Microcom 48-466 User Manual
MODEL 48-466
THERMAL PRINT MECHANISM
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Part Number 8800XX-0100
- Revised 02/04/98 MSG Preliminary Release
Centronics is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corporation.
HP and LaserJet II are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Arial is a registered trademark of The Monotype Corporation.
Other products, names, and brands are trademarks of their respective holders.
Arial Typeface is Copyright © 1991 The Monotype Corporation. All rights reserved.
FastFont Typefaces are Copyright © 1993, Page Technology Marketing, Inc.
This manual is subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1998 Microcom Corporation, Westerville, Ohio - All rights reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .................................................................v
List of Figures .................................................................v
Introduction ...................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS ...................................3
1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES
1.2 BAR CODES .....................................................3
1.3 FONTS
1.4 PRINTING ........................................................4
1.5 INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS
1.6 PHYSICAL .......................................................4
1.7 ENVIRONMENT
1.8 ELECTRICAL .....................................................5
1.9 APPROVALS
..........................................................
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3
4
4
4
5
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION
2.1 FRONT PANEL SWITCHES AND STATUS LIGHTS ......................7
2.1.1 NORMAL MODE
2.1.2 STATUS LABEL MODE .......................................7
2.1.3 PAPER-OUT MODE .........................................8
2.2 THE STATUS LIGHTS AND SOUNDS
2.3 LOADING PAPER .................................................9
2.4 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
CHAPTER 3: COMMUNICATIONS
3.1 CABLE PINOUT ..................................................11
3.2 PRINTER CABLES
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS
4.1 CONTROL CHARACTERS .........................................13
4.2 GETTING STARTED
4.2.1 PC CONNECTION (SERIAL) ..................................13
4.2.2 PC CONNECTION (PARALLEL)
4.2.3 LEARNING LDS ............................................14
4.3 FORMATTING LABELS: AN OVERVIEW
4.4 LABEL HEADER .................................................17
4.4.1 A SAMPLE SESSION (HEADER)
4.5 LABEL FIELDS ...................................................21
4.5.1 BIT MAPPED TEXT, BAR CODE, AND DOWNLOADED FONT/GRAPHIC
FIELDS ...................................................21
4.5.2 LINES
4.5.3 A SAMPLE SESSION (FIELDS) ...............................30
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7
7
9
9
11
12
13
13
14
15
21
28
CHAPTER 5: PRINTER COMMANDS .............................................31
5.1 SPECIAL PRINTER CONTROL CODES ..............................31
5.2 PRINTER ENQUIRIES
5.3 SENDING ^D PRINTER COMMANDS .................................33
5.3.1 SOFTWARE DIP SWITCHES AND NON-VOLATILE COMMANDS
.............................................
....
32
34
48-466 Operators Manual
Table of Contents
5.3.2 PRINTING COMMANDS ......................................39
5.3.4 REAL-TIME CLOCK
5.3.5 SERIAL NUMBER COMMANDS ...............................43
5.3.6 SAVING FORMAT COMMANDS
5.3.7 LABEL PRESENCE SENSOR CONTROL .......................48
5.3.8 TEXT STRINGS COMMANDS
.........................................
...............................
.................................
41
45
49
CHAPTER 6: DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHIC IMAGES
6.1 PROCEDURE FOR USING PCX2466.EXE UTILITY .....................51
6.2 GRAPHIC IMAGE STRUCTURE
6.3 DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHICS COMMAND SUMMARY ..................53
CHAPTER 7: DOWNLOADABLE FONTS .........................................55
7.1 PROCEDURE FOR USING JET2466.EXE UTILITY
7.2 FONT STRUCTURE ..............................................55
CHAPTER 8: BAR CODES
8.1 TYPES OF BAR CODES ..........................................57
8.2 DESIGNING WITH BAR CODES
8.2.1 BAR CODE HUMAN READABLES .............................63
CHAPTER 9: SPECIAL EFFECTS ...............................................65
9.1 REVERSED PRINT (WHITE TEXT OVER BLACK)
APPENDIX A: QUICK REFERENCE COMMAND SUMMARY
APPENDIX B: HARDWARE DIP SWITCHES
.......................................................................
