User's Manual Part 1

dithering creates a pixel (picture element) using a small dot matrix, reduced picture resolution
results. This resin imaging process is called Thermal Transfer. In contrast, users can create 32
levels of gray using YMC blends without loosing any image resolution.
By the time a card is fully imaged, a whole set of ribbon panels is used. Users can obtain ribbon
media in several configurations, each offering a cost optimization for a particular set of card
design requirements. For example, YMC ribbons cover the need for only Clear Card color
imaging without resin. The need for YMCKr ribbons occurs when resin imaging, of say bar
codes, must also appear, YMCKrKr ribbons serve those instances when black resin imaging must
occur on both the Clear and White cards.
After completion of the Clear Card imaging and the card moves to the Card Assembler Station, a
White Card feed occurs. The feed injects the White Card directly into the horizontal card guides.
White Cards can only receive black resin images. Also, as stated previously, imaging depends on
a remaining unused Kr ribbon panel. A second Clear Card, when used, receives no image.
A standard feature of all 3M Card printers lets users print bar-codes using any of the 10
printer-resident formats. An associated image results from entry of a single command line,
where a related set of parameters precedes the data. Data refers to the alphanumeric string that a
bar code reader decodes when scanning the card. Associated parameters format the bar code,
specify size and position, and determine whether or not an associated text string appears under
the bar code.
Sensors in the Printer assembly include one that detects incremental advances of the ribbon,
one that detects the presence of a card entering the horizontal card guides, and one that finds the
yellow ribbon panel following an operator initialization. All synchronized card and ribbon
movement within the Printer Station depends on these sensors. Two microswitches form
sensors that signal when the Print Head has reached an either fully up or fully down position.
Motors in the Printer assembly include a stepper for precise control of card positioning in the
card path and dc motors to advance ribbon and raise and lower the Print Head.
1.1.3 White Card Feeder Station
This assembly delivers White Cards placed in the Feeder to the horizontal card guides of the
Printer assembly. Included are a dc motor that powers two feed rollers and a Card Gate that lets
only one card feed at a time. White Card thickness for two-layer cards measures 0.022 inches,
while those used for three-layer cards measures 0.015 inches.
Cards easily pass through a gate opening one and one-half times the card thickness without
allowing multiple feeds or rubbing against the upper restraint. When cards fail to feed, a user
typically finds a card with excessive warping. The front panel LCD indicates OUT OF CARDS if a
card fails to appear at the Printer assembly before a related time out occurs.
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980286-001 Rev. A
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION