Zebra Technologies MD-ZBR5QLN User Manual

Soft Keys

Programmable LCD Settings

In addition to the status icons, the LCD control panel can display other printer settings and functions as text. Applications can be written to allow the user to view and /or modify these settings using the scroll and select keys on the display. The menu that comes with the printer provides access to the most commonly used parameters. Refer to the CPCL Programming Manual for a complete list of the parameters, and for details on how to change the front panel display (p/n PROMAN-CPCL at www.zebra.com/manuals).

The LCD backlighting option allows viewing of the screen in a dark environment, or provides better contrast in a very bright environment. The QLn320 can be programmed to enter a low power mode (Backlight Off) during periods of front panel inactivity. While in low power mode, the screen is populated with menus and status icons, data which may or may not be readable depending on ambient light conditions.

The QLn320 provides a configurable time delay from the time the backlight is turned on to when it turns off. The time range for this delay is 5 to 1200 seconds with a default time of 10 seconds. The backlight can be activated within one second after any of the cursor, select, or soft keys is pressed. (The feed button does not activate the backlight.) The status bar icons, the user space content, and the navigation bar will remain on the screen with the backlight off.

Extensive use of the display backlight will decrease the time the printer can run between charges. Refer to the section “Extending Battery Life” for more information.

QLn Series User Guide

Verify the Printer Is Working

Before you connect the printer to your computer or portable data terminal, make sure that the printer is in proper working order. You can do this by printing a configuration label using the “two key” method. If you can’t get this label to print, refer to “Troubleshooting”.

Printing a Conguration Label

1. Turn the printer off. Load the media compartment with journal media (media with no black bars printed on the back)

2. Press and hold the Feed Button.

3. Press and release the Power button and keep the Feed button pressed. When printing starts, release the Feed button.

The unit will print a line of interlocking “x” characters to ensure all elements of the print head are working, print out the version of software loaded in the printer and then print two reports.

The report indicates model, serial number, baud rate, and more detailed information on the printer’s configuration and parameter settings. (See the Troubleshooting Section for sample printouts and a further discussion on how to use the configuration label as a diagnostic tool.)

Connecting the Printer

The printer must establish communications with a host terminal which sends the data to be printed. Communications occur in four basic ways:

• QLn320 printers can communicate by cable via either RS-232C or USB 2.0 protocols. USB drivers are included in the Zebra Designer Driver which can be downloaded from

• By means of a Bluetooth™ short range radio frequency link. (Optional)

• By means of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) per 802.11 specifications. (Optional)

• By means of the Ethernet when docked on the Ethernet cradle.

(Optional)

QLn Series User Guide

www.zebra.com/drivers

Cable Communication

Caution • The printer should be turned o before connecting or disconnecting a communications cable.

The QLn320 printer can communicate by cable; the specific cable supplied with your printer will vary with the host terminal and your model printer.

RS-232C Communications

The 14-pin serial connector on your communications cable plugs into the serial communications port on the side of the printer. QLn320 model printers also have a USB port.

USB Communications

The small 5-pin connector on the USB cable plugs into the printer. The connectors are keyed to assure correct alignment; do not try to force the cable if it does not plug in. The

Figure 17: Cable Communications

Communications

Port

Figure 18: Communications with a P.C.

Communications Cable to Terminal

Part numbers vary. Refer to Appendix A.

QLn Series User Guide

RS-232C or USB Communications Cable to Computer

Refer to Appendix A for part numbers.

other end of the cable must be plugged into the host terminal as shown in Figure 18, or to a serial or USB port on a computer (Figure 18). The QLn320 series is configured with the USB Open HCI interface driver allowing it to communicate with Windows® based devices.

USB drivers are included in the Zebra Designer Driver which can be downloaded from the Zebra Web site. Other terminals or communications devices may require the installation of special drivers to use the USB connection. Consult the factory for further details.

