UBI EasyCoder 401 Technical Manual
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UBI EasyCoder 401 Technical Manual

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UBI EasyCoder 401 - Technical Manual
CONTENTS
UBI EasyCoder 401
Technical Manual
UBI Fingerprint 6.1
Edition 4, January 1997
Art. No. 1-960369-03
Contents ..................................................................................................... 1
FCC, DOC and VDE Notices ..................................................................... 3
Preface ....................................................................................................... 4
Installation Check List ................................................................................ 7
Unpacking .................................................................................................. 8
Mains Connection ....................................................................................... 9
Computer Connection ............................................................................... 10
Startup Files ............................................................................................. 11
Turning On the Printer .............................................................................. 11
Messages at Startup .................................................................................. 12
General Information ................................................................................. 13
Contrast .................................................................................................... 14
Serial Communication .............................................................................. 14
Detection .................................................................................................. 17
Media Size ............................................................................................... 19
Print Window (printhead in left-hand position) ......................................... 20
Print Window (printhead in right-hand position) ....................................... 21
Media Type .............................................................................................. 22
Print Defines ............................................................................................. 22
Performance ............................................................................................. 23
Memory Allocation .................................................................................. 23
Different Methods .................................................................................... 24
General Information ................................................................................. 25
Direct Thermal Printing ............................................................................ 25
Thermal Transfer Printing ......................................................................... 25
Switching between Printing Methods ........................................................ 26
Printing Adjustments ................................................................................ 27
Dot Size .................................................................................................... 28
Conversion Table ..................................................................................... 28
General Information ................................................................................. 29
Pre-printed Paper ...................................................................................... 29
General Information ................................................................................. 30
Transfer Ribbon Types ............................................................................. 30
Receiving Face Materials .......................................................................... 30
Setup Options ........................................................................................... 31
Thermal Transfer Printing ......................................................................... 31
Direct Thermal Printing ............................................................................ 32
Roll Size ................................................................................................... 33
Non-Adhesive Strip .................................................................................. 34
Self-Adhesive Strip .................................................................................. 35
Self-Adhesive Labels ................................................................................ 36
Tickets with Gap ...................................................................................... 37
Tickets with Black Mark .......................................................................... 38
Continued!
1

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  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual CONTENTS Introduction Contents ..................... 1 FCC, DOC and VDE Notices ..............3 Preface ....................... 4 Installation Installation Check List ................7 Unpacking ....................8 Mains Connection ..................9 Computer Connection ................10 Starting Up Startup Files .....................
  • Page 2 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual CONTENTS, cont'd. Label-Taken Sensor General Information ................. 39 Adjusting the Sensitivity ................40 Program Example ..................41 Paper Cutter General Information ................. 42 Controlling the Cutter ................43 Cleaning ....................43 Scalable Fonts Kit General Information .................

  • Page 3: Fcc, Doc And Vde Notices

    Information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of UBI Printer AB. © Copyright UBI Printer AB, 1997. All rights reserved. Published in Sweden. EasyCoder and LabelShop are trademarks of United Barcode Industries (UBI).

  • Page 4: Preface

    Information on how to use the various UBI LabelShop WYSIWYG label- editing programs for Microsoft Windows. • UBI Windows Drivers, Installation Instruction Information on how to install and use the UBI Windows Drivers for Microsoft Windows 3.1x and Windows 95. Please note that the UBI EasyCoder 401 LinerLess printer models...
  • Page 5 UBI Fingerprint programming language also allows you to create your own programs. The EasyCoder 401 can be fitted a number of options including a scalable fonts kit that allows the use of outline fonts in Speedo and TrueType format, a paper cutter or a label-...
  • Page 6 100 mm/sec. (4"/sec.) Fonts, expandible 4 times Standard: 10 Bitmapped Min. 1 Bitmapped Smooth Fonts Yes, with UBI Toolbox or Scalable Fonts Kit Print Directions for Text, Images, Lines, and Boxes Bar Code Generators Depends on firmware version Internal Paper Roll Diameter max.

  • Page 7: Installation Installation Check List

    Installation Check List Unpack the printer as described on next page. Standard EasyCoder printer: If you have a standard EasyCoder 401 printer, go on to next step. Customized EasyCoder printer: If you have a customized EasyCoder 401 printer, check its CPU board and possible parallel interface board in regard of interface circuits and straps as described in the chapters “Electronics”...

  • Page 8: Unpacking

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INSTALLATION, cont'd. Unpacking Before starting the installation, carefully examine the delivery for possible damage or missing parts: Open the box and lift the printer, together with the foam-plastic shock absorbers, out of the box.

  • Page 9: Mains Connection

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INSTALLATION, cont'd. Mains Connection Make sure that the printer is set for the correct voltage by checking the voltage switch on the printer's rear plate. Fit the mains cord, which is included in the delivery, into the mains receptacle.

