IBM 3400e User Manual

User’s Manual

P/N 071881-001

®

EasyCoder

3400e

Bar Code Label Printer

Intermec Technologies Corporation
6001 36th Avenue West
P.O. Box 4280
Everett, WA 98203-9280

U.S. service and technical support: 1-800-755-5505
U.S. media supplies ordering information: 1-800-227-9947

Canadian service and technical support: 1-800-668-7043
Canadian media supplies ordering information: 1-800-268-6936

Outside U.S. and Canada: Contact your local Intermec service supplier.

The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing customers
to operate and/or service Intermec manufactured equipment and is not to be released, reproduced, or used for
any other purpose without written permission of Intermec.

Information and specifications in this manual are subject to change without notice.

2001 by Intermec Technologies Corporation



All Rights Reserved

The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, JANUS, IRL, TRAKKER, Antares, Adara, Duratherm, EZBuilder,
Precision Print, PrintSet, Virtual Wedge, and CrossBar are trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corporation.

The name Centronics is wholly owned by GENICOM Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Throughout this manual, trademarked names may be used. Rather than put a trademark (® or ) symbol in

every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state that we are using the names only in an editorial fashion, and
to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement.

The software contained in the EasyCoder® 3400e Printer and the accompanying materials are copyrighted.
Unauthorized copying of the software, including software that has been modified, merged, or included with
other software, or the written materials is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of Intermec.
All right, title, and interest in all copies of this software are and shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive
property of Intermec. Customers may be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is caused
or encouraged by their failure to abide by these terms.

Contents

Contents

Before You Begin ix

Warranty Information ix
Safety Summary ix
Warnings and Cautions x
About This Manual xi

Other Intermec Manuals xiii

Getting Started

1

Getting to Know Your Printer 1-3
Preparing the Printer for Installation 1-5

Plugging In the Printer 1-5
Opening the Printer 1-6
Loading Media for Fanfold Printing 1-7
Printing the Hardware Configuration Test Label 1-9

What the Hardware Configuration Test Label Tells You 1-10
If a Hardware Configuration Test Label Does Not Print 1-10

Connecting the Printer to Your System 1-10

Connecting Your Printer to a PC 1-11

Connecting the Printer to a PC Serial Port 1-11

Connecting the Printer to a PC Parallel Port 1-12
Connecting Your Printer to a Network 1-12
Connecting the Printer to an AS/400 1-13
Connecting the Printer to a Mainframe 1-14
Cabling in Noisy Electrical Environments 1-14

Configuring the Serial Port for Communications 1-15
Verifying Printer Communications With Your System 1-17

2

Operating the Printer

Learning How to Operate the Printer 2-3
Understanding the Front Panel 2-3

Understanding the Front Panel LEDs 2-4
Using the Feed/Pause Button 2-5

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Loading Media Into the Printer 2-6

Loading Roll Media for Straight-Through Printing 2-6
Loading Media for Self-Strip Printing 2-8

Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon 2-10
Setting the Media Sensitivity Number 2-12

Setting the MSN for Intermec Media and Ribbon 2-13
Setting the MSN for Other Media and Ribbon 2-14

Communicating With the Printer 2-16

Using the PrintSet Software 2-16
Using Third-Party Software 2-16
Using Intermec Printer Language (IPL) Commands 2-16
Printing a Test Label 2-17

Maintaining the Printer

3

4

Inspecting the Printer 3-3
Tools for Cleaning the Printer 3-3
Maintenance Schedule 3-4

Cleaning the Printhead 3-6
Cleaning the Printer Covers 3-7
Cleaning the Drive Roller and Tear Bar 3-8
Cleaning the Media Guides and Media Path 3-9
Cleaning the Label Sensors 3-10

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Checklist 4-3
Printer Operation Problems 4-3
Print Quality Problems 4-5
Communication Problems and Preventing Data Loss 4-7

iv

5

Optimizing Printer Performance

Optimizing and Maintaining Print Quality 5-3
Correcting Uneven Print Quality 5-3
Adjusting the Print Darkness 5-5

Adjusting the Label Mark Sensor 5-6
Using the Printer Memory Efficiently 5-8

How Is the Printer Storage Memory Used? 5-8

Making the Most of Your Memory 5-8
Increasing Throughput 5-9

What Is an Image Band? 5-9

How the Image Bands Command Works 5-9

Optimizing Print Speed and Image Band Setting 5-10

Using Test and Service Mode

Contents

6

A

Using Test and Service Mode Procedures 6-3

Printing Test Labels 6-5
Using Data Line Print 6-5
Resetting the Memory on Your Printer 6-6

Setting Configuration Commands in Test and Service Mode 6-6

Setting the Number of Dot Increments 6-7
Adjusting the Label Rest Point 6-9
Setting Emulation Mode 6-11
Using Forms Adjust 6-12

X Forms Adjust 6-13

Y Forms Adjust 6-14

Specifications

Printer Specifications A-3

Electrical Requirements A-3

Printing Method A-3

Environment A-3

Self-Strip (optional) A-3

Communications A-3
Specifications A-3

Dimensions (no options installed) A-3

Printhead A-4

Ribbon A-4

Printing Speed A-4

Fonts and Graphics A-4

Character Sets A-4

Media A-5

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Printer Options A-6

Communication Interface A-6

EasyLAN 10i Interface A-6
Twinax Interface A-6
Coax Interface A-6

Finishers A-6

Cutter A-6
Batch Takeup A-6
Self-Strip Printing A-6

Bar Code Symbologies Supported A-8

2D Symbologies A-9

2D Stacked Symbologies A-9
2D Matrix Symbologies A-9

Character Sets

B

C

International Character Sets B-3

Advanced Character Table B-3
Emulation Mode Character Table B-4
IBM Translation Character Table B-4
Code Page 850 Character Table B-5

Extended Character Sets B-6

Communications Reference

Communication Protocols C-3

Intermec Standard Protocol C-3
XON/XOFF Protocol (Software and Hardware Flow Control) C-4
XON/XOFF, No Status Protocol C-5
Polling Mode D C-5
Multi-Drop Protocol C-5
User-Defined Protocol C-5
Host Requirements C-7
Communications Boundaries C-7

Communications Interfaces C-7

RS-232 Serial Interface C-7
RS-422 Serial Interface C-8
RS-485 Serial Interface C-8

vi

Printer Serial Port C-11

Full ASCII Table

Contents

D

G

I

Full ASCII Table D-3
Full ASCII Control Characters Table D-5

Glossary

Index

vii

asdf

Before You Begin

This section introduces you to standard warranty provisions, safety precautions,
warnings and cautions, document formatting conventions, and sources of additional
product information. A documentation roadmap is also provided to guide you in finding
the appropriate information.

Warranty Information

To receive a copy of the standard warranty provision for this product, contact your local
Intermec sales organization. In the U.S. call 1-800-755-5505, and in Canada call 1-800­668-7043. Otherwise, refer to the Worldwide Sales & Service list that was shipped with
this manual for the address and telephone number of your Intermec sales organization.

Safety Summary

Your safety is extremely important. Read and follow all warnings and cautions in this
book before handling and operating Intermec equipment. You can be seriously injured,
and equipment and data can be damaged if you do not follow the safety warnings and
cautions.

Before You Begin

Do not repair or adjust alone Do not repair or adjust energized equipment alone
under any circumstances. Someone capable of providing first aid must always be
present for your safety.

First aid Always obtain first aid or medical attention immediately after an injury.
Never neglect an injury, no matter how slight it seems.

Resuscitation Begin resuscitation immediately if someone is injured and stops
breathing. Any delay could result in death. To work on or near high voltage, you should
be familiar with approved industrial first aid methods.

Energized equipment Never work on energized equipment unless authorized by a
responsible authority. Energized electrical equipment is dangerous. Electrical shock
from energized equipment can cause death. If you must perform authorized emergency
work on energized equipment, be sure that you comply strictly with approved safety
regulations.

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EasyCoder® 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Warnings and Cautions

The warnings and cautions in this manual use the following format.

Warning

A warning warns you of an operating procedure, practice, condition, or statement
that must be strictly observed to avoid death or serious injury to the persons working
on the equipment.

Avertissement

Un avertissement vous alerte d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une méthode,
d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour éviter l’occurrence
de mort ou de blessures graves aux personnes manupulant l’équipement.

Caution

A caution alerts you to an operating procedure, practice, condition, or statement
that must be strictly observed to prevent equipment damage or destruction, or
corruption, or loss of data.

Conseil

Une précaution vous avertit d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une méthode,
d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour empêcher
l’endommagement ou la destruction de l’équipement, ou l’altération ou la perte de
données.

x

Before You Begin

About This Manual

Analysts and programmers should use this manual to learn how to operate, program,
and connect the EasyCoder® 3400e printer to a network or system. The first part of this
manual tells you how to install, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot your printer. The
last part of the manual covers advanced features of the 3400e printer. A basic
understanding of DOS, programming, and data communications is necessary.

What You Will Find in This Manual

This table summarizes the information in each chapter of this manual:

For Information On Refer To

Installing the printer Chapter 1, “Getting Started.” Tells you how to plug in the printer,

load fanfold media, configure the serial port, and print a
configuration test label.

Operating the printer Chapter 2, “Operating the Printer.” Explains the printer front panel,

tells you how to load roll media, load ribbon, test for
communications, and download fonts.

Routine maintenance Chapter 3, “Maintaining the Printer.” Shows how to maintain the

printer.

Troubleshooting Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting.” Instructs how to clear error messages

and troubleshoot programming or configuration problems.

Improving printer
performance

Test and Service features Chapter 6, “Using Test and Service Mode.” Provides information on

Specifications Appendix A.
Character sets Appendix B.
Communications Appendix C.
Full ASCII chart Appendix D.

Chapter 5, “Optimizing Printer Performance.” Tells you how to fine­tune the printer to increase processing time.

using Test and Service mode to print test labels, perform Test and
Service mode procedures, and configure DIP switch settings.

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EasyCoder® 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Terms and Conventions

Listed below are special terms and conventions used throughout the manual. Refer to
the glossary for a complete list of terms found in this manual.

Terms

“Printer” refers to a 3400e bar code label printer.
“Media” is the label stock on which the printer prints labels.
“Host” refers to a personal computer or other computer that communicates with the

printer.
A “symbol” or “bar code symbol” consists of alphanumeric characters encoded in a bar

code format.

Conventions

The following conventions are used throughout this manual for operating procedures
and descriptions of the printer.

Feed/Pause refers to the Feed/Pause button on the printer front panel.

•

Downloaded commands appear in the order that you enter them into the printer

•

with the following conventions:

Convention Description

< > Angle brackets < > enclose mnemonic representations of ASCII control

characters. For example, <ETX> represents the ASCII “End of Text” control
character.

data

[

data

Ctrl

Ctrl-Z

E3;F3

Italic text represents variable data, which you must replace with a real value. For
example, n signifies a variable for which you must designate a constant value.

] Italic text within brackets represents optional data.

Bold text represents a key on your keypad. For example,
key and M represents the letter M key.

When two keys are joined with a dash, press them simultaneously. For example,
if you see the command

Type all characters that appear in the Courier font by pressing an individual key
on the keypad.

, press the two keys at the same time.

Ctrl-C

represents the Tab

Tab

xii

Other Intermec Manuals

You may need additional information when working with printers in a data collection
system. Please visit our Web site at www.intermec.com to download many of our
current manuals in PDF format. To order printed versions of the Intermec manuals,
contact your local Intermec representative or distributor.

