IBM Infoprint 6500-v05, Maintenance Manual

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RibbonMinder Operation
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RibbonMinder**
RibbonMinder is a software feature that uses a bar coded label on special high-capacity ribbon spools and a photo-reflective
sensor mounted beneath the right-hand ribbon spool. A bar coded label is affixed to each ribbon spool on opposite sides, so
that the underside of the right-hand spool, when installed in the printer, always contains the following encoded information:
•
Identifies the ribbon as IBM
•
The thickness and length of the ribbon fabric to select the correct motor stepper tables
•
The expected yield, which is used by RibbonMinder software to set the ink depletion rate
•
An identification sequence that is not duplicated on any other ribbon
To verify the authenticity of the ribbon, the bar coded label is scanned by the sensor as the spool rotates; the input data are
then decoded by the printer and interpreted by RibbonMinder software.
Reading the information from the bar code, the system automatically sets up the RibbonMinder parameters which dictate the
ribbon life, based on pre-determined depletion rates to a set dot density. The desired ribbon end point and alert actions can be
adjusted to accomodate individual requirements.
NOTE: The labels attached to each ribbon spool do not use the same identification sequence number. This permits the ribbon
to be flipped over and re-used one time, while the system recognizes and tracks it as a new ribbon installation. In this
manual, “new ribbon” means a brand new ribbon or one that has been flipped once.
RibbonMinder Operation
Ribbon ink consumption continuously displays on the printer operator panel LCD, decrementing as ink is consumed. At the
default settings, when ribbon life reaches 2% the message changes to “301 RIBBON INK LOW / INSTALL NEW IBM RIBBON.”
The operator panel status lamp flashes, but the printer continues to accept new print jobs until ribbon life reaches 0%, at which
time the printer stops printing and enters the fault state.
The default settings for RibbonMinder are enabled at the factory, and the system functions without intervention as long as
genuine IBM ribbons are used and the RibbonMinder options have been set. The user can change settings, as discussed later
in this section.
Operator Panel Menus
RibbonMinder menus are located on the “PRINTER CONTROL” menu. (The User’s Manual explains how to navigate the menu
system and has complete menu maps.) From the PRINTER CONTROL / Ribbon End Point menu, pressing the ENTER key
brings up the first selection in the Ribbon End Point submenu. (See the figure below.) Pressing the RETURN key returns you to
the previous menu. Pressing the SCROLL
↓
or SCROLL
↑
key from any of the lower level menus toggles the display between