Paxar 9412, 9413 User Manual

Monarch

Printers



F 9412 F 9413 F 9414

  

Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only warranty on which the customer can rely. Monarch reserves the right to make changes in the product, the programs, and their availability at any time and without notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide complete and accurate information in this manual, Monarch shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be incorporated in a later edition of this manual.

©1997 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means, without the prior written permission of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.

WARNING

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

CANADIAN D.O.C. WARNING

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicte par le ministère des Communications du Canada.

Trademarks

Monarch is a registered trademark of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Paxar is a trademark of Paxar Corporation. 9412, 9413, and 9414 are trademarks of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft in the U.S. and other countries. TrueType is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. CG Triumvirate and CG Triumvirate Bold are trademarks of AGFA Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation.

Monarch Marking Systems P.O. Box 608 Dayton, Ohio 45401

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Creating an MPCLII Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Daily Startup Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

DESIGNING A FORMAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Starting with a Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Determining Format Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Determining the Print Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Drawing Rough Sketches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Using Supply Layout Grids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Considering Field Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Considering Fonts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Using the Format Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Filling in the Format Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

CONFIGURING THE PRINTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Setting Communication Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Using Parallel Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Using MPCLII Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

MPCLII Punctuation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Standard Syntax Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Using Online Configuration Packets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Configuration Packet Header. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Configuration Syntax Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Defining the System Setup Packet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Defining the Supply Setup Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Defining the Print Control Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Table of Contents i

Defining the Monetary Formatting Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Defining the Control Characters Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Resetting Control Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Defining the Communication Settings Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Defining the Memory Configuration Packet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Checking Current Buffer Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

About Memory Buffers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

Buffer Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20

Buffer Allocation Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21

Using Immediate Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21

Enabling Immediate Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Sending Immediate Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Clearing Packets from Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

Using the Font Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25

DEFINING FIELDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Defining the Format Header. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Defining Text Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Defining Bar Code Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Defining Non-Printable Text Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Defining Constant Text Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Defining Line Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Line Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Defining Box Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

DEFINING FIELD OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Applying Field Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Combining Field Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Option 1 (Fixed Data). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Option 4 (Copy Data). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Merging Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Sub-Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

ii Table of Contents

Option 30 (Padding Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Sample Use for Padding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Option 31 (Calculate Check Digit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Option 42 (Price Field) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Option 50 (Bar Code Density) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Option 51 (PDF417 Security/Truncation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Option 52 (PDF417 Width/Length). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Option 60 (Incrementing/Decrementing Fields) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Fixing the First Number in the Incrementing Sequence . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Option 61 (Reimage Field) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Using Check Digits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Sum of Products Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Sum of Digits Calculation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

PRINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Defining the Batch Header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Defining the Batch Control Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Defining Batch Data Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Using Special Characters in Batch Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Merged or Sub-Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Incrementing Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Downloading Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Sequential Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Batch Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Batch Quantity Zero Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Modifying Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Optional Entry Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Creating DOS Batch Files for Downloading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

STATUS POLLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

Inquiry Request (ENQ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Inquiry Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Table of Contents iii

ENQ Reference Table - Byte #2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

ENQ Reference Table - Byte #3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Job Request. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

Job Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

Job Status 0, 1, 2 Response Table (Status 1 Codes) . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13

Job Status 0, 1, 2 Response Table (Status 2 Codes) . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

DIAGNOSTICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

Printing a Test Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Using Data Dump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Troubleshooting Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

If You Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

If the PC and Printer Aren’t Communicating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Calling Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

ERRORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Data Errors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

Communication Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

Data Formatting Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12

Machine Faults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13

PRINTER OPTIMIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Adjusting the Print Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

Reducing Imaging Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

General Format Tips and Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

SAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Sample UPCA Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Sample MaxiCode Packets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

Mode 0 Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

Mode 2 Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5

Mode 3 Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6

Sample Compliance Packet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7

Sample Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-10

iv Table of Contents

FONTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Standard Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Monospaced Font Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Proportional Font Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

CG Triumvirate Bold (9 pt.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

CG Triumvirate (6 pt.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7

Locating the Font Number in a Font Packet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-8

SYMBOL SETS/CODE PAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Supported Symbol Sets and Code Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Selecting a Symbol Set or Code Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Selecting the Internal Symbol Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Selecting the ANSI Symbol Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Selecting the 437 or 850 Code Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Using Code 128 Function Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Entering Extended Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Internal Symbol Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

ANSI Symbol Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

Bold Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

OCRA Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6

Code Page 437. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-7

Code Page 850. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-8

ASCII to Hexadecimal Conversion Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-9

FORMAT DESIGN TOOLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

Online Configuration Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

Batch Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3

Check Digit Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4

Table of Contents v

vi Table of Contents

GETTING STARTED 1

Before you read this manual, review the printer information in the Equipment Manual. This manual provides the necessary information to design, write and print a Monarch® Printer Control Language II (MPCLII) format. The following printers support this type of format:

9412 (V. 1.0 or greater)

9413 (V. 1.0 or greater)

9414 (V. 1.0 or greater)

About This Manual

You do not need to be a programmer to use this manual, but you must be familiar with creating text files and executing basic MS-DOS® commands.

