Monarch® 9855® Printer TC9855OH Rev. AF 12/07 ©2003 Paxar Americas, Inc. a subsidiary of Avery Dennison Corp. All rights reserved.
Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only warranty on which the customer can rely. Paxar reserves the right to make changes in the product, the programs, and their availability at any time and without notice. Although Paxar has made every effort to provide complete and accurate information in this manual, Paxar shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be incorporated in a later edition of this manual. ©2003 Paxar Americas Inc.
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................... 1-1 Audience ................................................................................................ 1-2 Using this Manual ................................................................................... 1-2 Unpacking the Printer .............................................................................. 1-3 Shipping the Printer ...................................
SETTING SUPPLY OPTIONS ......................................................................... 4-1 Supply Type ........................................................................................... 4-3 Ribbon ................................................................................................... 4-4 Speed .................................................................................................... 4-5 Feed Mode .......................................................................
SETTING DEFAULTS.................................................................................... 6-1 Monetary Sign ........................................................................................ 6-3 Secondary Sign ...................................................................................... 6-4 Decimal Places ....................................................................................... 6-5 Slashed Zero ..........................................................................
PRINTING ................................................................................................... 8-1 Printing .................................................................................................. 8-1 On-Demand Mode Printing ....................................................................... 8-2 Printing an Error Label ......................................................................... 8-2 Pausing a Batch......................................................................
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................A-1 Printer ................................................................................................... A-1 Tag Cut Dimensions ............................................................................. A-2 Supplies................................................................................................. A-3 Linerless Supplies ...............................................................
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G E T T I N G S TA R T E D 1 The Monarch® 9855™ printer lets you print text, graphics, and bar codes on thermal transfer (ribbon) and thermal direct labels or tags. The 9855 printer prints labels continuously (in one strip) or on-demand (one label at a time). You can print on aperture, die cut, black mark, or continuous (non-indexed) supplies. Continuous supply must be used in continuous mode. See "Supply Type" in Chapter 4 for more information about the supply types.
Audience The Operator's Handbook is for the person who prints and applies labels. Using this Manual Following is a summary of the contents of this manual. Chapter Contents 1 Getting Started Contains information about connecting the power cable and using the control panel. 2 Loading Supplies Describes how to load a roll of supply, fan-fold supply, and tag supply. 3 Loading Ribbon Describes how to load a roll of ribbon and lists highenergy ribbon information.
Unpacking the Printer After you unpack the printer, you should have the printer, a power cord, and a ribbon take-up core (may already be on take-up reel). Keep the box and packaging material in case the printer ever needs repair. Shipping the Printer If you need to ship the printer to a different location: 1. Remove the ribbon roll, if one is loaded. 2. Remove the supply roll, if one is loaded. 3. Close the printhead by pressing down on the thumb well until you hear it click into place.
9445™ Printer Online Emulation The 9855 printer using 203 dpi (dots per inch) printing supports 94x5 emulation. You can send 94x5 data streams to this printer. Refer to your 9445 Programmer's Manual for information about 94x5 data streams.
Establishing Communications Before the printer can accept print jobs from the host, you must: ♦ Connect the communication cable to the printer and to the host. ♦ Set the communication values on the printer to match those at the host. (Only required if you are using the serial port.) ♦ Make sure the printer is off before connecting the cable to the communication port.
Note: The printer supports a baud rate up to 115200. Make sure your host is capable of communicating at the speed you select for the printer. Using the Control Panel The control panel has a two-line LCD display, 2 status lights, and five buttons. The control panel displays error codes/messages, and allows you to setup/configure the printer. Printer Status Lights Power: The printer shows a steady green light when it is on.
Enter/Pause: Escape/Clear: When the printer is online, pauses the current print job or resumes a paused print job. When the printer is offline, selects the displayed menu item. ♦ When an error is present, clears the error. ♦ When a job (batch) is printing, cancels the print job (batch). See "Canceling a Paused Batch" in Chapter 8 for more information. ♦ When the printer is online (without errors), enters the offline menu mode.
Note: If the printer displays PRINT MODE Ready when you turn it on, press Escape/Clear to display the Main menu. To display menu options, press » or ¼. ♦ When the screen displays a right arrow, press ¼ to display more options. MAIN MENU Cancel All ♦ ¼ When the screen displays a left arrow, press » to display more options. MAIN MENU » Diagnostics ♦ When the screen displays a left and a right arrow, press either » or ¼ to display more options.
LOADING SUPPLIES 2 This chapter describes how to load: ♦ a roll of supply ♦ fan-fold supply ♦ a roll of tag supply. There are three types of supplies: Thermal Direct specially treated thermal supplies that do not use a ribbon for printing. Thermal Transfer standard supplies that require a ribbon for printing. High Energy scratch, chemical, and temperature resistant supplies that require a ribbon able to withstand high temperatures.
Loading Labels or Tags Make sure the printer is configured for the correct supply type. 1. Open the cover. 2. Unlock the printhead by turning the retaining latch. 3. Lift printhead assembly using the printhead tab until the assembly locks into place. Printhead Tab Deflector Tab 4. Place the roll of supply on the supply holder. For labels, the supply unrolls from the top or the bottom. For tags, make sure the supply unrolls from the bottom, because tag rolls are wound face in.
Supply Holder Guides Supply Roller 5. Adjust the supply holder guides so the sides barely touch the roll. Make sure the supply roll turns freely. If you are using fan-fold supplies, place the supply stack behind the printer, label side facing up. 6. Push down on the supply lever to unlock the supply guides. 7. Lay the label strip across the supply guide so that a few inches extend past the front of the printer. Tuck the supply under the nibs and in between the die cut sensor.
For tag supplies using the optional knife, feed the supply through the knife. Make sure at least 0.5 inches of supply is past the knife. Tag 8. Adjust the supply guides so they touch the supply. Push up on the supply lever to lock the supply guides into place.
9. Hold the printhead assembly by the printhead tab while pressing down on the printhead release. 10. Close the printhead by pressing down on the thumb well until you hear it click into place. Thumb Well 11. Close the cover. 12. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead.
You may need to adjust the wide/narrow knobs depending on the width of your supply. See "Adjusting the Wide/Narrow Knobs" for more information. Note: If the printer will be unused for extended periods of time, we recommend leaving the printhead unlatched. Loading Labels for the Optional Peel Mode Peel mode is an option that must be purchased separately. In peel mode, the printer separates the backing paper from the label. The next label is not printed until the completed one is removed from the printer.
3. Feed the backing paper over the peel bar. Peel Bar Low er Opening 4. Feed the backing paper through the lower opening of the exit cover. Close the exit cover. Pull down on the backing paper to remove any slack. Tear Edge Backing Paper When removing the backing paper, pull up across the sawtoothed tear edge. Make sure the backing paper tears at the edge.
5. Close the printer's cover. 6. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead. Using the Optional Tear Bar Note the following change to loading labels if you have purchased the optional tear bar. Tear labels against the tear bar. You cannot tear tags with the tear bar. Slide the supply between the tear bar and peel bar. It may be easier if you cut or fold one corner of the supply first. Tear Bar Peel Bar Do not tear both label and backing paper at the same time.
Using Linerless Supply Linerless printing is an option that must be purchased separately on the original printer order. The linerless option is not customer or fieldinstallable. You must use thermal direct and black mark supplies for linerless applications. The linerless printer must use on-demand mode. For maximum platen roller life, use only wide or only narrow supplies. Switching between wide and narrow supplies may lead to uneven platen roller wear and possibly reduce the platen roller life.
5. Press down on the exit cover tabs to open the exit cover. 6. Pull back slightly on the spring latch with your thumb or fingernail and lift the shelf out. CAUTION: Be careful when inserting or removing the shelf. The shelf has sharp points.
7. If inserting the peel bar: Insert the left edge of the peel bar into the side slot at an angle. Then, slide the peel bar to the right and press down until you hear it click into place. The peel bar must be lined up with the platen roller. 8. If inserting the shelf: Insert the left edge of the shelf into the side slot at an angle. Slide the shelf to the right, aligning it with the spring latch, and press down until you hear it click into place. The shelf must be lined up with the platen roller.
The shelf must be parallel to the platen roller, not at an angle. See the following diagrams. Shelf inserted correctly. Shelf not inserted correctl y. CAUTION: Make sure the shelf is not misaligned with the platen roller, or damage to the platen roller could occur.
9. Close the exit cover. 10. Load supplies by following the label loading procedures. You may notice a different color and texture on the platen roller. Linerless supplies do not stick to the textured platen roller. 11. Close the printhead assembly and the cover. 12. Turn on the printer. 13. Verify the alignment of the platen roller with the peel bar or shelf. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead. 14.
Make sure the printer is configured for the correct supply type. 1. Open the cover. 2. Unlock the printhead by turning the retaining latch. 3. Lift printhead assembly using the printhead tab until the assembly locks into place. 4. Shake the roll of string tags down to untangle the roll. 5. Place the roll of supply on the supply holder with the strings facing out.
6. Adjust the supply holder guides so the sides barely touch the roll. Make sure the supply roll turns freely. 7. Push down on the supply lever to unlock the supply guides. The supply guides have been angled slightly for string tag supplies. 8. Lay the supply across the supply guide so that a few inches extend past the front of the printer. Tuck the supply under the nibs and in between the die cut sensor. 9. Adjust the supply guides so they touch the supply.
10. Hold the printhead assembly by the printhead tab while pressing down on the printhead release. 11. Close the printhead by pressing down on the thumb well until you hear it click into place. 12. Close the cover. 13. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead. If the printer will be unused for extended periods of time, we recommend leaving the printhead unlatched. Adjusting the Wide/Narrow Knobs You may need to adjust the two wide/narrow knobs according to the width of your supply.
LOADING RIBBON 3 This chapter describes how to load a ribbon roll. There are different ribbon requirements for the three types of supplies: Thermal Direct Supplies do not use a ribbon for printing. Thermal Transfer Supplies require a ribbon for printing. High Energy Supplies require a ribbon able to withstand high temperatures. If you are using thermal direct supplies, do not load a ribbon. If you are using high energy supply, be sure to use a high energy ribbon.
Loading Ribbon Make sure the printer is configured to use a ribbon. To load ribbon: 1. Open the cover. 2. Unlock the printhead by turning the retaining latch. 3. Lift printhead assembly using the printhead tab until the assembly locks into place. Printhead As sembl y Deflector Tab 4. Push the deflector tab down. 5. Slide the extra ribbon core on the take-up reel as far as it will go with the "This End Out" writing facing out. Use your empty ribbon core as the take-up core.
6. Remove the new ribbon from the package as shown. Do not wrinkle or crush the new ribbon. 7. Slide the ribbon onto the back reel as far as it will go. The ribbon roll only fits on the reel one way. Carefully unwind a few inches of ribbon from the bottom of the roll. Note: Make sure the “Monarch This End Out” writing is facing out. The ribbon only fits on the reel one way. 8. Carefully feed the ribbon under both ribbon rollers and printhead as shown. 9.
