This tool is used at the end of the manufacturing line to verify correct printer operation and can, therefore, be useful in service situations. Similar to the extended diagnostic test, it prints out detailed tests of the print cartridges, including showing if entire addresses (ladders or columns of horizontal lines) or primitives (blocks or a missing box in the pattern) are out. In addition, it tests the xy alignment, bi-directional printing, line feed, and skew.
Installation
Simply drag the Final Test Tool to your hard disk, or run it off of the floppy.
Using the Tool
1) Connect a Color StyleWriter 6500 to the Macintosh with a serial printer cable.
2) Power on the printer. Make sure that ink cartridges are installed and that there is paper in the printer.
3) Double click on the Final Test Tool icon to run it.
4) Select the serial port that is being used by the printer.
5) Click "Send File" and wait until the utility prints the Final Test page.
7) Interpreting the Final Test:
• X, Y Alignment Blocks: Check the X, Y Alignment Block patterns across the top right side of the page. White space should be visible between the colored and black areas in all four corners. If not, X, Y alignment could be set wrong, or parts could be missing from the carriage assembly. Refer to the X-Y Calibration topic in Additional Procedures for more information.
• Nozzle Patterns: Check the black and color nozzle patterns for any poor print quality. The top section of the test will show if any nozzles, primitive (blocks), or addresses (ladders) are out. Check the “stair-step” patterns for missing dots (gaps in the diagonal lines). Check each primitive and address to determine whether or not any addresses or primitives are missing. A missing primitive (seen as a box missing in the pattern) or a missing address (seen as a missing column of horizontal lines) will cause 12 to 22 nozzles to drop out. Missing nozzles can be caused by bad print cartridges, incorrectly installed print cartridges, mis-aligned purge units, a bad mechanical assembly. First try cleaning the cartridges (see Print Head Cleaning Procedure in Additional Procedures for more information). If that does not solve the problem, try replacing the flexible ribbon cable, or the mechanical assembly.
• Bi-Directional Test Pattern: The seven sets of five vertical lines test bi-directional printing. One of the middle five sets should have almost no horizontal offset between the sections of the lines. Offset can be caused by the incorrect assembly, encoder strip (or bent encoder spring), carriage motor, or drive belt.
• Line Feed Pattern: The long, thick vertical bar on the left of the page tests line feed. Prominent horizontal white lines or dark spaces in this bar indicate line feed problems which may be caused by the paper motor or mechanical assembly. This test is intended to find gross line feed errors, which result in either small white breaks/lines or dark lines/bands in the print pattern.
