Eltron Strata LP2684, User Manual

Page 1: ...ser s Manual No 980181 001 Rev B 1998 Eltron International Inc Strata Thermal Printers User s Manual User s Manual No 980181 001 Rev B 1998 Eltron International Inc Strata Thermal Printers User s Manual ...

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Page 3: ...t equipement est conforme a l ICS 003 classe A de la norm Industrielle Canadian 980181 001 Rev B iii FOREWORD This manual provides installation and operation information for the Eltron Strata LP LP2684 and Strata TLP TLP2684 printers manufactured by Eltron International Incorporated Simi Valley California COPYRIGHT NOTICE This document contains information proprietary to Eltron International Incor...

Page 4: ...0 240 097 070 Phone 44 0 1189 770 300 FAX 33 0 240 834 745 FAX 44 0 1189 895 762 iv 980181 001 Rev B WARRANTY INFORMATION We Need To Hear From You To Establish Your Warranty Period And Provide Access To Technical Support Send Us Your Product Registration Card Today Eltron warrants the mechanism control electronics and power supply under normal use and serv ice to be free from defects in material a...

Page 5: ...sing 42 Printer Features 43 Supplies and Accessories 49 Windows Printer Driver 53 980181 001 Rev B v Table of Contents Installation 1 Introduction 1 Unpacking Your Printer 2 Installation 3 Operation 7 Your Printer 8 The FEED Control 9 The STATUS Indicator 11 Loading Labels or Tags 12 Loading Transfer Ribbons 24 Removing A Partially Used Transfer Ribbon 30 Top Of Form Sensing 31 Using AutoSense 32 ...

Page 6: ...lacing the printer on it s front bezel or backside during unpacking or handling vi 980181 001 Rev X3 General Cautions and Warnings These pages describe general safety and maintenance warnings and cautions for the printer They are referenced throughout the manual The manual may also include other warnings and cautions not displayed here Warning Shock Hazard The printer should never be operated in a...

Page 7: ...ing both Print Speed and Density may be required to achieve the desired results 980181 001 Rev B vii Media Cautions Tips 1 Always use high quality Eltron approved labels and tags Eltron approved supplies can be ordered from your ELTRON dealer For the name of a dealer in your area call Eltron Customer Service at one of the numbers listed on the back page of this manual 2 If poor quality adhesive ba...

Page 8: ...viii 980181 001 Rev B viii 980181 001 Rev B ...

Page 9: ...m long or two times A4 210mm x 594mm size with optional memory added 980181 001 Rev B 1 Installation 1 Installation This section provides information on the installation of the printer and software Introduction The Strata printer models are low cost manu facturing oriented thermal desktop printers The Strata LP is a direct thermal printer The Strata TLP is a thermal transfer and direct ther mal pr...

Page 10: ...dows Drivers CREATE A LABEL Tools Strata User Manual Models LP2684 TLP 2684 EPL2 Programmer s Manual Unpacking Your Printer Open the shipping carton and remove the printer and it s accessories Check List 1 Printer 2 Power Cord 3 Media Holder and Retainers 4 Cleaning Pen 5 User s Programmer s Manuals 6 Sample Label Roll 7 Sample Transfer Ribbon Roll TLP only 8 Ribbon Core TLP only 9 Software CAL To...

Page 11: ... r i a l N o X X X X X X X X I n p u t P o w e r 1 1 5 V A C 6 3 A 5 0 6 0 H z Check Voltage O Off O Installation The following steps will guide you through the installation of the printer and software Step Attach Power See Warnings Page vi 980181 001 Rev B 3 Installation O Pa rt No 12 0X XX X XX Se ria l No XX XX XX XX Inp ut Po we r 11 5V AC 6 3 A 50 60 Hz P a r t N o 1 2 0 X X X X X X S e r i a...

Page 12: ...r additional information on serial cable wir ing refer to Appendix A 4 980181 001 Rev B Installation Step Attach Interface Cable Parallel Interface Serial Interface For additional information on serial cable wir ing refer to Appendix A 4 980181 001 Rev B Installation ...

Page 13: ...ator fails to light refer to Appendix A Trouble Shooting 980181 001 Rev B 5 Installation On O O I On Step Apply Power If the indicator fails to light refer to Appendix A Trouble Shooting 980181 001 Rev B 5 Installation On O O I On ...

