Operation287Integrated Print Management SystemThe 6600 has a new feature that automatically monitors and communicatesthe status of the ribbon life to help the operator know when to change ribbons.Using an ink delivery system called the Cartridge Ribbon System (CRS), theprinter can automatically detect when a new or used ribbon is loaded, and allribbon properties. The ribbon is contained in a plastic box (the cartridge) andfeeds only in one direction. The CRS contains an interface board that allowscommunication between the printer and the cartridge. Using the CRS, the6600 automatically detects when a new or used ribbon is installed anddetermines the ribbon’s length, ink color, and expected yield.OperationWhen new and starting from 100% and decreasing to 0% when depleted, theribbon life can be optionally displayed on the control panel when the menupanel display is set to Ribbon Life.When the ribbon life reaches 2%, a warning message “RIBBON UNDER 2%/Change RBN soon” appears on the control panel display. The control panelstatus indicator lamp flashes. The printer will continue printing in this conditionuntil the ribbon life reaches 0% at which time, printing will stop. The ribbonmay be changed at any time while the printer is in the “RBN END POINT/Change Ribbon” condition without losing data in the printer’s buffer. If a newribbon is loaded and the fault is cleared, the life restarts at 100%. If a partiallyused ribbon is loaded, the system continues the life at the percentageindicated for the used ribbon.Ribbon usage information is calculated by maintaining a count of impressions(dots) that is stored on the ribbon cartridge and updated periodically so thatthe cartridge can be used on a different printer with the information intact. Thisallows the system administrator to have precise control over print quality andconsumable costs. The accurate presentation of available ribbon life allowsfor efficient planning of print jobs. For example, if the displayed ribbon lifewere low, you can install a new ribbon before printing a large print job.The default settings for the Integrated Print Management System are enabledat the factory, and the system functions without intervention as long asgenuine TallyGenicom ribbon cartridges are used and the Integrated PrintManagement options have been set. The user can change settings, asdiscussed later in this section.Control Panel MenusTwo Integrated Print Management System options are located in the menus.(The User’s Manual explains how to navigate the menu system and hascomplete menu maps.) The two menu options are Ribbon End Point andRibbon Action. These options are discussed as follows.
