Microcom 326M, User Manual

Page 1: ... 426M DIRECT THERMAL PRINTERS USER S GUIDE PART NUMBER 880024 0107 Revised December 12 2004 CPC Copyright 2004 by Microcom Corporation Lewis Center Ohio All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America ...

Page 2: ...This Page Intentionally Left Blank ...

Page 3: ...This Page Intentionally Left Blank ...

Page 4: ...ed above may or may not apply FCC Compliance Statement This equipment is 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 an...

Page 5: ... CONNECTING THE PRINTER 7 3 2 1 Printer Power 8 3 2 2 Communication Interface 9 3 2 3 Optional Cutter Interface 10 3 2 4 Optional LPD INPUT 2 Sensor 10 3 2 5 Optional Remote Button 10 3 2 6 Optional INPUT 1 Sensor 10 3 2 7 Optional INPUT 3 Sensor 10 3 3 BUTTON AND INDICATOR LIGHT 11 3 3 1 Button 12 3 3 2 Indicator Light 12 3 4 LOADING MEDIA 13 3 5 CLEARING MEDIA JAMS 14 CHAPTER 4 PRINTER MODES 15 ...

Page 6: ...06 21 4 2 3 2 INPUT 1 21 21 4 2 3 3 INPUT 2 22 22 4 2 3 4 RESTARTED 80 22 4 2 3 5 READY 81 22 4 2 3 6 BUSY 82 22 4 2 3 7 PAUSED 83 22 4 2 3 8 PRINTING 84 22 4 2 3 9 FEEDING 85 22 4 2 3 10 LABEL TAG PRESENT 86 23 4 2 3 11 STOCK ADVANCED 87 23 4 2 3 12 FLASH DEFRAGMENTING 8A 23 4 2 3 13 STOCK NOT LOADED 8F 23 4 2 3 14 RETRACTION DELAY 90 23 4 2 3 15 PRINT DELAY 91 23 4 2 3 16 FLASH MEMORY LOW B0 23 ...

Page 7: ...IAGNOSTIC MODE 27 4 4 1 Entering Diagnostic Mode 27 4 1 2 Status Label 27 CHAPTER 5 COMMUNICATIONS 31 5 1 RS 232 SERIAL 31 5 1 1 RS 232 Printer Cables 31 5 2 ETHERNET 10BASE TX 32 5 3 USB PORT 32 CHAPTER 6 MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS 33 6 1 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 33 6 2 THERMAL PRINTER CARD 34 6 3 INTERNAL CLEANING 36 6 4 PRINT HEAD MAINTENANCE 37 6 5 CLEANING THE DRIVE ROLLER 38 6 6 EXTERIOR CLEANI...

Page 8: ...iv 326M User s Guide APPENDIX B 49 RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION RMA PROCEDURE 49 GLOSSARY 51 INDEX 55 USER NOTES 59 ...

Page 9: ...ng Specifications 3 Table 3 Media Specifications 4 Table 4 Minimum Power Supply Specifications 8 Table 5 Print Button Description 12 Table 6 Indicator Light Description 12 Table 7 Enquiry Responses 18 Table 8 RS 232 Cable Configurations 31 Table 9 Recommended Maintenance Schedule 33 ...

Page 10: ...vi 326M User s Guide ...

Page 11: ...M 11 Figure 8 Loading Media 426M 13 Figure 9 Releasing the Print Head 326M 14 Figure 10 D960 1 or K Test Pattern 27 Figure 11 D323 List Enablements Example 27 Figure 12 D326 List Settings Example 28 Figure 13 D325 List Selections Example 29 Figure 14 D324 List Statistics Example 29 Figure 15 Ethernet Port 426M 32 Figure 16 Unlatching of the Print head 326M 35 Figure 17 Removal of Thermal Card 326M...

Page 12: ...viii 326M User s Guide Figure 1 Front Angled View 426M Figure 2 Rear Angled View 426M ...

Page 13: ...efer to the LDSII Programming Guide part 880019 0100 for additional information regarding LDSII programming instructions Among many other features LDSII supports downloadable graphics and fonts serial numbering flexible character spacing reverse video resident fonts and many of the most popular bar code symbologies Bitmapped fonts and bar codes may be multiplied in size in both the X and Y directi...

Page 14: ...2 326M User s Guide ...

Page 15: ... and CTS Hosts Windows NT 95 98 and 2000 Parity Odd Even and None Protocols TCP IP Data Bits 7 or 8 USB Universal Serial Bus Version 1 1 supported Table 1 General Specifications 1 2 Printing Specifications Print Type Direct Thermal Print Resolution 203 DPI 8 dots mm 300 DPI 11 808 dots mm optional Maximum Print Speed 6 sec 152mm sec 4 sec 102mm sec with 300 DPI option Maximum Print Width 326M 3 15...