Providing Strain Relief for Communications Cable

If you are connecting either a USB or RS-232 communications cable to the printer permanently, access the communications port on the side of the printer next to the latch release lever. Plug the connector into the appropriate port and align the plastic locking cap with the cut outs shown below. Rotate the locking cap clockwise to lock the cable in place. (Turn counterclockwise to unlock the cable.) Once locked in place, this provides strain relief for the cable and will prevent the cable from disconnecting from the printer.

Note: Only one cable can be present in the USB/RS-232

Figure 19: Communications Port

Align locking connector with these cut-outs.

USB Port

QLn Series User Guide

RS-232 Port

Figure 20: Communications Port Strain Relief

Rotate locking cap in a clockwise direction to lock cable in place.

QLn Series User Guide

Wireless Communications with Bluetooth™

Bluetooth is a worldwide standard for the exchange of data between two devices via radio frequencies. Bluetooth radios are relatively low powered to help prevent interference with other devices running at similar radio frequencies. This limits the range of a Bluetooth device to about 10 meters (32 feet). Both the printer and the device it communicates with must follow the Bluetooth standard. Other than conditions specified elsewhere in this manual, only one of the radio options can be installed in the printer at one time and the antenna used for these transmitters must not be co-located or must not operate in conjunction with any other antenna.

Bluetooth Networking Overview

Each Bluetooth enabled QLn320 printer is identified by a unique Bluetooth Device Address (BDA). In order to exchange data, two Bluetooth enabled devices must establish a connection.

Bluetooth software is always running in the background, ready to respond to connection requests. One device (known as the master or the client) must request a connection with another. The second device (the slave or the server) then accepts or rejects the connection. A Bluetooth enabled QLn320 printer will normally act as a slave creating a miniature network with the terminal sometimes referred to as a “piconet”.

For the most part, communications using the Bluetooth protocol are initiated and processed without any operator intervention.

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continued

WLAN Overview

QLn320 printers can be equipped with a radio using the industry standard 802.11 protocols. They will have the FCC ID number on the serial number label on the back of the unit.

• QLn320 series Wireless Network Printers with the Zebra 802.11 WLAN radio module can be identified by the text “Wireless Network Printer” on the serial number label on the back of the printer.

• These printers allow wireless communication as a node within a local area network (LAN) and its wireless capabilities allow communications from any point within the LAN’s perimeter. Methods of establishing communications to the printer will vary with each LAN application.

General information on establishing WLAN communications can be found in either the ”CPCL Programming Manual” or the “Quick Start Guide for Mobile Wireless Printers” both available on-line. More information and LAN configuration utilities are included in Zebra’s Net Bridge™ program (version 2.8 and later). Net Bridge may be downloaded from the Zebra Web site.

Setting Up the Software

QLn320 printers use Zebra’s CPCL and ZPL Programming languages which were designed for mobile printing applications. CPCL and ZPL are fully described in the ”CPCL Programming Manual” and the “ZPL Programming Guide” available on-line at

You can also use Designer Pro, Zebra’s Windows ation program which uses a graphical interface to create and edit labels in the CPCL language.

Refer to Appendix F for tips on downloading the Designer Pro application from Zebra’s Web site.

www.zebra.com/manuals

based label cre-

QLn Series User Guide

Using the Accessories

Swivel Belt Clip

Refer to Figure 21. Most QLn320 printers have a belt clip (p/n P1024458) installed as a standard feature. To use: hook the clip over your belt, and ensure that the clip is securely attached to the belt. The belt clip will pivot to allow you to move freely while wearing the printer.

In order to install or remove the Belt Clip you will need to remove the battery pack.

Figure 21: Using the Belt Clip

Clip printer to belt

Belt

Printer can pivot freely

QLn Series User Guide

Adjustable Shoulder Strap

Refer to Figure 22 if your printer is equipped with the shoulder strap option (p/n P1028227). Insert each end of the shoulder strap into the cut-outs in each top corner of the printer and secure the looped end over the button on the end of the strap to fasten.

Hold the buckle and pull the strap as shown below until you achieve

Figure 22: Using the Optional Shoulder Strap

Pull Strap here to lengthen.