Index
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51
51
55
57
62
65
67
77
79
48-466 Operators Manual
List of Tables
Status Light
Serial Port Configuration .......................................................11
Print Speed
Bitmapped Font Descriptions ...................................................25
Bar Code Symbologies
Character Starting Positions ....................................................27
Enquiry Responses
Clock Field Parameters ........................................................41
UPC Zero Reduction Format
Code 128 Special Function Access ...............................................59
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........................................................
...........................................................
....................................................
19
26
33
58
List of Figures
Front View
Rear View ....................................................................6
Status Label
Printer Feed Mechanism ........................................................9
Microcom Label
Label Header Parameters of a 4" X 3" Label ........................................17
Lines .......................................................................29
Bar Code Rotations
UPC-A Bar Code .............................................................63
Bar Code Human Readables
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16
62
63
9
6
8
48-466 Operators Manual
48-466 Operators Manual
Introduction
The Model 48-466 is a Direct Thermal Print Mechanism with a high resolution (832 dots or 8
dots/mm), 4.09 inch wide print head. Through the use of dual processors, the printer has the
ability to handle a wide variety of labeling tasks.
The resident Label Design Software (LDS) is a powerful and easy-to-use package that allows
you to create personalized label formats. It can be driven from a PC, mini-computer, mainframe,
and most special purpose computers.
Among many other features, LDS supports downloadable graphics and fonts, multiple serial
numbering, and flexible character kerning. It offers many font sizes and all popular bar code
symbologies. Graphic images can be printed or stored in the printer's memory for future use.
Bitmapped Fonts, bar codes, and graphic images can be multiplied in size and printed in
0,90,180,270 degree rotations. Once the labels are designed, they can be stored in the printer
for high speed access.
48-466 Operators Manual
48-466 Operators Manual2
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES
! Direct thermal tag/ticket feed operation
! Dot history temperature control
! Resolution of 8 dots/mm (.0049" per dot) and a print width of 832 dots (4.09")
! Print speed up to 6.0 inches per second
! Prints on 7.5 mil tag stock with +/-10% variation.
! Software-controlled contrast adjustment
! Standard memory of 512Kbytes ROM and 512Kbytes RAM
! Internal date and time keeping
! Easy to load label path
! Detects label gap, black line, or blow-hole stock
! Internal statistical counter for inches and labels printed
! Downloadable bitmap fonts and graphics
! Field incrementing and decrementing
! Cooling fan rated at 80,000+ hours.
1.2 BAR CODES
! Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, CODABAR, Code 128 (Subset A,B,C), Code 93, Plessey,
Modified Plessey, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Postnet, MaxiCode, and PDF-417
48-466 Operators Manual 3
Features and Specifications Chapter 1
1.3 FONTS
! 8 Bitmapped Arial™ fonts.
! Converted HP LaserJet II™ or TrueType™ font compatibility
! Fonts can be printed with proportional or non-proportional spacing
! All bitmapped fonts expandable in height and width
! Printable in 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree rotations
1.4 PRINTING
! Batch and tag/tear mode advances label to the tear bar
! Label back-up prevents wasted media in tag/tear and peel modes
1.5 INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS
! Serial: RS-232C, 25-pin female D-Sub connector (DCE) and 2Kbytes buffer
-Flow control: XON/XOFF, CTS
-Baud rate: 300 to 38400, user-selectable
-Parity: odd, even or none
-Data bits: 7 or 8
! Parallel: 36 pin female
1.6 PHYSICAL
! Rigid painted steel construction
! Height: TBD
! Width: TBD
! Depth: TBD
! Weight: TBD
1.7 ENVIRONMENT
! Temperature: 40" F to 104" F operating
! Humidity: 10-85% Non-Condensing
48-466 Operators Manual4
Chapter 1 Features and Specifications
1.8 ELECTRICAL
! Voltage: 117/220 VAC nom.,50-60Hz
! Current: 3 AMPS maximum
1.9 APPROVALS
! CUL, CE, complies with FCC class A
48-466 Operators Manual 5
Features and Specifications Chapter 1
48-466
Front View
Figure 1
48-466
Rear View
Figure 2
48-466 Operators Manual6
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION
2.1 FRONT PANEL SWITCHES AND STATUS LIGHTS
The front panel button perform several different functions depending on the printer mode:
2.1.1 NORMAL MODE
Pressing and holding the button will cause the printer to “Line Feed”. Pressing and quickly
releasing the button will cause a "Label Print". If the button is pressed while a label is printing, the
printer will enter pause mode.
