Quick Setup Guide SL5000r and T5000r RFID Smart Label and Thermal Printers ™ ™
NOTICE This Quick Setup Guide contains a CD-ROM with the following materials: • The User’s Manual • Programmer’s Reference Manuals • Useful utility programs The CD-ROM is in a plastic pocket in the back cover. Save this guide. If you move or pack the printer in the future, you will need to follow the instructions in this guide.
Software License Agreement CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USING THIS PRINTER. USING THIS PRINTER INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PROMPTLY RETURN THE PRINTER AND ALL ACCOMPANYING HARDWARE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS TO THE PLACE YOU OBTAINED THEM, AND YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED. Definitions. “Software” shall mean the digitally encoded, machine-readable data and program.
2. IN NO EVENT WILL PRINTRONIX, INC. BE LIABLE FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, OR ANY OTHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT, EVEN IF PRINTRONIX, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE ABUSE OR MANIPULATION OF THE SOFTWARE.
Communication Notices This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
CE Notice (European Union) Marking by the CE symbol indicates compliance of this Printronix system to the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive of the European Union. Such marking is indicative that this Printronix system meets the following technical standards: • EN 300 220-1 (2000), Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters; Short Range Devices; Radio equipment to be used in the 25 MHz to 1000 MHz frequency range with power levels ranging up to 500 mW.
Taiwan Lithium Battery Warning The controller board contains a lithium battery sealed inside the real-time clock chip. Do not disassemble the chip to replace the battery. Do not dispose of the chip by incineration. Failure to comply may cause the battery to explode. Contact your local waste agency for the correct disposal procedure.
Table of Contents Unpacking And Installing The Printer ................................. 11 Unpacking The Printer ................................................. 11 Removing The Internal Packing Material ..................... 12 Installation .................................................................... 13 Controls And Indicators ...................................................... 14 Power Switch ............................................................... 14 Control Panel ....................
Table of Contents Cleaning ..............................................................................54 Exterior..........................................................................54 Interior ...........................................................................54 General Cleaning ..........................................................54 Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors.......................................................54 Repacking The Printer...................
Unpacking And Installing The Printer NOTE: This Quick Setup Guide covers both the SL5000r and T5000r printers. The SL5000r is a smart label printer: it is equipped with an RFID encoder and has the “RFID Smart” logo near the control panel. The 4 and 6 inch T5000r printers do not come equipped with RFID encoders, but are field upgradable to SL5000r printers. The 8 inch T5000r printer is currently not RFID compatible. Unpacking The Printer The printer is shipped in a carton and protective bag.
Unpacking And Installing The Printer Removing The Internal Packing Material Remove the tape strips and foam pads from the printer as indicated below. (The top lid of the shipping carton also displays these instructions.) NOTE: Save the foam pads for repacking the printer.
Installation Installation AC Power Receptacle Power Switch 1. Place the printer on a flat level surface that allows easy access to all sides of the printer. CAUTION Never operate the printer on its side or upside down. 2. Make sure the printer power switch is in the Off (O) position. WARNING Failure to properly ground the printer may result in electric shock to the operator. In compliance with international safety standards, this printer has been equipped with a three-pronged power cord.
Controls And Indicators Controls And Indicators Power Switch The power switch is located on the bottom back panel of the printer. To apply power, place the switch in the | (On) position. When you first power on the printer, a series of initialization messages appears on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) on the control panel. To remove power, place the power switch in the O (Off) position.
Description Indicates when the printer is online, offline, or when there is a fault condition. A backlighted liquid crystal display with two rows of 16 characters each. Indicates when the printer is receiving or processing data. Indicator Online Status Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Job In Process During a fault condition, displays the specific fault message and the corrective action. None Displays “OFFLINE.” During a fault condition, displays the specific fault message and the corrective action.
+ – Button INCREMENT Key in Menu mode TEST PRINT Key Pressing the ↵ (ENTER) key with a Diagnostic Test displayed initiates the test. Pressing ↵ again terminates the test. UP Key in Menu mode FEED Key None Advances the media one label length. None JOB SELECT Key DECREMENT Key in Menu mode Sets printer to Offline mode. Function in Online Mode PAUSE Key Toggles the printer between Online and Offline modes. Description Scrolls through the Test Print patterns.
