TSC Auto ID Technology 0521302 User Manual

p

Al

ha-4L Series

Bar Code Printer

Direct Thermal Portable type

USER’S

MANUAL

WiFi +Bluetooth Version (For FCC)

Alpha-4L-W, PR40-W, GR40-W, 4400-W, TSC-40-W, CN-40W, BP-40W
Alpha-4L-D-W, PR40-D-W, GR40-D-W, 4400-D-W, TSC-40-D-W, CN-40LW, BP-40LW, Alpha-4L-W-R,
PR40-W-R, GR40-W-R, 4400-W-R, TSC-40-W-R
Alpha-4L-D-W-R, PR40-D-W-R, GR40-D-W-R, 4400-D-W-R, TSC-40-D-W-R

WiFi +Bluetooth Version (For IC)

Alpha-4L-D-W-R, PR40-D-W-R, GR40-D-W-R, 4400-D-W-R, TSC-40-D-W-R

Bluetooth Version (For FCC)

Alpha-4L, PR40, GR40, 4400, TSC-40, CN-40, BP-40, Alpha-4L-D,PR40-D, GR40-D, 4400-D, TSC-40-D,
CN-40L, BP-40L,Alpha-4L-R, PR40-R, GR40-R, 4400-R, TSC-40-R, CN-40B, BP-40B, Alpha-4L-D-R,
PR40-D-R, GR40-D-R, 4400-D-R, TSC-40-D-R, CN-40LB, BP-40LB

Bluetooth Version (For IC)

Alpha-4L-D-R, PR40-D-R, GR40-D-R, 4400-D-R, TSC-40-D-R



Copyright Information

©2012 TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd,
The copyright in this manual, the software and firmware in the printer described

therein are owned by TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd, All rights reserved.

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.

Agency Compliance and Approvals

Wichtige Sicherheits-Hinweise

1. Bitte lesen Sie diese Hinweis sorgfältig durch.

2. Heben Sie diese Anleitung fűr den späteren Gebrauch auf.

3. Vor jedem Reinigen ist das Gerät vom Stromentz zu trennen. Verwenden Sie keine Flüssig-oder
Aerosolreiniger. Am besten eignet sich ein angefeuchtetes Tuch zur Reinigung.

4. Die Netzanschluß-Steckdose soll nahe dem Gerät angebracht und leicht zugänglich sein.

5. Das Gerät ist vor Feuchtigkeit zu schűtzen.

6. Bei der Aufstellung des Gerätes ist auf sicheren Stand zu achten. Ein Kippen oder Fallen könnte
Beschädigungen hervorrufen.

7. Beachten Sie beim Anschluß ans Stromnetz die Anschlußwerte.

8. Dieses Gerät kann bis zu einer Außentemperatur von maximal 40℃ betrieben werden.

Battery safety warning:
DO NOT throw the battery in fire.
DO NOT short circuit the contacts.
DO NOT disassemble the battery.
DO NOT throw the battery in municipal waste.
The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal

waste.

CAUTION
Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type.
Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions.

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SAR Value: 0.663 W/kg

Class B:

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
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.

CAUTION:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the

user's authority to operate the equipment.

RF exposure warning (WiFi)

This equipment must be installed and operated in accordance with provided instructions and must not
be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. End-users and
installers must be providing with antenna installation instructions and transmitter operating conditions
for satisfying RF exposure compliance.

SAR Value: 0.094 W/kg

RF exposure warning (For Bluetooth)

The equipment complies with FCC RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
The equipment must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or

transmitter.

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Canada, Industry Canada (IC) Notices
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210.
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.

Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Information
The radiated output power of the Wireless Device is below the Industry Canada (IC)
radio frequency exposure limits. The Wireless Device should be used in such a manner
such that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized.

This device has been evaluated for and shown compliant with the IC Specific Absorption
Rate (“SAR”) limits when installed in specific host products operated in portable
exposure conditions. (For WiFi)

This device has also been evaluated and shown compliant with the IC RF Exposure
limits under portable exposure conditions. (antennas are less than 20 cm of a person's
body). (For Bluetooth)

Canada, avis d'Industry Canada (IC)
Cet appareil numérique de classe B est conforme aux normes canadiennes ICES-003 et
RSS-210.

Son fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) cet appareil ne doit pas causer
d'interférence et (2) cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence, notamment les interférences qui
peuvent affecter son fonctionnement.

