TSC TE200 series, TE300 series User Manual

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USER’S

MANUAL

TE200/TE300 Series

THERMAL TRANSFER/DIRECT THERMAL BAR CODE PRINTER

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CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation. CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed font is under license from the Monotype Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of TSC Auto ID Technology Co. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed written permission of TSC Auto ID Technology Co.

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iii

Agency Compliance and Approvals

EN 55032, Class A

EN 55024 EN 60950-1

This is a class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause

radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate

measures.

FCC part 15B, Class A

ICES-003, Class A

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 manufacturer’s instruction manual, may cause harmful interference with radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conform à la norme NMB-003 du

Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to

the following two conditions: (1) This device may cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired operation.

AS/NZS CISPR 32, Class A

UL 60950-1(2nd Edition) CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07(2nd Edition)

EN 60950-1

GB 4943.1

GB 9254, Class A GB 17625.1

此为 A 级产品，在生活环境中，该产品可能会造成无线电干扰，

在这种情况下，可能需要用户对干扰采取切实可行的措施。

Energy Star for Imaging Equipment Version 2.0

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TP TC 004/2011 TP TC 020/2011

IS 13252(Part 1)/ IEC 60950-1 R-41055980

KN 32 KN 35

Important safety instructions:

1. Read all of these instructions and keep them for later use.

2. Follow all warnings and instructions on the product.

3. Disconnect the power plug from the AC outlet before cleaning or if fault happened. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Using a damp cloth is suitable for cleaning.

4. The mains socket shall be installed near the equipment and easily access ibl e.

5. The unit must be protected against moisture.

6. Ensure the stability when installing the device, Tipping or dropping could cause damage.

7. Make sure to follow the correct power rating and power type indicated on marking label provided by manufacture.

8. Please refer to user manual for maximum operation ambient temperature.

WARNING:

Hazardous moving parts, keep fingers and other body parts away.

CAUTION:

(For equipment with RTC (CR2032) battery or rechargeable battery pack)

Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type.

Dispose of used batteries according to the Instructions as below.

1. DO NOT throw the battery in fire.

2. DO NOT short circuit the contacts.

3. DO NOT disassemble the battery.

4. DO NOT throw the battery in municipal waste.

5. The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the ba ttery should not be

placed in municipal waste.

Caution: The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the

printhead to cool.

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Contents

1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................1

1.1 Product Introduction ..................................................................................... 1

1.2 Product Features ........................................................................................... 2

1.2.1 Printer Standard Features .................................................................. 2

1.2.2 Printer Optional Features ................................................................... 3

1.3 General Specifications .................................................................................. 4

1.4 Print Specifications ........................................................................................4

1.5 Ribbon Specifications ....................................................................................4

1.6 Media Specifications ......................................................................................5

2. Operations Overview ...........................................................................................6

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection ............................................................................ 6

2.2 Printer Overview ............................................................................................ 7

2.2.1 Front View ............................................................................................ 7

2.2.2 Interior View ........................................................................................ 8

2.2.3 Rear View ............................................................................................. 9

3. Setup ................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Setting up the Printer .................................................................................. 10

3.2 Loading the Ribbon ..................................................................................... 11

3.3 Loading the Media ....................................................................................... 14

3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels .................................................................... 14

3.3.2 External Label Roll Mount Installation (Option) .............................. 17

4. LED and Button Functions ............................................................................... 18

4.1 LED Indicator ............................................................................................... 19

4.2 Regular Button Functions ........................................................................... 19

4.3 Power-on Utilities ........................................................................................ 19

4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration ................................................. 20

4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode.................. 21

4.3.3 Printer Initialization ........................................................................... 24

4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Black

Mark Sensor ................................................................................................... 25

4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor .. 25

4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS ................................................................................. 26

5. Diagnostic Tool .................................................................................................. 27

5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool ............................................................................ 27

5.2 Printer Function ........................................................................................... 28

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5.3 Calibrating Media Sensor by Diagnostic Tool ............................................ 29

5.3.1 Auto Calibration ................................................................................ 29

6. Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 30

6.1 Common Problems ...................................................................................... 30

7. Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 31

Revise History ........................................................................................................ 32

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1. Introduction

1.1 Product Introduction

Thank you very much for purchasing TSC bar code printer.