  • Page 10: Computer Connection

    Current Loop after additional circuits have been fitted on the CPU board, see chapter “Interfaces”. The EasyCoder 401 can also be fitted with an optional parallel interface board, e.g. for use with the UBI Windows Driver. No communication cable is provided unless ordered separately.

  • Page 11: Starting Up Startup Files

    There are three major possibilities: The printer is fitted with the UBI Shell Standard file-managing program, which allows the operator to choose between a variety of applications and functions.

  • Page 12: Messages At Startup

    2 sec. v.4.0 1 sec. v.4.0 Refer to the UBI Shell Standard Startup Manual. The digits in the lower right corner of the display indicate the version of UBI Shell. B. No Startup File (non-standard EasyCoder 401): UBI Fingerprint Refer to the documentation of the corresponding version of UBI Fingerprint for further information.

  • Page 13: Setup Parameters General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS General Information The setup allows you to adapt the printer for the desired type of computer communication and to control the printing. The setup parameters are: Parameter Options Default Contrast Variable (0–10)

  • Page 14: Contrast

    This chapter explains the meaning of the various setup parameters. There are several ways to change the setup: • By means of the Terminal Setup option in UBI Shell, see the UBI Shell Standard Startup Manual. • By means of setup files or setup strings. See the UBI Fingerprint...
  • Page 15 For most purposes 7 bits will be sufficient, but if special characters or characters specific for other languages are to be used, 8 bits are recommended. Refer to the UBI Fingerprint Reference Manual for information on which characters are available in various combinations of character length and character set.

  • Page 16: New Line

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Serial Communication, • Flowcontrol, cont'd: cont'd. DTR (“Data Terminal Ready”) is a signal, which is not controlled in the setup mode, but by straps on the CPU board or interface board. DTR high indicates that the transmitting unit is turned on.

  • Page 17: Detection

    LSS. is performed. Moreover, the LSS emitters can be adjusted in regard of light intensity in the Setup Mode (accessible via UBI Shell) or by means of setup files, and the LSS receiver can be adjusted by means of a potentiometer on the CPU board (see the chapter “Electronics/...
  • Page 18 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Detection, cont'd. Feed Adjustment: The Feed Adjustment contains two parameters, Start adjustment TPH density 8 dots/mm (203.2 dpi): and Stop adjustment, that will be effected regardless of which 1 dot = 0.125 mm = 4.92 mils program is run.

  • Page 19: Media Size

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Media Size X-start, Width and Length: • X-start To protect the printhead from the potentially harmful condition of • Width printing outside the paper web, a printable area must be specified by •...

  • Page 20: Print Window (Printhead In Left-Hand Position)

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Print Window: The printhead can be fitted in two positions. When the printhead is Printhead in left-hand position fitted in the innermost, left-hand position (see illustration), dot No. 0 is aligned with the inner edge of the paper web. Since the maximum print width is 104 mm (4.1") and the maximum web...

  • Page 21: Print Window (Printhead In Right-Hand Position)

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Print Window: The printhead can be fitted in two positions. When the printhead is Printhead in right-hand position fitted in the outer, right-hand position (see illustration), dot No. 0 is situated 3 mm (0.12") inwards from the inner edge of the paper web.

  • Page 22: Media Type

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Media Type The Media Type setup controls how the LSS and the paper feed work. There are five different media types: Label (w gaps) is used for adhesive labels mounted on backing paper.

  • Page 23: Performance

    (sets printer to Normal) • Ultra High (sets printer to Normal) In EasyCoder 401, the High and Ultra High options are disabled, so even if they can be selected, the printer will still be set to Normal performance. Thus all three options translate to the same nominal print speed, which is 100 mm/second (≈4"/second) regardless of...

  • Page 24: Setting Up Easycoder 401 Different Methods

    Reference Manual or in the UBI Direct Protocol Programmer's Guide. B. EasyCoder 401 with no startup file installed: • An EasyCoder 401 without any startup file can only be set up by means of setup files or setup strings, see in the UBI...

  • Page 25: Printing Principles General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PRINTING PRINCIPLES General Information The printing is produced by the thermal printhead, which consists of a line of very small, closely spaced resistors on a ceramic tile fitted across the paper web. When a current is led through the resistors, commonly called “dots,”...

  • Page 26: Switching Between Printing Methods

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PRINTING PRINCIPLES, cont'd. Switching between Provided the printer is fitted with a thermal transfer ribbon mecha- Printing Methods nism, you may choose printing method at will. Set up the printer for the correct paper or ribbon type in the Setup Mode (Service\Print Defs\Paper Type).

  • Page 27: Printing Adjustments

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PRINTING PRINCIPLES, cont'd. Printing Adjustments Printhead Pressure: At printing, the thermal printhead must be pressed against the pressing roller so the heat can be transferred to the ribbon or thermal paper. There must also be enough pressure to provide a sufficient amount of friction between the paper and the pressing roller that drives the paper.

  • Page 28: Dot Size

    Dot Size The basis for all measures and positioning in the UBI Fingerprint programming language is the size of printhead dots. For example, in an 8 dots/mm printhead, each dot has a nominal size of 0.125 mm (4.9 mils).