This chapter

describes the significant differences between the printers.

creates a sample MPCLII packet.

shows how to download a sample packet.

gives a list of daily procedures for operators.

Getting Started 1-1

This features table gives an overview of each printer’s features. While these printers are very similar, some differences in operation and available options exist.

Feature 9412 9413 9414

Maximum print speed 2.0 ips 2.0 ips 2.5 ips Maximum print area 2 in. x 6 in. 4 in. x 4 in. 4 in. x 6 in. Location of Print Area Center Center Center Supply Width 1.2 in. x 2.36 in. 1.2 in. x 4.25 in. 1.2 in. x 4.25 in. Supply Length .38 in. x 6 in. .38 in. x 4.0 in. .38 in. x 6.0 in. Power Up Mode Online Online Online Feed Mode Continuous/

On-Demand Ribbon Yes Yes No (direct only) Supplies Tags or Labels Tags or Labels Tags or Labels Field Number Range 0-999 0-999 0-999 Batch Separator Yes No Yes 2D bar codes Yes Yes Yes Memory 128K battery-

backed RAM Parallel Port Yes Yes Yes

Continuous/ On-Demand

128K batterybacked RAM

Continuous/ On-Demand

512K Flash

1-2 Getting Started

You can create larger images or store formats

if you purchase additional memory.

See "Defining Text Fields" in Chapter 4 for a

list of available fonts for your printer.

See Chapter 5, "Defining Field Options," for a

list of available Options for your printer.

Before You Begin

1. Connect the printer to the host. Refer to your Equipment Manual for more information.

2. Load supplies in the printer. Refer to your Equipment Manual for more information.

3. Turn on the printer.

4. Set the communication parameters and configure the printer.

The communication parameters at the printer must match those at the host. See Chapter 3, "Configuring the Printer," for more information.

5. Design your format. See "Starting with a Design" in Chapter 2 for more information.

6. Download your format to the printer. See Chapter 6, "Printing," for more information.

Creating an MPCLII Format Packet

A format defines which fields appear and where the fields are printed on the label. The printer requires this information in a special form, using Monarch Printer Control Language II (MPCL). This section describes how to create a sample MPCLII format packet.

Make sure supplies are loaded, the printer is connected to the host and is ready to receive data. Refer your Equipment Manual for more information.

For detailed information about the format header, text, constant text, and bar code fields, see Chapter 4, "Defining Fields." For information about batch packets, see Chapter 6, "Printing."

1. Type the following format header, in any text editor:

{F,25,A,R,M,508,508,"FMT-25" p

Getting Started 1-3

2. Type the following constant text field:

C,250,80,0,1,2,1,W,C,0,0,"MONARCH MARKING",0 p

3. Type the following bar code field:

B,1,12,F,110,115,1,2,120,5,L,0 p

4. Type the following text field:

T,2,18,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p }

You have created a format packet for your MPCLII printer. Now, a batch packet must be created before you can print the format.

5. Type the following batch header, after the text field line:

{B,25,N,1 p

6. Type the following bar code data:

1,"12345678901" p

7. Type the following text field data:

8. Save your file as SAMPLE.FMT.

9. Type MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1 at the DOS prompt if you are

1-4 Getting Started

2,"DAYTON, OHIO" p }

using serial communications. This sets the communication parameters at your host. These communication parameters must match those at your printer. See "Setting Communication Parameters," "Using Parallel Communications" in Chapter 3, or your host’s documentation for more information.