Before You Begin

xiii

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1

Getting Started

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This chapter introduces the EasyCoder® 3400e printer and explains how to get your
new printer running for the first time.

Getting to Know Your Printer

Features of your printer include:

Support for direct thermal and thermal transfer printing applications. Chapters 1

•

and 2 explain how to load both types of media.
An internal optional self-strip with integral liner takeup. See Chapter 2, “Operating

•

the Printer,” for more information.
An easy-to-use software application called PrintSet. PrintSet makes configuring

•

your printer, downloading fonts and graphics, and printing a test label effortless.
Minimal supervision and maintenance.

•

Support for user-supplied fonts. You can easily download and print user-supplied

•

fonts. See the PrintSet software application or the IPL Programming Reference
Manual (Part No. 066396) for more information.

C39

Getting Started

1

Support for TrueType. You can easily download and print TrueType fonts. See the

•

PrintSet software application or the IPL Programming Reference Manual for more
information.

e series—IEEE 1284 parallel port. Up to 8 ips (inches per second) print speed with

•

selected media.

Use the following figures to familiarize yourself with your printer.

1-3

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Front View

Power/Data
LED

Alert LED

Power/Data

Empty/Pause
button

Feed/Pause
button

Alert

Em

pty/Pause

Feed/Pause

IntermecIntermec

3

4

0

0

Media
window

Media
cover

Back View

Media
window

Media
cover

Media access
door

Fanfold media
access slot

Darkness adjust
control

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

I

O

AC power cord
receptacle

Parallel
port

3XXXU.002

DIP switches
Optional I/O

board port

Serial communications
port

On/Off
switch

3XXXU.003

1-4

Several options are available for use with your printer. See Appendix A for complete
descriptions of these options.

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Preparing the Printer for Installation

Before connecting your printer to your data collection system, you need to

Plug in the printer.

•

Open the printer and load media.

•

Print a configuration test label.

•

Plugging In the Printer

The back of your printer contains the AC power receptacle, the serial communications
port, the On/Off switch, and two banks of DIP switches.

To plug in the printer

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Make sure you set the DIP switches to their factory default settings.

Top Bank Set switch 1 on (I). Set switches 2 through 8 off (O).

Getting Started

1

Bottom Bank Set switches 1 through 8 off (O).
For a description of the DIP switch settings, see “Configuring the Serial Port for

Communications” later in this chapter.

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2

I

O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

I

O

I

I

O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

O

3

I

O

3XXXU.004

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

3. Plug the AC power cord into the receptacle at the rear of the printer. Plug the other
end of the power cord into a grounded wall outlet or surge protector.

4. Turn the On/Off switch to the on position. When you power on the printer, the
Power On LED lights, the Empty/Pause LED flashes, and the platen roller
advances. The yellow Empty/Pause LED then stays on steady because you have not
loaded media yet.

Opening the Printer

You need to open the printer every time you load media or perform maintenance
procedures.

To open the printer

1. Place the fingers of your right hand between the two notches on the lower edge of
the media cover (the media cover release) and pull the bottom of the media cover
away from the base of the printer.

2. Grasp the front of the media cover with your left hand and lift the front of the
media cover upward to release it from the printer frame.

3. Lift the media cover away from the top of the printer.

3

2

P

o

w

e

r/D

a

ta

Alert

Empty/Pause

Feed/Pause

Intermec

Intermec

3

4

0

0

1

3XXXU.005

1-6

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Getting Started

1

Loading Media for Fanfold Printing

Use the sample of fanfold media provided in the Media Envelope to complete the
following procedures. In fanfold printing, you place a stack of fanfold media at the rear
of the printer and feed it into the printer through a slot in the rear cover. Refer to
Chapter 2, “Operating the Printer,” for instructions on loading rolls of media.

To load media for fanfold printing

1. Open the printer.

2. Disengage the printhead by rotating the head lift lever clockwise until it releases.

3. Move the supply roll retainer by turning it counterclockwise and sliding it to the
outer end of the supply post.

4. Place the fanfold media slightly lower than the slot in the printer back cover. Line
the (box of) fanfold media up with the label path through the printer. Insert media
through the slot at the rear of the printer and thread it over the supply roll post.

5. To allow easy access to the media path, pull down on the lower media guide. Make
sure that the edge guide is slid all the way to the outer edge of the edge guide plate.

6. Insert the fanfold media through the printer mechanism as shown in the illustration
on the next page. The front edge of the media should pass over the tear bar and
through the label dispense opening in the media cover. The fanfold media should
pass over the supply roll post.

7. Release the lower media guide and adjust the edge guide to position the media
firmly against the inside wall of the printer.

8. Slide the supply roll retainer up to the edge of the fanfold media and turn the supply
roll retainer clockwise until it locks firmly in place securing the media against the
inside wall of the printer.

9. Engage the printhead by rotating the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks.

10. Close the printer by reversing the directions for removing the cover.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Loading Media for Fanfold Printing

➤

➤

➤

➤

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Media access
slot

Head lift
lever

Edge
guide

Lower
media guide

Supply
roll
post

Supply
roll
retainer

➤

I

O

Fanfold
media

3XXXU.006

11. Press Feed/Pause to advance one label through the printer and out the label opening
in the front cover. The printer is now ready to print the configuration test label. The
yellow Empty/Pause LED goes out.

If the yellow Empty/Pause LED does not go out, press Feed/Pause a second time

Note:

and then reload the media and try again if the Empty/Pause LED still does not go out.

1-8

For your convenience, refer to the label with directions for loading media. This

Note:

label is located on the inside of the media cover.

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Getting Started

1

Printing the Hardware Configuration Test Label

You can print the hardware configuration test label to test the printer and make sure it is
operating correctly. The hardware configuration test label lists the printer’s
configuration. Use this label for reference when installing your printer and for
verification of proper printer operation.

To print the hardware configuration test label

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while you turn the On/Off switch to the on
position. The Alert and Empty/Pause LEDs blink during the printer self-test.

3. Release the Feed/Pause button when the media starts moving. The printer feeds out
one or two blank labels and then prints the hardware configuration test label.

4. Turn the printer power off and then on. You are now ready to connect your 3400e
printer to your system.

Hardware Configuration Test Label

3400e400 Hardware Configuration

Memory Installed

Flash Storage

Image RAM

Flash SIMM

Mileage

Inches Processed

Inches Burned
Labels Cut
Printhead

Width

Dot Size
Burn Pot Setting
Hardware Options

I/O Option

Internal Option

External Option
Firmware Checksum
ROM0 (U21)
ROM1 (U9)
Program
Version

This is only an example of a hardware configuration label. Your label may not be

Note:

: 128 kilobytes
: 805 kilobytes
: OKB

: 0
: 0
: 0

: 1792
: 2.5
: 141

: none
: none
: Cutter

: 95D0
: 7331
: 067097
: 2.0

3XXXU.007

exactly the same.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

O

I

3XXXU.008

Serial
communications
port

Parallel port

Optional I/O
board port

What the Hardware Configuration Test Label Tells You

The hardware test label provides these statistics:

Amount of installed memory

•

Amount of media printed

•

Printhead configuration

•

Firmware information

•

Printhead alignment (the vertical lines)

•

If a Hardware Configuration Test Label Does Not Print

If you are unable to print a hardware configuration test label, see “Printer Operation
Problems” in Chapter 4.

Connecting the Printer to Your System

You can connect your printer to a PC, a local area network, an AS/400 (or other
midrange computer), or a mainframe. This section tells you how to connect your printer
to any of these systems.

This illustration shows you where to connect your system to the printer. You can use
any of these three ports on the rear of the printer:

Serial communications port

•

Parallel port

•

I/O board port (if you have an adapter card installed)

•

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Getting Started

1

Connecting Your Printer to a PC

You can connect your printer to either a serial port or parallel port on your PC. You
must provide the correct cables for connecting the printer. See the following sections
for cable information. Contact your Intermec representative for ordering assistance if
you do not have the appropriate cables.

PC

Connecting the Printer to a PC Serial Port

To connect the printer to your PC serial port, you need a
shielded EIA RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 electrical interface
with a 25-pin D-style subminiature connector. It must have
pins on the printer end and an appropriate serial port
connector on the other end.

Use the following table to determine the correct Intermec
cable for your application. You cannot order an Intermec
cable for the RS-422 interface, but there is a schematic in
Appendix C that you can use to purchase or make your own
cable. Also see Appendix C for the RS-232, RS-422, and RS­485 serial port pin assignments.

Printer

3XXXU.009

For Connecting To Use Intermec Cable Part Number

IBM PC 048668 (25-pin printer to 25-pin serial port null modem)
IBM PC 048693 (25-pin printer to 9-pin serial port null modem)

To connect your printer to a PC serial port

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Plug the 25-pin connector into the serial communications port on the rear of the
printer.

3. Plug the other end of the cable into a serial (COM) port on the PC.

4. If necessary, change the PC serial port configuration to match your printer. See
“Configuring the Serial Port for Communications” later in this chapter for more
information.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Connecting the Printer to a PC Parallel Port

If you are using a parallel port to communicate with your printer, you need a parallel
cable to run between the printer and the PC.

You can purchase a parallel cable from Intermec (Part No. 051211) or from your local
computer store. See Appendix A for pin descriptions of the parallel cable connector.

To connect your printer to a PC parallel port

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Plug the parallel interface connector into the parallel communications port on the
rear of the printer.

3. Plug the other end of the cable into a parallel port on the PC.

Connecting Your Printer to a Network

You can connect the printer to Novell NetWare networks, Token Ring networks, or
other TCP/IP networks. To connect the printer to a network, you must have a network
interface adapter (for example, Ethernet).

A field service technician can install the field installable option (Part No. 056830) in
the optional I/O board port of your printer.

1-12

Connecting Your Printer to a Network

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Host computer

Server

C39

Getting Started

1

Printers (end devices)

The network interface adapter (for example, Ethernet) connects to the 10i port of the
printer. Your network must be able to use XON/XOFF (software and hardware flow
control) protocol. You may need to change the serial port settings to match the
requirements of your network. You can determine the communications requirements for
your network by referring to the controlling device documentation.

If the controlling device is an Intermec product, refer to the following manuals for
instructions and information on the necessary cabling and connections.

If you need to change the printer’s communications parameters, follow the procedures
in “Configuring the Serial Port for Communications” later in this chapter.

Printers (end devices)

3XXXU.019

Connecting the Printer to an AS/400

To connect a printer directly to an AS/400 or other midrange computer, you need

a twinax adapter card.

•

a twinaxial cable equivalent to IBM part number 7362267 or 7362062. The

•

maximum cable length for the twinax interface is 1,525 meters (5,000 feet).

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

If you did not have the twinax card installed at the factory, a field service technician
can install the field installable option (Part No. 056835) in the optional I/O board port
of your printer.

For help on cabling and communications, see the manual that comes with the twinax
adapter card.

If you are using a midrange computer other than the AS/400, refer to your system

Note:

documentation for information on cabling and setting up communications.

Connecting the Printer to a Mainframe

To connect the printer directly to an IBM mainframe, you need

a coax adapter card.

•

a coaxial cable equivalent to IBM part number 2577672 or 1833108.

•

The maximum cable length allowed is 1,500 meters (4,920 feet). See the IBM
specification Installation and Assembly of Coaxial Cable and Accessories, part number
GA27-2805-4, for further information.

If you did not have the coax card installed at the factory, a field service technician can
install the field installable option (Part No. 056836) in the I/O board port of your
printer.

