ViewPlus Pro Gen II Embosser
Powered By Tiger
Owner's Manual
Congratulations on owning the ViewPlus Pro Gen II braille and
graphics embosser! This manual will introduce you to basic information
regarding your new printer. The ViewPlus Technologies web site is another
resource for information on your ViewPlus embosser including examples,
tutorials, and other useful downloads.
Your embosser is Powered by Tiger. This means you receive:
Tiger
Software Suite:
Powerful addition to Windows adds Braille and tactile graphic functionality to
MS Office.
Windows Printer Driver: Connects ViewPlus embossers to the power of
Windows, embossing and networking just like a mainstream desktop printer.
Roller Die Technology: Patented hardware allowing high quality, high
resolution braille and graphics to be embossed quickly, easily, and quietly.
Model Number
161705
USER'S Manual
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT (USA)
This
equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC
Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.
Note the following:
-
The length of the parallel interface cable must be 3 meters (10 feet) or less.
-
The use of a non-shielded interface cable with the referenced device is prohibited.
-
The length of the power cord must be 3 meters (10 feet) or less.
-
The length of the serial interface cable must be 15 meters (50 feet) or less.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT (CANADA)
This digital apparatus is in conformity with standard NMB-003 of Canada.
Cet appareil numérique est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT (GERMANY)
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs:
Hiermit
wird bescheinigt, dass der Drucker der
Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung 3. GSGV, 18.01.1991 entspricht: Der
höchste Schalldruckpegel beträgt 70 dB(A) oder weniger gemäß EN27779-1991.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT (EUROPE)
Warning:
This product meets the interference requirements of EN55022. In a
domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in
which case, the user may be required to take adequate measures.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT (KOREA)
This apparatus complies with CISPR22 requirement
|
 |
EN55022:1994 - Emissions series
EN55024:1998 - Immunity characteristics
EN61000-3-2:1995 - Power line harmonics
EN61000-3-3:1995 - Power line flicker
EN61000-4-2:1995 - Electrostatic discharge
EN61000-4-3:1995 - Radiated susceptibility
EN61000-4-4:1995 - Electrical fast transient/burst
EN61000-4-5:1995 - Surge
EN61000-4-6:1996 - Conducted immunity
EN61000-4-11:1994 - Input voltage interruptions/DIPS |
CE
MDD
Authorized European
Representative
Handy Tech
Norge
Roahagan 1B
N-0754 Oslo, Norway
+47 23 25 30
90
fax: +47 23 25 30
91
Read all of these safety instructions before using the
printer. In addition, follow all
warnings and instructions marked on the printer itself.
- Do not place printer on an unstable surface.
- Do not place printer near a radiator or heat source.
- Do not block or cover slots and openings in the printer's cabinet; do
not inset objects through slots.
- Use only the type of power source indicated on printer's label.
- Connect all equipment to properly grounded electrical outlets.
- Do not use frayed or damaged power cord.
- The use of an extension cord with the printer is not recommended.
- Unplug printer before cleaning it; always clean it with a piece of damp
cloth only.
- Do not spill liquid into printer.
- Except as specifically explained in the user's manual, do not attempt
to service the printer by yourself.
- Detach the printer from power source and refer to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
- If the power cord or plug is
damaged
- If liquid has entered the printer.
- If printer has been dropped or the cabinet is damaged.
- If the printer does not operate properly or exhibits a distinct change
in performance.
- Only adjust those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions.
-
Remove the embosser and all its accessories from
its packaging.
-
Inspect the printer and its packaging for
any damage.
-
Remove the shipment locks which are marked with
blue tape. Open all the embosser covers and make sure that you remove all the
orange shipment locks from the embosser. There are two locks on the right side behind the tractor between the
motor and the case.
Illustration of the shipment lock
There
is an additional lock between the motor and the case that can be reached by
opening the top cover.
- Save the packing material and box. If any
damage occurred during shipping, most shipping companies require the box and
the packing material in order to settle the insurance claim. The packing material must also be used to
ship the printer for warranty maintenance service.
- Make sure the power switch is in the Off or
"O"
position.
- Attach data cables.
- Attach the USB cable provided with your
embosser.
- A parallel printer data cable of the appropriate
length may to be purchased (maximum of ten feet).
