Zebra Technologies PA400 manual

User s Guide ' Customer order #52600L Manufacturer part #52600LB ' Zebra T echnologies Corporation Zebra House The V alley Centre, Gordon Road High W ycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6EQ, UK T elephone +44 (0)1494 472872 Facsimile +44 (0)1494 450103 Zebra T echnologies Europe Limited Zebra T echnologies Corporation 333 Corporate W oods Parkway[...]

User's Guide #52600LB Rev . 1 Customer order #52600L Manufacturer part[...]

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, repro- duced, or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the e[...]

I have determined that the Zebra printers identified as the Zebra Portable Line 400 and 400 ®™ PA P T manufactured by: Zebra T echnologies Corporation 333 Corporate W oods Parkway V ernon Hills, Illinois 60061-3109 U.S.A. have been shown to comply with the applicable technical standards of the FCC for Home, Office, Commercial, and Industrial use[...]

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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 . ...[...]

Adjusting the Printhead Pressure . ...................2 3 Adjusting the Strap ...........................2 4 Hand/Shoulder Strap ........................2 4 Adjustable Shoulder Strap .....................2 6 Calibration Auto Calibration ............................2 7 Manual Calibration ...........................2 8 Preventive Maintenance Cleaning[...]

Font/Bar Code .............................4 3 Physical/Environmental/Electrical ...................4 3 Agency Approvals ...........................4 4 Options .................................4 4 Adapter Cable Pinouts .........................4 5 RJ45 Connector Pin Identification ...................4 5 Null Modem Cable Pinouts ....................[...]

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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![...]

2 10 11 15 16 18 19 20 17 9 8 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 14 13 12 T op Cover Error LED Power LED Printhead Pressure Adjuster Power Button Feed Button Printhead Platen Roller Media Guides 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Ribbon Cartridge Media Hangers Media Access Door Battery Compartment Media Compartment Strap Communications Port Battery Charging R[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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 Med[...]

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 cert[...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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. 9 T ear Bar Figure 8[...]

Peel-Off Mode NOTES: Your authorized Zebra reseller can recommend the correct ribbon and peel-off media for your application. If ribbon is loaded (PT400 only), remove the ribbon cartridge before loading the media. 1 . Refe r t o Figur e 4 . Rais e th e medi a acces s doo r b y liftin g a t th e notch until it unhooks from the top cover. 2 . Refe r [...]

9. The tear bar should not be installed in the printer. If it is, gently lift the tab on the bar to get it over the protrusion on the door (reverse the procedur e show n i n Figur e 7 ) . Then , pul l th e ba r ou t o f th e printer. NOTE : Whe n no t i n use , th e tea r ba r ma y b e store d o n th e inside o f th e medi a acces s door . Refe r t[...]

10. Close the printhead and the top cover. 11. Swing up the media access door, ensuring that the media liner is threaded through the wide slot in the media access door (refer to Figure 10). 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[...]

Fanfold Media (optional vibration mount required) NOTE: If ribbon is loaded (PT400 only), remove the ribbon cartridge before loading the media. 1. Raise the media access door by lifting at the notch until it unhooks fro m th e to p cove r (refe r t o Figur e 4 ). 2 . Swin g th e medi a acces s doo r ope n t o expos e th e medi a compartment (refe r[...]

NOTE: The plastic media core can be obtained from an authorized Zebra supplies reseller. 7. Release the media hangers so the plastic media core locks into the correct position. 8. Place the fanfold media in the fanfold media tray. 9. Swing up the media access door. Thread the fanfold media through the slo t beneat h th e notc h o n th e medi a acce[...]

15 Slot F anfold Media Notch Figure 12 Media Figure 13[...]

Loading the Ribbon (PT400 only) 1. If the printhead is not already open, lift it until you feel it “lock” into place. 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! 2. Hold the ribbon cartridge as [...]

To remove the ribbon cartridge, simply lift the printhead and pull the ribbon cartridge from the printer. 17 Ribbon Cartridge Printhead Figure 15 Close Printhead Ribbon Figure 16[...]

Operator Controls Refer to Figure 17. Power Button • Press to turn on the printer. • To turn off the printer, press and hold until the Power LED flashes once. (Holding the button for approximately two seconds acts as a safeguard. That way, no data will be lost if the button is accidentally pressed or bumped.) CAUTION: The power should be turned[...]

Indicator LEDs Refe r t o Figure s 1 7 an d 18 . Power LED (Green) • “On” during normal printer operation. • Function s a sa printe r operational/batter y statu s indicato r (se e “Help! Th e LED s ar e On/Off/Flashing! ” i n Troubleshooting ). Error LED (Orange) • “Off” during normal printer operation. • Function s a sa printe [...]