For help on cabling and communications, see the manual that comes with your coax
adapter card.

Cabling in Noisy Electrical Environments

The items listed below create noisy electrical environments that can disrupt data
communications between your host computer and the printer:

Large power transformers

•

Large electrical motors

•

Arc welders

•

Motor controllers

•

Switch gears

•

If any of these items are near your printer, you may want to try the following
suggestions to reduce the effects of electrical noise. If you need help eliminating noise,
ask your Intermec representative for assistance.

Always use shielded cable. Connect the cable and shield to the metal backshells on

•

the cable connectors and fasten the connectors to the serial ports using screws.

1-14

Install ferrite cable clamps.

•

Connect the printer chassis ground to the building ground. You will find the chassis

•

ground on the ground pin of the printer power cord.

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Getting Started

Configuring the Serial Port for Communications

You need to configure the serial port of the printer to match the configuration of your
PC or network controlling device. If the printer’s default settings do not match, use the
DIP switch settings table to configure the serial port.

To configure the printer serial port

1. Use the following DIP switch setting descriptions and table to locate the DIP
switches you need to change to configure the serial port.

2. Use a small straight-slot screwdriver to set the appropriate DIP switches.
For example, if you want to change the media type to thermal transfer, set DIP

switch 8 on the bottom bank of switches to the on position.

3. Turn the printer power off and then on for the configuration changes to take effect.

Ignore Multi-Drop switches if you are not using a Multi-Drop network.

Note:

1

DIP Switch Setting Descriptions

Parameter Description

Baud rate The rate, in bits per second, at which the host exchanges data with

the printer. The maximum baud rate is 115,200.

Parity Adds one bit (1 or 0) to the character to make the sum of bits always

odd or even.
Data bits The number of bits that represent the ASCII characters.
Stop bits Timing units between characters that synchronize character

transmission.
Multi-Drop address Unique address for each device connected with Multi-Drop

protocol.
Protocol The transmission standards for communication between the printer

and each connecting device.
Media type Enables the printer to work with either direct thermal or thermal

transfer media.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

DIP Switch Settings

O = OFF
1 = ON

Baud Rate Selection
115200
57600
38400
19200
9600
4800
2400

Serial I/F

1200
Parity Selection

Even

*
Odd

None
Number of Data Bits

*7 Bit
8 Bit

Reserved

Batch Take-Up
*0 Disable
1 Enable

*Indicates Factory Default Setting

Top Bank Switch Number

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

1

1

1

1

O

1

O

1

O

O

O

O

O

1

O

1

O

O

1

1

O

O

1

O

O

1

Bottom Bank Switch Number

OFF

O = OFF
1 = ON

Multi-Drop Address Selection

O
1

O

1

Protocol Selection

XON/XOFF

Intermec Protocols

XON/XOFF Selection

No Status Response

With Status Response

Media Type

Direct Thermal

Thermal Transfer

Default settings are noted with an

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

O

O

O

O

A

*

B
C
D
E
F
G
H

I

J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V

W

X
Y
Z

0

1

2

3

4

5

*

*

*

*

O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1
O
1

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

1

1

O

O

1

1

O

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

1

O

O

1

1

O

O

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

1

1

O

O

1

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

1

O

O

1

1

O

O

1

1

O

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

O
1

O
1

O
1

3XXXU.020

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C39

Getting Started

Verifying Printer Communications With Your System

After connecting the printer to your system, you need to test communications. The
easiest way to test communications is to set the printer to Data Line Print mode, which
is part of Test and Service mode, and send a character string down from your system.

If you have just printed a configuration test label, you are already in Data Line Print
mode. Start the following procedure with Step 4.

To verify communications with your system

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while you turn the On/Off switch to the on
position. The printer prints the hardware configuration test label.

3. Release the Feed/Pause button. You are now in Data Line Print mode.

4. Transmit at least four characters from your system.
At this point, the printer does not attempt to interpret any printer commands, but

simply prints each character with its hexadecimal equivalent underneath.

1

An example of using DOS to verify printer communications follows this

Note:

procedure.

5. To enter normal Print mode, turn the printer power off and then on again.

If this procedure does not work, make sure that the DIP switches match the serial port
configuration of the system and that you have the printer cable securely plugged into
the correct port of your system.

If you receive a write fault error, your cabling may not be correct. See “Connecting the
Printer to Your System” earlier in this chapter for more information.

Please refer to your host computer user's manual and the IPL Programming

Note:

Reference Manual for information on downloading commands.

1-17

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

3XXXU.021

Example of Using DOS to Verify Printer Communications

1. At the DOS prompt, type this command and press

Enter

:

MODE COM1 96,E,7,1,N

2. Type these command lines and press

Enter

:

COPY CON COM1
ABCDEF^Z

where:

COPY CON COM1 has the PC copy the following information to the COM1 port.
ABCDEF are random characters entered at the host.
^Z (

Ctrl-Z) Enter

sends the information to the printer.

The printer will print these characters:

If you are using a different platform to communicate with your printer, please

Note:

refer to your host computer user’s manual and the IPL Programming Reference Manual
for help downloading commands.

1-18

2

Operating the Printer

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Use this chapter to understand how to use the printer front panel, load roll media and
media for self-strip printing, set the media sensitivity number, and communicate with
the printer.

C39

Learning How to Operate the Printer

To operate the printer, you need to understand:
Front panel Explains how light emitting diodes (LEDs) help you monitor the status of

the printer and the various tasks the Feed/Pause button performs.
Loading media and ribbon Explains how to load roll media, thermal transfer ribbon,

and the procedure for using the self-strip option.

Media sensitivity numbers Explain how to optimize print quality and print speed.
Communications with the printer Explains different methods for transferring

information from the host to the printer and from the printer to the host.

Understanding the Front Panel

Operating the Printer

2

Use this section to understand the function of the front panel LEDs and the Feed/Pause
button.

Power/Data

Alert

Empty/Pause

Feed/Pause

3XXXU.024

2-3

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Understanding the Front Panel LEDs

Use the front panel LEDs to monitor the status of the printer:

Green LED

Orange LED

Yellow LED

Power/Data

Alert

Empty/Pause

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LED State Indication

Power/Data

Alert

FG 8pt Italic

Off
On
Flashing

Off
Flashing
On

Power off
Power on
Receiving data

Printing or idle
Over-temperature
System fault

Feed/Pause

3440U.012

Empty/Pause

Off
Flashing
On

Printing or idle
Paused
Media fault

Over-temperature If the printer overheats, the Alert LED flashes and the printer
stops. Do not try to troubleshoot or adjust the printer—just allow the printer enough
time to cool down and it will resume operation on its own.

Media or system faults If the Empty/Pause or the Alert LED remains on, your printer
is experiencing a media or system fault. For help, see Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting.”

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C39

Operating the Printer

2

Using the Feed/Pause Button

The Feed/Pause button, located on the front of the printer, performs these functions
depending on the mode of the printer:

Printer Mode You Want To What to Do

Idle Feed out one label or a

minimum specified amount
of media.

Continuously feed media. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button. When

Take the printer offline. Press the Feed/Pause button twice. Press the

Printing Pause the printer. Press and release the Feed/Pause button.

Cancel the current print
job.

Powered on for
the first time

Print the hardware
configuration label.

Press and release the Feed/Pause button.

you release the button, the media stops
feeding.

button again to bring the printer online.

Press and release the button again to resume
printing.

Press and hold the Feed/Pause button until
the printer stops printing.

Press and hold the Feed/Pause button. See
“Printing the Hardware Configuration Test
Label” in Chapter 1 for more information.

2-5

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Loading Media Into the Printer

You can load media into the printer in three different ways:

Straight-through printing with roll media

•

Self-strip printing with roll media (optional)

•

Fanfold printing (see Chapter 1)

•

You can load media with the printer power turned on or off. The following procedures
for loading media assume that you have turned the printer on.

Loading Roll Media for Straight-Through Printing

In straight-through printing, you load a roll of media on the supply roll post and feed it
straight through the printer mechanism and out the front of the printer. As the printer
completes the printing of individual labels, you can remove them from the roll by
pulling them down across the tear bar.

This procedure covers how to load media for straight-through print mode using a

Note:

roll of direct thermal or thermal transfer label media. The default setting for the printer
is direct thermal mode; use PrintSet to change the printer to thermal transfer mode.

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*

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You should find a small label with a three-digit sensitivity number printed on it

Note:

attached to your roll of media or a 15-digit number stamped on the side of the media
roll (Intermec media only). Save this information. You will need it to set the correct
media sensitivity number. See “Setting the Media Sensitivity Number” later in this
chapter for help.

To load the media

1. Raise the printhead by rotating the head lift lever clockwise until the printhead
disengages.

2. Turn the supply roll retainer counterclockwise to release it and then slide it to the
outer end of the supply roll post.

If you are replacing the empty media roll with a new roll of the same width,

Note:

you do not need to adjust the edge guide or the supply roll retainer.

3. Place the media roll on the supply roll post and position it firmly against the printer.

If you are using a narrow roll of media [less than 7.62 centimeters (3 inches)],

Note:

insert the media support between the roll of media and the supply roll retainer before
securing it.

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Loading Roll Media for Straight-Through Printing

C39

Operating the Printer

2

Media
backing

Head lift
lever

Media

Edge
guide

4. Slide the supply roll retainer up to the edge of the media roll and turn the supply
roll retainer clockwise to secure.

Lower
media guide

Upper
media guide

3XXXU.026

Media roll

Supply roll
post

Supply roll
retainer

Media
support

5. Pull down on the lower media guide to allow easy access to the media path. Make
sure that the edge guide slides all the way to the outer edge of the lower media
guide.

6. Insert the label stock through the printer mechanism as shown. Make sure the label
passes between the upper and lower media guides. The front edge of the media
should pass over the tear bar and out the front of the printer.

7. Release the lower media guide and adjust the edge guide to position the media
firmly against the inside wall of the printer.

If you are using thermal transfer media, refer to “Loading Thermal Transfer

Note:

Ribbon” later in this chapter before you finish performing this procedure.

8. Lower the printhead by rotating the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks.

9. Use PrintSet, your third-party software, or the IPL command set to configure the
printer for the kind of media you are using (continuous or mark label). Refer to the
PrintSet online help, your third-party documentation, or the

Reference Manual

10. Press Feed/Pause to advance several inches of media through the printer and out the
label opening in the front cover. Your printer is now ready to print labels.

for help.

IPL Programming

2-7

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Refer to the label located on the inside of the media cover for directions on

Note:

loading media. For your convenience, you may want to refer to it when loading media
in the future.

Loading Media for Self-Strip Printing

Use self-strip printing in applications where you want to apply labels to a surface
immediately. After printing a label, the printer prints out the label with the backing
removed. The rewinder hub collects the backing after it passes over the self-strip assist
roller. The rewinder hub can hold the backing from an entire roll of media.

You should find a small label with a three-digit sensitivity number printed on it

Note:

attached to your roll of media or a 15-digit number stamped on the side of the media
roll. Save this information. You will need it to set the correct media sensitivity number.
See “Setting the Media Sensitivity Number” later in this chapter for help.

To load self-strip media

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FG 8pt Italic

1. Raise the printhead by rotating the head lift lever clockwise until the printhead
disengages.

2. Turn the supply roll retainer counterclockwise to release it and slide it to the outer
end of the supply roll post. Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.

3. Place the media roll on the supply roll post and position it firmly against the inside
wall of the printer.

4. Turn the supply roll retainer counterclockwise and slide it up to the edge of the
media roll. Turn the supply roll retainer clockwise to secure.

