Digital presses configured with DuraBolt print engines can operate in three modes:
Duplex – Prints both sides of each sheet (Stage 1 = front, Stage 2 = back).
Simplex – Prints only on Side 1 (Stage 1).
Simplex Secondary – Prints only on Side 2 (Stage 2).
Changing modes requires adjusting both the press configuration and the head-to-host assignments so the correct print stages are active.
Prerequisites
Before making any mode changes:
Ensure the press is idle (no active or queued jobs).
Confirm that all XiService hosts and controllers are ONLINE in Manage Devices.
Verify that the Navigator Server and all related services (XiService, XiEvents, etc.) are running.
Confirm that you have Administrator access in Navigator Server.
Accessing Manage Devices
For any mode change, follow these initial steps:
Open Navigator Server.
Go to Server Setup > Administrator Login…
If your Administrator account requires a password, enter it and click OK.
Go to Server Setup > Manage Devices…
In the left-hand column, select your device.
The Device Name may vary by OEM, but the Device Type will appear as DuraBolt.
Once selected, under the DuraBolt Configuration section, click Advanced…
Procedure A – Changing from Duplex to Simplex or Simplex Secondary
Select the New Press Configuration
In the Press Configuration area, open the Configuration dropdown and select:
Simplex – prints only Side 1.
Simplex Secondary – prints only Side 2.
Click OK.
Confirm Configuration Change
When the popup message appears stating “Press information has changed,” click OK.
Restart the Device Thread
In Thread Control, click Restart Thread.
If the thread was not previously running, click Start Thread instead.
Wait until Device State = ONLINE.
Open Advanced Configuration
Under DuraBolt Configuration, click Advanced…
Assign Heads to PCs
Click Assign Heads to PC’s… to open the Head Assignment Tool (HAT).
Under Select XiService Hosts, uncheck the host corresponding to the inactive stage:
Simplex: uncheck Stage 2 host.
Simplex Secondary: uncheck Stage 1 host.
In the right-hand tree, ensure that only the active stage’s printhead(s) are listed under the appropriate host PC.
Click OK to close the HAT.
Finalize Configuration
Click OK again to close Advanced Configuration.
Restart Thread Again
Back in Manage Devices, click Restart Thread once more.
Verify that Device State returns to ONLINE before printing.
Procedure B – Changing from Simplex / Simplex Secondary to Duplex
Select the Duplex Configuration
Under Press Configuration, choose Duplex from the Configuration dropdown.
Click OK.
Confirm Configuration Change
When prompted that “Press information has changed,” click OK.
Restart the Thread
In Thread Control, click Restart Thread (or Start Thread if stopped).
Wait for Device State = ONLINE.
Open Advanced Configuration
Under DuraBolt Configuration, click Advanced…
Enable Both Stages
Click Assign Heads to PC’s… to open the Head Assignment Tool (HAT).
Under Select XiService Hosts, make sure both Stage 1 and Stage 2 hosts are checked.
In the right-hand list:
Confirm Stage 1 head(s) are under the Stage 1 PC.
Confirm Stage 2 head(s) are under the Stage 2 PC.
If any head is mis-assigned, drag it to the correct host.
Click OK to close the HAT.
Finalize Configuration
Click OK again to close Advanced Configuration.
Restart Thread Again
In Manage Devices, click Restart Thread.
Wait for Device State = ONLINE before resuming production.
Notes and Recommendations
Always restart the DuraBolt thread after any configuration or head-assignment change.
Allow 5–10 seconds for the system to return to ONLINE after restarting.
If Device State = OFFLINE, verify:
Network links between Navigator Server and both stage controllers.
That XiService processes are running on all host PCs.
When printing in Simplex Secondary mode, ensure paper orientation and feed path match the reverse-side print direction.
Visual References
Duplex to Simplex – Demonstrates changing from Duplex to Simplex or Simplex Secondary (disabling one stage).
Simplex to Duplex – Demonstrates re-enabling both stages to return to Duplex mode.
