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Summary of Contents for Century Hawk 4

  • Page 2 Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation. Microsoft, Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Century is a registered trademark of Century Systems. PS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Hawk Label Printer User’s Manual...
  • Page 3 Disclaimer This manual has been validated and reviewed for accuracy. The instructions and descriptions it contains are accurate for the Century Hawk Label Printer at the time of this manual’s printing. However, succeeding printers and manuals are subject to change without notice. Century assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly from errors, omissions or discrepancies between the printer and this manual.
  • Page 4 Important Safety Instructions ◆ Only qualified and trained service technicians should attempt to repair the printer. ◆ Do not place the printer on or near a heat source. ◆ Be sure that the output of the power adapter is 24VDC and your power source matches the rating listed on the power adapter.
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents Preface..................1 Chapter 1 Introduction............2 Specifications ................... 2 Specifications for Printer............2 Specifications for Power Adapter..........3 Unpacking and Inspection..............3 Chapter 2 Getting Started .............6 Setting up ..................6 Main Parts and Features ..............7 Connecting the Printer ..............10 Power Connection ..............
  • Page 6 Cleaning the Printer Interior............36 Chapter 4 Troubleshooting..........37 Error Indications ................37 Miscellaneous ................38 Others..................... 39 Appendix A: Interface Specifications........40 Appendix B: ASCII Table............43...
  • Page 7: Preface

    Preface Welcome to the Century Hawk label printer. The Hawk is designed to provide general-purpose and high-performance printing capabilities. Century Hawk barcode label printers are a new generation of printing equipment featuring high performance coupled with multiple functions. They stand out with their modern appearance and excellent functionality, while utilizing a series of new and cutting edge technologies.
  • Page 8: Chapter 1 Introduction

    Chapter 1 Introduction Specifications Specifications for Printer Model CH-4204 & CH-4204S CH-4303 & CH-4303S Printing method Direct thermal & Thermal transfer Printing resolution 203dpi (8dots/mm) 300dpi (11.8dots/mm) Max printing speed 4ips (101.6mm/s) 3ips (76.2mm/s) Max printing width 4.25” (108mm) 4.17″ (106mm) Max printing length 40″...
  • Page 9: Specifications For Power Adapter

    Power rating 24 VDC, 2.0A**** Weight 3.5kgs Dimensions W256 x D329 x H200mm Operation environment Temperature: 40F–100F (0C – 40C) Relative humidity: 5% - 85% non condensing Optional items Internal 100/10M Ethernet Interface card, Centronics 4MB Flash ROM, PS/2 port and LCD display are only provided for CH-4204S and CH-4303S The Centronics interface is not a standard component and is an optional item.
  • Page 10 Packing List(Figure 1): 1. Printer 1 pcs 2. Power Adapter 1 pcs 3. Ribbon Spindle 2 pcs 4. Media Spindle 1 pcs 5. Core Adapter 2 pcs 6. Media Roll Guide 2 pcs 7. Ribbon 1 pcs 8. Sample Media 1 pcs 9.
  • Page 11 Printer Power Adapter Ribbon Spindle Ribbon Sample Media Media Spindle Core Adapter Media Roll Guide CD-Rom Figure 1 Printer and accessories...
  • Page 12: Chapter 2 Getting Started

    Chapter 2 Getting Started Setting up Before setting up the printer you should consider the following: 1. Make sure there is adequate space around the printer for loading consumables and proper ventilation. 2. Make sure the printer is close to the host so the interface cable is easily accessible at either end.
  • Page 13: Main Parts And Features

