X1 User Manual

Thermal Inkjet Technology

Version 1.6, November 2021

Copyright 2021 ANSER Coding Inc. The information contained herein is subject to
change without notice. Reproduction, adaptation or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................... i

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................................ iv

List of Tables.......................................................................................................................................................... vi

Revision History .....................................................................................................................................................vii

1 X1 User Interface ............................................................................................................................................ 1

Getting Started with X1 User Interface ...................................................................................................... 2

X1 Wizard Setup ......................................................................................................................................... 3

Getting to Know the Homepage ................................................................................................................. 8

Getting to Know the Message Editor ....................................................................................................... 10

Getting to Know the Device Configuration Page ...................................................................................... 13

1.5.1 Production Line Page............................................................................................................................ 13

1.5.2 Print Station ......................................................................................................................................... 16

1.5.2.1 Single Print Station Mode ......................................................................................................... 16

1.5.2.2 Stitch Print Station Mode .......................................................................................................... 17

1.5.2.3 Parallel Print Station Mode ....................................................................................................... 18

1.5.3 Printhead Settings ................................................................................................................................ 20

Getting to Know the Settings Page ........................................................................................................... 22

1.6.1 System Settings .................................................................................................................................... 22

1.6.2 Template Management........................................................................................................................ 24

1.6.3 File Management ................................................................................................................................. 25

1.6.4 User Management................................................................................................................................ 26

1.6.5 About Printer ........................................................................................................................................ 28

2 X1 Printing Setup .......................................................................................................................................... 29

Production Line Setup .............................................................................................................................. 30

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 Print Station Setup.................................................................................................................................... 31

Printhead Settings .................................................................................................................................... 32

2.3.1 Stitching Alignment .............................................................................................................................. 33

2.3.2 Repeat Print Settings ............................................................................................................................ 34

2.3.3 Pre-Purge Settings ................................................................................................................................ 35

Creating a Print Message .......................................................................................................................... 36

Quick Edit.................................................................................................................................................. 37

3 X1 Operation ................................................................................................................................................ 40

Usage of the Variable Object .................................................................................................................... 40

3.1.1 Internal Variable Table ......................................................................................................................... 41

3.1.2 Excel Files or Database ......................................................................................................................... 41

3.1.3 Data Update Using Communication Protocol (0xCA)........................................................................... 41

3.1.4 Data Stream Using Communication Protocol (0xCF) ........................................................................... 41

3.1.5 Data from USB ...................................................................................................................................... 42

Format Preferences .................................................................................................................................. 43

3.2.1 Customized Month ............................................................................................................................... 43

Export and Import Data ............................................................................................................................ 44

3.3.1 About Printer ........................................................................................................................................ 44

3.3.2 File Management ................................................................................................................................. 44

File and System Backup ............................................................................................................................ 47

4 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................... 48

Fault Messages and Warnings .................................................................................................................. 48

4.1.1 Ink Cartridge Faults .............................................................................................................................. 48

Status Definition ....................................................................................................................................... 49

4.2.1 UI Icon Status ....................................................................................................................................... 49

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 4.2.2 UI and Warning Light............................................................................................................................ 49

4.2.3 Printheads LED Status .......................................................................................................................... 50

Appendix .............................................................................................................................................................. 51

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List of Figures
Figure 1-1. X1 Controller Manu Tree ........................................................................................................................ 1

Figure 1-2. X1 System Login Page ............................................................................................................................ 3

Figure 1-2. X1 System Initial Setup – System Time.................................................................................................... 3

Figure 1-3. X1 System Initial Setup – Production Line Settings .................................................................................. 4

Figure 1-4. X1 System Initial Setup – Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement ................................................. 5

Figure 1-5. X1 System Initial Setup – Print Station Settings, Print Direction and Delay ............................................... 6

Figure 1-6. Complete X1 System Initial Setup ........................................................................................................... 7

Figure 1-7. Create a Message after X1 System Initial Setup....................................................................................... 7

Figure 1-8. X1 System Homepage ............................................................................................................................ 8

Figure 1-9. X1 System Homepage – A Menu for More Settings ................................................................................. 8

Figure 1-10. X1 Message Editor Page ..................................................................................................................... 10

Figure 1-11. Message Delay ................................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 1-12. Production Line & Print Station Page .................................................................................................. 13

Figure 1-13. Add a Production Line ........................................................................................................................ 14

Figure 1-14. Add a Print Station ............................................................................................................................. 14

Figure 1-15. Add a New Print Station – Single Mode, Top Half of the Page .............................................................. 16

Figure 1-16. Add a New Print Station – Single Mode, Bottom Half of the Page ........................................................ 16

Figure 1-17. Print Station Delay ............................................................................................................................. 17

Figure 1-18. Add a New Print Station – Stitch Mode ............................................................................................... 17

Figure 1-19. Add a Parallel Print Station – Alternative Printing Mode ..................................................................... 18

