Page 1
User’s Guide
EasyCoder F2
Bar Code Label
Printer
(Fingerprint Version)
Page 2
Information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Intermec Printer AB.
© Copyright Intermec Printer AB, 2002. All rights reserved. Published in Sweden.
EasyCoder, EasyLAN, Fingerprint, and LabelShop are registered trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corp. The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, InterDriver, PrintSet, and Duratherm are
trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corp.
Centronics is a registered trademark of Genicom Corporation.
Kimdura is a registered trademark of Kimberly Clark.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Torx is a registered trademark of Camcar Division of Textron Inc.
TrueDoc is a registered trademark of Bitstream, Inc.
TrueType is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Unicode is a trademark of Unicode Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Page 3
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
1
Preface
Preface
Table of Contents .........................................................................1
FCC Notice (U.S.A.) ...................................................................4
DOC Notice (Canada) ................................................................4
GS Notice (Germany)..................................................................4
EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)........................4
Declaration of Conformity (CE) .................................................5
1. Introduction
EasyCoder F2 ...............................................................................6
Safety ............................................................................................7
Product Labeling ..........................................................................7
2. Installation
Unpacking....................................................................................8
Front View....................................................................................9
Rear View ...................................................................................10
Media Compartment .................................................................11
• Description ..........................................................................11
• Media Roll Supply Post .......................................................12
• Media supply Positions........................................................13
Print Mechanism........................................................................14
Connections ...............................................................................15
• Power ...................................................................................15
• Computer ............................................................................15
Controls and Indicators..............................................................16
• Control Lamps.....................................................................16
• Display.................................................................................16
• Keyboard..............................................................................16
• Beeper ..................................................................................17
3. Starting Up
Startup Files................................................................................18
Memory Card.............................................................................19
Switching On the Printer ...........................................................20
Display Messages at Startup .......................................................20
4. Media Load
Tear-Off (Straight-through) .......................................................21
Tear-Off (Straight-through) with Quick-Load ..........................25
Peel-Off (Self-strip).....................................................................27
External Supply (Fanfold) ..........................................................31
5. Thermal Transfer Printing
Ribbon Load...............................................................................32
6. Setting Up the Printer
Description.................................................................................36
Default Setup..............................................................................37
Contents
Page 4
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide2
Preface
Contents, cont.
6. Setting Up the Printer, cont.
Setup Parameters: .......................................................................38
• Serial Communication:........................................................38
- Baud Rate ..........................................................................38
- Character Length...............................................................39
- Parity..................................................................................39
- Stop Bits.............................................................................39
- Flow Control.....................................................................39
- New Line...........................................................................40
- Receive Buffer....................................................................40
- Transmit Buffer..................................................................40
• Feed Adjust: .........................................................................41
- Start Adjust........................................................................41
- Stop Adjust........................................................................41
- Recommended Feed Adjustments.....................................41
• Media:..................................................................................42
- Media Size .........................................................................42
- Media Type ........................................................................44
- Paper Type .........................................................................45
- Contrast .............................................................................49
- Testfeed ..............................................................................49
• Print Defi nes:.......................................................................49
- Head Resistance.................................................................49
- Testprint.............................................................................49
- Print Speed ........................................................................51
- LTS (Label Taken Sensor)..................................................52
7. Setup Mode
Entering the Setup Mode at Installation....................................53
Navigating in Setup Mode .........................................................54
Setup Mode Overviews ..............................................................55
8. Intermec Shell Startup Program
Introduction ...............................................................................60
Starting with Intermec Shell.......................................................61
Intermec Shell Diagram .............................................................64
Terminal Setup ...........................................................................65
• Starting Terminal Setup .......................................................65
• Solving Communication Problems.....................................65
• Using Terminal Setup ..........................................................66
• Selecting an Application ......................................................67
• Changing the Setup.............................................................68
• Exiting Terminal Setup ........................................................69
Line Analyzer..............................................................................70
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Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
3
Preface
Contents, cont.
9. Options
Introduction ...............................................................................71
Thermal Transfer Mechanism....................................................72
Side Doors ..................................................................................72
Integral Liner Takeup Unit.........................................................72
Media Supply Hub.....................................................................72
3-inch Adapter............................................................................72
Label Taken Sensor.....................................................................72
Real Time Clock.........................................................................73
Interface Boards..........................................................................73
10. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting List...................................................................74
11. Maintenance
Printhead Cleaning.....................................................................75
External Cleaning .......................................................................78
Cleaning the Media Guides........................................................79
Printhead Replacement ..............................................................80
12. Adjustments
Narrow Media ............................................................................83
Label Stop Sensor Position.........................................................84
Printhead Pressure ......................................................................85
Ribbon Break Shaft (option)......................................................86
Installing the Quick-Load Guides..............................................87
Appendix 1 Technical Data
Technical Data............................................................................88
Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Direct Thermal Media................................................................90
Thermal Transfer Media.............................................................91
Media Roll Size...........................................................................92
Media..........................................................................................93
• Non-Adhesive Strip .............................................................93
• Self-Adhesive Strip ...............................................................94
• Self-Adhesive Labels.............................................................95
• Tickets with Gap .................................................................96
• Tickets with Black Mark......................................................97
Transfer Ribbons ........................................................................98
Appendix 3 Interfaces
RS-232 Interface.........................................................................99
USB Interface .......................................................................... 100
Bar Code Wand Interface........................................................ 101
Double Serial Interface Board (option)................................... 102
IEEE 1284 Parallel Interface Board (option) .......................... 104
Industrial Interface Board (option) ......................................... 105
EasyLAN 100i Interface Board (option)................................. 106
RFID 13.56 MHz Interface Board (option)........................... 107
Page 6
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide4
Preface
FCC Notice (United States of America)
WARNING
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions manual, may cause interference to radio communications.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant
to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the user at his own expense will be
required to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.
DOC Notice (Canada)
Canadian Dept. of Communication
REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE (DOC-A)
This digital apparatus does not exceed the class A limits for radio noise emissions from a digital
apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communication.
Ministère des Communications du Canada
CONFORMITE DE REGLEMENTS (DOC-A)
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant les limites applicables
aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le règlement sur brouillage radioélectrique édicté
par le Ministère des Communications du Canada.
GS Notice (Germany)
ALLGEMEINE VORSCHRIFT
Reparaturen oder sonstige Eingriffe, die sich nicht auf normale Bedienung der Maschine beziehen,
dürfen ausschließlich nur von einem ausgebildeten, zuständigen Fachmann vorgenommen werden.
EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)
WARNING
This is a Class A ITE product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference
in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Page 7
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
5
Preface
Declaration of Conformity (CE)
We,
Intermec Printer AB
Idrottsvägen 10
Box 123
S-431 22 Mölndal
Sweden
declare under our sole responsibility1 that the product
EasyCoder F2
to which this declaration relates is in conformity with the following standards
EMC:
EN 50 081-1:1992
EN 55 022:1994
EN 61 000-3-2:1995, class A
EN 50 082-2:1995
EN 61 000-4-2:1995
EN 61 000-4-3:1996
ENV 50 204:1995
EN 61 000-4-4:1995
EN 61 000-4-6:1996
Electrical Safety:
EN 60 950
following the provisions of Directives
89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC
Mölndal 1999-09-01
...................................................................
Mats Gunnarsson
President
1
/. Intermec assumes no responsibility regarding the CE Directive if the
printer is handled, modifi ed, or installed in other manners than those described in
Intermec’s manuals.
Page 8
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide6
Chapter 1
Introduction
The EasyCoder F2 is a sturdy medium-duty direct thermal
printer with a printhead resolution of 8 dots per mm (203.2
dots per inch) and a maximum print width of 56 mm (2.2
inches). Optionally, it can be provided with a thermal transfer
mechanism. The EasyCoder F2 offers a large number of useful
features, such as:
• Flash memory SIMMs for fi rmware, fonts, bar codes, and
application programs
• Built-in memory card adapter
• Built-in RS-232 and USB interfaces
• Provision for one extra interface board
• Keyboard and display with backlight for improved user inter-
face.
A large number of factory-installed or fi eld-installable options are
available, so the printer can be confi gured for a wide range of
applications. See Chapter 9 and Appendix 1 for more information.
The EasyCoder F2 supports the unique and fl exible Intermec
Fingerprint v7.61 programming language, which allows the user
or third-party developer to create custom-made application programs and label formats in a BASIC-like environment.
EasyCoder F2 is also designed to work with the Intermec Direct
Protocol programming language, the Intermec InterDriver and
Intermec Labelshop. The InterDriver allows you to print labels
from standard MS Windows applications, for example Microsoft
Offi ce.
Intermec LabelShop is a series of label-design programs that work
under various versions of MS Windows.
The EasyCoder F2 supports 15 scaleable Unicode TrueType and
TrueDoc fonts as standard. Additional fonts can be downloaded
into the printer’s Flash memory, or be plugged in using a memory
card. The Unicode standard allows the use of special characters
for various languages including non-Latin fonts, such as Arabic,
Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, and similar.
A special version of EasyCoder F2, that supports the Intermec
Programming Language (IPL-3), is described in a special manual.
EasyCoder F2
Page 9
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
7
Chapter 1 Introduction
Safety
Product Labeling
Intermec assumes no responsibility regarding the CE Directive if
the printer is handled, modifi ed, or installed in any way other
than that described in Intermec’s manuals.
Caution
• Read this manual carefully before connecting the printer.
• Moving parts are exposed when the side door is open, so
ensure that the door is closed before you operate the printer.
• Do not open the front/left-hand cover. Dangerous voltage!
• Do not remove the bottom plate. Dangerous voltage!
• Do not put your fi ngers inside the print mechanism when
the power is on.
• Place the printer on an even surface which can support its
weight of approximately 5.5 kg (12 pounds) plus supplies.
• Do not spray the printer with water. If you are using a hose
to clean the premises in an industrial environment, remove the
printer or protect it carefully from spray and moisture.
• Carefully read the warning text on the envelope before using
a cleaning card.
The machine label is attached to the printer’s rear plate and
contains information on type, model, and serial number as well
as AC voltage. It also contains various signs of approval.
Page 10
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide8
Chapter 2
1
/. Type and quantity may
vary, or labels/ribbon may be
omitted completely, depending on area of distribution.
Before you install the printer, examine the package for possible
damage or missing parts:
• Open the box and lift the printer out.
• Check that the printer has not been visibly damaged during
transportation. Keep the packing materials in case you need to
move or reship the printer.
• Check the label on the printer’s rear plate, which gives the
voltage, the part number, and the serial number.
• Check that any options you ordered are included.
• Check that all the accessories are included. As standard, the
box contains:
- Intermec EasyCoder F2 printer
- One set of Quick-Load Guides
- Power cord (at least one depending on model)
- Quality check card
- Cleaning card
- Short strip of labels
1
- Starter pack of thermal transfer ribbon (thermal transfer
models only)
1
- Adapter for 3-inch media roll core (only in models fi tted
with a rotating media supply hub)
- This User’s Guide
- Supporting software and product information on CD.
• Check that the power cord is appropriate for the local stan-
dard. The printer works within 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60
Hz.
If the printer has been damaged in any way during transportation, complain to the carrier immediately.
If the delivery is incorrect or any parts are missing, report it
immediately to the distributor.
Unpacking
European-type US / Canadian-type GB-type
230 VAC plug 115 VAC plug 230 VAC plug
Installation
Page 11
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
9
Chapter 2 Installation
Front View
At the front of the printer are the display window, the control
lamps, and the keyboard. These features allow the operator to
control and set up the printer manually, in addition to the remote
control facilities offered by the Intermec Fingerprint programing
language and Intermec Shell.
The printed labels, tickets, or tags are presented at the front of
the print mechanism.
Side Door
Control Lamps
Display Window
Keyboard
Print Key
Print Mechanism
Page 12
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide10
Chapter 2 Installation
Rear View
The rear plate contains the On/Off switch, the AC power cord
receptacle, and various interface connectors and slots.
On/Off Switch
AC Power Cord Receptacle
Memory Card Slot
Machine Label
RS-232 Serial Interface
("uart1:")
Provision for one Optional
Interface Board
Bar Code Wand Interface
Not used
USB Interface ("usb1:")
Page 13
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
11
Chapter 2 Installation
Media Compartment
The media compartment is either covered by a long side door
that completely encloses the print mechanism and media compartment, or a short side door that only covers the print
mechanism and gives easy access to the media stock. The door is
held by a magnetic lock. It can be opened 180° to provide full
access to the media compartment.
The media supply can be from a supply post, or from an external
supply of fan folds behind the printer. There is also an optional
rotating media supply hub.
Also see Chapter 9, “Options.”
2
1
4
3
bw
fw
Media Supply
Roll Post
with Edge Guide
Long Side Door
Print Mechanism
Optional Integral Liner
Takeup with Guide Shaft
Description
Page 14
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide12
Chapter 2 Installation
76 mm
(3 inches)
CORE
38-40 mm
(1.5 inch)
Because the EasyCoder F2 has a modular design, it uses a media
supply roll post that can be fi tted in three different positions
inside the media compartment. The position depends on the
type of side door (long or short) and whether or not the printer
is fi tted with an integral liner takeup. Alternatively, an external
media supply (for example a box of fan-folded tickets) behind the
printer can be used. A rotating media supply hub is also available
as an option, see Chapter 9, “Options.”
The media supply roll post fi ts both 38-40 mm (1.5 inches) and
76 mm (3.0 inches) cores since it can be moved vertically in the
slot in center section. The bottom position is intended for small
cores and the top position is for large cores. The post is locked by
a straight-slot screw and has a moveable edge guide to fi t various
media widths.
To move the post to a different slot; remove the screw, twist the
post a quarter of a turn, and pull it out.
