Datamax W-6208, W-6308, W-8306 Operator's Manual

Operator’s Manual

Datamax International

Herbert House

12 Elizabeth Way, Pinnacles

Harlow, Essex CM19 5FE UK

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Asia-Pacific

19 Loyang Way

#01-01 CILC Building

Singapore 508724

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Corporate Headquarters

4501 Parkway Commerce Blvd.

Orlando, Fl 32808

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Copyright Information:

CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation.
CG Times, based upon Times New Roman, is under license from The Monotype

Corporation.

Firmware (Software) Agreement

The enclosed Firmware (Software) resident in the Printer is owned by Licensor

or its suppliers and is licensed for used only on a single printer in the user’s
Trade or Business. The User agrees not to, and not to authorize or permit

any other person or party to, duplicate or copy the Firmware or the
information contained in the non-volatile or programmable memory. The

firmware (Software) is protected by applicable copyright laws and Licensor
retains all rights not expressl y granted. In no eve nt will Licensor o r its suppliers
be liable for any damages or loss, including direct, incidental, economic, special,
or consequential damages, arisi ng o ut of the use or inabilit y to use the Fir mware
(Software).

Information in this document is subject to change without notice a nd does not
represent a commitment on the part of Datamax Barcode Products Corporation.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use, without the
expressed written per mis sion of Datamax Corpor ation.

© Copyright 2001 by Datamax Corporation

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

Part Number: 88-2245-01

Revision: E

Agency Compliance and Approvals:

C US
Listed

UL1950 Information Technology Equipment
C22.2 No. 950-M93

EN60950

For 230 Volt Operation (Europe): Use a cord set, marked “HAR,”
consisting of a min H05VV-F cord which has a minimum 0.75 square
mm diameter conductors, provided with an IEC 320 receptacle and a
male plug for the country of installation rated 6A, 250V

Für 230 Volt (Europa): Benützen Sie ein Kabel, das mit “HAR”
markiert ist, bestehend mindestens aus einem H05VV-F Kabel, das
mindestens 0,75 Quadratmillimeter Drahtdurchmesser hat; sowie eine
IEC320 Steckdose und einen für das Land geeigneten Stecker, 6A,
250 Volt.

As an Energy Star Partner, the manufacturer has deter mined that thi s
product meets the E nergy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.

The manufacturer declares under sole responsibility that this product
conforms to the following standards or other normative documents:

EMC: EN 55022 (1993) Class B

EN 50024 (1998)
EN 45501 (1992)

Safety:This product complies with the requirements of

EN 60950 /A11: /1997

Gost-R

FCC

This device complies with FCC CFR 47 Part 15 Class A.

ã

Note:T his equipm ent has be en tested an d found to compl y with t he lim its for

a Class A digital device, pursuant to P art 15 of the FCC Rules. T hese
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. T his equipment generates, uses, a nd can radiate ra dio
frequency energ y, and if not install ed and used i n accor dance with the
instructions in t his manual, it may cause harmful interfe rence to radi o
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Important Safety Instructions:

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
instructions in the literature accompanying this unit.

This unit has been carefully designed to provide years of safe, reliable
performance. However, as with all electrical equipment, there are some basic
precautions that you follow to avoid personal injury or damage to the printer:

½ Before using the printer, carefully read all the installation and operating

instructions.

½ Observe all warning instruc tion labels on the printer.
½ Install the printer on a flat, firm surface.
½ Do not place the printer on or near a heat source.
½ To protect your printer from overheating, make sure no openings on the

printer are blocked.

½ Never insert anything into the ve ntilation slots and o penings of the printer.
½ Do not use the printer near water or spill liq uid into it.
½ Ensure that the AC power source matches the ratings listed for the printer.

(If unsure, check with your dealer or local utility provider.)

½ Do not place the AC power cord where it can be stepped on. If the AC

power cord becomes damaged or frayed, replace it immediately.

