Rev E Removed reference to a non-existent Operator‘s Guide June 2005
Rev F Various updates and improvements June 2005
Rev G Added Las Vegas address Nov 2005
Rev H Added Periodic status back. Sept 2007
Rev J Pg 27, Replaced Cash Drawer Pin Assignment table Nov 2010
Rev K Page 4 Warranty 36 months was 24. Apr 2011
Federal Communications Commission Radio
Frequency Interference Statement
The iTherm® 280 Printer complies with the limits for a Class A computing device in
accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of FCC rules. These regulations are
designed to minimize radio frequency interference during installation; however, there is
no guarantee that radio or television interference will not occur during any particular
installation. Interference can be determined by turning the equipment off and on while
the radio or television is on. If the printer causes interference to radio or television
reception, try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient the radio or television receiving antenna
2. Relocate the printer with respect to the receiver
3. Plug the printer and receiver into different circuits
If necessary, the user should consult their dealer or an experienced radio/television
technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared
by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: How to Identify and Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the US Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Ask for stock number 004-000-00345-4.
Canadian Department of Communications Radio
Interference Statement
The iTherm® 280 Printer does not exceed Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Regulatory Compliance
FCC Class A
ULc
CE Mark
UL 1950
TUV
28-04430 Rev K Page i
Disclaimer
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT:
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of
TransAct Technologies, Inc. ("TransAct"). This document is the property of and contains
information that is both confidential and proprietary to TransAct. Recipient shall not
disclose any portion of this document to any third party.
TRANSACT DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES INCURRED,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR
DISCREPANCIES IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
TransAct cannot guarantee that changes in software and equipment made by other
manufacturers, and referred to in this publication, do not affect the applicability of
information in this publication.
Some of the product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only
and may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
BANKjet, 50Plus, Insta-Load, Ithaca, "Made to Order. Built to Last", Magnetec, PcOS,
POSjet, PowerPocket, iTherm and TransAct are registered trademarks and Epic 950,
Flex-Zone, imPort, ithaColor, KITCHENjet, Momentum, QDT and TicketBurst are
trademarks of TransAct Technologies, Inc.
Page ii Rev K
Table of Contents
Change History ................................................................................................................ i
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement ............ i
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Statement ........................ i
Regulatory Compliance .................................................................................................... i
Disclaimer ....................................................................................................................... ii
Copyright ......................................................................................................................... ii
Trademarks ..................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ................................ ........................................................................... iii
Figures .......................................................................................................................... viii
Tables ........................................................................................................................... viii
Introducing your iTherm® 280 Printer ................... 1
About your iTherm® 280 Printer ....................................................................................... 3
Who Should Read This Guide? ....................................................................................... 4
What Is Included in This Guide? ...................................................................................... 4
Table 57 Paper Ordering Information .......................................................................... 299
Table 58 Cables Ordering Information ......................................................................... 299
28-04430 Rev K Page ix
Page x Rev K
chapter1
Introducing your iTherm® 280 Printer
28-04430 Rev K Page 1
Page 2 Rev K
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
About your iTherm® 280 Printer
The Ithaca iTherm® 280 printer represents the very latest technology for use for thermal
receipt printing for point-of-sale and retail environments. It builds upon the architecture of
Ithaca‘s proven thermal printers, together with a host of features specifically designed to
improve the performance of your receipt-printing applications, including:
Crisp, clear receipt printing in either one or two colors
Fast 12 inches per second print speed
Rugged spill-resistant cover
Large 4-inch paper roll capacity with drop-in loading
Protected internal power supply
Ethernet and USB interfaces
Wireless option for reduced cable clutter
Application-controllable buzzer
Configurable cash drawer functionality
The iTherm® 280 also offers a wide range of programmable features, including color and
font control, APA graphics support, bar codes, and support for over 60 language
character sets. These features let you quickly and easily integrate more layout and
printing options than ever – while giving you the reliability, durability and uptime you
have come to expect from Ithaca printers.
28-04430 Rev K Page 3
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Who Should Read This Guide?
This document provides information and programming specifications for operators who
will integrate the iTherm® 280 printer into their kitchen operations.
What Is Included in This Guide?
This Programmer‘s Guide includes information on the features and programming
interface of the iTherm® 280 printer. It provides the following information to support your
programming and implementation efforts:
Warranty and technical support information.
Specifications and functionality description.
Programming information, including documentation of low-level and high-level
command interfaces, as well as sample scripts to guide your own implementation
efforts.