Figure 1-20. Add a Parallel Print Station – Dual Color Printing Mode ...................................................................... 19

Figure 1-21. Printhead Settings Overview Page ...................................................................................................... 20

Figure 1-22. Printhead Settings Page ..................................................................................................................... 20

Figure 1-23. Repeat Print – Initial Delay ................................................................................................................. 21

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Figure 1-24. X1 System Settings Page..................................................................................................................... 22

Figure 1-25. The Template Management Page ....................................................................................................... 24

Figure 1-26. The File Management Page ................................................................................................................ 25

Figure 1-27. The User Management Page............................................................................................................... 26

Figure 1-28. The About Printer Page ...................................................................................................................... 28

Figure 2-1. X1 Printing Setup Diagram ................................................................................................................... 29

Figure 2-2. Stitching Alignment ............................................................................................................................. 33

Figure 2-3. The Repeat Print Settings Page ............................................................................................................. 34

Figure 2-4. Quick Edit Page – General and Counter................................................................................................. 37

Figure 2-5. Quick Edit Page – Variable Input and Database ..................................................................................... 38

Figure 3-1. Variable Message Sources .................................................................................................................... 40

Figure 3-2. Variable Input Sources ......................................................................................................................... 40

Figure 3-3. The Scan and Print Page ....................................................................................................................... 42

Figure 3-4. Add Format Preference Template Page ................................................................................................ 43

Figure 3-5. To Import from USB (1) ........................................................................................................................ 45

Figure 3-6. To Import from USB (2) ........................................................................................................................ 45

Figure 3-7. To Import from USB (3) ........................................................................................................................ 46

Figure 3-8. The Restore & Backup Page.................................................................................................................. 47

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List of Tables
Table 1-1. X1 System Initial Setup Options ............................................................................................................... 4

Table 1-2. Print Station and Printhead Combinations ............................................................................................... 5

Table 1-3. Related Options in Print Settings ............................................................................................................. 6

Table 1-4. X1 System Homepage Settings ................................................................................................................ 9

Table 1-5. X1 Message Editor Settings ................................................................................................................... 11

Table 1-6. Message Related Settings...................................................................................................................... 12

Table 1-7. Production Line and Print Station Settings ............................................................................................. 15

Table 1-8. Alternative Print Ratio .......................................................................................................................... 18

Table 1-9. Detailed Printhead Settings Descriptions ............................................................................................... 21

Table 1-10. X1 System Settings Descriptions .......................................................................................................... 23

Table 1-11. Detailed Descriptions in Template Manage Settings ............................................................................. 24

Table 1-12. X1 User Accounts Management Table .................................................................................................. 27

Table 2-1. The Example of Repeat Print Settings .................................................................................................... 34

Table 3-1. Variable Input Methods ........................................................................................................................ 41

Table 3-2. Customized Inputs ................................................................................................................................ 43

Table 4-1. Ink Cartridge Faults and Descriptions..................................................................................................... 48

Table 4-2. UI Icon Status Definitions ...................................................................................................................... 49

Table 4-3. UI and Warning Light Definitions ........................................................................................................... 49

Table 4-4. Printhead LED Status and Definitions..................................................................................................... 50

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Revision History

Version Date Modification

1.6 2021/11/24 Extracted from X1 Product Manual V1.6
Added Figure 1-1

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1 X1 User Interface
This document describes setting and configuration of ANSER X1 Thermal Inkjet controller. How to set printing message,
how to set printhead combination mode, how to setup production line, and how to troubleshoot are all included. Please
see the following figure for menu tree and main functions of X1 controller.

Figure 1-1. X1 Controller Manu Tree

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 Getting Started with X1 User Interface

The following information is described:

 Initial Setup.
 Getting to know the homepage.
 Getting to know the message editor.
 Getting to know the device settings.
 Getting to know the settings page.

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 X1 Wizard Setup

Upon powering up X1 for the first time, the system will prompt a login page (Please see Figure 1-2.) where users can set
up an admin account. Users can also import the settings directly from another X1 controller using the USB.

Figure 1-2. X1 System Login Page

After creating an Admin account, the X1 wizard will guide users to configure the system date time and the necessary
settings to start X1, as seen in the following images.

Figure 1-3. X1 System Initial Setup – System Time

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 Figure 1-4. X1 System Initial Setup – Production Line Settings

Table 1-1. X1 System Initial Setup Options

Options Description

Production Line One or multiple print stations can be installed for printing on different products. Please
refer to Section 1.5.1.

Name Set names for the production line.

Encoder Switch button on when working with the encoder.

Production Line Speed Input speed value when conveyor moving with constant speed.

Output DPI Adjust the size and density of the printing messages.

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After setting up a production line, the next step is to assign a print station which is composed of one or two printheads.

Figure 1-5. X1 System Initial Setup – Print Station Settings, Printhead Arrangement

Table 1-2. Print Station and Printhead Combinations

Option Description

Print Station It is a single or union of two printheads installed in a production line.