Button Selects the Menu mode. None None ENTER Key Pressing the ↵ (ENTER) key in Menu mode selects the displayed option or value. An asterisk then appears next to the option or value indicating it has been selected. Note: If the ENTER key is locked, “ENTER SWITCH LOCKED” displays on the LCD for one second. Press the ↓ (DOWN) and ↵ (ENTER) keys at the same time to unlock the ENTER key. Clears all data in the printer data buffer when enabled.
Loading Media And Ribbon Loading Media And Ribbon IMPORTANT 18 Printronix recommends using the supplied roll of 100 labels to set up and verify printer operation. If you have an SL5000r, this will avoid expending the more expensive smart labels for this task. CAUTION DO NOT TOUCH the printhead or the electronic components under the printhead assembly.
Loading Roll Media Loading Roll Media Media Hanger Media Hanger Guide Pivoting Deck Deck Lock Lever IMPORTANT If you are using direct thermal mode, clean the printhead, platen roller, and upper and lower media sensors every time you change the media. See “Cleaning” on page 54. 1. Slide the media hanger guide outward to the end of the media hanger, and flip it up into the horizontal position (as shown). 2. Open the pivoting deck by rotating the deck lock lever fully clockwise.
Loading Media And Ribbon Media Roll Media Hanger Media Hanger Guide Media Width Guide Media Damper 3. Slide the media width guide close to the outside end of the media damper. 4. Slide the supplied media roll onto and towards the back of the media hanger. 5. Place the media hanger guide under the media hanger and against the lower part of the label core at a 45 degree angle (as shown). This position provides the required tension for a new label roll and the desired drag for a partial label roll.
Loading Roll Media Media and Ribbon Loading Instructions Media Printhead Media Damper Platen 6. Thread the media under the media damper and then between the platen (rubber drive roller) and the printhead. You can also refer to the arrows on the printer frame or to the label inside the media cover for media loading instructions.
Loading Media And Ribbon Lower Media Sensor Fixed Guide Media Width Guide Media Guard Media Damper 7. Verify that the left edge of the media is against the fixed guide on the bottom of the media damper. 8. Push the media width guide in until it is flush with the outer edge of the media. 9. Check the horizontal position of the lower media sensor (located under the media guard) and the upper media sensor (shown on page 27). (See “Positioning The Media Sensors” on page 28.
Loading Roll Media Notch Media (left edge) 10. Align the left (inside) edge of the media with the notch located in the left front edge of the tear bar. Pivoting Deck Deck Lock Lever 11. Close the printhead by pressing down on the pivoting deck and rotating the deck lock lever fully counterclockwise. 12. Power on the printer (place the power switch in the | position).
Loading Media And Ribbon Loading Ribbon Ribbon Take-Up Core Spindle Flange Ribbon Take-Up Spindle Ribbon Roll Pivoting Deck Ribbon Supply Spindle Deck Lock Lever IMPORTANT Clean the printhead, platen roller, and upper and lower media sensors every time you change the ribbon. See “Cleaning” on page 54. 1. Install the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle. NOTE: The first ribbon take-up core comes with the printer. Thereafter, use the core from the old (used up) ribbon. 2.
Loading Ribbon Ribbon Printhead Media Rear Ribbon Guide Roller 4. Thread the end of the ribbon under the rear ribbon guide roller, then between the platen and the printhead. You can also refer to the arrows on the printer frame or to the upper-right corner of the label inside the media cover for ribbon loading instructions.
Loading Media And Ribbon Media and Ribbon Loading Instructions Ribbon Take-up Core Ribbon Take-up Spindle Deck Lock Lever IMPORTANT Do not attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up spindle without a ribbon take-up core installed. 5. Attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle using the adhesive on the ribbon leader. 6. Manually rotate the spindle clockwise until the clear leader has passed the printhead. 7.
Printhead Pressure Adjustment Printing Adjustments Right Pressure Block Left Pressure Block Right Pressure Block Pointer Right Pressure Block Adjustment Wheel Left Pressure Block Handle Bold Mark Printhead Pressure Adjustment Dial Printhead Cover/ Upper Media Sensor Pressure Block Adjustment Scale Printhead Pressure Adjustment Adjust the printhead pressure to the setting of 4.
Printing Adjustments Positioning The Media Sensors Lower Media Sensor (left edge) Adhesive Label (left edge) Lower Media Sensor Handle (2) Your printer is equipped with upper and lower media sensors that detect the top-of-form position on media with label length indicators (black marks, gaps, notches, or holes). The media sensors also detect Paper Out conditions.