2.1.2 STATUS LABEL MODE
To print a status label, hold the button down while turning on the printer. Release the button and
a test pattern with statistical information will be printed (see figure 4). When a status label is
created, the software dip switches are temporarily set to defaults. The printer will return to the
old settings, if different, after power down or a soft reset.
The printed labels and total labels represent the number of labels printed to date. The printed
labels and printed inches fields can be reset by the user while the total labels and total inches
cannot. Printed inches and printed labels are reset using the ^D29 command (see section 5.3).
Other useful information on the power-up label is the unit serial number, power-on hours,
previous serial parameters (not the default parameters caused by executing creating a status
label), and the revision number of the Label Design Software (LDS).
The switch bank settings reflect the contents of the four software dip switches that configure the
operation of the printer. See section 5.3, specifically ^D21, ^D22, ^D23, ^D24, ^D25, and ^D26, for
more information on software dip switch settings.
48-466 Operators Manual 7
Basic Operation Chapter 2
Printer Serial #: 0-123456
Printed Labels: 8432
Total Labels: 8498
Printed Inches: 25296
Total Inches: 25494
Power On Hours: 897
Contrast Base: 115
Hard Switch Bank 1: 10100000
Soft Switch Bank 1: 10000001
Soft Switch Bank 2: 01010001
Soft Switch Bank 3: 00000000
Soft Switch Bank 4: 00000000
Soft Switch Bank 5: 10001011
Soft Switch Bank 6: 00000000
Comm1 Parameters: 9600-N-8-1
Comm2 Parameters: INACTIVE
RAM: 262144
Optional ROM: NONE
Cutter Installed: NO
Second Proc. Rev: 1.23
RAM Checksum: Enabled
48-466 REV 2.00 000000-0200 08/05/97
Status Label
Figure 4
2.1.3 PAPER-OUT MODE
When a paper out condition occurs, the printer will continuously beep and the red error indicator
will light. The front panel switch serves to load and realign the new label stock. Pressing and
holding the button will cause the printer to “Line Feed”. Pressing and quickly releasing the button
will cause a "Label Print". If the printer is in “Out of Paper” mode, the button will print a duplicate
of the last label printed. The previous label can be repeated until proper registration occurs. To
return to the pre-paper out condition, tap the button while the duplicate label is being printed. The
red error light should go out and normal printing may resume.
48-466 Operators Manual8
Chapter 2 Basic Operation
2.2 THE STATUS LIGHTS AND SOUNDS
The status lights have different functions depending upon the mode of the printer. The following
table explains the meanings.
Status Light
Color Sound Mode Meaning
Solid Green None All Power is on.
Solid Green Long Error All Memory operation unsuccessful.
Solid Green
Solid Red
Flashing Red
Solid Yellow N/A All Printer is On-Line.
3 Short
Beeps
Continuous
Pulsed
Beep
Continuous
Pulsed
Beep
All Memory operation successful.
Printer error:
All
All
Caused by a paper-out, or hardware failure.
If an unexplained condition persists, contact
your service representative.
Spike or low voltage on the AC line. The unit
will remain in this mode until the condition is
removed and the printer is powered off.