The TE200/TE300 series printer features the single motor that is capable of handling a large capacity of 300 meters ribbon and large rolls of media inside its sleek design. If the 5” interior label capacity is not enough, simply add an external media roll mount and the TE200/TE300 series can easily handle 8” OD rolls of labels designed for expensive industrial label printers.

The movable black mark sensor design can accept a wide range of label media. All of the most frequently used bar code formats are included. Fonts and ba r codes can be printed i n any one o f the four directions.

The TE200/TE300 series printer is built-in the high quality, high-performance MONOTYPE IMAGING

True Type font engine and one CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed smooth font. With flexible firmware design, user can also download the True Type Font from PC into printer memory for printing labels. Besides the scalable font, it also provides a choice of eight different sizes of the alphanumeric bitmap font. By integrating rich features, it is the most cost-effective and high-performance printer in its class!

To print label formats, please refer to the instructions provi ded with your labeling software; if you need to write the custom programs, please refer to the TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual that can be found on TSC website at http://www.tscprinters.com.

• Applications o Manufacturing & Warehousing

 Work i n Progres s  Item Labels  Instruction labels  Agency labels

o Healthcare

 Patient Identification  Pharmacy  Specimen Identification

o Parcel Post

 Shipping/ Receiving

Labels

o Small Office/ Home Office o Retail Marking

 Price tags  Shelf labels  Jewelry tags

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1.2 Product Features

1.2.1 Printer Standard Features

The prin ter offers the following standard features.

Product standard feature

TE200

(203 dpi

model)

TE300

(300 dpi

model)

Thermal transfer printing

○ ○

Direct thermal printing

○ ○

Plastic

○ ○

Gap sensor

○ ○

Reflective, full-range moveable black mark sensor

○ ○

Ribbon sensor

○ ○

Head open sensor

○ ○

USB 2.0 (hi-speed) interface

○ ○

16 MB DRAM memory

○ ○

8 MB Flash memory

○ ○

SD card reader (R

eserve a PIN connector for updating

firmware by card when maintenance.)

- -

One button for feed and pause

○ ○

One LED indicator for 3 colors

○ ○

Standard industry emulations right out of the box including Eltron® and Zebra® language support

○ ○

Internal 8 alpha-numeric bitmap fonts

○ ○

Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four directions (0, 90,180, 270 degrees)

○ ○

Internal Monotype Imaging® true type font engine with one CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed scalable font

○ ○

Downloadable fonts from PC to printer memory

○ ○

Downloadable firmware upgrades

○ ○

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Text, bar code, graphics/image printing (Please refer to the

TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual for supporting code page)

Supported bar code

Supported image

1D bar code

2D bar code

BITMAP, BMP, PCX (Max. 256 colors graphics)

Code128UCC,

Code128 subsets

A、B、

C, EAN128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5

with check digit,

Code39, Code39 with check digit, Code93, EAN13, EAN8, UPCA,

UPCE, EAN and

UPC 2 (5) digits

add-

on, Codabar, Postnet, MSI, MSI with check digit, PLESSEY, China

post, ITF14,

Code11, TELEPEN,

TELEPENN,

PLANET, Code49, Deutsche Post

Identcode, Deutsche Post Leitcode, LOGMARS

GS1 DataBar, GS1 DataMatrix, Maxicode, AZTEC, PDF417, QR Code, Micro PDF 417

○ ○

1.2.2 Printer Optional Features

The printer offers the following optional features.