    Main Parts and Features Figure 2 1. PAUSE Button 2. FEED Button 3. CANCEL Button 4. READY Indicator 5. MEDIA Indicator 6. RIBBON Indicator 7. Media Exit Path 8. Cover Handle 9. Bottom Case 10. Top Cover 11.Left Side Cover...
  • Page 14 Figure 3 1. Printhead Module 2. Printhead Bracket 3. Printhead 4. Transmissive Sensor 5. Reflective Sensor 6. TPH Release Lever 7. Media Guide 8. Ribbon Loading Knob 9. Ribbon Supply Spindle 10. Media Compartment 11.Guide Wheel 12. Platen Roller...
  • Page 15 5. DC IN Port 6. Ethernet Port 7. Centronics Port Note: The above figure illustrates all possible interface ports on a Century Hawk printer, but some ports may not be available for your printer. Please check your requirements when purchasing the printer.
  • Page 16: Connecting The Printer

    Power Connection Caution:(1) Use of the wrong adapter could damage your printer. Century Systems assumes no liability for any damage in such case. The rating for the printer is 24VDC. (2) Do not use the printer near liquids or corrosive chemicals.
  • Page 17: Loading The Ribbon

    4. Please take the following measures to reduce cable noise. a. Reduce the length of the interface cable (keep the cable length under 1.83 meters / 6 feet) if required. b. Keep the communication cable separate from power cords. Loading the Ribbon Caution: (1) Make sure the ink side of your ribbon faces outwards.
  • Page 18 10. Close the Printhead Module and press down until it locks into place. Figure 5-1...
  • Page 19 Figure 5-2...
  • Page 20 Figure 5-3...
  • Page 21 Figure 5-4...
  • Page 22 Figure 5-5...
  • Page 23 Figure 5-6...
  • Page 24: Loading The Media

    Loading the Media Century Hawk printers can be operated in three different modes: Standard mode, Peel-off mode, or Cutting mode. -- In Standard mode, each printed label remains on the backing liner. -- In Peel-off mode, each printed label is peeled away from the backing liner automatically.
  • Page 25 Peel-off Mode: The loading guide will be provided with the peeler kit. Cutting Mode: The loading guide will be provided with the cutter kit. Figure 6-1...
  • Page 26 Figure 6-2...
  • Page 27 Media Guide Media Leader Label Platen Roller Figure 6-3...
  • Page 28 Figure 6-4...
  • Page 29: Adjusting The Position Of Media Sensor

    Adjusting the Position of Media Sensor Note: Only applies to the reflective sensor. 1. Lift the top cover. 2. Push the TPH release lever to release the Printhead Module. 3. Lift the Printhead Module to expose the media sensor cover. (Figure 7-1).
  • Page 30 Media sensor Figure 7-2 2 – 5mm Media gap Figure 7-3...
  • Page 31 Media gap Figure 7-4 Media gap Figure 7-5...
  • Page 32: Operation Basics

    Operation Basics Power Switch The power switch is on the back panel of the printer. The symbols on the switch are defined as follows: ━ —— ON 〇 —— OFF The Front Panel The Front Panel of the printer consists of: - Three Indicator Lamps: MEDIA, READY and RIBBON - T hree multi function buttons : PAUSE, FEED and CANCEL Indicator Lamps...
  • Page 33 - Blinking simultaneously with READY: Running out of ribbon. Buttons The three buttons perform different functions based on the mode the printer is in. The printer operates in one of the following modes: Normal Mode: Normal printer functions (i.e. Pause, Feed, and Cancel). See the following table.
  • Page 34: System Mode

    System Mode In the System Mode the printer’s buttons allow for the performance of Reset, Media Sensor Calibration and Self-testing. The printer cannot receive commands from the host when in the System Mode. - Entering: Press and hold the CANCEL button for 4 seconds, the three blinking lamps indicate the printer is in System Mode.
  • Page 35: Lcd Panel Operation

