Circuit and Print testing over 100 inkjet cartridges!
Ink-level Shut-off/Cartridge Reset and Cartridge Conversion!
Eliminate the “wall of test printers”. The ShopTester 200-8 is an
all-in-one industrial-grade circuit and print tester that is perfect
for retail environments. The small footprint unit quickly tests more
than 80 of the most popular HP, Lexmark, Canon, and Dell thermal inkjet
cartridges and even converts and resets many of them as well.
Available in two versions— the ST200-6 with six module bays filled (and
two spare bays--pictured) or the ST200-8 with all eight bays filled.
ShopTester 200 capabilities include:
· Electrical testing of each nozzle circuit and many T.S.R
thermal sensors (responsible for many of the remanufactured cartridge
printer errors)
· Free Software upgrades of firmware through an internet portal
· Self-detection or manual selection of cartridge type
· Self-learning cartridge recognition mode for upcoming new types
· Integrated cartridge conversion/reset capability
· Statistics of the remanufactured cartridges
· Detailed printout from every single nozzle (incl. ladders and grey steps)
· Programmable text on paper strip (20 signs)
· 4-20 second test cycle time is much faster than using a printer
· Gold-spring contacts – this is a rugged pin version tester
Cartridges tested
Slot 1 - HP: 15N, 15D, 45G, 45A, 17, 23, 41
Slot 2 - HP: 78D, 78A
Slot 3 - HP: 21, 22, 27, 28, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59
Slot 4 - LEX 16,17,26,27… and , LEX 80 style black, color and Dell compatibles
Slot 5 - HP: 74, 75, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,100, 101, 102, 110,
129, 130, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 336, 337, 338, 339, 342, 343,
344, 348, 350, 351, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 857, 858, 921, 932,
943, 954, 965, 976, 987, 998, + self-learning cartridges
Slot 6 - LEX: 1, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 82, 83, 88, LEX
bk10 generic type, LEX color and blk generic type, Dell and compatibles
Slot 7(9) – HP 60 col, HP60colXL, HP60bk, HP60bk XL, HP300col, HP300colXL,
HP300bk, HP300bkXL, HP901col, HP901bk, HP901bkXL
cartridges (optional for ST200-6)
Slot 8 – Canon PG 30, 31, 37, 38, 40, 41, 50, 51, 52 series! (optional for ST200-6)
Module 7 – Optional for both ST200-6 or 8 machines, Lex 41, 42, 43, 44 series and Dell series 7&11 cartridges
Cartridges converted
Slot 1 - HP45A >45G, 45A>15D, 45A>15N, 45G>15D, 45G>15N,
15D>15N, 23>17
Slot 2 - HP78D>78A
Slot 3 - HP27>21, 27>56, 28>22, 28>57, 28>58, 28>59, 57>58, 57>59
Slot 5 - HP92>94, 93>95, 336>338, 342>343, 92>850, 98>851, 93>854, 95>855, 97>857,
99>858, 135>855, 134>857, 138>858, 850>852, 854>855, 132>131, 136>135,
132>850, 134>857, 136>854
Slot 8 – Canon PG 40>50 (optional on ST200-6)
Cartridge reset available on slots 2, 3 & 8. Ink-level indicator shut-off on Canon PG.
Contents Included:
2 large paper rolls, 19V power supply, manual,
special Lexmark 16/26 adapter, transport box
Warranty
One Year (excludes wear parts— such as contact pins and springs which are sold as spare parts as required)
Electrical connection and power consumption
100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz 24V/ 3 Amp
Cycle time
4-20 sec., depending on mode
Paper roll
Prints on large 10” OD(25 cm)
Dimensions (L X W X H)
48.3cm x 38.1cm x 61cm in packaging
Shipping weight 28 lbs.
What does the ShopTester 200 actually test and measure?