Printing a Test Label 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 printin ga configuratio n labe l (refe r t o “Fee d Butto n Modes ” in Troubleshooting ). If you can’t get this label to print, refer to Troubleshooting . Connecting the Pri[...]

21 10101 10101 10101 10101 Null Modem Cable Adapter Cable Computer Communications P orts Figure 19 Communications Cable F errite Figure 20[...]

Communicating with the Printer Setting the Communication Parameters When using the printer’s serial port to transfer data, you will need to make sure that the printer and the computer have identical communication parameter settings. To initialize the communication parameters for the printer: • Press and hold the Feed button until the Error LED [...]

Adjusting the Printhead Pressure Adjust printhead pressure if print darkness is inconsistent across the label. NOTE: In general, use a higher setting for wide labels and a lower setting for narrow labels. There are four printhead pressure settings (see Figure 21). Depending on whether you want to increase or decrease the printhead pressure, slide t[...]

Adjusting the Strap Hand/Shoulder Strap To lengthen the strap: Refer to Figure 22. 1. With the printer in front of you, unwrap the padded handle by lifting up the loose end of the handle. 2. Unlatch the buckle by squeezing both sides of the fastener. 3. Let the loose end of the strap fall to the side. 4. Pull up the handle. 24 1 2 3 4 Handle Buckle[...]

To shorten the strap: Refer to Figure 23. 1. Pull the buckle until the strap is taut. 2. Latch by inserting the fastener into the buckle. 3. Wrap and secure the padded handle around the strap. 25 1 2 2 3 Handle Buckle F astener Figure 23[...]

Adjustable Shoulder Strap Refer to Figure 24. Slide the two buckles toward either the printer or shoulder pad until you achieve the desired length. 26 Grip Buckle Here Shoulder Pa d P ull Strap Here to Lengthen P ull Strap Here to Shorten Figure 24[...]

Calibration Auto Calibration NOTE: The printer will not auto calibrate when you are using pre-printed labels or pre-printed label backing. If you are using thi s typ e o f media , se e “Manua l Calibration.” By default, this printer automatically sets the sensor levels for, and determines the length of, the label you are using. To auto calibrat[...]

Manual Calibration A manual calibration should be performed whenever you are using pre-printed labels (or label backing) or if the printer will not auto calibrate. 1. Turn on the printer power. 2. Remove 4-6” (102-152 mm) of labels from a section of backing material. Load the media so that only the backing material is threaded through the printer[...]

Preventive Maintenance WARNING: To avoid possible personal injury or damage to the printer, never insert any pointed or sharp objects into the printer. Cleaning CAUTION: Use only the cleaning agents indicated. Zebra Technologies Corporation will not be responsible for damage caused by any other cleaning materials used on this printer. 29 Area Metho[...]

Lubrication CAUTION: No lubricating agents of any kind should be used on this printer! Some commercially available lubricants, if used, will damage the finish and the mechanical parts inside the printer. Extending Battery Life • Never expose the battery to direct sunlight or temperatures over 104 ° F (40 ° C). • Choose the media or ribbon tha[...]

• Select Tear-Off mode whenever possible (Peel-Off mode uses more power). • Pull the battery out of the printer if the printer won’t be used for a day or more and you’re not performing a maintenance charge. • Completely discharge the battery before recharging. Wait until you get a “battery under voltage - level 1” indication (Error LE[...]

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Troubleshooting Try as you may, you can’t seem to get the label to look right. Or, the LEDs are on or flashing when they’re normally off. This is the section of the User’s Guide that can help you solve your printer’s problems! If, after reading this section, you’re still having difficulty getting your printer to print, contact a qualified[...]

2. The printhead is open. • Close the top cover and media access door. Then, press the Feed button to resume printing. The media is out. • Loa da rol l o f media , followin g th e instruction s i n “Loadin g th e Media” in Getting Ready to Print . Then, press the Feed button to resume priting. The ribbon is out (PT400 only). • Loa d th e [...]

7. The battery is under voltage (level 2). • The battery may not have enough power to print the next label and can reset the printer, losing formats in the printer. Plug the battery charger into the printer (you don’t have to turn off the printer to do this). After the battery is charged, press the Feed button. 8. FLASH memory is not programmed[...]

There are long tracks of missing print (blank vertical lines) on several labels. • The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead according to the instructions i n Preventiv e Maintenance . • The printhead elements are damaged. Call a qualified service technician to replace the printhead. Misregistration of labels (the printing does not start at t[...]