Page 16: ...tallation of media NOTE The printers may print on thicker media types depending on the pliability of the material however this requires testing and evaluation Contact your authorized Microcom Corporation representative for additional information regarding testing and evaluation of thicker or rigid media types NOTE The 326M printer s media path has a maximum width of 3 5 while the actual printable ...

Page 17: ...oxes Direct Monochrome BMP image support Store fonts scripts and or graphics Rotated 0 º 90 º 180 º and 270 º 2 3 Bar codes One dimensional Code 39 Interleaved 2 of 5 Code 128 A B C and Auto Code 93 Codabar Modified Plessey UPC A UPC E EAN 8 EAN 13 UCC EAN 128 and Postnet Two dimensional PDF 417 and Data Matrix Rotated 0 º 90 º 180 º and 270 º 2 4 Special Features Durable steel chassis that protec...

Page 18: ...ackline and blowhole using reflective and transmissive sensors Field incrementing decrementing and serialization Powerful Label Design Software LDSII that is easy to master User storable Flash memory On site Flash memory updates 2 5 Options Full or partial cutter available in 3 or 4 versions Rotary cutter available in 3 or 4 versions Label Present Sensor LPS Configurable sensor Input 1 that may be...

Page 19: ...nter is removed from the container s verify that all the components ordered are present and in good condition see Figure 3 for an example Additional items ordered may be included in the foam accessory tray The protective foam and shipping container s should be kept and used if the printer is to be shipped Additional shipping materials may be ordered by contacting the Microcom Corporation Service D...

Page 20: ...k mode during an overload situation rather than a shutdown and restart attempt sometimes referred to as Hiccup mode Contact your Microcom Corporation representative for any questions regarding power adapter requirements and or specifications AC Input 90 264 VAC 50 60HZ DC Output 24Vdc 4 2 Amps Power Rating 100 Watts Overload Mode Output Foldback Mode Printer Power Connector 4 Pin Power mini DIN Co...

Page 21: ...d special purpose machines The 326M and 426M printers offer a standard RS 232 serial port USB version 1 1 and 10BASE TX Ethernet as standard communication interface Figure 5 Communication Connections 426M Figure 6 Optional Component Connections 10 BASE T Ethernet Port USB Port RS 232 Serial Port Cutter LPD INPUT 2 Remote Button INPUT 1 INPUT 3 ...

Page 22: ...ar panel provides an extra connection that may be used with a custom remote button in addition to the Feed button provided on the printer s rear panel This button is configured using the D541 command refer to the LDSII Programming Guide to set the desired operation of the button Refer to the LDSII Programming Guide for additional information regarding the operational commands required to use this ...

Page 23: ...to familiarize you with the basic function of the button and light with default settings Refer to Chapter 4 Printer Modes for more detailed information on the default settings The Button is configured using the D541 command with the default being 1 Refer to the LDSII Programming Guide for additional information regarding the button s configuration Figure 7 Button and Indicator Light 426M Indicator...

Page 24: ...Button Description 3 3 2 Indicator Light Light Color Description Solid Green Indicates that the power is on the printer is in a ready state and is either in LOCKOUT or BASIC access levels Solid Amber Indicates that the printer is busy or is in a tag tear mode other than Advance When Idle 3 Solid Red Indicates that the printer is either in SERVICE FACTORY or DEVELOPER access levels Flashing Amber I...

Page 25: ...resentative about the availability of custom size media guides Follow the instructions below to properly load the media 1 Tear off a clean edge on the media before loading into the printer 2 Insert the media into the media path see Figure 6 located on the back of the printer until you feel resistance 3 Push and hold the FEED button to feed the media through the printer 4 Once the media exits the f...

Page 26: ...e installed media from the media path 3 Verify that all of the media is removed from the media path and drive roller areas 4 Rotate and latch the print head mechanism in the down or normal position 5 Tear off a clean edge on the media before loading into the printer 6 Insert the media into the media path Figure 6 located on the back of the printer until you feel resistance 7 Push and hold the FEED...

Page 27: ...d The error is cleared by pressing the Print Button after the condition causing the error is removed If it is not possible for the printer to execute the previous information the printer enters the Paused Mode see Paused Mode below for additional information Refer to Chapter 7 Troubleshooting for information on how to correct error conditions 4 2 1 Enquiry Responses Enquiry responses provide a met...