10. Type COPY SAMPLE.FMT COM1. The following 2 inch by 2 inch label prints:

{F,25,A,R,M,508,508,"Fmt 25" p C,250,80,0,1,2,1,W,C,0,0,"MONARCH MARKING",0 p B,1,12,F,110,115,1,2,120,5,L,0 p T,2,18,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p}

Sample Batch Packet

{B,25,N,1 p 1,"12345678901" p 2,"DAYTON, OHIO" p }

See Chapter 2, "Designing a Format" to design your format and Chapter 4, "Defining Fields" to create text, bar code, and line fields.

Daily Startup Procedures

You may want to design a checklist for operators to follow each day. Here are a few suggested items: Turn on the printer and host, make sure ribbon and supplies are loaded, make sure communication parameters are set, and download packets from the host to the printer.

You may want to keep records of supplies that have been printed. A good way to do this is to design a print log for operators to complete at the end of the day. Here are some suggestions for types of information to include in a print log: date, operator’s name, format name, supply size, quantity printed, evaluation of print quality, and problems/comments.

Keep backup copies of your format, batch data, and check digit packets.

Getting Started 1-5

1-6 Getting Started

DESIGNING A FORMAT 2

This chapter describes how to

determine what kind of information to use in your format.

use the Supply Layout Grid and Format Worksheet.

categorize data into field types.

select fonts to use in your format.

Designing a Format 2-1

Starting with a Design

Before you create a format packet, you must design your label. There are several steps to designing a custom label:

1. Decide which fields should appear on your label. See "Determining Format Contents" for more information.

2. Determine your label size. Labels are available from Monarch in a wide variety of sizes. Your application and the amount of data you need to print determines the supply size. Contact your Account Manager or Technical Support for more information.

3. Draw a rough sketch of your label. You may want to draw several variations to see what works best. See "Drawing Rough Sketches" for more information.

4. Identify the field types that appear on your label. See "Considering Field Types" for more information.

5. Decide which fonts you want to use. See "Considering Fonts" for more information.

6. Fill out your Format Worksheet. See "Using the Format Worksheet" for more information.

At this point, you are ready to send your design to the printer. To do this:

7. Create a format packet, based on how you filled out your worksheet. See Chapter 4, "Defining Fields," for more information.

8. Download your format packet to the printer. See Chapter 6, "Printing," for more information.

2-2 Designing a Format

Determining Format Contents

Before you lay out your format, you need to make a few decisions. For example:

How large is your supply?

Which fonts do you want to use?

Do you want to include a bar code?

Determining the Print Area

The "bottom" is the edge that exits the printer first. The 0,0 point is at the bottom left corner of the label. For these printers, the print area is in the center of the label. Check the table to determine the maximum print area.

Printer Unit of Measure Maximum Supply Size

(Width x Length)

9412 English (1/100") 236 x 600 200 x 600

Metric (1/10mm) 599 x 1524 508 x 1524

Dots (1/203 dots) 479 x 1218 406 x 1218

9413 English 425 x 400 400 x 400

Metric 1080 x 1016 1016 x 1016

Dots 863 x 812 812 x 812

9414 English 425 x 600 400 x 600

Metric 1080 x 1524 1016 x 1524

Dots 863 x 1218 812 x 1218

Maximum Print Area

(Width x Length)

Designing a Format 2-3

Use the following formulas to convert inches to dots and metric:

Dots = inches x 203 Metric (1/10mm) = inches x 254 English (1/100 inch) = 100 x (dots/203) Dots = Metric (1/10 mm) x 799/1000

Drawing Rough Sketches

After you decide what information you want to print, sketch how you want the information to appear on the label. Note any areas that are preprinted on the label, such as a logo.

As soon as you know what information to include on the label and you have a rough sketch, you can use a supply layout grid to help you layout and size your label. If you do not want to use a grid, go to "Considering Field Types" to choose what information you want on your label.

Using Supply Layout Grids

A supply layout grid contains measurement markers. These markers help you accurately position information on your label.

2-4 Designing a Format

Decide whether you want to design formats using English, Metric, or Dot measurements. Choose from the following grids:

English

The English grid, shown to the right, is measured in 1/100 inches.

Metric

The Metric grid is measured in 1/10 millimeters (mm).

Graphic

The printer uses dots to print images on a label. The printhead has 203 dots per inch (DPI).

Choose English or Metric units when designing formats to use with different printers. English or Metric units allow more direct use of formats on printers with different density printheads.

If you want to use supply layout grids, a copy of each is in Appendix D, "Format Design Tools."