Product option feature

User

options

Dealer

options

Factory options

Extended plate for external roll mount assembly with 3” core label spindle (8.4 OD)

○

- -

Internal Bluetooth v4.0 - -

○

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1.3 General Specifications

General Specifications

Physical dimensions

204 mm (W) x 164 mm (H) x 280 mm (L)

Weight 2.4 kg Electrical External universal switching power supply

Input: AC 100-240V, 2A, 50-60 Hz Output: DC 24V, 2.5A, 60W, LPS

Environmental condition Operation: 5 ~ 40˚C (41 ~ 104˚F), 25~85% non-condensing

Storage: -40 ~ 60 ˚C (-40 ~ 140˚F), 10~90% non-condensing

1.4 Print Specifications

Print Specifications TE200 (203 dpi model) TE300 (300 dpi model)

Print head resolution 203 dots/inch (8 dots/mm) 300 dots/inch (12 dots/mm) Printing method Thermal transfer and direct thermal Dot size (width x length)

0.125 x 0.125 mm (1 mm = 8 dots)

0.084 x 0.084 mm

(1 mm = 11.8 dots) Print speed (inches per second)

Up to 6 ips Up to 5 ips

Print speed for peel mode & cutter mode

N/A

Max. print width 108 mm (4.25”) 105.6 mm (4.16”) Max. print length 2,794 mm (110”) 1,016 mm (40”)

1.5 Ribbon Specifications

Ribbon Specifications

Ribbon outside diameter 1” core: Max. 67mm

0.5” core: Max. 40mm

Ribbon length 1” inner core: 300 meters

0.5” inner core: 110 meters Ribbon core inside diameter 0.5 and 1 inch Ribbon width 40 ~ 110 mm (with 110 mm paper core and notches on

both sides)

Ribbon wound type Outside wound

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1.6 Media Specifications

Media Specifications

TE200

(203 dpi model)

TE300

(300 dpi model)

Label roll capacity 5” OD, 75m Media type

Continuous, die-cut, black mark, fan-fold, notch

Media wound type Outside wound Media width 20mm ~ Max. 112 mm Media thickness 0.06 mm (2.36 mil) ~ 0.19 mm (7.48 mil) Media core diameter 1” (25.4 mm) & 1.5” (38 mm) ID core Tear mode 50 mm ~ Max. print length

Note: Media can be torn at the same direction. Label length 10 mm ~ Max. printing length Label length (peeler mode) N/A Label length (cutter mode) N/A Gap height Min. 2 mm (0.09”) Black mark height Min. 2 mm (0.09”) Black mark width Min. 8 mm (0.31”)

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2. Operations Overview

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection

This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.

Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.

 One printer unit  One quick installation guide  One power cord  One external universal switching power supply  One USB interface cable  A pair of 1” Ribbon spindles for 300M ribbon  One 1’’ ribbon paper core  One label spindle with two wings and two 1.5” adapters

If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor.

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2.2 Printer Overview

2.2.1 Front View

1. LED indicator

2. Feed/Pause button

3. Top cover open tab

4. Paper exit chute

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2.2.2 Interior View

Printer top cover

Media supply spindle

Ribbon supply spindle

Platen roller

Ribbon supply hub

10.

Black mark sensor/Gap sensor (receiver)

Ribbon rewind hub

11.

Gap sensor (transmitter)

Ribbon rewind spindle

12.

Media guide

Print head release button

13.

Media guide hub

Fixing tab

14.

Print head

WARNING

HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS

KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER

BODY PARTS AWAY

OPEN

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2.2.3 Rear View

1. Power switch

2. Power jack socket

3. USB interface (USB 2.0/Full speed mode)

Note: The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for

the interfaces availability.

1 2

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3. Setup

3.1 Setting up the Printer

Place the printer on a flat, secure surface, then follow the steps below:

1. Plug the power cord into the AC power cord socket at the rear of the printer. Then, plug the other side into a properly grounded power outlet.

2. Connect the printer to the computer with the provided USB cable.

3. Push the power switch on “-

” side to open the

power of printer.

4. If you would like to watch printer installation videos, please scan the QR code on the

right

side for more information.

Note: * Please switch OFF printer power switch prior to plugging in the power cord to printer power jack.

* The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for the interfaces

availability.

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3.2 Loading the Ribbon

1. Open the printer top cover by pressing the top cover open tabs located on each side of the printer.

2. Insert the paper core to the ribbon rewind spindle.

Note: Please follow the direction

when installing the ribbon rewind spindle.

3. Insert the right side of ribbon rewind spindle to ribbon rewind hub first. Then, insert the left side to the hole at the left side of ribbon mechanism.

Note:

It can also be substituted by 0.5 or 1 inch paper roll with notches on both sides. Please insert it at the ribbon rewind hub directly.