Page 28: ...s capacity 0x21 INPUT 1 The Input 1 sensor has been actuated 0x22 INPUT 2 The Input 2 sensor has been actuated 0x30 SCRIPT ERROR An error with the script has been detected 0x31 INVALID PARAMETER The printer has detected an invalid parameter 0x32 PARSER ERROR An error with the printer s parser has occurred 0x40 COMM ERROR A Communication error has been detected 0x51 FLASH ERROR The flash memory has...

Page 29: ...erature is out of operating range 0xD1 NONEXISTENT COMMAND The received command does not exist 0xD2 INCOMPLETE COMMAND The received command is not complete 0xD3 ZIP FILE ERROR The received Zipped file has an error 0xD4 FILE CONVERSION ERROR The file was not converted properly 0xD5 UNSUPPORTED FILE TYPE The received file is not recognized 0xD6 FILE NOT FOUND The requested file does not exist or can...

Page 30: ... may be configured to automatically reports errors and status messages by using the D72x series commands The following sections provide further explanations of the various fatal error responses Refer to the D550 command regarding the types of enquiry response sets NOTE The following section titles are the responses that the printer will generate once the associating condition occurs and the printe...

Page 31: ...e entire script repeat distance plus 0 2 inches 4 2 2 4 INCORRECT STOCK 04 This error response is generated when the printer detects a registration mark that is too high or too short or if the registration mark is detected too soon or too late The INCORRECT STOCK message is generated once this condition exists when the printer is configured for text and verbose response sets If the printer is conf...

Page 32: ... FORM 1D The INCOMPLETE FORM response indicates that the printer did not complete the current script while in text or verbose response modes If the printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0x1D is issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command This response appears in conjunction with the STOCK OUT error and a printer configured with the D581 2 Finish Label command 4 2 2 ...

Page 33: ...ate These enquiry responses are sent from the printer to the host when the appropriate condition occurs by issuing the Ctrl E E combination or by issuing the D327 command The following sections provide further explanations of the non immediate basic status responses Refer to the D550 command regarding the types of enquiry response sets NOTE The following section titles are the responses that the p...

Page 34: ...rinter from accepting data while in text and verbose response sets If the printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0x82 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command 4 2 3 7 PAUSED 83 The PAUSED response indicates that the printer s printing capabilities have been paused while in text and verbose response sets The printer will continue to receive data while in th...

Page 35: ...he printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0x8F is issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command This message persists until media is detected at the registration mark sensors but does not prevent commands from being processed 4 2 3 14 RETRACTION DELAY 90 The RETRACTION DELAY response indicates that the printer has been configured with a delay before retracting refer to...

Page 36: ...ter in response to an enquiry command 4 2 3 20 NONEXISTENT COMMAND D1 The NONEXISTENT COMMAND response indicates that the printer has received data in the LDSII command structure that does not exist or is yet to be implemented while in text and verbose response sets If the printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0xD1 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command...

Page 37: ...t a save or delete command is being issued to the printer and that the file is a protected file stored in the printer If the printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0xD9 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command 4 2 3 28 INADEQUATE FLASH SPACE DA This enquiry response indicates that the available flash memory is less than the total size of a file being saved...

Page 38: ...nses the code ASCII 0xF0 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command 4 2 3 36 GRAPHIC TOO LARGE F2 This enquiry response indicates that the graphic sent to the printer is larger than the available memory while in text or verbose response sets If the printer is configured for byte responses the code ASCII 0xF2 is issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command 4 2 3 ...

Page 39: ... printer Release the button after the status light indicator starts to blink and the printer will power up into diagnostic mode 4 1 2 Status Label The printer will print the Status label after the printer performs a power up and enters the diagnostic mode The status label prints out the reports generated by the D323 D326 D325 and D324 commands followed by the print head test pattern Figure 10 D960...

Page 40: ...diam ref length D646 10 0 inches Black line det to head D648 2 32 inches Gap det to head D649 2 34 inches Printhead Width D647 4 094 inches Resolution D647 203 dpi Serial port settings D670 9600 N 8 1 Ethernet Active at 10 100 MAC 0x000257795634 Internet Protocol Printer port number D674 23 Printer addr D675 192 168 200 3 Server Host addr D676 192 168 200 1 Gateway addr D677 192 168 200 1 Broadcas...

Page 41: ...s D324 or Ctrl W Identity Model number D501 Microcom 426 Language Auto LDS2 Serial number 01234567890 CPU Serial number 01234567890 Accumulated operation Labels printed D655 44 Inches printed 97 inches 246 cm Total inches run 109 inches 276 cm Power on time 2 hours Printhead Width D647 4 094 inches Resolution D647 203 dpi Temperature 80 Fahrenheit Cutter Detected at power up false Type installed D...

