Section 1: Getting Started .............................................................3 Introduction and Safe Operation .................................................. 4-5 General Description........................................................................ 6-8 Battery Information .......................................................................9-11 Quick Start with the VIPER™ LS6...................................................12 Ribbon Loading & Selection................................
SECTION 1 GETTING STARTED 3
INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION The VIPER LS6 Thermal Transfer Portable Printer is the complete printing solution for Electricians, Assemblers, Installers, Maintenance & Repair, Construction, and Network Communications Personnel. This versatile on-site, on-demand printer provides users with the ability to save, retrieve, and edit custom or serialized labels for wire and cable marking, component labeling, network labeling, safety identification, and general facilities identification.
INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION WARNING: When the printer has been in use for an extended period of time, the printer motor may become hot. DO NOT touch the printer motor with bare hands. Information to USA Users NOTE: This printer has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the printer is operated in a commercial environment.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Cutter Knob LCD Display RS232 Serial Port Label Door Ribbon Door AC Adapter Plug 6
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The VIPER LS6 printer kit contains each of the following items: 1. VIPER LS6 thermal transfer portable printer 2. TPDEMO direct thermal labeling tape sample 3. LS6-RWBLK, black wax ribbon cartridge 4. LS6-ACS, 120 VAC adapter and battery charger 5. LS6-BP, NiMH rechargeable battery pack 6. LS6-CLN, package of 5 cleaning cards 7. LS6-MAN-A, operator’s manual in English* 8. Hardside carrying case 9.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Print Technology The VIPER LS6 prints labels using thermal transfer printing technology. The print head melts ink contained on a thin web of ribbon material allowing the ink to transfer to the label material. The print head operates at a resolution of 203 dots per inch (dpi). Smart Label Roll – See page 15 The VIPER LS6 label supplies are wound on a label cartridge that is plugged into a socket in the printer. The label cartridge is read by the printer operating system.
BATTERY INFORMATION A 12 volt NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) battery comes with the VIPER LS6 printer. The battery is PARTIALLY CHARGED. Panduit recommends charging the battery for 15 HOURS PRIOR TO USE. Charging of the VIPER LS6 battery should be accomplished ONLY with Panduit Model LS6 AC Adapter/Battery Chargers (Part No. LS6-ACS, which is supplied with the printer). The user MUST manually activate the battery charger with the LS6 powered on to start the charging process (see Charging the Battery below).
BATTERY INFORMATION NOTE: • Completely charge the battery pack before use. The operating system reports the battery charge status. • Completely drain the battery pack before charging. The operating system will warn the user on power up and power down of low battery conditions. • Consult your local guidelines for instructions on proper disposal of spent battery packs. Battery Removal 1. Remove battery door by using a coin to depress the tab. 2.
BATTERY INFORMATION Lithium Battery The VIPERT M LS6 uses a Lithium coin-cell battery to preserve the printer settings and stored files when the main battery pack is removed and the AC Adapter is not plugged in. Do not leave the main battery pack out for extended periods of time, as this will drain the Lithium cell. Do not remove the Lithium cell as this may result in a loss of all stored settings and files.
QUICK START WITH THE Viper™ LS6 1. Plug in the AC adapter. 2. Install a ribbon cartridge. (See section entitled “RIBBON LOADING & NOTE: A ribbon is not required for TPDEMO, the thermal paper roll supplied with the printer. 3. Install a label cartridge. (See section entitled “LABEL LOADING” on page 15.) 4. Turn ON the printer by pressing . If the low battery message appears, select 2 to disregard and continue. (For detailed battery charging instructions, see page 9.
RIBBON LOADING & SELECTION Ribbon Lock Knob Ribbon Cartridge Ribbon Door The VIPER™ LS6 uses a cartridge based ribbon (wax, resin, or hybrid) to form legends on labels. The ribbon is loaded into the printer by the following steps: 1. 2. 6. 7. Open the ribbon door on the side of printer. Rotate the ribbon lock knob into the open (unlocked) position [Counter clockwise]. Remove slack from the ribbon by winding the left roller of the ribbon cartridge.
RIBBON LOADING & SELECTION Use the chart below to determine the ribbon cartridge part number that is recommended for your application.
LABEL LOADING Label Door Label Roll Label Roll Socket Mandrel Label Feed Path Width Guide (Push Down to Adjust) Cutter Knob (Pull Forward for Cutting) Each roll of labels or tape used in the VIPER LS6 is uniquely identified by the mandrel holding the labels. This allows the operating system to automatically set the printer for optimum usage of each label. Also, the operating system keeps track of the remaining labels on each roll. Use steps 1-5 below to load each label roll. 1. 2. 3. 4.
