Zebra Technologies 640I-UHF card Printer User Manual

Zebra Technologies Corporation card Printer Users Manual

user manual -3

34 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
Installing the USB Printer Driver
Step 1. If not already done, connect power to the printer (see Page 30), and connect the USB
port on the rear of the printer to the computer’s USB port (see Page 31).
Step 2. Turn the Printer on, and let it initialize until the READY LED on the front panel
is lit.
Step 3. Insert the User Documentation, Drivers, and Training CD into the CD drive of the
host computer. The Select Language window will open.
Step 4. From the Select Language window, choose the appropriate language for
your system.
Note • To install the Ethernet driver, see Page 40.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 35
Step 5. The Main Menu will open in the selected language (English shown below).
Step 6. From the Main Menu, click Install Printer Driver.
Step 7. If an older P630i or P640i Printer and Driver is installed on your computer, the
following window will be displayed; otherwise go to Step 8.
Follow the screen prompts. At the end of the uninstall process, you will be asked to
re-boot your computer. Re-boot your computer, and start over with Step 1. If the
computer enters the Found New Hardware Wizard at this time, cancel this Wizard.
36 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
Step 8. The InstallShield Wizard window will open. To proceed with the installation, click
the Next button.
Step 9. Select Install USB printer drivers, and click the Next button.
Step 10. At this point, turn off your printer; and then click the OK button.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 37
Step 11. This will bring up the End User License Agreement. To proceed with the installation,
select the I accept the terms of the license agreement option, and then click the
Next button.
Step 12. This will bring up the Choose Destination Location window. If necessary, make any
changes; and then click the Next button.
38 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
Step 13. This will bring up the Select Program Folder window. Select the desired Program
Folder; and then click the Next button.
Step 14. This will bring up the Ready to Install the Program window. To continue, click the
Install button.
Step 15. Observe the Setup Status window.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the USB Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 39
Step 16. When the Congratulations window appears, click the Next button.
Step 17. When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, click the Finish button.
Step 18. At this point, turn on your printer; and then click the OK button.
Step 19. This completes USB driver installation. To use the P630i or P640i Printer, you would
select it just like you would any other printer connected to a Windows system.
40 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
Step 1. If not already done, connect power to the printer (see Page 30), and connect the
Ethernet Port on the rear of the printer to an Ethernet Network Port (see Page 31).
Step 2. Turn the Printer on, and let it initialize until the READY LED on the front panel
is lit.
Step 3. Insert the User Documentation, Drivers, and Training CD into the CD drive of the
host computer. The Select Language window will open.
Step 4. From the Select Language window, choose the appropriate language for
your system.
Note • To install the USB driver, see Page 34.
Important • The Ethernet Network must be configured correctly, with the Printer and the
host computer on the same subnet mask. If you are not sure how to verify this or change the
configuration, consult someone knowledgeable on Ethernet Networks.
Important • A valid static IP address must be assigned to the printer.
Important • See Section 7 for system-related troubleshooting issues.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 41
Step 5. The Main Menu will open in the selected language (English shown below).
Step 6. From the Main Menu, click Install Printer Driver.
Step 7. If an older P630i or P640i Printer and Driver is installed on your computer, the
following window will be displayed; otherwise go to Step 8.
Follow the screen prompts. At the end of the uninstall process, you will be asked to
re-boot your computer. Re-boot your computer, and start over with Step 1. If the
computer enters the Found New Hardware Wizard at this time, cancel this Wizard.
42 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
Step 8. The InstallShield Wizard window will open. To proceed with the installation, click
the Next button.
Step 9. Select Install ethernet printer drivers, and click the Next button.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 43
Step 10. This will bring up the End User License Agreement. To proceed with the installation,
select the I accept the terms of the license agreement option, and then click the
Next button.
Step 11. This will bring up the Choose Destination Location window. If necessary, make any
changes; and then click the Next button.
44 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
Step 12. This will bring up the Select Program Folder window. Select the desired Program
Folder; and then click the Next button.
