Datamax O'Neil E-4204B manual

Operator’s Manual Basic and Advanced Models[...]

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Copyright Information CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation. CG Times based upon Times New Roman under license from the Monotype Corporation. Windows is a registered trademar k of the Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks of their respec[...]

Agency Compliance and Approvals C US Listed UL60950-1, Second Edition, Info rmation Technology Equipment CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-03, Second Edition The manufacturer declares under sole responsi bility that this product conforms to the following standards or other normative documents: EMC: EN 55022 (2006) Class A EN 50024 (1998) IEC 60950-1 :2001, Sec[...]

i C C C o o o n n n t t t e e e n n n t t t s s s 1 1 1 G G G e e e t t t t t t i i i n n n g g g S S S t t t a a a r r r t t t e e e d d d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

ii 4 4 4 M M M a a a i i i n n n t t t e e e n n n a a a n n n c c c e e e & & & A A A d d d j j j u u u s s s t t t m m m e e e n n n t t t s s s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

Chapter 1 – Getting Started 1 1 1 1 G G G e e e t t t t t t i i i n n n g g g S S S t t t a a a r r r t t t e e e d d d 1 1 1 . . . 1 1 1 I I I n n n t t t r r r o o o d d d u u u c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n The E-Class Mark III printer (hereafter referred to as “the printer”) is user-fri endly thermal printi ng device that blen ds quality [...]

2 Chapter 1 – Getting Started[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 3 2 2 2 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r S S S e e e t t t u u u p p p 2 2 2 . . . 1 1 1 I I I n n n t t t r r r o o o d d d u u u c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n This section explains how to connect your pri nter and load media (including ri bbon, if equipped for thermal transfer operation). 2 2 2 . . . 2 2 2 C C[...]

4 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 2.2.2 Interface Connections The printer can be connected to the host system via the parallel , serial, Ethernet or USB ports.  Before connecting interface cables to the printer, ensure that the Power Switch is in the OFF (O) position. 312  Ethernet Port  USB Port  Serial Port  Para llel Por t Cable Requi[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 5 2 2 2 . . . 3 3 3 L L L o o o a a a d d d i i i n n n g g g M M M e e e d d d i i i a a a  If the printer is equipped with an A djustable Media Sensor it may require adj ustment to match your media choice. If the printer i s equipped with this type of sensor, proceed to Secti on 4.4. 2.3.1 Loading Roll Media Load me[...]

6 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 4) If using thermal transfer media (ri bbon) proceed to Section 2.4 Loading Ri bbon. Otherwise close the printer’s Cover and press downward until latched. 312  Cover 5) Press the button several times to advance the media (if the Faul t Light is lit, see Secti on 3.7.)  The printer is factory set to use gap medi[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 7 2.3.2 Loading External or Fan-Fold Media Load media as follows: 1) Slide the Media Gui des outward. 2) Slide the Media Hangers outward and i nstall the two Media Chute Gui des into the Media Hangers.  Media Chute Guides  Media Hangers  External Media Guide 3) Position the Media Hangers to match the width of th[...]

8 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 4) Route the media through the External Media Sl ot in the rear of the printer. Pull out enough medi a to exit the front of the printer. Adjust the Media Guides so they are lightly touching the edge of the media.  External Media Slot  Media Guides  External Media Supply 5) If using Thermal Transfer media (ri b[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 9 2.3.3 Loading Media with th e Peel and Present Option Load media for peeling (if the pri nter is equipped with the opti on) as follows:  When using the Peel Mechanism do not exceed a print speed of 4 IPS.  To utilize “Tear mode” with Peel and Present Option inst alled; move the Peeler Door to its open positio[...]

10 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 2.3.4 Loading Media with the Cutter Option Load media for cutting (if the printer i s equipped with the option) as fol lows: 1) Load media as described in Secti on 2.3, (steps 1-3). 2) Route the media through the opening in the Cutter. 312  Cutter  Media 3) If using Thermal Transfer media (ri bbon) proceed to Se[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 11 2 2 2 . . . 4 4 4 L L L o o o a a a d d d i i i n n n g g g R R R i i i b b b b b b o o o n n n The printer is capable of using C. S.I (Coated Side In) and C.S. O (Coated Side Out) ribbons in the fol lowing configurations: ½” Core Ribbons Ribbon Core Width: 4.3 inches (110mm) Ribbon Width: 1.0 - 4.3 inch es (25 - 1[...]

