MODEL 428TC DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER OPERATOR’S MANUAL PART NUMBER: 880041-0141 September 12, 2013 CPC Copyright © 2013 by Microcom Corporation, Lewis Center, Ohio – All rights reserved.
Proprietary Statement This manual contains information proprietary to Microcom Corporation. This information is intended solely for the use of parties operating and maintaining such equipment described herein. Product Enhancements Microcom Corporation is committed to the continual improvement of performance and quality in our products. For this reason, specifications are subject to change without notice.
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... VII CHAPTER 1: PRINTER SPECIFICATIONS............................................... 1-1 1.1 1.2 1.3 General Specifications ......................................................................................... 1-1 Printing Specifications.......................................................................................... 1-1 Media Specifications ...............................
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS ......................................4-1 4.1 Control Characters ............................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 LDS Design Exercises.......................................................................................... 4-1 4.2.1 Format Creation ............................................................................................ 4-2 4.3 Label Design: An Overview .........................................
5.2.1.1 Software Switch #1 ..................................................................................... 5-13 5.2.1.2 Software Switch #2 ..................................................................................... 5-14 5.2.1.3 Software Switch #3 ..................................................................................... 5-15 5.2.1.4 Software Switch #4 ..................................................................................... 5-16 5.2.1.5 Software Switch #5 .............
CHAPTER 6: DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHICS ...........................................6-1 6.1 FLASH Data Types .............................................................................................. 6-1 6.2 RAM Data Types .................................................................................................. 6-1 6.3 Using the BMP2MIC.exe GRAPHIC Conversion Utility ........................................ 6-1 6.3.1 BMP2MIC.exe GRAPHIC Conversion Utility Procedure ...............................
8.1.11.6 GS1 Databar Expanded......................................................................... 8-5 8.1.11.7 How to Print an GS1 Databar Barcode .................................................. 8-5 8.1.12 Postnet (ZIP+4), TCI 36 ................................................................................ 8-6 8.1.13 Postnet (ZIP+6), TCI 37 ................................................................................ 8-7 8.1.14 MaxiCode, TCI 38 .................................................
INDEX ........................................................................................................12-1 General Index .......................................................................................................... 12-1 List of Figures .......................................................................................................... 12-7 List of Tables............................................................................................................ 12-9 APPENDIX......
Introduction The Model 428TC printer has been designed to provide solutions for the ticketing industry. The printer uses the same reliable print mechanism found in the Model 428M printer. The lockable printer box not only houses the media but protects your ticketing investment as well. The print mechanism has been designed with a 4” printhead capable of printing up to 8” per second and is available in 203 or 300 dpi.
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Chapter 1: Printer Specifications 1.1 General Specifications Width* Height* Depth* Weight* Electrical Current Temperature** Humidity SRAM Memory Code Flash Memory User Flash Memory Agency Approvals Interface Communications Flow Control Baud Rate Parity Data Bits 7.3” (185 mm) 7.4” (188 mm) 5.8” (148 mm) 10.2 lbs. (4.6 kg) +24 VDC 3 Amps maximum 40° F – 122° F (5° C – 50° C), operating 10% – 85%, non-condensing 512 K 512 K 8 MB Designed to meet CUL, CE, and complies with FCC Class A RS232, USB, Version 1.
Printer Specifications Chapter 1 1.3 Media Specifications Media Types Maximum Media Thickness* Maximum Media Width Continuous, die-cut, preprinted and tag stock either rolled or fanfold .011” (.2794 mm) 4.38” (111 mm) *NOTE: The printers may print on thicker media types depending on the pliability of the material; however, this requires testing and evaluation.
Chapter 2: Features and Options 2.1 Fonts 7 (203 DPI) smooth bitmapped alpha-numeric fonts from 6pt to 14pt. TrueType® font capability using Microcom Corporation utility program. 19 downloadable standard font set. All bitmapped fonts expandable in height and width. Reverse image printing. Rotated: 0 º, 90 º, 180 º, and 270 º. 2.2 Graphics Resident Lines feature. Storage of fonts, label formats and graphics in both volatile RAM and nonvolatile FLASH memory.
Features and Options Chapter 2 2.4 Special Features USB 1.
Chapter 3: 3.1 Getting Started Unpacking and Inspection The printer has been packaged in protective foam to help reduce the damage during shipment. Inspect the shipping container(s) for signs of damage. If damage is evident, contact the shipping company immediately to file a damage claim. After the printer is removed from the container(s), verify that all the items on the packing list are present and in good condition. The picture below (See Figure 3-1) shows a 428TC and optional power cord.
Getting Started Chapter 3 RS232 Port External Media Entry Slot USB Port Optional Cash Drawer Port Ethernet Port Optional Parallel Port Power Connection AUX Port Figure 3-2 3.2 Printer Rear Panel Printer Power The printer has a universal auto-sensing internal power supply that operates in the 100-240 VAC; 50-60 Hertz range. The three-prong female end of the power cord plugs into the mating connector located on the back of the printer. 3.
Chapter 3 3.3.1 Getting Started RS-232 Serial Cables The printer uses a standard through serial cable, typically referred to as a modem cable, which may be purchased through Microcom Corporation or a local computer supply company. A NULL-modem cable is not required because the printer is configured as DCE. For a 25-pin serial communication port – Use a 25-pin female to 9-pin male cable. For a 9-pin serial communication port – Use a 9-pin female to 9-pin male cable.
Getting Started Chapter 3 If there is an available Internet connection, Windows will silently connect to the Windows Update website and install any suitable driver it finds for the device once connected. If an manual install is desired, follow the instructions below. Run the CDM.exe driver to install the FTDI based USB. Click “Continue Anyway” if this dialog box pops up. The next step is to install the D2xx.dll.
Chapter 3 3.5 Getting Started Parallel Communication Interface The printer may be configured with a standard Uni-directional parallel port. The connector on the printer side is a DB25 pin female type of connector. 3.6 Ethernet Communication Interface Either type 192.168.200.3 in your Web Browser or run the Device Installer software. Please note that you will need to add the 192.168.200.3 address to your network in order to communicate to the printer via the Web Interface.
Getting Started Chapter 3 To change or configure the IP address, first click to highlight the XPOT-03 device and select the Assign IP button. Select Assign a specific IP address and select Next. This screen allows you to assign the IP Address and the Subnet Mask. You will need to obtain these two items from your network administrator and select Next.
Chapter 3 Getting Started The next screen prompts you to confirm your selection by pressing the Assign button. Once the task is complete, select the Finish button to return to the main Device Installer screen. The XPORT device is now configured. Before the printer will use the Ethernet port, the printer needs to have the Ethernet port selected as the active port.
Getting Started Chapter 3 Turn the printer ON with the print button pressed and held in. Release the button after the printer starts to feed media. Open a Hyperterminal session and type TEST for the name, select OK. Select the COM port that you are using to communicate and then select OK.
Chapter 3 Getting Started Set the COM parameters up for 115200,n,8,1 and Hardware flow control and select OK. Type ^D29 in the window (you will not see the characters being echoed back, this is okay) and press the Enter key. You should see information from the printer reported to the screen if communicating properly. Type a ^A1^D108 followed by the Enter key to change the active port to Ethernet. Power cycle the printer and the unit should be configured for Ethernet operation.
Getting Started 3.7 Chapter 3 Cash Drawer Option The printer provides a DB15 connector to support the use of 24v cash drawer applications. The Draw Kick-out solenoid current must be 1 amp or less to avoid current overloads. This option is only available when using the STL mode. Pin 1 - DR1 Pin 2 - DO Pin 3 - DR2 Figure 3-3 3.8 Cash Drawer Pin-out AUX Option The AUX port option or auxiliary port on the printer is for custom application support. 3.
Chapter 3 Getting Started Click the Next button to continue. You will see a screen similar to this showing the progress of the installation.
Getting Started Chapter 3 Click “Continue Anyway” if this dialog box pops up. The next step is to install the FTDI USB driver. While this is a communication port (RS-232) emulator, no configuration of the RS-232 port is required. Once installed, the FTDI USB device will show up as a USB SERIAL PORT (COM) listed under the “COMM PORTS AND LPT” within Device Manager. The “x” indicates the COMM port number this will be used for that USB port connection to the printer.
Chapter 3 Getting Started Select the FINISH button to complete the installation process. The Micoption GUI may now be configured for the printer being used. You may access the Micoptions GUI from either the PRINTERS and FAXES folder and select Micprinter\Properties\Advanced Options\Setup Printer or START button\Programs\Micoptions\Micoptions. Micprinter listed under the Printers and Faxes folder.
Getting Started Chapter 3 This is a Micoptions configuration window sample. Select the COMM port # that the FTDI device is connected to. 3-14 If selected, the driver will auto detect the communication port. This should be disabled if using the command line. Selecting this will report the port that the USB device is detected on.
Chapter 3 Getting Started The Form Setup may be used to save a configuration. Export the form to save the setup and select Import to use an existing setup. Media and printer configurations 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141 Error monitors and the ability to insert commands or files into the data stream.
Getting Started Chapter 3 Select and send commands, files, and images directly to the printer port. This is a great way to get started and to verify printer settings. The Detect Hardware button is used to read settings from the printer. When the Autodetect is enabled, the driver will communicate to the printer and automatically set the Internal Parameters section.
Chapter 3 Getting Started The Calculate SPG button is to manually calculate the SPG which is a registration parameter used by the printer. The AutoCalc SPG will cause the printer to automatically calculate the parameter. The Internal Parameters section is set based on the printer being used. Please use the table below to determine the proper values if the Autodetect and AutoCalc and not checked.
Getting Started Chapter 3 Product Printhead Width 203 or 300 dpi Dot2Gap Value 203 dpi 324M 640 203 284 300 dpi 324M 960 300 438 203 dpi 424M 832 203 284 300 dpi 424M 1280 300 438 203 dpi 424 832 203 468 300 dpi 424 1280 300 730 203 dpi 428TC, TC, TM Black line 832 203 487 300 dpi 428TC, TC, TM Black line 1280 300 720 832 203 264 1280 300 385 203 dpi 428TC, TC, TM Die-cut, Blowhole, Continuous 300 dpi 428TC, TC, TM Die-cut, Blowhole, Continuous The “APPLY” button
Chapter 3 Getting Started You will also need to create form sizes that match the media you are using within the Windows form sizes if your form size is not included. To do this, open the Printers and Faxes folder and select Server Properties from the File drop down menu. A window similar to this will appear showing the available forms.