12. Remove any slack in the ribbon by turning the take-up reel clockwise. 13. Hold the printhead assembly by the printhead tab while pressing down on the printhead release. 14. Close the printhead by pressing down on the thumb well until you hear it click into place. Close the cover. Thumb Well Using a High Energy Ribbon High energy ribbon is an option for this printer. It enables you to print on high energy (TUFF-MARK®) supplies.
Note: The high energy setting is lost when you turn off the printer. High Energy Ribbon Limitations When using the high energy ribbon option: ♦ Use a print speed of 2.5IPS (inches per second). ♦ Printhead warranty is reduced to 100,000 inches. ♦ Serial bar codes cannot be printed. ♦ Do not use peel mode. ♦ No more than 20% of the supply should have print (black coverage). CAUTION: The high energy ribbon may break or stick to the supply when more than 20% of the supply contains print.
3-6 Operator’s Handbook
S E T T I N G S U P P LY O P T I O N S 4 This chapter explains how to select the supply type, ribbon, speed, feed mode, backfeed, print position, supply position, margin position, cut position, dispense position, backfeed distance, separators, and skip index mode. This chapter also explains how to adjust the print contrast and enable the verifier.
The options are listed in the table below. Option Choices Default Supply Type Aperture/Die Cut/Black Mark/Continuous Die Cut Ribbon No/Yes/High Energy Yes Speed 2.5/4.0/6.0/8.0/10.0/12.
Supply Type You can print on aperture, black mark, die cut, or continuous supplies. You have to tell the printer which supplies you are using. Note: If you are using edge aperture supplies, use the die cut setting. If you are using center aperture supplies, use the aperture setting. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Supply. If password protection in enabled, press Feed/Cut three times, then press Enter/Pause before you see the Setup Menu options. Then, follow these steps. 1.
Ribbon You have to tell the printer if your supplies require a ribbon. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Supply. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SUPPLY Ribbon 2. Press Enter/Pause to set the ribbon option. The current setting is displayed, for example: RIBBON » Yes 3. ¼ ¼ Press » or ¼ to see the other options. After you display the option you want, press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main Menu.
Speed You can change the print speed for bar codes or graphics. If you select "default" for speed, formats with serial bar codes automatically print at 2.5 ips and formats with parallel bar codes print at 6.0 ips. 12.0 ips printing is an option that must be purchased separately. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Supply. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SUPPLY » Speed 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause to set the speed option.
Feed Mode You can use continuous or on-demand printing. On-demand printing allows you to remove a label before printing the next one. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Supply. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SUPPLY » Feed Mode 2. Press Enter/Pause to set the feed mode. The current setting is displayed, for example: FEED MODE Continuous 3. ¼ ¼ Press » or ¼ to see the other option. After you display the option you want, press Enter/Pause.
Backfeed Backfeed works by advancing each printed label to the desired dispense position. Once that label is removed, the next label to be printed is backed up underneath the printhead. In continuous mode, only the last label in the batch is advanced to the dispense position. Extended backfeed is available on this printer with a knife installed. Extended backfeed feeds a tag far enough out to be cut and backfeeds the next tag to the printhead line.
Positioning This menu includes selections to change the print, supply, margin, cut, and dispense positions along with the backfeed distance. When you see Enter print pos [-450/450]: +0 Feed/Cut acts as a toggle switch to change the value by 10 or 1. For example, to make the print position 23 (from the default of 0), press Feed/Cut, then press » twice (20), press Feed/Cut again and press ¼ three times (23). Print Position This function adjusts where data prints vertically on the supply.
To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, Supply, then Positioning. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see POSITIONING » Print Pos 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: Enter print pos [-450/450]: +0 3. Press » or ¼ to change the print position. Pressing » decreases the value (moves the image down); ¼ increases it (moves the image up). 4. Press Enter/Pause when the number you need appears.
Supply Position This function adjusts the machine to print at the vertical 0,0 point on the supply. Note: The supply position adjustment should only be made on initial printer setup. For format adjustments, change the print position. You may need to adjust the supply in or out to allow ♦ tags and labels to be removed. ♦ die cut labels to be removed easily. The adjustments are in dots (0.0049 inch). ♦ Increase the number to feed more supply out of the chute.
Margin Position This function adjusts where the format prints horizontally on the supply. The adjustments are in dots (0.0049 inch), which is the smallest measurement the printer recognizes. The width of the print area depends on your supply size. Maximum width is four inches. When you move the image to the right or left on the supply, avoid moving the image too close to either edge, because it may not print. Print too far to the left. Print too far to the right.
Cut Position This function adjusts where the tag is cut. The printer adjusts the cut position according to the black marks on the supply. You may need to adjust for aperture supplies. Increase to move the cut up; decrease to move the cut down. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, Supply, then Positioning. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see POSITIONING » Cut Pos 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause.
4. Press Enter/Pause when the number you need appears. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main menu. Backfeed Distance This is the amount to move the label backwards. The backfeed distance cannot be greater than the dispense position. If you make the backfeed distance greater than the dispense position, the dispense position automatically changes to match the backfeed distance. The backfeed distance should equal the dispense position. An exception is when you are tearing labels, instead of peeling.
Batch Separators A batch separator is an extra tag printed in between batches with a pinstripe pattern. If you select "Long" for the separator, a double-length (two tags) separator prints. For non-indexed supply, the batch separator is always six inches long. If you have the Monarch® 928™ stacker installed, the batch separator is 3.66 inches long. The name of the batch is shown on the batch separator. Batch Separator Note: Changing this setting only affects new formats sent to the printer.
Skip Index You can use the skip index mode to skip (or ignore) a sense mark and print an image over multiple labels, if necessary. For example, if you have 4.0" long supplies loaded, but your image is 8.0" long, enable skip index mode to print the 8.0" long image on two labels. The image length is determined by the format header. See your System Administrator or the optional Packet Reference Manual for more information.