Page 14: ...2 Operation for information on loading labels and using your printer 6 980181 001 Rev B Installation Step Install Software Start your computer Follow the installation in structions on the diskette label to install the soft ware Refer to Section 2 Operation for information on loading labels and using your printer 6 980181 001 Rev B Installation ...

Page 15: ...rs All user control and adjustment printer features are identified by green parts 980181 001 Rev B 7 2 Operation This section provides information on the opera tion of the printers All user control and adjustment printer features are identified by green parts 980181 001 Rev B 7 ...

Page 16: ... Q Media Guide behind print head carriage R Media Roll Holder S Tear Bar T Media Roll Holders Strata Your Printer 8 980181 001 Rev B Operation A Cover Release Button B Upper Media Bracket C Lower Media Bracket D Media Guide Adjustment E Transmissive Gap Sensor Adjustment F Print Carriage Release Lever G Print Head H Transmissive Gap Sensor Swivel Bracket I Reflective black mark Sensor J Label Take...

Page 17: ...l resume print ing with the next label in the batch process 980181 001 Rev B 9 Operation FEED Switch The FEED Control The FEED button controls specific printer functions feeding media labels tags or continuous media loading media pausing printing and initiating AutoSense Dump Mode Use the FEED control button in normal opera tion by tapping or holding the button Tapping the FEED Button with labels ...

Page 18: ...notch hole require programming to set the form length and feed distance 10 980181 001 Rev B Operation Holding the FEED button down will cause the printer to continuously Form Feed until the button is released The printer will feed the media until the next top of form is reached Holding the FEED button without media loaded will cause the printer to continuously line feed until the button is release...

Page 19: ...onal information on trouble shooting error conditions 980181 001 Rev B 11 Operation STATUS Indicator The STATUS Indicator The STATUS indicator is a power and status in dicator When the printer power is first switched ON 1 the STATUS indicator will glow GREEN indicating that the printer is ready for operation Indicator Color Meaning GREEN 1 Power ON ready for use 2 Printing operation normal GREEN B...

Page 20: ...wo green release buttons on the sides of the printer to open the cover 12 980181 001 Rev B Operation Loading Labels or Tags Your printer can print on adhesive backed la bels non adhesive tags or continuous media typically paper The printer is capable of using media on a roll or fan fold media Step 1 Open the printer Press the two green release buttons on the sides of the printer to open the cover ...

Page 21: ...nted on the right side of the printer when installed 980181 001 Rev B 13 Operation CORRECT INCORRECT Step 2 Place the roll of media on the media holder tube The media holder tube is directional and will not work properly if installed incorrectly The media holder is keyed with a hex to be mounted on the right side of the printer when installed 980181 001 Rev B 13 Operation CORRECT INCORRECT ...

Page 22: ...se uneven pack of the media on the roll 14 980181 001 Rev B Operation Media Retainers optional 90 90 Step 3 Center the media roll on the holder If the media roll is narrow then the media roll holders can be added to prevent loose uneven pack of the media on the roll 14 980181 001 Rev B Operation Media Retainers optional 90 90 ...

Page 23: ...Step 4 Set the media and roll holder on the upper me dia stand 980181 001 Rev B 15 Operation Step 4 Set the media and roll holder on the upper me dia stand 980181 001 Rev B 15 Operation ...

Page 24: ...Open the media guides until they are wider than the media 16 980181 001 Rev B Operation Media Guides Step 5 Turn the media guide adjustment wheel to wards the rear of the printer to open the media guides Open the media guides until they are wider than the media 16 980181 001 Rev B Operation Media Guides ...

Page 25: ...nt carriage with the release lever Pull back and then up 980181 001 Rev B 17 Operation Release Lever Step 6 Open the print carriage with the release lever Pull back and then up 980181 001 Rev B 17 Operation Release Lever ...

Page 26: ...er the print head carriage until it exits out the front of the printer 18 980181 001 Rev B Operation Step 7 Insert the loose end of the media roll between the media guides and under the guide bar bracket Continue feeding the media under the print head carriage until it exits out the front of the printer 18 980181 001 Rev B Operation ...

Page 27: ... of the printer until the label guides to match the width of the media 980181 001 Rev B 19 Operation Step 8 Turn the green media guide adjustment wheel towards the front of the printer until the label guides to match the width of the media 980181 001 Rev B 19 Operation ...

