Printronix Integrated Print Management System Features

The combination of specially designed inks, fabrics, and construction, along with a physically larger spool yield a 300% improvement in life over our most popular 30 million character ribbons. Rated at 90 million characters the number of user interventions are significantly reduced.

Operation
Using a special bar coded spool, the printer automatically detects when a new or used ribbon is installed and determines the ribbon’s properties. Then, using a sophisticated algorithm, the system monitors all jobs printed and automatically updates the display to indicate the remaining life of the ribbon.

Once the ribbon life gets near the end point, the printer will issue a ribbon low warning by displaying a message and flashing the indicator light. Printing will continue without interruption. When the ribbon reaches 0% remaining, the display will update, the audible alarm will sound (if enabled), the indicator light will flash, and printing will pause. If a new ribbon is installed, the system will automatically detect the ribbon, clear the condition, and restart the life at 100%. If it is not convenient to immediately change the ribbon at this point, printing can be resumed for a few minutes by returning the printer on-line. This should be enough to complete the job. If not, the same procedure can be repeated indefinitely to extend the printing on the same ribbon.
 

Ribbon Monitoring with PrintNet Enterprise
The integrated print management system is tied in completely with PrintNet Enterprise (PNE). Using PNE, it is possible for a system administrator to view the current status of all printers remotely. Furthermore, PNE can be configured to deliver alerts on all consumable warnings. So, when a ribbon reaches the low state, PNE will notify the system administrator remotely via an automated e-mail alert of the low condition. This allows corrective action to be taken before the ribbon reaches its end of life. If the ribbon is not changed, an alert will again be initiated once the ribbon reaches the 0% end point.

Ribbon Log
The system tracks all ribbons that have been used on a particular printer. This data allows the user to monitor how many ribbons, and exactly which types, have been used.

Output Darkness Adjustment
The system is set up by default to meet most user’s requirements. However, some applications require that the output remains darker than the nominal set point , and some applications are less critical and could tolerate a lighter final image. The system can easily be adjusted accommodate this variability. The range is as follows:

Darker +3, Darker +2, Darker +1, Normal (default), Lighter -1,-2,-3,-4 , Lighter -5

The ribbon life indicator will always start at 100% and end at 0%, even if a darker or lighter setting is selected. 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.
 

P7000 Integrated Print Management FAQs

The display on my P7000 now says “Ribbon Life = 100%” what is this?
This display tells you how much ribbon life is remaining on the currently loaded ribbon. It is fully automatic and does not require any set up or additional procedures to work. Just load and change ribbons as you ever would on an older line printer. It can then tell when new ribbons are loaded and adjust the life display accordingly. Now it is possible to gauge how much longer you have before you need to change ribbons or if you have enough capacity to finish that large job.

Can I view the ribbon life indication remotely?
Yes. On PrintNet Enterprise equipped printers ribbon life can be viewed anywhere remotely via a simple web browser. Even better, PrintNet Enterprise can be set to issue your web enabled portable device an e-mail once the ribbon life is low and again when it is out.

What if I run all kinds of different jobs, will the ribbon life indication remain accurate?
Yes. The system uses a sophisticated algorithm that tracks usage in all the various sections of the ribbon automatically. As print patterns shift, it will use different parts of the ribbon, but this is all tracked and properly accounted for. The net indication then is the life remaining in whatever is the most depleted section of the ribbon.

What if I use specialty colored ribbons, the Label ribbon, or mix between various types?
This is not problem; the system will always be accurate. It is true that not all ribbon types have the same life, but the Integrated Print Managements system automatically detects this and adjusts its display correctly.

If I exchange partially used ribbons before they are depleted will the ribbon life indication remain accurate?
Yes. A ribbon can be taken off and replaced at any time, and the system will correctly tell you the ribbon life remaining on the currently loaded ribbon. The system keeps track of all ribbons being used and remembers how much life was remaining on them when they were removed. When it sees a ribbon is reloaded, it will update the life indication to reflect the correct remaining life. The only restriction is that the ribbon must be replaced onto the same machine and in the same orientation. If a partially used ribbon is placed on a new machine or it is flipped over, it will incorrectly be reported as new.

What happens if when the ribbon life reaches the end?
The life indication will continue to count down until it gets to two percent. At this point, the system will warn of a Ribbon Life Low condition. The indicator lamp will flash, the warning message will be displayed, and optionally e-mail alerts will be issued. Printing, however will continue without any interruption. Once the remaining two percent is consumed the printer will stop to prevent the print quality from degrading below the set limit. The error lamp will flash, the audible alarm will sound, the display will indicate that the ribbon needs to be replaced, and optionally an e-mail alert will be issued.

If my ribbon life reaches zero and the printer stops, can I at least finish my printing?
Yes. By returning the printer to the on-line state, it will resume printing for approximately two more minutes. If still a bit more printing is needed, the printer can continue to be returned to the on-line state to gain extra minutes of operation. This process can be repeated indefinitely to extend printing as long as desired.

Can I change the point at which system tells me to change the ribbon?
Yes this point is totally adjustable and can be set to match your application’s requirements. The system is set up by default to meet most user’s requirements. However, some applications require that the output remains darker than the nominal set point, and some applications are less critical and could tolerate a lighter final image. A setting under the Printer Control menu is available that allows you to adjust the final image darkness. The range is as follows:

Darker +3, Darker +2, Darker +1, Normal (default), Lighter –1,…, Lighter -5

The ribbon life indicator will always cycle 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. The adjustment procedure is described in your Quick Setup Guide, Users Manual, and in a special addendum included with each printer.

Can I program my printer to not stop if the end of ribbon life is reached?
Yes. Under the Advanced User section of the printer menus, you can select an option to ignore the ribbon end point. The ribbon life indication will continue to work, but no warnings will be issued and the printer will not stop once the life reaches 0%. Responsibility for insuring the proper change interval reverts back to the user.

Can I track ribbon usage on the P7000?
Yes. The printer keeps track of the quantity and types of all ribbons used on the machine. This log can be checked at any time, and viewed remotely via PrintNet Enterprise, to determine how fast and how many ribbons your operation is consuming.