Please refer to Section 1.5.2.

Single A print station containing one single ½’’ or 1’’ printhead.

Stitch A print station composed of two ½’’ or two 1’’ printheads that stitch
together to achieve a larger print message.

Parallel A print station composed of two ½’’ printheads installed parallelly for
non-stop printing.

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The last step in the initial setup wizard is to configure the settings related to the print station.

Figure 1-6. X1 System Initial Setup – Print Station Settings, Print Direction and Delay

Table 1-3. Related Options in Print Settings

Option Description

Photocell Source Set the sensor signal coming from the controller or the printhead.

Print Direction Set according to the moving direction of the object when passing in front of the print
station.

Print Upside Down All messages are printed in upside down orientation.

Station Delay The distance (unit: mm or inch) from the sensor trigger to the location on the product
where the print starts. Please refer to Figure 1-18.

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Save the initial setup and confirm whether you want to proceed to the message editor or homepage (Please see Figure
1-9).

Figure 1-7. Complete X1 System Initial Setup

Figure 1-8. Create a Message after X1 System Initial Setup

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 Getting to Know the Homepage

The X1 system homepage provides essential information about the status of the production line, print station, and
printheads, where users can quickly know what is happening through all these components. Each part of X1 system
homepage is marked by a red number in the following Figure 1-9 and is described in the following Table 1-4.

Figure 1-9. X1 System Homepage

Figure 1-10. X1 System Homepage – A Menu for More Settings

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 Table 1-4. X1 System Homepage Settings

Item Option

1 Home Button: Return to the main page as shown in Figure 1-9.

Menu Tree Button: Access to system main menus.
- Log out: Log out from current user account, and back to login page.
- Shutdown: Perform a soft shutdown of the system before pressing power off button in hardware
controller. Please see Figure 1-10.

2 Status Bar: Provides information about the status of Ethernet, WIFI, USB, and cartridge alarms. Pressing the
icon to open the setup page for Ethernet, WIFI, and USB interfaces respectively.

3 Start/Stop All Production Line Button

Message List: It leads to a page to select the message list where a new message can be set to print mode.
Create New Message Button: It opens X1 on-board message editor.
Device Configurations Button: The quick access button opens the Device Configuration menu.
Settings Button: The quick access button opens the Settings menu.

4 Printing Display Information Button: It leads to the information display page to select the type of
parameters of printer and cartridge to be displayed on the main page.
List View Button: It displays information of a production line in an arrangement of a list. It is handy when
working with more than one production lines.

5 Production Line Settings Button: Press it to access the current production line settings page.

6 Print Station Mode (Single, Stitch, or Parallel Mode): Press it to access the print station settings page.
Quick Edit Button: It allows quick adjustments to parameters while the printer is printing.
Ink Cartridge Information: It provides information on the status of the cartridges such as ink levels and the
number of prints. How this information is displayed can be defined on the information display page.
Printing Start/Stop Button: To start or stop printing.

7 Printing Message: It displays the message assigned to the print station. Also, it allows performing changes
to the current messages.

8 Information Display Area: Display printing statistical information as well as performance information. By
default, 3 parameters are displayed, and if users go to the information display page, additional parameters
can be selected and displayed. Also, by pressing this area, more information can be obtained.

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 Getting to Know the Message Editor

X1 offers the possibility to create and edit messages directly in the controller. The X1 editor offers the necessary tools
to make message editing a more straightforward process. In X1 homepage, press “ ” to go to X1 message editor. Each
part of the message editor is marked by a red number in the following Figure 1-11 and is described in the following Table
1-5.

Figure 1-11. X1 Message Editor Page

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 Table 1-5. X1 Message Editor Settings

Item Option

1 Add Object Button: It opens object management page where users can find different types of objects to be
included into printing.

2 Reset Position Button: When the canvas goes too far to the right-hand side, press this button to go back to
the initial position.
Save Button: Once the message editing is finished, press Save to store the edited messages.
Save As Button: When editing the existing messages, in order to keep the original message, press this button
to save it with a different name.
Print Preview: Display a preview of the messages.

3 Zoom: It allows users to zoom in and out on objects within the editor.

4 Clipboard Buttons: It allows users to copy, paste, and delete objects in the editor, as well as to undo these
actions.

5 Alignment Buttons:
 To single select, select all, unselect all, and multiple select objects.
 To align objects in different positions.
 Send a selected object to the back or bottom and bring an object to the front or top.
Orientation Buttons: This allows users to set the orientation of objects.

6 Group: Print objects within one message by assigning them to any of two groups, which later the group can
be assigned to one print station. If color ink cartridges are used, select the colors of the cartridge used to
print the group.

7 Object Positioning: Display the position of the selected object on the editor.

8 Canvas Measurement Units: This allows users to change the measurement units of the canvas to
millimeters, inches, or pixel.

9 Message Settings: Display settings related to the messages being edited.

10 Access Message Settings Button: Press this button to access and display the configuration parameters of
the current messages.

