Eltron TLP2844, LP2844 User Manual

TLP2844™ and LP2844™

Thermal Printers

User’s Manual

User’s Manual No. 980316-001 Rev. A

©2000 Zebra Technologies Corporation

FOREWORD

This manualprovides installationand operationinformation forthe LP2844and theTLP2844 se
ries printers, manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corporation, Camarillo, California.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This document contains information proprietary to Zebra Technologies Corporation. This docu
ment and theinformation contained withinis copyrighted by Zebra Technologies Corporation and
may not be duplicatedin full or in partby any person withoutwrittenapproval from Zebra Technol
ogies Corporation. While everyeffort has been madeto keep the informationcontained within cur
rent and accurate as of the date of publication, no guarantee is given or impliedthat the document
is error-free or that it is accurate with regard to any specification. Zebra Technologies Corporation
reserves the right to make changes, for the purpose of product improvement, at any time.

TRADEMARKS

LP2844 and TLP2844 are service marks and Eltron is a registered trademark of Zebra Technol
ogies Corporation. Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other
marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

LP2844 and TLP2844 Thermal Printers

European Council Directive Compliance to Standards

89/336/EEC EMC Directive EN 55022-A, CISPR 22 RF Emissions control

-

-

-

-

-

92/31/EE EMC Directive EN 50082-1 IEC 801

92/31/EE EMC Directive EN 61000-3-2 Harmonic Emissions
92/31/EE EMC Directive EN 61000-3-3 Voltage Variation

Immunity to Electro-

magnetic Disturbances

FCC - DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY:

Models: LP2844 and TLP2844 conform to the following specification:

FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Section 15.107(a) and Section 15.109(a) Class B
digital device

Supplemental Information:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following Two
Conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE:

This device complies with Industry Canada ICS-003 class B requirements.

Cet equipement est conforme a l’ICS-003 classe B de la norm Industrielle Canadian

ii 980316-001 Rev. A

WARRANTY INFORMATION

We Need To Hear From You!

To Establish Your Warranty Period And Provide Access To Technical Support,

Send Us Your Product Registration Card Today!

Zebra Technologies Corporation warrants the mechanism, control electronics and power supply,
under normal use and service, to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
twelve (12) months from the date of purchase by the end user. Zebra Technologies Corporation
warrants the print head,undernormal use and service, tobefree from defects inmaterialand work
manship for a period of ninety (90) days or30KM of printing (whichever occurs first) from the date
of purchase by the end user. Proof of purchase or product registration is required. If proof of pur
chase or product registration cannot be established, shipment date to the original buyer (dealer or
distributor) will be used to establish the warranty period.

Failure to exercise caution to protect the equipment from electrostatic discharge damage, adverse
temperature and humidity conditions or physical abusemay void the warranty. Failure to useonly
Eltron brand approved media may void the warranty. Zebra Technologies Corporation will, at its
option, repair or replace the equipment or any parts which are determined to be defective within
this warranty period, and which are returned to Zebra Technologies Corporation F.O.B. factory of
origin.

The warranty set forth above is exclusive and no other warranty, whether written or oral, is ex­pressed or implied. Zebra TechnologiesCorporationspecificallydisclaims the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

-

-

RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION

Before returning any equipment to Zebra for in warranty or out of warranty repair, contact Repair
Administration for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Repack the equipment in the
original packing material and mark the RMA number clearly on the outside. Ship the equipment,
freight prepaid, to the address listed below:

Eltron RMA, USA
1001 Flynn Road

Camarillo, CA. 93012

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]

Label Printers: Card Printers:

Zebra Technologies, Europe Zebra Technologies, Europe

Zebra House Zone Indutrielle, Rue d'Amsterdam

The Valley Centre, Gordon Road 44370 Varades, France

High Wycombe Phone: [phone]
Buckinghamshire HP13 6EQ, UK FAX: [phone]
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

980316-001 Rev. A iii

SHOCK HAZARD WARNING:

The printer and power supply should never be operated in a
location where either one can get wet. Personal injury could
result.

MEDIA AND RIBBON WARNING:

Always use high quality Eltron approved labels, tags and
ribbons. If adhesive backed labels are used that DO NOT lay flat
on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label
guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel
off from the liner and jam the printer. Permanent damage to the
print head may result if a non-Eltron ribbon is used as it may be
wound incorrectly for the printer or contain chemicals
corrosive to the print head. Eltron approved supplies can be
ordered from your ELTRON dealer. For the name of a dealer in
your area, call the nearest Eltron office (see the back cover).