12 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 2) Push out the Supply Hub and load the Suppl y Roll into the pri nter as shown. Depending on the size of the Supply Roll , the Media Bouncer may need to be pushed out of the way. 3) Once t he Supply Roll is loaded, slid e the Ribb on Handler Latch down ward to unlatc h the Ribb on Handler Ass embly. 312  Supp ly R[...]

Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 13 5) Route the ribbon from the supply roll to the Ri bbon Core, as shown below. 6) If not already attached, affix the leader of the ribbon to the Ri bbon Core using Tape. Rotate the Take-up Hub Wheel several times to secure the ribbon. 312  Ribbon Core  Tape  Take-up Hub Wheel 7) Raise and latch the Ribbon Hand[...]

14 Chapter 2 – Printer Setup 2.4.1 Using the Ribbon Core Adapters When using ribbons with a 1” (25.4mm) I. D. core, a Core Adap ter must be used. 1) Slide the Ribbon Roll (with the leader positi oned as shown above) onto a Core Adapter. Slide an empty Ribbon Core onto the remaining Core Adapter. 312  Core Adapter  Ribbon Roll  Ribbon C[...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 15 3 3 3 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r O O O p p p e e e r r r a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n 3 3 3 . . . 1 1 1 I I I n n n t t t r r r o o o d d d u u u c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n The Fro nt Panel c onsists o f two indica tor lights a nd one mult i-function b utton, as detailed in the following section[...]

16 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 3 3 3 . . . 3 3 3 M M M u u u l l l t t t i i i - - - F F F u u u n n n c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n B B B u u u t t t t t t o o o n n n The multi-function button perform different functi ons depending upon the mode of the printer: Button Action LED 1 – Green Ready/Idle LED 1 – Green Printing LED 1 – Orange[...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 17 3 3 3 . . . 4 4 4 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r C C C o o o n n n f f f i i i g g g u u u r r r a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n T T T o o o o o o l l l s s s The printer contains many user adjustable paramete rs. These parameters are configurable using a few methods. The table below li sts the most popul[...]

18 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 3 3 3 . . . 5 5 5 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r C C C o o o n n n f f f i i i g g g u u u r r r a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n U U U t t t i i i l l l i i i t t t y y y ( ( ( D D D M M M X X X C C C o o o n n n f f f i i i g g g ) ) ) DMXConfig (loc ated on th e Accesso ries CD-ROM) is a Windows -based [...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 19 Once you ha ve installed the DMXConfig u tility: 1) Connect the host to the printer with a serial, par allel, or (USB cab le if driver is installe d). 2) Turn ON the printer and launch the DMXConfig utilit y. 3) Click on the port or the printer you wish to connect to from the list. 4) Query the printer by using th[...]

20 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 3 3 3 . . . 6 6 6 W W W i i i n n n d d d o o o w w w s s s D D D r r r i i i v v v e e e r r r The Windows driver is located on the Accessori es CD-ROM included with your printer. For the latest versi on please visit our web site at http://www.datamax-oneil.com Installin g the Wind ows Driver: 1) Place the Access[...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 21 Important Notes: The Wind ows driver fu nctions the same as an y other Wind ows printe r. While built -in help files p rovide information on all setting s, there ar e some impor tant se tting parameters that should be observed for trouble free printing: Page Setup Tab: Stock It is important that the Stock setting [...]

22 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 3 3 3 . . . 7 7 7 M M M e e e d d d i i i a a a C C C a a a l l l i i i b b b r r r a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n Calibration ensures correct media detecti on. 3.7.1 Quick Calibration The Quick Ca libration can be perfor med using th e DMXConfig Utility ( see Sectio n 3.5) or by holding down the multi-functio n bu[...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 23 3.7.2 Media Calibration Wizard The Med ia Calibration Wizar d can be pe rformed using the DMXConfig Ut ility (see Sect ion 3.5). Once you have installed the DMXConfig utility and th e printer is proper ly loaded with media, proc eed with ca libration as follows: 1) Connect the host to the printer with a serial, pa[...]

24 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 7) The Calib ration Wizard will n ow prompt you to Load Backing. Peel off a few labels and position the backing material over the media sensor. Close the cover and click OK. 6) The Calib ration Wizard will n ow prompt you to Load Stock. Ensure that media is properly loaded in the printer then cl ose the cover and [...]

Chapter 3 – Printer Operation 25 3 3 3 . . . 8 8 8 I I I n n n t t t e e e r r r n n n a a a l l l L L L a a a b b b e e e l l l s s s The followin g sectio n details t he reside nt informat ion and te st labels . 3.8.1 Database Configuration Label The Data base Con figuration Label pr ovides info rmation including t he printer firmware versio n,[...]