We want you to have a trouble-free implementation with your Ithaca printer. For any
issues not covered in this guide, quality technical support is available on-line at
www.transact-tech.com, or by telephone at (607) 257-8901 or (877) 7-ITHACA.
Consult the following pages for more details about our support services.
Warranty Options
All iTherm® 280 printers now come with a standard 36-month warranty covering both
parts and labor that starts upon shipment from the factory. An optional extended
warranty, covering both parts and labor for an additional 12 months, may be purchased
separately. For more information concerning the warranty options, please contact the
Sales Department at TransAct‘s Ithaca facility. You are responsible for insuring any
product returned for service, and you assume the risk of loss during shipment to Ithaca.
C.O.D. packages are not accepted and warranty repairs are subject to the terms and
conditions as stated on the Ithaca warranty policy.
Page 4 Rev K
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Technical and Sales support
Your Ithaca printer is backed by the resources of TransAct Technologies, a global
technology firm with dedicated technical support and sales assistance. Here is how we
can help you:
On-line Technical Support
Our web site at www.transact-tech.com is your on-line portal to obtaining technical
assistance with your Ithaca printer. Click on Ithaca link and then the Technical Support
link to find documentation for your iTherm® 280 printer, including a current copy of this
Programmer‘s Guide featuring:
o Command codes and descriptions.
o Character fonts.
o Printer features.
o Communication specifics.
Other utilities available include a font utility, a color converter and a terminal application
for communicating with your printer, as well as the following drivers and utilities:
Windows 95/98/Me Print Driver with Documentation Part No. 100-9167
Windows NT 4.0 2K and XP Print Driver with Documentation Part No. 100-9170
OPOS Drivers with Documentation Part No. 100-9732
Master Character Set Definitions Part No. 100-9785
Our on-line support site also includes a convenient e-mail assistance request form,
where you can submit support requests 24 hours a day, and receive a return contact
from a TransAct support technician during regular business hours.
Telephone Technical Support
Live telephone support is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern
US time, excluding holidays. We can provide general information about programming for
your iTherm® 280 printer, technical support, documentation, or assistance in sending a
printer for service. To obtain telephone support, call TransAct's Ithaca Facility at (607)
257-8901 and ask for Technical Support. To help us serve you faster, please have the
following information ready when you call:
The Model Number and Serial Number of the printer.
A list of any other peripheral devices attached to the same port as the printer.
What application software, operating system, and network (if any) you are using.
What happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred.
How you tried to solve the problem.
28-04430 Rev K Page 5
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Return Materials Authorization and Return Policies
If the technical support person determines that the printer should be serviced at our
facility, and you want to return the printer for repair, we will issue you the Returned
Materials Authorization (RMA) number that is required before returning the printer.
Repairs are warranted for 90 days from the date of repair or for the balance of the
original warranty period, whichever is greater. Please prepare the printer being returned
for repair as follows:
Pack the printer to be returned in the original packing material.
Packing material may be purchased from TransAct's Ithaca Facility.
Do not return any accessories unless asked to do so by a support technician.
Write the RMA number clearly on the outside of the box.
Service Programs
TransAct Technologies Incorporated has a full service organization to meet your printer
service and repair requirements. If your printer needs service, please contact your
service provider first. If any problems still persist, you can directly contact the Ithaca
facility‘s Technical Support Department at (607) 257-8901 or (877) 7ithaca for a return
authorization. International customers should contact your distributor for services.
TransAct offers the following service programs to meet your needs.
To order supplies, receive information about other Ithaca products, or obtain information
about your warranty, contact our Sales Department at the contact telephone or fax
numbers listed below. To receive information on International distribution, visit our web
site at www.transact-tech.com.