Positioning The Media Sensors If you are using smart labels, the lower media sensor should not be placed in the path of media features that could cause false gap detection or paper out faults. Such features are dark pre-printing, rounded die cut label corners, and extraneous cut-outs. FEED Position the lower media sensor in the grey shaded area.
Calibrating The Printer Calibrating The Printer NOTE: If you make any changes to the default configuration menu items, you will be prompted to save the configuration. See “Auto Save Configuration” on page 50. For printers not using smart labels, an Auto Calibrate should be sufficient to properly calibrate the printer (see next section). To calibrate printers that are using smart labels: 1. Run an Auto Calibrate to set up initial values (page 30). 2. Make a Media Profile printout (page 32). 3.
Running Auto Calibrate 4. Press ↑ or ↓ until Label Length / 6 inch* displays (default). 5. Press + or – until the value that matches the physical length of the installed media displays. See “Label Length” on page 42. NOTE: Selecting the correct Label Length forces Auto Calibrate to increase media advancement for long labels (to detect actual gaps, notches, or marks) and decrease media advancement for short labels. 6. Press ↑ or ↓ until Gap/Mark Sensor / Disable* displays. 7.
Calibrating The Printer Making A Media Profile Printout The Media Profile printout shows the relationship of the Paper Out Threshold and the Gap/Mark Threshold values, illustrates if and when each label length indicator is detected, and shows the difference between the label length indicators and the label. The profile printout (see figure on page 33) helps you set the thresholds for difficult media.
Making A Media Profile Printout 6. Press the PAUSE key until OFFLINE displays. NOTE: The Gap/Mark and Paper Out Threshold values shown on the Media Profile printout represent the last values determined from a successful Auto Calibrate or the factory default values if no Auto Calibrate was performed. Gap Sensing This figure shows a Media Profile printout of a smart label where Gap/Mark Sensor is set to Gap in the CALIBRATE CTRL menu.
Calibrating The Printer To avoid this problem, increase the Threshold Range value to 60% or 70% in the CALIBRATE CTRL menu (the default is 50%), then run an Auto Calibrate again (page 30). NOTE: Any changes to Threshold Range will not take effect until you run an Auto Calibrate again. This will raise the Gap/Mark threshold high enough so that the printer will not falsely use the antenna as the gap (top-of-form).
Making A Media Profile Printout Advanced Gap Sensing This figure shows a Media Profile printout of a smart label where Gap/Mark Sensor is set to Advanced Gap in the CALIBRATE CTRL menu. In this example, the gap threshold value the printer selected (represented by the Gap/Mark dotted line) is too close to the amplitude of the antenna pulse. If there is an increase in noise or the opacity of the liner or ribbon, the printer may falsely use the antenna or noise as the gap (top-of-form).
Calibrating The Printer To avoid this problem, increase the Threshold Range value to 60% in the CALIBRATE CTRL menu (the default is 50%), then run an Auto Calibrate again (page 30). NOTE: Any changes to Threshold Range will not take effect until you run an Auto Calibrate again. This will raise the Gap/Mark threshold high enough so that the printer will not falsely use the antenna or noise as the gap (top-ofform).
Making A Media Profile Printout Changing The Active IGP Emulation The following example shows how to change the active IGP emulation from IGP/PGL (default) to IGP/VGL using the QUICK SETUP menu. 1. Set the printer power switch to | (On). 2. Press the .. . key to enter the QUICK SETUP menu. 3. Press ↓ and ↵ at the same time until ENTER SWITCH / UNLOCKED displays. 4. Press ↑ or ↓ until Active IGP Emul / IGP/PGL* displays. 5. Press → until IGP/VGL displays.
QUICK SETUP Menu QUICK SETUP Menu QUICK SETUP Print Intensity –3* –15 to 15 Print Speed 6 ips* 1 to 10 ips 1 Print Mode 2 Transfer* Direct Media Handling Tear-Off Strip* Tear-Off Peel-Off Cut Paper Feed Shift 0.00 inches* 3 –0.50 to X inches 4 Label Length 4 or 6 inches* 3, 5 00.1 to 99.0 inches 6 Label Width 4.1, 6.6, or 8.5 inches* 3, 5 00.1 to 8.5 inches 5 Ver Image Shift 0.00 inches* 3 –1.00 to X inches 4 Hor Image Shift 0.00 inches* 3 –1.00 to 1.