RELOADING HINT:

If labels or ribbon run out while printing, DO NOT turn the
power switch OFF (0) while reloading or data loss may result.
The printer automatically restarts after you load a new label or
ribbon roll.

STATIC DISCHARGE:

The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the
surface of the human body or other surfaces can damage or
destroy the print head or electronic components used in this
device. DO NOT TOUCH the print head or the electronic
components under the top cover.

THERMAL PRINTING:

The print head becomes hot while printing. To protect from
damaging the print head and risk of personal injury, avoid
touching the print head. Use only the cleaning pen to perform
maintenance.

iv 980316-001 Rev. A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Installation and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Unpack Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Know Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

AutoSense Media Gap Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Using Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Using Transfer Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Using the Label Dispenser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Using Fan-Fold Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Using the Media Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Appendix A - Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Other Support Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Serial Interface Cable Wiring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Parallel Interface Cable Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Universal Serial Bus (USB). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Cleaning the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Cleaning the Platen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Appendix B - Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

980316-001 Rev. A v

vi 980316-001 Rev. A

1

Installation and Operation

This section provides information on the
installation and operation of the printer.

The printer is a low cost, desktop thermal
printer. The printer is specifically designed for
printing labels, tags or continuous receipts (with
or without bar codes) from any DOS™, Win­dows™or ASCII-based compatible host. There
are two models of the printer.

980316-001 Rev. A 1

Installation and Operation

Unpack Your Printer

User Documentation

&Software

Know Your Printer

2 980316-001 Rev. A

Installation and Operation

980316-001 Rev. A 3

Installation and Operation

Installation The following steps will guide you through the

installation of the printer and software.

Step ➊ Attach Power Supply To The Printer

Power OFF

Check Voltage

Plug in

Power

Module

Plug in

Power

Cord

Plug Power Cord

into a Suitable

AC Outlet

See the SHOCK HAZARD WARNING on page
iv.

4

980316-001 Rev. A

Step ➋ Attach Interface Cable

Serial

Parallel

Installation and Operation

Universal Serial Bus

980316-001 Rev. A 5

(USB)

See Appendix A for cable wiring information.

Installation and Operation

Step ➌ Load Media

Power ON

MOVIE

Open Cover

Open Guides

6 980316-001 Rev. A

Load Media - continued

Install Roll

Installation and Operation

Close Guides to the

Width of the Media

Note: When using

linerfree labels,

adjust the guides to

the widest position

980316-001 Rev. A 7

Installation and Operation

Load Media - continued

Release Cover

MOVIE

Note: This step

applies to thermal

transfer printers

Close Cover

8 980316-001 Rev. A

Step  AutoSense Media Gap Sensing

Perform this procedure when loading a new
roll. If your printer has the label dispenser

MOVIE

Power OFF

option, turn OFF the label taken sensor.

Installation and Operation

Hold

Feed Button

Power ON

980316-001 Rev. A 9

Installation and Operation

a

g

e

0

0

0

,

0

2

4

a

v

l

AutoSense Gap Sensor Adjustment - continued

When Indicator

Flashes, Release

Feed Button

Printer Advances

Media and Prints

Status Summary

UKQ1935 16 V3.21
Serial port : 96,N,8,1

Note: Printer is in

diagnostic dump mode

Tap Feed Button

To Begin Normal

Operation

Note: Printer prints

“out of DUMP”

Image buffer size:1032K
Fmem:000.0K,016.4K avl
Gmem:000K,0593K avl
E

mem:000K,0593K avl
I8,0,001 rY
S2 D10 R016,000 ZT UN
q800 Q01225,026
Option:
04 08 13
now in DUMP

n

o

w

in

0

4

D

U

0

M

8

O

P

1

p

3

tio

n

q

:

8

0

0

Q

S

2

1

0

D

2

1

9

I

0

,0

8

,0

R

2

0

5

,0

1

E

0

6

m

1

,0

e

0

r

m

0

Y

G

:

Z

0

T

U

N

m

0

e

0

m

K

F

,0

:

m

0

2

0

e

4

0

m

1

K

Im

:

K

,

10

If the indicator remains orange or red, see the
troubleshooting steps.

980316-001 Rev. A

Step ➎ Install Software

Installation and Operation

Start your computer and follow the installation
instructions on the compact disc (CD).