Page 42: ...30 326M User s Guide ...

Page 43: ... PC DB 25 Pin XX 1 DCD DCD 1 HI 1 DCD DCD 8 XX 2 TXD RXD 2 XX 2 TXD RXD 3 XX 3 RXD TXD 3 XX 3 RXD TXD 2 HI 4 DTR DSR 4 HI 4 DTR DSR 20 LO 5 GND GND 5 LO 5 GND GND 7 HI 6 DSR DTR 6 HI 6 DSR DTR 6 DC 7 RTS CTS 7 DC 7 RTS CTS 4 XX 8 CTS RTS 8 XX 8 CTS RTS 5 HI 9 5V 5V 9 HI 9 5V DC DO NOT CARE XX INDETERMINATE Table 8 RS 232 Cable Configurations If XON XOFF handshaking is used only signals RXD TXD and...

Page 44: ... command is useful in reporting the addresses and command values A RJ45 connector for Ethernet port connection B Solid green light indicates that a connection is present C Flashing yellow light indicates that the port has activity Figure 15 Ethernet Port 426M 5 3 USB Port The printer provides the capability of a Universal Serial Bus USB port that supports version 1 1 The USB Type 1 port is a virtu...

Page 45: ...rinter cleaning card or lint free cloth dampened with Isopropyl Alcohol See Section 6 5 After every roll of media or every 512 feet of tag stock or fanfold media Peel Edge Foam tipped swab cotton tipped swab thermal printer cleaning card or lint free cloth dampened with Isopropyl Alcohol See section 6 3 As Needed Interior Cleaning Compressed air soft bristle brush and or lint free cloth dampened w...

Page 46: ...steps below for the proper cleaning procedure 1 Remove any installed media 2 Dampen both sides on one end of the cleaning card with isopropyl alcohol 3 Release the print head Figure 15 by pushing the Head Release Levers towards the center of the printer and insert the thermal card into the front of the printer between the print head and the drive roller 4 Continue inserting the card into the media...

Page 47: ...Chapter 6 Maintenance and Adjustments 326M User s Guide 35 Figure 16 Unlatching of the Print head 326M Figure 17 Removal of Thermal Card 326M ...

Page 48: ...inter power OFF 3 Using the two Head Release Levers See Figure 15 unlatch and raise the print head 4 Basic internal cleaning can be done using a combination of compressed air soft bristle brushes foam cotton tipped swabs and or lint free cloths dampened in alcohol Using any combination of these materials remove dust or other contaminants from the printer See section 6 4 for the proper print head m...

Page 49: ... cotton tipped swab dampened in isopropyl alcohol clean the thermal elements by gently rubbing the swab down the length of the print head Allow for the alcohol to evaporate then repeat if necessary 5 The Drive Roller Peel Edge and other basic internal cleaning may also be performed at this time See the appropriate sections for more information 6 Latch the print head completely and reinstall the me...

Page 50: ...talled media 2 Turn the printer power OFF 3 Using the two Head Release Levers Figure 15 unlatch and raise the print head 4 With a lint free cloth dampened in alcohol clean the drive roller Manually rotate the drive roller by the drive gear located to the left from the front of the printer or by manually rotating the drive roller itself to clean the entire drive roller surface 5 Print head Peel Edg...

Page 51: ...figured and placed in a different position upon request The printers contain fixed gap detection locations every half inch to provide flexibility for custom applications Figure 20 Gap Detector 326M 6 8 Auxiliary Button The auxiliary button see Figure 14 is used for factory adjustments recovers flash memory and may be customized for other special features 6 9 Flash Memory Update The printer is equi...

Page 52: ...nsfer the update 3 Contact the Microcom Corporation support department and or visit the following web address www microcomcorp com to acquire the desired MCA or MCB file 4 Issue the D945 command and retain the resulting listing for comparison after flash update 5 Send the MCA or MCB file to the printer in compressed form ZIP The MCA must be updated before the MCB if both are being updated Failure ...

Page 53: ...ressed File Recovery The printer s firmware can typically be recovered using this method in the event that during the MCA update the printer has become unstable Using this method is only intended to provide a recovery method and is not intended to be a normal way to update the MCA firmware stored in the printer s flash memory This method requires the use of a compressed MCA code file a host comput...