Step 13. This will bring up the Ready to Install the Program window. To continue, click the
Install button.
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 45
Step 14. This brings up the Configure Ethernet Port window. Click the Browse button.
Step 15. Any Zebra printers will be located. Select (highlight) the desired printer (for this
procedure it is a P640i, but the steps would be the same for a P630i) and click the
OK button.
Note • If the Printer is not found, check to make sure the Printer is powered on; and the
Ethernet connector is engaged.
Note • Also, the Ethernet Network must be configured correctly, with the Printer and the host
computer on the same subnet mask. If you are not sure how to verify this or change the
configuration, consult someone knowledgeable on Ethernet Networks.
46 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Printer Driver Installation
Installing the Ethernet Printer Driver
Step 16. The Configure Ethernet Port window will reappear, but now the information for
the P640i printer selected in Step 15 will be displayed. Then click OK.
Step 17. When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, click the Finish button.
Step 18. This completes Ethernet driver installation. To use the P630i or P640i Printer, you
would select it just like you would any other printer connected to a Windows system.
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 47
4
Settings and Adjustments
Introduction
This section describes settings and adjustments that can be made to your printer. This consists
of four major topics:
Sensors and Interlock Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Printer Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Printing Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
48 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Sensors and Interlock Switches
Sensors and Interlock Switches
These are of several different types of sensors and interlock switches, but they have one thing
in common - they tell the printer’s control logic what’s happening and where, enabling it to
continue with the process or, if a malfunction occurs, to light the appropriate indicator light
and report a specific error condition on the host computer screen.
The figure below shows the relative locations of the sensors that track card and ribbon position
and movement.
Settings and Adjustments
Sensors and Interlock Switches
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 49
Access Printer Sensor Data
To access Sensor Data, select Start > Printers (or Printers and Faxes). Right click Zebra
P630i or Zebra P640i, then select Properties > Device Settings > Control > Advanced
Utilities > Show Sensor Data.
•Ribbon Panel Detect - The current reading of the Color Sensor.
•Panel Threshold - The current value of the detection threshold for the color ribbon.
Above this value is termed “black,” below this value is termed “not black.”
•Laminate Sensors - Reflective sensor that detect the presence of laminate on the transfer
rollers: below 124 = laminate present, above 140 = laminate absent.
•Card Presence Sensor - The reflective sensor to the right of the card hopper:
High = no card, Low = card present
•Printhead Voltage - Should be about 24V.
•AC Frequency - 50 or 60 Hz.
•Assumed AC Voltage - 110V assumed for 60 Hz.
•Printhead Temperature - Temperature ceiling 70°C (above that temperature, printing is
stopped until the head cools).
•Controller Board Temperature - Should be about 5° above ambient.
•Heater Temperature - Temperatures at the top and bottom laminate heater cores.
•Logic States - Summarizes all two-state interlocks and photo sensors -- a very useful
diagnostic tool. For example: opening/closing the doors will result in the logic states to
commute from 1 to 0; and if not, it is a clear indication the sensor (switch) is faulty.
50 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Printer Properties
To access the various Printer Properties, select Start > Printers (or Printers and Faxes). Right
click Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i, then select Properties
•General Tab - Displays printer information of a general nature, includes selection for
Printing Preferences and Print Test Page (i.e., the standard Windows test page).
•Sharing Tab - Operating System (OS) feature where the printer can be shared with other
clients on a network.
•Ports Tab - OS feature displays available communication ports.
•Advanced Tab - OS feature to select printer availability and spooling options.
•Color Management Tab - Allows user to define color profile(s) with color printers.
•Security Tab - OS feature where permissions to printers can be defined.
•Device Settings Tab - Allows user to make basic printer adjustments and access advanced
printer controls.
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 51
General Tab
The General tab shows the printer model and lists the features of the printer.
To access the General tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i or
Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > General.
•Printing Preferences - Changes the card settings; see Printing Preferences on page 62.
