Determining the Print Surface Height and Printing Position

This section explains how to set the print heads to the appropriate height for printing and specify the location to be printed.

The height and printing position settings can be configured with the front cover open.


set-printing-area_height

Procedure
  1. If the home screen is not displayed, tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_HOME.
  2. Tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_SETUPSetup.
  3. Tap Select next to Preset.
  4. Tap New, and then tap Next.

    Assuming this is the first time you are printing on this object, select New here.

    MO-240_Panel_Setup_Newmedia

    If you have already registered the media, select the media (printing settings) from the list of existing media, tap Next, and then proceed to step 8.

    MEMO
    • You cannot select media that you have registered when using the rotary axis unit with the flat table or vacuum table.
    • Tapping IconPen makes it possible to search the registered media by keyword.

      To reset the entered keyword, tap reset.

    • Tapping Favorite Display to the right of the media name will change the symbol to FavoriteDisplay2, and the media will be registered to Favorites.

      Tap the Favorites filter Favorite Display at the top of the operation panel to turn the filter on FavoriteDisplay2 and show only favorited media.

      Tap FavoriteDisplay2 to turn the Favorites filter off.

    • Keyword searching and the Favorites filter can be used at the same time.

      Tapreset to turn the Favorites filter off ( Favorite Display ) and reset all keywords.

  5. Enter the media name and tap OK.

    Tap the keyboard that is displayed on the screen to enter the name.

    You can use up to 15 alphanumeric characters.

    AP-640_Panel_Setup_Newmedia_ImputName
  6. Check the name you have entered and tap Next if it is correct.
    To make corrections, tap the name you entered.
  7. Set the media reflective intensity.
    MEMO

    There are two methods for selecting the reflective intensity of the media: Simple or Advanced.

    This procedure describes the flow for when Advanced is selected. Refer to the following for how to change media reflective intensity selection method and the flow for when Simple is selected.
    1. Perform Media Type.

      Select whether the attached object is transparent or opaque, and then tap Next.

      MEMO
      Determine whether the objects are transparent or opaque according to the following standard.
      • Transparent: A hand placed on the other side of the object to be printed on can be seen through it.
      • Opaque: A hand placed on the other side of the object to be printed on cannot be seen through it.

      If selecting [Opaque], proceed to Step (2). If selecting [Transparent], proceed to Step (3).

    2. Select the "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface" (g).

      The "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface" is the difference in height between the lowest point (including the table top) and the height of the print surface within 40 mm (1.57 in.) of the print data.

      The figure below shows the "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface." The lowest point in the area enclosed by the dotted line () is the table surface (), so the variation in height in this case is the height between the red arrows (g).

      around_print_area_high_low_level2

      Tap Save and proceed to step 8.

    3. Select the thickness of the object to be printed on (t).
      Use a ruler or vernier caliper to measure the thickness of the object to be printed on.
      thickness_media

      After making a selection, if Next is displayed, tap Next and proceed to step (4).

      After making a selection, if Save is displayed, tap Save and proceed to step 8.

    4. Select the "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface" (g).

      The "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface" is the difference in height between the lowest point (including the table top) and the height of the print surface within 40 mm (1.57 in.) of the print data.

      The figure below shows the "difference in height between the bottom surface near the print data and the print surface." The lowest point in the area enclosed by the dotted line () is the table surface (), so the variation in height in this case is the height between the red arrows (g).

      around_print_area_high_low_level2

      After making a selection, if Next is displayed, tap Next and proceed to step (5).

      After making a selection, if Save is displayed, tap Save and proceed to step 8.

    5. Select the print data width (w).

      Select the print data width (length of print-head carriage movement direction (w)).

      around_print_area_data width

      Tap Save and proceed to step 8.

  8. Tap Change next to Table Height.
  9. Move the print surface so that it is close to the head gap sensor.

    Move the head gap sensor as close as possible to the print surface beforehand to avoid needlessly increasing the time required for automatic height setting.

    Tap or long tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_UP and AP-640_Panel_Icon_DOWN for moving up/down or back/forth.

    A long tap will speed up the movement after 2 seconds, so take care to avoid going too far.


    close_to_sensor
  10. Tap Automatic Setup.

    The height of the object to be printed on will be set automatically to a position about 1 mm (39.4 mil) away from the print head's ink emission surface.

  11. Tap Save Settings.
    MEMO

    Tap Save Settings if the Printing Area or Print Origin settings need to be configured.

    Tap Complete Setup to finish the setup and return to the home screen, and output will be possible.

    HeightADJSelect
  12. Tap Change next to Printing Area.
    You can tap Icon_GearMark to change the operation performed by the machine when configuring settings. For more information on settings, refer to Changing the Operation Performed When Setting Up the Printing Area.
  13. Tap Print Origin, and then tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_UP, AP-640_Panel_Icon_DOWN, AP-640_Panel_Icon_LEFT, or AP-640_Panel_Icon_RIGHT one time.

    The print-head carriage moves to the bottom right point of the currently set printing area, and the pointer is lit.

    Subsequently, when you have finished setting the printing area, the print-head carriage will automatically return to the standby position to protect the print heads from drying out if they have not been moved by the user for approximately three minutes. Perform the procedure again.

    MEMO

    If Use coordinates to specify the printing area without moving the carriage or table. is enabled, the print-head carriage will not move, so the print-head drying protection function will not work.

    set_print-origin
  14. Tap or long tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_UP, AP-640_Panel_Icon_DOWN, AP-640_Panel_Icon_LEFT, or AP-640_Panel_Icon_RIGHT.
    Align the pointer with the lower right point of the printing area of the loaded object to be printed on.
    MEMO If Use coordinates to specify the printing area without moving the carriage or table. is enabled, specify the values for S and F.
    MEMO

    When the pointer is difficult to see

    Depending on the material of the object to be printed on, such as transparent media or high-gloss media with dark colors used on the print surface, the pointer may be difficult to see. In such cases, the pointer may become more visible by placing masking tape on the print surface or on the back.

  15. Tap Printing Area.
    The print-head carriage moves to the top left point of the currently set printing area, and the pointer is lit.
    MEMO If Use coordinates to specify the printing area without moving the carriage or table. is enabled, the print-head carriage does not move.
  16. Tap or long tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_UP, AP-640_Panel_Icon_DOWN, AP-640_Panel_Icon_LEFT, or AP-640_Panel_Icon_RIGHT.
    Align the pointer with the upper left point of the printing area of the loaded object to be printed on.
    MEMO If Use coordinates to specify the printing area without moving the carriage or table. is enabled, specify the values for W and L.
  17. Tap Complete Setup.
    MEMO

    Tap Save Settings to return to the setup item selection screen to change the settings as necessary.

    AreaADJSelect
  18. Close the front cover.