KEYBOARD Delete Key Setup / Escape Key Tools Key Label or Ribbon Feed Key Power On / Off Space Key Directional Arrows Print Key Shift Key Enter Key More Function Keys Caps lock Text size Change page Rotate label Read label mandrel Print multiple copies Print selection of pages 16
KEYBOARD Basic Keyboard Functions KEY / SYMBOL POWER COMMON FUNCTIONS Turn the printer ON, the printer OFF. then turns SETUP/ ESCAPE Activate the Setup Menu from the home screen or back out of internal menus. DELETE Delete characters or tools. TOOLS Used for creating serializations, symbols, data lists, boxes, lines, bar codes, and date/time stamps. FEED Advance labels and ribbon. Pressing then labels and ribbon. reverse feeds UP ARROW DOWN ARROW Move cursor up one line.
KEYBOARD Using the Shift Key Press the shift key PRESS SHIFT FIRST once to access the functions listed in the table below. THEN PRESS RESULT Turn the printer OFF. Delete all items on a label and return formats to default values. Delete all items on the current page only. Does not delete current formats. Left, center, or right justify the label items. Reverse feed the label media. Any Alphabetic or Numeric Key Enter secondary function from keypad overlay onto text screen.
KEYBOARD Press the shift key below. PRESS SHIFT FIRST twice to access the functions listed in the table THEN PRESS RESULT Display the version of firmware currently installed on the printer. Delete all items on the entire label. Does not delete current formats. Activate or deactivate fit checking. Fit checking automatically checks the size of the label items to determine if they will fit on the label. Fit checking occurs after each new item is entered onto the home screen.
KEYBOARD Using the Delete Function The four methods available for deleting labels are listed in the table below. PRESS FIRST THEN PRESS RESULT Delete individual characters or items on a label. Delete all items on the current page only. Does not delete current formats. Delete all items on the entire label. Does not delete current formats. Delete all items on the entire label and return formats to default values.
SECTION 2 WORKING WITH THE VIPER™ LS6 21
USING THE VIPER ™ LS6 Home Screen The home screen is where the user enters and edits text or places label items known as tools. The home screen is also where the user prints labels. The home screen appears as: Home Screen Indicators INDICATOR ICON Caps Lock Shift Text Size Tool DESCRIPTION Indicates if caps lock is on or off. or Indicates if shift or alternate mode is selected. Indicates the text size for the current line. Prompts the user to press the tools menu.
USING THE VIPER ™ LS6 Tool Menu The tool menu includes serializations, symbols, data lists, boxes, lines, bar codes, and date/time stamps. These items are placed on the home screen. The tool menu is accessed by pressing the Tool Icons The following icons represent the available tools: - Serialization - Symbol - Line - Box - Data List - Barcode - Date/Time Stamp 23 key.
USING THE VIPER ™ LS6 POWER Key To turn ON the VIPER™ LS6, press and hold the key until activity is seen on the display. To turn OFF the VIPER™ LS6, press and release the key, then press and hold the key until the powering down message appears. This method of power control reduces the chance of accidentally turning off the printer. The VIPER™ LS6 will automatically turn off after 10 minutes of idle time in order to conserve battery life.
CREATING TEXT The Text Tool After turning on the VIPER™ LS6, the home screen will appear. The home screen is also the text editor. To create text on the home screen, simply begin pressing the alphabetic or numeric keys on the keypad. Text will be entered at the position of the cursor. The cursor is indicated by a dark line or dark box highlighting a character. To insert blank spaces, press the key. Press to move down to the next line.
CREATING TEXT Initially, the text size will be set to the default value according to the label loaded in the printer. The text size can be increased or decreased for each individual line of the label. There is a maximum of 8 lines available for creating text. Text Rotation Label legends may be rotated from 0 degrees to 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. The page shaped icon in the lower right hand corner of the display indicates the current rotation.