Table 1
2.3 LOADING PAPER
(TBD)
Printer Feed Mechanism
Figure 5
2.4 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
(TBD)
48-466 Operators Manual 9
Basic Operation Chapter 2
48-466 Operators Manual10
CHAPTER 3: COMMUNICATIONS
The 48-466 can be interfaced to PC's, mini-computers, main frames, and special purpose
machines. It is capable of serial RS-232-C or Centronics® parallel communication. The
following sections explain the communication interfaces.
Out of the box, unless otherwise requested, the 48-466 communicates using either parallel or
serial RS-232-C at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity with both hardware and
software handshaking. This configuration may be changed as shown in Appendix B.
3.1 CABLE PINOUT
Table 1 shows the signals of the 25-pin RS-232 serial port and table 2 shows the parallel port
configuration.
If serial RS-232-C communication is selected and XON/XOFF hand shaking is used, the only
signals the 48-466 requires are the RXD, TXD, and GND signals. If hardware (CTS/RTS) hand
shaking is used a RTS signal is provided. XON/XOFF may be disabled through software dip
switch #1 (see chapter 5). The other signals are offered in the event the host computer requires
these signals.
Serial Port Configuration
25 TO 9 PIN 25 TO 25 PIN
State 466 Direction PC
HI 8 DCD ---->---- DCD 1
XX 3 TXD ---->---- RXD 2
XX 2 RXD ----<---- TXD 3
HI 6 DSR ----<---- DTR 4
LO 7 GND ---<->--- GND 5
HI 20 DTR ---->---- DSR 6
DC 4 CTS ----<---- RTS 7
XX 5 RTS ---->---- CTS 8
HI 18 +5V
DB-25 DE-9
DC = Do Not Care
XX = Indeterminate
State 466 Direction PC
HI 8 DCD ---->---- DCD 8
XX 3 TXD ---->---- RXD 3
XX 2 RXD ----<---- TXD 2
HI 6 DSR ----<---- DTR 20
LO 7 GND ---<->--- GND 7
HI 20 DTR ---->---- DSR 6
DC 4 CTS ----<---- RTS 4
XX 5 RTS ---->---- CTS 5
HI 18 +5V
DB-25 DB-25
DC = Do Not Care
XX = Indeterminate
Table 1
48-466 Operators Manual 11
Communications Chapter 3
3.2 PRINTER CABLES
Warning: Connecting a serial port to a parallel port may result in damage to the printer and/or
computer.
The 48-466 uses standard communications port cables which may be purchased through
Microcom Corporation or a local computer supply company. You will not need a NULL-modem
cable because the printer is DCE equipment.
For parallel connection, use a standard 25 pin to 36 pin Centronics® printer cable, connected
from the desired parallel port of the host computer to the 36 pin connector on the 48-466 parallel
board.
For serial connection,
25 pin serial com port - Use a standard 25 pin female to 25 pin male serial cable.
9 pin serial com port - Use a 9 pin female to 25 pin male cable.
Note: Serial NULL modem cable adapters are not necessary since the printer is DCE
equipment.
48-466 Operators Manual12
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS
Label Design Software (LDS) refers to the software resident in the printer used to decipher label
formats sent by the host computer. All fonts, character sets and bar codes symbologies are
resident in the printer.
A label format is produced by a series of 5 steps:
1: Control commands to define printer operation
2: A header to define label height, width, print speed, etc..
3: Field data to define placement of text, bar code, graphic or line
4: Actual text data to place in the above text or bar code fields
5: Control commands to initiate printing
4.1 CONTROL CHARACTERS
Throughout this manual there are references to control characters. In order to print them in this
manual, they have been written using standard characters and icons. Escape characters are
represented by <ESC> and a carriage return is represented by the 5 symbol. It is important to
note that all printer functions, unless otherwise noted, must be followed with a carriage return5.
4.2 GETTING STARTED
There are many different machines that can send information to the 48-466. For example, main
frames, mini-computers, special purpose computers and PC's. However, the easiest way to
start is with a PC and a terminal emulation software program. This will method of connection will
allow two-way, serial communication with the printer.