Getting Started Chapter 3 If we were printing any files they would be listed here. From the Printer drop down menu select Properties. The properties pages are displayed. The appropriate form size for the media we are using with the printer is set within this screen. Select Printing Preferences.
Chapter 3 Getting Started Now select Advanced… Form Size created under Server Properties Print resolution of the printer; 200 or 300 Press OK once finished Select the Paper Size (form size) being used. Select the Print Resolution of the printer under the Print Quality. Press the OK to continue. Now we return to the MICPrinter Properties page.
Getting Started Chapter 3 Print Test Page Press the Print Test Page and see a sample printout. Micprinter also provides the ability to use the driver in a Command line environment. If your application needs more than one install per PC, then the command line operation would need to be used as the GUI will only support one install. Only one driver should be used at a time. Issues may occur if more than one instance of Micprinter is used at the same time.
Chapter 3 Getting Started -i - vertically invert the image before printing -f - This switch is used to specify the location of the Micoptions set file used to configure the driver. Syntax: -fc:\temp\app1\app1.set -p - This switch is used to override the COMM port selection stored in the configuration. Syntax: -p08 -d - This switch is used to specify the location of the temporary files that the driver creates to work.
Getting Started Chapter 3 -6 - error opening output file -8 - error opening output file - binary form -11 - image compression not supported -14 - output width exceed maximum -20 - binary image file not found -21 - setting contrast error -22 - setting dispense mode 0 error - no dispense mode sent -23 - setting dispense mode 1 error - advance when idle -24 - setting dispense mode 2 error - advance every label -25 - setting dispense mode 3 error - cut every label -26 - setting retraction delay error -27 - se
Chapter 3 Getting Started IF ERRORLEVEL -20 GOTO LabelN20 IF ERRORLEVEL -21 GOTO LabelN21 IF ERRORLEVEL -22 GOTO LabelN22 IF ERRORLEVEL -23 GOTO LabelN23 IF ERRORLEVEL -24 GOTO LabelN24 IF ERRORLEVEL -25 GOTO LabelN25 IF ERRORLEVEL -26 GOTO LabelN26 IF ERRORLEVEL -27 GOTO LabelN27 IF ERRORLEVEL -29 GOTO LabelN29 IF ERRORLEVEL -30 GOTO LabelN30 IF ERRORLEVEL -40 GOTO LabelN40 IF ERRORLEVEL -41 GOTO LabelN41 IF ERRORLEVEL -42 GOTO LabelN42 IF ERRORLEVEL -43 GOTO LabelN43 IF ERRORLEVEL -50 GOTO LabelN50 IF E
Getting Started Chapter 3 GOTO END :LabelN11 echo IMAGE COMPRESSIOM NOT SUPPORTED GOTO END :LabelN12 echo UNKNOWN ERROR GOTO END :LabelN13 echo UNKNOWN ERROR GOTO END :LabelN14 echo OUTPUT WIDTH EXCEED MAXIMUM GOTO END :LabelN20 echo BINARY IMAGE FILE NOT FOUND GOTO END :LabelN21 echo SETTING CONTRAST ERROR GOTO END :LabelN22 echo SETTING DISPENSE MODE 0 ERROR - NO DISPENSE MODE SENT GOTO END :LabelN23 echo SETTING DISPENSE MODE 1 ERROR - ADVANCE WHEN IDLE GOTO END :LabelN24 echo SETTING DISPENSE MODE 2 E
Chapter 3 Getting Started :LabelN42 echo POST-PRINT COMMAND STRING ERROR GOTO END :LabelN43 echo POST-PRINT COMMAND FILE ERROR GOTO END :LabelN50 echo SENDING FILE FORMAT ERROR GOTO END :LabelN60 echo BINARY FILE DOWNLOAD ERROR GOTO END :LabelN61 echo BINARY IMAGE DOWNLOAD TIMEOUT GOTO END :LabelN62 echo BINARY FILE SIZE ERROR GOTO END :LabelN64 echo STATUS AFTER PRINT TIMEOUT ERROR GOTO END :LabelN65 echo CLEAR MEMORY COMMAND ERROR GOTO END :LabelN66 echo IMAGE PROCESSING ERROR GOTO END :End ************
Getting Started Chapter 3 Insert media between the guides until resistance is felt Figure 3-4 Loading Media 3.11 Print Button and Status Indicator Light The Print Button and the Status Indicator Light are used to identify and perform many functions. This section provides a description to familiarize you with the basic function of the Print Button and the Status Indicator Light.
Chapter 3 3.11.1 Getting Started Print Button Operation Printing a label Description Press the Print Button while the printer is IDLE or PAUSED to reprint the last label. A power up label will print after a power ON cycle when the Print Button is pressed. Pause printing Press & hold the Print Button while the printer is printing to enter the PAUSED mode. Press the Print Button again to continue printing.
Getting Started Chapter 3 3.12 Printer Modes The printer has four primary modes of operation. The different types of modes have an impact on how the Print Button and the Status Indicator Light operate. This section is intended to provide the user with an explanation of these different modes. 3.12.1 Idle Mode: GREEN The printer is in the IDLE Mode when it is not printing and/or has no pending activity.
Chapter 3 Getting Started Solid AMBER A printed tag/label is waiting to be taken by the operator when the printer is in a Tag/Tear (^D97) or Peel-and-Dispense (^D98) mode. The printer is in the Bootloader or updating the application stored in flash memory. Flashing AMBER 3.12.4 Press and holding the Print Button during tag/label printing will cause the printer to pause. It will resume printing by pressing the Print Button again.
Getting Started Chapter 3 PRINTER SERIAL #: 00516645051 PRINTED LABELS: 303 PRINTED INCHES: 1533 TOTAL INCHES: 1571 POWER ON HOURS: 32.
Chapter 3 Getting Started The TOF Sensor is located in front of the cutter assembly TOF sensor when the cutter assembly is not installed.
Getting Started Chapter 3 3.14 Media Roll Holder Option The printer may be configured with an optional media holder for media wound on rolls. The holder is designed to hold media cores of 1.5” or larger and contains media guides intended to help prevent unnecessary unwinding of media. Figure 3-8 Rolled Media Holder 3.15 Ticket Catch Tray Option The printer may be configured with an optional ticket catch tray that is used to catch the printed tickets.
Chapter 3 Getting Started 3.16 Wristband Media Adapter Option When 1” wide wristband media is being used, the wristband option should be installed. The wristband guide is inserted into the media guide and is locked into place.
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Chapter 4: Designing Labels Using LDS Label Design Software (LDS) refers to the control language resident in the printer used to create labels. All bitmapped fonts, character sets and bar codes are resident in the printer. Additional fonts and graphic images may be sent from a host and stored in the printer’s memory. A label format is produced by a series of 5 steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Control commands to define printer operation.
Designing Labels Using LDS Figure 4-1 4.2.1 Chapter 4 HyperTerminal™ Window Example Format Creation Special Control code functions (see Chapter 5, Special Control Codes) and/or label formats may be entered directly through the keyboard but this is not the most efficient method if entering a large amount of data or numerous commands. Large formats and/or numerous commands should be entered in an ASCII text editor and then uploaded to the printer.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS information needed to define the different properties of the media being used. The current state of the printer is accessed through the enquiry command (^D5 , Ctrl E, or 5 NULL characters (HEX 00) if binary compression has been enabled). The statistical information of the printer is made available through the use of the ^A0^D29 or more simply ^D29 command.
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 The command ^D56 selects the user’s layout or more simply the end of the formatting information. The command ^D2 instructs the printer to start accepting data for each of the defined field’s strings that are entered into the previous format received (between the ^D57 and ^D56 commands).
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS While the maximum number of dots in the horizontal or “X” direction is limited by print head size, it is virtually unlimited in the vertical or “Y” direction. Vertical dot rows are “stepped” by the drive roller motor. This is a list of the header element mnemonics for the sample label in Figure 4-2: HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB, AGD, SPG, OFX, OFY 5 1280 900 19 38 7 0 1 385 0 0 Feed Direction 4” PRINT HEAD Microcom Corporation Web Value .
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 means that a total of five format fields are to be generated. If the HFM were changed to 4, only the first four format fields would be generated. The HFM value should never be larger that the fields that are actually sent. This would cause the printer to produce corrupt images. 4.4.2 LSX (Print Head Size X) HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB, AGD, SPG, OFX, OFY This parameter is used to specify the width of the print head using dots as the unit of measure.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS PRINT SPEED DPS VALUE MM PER SECOND INCHES PER SECOND INCHES PER MINUTE 00 203.2 8.0 480 01 190.5 7.5 450 02 177.8 7.0 420 03 165.1 6.5 390 04 152.4 6.0 360 05 139.7 5.5 330 06 127.0 5.0 300 07 114.3 4.5 270 08 101.6 4.0 240 09 88.9 3.5 210 10 76.2 3.0 180 11 63.5 2.5 150 12 50.8 2.0 120 13 38.1 1.5 90 Table 4-1 4.4.
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 For example: Imagine a receipt format that contains 100 lines. If data is provided for the first 50 lines, the printer will not advance for the remaining 50 lines that have been left blank. The printer would stop immediately after printing the 50th line and then advance the media by the amount specified in the SPG header parameter. When the AGD header parameter is set to “0”, the printer will advance the same amount of media even when text data fields are left blank.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS For media that has a LSY value less than the D2G parameter value in table 4-2, the SPG will need to be calculated. SPG can be calculated using this formula: SPG = (D2G + LSY - DRM) mod (LSY + SBL) NOTE: All values are in pixels or dots.
Designing Labels Using LDS 4.4.10 OFX Chapter 4 (Offset X Direction) HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB, AGD, SPG, OFX, OFY This parameter is used to move or offset all format fields in the X direction without altering the format fields coordinates themselves. 4.4.11 OFY (Offset Y Direction) HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB, AGD, SPG, OFX, OFY This parameter is used to move or offset all format fields in the Y direction without altering the format fields coordinates themselves. 4.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS 4.6 Label Format Fields The Label Format Fields are used to define the characteristics, placement and representation of the corresponding text data of the individual fields. A format field is broken down into many different parameters. It is not necessary to enter values for all of the parameters (default value will be used if a parameter is left blank) but each parameter must be separated with the comma delimiter (“,”).
