Technical Guide LINE THERMAL PRINTER SK1-21 SK1-31 Rev2.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Product Name: Model Number: Sanei Electric Inc. 5Floor, Taisou Ikebukuro Building, 2-61-1 Ikebukuro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 171-0014, Japan Thermal Printer SK1-31 Accessories: SA13A240 / AC/DC adapter and Power cord Manufacturer’s Name: Manufacturer’s address: The product complies with the following product standards.
General notice * The specifications may be changed for product improvement without notice. * Updated information listed on our website. http://www.sanei-elec.co.jp * Sanei shall not be responsible for any damages attributable to incorrect operation, handling or improper operation environments, except those specified in this manual.
Precautions Symbol display To use this equipment safety, or to protect the equipment from damage, the following symbols are used throughout this manual to highlight safety information The symbol indicates that failure to observe these Warning instructions or mishandling of this equipment could lead to severer injury or death The symbol indicates that failure to observe these Caution instructions or mishandling of this equipment could lead to injury or only property damage.
Do not pull the paper end from the exit forcedly when the printer cover is closed. Turn off the printer power when trouble such as a paper jam occurs. Do not use loose paper. It may cause paper jam. Be careful of handling the thermal head to prevent heat elements and driver IC from exposure to static electricity.
Remove the interface cable or AC adapter from the connector or the receptacle by gripping the connector or the AC plug. Never pull the cable itself. Doing so may damage the cable or adapter. Handling Paper Roll Use the specified paper or equivalent. Use of other paper may reduce life of the thermal head and cause a decrease in printing quality Especially sodium(Na+)、potassium(K+) and chlorine(Cl-) containing substances can remarkably reduce the life of the thermal head.
Table of contents 1．General Outlines................................................. ９ 1- 1．Product Outlines ........................................................９ 1- 2．Features.................................................................９ 1- 3．Classification.........................................................１０ 2．Handling Method................................................ １２ 2- 1．Options................................................................１２ 2- 2．Appearance.....................
4．Functions...................................................... ３５ 4- 1．Self test printing ....................................................３５ 4- 2．HEX Dump mode..........................................................３６ 4- 3．Function setting mode .................................................３７ 4- 4．Setting the memory switch .............................................３８ 4- 5．Memory switch setting menue ...........................................３９ 4- 6．Adjusting printing density ................
1．General Outlines 1- 1．Product Outlines SK1-21(2”)/31(3”) Series is the thermal type Kiosk Printer for the data to be input by computers and other host systems through Serial(RS232C) and USB. The versatile functions built in the series make it possible to use for several data outputapplications.
1- 3．Classification The product is classified according to the Product Number, as an example as below: SK1-31 S J 3 - 3 M Q B Option B ： P ： Bezel Presenta 2-Dimensions Barcode Q ： Installed Without Q： Not available Paper Core Diameter M ： φ17mm L ： φ25.4mm Without M/L： φ12mm Paper Width 1 ： 58.0mm 2 ： 60.0mm 3 ： 83.0mm Without 1/2/3 ： 80.
SK1-21 S J 3 - 1 M Q B Option B ： P ： Bezel Presenta 2-Dimensions Barcode Q ： Installed Without Q： Not available Paper Core Diameter M : φ17mm L ： φ25.4mm Without M/L：φ12mm Paper Width Without ： 58.0mm 1 ： 60.
2．Handling Method 2- 1．Options This Series provides the following parts as options: (These parts can be purchased through the stores/shops you have purchase, and the details of the optional parts can be inquired to the stores/shops and/or distributors.) ■ Paper Rolls Make sure to use the paper roll specified as below: Specifications P-80-102A Part No. TF50KS-E2D Sensitivity Standard duration Paper width 79.5±0.5mm Thickness 59µm Roll diameter Φ102mm Core Internal dia. Φ12×External dia.