Informations concernant l'exposition aux fréquences radio (RF)

La puissance de sortie émise par l’appareil de sans fil est inférieure à la limite
d'exposition aux fréquences radio d'Industry Canada (IC). Utilisez l’appareil de sans fil de
façon à minimiser les contacts humains lors du fonctionnement normal.

Ce périphérique a été évalué et démontré conforme aux limites SAR (Specific Absorption Rate – Taux
d'absorption spécifique) d'IC lorsqu'il est installé dans des produits hôtes particuliers qui fonctionnent
dans des conditions d'exposition à des appareils portables. (For WiFi)

Ce périphérique a également été évalué et démontré conforme aux limites d'exposition aux RF d'IC
dans des conditions d'exposition à des appareils portables. (les antennes sont moins de 20 cm du
corps d'une personne). (For Bluetooth)

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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........................................................................................................... 3

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

1.5 Media Specifications ............................................................................................... 4

2. Operations Overview...................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection ....................................................................................... 5

2.2 Printer Overview ...................................................................................................... 6

2.2.1 Front View ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.2.2 Rear View .............................................................................................................................. 7

2.3 Operator control....................................................................................................... 8

2.3.1 LED Indication and Keys .................................................................................................. 8

2.3.2 LED Indication and Keys for LCD (Option) ................................................................ 9

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

3.1 Install Belt Clip and Battery .................................................................................. 10

3.2 Charge the Battery .................................................................................................. 11

3.3 Communicate .......................................................................................................... 12

3.3.1 Connecting with the Communication Cable ............................................................. 12

3.3.2 Connecting with Bluetooth (Optional) ....................................................................... 12

3.4 Loading the Media .................................................................................................. 13

4. Power-on Utilities ......................................................................................................... 14

4.1 Media Sensor Calibration ....................................................................................... 14

4.2 Self-test and Dump Mode ...................................................................................... 15

4.3 Printer Initialization ............................................................................................... 19

5. Diagnostic Tool .............................................................................................................. 21

5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool ........................................................................................ 21

5.2 Printer Function ..................................................................................................... 23

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5.3 Calibrating Media Sensor by Diagnostic Tool...................................................... 25

5.3.1 Auto Calibration ................................................................................................................ 25

5.4 Setting Wi-Fi by Diagnostic Tool (Optional) ....................................................... 26

5.5 Setting Bluetooth by Diagnostic Tool (Optional) ................................................ 27

6. Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 28

6.1 Common Problems ................................................................................................. 28

7. Maintenance ................................................................................................................. 30

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

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1. Introduction

1.1 Product Introduction

Thank you very much for purchasing TSC bar code printer.

Enjoy TSC’s reputation for cost-efficient, high durability printers with the Alpha-4L
economical receipt printer. The Alpha-4L is a comfortable, light-weight printer capable of
working with any mobile receipt printing application where you need quick, simple receipts
on demand. Our Alpha-4L is designed for a rough life, inside the IP54-rated environmental
case to resist dust and water and with its rubber over-mold design prepared to take up to a
five foot fall and keep printing. These small and light printers can be worn comfortably for a
full shift, without interfering with the user’s tasks. Use USB, Bluetooth, optional 802.11
b/g/n Wireless or serial to connect to a mobile computer or even a smart phone and
produce clear easy-to-read receipts hour after hour.

This document provides an easy reference for operating the Alpha-4L.

The online version of the Programmer's manual, or more information can be downloaded
from service and support web site as an Adobeâ Acrobatâ Reader file.

To print label formats, please refer to the instructions provided 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 the accessories CD-ROM or on TSC website at

http://www.tscprinters.com.

− Applications

Direct store deliveries (DSD)
Field repair/installation
Mobile point of sale
Parking citations
Mobile ticketing
Onboard transportation ticketing
Utility billing/meter reading

®

®

Supported

bar code

Supported image

1.2 Product Features

1.2.1 Printer Standard Features

The printer offers the following standard features.

