IBM 9068-A01 & -A03 Passbook Printer

The IBM 9068 Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer is a 24-wire compact desktop printer for the Financial Services Industry that offers improved functions, performance, and usability. The 9068 prints on a variety of print media with a variety of sizes and thicknesses commonly used in financial institutions.

The IBM 9068 Model A01 supports IBM 4722/4748 compatible data stream. The Model A01 has a one year warranty period, RS232/parallel/USB attachment port, 330 cps print speed, and <54dB noise level.

The IBM 9068 Model A03 supports IBM 4722/4748 compatible data stream. The Model A03 has a three year warranty period, RS232/parallel/USB attachment port, 330 cps print speed, and <54dB noise level.

Highlights

Utilizes a 24-wire dot impact print head
Prints on a variety of print media which are commonly used in financial institutions

IBM 9068 provides improved price/performance.

Lower price

Faster print performance (105 more characters per second)

Smaller size and lighter weight

Long-life ink cartridge

New Universal Serial Bus (USB) port gives more freedom in the way the printer can be attached to a PC

Description

The Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer Models A01 gives you just about everything their preceding models had, plus better performance and additional flexibility. If you currently use a printer that the A01 emulates, you can simply replace it with the Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer Model A01.

The Basics

This 24-wire, impact printer (with its throughput capabilities, reliable trouble-free operation, and easy-to-use interface) is the ultimate passbook and document printer. The Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer prints on passbooks, slips, checks, multi-part cutforms, envelopes in all sizes and weights, and more. Its sophisticated paper handling frees operators from such things as aligning documents and adjusting for paper thickness so they can focus on what's important -- your customer.

Plus Higher Performance

The Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer is faster, quieter, smaller, and lighter than its predecessors. It prints at 330 cps. That's one of the highest print throughputs in the industry. Its long-life ink ribbon -- 2.5 times more characters than earlier models -- lasts up to six months and the unit is surprisingly quiet, at less than 54 dB (even lower than earlier models). Who says bigger is better? The Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer can fit in more corners, with less effort, because it's smaller and weighs less than previous models.

And More Options

With the Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer, you'll have more freedom in selecting the attachment port that suits your needs and a greater range of software solutions to choose from. The Passbook Printer can be attached to IBM PC and NetVista system units via serial RS232, parallel, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. The addition of Olivetti PR2 emulation enhances the printer's compatibility with most of the popular turnkey software packages on the market today.

The IBM Multi-Purpose Passbook Printer Models A01 offers the ultimate in functions and features so that financial institutions can improve the productivity of their operators in providing face to face service to their customers. The product is very flexible when it comes to configuring workstations in terms of attachment methods, application programming, physical layout, and scalability. This allows the financial institution to construct the optimum solution for their branch delivery channel.

The high-speed print mechanism, with burst print speed of 330 cps at 10 cpi, combined with logic-seeking printer control, delivers one of the highest print throughputs of passbook printers in the industry. This capability substantially reduces the time required for the operator to wait for the print operation to complete and allows the operator to make efficient use of their time.

The long life (10 million characters) of the ink ribbon cartridge requires less frequent interruption of the print operation for ribbon cartridge replacement and therefore, improves the availability of the printer. This also helps reduce the cost of ownership.

The sophisticated paper-handling capability of the printer frees operators from such things as aligning documents, adjusting for paper thickness, and positioning the paper for proper print registration. This requires less skills on the part of the operator in performing printing tasks and allows operators to concentrate on the processing of transactions. This capability also lets financial institutions cut the cost of hiring skilled operators, or training unskilled operators.

The quiet operation (less than 54 dB) of the printer provides a better work environment for the operator and will not interrupt a conversation in carrying out sales or consultations.

The compact size of the Model A01 gives you greater flexibility in the layout of components within the operator's workstation. The printer's ability to hold light objects on top, combined with the compact size of the printer (that includes the integrated power unit), uses less space than was previously required when using similar products.

In addition to the emulation of IBM passbook printers, the Model A01 supports emulation of IBM PC printers such as the Proprinter X24, and selected non-IBM passbook printers such as the Olivetti PR2. The support of emulations, both IBM and non-IBM, allows the Model A01 to be used with most of the popular turnkey software packages, thereby giving you more freedom when it comes to selecting software solutions.

