TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 General Information 1-1

1.1 Introduction 1-1

1.2 Copyright Notice 1-1
1.2.1 Contacting Markem.Imaje 1-1
1.3 Description 1-2
1.4 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer Options 1-2
1.5 Labels and Symbols 1-3
1.5.1 Retrieving and Downloading Images 1-4
1.5.2 Data Storage Capacity 1-4
1.6 Machine Specification 1-5

2 Safety 2-1

2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2 General Guidelines 2-2
2.3 Machine Safety 2-3
2.4 Applicable Safety Regulations 2-3
2.5 EMC Considerations 2-3
2.6 Electrical Safety 2-4
2.6.1 Recommended cable protection: 2-4
2.6.2 Electrical safety testing (after installation) 2-4
2.6.3 Static Electricity Protection 2-4
2.7 Isopropanol Safety 2-5

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.8 Use outside the specification 2-6

3 Installation 3-1

3.1 Introduction 3-1

3.2 Package Contents 3-2
3.3 Installation of the 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer 3-3
3.4 Installation Requirements 3-3
3.5 Bracket Installation 3-4
3.6 Locating Print Body and Print Anvil 3-5
3.6.1 Printhead Alignment 3-6
3.6.2 Printhead Gap 3-7
3.7 Power Supply 3-8
3.7.1 Printer Connection Points 3-8
3.7.2 Power Connections 3-9
3.7.3 Local User Interface Connection 3-9
3.7.4 Substrate Encoder Connection 3-10
3.7.5 External I/O Connection 3-10
3.7.6 Print Go Input Wiring 3-11
3.7.7 Fault and Warning Outputs 3-12
3.8 Encoders 3-13
3.8.1 Optional Encoders 3-13
3.8.2 Encoder Resolution 3-13
3.8.3 Encoder Setup 3-13
3.8.4 Loading a New Ribbon 3-14
3.8.5 Re- Connecting a Broken Ribbon 3-14
3.9 Print Position 3-15
3.10 Preparing for printing 3-17
3.10.1 Power up 3-17
3.11 Initial setup 3-17
3.11.1 Machine settings 3-17

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Machine Overview 4-1

4.1 Introduction 4-1

4.1.1 Key Features 4-1
4.2 Models 4-2
4.3 Main Components 4-3
4.3.1 Model 8018i 4-4
4.3.2 Model 8018c 4-4
4.4 Print Designs 4-5
4.4.1 8018 and Fonts 4-5
4.5 Image Files 4-6
4.6 Downloading Images 4-7
4.7 Downloading Languages 4-8
4.8 Upgrading Firmware 4-9
4.9 Principles of Printing 4-10
4.9.1 Thermal Transfer Technology 4-10
4.9.2 Print Process 4-10
4.10 Operating Principles 4-12
4.11 Standard Mode Operation 4-12
4.11.1 Print Cycle Model 8018i 4-13
4.11.2 Print Cycle Model 8018c 4-14

5 Machine Operation 5-1

5.1 Introduction 5-1

5.2 The User Interface Panel 5-2
5.2.1 LCD Screen 5-3
5.3 Keypad 5-4
5.3.1 Navigation Keypad Button Usage 5-5
5.3.2 Navigation Keypad Button Functions 5-6
5.4 Icons 5-7
5.4.1 Menu Icons 5-9
5.4.2 Screen Quad Label Icons 5-10
5.5 Screen Types 5-11
5.5.1 Home Screen 5-12
5.5.2 Security Login Screen 5-13
5.6 Menu Screens 5-14
5.7 Reports Screens 5-16
5.7.1 View Menu Screen 5-16
5.7.2 Warning and Problem Alert Screens 5-18
5.8 Data Entry Screens 5-19
5.8.1 Prompted Data 5-19
5.9 Date Entry Screens 5-20
5.9.1 Literal Date Entry 5-20
5.9.2 Offset Date Entry 5-21
5.10 Setting Adjustment Screens 5-22
5.10.1 Current Setting Adjustment 5-22
5.10.2 Enumerated Choice Settings 5-22
5.11 Image Setup Screens 5-23
5.12 Diagnostics Screens 5-25