½ If the printer ever needs repair, consult only qualified, trained service

personnel. No user-serviceable parts are inside; do not remove the cover.

i

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Printer Overview

1.0 About the Printer ................................................................. 1

1.0.1 Standard Features................................................ 2

1.0.2 Optional Features................................................ 2

1.1 Option Installa ti on................................................................ 4

Getting Started

2.0 Unpacking the Printer.......................................................... 5

2.1 Media and Ribbon Selection................................................ 7

2.1.1 Print Quali ty Controls............................................ 7

Setting Up the Printer

3.0 Installation........................................................................... 9

3.0.1 Communications................................................. 10

3.1 Loading Media................................................................... 12

3.1.1 Roll Media........................................................... 13

3.1.2 Fan-Fold Media................................................... 14

3.2 Media Sensor Adjustment ................................................. 15

3.3 Loading Ribbon................................................................. 16

3.4 Quick Media Calibration .................................................... 17

3.5 Outputting Labels.............................................................. 18

3.5.1 Rewinding onto the Media Rewind Hub .............. 18

3.5.2 Rewinding onto a Core ....................................... 19

3.5.3 On-Demand Dispensing...................................... 20

Using the Front Panel

4.0 Operation.......................................................................... 23

4.0.1 Ready Mode ....................................................... 23

4.0.2 Menu Mode......................................................... 24

4.0.3 Quick Test M o de................................................. 25

4.0.4 Indicator Lights ................................................... 26

4.0.5 LCD .................................................................... 26

4.0.6 R e s e tti ng the Printer........................................... 27

ii

4.0.6.1 Soft Reset ............................................ 27

4.0.6.2 Level One Reset................................... 27

4.0.6.3 Level Two Reset ................................... 27

4.1 The Menu System............................................................. 28

4.1.1 Entrance and Exit Prompts ................................. 29

4.1.2 Media Settings.................................................... 30

4.1.3 Print Control........................................................ 31

4.1.4 Printer Options.................................................... 33

4.1.5 System Settings.................................................. 35

4.1.6 Communications................................................. 41

4.1.7 Diagnostics......................................................... 47

4.2 Display Messages............................................................. 48

4.2.1 User Prompts and Condition Messages.............. 48

4.3 Quick Test Mode............................................................... 50

4.3.1 Print Quality Label............................................... 50

4.3.2 Conf iguration Label............................................. 51

4.3.3 Q uick Ribbon Test Label..................................... 52

4.3.4 Dot Test Pattern Label........................................ 53

4.3.5 Validation Label .................................................. 54

4.3.6 User Defined Label............................................. 54

Adjusting and Maintaining the Printer

5.0 Media Sensor Calibration.................................................. 55

5.0.1 Standard Calibration........................................... 55

5.0.2 Advanced Entry Calibration................................. 59

5.1 Printhead Adjustments...................................................... 65

5.1.1 Leveling Cam Adjustment................................... 65

5.1.2 Pressure Adjustment........................................... 66

5.2 Maintenance Schedule...................................................... 67

5.2.1 Cleaning the Printhead ....................................... 68

5.2.2 Cleaning the Platen Roller .................................. 69

5.2.3 Cleaning Interior and Exterior Surfaces............... 70

5.3 Application Program Updates............................................ 70

5.3.1 Updating from the Ready Mode .......................... 71

5.3.2 Updating from the Download Mode..................... 72

5.3.3 Possible Problems during an Update.................. 73

5.4 Boot Loader Program Updates.......................................... 74

iii

Troubleshooting

6.0 Problem Resolution........................................................... 75

6.1 Fault and Warning Messages............................................ 79

6.2 Hex Dump Mode ............................................................... 85

Printer Specifications

7.0 General Specifications....................................................... 87

7.1 Media and Ribbon Requirements...................................... 89

Appendix A

ASCII Control Code Chart.......................................................... 91

Appendix B

Available Fonts and Bar Codes.................................................. 93

Appendix C

Module Assignments................................................................ 101

Print Resolutions and Maximum Label Widths......................... 101

Available Speeds and Default Settings .................................... 102

Appendix D

GPIO Port................................................................................ 103

Appendix E

Menu System Multi-Language Support.................................... 105

Appendix F

Saving a Configuration File...................................................... 111

iv

Warranty Information................................................... 113

Glossary............................................................................. 117

Index..................................................................................... 121

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1.0 About the Printer

Congratulations on your purchase of a W-Class p rinter. The W-Class family o f

printers, hereafter referred to as ‘the printer’, blend state of the art design with
user-friendly features to refine the standard in wide-web industrial thermal
printers.

