fast track™ printer

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FAST TRACK™ PrinterBulletin 1492

Quick Start Guide

FAST TRACK™ Printer

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Table of Contents

1. Products in the FAST TRACK™ Printer Kit ................................................................3

2. Warning Signs ..........................................................................................................4

3. Construction of FAST TRACK™ Printer .....................................................................5

4. FAST TRACK™ Printer Operating Panel and LED Indicators ....................................7

5. Software Installation

A. Installation of the FAST TRACK™ Printer Driver .................................7

B. Installation of the Status Monitor ...........................................................8

C. FAST TRACK™ Printer Driver Settings.................................................9

D. Installation of the AB Print Software......................................................10

6. FAST TRACK™ Printer Ink Cartridges ....................................................................... 12

7. Print Alignment Setup............................................................................................... 13

8. Calibrating Individual Marker Cards......................................................................... 16

9. Maintenance............................................................................................................. 17

10. Warranty ................................................................................................................. 18

For further information, useful tips, or the latest drivers, log on to:http://www.ab.com/industrialcontrols/products

For additional information, you contact us via e-mail or telephone

• [email protected]

• 1-440-646-5800 ext. 2,4,2


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1. Products in the FAST TRACK™ Printer Kit

Shipment A• FAST TRACK™ Printer (1492-PRTKIT110V or 1492-PRTKIT220V)• Cleaning cartridge (1492-PRTCLEAN) (colorink cartridge; for cleaning printhead)• Input rail• Output rail• Parallel printer cable• Power cord• Quick Start Guide• CD ROM for printer drivers, AB-Print software and manuals• CD ROM for training video• 2 Marker Cards

Shipment B• Black ink cartridge (1492 - PRTINCART)

Note: This special formulated black Allen-Bradley ink is required. Other ink, such as black Epson ink will not work with the marker cards


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2. Warning Signs

Warning signs conform to BGV A 8 (VBG 125), German employers liability insurance regulations, & DIN 4844, German standard.

Caution:Do not open the printers enclosure! Opening the enclosure will cause loss of any warranty rights and may

Tamper Proof Label

Warning - Mind your hands

Warning - hot

Do not touch!


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3. Construction of FAST TRACK™ PrinterPrint Cover

Parallel Connection

USB Connection

Power Supply

input railoperating panel

output rail

Input Rail

Output Rail


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Input rail / output railInsert the respective rails into the printer to allow the end hooks to fit onto the printer pins. Press down to ensure rail seats completely on printer pins.

Note: It is critical that the rails are properly seated.

Printer coverOpen the cover of the printer and remove the shipping brace.

USB / parallel connectionA printer cable is included in the range of supply. Connect the FAST TRACK™ Printer to your computer using either the parallel printer cable or by means of a USB cable.

Power cordConnect the power cord to the FAST TRACK™ Printer and an outlet.

Operating panelThe entire system is activated or deactivated and settings made via the operating panel. The heating unit turns on upon activation.

Caution:Observe recommended minimum distance!Install the printer on a freelyaccessible, sturdy, level surface.


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4. FAST TRACK™ Printer Operating panel and LED indicators

For detailed information on the operating panel and LED indicators refer to the operating manual.

5. Software Installation

A. Installation of the FAST TRACK™ Printer Driver

1. Place the CD in the CD-ROM drive, and a window opens automatically.

2. In the window that opens, click the button for your preferred language.

on/off Button

Maintenance Button

Ink Cartridge ButtonReset Toggle

Temperature Setting Toggle


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3. Click on the Printer Driver button.

4. In the window that opens,click the button for your operating system.

5. The software installation window will open, click Next to start the installation.

6. Follow the instructions on the monitor.

B. Installation of the Status Monitor

The Status Monitor will inform you about the status of the printer, any failures that might occur (e.g. paper jam) and the current level of all ink cartridges. The screen will appear automatically with every started print job. In the Utility menu you are able to activate or deactivate the Status Monitor. The Status Monitor must be installed separately.