Knife Control You may notice unevenly cut tags on one end or the other of your supply (one end may appear longer than the other). Use the knife control adjustment to balance the cut tag length from tag-to-tag. You may need to make this adjustment ♦ on initial printer setup. ♦ if you load a different supply type (thickness) from the last ones printed. ♦ when you change the print speed. ♦ when you change to a different tag size from the last ones printed.
Error Action The recovery action from an error condition is in the Setup, Supply Menu. You can change how the printer responds to a bad scan. The choices include normal and overstrike/continue one to five consecutive bad scans. The overstrike pattern is created to prevent someone from using a bad label. Selecting overstrike and continue 1x-5x sets the number of times the printer prints an overstrike pattern on consecutively bad labels before generating an error.
Consider this scenario when the error action is set to overstrike/continue 3x: If the printer errors on the first label, an overstrike pattern is printed, but the printer attempts to reprint the image up to three times. If the third consecutive label also generates an error, an overstrike pattern is printed; however, the printer stops and the error message is displayed. The operator must resolve the error condition before printing continues.
To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Supply. Then follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SUPPLY » Error Action 2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: ERROR ACTION » Ostrk/Cont 1x ¼ 3. Press » or ¼ to see the other options. After you display the option you want, press Enter/Pause. 4. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main Menu. Note: Depending on the selected error action, you may or may not see a label with the overstrike pattern.
Setting Contrast The print contrast controls the darkness of the printing on your supply. The range is -699 to +699 and the default is 0. You may need to increase the print contrast for linerless supplies. Having the correct print contrast setting is important because it affects how well your bar codes scan and how long your printhead lasts. You can use a verifier to check the bar code print quality.
Feed/Cut acts as a toggle switch to change the value by 10 or 1. For example, to make the contrast 50 (from the default of 0), press Feed/Cut, then press ¼ five times (50). 5. Press Enter/Pause to select either "Yes" or "No" to print a test label and check the print contrast. Press Enter/Pause. 6. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main Menu. We recommend you check the bar code print quality with a bar code verifier. If you do not have a bar code verifier or scanner, check the bar code visually.
Verifier The verifier scans and checks the quality of bar codes as they are printed. The optional verifier must be purchased separately. The verifier scans parallel bar codes; it cannot scan serial bar codes. The verifier must be enabled and set up before you can scan bar codes. For additional set up procedures, refer to your verifier's Operating Instructions for more information. To enable the verifier, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Verifier. Then follow these steps. 1.
S E T T I N G C O M M U N I C AT I O N S 5 This chapter tells you how to set the serial or parallel communication values. These values provide the link for normal online printing. Main Menu C an c el All S u pp l y Print Mode C ont r ast B at c h E nt r y D ef a ult s S et up S c r i pt s D ia g.
Baud Rate To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Serial Comm. If password protection in enabled, press Feed/Cut three times, then press Enter/Pause before you see the Setup Menu options. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SERIAL COMM Baud Rate ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: BAUD RATE » 9600 ¼ Press » or ¼ to display the baud rate you need, then press Enter/Pause.
Stop Bits To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Serial Comm. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SERIAL COMM » Stopbits ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: STOPBITS 1 3. ¼ Press » or ¼ to display the number of stop bits you need, then press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main Menu. Parity To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Serial Comm.
Flow Control To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Serial Comm. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SERIAL COMM » Flow Control ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: FLOW CONTROL » DTR ¼ 3. Press » or ¼ to display the flow control you need, then press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main Menu. XON is 17; XOFF is 19. Set flow control to DTR for PC computers (unless you have XON/XOFF software).
Parallel Communications The parallel communications menu allows you to set the values for the active parallel port. The values are listed in the table below. Note: Turn the printer off and back on when you change the port or mode settings. Option Choices Default Port External/Internal External Mode Compatible/IEEE-1284 Compatible (Centronics mode) Port To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Parallel Comm. Then, follow these steps. 1.
Mode To change the setting, from the Main Menu select Setup, Port Settings, then Parallel Comm. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see PARALLEL COMM » Mode 2. Press Enter/Pause. MODE Compatible ¼ 3. Use » or ¼ to select either "Compatible" or "IEEE1284." Press Enter/Pause. Use compatible mode for a computer connection to the printer with a parallel cable. Use IEEE-1284 for bi-directional Ethernet communications.
S E T T I N G D E FA U LT S 6 This chapter explains how to select the monetary sign, secondary sign, decimal places, slashed zero, power-up mode, prompt set, imaging errors, and ignore configuration packets. This chapter also explains how to format flash, check the available flash memory, and pack flash memory.
The monetary formatting options are listed in the table below.
Monetary Sign You can also select None if you do not want a monetary sign to print in price fields. The monetary signs available for 15 countries are shown in the table below. Country Currency Description USA $ dollar UK £ pound Japan ¥ yen Germany 1 deutsche mark France F franc Spain P peseta Italy L.
2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: MONETARY SIGN » USA ¼ 3. Press » or ¼ until you see the country's monetary sign you want. 4. Press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main menu. Secondary Sign If you select USA as the monetary sign, you can print amounts less than $1.00 either by using a dollar sign and decimal ($0.30) or by using a cent sign (30¢). ♦ If you set the secondary sign option to No, prices under $1.00 will print like this: $ .
Decimal Places You can set the printer for 0, 1, 2, or 3 places after the decimal in a price field. In U.S. currency, you might print prices like this: $24.00 (2 decimal places) or like this: $24 (0 decimal places). 1. Press » or ¼ until you see DEFAULTS » Decimal Places ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. The current setting is displayed, for example: DECIMAL PLACES » 2 ¼ 3. Press » or ¼ until you see the option you want. Then press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main menu.