4.2.1 PC CONNECTION (SERIAL)
Items required:
- A computer with at least one unused serial communications port. (COM1,COM2...)
- A serial interface cable. (See section 3.2 for cable information)
- A terminal emulation program.
Set the terminal communication parameters to 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit.
Unless modified by the user, this is the printers' communication configuration out of the box.
Depress ^C (ASCII or control code) on the PC keyboard. If the printer prints a label, proper PC
to printer communications have been confirmed. Depress ^E to verify printer to PC
communication. A text response should be returned from the printer.
If a terminal program is not available, it is possible to send files to the printer using the DOS
COPY command. To do this, create a text file containing the information to be sent (i.e. ^C or
^D35 ).
Note: Use an editor that does not add its own formatting characters.
Use the following DOS MODE command to set up the appropriate PC port. (COM1 may be any
available communications port on your PC.)
C:>MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P
Send the file to the printer using the following DOS command.
C:>COPY FILENAME COM1
48-466 Operators Manual 13
Communications Chapter 3
4.2.2 PC CONNECTION (PARALLEL)
Items required:
- A computer with at least one unused parallel communications port. (LPT1, LPT2...)
- A parallel interface cable. (See section 3.2 for cable information)
Create a text file containing the information to be sent. (^D35 is the print command.)
^D3
Note: Use an editor that does not add its own formatting characters.
Send the file to the printer using the following DOS command. (LPT1 may be any available
printer port on your PC.)
C:>COPY FILENAME LPT1
4.2.3 LEARNING LDS
Small control code functions (see section 5.1) or label formats files can be entered directly
through the keyboard. Large label files should be entered in an ASCII text editor and then uploaded to the printer using a terminal emulation program or the DOS copy command. (To use
the DOS copy command, first use the DOS mode instruction to configure the PC. For example,
MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P).
There are some special features offered by the 48-466 that will aid in label design. For example,
the auto-size command (^A2^D395) will provide most of the header format information needed to
define the different properties of label stock. The state of the machine is accessed through the
enquiry command (^D55 or ^E). The statistical printer information is made available through the
^A0^D295 command.
The following sections of this chapter are designed to give an overview of a label format, define
the label header, and list the different types of field information available. Chapter 5 explains the
special functions of the control codes. Once some understanding of these basic concepts are
achieved, use the quick reference guide in Appendix A for expedient label design.
48-466 Operators Manual14
Chapter 3 Communications
4.3 FORMATTING LABELS: AN OVERVIEW
A label format consists of a header record and field records, followed by the text data to be
printed. The records describe how the label is to be printed. The header contains information
about the label itself such as label height, width, print speed, etc. The field records refer to the
data section and contain information about positioning coordinates, the type of character
generators or bar codes to use, etc. The number of fields is limited only by the amount of free
memory.
Below is a sample label format. (This file is referenced throughout this chapter.)
(See Figure 8)
^D575
5,812,1218,,20,35
1,190,1068,8,1,8,,,2,25
2,139,900,11,1,8,,,2,25
3,117,760,26,1,85
4,265,560,11,1,85
4,123,50,11,16,3,,,3,4065
^D565
^D25
Microcom5
Corporation5
Thermal Printing Solutions5
012345678905
^D35
The sequence ^D575 puts the printer in format entry mode.
The next line is the header information: sizing the label (812 dots wide 1218 dots high).
The next five lines are layout information for each data field in the format.
A label format is coming
Header information
Field #1 information
Field #2 information
Field #3 information
Field #4 information
Field #5
Select RAM Format
Text Data is Coming
Text String #1
Text String #2
Text String #3
Text String #4
Print Label 1
The sequence ^D565 selects the user layout.
The sequence ^D25 tells the printer to start accepting data for each defined field. (Field #1 defines
where Data #1 should be positioned.) (Note: The label prints from bottom to top.)