980316-001 Rev. A 11

Installation and Operation

Operation The following information helps you get the

most from your printer.

Programming

Commands

You must use programming to control many of
the printer's functions. See the EPL2 program
mer's manual for details. For example, the Q
command controls form length and gap.

Printer Driver The printer driver providesa convenient control

to improve print quality. For example, Print
density (darkness) is affected by the heat energy
(density setting) applied and by the print speed.
Changing both Print Speed and Density may be
required to achieve the desired results.

Thermal Printing:

Direct or

Transfer?

You must use the correct media for the type of
printing you require. When printing without a
ribbon, you must use direct thermal media.
When using ribbon, you must use thermal trans­fer media. The printer's ribbon sensor detects
motion of the supply spindle.

-

Replacing Supplies When replacing media orribbon, do not turn off

the printer or data loss occurs. The printer auto
matically resumes printing after you load new
supplies.

12

980316-001 Rev. A

-

Using Options

2

Using Options

This section provides information on the
printer's optional features:

• thermal transfer printing

• label dispenser

• fan-fold media

• media cutter

980316-001 Rev. A 13

Using Options

Using

Transfer

Ribbon

The TLP printer supports both direct thermal
media (chemically treated to darken when
heated) and thermal transfer media (accepts
wax and/or resin transferred off a ribbon).

Step ➊ Prepare Ribbon

Pull Adhesive

MOVIE

Strip Free

14 980316-001 Rev. A

Step ➋ Install Supply Roll

Thread

Ribbon

Through

Carriage

Press

onto Hub

Using Options

Align Notches

onto Hub Spokes

980316-001 Rev. A 15

Using Options

Step ➌ Install Take-Up Core

Press

onto Hub

Align Notches

onto Hub Spokes

16 980316-001 Rev. A

Step ➍ Tighten Ribbon

Attach Ribbon to

Take-Up Core

Note: Use the adhesive

strip on new rolls;

otherwise, use tape

Using Options

Remove Slack

From Ribbon

When using ribbon, make sure you also use
thermal transfer media.

980316-001 Rev. A 17

Using Options

Adding a New

Transfer Ribbon

Replacing a

Partially Used

Transfer Ribbon

Cut Used

Ribbon

from Supply

If ribbon runsout in the middle of a printjob, the
indicator lights orange and the printer waits for
you to add a fresh roll. Keep the power on as
you change ribbon. Open the top cover, then
cut the used ribbon so you can remove the
cores. Load a new ribbon roll (refer to the previ
ous procedure if necessary). Close the top
cover. Press the Feed button to restart printing.

To remove used transfer ribbon, cut the ribbon
from the take-up roll. Remove the take-up roll
and discard used ribbon. Remove the supply
roll and tape the end of any fresh ribbon to pre
vent it from unwrapping. When reinstalling a
partially used supply roll, tape the cut end onto
the empty take-up roll.

-

-

Push Supply

Roll Out

18

980316-001 Rev. A

Using the Label Dispenser

Open

Door

MOVIE

Switch On

the Label

Taken Sensor

Remove

Several

Labels

Using Options

Push

Liner

Through

Slot

Close

Door

Close

Top Cover

and Press

Feed Button

980316-001 Rev. A 19

Using Options

Using Fan-Fold Media

Insert

Media

Adjust Holders

to Width of Media

Tighten Screw

(use a small

Phillips driver #1)

Adjust Guides

to Width of Media

20 980316-001 Rev. A

Using Options

Using the

Media Cutter

Printers that have a bezel with a motorized
blade can dispense one or more forms that are
then automatically cut from the media supply.

This option cuts through continuouspaper from
rolls and liner between labels. The media can
be up to 0.0055 inch (0.095mm) thick, 1.12
inch (28mm) to 4.25 inches (108mm) wide,
and at least 0.75 inch (19.1mm)long. The den­sity of media can be up to 120 grams/meter

2

Blade life is 1,000,000 cuts.

Use the OC command to activate the cutter and
the Q command to set the form length and gap
distance. See the EPL2 programmer's manual.

.

980316-001 Rev. A 21

Clearing the

Media Cutter

If the blade cuts through labels, adhesive can
jam the cutter.

Turn OFF (O) printer power and unplug the power
and interface cables before clearing the cutter.

Keep the cutter dry. Never use any solutions or
solvents to clean the blade.

22

After removing debris, plug in the power and
interface cables, turn on the printer, then test for
normal operation.