This manual provides all the information necessary for everyday printer
operation. To begin printing labels, refer to the instructions provided with the
label-creation software you have chosen. If you wish to write custom label
programs, a copy of the I & W Class Programmer’s Manual is included on the

enclosed Datamax Accessories CD; otherwise, a copy may be downloaded from
our web site at http//www.datamaxcorp.com.

To grow with all of your printing needs, the design of the printer is easily
upgraded; see Section 1.1. The following subsections detail the standard
features, available options and a hardware overview.

2W-Class

1.0.1 Standard Features

This printer offers the following standard features:

Printing

½ Direct and Thermal Transfer printing methods
½ Batch and Pause Mod e Printing
½ 1.5 inch or 3 inch Media Hub (specified at time of order)
½ Easy Media Loading
½ Media Tear Bar
½ Fan-fold media compatible

Memory

½ 256 KB Flash Memory available for user graphic downloads
½ 2 MB FLASH Downloadable Program Memory
½ 16 MB SDRAM Memory

Interfaces

½ IEEE 1284 compliant parallel interface
½ RS-232 serial interface

Operational

½ 2 X 20 Backlit Liquid Crystal Display and functional keypad
½ CG Triumvirate



Scalable font w/AGFA Scalable font engine

½ EFIGS (multi-language display and configuration label support)
½ 203 DPI Printhead (W-6208)
½ 300 DPI Printhead (W-6308 and W-8306)

1.0.2 Optional Features

The printer offers the followi ng optional features:

Cover Dampener

A device to control the closing rate of the cover.

Light-Duty Cutter (

unavailable for the W-8306)

Easily installed on the front of the printer, this rotary mechanism will cut a

maximum material thickness of .006” (.152mm) into minimum lengths of 1.25
inches (31.8 mm).

W-Cl ass 3

Standard Cutter

Easily installed on the front of the printer, t his guillotine mechanism will cut a

maximum material thickness .010” (.254mm) into minimum lengths of 1.25
inches (31.8 mm).

Cutter Tray

Used to collect the media cut by the Standard or Light-Duty Cutter (specify
application at time of order).

External Keyboard Support

An interface for the connection of the DMX Passport™ keyboard, allowing
remote (no host) printing applicatio ns.

External Media Rewinder

Separate device with and 8” roll capacity to re wind labels and backing material.

Font Expansion Card (cannot be used with the I/O Expansion card)

A slide-in circuit card assembly with 8MB Flash memory expansion for
International Language Printing Capability (ILPC) and/or additional fonts and
graphics. ILPC consists of one of the following:

½ CG-Times (Western European) Scalable font
½ Kanji Gothic B Scalable font
½ Simplified Chinese GB Scalable font
½ Korean Hangul Scalable font

ILPC – CG Times Firmware

The printer’s firmware can be upgraded to include the Datamax ILPC CG
Times font. This supports the Datamax Enhanced Language Code Pages.

Internal Rewind (factory installed)

A mechanism to rewind pr inted labels and backing material inside the printer.

I/O Expansion Card (specify features at time of order)

Standard features of this slide-in circuit card assembly include:

½ General purpose (GPIO) interface for external printer and device control.
½ Time and date calendar (Real Time Clock) function for label time stamping.

Additional option:
½ 8 MB Flash memory expansion for graphics and/or additional fonts

including International Language P rinting Capability (ILPC).

4W-Class

LAN Interface

A slide-in circuit card assembly that provides network connectivity, allowing
multiple users on various platforms to share the same printer.

Peel and Present Mechanism (requires the Internal Rewind option)

A device used to automatically separate printed labels from the backing
material. When accompanied by the present sensor option, on-demand label
dispensing becomes po ssible.

Present Sensor

A sensor used to control the p rinter output. When enabled, pr inting occurs a fter
the removal of a previously print label.

RS-422 Serial Interface

A single-drop interface to support greater distances from the host at
communication rates of up to 38,400 baud.

Twinax/Coax Interface (including cable)

These are internal devices, providing connection to AS/400 and System/3X
Twinax host system or 3270-type host system.

1.1 Option Installation

This table lists the recommended q ualification level for the person installi ng the
options. Contact your dealer or Datamax Technical Support for details.