- Attach one end of the parallel data cable to the
printer port of the host computer, and then attach the other end to the
embosser. The printer parallel connection is located
on the back lower left side of the embosser. Be sure to use the data
cable
clips, as the cable may otherwise come loose and present problems.
- The serial connector may be used. If you use this connection, be sure to set
the parameters for the device on ViewPlus Pro in the interface menu
Shows
the parallel, serial and USB connectors on the
left side of the back
- Insert the power cable plug into the printer
connector and the other end of the power cable into a grounded outlet.
Shows the location of power cable plug on the right side of the back
- Turn the printer on by pressing the power switch
to the On or "I"
position. The back part of the switch should be pressed down.
Shows the power switch
Please follow
the easy steps that are part of your Setup Instructions to install your
Tiger driver. They can also be found on
your installation CD.
Now that you have set your Windows printer defaults, you
should also set your legacy printer defaults. These are adjustable from the
Legacy Settings tab of the printer properties window. Below is a description of
the options on the Legacy Settings tab.
Shows Legacy Tab
- Paper size - Standard pages sizes or custom page sizes may be
selected.
- Margins - Set
the margins to 0 if you are using a program which sets its own
margins.
- Line
Settings
- Automatic
text wrapping - When checked the text is
wrapped to the next line. If it is not checked, it is possible if
the line is too long to lose characters.
- Characters per line - When margins or page
size is changed, this number also changes.
- Lines per page - When margins or page size is
changed, this number also changes.
- Extra space between lines - The
default spacing is 0.05 inches. It increases in 0.05 increments up to
0.25 inches.
- Text/graphics
mode - You can choose either text or graphics.
- Dots per
character - Choose between 6 or 8.
- Download
custom braille table - A user defined braille character
set from ASCII value 32 to 127 can be downloaded to the ViewPlus Pro. The
braille character sets are typically stored in braille conversion table
files (*.BCT). This file format is editable in Notepad and allows the user
to create user definable conversion tables. Go to
the ViewPlus Support Page for additional information about this mode.
- Serial
communication - If you are using this port, the
settings in the Legacy Settings tab on the Printer Properties screen must
be the same as the settings for the communication port on the
computer. The settings on the Legacy Settings tab are:
- Bits per
second - default setting is 9600
- Protocol -
8N1
- Flow control - Hardware
There
are many displayed and spoken messages when various options and functions are
accessed. The following messages
describe the operating status of the ViewPlus Pro.
- Ready
will be the first thing to be displayed on the operator panel after start up
messages. This is displayed when ViewPlus
Pro is ready to print a file. The embosser
is online.
- Offline
will be displayed when the embosser is neither online nor in the menus. If data is send to the embosser in offline
mode the embosser starts beeping. If you then press Online the embosser will
print the incoming print job
- Waiting
is displayed while the embosser is receiving a print job from the computer.
- Printing
is displayed while the embosser is in printer mode and embossing a print
job. Once the print job has begun the
page number currently printing is displayed.
- Embossing
is displayed while the embosser is
in embossing mode and embossing a print job.
- Table
Downloaded is displayed in
embosser mode when a braille table has been downloaded.
- No
paper present is displayed when the ViewPlus Pro does not
detect paper after a print job has been sent.
- Resume? Load will be displayed when the ViewPlus Pro
cannot finish a print job because there is no paper or a paper jam on the sheet
feeder. Load paper, press Load and the
print job will resume. Press Online to
cancel the print job.
- Unable
to print is displayed when an improperly formatted file is sent to the ViewPlus Pro in
printer mode.
- Housing
is open! is displayed when the
top lid of the ViewPlus Pro is open.
- Invalid
Paper Path is displayed if the paper
path selected for the print job in the print properties is not available.
- Alignment
Error is displayed if the
alignment of the embosser doesn't work. There are also several beeps. The beep pattern is a short beep, three seconds of
silence and another short beep. NOTE: The alignment can fail if the sensor is
covered with paper, which doesn't happen during normal use of embosser. To clear the sensor open the top cover of the
embosser and remove all paper that is not sitting correctly in the paper path.
Then try printing again. After many print jobs are completed, the sensor may
need cleaning. Please contact your dealer or ViewPlus Support for cleaning detail. If the alignment error appears continuously, contact ViewPlus Support.
- No
More Data is displayed if the
print job cannot be completed due to lack of data.
- Print
Aborted is displayed if the
print job is aborted by using the Online button.