The next three lines are data for each field.
Text string #4 is accessed twice. The format will print '01234567890' and then the bar code
equivalent.
The sequence ^D35 starts the print cycle. (Default is one copy. See section 5.3.2)
48-466 Operators Manual 15
Communications Chapter 3
Microcom Label
Figure 8
48-466 Operators Manual16
Chapter 3 Communications
4.4 LABEL HEADER
The header consist of eleven parameters. These parameters contain information about the label.
It is not necessary to enter information for all of the parameters: If a parameter is left blank, then the
default value will be used. A carriage return must follow the label header parameters.
The value of measurement for many of the header elements is the dot. There are 203 dots per inch
on a 48-466 print head (8 dots/mm). There is a maximum 832 dots in the X direction (width). The
Y direction (length) is virtually unlimited.
Most header parameters can be supplied using the auto-size command. (See section 5.3.3.)
Below is a list of the header element mnemonics and their default values:
HFM,LSX,LSY,WEB,GAP,DPS,LCB,AGD,SPG,OFX,OFY
0,832,614, 13, 24, 35, 0, 1,490, 0, 0
0625
THIS IS THE WEB VALUE
Y BEGINNING
OR 12 DOTS
X BEGINNING
THIS IS 0,0
FEED DIRECTION
4.0 OR 800 DOTS LSX
MICROCOM
3.0 OR 600 DOTS LSY
.125
THIS IS THE GAP VALUE
OR 25 DOTS
Label Header Parameters of a 4" X 3" Label
Figure 9
48-466 Operators Manual 17
Communications Chapter 3
Refer to Figure 9 for a visual representation of most header parameters.
The following is a description of each header element:
HFM NUMBER OF FIELDS IN LAYOUT
This parameter is used to specify the number of fields in the layout. If more fields are defined
than what is specified for HFM, the extras will be ignored. To prevent software confusion, do
not set the HFM parameter to a number higher than the number of fields defined.
LSX LABEL SIZE X DIRECTION
Specifies the width of the label in dots. For example: A 3" wide label would have an LSX of
3 x 203 = 609 dots. (203 dots = 1 inch)
LSY LABEL SIZE Y DIRECTION
Specifies the height of the label in dots.
WEB WEB SIZE
The width, measured in dots, of the webbing that is found on the left side of the label.
GAP GAP SIZE
The height, measured in dots, of the gap between labels. Auto-sizing (See section 5.3.3) will
define this value.
DPS PRINT SPEED
The speed the printer prints a label. Generally, better print quality is obtained at lower print
speeds.
The labels per minute a particular format will print can be calculated by the equation below:
IPS x 60 seconds
Labels per Minute = ---------------------------
Label Height
The printer's default print speed is 3.2 inches per second (DPS value = 48). To speed it up
or slow it down, the following DPS parameters can be inserted into the label header. Note
that a higher value slows the printer down and a smaller value speeds it up.
See Table 3 for a list of print speeds, DPS values, and inches per second.
48-466 Operators Manual18
Chapter 3 Communications
Print Speed
DPS VALUE MM PER SECOND INCHES PER SECOND INCHES PER MINUTE
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
152.4
149.9
147.3
144.8
142.2
139.7
137.2
134.6
132.1
129.5
127.0
124.5
121.9
119.4
116.8
114.3
111.8
109.2
106.7
104.1
101.6
99.1
96.5
94.0
91.4
88.9
86.4
83.8
81.3
78.7
76.2
73.7
71.7
68.6
66.0
63.5
6.0
5.9
5.8
5.7
5.6
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.2
5.1
5.0
4.9
4.8
4.7
4.6
4.5
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
360
354
348
342
336
330
324
318
312
306
300
294
288
282
276
270
264
258
252
246
240
234
228
222
216
204
204
198
192
186
180
174
168
162
156
150
Table 3
LCB LABEL CONTROL BYTE
This parameter selects between the various gap detection methods.
