TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information

1-1

1.1
1.2

1-1
1-1
1-1
1-2
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-4
1-5

1.3
1.4
1.5

1.6
2

Safety
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6

2.7

06/08

Introduction
Copyright Notice
1.2.1
Contacting Markem.Imaje
Description
8018 Thermal Transfer Printer Options
Labels and Symbols
1.5.1
Retrieving and Downloading Images
1.5.2
Data Storage Capacity
Machine Specification

2-1
Introduction
General Guidelines
Machine Safety
Applicable Safety Regulations
EMC Considerations
Electrical Safety
2.6.1
Recommended cable protection:
2.6.2
Electrical safety testing (after installation)
2.6.3
Static Electricity Protection
Isopropanol Safety

2-1
2-2
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-4
2-4
2-4
2-4
2-5

8018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.8
3

Installation
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9
3.10
3.11

8018

Use outside the specification

Introduction
Package Contents
Installation of the 8018 Thermal Transfer Printer
Installation Requirements
Bracket Installation
Locating Print Body and Print Anvil
3.6.1
Printhead Alignment
3.6.2
Printhead Gap
Power Supply
3.7.1
Printer Connection Points
3.7.2
Power Connections
3.7.3
Local User Interface Connection
3.7.4
Substrate Encoder Connection
3.7.5
External I/O Connection
3.7.6
Print Go Input Wiring
3.7.7
Fault and Warning Outputs
Encoders
3.8.1
Optional Encoders
3.8.2
Encoder Resolution
3.8.3
Encoder Setup
3.8.4
Loading a New Ribbon
3.8.5
Re- Connecting a Broken Ribbon
Print Position
Preparing for printing
3.10.1
Power up
Initial setup
3.11.1
Machine settings

2-6
3-1
3-1
3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-7
3-8
3-8
3-9
3-9
3-10
3-10
3-11
3-12
3-13
3-13
3-13
3-13
3-14
3-14
3-15
3-17
3-17
3-17
3-17

06/08

TABLE OF CONTENTS
4

Machine Overview
4.1
4.2
4.3

4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9

4.10
4.11

Machine Operation
5.1
5.2
5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6
5.7

5.8
5.9

5.10

5.11
5.12

06/08

Introduction
4.1.1
Key Features
Models
Main Components
4.3.1
Model 8018i
4.3.2
Model 8018c
Print Designs
4.4.1
8018 and Fonts
Image Files
Downloading Images
Downloading Languages
Upgrading Firmware
Principles of Printing
4.9.1
Thermal Transfer Technology
4.9.2
Print Process
Operating Principles
Standard Mode Operation
4.11.1
Print Cycle Model 8018i
4.11.2
Print Cycle Model 8018c

Introduction
The User Interface Panel
5.2.1
LCD Screen
Keypad
5.3.1
Navigation Keypad Button Usage
5.3.2
Navigation Keypad Button Functions
Icons
5.4.1
Menu Icons
5.4.2
Screen Quad Label Icons
Screen Types
5.5.1
Home Screen
5.5.2
Security Login Screen
Menu Screens
Reports Screens
5.7.1
View Menu Screen
5.7.2
Warning and Problem Alert Screens
Data Entry Screens
5.8.1
Prompted Data
Date Entry Screens
5.9.1
Literal Date Entry
5.9.2
Offset Date Entry
Setting Adjustment Screens
5.10.1
Current Setting Adjustment
5.10.2
Enumerated Choice Settings
Image Setup Screens
Diagnostics Screens

4-1
4-1
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-4
4-5
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
4-10
4-10
4-10
4-12
4-12
4-13
4-14
5-1
5-1
5-2
5-3
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-9
5-10
5-11
5-12
5-13
5-14
5-16
5-16
5-18
5-19
5-19
5-20
5-20
5-21
5-22
5-22
5-22
5-23
5-25

8018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
6

Menus
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8

6.9
6.10
6.11
6.12

6.13
6.14
6.15

6.16
6.17
6.18
6.19
6.20
6.21
6.22
6.23

8018

6-1
Introduction
Menu Structure
Accessing the Menus
Image Selection Menus
Calibrate
Release Ribbon
Test Print of the Current Job
Print Settings
6.8.1
Print Position
6.8.2
Print Quality
Print Darkness
Engineering Menus
Set Date and Time
Shift Codes
6.12.1
Number of Shift Codes
6.12.2
Shift Code name
6.12.3
Shift Code Time
Manual Control
Digital I/O Control
Printer Settings Menus
6.15.1
Image
6.15.2
Print Initiation
6.15.3
Ribbon Setup
Password Change
Encoder Steps
Print Delay
Diagnostics
Statistics
Test Print
Select Language
File Management

6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-5
6-6
6-7
6-8
6-8
6-10
6-11
6-13
6-15
6-15
6-16
6-16
6-17
6-18
6-19
6-20
6-21
6-22
6-24
6-25
6-26
6-27
6-29
6-30
6-31
6-32

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

8018 06/08

1-1

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

1-2

8018 06/08

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) User Interface Connection

2) External I/O Connection
3) Encoder Connection

8018 06/08

1-3

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:

1-4

English
Spanish
Brazilian Portuguese
Polish
Russian
Turkish
Korean
Chinese
Arabic

8018 06/08