Intermec 3400, 3440, 3600 Service Manual

User's Manual

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer

Intermec Technologies Corporation

Corporate Headquarters 6001 36th Avenue West Everett, WA 98203 U.S.A.

www.intermec.com

The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing customers to operate and 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 contained in this document are subject to change without prior notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Intermec Technologies Corporation.

The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, Norand, ArciTech, CrossBar, Data Collection Browser, dcBrowser, Duratherm, EasyCoder, EasyLAN, Enterprise Wireless LAN, EZBuilder, Fingerprint, i-gistics, INCA (under license), InterDriver, Intermec Printer Network Manager, IRL, JANUS, LabelShop, Mobile Framework, MobileLAN, Nor*Ware, Pen*Key, Precision Print, PrintSet, RoutePower, TE 2000, Trakker Antares, UAP, Universal Access Point, and Virtual Wedge are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Intermec Technologies 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.

There are U.S. and foreign patents pending.

The name Centronics is wholly owned by GENICOM Corporation.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

ii 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Document Change Record

This page records changes to this document. The document was originally released as version 001.

Version Date Description of Change

002 10/2003 Updated the user’s manual to include the EasyLAN 10i2 adapter accessory.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual iii

iv 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Contents

Getting Started............................................................................................................................. 1

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Before You Begin...............................................................................................................xi

Safety Summary....................................................................................................xi

Safety Icons ..........................................................................................................xi

Global Services and Support................................................................................xii

Who Should Read This Document? ...................................................................xiii

Related Documents ............................................................................................xiii

Using This Manual.............................................................................................................2

Getting to Know Your Printer ............................................................................................2

Preparing the Printer for Installation ..................................................................................4

Plugging In the Printer ..........................................................................................4

Opening the Printer...............................................................................................5

Loading Media for Fanfold Printing ......................................................................5

Printing the Hardware Configuration Test Label...................................................7

What the Hardware Configuration Test Label Tells You..........................8

If a Hardware Configuration Test Label Does Not Print ..........................8

Contents

Connecting the Printer to Your System ..............................................................................8

Connecting Your Printer to a PC...........................................................................9

Connecting the Printer to a PC Serial Port ...............................................9

Connecting the Printer to a PC Parallel Port ..........................................10

Connecting Your Printer to a Network................................................................10

Connecting the Printer to an AS/400...................................................................10

Connecting the Printer to a Mainframe ...............................................................11

Cabling in Noisy Electrical Environments ...........................................................11

Configuring the Serial Port for Communications .............................................................11

Verifying Printer Communications With Your System .....................................................13

Operating the Printer............................................................................................................. 15

Learning How to Operate the Printer ...............................................................................16

Understanding the Front Panel.........................................................................................16

Understanding the Front Panel LEDs..................................................................16

Using the Feed/Pause Button...............................................................................17

Loading Media Into the Printer ........................................................................................18

Loading Roll Media for Straight-Through Printing .............................................18

Loading Media for Self-Strip Printing .................................................................20

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual v

Contents*1233*

Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon ...................................................................................22

Setting the Media Sensitivity Number ..............................................................................25

Communicating With the Printer.....................................................................................28

Maintaining the Printer......................................................................................................... 31

Inspecting the Printer .......................................................................................................32

Tools for Cleaning the Printer ..........................................................................................32

Maintenance Schedule ......................................................................................................32

Setting the MSN for Intermec Media and Ribbon...............................................26

Setting the MSN for Other Media and Ribbon ...................................................26

Using the PrintSet Software.................................................................................29

Using Third-Party Software.................................................................................29

Using Intermec Printer Language (IPL) Commands ............................................29

Printing a Test Label ...........................................................................................29

Cleaning the Printhead ........................................................................................34

Cleaning the Printer Covers.................................................................................36

Cleaning the Drive Roller and Tear Bar...............................................................36

Cleaning the Media Guides and Media Path........................................................37

Cleaning the Label Sensors ..................................................................................38

Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................ 41

Troubleshooting Checklist................................................................................................42

Printer Operation Problems..............................................................................................42

Print Quality Problems.....................................................................................................44

Communication Problems................................................................................................45

Optimizing Printer Performance ..................................................................................... 47

Optimizing and Maintaining Print Quality ......................................................................48

Correcting Uneven Print Quality......................................................................................48

Adjusting the Print Darkness ............................................................................................49

Adjusting the Label Mark Sensor ......................................................................................50

Using the Printer Memory Efficiently...............................................................................51

How Is the Printer RAM Used? ...........................................................................52

Making the Most of Your RAM ..........................................................................52