Normal Stock (leading edge): If set to a value of 0, the printer will detect the leading edge
of the label (the start of the next label).
Continuous Stock: If set to a value of 2, the printer will not activate the gap detector
circuit. After all fields are printed, the printer will advance the extra distance in the SPG
header element.
Blow Hole Stock (Slot-Cut): If set to a value of 0, the printer will detect the leading edge of
a blow hole (see software dip switch #4 (^D24) for blow hole stock).
Black Line Stock (transmissive sensor): If set to a value of 1, the printer will detect the
leading edge of a black line.
48-466 Operators Manual 19
Communications Chapter 3
AGD NUMBER OF STEPS TO ACTIVATE GAP DETECTOR
This parameter selects the number of steps (dots) that the printer should skip before gap
sensing is activated. This value is usually defaulted. It is not defaulted when using stock
that contains pre-print or gaps that may cause the gap detector to trigger incorrectly.
SPG NUMBER OF STEPS PAST GAP
The number of steps to advance the label after detection of a label gap.
It may also be necessary to adjust this value if using material with a sense position not
located at the end of the stock.
The 48-466 uses the following formula to determine the SPG setting:
If label height is greater than or equal to 305 then SPG=305
If label height is less than 305, subtract (LSY+GAP) from 305 until the answer is
negative, then add (LSY+GAP) back to become positive again. Subtract the AGD value
(usually 1) and the result will be the correct SPG.
OFX X DIRECTION OFFSET
This parameter moves all the fields in the X direction without changing the fields
themselves.
OFY Y DIRECTION OFFSET
This parameter moves all the fields in the Y direction without changing the fields
themselves.
.
48-466 Operators Manual20
Chapter 3 Communications
4.4.1 A SAMPLE SESSION (HEADER)
This is the label header from the sample label in section 4.3.
5,812,1218,,20,3555
5 - 5 fields following the header
812 - Label width (LSX) of 812 (812/203 = 4 inches).
1218 - Label length (LSY) of 406 (1218/203 = 6 inches).
- The WEB parameter can be defaulted.
20 - A GAP between labels of 20 (20/203 = 0.10 inch).
35 - Label print speed (DPS) of 35 = 4.5 inches per second (from
Table 3)
- No entry for the LCB parameter defaults to 0, normal stock
on backing paper.
- AGD is defaulted.
- SPG is defaulted (the label is larger than 305 dots).
55 - A carriage return must follow the label header. There were
some parameters left that were not entered into the header LCB, AGD,SPG, OFX, OFY, and FMT. Because they were not
entered, the printer assumes the default values.
Note: Defaulted fields must be separated by commas and ending commas may be
omitted.
4.5 LABEL FIELDS
A field is broken down into many different parameters. These parameters contain the
information necessary to position data (text, bar codes, graphics, etc.) on the label. It is
not necessary to enter values for all of the field parameters; the default values will be
used if left blank. The fields to be defaulted must be separated by commas. A carriage
return must follow each label field.
4.5.1 BIT MAPPED TEXT, BAR CODE, AND DOWNLOADED FONT/GRAPHIC FIELDS
The following is a list of bit mapped (ROM stored and Downloaded) field element
mnemonics and their default values:
TSN,XB,YB,CC,TCI,CGN,FO,FJ,CMX,CMY,CS,TSP,,,,,AN
1, 0, 0, *, 1, **, 0, 0, 1, 1, *, 1,,,,, 0
* The default depends on the character generator (CGN) used.
** The default depends on the TCI used.
Note: All values must be positive integers.
TSN TEXT STRING NUMBER
Determines from which text string the field obtains the data. This allows for more than
one field to use the same text string. A TSN of 0 accesses the clock chip text string (see
section 5.3.4). A TSN of 1 accesses the first line of data. A TSN of 2 accesses the
second line of data, and so forth. Data is the text that follows a ^D25 command in a label
layout. A graphic image field must point to a valid text string that contains at least 1
character. Maximum value is 65536.
48-466 Operators Manual 21
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