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4. Push the print head release button to open the print head mechanism.

5. Insert the ribbon to the ribbon spindle.

Note: The ribbon spindle can be substituted by insert the ribbon with notches on both sides to the ribbon mechanism directly.

6. Insert the right side of ribbon supply spindle to the ribbon supply hub first. Then, insert the left side of ribbon supply spindle to the hole at the left side of ribbon mechanism.

OPEN

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7. Pull the leader of the ribbon through the print head and stick the leader of the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind paper core.

8. Turn the ribbon rewind hub until the ribbon plastic leader is thoroughly wound and the black section of the ribbon covers the print head.

9. Close the print head mechanism with both hands and make sure the latches are engaged securely.

 Ribbon loading path

Note: Please refer to printer installation videos at TSC YouTube.

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3.3 Loading the Media

3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels

1. Open the printer top cover by pressing the top cover open tabs located on each side of the printer.

2. Insert the paper roll into the media supply spindle and use two fixing tabs to fix the paper roll onto the center of the spindle. (If your paper width is 4”, you can remove th e 1.5” adapters on both side of the media supply spindle.)

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3. Place the paper roll onto the paper roll mount.

4. Push the print head release button to open the print head mechanism.

Note: The black mark sensor position is moveable and the gap sensor is fixed. Please make sure the gap or black mark is at the location where media gap/black mark will pass through for sensing.

5. Feed the paper, printing side face up, through the media bar, media sensor and place the label leading edge onto the platen roller. Move the media guides to fit the label width.

Platen roller

Black mark

sensor/ Gap sensor

(emitter)

Gap sensor (transmitter)

Media spindle with two 1.5” adapters

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6. Close the print head mechanism with both hands and make su re the latches are engag ed securely.

7. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. (Start the “Diagnostic tool”  Select the “Printer Configuration” tab  Click the “Calibrate Sensor” button ) Please refer to section 5.3.

Note: * Please calibrate the gap/ black mark sensor when changing media.

* Please refer to videos at TSC YouTube.



Media Loading path

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3.3.2 External Label Roll Mount Installation (Option)

1. Attach the extended plate on the

bottom of the printer.

2. Insert a 3” (or 1”) label spindle into a paper roll. Then, install it on the external paper roll mount.

3. Feed the media through the rear external label entrance chute.

1” label spindle

3” label spindle

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4. Refer to chapter 3.3.1 to install the label. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor.

Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.

4. LED and Button Functions

This printer has one button and one three-color LED indicator. By indicating the LED with different color and pressing the button, printer can feed labels, pause the printing job, select and calibrate the media sensor, print printer self-test report, reset printer to defaults (initialization). Please refer to the button operation below for different functions.

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4.1 LED Indicator

LED Color Description

Green/Solid

This illuminates that the power is on and the device is ready to use.

Green/Flash This illuminates that the system

is downloading data from PC to

memory or the printer is paused.

Amber This illuminates that the system is clearing data from printer.

Red/Solid This illuminates printer head open, cutter error.

Red/Flash

This illuminates a printing error, such as head open, paper empty, paper jam, ribbon empty, or memory error etc.

4.2 Regular Button Functions

1. Feed labels

When the printer is at ready states (Green/Solid), pr ess the button to feed one label to the beginning of next.

2. Pause the printing job

When the printer is at printing states, press the button to pause a print job. When the printer is paused the LED will be green blinking. Press the button again to continue the printing job.

4.3 Power-on Utilities

There are six power-on utilities to set up and test printer hardware. These utilities are activated by pressing FEED button then turning on the printer power simultaneously and release the button at different color of LED.

Please follow the steps below for different power-on utilities.

1. Turn off the printer power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED indicates with different color for different functions.

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Power on utilities The LED color will be changed as following pattern:

LED color

Functions

Amber Red

(5 blinks)

Amber

(5 blinks)

Green

(5 blinks)

Green/Amber

(5 blinks)

Red/Amber

(5 blinks)

Solid green

1. Gap / black mark sensor calibration

Release

2. Gap / black mark sensor calibration, Self-test and enter dump mode

Release

3. Printer initialization

Release

4. Set black mark sensor as media sensor and calibrate the black mark sensor

Release

5. Set gap sensor

as media sensor and

calibrate the gap sensor

Release

6. Skip AUTO.BAS

Release

4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration

Gap/black mark sensor sensitivity should be calibrated at the following conditions:

1. A brand new printer

2. Change label stock

3. Printer initialization

Please follow the steps below to calibrate the ribbon and gap/black mark sensor.

