ShopTester 200 FAQ

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

What does the ShopTester 200 actually test and measure?
The ShopTester 200 checks for faulty nozzles, measures the resistance, and tests for circuit continuity. The ST200 also has a wide array of other
unique, yet valuable features such as cartridge resetting, cartridge converting, TSR thermo sensor testing,
ink counter deactivating, new cartridge self-learning as well as recognition and production code self-learning.

How do I upgrade my ShopTester 200?
For all ShopTester 200 machines with a USB port, it is possible to download the most recent firmware and update your ST 200 for free. The latest firmware and instructions are available through this link.

How do I check what firmware version my ShopTester 200 is running?
From the main screen of your ST 200, press the "Menu" button. Then select "Device Status" and the firmware version for each module of your ST 200 will be displayed.

What’s causing the electronic damages on cartridge?
Cartridge nozzles and the electronic components fail primarily for two reasons — Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and nozzle burn-out. ESD occurs when bursts of electricity hit the cartridge print head or circuit strip. Typically, this happens in charged environments and/or handling cartridges when not properly grounded. Burn-out of a nozzle generally occurs when a cartridge prints long periods of time after the ink has run out. The ST 200 displays both the total number of nozzles and those that are bad. The user can determine whether to process the cartridge further if a small percentage of nozzles are not good.

What is a TSR?
The TSR is a thermo sensor that regulates the print head speed on most HP cartridges to prevent them from overheating. The TSR reduces the print speed if the print head temperature increases too much when printing full coverage prints or pictures. A Multi-Function Printers (MFP) may refuse to run a cartridge with a defective TSR. Older printers may run with a defective TSR but this could be problematic. If a cartridge overheats while printing it may print unevenly; therefore cartridges with damaged or defective TSRs should not be used. Typically this affects between 1-3% of the HP electrical defects

What is a recognition code? (RC)
The RC identifies the cartridge model for the printer. It exists on most HP cartridges with an integrated print head (examples: HP 21 or 22, 27 or 28 cartridges). If the RC is defective or not recognized by the ST200, the cartridge recognition can be selected from a list of possible cartridge types and still be tested. Older printers like the HP 5/6/800 printers do not read the RC, so a faulty RC is not a problem. However, a defective or non-recognized RC may generate an error message or may not work on some Multi-Function Printers (MFP). If a common cartridge type is not recognized by the ST200 the RC may be faulty.

What is a production code? (PC)
The Production code (PC) of an inkjet cartridge is essentially the identification or serial # of that specific cartridge. When a cartridge has been refilled and placed into a different printer there are generally no issues. However, most printers save the PC of the last three cartridges that were installed. If the refilled cartridge is placed in the same printer that it was taken out of, the printer may not accept that cartridge (it reads it as empty). In many of the newer printers, if the same cartridge is to be reinstalled into the same printer, the PC should be reset by the ST 200 to resolve the issue. One should be careful as some cartridges do not allow an unlimited number of "resets" and may begin to fail after just a few resets, cartridges should only be reset as necessary.

Are you able to convert all cartridges in other cartridge types?
Some Recognition codes (RCs) can be modified to read as a different cartridge altogether. For example, an HP 27 to a 56 or a
Canon PG 40 to PG 50, etc. Converting from an HP 56 to 21 would be theoretically possible, but makes no
sense as such reprogrammed cartridges cannot be used in ALL printers which need HP 21.

Is the ShopTester 200 able to reset Canon PG cartridges?
The ST 200 can deactivate the ink counter in the Canon PG cartridges, but not reset the counter to FULL.
The advantage of the ink counter switch off is that the cartridge has a defined status after the switch off so that the user just needs to confirm this change by pressing a button on the printer.
The OEM construction of this cartridge does not allow us to reset the ink counter to full.

On the HP 90 / 300 cartridges the tester shows New – Used – Empty what does it mean?
The ST200 displays some cartridges (primarily the HP 9x/3xx series) as follows:
NEW = cartridge is new or was not used in an MFP printer.
USED = cartridge was used in printer, but not printed totally empty.
EMPTY= cartridge was printed totally empty.
Some Multi-Function Printers (MFPs) enter these descriptions into the cartridge by switching off the “0/1 bits”. This could cause an MFP to display that the cartridge can not be used further or the ink level is shown as empty or the MFP may even refuse a cartridge because of an error message. The OEM has modified the code so that this cartridge cannot be reset to new (at this point in time!).

"I have used my Shoptester 200 for two years now and just had the spring break off from my module 3.  I see on your website that the replacement part is $84!  Why so high?"
These parts are a precision-engineered product, they are produced in small quantities, and they are imported Europe... their price is what it is.  One nice thing to note is that the same "Spring Steel Sheet" fixture for module 3 is the same part for slots 5, 8, and 9. 
The SME part # is 710027875 and can be purchased from our e-commerce store at http://www.sme-us.com/store_detail.aspx?id=390

Is there a Shoptester 100 (Pad version) upgrade available that adds new cartridges like the HP 21/22 and additional recognition codes?
Yes, there is an upgrade available for the ST100 machines (Pad version machines). 
This upgrade must be done at the factory in Franklin, TN.
The cost for the upgrade is $170 US plus shipping/handling. 
The machine will be cleaned and upgraded.  Any additional parts like springs or contact pads would be charged extra.
This upgrade will allow to test HP 21 and HP 22 cartridges at the slot #3 and additional recognition codes from the last years.
Please contact Brenda Dwight at bdwight@sme-us.com to coordinate the repair of the equipment.