User’s Manual 105-296-01 Revision B 5/13/2009 Copyright © 2009 CognitiveTPG - 1.800.732.
® CognitiveTPG™ and Advantage DLX™ are trademarks of ATSI Holdings, Inc. Microsoft and Windows™ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and corporate names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to their owner’s benefit, without intent to infringe. All information in this document is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of Cognitive.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 : Introduction...............................................................................5 Welcome..........................................................................................................5 Package Contents .........................................................................................5 Operating Environment..............................................................................5 Storage and Transportation Environment ..........................
Primary Language ..............................................................................19 Thermal Mode ......................................................................................19 Label Positioning........................................................................................19 Print Width...........................................................................................19 Auto Recalibration ..............................................................................
Chapter 1 Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome Congratulations on the purchase of a CognitiveTPG Advantage DLX thermal label printer. With its 2-year warranty and durable design, the Advantage DLX provides professional quality label printing and performance. CognitiveTPG is committed to providing a reliable product and user experience. This User’s Manual provides information on how to install the printer and includes all necessary user support information.
Printer Feature Overview Please take a moment and become familiar with the features and nomenclature of the Advantage DLX printer.
Inside View D D A BB E E C C F F Component A – Printhead B – TT Spindle C – Platen Roller D – Printhead Latches E – Media Tray F – Media Guide Function Printing mechanism Ribbon take up spindle Friction feed printing surface Latches for printhead mechanism Place label rolls in media tray Guides label roll Copyright © 2009 CognitiveTPG - 1.800.732.
Chapter 2 Chapter 2: Printer Installation Setting up the Advantage DLX Printer Connecting the Interface and Power Cables IMPORTANT! PRIOR TO CONNECTING THE INTERFACE AND POWER CABLE TO THE PRINTER, MAKE SURE THAT THE PRINTER IS TURNED OFF. 1. Connect the power cable to the AC adapter. 2. Connect the AC adapter to the power connector on the printer. 3. Plug the power cable into an AC outlet. 4. Connect the interface cable to the rear of the printer.
Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon NOTE: THIS STEP IS FOR THERMAL TRANSFER MODEL ADVANTAGE DLX PRINTERS. USE ONLY COGNITIVE APPROVED THERMAL RIBBON. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COGNITIVETPG APPROVED SUPPLIES CONTACT US AT 800-732-8950 EXT. 2. 1. Position ribbon in front of printer and raise the dust cover. NOTE: RIBBON SHOULD BE POSITIONED WITH THE SUPPLY CORE CLOSEST TO THE PRINTER AND THE TEXT ON THE RIBBON LEADER FACING DOWN. 2. Unlatch the printhead and fully raise the printhead mechanism. 3.
5. Lower the print head. Do not latch the printhead at this time. 6. Align the notches on the left side of the ribbon take up core with the left spindle. 7. Gently pull the right take up spindle and insert the right side of the ribbon take up core. REMINDER: THE TEXT ON THE RIBBON LEADER FACES OUT. 8. Latch the printhead and turn the Power ON to take up the slack in the ribbon leader. HELPFUL TIP: THE ADVANTAGE DLX WILL TAKE UP ANY EXCESS RIBBON UPON LATCHING THE PRINTHEAD.
Loading Media NOTE: USE ONLY COGNITIVETPG APPROVED MEDIA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COGNITIVETPG APPROVED SUPPLIES CONTACT US AT 800-732-8950 EXT. 2. 1. Raise the dust cover. 2. Place the media roll in the media tray keeping the media guide to the right hand side. 3. Slide the media guide to the left until it is holding the roll firmly against the left wall of the media tray. 4. Unlatch and raise the printhead mechanism. 5.
Chapter 3 Chapter 3: Software Installation Installing CognitiveTPG Administrator and Loading Print Drivers 1. Go to http://www.CognitiveTPG.com/Downloads_18.aspx using your Internet Browser. 2. Follow the applicable instructions under the Utility Section. NOTE: DOWNLOADING COGNITIVETPG ADMINISTRATOR WILL INSTALL THE UTILITY PRINT DRIVERS. THE COGNITIVETPG ADMINISTRATOR UTILITY IS REQUIRED FOR CONFIGURING, TROUBLESHOOTING AND UPDATING THE ADVANTAGE DLX PRINTER.
4. Select Include this location in the search, and then click the Browse button. 5. Select the location: C:\Program Files\Cognitive Solutions Printing Support\Driver Files and click Next. 6. Click Continue Anyway. 7. Click Finish to complete installation. Installing Printer via Serial/Parallel IMPORTANT! COGNITIVETPG ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PRINTER DRIVERS MUST BE LOADED PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE PRINTER. PLEASE REFER TO THE SECTION TITLED INSTALLING COGNITIVETPG ADMINISTRATOR AND PRINT DRIVERS (CHAPTER 3).
4. Select Add a printer and the Add Printer Wizard will appear. 5. Click Next. 6. Select Local printer attached to this computer and click Next. 7. Select Use the following port: and choose the appropriate Serial or Parallel port, then click Next. 8. Select the appropriate printer model from the available list of printers and click Next. Copyright © 2009 CognitiveTPG - 1.800.732.