11 Toggle Button: Press this button to toggle down/up or hide the message settings window.

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Message Related Settings

Table 1-6. Message Related Settings

Option Description

Message Name Default system message or custom input by the users.

Printouts Set a maximum number of prints for the message. The value zero means no limit.

Repeat Enable repeat print settings for the message. Repeat print settings can be found in
printhead settings.

Line Mode Add editing guidelines to message editor. It is useful when creating a message with
content spread in multiple lines.

Delay It represents the distance (unit: mm or inch) from the sensor to the printhead
cartridge nozzle. Each individual message can have its own delay value. Please refer
to Figure 1-12. When it is enabled, it overwrites Print Station Delay.

Direction Message printing direction, as a default, follows print station Print Direction.

Upside Down Default: Follow the print station setting.

Normal: Overwrite the upside-down printing settings in the print station.
Upside Down: Print the message upside down.

Height Message height based on the printhead height.

Width Display the total width of the current message.

Figure 1-12. Message Delay

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 Getting to Know the Device Configuration Page

The device configuration menu is where users find settings related to the production line, print stations, printheads, and
external devices. If initially no setup has been done, users can access this page to set up both of the controller and
printheads. Additionally, settings for serial communication capable devices can be found on the External Devices page.

1.5.1 Production Line Page

It displays an overview of the production line and allows users to create, edit, and remove production lines and print
stations.

One production line setup can support up to two print stations in single mode, and only one print station in stitch or
parallel mode. Same printheads can exist within multiple production lines set up, but two production lines can’t use the
same printhead simultaneously.

Figure 1-13. Production Line & Print Station Page

The production line and print station page allow users to perform the following:
• Create a production line.
• Access production line settings.
• Delete or duplicate a production line.
• Import or export production line.

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The Production Line & Print Station setting page displays parameters related to the production line on the left side of
the panel. On the right, options of adding a Print Station are listed, as it shown in Figure 1-14 below.

Figure 1-14. Add a Production Line

Figure 1-15. Add a Print Station

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 Table 1-7. Production Line and Print Station Settings

Option Description

Encoder Source Encoder is connected to controller or printhead. If encoder option is switched off,
I.e., not connecting encoder, printer will generate the signal with a constant speed
by itself. Refer to Section 2.1.

Encoder DPI Resolution (DPI) of the encoder.

Output DPI Actual printout DPI. Users can divide encoder DPI into the smaller value.

Meter Wheel Enable the option to use your own encoder. Users can manually input the diameter
and PPR.

DPI Converter Divide encoder DPI by 1 to 8.

Calculated Output Show actual printout DPI calculated by diameter, PPR and DPI converter.

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1.5.2 Print Station

Adding a new print station automatically displays the print station page where the users can assign different print station
modes (Single, Stitch, and Parallel Mode). Swipe up to find settings related to the photocell sensor, print direction, and
print delay.

1.5.2.1 Single Print Station Mode

Some applications require to print content on two sides of a product that is running on one production line. X1 supports
up to two single printheads which means users have the flexibility to set up two single head print stations within the
same production line setup.

Figure 1-16. Add a New Print Station – Single Mode, Top Half of the Page

Figure 1-17. Add a New Print Station – Single Mode, Bottom Half of the Page

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Station Delay
Users must measure the distance from the sensor trigger point to the location of the product where printing starts, and
the measurement should include the distance from sensor installation to the cartridge nozzle.

Figure 1-18. Print Station Delay

Note: The same delay value applies to all the printing messages.

1.5.2.2 Stitch Print Station Mode

The stitch mode printing station allows users to combine two half-inch or one-inch printheads, thus achieving prints with
a height of up to two inches. A production line can only have one print station in stitch mode since in this mode both
heads are occupied.

Figure 1-19. Add a New Print Station – Stitch Mode

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1.5.2.3 Parallel Print Station Mode

X1 parallel print station mode gives users a production without downtime. Two cartridges printing alternatively based
on different ratios configured by the users. Software monitors cartridge levels and automatically switches to the second
cartridge allowing the operator to replace the empty cartridge without needing to stop the production line.

Figure 1-20. Add a Parallel Print Station – Alternative Printing Mode

Table 1-8. Alternative Print Ratio

Ratio PH1:PH2

High 1:12

Medium 1:6

Low 1:3

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Additionally, a parallel print station allows users to set “Dual Color” mode. In this mode, two ink color cartridges can be
used to achieve the effect of printing one message with two different colors. In the message editor, parts of the message
are organized in groups and each representing one color cartridge.

Figure 1-21. Add a Parallel Print Station – Dual Color Printing Mode

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1.5.3 Printhead Settings

After one print station is created, users can configure parameters related to the printheads bind to the print station.

On the right side of the settings page, listed all the printhead setup related to existing print stations, and on the left side,
an overview of the parameters related to the selected print station. Press the Settings button to open the printhead
settings page, as shown in Figure 1-22.