- Paper
Jam is displayed if the embosser cannot free the paper paths before moving
paper to top of form. Remove paper from
the path manually.
Main Menu
can be displayed by pressing the Menu button. In the menu any option or submenu can be entered by pressing the Select
button. The Up and Down keys will scroll
through options. To back out of a
submenu to the previous menu, press the Back/Load button. To exit entirely out of the menus press the
Menu button. To go directly to Ready,
press the Online button instead of the Menu button. Any changes or selections
in the main menu will be confirmed with the message "Parameters saved" when
leaving the menu. If you don't see this
message, the parameters will remain unchanged.
Default Parameters can be
restored. If you need this feature, hold
down the Menu button while turning the embosser on. This is the menu for this function
- DEFAULT PARMS
- Confirm? SELECT - Press Select/Park to set default parameters. Any other key will
cancel this procedure.
- Parms Saved - The embosser will then continue its normal start up.
USER MENU
-
Perforate?SELECT - Perforates paper immediately.
-
Paper
type - The punch force has different default settings depending on the
thickness of the paper.
-
Braille
paper - This is the default
setting.
-
VP
roll paper - This setting is for the ViewPlus 17 inch wide roll paper.
-
Copy
paper
-
Card
stock
-
Sheet
plastic
-
Custom
1 - This needs to be
defined in the Advanced Menu first.
-
Custom
2 - This needs to be defined in the
Advanced Menu first.
-
Custom
3 - This needs to be
defined in the Advanced Menu first.
-
Perforate
OFF /ON - This is a toggle
switch to turn the perforation in the end of each printed page off or on. This is useful for continuous feed paper
but should be turned off when using paper that is already perforated. Press Select to toggle off and on. The paper
path LED will start blinking if autoperforate is turned on.
While in the Main
Menu, the paper path can be switched and you can choose paper type and
perforate on/off for the currently activated paper path. Without leaving the Main Menu, you can switch
to another paper path and choose these options again. Paper type and perforate
on/off settings assigned to the currently activated path will be kept in the embosser's
memory.
- Braille force
- BRL dots: HEAVY - Braille dots will be printed even heavier than graphic dot height 7.
- BRL dots: NORMAL - Braille
dots will be printed in the same height as graphic dot height 7.
- BRL dots:
LIGHT - Braille dots will be
printed in the same height as graphic dot height 6.
- Embosser Menu - Press the select button to enter the embosser menu. For printing performed without using the Windows print driver, this option allows you to set the following:
- Emboss: Text/Emboss: Graphics -This is a toggle switch to select text mode (sets standard Braille spacing between lines) or graphics mode (sets spacing between lines so that the spacing between the bottom of one line and the top of the next is the same as the standard spacing between dots within a Braille cell).
- Top Margin - Set the top margin for the page between 0 inches and 2.5 inches using the up and down arrow keys. The setting changes in increments of 0.05 inches.
- Left Margin - Set the left margin for the page between 0 inches and 2.5 inches using
the up and down arrow keys. The setting changes in increments of 0.05
inches.
- Paper Width - Select the paper width. Options are 8.5, 11.5, 13.8 or 16 inches, A3 or A4.
- Page Length - Select the paper length. The setting changes between 4 and 50 inches in increments of 1 inch.
- Line Length - Select the line length. Values available will vary depending on the selected page size, margins and Braille type.
- Lines Per Page - Select the desired number of lines per page. Values available will vary depending on the selected page size, margins and Braille type.
- AUTO CR: On/Off - This is a toggle switch to select whether the printer should automatically break text to the next line if it receives more characters than will fit on a line before it receives a carriage return.
- Braille dots: 6/Braille dots: 8 - This is a toggle switch to select 6-dot or 8-dot Braille.
- Braille table - Select the desired Braille code table. Options are US, Italian, French, Spanish, German or User. The User option allows a user to select a custom Braille table downloaded to the printer.
- Language - There are five
languages available on the ViewPlus Pro. Choose the language.
- English
- Deutsch - German
- Español - Spanish
- Français - French
- Italiano - Italian
- Advanced Menu - The description of this menu can be found in
the Advanced Menu Section.
The Pro will switch to embosser mode automatically when
it detects data not sent through the Windows printer driver. Embosser mode
settings can be controlled from the printer properties window as described in Chapter
IV.