To fi t the post; rotate it a quarter of a turn, insert it into the
appropriate slot in the center section (see next page), and twist
back so the lips engage the cutouts in the sides of the slot. Move
it up (large core) or down (small core) as far as it goes and secure
it with the screw.
Edge Guide
Screw
Media Compartment, cont.
Media Supply Roll Post
Caution!
Make sure to adjust the position of the post according to
the size of the media roll core.
When the post is fi tted in
the top position, the head of
the screw will interfere with
small (38 mm/1.5 inches)
cores, causing media misalignment.
Description, cont.
Page 15
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
13
Chapter 2 Installation
Media Compartment, cont.
There are four sets of threaded holes and slots in the printer’s
center section for the media supply roll post or rotating hub
(optional). These slots allow the largest possible roll size to fi t,
given the limitations of any liner takeup and/or the full enclosure
provided by the long side door. The positions are indicated by
numbers engraved in the center section.
• Position 1 is used when the media compartment is fully
enclosed by a long side door, regardless of the existence of
any integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 152 mm
(6 inches).
• Position 2 is used when the printer has a short side door
that only encloses the print mechanism, but does not have
an integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 213 mm
(8.38 inches).
• Position 3 is used when the printer has a short side door and
an integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 213 mm
(8.38 inches).
• Position 4 is reserved for future development.
The printer can also use an external media supply located behind
the printer.
2
1
4
3
Pos. 1
Pos. 3
Pos. 4 (not used)
Pos. 2
Media Supply Positions
Page 16
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide14
Chapter 2 Installation
Print Mechanism
The print mechanism features a high-performance 8 dot/mm
(203.2 dots/inch) thermal printhead with quick-mount fi ttings
to facilitate replacement. Refer to Chapter 5 “Thermal Transfer
Printing” and Chapter 9 “Options” for illustrations of the ther-
mal transfer mechanism, which is partly integrated with the print
mechanism.
Thermal Printhead
Tear Bar
Pressure Arm
Printhead Lift Lever
Label Stop Sensor
Position Adjustment
(bottom sensor hidden)
Edge Guide
Locking Screw
Platen Roller
Page 17
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
15
Chapter 2 Installation
Connections
Power
Computer
1 Place the printer on a level surface, near an AC outlet. You
should be able to easily access the printer to load media and
to remove the printout.
2 Check that the printer is switched off.
3 Connect the power cord between the receptacle on the rear
plate and to the electrical outlet (>90 to <264 VAC).
The Easycoder F2 is fi tted with one 25-pin D-style subminiature
(DB25) female connector for the RS-232 serial interface port and
one class B connector for the USB interface port (see Appendix
3).
•
RS-232 Serial Interface
(device name: "uart1:")
Use the serial interface with Intermec LabelShop or the Inter-
mec InterDriver. Also use it with the Intermec Direct Protocol
or the Intermec Fingerprint programming language because
you can receive error messages from your printer. Before you
can use the serial interface, you may need to set up the
communication parameters, such as baud rate, parity, etc. as
described in Chapter 6, “Setting Up the Printer.”
•
USB Interface
(device name: "usb1:")
Use the USB interface with an USB-compatible version of the
Intermec InterDriver for printing. The printer works only as
a “slave” (that is, the USB interface is not suitable for program-
ming because you cannot receive error messages from your
printer). Unlike RS-232, there is no communication setup in
regard of baud rate, parity, handshaking, etc.
•
Optional Interface Board
(device name: "uart2:", "uart3:", "centronics:", or "net1:")
Several types are available (see Chapter 9, “Options”). Refer
to Appendix 3 and the separate documentation delivered with
the boards for connection and setup instructions.
The printer can be set to scan all communication ports for
incoming data and automatically switch to that port. This facility
("auto:") can be selected in Intermec Shell (see Chapter 8)
or using the Intermec Fingerprint instruction SETSTDIO, see
Intermec Fingerprint v7.61, Programmer’s Reference Manual.
Switch off both PC and printer before connecting them together.
Page 18
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide16
Chapter 2 Installation
Controls and Indicators
Control Lamps
The EasyCoder F2 has several ways of communicating directly
with its operator: three control lamps, a display window, a
membrane-switch keyboard with 22 programmable keys, a big
programmable “Print” button on the printer’s front, and a beeper.
The control lamps are colored LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
and are used for the following purposes:
• Power (green) indicates when the power is on.
• Ready (green) indicates when the printer is ready for use.
• Error (red) indicates when some kind of error has occurred.
If using a serial communication, an error message may be
returned to the host computer.
The display window contains an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
with background illumination and two lines of text, each with 16
characters. It guides the operator through the setup and indicates
possible errors during printing.
The Intermec Fingerprint programming language and the
Intermec Direct Protocol allow custom-made messages to be
composed and displayed according to the requirements of the
application.
The keyboard is of the membrane-switch type and has 22 keys.
The keyboard is supplemented by a large “Print” button on
the printer’s front. Some keys have hard-coded functions in the
startup and setup modes.
In application programs created by the Intermec Fingerprint
programming language, the keys can be assigned to various functions. Since one key is assigned as shift key, up to 44 different
key combinations are possible. An audible signal, which can be
turned off if so desired, acknowledges that a key has been pressed.
Display
Keyboard
Page 19
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
17
Chapter 2 Installation
Controls and Indicators, cont.
Beeper
The beeper notifi es the operator when an error has occurred
and acknowledges that a key has been pressed. The Intermec
Fingerprint programming language allows the key acknowledge
signal to be turned off. The frequency and duration of signals
can be specifi ed. Thus, it is possible to create different signals
for different conditions or even to make the printer play simple
melodies!
Page 20
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide18
Chapter 3
Starting Up
Startup Files
When the printer is switched on, its behavior depends on the
existence of a startup fi le (autoexec.bat) in its memory. There
are two cases:
A
The printer is only fi tted with the Intermec Shell fi le-manag-
ing program, which allows the operator to choose between a
variety of applications and functions.
B
In addition to Intermec Shell, the printer is also fi tted with
a custom-made application program that is design to perform
a specifi c task, for example to print tickets, baggage tags, or
product labels for a certain company. Such a program may be
initiated by a startup fi le (autoexec.bat) stored in the printer’s
permanent memory or in a memory card.
There can be one startup fi le stored in each of three different
parts of the printer’s memory. If there are startup fi les stored in
more than one part, only one will be used with the following
priority:
1. An
autoexec.ba
t fi le stored in a memory card, provided the
card was inserted in the printer before power up.
2. An
autoexec.ba
t fi le stored in the read/write part of the
printer’s permanent memory (device "c:").
3. The
pup.bat
fi le (Intermec Shell) in the read-only part of the
printer’s permanent memory (device "rom:").
If you insert a memory card that contains a startup fi le before
you switch on the printer, this startup fi le will be used instead
of Intermec Shell.
Page 21
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
19
Chapter 3 Starting Up
If you want to use a memory card, you must insert it into
the slot in the printer’s rear plate before you switch on the
power. The memory card can be an SRAM card complying with
the JEIDA-4 standard or a Flash Memory card from Intermec.
Maximum size in both cases is 64Mbit (8MB). There are three
types of Flash Memory cards:
• Font Cards provide additional fonts that can be used as long as
the card remains inserted in the printer.
• Font Install Cards permanently install additional fonts in
the printer, which can be used even after the card has been
removed.
• Firmware Cards automatically replace the printer’s fi rmware,
usually with an updated version.
Memory Card
Memory Card
Backside
Important!
Always switch off the power before inserting or removing a memory
card! The manufacturer’s logotype should face right when viewing
the card as in the illustration above.
Page 22
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide20
Chapter 3 Starting Up
Display Messages at Startup
Switching On the Printer
Before switching on the printer, make the necessary connections,
insert any memory card you want to use, and check that the
printhead is engaged.
Switch on the power using the On/Off switch on the rear plate.
The “Power” control lamp on the front panel lights up when the
power is on. Wait for a few moments, while the printer loads
the program and runs some self-diagnostic tests. Then some kind
of message will appear in the display window, depending on the
startup fi le.
When the power is switched on, the printer is initialized. The
progress of the initialization is indicated by an increasing number
of colons on the lower line in the display:
Initializing
:::
The type of startup fi le running in the printer is indicated by
the message shown in the display window immediately after
initialization.
A. Intermec Shell Startup Program (standard printers)
ENTER=SHELL
5 sec. v.4.8
4 sec. v.4.8
3 sec. v.4.8
2 sec. v.4.8
1 sec. v.4.8
Refer to Chapter 8 for more information on Intermec Shell. The
digits in the lower right corner of the display indicate the version
of Intermec Shell.
B. Custom-Made Application Program (non-standard printers)
Any other display messages than those illustrated above indicates
that the printer is running some custom-made, non-standard
application program, or that some error has occurred.
Page 23
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
21
Chapter 4
Open the side door.
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise
the printhead.
Media Load
Tear-Off (Straight-through)
The EasyCoder F2 can print on labels, tickets, tags, and continuous stock in various forms. This section describes the case when
the media is torn off manually against the printer’s tear bar. This
method is also known as “straight-through printing.”
Use the <Feed> key (see fi gure #10) when loading the same
type of media. When switching to a new type of media, or if
the printer does not feed out the media properly, simultaneously
press the <Shift> and <Feed> keys to perform a “testfeed.”
Tear-off can be used for:
• Non-adhesive continuous stock
• Self-adhesive continuous stock with liner
• Self-adhesive labels with liner
• Tickets with gaps, with or without perforations
• Tickets with black marks, with or without perforations
An optional label taken sensor can hold the printing of the next
copy in the batch until the present copy has been removed, see
Chapter 9, “Options.”
1
2
Page 24
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide22
Chapter 4 Media Load
2
1
4
3
Tear-Off, cont.
Remove any empty core from the media
supply roll post.
Fit a new roll of media on the supply post and
adjust the edge guide so the roll becomes fl ush with
the center section.
2
1
4
3
43
6
Route the media through the print mechanism. Then
push it inwards as far as it will go. This diagram shows the media path.
b
w
f
w
5
Page 25
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
23
Chapter 4 Media Load
Tear-Off, cont.
Turn the printhead lift lever counterclockwise to
engage the printhead.
Adjust the position of the green edge guide so the
media is guided with a minimum of play.
7 8
Close the side door.
Press the Feed key to advance the media and adjust
the media feed.
9 10
Page 26
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide24
Chapter 4 Media Load
Tear-Off, cont.
To tear off the media, grab the outer edge and pull
downwards.
11
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Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
25
Chapter 4 Media Load
Tear-Off with Quick-Load (Straight-through)
In addition to the media load procedure for tear-off (straightthrough) operation described earlier in this chapter, the
EasyCoder F2 can optionally be fi tted with a set of Quick-Load
guides that makes media load much easier and quicker, especially
if the printer has a short side door. See Chapter 12, “Adjust-
ments” for installation instructions.
Quick-Load cannot be combined with peel-off (self-strip) operation.
Use the <Feed> key (see fi gure #5) when loading the same type
of media. When switching to a new type of media, or if the
printer does not feed out the media properly, simultaneously
press the <Shift> and <Feed> keys to perform a “testfeed.”
An optional label taken sensor can hold the printing of the next
copy in the batch until the present copy has been removed, see
Chapter 10, “Options.”
Fully automatic loading, without the operator having to press any
key, requires a special set of Intermec Fingerprint instructions in the
application program.
2
1
4
3
1
2
1
4
3
2
Remove any empty core from the media
supply roll post.
Fit a new roll of media on the supply
post and adjust the edge guide so the roll
becomes fl ush with the center section.
Page 28
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide26
Chapter 4 Media Load
Tear-Off with Quick-Load, cont.
If necessary, adjust the outer Quick-Load guide to fi t
the width of the media.
Insert the media between the guides and feed it
forward until the media reaches the platen roller
and cannot be inserted any further.
3
4
To tear off the media, grab the outer edge and pull
downwards.
bw
fw
Keep pushing the media forward while
pressing the Feed key.
5
6
Page 29
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
27
Chapter 4 Media Load
Peel-Off (Self-strip)
Open the side door.
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise
the printhead.
The EasyCoder F2 can print on labels, tickets, tags, and continuous stock in various forms. This section describes the case when
self-adhesive labels are separated from the liner immediately after
printing. The liner is then wound up on an integral liner takeup
hub. This is also known as “Self-strip” operation.
Peel-off operation cannot be performed when Quick-Load guides
are fi tted.
Use the <Feed> key (see fi gure #14) when loading the same
type of media. When switching to a new type of media, or if
the printer does not feed out the media properly, simultaneously
press the <Shift> and <Feed> keys to perform a “testfeeed.”
Peel-off can only be used for:
• Self-adhesive labels with liner
An optional label-taken sensor can hold the printing of the next
label in a batch until the present label has been removed, see
Chapter 9, “Options.”
1
2
Page 30
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide28
Chapter 4 Media Load
2
1
4
3
Peel-Off, cont.
Pull out the handle to collapse the takeup hub, then
remove any liner.
Remove any empty core from the media supply
roll post.
3
4
Fit a new roll of labels on the supply post and adjust
the edge guide so the label roll becomes fl ush with
the center section.
2
1
4
3
6
5
Remove labels from the fi rst 50 cm (20 inches) of the
liner. Route the liner through the print mechanism
and push it inwards.
Page 31
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
29
Chapter 4 Media Load
Peel-Off, cont.
Route the liner around the tear bar and the liner
drive roller and back under the print mechanism
and guide shaft.
Insert the start of the liner under the lip of the takeup
hub, then rotate the hub counterclockwise a few
turns to wind up some of the liner.
b
w
fw
7 8
Press the handle to expand the takeup hub and secure
the liner. Then rotate the hub counterclockwise until
the liner becomes tight. This diagram shows the media and liner paths.