Designing Labels Using LDS 4.6.1 TSN Chapter 4 (Text String Number) TSN, XB, YB, CC, TCI, CGN, FO, FJ, CMX, CMY, CS, TSP,,, AN The parameter determines which line of text data will be used for formatting. This allows for more than one field to use the same text data. A TSN of “1” accesses the first line of data. A TSN of “2” accesses the second line of data, and so forth. The text data is the text that follows the “^D2” command in the label’s layout.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS TCI VALUE TCI DESCRIPTION 1 Regular Text (standard embedded fonts, no barcode) 2 Text Surrounded by Asterisks 3* Text with UPC-A / UPC-E Checksum Digit Added 6 Line Draw 7 FLASH Fonts and Graphics 8 RAM Fonts and Graphics 12 UPC-A Symbol 13 UPC-E Symbol (Send 11 Digits) 14 UPC-E Symbol (Send 7 Digits) 15 Interleaved 2 of 5 Barcode 16 Code 39 Symbol 17* Text with UPC-E Checksum and Extended Bars Added 20 EAN-13 Symbol 21 EAN-8 Symbol 22* Text with EAN-13 Checksum and Ext
Designing Labels Using LDS 4.6.6 CGN Chapter 4 (Character Generator Number) TSN, XB, YB, CC, TCI, CGN, FO, FJ, CMX, CMY, CS, TSP,,, AN The CGN parameter is a numeric entry that determines the representation and size of embedded font and bar codes as well as the memory location of graphic images that have been selected by the TCI parameter. 4.6.6.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS Standard Downloadable Font Set CGN VALUE POINT SIZE FONT TYPE 10 6 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 11 6 Swiss™721 Normal 90 degree 12 8 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 13 8 Swiss™721 Normal 90 degree 14 10 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 15 10 Swiss™721 Normal 90 degree 16 12 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 17 12 Swiss™721 Normal 90 degree 18 14 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 19 14 Swiss™721 Normal 90 degree 20 16 Swiss™721 Normal 0 degree 21 16 Swiss™721 Norma
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 Standard Downloadable Font Set CGN VALUE POINT SIZE FONT TYPE 52 12 OCR-B Normal 0 degree 53 12 OCR-B Normal 90 degree 54 8 OCR-B Normal 0 degree 55 8 OCR-B Normal 90 degree Table 4-5 CGN - Standard Downloadable Font Set 4.6.6.3 Embedded Bar Codes Certain bar codes can be printed using various ratios and character spacing options. The following table illustrates these options.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS * These Symbols must use the CMX or CMY multipliers by 2 to produce an 80% ratio. ** The “FO” field represents the available Field Orientation or print rotation. 4.6.7 FO (Field Orientation) TSN, XB, YB, CC, TCI, CGN, FO, FJ, CMX, CMY, CS, TSP,,, AN This parameter defines the rotation of the format field on the label. The point of rotation is determined from the Field Justification parameter. 0 1 2 3 4.6.
Designing Labels Using LDS 4.6.9 CMX Chapter 4 (Character Multiplier X Direction) TSN, XB, YB, CC, TCI, CGN, FO, FJ, CMX, CMY, CS, TSP,,, AN The CMX parameter multiplies each character in the X direction. The valid range is 1 to 65536. For bar codes with a FO of 0 & 180 degree rotation, the CMX would be the multiplier while the CMY would be the actual height in thermal dots.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS 2 3 8 Fixed / Non-proportional Character Spacing Fixed / Non-proportional Character Spacing and Reverse Video Auto Reverse Video: Character cell = BLACK, Character = WHITE 4.7 Line Draw It is possible to design lines into a label utilizing some of the elements of label format fields. Specifically, a TCI value of “6” enables the line draw function. XB and XY provide a starting position for a line draw. CMX and CMY provide length and thickness to a line.
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 Feed Direction 4” PRINT HEAD CMX CMY YB XB X beginning This is the origin; 1,1 Y beginning Figure 4-6 Label Format Line Draw TSN (Text String Number) The TSN parameter may point to any valid text string but it is a good idea to always use “1” to make trouble-shooting formats easier. The text string that the TSN is referencing must contain at least one character in order for a line to print properly.
Chapter 4 Designing Labels with LDS CGN (Character Generator Number) This element is not used in line draw. No value is necessary, however, a comma needs to be entered to acknowledge the position. FO (Field Orientation) This element is not used in line draw. No value is necessary, however, a comma needs to be entered to acknowledge the position. CMX (Character Multiplier X Direction) This element sets the length of a horizontal line or the thickness of a vertical line.
Designing Labels Using LDS Chapter 4 ^D57 6,1280,900,19,38,7,0,1,385,0,0 1,300,300,,6,,,,700,550,,,,,1 2,640,700,8,3,5,0,4,2,2,,,,,1 3,640,591,11,1,5,0,4,2,2,,,,,1 4,640,443,26,1,5,0,4,,,,,,,1 5,640,296,6,1,50,4,,,,,,,1 5,640,148,6,16,3,,4,3,75,,,,,0 ^D56 ^D2 Line Microcom Corporation Thermal Printing Solutions 012345 ^D3 Figure 4-7 4.8.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands The printer has a large and versatile collection of control commands to meet the special needs of the most demanding applications. Most of the commands use the “^D” control sequence, however the printer also recognizes a selected number of other control sequences. For all commands listed in this manual, the printer will recognize the one character control code (“Ctrl+D”) or the two-character caret plus alpha character (“^+D+”) sequence.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 ^C Print: Starts the print cycle or batch. This command is the equivalent of the “^D3” command sequence but does not require the carriage return. Because the “control C” is shorter than the ^D3 command sequence it is easier to use in direct terminal mode. In general the ^D3 sequence is better to use inside a format and/or program to assist in trouble-shooting the format. ^D Command Mode: Used to issue commands to the printer.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands configured for binary compression (D23 -SW3 bit 7), which is required if saving graphics, the ^E will not function. This means that if the printer is going to be using binary compression, the 5 NULL’s method should be used to request status instead of the ^E command. 5 NULLS + 02: The 5 NULL method commands are a way to pass commands to the printer even when the printer in configured in binary compression mode.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 Text Mode Response Byte Mode Response Definition 6 6 TICKET ACK 16 16 OUT OF TICKETS 25 25 ILLEGAL DATA 29 29 CUTTER JAM Table 5-1 STL Status Responses Text Mode Response Byte Mode Response Definition >RESTARTED< 1A Printer has been reset >READY< 06 Normal condition >CUTTER ERROR< 07 Cutter cannot rotate >TAKE LABEL< 16 Printer is waiting for label to be taken >LOW STOCK< 19 Media supply is low or out >INPUT 1< 0E Input sensor #1 active >INP
Chapter 5 Printer Commands >CHECKSUM VERIFICATION FAILED< The printer was unable to locate a valid configuration and is forcing the default configuration or “birth” pattern. Configuration checksum does not match printer will attempt to restore configuration. >FLASH READBACK FAILED< The printer failed to read and verify the configuration parameters are present. >ERASE FAILED FOR SECTOR n< The flash was unable to erase at the memory sector noted by the “n” >NO FLASH DATA FOUND< Table 5-2 5.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 0 = Accept Incoming Control Codes 4 Port #1 Parity Selection: Sets the printer port #1 parity for serial communication. 1 = Odd Parity 0 = Even Parity 5 Port #1 Parity Enable: Turns printer port #1 parity ON or OFF for serial communication. 1 = Disable Parity (NONE) 0 = Enable Parity 6 Echo: If this feature is enabled, the printer will echo all received characters to the serial port.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 4 Print Repetition: Defines the function of the Print Button. If set to a “0”, the button can be used for feeding labels but the print function is disabled and blank forms will be issued. 1 = Label PRINT 0 = Label FEED only 5 Power-ON Format Type: Determines whether to use a saved format file or a standard ROM format. User downloaded Label FORMAT files are saved in non-volatile FLASH memory. Any of these FORMATs may be used for the Power-ON label.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 3 Response After Print: If enabled, an enquiry response will be sent through the communications after every print automatically. 1 = Enable 0 = Disable 4 INPUT 2 Active State: This bit determines whether the INPUT 2 sensor must see an object or not to send back the >INPUT 2< response. A setting of 1 (active LOW) will report the >INPUT 2< message if no reflection is detected. A setting of 0 (active HIGH) will report the >INPUT 2< message if a reflection is detected.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 2 External Print Request: (Call Microcom for more information.) 1 = Enable 0 = Disable 3 Stock Out function: Enable this function to get a >LOW STOCK< message when the printer runs out of stock. When this is disabled, the printer will not report stock out conditions. 1 = Disable 0 = Enable (stock out detection reports >LOW STOCK<) 4 Auto-size on Power-up: When enabled, the printer automatically sizes the label to determine the appropriate format header values on powerup.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 If this function is disabled, pressing the print button clears the error condition, prints the pending job, and reenters the previous halting error state. The button must be pressed and held during printing in order to exit the error routine. This is used to reprint the pending job until the print realigns before continuing. 1 = Enable (Single Button Error Clear) 0 = Disable (Reprint and Align) 2 >BUTTON PRESSED< status enable.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 8 Status Byte Mode: If enabled, the printer will enter a special mode that sends a status byte to the host. See D110 command 1 = Enable Status Byte Mode 0 = Disable Status Byte Mode 5.2.1.6 Software Switch #6 ^AB ^D XX 26 COMMAND Change SW6: Software Switch #6.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 1 = Enable >STOCK NOT LOADED< response 0 = Disable >STOCK NOT LOADED< response 5 48-466 Compatibility Mode: A special limited 466/48-466 LDS compatibility mode has been developed for the X24/X24M code base. The objective of this compatibility mode is to allow applications that use formats and/or commands developed for a Model 48-466 printer to be sent to a 203 dpi X24 or X24M Model printer with little or no changes required.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands d) The ^Ax^D125 command controls the location of the euro character as provided in the model 48-466 printers. The euro character which by default is mapped to location 0xE3 (227 decimal) can be moved to another location specified by the x if x>0. If x=0 no remapping will take place and the euro will stay at location 0xE3. Also if the printer must be configured to use a code page other than the default (0000) code page.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 general inputs in the form of “>IO 0nH< where “n” is a hex number from 0 to F. Example: A status of >IO 05H< would indicate that inputs 1 and 3 are active (24v) and that inputs 2 and 4 are inactive (0v); 05H = 0101(binary). The ^D151 is a nonvolatile command used to set which GP inputs are configured to cause an immediate error when active. An immediate error will immediately stop printing and go into an error condition.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands Example: If the application wanted to configure outputs 1 and 3 active, a ^D6805 command (the indicates carriage return characters) would be issued. The printer ignores the LF characters, so a is interpreted as a as well) would be sent to the printer.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 8 = g/p output 4 - Format loaded All outputs are active high. 24.0 VDC = high 0.0 VDC = low Pin 1 Pin 1 P17 OUTPUTS P17 INPUTS Figure 5-1 7 General Purpose Hardware Inputs and Outputs Select PIC Mode: This command is used to select from the various PIC modes the printer supports. The PIC code is dedicated to the take-up motor or the cutter. 0 = Select Cutter PIC mode of operation.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 5.2.1.7 Software Switch #7 ^AB ^D XX 27 COMMAND Change SW7: Software Switch #7.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 5.2.1.8 Software Switch #8 ^AB ^D XX 28 COMMAND Change SW8: Software Switch #8. ^AB12345678 (each bit is represented by a numeric position number) Position: 1 Custom Test Ticket: When this feature is enabled, the printer will process the saved power up format specified by the D22 command every time the printer button on the printer is pressed.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands low 355 458 559 635 686 762 864 965 1067 1130 1181 1270 1371 1828 203 dpi norm 406 508 609 660 711 812 914 1015 1117 1142 1218 1320 1421 2233 hi 457 558 634 685 761 863 964 1066 1129 1180 1269 1370 1827 2300 low 525 676 826 939 1014 1126 1276 1426 1576 1670 1745 1876 2026 2701 300 dpi norm 600 750 900 975 1050 1200 1350 1500 1650 1688 1800 1950 2100 3300 hi 675 825 938 1013 1125 1275 1425 1575 1669 1744 1875 2025 2700 3400 Autoheader User Mode The Autoheader User Mode oper