Page 6 Rev K
About Your iTherm® 280 Printer iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Contact Information
TransAct Technologies Incorporated
Ithaca Facility
20 Bomax Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
TransAct Technologies
World Gaming Headquarters
& Western Regional Repair Center
6700 Paradise Road
Suite D
Las Vegas, NV 89119 USA
Telephone (877) 7-ITHACA or (607) 257-8901
Main fax (607) 257-8922
Sales fax (607) 257-3868
Technical Support fax (607) 257-3911
Web site www.transact-tech.com
28-04430 Rev K Page 7
chapter2
iTherm® 280 Specifications and Requirements
28-04430 Rev K Page 9
Page 10 Rev K
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
iTherm® 280 Specifications and Requirements
iTherm® 280 Thermal Printer Models
iTherm® 280-P: parallel interface printer
iTherm® 280-S: serial interface printer
iTherm® 280-USB: USB interface printer
Standard Features
The following features are common to the entire family of thermal printers:
Print Speed for text is 8 inches per second (200 mm/sec) (monochrome)
8.0 inches per second paper feed speed
3.15 inch (80 mm.) print zone
44/57 characters per line
Built-in self-ranging External Power supply
Clam-shell paper loading
Single RJ11 cash drawer driver with status (Single RJ12)
Parallel (25 or 36 pin), serial (9 or 25 pin) RS232C, and USB interface
Configurable receiver buffer
Self diagnostics
Set up and configuration utility program
28-04430 Rev K Page 11
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
CPI selections from 8 to 30 CPI1
Paper Out sensor
Multiple printer emulations: Ithaca M80/M80+, Ithaca M50/M151 Micro-line,
Epson Extended, Epson TM-T88II/III, TM-T90, U200, U300, Axiohm
A793/4/5, Citizen and Star
Maximum 8K buffer (adjustable)
2 Megabytes Flash Memory
2 Megabytes RAM
APA and Epson graphics
Bar Codes: Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPC-
E, EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-14, PDF417 stacked symbology and Codabar
65 Language sets (including Euro symbol)
Metal receipt tear off
8 dots/mm. thermal print head resolution
ON/OFF button located on front of printer
Cable routing strain relief
Power/Error/Paper LEDs
Paper feed button
Cover open button
Settable cash drawer configurations (Ithaca, Epson, or Star)
Spill proof design- vertical main PCB mounting
58 mm. or 80 mm. paper width – factory-settable
4.0 inch (101 mm.) Paper roll diameter
Portrait/landscape printing under Windows
Page mode printing
Cover Open sensor
Electronic journal capability
Internal counters for hours on, cuts, print lines and errors
100 km print head life
60 million print line printer MCBF (excluding knife)
Strong break-away paper cover
1,000,000 cuts cutter life (partial cut)
Buzzer
2 color printing (4 inches per second print speed)
1
Character spacing is adjustable from 1 to 30 CPI. Typical values will be between 8 and 20 CPI
depending on the font selected. Values of 13.3, 14.86, or 17.3 are typical for each resident font.
2
CPI‘s greater than 16 will not be supported in NLQ fonts
Page 12 Rev K
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Optional Features
The following options are available on some of the models:
Vertical Wall Mount Kit
Adjustable paper low
Custom interfaces and emulations
DC powered version through Hosiden type connector
28-04430 Rev K Page 13
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Character Cell (H x W)
10 x 24 Font
(W x H)
13 x 24 Font
(W x H)
15 x 24 Font
(W x H)
Horizontal Width
10 Dots
0.0493 inches
13 Dots
0.0640 inches
15 Dots
0.0739 inches
Vertical Height
24 Dots
0.118 Inches
24 Dots
0.118 Inches
24 Dots
0.118 Inches
Character spacing in Characters per Inch (CPI)
Pitch at native cell size
20.30
15.62
13.5
5 dot Removed
40.60
25.38
20.30
4 dot Removed
33.83
22.56
18.45
3 dot Removed
29.00
20.30
16.92
2 dot Removed
25.38
18.45
15.62
1 dot Removed
22.56
16.92
14.50
0 dot added
20.30
15.62
13.53
1 dot added
18.45
14.50
12.69
2 dots added
16.92
13.53
11.94
3 dots added
15.62
12.69
11.28
4 dots added
14.50
11.94
10.68
5 dots added
13.53
11.28
10.15
6 dots added
12.69
10.68
9.67
General Specifications
Printing Specifications
Printing method: Thermal Sensitive Line Dot System
Vertical/Horizontal dot pitch: 0.125 mm.
Resolution: 8 dots per mm (203 DPI)
Line feed pitch: 3.2 mm. (.125 inches)
Print zone (maximum) 80 mm (3.15 inch)
Print speed (monochrome): 8 inches per second
Print Speed (two color): 4 inches per second
Number of print elements: 640 dots in-line
Character Pitch
The iTherm® 280 has 3 basic resident fonts, as well as downloadable fonts. The
smallest internal font is a 10 x 24 font and is typically printed in pitches from 16 to 20
characters per inch (CPI). The next larger font is 13 x 24, and is typically printed in
pitches from 14 to 16 CPI. The largest font is 15 x 24 and is typically printed in pitches
from 10 to 14 CPI.