9 10
Page 32
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide30
Chapter 4 Media Load
Peel-Off, cont.
Turn the printhead lift lever counterclockwise to
engage the printhead.
Adjust the position of the green edge guide so the
media is guided with a minimum of play.
11 12
Close the side door.
13
14
Press the Feed key to advance the media and adjust
the media feed.
Page 33
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
31
Chapter 4 Media Load
External Supply (Fan-fold)
This diagram shows the media path from an external supply. In case of the standard edge guide (as opposed
to Quick-Load guides), turn it to vertical position.
The EasyCoder F2 can print on labels, tickets, tags, and continuous stock in various forms. This section describes the case
the media supply is placed behind the printer, usually in the
form of fanfolded tickets or tags. External supply can be used
with tear-off (straight-through) printing–preferably with QuickLoad.
External supply can be used with both short and long side doors
and there is no need to remove the media supply roll post.
When using an external media supply, take care to protect the
media from dust, dirt or other foreign particles, that can impair
the printout quality or cause unnecessary wear to the printhead.
Depending on brand and quality, all direct thermal media are
more or less sensitive to heat, direct sunlight, moisture, oil,
plasticizers, fat, and other substances. You should protect them
accordingly.
1
Page 34
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide32
Chapter 5
2
b
w
f
w
Ribbon Load
Open the side door.
1
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise the
printhead
Thermal Transfer Printing (option)
The EasyCoder F2 can print on labels, tickets, tags, and contionuous stock using either direct thermal printing on special
heat-sensitive media or thermal transfer printing using a special
ink-coated ribbon. For thermal transfer printing, the printer must
be fi tted with a transfer ribbon mechanism.
Thermal transfer printing makes it possible to use a wide range
of receiving face materials. Make sure to select a type of ribbon
that matches the type of receiving face material (see Appendix
2, “Media Specifi cation”) and to set up the printer properly (see
Chapter 6, “Setting Up the Printer”).
The EasyCoder F2 can use transfer ribbon rolls wound with the
ink-coated side facing either outward or inward. Illustrations in
this manual show the ink-coated side facing inward.
Most transfer ribbons do not smear at room temperature.
2
Page 35
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
33
Chapter 5 Thermal Transfer Printing
b
w
fw
b
w
fw
Ribbon Load, cont.
Unpack a roll of original Intermec thermal transfer
ribbon.
Slide the ribbon roll onto the supply hub so the
ink-coated side faces down when the ribbon is routed
through the print mechanism.
Route the ribbon through the print mechanism
and pull out approximately 20 cm (8 inches) of
ribbon.
3 4
5
6
In case of ribbon reload, remove any used ribbon
and empty ribbon core.
Page 36
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide34
Chapter 5 Thermal Transfer Printing
Without releasing the ribbon, turn the printhead
lift lever counterclockwise to engage the printhead
and lock the ribbon.
Manually advance the ribbon until all of the
transparent leader has passed the printhead and the
ribbon becomes tight.
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise the
printhead and release the ribbon.
Ribbon Load, cont.
Slide the empty cardboard core onto the ribbon
rewind hub so the ribbon is wound up when the
hub rotates counterclockwise.
7 8
9
10
Page 37
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
35
Chapter 5 Thermal Transfer Printing
2
1
b
w
f
w
bw
fw
Ribbon Load, cont.
Turn the printhead lift knob counterclockwise to
engage the printhead. Close the side door.
11 12
Page 38
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide36
Chapter 6
Setting Up the Printer
Description
The setup controls the printer in regard of serial communication,
media feed, and print speed, and specifi es which type of media
and (optionally) ribbon is loaded in the printer.
Check the list of the printer’s default setup parameters on the next
page to see if they match your requirements. If not, you will have
to change the setup using one of the methods described below.
The setup may also be changed, manually or automatically, by
Intermec PrintSet, InterDriver, and LabelShop, or by third-party
application programs.
• Setup Mode
- Press the <Setup> key on the printer’s built-in keyboard to
enter the Setup Mode, or
- select the Setup option in Intermec Shell to enter the Setup
Mode, or
- execute the Intermec Fingerprint SETUP instruction to
enter the Setup Mode, or
- access the Setup Mode via the printer’s home page using an
optional EasyLAN 100i interface board.
See Chapter 7, “Setup Mode” in this manual and the documenta-
tion of the EasyLAN 100i interface board.
• Intermec Shell
- Use Terminal Setup option to change the setup remotely
from the host.
See Chapter 8, “Intermec Shell” in this manual.
• Intermec Fingerprint
- Use setup strings to change individual setup parameters
remotely from the host, or
- use setup fi les to create sets of setup parameters remotely
from the host.
See the Intermec Fingerprint v7.61 manuals.
• Intermec Direct Protocol
- Use setup strings to change individual setup parameters
remotely from the host.
See the Intermec Direct Protocol v7.xx manuals.
Page 39
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
37
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Default Setup
The printer’s default setup is listed below:
Ser-Com "uart1:"
Baud rate.................................................... 9600 bps
Character length......................................... 8 bits
Parity.......................................................... None
Stop bits ..................................................... 1 bit
RTS/CTS ................................................... Disable
ENQ/ACK ................................................ Disable
XON/XOFF, data to host.......................... Disable
XON/XOFF, data from host..................... Disable
New line..................................................... CR/LF
Receive buffer............................................. 300 bytes
Transmit buffer .......................................... 300 bytes
Feedadjust:
Startadjust .................................................. 0
Stopadjust................................................... 0
Media:
X-start......................................................... 24
Width......................................................... 424
Length........................................................ 1200
Media type ................................................. Label (w Gaps)
Paper type................................................... Direct Thermal
Label constant............................................ 85
Label factor................................................. 40
Contrast ..................................................... ±0%
Print Defi nes:
Print speed.................................................. 100 mm/sec.
Reading the Current Setup
The printer’s current setup values can be read from the printer’s
display window by browsing through the Setup Mode, or from
the host by browsing through the Terminal Setup of Intermec
Shell.
You can list the printer’s current setup values by printing test label
#5 in the Setup Mode or by using Intermec Shell.
The current setup values can be sent to the host via the
standard serial communication channel using a SETUP WRITE
"uart1:" statement (see Intermec Fingerprint v7.61, Programmer’s Reference Manual).
Page 40
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide38
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Setup Parameters
Serial Communication
• Baud Rate
• Character Length
• Parity
• Stop Bits
• Flow Control
• New Line
• Receive Buffer
• Transmit Buffer
The serial communication parameters control the communication between the printer and the connected computer or other
devices on the standard serial port "uart1:" and the optional
serial ports "uart2:" and "uart3:". The optional ports require
an optional interface board. The printer’s fi rmware detects if an
interface board is installed in the printer and presents additional
sets of communication setup menus depending on type of communication (refer to diagrams 3-5 in Chapter 7, “Setup Mode”).
The serial communication parameters have no effect on parallel communications, on Ethernet communications, or on the IN and OUT
ports on the optional Industrial Interface Board.
For the serial communication channel "uart1", the following
parameters can be set. Make sure they match the setup of the
connected device or vice versa. If the setup of the printer and the
setup of the host do not match, the response from the printer
to host will be garbled.
Baud Rate
The baud rate is the transmission speed in bits per second. There
are 10 options:
• 300
• 600
• 1200
• 2400
• 4800
• 9600 (default)
• 19200
• 38400
• 57600
• 115200
Page 41
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
39
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Setup Parameters, cont.
Serial Communication, cont.
Character Length
The character length specifi es the number of bits that will defi ne
a character. Eight bits are recommended, because that option
allows more special characters and characters specifi c for foreign
laguages to be used. Refer to the Intermec Fingerprint v7.61,
Programmer’s Reference Manual for information on which characters are available in various combinations of character length and
character set.
• 7 Characters ASCII 000 to 127 decimal
• 8 Characters ASCII 000 to 255 decimal (default)
Parity
The parity decides how the fi rmware will check for transmission
errors. There are fi ve options:
• None (default)
• Even
• Odd
• Mark
• Space
Stop Bits
The number of stop bits specifi es how many bits will defi ne the
end of a character. There are two options:
• 1 (default)
• 2
Flow Control
• RTS/CTS
RTS/CTS is a protocol where the communication is con-
trolled by currents through separate lines in the cable being set
either to high or low. By default, this option is disabled.
RTS high indicates that the transmitting unit is able to receive
characters. RTS low indicates that the receive buffer is fi lled to
75% (see XON/XOFF).
CTS high indicates that the unit transmitting the CTS signal
is ready to receive data. CTS low indicates that the receive
buffer is full (see XON/XOFF). In some computer programs,
for example MS Windows Terminal, RTS/CTS is designated
“Hardware.”
Page 42
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide40
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
• ENQ/ACK
In this protocol, the communication is controlled by the
control characters ENQ (ASCII 05 dec.) and ACK (ASCII 06
dec.) being transmitted on the same line as the data. The sending unit transmits ENQ at regular intervals. If the response
ACK is not received, the transmission is held up awaiting
an ACK character from the receiving unit. By default, ENQ/
ACK is disabled.
• XON/XOFF
In this protocol, the communication is controlled by the
control characters XON (ASCII 17 dec.) and XOFF (ASCII
19 dec.) being transmitted on the same line as the data. XON/
XOFF can be enabled/disabled separately for data received
from the host by the printer (printer sends XON/XOFF) and
for data transmitted to the host from the printer (host sends
XON/XOFF).
XOFF is sent from the printer when its receive buffer is
fi lled to 75%, and the transmission from the host is held,
waiting for an XON character. When enough data have been
processed so the receive buffer is fi lled only to 50%, the printer
sends an XON character and the host resumes transmitting
data. The same principles apply to XON/XOFF sent by the
host, even if the percentage fi gure may differ.
By default, XON/XOFF is disabled for data both ways.
New Line
Selects the character(s) transmitted from the printer to specify the
switching to a new line. There are three options:
• CR/LF ASCII 13 dec. + ASCII 10 dec. (default)
• LF ASCII 10 dec.
• CR ASCII 13 dec.
Receive Buffer
The receive buffer stores the input data received on the serial
channel before processing. Default size is 300 bytes.
Transmit Buffer
The transmit buffer stores the output data to be transmitted on
the serial channel before transmission. Default size is 300 bytes.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Serial Communication, cont.
Page 43
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
41
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
The Feedadjust part of the Setup Mode controls how much of
the media is fed out or pulled back before and/or after the actual
printing. These settings are global and will be effected regardless
of which program is run.
Note that the fi rmware uses the front edges of labels w. gaps, the ends
of detection slots, and the forward edges of black marks for detection,
all seen in relation to the feed direction.
Start Adjust
The Start Adjust value is given as a positive or negative number
of dots (1 dot = 0.125 mm = 4.9 mils). Default value is 0, which
places the origin a certain distance back from the forward edge
of the copy.
• A positive start adjustment means that the specifi ed length
of media will be fed out before the printing starts. Thus, the
origin is moved further back from the forward edge of the
copy.
• A negative start adjustment means that the specifi ed length of
media will be pulled back before the printing starts. Thus, the
origin is moved towards the forward edge of the copy.
Stop Adjust
The Stop Adjust value is given as a positive or negative number
of dots (1 dot = 0.125 mm = 4.9 mils). Default value is 0,
which stops the media feed in a position suitable for tear off
operation.
• A positive stop adjustment means that the normal media
feed after the printing is completed will be increased by the
specifi ed value.
• A negative stop adjustment means that the normal media
feed after the printing is completed will be decreased by the
specifi ed value.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Feedadjust
• Startadjust
• Stopadjust
Recommended Feed Adjustments
The following settings allow
printing from the top of the
label. Minor deviations from
the recommended values may
be required due to various
combinations of media types,
roll size, type of media supply
device, and individual differences between printers.
Tear-Off:
Start adjust: -100 dots
Stop adjust: 0 dots
Peel-Off:
Start adjust: -56 dots
Stop adjust: -44 dots
Page 44
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide42
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
The media parameters tell the fi rmware the characteristics of
the media that will be used, so the printout will be positioned
correctly and get the best quality possible.
Media Size
The size of the printable area is defi ned by three parameters;
X-Start, Width, and Length.
X-Start
Specifi es the position of the origin along the dots on the print-
head.
By default, X-start is 24 dots, which places the inner margin of the
print area 3 mm (0.118 inches) from the inner edge of the media
and gives a maximum print width of 424 dots (53 mm/2.087
inches). This prevents printing outside labels when the liner is
slightly wider than the labels.
If you want to use the entire media width, reset the X-start
value to 0 which gives a maximum print width of 448 dots
(56 mm/2.205 inches).
By increasing the value for the X-start parameter, the origin will
be moved outwards, away from the inner edge of the media path.
In other words, the larger X-start value, the wider inner margin
and the less available print width.
Width
Specifi es the width of the printable area in number of dots from
the origin. Thus, the sum of the X-start and width values gives
the outer margin of the printable area. The width should be
set to prevent printing outside the media, which may harm the
printhead.
Length
Specifi es the length of the printable area in number of dots from
the origin along the Y-coordinate and allocates memory space for
two identical image buffers in the printer’s temporary memory.
The size of each buffer can be calculated using this formula:
Buffer size (bits) = [Print length in dots] x [Printhead width in dots]
Note that the temporary memory has other functions that also require
some memory space. To obtain a longer print area, the memory can
be increased by fi tting a larger DRAM SIMM on the printer’s CPU
board as described in the Service Manual.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Media
• Media Size
• Media Type
• Paper Type
• Testfeed
• Contrast
Page 45
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
43
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Length, cont.
• The length setup also decides the amount of media feed when
using “fi x length strip.”