Printer Commands Chapter 5 7 Reflective Stock Out Detection: When this feature is enabled, the printer will use reflective sensor to detect stock out conditions. This should only be used if a Transmissive sensor is not available. 1 = Enable Reflective Stock Out Detection 0 = Disable Reflective Stock Out Detection 8 LTS Jam Detection: This feature uses the printer’s Label Present or Label Taken sensor to identify a jam condition after sending a print job to the printer.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 5.2.2.2 Set Serial Port Source Command (Non-volatile- ^D108) This command sets which serial port will be used the next time the printer is turned ON. The 224/424 printer has three serial data ports on the rear panel: RS-232, USB, or Ethernet. Only 1 port can be active at any given time. The D108 command sets how the printer selects the active serial port the next time the printer is powered ON.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 address in not reachable on your network, you will need to change the IP address to one that matches your network. One way would be to use the Device Installer software from Lantronix (Refer to Chapter 3) to setup the port or you may use the Telnet Pass through mode.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands netmask, which displays in standard decimal-dot notation when the saved parameters are displayed (for example, 8 = 255.255.255.0). Network Class Host Bits Netmask Setting of 24 = 255.0.0.0 Setting of 16 = 255.255.0.0 Setting of 8 = 255.255.255.0 Change Telnet Configuration Password Setting the Telnet configuration password prevents unauthorized access to the setup menu via a Telnet connection to port 9999 or via web pages. The password must have 4 characters.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 Printer Model 224 224 324M 324M 424 424 424M 424M X28 X28 Table 5-4 Dots/Inch 203 300 203 300 203 300 203 300 203 300 D79 value 448 640 640 960 832 1280 832 1280 832 1280 Printhead sizes - D78 These are examples of how to use the ^D78 and ^D79 commands: EXAMPLE #1: How to set the printer for a 640 dot, 300 dpi print head: ^A1^D79 (Sets 300 dpi) ^A640^D78 (Sets 640 dots) EXAMPLE #2: How to set the printer for an 832 dot, 203 dpi print head: ^A0^D79 (Sets 203 dpi)
Chapter 5 Printer Commands This is the command byte configuration: Bit # 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Command Byte From Host to Printer: Function when = “1” Function when = “0” PRINT DON’T PRINT PRINT TEST PATTERN DON’T PRINT TEST PATTERN RESET DON’T RESET not used not used not used not used not used The HOST only sends the command byte to the printer. The printer’s Ethernet interface receives this command byte from the HOST and tests it to see if it is different from the previous command byte.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 FLASH memory. This command is nonvolatile, so once the General Purpose Mode is entered the printer will stay in General Purpose Mode thru subsequent power cycles. Exiting General Purpose Status Byte Mode A printer that is in General Purpose Mode will stay in General Purpose mode thru power cycles until the “Disable General Purpose Mode” command (^ABxxxxxxx0^D25) is issued.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands begin printing as soon as the image has completed reprocessing plus approximately 10 msecs. If sufficient time is allowed for the reprocessing to complete prior to the next General Purpose print input, the printer will begin printing almost immediately (~10 msecs). The time between the completion of printing and when the next label is available to print is a function of the size of the image being generated. Larger labels will take longer.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 3. The printer will report back the image size back to the Host as an indication that the printer is ready to receive the image. Example: size[CR][LF] 4. The host then sends the converted image to the printer. This image print protocol has a 5 second inter-character timer that starts as soon as the printer sends back the size of the image. If the 5 second times out, the download will fail.
Chapter 5 X Printer Commands 161 5.4.4 Contrast Limit: This command is used to set the contrast limit of the printer. The command uses the same contrast values of the D36 command. When this command is set, the printer will ignore all contrast settings that are above the limit command.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 ^A 2 ^D 143 COMMAND Save Backup 1 and Reboot (Hard Reset): This command operates just like option 1 above and also saves a second set of configuration parameters into the first backup position. If the printer powers on and does not detect a configuration, it will first search the first backup position and restore the configuration stored in this location. The command may be sent along with the ^A1^D143 command and is typically only sent when the configuration actually changes.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands This is the distance of the transmissive sensor, which detects diecut and blow hole registration marks, to the dot row. This distance is set at the factory and is typically not needed to be changed. The transmissive Dot2gap distances represent the physical characteristics of the printer models. This command is used in conjunction with the Finish Mode feature; see the D27 command bit position 8 for more information.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 When using media that contains a blow-hole, set software switch #4 (^D24 command) for blow-hole detection and then issue the desired auto-size command before issuing the autosize command or the results may be invalid. ^A X 0 ^D 39 COMMAND Auto-size: Clears the use of auto-size values set by issuing the ^A1^D39. 1 Uses the values obtained for header variables instead of what is specified in the format file’s header.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 1 Execute AutoHeader on the next media loading. 2 Execute AutoHeader immediately (after delay, assumes that media is loaded. 3 Execute AutoHeader every time media is loaded.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 1. With the head mechanism latched in its normal print position, the user inserts new media until it stops at the drive roller. 2. The printer senses the new media and waits the programmable amount of time set by the ^D120 command (default is 1.5 seconds). 3. After the ^D120 time delay, the printer advances the media until the first registration mark is sensed based on the current or previously executed form size. 4. Label printing will resume if a job is pending.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands These are the steps for AutoLoad with TOF: 1. With the head mechanism latched in its normal print position, the operator inserts new media until it stops at the drive roller. 2. The printer waits a programmable amount of time as set by the ^D120 command (default is 1.5 seconds) after it senses the new media to make it easier for the operator to align the paper. 3.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 This command is useful when using the AutoLoad + Top of Form command. XX 123 5.6 Set TOF Retract Distance: When a TOF operation is in process, the paper moves forward until its leading edge is seen by the TOF sensor. As soon as the sensor sees the paper, the printer stops the forward motion of the paper and begins to move the paper in reverse toward the print head.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands once a ^D3 command is executed; therefore the ^D75 command must be issued before the ^D3 command. The only difference between this command and the ^D73 is the ability to increment and/or decrement sequential numbers in a batch. XXX 76 5.7 Load Delay Time Between Printed Labels: Delays the printing between labels in a batch. The “^Axxx” specifies the delay time in tenths of a second with a maximum value of 650.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 Refer to Section 5.6.1 for additional information regarding the use of the ^D75 command and the serial number functions. The following two commands are valid for both single and multiple serial number functions: ^A ^D 80 COMMAND Clears Commands 86, 88, 89. 81 Disable Serial Number Function: This command disables both single and multiple serial number functions.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands ^D56 ^A2^D86 ^A1^D84 ^A5^D85 ^A3^D75 ^D2 20 ^D3 This format would enable the decrement function (^A2^D86). Select text string #1 to decrement (^A1^D84), load the step value of 5 (^A5^D85) and then print three serialized labels (^A3^D75). The printed result would be “20” for the first label, “15” for the second label, and “10” for the third or last label.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 already loaded into a field will be retained if the ^D62 command is sent. The following is an example of Pre=padded text: ^D57 3,1280,900,,38,7,0,1,385,0,0 1,300,500,7,1,5 2,300,400,7,1,5 3,300,300,7,1,5 ^D56 ^D2 A B C ^D62 ^D2 line 1 line 2 line 3 ^D3 This format would produce a label with “Aline 1”, “Bline2”, and “Cline 3” printed on the label.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands The following is an example of the ^D61, ^D63, and ^D64 commands: ^A0^D64 (Clears any old settings) ^D57 6,1280,900,,38,7,0,1,385,0,0 1,300,300,20,1,4 2,300,250,20,1,4 3,300,200,20,1,4 4,300,150,20,1,4 5,300,100,20,1,4 6,300,50,20,1,4 ^D56 ^D2 Protected Field Protected Field Protected Field Variable Field Variable Field Variable Field ^A3^D63 (Enables Auto-Print and Clears text) ^A3^D64 (Instructs prin
Printer Commands 1 2 4 Chapter 5 Enable Kiosk Cutter Mode. Enable Partial Kiosk cut mode. Enable Full kiosk cut mode. 5.9.2.2 Kiosk Cutter Advance Distance Command This command sets the advance/retract distance for the Kiosk Cutter (^D111) Mode. This is the distance that the printer will advance after printing to control the cut placement. The same distance will be used to retract the media to the print head for printing once the next job is sent. ^A XX ^D 112 5.9.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands default Partial Cut Interval is set to 1. The printer will issue a partial cut, if set to a 1, whenever the copies count is reached. If set to a value greater than 1, the printer will partial cut when that quantity is reached. This command only functions when the Cutter Control (^D99) command is set to allow partial cuts. Note: A full cut will override a partial cut. The following examples assume that the ^D99 command has been set to 3.