Power-Up Mode Power-up mode lets you decide how your printer starts each time you turn it on. If you want the printer to be ready to start printing when it is turned on, use the Online power-up mode. If you want the operator to perform some other task first, use the Offline power-up mode. To change the setting, from the Main Menu, select Setup, then Defaults. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see DEFAULTS » Powerup Mode ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause.
3. Press » or ¼ until you see the option you want. Then press Enter/Pause. Press Escape/Clear until you see the Main menu. Note: This option only affects the displayed prompts. It does not change what is printed by the printer. Flash Storage Flash storage allows packets (with "R" or "N" selectors) to be stored in flash memory, instead of volatile RAM. Packets stored in flash memory are saved when the printer is turned off. However, flash memory storage is limited.
No Image Errors With version 5.2 or greater software, you can disable image error reporting. Image errors occur when there is a problem producing a complete label. You must press Escape/Clear to clear an image error.
Ignore Configuration With version 5.2 or greater software, you can ignore all online configuration packets. If the printer receives data from a host system or software package that includes online configuration packets with the format, those online configuration packets can be ignored. Ignoring these packets is useful when you cannot change your host’s data or when you want the printer to operate as specified through the printer’s menu.
Using Flash Memory The flash memory options are listed in the table below. Option Choices Default Format Flash No/Yes No Unused Flash NA NA Pack Flash No/Yes No Formatting Flash Memory Before storing packets in flash memory, downloading a script, or if the printer's firmware is updated, you must format the flash memory. Formatting flash memory is only required once during initial printer setup.
Are you sure? No 4. ¼ Press ¼ to display "Yes" and press Enter/Pause. CREATING FLASH FILE SYSTEM 1 The printer's flash memory is cleared and reformatted. This process may take several minutes. The printer reboots automatically after formatting flash memory. You need to resend any fonts you want to use to flash memory again. You return to the "Print Mode Ready" menu.
Packing Flash Memory Packing flash memory permanently removes any deleted files from memory. Periodically select this option to "clean up" the printer's memory. Any deleted files are removed from memory when you pack flash. To pack flash memory, from the Main Menu, select Setup. Then, follow these steps. 1. Press » or ¼ until you see SETUP » Flash Memory 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. Press » or ¼ until you see FLASH MEMORY » Pack Flash 3. Press Enter/Pause. Are you sure? No 4.
Memory Guidelines Use these basic guidelines when storing files in your printer's memory. ♦ Your printer may have volatile RAM (packets deleted when the printer is turned off), non-volatile RAM (packets saved when the printer is turned off), and flash memory (packets saved when the printer is turned off). Each printer has a different limit of available memory. ♦ Before you save any packets in flash memory, you must format flash memory first. See "Formatting Flash Memory" for more information.
Setting Batch Options You can select Batch Options to change, which prompts appear during Batch Entry mode and set default values for those prompts. Customizing which prompts appear during batch entry can reduce the time it takes to enter data for a format. If the optional knife is not installed, you can prevent those prompts from appearing during batch entry mode. If you set a new default value for an option, that value is used even if the prompt is not displayed.
USING SCRIPTS 7 This chapter explains how to load, enable, and delete scripts. You can also enable status polling and immediate commands. Using the Scripts menu requires custom software from Paxar. It allows you to print data streams written for other printers. Note: Ignore these menus if you do not use Scripts.
Viewing Script Information 1. To see if your printer has a script loaded from the Main menu, press » or ¼ until you see MAIN MENU » Scripts ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. If password protection in enabled, press Feed/Cut three times, then press Enter/Pause before you see the Scripts Menu options. 3. Press » or ¼until you see SCRIPTS » Script Info 4. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. What you see depends on the script. If a script is not loaded, you see "No script loaded.
Downloading a Script Follow these instructions to download a script from the MS DOS prompt. Set the communication parameters using the MODE command. Then, prepare the printer to accept a script. 1. From the printer's Script Menu, press » or ¼ until you see SCRIPTS Load Script 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. Script Load Ready Note: Only one script can be loaded in the printer at a time. When downloading a script, if you receive an error: ♦ Check the available flash memory.
Enabling a Script The script must be enabled before you can use it. To enable or disable a script: 1. From the Script Menu, press » or ¼ until you see SCRIPTS » Enable Script 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. Enable Script? » Yes 3. Use » or ¼ to select either "Yes" or "No" and press Enter/Pause. Selecting "Yes" starts the script. Selecting "No" stops the script. If you select "Yes," when you turn off the printer and turn it back on, the script automatically starts.
Deleting a Script You can delete a script from the printer's memory. To delete a script: 1. From the Script Menu, press » or ¼ until you see SCRIPTS » Delete Script 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. Are you sure? » Yes 3. Use » or ¼ to select either "Yes" or "No" and press Enter/Pause. Selecting "Yes" deletes the current script. Note: 4. The flash memory used by the script is not available for other scripts or fonts until the flash memory is reformatted.
Enabling Status Polling Status polling allows you to obtain information about the readiness of the printer and the current (or last received) print job. Your System Administrator can enable status polling while the printer is running in Script mode. To enable status polling: 1. From the Script Menu, press » or ¼ until you see SCRIPTS »Status Polling 2. Press Enter/Pause. Enable Polling No 3. ¼ ¼ Use » or ¼ to select either "Yes" or "No" and press Enter/Pause. The default is "No.