Suggested Experience Level

Option Qualified Installer

Cover Dampener DMX Certified Technician

Cutter Tray Operator

Cutters: Standard and Light-Duty DMX Certified Technician

DMX Passport External Keyboard Operator

Font Expansion Card DMX Certified Technician

Internal Rewind DMX Certified Technician

International Language Programming Capab ilit y DMX Certified Technician

I/O Expansion Card DMX Certified Technician

LAN Interface DMX Certified Technician

Peel Mechanism Operator

Present Sensor DMX Certified Technician

RS-422 Serial Interface DMX Certified Technician

Twinax/Coax Interface DMX Certified Technician

W-Cl ass 5

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2.0 Unpacking the Printer

Inspect the shipping container(s) for damage; if evident, immediately notify the
shipping company to report the nature and extent of the damage.

The printer has been carefully packaged to avoid damage during transit. In order
to operate the printer, you will need to remove the tape and foam placed there
for shipment. Complete the following steps prior to connecting power or
attempting to load media.

å With the arrows on the box pointing ‘Up’, open the box.

 Remove packing fo am.

ê Using the straps, carefully lift the printer from the box.

 Remove the straps and the plastic bag from the

printer.

ã Note: It is a good idea to save the carton and packaging materials.

6W-Class

Inspecting the Printer

After removing the printer from the packaging material, check the contents of
the package. In addition to this manual,
the following items should be included:

½ Printer
½ Power cord
½ Accessories CD
½ Any special or additionally

purchased items.

Additional Requirements

The following items are necessary for generating printed labels. Contact your
customer support representative for advice on which media and software is best
suited for your needs.

½ A serial or parallel interface cable; see Section 3.0.1
½ Applicable media; see Section 2.1 for suggestions and Section 7.1 for

requirements.

½ Applicable labeling software

W-Cl ass 7

2.1 Media and Ribbon Sele ction

The following is a limited overview of media characteristics. For complete
information and advice regarding your specific application needs, always
consult a qualified media specialist or a Datamax Media Representative.

Media Selection – Direct Thermal

Consider three important factors when selecting direct thermal stock:

• The abrasive qualities of the material that covers the thermal reactive la yer

of the paper.

• The ability of that layer to control the chemical reaction that occurs when

the image is “burned”.

• The amount of heat required to create an image on the paper.
Media Selection – Thermal Transfer

Consider three important factors when selecting thermal transfer media

combinations:

• The label top coating and ribbon combinations affect image quality.

• Ribbon backcoating is highly recommended. It provides protection for the

printhead; and depending upon the formula, it may also provide an anti­static coating.

• For additional printhead protection, use ribbon with a slightly greater width

than the overall width of the label and backing material.

2.1.1 Print Quality Controls

The printer provides flexibility with a comprehensive set of print controls. Of
these, the amount of heat applied by the printhead and the rate of media
movement will have the most effect on the barcodes, text, and graphics being
printed. Low cost direct thermal stocks, for example, have raised reaction
temperatures and therefore require higher heat values and slower print speeds to
make a clear image on the media. In general, there are four methods of
controlling print quality:

• The first is the ‘Media Type’ menu setting, which should be set to match the

media being used. For example, when printing with ribbon use the thermal
transfer setting.

8W-Class

• The second method would be to change the ‘Print Control / Heat’ menu

setting (selectable as ‘Heat Setting’ in most software programs). Increasing
this value causes more energy to be transferred to the media, resulting in a
darker image. If the image is too dark, reduce this value or increase the print
speed.

• The next method would be to chan ge the ‘P rint Contro l / Pr int Speed ’ men u

setting (also selectable as ‘Print Speed’ in most software programs).
Changing the print speed changes the amount of time the media is under the
printhead. Slowing the speed allows more time and control for energy to be
transferred. Increasing the speed will increase throughp ut, but ma y require a
higher heat setting.

• The final method, providing only subtle contrast changes, would be to

change the ‘Custom Adjustments / Darkness’ menu setting.

You will find that printing barcodes and detailed images on le ss e xpensive d irect
thermal and thermal transfer media at higher speeds can be tricky. At one heat
setting, the images will fade and at the next higher heat setting, the ima ges will
bleed. This is because the reaction temperature of the media is so high that at
higher rates of speed, it cannot react fast enough. To print fine images at higher
speed, media with lower reaction or release temperatures are required. On the
slower end of the print rate settings, crisper images are possible because the
media is not being stretched beyond its li mits.

The following table is intended for reference only (for specific application
information, consult your media specialist or a Datamax Media Representative).

