Color Ribbon/Printing System

 
no image "Media jam" message
no image Print ribbon arbors run continuously
no image Card has strange color
no image Fuzzy image
no image Card has white holes or dots in the printed image
no image Card has missing print along edge of image
no image POWER light and MEDIA light on, "Ribbon out" message
no image MEDIA light and ALARM lights on, card has incomplete color and/or "Ribbon out" message
no image Ribbon sticks to card and/or cuts ribbon
no image "Printhead temp too high" message
no image Leading edge of card has faint printing or no printing at all
no image "Media jam" message
no image MEDIA light and ALARM lights on, black and color on same side of card
no image "Ribbon out" message
"Media jam" message
Cause Printer reporting a media jam.
Action Clear jam.
Check that ribbon core is seated on key of arbor.
Check that ribbon passes through ribbon sensor.
Call Technician.
Print ribbon arbors run continuously
Cause Ribbon not in sensor.
Action Reload ribbon, making sure to guide ribbon through sensor. Press RIBBON button to resync ribbon.
Card has strange color
Cause Ribbon has run out.
Action Replace ribbon.

Cause Ribbon out of sync.
Action Press RIBBON button to resync ribbon.

Cause Printer was interrupted.
Action Reprint card.

Cause Card has color & black on same side.
Action Adjust flip position, check flip motor, check elevator, check cam.

Cause Wrong ribbon selected in printer driver.
Action Select correct ribbon in printer driver located on computer.
Fuzzy image
Cause Registration problem.
Action Check spring loaded pin in card guide for correct assembly.
Verify that the correct cards are being used.
Look for damage to corner of card - is card hitting guide on carriage.
Check platen return spring, replace if missing from platen.
Check pulley on lead-screw. If loose and slipping, tighten set screw.
Check pulley on card motor. If loose and slipping, tighten set screw.
Card has white holes or dots in the printed image
Cause Cards have low spots in thickness or card edge is thin.
Action Replace with flat, even cards.
Replace platen, may be damaged.
Card has missing print along edge of image
Cause Defective cards.
Action Replace cards.

Cause Print station not raising and lowering evenly.
Action Adjust or replace printhead.

Cause Printhead does not pivot.
Action Free the printhead.
POWER light and MEDIA light on, "Ribbon out" message
Cause Ribbon has run out.
Action Open cover, remove both ribbon cores, reload ribbon. See page 2-4 in Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide. Close cover, printer will initialize. ALARM light will flash after ALARM stops flashing printer is ready to print.
MEDIA light and ALARM lights on, card has incomplete color and/or "Ribbon out" message
Cause End of print ribbon.
Action Open cover, reload ribbon. See page 2-4 in Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide.

Cause Front cover was opened during printing.
Action Open and close front cover and sync ribbon. The last image will reprint.

Cause Ribbon panels out of sync.
Action Open and close front cover. Press RIBBON button to resync ribbon. Reprint last image.

Cause Ribbon panels do not always advance.
Action Make sure ribbon cores are locked into place on the arbors. See page 2-4 in Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide.

Cause Color side is black.
Action Open and close front cover. Press RIBBON button to resync ribbon. Reprint last image.

Cause Ribbon torn or jammed.
Action Clear jam, resync ribbon.
Ribbon sticks to card and/or cuts ribbon
Cause Wrong media selected in printer driver.
Action Select correct media in the printer driver located on the computer.

Cause Ribbon sticks to card (Mass transfer).
Action Check and/or adjust density settings. Check that correct ribbon is loaded in printer.

Cause Printhead adjusted too high or too low.
Action If printhead is too high, lower head. If head is too low, raise head.

Cause Torque settings incorrect.
Action Adjust torque settings.

Cause Print density too high.
Action Reduce density.
"Printhead temp too high" message
Cause Printhead too hot.
Action Let printhead cool. Printing will resume. If not, call Technician.
Leading edge of card has faint printing or no printing at all
Cause Printhead too high.
Action Printhead needs to be adjusted downward.
"Media jam" message
Cause Ribbon jam.
Action Clear jam. Reload ribbon. See page 2-4 in Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide. If message persists, call Technician.
MEDIA light and ALARM lights on, black and color on same side of card
Cause Card failed to flip.
Action Reprint card. See also "Card has strange color".
"Ribbon out" message
Cause Ribbon out or laminate out.
Action Determine if print station or laminate station needs new media and load ribbon or laminate per page 2-4 of Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide.

Cause Jam in laminate station.
Action Open front cover. Clear jam. If necessary, load new laminate per Media Handling section of Atlantek's TCP Printer Operator's Guide. Press OVERLAY button. Close cover.