Printronix P9000 Series, User'S Reference Manual

Page: 188 / 334

9-2 RibbonMinder
The RibbonMinder feature detects when no usable ink remains. The message display will indiĆ
cate 0% and the printer will alert you. At this point, the printer is typically configured to stop
printing, declare a RIBBON FAULT, and display a CHANGE RIBBON message.
FAULT CONDITION
CHANGE RIBBON
CHANGE RIBBON message at 0%
Finally, the RibbonMinder also allows you to set a new JOB RATE value for the next job. This
value is based on the type of job to be run by the printer. The RibbonMinder also provides an
ANALYZE JOB mode to easily calibrate the RibbonMinder for each job that the printer will
run, in order to determine the value of the JOB RATE.
CURRENT 350
NEW RATE
ON LINE 425A
DP AT 10 CPI
SET JOB RATE menu
ANALYZE JOB RATE display
450
NOTE: All RibbonMinder parameters (Job Rate, Ribbon Size, When Worn Action, EnĆ
able/Disable) are automatically saved in NOVRAM when selected.
Analyzing a Job
Every job needs to be analyzed to determine its JOB RATE, and the JOB RATE must be set for
the RibbonMinder to work correctly. The JOB RATE describes the rate at which a job wears
out the ribbon. JOB RATE values can range from 0 (no wear) to 1000 (the highest possible rate
of ink consumption).
It is only necessary to analyze a JOB RATE for a particular job once, provided the JOB RATE is
recorded for future use. For example, if you know that the same job will be run more than once,
analyze the job once and record the JOB RATE for the next time that job is run. A new ribbon
must be used when analyzing a job. The printer status lamps will flash until a new ribbon is inĆ
stalled.
1. Unlock the Control Panel
Place the printer OFFLINE. Unlock the printer configuration by simultaneously pressing
MENU UP and MENU DOWN until the message ENTER SWITCH NOT LOCKED
appears briefly in the message display.
ENTER SWITCH
NOT LOCKED
2. Enable the RibbonMinder Monitor Feature
From the OFFLINE READY display, press MENU DOWN until the RIBBON LIFE
menu options are displayed. Press NEXT or PREV repeatedly until ENABLE/DISABLE