• The length setup creates an emergency stop, which works
when the printer is set up for “Label (w gaps)”, “Ticket (w
mark)”, or “Ticket (w gaps).” If the label stop sensor (LSS) has
not detected a gap or mark within 150% of the set length,
the media feed is automatically stopped to avoid feeding out a
whole roll of media, because of an LSS malfunction.
By setting up the X-start, the Width, and the Length, you
will create a print window inside which the printing can be performed. Any object or fi eld extending outside the print window
in any direction will either be clipped or cause an error condition
(Error 1003 “Field out of label”), see Intermec Fingerprint v7.61,
Programmer’s Reference Manual.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Media, cont.
FEED
DIRECTION
Dot #0
Dot-line
on printhead
X-start Width (1-448)
Origin
Length
Dot #44
7
4 mm (0.16 in)
PRINT
WINDOW
PRINT
WINDOW
max. 56.0 mm (2.2 in)
25-60 mm (1-2.36 in)
Page 46
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide44
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Media Type
The Media Type parameters control how the label stop sensor
(LSS) and the media feed work. There are fi ve media type
options:
• Label (w gaps) is used for adhesive labels mounted on liner.
• Ticket (w mark) is used for labels, tickets, or continuous stock
provided with black marks at the back.
• Ticket (w gaps) is used for tickets and tags with detection
slits.
• Fix length strip is used for continuous stock where the length
of the print window decides the length of media to be fed out.
• Var length strip is used for continuous stock and adds 115
dots of media feed after the last printable dot (may even be a
blank space character or a “white dot” in an image or character
cell) to allow the media to be properly torn off.
It is important to select the correct media type, so the printer can
indicate possible errors. Two error conditions may occur:
• Error 1005 “Out of paper” indicates that the last ordered copy
could not be printed because of an empty media stock.
• Error 1031 “Next label not found” indicates that the last
ordered label or ticket was successfully printed, but no more
labels/tickets can be printed because of an empty media stock.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Media, cont.
Page 47
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
45
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Paper Type
The Paper Type parameters control the heat emitted from the
printhead to the direct thermal media or, optionally, the transfer
ribbon in order to produce the dots that make up the printout
image. Start by choosing between two alternatives:
• Direct Thermal printing (default)
• Thermal Transfer printing (option)
Your choice will decide which parameters to enter next:
Direct Thermal Printing
This option contains two parameters:
• Label Constant (range 50 to 115)
• Label Factor (range 10 to 50)
Thermal Transfer Printing (option)
This option contains four parameters:
• Ribbon Constant (range 50 to 115)
• Ribbon Factor (range 10 to 50)
• Label Offset (range -50 to 50)
• Low Diameter1 (range 25 to 80 mm)
1
/. This parameter specifi es the diameter of the ribbon supply roll,
where SYSVAR(26) switches from 0 to 1.
SYSVAR(26) = 0 means that there is still a suffi cient supply of
ribbon, whereas SYSVAR(26) = 1 means that it is time to consider
replacing the ribbon supply.
The diameter is expressed in millimetres and an accuracy of ±3
mm can be expected. Note that this setting has no effect unless
SYSVAR(26) is read by a Fingerprint program (v7.40 or later).
Setup Parameters, cont.
Media, cont.
Page 48
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide46
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Setup Parameters, cont.
Media, cont.
Picket Fence
Ladder
Feed
Direction
Bar Code Directions
Direct Thermal Printing
Intermec recommends that you use the paper type and print
speed settings listed below to produce the highest possible print
quality under normal conditions and to ensure maximum lifetime of the printhead. Label materials are available from Intermec
either in standard types and sizes, or in special materials and sizes.
When adjusting the image darkness for individual requirements
or new label materials, keep the Label Factor at the recommended
value for the type of direct thermal media. Decrease or increase
the Label Constant for lighter or darker images respectively,
depending on the requirements of the images or of the new label
material.
General Paper Type Settings Guide
Sensitivity1 Label Constant Label Factor Max. Speed
Low 100 – 115 40 100
Standard 86 – 99 40 125
High 70 – 85 40 175
Ultra high 50 – 69 40 200
1
/. Please note that preprint and varnish decrease the sensitivity of direct thermal
media.
Thermal Transfer Printing
Keep the Ribbon Factor for each ribbon type at the recommended value. Decrease or increase the Ribbon Constant for
lighter or darker images respectively. For a new label material,
start with an average Ribbon Constant value for the ribbon
quality in question.
Bar Code Directions
In the tables on the pages that follow, different maximum print
speeds may be recommended depending on the direction of
possible bar codes in the printout. Generally, ladder style bar
codes are more demanding and may require a lower print speed,
especially in connection with a large media roll and/or negative
start adjust values (see “Print Speed” later in this chapter). The
illustration to the left shows how the two type of bar code
directions relate to the media feed direction.
Page 49
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
47
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Direct Thermal Printing (Europe)
DT Type/ Media Label Label Max Rec. Print Speed (mm/sec)1
Speed Designation Constant Factor Picket Fence Bar Code
2
Ladder Bar Code
Top Coated/ Thermal Top Board
3
100 40 100 100
Standard Thermal Top 95 40 125 125
Non Top Coated/ Thermal Eco 85 40 125 125
Standard Thermal Eco Board
3
80 40 175 175
Top Coated/High Thermal Top High Speed 85 40 175 175
Thermal Transfer Printing (Europe)
Ribbon Receiving Ribbon Ribbon Label Max Rec. Print Speed (mm/sec)1
Type Material Constant Factor Offset Picket Fence Bar Code
2
Ladder Bar Code
GP02 TTR Uncoated 75 25 0 150 100
TTR Coated 75 25 0 150 150
TTR Premium 70 25 0 150 150
HP07 TTR Coated 100 25 0 150 150
TTR Premium 95 25 0 200 150
TTR Premium Board
3
100 25 0 150 150
TTR Polyethylene 90 25 0 200 150
TTR Gloss Polyethylene 95 25 0 200 200
HP05 TTR Coated 95 25 0 150 150
TTR Premium 80 25 0 150 150
TTR Premium Board
3
95 25 0 150 150
TTR Polyethylene 75 25 0 150 150
TTR Gloss Polyethylene 80 25 0 200 200
HR03 TTR High Gloss Polyester 100 30 0 200 200
1
/. Exceeding the recommended print speed may cause the printhead to wear out prematurely. If the ambient temperature is lower than +15°C
(+59°F), decrease print speed by 50 mm/sec.
2
/. Also applies to printing of text, images, lines, and boxes.
3
/. Requires high printhead pressure (see Chapter 12 “Adjustments, Printhead Pressure”).
Media, cont.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Page 50
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide48
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Media, cont.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Direct Thermal Printing (North America)
DT Type/ Media Label Label Max Rec. Print Speed (mm/sec)1
Speed Designation Constant Factor Picket Fence Bar Code
2
Ladder Bar Code
Top Coated/ Duratherm II Tag
3
112 40 100 100
Standard Duratherm II 95 40 100 100
Top Coated/ Duratherm Ltg 92 40 175 175
High Dur atherm IR 82 40 150 150
Thermal Transfer Printing (North America)
Ribbon Receiving Ribbon Ribbon Label Max Rec. Print Speed (mm/sec)1
Type Material Constant Factor Offset Picket Fence Bar Code
2
Ladder Bar Code
TMX 1100 Duratran II 70 25 0 200 200
Duratran II Tag
3
75 25 0 200 200
Kimdura 75 25 0 200 200
Syntran 75 25 0 150 150
TMX 1500 Duratran II 75 25 0 150 150
Duratran II Tag
3
80 25 0 150 150
Kimdura 80 25 0 150 150
Syntran 80 25 0 150 150
TMX 2500 Duratran II 75 25 0 150 150
Duratran II Tag
3
75 25 0 150 150
Kimdura 85 25 0 150 150
Syntran 80 25 0 150 150
TMX 3200 Polyester 105 25 0 200 200
1
/. Exceeding the recommended print speed may cause the printhead to wear out prematurely. If the ambient
temperature is lower than +15°C (+59°F), decrease print speed by 50 mm/sec.
2
/. Also applies to printing of text, images, lines, and boxes.
3
/. Requires high printhead pressure (see Chapter 12 “Adjustments, Printhead Pressure”),
Page 51
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
49
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Setup Parameters, cont.
Contrast
Use the contrast parameter to make minor adjustments of the
blackness in the printout, for example to adapt the printer to
variations in quality between different batches of the same media.
11 options are displayed in an endless loop from -10% to +10%.
Default value is 0%. The contrast is reset to the default (±0)
whenever a new paper type is specifi ed, regardless which method
has been used.
Testfeed
The sensitivity of the label stop sensor (LSS) may need to be
adjusted when switching from one type of media to another.
This is especially the case when using adhesive labels since the
transparency of the liner (backing paper) may vary. Adjusting
the LSS entails feeding out a number of blank copies until
the fi rmware has decided the proper setting for the LSS. At
the same time, the front edges of the labels, tickets, etc. are
detected so the feed control can position the media according
to the Feedadjust parameter (same as the Intermec Fingerprint
statement TESTFEED). The comparator and amplifi er values of
the LSS are displayed (read-only information).
Head Resistance
The printhead resistance is measured automatically at startup
(read-only information).
Testprint
Test label #1 to #4 check the printout quality and facilitate
adjustment of the printhead pressure, see Chapter 12, “Adjust-
ments.” Test labels #5a and #5b list the printer’s current setup
(extra labels may be printed if the printer is fi tted an optional
interface board). Test label #6 is only printed if the printer has an
optional EasyLAN 100i interface board. Test labels #1 to #5b are
illustrated on the next page. If the printer refuses to print a test
label, press the <F3> key to fi nd out what is wrong, for example
printhead lifted or out-of paper.
Print Defi nes
• Head Resistance
• Testprint
• Print Speed
• LTS (optional)
Media, cont.
Page 52
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide50
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Setup Parameters, cont.
Print Defi nes, cont.
Test Label #2
Test Label #4
CODE39
CODE39
CONTRAST +0%
TESTFEED 12 3
HEAD RESIST 706
PRINT SPEED 100
Odometer [km] 0
Model F2
Hardware version 3.0
Ram 4096 ( k)
Flash 0+0+2048 (k)
External 0 (k)
c: 507904 bytes free
FIRMWARE
Fingerprint 7.61
MCS1597 15-Nov-01 13:49:59 m3k
slav0782 27-MAY-97 17:09:25 [0]
No keyboard slave [1]
Test Label #5b
Test Label #1
Test Label #3
Test Label #5a
706 ohms/8 dots
UART1 9600-8-N-1
RTS/CTS DISABLE
ENQ/ACK DISABLE
XON/XOFF
DATA TO HOST DISABLE
DATA FROM HOST DISABLE
NEW LINE CR/LF
REC BUF 300
TRANS BUF 300
PRINT CONFIG
STARTADJ 0
STOPADJ 0
XSTART 24
WIDTH 424
LENGTH 1800
MEDIA TYPE LABEL (w GAPS)
PAPER TYPE DIRECT THERMAL
LABEL CONSTANT 85
LABEL FACTOR 40
Page 53
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
51
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
Print Speed
The print speed is variable between 100 and 200 mm/sec.
Generally, the lower the speed, the better the printout quality.
This is especially true when printing bar codes with the bars
running across the media path (“ladder style”), when printing
on demanding face materials, and when printing at low ambient
temperatures. Refer to the tables under “Media” earlier in this
chapter for maximum print speed values. The default setting is
100 mm/sec. (≈ 4 inches/sec.).
Caution!
The combination of a large media roll (>152 mm/6 inches
diameter) and/or narrow media width in combination with
high print speed (> 150 mm/6 inches per sec.) could cause jerks
in the media feed. Such jerks will compress text and spoil the
readability of ladder-style bar codes placed close to the front
edge of the label. In case of batch printing, only the fi rst label
in the batch will be affected. Negative startadjust values tend
to increase the jerks.
• If the media roll is larger than 152 mm (6 inches), do not
use a print speed > 150 mm/s.
• If a negative start adjust is used, do not use a print speed
> 125 mm/s.
• Narrow media width may require further restrictions on
print speed.
• Avoid placing text and ladder-style bar codes close to the
front edge of labels.
Print Defi nes, cont.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Page 54
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide52
Chapter 6 Setting Up the Printer
LTS (Label Taken Sensor)
The sensitivity of the LTS may need to be adjusted according to
ambient light conditions and refl ective characteristics of the back
side of the media. The LTS setup options are only displayed if an
optional label taken sensor is installed in the printer.
• LTS Adjust
Press <Enter>. A label is fed out. Remove the label and press
<Enter> again. A menu shows the sensitivity automatically
selected by the fi rmware and the range, in which the LTS will
work. Press <Enter> again and you will proceed to the LTS
Test menu.
• LTS Test
Press <Enter>. A label is fed out. Remove the label and a
new label should be fed out automatically. Repeat until you
are sure the LTS works properly. Then press <Enter> to stop
and exit.
• LTS Value
Press <Enter>. You can enter a new value in the range indi-
cated in the LTS Adjust menu (see above). Min/max values
are in the range 0 to 10.
Print Defi nes, cont.
Setup Parameters, cont.
Page 55
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
53
Chapter 7
The method of entering the Setup Mode depends on which startup
fi les are stored in the printer’s memory, a subject that was more
thoroughly discussed in Chapter 3, “Starting Up.”
EasyCoder F2 with Intermec Shell
• Switch on the power.
• When the display shows the message “Enter=Shell; x sec...”,
press <Enter>.
• Press <Setup> (this facility can be used anywhere within
Intermec Shell).
• Set up the printer as described in this chapter.
• Return to Intermec Shell by pressing <Setup>.
EasyCoder F2 with a custom-made application program
• Normally, there is no need to enter the Setup Mode for
custom-made application programs. Necessary provisions for
changing the setup, manually or automatically, should be
provided by the program.