Making A Media Profile Printout QUICK SETUP (cont. from previous page) Validator Funct. 1 Enable* Active IGP Emul IGP/PGL* Disable PPI/ZGL PPI/TGL PPI/IGL Save Config. 1* 1 to 8 Power-Up Config. Factory* 1 to 8 SMT: Status 2 Disabled* Enabled SMT: Sel Toolset 2 Toolset [1]* Toolset [1] to Toolset [4] SMT: Select Tool 2, 3 EPC 4 zEPC 5 GTIN 4 zGTIN 5 UPCA 4 zUPCA 5 PPI/STGL EAN8 4 zEAN8 5 PPI/DGL EAN13 4 zEAN13 5 IGP/VGL UCC128 4 zUCC128 5 Notes: * = Default.
QUICK SETUP Menu QUICK SETUP Menu Items Print Intensity This menu item specifies the level of thermal energy from the printhead to be used for the type of media and ribbon installed. Large numbers imply more heat (thermal energy) to be applied for each dot. This has a significant effect on print quality. The print intensity and speed must match the media and ribbon type to obtain the best possible print quality and bar code grades. The range is –15 through +15. The default is –3.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items Media Handling This menu item specifies how the printer will handle the media (labels or tag stock). • Tear-Off Strip. Printer prints on the media and sends it out the front until the print buffer is empty, then positions the last label over the tear bar for removal. • Tear-Off. After each label is printed, the printer positions the label over the tear bar and waits for you to tear off the label before printing the next one (on-demand printing).
QUICK SETUP Menu Paper Feed Shift This menu item represents the distance to advance a label (+ shift) or pull back (– shift) when the Tear-Off Strip, Tear-Off, Peel-Off, or Cut Media Handling option is enabled. The allowable range is –0.50 inches to the current Label Length value setting up to a maximum of 12.80 inches in 0.01 inch increments. The default is 0.00 inches. Label Length In most applications, the user-selected Label Length will match the physical label length.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items the image is not affected by this parameter. The allowable range is –1.00 inches to the current Label Length value setting, up to a maximum of 12.80 inches, in 0.01 inch increments. The default value is 0.00 inches. Hor Image Shift This menu item specifies the amount to shift an image left (–) or right (+) for precise positioning on the label. The actual width of the image is not affected by this parameter. The allowable range is –1.00 to +1.00 inches in 0.01 inch increments.
QUICK SETUP Menu • Landscape. Landscape refers to horizontal orientation, where the width of a page is greater than its height. The top edge of the image is parallel to the left edge of the media. The following example is viewed from the front of the printer. NOTE: Landscape orientation applies to PGL and VGL emulations. This is regarded as Inverse Landscape using PPI/ZGL. 4 inches The top edge of the image is parallel to the left edge of the media. FEED 6 inches Leading Edge • Inv. Portrait.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items • Inv. Landscape. Inverse Landscape refers to horizontal orientation, where the width of a page is greater than its height. The top edge of the image is parallel to the right edge of the media. The following example is viewed from the front of the printer. NOTE: Inverse Landscape orientation applies to PGL and VGL emulations. This is regarded as Landscape using PPI/ZGL. 4 inches The top edge of the image is parallel to the right edge of the media.
QUICK SETUP Menu Gap/Mark Sensor Specifies the sensor type needed for detecting the top-of-form position on media with label length indicators (gaps, notches, holes, or black marks). • Disable. Select when using media with no label length indicators (no gaps, notches, holes, or black marks), or when you want the printer to ignore all existing label length indicators on the installed media. NOTE: When you select Disable, the length of each label is based on the Label Length value entered. • Mark.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items If your smart labels have no horizontal black bar located within each liner gap, you must choose between Gap and Advanced Gap sensing. Run an Auto Calibrate (page 30), then make a Media Profile printout (page 32). Choose the sensing type that provides the highest liner gap amplitude compared to the amplitude of the antenna line.
QUICK SETUP Menu Validator Funct. This menu appears only if an online data validator (validator) option is installed. • Enabled. The printer commands the validator to begin scanning bar codes and to report errors. The counters increment while the validator is enabled. • Disabled.The printer will not command the validator to begin scanning bar codes and no errors will be reported. The counters will not increment while the validator is disabled.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items Power-Up Config. You can specify the Factory configuration or any one of the eight possible saved configurations as the power-up configuration. The default is Factory. SMT: Status This menu appears only if an RFID encoder is installed. Refer to “Software Migration Tools (SMT)” in the RFID Labeling Reference Manual. • Disabled.The printer disables the use of the Software Migration Tools. • Enabled. The printer enables the use of the Software Migration Tools.