CREATING TEXT Vertical Text Vertical text can be created by following these steps: 1. 2. 3. At the home screen, press and then press to rotate the entire label 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. (Note: when using continuous tape, the label will automatically be rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise directions by default.) Enter text Move the cursor over any character within the text string and then press the key. Use the up or down directional arrows to select ‘Orient’.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS The Serialization Tool The serialization tool is used to automatically number labels in a sequence. The sequence can be either numeric (1 to 999) or alphabetic (A to Z). A serialization is defined by a start value, an end value, and a step value. To correctly define a serialization, the end value must be larger than the start value and the start and end values must be both numeric or both alphabetic.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS 7. Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the home screen. Otherwise, press the without accepting changes. 8. key to return to the home screen On the home screen, the serialization tool icon position of the cursor. will appear at the More Serialization Parameters The serialization tool includes more parameters on a second screen following the first screen. The second screen includes Text Options, Copies, and Group.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS 3. Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the previous screen. The Group parameter determines whether or not the copies of the serialization items will be grouped together. The Group parameter only works when more than one copy of a serialization is defined. The Group parameter defaults to Yes. If Yes is selected, then consecutive copies of the serialization items will not be placed together.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS 2. The Place On option determines whether the serialization will print on consecutive labels or on consecutive pages of the same label. The default setting for will print on labels. Printing a serialization on pages is useful for creating serialized patch panel labels using die cut network systems label media. Editing a Serialization To edit a serialization on the home screen, move the cursor over the serialization and then press the creating a serialization. key.
CREATING SYMBOLS The Symbol Tool The Symbol Tool is used for creating safety or facility identification labels. Common applications for these types of labels include pipe marking and safety hazard signs. Most often these types of labels will require continuous tape label media. Symbols may also be used on die cut label media, such as self-laminating labels or heat shrink markers. However, for die cut label media the symbol size will be restricted by the physical size of the labels.
CREATING SYMBOLS NOTE: The symbol size will automatically default to match the text size on the current line. Changing the text size will automatically change the symbol size accordingly. There are 5 sizes available for each symbol. The sizes range from 1 (smallest) to 5 (largest). Currently available symbols and their assigned library numbers are listed below. Additional symbols may be added to the VIPER™ LS6 firmware in the future.
CREATING LINES The Line Tool The line tool allows custom placement of vertical and horizontal lines on a label. The line tool is especially useful for creating patch panel, faceplate, or terminal block labels. There are seven unique line settings available: Center Horizontal, Center Vertical, Top, Bottom, Left, Right, and @ Pages. Each of these settings may be turned on or off independently. NOTE: 1.
CREATING LINES 6. The Right setting places a line at the far right side of the label. A01 7. The @ Pages setting places lines between each page of a label that has multiple pages defined. The @ Pages setting is used for patch panel, outlet, and terminal block labeling. A01 A02 A03 A04 A05 A06 Creating a Line Tool The line tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the line tool: 1. 2. Press the key to enter the tools menu.
CREATING BOXES The Box Tool The box tool is useful for customizing a label. There are three unique box settings available: Frame, Reverse, and Box Off. The Frame setting places a box outline around the perimeter of the entire label area. WARNING The Reverse setting places a dark background with light text characters on a label. WARNING The Box Off setting deactivates the box tool. Creating a Box Tool The box tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the box tool: 1. 2.
CREATING DATA LISTS The Data Tool The data tool is used to create printable data lists in the VIPER™ LS6. The data tool is very useful for customizing labels because it allows up to one hundred unique labels to be created from a list of data. With the data tool, users can input, store, or transfer custom lists of data. Creating a Data Tool The data tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the data tool: 1. 2. Press the key to enter the tools menu.
CREATING DATA LISTS Files may be saved, loaded, or deleted in File Manager. Note: Selecting Delete All will erase all stored label files and data lists. 2. Selecting Data View/Edit enters the data list editing screen. This screen looks very similar to the home screen because the data list editing screen is a text editor. Use the data list editing screen to create or edit text. Use the directional arrow keys to navigate within the text editor. A data list may include up to one hundred individual labels.
CREATING BAR CODES The Bar Code Tool The bar code tool can be used for bin labeling, component identification, or asset management and can be used in combination with other tools. The bar code tool can be printed with or without a checksum digit or human readable text. The bar code symbology available in the VIPER™ LS6 is CODE 39. Creating a Bar Code The bar code tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the bar code tool: 1. 2. Press the key to enter the tools menu.
CREATING BAR CODES 4. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to change the bar code settings. 5. Press the key to accept all of the changes and to return to the home screen. Otherwise, press the without accepting changes. key to return to the home screen Bar Code Settings The default bar code settings can be changed in the setup menu. To change the default settings, access the printer settings in the setup menu. Readable: Indicates whether the bar code text is human readable or not.
CREATING DATE/TIME STAMPS The Date/Time Tool The Date/Time Tool allows the user to print a date and/or a time stamp on a label. The date and time printed on the label are defined by the internal clock of the VIPER™ LS6. Please see section entitled “SETTING UP THE VIPER™ LS6” on page 44 for more information about setting the internal time and date. Creating a Date/Time Tool The date/time tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the date/time tool: 1. 2. Press the key to enter the tools menu.
CREATING DATE/TIME STAMPS Editing a Date/Time Tool To edit a date/time tool on the home screen, move the cursor over the date/time tool and then press the key. 1. 2. Use the up or down directional arrows to select date/time or text options. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to select time or date specifically or to modify the text options. 3. Press the key to accept the changes and return the home screen. Otherwise, press the accepting changes.
USING THE PAGES FUNCTION The Pages Function The VIPER ™ LS6 provides 8 separate pages for each label. Label items, including text and tools may be placed on each of the 8 pages. The pages function is particularly useful for creating non-standard serializations that do not follow a common increment. The pages function is also useful for creating text on patch panel labels. Using the Pages Function The page number icon in the lower right hand corner of the display indicates the current page.
SETTING UP THE VIPER™ LS6 The Setup Menu The setup menu is used to modify the default printer settings. The setup menu should be accessed from the home screen. To access the setup menu press the key. The setup menu will appear: The available categories in the setup menu are Files, Mode, Utilities, and Printer. Use the up or down directional arrow keys to highlight these options. Use the right directional arrow keys to select the settings for each option.
SETTING UP THE VIPER™ LS6 Editing Label Mode To edit the label mode, press to enter the setup menu and: 1. 2. Use the up or down directional arrows to highlight Mode. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to change the mode. 3. Press the key to select the desired mode. A check mark icon will appear next to the selected mode. 4. Press the key to accept the changes and return to the home screen.
SETTING UP THE VIPER™ LS6 The Remote Printer utility is used to print directly from Panduit software ® ™ applications such as PAN-MARK or EASY-MARK . See section entitled “USING REMOTE PRINTER UTILITY” on pages 53-54. Adjusting Printer Settings To adjust the printer settings, press 1. 2. to enter the setup menu and: Use the up or down directional arrows to highlight Printer. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to change the Printer setting. 1. The Time setting adjusts the internal clock.
SETTING UP THE VIPER™ LS6 NOTE: 5. The heat setting is automatically adjusted to the appropriate number for the installed label roll when the printer is turned on. The Label Feed setting adjusts the amount of media that is fed past the cutter mechanism after printing. Cut Label feeds just enough media to allow cutting. Peel Label feeds extra media to allow convenient removal of die cut labels from the liner. Press the key to select Label Feed.
USING FILE MANAGER The VIPER™ LS6 has the ability to store and recall label files and data lists. Label files and data lists are stored and recalled within File Manager. Label files are designated with a .LS6 ending. Data lists are designated with a .DAT ending. To access File Manager, enter the setup menu and: 1. 2. 3. 4. Use the up or down directional arrows to highlight File. Press the right directional arrow key to enter File Manager. Use the up or down directional arrow keys to highlight Filename.
INTERFACING WITH A COMPUTER The VIPER™ LS6 can be connected to a personal computer (PC) using the VIPER™ LS6 Upgrade Kit (Part No. LS6-PCKIT). The kit contains a CD with ViperLink software and a serial cable for connecting the VIPER™ LS6 to your personal computer (PC). ViperLink ™ must be used with the serial cable to communicate with the VIPER™ LS6 printer. If the personal computer has a USB port, but does not have a serial port, it is recommended that the user purchase a USB to serial adapter.
VIPERLINK Installing ViperLink Use the ViperLink CD to install ViperLink software onto a personal computer. The ViperLink CD is only available with the purchase of LS6PCKIT. Insert the CD into a personal computer. The installation program will begin automatically. Follow the instructions in the installation wizard in order to complete the installation process. Using ViperLink To use ViperLink software with the Viper™ LS6 printer: 1. 2. 3.
VIPERLINK If uploading, choose a file from the VIPER™ memory and Save As. If downloading, first Browse for the file and select the file type, click Open, and click OK. To upgrade the LS6 operating system, select: Transfer -> Upgrade Flash Memory Browse to locate the operating system file Click Open Choose COM 1 or COM 2 Click Upgrade NOTE: Upgrades for the VIPER™ LS6 internal operating system are available for downloading from the Panduit Corp. web site at NOTE: NOTE: www.panduit.com.
VIPERLINK To request information from the VIPER™ LS6, select: Request -> LS6 Info Choose COM 1 or COM 2 Choose Version, Status, or History Information from the VIPER™ LS6 will be retrieved and displayed in ViperLink To access the help topics, select: Help -> Help Topics To create a data list, Enter a database name, Enter text on lines 1-4 of item 1 Use the up directional arrow button to advance to the next item Use the down directional arrow button to return to the previous item (The maximum number of item
USING REMOTE PRINTER UTILITY In order to operate the remote printing feature on the VIPER™ LS6 printer, the personal computer connected to the VIPER™ LS6 must be set up in the following manner: 1. 2. 3. ® ™ Either PAN-MARK or EASY -MARK software applications must be installed on the personal computer. These applications are available exclusively from Panduit Corp. The LS6 print driver must be installed on the personal computer. The ® ™ LS6 print driver is included with PAN-MARK or EASY-MARK software.
USING REMOTE PRINTER UTILITY 5. 6. ® ™ The LS6 is now ready to print directly from PAN-MARK or EASY-MARK software. If the label roll installed in the VIPER™ LS6 is changed while in the Remote Printer utility, press the key to automatically adjust the printer to the default settings for the new label roll. 7. To exit Remote Printer Mode, press . ® With the VIPER™ LS6 in Remote Printer utility, open PAN-MARK or EASY™ MARK and begin creating labels.
PRINTER CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS Cleaning the Print Head and Drive Roller The print head should be cleaned regularly, and more often in harsh environments. The drive roller should be cleaned whenever foreign matter, such as dust or adhesive, is present. 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn OFF power to printer. Open the ribbon lock knob. Remove any label media from print path. Remove the ribbon. 5. 6. 7. 8. Power the printer on . Position ribbon lock knob in locked position. Extend width guide to greatest width.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING This section helps identify printer conditions and problems that can often be solved by the user. If you are unable to correct the problem contact Panduit Technical Support at 866-871-4571 or Panduit Customer Service at 800-7773300. SYMPTOM POWER Printer does not power up properly, and LCD does not come on. ACTION • • • • • PRINTING Not printing. • • Tools Too Big! • To turn printer ON, depress the power button. Make sure the battery pack is fully charged.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM Media is not advancing properly in the printer. • • • • Printed image is full, but grayish or “translucent”. • Voids in printed image: areas where there is no print. • • • • • • ACTION Ribbon knob not locked. Rotate ribbon knob into locked position. Ensure that labels are properly positioned in label path and that width guides are in contact with both sides of the label. Ensure that adjustable width guide is locked in place in the correct notch.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM Repetitive voids in image. Not printing any image (or barely any image). Printer stalls or will not print. • • • • • RIBBON Ribbon is not advancing properly. • Ribbon wrinkling. • • Printer doesn’t stop when out of ribbon. • Ribbon breaking. • LABELS Labels not registering • • • ACTION Print head elements or “dots” are dirty or obstructed. Clean print head with pre-saturated cleaning card (LS6-CLN), or soft-stemmed swab and isopropyl alcohol.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM Die-cut labels continue to feed without stopping. • • BAR CODES Poor edge definition (bar codes and alphanumerics). Bar codes smearing (bar code edges “bleeding” or “feathering”. Bars in bar codes are too wide or too narrow resulting in a poor scan grade. Insufficient print contrast: Bars are not dark enough, spaces are not light enough. OTHER Printer Locked Up ACTION Label sensor is dirty or obstructed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION Our products are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship at the time of sale but our obligation under this warranty is limited to the replacement of any product proved to be defective within 6 months (for product) or 90 days (for printers) from the date of delivery. Printer warranty is void if Panduit printers are modified, altered or misused in any way.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Print Method: Effective Print Width: Print Length: Print Resolution: Print Speed: Feed Speed: Label Width: Media Length: Media Types: Materials: Media Cutting: Ribbons: Keypad: Display: LCD Contrast Control: Operating System: User Memory: Serial Port: Battery Pack: AC Adapter: Oper. Temp/Hum: Stor. Temp/Hum: Compliance: Size Weight Thermal transfer or direct thermal 1.89” (48 mm) 19.99” (maximum label length) 203 dpi (horizontally and vertically) Up to 1 ips Up to 2 ips 0.
REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES DESCRIPTION Wax Ribbon – Black Resin Ribbon – Black Resin Ribbon – White Hybrid Ribbon – Black Battery Pack LS6 ViperLink ™ software and 9 pin serial cable LS6 AC Adapter/Battery Charger for Australia LS6 AC Adapter/Battery Charger for Europe LS6 AC Adapter/Battery Charger for North America LS6 AC Adapter/Battery Charger for the United Kingdom Cleaning Card (5 cards in a package) Operator’s Manual PART NUMBER LS6-RWBLK LS6-RRBLK LS6-RRWHT LS6-RHBLK LS6-BP LS6-PCKIT LS6-AC