980316-001 Rev. A

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Problem Solution or Reason

STATUS Indicator

Does not light after turning
ON ( I ) printer.

Blinks GREEN.

Blinks GREEN-RED-RED.

Lights ORANGE.

Blinks ORANGE.

Lights RED.

1. Check power connections from A.C.
outlet to power supply to printer.

2. Check that media or ribbon is present.

1. Printer receiving data through interface.

2. Signal to begin AutoSense after turning
ON printer. Release the FEED button.

1. Operator has paused the printer during
a batch job. Tap the FEED button to
continue.

1. Ribbon is out. Reload a new supply.

2. The optional cover open sensor is ac­tive. Press top cover to close and lock.

3. Printer has a syntax or command error.
Check program and resend print job.

1. Firmware download in process.
Indicator lights red, then green.

1. Media is out. Reload a new supply.

2. Power-up failure.

3. Printer ready to receive flash program

-

ming during firmware download.

Lights GREEN, but printer
will not print.

980316-001 Rev. A 23

Printer Operation

1. Check interface cable connections from
computer to printer.

2. Make sure top cover is locked closed.

3. Check that labels are correct.

4. Verify media has print surface up for
printing.

5. Check that transfer ribbon is correctly
routed and has the ink side out for
thermal transfer printing.

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Problem Solution or Reason

Printer Operation--continued

Printer appears to be
working (media is being fed
out), but nothing is printed.

Printing is faded or poor
quality.

Prints only partial label or
skips a label.

1. Verify that the labels are the correct
type.

2. Check that the roll is loaded with the di
rect thermal side facing up.

3. Clean the print head with cleaning pen.

4. Ensure top cover is locked closed.

1. Clean the print head with cleaning pen.

2. Adjust print speed/darkness in software.

3. Check the media and verify that print
surface is facing up.

4. Check the correct combination thermal
transfer ribbon and media are in use.

1. Perform AutoSense gap sensor
adjustment on page 8.

2. Label caught on print head.

3. Top cover is not properly latched.

4. Possible software problem. Check the
printer memory configuration. Refer to
the EPL2 Programming manual.

-

Printing stops and STATUS
indicator lights ORANGE or
RED.

1. Perform AutoSense gap sensor adjust­ment on page 8.

2. Possible problem with label stock. Use
only Eltron approved labels and tags.

3. Possible label jam.

4. Insufficient memory for label size. Check
the printer memory configuration.

5. Possible software problem. Refer to the
EPL2 Programming manual.

24 980316-001 Rev. A

Troubleshooting Media Handling

Problem Solution or Reason

Label Dispenser

1. Make sure label-taken sensor is on.

2. The label-taken sensor is blocked or

Printing continues between
labels.

dirty. Remove any scraps or dust.

3. Continuous media may be set. Verify
form length setting through program

ming
grammer's manual.

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

-

Q command. See the EPL2 pro

-

Prints one label and stops.

Blade cuts through labels
instead of cutting liner
between labels.

Media jammed in cutter.

Media fails to cut direct
thermal paper or label liner.

1. Verify the quantity has been correctly
set.

Cutter Operation

1. Verify form length setting through pro­gramming.

1. Unplug power and interface cables. Use
tweezers to remove scraps from cutter
opening.

1. Use programming

C command to cycle

cutter several times without media to
perform a self-cleaning. See the EPL2
programmer's manual.

2. Cutter must be replaced.

980316-001 Rev. A 25

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Other Support

Resources

The first troubleshooting reference source are
the tables on the previous pages. Next, contact
the dealer where you purchased your printer.

Zebra Technologies also provides a variety of
information and user support services:

Internet:

•

http://www.eltron.com

Technical Support e-mail:

Label Printers: [e-mail]
Europe: [e-mail]
Singapore: [e-mail]
Latin America: [e-mail]

• Customer Service: [phone]

For the name of a dealer in your area.

• Technical Support FAX:

Asia: [phone]
Europe: [phone]
Latin America: [phone]
For your assistance and support with Eltron
printers and software.

26

980316-001 Rev. A

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Serial Interface

Cable Wiring

The figure below displays the cable wiring
required to use the printer's RS-232 serial
interface.

