Digital Identification Solutions GmbH
Section 1
Section 1
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE EDISECURE DCP100
Section 1.1 The Printing Process
The EDIsecure DCP100 printers use Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer Technology to print high
quality colour images and text directly onto CR80 Gloss PVC Cards. This is often also called
direct surface printing.
Heat is provided from the printhead at 300 dots per inch and applied to the dye film passing
between the printhead and the PVC card. The standard dye film or ribbon as it is sometimes
called contains panels of Yellow (Y) Magenta (M) Cyan (C) Black (K) and Clear Overlay (O) to
print a full coloured card with black resin text. This five panel film is often called YMCKO film.
There are three phases required to print a CR80 card.
1. PC Data Processing The PC compiles data into a format that can be sent
directly to the printer’s thermal printhead via the USB port.
2. PC Data Transfer (Downloading) When the data has been processed by
the PC, downloading will commence, this is indicated by both the EDIsecure
Status Monitor display on the PC screen and also by the green indicator light
on the Printer flashing. Downloading the data to the Printer takes
approximately 10 seconds, with the printing taking a further 20 seconds.
3. Colour Printing Cycle The incoming data to the printer has a frame format
as follows:
RHDS
Printer
Command
information
Yellow
Data
Magenta
Data
Cyan
Data
Black
Data ETX
The frame is preceded with a start of header command, then followed by
printer set up information such as the card size and number of copies. The
frame is then terminated with an end of text command.
When the printer has received the set up information and begins to receive
the colour data it will begin to print. The dye film will be advanced to the
yellow panel, a card must be offered to the printer and it is moved to the start
of print position. The printhead will be lowered and printing will commence.
When the yellow panel has been printed the card will be brought back to the
start of print position and the dye film advanced to the magenta panel and the
process repeated. This process will be repeated a total of five times to print a
full colour card with black text and overcoat.
Section 1.2 EDIsecure DCP100 Key Features
• Downloads and prints a full card image in around 45 seconds, dependant on PC
• Universal Series Bus Port printer interface
• Full Bleed Edge to Edge printing as standard option
• Advanced fault diagnosis using on screen fault display
• Drop in dye film loading with automatic detection and set up for dye film type
• Whisper quiet operation thanks to advanced stepping drive system
• Simple no mess cleaning operation
• Printhead cooling fan allowing the printer to print continuously
• Automatically adjusts to cater for a variety of card thickness’
EDIsecure DCP100 Service Manual 3