The printer always prints at 203 dots per inch (dpi). Adding or subtracting space between
characters achieves different character pitches. As each dot has a fixed size and
position, only specific pitches are possible. The following table defines the fonts and
pitches possible with each.
NOTE: Shaded Pitches are not recommended.
Table 1 Possible Character Pitches
Page 14 Rev K
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Requested CPI
Character
Width
Resulting CPI
Requested CPI
Character
Width
Resulting CPI
1
203
1.00
16
12
16.92
2
101
2.01
17
12
18.45
3
67
3.03
18
11
18.45
4
50
4.06
19
10
20.30
5
40
5.08
20
10
20.30
6
33
6.15
21 9 22.56
7
29
7.00
22 9 22.56
8
25
8.12
23 8 25.38
9
22
9.23
24 8 25.38
10
20
10.15
25 8 25.38
11
18
11.28
26 7 29.00
12
16
12.69
27 7 29.00
13
15
13.53
28 7 29.00
14
14
14.50
29 7 29.00
15
13
15.62
30 6 33.83
Requested CPI
Character
Width
Resulting CPI
Requested CPI
Character
Width
Resulting CPI
1
203
1.00
16
12
16.92
2
101
2.01
17
12
18.45
3
67
3.03
18
11
18.45
4
50
4.06
19
10
20.30
5
40
5.08
20
10
20.30
6
33
6.15
21 9 22.56
7
29
7.00
22 9 22.56
8
25
8.12
23 8 25.38
9
22
9.23
24 8 25.38
10
20
10.15
25 8 25.38
11
18
11.28
26 7 29.00
12
16
12.69
27 7 29.00
13
15
13.53
28 7 29.00
14
14
14.50
29 7 29.00
15
13
15.62
30 6 33.83
NOTE: Shaded Pitches are not recommended.
Table 2 Requested CPI and Resulting CPI
Character Generation
Standard Print
There are three resident fonts in the printer: Small, Medium, and Large. The cell size for
each is different.
NOTE: Shaded Pitches are not recommended.
Table 3 Cell Size for Small, Medium and Large Fonts
28-04430 Rev K Page 15
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
Small 10 x 24 Font
The 10 x 24 small font is defined in a 10 x 24 cell. The characters are typically 22 dots
high and 8 dots wide; however to provide readable international characters, some
characters are wider. In most cases this font can be printed at 22.5 CPI without having
the characters touch. This font is recommended for printing from 16 to 20 CPI.
.
The 13 x 24 medium font is defined in a 13 x 24 cell. The characters are typically 22 dots
high and 11 dots wide; however to provide readable international characters, some
characters are wider. In most cases this font can be printed at 16.9 CPI without having
the characters touch. This font is recommended for printing from 14 to 16 CPI.
01 ....000......
02 ....000......
03 ....000......
04 ...00.00.....
05 ...00.00.....
06 ...00.00.....
07 ...00.00.....
08 ..00...00....
09 ..00...00....
10 ..00...00....
11 ..00...00....
12 .00.....00...
13 .00.....00...
14 .00.....00...
15 .000000000...
16 .000000000...
17 00.......00..
18 00.......00..
19 00.......00..
20 00.......00..
21 00.......00..
22 00.......00..
23 .............
24 .............
Large 15x 24 Font
The 15 x 24 medium font is defined in a 15 x 24 cell. The characters are typically 22
dots high and 14 dots wide; however to provide readable international characters, some
characters are wider. In most cases this font can be printed at 13.5 CPI without having
the characters touch. This font is recommended for printing from 10 to 14 CPI. This font
is only available in the Ithaca emulation, and provides a bigger and darker character for
better readability.
Page 16 Rev K
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide
01 .....0000......
02 ....000000.....
03 ....000000.....
04 ...000..000....
05 ...000..000....
06 ...000..000....
07 ...000..000....
08 ..000....000...
09 ..000....000...
10 ..000....000...
11 ..000....000...
12 .000......000..
13 .000......000..
14 .000......000..
15 .000000000000..
16 .000000000000..
17 000........000.
18 000........000.
19 000........000.
20 000........000.
21 000........000.
22 000........000.
23 ...............
24 ...............
Rotated Print
To provide printing flexibility, rotated print is available. Rotated print mode will rotate the
print in any of three 90 orientations. The individual characters can be rotated, or a
printer buffered mode is available. In printer buffered 90° and 270° rotated mode, the
print data is first buffered by the printer, processed (rotated), and then printed.
28-04430 Rev K Page 17
Specifications and Requirements iTherm® 280 Programmer’s Guide