Increasing Throughput .....................................................................................................52

What Is an Image Band? ......................................................................................53

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How Does the Image Bands Command Work? ...................................................53

Optimizing Print Speed and Image Band Setting.................................................53

Optimizing Image Bands for Batch Printing........................................................54

Contents

Using Test and Service Mode............................................................................................. 55

Using Test and Service Mode Procedures .........................................................................56

Printing Test Labels.............................................................................................58

Using Data Line Print .........................................................................................58

Performing Selective Transfer..............................................................................58

Resetting the Memory on Your Printer................................................................59

Setting Configuration Commands in Test and Service Mode ...........................................61

Setting the Number of Dot Increments ...............................................................61

Adjusting the Label Rest Point.............................................................................63

Setting Emulation Mode .....................................................................................64

Using Forms Adjust.............................................................................................65

X Forms Adjust ......................................................................................66

Y Forms Adjust.......................................................................................67

Specifications.............................................................................................................................. 69

Printer Specifications........................................................................................................70

Electrical Requirements ..........................................................................70

Environment ..........................................................................................70

Communications....................................................................................70

Printing Method.....................................................................................70

Self-Strip ................................................................................................71

3400 Specifications..............................................................................................71

Dimensions (No Options Installed)........................................................71

Character Sets.........................................................................................71

Memory..................................................................................................71

Printhead................................................................................................72

Ribbon ...................................................................................................72

Printing Speed........................................................................................72

Fonts and Graphics.................................................................................72

Media .....................................................................................................73

3440 Specifications..............................................................................................74

Dimensions (No Options Installed)........................................................74

Character Sets.........................................................................................74

Memory..................................................................................................74

Printhead................................................................................................74

Ribbon ...................................................................................................74

Printing Speed........................................................................................74

Fonts and Graphics.................................................................................75

Media .....................................................................................................75

3600 Specifications..............................................................................................76

Dimensions (no options installed) ..........................................................76

Character Sets.........................................................................................76

Memory..................................................................................................76

Printhead................................................................................................76

Ribbon ...................................................................................................76

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual vii

Contents*1233*

Printer Options ................................................................................................................78

Memory Expansion and Fonts.............................................................................78

Communication Interface....................................................................................79

Finishers ..............................................................................................................79

Parallel Interface Pin Descriptions ....................................................................................80

Printing Speed........................................................................................76

Fonts and Graphics.................................................................................77

Media .....................................................................................................77

3400 Printer ...........................................................................................78

3440 Printer ...........................................................................................78

3600 Printer ...........................................................................................78

Twinax Interface.....................................................................................79

Coax Interface ........................................................................................79

Centronics Parallel Interface ...................................................................79

EasyLAN 10i2 Adapter...........................................................................79

Cutter.....................................................................................................79

Batch Takeup .........................................................................................80

Self-Strip Printing...................................................................................80

Bar Code Symbologies Supported.....................................................................................81

Character Sets............................................................................................................................. 83

International Character Sets..............................................................................................84

Advanced Character Table...................................................................................84

Emulation Mode Character Table .......................................................................85

IBM Translation Character Table........................................................................85

Code Page 850 Character Table...........................................................................86

Extended Character Sets ...................................................................................................86

Communications Reference ............................................................................................... 93

Communication Protocols................................................................................................94

Intermec Standard Protocol.................................................................................94

XON/XOFF Protocol (Software and Hardware Flow Control) ...........................95

XON/XOFF, No Status Protocol ........................................................................96

Polling Mode D...................................................................................................96

Multi-Drop Protocol ...........................................................................................96

User-Defined Protocol.........................................................................................96

Host Requirements..............................................................................................98

Communications Boundaries...............................................................................98

Communications Interfaces ..............................................................................................98

RS-232 Serial Interface ........................................................................................98

RS-422 Serial Interface ........................................................................................99

RS-485 Serial Interface ........................................................................................99

Printer Serial Port...........................................................................................................102

viii 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Full ASCII Table......................................................................................................................... 103

Full ASCII Table ............................................................................................................104

Full ASCII Control Characters Table .............................................................................106

Glossary ........................................................................................................................................ 107

Index............................................................................................................................................... 115

Contents

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual ix

Contents*1233*

x 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Before You Begin

This section provides you with safety information, technical support information, and sources for additional product information.

Safety Summary

Your safety is extremely important. Read and follow all warnings and cautions in this document 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.

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.

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Before You Begin

Safety Icons

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.

This section explains how to identify and understand dangers, warnings, cautions, and notes that are in this document. You may also see icons that tell you when to follow ESD procedures and when to take special precautions for handling optical parts.