If you are using a narrow roll of media [less than 7.62 centimeters (3 inches)],

Note:

insert the media support between the roll of media and the supply roll retainer before
securing it.

2-8

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Loading Media for Self-Strip Printing

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C39

Operating the Printer

2

Media roll

Supply roll
retainer

Supply roll
post

Media
support

Upper
media
guide

Media
liner

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ta

A

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➤

➤

➤

➤

➤

➤

Lower media
guide

Edge
guide

Media
access door

Self-strip
assist roller

Rewinder
hub

Rewinder
clasp

Head lift
lever

3XXXU.027

5. Unscrew the edge guide and slide it to the outer edge of the lower media guide.
Screw it in place.

If you are replacing the empty media roll with a new roll of the same width,

Note:

you do not need to adjust the edge guide.

6. Pull down on the lower media guide to allow easy access to the media path.

7. Unroll several inches of media, insert it between the upper media guide and the
lower media guide, and out the front of the printer.

8. Release the lower media guide and adjust the edge guide to position the media
firmly against the inside wall of the printer.

9. Pull out 25.4 to 30.48 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) of media and remove the
exposed labels from the media liner.

10. Open the media access door and thread the media liner under the self-strip assist
roller and over the rewinder hub in a clockwise direction.

11. Remove the clasp from the rewinder hub and wind approximately 5.08 centimeters
(2 inches) of media liner clockwise over the rewinder hub.

2-9

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

12. Secure the media to the rewinder hub by snapping the rewinder clasp onto the
rewinder hub. Turn the rewinder hub clockwise to remove all slack from the media
liner between the tear bar and the rewinder hub.

13. Close the media access door.

14. Rotate the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks.

15. Use PrintSet, your third-party software, or the IPL command set to enable self-strip
and the label taken sensor. Refer to the PrintSet online help, your third-party
documentation, or the IPL Programming Reference Manual for help.

16. Press the Feed/Pause button to advance a label through the printer. Grasp the
leading edge of the label where it has separated from the backing and pull it away
from the printer.

17. Replace the printer cover. The printer is now ready to print labels.

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Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon

*

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If you plan to use thermal transfer mode, you must install a thermal transfer ribbon
(TTR) to print in thermal transfer mode.

Save the packaging that your ribbon came in. Attached to the ribbon packaging is

Note:

a small label with a three-digit sensitivity number printed on it (Intermec ribbon only).
You need this information to set the correct media sensitivity number. Refer to the next
section “Setting the Media Sensitivity Number” for more information.

To load thermal transfer ribbon

1. Raise the printhead by rotating the head lift lever clockwise until the printhead
disengages.

2. Place the empty ribbon core that came with the printer onto the ribbon rewind hub.

3. Detach the leader from the new thermal transfer ribbon roll and unwind the end of
the ribbon approximately 20.32 centimeters (8 inches). The edge of the ribbon has a
leader (with an adhesive strip on the leader edge) for guiding the ribbon through the
printhead mechanism.

4. Slide the roll of thermal transfer ribbon onto the ribbon supply hub with the ribbon
roll winding clockwise.

2-10

Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon

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C39

Operating the Printer

2

Thermal transfer

ribbon

P

owe

r/Data

A

le

r

t

E

m

p

t

y

/

P

a

u

s

e

F

e

e

d

/

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a

u

s

e

In

Intermec

te

r

m

e

c

3400

Empty ribbon
hub

Ribbon supply

hub
Upper media
guide

Ribbon rewind
hub

TTR assist
roller

Printhead

Head
lift lever

3XXXU.028

5. Route the ribbon leader through the printer mechanism as shown in the above
illustration.

Make sure the ribbon runs above the upper media guide. The shiny side of

Note:

the ribbon must come in contact with the printhead.

6. Attach the leader from the new thermal transfer ribbon roll to the empty ribbon core
using the adhesive strip on the leader edge.

7. Wind the ribbon rewind hub clockwise until the ribbon runs smoothly through the
printhead mechanism and the leader moves past the printhead.

8. Rotate the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks.

9. Enable thermal transfer printing by setting DIP switch 8 on the bottom bank of
switches to the on position. For help, see “Configuring the Serial Port for
Communications” in Chapter 1.

10. Press the Feed/Pause button to advance the ribbon through the printer.

11. Close the printer. The printer is now ready to print.
When replacing the thermal transfer ribbon roll in the future, use the empty

Note:

ribbon supply core as the new rewinder core.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Setting the Media Sensitivity Number

Media sensitivity is important because you use it to optimize print quality and print
speed. The three-digit media sensitivity number (MSN) specifies the amount of heat
required by the printhead to image a label. The amount of heat that each roll of media
or ribbon requires is unique due to different chemistries and manufacturing processes.
Intermec has developed heating schedules (the amount of heat required to image a
label) to produce the highest possible print quality for Intermec media and ribbon
combinations on Intermec printers.

Look for the three-digit media sensitivity number on

the side of the media roll. Use the last three digits (140 in the example) of the

•

15-digit number stamped on the roll for the media sensitivity number.
a small label attached to the roll of media.

•

a small label attached to the plastic bag of your ribbon roll. Your label may be

•

different than this example, but it will contain the sensitivity number.

FG 8pt Italic

120066102605140

Note:

Use this three-digit number to optimize print quality and print speed on your printer.
You can achieve the best print quality on the printer by using only Intermec ribbon and
media products. The default sensitivity setting for thermal transfer media is 567. For
direct thermal media, the default sensitivity setting is 470.

Use the PrintSet software, your third-party software, or the IPL command set to change
the media sensitivity number. If you want to see the current sensitivity setting of your
printer, print out a software configuration label.

SENSITIVITY NUMBER

5✩7

120066102605140

3XXXU.029

Some ribbon rolls have the media sensitivity number printed on the inside core.

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To print a software configuration label

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning the printer on. The printer
prints out a hardware configuration label.

3. Set the DIP switches to print out the software test label.

Top Bank Set switches 1 through 6 and 8 off. Set switch 7 on.
Bottom Bank Set switches 1 through 8 off.

4. Hold the Feed/Pause button down for 1 second. The printer prints out the software
configuration label.

5. Return the DIP switches to their original settings.

6. Turn the printer power off and then on.

C39

Operating the Printer

2

Setting the MSN for Intermec Media and Ribbon

For direct thermal media, use the three-digit sensitivity number located on the roll of
media to set the sensitivity number. You can also use the values from the tables in the
next section.

For thermal transfer media, you need to look in two places to determine the sensitivity
number. The sensitivity number on each roll of thermal transfer media or ribbon has an
asterisk (*) in place of one of the digits. On thermal transfer media, the rating contains
the first and second digits, with an asterisk in place of the third digit. The number on
the ribbon has the first and third digits, with an asterisk in place of the second digit.

To optimize the sensitivity number for thermal transfer media, you combine the digits
as in this example.

Sensitivity

Media or Ribbon

Thermal transfer media 56* The asterisk reserves the third digit to identify

Thermal transfer ribbon 5*7 The asterisk reserves the second digit to identify

Number Description

the ribbon’s sensitivity number.

the media’s sensitivity number.

567 Optimized sensitivity number

2-13

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Setting the MSN for Other Media and Ribbon

If you are not using Intermec media and ribbon, or you misplaced your packaging with
the three-digit sensitivity number label on it, you can set the approximate sensitivity
number. The first column of the Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Media
Sensitivity Settings tables list the approximate sensitivity settings. To achieve
acceptable print quality, enter the three-digit media sensitivity number (for example,

800).
If you are unsure of how to set the media sensitivity number, start with the highest

setting, which provides the lowest energy (800 for thermal transfer and 700 for direct
thermal), and work your way down until you achieve the best print quality. You can
also use PrintSet’s Print Quality Wizard to help achieve print quality.

3400e Printer Direct Thermal Media Sensitivity Settings

Approximate
Sensitivity Numbers

700 Series High Sensitivity 720 Duratherm Lightning Plus - 2 8

Sensitivity
Setting Direct Thermal Media

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Maximum
Recommended
Print Speed

400 Series Medium
Sensitivity

100 Series Low Sensitivity 180 Duratherm II - 1 3

800 Series High Sensitivity
(Paper)

600 Series Medium
Sensitivity (Paper)

480 Duratherm Lightning IR Tag 5

470 Duratherm Lightning - 1 5
460 European IR 5
450 Durathe rm Lightning IR Labels - 1 5
440 European Thermal 5
420 Durathe rm Lightning Labels - 1 5

170 European Tag 3
160 Duratherm II Tag 3
140 European Top 3
130 Duratherm II - 2 3

864 European Uncoated/Standard - 1 8

854 Duratran TTR Paper Labels/Standard - 1 6
834 Duratran TTR Paper Tags/Standard - 1 6

687 Duratran TTR Polyester 1/Premium - 7 6

677 Duratran Syntran/Premium - 7 6
633 European Polyethelene/Premium 8
627 Duratran Kimdura/Premium - 7 8
623 Duratran Kimdura/Premium 6

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3400e Printer Thermal Transfer Media and Ribbon Sensitivity Settings (continued)

Approximate Sensitivity
Numbers

Sensitivity
Setting Direct Thermal Media

C39

Operating the Printer

2

Maximum
Recommended
Print Speed

500 Series Medium
Sensitivity (Paper)

300 Series Low Sensitivity
(Plastic)

200 Series Low Sensitivity
(Kapton)

567 Duratran II-1/Premium - 7 8

565 European Premium Paper/Premium 4
563 Duratran II-1/Premium 7
533 European Tag/Premium 6
527 Duratran II Tag - 7 mil/Premium - 7 6
513 European Coated/Premium 6

369 Super Premium Poly./Super Premium - 3 5

366 Super Premium Poly./Super Premium - 7 5
238 Gloss Polyimide (Kapton)/Gloss Super Premium 3

236 Gloss Polyimide (Kapton)/Super Premium-7 3
226 Matte Polyimide (Kapton)/Super Premium-7 3
222 Matte Polyimide (Kapton)/Matte Super Premium 3

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

HelvC

Communicating With the Printer

You are now ready to print labels by downloading data from the host to the printer.
Downloading is the universal term used to describe the transfer of information from the
host to any connected peripheral device, such as your printer. When you transfer data
from your printer to the PC or host, you are performing a process called uploading.

You can use several methods to download information in your data collection system.
The next sections describe different ways to communicate with the printer.

Using the PrintSet Software

Use the PrintSet application software to easily configure your printer from your PC.
You can upload the current configuration settings, modify them, and then download
them to your printer. PrintSet also lets you

download graphics and fonts.

•

print test labels using resident fonts, user-defined bitmap graphics, or resident bar

•

code symbologies.

*

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FG 8pt Italic

allocate printer memory.

•

download configuration files to multiple printers.

•

use flash-based firmware (e series).

•

For help using PrintSet, refer to the online help portion of the application software.

Using Third-Party Software

You can use third-party software to set many of the printer parameters. You can
configure the parameters that your software does not set by using the printer command
set or the configuration DIP switches.

Use your third-party software to create label formats and convert graphics into a user­defined character (UDC) format that the printer can interpret. Refer to your third-party
documentation and the IPL Programming Reference Manual (Part No. 066396) for
more information.

Using Intermec Printer Language (IPL) Commands

You can create labels by downloading formats (designs) and data with IPL commands.
You can use the printer to perform any function or activate any feature of the printer
except for those features or functions that you set with the DIP switches. See the IPL
Programming Reference Manual for more information.