Product standard feature
Direct thermal printing

Reflective sensor – Black mark sensor
(position selectable – right/left/center position-factory adjustment , default –
center position , black mark in back side)

Transmissive sensor – Gap sensor
Head open sensor
Peeler sensor

2 operation buttons (On/off and feed)
3 LEDs for printer status, 3 LEDs for battery status
USB 2.0 (full speed) interface
Class 2 Bluetooth 2.1 module
32 MB SDRAM memory
16 MB FLASH memory

Micro SD card reader for memory expansion up to 4G (max.)
DC 7.4V/5760 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery

Real time clock
Powerful 32 bit 200 MHz RISC processor
Eltron

EPL and Zebra

ZPL emulation languages support

Internal 8 alpha-numeric bitmap fonts
Internal Monotype Imaging® true type font engine with one CG Triumvirate Bold

Condensed scalable font
Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four directions (0, 90,180,

270 degree)
Downloadable fonts from PC to printer memory
Downloadable firmware upgrades

Bar code, graphics/image printing

1D bar code 2D bar code

Code 39, Code 93,
Code128UCC, Code128 subsets
A,B,C, Codabar, Interleaved 2 of
5, EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-128,
UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN and UPC
2(5) digits add-on, MSI,
PLESSEY, POSTNET, China
POST, GS1 DataBar

PDF-417,
Maxicode,
DataMatrix, QR
code, Aztec

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

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1.2.2 Printer Optional Features

The printer offers the following optional features.

Product option feature
2” LCD (Liquid crystal display), 128 x 64 pixels

resolution w/white LED backlight (with 4
buttons)

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Zebra® CPCL emulation language support

Black mark sensor position
(position selectable – right/left/center position­factory adjustment , default – center position ,
black mark in back side)

Linerless platen
USB cable
USB to RS-232 converter cable
IP54-rated environmental case with shoulder

strap
12-24VDC automobile cigarette lighter plug

Shoulder strap
Fork truck mount

User

option

○
○

○
○

○
○

Dealer

option

○

Factory

option

○

○
○

○

Cart mount
Quad charging cradle
4 battery charger station

1.3 General Specifications

General Specifications
Physical

dimensions
Weight 0.945 kg

Environmental
condition

Limited warranty

Charging capability

○
○
○

6.35” (W) x 7.65” (H) x 3.06” (D)

161.4 mm (W) x 194.4 mm (H) x 77.6 mm (D)

Operation: -10 ~ 50˚C (14 ~ 122˚F)
Storage: -40 ~ 60 ˚C (-40 ~ 140˚F)
Relative humidity: 10 ~ 90% non-condensing
Print head: 1 million inches or 12 months which comes
first
Platen: 2 million inches or 12 months which comes first
Internal charging capability (battery-in)
Quad charging cradle
Auto-switching AC adapter
12-24VDC automobile cigarette lighter plug
External charging capability (battery-out)
4 battery charger station (for 5760mAh batteries)

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1.4 Print Specifications

Print Specifications
Print head resolution

(dots per inch/mm)
Printing method Direct thermal

Dot size 0.125 x 0.125 mm
(width x length) (1 mm = 8 dots)
Print speed 2, 3, 4 ips selectable; Max. 4 ips

(inches per second) 2,3 ips for peeler mode
Max. print width 4.09” (104 mm)

Max. print length 90” (2286 mm)

1.5 Media Specifications

Media Specifications
Media roll capacity Max. 2.65” (67.3 mm) OD

Media core diameter 0.5” (10.2 mm) to 1“ (25.4 mm)
Media type
Media width 2.0”(50.8 mm) to 4.4” (112 mm)

203 dots/inch (8 dots/mm)

Die cut, black mark, receipt, fan-fold, linerless,
continous

Media thickness 2 mil (0.0508 mm) to 6.5 mil (0.1651)

0.5” (12.7 mm) to 90” (2286 mm)

Media length

1” (25.4 mm) to 6” (152.4 mm) for peeler mode

External fanfold media

Stack height: 70 mm (2.75 in)
Page length: 152 mm (6 in) to 305 mm (12 in)

Black mark Min. 8 mm (W) x 2 mm (H)
Gap height Min. 2 mm

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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 DC 7.4V/5760 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery

§

One Windows labeling software/Windows driver CD disk

§

One quick installation guide

§

One auto-switching AC adaptor

§

One belt clip

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

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9

2 1

7

2.2 Printer Overview

2.2.1 Front View

3

4

6

5

8

10

12

13

1. Power on/off button

2. Feed button

3. Printer status LED indicator

4. Battery status LED indicator

5. Media cover release button

6. Peel-off sensor

7. Print head

8. Transmissive sensor – Gap sensor

11

9. Media holder lock switch

10. Media holder

11. Media cover

12. Reflective sensor – Black mark sensor

13. Platen roller

Note:

* The media sensor position is selectable by factory adjustment. Please refer to this figure

for default settings. (Default – center position, black mark in back side)

* For LCD control panel (option), please refer to subsection 2.3.2 for more details.

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