You may choose one of three attachment ports: serial RS232, parallel Centronics, and the Universal Serial Bus (USB). This gives you more freedom in the configuration of a workstation and also provides a migration path from one attachment to another. Only one port is active at a given time. Model A01 shipped before December 22, 2000, are not equipped with a USB port. To ensure inclusion of an USB port in the printer, specify FN 3003 in the order.

The optional built-in Read Encode Magnetic Stripe (REMS) feature, FN 4905, reduces the operator's need to hand-swipe passbooks through a magnetic stripe reader. It also reduces the error rate of printing information on a wrong passbook.

The REMS feature is used to obtain essential account information, such as account number, from the magnetic stripe of a passbook. The data obtained is typically used to communicate with the host system in updating the master database for that account as a result of transaction processed at the branch. Errors usually occur when a separate hand-swipe magnetic stripe reader unit is used because the integrity of passbook operation depends heavily on operator precaution while handling the passbook. Chances exist where a passbook from which the magnetic stripe data is read may not be the same passbook that was inserted into the printer for printing. A built-in REMS feature on the Model A01 eliminates this possibility.

The Model A01 can be used to print on a variety of print media including passbooks, slips, checks, multi-part cutforms, and envelopes. It handles a wide range of print media size and thickness commonly used by financial institutions.

The Model A01 protects your investment in application programming by keeping datastream and commands upwardly compatible with the IBM 4722 and its IBM compatibles. The Model A01 can be operated under application programs written for these printers without modification or recompilation. Customers currently using the 4722 printers can enjoy the enhanced capabilities of the Models A01 by replacing them with the Model A01. If you have a limited budget, this lets you plan smooth and gradual migration without investing additional money on existing programming. Minor limitations do exist. The Planning and Programming Guide should be consulted for more details.

The maximum load which can be placed on top of the Model A01 varies depending on the size and shape of the object. However, IBM advises that objects exceeding 15 KG might have an adverse effect on the operation of the Model A01, and should be tested prior to installation.

Model

Model Summary Matrix

Warranty Compatible Available Print Noise
Model Period Data Stream Attachment Port Speed Level
----- --------- ------------ ------------------ ------ -----
A01 1 year IBM4722/4748 RS232/parallel/USB 330cps <54dB

Maximum

One IBM 9068 may be connected to a serial port, parallel port, or USB port of a PC. Multiple IBM 9068 may be connected to a PC with multiple serial ports or USB ports. Maximum number of serial ports supported depends on the device driver used to attach IBM 9068. When using the device driver provided by the feature 6000, maximum of eight 9068 (four in DBCS Mode) can be attached to a system unit with OS/2 and maximum of four can be attached to a system unit with DOS, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 2000. In any of the above cases, standard serial RS232 ports or USB ports must be available on the system unit to match the number of 9068.

Customer Setup (CSU)

Model A01 is designated customer setup:
Customer Setup box: Yes
Customer Setup Model conversions: No
Customer Setup MES: No

Devices Supported

The personal computers supported by Model A01 is IBM PC and NetVista.

Model A01 is a compact desktop passbook and cutform printer designed for financial services environment. They have a 24-wire impact print head which prints at burst speed of 330 characters per second at 10 characters per inch in fast draft mode (60dpi) and 110 cps at 10 cpi in quality mode (120dpi).

DBCS Mode DBCS Mode is for customers who require double byte character set support. It supports character pitches of 10, 12, 13.3, 15, and 18 cpi for single byte characters and 5, 6, 6.7, 7, 7.5 cpi for double byte characters. Line pitches supported are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5, 8 lpi and incremental spacing.

The double byte character font available in DBCS Mode is for one of the following code page sets of each country. The font selection is determined by the country from which the order is loaded.

Taiwan - IBM BIG-5(950), IBM PC(948), IBM BIG-5 w/Euro(1370)
Korea - IBM KS(949), IBM PC(944), IBM UHC(1363)
PRC - IBM GB(1381), IBM PC(946), IBM GBK(1386)

The characters are based on IBM codes for each country as of January 2000. Furthermore, Model A01 can handle maximum of 200 user definable 'Gaiji' characters.

SBCS Mode SBCS Mode is a mode for customers who primarily uses alpha-numeric characters. It supports character pitches of 10, 12, 15, and 17.1 cpi and variable pitch. Line pitches supported are 5, 6 lpi and incremental spacing. The code pages supported are 437, 808, 813, 850, 851, 852, 855, 857, 858, 860, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 872, 874, 876, 877, 1116, 1250, 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1257, and 1258.

