Zebra Technologies PT400, PA400 User Manual
PA400
PA400
PORTABLE PRINTERS
Users
Guide
'
Manufacturer part
Customer order #52600L
#52600LB Rev. 1
User's
Guide
Proprietary Statement
This manual contains proprietary information of Zebra Technologies Corporation. It is intended solely for the information and
use of parties operating and maintaining the equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the expressed written permission of Zebra Technologies
Corporation.
Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Zebra Technologies Corporation. All specifications and signs are subject to
change without notice.
FCC Compliance Statement
NOTE: 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 the 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 the 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.
•
NOTE: This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded cables must be used with the unit to insure compliance.
“The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Zebra Technologies Corporation could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.”
Canadian DOC Compliance Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio
interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Liability Disclaimer
Zebra Technologies Corporation takes steps to assure that its published Engineering Specifications and Manuals are correct;
however, errors do occur. Zebra Technologies Corporation reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims liability
resulting therefrom.
No Liability for Consequential Damage
In no event shall Zebra Technologies corporation or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the
use of or the results of use of or inability to use such product, even if Zebra Technologies Corporation has been advised of the
possibility of such damages. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
Copyrights
This copyrighted manual and the label printer described herein are owned by Zebra Technologies Corporation. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual or the software in the label printer may result in imprisonment of up to one year
and fines of up to $10,000 (17 U.S.C.506). Copyright violators may be subject to civil liability.
All products and brand names are trademarks of their respective companies. All rights reserved.
© 1999 Zebra Technologies Corporation
I have determined that the Zebra printers identified as the
Zebra Portable Line
Zebra Technologies Corporation
333 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061-3109 U.S.A.
have been shown to comply with the applicable technical standards of the FCC
®™
400 and 400
PA P T
manufactured by:
for Home, Office, Commercial, and Industrial use
if no unauthorized change is made in the equipment,
and if the equipment is properly maintained and operated.
Contents
Introduction
Hello!..................................1
Unpacking and Inspection ........................1
Reporting Damage ..........................1
Getting Ready to Print
Battery ..................................3
Installing the Battery .........................3
Charging the Battery .........................4
Loading the Media............................5
Tear-Off Mode ............................5
Peel-Off Mode ...........................10
Fanfold Media ...........................13
Loading the Ribbon ..........................16
Operator Controls ...........................18
Power Button ............................18
Feed Button .............................18
Indicator LEDs .............................19
Power LED .............................19
Error LED..............................19
Battery Charging LED .......................19
Printing a Test Label ..........................20
Connecting the Printer and Computer .................20
Communicating with the Printer ....................22
Setting the Communication Parameters ..............22
Setting Up the Software ........................22
Adjusting the Print Width .......................22
Adjusting the Print Darkness......................22
i
Adjusting the Printhead Pressure....................23
Adjusting the Strap ...........................24
Hand/Shoulder Strap ........................24
Adjustable Shoulder Strap .....................26
Calibration
Auto Calibration ............................27
Manual Calibration...........................28
Preventive Maintenance
Cleaning ................................29
Lubrication ...............................30
Extending Battery Life .........................30
Battery Disposal ..........................31
Troubleshooting
Help! The LEDs are On/Off/Flashing! ................33
Print Quality Problems .........................35
Troubleshooting Tests .........................37
Printing a Configuration Label ...................37
Recalibration ............................37
Resetting the Factory Default Values................37
Communications Diagnostics....................37
Feed Button Modes .........................39
Specifications
Printing .................................41
Ribbon Cartridge ............................41
Label ..................................42
Memory/Communications .......................42
ii
Font/Bar Code .............................43
Physical/Environmental/Electrical ...................43
Agency Approvals ...........................44
Options .................................44
Adapter Cable Pinouts .........................45
RJ45 Connector Pin Identification ...................45
Null Modem Cable Pinouts ......................46
Index
iii
iv
Introduction
Hello!
Thank you for choosing our Zebra Portable Printer. Don’t let its size fool
you - this rugged little printer is sure to become a productive and efficient
addition to your workplace. And it’s no wonder, because it’s made by
Zebra Technologies Corporation - your number one source for bar code
printers, software, and supplies!
This user’s guide gives you all the information you’ll need to operate the
•
printer.
To create and print label formats, take a look at the ZPL II Programming
•
Guide (part #46530L) for information about Zebra’s label design
programming language, better known as “ZPL II.” If one was not
ordered with your printer, simply call your reseller or Zebra
TechnologiesCorporationorvisittheZebrawebsite.Ifyou’dliketo
use a different label preparation software, contact your reseller or Zebra
for advice and information.
• The PA400/PT400 Maintenance Manual (part #505142L) contains all
the information you’ll need to properly maintain the printer.
Unpacking and Inspection
Inspect the printer for possible shipping damage:
•
Check all exterior surfaces for damage.
•
Raise the media access door (refer to “Loading the Media” in Getting
Ready to Print) and inspect the media compartment for damage.
In case shipping is required, save the carton and all packing material.
Reporting Damage
If you discover shipping damage:
•
Immediately notify and file a damage report with the shipping company.