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C39

Operating the Printer

2

Printing a Test Label

If you would like to test your communications by downloading a label, follow the
example below. Use the PrintSet application software to send a test label to the printer.
This example assumes that your printer is communicating with a PC and that the printer
is correctly loaded with media.

To print the test label

1. Start PrintSet on your PC.

2. From the Options menu, choose Test Print.

3. Select the Test Label option button.

4. Select either the Text or the Bar Code option button.
If you select to print text, you can choose any font in the Select Printer Font list

box.
If you select to print a bar code, you can choose any symbology in the Select

Symbology list box.

5. Choose Print. Your attached printer prints a test label.
For example, if you chose to print a bar code with the Code 39 symbology, your

printer prints a label similar to this one:

*0123456789*

*0123456789*

*0123456789*

*0123456789*

3XXXU.030

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adf

3

Maintaining the Printer

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This chapter contains cleaning procedures and a schedule detailing how often to
perform maintenance procedures. Even though the design of your printer enables it to
withstand harsh environments, you must clean it on a regular basis to keep it running
at its highest performance level.

It is very important to perform the maintenance procedures if you expose the printer
to dirt or debris. For information on maintenance procedures such as replacing media
or ribbon, see Chapter 1, “Getting Started,” and Chapter 2, “Operating the Printer.”

Inspecting the Printer

Inspect the printer and the rest of your data collection system equipment on a regular
basis. Your inspection should include the following:

Make sure you have properly grounded the printer.

•

Inspect the work environment. Large electric motors, welders, and switching

•

equipment can affect printer performance.
Keep the printer away from liquids.

•

Check the data collection network regularly for loose wires or poorly installed

•

connections. Be sure to replace corroded wires.

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Maintaining the Printer

3

Tools for Cleaning the Printer

To clean the printer safely and effectively, use the following items:

Isopropyl alcohol

•

Cotton swabs

•

Clean lint-free cloth

•

Vacuum cleaner

•

Soapy water/mild detergent

•

Printhead cleaning pad (Part Number 1-110501-00)

•

The following procedures explain how to access the printer parts and clean them
without causing any harm to the printer or yourself.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Maintenance Schedule

Clean your printer regularly to maintain the quality of your labels and extend the life of
your printer. This table contains suggestions for cleaning the printer. Use the
illustration on the next page to locate the parts you need to clean.

Printer Component Maintenance Period

Printhead Inspect after every roll of media or ribbon. Clean after

Printer Cover Clean as necessary.

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every roll [or 15,240 centimeters (6,000 inches)] of
media or more often if necessary.

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Drive roller and tear bar
Media path (not shown)
Edge guide
Upper media guide
Lower media guide
Thermal transfer ribbon (TTR) assist

roller
Self-strip roller
Label gap sensor (not shown)
Label mark sensor (not shown)
Label taken sensor
Pinch roller

Clean after every five rolls of media. If you are using hi­tack adhesive, you must clean after every roll of media.
If you are using tag stock or continuous media, you may
want to clean after every five rolls of media or as
necessary. Clean more often in environments that are
harsh or dusty.

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Locating the Printer Parts You Need to Maintain

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Maintaining the Printer

3

TTR assist
roller

Label taken
sensor

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r/D

A

lert

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mpty/P

Feed/P

ause

Intermec

3400

a

ta

au

se

Tear bar

Drive
roller

Upper media
guide

Lower media
guide

Pinch
roller

Self-strip
roller

Thermal
printhead

Edge
guide

3XXXU.032

Warning

Switch off the printer power and remove the power cord before cleaning any part of
the printer.

Avertissement

Mettez l’imprimante hors tension et débranchez le câble d’alimentation avant de
nettoyer une parte de l’imprimante.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Cleaning the Printhead

In order for the printhead to provide good print quality, it must maintain close contact
with the media. Therefore, cleaning media debris from the printhead is very important.
Clean after every roll [or 15,240 centimeters (6,000 inches)] of media or when
necessary.

Caution

Do not use sharp objects such as knives or screwdrivers to scrape the printhead
clean. Cleaning with sharp objects will damage the printhead. Clean with only a
cotton swab, or a clean, lint-free cloth or tissue damp with isopropyl alcohol.

Conseil

N’utilisez pas d’objets pointus tels que couteaux ou tournevis pour nettoyer la tête
d’imprimante. Nettoyer avec des objets pointus endommagera la tête d’imprimante.
Nettoyez-la seulement avec de la ouate ou avec un linge propre et libre de peluches,
humecté avec de l’alcool d’isopropyl.

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To clean the printhead

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position and remove the power cord.

2. Remove the media cover.

3. Rotate the head lift lever clockwise until the printhead releases. Rotating the head
lift lever raises the printhead to allow for cleaning.

4. Remove the media and ribbon (if necessary).

5. Use a cotton swab moistened with alcohol to remove any dirt, adhesive, or debris
from the print surface on the bottom of the printhead.

6. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the print surface to dry. Replace the media and ribbon.

7. Engage the printhead by rotating the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks
in place.

8. If you are finished cleaning, replace the media cover.

3-6

Cleaning the Printhead

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Ribbon
rewind
hub

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Ribbon
supply
hub

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Maintaining the Printer

Supply
roll
post

Head
lift
lever

3

Printhead

3XXXU.033

Cleaning the Printer Covers

Use a general purpose cleaner (soapy water/mild detergent) to clean the printer covers.

D

o not use abrasive cleansers or solvents. Be sure to clean the transparent panel on the
media cover so that the media supply inside the printer is visible when you close the
cover.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

3XXXU.034

Drive
roller

Tear
bar

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Head lift
lever

TTR assist
roller

Cleaning the Drive Roller and Tear Bar

Cleaning the drive roller and tear bar preserves print quality by maintaining close
contact between the media and the printhead.

To clean the drive roller and tear bar

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position and remove the power cord.

2. Remove the media cover.

3. Rotate the head lift lever clockwise to release the printhead.

4. Remove the media and ribbon (if necessary).

5. Clean the drive roller by using a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Move the
cloth over the drive roller in a side-to-side motion as shown. Make sure to rotate the
roller so that you can clean all areas.

Rotating the TTR assist roller toward you enables you to clean the entire

Note:

drive roller surface.

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6. Clean both sides of the tear bar with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
Remove all traces of dust, paper, and adhesive.

7. Replace the media and ribbon.

8. Engage the printhead by turning the head lift lever counterclockwise until the
printhead locks.

9. If you are finished cleaning, replace the media cover.

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Maintaining the Printer

3

Cleaning the Media Guides and Media Path

You should clean the media guides and media path regularly to keep debris off the
media surface and printhead where irregularities can spoil print quality or damage the
printhead. Cleaning the guides also prevents the media from skewing or improperly
tracking as it travels through the paper path which can result in smeared images and
print off the side of the label. Always clean the media guides immediately after a label
jam in the printer.

To clean the media guides and media path

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position and remove the power cord.

2. Remove the media cover.

3. Remove the media and ribbon (if necessary).

4. Pull down on the lower media guide to open up the media path.

5. Use the cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol to clean the upper and lower media
guides. Be sure to remove all traces of debris. Release the lower media guide.

6. Remove all traces of dust, paper, and adhesive from the media path with a soft
bristle brush or vacuum.

7. Replace the media and ribbon.

8. If you are finished cleaning, replace the media cover.

Power/Data

A

lert

Em

pty/Pause

Feed/P

ause

IntermecIntermec

3

400

Upper media
guide

Lower
media
guide

Media
path

3XXXU.035

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Cleaning the Label Sensors

Three label sensors on the printer require regular cleaning:

Label taken sensor

•

Label mark sensor

•

Label gap sensor

•

To clean the label sensors

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position and remove the power cord.

2. Remove the media cover.

3. Rotate the head lift lever clockwise to release the printhead. Rotating the head lift
lever raises the printhead to allow access to the label mark sensor.

4. Remove the media and ribbon (if necessary).

5. Clean the label taken sensor with a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol.

6. Pull down on the lower media guide to expose the label gap sensor. Using a
cleaning brush or vacuum, remove all debris and dust from the label gap sensor.

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7. Clean the label gap sensor with a cotton swab and alcohol.

8. Replace the media and ribbon.

9. Engage the printhead by rotating the head lift lever counterclockwise until it locks
in place.

10. Replace the media cover.

3-10

Cleaning the Label Sensors

Cotton
swab

Drive
roller

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Label taken
sensor

Label mark
sensor

Upper media
guide

(underside)

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Maintaining the Printer

3

Cleaning
brush

Lower
media guide

Label gap
sensor

3XXXU.036

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4

Troubleshooting

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This chapter provides some hints for troubleshooting error messages that the printer
sends to the host and problems you may experience with the printer.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Even though Intermec designed your printer to operate under harsh conditions, you may
still encounter a printer operation, print quality, or communication problem at some
time. You can easily fix most of the errors you encounter and consequently not delay
operation of the printer for very long.

To troubleshoot your printer

1. First try cleaning the printer components and checking all of the connections. See
Chapter 3, “Maintaining the Printer,” for details.

2. If cleaning the printer and checking the connections does not solve the problem, use
the following tables to locate the symptom. Follow the solution in the table to fix
your problem.

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Troubleshooting

4

If you receive an error message, refer to the IPL Programming Reference Manual
(Intermec Part No. 066396) for a complete list of error messages and their solutions.

If the problem persists, contact your Intermec Customer Service Representative (1-800­755-5505) from North America. If you are an international customer, contact your local
Intermec representative.

Printer Operation Problems

If your printer is not operating correctly, try locating the problem in the table below:

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

No power or loss of
power.

Labels stop feeding
through the pri nter.

You have damaged or disconnec ted
the AC power cable.

Printer circuit breaker tripped. Turn the printer off, then back on again.

Printer is out of media. Load new media. Refer to Chapter 1, “Getting

You have loaded the label stock
incorrectly.

Make sure you have p lugged the power cable into
both the printer and an outlet or power strip. Replace
the cable if damaged.

Started,” or Chapter 2, “Operating the Printer.”
Check the media path. See Chapter 1, “Getting

Started,” or Chapter 2, ”Operating the Printer.”

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Printer Operation Problems (continued)

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

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Labels stop feeding
through the pri nter.
(continued)

Printer slows down. You have incorrectly set the image

Labels stick to door
or fail to strip.

The Alert LED
flashes and printing
stops.

Media fault. The printhead is up. Make sure the printhead is down. The head lift lever

You have set the printer for
continuous labe l stock.

Media is sticking to the paper path. Clean any extraneous material from the paper path

bands or print speed.
Printer has aborted and reset the

print speed and image bands.

The self-strip roller is dirty. Clean the self-strip roller. See Chapter 3,

Printhead has overheated. Leave printer alone until it has time to cool down. It

Use PrintSet to check the configuration settings. If
the settings are incorrect, use PrintSet to change the
settings.

and clean the path thoroughly. Refer to Chapter 3,
“Maintaining the Printer.”

Use PrintSet to change the image bands or print
speed settings.

Use PrintSet to change the image bands or print
speed settings.

“Maintaining the Printer.”

will resume printing on its own.

should be straight up and down. Press the Feed/Pause
button to resume printing.

Test configuration
label does not print.

4-4

Sensor type set incorrectly. Configure the printer for the correct sensor for the

Print mode you are using. You can enable self-strip
and other Print modes from PrintSet.

You have incorrectly loaded the
media.

You have incorrectly loaded the
media.