Thermal Transfer

Media

Ribbon

Type

Print

Speed*

Print

Energy

Image

Durability

Coated Paper, Uncoated Paper,

Tag Stock, Some Films, Some
Synthetics

Wax 2 - 8 Low Low

Coated Paper, Glossy Paper,

Tag Stock,

Some Synthetics, Films

Wax/Resin 2 - 8 Medium High

Synthetics, Films Resin 4 - 6 High High

*Values given in inches per second (IPS)

W-Cl ass 9

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3.0 Installation

This chapter explains how to connect your printer, and load it with media and
ribbon.

ã Note: When connecting the AC Power Cord or data cables to the printer,

ensure the Power On/Off Switch is in the ‘Off’ position.

å Place the printer on a firm, level surface.
 Turn ‘Off’ the Host Computer and ensure that the Power Switch on the

Printer is in the ‘Off’ position.

ê Depending upon your interfacing requirements, connect the appropriate

interface cable between Host Computer and Printer; see Section 3.0.1. (If
connecting the printer to a network, refer to the additional documentation
supplied with the network option.)

 Connect the AC power cord to the receptacle on the back of the Printer, and

then plug the AC power cord into a properly grounded outlet. (The power
supply in the printer auto matically detects, then adjusts to the applied line
voltage; see Section 7.0 for acceptable voltage ranges.)

10 W-Class

3.0.1 Communications

Using a data detection process, the interface selection occurs automatically in the
printer. At power-up, the printer begins monitoring the interface ports for
activity. When the host transmits da ta, the printer port detecting this data is set

‘active’ and remains active as long as data flow continues. Once the incoming
(received) data flow stops and the Host Timeout Value (see Section 4.1.6) is
exceeded, the detection process will be repeated. In addition, should the data
flow stop before a complete label format is received, the format will be ignored
and must be sent to the pr inter again.

ã Note: To change an active port immediately, cycle the printer power ‘Off’

and ‘On’.

Parallel Port:

The parallel interface has two menu-selectable modes of operation: uni­directional or bi-directional. Uni-directional mode is forward channel

communication and requires a Centronics



cable with a 36 pin male connector.
Bi-directional mode is IEEE 1284 Compliant, using forward and reverse channel
communications. In this mode, data can be sent to the host provided it is also
IEEE 1284 Compliant and has supporting software. This mode requires an IEEE

1284 cable with a Centronics



36 pin male connector.

NIC Adapter (optional):

The NIC Adapter has several menu-selectable modes; see Section 4.1.6 for
details. Refer to the information provided with the option for connection
requirements. The following items are accessible from the back of the printer:

• The LED Indicators provide operational

information: A green LINK LED indicates
a good network connection. A green 100
LED indicates a 100BASE-T network
connection. The ACT LED (activity)
flashes green or red when the server is
ready for use.

• The Test Button will cause a NIC

Configuration label to print.

• The Ethernet Reset button will reset the

NIC Adapter.

ã Note: Following initialization, the printer will indicate ‘Ready’; however, the

NIC Adapter will not be ready to receive data until its ‘boot-up’ process
is completed. Depending upon the NIC Adapter configuration, this
process may take up to two minutes to complete.

W-Cl ass 11

Serial Port:

The serial interface supports RS-232C and, if equipped, RS-422
communications. The following list of serial port setting s is men u-selectab le and

must match the host computer’s serial port settings; see Section 4.1.6.

• Baud Rate (serial communication speed)

• Word Length

• Word Parity

• Number of Stop Bits

• Handshaking Protocol

In addition to the port settings, the serial interface cable wiring must have
specific connections (pin-outs) for proper data exchange between the host
and printer. The different serial cable pin-outs, suggested applications, and part

numbers are shown below (contact your reseller for ordering information).

Serial Interface Cable Listing (all models, except as noted)

Null Modem (MXM) “PC” (DB9P) to Printer

Part Number 556000 Part Number 556001

For connection to other DCE equipment.
Flow control is only Xon/Xoff.

For connection to a PC compatible with
DB9P communication ports. Flow control
can be either Xon/Xoff or CTS/DTR.

“PC” (DB25P) to Printer RS-422 Connection

*

Part Number 556002 Part Number N/A

For connection to a PC compatible with
DB25 communication ports. Flow control
can be either Xon/Xoff or CTS/DTR.