Entering Setup Mode at Installation
Setup Mode
Page 56
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide54
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
While going through the setup procedure, you are guided by texts
in the printer’s display. You can navigate between setup menus,
acknowledge displayed values, select or type new values, etc. by
using the keys on the printer’s keyboard.
Note!
An external keyboard cannot be used inside the Setup Mode.
1
/. “Left”, “right”, “up”, and “down” refer to the overviews later in
this chapter.
Move up one level or scroll back in a stack
of options1.
Move one menu to the right on the same
level1.
Move one menu to the left on the same
level1.
Specify negative values (leading position).
Enter numeric values.
Exit the Setup Mode.
Can be used anywhere in Setup Mode.
Clear erroneously entered values.
Acknowledge and move to next menu.
Perform testfeeds in the Testfeed menu.
Print test labels in the Test Label menu.
Move down one level or scroll forward in
a stack of options1.
Display error message at test label printing failure.
-
Navigating in Setup Mode
Page 57
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
55
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
Setup Mode Overview, Part 1
(Intermec Fingerprint v7.61)
4800
2400
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART2
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART1
1200
600
300
115200
57600
38400
19200
SER-COM,UART1:
BAUDRATE
BAUDRATE:
9600
SPACE
MARK
ODD
EVEN
SER-COM,UART1:
PARITY
PARITY:
NONE
7
SER-COM,UART1:
CHAR LENGTH
CHAR LENGTH:
8
2
SER-COM,UART1:
STOP BITS
STOPBITS:
1
SER-COM,UART1:
FLOWCONTROL
FLOWCONTROL:
RTS/CTS
ENABLE
RTS/CTS:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
ENQ/ACK
ENABLE
ENQ/ACK:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
XON/XOFF
XON/XOFF:
DATA TO HOST
ENABLE
DATA TO HOST:
DISABLE
XON/XOFF:
DATA FROM HOST
ENABLE
DATA FROM HOST:
DISABLE
CR
LF
SER-COM,UART1:
NEW LINE
NEW LINE:
CR/LF
SER-COM,UART1:
REC BUF
REC BUF:
[300]:
SER-COM,UART1:
TRANS BUF
TRANS BUF:
[300]:
DETECTION:
FEEDADJ
SETUP:
FEEDADJ
FEEDADJ:
STOPADJ
STOPADJ:
[0]:
STARTADJ:
[0]:
FEEDADJ:
STARTADJ
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART3
SETUP:
NET-COM,NET1
Continued on next page!
LEGEND:
Boxes with thick lines indicate default setup.
Boxes with dotted lines indicate menus related to
optional interface boards.
See Overview Part 3
See Overview Part 4
See Overview Part 5
Page 58
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide56
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
Setup Mode Overview, Part 2
(Intermec Fingerprint v7.61)
TRANSFER:
RIBBON CONSTANT
TRANSFER:
RIBBON FACTOR
RIBBON CONSTANT:
[90]:
RIBBON FACTOR:
[25]:
TRANSFER:
LABEL OFFSET
LABEL OFFSET:
[0]:
TRANSFER:
LOW DIAMETER
LOW DIAMETER:
[36]:
VAR LENGTH STRIP
FIX LENGTH STRIP
TICKET (w GAPS)
TICKET (w MARK)
MEDIA:
MEDIA SIZE
MEDIA:
CONTRAST
SETUP:
MEDIA
Use <F5> to select type of test label.
Press <Enter> to print it.
If no label is printed, press <F3> for error message.
• Press <Setup> to exit the Setup Mode.
MEDIA SIZE:
XSTART
MEDIA SIZE:
WIDTH
MEDIA SIZE:
LENGTH
XSTART:
[24]:
WIDTH:
[424]:
LENGTH:
[1200]:
MEDIA:
MEDIA TYPE
MEDIA TYPE:
LABEL (w GAPS)
-2%
-4%
-6%
-8%
-10%
MEDIA TYPE:
+10%
+8%
+6%
+4%
+2%
CONTRAST:
+0%
PRINT DEFS:
HEAD RESIST
SETUP:
PRINT DEFS
SETUP:
NETWORK
HEAD RESIST:
[nnn]:
PRINT DEFS:
TESTPRINT
<ENTER> = PRINT:
<F5> = NEXT #1
Read-only value.
Printhead resistance is
automatically set at startup.
The LTS setup menus are
only displayed if an optional
LTS (Label-Taken Sensor)
is installed in the printer.
Continued from previous page!
PRINT SPEED:
[100]:
PRINT DEFS:
PRINT SPEED
LTS:
LTS ADJUST
PRINT DEFS:
LTS
LTS:
LTS TEST
LTS:
LTS VALUE
REMOVE LABEL AND
PRESS ENTER
SENSITIVITY 10
OUT OF 9–10
REMOVE LABEL
ENTER TO STOP
LTS VALUE:
[10]:
MEDIA:
PAPER TYPE
PAPER TYPE:
TRANSFER
MEDIA:
TESTFEED
TESTFEED:
[14 1]
• Press <Enter> to perform a Testfeed.
• Comparator and amplifier values are read-only.
DIRECT THERMAL:
LABEL CONSTANT
DIRECT THERMAL:
LABEL FACTOR
LABEL CONSTANT:
[85]:
LABEL FACTOR:
[40]:
PAPER TYPE:
DIRECT THERMAL
See Overview Part 5
Page 59
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
57
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
Setup Mode Overview, Part 3
(Intermec Fingerprint v7.61)
4800
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART2
2400
1200
600
300
57600
38400
19200
SER-COM,UART2:
BAUDRATE
BAUDRATE:
9600
SPACE
MARK
ODD
EVEN
SER-COM,UART2:
PARITY
PARITY:
NONE
7
SER-COM,UART2:
CHAR LENGTH
CHAR LENGTH:
8
2
SER-COM,UART2:
STOP BITS
STOPBITS:
1
SER-COM,UART2:
FLOWCONTROL
FLOWCONTROL:
RTS/CTS
ENABLE
RTS/CTS:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
ENQ/ACK
ENABLE
ENQ/ACK:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
XON/XOFF
XON/XOFF:
DATA TO HOST
ENABLE
DATA TO HOST:
DISABLE
XON/XOFF:
DATA FROM HOST
ENABLE
DATA FROM HOST:
DISABLE
CR
LF
SER-COM,UART2:
NEW LINE
NEW LINE:
CR/LF
SER-COM,UART2:
REC BUF
REC BUF:
[300]:
SER-COM,UART2:
TRANS BUF
TRANS BUF:
[300]:
If an optional Double Serial or Industrial Interface Board is installed in the printer, additional menus will be displayed
(in case of Double Serial Interface Board, also see Overview Part 4):
The selected type of hardware connection on "uart2:"
is displayed as one of the following alternatives (read-only):
• RS232
• 422 NON ISOLATED
• 422 ISOLATED
• RS485
These menus are only displayed if RS 485 is selected on "uart2:"
Enter printer's protocol address (0–31).
RTS/CTS flowcontrol cannot be
selected for the following types of
hardware connection on "uart2:":
• 422 NON ISOLATED
• 422 ISOLATED
SER-COM,UART2:
CONNECTED HW
CONNECTED HW:
RS232
SER-COM,UART2:
PROTOCOL ADDR.
PROTOCOL ADDR.
[1]:
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART3
These menus are not displayed if RS 485 is selected on "uart2:"
ENABLE
SER-COM,UART2:
PROT ADDR
PROT ADDR:
DISABLE
These menus are only displayed if RS 485 is selected on "uart2:"
Page 60
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide58
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
Setup Mode Overview, Part 4
(Intermec Fingerprint v7.61)
4800
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART3
2400
1200
600
300
57600
38400
19200
SER-COM,UART3:
BAUDRATE
BAUDRATE:
9600
SPACE
MARK
ODD
EVEN
SER-COM,UART3:
PARITY
PARITY:
NONE
7
SER-COM,UART3:
CHAR LENGTH
CHAR LENGTH:
8
2
SER-COM,UART3:
STOP BITS
STOPBITS:
1
SER-COM,UART3:
FLOWCONTROL
FLOWCONTROL:
RTS/CTS
ENABLE
RTS/CTS:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
ENQ/ACK
ENABLE
ENQ/ACK:
DISABLE
FLOWCONTROL:
XON/XOFF
XON/XOFF:
DATA TO HOST
ENABLE
DATA TO HOST:
DISABLE
XON/XOFF:
DATA FROM HOST
ENABLE
DATA FROM HOST:
DISABLE
CR
LF
SER-COM,UART3:
NEW LINE
NEW LINE:
CR/LF
SER-COM,UART3:
REC BUF
REC BUF:
[300]:
SER-COM,UART3:
TRANS BUF
TRANS BUF:
[300]:
If an optional Double Serial Interface Board is
installed in the printer
, additional menus will be displayed:
The selected type of hardware connection on "uart3:"
is displayed as one of the following alternatives (read-only):
• RS232
• 422 NON ISOLATED
• CURRENT LOOP
RTS/CTS flowcontrol cannot be
selected for the following types of
hardware connection on "uart3:":
• 422 NON ISOLATED
• 20 mA CURRENT LOOP
SER-COM,UART3:
CONNECTED HW
CONNECTED HW:
RS232
Page 61
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
59
Chapter 7 Setup Mode
Setup Mode Overview, Part 5
(Intermec Fingerprint v7.61)
• Press <Setup> to exit the Setup Mode.
SETUP:
NET-COM, NET1
SETUP:
PRINT DEFS
SETUP:
MEDIA
SETUP:
FEEDADJ
SETUP:
SER-COM, UART1
Standard Setup Mode
See Overview Part 1
Standard Setup Mode
See Overview Part 1
Standard Setup Mode
See Overview Part 2
Standard Setup Mode
See Overview Part 2
Use <.> and <0> - <9>
to set netmask.
Use <C> to erase
Use <.> and <0> - <9>
to set IP address.
Use <C> to erase.
Read
Read
Set
NETWORK:
IP SELECTION
SETUP:
NETWORK
NETWORK:
IP ADDRESS
IP ADDRESS:
192.168.1.79
NETMASK:
255.255.255.0
NETWORK:
NETMASK
Use <.> and <0> - <9>
to set default router.
Use <C> to erase.
NETWORK:
DEFAULT ROUTER
DEFAULT ROUTER:
192.168.1.1
RARP
BOOTP
DHCP
IP SELECTION:
MANUAL
CR
LF
NET-COM,NET1:
NEW LINE
NEW LINE:
CR/LF
If an optional an EasyLAN 100i interface board is installed in the printer, additional menus will be displayed.
Page 62
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide60
Chapter 8
Intermec Shell Startup Program
Introduction
Intermec Shell is a startup program (also called “autoexec-fi le”),
which is a program that automatically starts running when the
printer is switched on. Intermec Shell helps the operator to
choose between a number of standard or custom-made application programs and to start certain useful facilities, as listed below.
Application Programs
• Intermec LabelShop (WYSIWYG label design program)
• Intermec Windows Driver (do not use)
• Intermec Fingerprint (for creating your own programs or to
run the Intermec InterDriver)
• Intermec Direct Protocol (easy-to-use slave protocol)
• LINE_AXP.PRG (line analyzer program)
• Other application programs in the printer’s memory
.
.
A prerequisite is that the program is provided with the extension
“.PRG”. However, some original Intermec utility programs are
excluded as long as they remain stored in "rom:":
- ERRHAND.PRG
- FILELIST.PRG
- LBLSHTXT.PRG
- MKAUTO.PRG
- SHELLXP.PRG
- WINXP.PRG
Other Facilities
• Setup Mode (manual setup from printer’s keyboard)
• Print Setup (printing setup on label)
• Testfeed (formfeeds + auto-adjust of the LSS)
• Test Label (printing of test labels)
• Default setup (resetting all setup parameters to default)
• Update PC card (downloading data from a host to a PC
card in the printer, or upgrading the
printer’s fi rmware from a PC card)
• Reboot (restarting the printer)
Intermec Shell is factory-installed in the printer’s permanent
memory (device "rom:"). If you insert a memory card with another
startup fi le before you switch on the printer, or if there is a startup
fi le stored in the printer’s permanent memory (device "c:"), this
startup fi le will be used instead of Intermec Shell (see Chapter 3,
“Startup Files”).
Page 63
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
61
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
A few seconds after you have switched on the power to the printer and
the initialization is completed, the countdown menu of the Intermec
Shell program will be displayed:
ENTER=SHELL
5 sec. v.4.8
Now you have 5 seconds to enter Intermec Shell by pressing <Enter>.
Provided you have a working two-way communication with a terminal program in a host computer, you may, as an alternative, enter the
Terminal Setup by transmitting “TTT” or “ttt” to the printer. The
Terminal Setup is described later in this chapter.
The lower line tells you how much time you have left. Should the
time run out before you have taken any action to enter Intermec Shell,
the last selected application in Intermec Shell will be opened. If you
use the same application all the time, you will only need to switch on
the power, once the application has been selected.
If no other application has yet been selected, the current version
of Intermec Fingerprint will be opened with the standard RS-232
port "uart1:" selected as std I/O channel (see Intermec Fingerprint
manuals). When the countdown is completed, you will see these lines
in the display:
FINGERPRINT
7.61
If you want to select another application, just cycle the power and
enter Intermec Shell before the countdown is completed.
When you enter the Intermec Shell from the countdown menus, the
Select Application menu will be displayed:
SHELL
SEL. APPLICATION
In this menu, you can choose between three options:
• Press <Enter> to go to menus where you can select an application
program.
• Press <F5> to go to the Facilities part of Intermec Shell.
• Start the Terminal Setup program by transmitting “TTT” or “ttt”
from the host.