Printer Commands 5.10 Chapter 5 Dispensing Commands Dispensing commands are commands that advance the media for cutting, tear off, or presenting and then retract the media to a home position so that media is not wasted. These dispense commands include Peel-n-Dispense, Tag/Tear, Cutter commands, and optional media handling commands as well. The following commands define these types of operations.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands 5.11 View Printer Configuration and Statistics These commands display or print configuration settings. The user may reset the Printed Labels and Inches if they wish to track label usage, print head life, etc. Total Labels and Inches cannot be reset by the user.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 Saved Format ^D3 ^[ ^A XX ^D 66 COMMAND Clear Single FORMAT Stored in RAM: The ^Axx specifies which memory slot to clear (1-128). This command only functions with FORMAT files and not with downloadable fonts and/or graphics. 100 Clear User RAM: This command clears all the downloaded fonts and graphics that have been stored in RAM. This command does not affect fonts and graphics that have been downloaded and stored into the FONT flash memory.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands NOTES: RAM GRAPHICS can extend beyond the starting slot # into sequential ones. RAM formats are numbered #1 to #128 (RAM FONTS are limited to 64K in size.) ^A ^D 122 COMMAND Display Available FONT/GRAPHICS FLASH memory. This command is used to display the amount of FONT/GRAPHICS FLASH memory available in bytes in the form >xxxxxxx< where xxxxxxx is the number of available bytes. xxyy 127 Save FONTS to RAM. (See Chapter 7, Downloadable Fonts) XX Save a FORMAT to FLASH.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 ^Axx deletes the GRAPHIC stored in FLASH Slot #xx Valid values for Axx are 1 to 255. The user selects the CGN #xx that will be cleared. The ^D119 command may be used to verify what memory Slot #’s are available in FLASH for storage. ^D ^A xxyy 135 COMMAND Save FONTS to FLASH This command is not normally seen by the user. It is put into a FONT file by the FONT converter program which generates a special ^Axxyy^D135 code which is placed at the beginning of the FONT download file.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands The printer’s FLASH is nonvolatile, so FONTS that are downloaded using the ^D135 will be stored in FLASH memory until specifically erased by the user. The following 3 parameters are included in the FONT file when it is created: 1. Memory destination: RAM or FLASH 2. Memory File #: 1255 (this is the CGN #) 3. Rotation: 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270° How to save a FONT to FLASH: 1. Create the special FONT download file with FLASH set as the memory destination, 2.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 NOTE: If the FORMAT file contains a print command, then the label will be printed at the end of this command. ^A XX ^D 139 COMMAND Send a FLASH FORMAT to the communications port. ^Axx references the FORMAT file stored in Slot #xx Valid values for Axx are 1 to 128. Label FORMATS are saved into FLASH Slots 1 to 128. This command causes the printer to send a previously loaded FORMAT file out the communications port to the HOST.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands Hint: Use command ^D119 to confirm that FONTS and GRAPHICS were erased in user FLASH memory, and that all downloaded FORMATS, FONTS, and GRAPHICS were erased in RAM. 5.13 ^A X Printer Code Update ^D 7 5.14 COMMAND Update Printer Code: This command is used to update the printer’s flash memory in the event new or enhanced features exist in a different software version. Sending a ^A62519^D7 command will update the printer’s bootloader, application, and embedded font set.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 ^A X ^D 154 COMMAND Feed Reverse Distance: This command will move the motor in the reverse direction by the X amount (specified in dots) when issued. The maximum value is 65535. The feed speed is defined by the D155 command. X 155 Set Feed Speed: This command sets the feed speed that is used for the D153 and D154 commands. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 8.0 ips (inches per second) 7.5 ips 7.0 ips 6.5 ips 6.0 ips 5.5 ips 5.0 ips 4.5 ips 4.0 ips 3.5 ips 3.0 ips 2.
Chapter 5 Printer Commands ^A 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 ^D 157 COMMAND 0 25 25 msec 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 475 500 525 550 575 600 625 X 159 Brownout Reporting: A brownout condition is a sag or drop in the supply voltage that dips below 16.4Vdc but does not continue to sag and perhaps goes back to the 24Vdc supply voltage. The printer will attempt to update its configuration and counters in this condition.
Printer Commands Chapter 5 Bit Position (12345678) Definition Operation 1 Reserved NA 2 Reserved NA 3 PSO (Pre Stock Out) 1 = Stock Detected 0 = No Stock Detected 4 Input 2 See Sw3-4 (D23) 5 Input 1 See SW3-2 (D23) 6 LTS / TOF 1 = Stock Detected 0 = No Stock Detected 7 Transmissive Registration Sensor 1 = No Stock Detected 0 = Stock Detected 8 Reflective Registration Sensor 1 = No Stock Detected 0 = Stock Detected Table 5-7 5-62 Sensor Status Byte Definitions 428TC Operator’s
Chapter 6: Downloadable Graphics The printer allows the user to download their own GRAPHICS and store the GRAPHICS in either non-volatile FLASH memory, or in volatile RAM memory. 6.1 FLASH Data Types The printer’s FLASH memory provides non-volatile storage for several types of data: 1) 120 FLASH memory banks are 64Kbyte sectors for storing downloadable FONTS and GRAPHICS. 2) 128 slots for label FORMAT. 3) 7 “embedded” FONTS. These FONTS are downloaded at the factory.
Downloadable Graphics 6.3.1 Chapter 6 BMP2MIC.exe GRAPHIC Conversion Utility Procedure 1. Execute the conversion utility from a DOS prompt. Microsoft(R) Windows 98 (C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1999. C:\WINDOWS>cd\ C:\>BMP2MIC.exe STEP 1 At the Command Prompt: Type “BMP2MIC.exe” Press [ENTER] 2. Type the conversion utility name and required information at the command prompt. Press [ENTER]. BMP2MIC - Convert BMP Graphic File to Microcom Printer Graphic Rev. 2.01 Copyright 1998-2005 Microcom Corp.
Chapter 6 Downloadable Graphics BMP format data: Windows 3.X format. dimensions: 74 wide, 31 high. 8 bits per pixel Input file: Jet.bmp Output file: Jet.mic Output type: Model x24 Extended Binary (any size image) using font slot 100 Destination is ^D133 - for saving to flash (0) Image width = 74 dots. Image height = 31 rows. Image occupies 332 bytes of space in printer memory. Decompressed file contains 1 FFs and 295 00s. 6.
Downloadable Graphics 6.5.1 Chapter 6 Save Compressed Graphics to RAM (D107) The following is the format of the ^D107 command when used to store a compressed GRAPHIC image file into RAM. ^A^D107 Where: is the memory slot location (1-255) where the GRAPHIC will be saved in the printer’s RAM memory. The printer uses the same TCI of “8” to select downloadable fonts or graphics.
Chapter 6 6.5.3 Downloadable Graphics Binary Compression Algorithm The binary data that make up the image file is a run-length compressed version of the image data described in Section 7.2. Bytes with a value of “0” HEX or “FF” HEX are followed by another byte indicating the number of times that value is repeated.
Downloadable Graphics Chapter 6 8-bit data connections. This command is usable on data connections that support either 7 or 8-bit data. The following is the format of the ^D104 command when used for a graphic image file: ^A^D104 Where: is the memory slot location (1-255) where the graphic will be saved in the printer’s memory. The printer uses the same TCI of “8” to select downloadable fonts or graphics.
Chapter 6 Downloadable Graphics required to store the entire graphic and will split the large file into the correct number of smaller files internally. The printer stores these smaller files sequentially in the slots following the one specified in the appropriate load or save graphic command. Therefore, before sending a graphic file that is 64KB or more (uncompressed size), make sure that the specified font slot has enough following empty slots to store the file properly.
Downloadable Graphics Chapter 6 6.7 Downloadable Graphics Commands The following commands refer to the use of downloadable graphics: ^A ^D 100 COMMAND Clear User RAM: This command clears all downloadable fonts, graphics, and stored label formats. 101 List RAM Memory Bytes Available: The printer will send the “>” character followed by the amount of available bytes and then finally a “<” character. (i.e.
Chapter 7: Downloadable Fonts The printer allows the user to download their own fonts and store the fonts in either volatile RAM memory, or non-volatile FLASH memory. 7.1 FLASH Data Types The printer’s FLASH memory provides non-volatile storage for several types of data: 1) 120 FLASH memory banks are 64Kbyte sectors for storing downloadable FONTS and GRAPHICS, using TCI #7. These FONTS are downloaded using the ^D135 command. These GRAPHICS are downloaded using the ^D133 command.
Downloadable Fonts Chapter 7 The following section details the process required to convert and download fonts to the printer. The conversion utilities “SFP2MIC.exe” and “FONTCV16.exe” may be downloaded at http://www.microcomcorp.com. These 16 bit DOS utilities convert LaserJet™ SFP or TrueType® TTF fonts into a format that is suitable for downloading to the printer. 7.3.1 SFP2MIC.exe Program 1. Run the SFP2MIC program from a DOS prompt. 2.
Chapter 7 Downloadable Fonts 7.4.1.1 Save Compressed FONT to RAM (D127) The following is the format of the ^D127 command when used to store a compressed FONT file into RAM. ^A^D127 Where: is the memory slot location (1-255) where the FONT will be saved in the printer’s RAM memory. The printer uses the same TCI of “8” to select downloadable fonts or graphics for storage into RAM.
Downloadable Fonts Chapter 7 The following is the format of the ^D104 command when used for a GRAPHIC image file: ^A^D104 Where: is the memory slot location (1-255) where the GRAPHIC will be saved in the printer’s volatile RAM memory. The printer uses the same TCI of “8” to select downloadable fonts or graphics. Therefore a font and a graphic cannot have the same Slot Number or CGN number.