Figure 1-22. Printhead Settings Overview Page

Figure 1-23. Printhead Settings Page

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 Table 1-9. Detailed Printhead Settings Descriptions

Option Description

Nozzles The type of cartridge print engine. Switch between options to change printhead type.
Please refer to Section 2.3.
Option - Select left or right nozzle row
- One-inch printhead only one row available.
- All options alternate between rows while printing.
DPI Vertical resolution. 600 DPI, print HD mode while the horizontal DPI matches the
connected encoder.

Repeat Print Allow the users to configure the printhead to print in continuous mode.
Trigger: Enable to trigger by a photocell sensor or disable to trigger while the encoder is
rotating.
Initial Delay: Set a delay value to the beginning of the first print in the repetitions after
sensor is triggered. Please refer to Figure 1-24.
Period: Message length plus the gap between each repetition.
Infinite: Switch on to enable infinite repetitions.
Count: When infinite mode switches off, set a finite number of repetitions.
Stitching Alignment Allows the users to perform vertical and horizontal alignment adjustments when using
Stitch mode.
Pre-purge Firing ink drops to avoid nozzles dry out from the result of cartridge short-decap, when
printing in dry environments.
Auto: Automatically determine parameters for the ink cartridge inserted.
Custom: Manually set the time and level parameters to purge the nozzles.
- Interval: The time in seconds to start a purge cycle.
- Level: Refer to the frequency of pre-purge cycle. The higher the level, the shorter time
for each purge cycle.

Figure 1-24. Repeat Print – Initial Delay

Note 1: Initial Delay has top priority over message and print station delays.
Note 2: Period value must be greater than the printing content total width.

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 Getting to Know the Settings Page

Access System Settings page through main menu “ ” > Settings “ ”, or use the quick access button “ ” on the
homepage. (Please see Figure 1-25.)

1.6.1 System Settings

Figure 1-25. X1 System Settings Page

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 Table 1-10. X1 System Settings Descriptions

Option Description

System Language and It allows users to change system language and add multiple languages to the
Keyboard Layout keyboard.

Screen Settings It allows users to configure the following items:

Display Test: Perform a test on the LCD panel.
Brightness: Adjust the brightness of the screen.
Auto-Lock: Log users out of the system. Note: A password is required to log in again.
Screen Saver: It blanks the screen when the controller has been idle for a specified
time.
Screen Flip: It allows users to rotate the screen 180 degrees when the controller is
installed up-side-down.
Touchscreen Sensitivity: Turn it down to prevent any accidental touch in dusty
environment.

System System Time: It allows to set the system time.

System Unit: It allows to set the measurement unit.

Status Refresh The time interval to update the information displayed on the homepage.

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1.6.2 Template Management

Navigate to System > Template Management (Please see Figure 1-26) from the menu tree.

Using templates is a good way to facilitate message creation for users. One or multiple templates for a specific object
can be defined and used throughout all messages.

When a template is imported into a message, a copy is created of that template. Even if the template were deleted, it
won’t affect the copy contained within the messages.

Figure 1-26. The Template Management Page

Table 1-11. Detailed Descriptions in Template Manage Settings

Option Description

Text Template Allows users to create text objects that contained pre-fixed content.

Date / Time Format Allows users to create custom template formats for date and time objects.
Template

Counter Template Allows users to create templates for counter objects.

Variable Template Allows users to create a table of variable objects containing pre-defined content.
Can be used to store data sent by external devices.

Format Preference Customize the name of the months used in production and expiry date objects.
Template

Shift Template Allow users to create a table of work shifts for different operators and hourly
periods.

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1.6.3 File Management

Navigate to System > File Management (Please see Figure 1-27.) from the menu tree.

The file management page is a file center where users can manage all different types of files used throughout the systems.
Here, users can import and export one or more files. The import and export process are done using USB.

Figure 1-27. The File Management Page

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1.6.4 User Management

Navigate to System > User Management (Please see Figure 1-28.) from the menu tree.

Figure 1-28. The User Management Page

The X1 system provides three default accounts (Admin, Manager, and Operator), and each has their respective access
levels. (Please see Table 1-12.) Admin can edit options for each account, delete existing accounts, and add new ones.

The user management page allows users to create 13 additional user accounts. Each user can have different access levels
for message creating, print jobs settings, and system configurations.

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 Table 1-12. X1 User Accounts Management Table

Access Level Admin Manager Operator

Start / Stop / Select Message   

Create Message   -

Delete Message   -

Message Settings   -

Edit Message   -

Production Line and Print Station   -

Printhead Settings   -

External Devices   -

Quick Edit   -

Information Display   

System Settings   -

Template Management   -

File Management   -

User Management  - -

Report   

Restore / Backup / Reset   -

About Printer   

Import / Export / Printer Settings   -

Note: The default password for Admin is Admin, Manager is Manager and Operator is 0000.

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1.6.5 About Printer

Navigate to System > About Printer (Please see Figure 1-29.) from the menu tree.