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Installation under Windows NT*

* Please do not install the status monitor if you wish to connect the FAST TRACK™ Printer to a network.

1. In the window please click the button Status Monitor.

2. The software installation window will open, click Next to start the installation.

3. Follow the instructions on the monitor.

C. FAST TRACK™ Printer Driver Settings

1. Click Start > Settings > Printer to open the printer driver

2. Select the printer driver Epson Stylus C62

3. Click Printer > Printing Preferences. Then, adjust the settings as follows:

Windows 95 users: File>Properties>Printer PreferencesWindows 98 users: File>Properties>Printer settingsWindows 2000 users: File>Printer settingsWindows NT users: File>Document name


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Click the Settings button, then click continue.

4. Click OK to confirm your selections.

5. Click OK again to close the printer driver.

D. Installation of the AB Print Software

If you already have AB-Print installed on your computer, re-install if the provided software is an updated revision.

ContinueAdvancedBest PhotoPlain Paper

- Black Ink Only- Edge Smoothing


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1. Place the CD containing the drivers in to the CD-ROM drive.

2. In the window that opens, click the button with your preferred language and select AB Print.

3. The installation starts; follow the instructions on the monitor.

4. Close all the windows once the installation is completed


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6. FAST TRACK™ Printer Ink cartridges

Ink cartridges are sealed units. Under normal circumstances, ink will not leak out of an ink cartridge. If you get ink on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If you get ink in your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.

Installing ink cartridges

1. Press the “Ink cartridge” Button.

2. The print head moves to the middle position. Never move the print head manually.

3. Press back the retaining clip of the ink cartridge to be replaced and lift the clamp upwards.

4. Remove the label with the inscription Entfernen / Remove.

5. Insert the cartridge into the clamps (with the label showing face-up and the chip facing towards the input rail).

6. Carefully press the clamp downwards until it snaps into place.

7. Close the cover of the printer.

8. Press the “Ink cartridge” button.

The ink supply system becomes activated; this process can take approximately 1 to 2 minutes. The print head moves to its home position (far right-hand side), and the operation indicator LED lights up continuously. Never turn the printer off when the operation indicator LED is flashing.

1492-PRTCLEAN1492-PRTINKCART


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7. Print Alignment Setup

Allen-Bradley marker cards are made from polyamide. Polyamide reacts to fluctuations in the climate conditions (temperature and air humidity), which can result in changes of up to 1% in the dimensions of the marker cards. Necessary adjustments can be made in the AB-Print configuration editor.

• On the PC: Launch AB-Print: Click > Start > Programs > AB-Print

• On the Marker Card Selection window select a marker card type (i.e:1492-M5X5) and click OK.

• The graphic displays the Input Screen of the AB Print Software.

• Type an upper case X into eachbox of the first and last columns.

• On the FAST TRACK™ Printer set the temperature to zero percent (0%). (Press the Temperature Setting button repeatly until all indicator lights are off. You can re-use the Marker Card once you have checked the dimensions, by wiping the markings with a cloth and water.)

• Place the respective marker card on the input rail with the full rung facing towards the printer. Insert the marker card until it stops.

• On the PC, click File > Print > under “Print Area”, chose “Current Marker Card”. Click OK.

The images of marker cards below offer several examples of possible print results of the FAST TRACK™ Printer.


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Compare your marker card with the following images. The system needs to be adjusted if the typeface printed on the marker card is misaligned.

Determine the deviations and alter the values of the margin accordingly.

Margin Look at the bottom X in the first column to set the margin.

Left Margin

If the X is too low in the box, increase the left margin.

If the X is too high in the box, decrease the left margin.

Top Margin

If the X is too far left in the box, increase the top margin.

If the X is too far right in the box, decrease the top margin.


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To change the values of the Printer Settings click File > Print > Settings.

In this window you can make the necessary changes to the settings. The values given are intended as a guide only. Click Save. Insert a clean Marker Card in the printer and repeat the printing steps

ScaleLook at the Xs in the first column to set the width scale. Compare the positions of the bottom X with the top X.