Media Specifications

It can print on both vertical and horizontal fold passbooks with following specifications.

Vertical fold (print line perpendicular to centerfold stitch)
Maximum thickness (cover closed): 2.0 mm
Total thickness (cover open): 0.20 - 1.8 mm
Cover thickness: 0.2 - 0.46 mm (0.35mm w/ mag)
Size w/o mag: 127 - 241 mm(W) x 99 - 210 mm(L)
Size w/ mag: 130 - 241 mm(W) x 99 - 210 mm(L)

Horizontal fold (print line parallel to centerfold stitch)
Maximum thickness (cover closed): 2.0 mm
Total thickness (cover open): 0.20 - 1.8 mm
Cover thickness: 0.2 - 0.46 mm (max 0.35mm w/ mag)
Size w/o mag: 102 - 241 mm(W) x 99 - 210 mm(L)
Size w/ mag: 120 - 241 mm(W) x 99 - 210 mm(L)

The cutform with size in the range, 66 - 241 mm(W) x 68.6 -711.2 mm(L) is supported with the thickness of 0.065 mm to 0.28 mm (single part) and 0.15 mm to 0.432 mm (multipart). The printer allows multipart forms up to 6 parts.

The printer has print span of 3 mm to 238 mm from the left edge with minimum distance from the top and bottom edge of a medium being 1.0 mm and 3.5 mm respectively and from left and right edge being 3.0 mm (forms < 355mm long). Envelopes with maximum width 241 mm and maximum length 152.4 mm are supported for printing within the print span.

Attachment

Model A01 supports 8-bit ASCII data stream with ESX escape sequence for DBCS Mode and ESC escape sequence for SBCS Mode. Both modes support one of the following attachment to the system unit of a PC.
Bi-directional asynchronous serial communication at speed up to 19200 bps.

Uni-directional PC Parallel communication Attachment Feature or
Bi-directional universal serial bus communication at speeds up to 1 Mbps.

Physical Specifications
Width: 380 mm (15.0 in)
Depth: 313 mm (12.3 in)
Height: 185 mm ( 7.3 in)
Weight: 8.5 kg ( 19 lb)

Operating Environment
Temperature: 5 to 40 degrees C (41 to 104 degrees F)
Relative Humidity: 8 to 80 (percent)
Electrical Power: 0.1 kVA
Noise Level: less than 54 dBa

Limitations

When font data for the 9-wire print head is downloaded to the Model A01, the font image will be logically converted to that for printing on the 24-wire print head. The resulting printout of downloaded characters may have a somewhat different appearance compared to the printout of original data from the IBM 4722.

The REMS feature (FN 4905) is not supported when parallel attachment is used.

Hardware Requirements

The Model A01 attaches to the serial (RS232), parallel, or USB communication port of IBM PCs or NetVista personal computer. When using the device driver or device support code provided by feature 6000, a maximum of eight Model A01 can be attached to a system unit with OS/2, and maximum of four can be attached to a system unit with DOS, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 2000. In any of the above cases, standard serial RS232 ports or USB ports must be available on the system unit to match the number of Model A01.

Software Requirements

A device driver or device support code is available for the following operating systems:
IBM DOS 5.0, or later
OS/2 2.0, or later
Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0
Windows 95 and 98
Windows 2000

Attachment

Models A01 are equipped with three types of attachment ports, serial, parallel, and USB. (Prior to the availability of USB attachment capability, Model A01 will be equipped with two type s of attachment ports, serial and parallel. To ensure that Model A01 with USB port is shipped to an order, the specify code of USB Attachment Feature FC 3003 should be specified. It should be noted, however, that this may cause the shipment to delay until the USB feature becomes available.) By specifying the attachment type, Model A01 will be shipped out with the respective attachment port activated. Only one communication port can be activated at any given time.

Attachment Specify
-------------------- -------
Serial RS232 3000
Parallel 3001
Universal Serial Bus 3003

If no specify code for selecting the attachment method is specified in the order, the default setting is serial attachment.

Power cord

A 2.8m (9 ft) with the most common plug for the country will be provided with the machine - No specify required.