    3. The printer will feed approximately 200mm of media, and then the three indicators will stop blinking and remain lit. The printer is back to a normal state. Self Test 1. After entering System Mode, press the PAUSE button. 2. The printer will print out a configuration report and the three indicators will stop blinking and remain lit.
  • Page 36 1. Examples of LCD display Ready to print. READY[203DPI] Total = number of pages printed. Note: when the printer is powered Total:00000888 off, the counter reverts to 0. In normal printing mode, display PAUSE only XXXXXXXX as total number of pages printed. In copy Total:XXXXXXXX printing mode, display YYY/XXXXXXXX,...
  • Page 37 3.Items to be set and operating guide MAIN MENU SUB MENU DESCRIPTION When set at ‘0’, the printer will accept Darkness the default setting or command setting, if not, the printer will not accept the Common Settings Speed default setting or command setting. Return Return to main menu.
  • Page 38: Dip Switch At The Back Panel

    DIP Switch at the Back Panel Note: Please turn off the printer before setting the DIP switches.
  • Page 39: Windows Driver Installation

    1 | 1 – 57600,n,8,1 Windows Driver and hawklabel Software The printer driver supports Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95/Vista operating systems. Each Century Hawk printer comes with powerful bar code software hawklabel and operating instructions. Both the Windows driver and hawklabel are available on the manufacturer’s CD-ROM...
  • Page 40: Label Edition Software

    Note: If you need to update the driver, please remove any old versions of the driver before continuing. Label Edition Software Each Century Hawk printer comes with powerful bar code software hawklabel and operating instructions, which are available on the manufacturer’s CD-ROM shipped with the product.
  • Page 41: Chapter 3 Maintenance

    2. The printhead becomes hot while printing. Be careful when performing maintenance on the printhead. 3. Use only the cleaning agents indicated. Century Systems will not be responsible for damage caused by any other cleaning materials used on the printer.
  • Page 42: Cleaning The Platen Roller

    3. After every roll of ribbon or every three rolls of media , the printhead should be cleaned with anhydrous isopropyl alcohol. a. Turn off the printer and open the cover. b. Release and lift the Printhead Module. c. Remove the ribbon (if applicable). d.
  • Page 43: Chapter 4 Troubleshooting

    Chapter 4 Troubleshooting Occasionally situations occur that require some troubleshooting. Possible issues and potential solutions are listed in this section. While not every situation is addressed, you may find some of these tips useful. Error Indications Typically, when the printer is not functioning, one or two of the three indicator lamps will begin blinking.
  • Page 44: Miscellaneous

    READY and RIBBON Lamps blink simultaneously Possible Cause Recommend Solutions Remarks Run out of ribbon Load a roll ribbon Ribbon jam Clear the jam Ribbon Sensor Service Ribbon Sensor To be serviced only error by qualified personnel Only READY Lamp blinks Possible Cause Recommend Solutions Remarks...
  • Page 45: Others

    After the corrective action is taken press the CANCEL button to clear the alarm, the printer will get back to work automatically. Others Contact a qualified Service Engineer from your reseller or Century for troubles that persist or are not covered in this section.
  • Page 46: Appendix A: Interface Specifications

    Appendix A: Interface Specifications RS232 Serial The RS232 connector on the printer is a DB9F: Direction Definition Ground Connection with host: Host 25S Printer 9P Host 9S Printer 9P TX 2 ……… 3 RX RX 2 ……… 2 TX RX 3 ………...
  • Page 47 Alternately you can just connect the 3 wires as follows: Host 25S Printer 9P Host 9S Printer 9P TX 2 ……… 3 RX RX 2 ……… 2 TX RX 3 ……… 2 TX TX 3 ……… 3 RX GND 7 ………...
  • Page 48 Parallel (Centronics) The parallel port is a standard 36-pin Centronics interface. Its pin assignments are as follows: Pin Direction Definition Direction Definition /STROBE SELECT Data 1 14,15 Data 2 Ground Data 3 Ground Data 4 Data 5 19~30 - Ground Data 6 Data 7 /Fault...
  • Page 49: Appendix B: Ascii Table

    Appendix B: ASCII Table “ XOFF # & ‘ < > Remark: The € sign is included in the embedded table at DEC128 or HEX 80.

This manual is also suitable for:

Hawk 4s

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