26 Chapter 3 – Printer Operation[...]

Chapter 4 – Maintenance and Adjustments 27 4 4 4 M M M a a a i i i n n n t t t e e e n n n a a a n n n c c c e e e & & & A A A d d d j j j u u u s s s t t t m m m e e e n n n t t t s s s 4 4 4 . . . 1 1 1 I I I n n n t t t r r r o o o d d d u u u c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n This sec tion deta ils the clean ing, adjust ing, and tro u[...]

28 Chapter 4 – Maintenance Adjustments 4 4 4 . . . 2 2 2 C C C l l l e e e a a a n n n i i i n n n g g g t t t h h h e e e P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t h h h e e e a a a d d d Never use a sharp, hard, or abra sive object on the printhead. If print quality decli nes (symptoms can include unreadable bar codes or streaks through text and graphi cs)[...]

Chapter 4 – Maintenance and Adjustments 29 Cleaning Card Procedure If printing with direct thermal media, thermal transfer media with wax/resi n ribbon combinations, or i f the Cotton Swab technique was not successful, clean the printhead as fol lows: 1) Open the printer. Wait briefly for the Printhead to cool. 2) Remove media and ribbon then pla[...]

30 Chapter 4 – Maintenance Adjustments 4 4 4 . . . 3 3 3 R R R i i i b b b b b b o o o n n n T T T e e e n n n s s s i i i o o o n n n A A A d d d j j j u u u s s s t t t m m m e e e n n n t t t The adjustable ribbon handler feature, found on printers equipped with the thermal transfer option, al lows the optimum amount tension to be supplied by [...]

Chapter 4 – Maintenance and Adjustments 31 4 4 4 . . . 4 4 4 A A A d d d j j j u u u s s s t t t a a a b b b l l l e e e M M M e e e d d d i i i a a a S S S e e e n n n s s s o o o r r r The optional Adjustable Media Sensor (AMS) al lows the printer to accept a wider variety of media configurations. The table belo w defines general AMS positi ons[...]

32 Chapter 4 – Maintenance Adjustments 4 4 4 . . . 5 5 5 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t h h h e e e a a a d d d R R R e e e p p p l l l a a a c c c e e e m m m e e e n n n t t t If the Printhead becomes damaged or worn, replace it as fol lows:  Always follow proper El ectro Static Discharge procedures when replaci ng the printhead. 1) Turn O FF[...]

Chapter 4 – Maintenance and Adjustments 33 5) Loosen the Printhead Screw and allow the Pri nthead to fall free. 6) Remove the Printhead Cable. 312  Printh ead Shield  Printhead Screw  Printhead  Printhead Cable  Sensor Installation: 1) Carefully connect the Printhead Cabl e to the new Printhead. 2) Position the Printhead i n the Pr[...]

34 Chapter 4 – Maintenance Adjustments 4 4 4 . . . 6 6 6 P P P l l l a a a t t t e e e n n n R R R o o o l l l l l l e e e r r r R R R e e e p p p l l l a a a c c c e e e m m m e e e n n n t t t The Platen Roller can be easil y removed for cleaning, replacement, or clearing media jams. 1) Turn OF F the print er and remove the media if ins talled.[...]

Chapter 4 – Maintenance and Adjustments 35 4 4 4 . . . 7 7 7 D D D o o o w w w n n n l l l o o o a a a d d d i i i n n n g g g F F F i i i r r r m m m w w w a a a r r r e e e a a a n n n d d d F F F o o o n n n t t t s s s The operating programs and fonts for the printer are stored in Fl ash memory on the Main PCB. When program updates and/or new[...]

36 Chapter 4 – Maintenance Adjustments[...]

Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting 37 5 5 5 T T T r r r o o o u u u b b b l l l e e e s s s h h h o o o o o o t t t i i i n n n g g g 5 5 5 . . . 1 1 1 I I I n n n t t t r r r o o o d d d u u u c c c t t t i i i o o o n n n Occasio nally, situatio ns arise t hat req uire troub leshootin g. Possib le proble m situation s and po tential so lutions are lis[...]

38 Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting Skips every other label (print q uality is goo d, but eve ry other lab el is skipp ed):  The label is formatted too close to the top edge of the l abel: Leave white space equal to 8-dot rows (about .02 inch [.5mm]) at the top of the label.  The media is not calibrated: Cal ibrate it (see Section 3.7 or 3. 3). [...]

Appendix A – Specifications 39 A A A S S S p p p e e e c c c i i i f f f i i i c c c a a a t t t i i i o o o n n n s s s Mechanical Width 8.01 inches (20.4 cm) Depth 7.36 inches (28.2 cm) Height 11.10 inches (28.2 cm) Weight 5.25 pounds (2.4 kg) Operating Temperature 40 to 95 F (4 to 35 C) AC Input Voltage Power Supply 105 VAC to 250 VAC / 50-60 [...]