Chapter 7 Downloadable Fonts beginning of the file. So the ^D135 command is never sent by itself, it’s always in a FONT download file, and the user never really sees it. The FONT download file may be larger than 64Kbyte. The only limit on the file size is the amount of memory available to hold the file. When the FONT file is created, a specific reference number, called a CGN # is assigned to the file by the user.
Downloadable Fonts Chapter 7 (Word is a 16-bit value, Byte is an 8-bit value, and Label is a location within the file) Label start: the beginning of the file Word, Word, lookup_table_offset distance in bytes from start to beginning of lookup_table (4 bytes) Word tallest_char Word widest_char height of graphic image in dots Width of graphic image in dots Byte default_spacing Default spacing, usually 0 Byte byte_width Width of graphic image in bytes Byte first_char 20 HEX Byte last_char 20 HEX
Chapter 7 ^A ^D 100 101 Downloadable Fonts COMMAND Clear User RAM: This command clears all downloadable fonts, graphics, and stored label formats. List Memory Bytes Available: The printer will send the “>” character followed by the amount of available bytes and then finally a “<” character. (i.e. >192690<) XX 104 Load GRAPHIC or FONT into RAM Memory without Compression: The ^Axx specifies which memory slot to place the image/font (1-255).
Downloadable Fonts 7-8 Chapter 7 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141
Chapter 8: Bar Codes The purpose of this chapter is to provide information pertaining to the unique requirements of the individual symbologies that are resident in the printer. Bar codes are accessed by selecting the appropriate TCI number. 8.1 Types of Bar Codes This section provides information regarding the different requirements of the available resident bar codes. Unless stated otherwise in the descriptions below, the printer will automatically generate the necessary check digits when required.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 SYMBOLOGY DECODED NUMBER X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 NS X1 X2 0 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 1 NS X1 X2 1 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 2 NS X1 X2 2 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 3 NS X1 X2 X3 0 0 0 0 0 X4 X5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 4 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 0 0 0 0 0 X5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 5 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 5 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 6 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 6 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 7 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 7 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 8 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 8 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 9 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0
Chapter 8 Bar Codes spacing, Code39 will allow custom inter-character spacing as long as the maximum does not exceed the timeout zone of the intended scanning equipment. 8.1.6 European Article Numbering System 13 (EAN-13), TCI 20 The European Article Numbering system (EAN) is a European version of the UPC symbology that is used in the retail industry. It is also referred to JAN or Japanese Article Numbering system in Japan.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 8.1.11.1 GS1 Databar Omni-Directional The GS1 Databar Omni-Directional is used to encode numeric characters 0 -9 and does not support alpha or special characters. The code can encode up to 14 characters, including 13 data characters and 1 check digit. If less than 14 characters are entered in the “Data To Encode” field, zeroes are padded to the front after the linkage flag. Non-numeric characters are stripped from the “Data To Encode” field.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes Figure 8-4 GS1 Databar Stacked Omni-directional Sample 8.1.11.5 GS1 Databar Limited GS1 Databar Limited has the same data characteristics as the GS1 Databar Omnidirectional barcode, except that it may only include values up to 4 trillion. This symbology is specifically designed to be read by wands and handheld laser scanners. Omni-directional scanners can not read it efficiently. Figure 8-5 GS1 Databar Limited Sample 8.1.11.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 Valid values for parameters Type of GS1 Databar barcode: 0 = Omni-directional 1 = Truncated 2 = Stacked 3 = Stacked Omni-directional 4 = Limited 5 = Expanded Multiplier: 1 to 100. This specifies how big to make the symbol. Multiplies both X & Y. Segments per ROW: 2 to 22. EVEN number ONLY! X Undercut: 0 to (MULTIPLIER-1) Y Undercut: 0 to (MULTIPLIER-1) Separator Height: MULTIPLIER < = Separator Height < = 2 * MULTIPLIER.
Chapter 8 8.1.13 Bar Codes Postnet (ZIP+6), TCI 37 Postnet is a numeric-only symbology that is commonly used in postal application to sort mail. The five-digit zip plus six-digit extension may be used to generate this Postnet (TCI 37) bar code. Example: 12345-123456. 8.1.14 MaxiCode, TCI 38 MaxiCode is a fixed-size, 2-D matrix symbology that is capable of encoding the entire ASCII character set (0 to 255) and up to 93 characters per symbology.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 [)>#1e01#dYYPPPPPPPPP#1dCCC#1dSSS#1dA..A#1dB..B#1dC..C#1e#04 Where: #1e is the ASCII RS character #1d is the ASCII GS character #04 is the ASCII EOT character YY is the two digit numeric year PPPPPPPPP is the 9-digit numeric US Postal Code. if using a 5-digit Postal Code, the last 4 digits must be 0. CCC is the 3-digit numeric Country Code (840 in the US). SSS is the 3-digit numeric Class of Service. A..A, B..B, C..C, etc. are variable-length alphanumeric fields separated by #1d.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes DATA STRING CONTROL CODE ASCII NAME HEX VALUE #00 #01 #02 #03 #04 #05 #06 #07 #08 #09 #0A #0B #0C #0D #0E #0F #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 #1A #1B #1C #1D #1E #1F ## Control @ Control A Control B Control C Control D Control E Control F Control G Control H Control I Control J Control K Control L Control M Control N Control O Control P Control Q Control R Control S Control T Control U Control V Control W Control X Control Y Control Z Control [ Control \ Control ] Control
Bar Codes Chapter 8 compression, however it is not recommended. Please note that if a subset is forced while using automatic compression the printer will automatically switch to subset C if 6 or more numeric characters are contained in the data string. Once the even number of characters has been processed, the printer will then switch to subset B. This could create problems if a user sent 6 numeric characters while forcing subset A (“#7123456”).
Chapter 8 Bar Codes Subset A This subset contains 106 unique characters, which includes numbers 0 through 9, the English alphabet (uppercase only), punctuation marks, ASCII control codes, and the special function codes listed in tables above. Subset B This subset contains 106 unique characters, which includes numbers 0 through 9, the English alphabet (both uppercase and lower case), punctuation marks, and the special function codes listed in tables above.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 The following format is used to generate a PDF-417 bar code: ^D77 :Text Data^\ Number_of_Rows Number_of_Columns Rotation ECC_Percent ECC_Level Aspect_Ratio This format is then followed by the placement instructions and text placeholder. :Text Data^\ This parameter is where the desired data is placed and must be terminated with the “^\[“ or 0x1C control code. The text data may include carriage returns and other control codes.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes Number of Error Correction Codewords 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 ECC# 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Table 8-4 PDF-417 Error Correction Level The following format samples show how to generate a PDF-417 bar code: Sample Format #1: ^D77 :PDF-417 bar code data^[ 3 30 0 0 0 2:1 ^D57 2,575,609,,25,35,0,1,285 1,190,300,1,46 2,190,200,11,1,5 ^D56 ^D2 P Text string ^D3 Figure 8-9 Text string PDF-417 Sample Format #1 428TC Operator’s Manual
Bar Codes Chapter 8 Sample Format #2: ^D77 :PDF-417 bar code data entered on two separate lines^[ 3 30 90 0 0 2:1 ^D57 2,575,609,,25,35,0,1,285 1,190,300,1,46 2,190,200,11,1,5 ^D56 ^D2 placeholder Text string ^D3 Text string Figure 8-10 PDF-417 Sample Format #2 8.1.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes The sample below shows how to generate a data matrix symbol: ^D164 <---------------------------------Start of Datamatrix Data 0 <----------------------------------------Width 0 <----------------------------------------Height 1 <----------------------------------------Rotation A <----------------------------------------Encoding 0 <----------------------------------------Barcode ID :0123456789^\<---------------------- Data to encode ^D57 2,1280,900,,,10,0,1,250 1,300,300,1,47,0,,,10,10 <
Bar Codes Chapter 8 Numeric Capacity 88 124 172 228 288 348 408 560 736 912 1152 1392 1632 2100 2608 3116 10 20 32 44 64 98 Symbol Size 26 x 26 32 x 32 36 x 36 40 x 40 44 x 44 48 x 48 52 x 52 64 x 64 72 x 72 80 x 80 88 x 88 96 x 96 104 x 104 120 x 120 132 x 132 144 x 144 8 x 18 8 x 32 12 x 26 12 x 36 16 x 36 16 x 48 Table 8-5 Alphanumeric Capacity 64 91 127 169 214 259 304 418 550 682 862 1042 1222 1573 1954 2335 6 13 22 31 46 72 Binary Byte Capacity 42 60 84 112 142 172 202 278 366 454 574 694 814 1048
Chapter 8 Bar Codes T- Text Primarily Lowercase Alphanumeric 5.33 B- Base256 All byte values 0 – 255 8 X- X12 Similar to C40 5.33 E- Edifact 63 ASCII plus un-latch char 6 Table 8-6 Data Matrix Encoding Schemes ACSII Encoding Scheme ASCII encoding is the basic scheme that encodes ASCII data, double density numeric data and symbology control characters. Which means it encodes one alphabetic or two numeric characters per byte.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 Codeword Data and/or Function 1 - 128 ASCII data (ASCII value +1) 129 Pad Character 130 - 229 2 digit data 00 – 99 (Numeric Value + 130) 230 Latch to C40 Encoding Scheme 231 Latch to Base256 Encoding Scheme 232 FNC1 233 Structured Append 234 Reader Programming 235 Upper Shift (shift to Extended ASCII) 236 05 Macro 237 06 Macro 239 Latch to Text Encoding Scheme 241 ECI Character Table 8-7 ASCII Codeword Values Barcode ID The printer is able to print two diffe
Chapter 8 Bar Codes ^D57 3,1280,900,,,10,0,1,250 1,300,300,1,47,0,,,10,10 <---------- Multiplier (10, 10); TCI 47; Barcode ID = 0 1,600,300,1,47,1,,,10,10 <---------- Multiplier (10, 10); TCI 47; Barcode ID = 1 2,300,230,11,1,5 ^D56 ^D2 . Data Matrix ^D3 Data Data to be converted to 2D Data Matrix Barcode, maximum number of characters supported in the printer implementation is 1000. 8.1.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 Figure 8-11 Intelligent Mail Barcode bars TYPE FIELD DIGITS EXAMPLE Barcode Identifier 2 (2nd digit must be 0-4) 01 Special Services 3 234 Customer Identifier 6 567094 Sequence Number 9 987654321 Delivery Point ZIP Code 0, 5, 9, or 11 01234567891 Tracking Code Routing Code Table 8-8 Intelligent Mail Barcode Structure Complete data string from above: 0123456709498765432101234567891 or 01234567094987654321-01234567891 Barcode Identifier The Barcode Identifier fiel
Chapter 8 Bar Codes Sequence Number The Sequence Number is a 9-digit field. For Destination Confirm, this field holds the existing Mailing ID field, which is a 4- or 6-digit field. The Mailing ID field can be expanded to 9 digits if so desired. Otherwise, leading zeros should be used to fill the field completely.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 ^D176 Rotation Planet Code String EXAMPLE: ^D176 3 <------------------------------------ Rotation parameter 1234567890123 <---------------- Planet Code data ^D57 1,832,2000,0,0,08,2,1,,0,0 1,400,400,1,49,,,4,12,3 <------- Placement information ^D56 ^D2 . ^D3 8.1.23 UCC/EAN 128, TCI 50 UCC/EAN 128 symbologies are actually code 128 bar codes that have specific data format guidelines for multiple data subfields.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes AI Content Format 11(*) Production Date (YYMMDD) n2+n6 13(*) Packaging Date (YYMMDD) n2+n6 15(*) Sell By Date (Quality) (YYMMDD) n2+n6 17(*) Expiration Date (Safety) (YYMMDD) n2+n6 20 Product Variant n2+n2 21 Serial Number n2+an..20 22 HIBCC – Quantity, Date, Batch, and Link n2+an..29 23(**) n3+n..19 250 Lot Number (Transitional Use) Additional Product Identification assigned by the Manufacturer Secondary Serial Number n3+an..30 30 Quantity n2+n..