Figure 1-29. The About Printer Page

The About Printer page provides information about software and hardware version of the controller as well as
information about the printheads and ink cartridges. (They can also be seen by pressing the cartridge icon).

Options to reset the system to factory default, to restore the system from a backup, and to import/export can all be
found in this page.

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2 X1 Printing Setup

Figure 2-1. X1 Printing Setup Diagram

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 Production Line Setup

Production line settings are the top layer of the X1 function structure (Please see Figure 1-25.), and they encapsulate
print stations and messages. It is required for having a production line created before setting up print stations and
selecting messages. Users can access directly from the homepage by pressing the quick access button “ ”.

Users have the options to create a production line either by pressing the “ ” button or import one from the other
controller’s backup settings.

To create a production line:

a. Press the “ ” button.

b. Press the “ ” button to access production line configuration parameters.

c. Name the production line.

d. Production Line speed settings.

i. With Encoder: To enable encoder and to specify whether it is connected to controller or printhead.

ii. No Encoder: Input conveyor speed or use test option to detect current object speed by using a photocell
sensor and width of the object.

e. Select encoder DPI value according to encoder or input wheel pulse and diameter to calculate.

f. Press the Save button before proceeding to print station setup.

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 Print Station Setup

Print stations can contain one or two printheads combined in different modes according to their physical setup.

While in the production line settings page,

a. Press “ ” to add a print station.

b. Select print station mode (single, stitch, or parallel), and add a name or use the default name.

c. Move down by swiping up to select settings related to photocell sensor source, print direction, print upside
down, and station delay settings.

d. Press Save.

Repeat the same steps when an additional single print station is needed. Once it is ready, press Save and proceed to
printhead settings.

Note: In Stitch mode, the photocell sensor source should be set to the controller.

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 Printhead Settings

In the printhead, settings to define the type of cartridge to use in the station, vertical resolution, and options for repeat
printing can all be found. Likewise, pre-purge options can be configured to keep the nozzles moist when working in hot
and dry environments.

Access printhead Settings overview page,

a. Select the print station to configure the printhead settings.

b. Press the “ ” button to access the selected printhead settings page.

c. Set resolution, repeat settings and pre-purge.

d. Press the Save button to save printhead settings.

Note: When using a half-inch printhead, select one of the nozzle rows or both for nozzle switching.

ANSER CODING INC. 32 X1 Printing Setup

2.3.1 Stitching Alignment

Figure 2-2. Stitching Alignment

When working with print stations in stitch mode, a full-height message is printed by dividing the content into two parts
and assigning them to each of the printheads forming the stitch print station. It is during the initial setup that there could
be issues with a message not being properly aligned.

To align the printheads and print a complete message, the operator can perform physical adjustments to printhead
installation, as well as, changing the stitch alignment settings directly in the X1 software.

a. Perform an initial test print to confirm stitch alignment status.

b. If there is a separation between the content, first do physical adjustments to the printhead installation, and then
perform another test print.

c. If no improvements are observed, access to printhead settings and adjust the vertical or horizontal offset from the
stitching alignment setup page.

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2.3.2 Repeat Print Settings

Repeat print settings are applicable for applications where it is required to print the same content repeatedly a finite
number of times or to continue printing while encoder motion is detected.

Figure 2-3. The Repeat Print Settings Page

For example, printing ten times, 10mm after triggering the photocell sensor, and leave a gap of 20mm between each
repetition:

Table 2-1. The Example of Repeat Print Settings

Parameter Value

Trigger ON

Initial Delay 10mm

Period 20mm

Infinite OFF

Count 10

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2.3.3 Pre-Purge Settings

These settings enable pre-purge when print quality declines after printing for a period of time. The print quality starts
to deteriorate when working in a hot and dry environment. In such an environment, the cartridge nozzles tend to dry
out much faster than in normal environment conditions.

Pre-purge releases drop of ink from time to time keeping nozzles moist when cartridge is idle (in printing mode but no
printing). Users can define the time cycle (when) to purge the nozzles as well as the level (amount of ink drops) used per
each purge. Please refer to Table 1-9.

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 Creating a Print Message

Access message editor either by pressing the “ ” button on the homepage or go to the menu Message > Create.

To create a message containing a text object:

a. Set a name for the message, height, and other related settings if needed.

b. Press the “ ” button to access the message object list.

c. Select Text object from the list, and select the template entries to edit.

d. Press the content field to bring up the keyboard, and press Enter after input the text content.

e. Select the font, size, and format of the object. If needed, apply stretching, spacing, and resolution settings to the
Text object.

f. Press the “ ” icon or the message name tab on the editor to bring back the message settings, and press the
Save button to save and go back to the homepage.

Note: Printhead 1 is always the printhead at the bottom when using stitch printheads.

ANSER CODING INC. 36 X1 Printing Setup

 Quick Edit

It is possible to make adjustments to printing related settings while a print station is in operation. Press the “ ” button
on the homepage to access the Quick Edit settings page.