Using Immediate Commands Your System Administrator can use immediate commands to reset the printer or cancel and repeat batches. Immediate commands are turned on or off through an MPCL packet. Your System Administration should refer to the Packet Reference Manual (available on our Web site) for more information about immediate commands and control characters. Use this option to set whether the ADK script processes or ignores an immediate command control character.
7-8 Operator’s Handbook
PRINTING 8 This chapter explains how to ♦ use on-demand mode printing. ♦ print an error label. ♦ print, pause, restart, cancel, and repeat a batch. You can send format, batch, and graphic data to the printer from a host. When the printer receives the data, batches begin printing automatically. The optional Packet Reference Manual tells how to create, store, and download the data necessary to print batches. You can also use the Monarch® MPCL™ Toolbox utilities to create and download packets.
Note: If the printer will be unused for extended periods of time, we recommend leaving the printhead unlatched. An optional keyboard is also available to enter offline batch data. The keyboard must be purchased separately. If there are offline batches in the print queue, the offline batches print after the downloaded batches have printed.
Pausing a Batch You can pause printing by pressing Enter/Pause. You may want to interrupt a batch to make adjustments for: ♦ Loading a different roll of supply or a ribbon. See Chapter 2, "Loading Supplies" or Chapter 3, "Loading Ribbon" for more information. ♦ Adjusting the supply position or contrast using the Setup menu. See Chapter 4, "Setting Supply Options" for more information.
Canceling a Paused Batch You can cancel a paused batch, delete a format, graphic, or font in memory, or all the batches waiting to print. Note: Before any format, graphic, or font in memory can be deleted, you must cancel all batches.
3. To cancel all the batches (including the paused batch), press » or ¼ until you see PAUSE MENU » Cancel All ¼ and press Enter/Pause. Cancel Batches? No ¼ 4. You can ♦ exit without canceling any batches. Press Escape/Clear or press ¼ to display No and then press Enter/Pause. The printer returns to the Pause menu. Press » or ¼ to select another function from the Pause Menu, or to return to Print Mode and print all the batches. ♦ cancel all batches in the print queue.
5. Press » or ¼ to select another function from the Pause menu, or to return to Print mode. Repeating a Batch Before you start printing a new batch, you can reprint the last batch. The batch can be either the last one you printed completely or one that you canceled after starting to print. 1. From the Main Menu, press » or ¼ until you see MAIN MENU » Repeat Batch 2. ¼ Press Enter/Pause. Printing xxxx of xxxx The number increments until the entire batch has printed.
Special Printing Considerations Keep in mind the following special printing considerations. Maximum Print Speed Printing Method Printhead Density Knife Peel Mode 2.5/4.0/6.0 ips (inches per second) Thermal Direct Thermal Transfer 203/300 dpi dots per inch Supported Supported 8.0 ips Thermal Direct Thermal Transfer 203/300 dpi Not Supported Supported 10.0 ips Thermal Direct/Thermal Transfer 203 dpi only Not Supported Not Supported 12.
Printing TrueType® Fonts TrueType® fonts are available on this printer. TrueType fonts are scalable and the characters print smoothly, without the jagged edges you see on bitmap fonts. When downloading a TrueType font, you download the entire font. You cannot specify a subset (particular characters or point size) of the font. Note: These font files may be very large and image slower than bitmap fonts.
Licensing Your Fonts We provide the Font Utility to help you create and download international code pages/characters. However, it is your responsibility to license the fonts you purchase and download to your printer. Contact your font supplier for licensing information. Additional fonts that are compatible with this printer can be purchased from: The Electronic Font Foundry 11 Silwood Road Ascot SL5 OPY England (0)1344 875 201 www.eff.co.
8-10 Operator’s Handbook
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 9 This chapter tells you how to ♦ clear label jams and clean the printer. ♦ replace a printhead. CAUTION: Do not use sharp objects to clean the printhead or touch the printhead with your fingers. This may damage the printer and require a service charge. Label Jams When you are printing and a jam occurs, the Fault light on the printer's front panel blinks. To clear the jam: 1. Turn off the printer and open the cover and printhead assembly. 2.
You may need to clean the printhead, sensor, and platen roller: ♦ if there is any adhesive build-up in the supply path. ♦ after printing approximately 3 rolls of thermal transfer/thermal direct/linerless supplies or after each ribbon. ♦ daily if your printer is in an excessively dirty, hot, or humid environment. ♦ when you see voids or streaking in the print as shown.
4. Clean the platen roller when you see significant adhesive build-up or a label is wrapped around the platen roller. Use a dry, soft-bristle brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean either the standard (black) or linerless (red/orange textured) platen roller. If the brush does not remove all the adhesive ♦ Use isopropyl alcohol ONLY on the standard (black) platen roller. Moisten a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and run the cotton swab across the platen roller.
7. Rub the cotton swab across the supply sensor and die cut sensor and remove any build-up. Die Cut Sensor Supply Sensor 8. Clean the build-up in the supply path. 9. Let the printer dry before you reload supplies. 10. Close the exit cover by pushing firmly on it. Both latches will click into place. 11. Close the cover and printhead assembly. 12. Turn on the printer. 13. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead. Resend your format, batch, and check digit packets.
Replacing the Printhead You may have to replace the printhead if it is damaged or worn-out. For example, you may see 616 (bad dot or dots) or 768 (printhead failure) error codes. See Appendix B, "Accessories and Options" for the printhead part number. CAUTION: The printhead is sensitive to static electricity, which can damage the printhead or reduce its life. Ground yourself by touching some metal, such as the printer's metal base, before touching the printhead.
