Printronix P7000 Cartridge Ribbon Printer - Manual (Page 41)

Output Darkness
41
Integrated Print Management System
The P7000 has a new feature that automatically monitors and communicates
the status of the ribbon life to help the operator know when to change ribbons.
Using an ink delivery system called the Cartridge Ribbon System (CRS), the
printer can automatically detect when a new or used ribbon is loaded, and all
ribbon properties. The ribbon is contained in a plastic box (the cartridge) and
feeds only in one direction. The CRS contains an interface board that allows
communication between the printer and the cartridge. Using the CRS, the
P7000 automatically detects when a new or used ribbon is installed and
determines the ribbon’s length, ink color, and expected yield. The ribbon life,
starting from 100% when new and decreasing to 0% when depleted, is always
displayed on the control panel. See Figure 5 on page 24.
When the ribbon life reaches 2%, a warning message “RIBBON UNDER 2%/
Change RBN soon” appears on the control panel display. The control panel
status indicator lamp flashes. The printer will continue printing in this condition
until the ribbon life reaches 0% at which time, printing will stop. The ribbon
may be changed at any time while the printer is in the “RBN END POINT/
Change Ribbon” condition without losing data in the printer’s buffer. If a new
ribbon is loaded, the system automatically detects the change, clears the
condition when the platen is closed, and restarts the life at 100%. If a partially
used ribbon is loaded, the system continues the life at the percentage
indicated for the used ribbon.
You may also resume printing for approximately two more minutes without
changing the ribbon by pressing the
ON LINE/CLEAR key twice. This may be
done as many times as needed to complete the job in progress.
Ribbon usage information is calculated by maintaining a count of impressions
(dots) that is stored on the ribbon cartridge and updated periodically so that
the cartridge can be used on a different printer with the information intact. This
allows the system administrator to have precise control over print quality and
consumable costs. The accurate presentation of available ribbon life allows
for efficient planning of print jobs. For example, if the displayed ribbon life
were low, you can install a new ribbon before printing a large print job.
Output Darkness
By default the system is configured to meet most user requirements.
However, some applications require that the output remains darker than the
nominal set point while some applications are less critical and could tolerate a
lighter final image. The system can easily adjust to this variability. A setting
under the Printer Control menu is available that allows the user to adjust the
final output. The range is as follows:
Normal (Default)
Darker +1 through +6
Lighter -1 through -10
The ribbon life indicator always cycles between 100% and 0%, but if a darker
setting is selected, zero will be reached more quickly. If a lighter setting is
selected, the system will extend the amount of printing it takes to reach zero.