2- 2．Appearance ①Paper Holder ④ Status LED ⑦ Gap Sensor adjustment screw ⑥ SELECT Switch ② Head open button ③ Chassis fixture hole ⑤ FEED Switch ⑧Near End Sensor ⑨ Power-supply Connector ⑩ Serial Connector ⑪ USB Connector ①Paper holder : Paper Roll is hooked to the roll paper bar(3 different holders available) ②Head open button : Printer head is opened by pushing the button when Paper Roll is set ③Chassis fixture hole : To be screwed by uset to the setting place ④Status LED ⑤FEED Switch ⑥SELECT Switc
2- 3．Status LED ④ Status LED LED shows the error status. Please refer to “IV-7 error message”. 2- 4．Inside Structures ② Paper Eempty Sensor ①Print thermal head ③ Platen roller ④ Auto cutter ① Print thermal head Prints characters and graphics to thermal papers. ② Paper end sensor Detects paper empty. If the sensor detects paper empty, the printer stops printing. ③ Platen roller Feeds the thermal paper on friction with the print head.
2- 5．Setting Paper Roll 1. Use head open button ①Press the head open button to lift up the print head. ②Install the paper roll as shown in the picture（Printing surface: External (top) side） ②Set the paper roll ①Press the button to open the print head ③Close the print head with the roll end emerging beyond the paper exit. ・Handle the auto cutter carefully, so not to injure the finger or hand. ・Make sure the print head is completely closed and locked. ・If the paper is jammed, follow the same procedures.
2. Auto-loading system SK1-31 is designed to autoload the paper easily. ① Install the paper roll to the holder. ② Insert the roll end toward the print head. ①Set the paper roll ②Insert the roll end into the print head ③ The paper feeds automatically when the paper-empty sensor detects the paper. ③ Insert the paper to make the paper empty sensor detect the paper. ※If it is difficult to insert the paper, autoload the paper first, then set the paper roll into the holder.
2- 6．Interface Connector Connect the interface cable after turning the printer power OFF. Plug in the interface connector observing the correct orientation. ・ Always grip the connector when unplugging the interface cable. ・ Place the interface cable to avoid tripping over it. 2- 7．Power ON/OFF ①Power ON Provides power to the power connector. ②Power OFF Disconnects the power through the power connector.
・Paper roll diameter:φ83mm Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Near-end sensor Position Detectable paper diameter 1 2 3 φ21.0±2mm φ24.5±2mm φ35.0±2mm （Unit：mm） Paper core （Internal/External） φ12.0/18.0mm φ17.0/21.0mm φ25.4/31.4mm ・Do not mount the printer on vibrating or slanted surfaces. ・The amount of paper remaining varies by paper roll. ・The external diameter should be used as a reference value.
2- 9．Changing paper holder axis 1. How to change the paper holder axis Three different holder axes are available, and are changeable as follows: ①Pinch together the nobs located on the reverse of the paper holder. ② Pull away from the paper original holder axis. ③Push on the new holder axis until it clicks into place.
2. Change the position of paper holder axis The total size of the printer is reduced when the position of paper holder axis is lowered and anφ83mm paper roll is installed. For exact size, please refer to 3-8 dimensions. ① Squeeze the nobs for the paper holder axis located on the reverse of the paper holder and pull off the paper holder. ② Slide down the paper holder to the new axis and push it until it clicks.
2- 10．Clear paper jams Turn the printer power OFF. Don’t put fingers into paper exit. 1．First of all, turn OFF the printer power. 2．Press the head open button to lift up the print head. ②Press the head open button to lift up the print head. 3．Remove the jammed paper. 4．Close the print head and turn ON the power. ③ Remove the jammed paper. ④Close the print head and turn ON the power.
2- 11．Handling Bezel Bezel has two modes shown as below: Setting Bezel mode is to refer to the subject on memory switch. 。 Bezel Mode Bezel Mode A/B Functions In case paper does not feed 60mm when power is on or after auto-cutting, paper feeds automatically until it is fed to 60mm. Bezel Mode A Detection by Bezel sensor is transmitted by ESC v or GS a command. Such as suspension of printing is not done by Bezel sensor detection.
Caution for Bezel sensoring: 1. Bezel sensoring is employed by Reflection sensor. Such paper roll printed as being blurred and/or distorted is used, reflection sensor may not be able to detect when black color or the similar on the paper appears at the reflection sensor. The position of the reflection sensor is shown below in the illustration.