Diagram is provided only as a reference.

12 W-Class

3.1 Loading Media

The following section explains the media loading steps. Before beginning,
complete these steps:

å Raise the Access Cover.
 Rotate the Printhead Latch

forward to raise the Printhead
Assembly.

ê Slide the Media Guide out

away from the frame.

 Proceed according to the type

of media you are using: go to
Section 3.1.1 for Roll Media
or go to Sectio n 3.1.2 for Fan­Fold Media.

W-Cl ass 13

3.1.1 Roll Media

This loading method is for ro ll type media applications. To load:
å Slide Roll Media onto the Media

Supply Hub until it rests against the
Backstop.

 Route the media as shown below:

under the Bouncer Assembly, through
the Media Sensor, then out the front
of the printer.

ê Slide the Media Guide over until it

rests lightly against the edge of the
media.

 Position the Media Sensor; see

Section 3.2.

 If your application uses thermal transfer media, load ribbon (see Section

3.3); otherwise continue.

ñ Lower the Printhead Assembly and rotate the Printhead Latch completely

back into the locked position. Close the Access Cover.

ò Turn ‘On’ the printer. After ‘Ready is disp layed, press and hold the FEED

key until at least one label gap or mark is advanced; see Section 3.4.

☞

If using less than full width media, adjust the Leveling Cam; see Section

5.1.1.

14 W-Class

3.1.2 Fan-Fold Media

This loading method is for tag and fan-fold t ype media applications. To load:
å Bring media in from the Bottom or

Rear Fan-Fold Slot and through the
printer, as shown below. (If using
reflective stock, ensure that the mark is
facedown.)

 Slide the Media Guide over until it

rests lightly against the edge of the
media.

ê With the Roller Lever in its ‘down’

position, slide the Fan-Fold Media
Guide onto the Media Supply Hub and
route the media through the slot in the guide. Ensure the media rests against
the Backstop, then raise the Roller Lever to its ‘up’ position and tig hten the
Thumbscrew on the bottom of the Fan-Fold Media Guide.

 Position the Media Sensor; see Section 3.2.
 If your application uses thermal transfer media, load ribbon (see Section

3.3); otherwise continue.

ñ Lower the printhead assembl y and rotate the Printhead Latch back i nto the

locked position. Close the Access Cover.

ò Turn ‘On’ the printer. After ‘Ready is disp layed, press and hold the FEED

key until at least one label gap or mark is advanced; see Section 3.4.

☞

If using less than full width media, adjust the Leveling Cam; see Section

5.1.1.

W-Cl ass 15

3.2 Media Sensor Adjustment

The Media Sensor needs to be positioned so that the printer can detect the
presence of media and the top-of-form (except for continuous stock, where the
TOF is set through programming; see Label Length, Section 4.1.2). To adjust:

å With media loaded, as described in Section 3.1.1 or 3.1.2, turn the Media

Sensor Adjust Knob clockwise (outward) or counterclockwise (inward)
until the Sensor Eye Mark is positioned over the media according to the
table below.

 If loading media, return to the media loading instructions.

Media Sensor Selectio n and Adjustment

Media Type Sensor Eye Mark Position

Sensor Required

*

Die-cut Near the middle of the label Gap

Notched Centered over the notch Gap

Reflective Centered over the black mark Reflective

Continuous Near the middle of the media Continuous

*

See Section 4.1.2 for Sensor Type selection.

ã Note: Changes to the start of print position can be made using the Print

Control / Row Adjust or Row Offset (see Section 4.1.3).

16 W-Class

3.3 Loading Ribbon

Thermal transfer media requires the use of ribbon. To load:

ã Note: Using a ribbon that is slightly wider than your media (and liner, if any)

will help protect against printhead wear.

å With the access cover raised, remove the J-Hook from the Ribbon Take-Up

Hub.

 Position the Ribbon as shown below and then slide it completely onto the

Ribbon Supply Hub.

ê Raise the Printhead Assembly, pull approximately eighteen inches (450mm)

of ribbon from the roll and route it under the Lower Ribbon Roller then out
over the Platen Roller, as shown.

 Lower the Printhead Assembly, route the ribbon over the Upper Ribbon

Rollers and down around the Ribbon Take-up Hub.