Troubleshooting Tests Printing a Configuration Label To print out a listing of the printer’s current configuration (a sample is show n i n Figur e 27 ) , refe r t o “Fee d Butto n Modes ” i n thi s chapter. Recalibration Recalibrate the printer if it starts to display unusual symptoms, such as skippin g labels . Se e Calibration . Resetting t[...]

38 Figure 27 Figure 28[...]

Feed Button Modes 39 Power Off Mode (Communications Diagnostics Mode) With the printer power off, press and hold the Feed button while you turn on the power . Th e printe r print s ou ta listin g o f it s curren t configuratio n (se e Figur e 27 ). After printing the label, the printer will automatically enter a diagnostic mode in whic h th e print[...]

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Specifications NOTE: Printer specifications are subject to change without notice. Printing Specifications Ribbon Cartridge Specifications (PT400) 41 Print Density 203 dots/inch (8 dots/mm) Print Width Up to 4.1” (104 mm) Print Speed 1.5” or 2” per second (38.1 mm or 50.8 mm per second) Registration Tolerance Horizontal +/- 0.059” (+/- 1.5 m[...]

Label Specifications Memory/Communications Specifications 42 Label/Tag Width 1” to 4.25” (25.4 mm to 108 mm) Fanfold Width 3.5” to 4.25” (89 mm to 108 mm) Label/Tag Length 0.5” to 10” (12.7 mm to 254 mm) Interlabel Gap .08” to .16” (.12” preferred) 2 mm to 4 mm (3 mm preferred) Label/Tag Thickness .0030” to .0106” (.076 mm to [...]

Font/Bar Code Specifications Physical/Environmental/Electrical Specifications 43 Fonts Available ü CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed scalable smooth ü Zebra fonts A, B, C, D, E, H, GS 1D Bar Codes Available ü Codabar (supports ratios of 2:1 to 3:1) ü Code 11 ü Code 128/USD 8 (supports serialization in all subsets and UCC Case Codes) ü Code 39 (su[...]

Agency Approvals • UL 544 Medical Equipment Standard Part 42.5 • CSA 22.2 number 950 Canadian Safety Standard • IEC 950/EN 60950 International Safety Standard • FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B Electromagnetic Radiation Standard • UL 1950 Domestic Safety Standard • Canadian DOC Class A • SOR/88-475 Canadian Electromagnetic Radiation Stan[...]

45 9-Pin D to RJ45 Connection T able DB -9S Connector to Null Modem Cable RJ45 Connector to Printer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 UNUSED UNUSED RXD RTS TXD DTR DSR GND Adapter Cable Pinouts Pin 1 Pin 8 RJ45 Connector Pin Identification[...]

46 25-Pin D to 9-Pin D Null Modem Cable 9-Pin D to 9-Pin D Null Modem Cable DB -25S Connector to P .C. DB -9S Connector to P .C. DB -9P Connector to Adapter Cable DB -9P Connector to Adapter Cable 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TXD TXD TXD TXD RXD RXD RXD RXD RTS RTS RTS RTS CTS CTS CTS CTS DSR DSR DSR DSR GND GND [...]

A Adapte r cabl e .......... 2 0 Adapte r cabl e pinout s ...... 4 5 Adjustin g th e stra p ....... 2 4 Adjustments Prin t darknes s ........ 2 2 Prin t widt h ......... 2 2 Printhea d pressur e ...... 2 3 Agenc y approval s ........ 4 4 B Batter y chargin g LE D ...... 1 9 Batter y disposa l ......... 3 1 Batter y life , tip s ......... 3 0 Batter[...]

L Loading the media Fanfol d medi a ........ 1 3 Peel-of f mod e ........ 1 0 Tear-of f mod e ........5 Loadin g th e ribbo n ....... 1 6 Lubricatio n ........... 3 0 M Maintenanc e manua l .......1 Media loading Fanfol d medi a ........ 1 3 Peel-of f mod e ........ 1 0 Tear-of f mod e ........5 N Nul l mode m cabl e ........ 2 0 Nul l mode m cabl [...]

User s Guide ' Customer order #52600L Manufacturer part #52600LB ' Zebra T echnologies Corporation Zebra House The V alley Centre, Gordon Road High W ycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6EQ, UK T elephone +44 (0)1494 472872 Facsimile +44 (0)1494 450103 Zebra T echnologies Europe Limited Zebra T echnologies Corporation 333 Corporate W oods Parkway[...]