6. Carefully unplug the cable from the printhead as shown. The printhead is sensitive to static electricity, which can damage the printhead or reduce its life. Ground yourself by touching some metal, such as the printer's metal base, before touching the printhead. 7. Carefully plug the cable into the new printhead. 8. Align the new printhead with the tabs. 9. Snap the printhead into place.
Note: Make sure the printhead cable does not touch the ribbon roll. 10. Clean the new printhead with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove any salt or oil left from handling. 11. Let the printhead dry and reload your supplies. 12. Close the printhead assembly and the cover. Turn on the printer. 13. Press Feed/Cut to position the supply under the printhead.
9-8 Operator’s Handbook
10 DIAGNOSTICS & TROUBLESHOOTING This chapter explains how to perform simple diagnostic functions such as checking the software version, the supply quality, printing test labels, and using password protection. It also contains basic troubleshooting information. Main Menu C an c el All Print Mode B at c h E nt r y R ep eat B at c h V e r si on S u pp l y Q ua lit y B at c h O pti on s S et up S c r i pt s D ia g.
Printing a Test Label 1. From the Diagnostics Menu, press » or ¼ until you see DIAGNOSTICS » User Diag ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause and ¼ until you see USER DIAG » Test Label 3. Press Enter/Pause. The following test labels print. The first label shows the printer's configuration by packet (A-G). The second label shows the model number, software version, stock count, voltage, print contrast, printhead resistance, number of bad dots, and installed options.
Checking Supply Quality The printer continuously stores data from the most recent 16 supplies printed to check the reflectivity of the sensor marks on the supply. Before you check your supply quality, print a batch of supplies or test labels. 1. From the Diagnostics menu, press » or ¼ until you see DIAGNOSTICS » User Diag ¼ 2. Press Enter/Pause. You will be at the User Diagnostics menu. Press » or ¼ until you see USER DIAG Supply Quality 3. ¼ Press Enter/Pause.
Using Password Protection The password protection feature prevents formats, graphics or fonts from accidentally being deleted from the printer's memory. It also limits access to the Setup and Scripts menus. Enabling the Password (System Administrators only) A System Administrator can enable the password that must be entered before formats, graphics or fonts can be deleted. 1. From the Main Menu, press » or ¼ until you see MAIN MENU » Diagnostics 2. Press Enter/Pause.
7. If you do not want the user to enter a password before they can delete formats, graphics, fonts, or access to the Setup and Scripts menus, press Enter/Pause. You return to the User Diagnostics Menu. OR Press ¼ to display "Yes" and press Enter/Pause. The password protection is enabled for formats, graphics, fonts, and access to the Setup and Scripts menus. You return to the User Diagnostics Menu. 8. Press Escape/Clear twice to exit to the Main Menu.
Troubleshooting This section helps you correct some problems that may occur. Problem Action Error message appears during startup. Turn off the printer. Wait fifteen seconds and then turn on the printer. Call Technical Support if the error message reappears. Does not print. Check supply. Check ribbon. Send a corrected format and batch packet. Does not feed. Set wide/narrow knobs correctly. Partially printed data. Clean the printhead. Send a corrected format packet. Printing shadows or smears.
Problem Action Backing paper is wrapped around platen or peel roller. Carefully remove the backing paper. Make sure the backing paper tears at the saw-toothed tear edge when using backfeed and peel mode. Blank labels print or 750 series errors. Clean supply sensors. When downloading a script, the printer errors. Check the available flash memory. Format flash memory or clear NVRAM. After downloading a script, the script does not appear to be loaded.
Common Errors Errors 001 to 405 and 429 to 435 are data errors. This type of error indicates that incorrect data was sent to the printer, and the printer is ignoring it. Your System Administrator should correct the packet and send it back to the printer. Error Description/Action 002 Name must be 1 to 8 characters (excluding non-printable control characters) inside quotes. 005 Supply width is invalid.
611 Font, bar code, or density in the batch does not fit the format. 612 The data in this line of the batch is either missing or does not match the format. 613 Reference point off supply. 614 Portion of field off supply or there may be an invalid character in the packet. 703 The printer sensed a calibration of different-sized black marks. Make sure the correct supply type is loaded. 704 Printer has not sensed a supply mark within the specified number of inches or is out of supplies.
757 Load supplies (supply length mismatch), because the calibrated supply length differs by plus or minus .25 inches from the format. Press Feed/Cut. 758 Either the supply is not seen or the on-demand sensor is broken. Check for a label jam, clear the supply path, or reload supplies. This error may occur if you remove a label too quickly in the on-demand mode. 763 Waiting to dispense label. Press Feed/Cut. 764 Verifier scan error (bad scan) on label when using normal (no overstrike) mode.
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S A Printer Height: 12.5 inches (318 mm) Width: 12 inches (305 mm) Depth: 13 inches (330 mm) with the optional metal cover (H x W x D) 13.0" (330 mm) x 12.5" (318 mm) x 17.3" (439 mm) Weight: 21 lb. (9.5 kg) Weight w/metal cover: 29 lb. (13.2 kg) Shipping Weight: 25 lb. (11.4 kg) Shipping Weight w/metal cover: 34 lb. (15.
Print Speed: 2.5 ips (64 mm) default for all serial bar codes, 4.0 ips (102 mm), 6.0 ips (152 mm) default for parallel bar codes, 8.0 ips (203 mm), and 10.0 ips (254 mm). 12.0 ips (305 mm) printing is an option that must be purchased separately. See Chapter 8, "Printing" for special considerations when printing at speeds greater than 6.0 ips. Maximum Print Area: 4.0 inches x 16.0 inches (102 mm x 406 mm) with 203 dpi 4.0 inches x 13.