3．General specifications 3- 1．Specifications Model Printing method Paper width Print width Number of dots Resolution Maximum printing speed Paper holding method Interface ASCⅡ Charactors Japanese Font Download User defined Printing Width ASCⅡ16 dots ASCⅡ 24 dots Jfont 16 dots Jfonrt 24 dots Font /Dots/ Lines Paper Sensors Memory Logo registration Barcode 2D bar code（Option） Command systems Setting position Regulation Printing life Cutter life Power supply Current consumption Operating environment Stora
Model Weight Dimensions Paper roll SK1-31S F SK1-31S J SK1-21S F SK1-21S J 630g（Without paper roll） 525g（Without paper roll ） 127×145.5×88.5mm（W×D×H 104×145.5×88.5mm(W×D×H without protruding parts) without protruding parts） Paper width: 58 / 60 / 80 / 83 mm Note 4 & supplement Paper thickness： 59µm to150µm External dimensions： φ102mm or less Core diameter： Internal/External dia. φ12.0mm/18mm Internal/External dia. φ17.0mm/21mm Internal/External dia. φ25.4mm/31.4mm Standard of print density Part No.
3- 2．Sensor (1) Paper-end sensor The paper-end sensor is installed into the paper path and the photo-interrupter detects the existence of paper in the printer. When the paper runs out, the red LED lights and the printer goes into error mode and stops in the printing process. After the paper is replaced, the printer resumes printing. ・Once the paper end sensor sends the paper empty signal, the printer stops printing. ・As soon as the paper end strip appears, replace the paper roll.
3- 3．Printing area Printing area Paper width A ㎜ Margin C ㎜ Print area B ㎜ Feed direction Paper width/Printing width 58mm /54mm 60mm / 56mm 80mm / 72mm 83mm / 80mm Margin D ㎜ Print area A 58 60 80 83 B 54 56 72 80 C 2 2 4 0 D 2 2 4 3 The left and right margins are approximate distance from paper edge and will shift about ±1mm depending on the paper path, paper position and tolerances.
3- 4．Print head and cutter position Print head and cutter position Cutting position Paper feed Limited length for feedback Approx.7.0m Approx.8.6mm Thermal dot lines on the print head ・The numeric values in the figure are nominal center values. Leave enough margin for the cutting position to account for paper flex or variability. ・The position of partial cut is varied by paper width. ・Partial cut is designed to keep the paper at the center of 80mm paper.
3- 5．Paper sensor position SK1-31 Paper edge Thermal dot line Approx.13.5m Paper feed Paper empty Black mark (L) Gap sensor Sensor Black mark（Left） Note1,2,3 Gap sensor Note1 Paper empty Black mark（Right） Note 1,2,3 Black mark(R) Distance from paper edge （±1.0mm） 7.3mm 29.0mm 50.2mm 72.0mm Note1: Black mark sensor and gap sensor are embedded in the factory as options. Note2: Choose the position of Black mark sensor either (L) or (R). Note3: Black mark on reverse of thermal paper is sensed.
3- 6．Paper feeding (1）Avoid deterioration by backlash feeding Backlash in the paper feed mechanism may lead to under feeding and crowding of characters on adjacent lines. Be sure to always turn the paper feed motor 24l steps（3mm）at the start printing and initialization, and after opening and closing the thermal head. （2）Notice on graphic printing If the printer must wait for data from host systems while printing, it will temporarily stop printing and feeding paper.
3- 7．Dimensions External dimensions（Unit：mm） SK1-31 ３１ SK1-21/31
Paper roll axis (Roll diameter φ102mm) （Unit：mm） ・Paper roll axis (Roll diameter φ83mm) （Unit：mm） ・ ３２ SK1-21/31
SK1-21 ３３ SK1-21/31
Paper roll axis (Roll diameter φ102mm) SK1-21 SK1-31 Paper roll axis (Roll diameter φ83mm) SK1-21 SK1-31 ３４ SK1-21/31
4．Functions 4- 1．Self test printing The printer prints characters and barcodes at self test printing. ● Printing method ① Turn ON the power switch while pressing the FEED switch. ② When the LED lights up and the printer starts printing, release the FEED button. ③ After completing the self test printing, the printer goes to Standby mode.
4- 2．HEX Dump mode Data entered from the computer is printed in hexadecimal numbers and characters. ● Printing method ① With pressing the SELECT button, turn on the power switch. ② When the LED lights up and printer starts printing, release the SELECT button. ③ After printing the following “HEX DUMP MODE”, starts Hexadecimal mode. ④ Prints hexadecimal numbers and characters entered from the host system. ⑤ Press the power switch to cancel the HEX dump mode.