If a 1.8m (6 ft) power cord is required, specify:
1.8m (6 ft) with non-locking plug, FC 9986

Machine Nomenclature/Language Group

The base machine operator panel is in English. Operator panel overlay is supplied in languages per the specify codes.

Operator Panel Overlay
Specify
Code
------- --------------
2927 none (English)
2928 French
2929 German
2931 Spanish
2932 Italian
2934 Canadian French

VOLTAGE: A specify code is not required. Voltage/power will be determined by the plant based on the country code of the order. The specify codes listed below must be used when an alternative to the plant country default is required.

Specify Code Description
------------ -------------------
2800 100 to 127V 50-60Hz
2801 200 to 240V 50-60Hz

Special Feature Codes -- Chargeable

Description Machine Model Feature Part
----------------------------- ------- ----- ------- ---------
Passbook Printer 9068 A01
Serial Attachment - RS232 3000
Parallel Attachment 3001
Universal Serial Bus Attach 3003
Read Encode Magnetic Stripe 4905
Parallel Attachment Cable 5612
Manuals and Drivers CD-ROM 6000
Serial Cable 6m 9-9pin 6035
USB Cable 5m 7003
Language Group - English 2927
100 to 127 V 50 - 60Hz 2800
200 to 240 V 50 - 60Hz 2801
1.8m (6ft) Power Cord 9986

(#4905) Read Encode Magnetic Stripe (REMS)

Integrated automatic read encode magnetic stripe function for passbooks with horizontal magnetic stripes. Description:

Four magnetic track positions are supported by this feature. The Read Encode Magnetic Stripe feature is compatible with:
ISO 8484/DIN 32744 Part 1, Part 2
10mm offset from ISO 8484/DIN Part 1, Part 2
IBM 3604/4704 Passbook
10mm offset from IBM 3604/4704 Passbook

Read/encode of the track will be done at 210 bit per inch using two frequency coherent phase magnetic recording (F/2F).

Maximum: 001.
Prerequisites: Serial or USB attachment via finance printer device driver or device support code
Corequisites: None.
Compatibility Conflicts: None.
Customer Setup: No.
Limitations: Function not supported when attached to a PC via parallel port.
Field Installable: No.

(#5612) Parallel attachment cable

Cable for attachment via the parallel interface Description: Adapter cable P/N 1525612, 1.8m (6 ft.) long.
Maximum: 999.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Compatibility Conflicts: None.
Customer Setup: Yes.
Limitations: None.
Field Installable: Yes.

(#6000) Manuals and Drivers CD-ROM

A CD-ROM that contains softcopies of all available publications and finance printer device drivers and device support codes needed to operate the Model A01. Description: The CD-ROM contains softcopies of all English publications and available translated publications of the printer. The files are in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format with indexes for easy viewing. The same CD-ROM contains finance printer device drivers and device support codes needed to operate the printer when attached to IBM PC or NetVista systems (or equivalent) using DOS, OS/2, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 2000 and attached via the serial or USB ports. The CD-ROM also contains various utility programs including configuration utility program and memory upload program.
Maximum: 999.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Compatibility Conflicts: None.
Customer Setup: Yes.
Limitations: None.
Field Installable: Yes.

(#6035) Serial Cable 6m 9-9pin

Cable for attachment via the RS232 serial interface. Description: Shielded cable, 6m (19.5 ft.) long with 9 pin D-Sub connector at one end for attachment to 9 pin serial port of a PC and 9 pin D-Sub connector at the other end for connection to Model A01.
Maximum: 999.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Compatibility Conflicts: None.
Customer Setup: Yes.
Limitations: None.
Field Installable: Yes.

(#7003) USB Cable 5m

Cable for attachment via the USB interface. Description: Universal Serial Bus cable, 5m long with Series A connector at one end for attachment to USB port of a PC and Series B connector at the other end for connection to Model A01.
Maximum: 999.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Compatibility Conflicts: None.
Customer Setup: Yes.
Limitations: None.
Field Installable: Yes.

Supplies

One ink ribbon cartridge is shipped with each machine; however, we recommend that customers order spare ink ribbon cartridges at time of initial machine order to ensure availability of spare cartridges when needed. Ink ribbon cartridges for Model A01 can be ordered through your IBM authorized printer or supplies reseller. If you have no reseller, you can be directed to the closest one in your area by contacting your point of purchase. (part number 07K4446).

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