Designing a Format 2-5

Considering Field Types

After you select a supply size, the next step in designing a format is to decide what information you want to print on the label. For example, you may want to print your company name, price of an item, and a bar code that combines information from other places. Everything you want to print falls into one of the following categories.

Field Type Description Examples

Text Contains letters, numbers, or

Bar Code Used for printing bar codes that

Constant Text Prints fixed characters that do not

Line or Box Highlights or separates items. line marking out the regular price,

Non-Printable Text

symbols you want to print.

can be scanned.

change.

Holds data for later use, such as for merging into another field. The printer does not print non-printable text fields.

item number, item description, department number, price, date

item or serial numbers, zip codes, information you don’t want to have visible to customers

company name, company address

border around the supply city, state, and zip code to be

included in a bar code

All of the above field types are discussed in

Chapter 4.

Considering Fonts

When working with fonts, you have three considerations:

font appearance

font size

font spacing (monospaced or proportional)

See Appendix B, "Fonts," for samples of each font.

2-6 Designing a Format

Using the Format Worksheet

The Format Worksheet is divided into sections that list the field types. Each section has boxes to fill in with parameters that define your format. A format worksheet is included in Appendix D, "Format Design Tools."

Filling in the Format Worksheet

Decide what type of field to use on your label.

1. Make a copy of the Format Worksheet.

2. Define the Format Header.

3. Define all non-printable text fields before you define the ones

you want to print. See "Defining Non-printable Text Fields" in Chapter 4 for more information.

4. Define options as you require them. See Chapter 5, "Defining Field Options" for more information.

Designing a Format 2-7

2-8 Designing a Format

CONFIGURING THE PRINTER 3

This chapter discusses how to

set communication parameters.

upload the printer’s configuration or font information.

configure the printer using online configuration packets.

use immediate commands to control the printer’s operation at any time.

Configuring the Printer 3-1

Setting Communication Parameters

Use the following information for serial communications. See "Using Parallel Communications" for information about parallel communications.

The communication parameters at the printer must match those at the host, or you will not be able to communicate.

You can use the communication settings packet to set communication parameters for your printer.

On MS-DOS computers, you can use the MODE command to set communication values on your PC.

For example

MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1

This command sets your host to these communication values:

a baud rate of 9600

no parity

8 bit word length

1 stop bit

Using Parallel Communications

If your printer supports parallel communications, the parallel port is Centronics®-compatible. The communication settings are automatically configured for you. There are no operator settings required.

3-2 Configuring the Printer

Using MPCLII Conventions

Here are some guidelines to follow when using MPCLII.

MPCLII Punctuation

Use the following symbols when creating MPCLII packets:

{ start of header

} end of header

p field separator

, parameter separator

"ABC" Quotation marks enclose character strings.

Empty quotes ("") identify null strings or unused fields.

‘comment‘ Grave accents enclose comments. Any data

enclosed in grave accents is ignored. Do not embed comments within a quoted string. Grave accents are also used to reject mainframe data.

These MPCL characters are the default. See "Defining the Control Characters Packet" to change these characters.

Standard Syntax Guidelines

When creating MPCLII packets:

Begin each packet with a start of header ({).

End each packet with an end of header (}).

Configuring the Printer 3-3

Define no more than 1000 fields in a format. Each p indicates one field. However, options are not counted as fields. The actual number of fields a format can have may be less, because the number of fields is limited by the available memory.

The field number 0 to 999 must be unique. Monarch recommends starting at 1, instead of 0.

Do not use a field number more than once per format.

Define all fields in the order you want to image/print them. The printer does not print in field number order.

Separate all parameters with a Parameter Separator (,).

End each field with a Field Separator ( p ).

Enter all information in CAPITAL letters, except words or phrases within quotation marks.

Include all field parameters unless documented as optional.

Define non-printable text fields before the field to which they apply.

Define options immediately after the field to which they apply.

Multiple options can be used with most fields. Options can be used in any combination except as noted with each definition.

Keep in mind that proportionally spaced fonts need wider fields than monospaced fonts. For variable field data, use a letter "W" to determine the maximum field size.

Do not place a new line (return) or any other non-printing character in a character string. However, a carriage return or line break after each p makes your formats easier to read. T,1,20,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p T,2,10,V,50,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p

Spaces are ignored, except within character strings.

Indenting options improves readability of your formats. T,1,18,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p R,42,1 p

Use a tilde (~) followed by a 3-digit ASCII code in a quoted string to send function codes or extended characters.

