Printronix T4M, SL4M User Manual

Quick Setup Guide
SL4M and T4M
RFID Smart Label and Thermal Printers
NOTICE
This Quick Setup Guide contains a CD-ROM, located in a plastic pocket in the back cover, with the following material:
Windows Drivers
Label Design Software
Network and RFID Solutions
Manuals
Contact Us Save this guide. If you move your
printer to a different location in the future, you may need these instructions again.

Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the SL4M RFID Smart Label printer or T4M thermal printer.
Quick Setup Guide
This ribbon and media, and print a test page.
NOTE: This
Quick Setup Guide
printers.
The SL4M is a smart label printer. It is equipped with an RFID encoder and has the “RFID SMART” logo near the control panel.
The T4M printer does not come equipped with an RFID encoder, but can be upgraded in the field.
describes how to set up the printer, load
covers both the SL4M and T4M
3

Printer Setup

Printer Setup
Front View
CAUTION
4
Power Switch
1. Place the printer on a flat level surface that allows easy access to all sides of the printer.
Never operate the printer on its side or upside down.
2. At the front of the printer, set the power switch to O (Off).
Rear View
Ethernet Interface (optional)
IEEE1284 Parallel Interface
USB Connection
RS-232 Serial Interface
AC Power
Receptacle
3. At the rear of the printer, connect the desired interface cable to the appropriate connector and the host computer.
WARNING
Failure to properly ground the printer may result in electric shock to the operator.
In compliance with international safety standards, this printer has been equipped with a three-pronged power cord. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the cable plug. If an extension cord is required, ensure that a three-wire cable with a properly grounded plug is used.
4. Plug the AC power cord into the AC power receptacle.
5. Plug the AC power cord to a grounded (three prong) electrical outlet of the proper voltage. (Do not turn on the printer yet.)
5

Loading Ribbon And Roll Media

Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
IMPORTANT
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
For best results, use only genuine Printronix supplies. See “Printronix Supplies Department” on page 18.
DO NOT TOUCH the printhead or the electronic components under the printhead assembly.
Do not close the pivoting deck without label stock installed between the printhead and the platen, because debris on the platen may damage the printhead.
Avoid touching the electrical connectors while setting up the printer to prevent electrostatic discharge damage. The discharge of accumulated electrostatic energy can damage or destroy the printhead or electronic components used in this printer.
6

Load Ribbon

Load Ribbon
For direct thermal media (no ribbon required), go to page 10.
Media Cover
Pivoting
Deck
Flange
Ribbon Take-Up Core
Ribbon Take-Up Spindle
Ribbon Roll
Ribbon Supply Spindle
Deck Lock
Lever
IMPORTANT
Clean the printhead, platen roller, and media sensors every time you change the ribbon. Refer to the
User’s Manual
.
1. Raise the media cover.
2. Install the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle.
NOTE: The first ribbon take-up core comes with the printer.
Thereafter, move the empty core from the ribbon supply spindle to the take-up spindle after the ribbon is used up.
3. Slide the ribbon roll onto the ribbon supply spindle until it is flush with the flange.
4. Open the pivoting deck by rotating the deck lock lever fully counterclockwise until the deck swings upward.
7
Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
Ribbon Take-Up
Core
Ribbon Take-Up Spindle
Ribbon Supply Spindle
Printhead
Platen
(not shown)
Alternate Ribbon Path
Ribbon
Ribbon Guide Roller (2)
5. Thread the end of the ribbon under the ribbon guide rollers, between the platen (rubber drive roller) and the printhead, and between the ribbon take-up and supply spindles.
NOTE: Make sure to thread the ribbon behind the ribbon take-up
spindle.
NOTE: The alternate ribbon path is for ribbons that are inked on
the inside.
8
Load Ribbon
Ribbon Take-up Core
Ribbon Take-up Spindle
Ribbon Leader
Printhead
IMPORTANT
Never attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up spindle without a ribbon take-up core installed.
6. Attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle with tape.
7. Manually rotate the ribbon take-up spindle counterclockwise until the ribbon leader has passed the printhead.
9
Loading Ribbon And Roll Media