•Print Test Page - Prints the standard Windows test page.
52 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Sharing Tab
On the Sharing tab (Sharing Property Page), you can choose to share the printer over the
network and install additional drivers to accommodate different operating systems.
To access the Sharing tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i or
Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Sharing.
This is sharing according to the Microsoft Windows definition. In a network environment, it
allows other computers to send jobs to the printer that is connected to your computer.
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 53
Ports Tab
Use the Ports tab to specify the computer port to which the P630i or P640i is connected. This
will have been established at the initial installation of the printer, and will not normally
require attention.
To access the Ports tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i or
Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Ports.
An exception to this is if you wish to use printer pooling, the ability to distribute print jobs to
multiple printers. To enable printer pooling, check the “Enable Printer Pooling” box, then
check multiple ports. Each port should have a single Zebra printer installed on it. All the
pooled printers must be identical models with the same configuration (for example: all with
YMC front, K back).
Now, when you print to the “main printer” (that is, whichever printer you right-clicked in
Printers and Faxes to get to this screen), this printer will get print jobs until it has buffered as
many jobs as it can take. Remaining jobs will then “spill over” to other printers until all
printers in the pool are busy.
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Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Advanced Tab
Determines the spooling (queuing) of print jobs, and how spooled jobs are handled relative to
the most recent job. Printing Defaults allows the system administrator to establish selected
default settings.
To access the Advanced tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i
or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Advanced.
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 55
Color Management Tab
Color Management settings allow you to associate color profiles on the printer based on the
type of media being used and printer configuration. The Add button allows the operator to add
additional profiles to the color profile list.
To access the Color Management tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Color Management.
•Automatic - Allows Windows to select the best color profile (default).
•Manual - Allows the operator to select the desired profile from the list shown in the Color
Profile Window.
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Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Security Tab
This is the standard Windows security screen, showing user access to various printer control
options. Both Print and Manage Printers must be checked for full functionality of the printer.
To access the Security tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i
or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Security.
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 57
Device Settings Tab
The Device Settings screen allows you to access various adjustment and calibration screens.
To access the Device Settings tab, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra
P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings.
• Printer Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
• Color Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
• Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
• Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
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Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Printer Adjustment
To access the Printer Adjustment screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings >
Printer Adjustment
The following procedures can be performed via the Printer Adjustment screen:
•Print Station Adjust ... : Provides controls for print station adjustment.
•Laminate Station Adjust ... : Provides controls for accurate positioning of the laminate.
•Flip Station Adjust ... : Provides controls for flip station adjustment.
•Advanced Adjust ... : Provides controls for magnetic encoding and smart card
position adjustments.
•Card Hopper (Pick Position Adjust (Pixels): Adjusts the position of the truck when
picking a card from the hopper.
•Cleaning Station (Clean Frequency): Runs clean cycle will be run after the specified
number of cards have been printed. The clean frequency range is from 1 to 20, the
default = 10.
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 59
Color Calibration
The Color Calibration screen allows manual control over printer color parameters. For details,
see Adjustments: Color Calibration on page 69.
To access the Color Calibration screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings >
Color Calibration
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Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
Status
The Status screen displays the current state of the printer and provides standard printer
information and sensor data, which is updated every few seconds.
To access the Status screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra P630i
or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings > Status
Settings and Adjustments
Printer Properties
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 61
Control
The Control screen allows manual control over the printer. Some of these functions are similar
to the buttons on the front of the printer.
To access the Control screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra
P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings > Control
The following procedures can be performed from the Control screen (note that #1, #2 and #6
perform the same functions as the front panel buttons):
•Advance Ribbon: Advances the print ribbon to the next set of panels. Use this after a
ribbon jam or when you load a new ribbon.
•Advance Laminate: Advances the Laminate onto the rollers, under the flex guides. If the
laminate chips are already loaded, this will have no effect.
•Run Clean Cycle: Activates the clean cycle to clean the sticky roller.