Page 28: ...Step 9 Move the media roll to the lower media posi tion 20 980181 001 Rev B Operation Step 9 Move the media roll to the lower media posi tion 20 980181 001 Rev B Operation ...

Page 29: ...nd always for continuous media 980181 001 Rev B 21 Operation Adjustment Wheel Sensor Position Marker Step 10 When using the transmissive gap sensor to top of form label sensing verify that the sensor is positioned at minimum label gap point or cen tered over a tag hole See Top of Form Sensing page 31 for more details on sensor operation Turn the sensor s adjustment wheel towards the rear of the pr...

Page 30: ...ter power Tap the FEED con trol until the STATUS indicator glows GREEN 22 980181 001 Rev B Operation Step 11 Close and lock the print carriage Pull the print carriage s release lever back and then down to close Push the lever arm down to lock the print carriage Turn on the printer power Tap the FEED con trol until the STATUS indicator glows GREEN 22 980181 001 Rev B Operation ...

Page 31: ...to select the label size that matches the labels loaded in the printer 980181 001 Rev B 23 Operation Step 12 Set label detection parameters for media Use the AutoSense procedure for first time use of new media to set transmissive gap sensor Use the AutoSense procedure for detection of label and gap lengths Use EPL2 programming Q command to set form length and gap as well as media de tection and co...

Page 32: ...cross the ribbon s width 24 980181 001 Rev B Operation Take Up Spindles Supply Spindles Tracking Bar Loading Transfer Ribbons Transfer ribbons are used when printing on thermal transfer adhesive labels or non adhesive tags Thermal transfer ribbons are available in general purpose wax blue leader general purpose resin silver leader and polyes ter resin gold leader The print head carriage in a therm...

Page 33: ... long spokes on the right side ribbon take up spindle 980181 001 Rev B 25 Operation Long Spoke Notch Step Install an empty ribbon core onto the front rib bon take up spindle Push the core onto the left side ribbon take up spindle Rotate the core on the spindle until the notches on the right side of the core match up with the long spokes on the right side ribbon take up spindle 980181 001 Rev B 25 ...

Page 34: ... leader over and attach it to the under side ofthe ribbon leader 26 980181 001 Rev B Operation Notch Step Loosen the ribbon leader that secures the end of the transfer ribbon roll Fold the ribbon leader over and attach it to the under side ofthe ribbon leader 26 980181 001 Rev B Operation Notch ...

Page 35: ...bracket Caution The ribbon does not follow the same path as the labels 980181 001 Rev B 27 Operation Step Install the ribbon roll onto the rear ribbon supply spindle so that the ribbon feeds from the top of the roll toward the back of the printer The ribbon roll installs the same as the ribbon take up core Wrap the ribbon around the print carriage un der the ribbon tracking bar and above the media...

Page 36: ... ribbon to the core with the adhesive strip on the leader or with tape 28 980181 001 Rev B Operation Step Open the print carriage to pull the ribbon through towards the front of the print carriage Center the ribbon on ribbon core Attach the ribbon to the core with the adhesive strip on the leader or with tape 28 980181 001 Rev B Operation ...

Page 37: ... removed Verify that the ribbon is wraping straight on the ribbon core 980181 001 Rev B 29 Operation Step Rotate the ribbon take up core a minimum one full revolution from the top to the back of the printer to remove most of the slack from the rib bon Verify that the ribbon is wrapping straight on the ribbon core Close the print head after the media is loaded See label and tag media loading page 1...

Page 38: ... roll The used ribbon core can be re used by re moving the used ribbon 30 980181 001 Rev B Operation Removing A Partially Used Transfer Ribbon A partially used transfer ribbon can be removed by following the steps below Partially used transfer ribbons can be reloaded using the normal ribbon loading procedure Step Open the print carriage to release ribbon ten sion Using scissors cut the transfer ri...

Page 39: ...ack line mark or notch hole require programming to set the form length 980181 001 Rev B 31 Operation Top Of Form Sensing To accommodate different media and media dimensions your printer is equipped with sen sors capable of detecting the top of form for la bels or tags Two methods are used by the printer for top of form sensing gap sensing and black mark sensing Gap Sensing The gap sensing feature ...

Page 40: ...nter will be placed in Diag nostic Dump mode Dump Mode Sample Printout 32 980181 001 Rev B Operation Using AutoSense The AutoSense feature sets sensitivity of the transmissive sensor and measures and stores the form label and gap lengths To activate the AutoSense feature Step 1 Set the power switch to the OFF 0 position Step 2 Load labels into the printer do not use the dis penser Step 3 Press and...