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6 Menus 6-1

6.1 Introduction 6-1

6.2 Menu Structure 6-2
6.3 Accessing the Menus 6-3
6.4 Image Selection Menus 6-4
6.5 Calibrate 6-5
6.6 Release Ribbon 6-5
6.7 Test Print of the Current Job 6-6
6.8 Print Settings 6-7
6.8.1 Print Position 6-8
6.8.2 Print Quality 6-8
6.9 Print Darkness 6-10
6.10 Engineering Menus 6-11
6.11 Set Date and Time 6-13
6.12 Shift Codes 6-15
6.12.1 Number of Shift Codes 6-15
6.12.2 Shift Code name 6-16
6.12.3 Shift Code Time 6-16
6.13 Manual Control 6-17
6.14 Digital I/O Control 6-18
6.15 Printer Settings Menus 6-19
6.15.1 Image 6-20
6.15.2 Print Initiation 6-21
6.15.3 Ribbon Setup 6-22
6.16 Password Change 6-24
6.17 Encoder Steps 6-25
6.18 Print Delay 6-26
6.19 Diagnostics 6-27
6.20 Statistics 6-29
6.21 Test Print 6-30
6.22 Select Language 6-31
6.23 File Management 6-32

8018 06/08
 SECTION 1
GENERAL INFORMATION

8018 Thermal Transfer Printer

Operation Manual
 SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1 General Information
1.1 Introduction
This Manual along with the 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer Quick Start Guide, set
out to explain how to safely install, operate and service your 8018 Thermal
Transfer Printer.
The Operator Manual is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF in various languages on
the 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer CD.
The manual format is designed to be printed onto 8" x 11" (203mm x 279.5mm)
paper, but can also be printed onto 8.5" x 11" (216mm x 279.5) (Previous
Markem.Imaje manual paper size) or A4 (210mm x 297mm)
Please contact your local supplier for details.

1.2 Copyright Notice

Original Copyright 2006 Markem.Imaje. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any or part of this manual in any form whatsoever without the
expressed written permission of Markem.Imaje is forbidden. The contents of this
manual are subject to revision without notice.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual.
However, should any errors be detected, Markem.Imaje would greatly appreciate
being notified.
Markem.Imaje make no warranty of any kind with regard to this material,
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties and fitness for purpose.
Markem.Imaje shall not be liable for any errors contained in this material or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
The use of non genuine Markem.Imaje consumables and spare parts may
adversely affect the performance of the product and could invalidate the warranty.

Copyright 1995 - 2006 Markem.Imaje Corporation.

1.2.1 Contacting Markem.Imaje

Thank you for choosing Markem.Imaje to provide printing solutions. If questions
should arise, please contact the local business centre that assisted with your
purchase.

Useful Web Sites

www.Markem.com
www.myMARKEM.com

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SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.3 Description
The 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer is a small easy to use electronic coder. The
two models available are designed to be suitable as a direct replacement for
many different methods of coding.
The 8018 printer consists of an external power supply a printing device and a
hand held local User Interface control module.

The 8018 prints batch codes, best before dates and other variable information
directly onto packaging labels, substrate and other materials. The size, position
and style of the image are fixed at the creation stage, but certain text field
information can be edited during the selection process. Time and Date information
is automatically updated by the 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer real time clock.

1.4 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer Options

Models available

Model 8018i - Intermittent

Model 8018c - Left Hand Continuous
Model 8018c - Right Hand Continuous

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 SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.5 Labels and Symbols

Serial/I.D./Rating Label

These labels are located on the rear of the printer and power supply units and
indicate the following:
Machine type
Electrical specifications
Year of manufacture
Serial number
Fuse

Cable connector labels

1 2 3

1) User Interface Connection

2) External I/O Connection
3) Encoder Connection

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SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.5.1 Retrieving and Downloading Images

Image information can be downloaded by means of a USB memory stick.

1.5.2 Data Storage Capacity

The 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer internal memory is used to store image
information and user interface text. The 8018 has 100 default images available for
selection, with the option of replacing these with image designs created with
Markem.Imajes CoLOS create software package. Image information and User
Interface languages can be download using a USB memory stick.
Please consult your local Markem.Imaje sales official or distributer for a complete
list of available languages.

Available languages:

English
Spanish
Brazilian Portuguese
Polish
Russian
Turkish
Korean
Chinese
Arabic

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