ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual
(UMITX315.PDF
)
Page 37 of 82 Date: 4/27/05
9.2
Ticket Stock Thermal Response Characteristics
9.2.1
Print Activation Energy
Thermal inks have two main properties that affect the energy required to turn completely black. The first is the activation
temperature and the second is the activation time. These parameters are somewhat related, as it takes more time for the
printhead to get hotter. However, it is possible to have thermal ink that needs a longer time at a lower energy to convert to
black completely. Adjusting the energy profile helps to match the printhead to the thermal ink.
The ITX has three parameters for adjusting the print energy. These are provided to accommodate ticket stock with a broad
range of thermal response characteristics. The default factory energy level setting has been optimized for the most common
types. If the ticket stock requires more or less print energy, the setting can be changed to achieve the best results.
•
Print Energy Level (section 10.3.1.1): Adjusts the print energy in small increments. This should be set to the lowest
value that provides solid black printing. Range from 1 to 16, default is 6. Note that as this setting increases, the print
speed decreases – more heating requires longer cooling times.
•
Print Energy Table (section 10.3.1.4): The “Normal” table provides the energy settings for the standard print speed
(203dpi = 8IPS, 300dpi = 6IPS). The “Alternate” table provides the energy settings for the faster print speeds
(203dpi = 10IPS, 300dpi = 8IPS). In general, faster print speeds require faster thermal stock.
•
Warm Time Adjust (section 10.3.1.5): Modifying this parameter changes the thermal dot history controls. This setting
affects the amount of dot smearing. Its effect will primarily be noticed in large black regions and barcodes. When
printing two or more dots in a row the first dot requires more energy and the following dots require less energy. The
printhead element is still “warm” from energizing the previous dot. If the Warm Time setting is too long, then the dots
will smear. If the Warm Time is set too short then black regions, graphics, etc. may not be as dark as desired.
9.2.1.1
Optimizing the Print Energy Settings
If the print quality is not acceptable with your ticket stock, consider the following steps:
•
Obtain newer ticket stock. Recent improvements do not necessarily cost more. Refer to the ticket vendor list (9.1.3).
•
If the text is not crisp, clear, or dark enough increase the Print Energy Level to the lowest acceptable level.
•
If graphics or barcodes are smearing decrease the Warm Time Adjust.
•
If larger black regions are not dark enough increase the Warm Time Adjust.
9.2.1.2
Converting from ETX2000/LTx2000 to ITX2000
The ETX/LTx printed well on older/slower ticket stock. However, when printing with newer/faster stock, the ETX/LTX
creates significant smearing on barcodes and graphics. In some cases it appears that smaller fonts have been “bolded” by this
smearing. If you are upgrading your printer from ETX/LTX to ITX you may need to increase both the Print Energy Setting and
the Warm Time Adjust. We suggest, as a starting point, a Print Energy Level of “12” and a Warm Time Adjust of “WT+1” will
give a close approximation of the ETX/LTx performance.
9.3
Ticket Position Optical Sensors
The ITX has two optical sensors used to detect the position and presence of the ticket stock. The inner most sensor is the cut
position sensor. Its factory set location is 6.7" from the cut (or tearbar) line. The second sensor is mechanically arrayed to the
cut sensor. It is the load sensor. Its factory set position is 1.10" behind the cut sensor. The primary ticket positioning sensor is
the cut sensor. It is used to align the cut with respect to the registration mark. This alignment also aligns the printhead with the
print area of the ticket. The load sensor has several auxiliary functions. At ticket auto-loading time it detects the registration
mark coming to rest and triggers the drive motor to load the ticket stock. It also works in conjunction with the cut sensor for
ticket positioning and out of paper detection.