Figure 2-4. Quick Edit Page – General and Counter

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 Variable 1

Figure 2-5. Quick Edit Page – Variable Input and Database

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A. General
 Station Delay:
 When having two print stations (single stations) within the same production line, use the “ ” button
to enable link station delay. Both station delay can be adjusted simultaneously.
 The delay is applied in the next print.
 Print Direction: Set print direction in the print station. Setting is applied after two prints.

B. Counter: All the options found in this tab are applied after two prints.
 Message Counter: Reset to zero information display count and total count parameters.
 Object Counter: Reset to zero in the start value for the counter objects within a message.

C. Variable Input: Update one or multiple variable objects contained within the printing message. It is used when users
are only allowed to change parts of a message. Use together with changing the access level to achieve this purpose.

D. Database: After an excel file (.csv) is imported, select the row from which to start printing. This setting will be
applied after two prints.

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3 X1 Operation

Usage of the Variable Object

X1 printer system enables users to set their own variables, such as company names, addresses, URL, product numbers,
etc. For application required to quickly replace specific content of the message without modifying the whole message
layout, “Variable” is the right object to be used. Variable objects can also become the content source to a barcode object,
please see the below figure to understand the structure.

Figure 3-1. Variable Message Sources

Figure 3-2. Variable Input Sources

ANSER CODING INC. 40 X1 Operation

 Table 3-1. Variable Input Methods

Variable Table Variable Buffer Excel Files

Methods 1. PC Software (Message 1. Net Protocol over 1. PC Software (Message

to Edit Pro X) Ethernet (0xCF, 0xCB, Pro X)
0xCC)
2. Controller UI
3. Net Protocol over
Ethernet (0xCA)
4. USB

Note Variable source setup as Variable source setup as Variable source setup as
“Default”. “External”. “Database”.

3.1.1 Internal Variable Table

There is a total of 100 variables that can be defined and kept in an X1 controller. Each of the variables can hold up to 100
alphabets (100 bytes). Message editor is full Unicode supported in UTF-8 format.

3.1.2 Excel Files or Database

Variable objects are able to take imported .csv file extensions as a source. When a print job starts, users have the option
to preview and choose which entry or row they would like to start.

3.1.3 Data Update Using Communication Protocol (0xCA)

The CA command updates the internal Variable table. The data updated by the CA command can be printed as many
times as customers want before the next CA command are received.

3.1.4 Data Stream Using Communication Protocol (0xCF)

Unlike the CA command, the CF command uses a variable First in First Out (FIFO) buffer. Therefore, the variable data by
CF command can only be printed once and will be removed from the buffer after printing is completed.

The size limitation of a single variable is also 100 bytes long, and the size of the buffer is 250 bytes.

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3.1.5 Data from USB

The option of “Save to the internal table” will make the data written to the variable table and can be printed as many
times as users want before the next overwrite.

It supports to connect devices such as USB barcode scanners. With the USB settings, users can manage the data coming
from this USB COM port. For a set of stream data, set the position and the length of the data needed for printing.

Navigate to Device Configurations > External Devices:

Scan & Print

Variable List
Variable 1
Variable 2
Variable 3
Variable 4

Figure 3-3. The Scan and Print Page

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 Format Preferences

Navigate to Settings > Template Management > Format Preference Template. To create custom inputs for each month
of the year, please refer to Table 3-2.

3.2.1 Customized Month

Figure 3-4. Add Format Preference Template Page

Table 3-2. Customized Inputs

Month Letters Arabic Spanish

January AA ‫كانون الثان‬ Enero

February BB ‫شباط‬ Febrero
March CC ‫آذار‬ Marzo
April DD ‫نيسان‬ Abril
May EE ‫أيار‬ Mayo
June FF ‫حزيران‬ Junio
July GG ‫تموز‬ Julio
August HH ‫آب‬ Agosto
September II ‫أيلول‬ Septiembre
October JJ ‫ر‬
‫تشين األول‬ Octubre
November KK ‫ر‬
‫تشين الثان‬ Noviembre
December LL ‫كانون األول‬ Diciembre

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 Export and Import Data

There are two ways to export and import data from the X1 system, and it can be done either in the About Printer menu
or in the File Management menu.

3.3.1 About Printer

- Insert the memory into USB port.

- Press the Import / Export button.
- Choose the action to import or export and select the USB.
- Exporting creates a backup copy of all the information contained in the controller.

Note: When exporting, the system creates a main directory as “Backup_xxxx” containing folders for all types of files
found in the system.

3.3.2 File Management

File Management can export and import one or multiple types of files such as messages, images, fonts, etc.

To Export:

 Select the files to export from the file manager.

 Press the Export button, and select the USB directory to export.

Note: When exporting, files are exported to the directory “File_Management_xxxx”.

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To Import:

1. You will need a system file directory that can be generated through the Export operation mentioned previously.
After exporting, put one or multiple files under the corresponding subfolder, e.g., excel, font, logo....