Currently this generic embosser mode accepts only normal printing
characters 32 (0x20) to 127(0x7f) from the standard ASCII table. Non-printing control characters are
interpreted as follows:
|
4 |
(0x04) |
end of transmission
(eot) |
|
7 |
(0x07) |
bell (bel) |
|
10 |
(0x0a) |
carriage return (cr) |
|
12 |
(0x0c) |
form feed (ff) |
|
13 |
(0x0d) |
new line (nl) |
|
23 |
(0x17) |
end of transmission
block (etb) |
In
addition to the paper type settings, the ViewPlus Pro offers the possibility
to set custom punch forces for special material where none of the paper type
settings result in satisfactory printouts. Once a custom force setting is defined
it will appear in the list of paper type options in the Main Menu.
The closer the two numbers are together the less
contrast you will achieve in the 3D print out. The "Braille paper" system
setting is, for example, 2 for the lowest, and 12 for the highest punch force.
Higher numbers are usually needed for heavier print material.
The
punch must be positioned towards the geometric center of all four pyramids on the
roller in order to create a satisfactory dot.
An ideal dot embossed by the ViewPlus
Pro should look like this:
When determining whether a dot is good or not, look
for this kind of pattern (you may want to use a handheld magnifying glass). A
good dot should be symmetric and of an equal height to a standard Braille dot.
In order to align the embosser correctly, follow all
steps as they are described below.
- Print Alignment - Make sure there is paper loaded in the embosser.
The ViewPlus Pro will print a grid of dots. You will need this grid to decide
which horizontal, and vertical value has to be entered in order to align the embosser.
Number the columns of dots in the grid starting with the dot towards the
closest edge of the paper from 1 to 12. Then number the rows of dots in the
grid starting at the top from 1 to 18.
- Set horiz. value - The value can be set between 1, and 12. Look for the
column in the previously printed grid where the dots are best aligned in
horizontal direction. Select the number of this column.
- Set vert. value - The value can be set between 1, and 18. Look for the row in the
previously printed grid where the dots are best aligned in vertical direction.
Select the number of this row.
Settings for the parallel port, or the serial port
interface can be changed in this menu.
- Port
- Auto detect - The ViewPlus Pro will automatically detect which port is
in use.
- Serial - Selecting this option disables the parallel port, and
communication is only possible via serial port.
- Parallel - Selecting this option disables the serial port, and
communication is only possible via parallel port.
- Baud Rate - This serial port setting will only be enabled if the
port is set to automatic detection, or serial port. Choose the baud rate as
number of bits per second.
- 9600 (9600) - This is the
default setting.
- 4800 (4800)
- 2400 (2400)
- 38400 (38400)
- 19200 (19200)
- Data Format - This serial port setting will only be enabled if the
port is set to automatic detection, or serial port. Select the data format for
serial port communication.
- 8, N, 1 - 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (default setting)
- 7, N, 1 - 7 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
- Flow Control - This serial port setting will only be
enabled if the port is set to automatic detection, or serial port. Select the
flow control method for serial port communication.
- Hardw: RTS/CTS - The data flow control follows the specifications of
hardware protocol RTS/CTS.
- No flow control
- Softw:Xon/Xoff - The data flow control follows the
specifications of software protocol Xon/Xoff.
This tractor feeder comes installed on your ViewPlus Pro and is ready to
use.
- Press the Online button to take the
embosser off line.
- Lift the tractor flaps
on both sides to reveal the tractor teeth.
- Place the left side of the
paper into the left tractor and close the tractor flap. Do not
adjust the left tractor position. If necessary, adjust the right tractor position to fit into the right
side of the paper:
- Release the locking lever on the side of the tractor.
- Slide the tractor to a
position so it lines up with the holes in the paper.
- Insert the paper into the
tractor and close the flap.
- Adjust the tractor so that
the paper is tight.
- Engage the locking lever.
- Adjust paper supports so
that there is an equal distance between the supports and the tractors.
- Close cover.
- Press Load on the operator
panel. The paper will advance until it reaches the ready position.
- Press Online again to take the
embosser to ready mode.
The ViewPlus Pro Gen II with single sheet feed option comes
with a single sheet feeder. The single sheet feeder is located on the front of
the unit. To use it, set the paper path on the printer by pressing ONLINE to
take the printer offline and then pressing PATH until the 'Upper' LED is lit.