•Print Test Card: This will print a test card containing driver configuration information
•Clear Error: Clears some error conditions within the printer to allow printing to resume.
•Print Control (Reprint Last Card and Copies): Activate a reprint of a card. You can also
set the number of copies to print.
•Zero Buffer Count:
•Receive: If an error occurred, there may be a card image stuck in the receive buffer.
This clears the receive buffer if you do not want to print it.
•Print: If an error occurred, there may be a card image stuck in the print buffer. This
clears the print buffer if you do not want to print it.
•Advanced Utilities... :
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Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
Printing Preferences
The Preferences screens the operator may be asked by Service Personnel to refer to and/or
modify are Card Setup, Image Adjustment, YMC (Color) Printing, and K (Black) Panel.
To access the Printing Preferences screens, select Start > Printers and Faxes, then right click
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer and select Printing Preferences.
•Card Setup Tab - Allows user to adjust selected card parameters.
•Image Adjustment Tab - Allows user to adjust the brightness and contrast of the images
printed on the cards.
•YMC (Color) Printing Tab - Allows user to adjust selected color printing parameters.
•K (Black) Panel Tab - Displays available options for Black Extraction.
Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 63
Card Setup Tab
Card Setup allows the user to adjust selected card parameters.
To access the Card Setup screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the Zebra
P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Printing Preferences > Card Setup.
•Image Size - Sets the image area for both front and back of the card (1 inch = 300 pixels).
•Cards - Specifies the type of card loaded in the hopper. “Zebra Card” is the only option.
•Ribbon - This is the color ribbon installed in the printer. This is not user selectable but is
setup by the RFID. For most applications, two types are available: YMCK = 3 color panels
+ 1 black panel, and YMCKK = 3 color panels + 2 black panels. For secure applications, a
third type is available: YMCUvK (“Uv” is a panel of ultraviolet responsive resin). When
using a printer with RFID, this option is not selectable.
•Front/Back - Allows you to apply color or black, or both, to either side of the card. For
example, with a 4-panel YMCK ribbon the usual arrangement is YMC (Color) on the
front, K (Black) on the back. If you check both YMC and K on one side, this sets up a
special condition known as black extraction.
•Laminate - Allows you to choose whether laminate will be applied to the front side, to
both sides (P640i Printer only), or to neither side. This option will automatically turn on
the heaters.
•Orientation - Allows you to set up the front and back images, independently, for
landscape or portrait orientation. By checking the Rotate box, you can also flip either
image upside down. The following combination is not available: Front landscape and
Back portrait.
64 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
Image Adjustment Tab
From the Image Adjustment screen, the operator can adjust the brightness and contrast of the
images printed on the cards.
To access the Image Adjustment screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Printing Preferences > Image Adjustment.
Brightness and Contrast: Controls on the Image Adjustment screen have same effect on the
printed image as do similar controls on typical office color printers. Move the slide bars to
adjust the brightness and contrast of the cards being printed.
Click the Reset Brightness/Contrast to Defaults button to restore the default conditions; i.e.,
Brightness (50) and Contrast (50).
Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 65
Here are some sample prints to illustrate the effects of changing the brightness and
contrast settings:
Contrast 100
Brightness 50
Contrast 100
Brightness 50
Contrast 25
Brightness 50
Contrast 50
Brightness 50
Contrast 0
Brightness 50
Contrast 50
Brightness 25
Contrast 75
Brightness 50
Contrast 50
Brightness 75
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Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
YMC (Color) Printing Tab
YMC (Color) Printing allows the user to adjust selected color printing parameters.
To access the YMC (Color) Printing screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on
the Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Printing Preferences >
YMC (Color) Printing.
The printer accepts 24-bit color images, meaning that each of the colors (Y, M and C) is
represented by 8 bits per pixel.
• In High Quality, the default setting, all 24 bits are processed.
• In Low Quality, the printer driver transmits a smaller amount, 16 bits, of color
information, the effect being a slight degradation of the printed image.
