Terminal Printer Cartridge Specifications.docx

MECHANICAL DESCRIPTION:

CARTRIDGE:

1) Dimensions and Cover: See attached samples.

2) Miscellaneous Internals and Drive gears: Acetal copolymer and 15% PTFE-silicon acetal or approved equivalent.

3) Springs: Stainless steel and zinc pre-plated music wire or approved equivalent.

4) Projections: The ribbon shall have projections for latching into printer mechanism, ejection and activating a ribbon present switch.

5) Drive Rollers: Dupont Alcryn or approved equivalent.

6) Removable Shipping Locks: The ribbon drive mechanism must contain an easily removable shipping lock that, when removed, allows spring force to be applied to the ribbon. The spring force on the ribbon is for the purpose of winding the ribbon into the cartridge, preventing ribbon load deformation and accidental winding of the ribbon before it is ready to be installed into the printer. The lock must be marked with "remove" which shall be molded in and clearly visible on the ribbon cartridge case.

7) Winding Arrow: The outside of the ribbon cartridge cover will contain two raised arrows that clearly show the direction for turning the wind knob to tighten the ribbon.

DRIVE MECHANISM:

1) Drive Rate: The ribbon must be capable of moving continuously up to 3.14 ips.

2) Torque: The torque, either breakaway or running, must not exceed 12 in.-oz. initially and 15 in.-oz. for the life of the ribbon.

3) Drive Coupling: Top end knob is for manual advance. Bottom end for coupling to printer drive shaft. The drive coupling must contain a mechanical locking feature that will only allow movement in the clockwise direction by the wind knob.

4) Ribbon Exit Tension: To measure 35-90g over the life of the ribbon.

RIBBON:

1) Fabric:

Length: 6 yards 0.45 yards (5.48 meters 0.41 meters) or appropriate to meet the performance requirements as specified.

Weld shall not have offset edges in excess of 0.030 in. or any loose threads either at the weld or along the ribbon edge.

Pre-ink: The ribbon shall be uniformly pre-inked, at a volume of 17% 1% by weight, with ink as specified below. Ribbon pre-inking volume calculation is:

2) Re-Inker Transfer Roller:

Shall have a transfer contact area that will apply ink to the ribbon in a uniform and constant manner when the ribbon is driven.

Re-Inker: Polyurethane foam roller saturated with ink.

Smudge and Bleed Testing: The re-inking mechanism shall uniformly transfer ink to the ribbon fabric and shall not cause excess ink to be transferred in a localized area.

3) Ink:

Dye-based. All ink components including dyes, pigments and carriers shall be compatible with dot matrix print head components and shall not attack the materials used to construct the head, the ribbon cartridge or printer mechanism. The ink shall be non-abrasive and shall not contain or form gums or varnishes. Oils and fats in the pigment base shall not contain materials that hinder lubrication of the print wires.

Color: Black ink with the ability to absorb light from a 645 nm 25 nm illumination source.

ASSEMBLY

The cartridge shall be closed tightly without solvent, adhesive or sealant. The ribbon shall move freely within the cartridge without fraying, damage or unwanted folding.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

1) Ribbon Life:

The ribbon shall be capable of withstanding a minimum of seven million characters, 105 million impacts, without physical deterioration which would render the ribbon unusable. One character is defined as 15 wire impacts. The ribbon shall remain stable throughout the life of the ribbon such that it will not leave fabric or ink deposits on the print head or mechanism which may cause a reduction in print quality.

2) Ink Life:

There shall be sufficient ink to print a minimum of five million usable characters as defined below. One character is defined as 15 print wire impacts. The ink mechanism must operate properly in both a continuous print mode and in an intermittent print mode.

3) Spectral Reflectance:

A usable character is defined to have a maximum reflectance of 30% as measured with a Macbeth Model PCM II print contrast meter, using a 660 nm filter or equivalent. The measurements shall be made with an optionally available standard response spectral filter. The 100% reflectance reference shall be a freshly pressed BaSO4 (barium sulfate) tablet. The calibration shall also be verified with the clean black and white dual-calibration standard. The white backing plate shall be used for all measurements. The print contrast meter shall be operated in the percent reflectance mode.

4) Print Life:

Ribbon shall be capable of printing characters meeting "Spectral Reflectance" as specified above from first impacts on a new ribbon to the end of life specified in "Ink Life" above. Print life shall be tested at room temperature, 25°C ± 3°C with the printer installed in a terminal.

5) Shelf Life:

The ribbon shall have a shelf life of a minimum of one year when stored in an unopened polyethylene bag.

6) Continual Testing:

The MSLC will periodically test deliveries of ribbons for compliance to the requirements covered by this RFR.

7) Scanning:

After printing 5 million characters per ribbon (14,500 tickets) the barcode of the next ticket produced must be able to be readily scanned by the Isys terminal.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

1) Ambient Temperature

2) Relative Humidity (non-condensing):