Hold Buckle.

Pull

Strap

here to

shorten.

Insert loop into cut-outs on printer.

QLn Series User Guide

End of strap

Button

Loop

continued

the desired length.

Hand Strap

The QLn320 hand strap accessory (p/n P1028226) attaches to the printer’s cut-outs as does the shoulder strap to provide the user with a convenient and secure method of carrying the printer. To attach the hand strap to the printer:

• Insert the end of the strap through the cut out on the front of the printer as shown.

• Loop the end of the strap back around the cut out and secure it over the button.

• Repeat this process for the opposite end of the strap.

Figure 23: Detachable Hand Strap

Loop strap into cut-outs on printer.

The QLn320 printer also features two mounting holes on the

base of the printer to accommodate future mounting options.

QLn Series User Guide

Preventive Maintenance

Extending Battery Life

• Never expose the battery to direct sunlight or temperatures over 104° F (40° C).

• Always use a Zebra charger designed specifically for Lithium-Ion batteries. Use of any other kind of charger may damage the battery.

• Use the correct media for your printing requirements. An authorized Zebra re-seller can help you determine the optimum media for your application.

• If you print the same text or graphic on every label, consider using a pre-printed label.

• Choose the correct print darkness, and print speed for your media.

• Use software handshaking (XON/XOFF) whenever possible.

• Remove the battery if the printer won’t be used for a day or more and you’re not performing a maintenance charge.

• Consider purchasing an extra battery.

• Remember that any rechargeable battery will lose its ability to maintain a charge over time. It can only be recharged a finite number of times before it must be replaced. Always dispose of batteries properly. Refer to Appendix E for more information on battery disposal.

General Cleaning Instructions

Caution • Avoid possible personal injury or damage to

insert any pointed or sharp objects into the printer.

Always turn the printer o before performing any cleaning

procedures.

Use care when working near the tear bar. The edges are very sharp.

the printer: never

Caution • The printhead can be very hot after prolonged printing.

Allow it to cool o before attempting any cleaning procedures.

Only use the cleaning pen supplied with the printer or a cotton swab

saturated with alcohol for cleaning the printhead.

Caution • Use only cleaning agents specied in the following tables.

Zebra Technologies Corporation will not be responsible for damage caused by any other cleaning materials used on this printer.

QLn Series User Guide

QLn320 Cleaning

Area Method Interval

Printhead (Figure 24)

Platen Roller (Figure 24)

Platen Roller (Figure 25)

Peel bar (Figure 24)

Tear bar (Figure 24)

Use the supplied cleaning pen or 70% Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the print elements from end to end (the print elements are located in the thin gray line on the printhead).

Rotate the platen roller and clean it thoroughly with the cleaning pen or 70% Isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab.

Units with linerless platens: Rotate platen & clean bearing points only.

Avoid use of alcohol on the surface of linerless platens

Clean thoroughly with the cleaning pen or 70% Isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab.

After every five rolls of media (or more often, if needed), Linerless media requires more frequent cleaning

As needed

Exterior

Interior (Figure 24)

Interior (Figure 25)

Water-dampened cloth or 70% Isopropyl alcohol wipe.

Brush/air blow. Ensure the Bar Sensor, Gap Sensor and Label Present Sensor windows are free of dust.

Units with linerless platens: Clean inside surfaces of edge guides & media rollers with the supplied cleaning pen or 70% Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab.

As needed

After every five rolls of media (or more often, if needed)

QLn Series User Guide

Figure 24: Cleaning the QLn320

Peeler Bar

Bar Sensor

Printhead

Elements

Peeler Bar

Label Presence Sensor

Figure 25: Cleaning the Linerless QLn320

Platen surface

Gap Sensor

Tear Bar

Bearing Points

Linerless Platens only

Scraper

Platen surface

Avoid using alcohol on linerless platen surface.

Media Support Disks, Inner surfaces on both sides.

Linerless units only.

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