Starting with Intermec Shell
Page 64
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide62
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
In Intermec Shell, the menus present the option in infi nite loops,
To see all menus and options, refer to the overview in this chapter.
The Select application lets you choose an application program
that resides in the printer’s memory:
• Current appl. starts the last selected application (by default
Intermec Fingerprint with "uart1:" selected as standard I/O
channel).
• LabelShop sets up the printer1 for the various Intermec
LabelShop label formatting programs for Microsoft Windows.
This option requires that you also select a standard IN/OUT
channel, which is the channel you want to use for communication between the printer and the computer. Refer to
the Intermec LabelShop manuals.
• Windows Driver does not work with EasyCoder F-Series
printers. Use the Fingerprint option (see below) for the Intermec InterDriver.
• Fingerprint is used to create, modify, or run programs written
in the Intermec Fingerprint programming language and to
run the Intermec InterDriver. This option requires that you
also select a standard IN/OUT channel, which is the channel
you want to use for communication between the printer and
the computer. Normally, you select "uart1:". Refer to the
Intermec Fingerprint manuals.
• Direct Protocol is an easy-to-use printer protocol for down-
loading label formats and variable input data to a printer from
a host computer. This option requires that you also select a
standard IN/OUT channel, that is the serial channel you want
to use for communication between the printer and the host.
Normally, you select "uart1:". Refer to the Intermec Direct
Protocol v7.xx manual.
• LINE-ALY.PRG (Line Analyzer) is a Fingerprint program
that captures characters received by the printer on a communication channel and prints them on labels. (See later in
this chapter.)
• Other Application Programs
If the printer contains any other application programs, these
will presented as additional options.
Starting with Intermec Shell, cont.
1
/. When an application program
is started, it may automatically
change the communication
setup. For example, Intermec
LabelShop changes the setup
to the following values:
Baud rate: 57600
Char. length: 8
Parity: None
Stopbits: 1
RTS/CTS: Enable
ENQ/ACK: Disable
XON/XOFF: Disable
New line: CR/LF
Receive buffer: 600
Transmit buffer: 600
If another application is selected
later, this communication setup
will remain valid, unless the new
application includes instructions that automatically change
the setup. The setup could also
be changed manually in the
Setup Mode.
Select Application
Page 65
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
63
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
As an alternative to selecting an application, you can step through
a number of other useful facilities:
• Setup allows you to enter the Setup Mode where you can set
up the printer by means of its built-in keyboard, see Chapter
7, “Setup Mode.”
• Print Setup allows you to produce a printout of the printer’s
current setup values (test label #5).
• Testfeed allows you to feed out a number of label, ticket,
tag, or portions of continuous stock while the printer autoadjusts its media feed and label stop/black mark sensor. It is
recommended to perform a Testfeed each time you load a roll
of labels from a new batch or a different brand.
• Test Label allows you to print a series of four test labels (test
labels #1 to #4) in order to test the printout quality and
printhead alignment. The labels are presented in an infi nite
loop, so you can print the series over and over again. Press
<Enter> for each new label.
• Default Setup allows you to reset all setup parameters to
their default values, as listed in Chapter 6, “Setting Up the
Printer.”
• Software Update is used for two purposes:
- Update PC card allows the printer to be used as a Flash
PC card programming device. Using the Zmodem communication tool, fi les can be downloaded from a PC to
a Flash PC card
1
inserted in the memory card slot in the
printer’s rear plate.
Caution! If the Flash PC card contains an earlier fi rmware
version than the one in the printer, the printer’s fi rmware will
be downgraded without warning.
- Update fi rmware is used to upgrade the printer’s fi rmware
from a new fi rmware version stored as a fi le in a PC.
• Reboot has the same effect as cycling the power to the printer.
To exit Intermec Shell without having selected any application, select Reboot. Then wait for the 5 seconds countdown to
fi nish, and the last selected application will be opened.
Starting with Intermec Shell, cont.
1
/. Only Flash PC cards approved
by Intermec can be used.
Select Other Facilities
Page 66
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide64
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
Intermec Shell v4.8 Diagram
SHELL
TEST LABEL
SHELL
TESTFEED
SHELL
DEFAULT SETUP
Performs a Testfeed (feeds out a number of blank copies
while autoadjusting the label stop sensor.)
Prints test labels #1-4 in a loop.
Press Enter for each new label.
SHELL
REBOOT
Restarts the printer (same as power off/on)
Printer rebooted
automatically.
STD I/O CHANNEL
UART2
STD I/O CHANNEL
UART3
SEL. APPLICATION
Fingerprint 7.61
SHELL
SETUP
See the chapter “Setup Mode”
Prints a list of current setup values (test label #5).
Note: Dotted channels are only shown if
the corresponding optional interface pcb
is fitted.
The Windows Driver
option is not used
with EasyCoder
F-series printers
SHELL
PRINT SETUP
SEL. APPLICATION
WINDOWS DRIVER
ENTER=SHELL
5 sec. v.4.8
ENTER=SHELL
4 sec. v.4.8
ENTER=SHELL
3 sec. v.4.8
ENTER=SHELL
2 sec. v.4.8
ENTER=SHELL
1 sec. v.4.8
Last selected
application is started
Default:
Fingerprint 7.61 w. std I/O = "uart1:"
Last selected application is started
The selected application is started
POWER ON
Return to previous menu.
Proceed to next menu.
Accept displayed option
and proceed, or
execute displayed option.
Perform a Testfeed
anywhere in Intermec Shell.
Enter the Setup Mode
from anywhere
in Intermec Shell.
Legend:
SHELL
SEL. APPLICATION
SEL. APPLICATION
Direct Protocol
SEL.APPL rom:
LINE_AXP.PRG
SETUP:
SER-COM,UART1
SEL. APPLICATION
LABELSHOP
SEL. APPLICATION
CURRENT APPL.
Enter Terminal Setup
by transmitting T T T
or t t t to printer,
in menus marked with a
shade of gray!
ARE YOU SURE ?
Y=ENTER/ N=F5
DEFAULT SETUP
PERFORMED
SHELL
SOFTWARE UPDATE
UPDATE:
PC-CARD?
UPDATE:
FIRMWARE
PC-CARD ERASE
TRANSFER FILE
USING ZMODEM
PROGRAMMING
PC-CARD
PROGRAMMING
COMPLETED
TRANSFER FILE
USING ZMODEM
STD I/O CHANNEL
CENTRONICS
STD I/O CHANNEL
net1:
STD I/O CHANNEL
usb1:
STD I/O CHANNEL
auto
STD I/O CHANNEL
UART1
Page 67
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
65
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
The Terminal Setup program in Intermec Shell allows the operator to control the whole Intermec Shell program remotely from
a host computer or terminal and to read or change the printer’s
setup. There must be a working two-way serial communication
between printer and host, and the host must be running a
communication program (for example MS Windows HyperTerminal) that can transmit and receive data in ASCII format; that
is, as printable characters. Set up the terminal as VT100.
Enter Terminal Setup by transmitting three upper- or lowercase T
characters (TTT or ttt) while the printer either shows the Intermec Shell countdown menus or the Select Application menu.
If you cannot start Terminal Setup, the communication protocols
of the printer and the host probably do not match, or there is
some other communication error. For example, you may have a
defective communication cable, the wrong port may be selected
on the host, or the cable is connected to the wrong printer port
1
.
You can check and change the printer’s setup in the Setup Mode,
which you can enter by pressing the <Setup> key on the printer’s
built-in keyboard. Proceed as described in Chapter 7, “Setup
Mode.” Among the facilities in Intermec Shell, you will also
fi nd a number of options that allow you to read or change the
communication setup of the printer:
• Setup
This is another way of entering the Setup Mode, where you
can browse through the setup parameters and make changes
using the printer’s keyboard.
• Print Setup
Here you can print the current setup on one or more labels.
• Default Setup
This option allows you to reset the communication param-
eters for all serial communication channels on the printer to
default values.
Change the communication setup of the printer according to
the host or vice versa. Once printer and host have been set
up with the same communication parameters, go to the “Select
Application” menu and use the triple T (TTT or ttt) to start
Terminal Setup.
Terminal Setup
Starting Terminal Setup
Communication Problems
1
/. By default, "uart1:" is standard IN/OUT channel and
should be used for running Terminal Setup. However, other
ports could be appointed standard IN and/or OUT channel
by means of the Intermec Fingerprint statement SETSTDIO.
Refer to the Intermec Fingerprint
manuals for further information.
Page 68
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide66
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
The Terminal Setup program uses prompts to help you navigate.
You move around in this Intermec Shell program the same way as
when you use the printer’s front panel.
Comprehensive explanations of the various setup parameters can
be found in Chapter 6, “Setting Up the Printer.”
When you transmit the triple T (TTT or ttt) to the printer, the
following message will appear on the printer’s display:
SETUP FROM
TERMINAL
On the screen of the host, another message will appear:
----------------------------------------------Welcome to SHELL v.4.8 in terminal mode
-----------------------------------------------
Answer Y <CR> for Yes, <CR> for No.
---------------SHELL
SEL. APPLICATION
----------------
(Y / N / B):
From here on, you can move around in Intermec Shell according
to the diagram in the chapter “Using Intermec Shell” by answering Y (Yes), N (No), or B (Back) to the prompts that appear
on the screen.
Note that the program also accepts lowercase characters (y, n,
and b).
Terminal Setup, cont.
Using Terminal Setup
Page 69
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
67
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
This example shows how you can select the Intermec Fingerprint
application:
---------------SHELL
SEL. APPLICATION
----------------
(Y / N / B):Y
---------------SEL. APPLICATION
CURRENT APPL.
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SEL. APPLICATION
LABELSHOP
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SEL. APPLICATION
WINDOWS DRIVER
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SEL. APPLICATION
Fingerprint 7.61
----------------
(Y / N / B):Y
---------------STD I/O CHANNEL
UART1
----------------
(Y / N / B):Y
When you have answered the fi nal prompt, the printer will start
the selected application.
Terminal Setup, cont.
Selecting an Application
Page 70
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide68
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
Key Action
u Move one menu to the left on the same level. (same as <F1>)
d Move one menu to the right on the same level. (same as <F2>)
e Display error message at test label printing failure. (same as <F3>)
b Move up one level or scroll back in a stack of menus. (same as <F4>)
f Move down one level or scroll forward in a stack of options. (same as <F5>).
x Exit the setup. (same as <Setup>)
0 – 9 Enter numeric values.
. Specify negative values. (same as < . >)
Enter Acknowledge and move to next menu, (same as <Enter>)
perform testfeeds, or print test labels
Backspace Delete one character to the left of the cursor. (same as <C>)
Terminal Setup, cont.
Changing the Setup
To set up the printer or use any other of the facilities, answer N
(No) to the “Select Application” prompt. The following example
illustrates how to enter the Setup Mode:
---------------SHELL
SEL. APPLICATION
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
SETUP
----------------
(Y / N / B):Y
---------------SETUP:
SER-COM,UART1
From here you can navigate through the Setup Mode using the
keys on a VT100 terminal according to the same principles as
when using the printer’s own keyboard (see overviews in Chapter
7):
Page 71
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
69
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
To exit the Terminal Setup program, step through all the facility
options and select Reboot, as illustrated below:
---------------SHELL
PRINT SETUP
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
TESTFEED
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
TEST LABEL
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
DEFAULT SETUP
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
SOFTWARE UPDATE
----------------
(Y / N / B):N
---------------SHELL
REBOOT
----------------
(Y / N / B):Y
Terminal Setup, cont.
Exiting Terminal Setup
Page 72
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide70
Chapter 8 Intermec Shell Startup Program
The Line Analyzer (LINE_AXP.PRG) is a program written in
the Intermec Fingerprint programming language and is intended
to help solving possible communication problems. As the name
implies, the Line Analyzer captures all incoming characters on
a specifi ed communication channel and prints them on one or
more labels.
Printable characters are printed in black-on-white, whereas control characters and space characters (ASCII 000–032 dec) are
printed in white-on-black.
While the printer is receiving data, the “Ready” control lamp
blinks. There is a 0.5 second timeout. That is, if no more
characters have been received after 0.5 second, the program
considers the transmission terminated and prints out a label.
As long as a continuous string of characters is being received, the
program wraps the lines until the label is full and then starts to
print another label. At the bottom of each label, the following
information is printed:
• Page number
• Number of characters printed on the label
• Total number of characters received so far
The Line Analyzer is displayed as the option “LINE_ALY.PRG"
under the “SEL. APPLICATION” menu. After the Line Analyzer has been selected and the printer has started up again, the
printer feeds out two labels and the following menu is displayed:
Line Analyzer
Sel.port(1-5) 1
Enter the desired communication port using the numeric keys on
the printer’s keyboard:
1 = "uart1:"
2 = "uart2:"
3 = "uart3:"
4 = "centronics:"
5 = "net1:"
If the printer is not fi tted with the specifi ed port, an error message
appears in the display and you can select another port:
Line Analyzer
Error:56
Line Analyzer
Page 73
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
71
Chapter 9
2
1
4
3
b
w
fw
Options
Introduction
The EasyCoder F2 provides a high degree of fl exibility because
it has a modular design. By adding options to the basic printer,
the EasyCoder F2 can be adapted for a variety of applications.
Most options can easily be installed by the operator, however a
few should be installed by an authorized service technician or are
only available as factory-installed options.
Label Taken Sensor
Liner Takeup
and Guide Shaft
3-inch Adapter
Quick-Load Guides
(included)
Short Side Door
Media Supply Roll Post
1.5-inch Rotating
Supply Hub
Long Side Door
Interface Board
(various types)
Transfer Ribbon Mechanism
Page 74
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide72
Chapter 9 Options
The thermal transfer mechanism is only available as a factoryinstalled option. It allows the use of both direct thermal and
thermal transfer supplies.