You have configured the pri n t er for
self-strip media.

Media fault. Remove media from under the label taken sensor.

Try reloading the media. For help, see “Loading
Media Into the Printer” in Chapter 2.

Try reloading the media. For help, see “Loading
Media Into the Printer” in Chapter 2.

Set the printer to the default configuration using the
DIP switches. For help, see “Plugging In the Pri nt er”
in Chapter 1.

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Printer Operation Problems (continued)

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

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Troubleshooting

4

Printer is not
communicating, not
printing, or not
printing properly.

Corrupt or incorrect information in
printer memory.

Reset the memory to return the printer to its default
configuration. For help, see “Resetting the Memory
on Your Printer” in Chapter 6. After you reset the
memory, power off the printer and return the DIP
switches to the required setting. For help, see
“Configuring the Serial Port for Communications” in
Chapter 1.

Print Quality Problems

If your labels are not printing properly, check the following table to locate the symptom
and correct the problem.

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

Blotches printing on
labels.

Dirty printhead. Clean the printhead. For help, see “Cleaning the

Printhead” in Chapter 3.

Dirty media path or rollers. Clean the media path. For help, see “Cleaning the

Media Guides and Media Path” in Chapter 3.

Poor quality label or ribbon stock. Use only Intermec label and ribbon stock to ensure

superior print quality and product performance.

Printing is too light
or too dark.

Incorrect media sensitivity setting. Change sensitivity setting to match the type of media

you are using (for hel p, see “Setting the Media
Sensitivity Number” in Chapter 2). If you set the
sensitivity setting correctly, try changing the dark
adjust.

Incorrect darkness adjust control
setting.

Poor quality label or ribbon stock. Use only Intermec label and ribbon stock to ensure

Dirty printhead. Clean the printhead. For help, see “Cleaning the

Adjust the knob to achieve the best print quality. For
help, see “Adjusting the Print Darkness” in Chapter 5.

superior print quality and product performance.

Printhead” in Chapter 3.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Print Quality Problems (continued)

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

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Printing not aligned
on label.

Labels are not
stopping at the right
point for removal.

Print quality is
poor.

Printer is misfeeding media. Make sure you have correctly installed the media. For

help, see “Loading Media Into the Printer” in Chapter

2.

Incorrect label rest point setting. Adjust the label rest point. For help, see your PrintSet

online help or the IPL Programming Reference
Manual.

Incorrect label stock setting. Set the printer to thermal transfer or direct thermal

label stock. For help, see “Loading Media Into the
Printer” in Chapter 2.

Incorrect media sensitivity setting. Change sensitivity setting to match the type of media

you are using. If you set the sensitivity setting
incorrectly, try changing the print darkness. For help,
see your PrintSet online help or the IPL
Programming Reference Manual.

Incorrect d arkness control setting. Adjust the darkness adjust control. For help, see

“Adjusting the Print Darkness” in Chapter 5.

Print speed exceeds the capability of
the media.

Printhead, platen roller, or label path
are dirty.

Lower your print speed or use Intermec media
recommended for your print speed.

Clean printhead, platen roller, and label path as
described in Chapter 3, “Maintaining the Printer.”

4-6

Uneven print contrast (density). Adjust the bias adjust screw. See “Correcting Uneven

Print Quality” in Chapter 5.

Poor quality label or ribbon stock. Use only Intermec label and ribbon stock to ensure

superior print quality and product performance.

Ribbon wrinkling. Check to make sure that you installed the ribbon

correctly. For help, see “Loading Thermal Transfer
Ribbon” in Chapter 2. Set the bias adjust screw. See
“Correcting Uneven Print Quality” in Chapter 5.

Ribbon installed upside down. Install ribbon with shiny side facing the printhead.

See “Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon” in Chapter

2.

Direct thermal/thermal transfer
switch set in the wrong position.

Set the switch for the type of media you are using.
For help, see “Loading Media Into the Printer” in
Chapter 2.

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Print Quality Problems (continued)

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

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Troubleshooting

4

Print quality is
poor. (continued)

The printer skips
labels randomly or
sends an
intermittent error.

Continuous
empty/pause fault
light (yellow LED).

Media may be slipping against the
platen roller causing the printing to
compress.

The label format extends beyond the
label length.

The label mark sensor is not in the
correct position.

Switch to approved media or clean the printhead and
platen roller as described in Chapter 3, “Maintaining
the Printer.”

Edit the format to ensure that the text fits on the
label.

Properly position the label mark sensor. For help, see
“Adjusting the Label Mark Sensor” in Chapter 5.

Communication Problems and Preventing Data Loss

If your printer is not receiving downloaded data, try the solutions in the accompanying
table.

Symptom Possible Causes Solution

Printer does not
communicate with
the host.

Serial port is incorrectly configured. Make sure the printer’s serial port settings match those

of the host. Print a software test configuration label as
described in Chapter 1 to check the serial port
settings.

Damaged or incorrect I/O cable. Check the connections at both ends or replace the

cable. See Appendix C for cable information.

Several problems can cause data loss or communication problems on the printer. Data
loss can result in printing errors or missing field data.

Your printer is a serial ASCII device. It communicates with the host through an ASCII
serial communication I/O port. Hardware handshaking involves the use of a hardware
wire. Software handshaking involves a two-way datalink between the devices. The two
devices communicate with each other without losing data through the use of
handshaking. The printer sends both forms of handshaking simultaneously when the
printer’s input buffer is full. Any loss of data can cause printing errors.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Hardware handshaking uses pin 11 or pin 20 of the RS-232 interface to control data
flow. When the printer is using Intermec Standard protocol, it holds pins 11 and 20 high
when the printer is ready to receive data. The printer holds the pins low when the
printer is in one of the following conditions:

Buffer full

•

Ribbon fault

•

No label stock

•

Label at strip bar

•

Your printer uses XON/XOFF protocol for software handshaking. When the input
buffer is full, the printer transmits an XOFF character. The XOFF character alerts the
host to the fact that the printer buffer is full and cannot receive any more data. When
the printer is ready to receive more data, it sends the XON character.

The following procedure lists things to check to ensure that your printer and host
system are communicating properly.

To check for communication problems

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1. Check the cabling from the printer to the host system.

2. Check the interfacing of the devices that are communicating with the printer.

3. Check the printer for proper electrical operation of the I/O port.

4. Test to see that the host system is not overrunning the printer'’s input buffers.

5. Check to see that the data string being sent to the printer contains the correct
information.

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5

Optimizing Printer Performance

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This chapter explains how to optimize and maintain print quality, use the printer
memory more efficiently, and maximize throughput.

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Optimizing Printer Performance

Optimizing and Maintaining Print Quality

Intermec designed and configured your printer to provide the best possible print quality
for both direct thermal and thermal transfer media. However, there are many factors
that you need to take into account before you can achieve maximum print quality. The
following sections contain information on:

Correcting uneven print quality

•

Adjusting the print darkness

•

Adjusting the label mark sensor

•

Using the printer memory efficiently

•

Increasing throughput

•

Correcting Uneven Print Quality

5

You may experience problems in print quality (ribbon wrinkling or light print on one
side of your label) if the printhead is not making even contact with the label stock. This
condition can happen with any size label stock, but is most common when using narrow
label stock. You need a straight-slot screwdriver to turn the bias adjust screw.

To achieve the best print quality, adjust the bias adjust screw each time you use media
of a different width.

You must properly adjust the bias adjust screw to prevent premature printhead

Note:

failure and excessive platen wear.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Intermec

To adjust the bias adjust screw

1. Remove the media cover and locate the bias adjust screw.

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Bias adjust
screw

3XXXU.038

2. To compensate for uneven print quality, turn the bias adjust screw as shown.
Adjusting the bias adjust screw causes the printhead to rest evenly on the drive
roller and results in even print quality.

If printing is light on the
right side of label, turn the

bias adjust screw counterclockwise.

A

R

E

If printing is light on
the left side of label, turn
the bias adjust screw clockwise.

E

R

A

3. Replace the media cover.

3XXXU.039

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Adjusting the Print Darkness

Use the darkness adjust control in combination with the PrintSet software configuration
tool to fine-tune the darkness of print on your labels. The fine adjustments compensate
for variations in the media (“lot to lot”), the printhead, or the printer. Set the darkness
adjust control

To adjust the print darkness

1. Locate the darkness adjust control on the back of the printer.

2. Use a small straight-slot screwdriver to adjust the print darkness.
To increase the print darkness, turn the control clockwise.

•

To decrease the print darkness, turn the control counterclockwise.

•

you enter the media sensitivity number.

after

Optimizing Printer Performance

5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Turn the darkness
adjust control clockwise
for darker density

I

O

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3XXXU.037

Darkness
adjust control

Turn the darkness adjust
control counterclockwise
for lighter density

Screwdriver

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Adjusting the Label Mark Sensor

The label mark sensor detects the mark on the back of continuous media stock. The
printer uses the output to determine the start of print. The label mark sensor is behind
the platen roller and near the inboard edge of the printer.

To adjust the label mark sensor

1. Remove the media cover and locate the label mark sensor.

2. Use your index finger to slide the label mark sensor to the correct position for your
media. You can position the label mark sensor anywhere from the inboard edge of
the printer to the center of the paper path.

3. Enable mark printing with PrintSet, your third-party software, or IPL commands.
For help, see PrintSet online help, your third-party documentation, or the IPL
Programming Reference Manual.

4. Print a few labels or press Feed/Pause two times to make sure that the label mark
sensor is detecting the black mark on the media.

5. Replace the media cover.

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Label mark
sensor
(The label mark sensor
can be positioned no
more than 1" from the
inboard edge.)

Locate the label mark sensor
behind the platen roller near
the inboard edge of the printer.
Use your index finger to adjust
the label mark sensor.

Platen
roller

Inboard edge
of printer.
The platen roller
is not shown
for clarity only.

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Adjusting the Label Mark Sensor

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Optimizing Printer Performance

5

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Using the Printer Memory Efficiently

To receive the best performance from your printer, you must understand how to use the
printer memory. The following sections can help you determine the most efficient way
to use your printer memory.

How Is the Printer Storage Memory Used?

There is enough storage memory in the printer to store several different label formats
and still retain enough memory to store downloaded fonts, graphics, and data. Be
careful of how you use your printer memory.

The printer uses flash memory for storing tables, pages, formats, fonts, and user-defined
characters (UDCs). The 3400e printer has 128K of flash memory available for storage.
If you require additional storage memory, you can purchase flash SIMM for the printer.

The printer supports these parameters independent of the amount of memory installed
or allocated by the printer:

Maximum number of formats: 99

•

(You can edit formats 1 to 99. You cannot edit default format 0.)

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Fields per format: 200

•

Maximum data buffer size for a field: 3550

•

Maximum number of UDCs: 100

•

Maximum number of user-defined fonts: 16

•

Making the Most of Your Memory

There are limits to the number of formats, fonts, graphics, or pages that you can store in
the printer. You can define up to 16 fonts, but there may not be enough room depending
on the amount of memory being used for other purposes. The more formats, graphics,
and fonts you store, the less memory is available.

When you run into a memory usage problem, use PrintSet to see how much memory
remains available. You must upload the memory information from the printer first.
Refer to the PrintSet online help for more information.

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If you find that it is necessary to increase your available memory, you can do one of the
following:

Increase the amount of available memory by using the Memory Reset portion of the

•

Test and Service menu. See “Resetting the Memory on Your Printer” in Chapter 6
for more information.