Press ONLINE again to turn the printer back online. Alternatively you may set
the paper path to 'Upper feeder' using your computer when you print.
Once you have the 'Upper' path selected, prepare
the single sheet feeder to receive paper. The single sheet feeder is built into
the part of the Pro case you lift to access the tractor feeder. On this part of
the case, there is a panel with a rounded tab on the right side. Slide your
finger under the tab and lift to rotate the panel up as far as it will go. The
sheet feeder is in position when it is parallel to the ground.
Now position the paper guides. The left paper guide
must be positioned as far left as it can go. Once you have positioned the left
paper guide, position the right one by placing the left edge of your paper in
the left paper guide and then sliding the right paper guide toward or away from
the left as needed to fit your paper. Slide the paper in so that the front edge
enters the printer. You are now ready to print a single cut sheet.
Most braille should be produced using the Tiger
Software Suite. The
Tiger Software Suite is part of your embosser package. Instructions for installation and use come
with the software package.
Tiger screen fonts are
alternative braille fonts installed during the installation of the ViewPlus
embosser driver. They can be chosen as output options in Tiger Software Suite
(TSS) and other software programs, like MathType. Tiger screen fonts appear as
standard text characters on the screen and print as braille dot patterns.
It is very important to use the
default font size and spacing for braille fonts. If the font size or spacing is
changed, the braille will not be printed with the correct standards. For Tiger
fonts, a point size of 36 is suggested. Most other braille fonts will use a
point size of 29.
Characters or text not
translated to braille will print as graphic images of the visual character.This
enables embossing of visual print characters. More information about the fonts
included can be found on your installation CD in the Tiger/Docs folder.
MathType by Design Science can be used
with the Tiger fonts for producing spatial math equations. More information on
MathType can be found on the ViewPlus website.
Now that the installation and
printer default setup is complete, you should be set to print a
document. These are the steps that you should follow to print:
-
Open the document to be printed.
-
Open the program's File menu and choose
Print.
-
On the Print dialog, make sure a
ViewPlus embosser is selected. Click on the printer properties button and
ensure that the correct paper size and Tiger printing options are selected.
Click OK on the printer properties dialog when you are finished. Then click OK
on the Print dialog to start the print job.
-
If you are using form feed paper when
the printer is finished, take the printer offline and
press the up arrow
button to advance the paper enough so you can detach
it. Press the down arrow button after you have
detached the paper to move the paper to the ready position. The printer will
automatically be turned online.
-
Free tutorials and other support
materials are available on the ViewPlus website. For these resources and other
support inquiries, please visit
http://www.viewplus.com/support/.
Additional
training and support is available for purchase through your authorized ViewPlus
distributor or from ViewPlus Technologies.
It is important to choose a
suitable location for the ViewPlus embosser. The cable length between the
printer and the host computer should not exceed ten feet (three
meters). The location should be sturdy and flat. The printer should
not be exposed to direct sunlight, extreme heat, cold, dust or
humidity. The AC power outlet must be compatible with the plug of the
printer's power cord. Dot quality should be monitored; poor alignment can
cause permanent damage to the platen of the ViewPlus embosser.
When paper dust accumulates on the platen, it
could cause a paper sensor error. To
avoid getting an alignment error, periodically clean the left side of the
platen, the shiny part, with a small soft brush such as a toothbrush.
Software updates can be
downloaded from the
ViewPlus web site. You should occasionally
check the web site
for the latest developments.
ViewPlus Technologies has a 1 year full parts
and service warranty for the ViewPlus Pro. There is a 30 day unconditional return policy in the US.
The full warranty information was shipped with
your ViewPlus embosser. In order to get
service and technical support, it is necessary to completely fill out and
return the warranty form. You will be
asked for the serial number of your ViewPlus Pro when you call for
support. There are several ways to
register the warranty
-
To register by mail, complete the warranty form, cut it out, and mail
it to ViewPlus Technologies.
-
To register by fax, complete the form and fax it to ViewPlus Technologies
at (541) 738-6505.
-
An
extended warranty and maintenance plan is available through ViewPlus
Technologies or your ViewPlus representative. A copy of this plan was shipped with your embosser.
It can also be found on our
web site.
(http://www.viewplus.com/products/braille-embossers/warranty/)
Availability
is limited to customers with valid existing warranty.