Load Roll Media

Media Cover
Media Hanger
Media Hanger Guide
IMPORTANT
10
If you are using direct thermal mode, clean the printhead, platen roller, and upper and lower media sensors every time you change the media. Refer to the
1. Slide the media hanger guide outward to the end of the media hanger (as shown).
User’s Manual
.
Load Roll Media
Side Wall
Media Roll
Media Hanger Guide
Media Hanger
2. Place the media roll onto the media hanger and slide the media roll until it is flush with the printer’s side wall.
NOTE: For information regarding smart labels, refer to the
Labeling Reference Manual
.
RFID
3. Slide the media hanger guide against the media roll to prevent horizontal travel.
11
Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
Printhead
Platen
(not shown)
CAUTION
12
Media Sensor
Assembly
4. Thread the media under the media damper, through the media
NOTE: If you have a standard peel, label or liner rewinder, refer to
NOTE: The alternate media path is for inside wound label media.
If the media width guide locking knob is too loose or is removed, the media width guide will fall off the printer.
5. Turn the media width guide locking knob counterclockwise just
6. Position the media width guide lightly against the outside edge
Media
Width Guide
Media Damper
Locking
Knob
Media
Alternate
Media Path
sensor assembly, and then between the platen and the printhead.
User’s Manual
the
for proper threading instructions.
enough to slide the media width guide, and no more.
of the installed media and tighten the locking knob by turning it clockwise.
Position the Gap
Sensor Indicator in
either of the grey
shaded areas.

Position The Media Sensor Assembly

Position The Media Sensor Assembly
Your printer is equipped with a media sensor assembly that detects the top-of-form position on media with label length indicators (gaps, notches, holes, or black marks). See page 14.
The media sensor should not be placed in the path of media features that could cause false gap detection or paper out faults. Such features are dark pre-printing, rounded die-cut label corners, vertical gaps associated with side-by-side labels, and extraneous cut-outs, as shown below.
Vertical Gap and Rounded Die-cut Label Corners
Extraneous
Cut-out
Dark Pre-printing
13
Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
Media
(left edge)
Media
Inside Media
Edge Guide
Media Sensor
Assembly
Mark Sensor
Indicator
(both sides)
Gap Sensor Indicator (both sides)
Media Sensor Handle
14
1. Align the left (inside) edge of the media with the inside media edge guide.
2. If the label has no special label length indicators, leave the media sensor assembly in the factory position.
Otherwise, use the media sensor handle to horizontally position the media sensor assembly so that the sensor indicators embossed on both of its sides are aligned with the label length indicators on the media.
Use the Mark Sensor Indicator for media with black marks and the Gap Sensor Indicator for media with gaps, notches, or holes.
Position The Media Sensor Assembly
Pivoting
Deck
Deck Lock
Lever
3. Rotate the deck lock lever fully clockwise to close the pivoting deck.
4. If you have an RFID encoder, you may need to adjust the coupler. (Refer to the
RFID Labeling Reference Manual
.)
5. Lower the media cover.
15

Controls And Indicators

Controls And Indicators

Power Switch

The power switch is located on the bottom front panel of the printer. To apply power, place the switch in the | (On) position. When you first power on the printer, a series of initialization messages appears on the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on the control panel.
To remove power, place the power switch in the O (Off) position.

Control Panel

The control panel is located on the front of the printer and includes an LCD, indicators, and control keys (buttons).
LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display)
NOTE: Press the Down and (Enter) keys at the same time to lock or unlock the
key.
Online Indicator
16
Pause Key
Up Key
Menu Key
Left Key
Down Key
Fault Indicator
Feed Key
Enter Key
Cancel Key
Right Key

Run A Barcode Demo Test

Before you send an actual print job, run a bar code demo test:
1. Set the printer power switch to | (On).
2. When ONLINE or OFFLINE displays on the printer’s LCD, press to enter Menu mode.
Control Panel
3. Press the Down and
4. Press the Right key until DIAGNOSTICS displays.
5. Press
6. Press the Right key until Barcode Demo displays.
7. Press
8. If desired, you can run additional printer tests, such as Grey,
9. If you encounter print quality problems, refer to “Printhead

Hidden Menus

By default, menu items for advanced users are hidden (they do not appear in the menu structure). To display these hidden menus, set Admin User to Enable (in the PRINTER SETUP menu).
keys at the same time until THE KEY
IS UNLOCKED displays.
to enter the DIAGNOSTICS menu. The Printer
Tests submenu is selected.
. The printer will go online, and the Barcode Demo test
pattern will start and print two bar codes.
Grid, and Checkerboard. See step 2 above to start other tests.
Adjustments” in the included with this book).
User’s Manual
(located on the CD-ROM

Run The Printer Setup Wizard

Run the Printer Setup Wizard (located on the CD-ROM) to install the printer drivers and to configure the printer.
17

Contact Information

Contact Information

Printronix Customer Support Center

IMPORTANT
Please have the following information available prior to calling the Printronix Customer Support Center:
Model number
Serial number (located on the back of the printer)
Installed options (i.e., interface and host type if applicable to the
problem)
Configuration printout (refer to the
User’s Manual
)
Is the problem with a new install or an existing printer?
Description of the problem (be specific)
Good and bad samples that clearly show the problem (faxing of
these samples may be required)
Americas (714) 368-2686
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (31) 24 6489 311
Asia Pacific (65) 6548 4114
http://www.printronix.com/support.aspx