9. Select Keep existing driver (recommended) and click Next. 10. Provide a Printer name: and select if the Advantage DLX will be the default printer then click Next. 11. Select Do not share this printer then click Next. 12. Select No when asked Do you want to print a test page? then click Next. 13. Select Finish completing the installation of the Advantage DLX printer. IMPORTANT! IF THE BAUD RATE BETWEEN THE HOST SYSTEM AND THE ADVANTAGE DLX PRINTER ARE NOT EQUAL THE PRINTER WILL NOT PRINT.
Chapter 4 Chapter 4: CognitiveTPG Administrator CognitiveTPG Administrator is a Java based utility designed for installation on various operating system platforms. Administrator allows complete control over the profiles and settings of the Advantage DLX printer. Connection Settings Connecting Via USB 1. Select the System Printer Connection radio dial. 2. Select the appropriate printer from the Printer Name drop down menu. 3. Click Connect.
Serial Connection Parameters • • • • Baud Rate XON/XOFF Buffer Size Buffer Overflow Ethernet Connection Parameters • • • • • • • • IP Address Net Mask Gateway DHCP LPD RTEL RTEL Port Ethernet Text Buffer Printer Settings Print Speed The Print Speed value sets the printing speed of the printer.
Debug Report Level Specifies the method by which the printer reports error. Values: • None = Turns error reporting Off. • Serial = Printer sends error report to host device via serial port. • Serial & Label = Printer sends error report via serial port and prints an error label. Auxiliary Power ON Check Auxiliary Power ON to enable the 5V serial port output.
Primary Language Selects the primary command language the printer uses. The Advantage DLX uses Cognitive Printer Language (CPL) as the default command language. Select between CPL, EcPL, and ZcPL command languages. NOTE: THE ADVANTAGE DLX CURRENTLY DOES NOT SUPPORT TPCL COMMAND LANGUAGE. Thermal Mode Select Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer based on the model of Advantage DLX printer and the type of media being used.
Label Presentation Label presentation advances media out of the printer after printing a label and then retracts the media prior to printing the next label. • Advance = Distance the media advances after printing a label. • Retract = Distance the media retracts prior to printing a label. • Time = Amount of time in seconds the label remains presented prior to retracting. NOTE: WHEN TIME IS SET TO 0 THE LABEL WILL REMAIN ADVANCED UNTIL THE NEXT LABEL IS PRINTED.
Profile Management Manage the settings of the Advantage DLX using the Profile Management section of CognitiveTPG Administrator. Profile Management displays a list of the printer’s current variable settings. Obtaining Printers Current Profile 1. Select the Profile Management tab in Cognitive Administrator. 2. Click the Get Printer’s Current Profile button. Saving the Current Printer’s Profile 1. Select the Profile Management tab in CognitiveTPG Administrator. 2.
Updating Firmware 1. Select the Firmware Upgrade tab. and CPR 2. Click the Select Firmware File button. 3. Select the appropriate Firmware file and click Ok. 4. Click the Update Firmware button. CAUTION! TURNING THE PRINTER OFF DURING FIRMWARE INSTALLATION COULD DAMAGE THE PRINTER. CPL Editor Use the CPL (Cognitive Printer Language) Editor in CognitiveTPG Administrator to send CPL to the printer.
Chapter 5 Chapter 5: Advanced DLX Features USB A Port Loading Firmware Using a USB Flash Drive 1. Create a folder on the USB flash drive at the root level named Cognitive. 2. Inside the Cognitive folder create a folder named Firmware. 3. Place the desired firmware revision into the Firmware folder. IMPORTANT! WHEN USING THE USB FLASH DRIVE THE PRINTER WILL ONLY UPGRADE TO A NEWER FIRMWARE REVISION. 4. Turn the printer ON and verify the POWER and READY lights are green. 5.
Loading Formats Using a USB Flash Drive 1. Create a folder on the USB flash drive at the root level named Cognitive. 2. Inside the Cognitive folder create a folder named Objects. 3. Place the desired Stored Label Formats or Menuing Program into the Objects folder. 4. Turn the printer on and verify the POWER and READY lights are green. 5. Insert the USB flash drive into the USB A port on the back of the printer. The READY light will flash red during firmware installation. 6.
Chapter 6 Chapter 6: Cleaning and Maintenance For optimal printhead performance CognitiveTPG recommends cleaning the thermal printhead every 5,000 inches. Proper maintenance reduces replacement costs by extending the life of the printhead and improves the performance of the printer. IMPORTANT! DISCONNECT THE POWER PRIOR TO CLEANING THE ADVANTAGE DLX . Cleaning the Printer Clean the exterior of the printer and the media tray using a lint-free cloth, and if necessary, a mild detergent solution.
Copyright © 2009 CognitiveTPG - 1.800.732.
Chapter 7 Chapter 7: Troubleshooting Use the chart below for troubleshooting your Advantage DLX printer prior to contacting Technical Support. If you are unable to resolve the problem using the chart below, please contact our Technical Support staff at 1-800-732-8950 ext. 4.