The EasyCoder F2 comes with either a short side door, which
only covers the print mechanism or with a long side door, which
encloses the entire media compartment. The long side door has
a slot for external media supply. The long side door is generally
illustrated throughout this manual, but pictures of the short side
door can be found at the start of this chapter and in Chapter 4.
The integral liner takeup unit is an optional device for peel-off
(self-strip) operation, which means the labels are separated from
a liner (backing paper) after printing and the liner is wound up
on an internal hub. The unit also includes a guide shaft. Peel-off
cannot be combined with Quick-Load guides, see below.
The rotating media supply hub is designed to fi t media roll cores
with an internal diameter of 38-40 mm (1.5 inch). The hub can
be fi tted in the same positions as the supply roll post, see Chapter
2. Being factory installed, the position of the media supply hub is
not intended to be changed by the operator.
The 3-inch/76 mm adapter is used with a rotating media supply
hub and makes it possible to use media rolls with 3 inch/76
mm inner diameter cores. The adapter is pressed onto the media
supply hub and secured by a screw. The 3-inch adapter is not
used with a media supply roll post.
The Label Taken Sensor (LTS) is a photoelectric sensor that
enables the printer’s fi rmware to detect if the latest printed label,
ticket, tag, etc. has been removed before printing another copy.
The LTS can be enabled or disabled by means of the instructions
LTS& ON and LTS& OFF respectively in Intermec Fingerprint
and the Intermec Direct Protocol.
Side Doors
Integral Liner Takeup Unit
3-inch Adapter
Media Supply Hub
Label Taken Sensor
Transfer Mechanism
Page 75
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
73
Chapter 9 Options
The Real Time Clock circuit (RTC) relieves the operator or the
host from having to set the clock/calendar using the Intermec
Fingerprint instructions DATE$ and TIME$ after each power
up. The RTC has its own backup battery backup that will last
10 years or more.
A number of different interface boards are available for use with
the EasyCoder F2. The interface boards are either factory-fi tted
or can easily be fi tted by an authorized service technician.
The EasyCoder F2 can accommodate one interface board.
The interface boards for the EasyCoder F2 are:
• Parallel Interface Board (IEEE 1284)
• Double Serial Interface Board
• Industrial Interface Board
• EasyLAN 100i Interface Board (Ethernet)
• RFID 13.56 MHz Interface Board
Refer to Appendix 3, “Interfaces” for more information on
interface boards.
Real Time Clock
Interface Boards
Page 76
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide74
Chapter 10
Symptom Possible Cause Remedy Refer to
Overall weak printout Wrong Paper Type parameter Change parameter Chapter 6
Contrast value too low Change parameter Chapter 6
Printhead pressure too low Adjust Chapter 12
Worn printhead Replace printhead Chapter 11
Wrong printhead voltage Replace CPU board
☎
Call Service
Printout weaker on one side Uneven printhead pressure Adjust arm alignment Chapter 12
Weak spots Foreign particles on media Clean or replace Chapters 4 & 5
Media/ribbon don’t match Change to matching media Chapter 6
Poor media or ribbon quality Use Intermec media/ribbon Appendix 2
Worn printhead Replace printhead Chapter 11
Worn platen roller Check/replace
☎
Call Service
Overall dark printout Wrong Paper Type parameter Change parameter Chapter 6
Contrast value too high Change parameter Chapter 6
Printhead pressure too high Adjust Chapter 12
Wrong printhead voltage Replace CPU board
☎
Call Service
Excessive bleeding Wrong Paper Type Change parameter Chapter 6
Contrast value too high Change parameter Chapter 6
Printhead pressure too high Adjust Chapter 12
Faulty energy control Replace CPU board
☎
Call Service
Dark lines along media path Foreign objects on printhead Clean printhead Chapter 11
White lines along media path Printhead dirty Clean printhead Chapter 11
Missing dots on printhead Replace printhead Chapter 11
Large part of dot line missing Wrong X-start or Width parameter Change parameter Chapter 6
Failing printhead Replace printhead Chapter 11
Failing strobe signal Check CPU-board
☎
Call Service
Printout missing along inner edge Bad media alignment Adjust Chapter 4
Small core & supply post in upper pos. Move post to lower pos. Chapter 2
X-start parameter value too low Increase Chapter 6
Transfer ribbon breaks Ribbon not fi tted correctly Reload ribbon Chapter 5
Wrong paper type parameter (too much Change parameter, Chapter 6
energy) then clean printhead Chapter 12
Bad energy control Adjust
☎
Call Service
Transfer ribbon wrinkles Faulty ribbon break shaft adjustment Adjust Chapter 12
Incorrect edge guide adjustment Adjust Chapter 4
Too strong printhead pressure Adjust Chapter 12
No thermal transfer printout Ink-coated side does not face media Reload ribbon Chapter 5
Media feed not working properly Changed media characteristics Perform a TESTFEED Chapter 4
Wrong start- and stop adjust values Check/change Chapter 6
Wrong Media Type parameter Check/change Chapter 6
Wrong sensor position Check/change Chapter 12
Dirty or blocked sensors Clean media guides Chapter 11
Faulty sensors Replace
☎
Call Service
Compressed text or bar code Too high print speed for large media roll Lower print speed Chapter 6
Troubleshooting
Page 77
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
75
Chapter 11
Maintenance
Printhead Cleaning
Cleaning the printhead on a regular basis is important for the
life of the printhead and for the printout quality. You should
clean the printhead each time you replace the media. This section
describes how to clean the printhead using cleaning cards. If
additional cleaning is required, for example removing adhesive
residue from the platen roller or tear bar, use a cotton swab
moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
Warning!
Isopropyl alcohol [(CH 3)2CHOH; CAS 67-63-0] is a highly fl am-
mable, moderately toxic, and mildly irritating substance.
Open the side door.
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise
the printhead.
1
2
Page 78
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide76
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Printhead Cleaning, cont.
Remove any media (and ribbon).
Open the cleaning card envelope and pull out the
cleaning card. Read the warning text.
3
4
Pull out the cleaning card (1) and raise the printhead
(2).
Insert most of the cleaning card under the printhead
(1). Engage the printhead (2).
6
5
Page 79
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
77
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Printhead Cleaning, cont.
Wait for approx. 30 seconds to allow the cleaning
fl uid to dissolve the residue.
Insert most of the cleaning card under the printhead
(1). Engage the printhead (2).
9
Pull out the cleaning card. If necessary, repeat the
process with a fresh cleaning card.
87
10
Allow the cleaned parts to dry before loading any
media (and ribbon).
Page 80
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide78
Chapter 11 Maintenance
1
External Cleaning
Always remove the power cord
before cleaning!
Wipe external surfaces with a soft cloth slightly
moistened with water or a mild detergent.
3
Never use any sharp tools for removing stuck labels.
The printhead and rollers are delicate.
Never spray the printer. Protect it from water when
cleaning the premises.
2
4
b
w
fw
Page 81
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
79
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Cleaning the Media Guides
Both parts of the label stop sensor, which controls the media
feed, are covered by plastic guides. The guides are transparent to
allow the light to pass between the two parts of the label stop
sensor. These areas (indicated by a shade of gray in illustration #2
below) must be kept clean from dust, stuck labels, and adhesive
residue.
If the printer starts to feed our labels in an unexpected way, raise
the upper guide as described below and check for any object that
may block the beam of light (dust, stuck labels, adhesive residue,
etc.). If necessary, clean the guides using a cleaning card or a soft
cloth soaked with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use any other type of
chemical. Be careful not to scratch the guides.
Warning!
Isopropyl alcohol [(CH 3)2CHOH; CAS 67-63-0] is a highly fl am-
mable, moderately toxic, and mildly irritating substance.
Lift the inner part of the upper guide and pull it
outwards, disengaging it from the lower guide. Take
care not to damage the cable.
Tilt the upper guide upwards and clean the areas
marked with gray. After cleaning, re-assemble in
reverse order.
1 2
Page 82
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide80
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Printhead Replacement
The printhead is subject to wear both from the direct thermal
media (or ribbon) and from the rapid heating and cooling
process during printing. Thus, the printhead will require periodic
replacement.
Time between printhead replacements depends on the print
images, the type of direct thermal media (or ribbon) in use, the
amount of energy to the printhead, the print speed, the ambient
temperature, and several other factors.
Caution!
While replacing the printhead, the power should be off.
Open the side door.
Turn the printhead lift lever clockwise to raise
the printhead.
1 2
Page 83
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
81
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Printhead Replacement, cont.
Remove the media (and ribbon).
Pull the printhead bracket away from the magnet
in the pressure arm.
3
4
Disconnect the printhead bracket from the print
mechanism as indicated by the arrows and pull out
the printhead as far as the cables allow.
6
5
Disconnect the cables from the printhead. Note
the snap-lock on the inner connector. Pull at the
connectors–not at the cables!
Snap-Lock
Page 84
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide82
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Printhead Replacement, cont.
Connect the two cables to the replacement print-
head.
Put back the printhead in reverse order and check
that the printhead cables run freely.
9
Load a new supply of media (and ribbon), as
described earlier in this manual.
Turn the printhead lift lever counterclockwise so the
magnet engages the printhead bracket.
87
10
Page 85
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
83
Chapter 12
Narrow Media
The printer is factory-adjusted for full-size media width. When
using media less than full width, it is recommended that you
adjust the position of the pressure arm so it becomes centered
with the media. Thereby, an even pressure across the media is
obtained.
A poorly adjusted pressure arm may be detected by a weaker
printout on either side of the media path.
To adjust the pressure arm, proceed as follows:
• Loosen the straight-slot screw that holds the pressure arm.
Move the arm inwards or outwards until the arrow on the tip
of the arm becomes centered with the media.
While moving the arm, push at the part where the screw is
situated, not at the tip. If the arm is hard to move, lift the
printhead and pull the printhead bracket free from the magnet
in the arm.
• After having centered the arm, lock it by tightening the screw.
Center of Media
Pressure Arm
Screw
Adjustments
Note!
See Chapter 6, “Setting Up the
Printer/Print Speed.”
Page 86
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide84
Chapter 12 Adjustments
Label Stop Sensor
The label stop/black mark sensor (LSS) is a photoelectric sensor
that controls the printer’s media feed by detecting gaps between
labels, or slots or black marks in continuous stock, depending
on the printer’s setup in regard of media type (see Chapter 6,
“Setting Up the Printer”). An obvious prerequisite is that the
LSS must be aligned with the gaps, slots, or black marks. If
using-irregularly shaped labels, align the LSS with the front tips
of the labels.
The LSS can be moved laterally between 5 fi xed positions. There
is one part of the sensor on top of the upper media guide and
another part underneath the lower guide. These must be adjusted
individually to the same position. Using a small screwdriver, push
them inwards as far as they go and then pull them out–one at the
time–while counting the clicks from the snap-locks.
The various detection points of the sensor in relation to the inner
edge of the media are as follows:
One click out 3 mm .118 inches
Two clicks out 8 mm .315 inches
Three clicks out 12 mm .472 inches
Four clicks out 16 mm .639 inches
Five clicks out 20 mm .787 inches
Upper part of LSS
Print Mechanism
(printhead and headlift shaft omitted for
improved visibility)
One Diode + One
Sensor
Lower part of LSS
One Sensor
Page 87
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
85
Chapter 12 Adjustments
Printhead Pressure
The pressure of the thermal printhead against the direct thermal
media is factory-adjusted. However, the use of thicker or thinner
media than normal could require the printhead pressure to be
readjusted.
Using a straight-slot screwdriver, turn the adjustment screw
clockwise for more pressure (+) or counterclockwise for less pressure (-). Print a few labels, preferably test labels (see Chapter
6, “Setting Up the Printer”) and check the printout. Increased
pressure generally gives a darker printout and vice versa. Repeat
until the desired result is obtained.
To return to the factory setting, tighten the screw (+) as far as it
goes and then loosen it (-) six full turns.
Caution!
Do not use a higher printhead pressure than necessary, because
it may increase the wear of the printhead and shorten its life.
Adjustment Screw
Page 88
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide86
Chapter 12 Adjustments
bw
fw
Ribbon Break Shaft (option)
If ribbon wrinkling occurs, you may need to adjust the alignment
of the front ribbon break shaft so that it runs parallel to the printhead and the ribbon supply and rewind hubs. The adjustment
is done using a straight-slot screw that is located immediately
behind the front ribbon break shaft.
• If the ribbon tends to slide outwards, turn the screw carefully
clockwise (fw) to move the outer end of the break shaft
forward.
• If the ribbon tends to slide inwards, turn the screw carefully
counterclockwise (bw) to move the outer end of the break
shaft backward.
Important!
Before readjusting the break shaft, make sure that there is no
other cause for the wrinkling of the ribbon. (See Chapter 10,
“Troubleshooting.”)
Adjustment Screw
Ribbon Break Shaft
Page 89
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
87
Chapter 12 Adjustments
Installing the Quick-Load Guides
The Quick-Load guides may, depending on model, be factoryinstalled or be enclosed in the box for optional installation by the
user. They replace the standard edge guide.
The Quick-Load guides facilitate media load from behind the
print mechanism and help guiding the media when using an
external supply. Quick-Load guides cannot be used for peel-off
operation.
The standard ring-shaped edge guide is used when you want to
load the media from the side rather than from behind and is
necessary for peel-off operation
The Quick-Load guides can be used with media that is 40-60
mm (1.57-2.36 in.) wide. The inner guide should be fi tted fl ush
to the center section, whereas the outer of the guide is adjustable
for various media widths. Refer to Chapter 4, “Media Load/Tear-
Off with Quick-Load Guides” for loading instructions.
Lift up the upper media guide and pull out the green
edge guide (save it for later use).
Press the Quick-Load guides onto the shaft as
illustrated, making sure that the notches fi t the rail
at the rear of the lower media guide.