Printronix Supplies Department

18
For optimal print quality and printhead life, always use Genuine Printronix Ribbons and Labels. Contact your local Printronix supplies reseller or contact Printronix at:
Americas (800) 733-1900
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (33) 1 46 25 1900
Asia Pacific (65) 6548 4116
or (65) 6548 4182
http://www.printronix.com/supplies-parts.aspx

Corporate Offices

Printronix, Inc. 14600 Myford Road P.O. Box 19559 Irvine, CA 92623-9559 Phone: (714) 368-2300 Fax: (714) 368-2600
Printronix, Inc. Nederland BV P.O. Box 163, Nieuweweg 283 NL-6600 Ad Wijchen The Netherlands Phone: (31) 24 6489489 Fax: (31) 24 6489499
Printronix Schweiz GmbH 42 Changi South Street 1 Changi South Industrial Estate Singapore 486763 Phone: (65) 6542 0110 Fax: (65) 6546 1588
Corporate Offices
Visit the Printronix web site at www.printronix.com

For More Information

This
Quick Setup Guide
printer. Refer to the included with this book) for more detailed information including:
Configuring the Printer
Interfaces
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Printer Options
Specifications
Glossary of Terms
provides information for the setup of your
User’s Manual
(located on the CD-ROM
19
Communication Notices
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Unauthorized changes or modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Any change or modification to this product voids the user’s authority to operate it per FCC Part 15 Subpart A Section 15.21 regulations.
This product contains an intentional radiator with the following parameters: Operating Frequency: 869.525 MHz (AWID 869), 910 to 914 MHz (AWID 910-914), or 902 to 928 MHz (AWID 915) Typical RF Power: 100 milliwatts Maximum RF Power: 700 milliwatts
Printronix SL4M and T4M
Tested To Comply With FCC Standards
Canada
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS 210.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This device has been designed to operate with the antennas listed below, and having a maximum gain of –12 dBi. Antennas not included in this list or having a gain greater than –12 dBi are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.
To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.
CE Notice (European Union)
Marking by the CE symbol indicates compliance of this Printronix system to the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive of the European Union. Such marking is indicative that this Printronix system meets the following technical standards:
EN 300 220-3 (2000), Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters; Short Range Devices;
Radio equipment to be used in the 25 MHz to 1000 MHz frequency range with power levels ranging up to 500 mW.
EN 55022 — “Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Interference Characteristics of Information
Technology Equipment.”
EN 55024 1998+A1: 2001 — “Electromagnetic compatibility—Generic immunity standard Part 1:
Residential, commercial, and light industry.”
EN 60950 — “Safety of Information Technology Equipment.”
This printer is a Class B product for use in a typical Class B residential and light industry environment.
CE Symbol
Declaration Of Conformity
Manufacturer: Printronix, Inc.
declares that the product:
Product Type: Information Technology Equipment, Printer
Equipment Class: Commercial and Light Industrial
Model Numbers: SL4M, T4M with optional suffixes
Configuration: serial, parallel, external LAN, Ethernet, Wireless Ethernet, RFID, USB
conforms to the following standards:
Safety: EN 60950-1: 2001, First Edition
EMC: ETSI EN 301 489-1
and complies with: The Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. The Radio & Telecommunication Terminal Equipment 1999/5/EC.
14600 Myford Rd. Irvine, CA 92623 U.S.A.
ETSI EN 301 489-3 ETSI EN300 220-3 V1.1.1 EN 55022: 1998 +A1 Class B EN 55024: 1998
EN 61000-4-2 EN 61000-4-3 EN 61000-4-4 EN 61000-4-5 EN 61000-4-6 EN 61000-4-8
EN 61000-4-11 EN 61000-3-2: 2000 EN 61000-3-3: 1995 +A1
Taiwa n
Lithium Battery Warning
If you have the optional real-time clock, then the controller board contains a lithium battery sealed inside the real-time clock chip. Do not disassemble the chip to replace the battery. Do not dispose of the chip by incineration. Failure to comply may cause the battery to explode. Contact your local waste agency for the correct disposal procedure.
Printronix makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Printronix shall not be held responsible for errors contained herein or any omissions from this material or for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential, in connection with the furnishing, distribution, performance or use of this material. The information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, translated or incorporated in any other material in any form or by any means, whether manual, graphic, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Printronix.
COPYRIGHT © 2006, 2007 PRINTRONIX, INC. All rights reserved.
Trademark Acknowledgements
Printronix is a registered trademark of Printronix, Inc.
SL4M and T4M are trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
*251675-001*
251675-001B
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