Supplies For high temperature or high humidity environments, contact Paxar for supply recommendations. Continuous (non-indexed) supply does not have perforations or black marks and must be used in continuous mode. We recommend using continuous supply with a tear bar or the optional knife. If you purchased the optional knife, you cannot use the tear bar. Aperture supplies are tags or labels with holes (or openings) in them. The supply is sensed using the holes.
Linerless Supplies For Supply Width greater than or equal to Use Supply Length 1.5 inches (38 mm) 1.5 inches to 16 inches (38 mm to 406 mm) 2.0 inches (51 mm) 1.5 inches to 16 inches (38 mm to 406 mm) 3.0 inches (76 mm) 2.0 inches to 16 inches (51 mm to 406 mm) 4.0 inches (102 mm) 2.5 inches to 16 inches (64 mm to 406 mm) Note: A 0.50 inch non-print zone exists on the leading edge (beginning) of all labels. String Tag Supplies Widths: 0.90 inches (23 mm) minimum 2.
Ribbon Specification Do not leave ribbon in sunlight, high temperatures or humidity. Ribbon Type: Standard or High Energy Ribbon Widths Use with Max. supply width 1.5 inches (38 mm) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 1.8 inches (46 mm) 1.5 inches (38 mm) 2.3 inches (58 mm) standard or high energy 2.0 inches (51 mm) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 3.0 inches (76 mm) 4.3 inches (110 mm) standard or high energy 4.
Cable Pinouts The following tables show the connector pins for a 9-pin to 25-pin (126825) cable or a 25-pin to 25-pin cable (126826).
ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS B Accessories ♦ 926™ Knife ♦ 928™ Stacker ♦ 935™ Rewind ♦ 938™ Verifier (Can not be used with 926 Knife and/or 928 Stacker) ♦ 939™ Keyboard or 939i™ Keyboard ♦ 945™ Unwinder ♦ Replacement Printhead Kits: 12678301 203 dpi 12678401 300 dpi ♦ High Energy Supplies (TUFFMARK®) ♦ Ribbon Take-Up Core (11796120, 30, or 40; available in 2", 3", or 4" widths) ♦ Monarch® MPCL™ Toolbox (utilities to configure the printer, download fonts, and design formats) available on our We
Packaging Materials If you need to ship the printer to a different location and do not have the original packaging, use the following part numbers to order the appropriate packaging materials. Plastic Cover Printers Description and Qty. Metal Cover Printers Description and Qty.
Ethernet Information Paxar® offers internal and external Ethernet connectivity solutions. These solutions make it easy to set up, manage, and monitor a printer linked to an Ethernet connection. The print server provides multiprotocol capabilities for users with Windows® 95/98/2000 or Windows NT®, TCP/IP, and NetWare®. Software is available on our Web site (www.paxar.com) to configure the print server. It can also be configured using HP Jet Admin™ or HP Web JetAdmin™ software.
B-4 Operator’s Handbook
GLOSSARY The following terms will help you use this manual. continuous mode Mode in which the printer prints all the labels in the batch without stopping. download (send) Transmission of data from the host to your printer. format Supply layout or design, which the System Administrator downloads as a format packet to your printer. host Any mainframe, minicomputer, data collect terminal, or personal computer sending data to the printer.
2 Operator’s Handbook
INDEX A about fonts, 8-8 accessories, B-1 adjusting backfeed distance, 4-13 cut position, 4-12 dispense position, 4-12 margin position, 4-11 print position, 4-8 supply position, 4-10 supply width, 2-16 B backfeed, 4-7 batch repeating, 8-6 restarting, 8-3 baud rate options, 5-2 baud rate, 5-1 C cancel paused batch, 8-4 checking print, 10-2 software, 10-1 cleaning peel bar, 9-3 printhead, 9-3 supply sensor, 9-4 cleaning printer, 9-1 clearing jams, 9-1 common errors, 10-8 communication errors, 10-7 communic
F flash memory, 6-7 flow control options, 5-4 function selecting, 1-7 H high energy ribbon, 3-4 I IEEE-1284, 5-5 information printing, 8-7 RF, B-3 Information Ethernet, B-3 J jams clearing, 9-1 L label specifications, A-3 labels adjusting for width, 2-16 clearing jams, 9-1 linerless, 2-9 test, 10-2 linerless labels, 2-9 linerless supply specifications, A-4 loading ribbon, 3-2 locating supply sensor, 9-4 2 Operator’s Handbook M maintenance cleaning printer, 9-1 margin adjusting, 4-11 memory flash, 6-7
P parallel, 5-5 communications, 5-5 parallel communication, 5-6 parity options, 5-3 parity, 5-1 passwords setting, 10-1 paused batch cancel, 8-4 peel bar cleaning, 9-3 port settings, 5-1, 5-5 print adjusting position, 4-8 offline mode, 8-6 online mode, 8-1 setting contrast, 4-20 print speed, 4-5 printer 9445 emulation, 1-4 buttons, 1-6 checking status, 1-6 cleaning, 9-1 default, 6-1 defaults, 4-5, 4-7, 4-15, 6-3, 6-7 establishing comm.
supply adjusting position, 4-10 adjusting print options, 4-8 options, 4-3, 4-6, 4-15 position, 4-10 print options, 4-10, 4-12, 4-13 string tags, 2-13 supply options ribbon, 4-4 separators, 4-14 setting, 4-1 supply sensor, 9-4 locating, 9-4 T tag specifications, A-3 tear bar, 2-8 4 Operator’s Handbook tear edge, 2-7 test, 10-2 troubleshooting, 10-6 True Type fonts printing, 8-8 V values communication, 5-1, 5-5 default, 5-1, 5-5 version, 10-1 W word length options, 5-2 word length, 5-1