Delete any unneeded user-defined fonts, graphics, pages, or formats. For help, see

•

the PrintSet software or the
Purchase additional memory. Please contact your Intermec representative for

•

information on purchasing additional memory for the printer.

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IPL Programming Reference Manual.

Optimizing Printer Performance

5

Increasing Throughput

To print labels as quickly as possible, you must adjust the print speed in conjunction
with the number of image bands [one image band equals 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) of
label]. The print speed and image band settings determine the rate at which the printer
processes the images of your labels. This rate in turn affects the throughput of the entire
printing process.

The printer begins imaging the label as soon as it receives the command to select a
format. Since the printer starts imaging the label so early, the chance that the imaging
process will be unable to keep up with the print speed decreases and throughput
improves. However, if the number of image bands is too low, the imaging process is
unable to keep up with the print speed. In this case, the printer stops printing and starts
again at the lowest print speed with the maximum number of image bands. If the image
band command is set too high, the printer spends more time than necessary imaging and
slows down label production.

What Is an Image Band?

Image bands are a section of memory where a picture of a label format is drawn. This
drawing process is known as imaging. Once the picture is imaged, the printer loads the
picture from the image bands to the printhead for printing. Each image band is equal to

2.54 centimeters (1 inch) of length of the label format. The number of image bands you
use may be less than the length of the label you are printing. The number of image
bands (in inches) does not have to equal the length of the label since the printer recycles
the image bands. Once the contents of an image band have been printed, it may be
reused to image the next section of the label.

Keep in mind that the more complex the label, the longer it will take to image each
section, thus requiring a slower print speed. To use a higher print speed, use more
image bands to allow more of the imaging process to complete before printing begins.

How the Image Bands Command Works

The image bands command controls the amount of memory allotted to the imaging
process. When you increase the image band adjustment to a higher number, you add
more buffers to the imaging memory. By doing this, more of the label format is imaged
before printing begins.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

The minimum number of required image bands is dependent upon the print speed and
the complexity of the label. Labels that contain numerous fields with different rotations,
graphics, or combinations of these formatting options may require a higher number of
image bands.

To set the number of image bands, use PrintSet or the IPL command. For help, see the
PrintSet online help or the IPL Programming Reference Manual.

Optimizing Print Speed and Image Band Setting

The maximum number of image bands available for use is 20 bands. The minimum
number of image bands available is 2.

To optimize the number of image bands for your print speed

1. Set the image band setting at the lowest number (2).

2. Print a label at the desired speed.
If the label prints, the image band setting is optimal. You do not need to perform

any more adjustments.

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If the number of image bands is too low, the printer aborts the label before printing
is completed and attempts to reprint the label at the slowest speed (2 ips) with the
highest number of image bands (20). You need to continue with Step 3.

3. Return to the original print speed and increase the original number of image bands
one at a time.

Continue to increase the number of image bands until the printer prints a label
correctly.

If the printer still aborts and reprints at the highest image band setting, you may be
trying to optimize at a print speed that is too high for your label format. Try optimizing
the number of image bands at a lower print speed or add an expansion DRAM SIMM.

To print very complex labels at high speeds, you must allocate enough image bands to
completely image the label before printing. Allocate one band for each inch of label
length. By doing this, you can print at any speed. However, there may be a considerable
delay between labels.

5-10

6

Using Test and Service Mode

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This chapter explains the different procedures you can perform while the printer is in
Test and Service mode. Use Test and Service mode on the printer to print test labels,
perform special procedures, and change select configuration commands.

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Using Test and Service Mode

Using Test and Service Mode Procedures

For all Test and Service mode tests, pressing the Feed/Pause button pauses the current
test. Holding the Feed/Pause button aborts the current test and starts a new test.

To enter Test and Service mode

1. Record your current DIP switch settings for later reference.

2. Set all of the DIP switches to the off position.
Set all of the DIP switches to the communications settings of your host computer.

3. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

4. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning the power on.
The printer prints out a hardware configuration label and then enters Data Line

Print mode.

6

5. Set the DIP switches to the test or service function you wish to perform. See the
following table for a list of the DIP switch settings.

6. Hold the Feed/Pause button down. The test begins immediately.

7. If you wish to perform another function, change the DIP switch settings and press
the Feed/Pause button.

The function the printer is currently executing terminates, and the printer performs
the new function.

The printer remains in Test and Service mode until you turn the power off and reset the
DIP switches. The printer executes all functions as soon as you select them.

To exit Test and Service mode

1. Turn the printer power off.

2. Reset the DIP switches to their original settings.

3. Turn the printer power back on.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Use the information in the following table to set the DIP switches for the appropriate
Test and Service mode function you want to perform.

Test and Service DIP Switch Settings

Default settings are noted with an

O = OFF
1 = ON

TESTS
Test Prints

Configurations
Hardware*
Software

Test Labels

Print Quality
Pitch

Page

Single Page
All Pages

Format

Single Format
All Formats

UDC

Single UDC
All UDCs

Font

Single Font

All Fonts
Data Line Print
Selective Transfer

Receiver

Send Pages

Single Page
All Pages

Send Format

Single Format
All Formats

Send UDC

Single UDC
All UDCs

Send Font

Single Font

All Fonts
Send Configuration
Send Tables
Send All

Memory Reset

Page/Format
UDC/Font
Configuration
Tables
All

Q: OFF = Batch of 1. ON = Batch of 100.
N: Page/Format/UDC/Font number. Least significant bit first.
S: Source Page/Format/UDC/Font number. Least significant bit first.
D: Destination Page/Format/UDC/Font number. Least significant bit first.

*

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

O

*

1

1

OO1

Top Bank

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

O

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

O

1

O

O

1

1

1

O

O

1

O

O

O

O

O

1

O

O

1

1

1

O

O

1

O

O

1

1

1

O

O

1

O

O

1

1

1

1

1

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

O

1

O

O

O

N

O

1

1

O

O
O

O

O

1

1
1
1

O
O
O
O

1

1

O

O

N
1

O

O

N
1

O

O

N
1

O

O

S

S

1

S

S

1

1

S

S

1

S

S

1

1

S

S

1

S

S

1

1

S

S

1

S

S

1

1

Bottom Bank

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

S

1

1
S

1

1
S

1

1
S

1

1

Q
Q

Q
Q

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

N

N

1

1

D

D

1

1

D

D

1

1

S

S

1

1

D

D

1

1

N1N

1

D

D

1

1

D

D

1

1
S

1
D

1

3XXXU.041

Q
Q

Q
Q

Q
Q

D

1

D

1

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Using Test and Service Mode

6

Printing Test Labels

The printer can print a variety of test print labels that provide you with information
about the printer configuration and the quality of the printing.

To print a test label

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer.
The printer prints a hardware configuration label and then enters Data Line Print

mode.

3. Set the DIP switches to print the test label of your choice: software, print quality, or
pitch. Refer to the Test and Service DIP Switch Settings table for the correct
settings.

4. Hold the Feed/Pause button down until the printer starts printing.
The printer begins printing out the test label immediately.

5. Exit Test and Service mode by turning the printer off and returning all DIP
switches to their original settings.

Using Data Line Print

Use Data Line Print mode to troubleshoot communication between the printer and the
host and to test the operation of the printer. When the printer is in Data Line Print
mode, it prints out all downloaded data with the hexadecimal equivalent directly
underneath it. Hold the Feed/Pause button down to momentarily suspend the test. Press
the Feed/Pause button longer to transmit the firmware program and version number to
the host.

To enter Data Line Print mode

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press down and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer.

The hardware configuration test label prints out. You are now in Data Line Print mode.

6-5

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Resetting the Memory on Your Printer

Use memory reset if you want to return your printer to its default configuration or if
you need to increase the amount of memory available in your printer. You can also use
memory reset to clear pages and formats, user-defined characters and fonts,
configurations, tables, or all of these parameters.

To use memory reset

1. Turn the printer off.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer. The printer
prints a hardware configuration test label.

3. Set the DIP switches to reset a portion or all of the memory by using the Test and
Service DIP Switch Settings table on page 6-4.

4. Hold the Feed/Pause button down for 1 second. The printer resets a portion or all of
its memory.

Setting Configuration Commands in Test and Service Mode

Test and Service mode also provides you with an alternative to using PrintSet or
sending configuration commands down from the host. You can change these
configuration commands by setting the Test and Service mode DIP switches:

Label rest point

•

86XX emulation

•

X forms adjust

•

Y forms adjust

•

The following table provides you with the Test and Service mode DIP switch settings
for changing the configuration commands.

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3XXXU.046

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Label Rest Point
Adjust Forward
Adjust Backward

86XX Emulation
Advance Mode
10 Mil
15 Mil

X Forms Adjust
Adjust Forward
Adjust Backward

Y Forms Adjust

O

1

1

1

1

O

1

1

1

1

1

1

O

1

O

1
1

1

O

O
O

1

O

1

Top Bank

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bottom Bank

O = OFF
1 = ON

N
N

N
N

N

N
N

N
N

N

N
N

N
N

N

N
N

N
N

N

N
N

N
N

N

ON

OFF

N: Number. Least significant bit first.

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Configuration DIP Switch Settings

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Using Test and Service Mode

6

Setting the Number of Dot Increments

You can move the label rest point and X forms adjust configuration commands forward
or backward by setting the printer DIP switches. Use the top bank of DIP switches to
determine whether the movement is forward or backward. Use the bottom bank of DIP
switches to set the number of dot increments for label rest point, X forms adjust, and Y
forms adjust. The printer moves in 5 mil increments or 0.005 inch per dot.

The next table only shows the settings for the bottom bank of switches, see the

Note:

Configuration DIP Switch Settings table for the top bank DIP switch settings.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

3XXXU.047

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

1

O

O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

1
O
O

1

O
O
O

1
1
1

1
O
O
O
O

1

1

1

1
O
O
O
O

1

1

1

1
O
O
O
O

1

1

1

O
O
O
O
O
O
O

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

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
26
27
28
29
30

Bottom Bank

1 2 3 4 5

OFF

ON

# of dot increments

0 = OFF
1 = ON

Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings

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To set the number of dot increments.

1. In the top bank, turn the appropriate switches on or off for forward or backward
movement. See the Configuration DIP Switch Settings table on page 6-7 for the
appropriate DIP switch settings.

2. Go to the Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings table on page 6-8 and scan down the
# of Dot Increments column until you reach the number of dot increments you want
to adjust the command forward or backward.

3. In the bottom bank turn on the switches that have a 1 in their column. Turn off all
other switches.

4. Press the Feed/Pause button and the printer prints the software configuration label
and stops at the new location.

For example, you print a label and discover that it does not extend far enough from the
tear bar. You need to move the label rest point forward 10 dot increments (0.05 inch) so
that the printer feeds more label out when it is done printing. Find 10 in the # of Dot
Increments column. It shows a 1 in the columns of DIP switches 2 and 4, and a O in the
columns of 1, 3, and 5. The 1 tells you to turn the switch on. The O tells you to turn the
switch off. Turn on switches 2 and 4. Turn off all other switches.

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Using Test and Service Mode

6

Adjusting the Label Rest Point

The label rest point configuration command adjusts the point at which the printer
presents each label for removal. Use this command in conjunction with self-strip
applications. The label rest point adjust range is from -30 dot increments (farthest back)
to +30 dot increments (farthest forward).

Use a negative number if you want the printer to retract the label a number of dot
increments after it prints the label. Use a positive number if you want the printer to feed
the label a number of dot increments after it prints the label.