A warning alerts 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 avertit 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.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual xi

Before You Begin *1233*

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.

Attention: 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.

Note: Notes either provide extra information about a topic or contain

special instructions for handling a particular condition or set of circumstances.

Global Services and Support

Warranty Information

To understand the warranty for your Intermec product, visit the Intermec web site at http://www.intermec.com and click Service & Support. The Intermec Global Sales & Service page appears. From the Service &

Support menu, move your pointer over Support, and then click Warranty.

Disclaimer of warranties: The sample code included in this document is presented for reference only. The code does not necessarily represent complete, tested programs. The code is provided “as is with all faults.” All warranties are expressly disclaimed, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Web Support

Visit the Intermec web site at http://www.intermec.com to download our current manuals in PDF format. To order printed versions of the Intermec manuals, contact your local Intermec representative or distributor.

Visit the Intermec technical knowledge base (Knowledge Central) at http://intermec.custhelp.com to review technical information or to request technical support for your Intermec product.

xii 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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Before You Begin

Telephone Support

These services are available from Intermec Technologies Corporation.

Service

Factory Repair and On-site Repair

Technical Support Get technical support on your

Service Contract Status

Schedule Site Surveys or Installations

Ordering Products Talk to sales administration,

Description

Request a return authorization number for authorized service center repair, or request an onsite repair technician.

Intermec product.

Inquire about an existing contract, renew a contract, or ask invoicing questions.

Schedule a site survey, or request a product or system installation.

place an order, or check the status of your order.

In the U.S.A. and Canada, call 1-800-755-5505 and choose this option

Outside the U.S.A. and Canada, contact your local Intermec representative. To search for your local representative, from the Intermec web site, click Contact.

Who Should Read This Document?

The manual provides you with information about the features of the 3400 (A, B, C, and D), 3440, and 3600 printers, and tells you how to install, configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot them. For information about the 3400e printer, see the EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual (P/N 071881).

Before you install and configure the 3400, 3440, or 3600, you should be familiar with your network and general networking terms, such as IP address.

Using This Manual

Use this manual to learn about your Intermec 3400, 3440, or 3600 printer. Although the three printers are almost identical in form and function, they do have some small differences.

Throughout this manual you will find these icons next to information that pertains to a specific printer model.

Note: The 3440 printer appears in most of the illustrations in this manual.

Identifies information that is unique to the 200 dpi 3400 printer.

Identifies information that is unique to the 400 dpi 3440 printer.

Identifies information that is unique to the 200 dpi 3600 printer.

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 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 usersupplied fonts. See the PrintSet software application or the IPL Programming Reference Manual (P/N 066396) for more information.

• support for TrueType. You can easily download and print TrueType fonts. See the PrintSet software application or the IPL Programming Reference Manual (P/N 066396) for more information.

Use the following illustrations to familiarize yourself with your printer.

2 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Inte

mec

Power/Data

LED

Alert LED

Empty/Pause button

Feed/Pause button

Power/Data

Alert

Empty/Pause

ed/Pause

Intermec

3440

Chapter 1— Getting Started

Media window

Media cover

Media access door

3XXXU.002

Printer front view: This illustration shows the features on the front of the printer.

Darkness adjust control

DIP switches

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

Optional I/O board port

Serial communication port

On/Off Media window

Media cover

Fanfold media access slot

switch

AC power cord receptacle

3XXXU.003

Printer back view: This illustration shows the features on the back of the printer.

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

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual 3

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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).

Bottom Bank Set switches 1 through 8 off (O).

For a description of the DIP switch settings, see “Configuring the Serial Port for Communications” on page 11.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3XXXU.004

4 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Opening the Printer

rme

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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.

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.

Power/Data

Alert

Empty/Pause

ed/Pause

Intermec

3440

3XXXU.005

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.

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.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual 5

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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

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.

➤

Head lift lever

Lower media guide

Edge guide

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.

Supply roll retainer

➤

Media access slot

Fanfold media

3XXXU.006

6 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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.

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

Note: For your convenience, refer to the label with directions for loading media. This label is located on the inside of the media cover.

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.

Note: This is only an example of a hardware configuration label. Your label may not be exactly the same.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual 7

Chapter 1— Getting Started

3440 Hardware Configuration

Memory Installed Storage RAM Image RAM Flash RAM 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

: 256 kilobytes : 583 kilobytes : none

: 0 : 0 : 0

: 1792 dots : 2.5 mil : 156

: none : none : none

: 95D0 : 7331 : 062933 : 0.a

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

your 3400, 3440, or 3600 printer to your system.

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” on page 42.