1. Turn off the power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED becomes red and blinking. (Any red will do during the 5 bli nks).

 It will calibrate the ribbon sensor and gap/black mark sensor sensitivity.  The LED color will be changed as following order：

Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks)  red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

Note: Please select gap or black mark sensor by sending GAP or BLINE command to printer prior to calibrate the sensor. For more information about GAP and BLINE command, please refer to TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual.

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4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode

While calibrate the gap/black mark sensor, printer will measure the label length, print the internal configuration (self-test) on label and then enter the dump mode. To calibrate gap or

black mark sensor, depends on the sensor setting in the last print job.

Please follow the steps below to calibrate the sensor.

1. Turn off the power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED becomes amber and blinking. (Any amber will do during the 5 blinks)

 The LED color will be changed as following order.

Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks)  red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

4. It calibrates the sensor and measures the label length and prints internal settings then enter the dump mode.

Note: Please select gap or black mark sensor by Diagnostic Tool or by GAP or BLINE command prior to calibrate the sensor. For more information about GAP and BLINE command, please refer to TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual.

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 Self-test

Printer will print the printer configuration after gap/black mark sensor calibration. Self-test

printout can be used to check if there is any dot damage on the heater element, printer configurations and available memory space.

Self-test printout

Model name F/W version Firmware checksum Printer S/N TSC configuration file System date System time Printed mileage (meter) Cutting counter

Print speed (inch/sec) Print darkness Label size (inch) Gap distance (inch)

Gap/black mark sensor intension

Code page Country code

ZPL setting information Print darkness Print speed (inch/sec) Label size Control prefix Format prefix Delimiter prefix Printer power up motion Printer head close motion

Note: ZPL is emulating for Zebra

language.

RS232 serial port configuration

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Numbers of download files Total & available memory space

Print head check pattern

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 Dump mode

Printer will enter dump mode after printing printer configuration. In the dump mode, all characters will be printed in 2 columns as following. The left side characters are received from your system and right side data are the corresponding hexadecimal value of the characters. It allows users or engineers to verify and debug the program.

Note:

1. Dump mode requires 4” wide paper width.

2. Turn off / on the power to resume printer for normal printing.

4.3.3 Printer Initialization

Printer initialization is used to clear DRAM and restore printer settings to defaults. Printer initialization is activated by the following procedures.

1. Turn off the power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED turns green after 5 amber blinks. (Any green will do during the 5 blinks).

 The LED color will be changed as following:

Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks)  red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

ASCII Data

Hex decimal data related to left column of ASCII data

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Printer configuration will be restored to defaults as below after initialization.

Parameter Default setti ng

Speed 127 mm/sec (5 ips) (203DPI)

76 mm/sec (3 ips) (300DPI) Density 8 Label Width

4" (101.5 mm) Label Height

4" (101.5 mm) Sensor Type Gap sensor Gap Setting

0.12" (3.0 mm) Print Direction 0 Reference Point 0,0 (upper left corner) Offset 0 Tear Mode On Peel off Mode Off Cutter Mode Off Code Page 850 Country Code 001 Clear Flash Memory No

4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Black Mark Sensor

Please follow the steps as below.

1. Turn off the power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED turns green/amber after 5 green blinks. (Any green/amber will do during the 5 blinks).

 The LED color will be changed as following:

Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks)  red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor

Please follow the steps as below.

1. Turn off the power switch.

2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.

3. Release the button when LED turns red/amber after 5 green/amber blinks. (Any red/amber will do during the 5 blinks).

 The LED color will be changed as following:

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Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks) 

red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS

TSPL2 programming language allows user to download an auto execution file to flash memory. Printer will run the AUTO.BAS program immediately when turning on printer power. The AUTO.BAS program can be interrupted without running the program by the power-on utility.