Saving The Configuration Saving The Configuration After customizing your settings, save them as a configuration: 1. Press the .. . key to enter the QUICK SETUP menu. 2. Press ↑ or ↓ until Save Config. / 1* displays. 3. If necessary, press + or – until the desired configuration displays. 4. Press ↵. Saving Configuration displays briefly. NOTE: You can specify a 15-character name for your configuration. See “Name Config (1-8)” in the User’s Manual. 5.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items Selecting The Power-Up Configuration To have a saved configuration automatically loaded when you power up the printer, set the saved configuration as the Power-Up configuration: 1. Press the .. . key to enter the QUICK SETUP menu. 2. Press ↑ or ↓ until Power-Up Config. / Factory* displays. 3. Press + or – until the desired configuration displays. 4. Press ↵. An asterisk (*) displays next to the selected configuration.
Printing A Configuration Printing A Configuration We recommend that you print and store your configurations for future reference. The printout provides a list of the parameters that were set when you configured the printer. To print a configuration: .. . 1. Press the key until PRINTER CONTROL displays. 2. Press ↓ and ↵ together until ENTER SWITCH / UNLOCKED displays. 3. Press ↑ until Admin User displays. 4. Press → until Enable displays. 5. Press ↵ to select it. An asterisk (*) appears next to Enable.
QUICK SETUP Menu Items Run A Barcode Demo Test IMPORTANT Printronix recommends using the supplied roll of 100 labels to set up and verify printer operation. If you have an SL5000r, this will avoid expending the more expensive smart labels for this task. Before you send an actual print job, run a bar code demo test: 1. Press the PAUSE key until OFFLINE displays. 2. Press TEST PRINT until Printer Tests / Barcode Demo displays. 3. Press ↵. The Barcode Demo test pattern will start and print two bar codes. 4.
Cleaning Cleaning Depending on the media used, the printer may accumulate residues (media dust, adhesives, etc.) as a by-product of normal printing. To maintain top printing quality, you should remove these residues by cleaning the printer periodically. Exterior Clean the exterior surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth. If necessary, use a mild detergent or desktop cleaning solution. NOTE: Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or solvents.
Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors (direct thermal print mode). Clean the printhead with the cleaning pen supplied with the printer. By keeping your printhead clean, you will help maintain its life. Platen Roller Cleaning Media dust and adhesive residue on the platen roller can degrade print quality and cause voids in your label image. Clean the platen roller at the same time as the printhead. Use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to clean the platen roller.
Cleaning Pivoting Deck Printhead Heating Elements A See page 57.
Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors A From page 56. Printhead Heating Elements Upper Media Sensor 1. Rotate the deck lock lever clockwise to open the pivoting deck and remove any media and ribbon (if loaded) to gain access to the printhead assembly heating element area. 2. Gently rub the felt tip of the cleaning pen or a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol across the printhead heating elements (light brown area). 3.
Repacking The Printer Repacking The Printer CAUTION Follow all of the repacking instructions carefully, otherwise the printer could be damaged during shipping. 1. Remove all media and ribbon. 2. Install the foam pads and tape the media cover to the base pan as shown on page 12. 3. Rotate the printhead pressure adjustment dial fully counterclockwise to the MIN setting. 4. Close the pivoting deck until the latches catch. CAUTION Do not rotate the deck lock lever counterclockwise.
Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors 5. Pack the printer (taped in its bag) as shown (a). CAUTION Pack the printer with the media cover (window side) up. 6. Pack the remaining items as shown (b), and tape the box flaps closed. 7. Strap the box securely (straps not supplied) before shipping (c).
Contact Information Contact Information Printronix Customer Support Center IMPORTANT Please have the following information available prior to calling the Printronix Customer Support Center: • • • Model number • Configuration printout (see “Printing A Configuration” on page 52) • • • Is the problem with a new install or an existing printer? Serial number (located on the back of the printer) Installed options (i.e.
Corporate Offices Corporate Offices Printronix, Inc. 14600 Myford Road P.O. Box 19559 Irvine, CA 92623-9559 Phone: (714) 368-2300 Fax: (714) 368-2600 Printronix, Inc. Nederland BV P.O. Box 163, Nieuweweg 283 NL-6600 Ad Wijchen The Netherlands Phone: (31) 24 6489489 Fax: (31) 24 6489499 Printronix Schweiz GmbH 42 Changi South Street 1 Changi South Industrial Estate Singapore 486763 Phone: (65) 6542 0110 Fax: (65) 6546 1588 Visit the Printronix web site at www.printronix.
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