Bar Codes Chapter 8 AI Content Format 335(***) Gross Volume, Liters n4+n6 336(***) Gross Volume, Cubic Meters n4+n6 340(***) Gross Weight, Pounds n4+n6 341(***) Length or 1st Dimension, Inches, Logistics n4+n6 342(***) Length or 1st Dimension, Feet, Logistics n4+n6 343(***) Length or 1st Dimension, Yards, Logistics n4+n6 344(***) Width Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Inches, Logistics n4+n6 345(***) 346(***) nd Width Diameter, or 2 Dimension, Feet, Logistics nd n4+n6 n4+n6 350(***)
Chapter 8 AI Bar Codes 91 Content Purchase From (Location Code of Party from Whom Goods are Purchased) EAN Location Code for Physical Identification Ship To (Deliver To) Postal Code Within a Single Postal Authority Ship To (Deliver To) Postal Code with 3 Digit ISO Country Code Prefix Roll Products – Width Length, Core Diameter, Direction, and Splices Electronic Serial Number for Cellular Mobile Telephones UPC/EAN Number and Serial Number of Returnable Asset Coupon Extended Code – Number System Character
Bar Codes Chapter 8 need not be the correct check digit). This character is used as a placeholder and will not be printed. The printer will calculate the correct check digit and replace the character already there. 8.1.24 UCC/EAN Text Information, TCI 51 The TCI 51 generates the UCC/EAN information as text. This TCI uses the same criteria for formatting as the TCI 50 bar code. The CGN selects the desired resident font that will be used to generate this string.
Chapter 8 Bar Codes 180 Degrees 270 Degrees ROTATIONS 90 Degrees 0 Degrees Figure 8-12 Bar Code Rotations 8.3 Bar Code Human Readable Text Certain bar codes require human readable text and/or extended bars to conform to specifications. This is accomplished by using specially created TCI’s, which add the human readable text and extended bars. This section will provide the necessary information to successfully add these items. This should not be confused with simply making all bar codes human readable.
Bar Codes Chapter 8 The Text/Extended Bar TCI’s generate the human readable text and extended bars that are aligned with the original bar code to create the complete bar code, see Figure 19. UPC-A (TCI 12) UPC-A (TCI 32) Text & Extended Bars with Checksum added Figure 8-13 UPC-A Text/Extended Bars The TCI 32 text/extended symbol, shown in Figure 27, is positioned with the TCI 12 code so that there is no space between the two. This creates one bar code.
Chapter 9 Code Page Switching 9.1 What is Code Page Switching? There are 256 numeric codes used on the PC to represent letters, symbols, and numbers. Up to 256 codes are available to represent lower and upper case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and all the mathematical symbols on a PC’s keyboard. This may seem like more than enough, but it is not possible to represent all the letters and characters used in every language using one character set of 256 codes.
Code Switching 9.3.1 Chapter 9 Code Pages The Default Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0000.
Chapter 9 Code Page Switching The printer uses the “^” caret and “|” pipe characters as delimiters so you must send 2 characters in a row to print them; ^^ would print a single ^. Sending the HEX code of the character for the other non-standard characters will cause the printer to print them. Example: Sending a 0xA8 would produce the Copyright character. 9.3.2 Danish Code Page The Danish Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0001. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings.
Code Switching 9.3.3 Chapter 9 860 Code Page The 860 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0010 This code page is also known as DOS Portuguese.
Chapter 9 9.3.4 Code Page Switching Spanish Code Page The Spanish Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0011. Figure 9-4 9.3.5 Code Page - Spanish 850 Code Page The 850 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0100. To simplify the exchange of computerized documents between countries, the International Standards Organization (ISO) defined a new code page called 850, for use across national boundaries.
Code Switching Chapter 9 Figure 9-5 9-6 Code Page - 850 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141
Chapter 9 9.3.6 Code Page Switching German Code Page The German Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0101. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings.
Code Switching 9.3.7 Chapter 9 865 Code Page The 865 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0110 This code page is also known as DOS Nordic.
Chapter 9 9.3.8 Code Page Switching Swiss Code Page The Swiss Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 0111. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings. Figure 9-8 9.3.9 Code Page - Swiss 852 Code Page The 852 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1000. This code page is also known as DOSLatin2 (Eastern Europe). Latin2 covers the languages of Central and Eastern Europe: Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Croatian, Slovak, Slovenian, and Sorbian.
Code Switching Chapter 9 Figure 9-9 9-10 Code Page - 852 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141
Chapter 9 9.3.10 Code Page Switching French Code Page The French Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1001. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings.
Code Switching 9.3.11 Chapter 9 863 Code Page The 863 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1010 This code page is also known as DOS CanadaF.
Chapter 9 9.3.12 Code Page Switching Swedish Code Page The Swedish Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1011. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings. Figure 9-12 Code Page - Swedish 9.3.13 437 Code Page Code Page 437 is the famous code page used in the original IBM PC. This code page contains lot of box drawing characters and a few foreign letters. The 437 Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1100. This code page is also known as DOS Latin US.
Code Switching Chapter 9 Figure 9-13 Code Page - 437 9-14 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141
Chapter 9 9.3.14 Code Page Switching Italian Code Page The Italian Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1101 Refer to the ^D24 command description for more details on SW4 settings.
Code Switching 9.3.15 Chapter 9 British Code Page The British Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1110. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings.
Chapter 9 9.3.16 Code Page Switching USA Code Page The USA Code Page is selected when SW4 :( 5-8) = 1111. Refer to Section 5.1.2.4 for more details on SW4 settings.
Code Switching 9-18 Chapter 9 428TC Operator’s Manual - 880041-0141
Chapter 10 Printer Maintenance 10.1 Maintenance Schedule It is important to note that the optimum print quality and print head life is achieved by maintaining a clean printer and print head. A Microcom Corporation approved cleaning kit (part # 040005-0000) is available; contact your sales representative for purchasing information.
Printer Maintenance Chapter 10 A thermal printer card is the quickest and easiest way to clean the print head, drive roller, and peel edge all at the same time. Follow the steps below for the proper cleaning procedure. 1. Remove any installed media. 2. Dampen both sides, on one end, of the cleaning card with isopropyl alcohol or use a pre-moistened cleaning card. 3. Release the printhead assembly to insert the cleaning card under the printhead.
Chapter 10 Printer Maintenance 4. Re-latch the printhead assembly, hold the printer, and slowly pull the cleaning card (you will feel resistance) out of the printer. Figure 10-3 Remove the Cleaning Card 5. Reinstall the media and check print quality. 6. Repeat cleaning steps if necessary. Thermal cleaning cards should not be used more than three times each. Extremely dirty cards should be disposed of immediately. 10.
Printer Maintenance Chapter 10 Blow dust out with compressed air or vacuum with anti-static vacuum cleaner. Clean Paper Path with lint-free cloth or swabs dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Clean Drive Roller with lint-free cloth or swabs dampened with isopropyl alcohol. (Drive Roller can be rotated by hand.) Figure 10-4 Internal Cleaning 10.
Chapter 10 Printer Maintenance The printhead dot row should be cleaned to remove any contaminates that may impact print quality. Figure 10-5 Cleaning the Print Head 10.5 Replacing the Drive Roller Over time, the platen may harden and cause print issues and need to be replaced. The printer is equipped with an easy replaceable drive roller assembly. 1. Loosen and unscrew the 2 pressed in captive screw that holds the top cover in place and rotate to the open position.
Printer Maintenance Chapter 10 3. Unscrew the Cutter or Tear Assembly using the mounting screw that is located in the bottom center on the front of the Print Mechanism. Cutter or Tear Assembly Mounting Screw. Figure 10-7 Cutter or Tear Assembly Mounting Screw 4. Squeeze the white plastic bushing together on both sides of the platen to release from the sheet metal and lift the platen assembly up and out of the printer. Squeeze the tabs together on both sides and lift the roller out of the printer.
Chapter 10 Printer Maintenance 5. Replace the assembly with a new platen assembly making sure that the bushings snap into the sheet metal. 6. Reattach the cutter or tear assembly taking care to locate the top lip of the assembly to the hook detail in the sheet metal. Hook detail that the cutter or tear assemblies are attached too Figure 10-9 Cutter or Tear Assembly Mounting Hook 7. Close the printhead assembly to the home position and latch into place. 8.
Printer Maintenance 10-8 Chapter 10 Figure 10-10 Narrow Media Light Spring Setting Figure 10-11 Wide Media Heavy Spring Setting 428TC Operator’s Manual- 880041-0141
Chapter 11: 11.1 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Tips The printer fails to turn “ON” and the status indicator light fails to light: Verify that the power cord is connected to the printer, as well as the AC outlet. Verify that the printer power switch is in the “ON” position. Verify that the AC outlet is functioning properly. Contact your Service Representative.
