H325 IAE
Rev.: 004
kortho
QiC i-series
3-1
3 PRINT PROCESS DESCRIPTION
3.1 Print cycle
The purpose of the printer is to print a label on a substrate. A label is digital data and is stored in the print
memory of the control unit. The control unit converts the label into a bitmap. The printhead receives this
bitmap pixel-column by pixel-column and uses it to fire the heating elements of the printhead.
The ribbon that is placed between the printhead and the substrate is heated by the printhead heating
elements. While a heating element is hot, the pigment of the locally heated ribbon will be transferred onto
the substrate. By firing the heating elements in the right sequence the selected label will be printed on to the
substrate.
The printhead contains 640 heating elements (12 dots per mm at a printhead width of 53,3mm). The vertical
resolution is controlled by a linear encoder that is linked to the printhead carriage. The resolution of this
encoder is also 12 dots per mm.
The print cycle is initiated with a “print request” signal. The print request signal can e.g. be generated by a
spot photocell, a relay switch or a PLC inside the host machine.
Once the print request signal is received by the control unit, the following sequence will be started:
1.
Printhead down.
2.
Printhead carriage forward.
3.
Firing of the heating elements in the sequence determined by the label bitmap.
When the print is completed:
4.
Printhead up.
5.
Printhead backwards (ribbon will be transported at the same time).
When enough ribbon has been transported to make the next print on unused new ribbon:
6.
Clutch will be activated (ribbon transport will stop).
When the printhead is back in its home position:
7.
Pressure will be taken of the carriage drive cylinder.
8.
Clutch will be deactivated.
When a print has been made, the bitmap will be updated, if necessary, for variable label items such as time,
date and number items. When this is done, the Busy output is de-activated and the printer is ready for the
next print request.
3.2 Printhead
The printhead has high productivity and reliability by using its unique face-down IC bonding method
instead of the conventional wire bonding method. It is seen in a range of industrial coding and marking
applications, as a versatile technology able to print on a wide variety of substrates.
The printhead consists of an alumina ceramic base plate. This base plate is covered by a glass layer, a heater
line layer and finally an abrasion-resistant ceramic coating. The structure and materials chosen guarantee a
high quality print and an optimal life time of the printhead.
Summary of Contents for qic i series
Page 1: ...MANUAL QiC i series Thermal Transfer Printer Edition H325 IAE Rev 004 English kortho...
Page 14: ...INTRODUCTION kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 1 6...
Page 30: ...PRINT PROCESS DESCRIPTION kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 3 10...
Page 38: ......
Page 42: ...TRANSPORT STORAGE kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 5 4...
Page 110: ...MAINTENANCE kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 10 6...
Page 120: ...APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 A 4...
Page 133: ...APPENDIX C PART LISTS ILLUSTRATIONS H325 IAE Rev 004 kortho QiC i series C 7 Magazine QiC 30i...
Page 159: ...APPENDIX C PART LISTS ILLUSTRATIONS H325 IAE Rev 004 kortho QiC i series C 33...
Page 160: ...APPENDIX C PART LISTS ILLUSTRATIONS kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 C 34...
Page 163: ...APPENDIX D CONNECTIONS H325 IAE Rev 004 kortho QiC i series D 3 X3 Schematic diagram input...
Page 164: ...APPENDIX D CONNECTIONS kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 D 4 X3 Schematic diagram output...
Page 165: ...APPENDIX D CONNECTIONS H325 IAE Rev 004 kortho QiC i series D 5 X3 Circuit diagram input...
Page 166: ...APPENDIX D CONNECTIONS kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 D 6 X3 Circuit diagram output...
Page 181: ...H325 IAE Rev 004 kortho QiC i series F 1 Appendix F Quick reference...
Page 182: ...APPENDIX F QUICK REFERENCE Kortho QiC i series H325 IAE Rev 004 F 2...
Page 186: ...bv korthofah P O box 3040 2220 CA Katwijk The Netherlands...