Page 41: ...turns AMBER or RED refer to Appendix A for troubleshooting information 980181 001 Rev B 33 Operation Step 4 Tap the FEED Control once to switch the printer back to normal operation If the indicator light turns AMBER or RED refer to Appendix A for troubleshooting information 980181 001 Rev B 33 Operation ...

Page 42: ...mpletely removed Many adhesives are permanent and have short set times 34 980181 001 Rev B Operation Cleaning Your Printer The user has easy access to all of the printer s media path areas to allow for cleaning and clearing of media jams The user can clean the sensor areas print head platen roller and areas adjacent to the media path surfaces Warning Shock Hazard See page vi Always turn the printe...

Page 43: ... print head to dry for 1 minute before loading labels 980181 001 Rev B 35 Operation Clean Print Head Cleaning the Print Head As you use your printer the print head may be come contaminated resulting in poor print qual ity Whenever new labels are loaded into the printer the print head should be cleaned with a cleaning pen Step 1 Open the printer and the print head carriage Step 2 Gently rub the Cle...

Page 44: ...on Close the print carriage 36 980181 001 Rev B Operation Transmissive Gap Sensor Bracket Slide Lock Cleaning Under the Sensor Bracket The transmissive gap sensor swivel bracket can pivot up for easy cleaning Step 1 Open the print head carriage Step 2 Open the sensor bracket Pull the slide lock to the left and lift the front of the bracket up Step 3 Clean the metal part of the bracket only The sen...

Page 45: ...he Common Problems Trouble Shooting table on the following page 980181 001 Rev B 37 Trouble Shooting Appendix A Trouble Shooting This section addresses the most common issues user s may face with operation and configura tion of the printer Where to Start The first trouble shooting reference source is the Common Problems Trouble Shooting table on the following page 980181 001 Rev B 37 Trouble Shoot...

Page 46: ...ect data syntax 6 Transmissive sensor is dirty Clean media path 38 980181 001 Rev B Trouble Shooting Common Printing Problems Trouble Shooting Guide Problem Solution or Reason STATUS indicator does not light GREEN when power switch is turned to the ON 1 position 1 Check power connections from the printer to the outlet With the STATUS indicator light GREEN the printer appears to be working but noth...

Page 47: ...dia path 6 Verify that the print carriage is closed and latched 980181 001 Rev B 39 Trouble Shooting Problem Solution or Reason Status Indicator is RED 1 Check for Out of Media condition or missing labels in the middle of a roll 2 Check for Out of Ribbon condition or dam age or previous use of ribbon in middle of the roll 3 Check that the ribbon and label stock are cor rectly routed 4 When direct ...

Page 48: ...r your assistance and support with Eltron printers and software 40 980181 001 Rev B Trouble Shooting Other Support Resources The first troubleshooting reference source is the table on the previous page Next contact the dealer where you purchased your printer Eltron International also provides a variety of information and user support services Internet Web Address http www eltron com ftp ftp eltron...

Page 49: ...e e g KDU or scanner 5 Volts TxD RxD N C GND RDY N C N C RDY 5 Volts TxD RxD N C GND RDY N C N C RDY Serial Interface Communication Configuration The printer s serial port is configured with the Y command for the printer See the EPL2 programmer s manual for details The printer s serial port default configuration is 9600 baud 8 bit data 1 stop bit No parity Serial Interface Cable Wiring The figure ...

Page 50: ...001 Rev B Trouble Shooting B D C A C Left Side Edge of Tag Stock Media Tag Tear away Print Direction Tag Media Sensing The printer uses a moveable sensor to detect in dex holes notches in tag stock The sensor can move from a center tag notch to a notch on the out side edge of tag stock as wide as 8 5 inches 216mm wide The dimensions show the position acceptable position range of the Notch hole on ...

Page 51: ...ting and adjustment RS232C serial and Centronics parallel ports 980181 001 Rev B 43 Printer Features Appendix B Printer Features Features The printer has many time saving user friendly design features Some of these printer features are listed below Anti jam straight through media path Steel clam shell case with force balanced lid and locking latch for safer handling Internal label roll holder 5 pr...