Connecting the Printer to Your System

3XXXU.007

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 either of these two ports on the rear of the printer:

• Serial communications port

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

8 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Chapter 1— Getting Started

Printer ports: This illustration shows you where to connect your system to the printer.

Connecting Your Printer to a PC

You can connect your printer to either a serial port or parallel port (if you have the option installed) 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.

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

Optional I/O board port

Serial communications

port

3XXXU.008

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.

To connect to an IBM PC, you can use these Intermec cables:

• 25-pin printer to 25-pin serial port null modem (P/N 048668)

• 25-pin printer to 9-pin serial port null modem (P/N 048693)

You cannot order an Intermec cable for the RS-422 interface, but there is a schematic on page 101 that you can use to purchase or make your own cable. Also see Appendix C for the RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial port pin assignments.

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” on page

11. for more information.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual 9

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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 (P/N 051211) or from your local computer store. See “Parallel Interface Pin Descriptions” on page 80 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). For more information about network interface adapters, see “Communication Interface” on page 79. Your network must be able to use XON/XOFF (software and hardware flow control) protocol.

If you need to change the printer’s communications parameters, follow the procedures in “Configuring the Serial Port for Communications” on page 11.

Connecting the Printer to an AS/400

To connect a printer directly to an AS/400 or 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).

If you did not have the twinax card installed at the factory, a field service technician can install the field installable option (P/N 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.

Note: If you are using a midrange computer other than the AS/400, refer to your system documentation for information on cabling and setting up communications.

10 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

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 (P/N 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:

Chapter 1— Getting Started

• 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:

• 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.

• 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.

If you need help eliminating noise, ask your Intermec representative for assistance.

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.

3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual 11

Chapter 1— Getting Started

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.

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

DIP Switch Setting Descriptions

Parameter Description

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

data with the printer.

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.

The following table provides the maximum baud rates for the printers.

Maximum Printer Baud Rates

Printer Maximum Baud Rate

3400A 19,200

3400B 19,200

3400C 38,400

3400D 38,400

3440 57,600

3600 19,200

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Chapter 1— Getting Started

O = OFF 1 = ON

Baud Rate Selection

Number of Data Bits

19,200 9,600

4,800 2,400

1,200 38,400 57,600

reserved

Parity Selection

Even

Odd None None

7 Bit

8 Bit

Reserved

Default settings are noted with an

DIP switch settings: These charts illustrate the settings for the DIP switches on the top and bottom banks. For a description of each setting, see the DIP Switch Settings Descriptions table on page 12.

Top Bank Switch Number

OFF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bottom Bank Switch Number

OFF

O = OFF 1 = ON

Multi-Drop Address Selection

O 1

Protocol Selection

XON/XOFF

Intermec Protocols

XON/XOFF Selection

No Status Response

With Status Response

Media Type

Direct Thermal

Thermal Transfer Ribbon

Default settings are noted with an

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

B C D E

F G H

J K

L M N O P Q R S

T U V

X Y

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 1

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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.

To verify communications with your system

1 If you have just printed a configuration test label, you are already in

Data Line Print mode. Start the following procedure with Step 5.

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

3 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.

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

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Chapter 1— Getting Started

5 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.

Note: An example of using DOS to verify printer communications follows this procedure.

6 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” on page 8 for more information.

Note: Please refer to your host computer user’s manual and the IPL Programming Reference Manual (P/N 066396) for information on

downloading commands.

Example: 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:

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Note: If you are using a different platform to communicate with your printer, please refer to your host computer user’s manual and the IPL Programming Reference Manual (P/N 066396) for help downloading commands.

14 3400, 3440, and 3600 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual

Operating the Printer

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. This chapter covers these topics:

• Understanding the front panel

• Loading roll media and media

• Loading thermal transfer ribbon

• Setting the media sensitivity number

• Communicating with the printer

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Chapter 2— Operating the Printer Cd 39 Helvetica Condensed

Learning How to Operate the Printer

To operate the printer, you need to understand:

• how light emitting diodes (LEDs) help you monitor the status of the printer and the various tasks the Feed/Pause button performs.

• how to load roll media, thermal transfer ribbon, and the procedure for using the self-strip option.

• how to optimize print quality and print speed.

• the different methods for transferring information from the host to the printer and from the printer to the host.

Understanding the Front Panel

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

Helvetica

Power/Data

Alert

Empty/Pause

Feed/Pause

Front panel: This illustration shows the front panel LEDs and the Feed/Pause button.

Understanding the Front Panel LEDs

You can use the front panel LEDs to monitor the status of the printer and troubleshoot the printer.

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