DB-9
Pin #

N/C
RxD
TxD
DTR

GND

DSR
RTS
CTS

RI

Female DB-9 to Male DB-9

Cable P/N 300017-006 (6') or 300017-010 (10')

DB-25

Pin #

N/C
RxD
TxD

DTR
GND

DSR
RTS
CTS

RI

DB-9

Pin #

11
22
33
44
55
66
77
88
99

DB-9
Pin #

18
23
32
420
57
66
74
85
922

PrinterHost

+5 Volts*

TxD
RxD
N/C

GND

RDY

N/C

RDY

N/C

PrinterHost

+5 Volts*

TxD
RxD
N/C

GND

RDY

N/C

RDY

N/C

980316-001 Rev. A 27

FemaleDB-25toMaleDB-9

Cable P/N 300018-006 (6')

*+5 volts at 150 mA for external device (e.g. KDU or scanner)

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Parallel Interface

Cable Wiring

The figure below displays the cable wiring
required to use the printer's Centronics parallel
interface.

HOST

STROBE

DATA 0
DATA 1
DATA 2
DATA 3
DATA 4
DATA 5
DATA 6
DATA 7

ACK/

BUSY

PAPER ERR.

READY

INIT

ERROR/

N/A
N/A

N/A
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND

DB-25

Pin No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Centronics

Pin No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

PRINTER

STROBE

DATA 0
DATA 1
DATA 2
DATA 3
DATA 4
DATA 5
DATA 6
DATA 7

ACK/

BUSY

PAPER ERR.

READY

INIT

ERROR/

N/A
N/A

+5V
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND
SIG. GND

FemaleDB-25toMaleCentronics

28 980316-001 Rev. A

(Cable)

+5 volts at 300 mA for external device (e.g. KDU or scanner)

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Universal Serial

Bus (USB)

The table below provides the contact terminat
ing assignments by number and electrical value
for the cable connectors.

Contact Number Signal Name

1 VBUS Red
2 D- White
3 D+ Green
4 GND Black

Shell Shield Drain Wire

You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Speci­fication for details regarding this interface.

-

Typical Wiring

Assignment

980316-001 Rev. A 29

MOVIE

Cleaning the

Print Head

Rub

Cleaning

Pen Across

Dark Area

of Print Head

When you load new media, you can also clean
the print head.

Turn OFF (O) the printer before performing this
procedure

.

Wait

One Minute

Before Closing

Printer

Do Not Clean Roller

With Cleaning Pen

30

980316-001 Rev. A

Appendix A - Troubleshooting

Cleaning the

Platen

Gently Wipe

Top of Platen

The platen, over time, picks up adhesive and
dust which requires occasional cleaning.

To follow these steps, you require a clean,
lint-free cloth lightly moistened with isopropyl
alcohol.

Turn OFF (O) the printer before performing this
procedure.

Advance Platen

One-Sixth (1/6) Turn

(about 60°)

Repeat Steps Until

Platen is Clean

Let the platen dry for at least one minute before
loading media.

980316-001 Rev. A 31

32 980316-001 Rev. A

Appendix B - Accessories

Accessories available for the printer are listed
below. Always refer to the ELTRON part num
ber when placing an order. For the name of an
Eltron brand dealer in your area, call: 1(805)
579-1800 or the nearest Zebra Technologies
office (located on the back of this manual).

Description Part Number

-

Parallel Interface Cable, 6’
Parallel Interface Cable, 10’
Serial Interface Cable, 6’
Serial Interface Cable, 10’ (DB-9 to DB-9)
Serial Interface Cable, 6’ (DB-25 to DB-9)
USB Interface Cable, 6'
USB Interface Cable, 10'

Power Rewinder, 120V
Power Rewinder, 230V
Create-A-Label 3 Software for Windows
Keyboard Display Unit
PrintServer Communications Interface

User’s Manual (this manual)
Programmer’s Manual

Software and Documentation CD

(DB-9 to DB-9)

300016-006
300016-010
300017-006
300017-010
300018-006
300283-001
300283-010

103284-001
103284-002
105524-001
120180-001

46696

980316-001
980009-001

105551-005

980316-001 Rev. A 33

World Wide Offices:

Zebra Technologies Corporation
Eltron Products

1001 Flynn Road
Camarillo, CA 93012-8706 USA
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Zebra Technologies, Europe

Zebra House
The Valley Centre, Gordon Road, High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire HP13 6EQ, UK
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Zebra Technologies, France

50 rue Marcel Dassault
92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
France
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Zebra Technologies, Latin America

6175 NW 153rd Street #121
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Zebra Technologies, Asia/Pacific

1 Sims Lane #06-11
Singapore 387355
Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

980316- 001A