Circuit testing the electronics of an inkjet cartridge is not just
checking for faulty nozzles, measuring the Ohm resistance/Mho
conductivity, or testing for circuit continuity. The ST 200 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 and recognition and
production code self-learning.
What does all this mean?
Certain types of inkjet cartridges can be reprogrammed or reset from
their original factory settings (Example: changing of the “0/1 BIT
code”), while others can not be changed due to physical reasons. This
guide offers a better explanation of some of these functions as well as
their limits and possibilities of the ST 200 displayed values.
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.
Self Learning
The OEMs tend to introduce new cartridge types in existing cartridge
families. On Slot 5 of the ST 200, if a new cartridge is introduced
and the RC code on the cartridge is compatible (Example: the HP 74/75
with the HP 90/300 cartridge series) the new cartridge type can be
learned and saved on the ST200 going forward.
Cartridge Converting
Some 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. See the ST 200 brochure for more converting
possibilities.
Production Code (PC)
The PC of an inkjet cartridge is essentially the identification or
serial # of that specific cartridge. When a cartridge has been
refilled and replaced 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 replaced
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 that, the PC should be reset by the ST 200 to resolve the
issue. This code can only be reprogrammed as far as the 0/1 Bits
exists.
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 MFP may refuse to run a
cartridge with a defective TSR. Older printers may run with a defective
TSR but 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.
Ink counter Status New – Used - Empty
The ST 200 displays some cartridges (primarily the HP 9x/3xx series) as follows:
NEW = cartridge is new or was not used in a MFP printer.
USED = cartridge was used in printer, but not printed totally empty.
EMPTY= cartridge was printed totally empty.
Some 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!).
Canon PG series
The ST 200 can deactivate the ink counter in many of 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. Again, a cartridge which has the ink
counter turned-off/reset may not work on some Canon MFP’s or fax
machines.
Number of nozzles
Cartridge nozzles 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 with handling by ungrounded
employees. 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.
Software/Firmware Upgrades
The ST 200 has a built-in USB port for free downloadable software
upgrades. OEMs make unexpected changes to cartridges from time to time
and the owner can keep their machine current remotely with the latest
programs and developments.
“Undefined”
We strongly recommend cleaning all contacts of a cartridge before
testing it on the ST 200! Dry pigmented ink, toner, dirt etc. are
electrically conductive and can cause “Undefined” cartridge evaluations.
Analytical Tools
The ShopTester 200 now offers analytical tools for in-depth inkjet
cartridge evaluation. With the ability to measure specific nozzle
performance, ink-level sensor, and cartridge statistics, the new
ShopTester 200 can also offer a virtual printout (locally or remotely)
from any computer with a USB port. For example:
Cartridge type, specific nozzle measurements, temperature sensor, and ink-level setting.
Other Features include:
Window Remote Control: Shows machine display on the PC
Daily Cartridge counters: Internal cartridge counter (not resettable) of each cartridge type tested is displayed.
Daily Component Device: Displays installed Slots, their Software versions, and the cartridge count per slot.
With the General Debugging function the ShopTester 200 can quickly
troubleshoot most issues. The information from this section can also
be sent remotely to the factory for quicker diagnostic assistance. This
is especially helpful when new cartridges are introduced and firmware
upgrades need to happen quickly.
“I have had
this tester for nearly two years now and I absolutely love it”. Bob Opperman,
Cartridge World Rockford, IL
Ken Lennier, Cartridge World Ft. Smith, AR—“The Shoptester 200 is an absolute Godsend on
Canons. We can remanufacture the Canons again!”.
Read Bryant, CW -Marana, AZ -- “The Shoptester 200 totally changed
how I do business. It not only took the guesswork out of circuit and
print-testing cartridges but the chip reset function fixed most of our
cartridge problems as well. The additional functionality like TSR sensor,
cartridge resetting, and conversion was completely understated. This machine
changed my business and my profitability!
“We absolutely love this machine”. Pat Synder CW, Monroeville, PA