Please follow the procedures below to skip an AUTO.BAS program.

1. Turn off printer power.

2. Press the FEED button and then turn on power.

3. Release the FEED button when LED becomes solid green.

 The LED color will be changed as following:

Amber  red (5 blinks)  amber (5 blinks)  green (5 blinks)  green/amber (5 blinks)  red/amber (5 blinks)  solid green

4. Printer will be interrupted to run the AUTO.BAS program.

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5. Diagnostic Tool

TSC’s Diagnostic Utility is an integrated tool incorporating features that enable you to explore a printer’s settings/status; change a printer’s settings; download graphics, fonts and firmware; create a printer bitmap font; and send additional commands to a printer. With the aid of this powerful tool, you can review printer status and settings in an instant, which makes it much easier to troubleshoot problems and other issues.

5.1 Start the Diagnostic To ol

1. Double click on the Diagnostic tool icon to start the software.

2. There are four features (Printer Configuration, File Manager, Bitmap Font Manager, Command Tool) included in the Diagnostic utility.

Features tab

Printer functions

Interface

Printer Status

Printer setup

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5.2 Printer Function

1. Select the PC interface connected with bar code printer.

The default interface setting is USB interface. If USB interface is connected with printer, no other settings need to be changed in the interface field.

2. Click the “Printer Function” button to setu p.

3. The detail functions in the Printer Function Group are listed as below.

Function Description

Calibrate Sensor

Calibrate the sensor specified in the Printer Setup group media sensor field

Ethernet Setup

Setup the IP address, subnet mask, gateway for the on board Ethernet

RTC Setup Synchronize printer Real Time Clock with PC Print Test Page Print a test page Reset Printer Reboot printer

Factory Default

Initialize the printer and restore the settings to factory default. (Please refer section 4.3.3)

Dump Text To activate the printer dump mode. Ignore AUTO.BAS Ignore the downloaded AUTO.BAS program

Configuration Page

Print printer configuration (Please refer section

4.3.2)

Password Setup Set the password to protect the settings

For more information about Diagnostic Tool, please refer to the diagnostic utility quick start

guide on TSC website.

1 2

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5.3 Calibrating Media Sensor by Diagnostic Tool

5.3.1 Auto Calibration

1. Make sure the media is already installed and print head mechanism is closed. (Please refer

to section 3.3.)

Gap sensor Black mark sensor

2. Turn on the printer power switch.

3. Open Diagnostic tool and set interface. (The default setting is USB.)

The default interface setting is USB interface. If USB interface is connected with printer, no other settings need to be changed in the interface field.

4. Click the “Calibrate Sensor” button.

5. Select the media type and click the “Calibrate” button.

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6. Troubleshooting

6.1 Common Problems

The following guide lists the most common problems that may be encountered when operating this bar code printer. If the printer still does not function after all suggested solutions have been invoked, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance.

Problem Possible Cause Recovery Procedure

Power indicator does not illuminate.

* The power cord is not

properly connected.

* Plug the power cord in printer and outlet. * Switch the printer on.

- The printer status from

DiagTool shows “Head Open”.

- The LED shows “Red

(blinking)”.

* The printer carriage is open. * Please close the print carriage.

- The printer status from

DiagTool shows “

Ribbon End

Err.” Or “Ribbon Encoder Err.”

- The LED shows “Red

(blinking)”.

* Running out of ribbon. * The ribbon is installed

incorrectly.

* Supply a new ribbon roll. * Please refer to the steps on section 3.2 to

re-install the ribbon.

- The printer status from

DiagTool shows “Out of Paper”.

- The LED shows “Red

(blinking)”.

* Running out of label. * The label is installed

incorrectly.

* Gap/black mark sensor is not

calibrated.

* Supply a new label roll. * Please refer to the steps on section 3.3 to

reinstall the label roll.

* Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor.

- The printer status from

DiagTool shows “Paper Jam”.

- The LED shows “Red

(blinking)”.

* Gap/black mark sensor is not

set properly.

* Make sure label size is set

properly.

* Labels may be stuck inside

the printer mechanism.

* Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor. * Set label size correctly.

