
Introduction
The RibbonMinder (patent pending) ensures quality printing by determining when a ribbon should be changed. The RibbonMinder monitors ink consumption by analyzing printer hamF mer action. It is designed to alert the operator before the print quality falls below a certain level. RibbonMinder configuration parameters can be set to meet the specific requirements of any job. In this way, you can determine at what level print quality is no longer acceptable. When the print quality reaches this point, a WHEN WORN ACTION will occur. The printer can be set to either stop printing at this point, or to display a message indicating it is time to change the ribbon. Replacing the ribbon when the WHEN WORN ACTION occurs will prevent the proF duction of unreadable documents and bar codes.
This chapter provides
Refer to the RibbonMinder diagram on page
Overview
The RibbonMinder operates much like the fuel gauge in an automobile. In a car, the fuel gauge indicates how much fuel remains. With RibbonMinder, the message display on the printer conF trol panel indicates how much usable ink remains in the ribbon. This feature occurs without operator attention once it has been set. It may also be controlled through a host interface.
When the ribbon is new, the message display on the printer control panel indicates the ribbon life is at 100%.
ON LINE | 100% |
DP AT 10 CPI |
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Typical new ribbon display
As printing continues, the percentage of usable ink remaining in the ribbon continues to fall.
ON LINE | 74% |
DP AT 10 CPI |
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ON LINE | 8% |
DP AT 10 CPI |
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Ribbon ink is being consumed
Ribbon life is approaching end
RibbonMinder |