With a USB Connection (standard interface configuration), there will be no noticeable
difference.
Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 67
K (Black) Panel Tab
When the Card Setup screen is set for YMC and K on the same side of a card, a process called
Black Extraction is enabled. The K (Black) Panel screen displays available options for
Black Extraction.
To access the K (Black) Panel screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Printing Preferences > K (Black) Panel.
Black Extraction
Black extraction has to do with the way the printer driver handles the K (black) panel. The
term applies only to the surfaces of the card on which both YMC (color) and K (black) are to
be printed.
Equal amounts of Y, M, and C dyes, at maximum intensity, deliver a near-black image, but one
that is not machine readable. A bar code printed from YMC will be visible to the eye, but will
not be detectable by most bar code readers.
The remedy for this is to extract the black; which means printing the same bar code, using the
K panel, on top of the YMC bar code. You can also choose to print only in K, omitting YMC
from that region. The K panel is not a dye. It is more of a paint containing carbon black, which
is highly visible to infrared-type readers.
68 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Printing Preferences
Elements Selection - Depending on the program used to create the card layout, elements of
the design may be identified in different ways to the printer driver. This printer driver
recognizes five types of elements:
•Text is text which is sent explicitly as such to the printer driver.
•Lines and pixels are lines and dots (pixels) sent as such to the printer driver.
•Area fills are color-filled geometric shapes.
•Monochrome bitmaps are 1-bit bitmaps (every pixel either black or white).
•Color bitmaps (black portions only) are full color un-compressed pixel maps.
The above elements may not always be sent to the driver as expected. For example, a bar code
may be sent as text, a series of area fills, or a monochrome bitmap. Results will vary by
application used to create the card design.
Any of the above five elements may be selected for black extraction when the ribbon is set up
to apply YMC (color) and K (black) to the same surface of the card. In this condition, the
driver generates an extracted K image by looking for “true-black” features in the selected
element types, that is, instances where all three YMC values are at the maximum (full
intensity). Each such true-black instance generates a corresponding cluster of black pixels in
the extracted image, which will be printed with the K (black) panel either on top of the YMC
image, or replacing it entirely – your choice.
Settings and Adjustments
Adjustments
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 69
Adjustments
Color Calibration
To access the Color Calibration screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right click on the
Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings >
Color Calibration.
Color rendering in the printer can be described in terms of a curve, which determines how
much power is put into the printhead for a given shade.
The Y, M and C color curves can be separately modified by the Gain and Offset parameters.
Click Restore Defaults if you are not satisfied with adjustments made.
The following procedures can be performed from the Color Calibration screen:
Note • The values shown above are the default values; recommended settings (different from
the default values) are shown on the next page.
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Settings and Adjustments
Adjustments
•Gain - Adjusts steepness of the curve. Lighter shades will remain unchanged, but darker
shades will get darker or lighter as the number is increased or decreased.
Recommended setting = 95%.
•Offset - Shifts the color curve up (darker) and down (lighter).
Recommended setting = 95%.
•Preheat - Adjusts how much the head is preheated before each print line (every three
hundredths of an inch). A larger value darkens (sharpens) the leading edges of colored
areas. A lower value may result in “feathering” - starting light, then darkening over the
following few pixels as the head heats up.
Recommended setting = 90%.
•Back Black Panel Density - This controls the amount of heat energy applied to any pixel
required to be black. A higher value gives darker printing, but can cause undesirable
blooming (indefinite edges).
Recommended setting = 100%.
•Black Panel Preheat - Temperature offset applied across the entire head, specifically for
K panel printing. A higher value results in better resin transfer on the leading edge of
graphics and text than you would get with a cold start, but it may lead to undesirable
blooming (indefinite edges) overall.
Recommended setting = 15%.
•Front Black Panel Density - This controls the amount of heat energy applied to any pixel
required to be black. A higher value gives darker printing, but can cause undesirable
blooming (indefinite edges).
Recommended setting = 100%.