Not Printing

* Cable is not

well connected to

serial or USB interface or parallel port.

* The serial port cable pin

configuration is not pin to pin connected.

* Re-connect cable to interface.

* Chang a new cable. * Ribbon and media are not compatible. * Verify the ribbon-inked side. * Reload the ribbon again. * Clean the print head. * The print density setting is incorrect. * Print head’s harness connector is not well

connected with printheat. Turn off the printer and plug the connector again.

* Check

your program if there is a command

PRINT at the end o

f the file and there must

have CRLF at the end of each command

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line.

Memory full

( FLASH / DRAM )

* The space of FLASH/DRAM

is full.

* Delete unused files in the FLASH/DRAM.

Poor Print Quality

* Ribbon and media is loaded

incorrectly

* Dust or adhesive

accumulation on the print head.

* Print density is not set

properly.

* Printhead element is

damaged.

* Ribbon and media are

incompatible.

* The printhead pressure

is not

set properly.

* Reload the supply.

* Clean the print head. * Clean the platen roller. * Adjust the print density and print speed. * Run printer self-test and check the print

head test pattern if there is dot missing in the pattern.

* Change proper ribbon or proper label

media.

* The print head mechanism does not latch

the print head properly.

Skip labels when printing

* Label size is not specified

properly.

* Sensor sensitivity is not set

properly.

* The media sensor is covered

with dust.

* Check if label size is setup correctly. * Calibrate the sensor by Auto Gap or

Manual Gap options.

* Clear the GAP/Black mark sensor by

blower.

The printing position of small

label is incorrect

Media sensor sensitivity is not

set properly. * Label size is incorrect. * The vertical offset setting in

the driver is incorrect.

* Calibrate the sensor sensitivity again.

* Set the correct label size and gap size. *

If using the software BarTender, please set

the vertical offset in the driver.

Missing printing on

the left or

right side of label

* Wrong label size setup. * Set the correct label size.

Wrinkle problem

* Ribbon installation is

incorrect. * Media installation is incorrect. * Print density is incorrect.

* Media feeding is incorrect.

* Please set the suitable density to have

good print quality.

Make sure the label guid e touch the edge

of the media guide.

Gray line on the blank label

* The print head is dirty. * The platen roller is dirty.

* Clean the print head. * Clean the platen roller.

Irregular printing

* The printer is in Hex Dump

mode.

* Turn off and on the printer to skip the

dump mode.

7. Maintenance

Page 38

This session presents the clean tools and methods to maintain your printer.

1. Please use one of following material to clean the printer.

 Cotton swab  Lint-free cloth  Vacuum / Blower brush  100% ethanol

2. The cleaning process is described as following,

Printer Part Method Interval

Print Head

1. Always turn off the printer before

cleaning the print head.

2. Allow the print head to cool for a minimum of one minute.

3. Use a cotton swab and 100% ethanol to clean the print head

surface.

Clean the print head when changing a new

label roll.

Platen Roller

1. Turn the power off.

2. Rotate the platen roller and wipe

thoroughly with 100% ethanol and

a cotton swab, or lint-free cloth.

Clean the platen roller when changing a

new label roll.

Tear Bar/Peel Bar

Use the lint-free cloth with 100% ethanol to wipe it.

As needed

Sensor

Compressed air or vacuum Monthly

Exterior

Wipe i t with water-dampened cloth

As needed

Interior

Brush or vacuum As needed

Note:

 Do not touch printer head by hand. If you touch it careless, please use ethanol to clean it.  Please use 100% Ethenol. DO NOT use medical alcohol, which may damage the printer head.  Regularly clean the print head and supply sensors once change a new ribbon to keep printer

performance and extend printer life.

Revise History

Page 39

Date Content Editor

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Corporate Headquarters Li Ze Plant

9F., No.95, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist., No.35, Sec. 2, Ligong 1st Rd., Wujie Township, New Taipei City 23141, Tai wan (R.O.C.) Yilan County 26841, Taiwan (R.O.C.) TEL: +886-2-2218-6789 TEL: +886-3-990-6677 FAX: +886-2-2218-5678 FAX: +886-3-990-5577 Web site: www .tscp r inters.com E-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.