 Replace the J-Hook on the Ribbon Take-

up Hub. While holding the hub, rotate the
J-Hook counterclockwise to latch it.
Rotate the hub counterclockwise to
remove any slack from the ribbon.

ñ If loading media, return to the media

loading instructions. Otherwise, lower
the Printhead Assembly and rotate the
Printhead Latch completely back i nto the
locked position. Close the Access Cover.

W-Cl ass 17

3.4 Quick Media Calibration

☞

When ‘Uncalibrated’ is displayed, follow the Media Sensor Calibration
procedure in Section 5.0.

At the factory, the printer is calibrated to sense a wide range of media types.
Quick Media Calibration fine-tunes the media sensor for your gap, notch or
reflective media application (this is not required for continuous media). Perform
this calibration during initial set-up or after changing your media type. To
calibrate:

å Ensure that media is loaded (see Section 3.1), that the Media Sensor is

adjusted (see Section 3.2), and that the p rinter is idle.

 Press and hold the FEED key. The printer will begin advancing media;

allow at least one label gap or mark to advance under the sensor during
this process.

Upon successful completion, the ‘Calibration Completed’ message will flash;
the printer will feed to the next label TOF and ‘Ready’ will be displayed. (A
‘Warning Lo w Backing’ mes sage may appe ar if using notche d media or med ia
on a transparent liner; however, the calibration was successful).

ã Note: Media containing large gaps may require a change in the ‘Paper Out

Distance’ setting; see Section 4.1.2.

Calibration Hints:

In certain cases, the printer may have trouble differentiating between the label

and liner. If the printer stops feeding in the middle of a label or if ‘Cannot
Calibrate’ is displayed, try calibrating over a longer distance:

• Press and hold the FEED key to allow two gaps or marks to advance under

the sensor.

If the printer continues to stop in t he middle of a label, or if ‘Cannot Calib rate’
is displayed again:

• Press and hold the FEED key to allow three or more gaps or marks to

advance under the sensor.

If this method also fails, see Media Senso r Calibration, Section 5.0.

18 W-Class

3.5 Outputting Labels

In addition to directly outputting labels from the printer, there are several
optional output configurations available.

3.5.1 Rewinding onto the Media Rewind Hub

With the Internal Rewind optio n, the printed labels and backin g material can be
wound directly onto the Media Rewind Hub. To rewind labels and backing:

å Load media as described in

Section 3.1.

 Remove the Tear Bar and

install the Arc Plate.

ê Remove the Media Retainer

from the Media Rewind Hub.

 Press the FEED key and

advance about 20 inches (51
cm) of media then guide it
onto the Media Rewind Hub, as shown. Place the leading edge of the media
into the Slot in the hub and rotate several ti mes to secure.

 Slide the Media Retainer onto the hub so that it rests lightly against the ed ge

of the media and tighten the Thumbscrew. Close the Access Cover.

W-Cl ass 19

3.5.2 Rewinding onto a Core

With the Internal Rewind optio n, the printed labels and backin g material can be
wound directly onto Media Cores. To rewind labels and backing onto cores:

å Load media as described

in Section 3.1.

 Remove the Tear Bar

and install the Arc Plate;
see pictorial, Section

3.5.1.

ê If attached, remove the

Media Retainer from the
Media Rewind Hub.

 Position the Core Adapters to support, but not extend beyond the Media

Core. Tighten in the adapters in place with the Thumbscrews.

 Slide an empty Media Core over the Core Adapters.
ñ Guide the media onto the Media Rewind Hub as shown. Place the leading

edge of the media into the Media Core and secure using tape.

ò Slide the Media Retainer onto the hub; position it just to the edge of the

media and tighten the Thumbscrew. Close the Access Cover.

20 W-Class

3.5.3 On-Demand Dispensing

When equipped with the Peel and Present option, labels are dispensed then
separated automatically from the liner for immediate application.

å Load media as described in Section 3.1.
 Remove the Tear Bar (see pictorial, Section 3.5.1) and attach the Peel

Mechanism to the printer usi ng the Thumbscrews.

ê Grasp the Release Tabs on the Peel Mechanism and pull to separate the Peel

Roller Bracket from the Fixed Bracket.

 Thread the media over the top of the Fixed Bracket, behind and under the

Peel Roller Bracket, then down to the Media Rewind Hub.