Troubleshooting Chapter 11 The status indicator light is solid amber in color: Indicates that the printer has been paused or a tag/tear mode is being used. Press the print button; light should turn green and resume printing if the printer has been paused. Remove the tag, the light should turn green if a tag/tear mode is enabled Contact your Service Representative. The status indicator light is solid red in color: The printer has an error and requires service before printing will continue.
Index General Index ^D100 Clear User RAM ...................................................................................................................... 5-53, 13-14 ^D101 Send User RAM Available ....................................................................................................... 5-54, 13-14 ^D102 Full Cut Interval ....................................................................................................................... 5-50, 13-15 ^D103 Partial Cut Interval............
^D35 Adjust Contrast Window ............................................................................................................5-36, 13-10 ^D36 Adjust Contrast Base.................................................................................................................5-36, 13-10 ^D39 Auto-Size Label .........................................................................................................................5-39, 13-10 ^D40 Clear Commands 41 thru 51 .............................
Bar Code Symbologies.................................................................................................................................... 4-16 Codabar ...................................................................................................................................................... 8-11 Code128 automatic compression ................................................................................................................. 8-9 Code128 manual compression ...............
DOSCanadaF .................................................................................................................................................. 9-12 DOSLatin1 (Western Europe)............................................................................................................................ 9-5 DOSLatin2 (Eastern Europe)............................................................................................................................. 9-9 DOSLatinUS ...........................
WEB ................................................................................................................................................. 5-45, 13-11 LDSII.............................................................................................................................................................. 13-24 Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................................. 13-1 LPI ............
Reverse Video ................................................................................................................................................. 4-21 RI ................................................................................................................................................................... 13-24 Rolled media..................................................................................................................................................
List of Figures Figure 3-1 Typical Printer Accessories ..................................................................3-1 Figure 3-2 Printer Rear Panel................................................................................3-2 Figure 3-3 Cash Drawer Pin-out ..........................................................................3-10 Figure 3-4 Loading Media....................................................................................
Figure 8-13 UPC-A Text/Extended Bars............................................................... 8-28 Figure 9-1 Code Page - Default ............................................................................ 9-2 Figure 9-2 Code Page - Danish ............................................................................ 9-3 Figure 9-3 Code Page - 860 ................................................................................. 9-4 Figure 9-4 Code Page - Spanish .................................
List of Tables Table 1-1 General Specifications .........................................................................1-1 Table 1-2 Printing Specifications ..........................................................................1-1 Table 1-3 Media Specifications ............................................................................1-2 Table 3-1 RS-232 Cable Configurations...............................................................3-3 Table 3-2 Print Button Description.................
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Appendix Appendix A: Limited Warranty Microcom Corporation printers, excluding thermal print heads, which are warranted separately below, are warranted against defects in material and workmanship for twelve (12) months from the date of original shipment by Microcom Corporation.
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Appendix B: RMA Procedure Return Material Authorization (RMA) Procedure A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained prior to the return of printers and/or materials to Microcom Corporation’s Service Department. The purpose of the RMA number is to provide effective tracking and control of returned printers and/or materials. Microcom Corporation will not be responsible or held accountable for printers and/or materials returned without proper authorization.
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Appendix C: ^D Command Summary 5 NULLS + 01: The 5 NULL method commands are a way to pass commands to the printer even when the printer in configured in binary compression mode. The command is sent to the printer as HEX characters; 00 00 00 00 00 01 are sent to the printer in order to issue the command. This command is used to request the printer’s status and is very similar to the ^E command.
provides a temporary switch into binary compression mode without having to have the printer configured for binary compression (D23 SW3 bit 7) mode. This is helpful when placed just before a graphic file. The printer will continue processing the data as binary data until instructed to exit the temporary binary mode (5 NULL’s +0F).
^AB ^D 21 COMMAND Software Bank Switch #1: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below. ^AB12345678 Position: 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 22 Software Bank Switch #2: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below.
^AB ^D 24 COMMAND Software Bank Switch #4: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below. ^AB12345678 Position: 1 2 3 4 5678 25 Software Bank Switch #5: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below.
^AB ^D 26 COMMAND Software Bank Switch #6: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below.
^AB ^D 28 COMMAND Software Bank Switch #8: A non-volatile command used to set the various functions identified below.
^A XX ^D 42 COMMAND Load Label Width in dots (LSX): The ^Axx specifies the value. XX 43 Load Label Height in dots (LSY): The ^Axx specifies the value. XX 44 Load the Web Size in dots (WEB): The ^Axx specifies the value. XX 45 Load the Gap Size in dots (GAP): The ^Axx specifies the value. XX 46 Load Print Speed: The ^Axx specifies the value. Uses the same values as the DPS header value; 0 to 13. XX 47 Load the Label Control Byte (LCB): The ^Axx specifies the value.
^A X ^D 63 COMMAND Text Mode Control: Allows the entry of new text without the ^D2 command and/or clears all previous text when new text is added. Disable 1 and 2 Enable Auto-Print Mode Clear all previous text upon receiving new data. Enable 1 and 2 XX 64 Auto-Print String Count: The ^Axx instructs the printer how many text strings to accept before printing. XX 66 Clear Single FORMAT Stored in RAM: The ^Axx specifies which memory slot to clear (1-128).
^A ^D 80 COMMAND Clears Command 86, 88, and 89 81 Disable Serial Number Function: This command disables the serial number function for either single or multiple serial numbers. XX 84 Load Text String Number to Increment/Decrement: Instructs the printer which text string to increment/decrement. Only used in conjunction with single serial numbers. XX 85 Load Increment/Decrement Step Value: The ^Axx specifies the value that the serial number will be incremented or decremented.
^A X ^D 94 COMMAND Set Slice Buffer Size: Sets the size of the slice buffer memory that is used by the printer to generate images to be printed. If the slice buffer memory size is set to low, the printer may start printing and then stop to process additional slices before starting again. 88Kbytes 192Kbytes 256Kbytes 320KBytes 384KBytes XX 95 Load Advance/Retract Distance: Used in conjunction with cutter and dispense command.
^A XX ^D 102 COMMAND Full Cut Interval: Instructs the printer when to issue a Full Cut. The default value is 1. If it is set to a value of “1” the printer will full cut whenever the copies count has been reached or after each format if a copies count has not been specified. If this command is set higher than “1” (maximum of 65536), the printer will full cut when that quantity has been reached. This command will not operate if the Cutter Control (^D99) command is set to partial cut.
^A X 0 1 2 ^D 109 COMMAND Serial Port Source (volatile) RS-232 USB Ethernet X 110 General Purpose Status Byte XX 111 Kiosk Cutter Mode: This command enables the non-volatile full and/or partial cut operation. The ^D112 command is also used with the ^D111 command to adjust the advance distance to the cutter blades and then retract to the home position (dot row one). Disable Kiosk Cutter Mode. Enable Kiosk Cutter Mode. Enable partial Kiosk Cutter Mode.
^A XX ^D 120 COMMAND AutoLoad Delay Selection: The AutoLoad Delay is the amount of time, in Milliseconds, that the printer waits after detecting that media has been put into the printer before it starts feeding it in. 121 Top Of Form Command: This command causes the printer to perform a Top-of-Form. This command requires a LPD sensor to be installed on the printer. 122 Display Available FLASH memory: This command is used to display the amount of available flash memory for file storage.
^A ^D xxyy 135 COMMAND Save FONTS to FLASH: This command is used to save font’s into the printer’s non-volatile flash memory. The ^Axxyy^D135 command is placed at the beginning of a font file download and instructs the printer to save the following data as a font file. The (^[ or 0x1B) instructs the printer the end of file download and acts as the command terminator. xx yy The number of additional 64KB sectors needed to save the graphic file.
configuration stored in this location. The command may be sent along with the ^A1^D143 command and is typically only sent when the configuration actually changes. ^A 3 ^D 143 COMMAND Save Backup 2 and Reboot (Hard Reset): This command operates just like option 1 above and also saves a third set of configuration parameters into the second backup position. If the printer powers on and does not detect a configuration, it will first search the first backup position.
direction by the X amount, specified in dots. ^A X ^D 155 COMMAND Set Feed Speed: Sets the feed speed used with the D153 and D154 commands. 8.0 ips (inches per second) 7.5 ips 7.0 ips 6.5 ips 6.0 ips 5.5 ips 5.0 ips 4.5 ips 4.0 ips 3.5 ips 3.0 ips 2.5 ips 2.0 ips 1.5 ips 1.0 ips X 156 Set Non-stick Time Interval: Sets the time interval for the Non-stick TOF mode (D26 position 8). The value for X represents the number of seconds that the printer will execute the Non-stick TOF operation.
21 22 23 24 25 ^A X 525 550 575 600 625 ^D 158 264 284 380 438 468 730 COMMAND Set the Transmissive Dot2Gap Value: This is the distance of the transmissive sensor, that detects diecut and blow hole registration marks, to the dot row. 203dpi x28 203dpi x24m 300dpi x28 300dpi x24m 203dpi 224/424 300dpi 224/424 X 0 1 5 255 159 Brownout Reporting: Reports the number of recorded brownout conditions. After a power up, reports the “running” total of detected Brownouts.
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Glossary Alphanumeric - A term used to identify characters consisting of letters, numbers, and other symbols (such as punctuation marks and mathematical symbols). Bar code - Alphanumeric characters that are represented using a system of printed lines and can be read by a computer. Black-line - A registration mark, typically a black line on the underside of certain media used to identify the starting position of a label.
DTR (Data Terminal Ready) - A status signal used to provide information about the status of the communication line connected to the DCE end of an RS-232 link. Used in conjunction with DSR. Microcom Corporation does not use this signal. Ethernet - A fast and capable serial interface used by many networks for connecting host computers to various peripherals. Fanfold media - Die-cut or tag media that is folded into stacks.
RTS (Request To Send) - A status signal from the host PC (DTE) to the printer (DCE) indicating when the PC has data to send to the printer. The printer (DCE) will only transmit data to the PC (DTE) when it sees RTS up. RTS comes into the printer on pin #7 of the RS232 connector. RXD (Receive Data) - An essential signal that carries data from the printer (DCE) to the host PC (DTE) for 2-way RS-232 serial communication. Signal is also known as RX and RD.
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Appendix D: User Notes _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
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