2
1
Notch
Rail
Page 90
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide88
Appendix 1
Printing
Print Technique Direct Thermal (Thermal Transfer as option)
Printhead Resolution 8 dots/mm (203.2 dpi)
Print Speed (variable) 100 to 200 mm/sec. (≈ 4 to 8 inches/sec.)
Print Width (max) 56 mm (2.2 inches) = 448 dots
Print Length (max) 32767 dots = 409.5 cm (161.25 inches)
1
Media Width (min/max) 25 to 60 mm (1 to 2.36 inches) Standard edge guide
Media Width (min/max) 40 to 60 mm (1.57 to 2.36 inches) Quick-Load guides
Media Roll Diameter (max) 213 mm (8.38 inches) Short door/no takeup
Media Roll Core Diameter 38 to 40 mm (1.5 inches) or 76 mm (3 inches)
Ribbon Width (min/max) 25 to 60 mm (1 to 2.36 inches)
Ribbon Roll Diameter (outer) 62 mm (2.44 inches) ≈ 200 m (655 ft) ribbon
Ribbon Roll Core Diameter (inner) 25.4 mm (1.00 inches)
Print Directions 4
Modes of Operation
Tear-Off (Straight-through) Yes
Peel-Off (Self-strip) Optional With liner takeup unit
Firmware
Operating System Intermec Fingerprint v7.61 Incl. Direct Protocol
Smooth Fonts TrueDoc and TrueType fonts
Built-in scaleable fonts (std) 15 Unicode fonts
2
Built-in bar code symbologies (std) 38
Startup Program (std) Intermec Shell v4.8
Physical Measures
Dimensions (W x L x H) 194 x 397 x 178 mm (7.64 x 15.63 x 7.00 inches) With long side door
Weight (excluding media) ≈ 5.5 kg (12 pounds)
Ambient Operating Temperature +5°C to +40°C (+41°F to +104°F)
Humidity 20 to 80% non-condensing
Electronics
Microprocessor 32 bit RISC
On-board Flash SIMMs 2 sockets for 2MB or 4MB each Std. 1 x 2MB
On-board DRAM SIMM 1 Std. 4MB
Real-Time Clock Option 10+ years life
Power Supply
AC Voltage >90 to <264 VAC, 45 to 65 Hz
PFC Regulation IEC 61000-3-2
Maximum Power Consumption Continuous 140W; Peek 300W
Technical Data
Page 91
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide
89
Appendix 1 Technical Data
Sensors
Label Gap/Black Mark/Out of Media Yes 5 fixed positions
Printhead Lifted Yes
Ribbon End/Ribbon Low Yes (thermal transfer model only)
Controls
Control Lamps 3
Display 2 x 16 character LCD with background light
Keyboard 22 keys membrane-switch type
Print button 1
Beeper Yes
Data Interfaces
Serial 1 x RS-232 + 1 x USB
Bar Code Wand Yes
Electronic Keys 2 Not used
Connection for Optional Interface Boards 1
Memory Card Adapter 1 Flash or SRAM cards
Accessories and Options
Integral Self-strip Unit with Liner Takeup Option For peel-off operation
Rotating Media Supply Hub Option Replaces supply post
3-inch Adapter for Media Supply Hub Option
Short Side Door Option
3
Long Side Door Option
3
Label Taken Sensor Option
Real Time Clock Option 10+ years life
RS-232 Cable Option
Parallel Interface Cable Option
Parallel Interface Board Option IEEE 1284
Double Serial Interface Board Option
Industrial Interface Board Option
EasyLAN 100i Interface Board Option Ethernet
RFID 13.56 MHz Interface Board Option
External Alphanumeric Keyboard Option
MobileLAN®access 2102 Mounting Kit Option
Flash Memory Cards Option ≤ 64Mbit (8MB)
1
/. The max. print length is also restricted by the amount of free DRAM memory.
2
/. Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic fonts accorded to Unicode standard are included.
3
/. Depending on model, the printer may be delivered with either a long or a short side door.
Technical Data, cont.
Page 92
Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide90
Appendix 2
Media Specifi cations
Direct Thermal Media
Intermec offers two quality grades of direct thermal media for
the EasyCoder printers:
• Premium Quality: Top-coated media with high demands on
printout quality and resistance against moisture, plasticisers,
and vegetable oils. Examples:
- Thermal Top Board - Duratherm II,
- Thermal Top - Duratherm II Tag
- Thermal Top High Speed - Duratherm Ltg.
- Duratherm IR
• Economy Quality: Non top-coated media with less resistance
to moisture, plasticisers, and vegetable oils. In all other
respects, it is equal to Premium Quality. Examples:
- Thermal Eco
- Thermal Eco Board
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Thermal Transfer Media
Intermec offers stock labels for thermal transfer printing in a
wide range of quality grades.
• Uncoated papers for economical high-volume printing to be
used with GP/TMX 1100/TMX 1500 ribbons. Examples:
- TTR Uncoated
• Coated papers with various coat-weight, smoothness, and
gloss to be used with HP/TMX 2500 and GP/TMX
1100/TMX 1500 ribbons. Examples:
- TTR Coated - Duratran II
- TTR Premium - Duratran II Tag
- TTR Premium Board
• Polyethylene plastics with better resistance to water and many
common chemicals than uncoated and coated papers. They
can be use outdoors and offer good tear resistance. Most often
used with HP/TMX 2500 ribbons. Examples:
- TTR Polyethylene - Kimdura
- TTR Gloss Polyethylene - Kimdura Tag
- Syntran
• Polyesters give high resistance to chemicals, heat, and
mechanical abrasion with HR/TMX 3200 ribbons. Examples:
- TTR High Gloss Polyester - Polyester
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Media Roll Size
Core
Diameters: 38-40 mm (1.5 inches) or 76.2 mm (3 inches)
Width: Must not protrude outside the media.
The media must be wound up on the core in such a way
that the printer can pull the end free.
Roll
Max. diameter:
- Position 1 152 mm (6.00 inches)
- Position 2 213 mm (8.38 inches)
- Position 3 203 mm (8.00 inches)
Max. width: 60 mm (2.36 inches)
Min. width (standard): 25 mm (1.00 inches)
Min. width (Quick-Load): 40 mm (1.57 inches)
The maximum recommended media thickness is 175µm (0.007
inches). Thicker media may be used, but print quality will be
reduced. The stiffness is also important and must be balanced
against thickness to maintain print quality.
Media rolls to be loaded inside the printer should be wound with
the printable side facing outwards.
The media supply must not be exposed to dust, sand, grit, etc.
Any hard particles, however small, can damage the printhead.
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Non-Adhesive Strip
Media
⇐ a ⇒ Media Width:
Maximum: 60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Minimum (standard): 25.0 mm (1.00 inches)
Minimum (Quick-Load): 40.0 mm (1.57 inches)
Media Type Setup:
• Fix length strip
• Var length strip
NON-ADHESIVE
STRIP
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
⇐ a ⇒ Media Width (including liner):
Maximum: 60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Minimum (standard): 25.0 mm (1.00 inches)
Minimum (Quick-Load): 40.0 mm (1.57 inches)
⇐ b ⇒ Liner
The liner must not extend more than a total of 1.6 mm (0.06
inches) outside the face material and should protrude equally on
both sides.
⇐ c ⇒ Media Width (excluding liner):
Maximum: 58.4 mm (2.30 inches)
Minimum: 23.8 mm (0.94 inches)
Media Type Setup:
• Fix length strip
• Var length strip
Self-Adhesive Strip
Media, cont.
SELF-ADHESIVE
STRIP
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
⇐ a ⇒ Media Width (including liner):
Maximum: 60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Minimum (standard): 25.0 mm (1.00 inches)
Minimum (Quick-Load): 40.0 mm (1.57 inches)
⇐ b ⇒ Liner
The backing paper must not extend more than a total of 1.6
mm (0.06 inches) outside the labels and should protrude equally
on both side. Recommended min. transparency: 40% (DIN
53147).
⇐ c ⇒ Label Width (excluding liner):
Maximum: 58.4 mm (2.30 inches)
Minimum: 23.8 mm (0.94 inches)
⇐ d ⇒ Label Length:
Maximum: depends on DRAM size
Minimum: 8.0 mm (0.32 inches)
Under ideal circumstances, a minimum label length of 4 mm (0.16
inches) could be used. It requires the sum of the label length (d) and
the label gap (e) to be larger than 7 mm (0.28 inches), that batch
printing is used, and that no pull back of the media is performed.
Intermec does not guarantee that such short labels will work, but it is
up to the user to test this in his unique application.
⇐ e ⇒ Label Gap:
Maximum: 21.3 mm (0.83 inches)
Recommended: 3.0 mm (0.12 inches)
Minimum: 1.2 mm (0.05 inches)
The Label Stop Sensor must be able to detect the extreme front
edges of the labels. It can be moved between 5 fi xed positions at
the following distances from the inner edge of the media.
3 mm (0.118 inches)
8 mm (0.315 inches)
12 mm (0.472 inches)
16 mm (0.639 inches)
20 mm (0.787 inches)
Media Type Setup:
• Label (w gaps)
Self-Adhesive Labels
Media, cont.
a
b
c
e
SELF-ADHESIVE
LABELS
b
d
FEED
DIRECTION
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Media, cont.
Tickets with Gap
⇐ a ⇒ Media Width:
Maximum: 60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Minimum (standard): 25.0 mm (1.00 inches)
Minimum (Quick-Load): 40.0 mm (1.57 inches)
⇐ b ⇒ Copy Length:
Max. length between slots: depends on DRAM size
Min. length between slots: 8.0 mm (0.32 inches)
Under ideal circumstances, a minimum ticket length of 4 mm (0.16
inches) could be used. It requires the sum of the copy length (b) and
the detection slit height (e) to be larger than 7 mm (0.28 inches),
that batch printing is used, and that no pull back of the media is
performed. Intermec does not guarantee that such short tickets will
work, but it is up to the user to test this in his unique application.
⇐ c ⇒ LSS Detection Position:
Five fi xed positions (distance from inner edge of the media):
3 mm (0.118 inches)
8 mm (0.315 inches)
12 mm (0.472 inches)
16 mm (0.639 inches)
20 mm (0.787 inches)
⇐ d ⇒ Detection Slit Length:
The length of the detection slit (excluding corner radii) must
be minimum 2.5 mm (0.10 inches) on either side of the LSS
detection position (e).
⇐ e ⇒ Detection Slit Height:
Maximum: 21.3 mm (0.83 inches)
Recommended: 1.6 mm (0.06 inches)
Minimum: 1.2 mm (0.05 inches)
Media Type Setup:
• Ticket (w gaps)
Do not allow any perforation to break the edge of the media as this
may cause the media to split and jam the printer.
a
TICKETS & TAGS
e
FEED
DIRECTION
b
f
d
c
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Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Media, cont.
Tickets with Black Mark
⇐ a ⇒ Media Width:
Maximum: 60.0 mm (2.36 inches)
Minimum (standard): 25.0 mm (1.00 inches)
Minimum (Quick-Load): 40.0 mm (1.57 inches)
⇐ b ⇒ Copy Length:
Minimum: 20.0 mm (0.8 inches)
Maximum: depends on DRAM size
⇐ c ⇒ LSS Detection Position:
Five fi xed positions (distance from inner edge of the media):
3 mm (0.118 inches)
8 mm (0.315 inches)
12 mm (0.472 inches)
16 mm (0.639 inches)
20 mm (0.787 inches)
⇐ d ⇒ Black Mark Width:
The detectable width of the black mark should be at least 5.0
mm (0.2 inches) on either side of the LSS detection point.
⇐ e ⇒ Black Mark Length:
Maximum: 21.3 mm (0.83 inches)
Common: 12.5 mm (0.5 inches)
Minimum: 5.0 mm (0.2 inches)
⇐ f ⇒ Black Mark Y-Position:
It is recommended that you place the black mark as close to
the front edge of the ticket as possible and use a negative Stop
Adjust value to control the media feed, so the tickets can be
properly torn off.
Media Type Setup:
• Ticket (w mark)
Important! Preprint that may interfere with the detection of the black
mark should be avoided on the back of the media. However, the
LBLCOND statement allows the sensor to be temporarily disabled
during a specifi ed amount of media feed in order to avoid uninten-
tional detection, see Intermec Fingerprint manuals. The black mark
should be non-refl ective carbon black on a whitish background. Do
not allow any perforations to break the edge of the media as this may
cause the media to split and jam the printer.
a
TICKETS
e
FEED
DIRECTION
f
dc
g
b
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Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide98
Appendix 2 Media Specifi cations
Intermec offer three ranges of thermal transfer ribbons optimized
for different purposes:
• General Purpose (GP/TMX 1100, TMX 1500) transfer rib-
bons allow high speed printing and give a good printout, but
are somewhat sensitive to smearing. They may be the best
choice for uncoated and coated papers.
• High Performance (HP/TMX 2500) transfer ribbons allow
high speed printing and give a highly readable and defi ned
printout on most face materials with smooth surfaces. They
have good “smear resistance” and are most suitable for
intricate logotypes and images on matte-coated papers and
synthetic face materials.
• High Resistance (HR/TMX 3200) transfer ribbons give an
extremely durable printout, which is resistant to most chemical agents and high temperatures. However, such transfer
ribbons set high demands on the receiving face material,
which must be very smooth, such as polyesters.
The use of HR/TMX 3200 ribbons requires the print speed
and the energy supplied by the printhead to be controlled
with great accuracy according to the receiving face material.
Custom-made setup options adapted for special applications
can also be created. Consult your Intermec distributor.
Important!
Intermec thermal transfer
ribbons are engineered spe-
cifi cally for the EasyCoder
printheads.
Transfer Ribbons
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