SATO e Series Service Manual page 139

• Is your ribbon/label combination compatible? Low quality paper labels may have a surface
that is too rough for resin based ribbons to adhere. Wax based may not be able to adhere well
to some synthetic label material.
LCD displays "SENSOR ERROR"
• Check to make sure the sensing method selected matches the media loaded. The M-10e TT/
DT comes from the factory set for detecting a label gap (DSW2-2 = Off) and there must be a
gap of at least 1/8" between labels. If Eye Mark (a blank line across the underside of the label)
labels are used, DSW2-2 must be On to enable the reflective sensor.
• If continuous media is being used without any type of registration, the sensor must be turned
off (DSW3-3=On). Otherwise, the printer will feed approximately 20" of paper and then give
a "SENSOR ERROR" message.
• If the label gap or eye-mark registration bar does not extend across the width of the label, you
may have to adjust the position of Label Sensor Assembly.
• Make sure the labels are routed through the Label Sensor, not over the top of it.
LCD displays "FRAMING ERROR"
• Communications format between the printer and the host must be synchronized when using the
serial interface. The M-10e TT/DT High Speed Serial Interface Module comes from the
factory set for no parity, 8 bits data, 1 stop bit (N,8,1) at 9600 bps and using a Ready/Busy data
flow control handshake (DSW1-8=Off). If the computer is sending data in a different format,
the printer is not able to correctly interpret it and a FRAMING ERROR message will appear
on the LCD screen.
The printer is receiving data and seems to print, but the labels come out blank
• Check the ribbon to make sure the ink-side (the dull side) of the ribbon is in contact with the
label. Other manufacturers may wind their ribbons differently. If they are loaded according to
the diagram, it will place the ink-side of the ribbon up. If this happens, you should clean the
ink from the print head before reloading the ribbon.
LCD displays "PAPER END ERROR"
• Is the Label Hold Down fully down and latched in position?
• Are the labels pushed all the way to the inside of the printer and held in position by the Label
Edge Guide? The Paper Out switch is located near the inside edge of the label path. If it is not
in contact with the media, a PAPER END ERROR results. Check to make sure a notch or hole
in the label is not causing the Paper Out switch to give a false indication.
LCD displays "RIBBON END ERROR"
• If the Ribbon Supply Spindle is not turning, a RIBBON END ERROR will be generated.
Make sure the ribbon supply core is not oversize and spinning freely on the spindle.
• If the Darkness setting is too high, it can sometimes make the ribbon "stick" to the label. The
resulting interruption in the ribbon movement can give a false RIBBON END signal.
• Are you printing on direct thermal paper but have not configured the printer for direct thermal
printing with DSW2-1=On? In the direct thermal mode, the ribbon motion sensor is disabled
since ribbons are not used for direct thermal printing.
SATO M-10e TT/DT Printers Service Manual
Section 8. Troubleshooting
PN 9001098
Rev. A
8-3