There are three ways to adjust the label rest point:

You can use the Test and Service DIP switch bank. Follow the procedure below to

•

use the DIP switch settings to adjust the label rest point.
You can set it by using the PrintSet application software. See the Paper Handling

•

portion of PrintSet for more information.
You can use the IPL command. See the IPL Programming Reference Manual for

•

more information.

6-9

EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

To adjust the label rest point

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer.
The printer prints the hardware configuration test label and then enters Data Line

Print mode.

3. In the top bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn off switch 1 and turn on
switches 2 and 3.

To adjust the label rest point forward (feed more label), turn off DIP switch 4.
To adjust the label rest point backward (retract label), turn on DIP switch 4.

Top Bank

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4

Switch settings

for feeding

label forward

Top Bank

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4

Switch settings

for retracting label

3XXXU.48

4. In the bottom bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on or off the
appropriate DIP switches. See the Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings table on
page 6-8.

5. Press the Feed/Pause button.
The printer prints the software configuration label and stops at the new location.

6. Verify that the label rest point number on the software configuration label matches
the number you set in Step 4.

7. Try printing again to see if you need to readjust the DIP switches in the bottom
bank.

8. If you need to readjust the DIP switches in the Bottom Bank, repeat Steps 4 through

7. If not, exit Test and Service mode by turning off the printer and returning all DIP
switches to their original settings.

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Using Test and Service Mode

6

Setting Emulation Mode

If you are replacing an Intermec 8636 or 8646 printer with a 3400e printer, you can
keep your existing network, hardware, software, and label formats by using Emulation
mode. The labels produced on your new printer will look like the ones that your old
86XX printer printed.

There are three ways to set the printer to Emulation mode:

Use the DIP switches in the Test and Service DIP switch bank. For help, see the

•

following procedure.
Use PrintSet to select either 100 dpi (10 mil) or 66 dpi (15 mil) mode. For help, see

•

the PrintSet online help.
Use the IPL command set to select Emulation mode. For help, see the IPL

•

Programming Reference Manual.

To set the printer to Emulation mode using DIP switches

1. Upload label formats, fonts, and graphics from the 8636 or 8646 printer to the host
computer.

2. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

3. Disconnect the 86XX printer and install your printer. See Chapter 1 for information
on installing your printer.

4. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer. The printer
prints the hardware configuration label.

5. In the top bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on switches 1 and 3 and
turn off switch 2.

6. Use the table below to help you choose the appropriate DIP switch settings:

Setting Description

Emulation 10 mil The printer emulates an 8636 or 8646 printer printing multiples

of 10 mil (0.01 inch) drag and 10 mil (0.01 inch) picket bar
codes.

Emulation 15 mil The printer emulates an 8636 or 8646 printer printing multiples

of 10 mil (0.01 inch) drag and 15 mil (0.015 inch) picket bar
codes.

Advanced 5 mil
(default)

7. To enable 10 mil emulation, turn on DIP switch 4 and turn off DIP switch 5.
To enable 15 mil emulation, turn on DIP switches 4 and 5.
To enable 5 mil Advanced mode, turn off DIP switches 4 and 5.

The printer uses the 3400 command set and prints in multiples of
5 mil (0.005 inch) drag and 5 mil (0.005 inch) picket bar codes.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

*FORMAT*

*FORMAT*

3XXXU.049

➤

➤

-X

Y

➤

+X

+Y

➤

Direction of media from printer

Origin (Ø,Ø)

Leading
Edge

8. Press the Feed/Pause button.
The printer prints out the software configuration label. Verify that the label states

the correct mode.

9. Turn the printer off and then on.

10. Download the 86XX formats, fonts, and graphics from the host to the printer.

Using Forms Adjust

If your label prints too close to one edge, you can reposition it by using the X Forms
Adjust and Y Forms Adjust features. The X forms adjust controls the position of the
printing area along the length of the label. The Y forms adjust controls the position of
the printing area along the width of the label.

The following figure shows the default X and Y origins. You can control the default X
origin (top of form) with the PrintSet software or with the Test and Service DIP
switches. You can control the default Y origin with the DIP switches only.

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Using Test and Service Mode

6

The default X origin is .25 centimeters (0.10 inch) (20 dot increments) from the edge of
the label. You can move the X origin forward or back 30 dot increments. The default Y
origin is .13 centimeters (0.05 inch) (10 dot increments) from the leading edge of the
label. Each dot increment is 5 mil (0.005 inch).

X Forms Adjust

When you move the X origin forward, the printer moves the top of form away from the
edge before printing the label information. When you move the X origin backward, the
printer moves the top of form closer to the edge before printing the label information.

To set the X forms adjust

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer.
The printer prints out the hardware configuration label and then enters Data Line

Print mode.

3. In the top bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on switches 1, 2, 3, and 4.
To move the X origin forward, turn off switch 5.
To move the X origin backward, turn on switch 5.

Top Bank

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4 5

Switch settings

for moving the

X origin forward

Top Bank

OFF

ON

1 2 3 4 5

Switch settings

for moving the

X origin backward

3XXXU.050

4. In the bottom bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on or off the
appropriate DIP switches. See the Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings table on
page 6-8 to see how to set the X forms adjust forward or backward a given number
of increments.

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

5. Press the Feed/Pause button.
The printer prints out the software configuration label using the new X forms adjust

setting.

6. Verify the X forms adjust number on the software configuration label matches the
number you set in Step 4.

Y Forms Adjust

Use the Y Forms Adjust feature to control the position of the image in the direction
parallel to the printhead. See the Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings table on page 6-8
for information on how to move the image forward a number of dot increments. If your
label is too close to one edge of the printhead, you can adjust it using this feature.

To set the Y forms adjust

1. Turn the On/Off switch to the off position.

2. Press and hold the Feed/Pause button while turning on the printer.
The printer prints out the hardware configuration label and then enters Data Line

Print mode.

3. In the top bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on switches 1, 2, and 3.

4. In the bottom bank of the Test and Service DIP switches, turn on or off the
appropriate DIP switches. See the Dot Increments DIP Switch Settings table on
page 6-8 to see how to set the X forms adjust forward or backward a given number
of increments.

5. Press the Feed/Pause button. The printer prints out the software configuration label
using the new Y forms adjust setting.

6. Verify the Y forms adjust number on the software configuration label matches the
number you set in Step 4.

6-14

A

Specifications

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Printer Specifications

This section describes the specifications of the 3400e printer.

Electrical Requirements

Input Voltage 100, 120, or 230 VAC ± 10%
Frequency 47-63 Hz

Printing Method

The 3400e printer is capable of direct thermal (DT) printing or thermal transfer (TTR)
printing using thermal transfer ribbon.

Environment

Operating 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F)
Humidity 10% to 90% noncondensing

Self-Strip (optional)

The self-strip rewinder hub can take up the backing of an entire 15,240-centimeter
(6,000-inch) roll of media.

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Specifications

A

Peel Release 10-50 grams

Self-strip printing is an option that you order with your printer.

Note:

Communications

Asynchronous RS-232C, RS-422, RS-485 interfaces
Serial ASCII code
Hardware (Ready/Busy) Flow Control
XON/XOFF Protocol
Intermec Standard Block Protocol
Polling Mode D Protocol
Multi-Drop Protocol
Baud Rates: 1,200, 2,400, 4,800, 9,600, 19,200, 38,400, 57,00, 115,200

Specifications

Dimensions (no options installed)

Height 27.9 cm (11 inches)
Width 26.7 cm (10.5 inches)
Length 43.2 cm (17 inches)
Weight 15.8 kg (35 pounds)

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual HelvC

Printhead (200 dpi)

Printed dot size 0.127 mm (0.00492 inch square)
Width 104 mm (4.1 inches square)
Resolution 8 dots per mm (203 dots per inch)
Number of elements 832 per printhead
“X” dimensions 10 mil to 50 mil (0.25 mm to 1.27 mm); 5 mil (0.13 mm) in drag

mode only (specified media only)

Printhead (400 dpi)

Printed dot size 0.065 mm (0.0025 inch square)
Width 112 mm (4.4 inches maximum)
Resolution 16 dots per mm (406 dots per inch)
Number of elements 1,792 per printhead
“X” dimensions 5 mil to 50 mil (0.127 mm to 1.27 mm); 2.5 mil (0.06 mm) in drag

mode only (specified media only)

Ribbon

Roll 152 m (6,000 linear inches)
Widths 51 mm (2.0 inches)

76 mm (3.0 inches)
104 mm (4.1 inches)

Diameter 57 mm (2.25 inches maximum)

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Printing Speed

Maximum 8 inches (152.4 mm) per second
Minimum 2 inches (50.8 mm) per second

You can change the print speed in 1 ips increments only: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

Fonts and Graphics

There are 21 resident bitmap fonts (including OCR A and B) and three outline fonts
available on the e series printers. You can use font ID 3 through 6 and 8 through 19 to
download user-defined fonts.

Maximum UDF 102 mm square (4 inches square)
Maximum UDC 102 mm square (4 inches square)

Character Sets

US ASCII Norwegian/Danish French
UK ASCII Swedish/Finnish Swiss
German Italian Spanish

A-4

Media

G

3XXXU.O55

D

C

A
B

E

F

H

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Specifications

A

Number Description Minimum Maximum

A Label width 16.5 mm (0.65 inch) 111.8 mm (4.4 inches)
B Backing width (or tag width) 19.1 mm (0.75 inch) 114.3 mm (4.5 inches)
C Gap between labels 2.54 mm (0.10 inch) 25.4 mm (1.0 inch)
D Label length - self-strip media

Label length - butt cut media
E Media thickness (including backing) 0.15 mm (0.0059 inch) 0.30 mm (0.012 inch)
F Reflective sensor mark length 2.54 mm (0.10 inch) 12.7 mm (0.5 inch)
G Notch diameter 3.18 mm (.125 inch) N/A
H Notch height 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) N/A

Roll diameter N/A 213 mm (8.38 inches)

25.4 mm (1.0 inch)

12.7 mm (0.5 inch)

609.6 mm (24 inch)

609.6 mm (24 inch)

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EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual HelvC

Printer Options

This page contains a list of the options you can use with the printer along with a brief
description. Consult your Intermec representative to order any option.

Communication Interface

EasyLAN 10i Interface

This option lets you connect your printer to a 10bBaseT Ethernet network. Various
network printing protocols are available. For more information, see your EasyLAN 10i
documentation.

Twinax Interface

This option lets you connect your printer to an IBM twinaxial cable system with a
twinax interface so your printer emulates an IBM 5256 Model 1 printer and can operate
with an IBM System/34, System/36, System/38, or AS/400 host computer.

NugFont

C 39

Coax Interface

The coax interface adapter allows the printer to emulate an IBM 3287 printer by
connecting the printer to IBM 3270 Type A coaxial cable computer systems operating
in the VTAM (CICS/IMS/TSO) or 8100 (DPPX) environments. With the coaxial
adapter you can connect the printer to an IBM 3174/76/99 system
controller/multiplexer.

Finishers

Cutter

Use the cutter option to cut continuous media into individual labels ready for use. This
3400 option works best for individual random lengths or short batches of different label
lengths.

Batch Takeup

This device automatically spools labels as they are printed. This attachment is limited
to small batches with maximum outer diameter (OD) of 12.7 centimeters (5 inches).

Self-Strip Printing

Use self-strip printing in applications where you want to apply labels to a surface
immediately. After printing a label, the printer prints out the label with the backing
removed. This option must be ordered when you order your printer.

A-6