2. Insert USB into the USB port, click Import, and access the directory of the USB to locate the files to be imported,
such as “Backup_xxxx” or “File_Management_xxxx”.

Figure 3-5. To Import from USB (1)

3. Dig into the file folder and press Done, and the directory tree will show up.

Figure 3-6. To Import from USB (2)

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 4. Select the files you want to import and press Done.

Figure 3-7. To Import from USB (3)

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 File and System Backup

To back up all system information on X1, be sure to insert a FAT32 format USB before starting the backup.

Access About Printer > Restore & Backup by pressing the quick access button “ ” on the homepage and go to the
About Printer menu. Also, the users can access directly from the drop-down main menus located in the upper left corner.

Press the Restore & Backup button to enter the list of available backup copies. To back up the system, press the “ ”
button. And to restore from existing copy, press the Restore button.

Figure 3-8. The Restore & Backup Page

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4 Troubleshooting

Fault Messages and Warnings

4.1.1 Ink Cartridge Faults

Table 4-1. Ink Cartridge Faults and Descriptions

Fault Description

No Cartridge It normally happens when no cartridge is detected in the printhead. Additionally,

this could happen when chip failure or abnormal printhead latch happens.

Ink Type Not Supported The ink type is not supported in the current software version or printer model.

Ink Capacity Not Supported Ink cartridge volume is not supported in the current software version or printer
model.

Ink Color Not Supported The ink color is not supported in the current software version.

Ink Empty Ink cartridge is empty. Please change a new cartridge.

Ink Low The ink level is low (with 5% left) or lower than the custom trigger value.

EDC Not Match Either the country code, area code or both codes don’t match controller EDC.

ANSER CODING INC. 48 Troubleshooting

 Status Definition

4.2.1 UI Icon Status

Table 4-2. UI Icon Status Definitions

Device Connected Error Error Event

Wi-Fi Click the icon to show error message dialog. Click See More to
open Wi-Fi setting page.

Ethernet Click the icon to show error message dialog. Click See More to
open Ethernet setting page.

Cartridge Click the icon to show error message dialog, to see cartridge
information and error codes.

USB Click the icon to show error message dialog.

4.2.2 UI and Warning Light

Table 4-3. UI and Warning Light Definitions

UI
PL Status Light Buzzer Trigger Condition To Exit Status Condition
Display
Idle Gray Off Off Not Printing / Stop Printing Start Printing
Printing Green Green Off Start Printing Stop Printing
Error
Ink Low or Empty
Ink Low Yellow Yellow & Beep 3s 1. Reach threshold. Insert cartridge ink level over
Green 2. Start with a low ink cartridge. the threshold.
3. Insert the low ink cartridge.
Ink Empty Red Yellow & - Printed all available ink dots. Insert the cartridge with
Red enough ink to print.
Error Red Red - DISC related: When the trigger condition is
1. Can’t read DISC. released.
2. EDC error.
3. Can’t recognize DISC.
4. No legal DISC.
5. Ink type not supported.
6. Cartridge latch is not closed.
7. Printhead is disconnected.
8. Wiping reminder time up.

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4.2.3 Printheads LED Status

Table 4-4. Printhead LED Status and Definitions

Fault White LED Red LED Note

Cartridge Inserted ON OFF Stand by

Printing Mode Flashing OFF -

Cartridge Removal OFF ON No cartridges are inserted or detected.

Cartridge Error/Ink Empty ON ON -

Ink Low ON Flashing -

No Power OFF OFF -

Discovery Mode Flashing Flashing Alternately flash 0.2s ON > 0.2s OFF > 0.2s ON →
1s OFF then repeat 10 times.

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Appendix
Maintenance
Printhead
- Before powering up, make sure all the components are connected.
- Before shutting down, please remove the cartridge, and shutdown system from UI shutdown button, and then press
the power switch in the controller prior to disconnecting any of the printheads.

Upgrade Controller Firmware

X1 software can be upgraded by USB.

1. Before it starts, please make sure that the USB is formatted as FAT32.
2. Create a new folder within the USB and name it as auprn.
3. Copy the software upgrade file into the USB://auprn folder.

4. Insert the USB in one of the USB ports and wait for the upgrade confirmation window to show up.
5. Press the upgrade button to initiate the upgrade process.
6. X1 will reboot automatically once the upgrade process is completed.

Note: Access the About Printer page to confirm firmware versions of printer and printhead are both updated.

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Printhead Upgrade
1. Copy the printhead upgrade file into the auprn directory, make sure only this file is in the directory.
2. Insert the USB to the controller, and wait to confirm the prompt window.
3. Wait for the process to be completed, might take several minutes. When done, please press Exit and then Yes to
exit the printhead update mode. It will back to login page.

Access About Printer > Firmware Version, P0 & P1 FPGA should be shown.

ANSER CODING INC. 52 Appendix

ANSER CODING INC. 53