AP Base RB1 - Setup and Installation
Note: Before setting up the printer, postmark highly recommends reading through our “taking care of the printer” article.
Tools Required
T20 Torx Driver
T25 Torx Driver
13mm Wrench
Start by placing the AP base on a flat surface. Note that the entire base needs to be supported. Ensure that the encoder cable from the back of the machine is not pinched.
Install the feeder support bracket. There are 5 keyholes that will mate up with 5 x M4 x 8 button head screws. Once installed, the screws can be tightened with an T20 Torx Driver, although it isn’t necessary.
Once the feeder support bracket has been attached, place the feeder drive assembly over the bracket. There are 8 circular pins that should line up into the feeder support bracket.
Place the feeder hopper onto the feeder drive assembly. There are four sheet metal brackets that have two pins each. These 8 pins line line up with 8 holes on the feeder drive assembly
If the feeder hopper assembly doesn’t sit flush with the feeder drive assembly, use a T20 torx screw and loosen the cross brace shown below until the pins seat correctly. Once in place, tighten the brackets.
Attach the Separator by inserting the included cartage bolt into the feeder cross base as shown below. Position separator on center of feed belt.
Place the left side guide onto the feeder track. Swing the fine position adjustment bracket onto the feeder cross brace and attach using M6 carriage bolt and knob as shown below:
Once the fine position adjustment bracket has been attached, the side guide can be locked in place using the locking magnet:
Repeat this process for the right side guide:
Receiving tray installation:
Note that the receiving tray is meant to hang off the edge of the table the machine is being installed on.
Place the receiving tray on to the exit side of the machine lining up the 6 keyholes up with the 6 x M4 screws that are protruding from the side plate. While not necessary, the 6 x M4 screws can be tightened with a T20 Torx Bit.
1170 Installation
Before installing the printhead onto the 1170 base there are a few shipping clips that need to be removed. It is recommended to keep these brackets in case the printer ever needs to be transported as they ensure that the printhead remains sealed.
The printer ships in its highest position which means access to the ink door will not be available until the unit is powered on. When power is plugged into the printer, the printer will start booting and will home the printer so that access to the ink door is available. If the printer does not home upon providing power, ensure the ink door’s magnet is lined up with the white reed switch sensor. Once the printer has homed and you have access to the ink door, remove power from the printer before proceeding with the next steps.
Open the ink door and pull out the orange ink tank bracket
Once removed, install the four starter ink cartridges that were sent with the printer. When inserted, the cartridges will hit a spring and clip into place. The starter ink cartridges have approximately 125ml less than a standard cartridge - these cartridges were used when setting up the printer during manufacturing.
Next you will need to remove the capping station clips.
Start with the clip furthest from the ink cartridges, pull the clip towards the ink cartridges (1) and then slide it out the right side of the printer (2)
Next, remove the clip closest to the ink cartridges. This clip pulls straight out:
After the clips are removed, install the capping station door onto the printhead. On the front of the machine, there are two M3 thumb screws, on the back side there are two M3 screws that can be tightened using a T10 torx driver.
NOTE: Ensure that these screws and knobs are tight as the door acts as a hard stop for the capping station.
Slide the 1170 Printhead onto the Aluminium extrusion rails ensuring that the white linear guides are seated in the extrusion properly. Center position of the printhead can be identified by lining up the extrusion bracket with the 2nd set of screws:
Note - Lock knobs are included with the 1170 which can be used to lock the printer into place. Slide in the M5 tnut into the extrusion. This T-nut will need to line up with the center hole on the extrusion bracket. It may be necessary to lift the printhead up to position the T-nut
Attach the front cross bar to the AP base frame by installing 4 x M5 screws using a T25 Torx Bit. Note that it may be necessary to push in on the extrusions to get the holes to line up:
Next, attach the M12 encoder cable connector (from the AP Base) to the back of the 1170 printhead. Note that this connection is very tight and a 13mm Wrench can be used to help get it installed
Attach the included laser photocell to the AP Base Chassis.
Note, after the printer is powered on, the laser sensor position may need to be adjusted so it does not pick up the vacuum holes.
Once the sensor is attached, connect the yellow cable to the back of the printhead. Ensure that the yellow cable routing does not interfere with the printhead or the belt.
Locate the AP base connection plate on the back of the conveyor. There are three connections on the underside of the AP base.
Plug the included 8 pin Molex cable into the AP base.
Next, plug in the 8 pin molex connector from the AP Base to the very right connector on the back of the 1170 printhead
Plug in the 6 pin molex cable into the AP base.
Next, plug the opposite end of the 6 pin molex cable into the back of the feeder:
Lastly, plug in the 24 power supply pin jack connector in to the AP base. Position the power supply so it is not pulling on the connection, and plug in a power cord into the power supply:
Plug in an active Ethernet cord into the printer. The printer, driver, and touch interface communicate through IP communications. The printer doesn’t necessary need internet access, however, this will limit some of its features such as software updates.
The printer is now ready to turn on. Plug in a power cord and the printer should boot up - there is no power switch on the 1170 printer.