4- 3．Function setting mode There is a function setting mode to switch register functions in the memory manually. Functions are called up by the SELECT and FEED buttons and the printer prints registered functions. (1) About memory switching The memory switch is classified as follows. ① COMMON SETTING： Common functions ② INTERFACE SETTING： Basic interface functions (2) Function setting method 1. While pressing the FEED/SELECT button, turn ON the power switch. 2.
4- 4．Setting the memory switch Follow the flow chart to change the parameter. As the setting parameter is printed, choose the right parameter by manipulating the FEED and SELECT buttons. After completing the parameters set up, data are stored and the printer goes to standby mode.
4- 5．Memory switch setting menue （1）COMMON SETTING Menu PAPER FEED OFFLINE BUSY Default Value OFF OFF ON(10mm) ON(20mm) ON(30mm) ON Description Enables/disables paper feed after closing the print head. ・ When paper feed is ON, print feed amount. （Cut the paper after feeding the paper） ・The value is changeable using the DC2K command. ON Enables/disables OFFLINE when the error occurs. OFF ＜At selecting ON＞ ・OFFLINE is enabled when an error occurs.
Menu Default Value MECHANISM SPPED 200mm/s 110mm/s 130mm/s 150mm/s 170mm/s 190mm/s 200mm/s ON OFF SELLECT ON NEAR-END CUT AFTER FEED SW Description Selects maximum speed Selects Near end sensor ON ･･･ ・OFF ･･･ NON-CUT USB DEVICE CLASS PRINTER COMMAND MODE BEZEL MODE MODE-A NON NON-CUT PARTIAL-CUT FULL-CUT PRINTER COMMUNICATI ON MODE-A MODE-B NON MODE-A MODE-B activate sensor cancel sensor Selects cutting operation after FEED switch is on. * function added after V1.
4- 6．Adjusting printing density Paper sensitivity varies by type of thermal paper. Choose the right density to realize best printing quality and reliable printing. (The excess heating of the thermal head may cause the reduction of head life and contamination) Allows setting density form 50 to 200％. The default value from the factory is 100% for maintaining proper printing quality. Details of the adjustment method are written in Command systems DC2 ∼ (Set print density). Printing density Part No.
4- 7．LED display When an error occurs, the STATUS LED lights or blinks depending on the type of errors as follows. 1. No error signal is detected. ● Standby It is possible to print and the printer waits for printing data by ONLINE. Initialization Initialize printer memories. The printer goes OFFLINE during initialization and status LED blinks. After completing initialization, the printer goes standby. ● 2.
4. LED status LED status ○/◎:Turn ON red and green for 0.1sec ●No error signal is detected Status Standby Initializing ●Auto-recovery error Status Temperature error(≒70℃ or more) Detect near end Paper empty Print head open ●Unrecoverable error Status Auto cutter lock Upper limit voltage error (≒27.0V or higher） Lower limit voltage error (≒18.0V orlower ) ●:Turn OFF for 0.
5．Interfaces 5- 1．USB (1) Pin layout Connector: Mini-B type 5-PIN This printer is equipped with USB version 2.0 for high speed data transfer. The device class is “Printing Device.” 1 5 Pin Signal Direction Function 1 VBUS - Detect connect/disconnect of USB 2 D- I/O USB data (-) 3 D+ I/O USB data (+) 4 N.C 5 GND - GND （2）Electronic characteristic Parameter Signal Conditions Min. Max. Unit 4.40 5.
5- 2．Serial (1) Pin layout Connector: CVILUX CH87102HA00 or equivalent 9 10 1 2 Pin Signal Direction Function 1 N.C ―― 2 DTR ―― DSR loop connect 3 RxD Input Serial data input 4 RTS Output Request to send 5 TxD Output Serial data output 6 CTS Input Clear to send 7 DSR ―― DTR loop connect 8 N.C ―― 9 GND ―― 10 N.C ―― DTR is used to control data transmission to some host systems. When the host system is communicated by DTR, use loop connect of the host system.
(3) Hardware control High/Low of RTS signal is used to control data transmission to the host system. RTS signal becomes low if the receiving buffer is filled out curtain level (①) The host side should stop sending data if RTS signal is low.