40 Appendix A – Specifications Media / Ribbon Media Types Roll-Fed, Die-Cut, Continuous, Fan-Fol d Max. Media Width 4.4 inches (110mm) Min. Media Width 0.75 inches (19mm) Max. Print Width 203 DPI Models: 4.25 inches (108mm) 300 DPI Models: 4.12 inches (106mm) Print Length Range .236 – 99 inches (6 - 2514mm) Minimum Label Height Tear: 0.5 inches[...]

Appendix A – Specifications 41 Approved Media To achieve o ptimum print qua lity and maximum print head life, Datama x-O’Neil spe cifies the use of Datamax- O’Neil brand media and ribbons. These supplies are speciall y formulated for use in our pri nters; use of other supplies may affect the print quality, p erformance , and life of the print[...]

42 Appendix A – Specifications[...]

Appendix B – Ethernet Setup 43 B B B E E E t t t h h h e e e r r r n n n e e e t t t S S S e e e t t t u u u p p p B B B . . . 1 1 1 N N N e e e t t t w w w o o o r r r k k k C C C a a a r r r d d d S S S e e e t t t u u u p p p The Print Server makes IP requests at power-up, so before making a network connection to the printer consider how your [...]

44 Appendix B – Ethernet Setup B.1.1 Wired Configuration - Static IP Address: DMXConfig (loc ated on th e Accesso ries CD-ROM) is a Windows based co nfiguration u tility that allows the user to make changes to the existing printer setup via a di rect connection to the host computers serial and paral lel connec tion. This is a vital tool for the u[...]

Appendix B – Ethernet Setup 45 6) Click on the Wired Ethernet Configuration button. First select the ‘Disabled’ radi o button. Then enter valid values (within your network’s range) for the following fields: - Printer IP Address - Printer Subnet Mask - Printer Gateway 7) Send the settings to the printer using the Configure Printer toolbar bu[...]

46 Appendix B – Ethernet Setup B B B . . . 2 2 2 P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r ’ ’ ’ s s s I I I n n n t t t e e e r r r n n n a a a l l l W W W e e e b b b P P P a a a g g g e e e s s s 1. Open your web browser. Type in the IP A ddress of the printer. The Default IP is: 192. 168.10.26.  Note: If you (or DHCP) have assigned a[...]

Appendix B – Ethernet Setup 47 Generic Network Configuration Page NetBIOS (WINS) Settings NetBIOS Name Is the name used to reference the pr inter instead of the IP address. A WINS or DNS server is required for this capability . Primary WINS Server The IP addr ess of the primary WINS Server. Secondary WINS Server The IP addr ess of a secondary WIN[...]

48 Appendix B – Ethernet Setup Wired Ethernet Configuration Page DHCP DHCP Controls IP Address discovery, where: Enabled: Broadcasts over the network to receive addresses from the responsible server at startup. Manual modifications to IP Address, Subnet Mask, or Gateway are not allowed; and, if no server is fo und, the specified static value will[...]

Appendix B – Ethernet Setup 49 B B B . . . 3 3 3 I I I n n n s s s t t t a a a l l l l l l i i i n n n g g g t t t h h h e e e P P P r r r i i i n n n t t t e e e r r r D D D r r r i i i v v v e e e r r r Install the Printer Driver as follows (screen shots belo w are samples taken using Windows 2000; other versions will be similar): 1 Start the W[...]

50 Appendix B – Ethernet Setup 9 Insert the Accessories CD- ROM and click Browse. 10 Browse to the DRIVERS folder on the CD-ROM. Ensure the file “Datamax- O’Neil.inf” is selected then click OK. 11 Click OK. 12 Choose your printer from the list and then click Next>. 13 Assign a name in the Printer name field and select whether or not it[...]

Glossary 51 G G G l l l o o o s s s s s s a a a r r r y y y alphanumeric Consisting of alphabetic, numeri c, punctuation and other symbols. backing material The silico n-coated paper ca rrier mater ial to which labe ls with adhes ive backing a re affixed. Also referred to as “liner”. bar code A repres entation of a lphanumeric information in a [...]

52 Glossary font A set of alphanumeric characters that share a particular typeface. gap A space between die-cut or notched labels used to sense the top of form. IPS (inches per second) Imperial measurement of printer speeds. label A paper or synthetic printing material , typically with a pressure sensiti ve adhesive backing. label length The distan[...]