Width Scale

If the top X is positioned higher in its box than the bottom X, decrease the width scale.

If the top X is positioned lower in its box than the bottom X, increase the width scale.

ScaleCompare the bottom X of the first column to the bottom X of the last column.

Length Scale

If the X in the last column is positioned too far left in comparison to the first, increase the length scale.

If the X in the column is positioned too far right in comparison to the first X, decrease the length scale.


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8. Calibrating Individual Marker Cards

On the PC, launch AB print: Click > Start > Programs > AB-Print. The Marker Card Section window should appear. Select the marker card type you desire to print. Click OK. Type X’s in the first and last colums.

On the printer, set the temperature to zero percent (0%) and print the marker card. If the X’s on the card need to be adjusted, change setups for this individual marker card type:

• Save your document, click Options, click Edit Marker Card Configurations.

• Choose the marker card type, and make appropriate changes on the dimensions — most likely only dimension 4 will need to be adjusted.

• Click on save, click close.

• Select file, open and click on the file you just saved.

• Choose file, print and verify the proper adjustments were made.


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9. Maintenance

Cleaning the FAST TRACK™ Printer Head

• Head cleaning should be done on a weekly basis.

• On the PC click start-Settings-Printers-chose “Epson Stylus C62 Series” Click Printer-Printer Preferences. Click on the Maintenance Tab. Click on the icon next to: “Head Cleaning”

• The printer head will move back & forth. This process will take about 30 seconds.

• After the print head moves, verify the cleaning was effective, click “Print Nozzle Check”

• Place marker card on the input rail- make sure the closed rung is nearest to the printer

• Verify temperature is set to 0% on printer, click Print.

• Once the marker has exited the printer, examine the quality of the color ink on the first few rungs. If the color is solid, the head is clean. If the color on the rungs is not solid, put the printer through another head cleaning process.

• If after cleaning more than two times the color ink is still not solid, clean the printer head lightly with a cotton swab soaked in a solution of 50% water and 50% isopropyl alcohol.


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10. Warranty

Rockwell Automation approves the following accessories and products for use with the FAST TRACK™ Printer:

• Cat. No. 1492-PRTINKCART (Ink cartridge)

• Cat. No. 1492-PRTCLEAN (Cleaning Cartridge)

• Cat. No. 1492-PRTMARKCAR (Marker Carrier)

• All 1492-M…. Allen-Bradley Marker Cards:

• Terminal Marker Cards• Wire Marker Cards• Equipment Marker Cards

Please refer to the latest Allen-Bradley Catalog to determine the type of Marker Card you require.

The use of other accessories or products can result in the following problems:

• Poor print quality

• Increased occurrences of paper jamming

• Premature wearing out of the printer requiring repairs.

Rockwell Automation’s warranty and customer service agreement do not cover faults or damage to the printer resulting from the use of non-approved or unsuitable accessories or products. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you use the above mentioned accessories and products only.

FAST TRACK is a trademark of Rockwell Automation.


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Publication 1492-QS001A-EN-P - September 2004 © 2004 Rockwell Automation. All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA

www.rockwellautomation.com

Corporate HeadquartersRockwell Automation, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1400, Milwaukee, WI, 53202-5302 USA, Tel: (1) 414.212.5200, Fax: (1) 414.212.5201

Headquarters for Allen-Bradley Products, Rockwell Software Products and Global Manufacturing SolutionsAmericas: Rockwell Automation, 1201 South Second Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204-2496 USA, Tel: (1) 414.382.2000, Fax: (1) 414.382.4444Europe: Rockwell Automation SA/NV, Vorstlaan/Boulevard du Souverain 36-BP 3A/B, 1170 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: (32) 2 663 0600, Fax: (32) 2 663 0640Asia Pacific: Rockwell Automation, 27/F Citicorp Centre, 18 Whitfield Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, Tel: (852) 2887 4788, Fax: (852) 2508 1846

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