Page 52: ...abel roll holder Rear feed slot for fan fold or roll label stock 44 980181 001 Rev B Printer Features Flash memory makes firmware updates easy and seamless Create A Label Tools for Windows Software Windows Drivers Windows 3 1X Windows 95 and Windows NT 3 51 4 0 Snap N Lock front bezel for easy access Options Factory installed Peeler with label presenta tion sensor Flash memory expandable to 2 mega...

Page 53: ... Code 128 UCC Serial Shipping Container Code Code 128 Autoselect 980181 001 Rev B 45 Printer Features Easy to load label and ribbon path Easy to use EPL2 command language Batch or on demand printing Prints text graphics and bar codes in four di rections 0 90 80 and 270 Graphics line and box drawing features PCX bit map supported Label back feed for maximum label usage printing Diagnostics and conf...

Page 54: ... bels and tags Reflective sensor for use with black stripe marks 46 980181 001 Rev B Printer Features CodaBar UCC EAN 128 Interleaved 2 of 5 UPC A UPC E 2 5 digit add on EAN 8 EAN 13 2 5 digit add on POSTNET MaxiCode PDF 417 German Postal Code Bar codes with or without human readable text Bar codes can be printed in four directions 0 90 180 and 270 Standard Fonts International character sets stand...

Page 55: ...h 1 or 2 stop bits selectable parity 4 800 to 38 400 baud rates 980181 001 Rev B 47 Printer Features Media Type roll fed die cut continuous or fan fold labels tags or tickets Materials thermal transfer or thermal sensi tive papers Maximum media width 8 75 222 3mm Minimum media width 4 102mm Maximum media length 11 279mm stan dard 22 559mm optional with maximum print width set Note The actual print...

Page 56: ...ondensing Humidity 10 to 90 non condensing Ventilation Free air 48 980181 001 Rev B Printer Features Mechanical Width 12 3 312mm Depth 13 5 343mm Height 12 0 304mm Weight 21 0lbs 9 5kg Electrical Voltage 115V 60 Hz 230V 50 Hz Complies with FCC Class A and CE require ments Built to UL CUL and TUV require ments Environmental Operating temperature 40 F to 104 F 5 C to 40 C Storage Temperature 40 F to...

Page 57: ...al this Manual Programmers Manual 980181 001 980009 001 980181 001 Rev B 49 Supplies and Accessories Appendix C Supplies and Accessories Supplies and Accessories can be ordered from your Eltron dealer where you purchased your printer or by calling ELTRON for the dealer nearest you Accessories available for the printer are listed below Always refer to the ELTRON part number when placing an order De...

Page 58: ...ing Shipping Inventory Tracking Product Labeling Compliance Labeling Direct Thermal Thermal Transfer 50 980181 001 Rev B Supplies and Accessories Features Low cost Ease of use Low Environmental Durability Limited Label Life Will fade and or discolor when exposed to heat sunlight and chemicals Lowest cost thermal transfer combination Most commonly used Low environmental durability Low abrasion resi...

Page 59: ...l applications Outdoor environments Environments with chemicals Compliance labeling Thermal Transfer 980181 001 Rev B 51 Supplies and Accessories Features Better environmental durability Better abrasion resistance than wax More expensive than wax Good aesthetic appearance High environmental durability High physical durability Excellent aesthetic appearance Most expensive label tag combination Ribb...

Page 60: ...52 980181 001 Rev B Supplies and Accessories 52 980181 001 Rev B Supplies and Accessories ...

Page 61: ...se this section as a guide to utilizing all versions of the Windows printer drivers for this printer Appendix D Windows Printer Driver Using The Windows Printer Driver The Windows printer driver provides control of several printer features when printing from Win dows software applications These features are accessed through the Settings Printers win dow on the Windows 95 Start menu Printer drivers...

Page 62: ...enu select the Paper tab from the printer properties menu 54 980181 001 Rev B Windows Printer Driver Paper Label Size Before creating a label the paper size for the currently loaded labels must be selected in the control panel Setting the proper label size allows the driver to provide accurate printing limits and margin in formation to Windows applications Media Choice Print Speed The print speed ...

Page 63: ...nsity may be required to achieve the desired results 980181 001 Rev B 55 Windows Printer Driver HINT Print Quality Print Density The print darkness or density can be changed by using the Print Quality option If print looks faded when printing at high speed select a higher darkness number for the Print Quality setting If horizontal lines seem to run together select a lower darkness number To access...

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