（5）Conditions of input / output signal Item Condition Rate value Min. Typ. Max. Unit High input voltage Low input voltage RxD、CTS RxD、CTS +2.8 -15 ― ― +15 -2.8 V V High output voltage TxD、RTS (RL=3KΩ) TxD、RTS (RL=3KΩ) +5 ― +15 V -15 ― -5 V Low output voltage 5- 3．Power supply (1) Pin layout Connector ： Hirose DF1BZ-4P-2.
6．Label print There is the label mode to print the label paper and the receipt paper with black mark. Optional gap sensor (Transparent photo interrupter) and black mark sensor (Reflective photo interrupter) are sensed to top of label form. （1）Set up label printing 1. Set COMMON SETTING in the memory switch. (Refer to IV-5 Memory switch) ・Select the type of sensor by SELECT SENSOR. ・Enable MARKING DETECTION ・Enable MARK RE-DETECTION 2. Set the default value of initial printing information by DC2 L command.
2. Continuous label mode Prints each label continuously without back feed when label paper cannot be fed to the correct cutter position or it is hard to cut the label at the stopped position. It is recommended to choose this mode when the height of the label is relatively short or back feeding cannot be performed. Refer to the command setting for DC2 L / n3、n4 parameter 0. （3）Setting the media Peel off labels within15mm from the end of the media and set the end emerging 10mm from the cutter.
（5）Label specifications SK1-31 prints label paper with black marks and without black marks. Use label paper complying with the following conditions. Item Recommendable media Roll diameter Label core Base paper width Label width Length Label gap Rolling up direction Black mark size Density of black mark No black mark With black mark HW76B（Nippon Paper Ind.） Length: 94µm Thickness of base paper: 60µm Color on base paper: White Total thickness: 154µm or less（incl. adhesive） Φ102mm or less Φ25.4（Internal dia.
（6）Printing area 3±2（Left margin） 3±2（Right margin） 2.5 or more（Upper margin） Print area 2.5 or more（Lower margin） （Unit：mm） ・The tolerance of the embedded sensor and initial printing position varies about ±2mm from calculated position. ・Take into account the tolerance of paper feed about ±2% when a label is designed.
7．Maintenance 7- 1．Maintenance Periodically clean the printer to maintain the printing quality and avoid failures. It is recommended to maintain the printer every 6 months or 1 million lines of printing. （1）Print head When cleaning the thermal dot line on the print head, use a cotton swab with alcohol (ethanol, methanol or Isopropyl alcohol) and wipe off stains and dust. Thermal dot line （2）Platen roller When cleaning the platen roller, use a dry soft cloth and wipe off the stain with rotating the roller.
7- 2．Service for trouble shooting For maintenance and service, please contact your Sanei local distributors or the following address. Sanei Electric Inc. Overseas sales division 5F.
8．Command systems Command systems are compatible with ESC/POS. The details please refer to separate volume “command reference”. 8-１．Command table 1.
5．Character Selection Command Command Standard mode Page mode ESC M Choose a character font ESC R Choose an international character ESC t Choose the character code table ESC & Erase a download character ESC ? Specify and cancel a download character ESC % Choose an international character 6．Bit Image Command Command Standard mode ESC * Specify the bit image GS * Register the downloaded bit image GS / Print download bit image DC2 V Print Raster bit image DC2 v Print compressed raster bit image 7．Page Mode Com
10．Kanji Command (2 byte code) Command Standard mode Page mode FS & Specify the Kanji mode FS .
15．2D Barcode Command（Option） Command Standard mode Page mode GS Q Print two dimensional barcode （PDF417, MicroPDF417, DataMatrix, MaxiCode, QRCode ） GS S Change the cell size 16．Label Command Command Standard mode DC2 L Set the label DC2 l Detect marking position DC2 B Re-detect marking position DC2 mrk Set marking threshold Page mode ５７ SK1-21/31
8- 2．Data code table PC437 system High-order bit 0 Low-order bit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111 High-order bit Low-order bit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 DLE DC2 DC3 EOT ENQ CAN HT LF FF CR ESC FS GS A B SP ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , .
KATAKANA High-order bit Low-order bit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111 High-order bit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 * 8 * 9 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 DLE DC2 DC3 EOT ENQ CAN HT LF FF CR ESC FS GS A B SP ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , .
PC850 system 0 High-order bit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 Low-order bit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111 High-order bit DLE DC2 DC3 EOT ENQ CAN HT LF FF CR ESC FS GS A B SP ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , .
