User guide

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Glossary
1/10/06 170PAX4 User Guide 57516L-002 Rev. A
liquid crystal display (LCD) The LCD is a back-lit display that provides the user with
either operating status during normal operation or option menus when configuring the
print engine to a specific application.
light emitting diode (LED) Indicators of specific print engine status conditions. Each LED
is either off, on, or blinking depending on the feature being monitored.
lock-up This is the term generally used to describe a fault condition that, for no apparent
reason, causes the print engine to stop working.
media Material onto which data is printed by the print engine. Types of media include:
tag stock, die-cut labels, RFID “smart” labels, continuous labels (with and without media
liner), non-continuous media, fanfold media, and roll media.
media sensor This sensor is located behind the printhead to detect the presence of media
and, for non-continuous media, the position of the web, hole, or notch used to indicate the start
of each label.
media supply hanger The stationary arm that supports the media roll.
non-continuous media Media that contains an indication of where one label/printed
format ends and the next one begins. Examples are die-cut labels, notched tag-stock, and stock
with black mark registration marks.
non-volatile memory Electronic memory that retains data even when the power to the
print engine is turned off.
notched media A type of tag stock containing a cutout area that can be sensed as a start-of-
label indicator by the print engine. This is typically a heavier, cardboard-like material that is
either cut or torn away from the next tag. (See non-continuous media.)
print speed The speed at which printing occurs. For thermal transfer print engines, this
speed is expressed in terms of ips (inches per second). Zebra offers print engines that can print
from 1 ips to 12 ips.
printhead wear The degradation of the surface of the printhead and/or the print elements
over time. Heat and abrasion can cause printhead wear. Therefore, to maximize the life of the
printhead, use the lowest print darkness setting (sometimes called burn temperature or head
temperature) and the lowest printhead pressure necessary to produce good print quality. In the
thermal transfer printing method, use ribbon that is as wide or wider than the media to protect
the printhead from the rough media surface.
registration Alignment of printing with respect to the top of a label or tag.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) The technology that allows an item to be
identified by a transponder that communicates with a reader via radio waves.
ribbon A band of material consisting of a base film coated with wax or resin “ink.” The
inked side of the material is pressed by the printhead against the media. The ribbon transfers
ink onto the media when heated by the small elements within the printhead. Zebra ribbons
have a coating on the back that protects the printhead from wear.