Zebra Technologies Corporation is not responsible for any damage
incurred during shipment of the printer and will not cover the repair of
this damage under its warranty policy.
•
Keep the carton and all packing material for inspection.
•
Notify your authorized Zebra reseller.
1
15
1
2
3
14
13
Top Cover
1
2
Error LED
2
3
Power LED
3
4
Printhead Pressure Adjuster
4
5
Power Button
5
6
Feed Button
6
7
7
Ribbon Cartridge
Printhead
7
8
Platen Roller
8
9
Media Guides
9
10
Media Hangers
10
11
11
Media Access Door
12
12
Battery Compartment
13
13
Media Compartment
14
14
Strap
15
15
Communications Port
16
16
Battery Charging Receptacle
17
17
Battery Charging LED
18
18
Charging Station Connector
19
19
Peel Bar
20
20
6
8
9
10
11
5
12
4
7
16
17
18
19
Figure 1
2
Getting Ready to Print
Battery
Installing the Battery
NOTE: Batteries are shipped uncharged.
1. Slide up the battery compartment door.
2. Insert the battery into the printer as shown in Figure 2, with the
silver-colored battery contacts facing up.
3. After the battery is completely inserted, slide down the battery
compartment door.
When the battery is first installed, the Power and Error LEDs will light for
approximately two seconds and then go off. If these lights do not go on, the
batteryisnotfullycharged(see“ChargingtheBattery”).
Battery
Compartment
Door
Silver-colored
Battery
Contacts
Battery
Figure 2
3
Charging the Battery
Refer to Figure 3 (your battery charger may look slightly different than the
ones illustrated).
If you are using a 120 VAC battery charger:
1. With the battery installed in the printer, insert the connector of the
battery charger into the receptacle on the side of the printer.
2. Plug the battery charger into an appropriate 120 VAC electrical outlet.
3. The battery charging LED will briefly flash and then stay on. When
the battery is fully charged (approximately one hour for the standard
battery; two hours for the extended life battery), the light will go off.
4. You may either remove the battery charger from the printer or leave it
connected for a continuous maintenance charge.
If you are using a universal battery charger:
1. With the battery installed in the printer, insert the connector of the
battery charger into the receptacle on the side of the printer.
2. Make sure the supplied power cord is inserted in the battery charger.
3. Plug the other end of the cord into an appropriate AC electrical outlet.
Power
120 VAC
Charger
Universal
Charger
Figure 3
4
Cord Plug
Varies by
Country
4. The battery charging LED will briefly flash and then stay on. When
the battery is fully charged (approximately one hour for the standard
battery; two hours for the extended life battery), the light will go off.
5. You may either remove the battery charger from the printer or leave it
connected for a continuous maintenance charge.
Loading the Media
You can operate this printer in one of two different modes: Tear-Off or
Peel-Off. Tear-Off mode allows you to tear off each label (or a strip of
labels) after it is printed. In Peel-Off mode, the backing material is peeled
away from the label as it is printed. After you remove this label, the next
one is printed.
Tear-Off Mode
NOTE: If ribbon is loaded (PT400 only), remove the ribbon
cartridge before loading the media.
1. Refer to Figure 4. Raise the media access door by lifting at the notch
until it unhooks from the top cover.
Top Cover
Media
Access
Door
Notch
Figure 4
5
2. Refer to Figure 5. Swing the media access door open to expose the
media compartment.
3. Pivot the top cover to reveal the printhead.
4. Lift the printhead until you feel it “lock” into place. Be careful not to
force the printhead past this position!
WARNING: NEVER touch the thermal print elements on the
underside of the printhead. Under certain conditions, they
can be very hot! Also, dirt or moisture from your hands can
damage the printhead!
Media
Compartment
Printhead
Media
Guides
Media
Hangers
Figure 5
6
5. Refer to Figures 5 and 6. Thread the media into the printer until it
extends approximately 1” (25.4 mm) past the printhead.
6. Separate and hold open the media hangers.
7. Place the media roll onto the media hangers, making sure it is tightly
wound.
8. Release the media hangers so the media locks into the correct position.
Make sure the media is threaded under both media guides.
Media
Guides
Media
Roll
1“ Past Printhead
Media
Hangers
Unwind this direction
Figure 6
7
9. Refer to Figure 7. If it’s not already in place, install the tear bar in the
media access door. Gently lift the tab on the bar to move it over the
protrusion on the door. Make sure the lip of the bar (inset, Figure 7)
faces out of the printer.
If you’re using direct thermal media, continue on with step 10.
However, if you’re using thermal transfer media, you must also install
a ribbon cartridge. Proceed to “Loading the Ribbon” in this chapter.
10. Close the printhead and the top cover.
Ta b
Protrusion
Lip
Figure 7
8
11. Swing up the media access door, ensuring that the media extends over
the tear bar (refer to Figure 8).
12. Lift to hook the top of the media access door over the top cover.
13. Push in the bottom of the media access door to close.
14. Turn on the printer or press the Feed button if the printer is already on.
Figure 8
Tear Bar
9
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