3-4 Configuring the Printer

You can modify formats and fields with the optional entry method. See "Optional Entry Method" in Chapter 6 for more information.

Using Online Configuration Packets

Use online configuration packets to change the printer settings. You can send an individual packet or a packet that contains all seven online configuration packets. You can supply all parameters for each packet. Leave the parameters blank that you do not need to change. For example,

{I,A,,,,1 p } prints a slashed zero and uses the last sent online System Setup parameters.

Make a copy of the online configuration worksheet in Appendix D, "Format Design Tools," and save the original. Packets A-M are listed on the worksheet.

When you turn off the printer, all the information in the online configuration packets is saved and used when the printer is turned back on. After you change printer configurations, you must resend the format or batch to the printer before the changes take effect.

Configuration Packet Header

Always include an I, immediately after the left bracket { and before the packet identifier (A, B, C, etc.). The identifies the data stream as a configuration packet.

Include the I parameter with each packet if

you are sending them individually. Include it

only at the beginning of a data stream if you

are sending multiple packets.

I parameter

Configuring the Printer 3-5

This is the syntax to use when you create online configuration packets:

Syntax

{I,1 to 7 optional packet Start of Header, Configuration Header A, parameter 1...parameter 5 p System Setup B, parameter 1...parameter 5 p Supply Setup C, parameter 1...parameter 5 p Print Control D, parameter 1...parameter 3 p Monetary Formatting E, parameter 1...parameter 9 p Control Characters F, parameter 1...parameter 5 p Communication Settings

M, parameter 1_parameter 4 p } Memory Configuration, End of Header

Syntax for single packet

{ Start of Header I Configuration Packet Identifier

A, parameter 1...parameter 5 p System Setup } End of Header

You can also add a configuration to non-volatile RAM or specify units for supply, print, and margin positions. If you use the optional parameters with the I packet, any online configuration packets following the split vertical bar ( p ) must specify distances using the selected units.

Syntax

1. header Constant I

2. ID# ID. Use 0.

3. action Action. Options:

4. device Storage Device. Options:

5. units Units (optional parameter). Options:

3-6 Configuring the Printer

{header,ID#,action,device p}

A Add configuration U Upload User Configuration

F Flash (9414 only) N Non-volatile RAM (9412/9413 default) R RAM (9414 default)

E English M Metric G Dots

Example {I,0,A,N,E p

C,0,25,0,0,0 p }

Adds a configuration to non-volatile RAM and specifies English units. It also uses the default contrast, moves print 0.25 inches closer to the bottom of the supply and does not change the margin adjustment, prints at the default print speed, and uses the default printhead width.

If you do not use the optional parameters, the syntax for the online configuration packets does not change. For example,

{I,C,0,50,0,0,0 p }

uses the default contrast, moves print 50 dots (025 inches) closer to the bottom of the supply and does not change the margin adjustment, prints at the default print speed, and uses the default printhead width.

Example

{I,0,U,N p }

Uploads the printer configuration from non-volatile RAM and returns the following to the host.

A,0,0,0,0 p B,1,0,0,0,0,0 p C,0,0,0,0,0 p D,1,0,2 p E,"~123~044~034~124~125~126","~013~010","" p F,3,1,0,0,1 p M,R,0,0,N,2424,0 p M,R,N,20 p M,T,N,10 p M,I,N,1259 p M,D,N,975 p M,F,N,160 p M,V,N,0 p }

Configuring the Printer 3-7

The parameters for each packet (A-M) are displayed. In the first line that begins with M, 0 is the total volatile memory available, 0 is the memory used in volatile RAM. 2424 is the total non-volatile memory available, 0 is the memory used in non-volatile RAM. The remaining lines beginning with M list the buffer sizes in 1/10K for the Receive, Transmit, Image, Downloadable Fonts, Formats, and Scalable Fonts Buffers.

The scalable font is not available

for these printers.

Configuration Syntax Guidelines

When creating a printer configuration packet:

Follow the "Standard Syntax Guidelines" listed at the beginning of this chapter.

Begin a packet with the configuration header (I).

Download multiple configuration packets within one packet or download a single configuration packet.

Include the first five ANSI codes, at a minimum, in the control characters packet.

If you change any of the online configuration packets, resend the format packet to the printer, so the configuration changes take effect.

Make sure the communication settings at the host match those at the printer.

3-8 Configuring the Printer

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