•Contrast Adjust - A subtle color printing control, allows the user to shape the printer’s
lightness curve. This means the ability to control how the printer resolves, or
differentiates, the lighter and darker shades.
Between contrast settings of 0 and 100, the lightness curve transitions from linear to
sinusoidal. Linear (0%) tends to result in a low contrast, muddy looking image. Sinusoidal
(100%) gives mostly good results, but tends to sacrifice the lightest and darkest shades.
Recommended setting = 80%.
Note • The values shown on the previous page are the default values; recommended settings
(different from the default values) are given in the following descriptions.
Note • Typically, the set of values (Gain, Offset, and Preheat) should be the same for
each color.
Important • The printer must be power cycled for any adjustments to take effect.
Settings and Adjustments
Adjustments
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 71
Flip Station Routines
To access the Advanced Utilities screen, select Start > Printers (or Printers and Faxes). Right
click on the Zebra P640i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings >
Control > Advanced Utilities.
•Tests: Activate various flip tests, used to troubleshoot flip station problems; and activate a
card eject cycle.
•Flip Test 1 - Picks up a card, runs it to the flip station, flips it, raises it to the laminator
infeed, then ejects it through the laminator. The sequence repeats until the PRINT
button is pressed and released.
•Flip Test 2 - Picks up a card, runs it to the flip station, flips it, returns it to the Platen,
then backs it out to the card sensor (by the mag head). The sequence repeats until the
PRINT button is pressed and released.
•Flip/Pause - Picks up a card, runs it to the flip station, raises it to the laminator infeed,
then holds this position (termed the Insertion Height in the flip station dialog) until the
user presses the PRINT button (at which point the flip carrier descends, and the truck
returns the card to the hopper).
•Eject Card - Picks up a card, runs it to the flip station, raises it to the laminator
infeed, then ejects it through the laminator. Like Flip Test 1, but done once only, and
without flipping.
•Move Carriage: Use this button to move the card carrier to the desired position. This is
useful when adjusting the mechanical settings on the printer.
72 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B
Settings and Adjustments
Adjustments
Laminator Station Adjustments
To access the Laminate Station Adjustment screen, select Start > Printers and Faxes. Right
click on the Zebra P630i or Zebra P640i printer listing. Select Properties > Device Settings >
Printer Adjustment > Laminate Station Adjust...
•Length Adjust (mils) - This is the length of the laminate patch. If the patch is too long,
decrease this number, and vice versa.
•Horizontal Offset (mils) - Adjusts laminate placement on the card.
• Heater Temperature - This is the set point temperature (i.e., the temperature desired) not
the actual temperature. For actuals, see Access Printer Sensor Data on page 49.
•Line Voltage - If Auto is selected, the printer guesses line voltage based on line frequency,
assuming that 110V will be @ 60Hz and 230V @ 50Hz. If this is not the case in your
locality, the printer will guess wrong; and you should set the voltage manually.
Note • Temperatures are monitored by thermocouples at the core of the heated rollers.
Surface temperatures may differ significantly.
Caution • Running the printer at 220V, 60Hz in Auto mode may cause premature failure
of the heaters. Running the printer at 110V, 50Hz in Auto mode may cause abnormally
long heat-up time and poor temperature control. Either will result in a heater error
message in the printer status screen.
Settings and Adjustments
Adjustments
980541-003 Rev. B Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 73
The standard laminate patch length is 3.25” (82.55mm). Accurate positioning of the laminate
is important for practical and aesthetic reasons. The laminate must cover the entire image as
printed at the time of issuance, thus protecting critical data with a tamper-deterrent film.
Additionally, because even the smallest amount of overhang can compromise the card’s
integrity, the patch should be symmetrically positioned on the card.
If there is no magnetic stripe on the underside, a full-width laminate should be used.
When using smart card or registered laminates and the length is too long or too short, use the
Length Adjust (mils) option to make length adjustments as required.
74 Zebra P630i & P640i Card Printer User’s Manual 980541-003 Rev. B

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