Page 54: ...er transfer to occur If the transfer was not successful the emulation program used may not have the ability to transfer Binary data CAUTION Do not send any unnecessary characters or turn the printer off during the flash memory update Failure to observe this precaution may result in the printer becoming inoperable Found rear button pressed Load an application now y n n Enter y to load new code Requ...

Page 55: ... the printer is paused or a D597 tag tear mode is being used Press the Print Button light should turn green and resume printing if the printer is paused Remove the tag the light should turn green if a tag tear mode is enabled Contact your Service Representative The indicator light is flashing red in color The printer has an error and requires service before printing will continue Verify that media...

Page 56: ... the printer The indicator light is flashing amber red in color The printer is updating flash memory During this process the firmware is copied from flash to RAM and if power is removed during this time the printer will become inoperative Wait until flashing stops before sending additional data of removing power to the printer The printer creates excessive noise when printing or fails to move medi...

Page 57: ...le power to reset the printer Vertical blank or light lines appear on printed areas Verify that the print head assembly in properly latched in the closed position Clean the print head Verify that the D690 contrast command is properly configured for the media being used Print head may need replaced Contact your Service Representative The printer does not detect stock out conditions Verify that the ...

Page 58: ...at the printer and the host serial port parameters are set exactly the same Change terminal emulation parameters to 9600 n 8 1 and press two carriage returns then use the E enquiry command Contact your Service Representative The label present detector is not sensing labels properly Is an LPD present Is a D597 dispense command being used that uses the LPD sensor Adjust the LPD drive using the D683 ...

Page 59: ...l be responsible for Microcom Corporation s customary charges for labor and materials to repair such defects MICROCOM CORPORATION S SOLE OBLIGATION UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE TO FURNISH PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF PRODUCTS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD Except for the express warranties stated Microcom Corporation disclaims all wa...

Page 60: ...48 326M User s Guide ...

Page 61: ...ice Receiving a Return Material Authorization RMA number 1 To receive an RMA number either complete the online RMA request form located on the World Wide Web www microcomcorp com or contact the Microcom Corporation Service Department and provide the representative with the following information Company name Contact name and phone number Model number Printer serial number A detailed description of ...

Page 62: ...50 326M User s Guide ...

Page 63: ...t The modem or printer end of an RS 232 serial communication link Modem serial ports and other peripherals are typically configured as DCE Die cut media Media that is cut using a die to form individual labels that have a start and stop point Typically the excess material surrounding the label is removed from the backing material Direct thermal Method of printing with a special heat sensitive media...

Page 64: ...is present Also referred to as LTS Label Taken Sensor Platen Roller that is located below the print head which the media rests upon See Drive roller Rolled media Media that is rolled onto a core which is typically cardboard in nature Rotary Cutter A cutter that has multiple angled blades mounted to a shaft that cut media by rotating the shaft RS 232 A popular and inexpensive asynchronous serial in...

Page 65: ...carries data from the DTE to the DCE for 2 way RS 232 serial communication Also known as TX and TD USB Universal Serial Bus A high speed asynchronous serial interface typically transfers up to 12M bits second used for connecting host computers to various peripherals ...

Page 66: ...54 326M User s Guide ...

Page 67: ...8 D Data Bits 3 Depth 3 Drive Roller 33 37 38 E Electrical 3 Enquiry 15 Ethernet 3 9 32 52 F Features 5 Flash Memory 39 Flow Control 3 31 Fonts 5 G Gap Detector 39 Glossary 51 Graphics 1 5 H Head Lift Lever 13 14 34 Head Release Levers 36 37 38 Height 3 Hosts 3 I Indicator Light 11 12 15 26 43 44 Inspection 7 Interface Communications Network Connectivity 3 Serial 3 Isopropyl Alcohol 34 37 ...

Page 68: ...sh 3 SDRAM 3 O Operation Halted Mode 15 Idle Mode 15 Indicator Light 12 Paused Mode 26 Print Button 12 Options 6 P Packaging 7 Parity 3 Peel Edge 33 37 38 Print Button 11 15 26 43 Print Length 3 Print Resolution 3 Print Speed 3 Print Type 3 Print Width 3 Printer Modes Halted 15 Idle 15 Paused 26 Printhead 5 6 33 34 36 37 38 45 47 51 52 Protocols 3 R Repairs 49 Return Material Authorization 49 RS 2...

Page 69: ...326M User s Guide 57 General 3 Media 4 Printing 3 T Temperature 3 Thermal Printer Card 34 Troubleshooting 43 U Unpacking 7 W Warranty 47 Weight 3 Width 3 ...

Page 70: ...58 326M User s Guide ...

Page 71: ...326M User s Guide 59 User Notes ...

Page 72: ......

Page 73: ......