  • Page 29: Direct Thermal Paper General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual DIRECT THERMAL PAPER General Information UBI has specified two quality grades of direct thermal paper: Premium Quality, which sets high demands on printout quality and resistance against moisture, high temperature, UV-light, plasticisers and oil.

  • Page 30: Transfer Ribbons And General Information

    Others may be cheaper, but less suited for high-density printing. The overall economy and required printout quality, print speed, durability and other characteristics should result in a combination between transfer ribbon and face material which gives the best result for each application. Consult your UBI distributor.

  • Page 31: Selecting Paper/Ribbon Setup Options

    88 mm (3.47") 110 mm (4.33") Part Number: – – 1-970647-02 Printhead Warranty: The use of any thermal transfer ribbon, other than those supplied by UBI, will invalidate the printhead warranty. UBI thermal transfer ribbons are engineered specifically for the printhead of EasyCoder 401.

  • Page 32: Direct Thermal Printing

    In addition to the standard options above, there are some thermal paper with similar characteristics, which also can be used, although UBI does not guarantee the same printout quality, especially not at vertical bar code printing (“ladder style”). Supplier...

  • Page 33: Paper Dimensions Roll Size

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS Roll Size Restrictions applying to paper rolls fitted inside the printer: Core: Diameter w/o adapter .. : 38–40 mm (1.5–1.6") Diameter w. adapter ..: 76 mm (3") Width ......: Must not protrude outside the web.

  • Page 34: Non-Adhesive Strip

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. ← a → Web Width: Non-Adhesive Strip Maximum ..........: 120.0 mm (4.72") Minimum ........... : 25.4 mm (1.00") NON-ADHESIVE STRIP...

  • Page 35: Self-Adhesive Strip

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. ← a → Web Width Self-Adhesive Strip (including backing paper): Maximum ............: 120.0 mm (4.72") Minimum ............: 25.4 mm (1.00") The backing paper must not extend more than a total of 1.6 mm (0.06") outside the paper and should protrude equally on both sides.

  • Page 36: Self-Adhesive Labels

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. ← a → Web Width Self-Adhesive Labels (including backing paper): Maximum ..........: 120.0 mm (4.72") Minimum ........... : 25.4 mm (1.00") ← b → Backing Paper The backing paper must not extend more than a total of 1.6 mm (0.06") outside the paper and should protrude equally on both sides.

  • Page 37: Tickets With Gap

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. ← a → Web Width: Tickets with Gap Maximum ..........: 120.0 mm (4.72") Minimum ........... : 25.4 mm (1.00") ← b → Copy Length: Max. length between slots ......: 1875 mm (73.8")

  • Page 38: Tickets With Black Mark

    DIRECTION in order to avoid unintentional detection, see UBI Fingerprint manuals. The mark should be non-reflective carbon black on a whitish background. /. The last third of a ticket or tag with maximum length cannot be used for printing! Also see “Max.

  • Page 39: Label-Taken Sensor General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual LABEL-TAKEN SENSOR General Information The Label-Taken Sensor (LTS) is a device, which enables the printer's software to detect if the latest printed label, ticket, tag etc. has been removed before printing another copy. The label-taken sensor is usually factory-fitted, but it is also available as a kit for upgrading of existing printers.

  • Page 40: Adjusting The Sensitivity

    Also check that you can print a label when there is no label left under the LTS. Use the trial-and-error method until the LTS works properly. Another way is to make a simple UBI Fingerprint program that checks the printer's status using the function (also see PRSTAT UBI Fingerprint manuals).

  • Page 41: Program Example

    LTS& ON LTS& OFF print 6.0 and the UBI Direct Protocol). Here is an example on how the label-taken sensor is used to control the printing of a ten-label batch printing job. A new copy will not be printed until the pending label has been removed.

  • Page 42: Paper Cutter General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual PAPER CUTTER General Information The EasyCoder 401 can easily be fitted with an optional Paper Cutter, provided the printer is not also equipped with a label-taken CAUTION! sensor (LTS). The cutter unit is fitted on the same hinges as the front...

  • Page 43: Controlling The Cutter

    The cutter is activated by instructions, see UBI CUT ON Fingerprint manuals or UBI Direct Protocol Programmer's Guide. The rotating edge will cut through the paper approx. 37 mm (1.5") in front of the printer's dot line. The paper feed should be adjusted accordingly, see “Setup Parameters;...

  • Page 44: Scalable Fonts Kit General Information

    Bitstream, Inc. and Apple Computer, Inc. respectively. There are thousands of different fonts available from UBI Printer AB at a low cost. The fonts come as files in PC format and can be downloaded to the printer via the Kermit communication protocol (see later in this chapter).

  • Page 45: Downloading Outline Font Files From A Pc

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SCALABLE FONTS KIT, cont'd. Downloading Outline Font Scalable outline font files come in PC format. Using a personal Files from a PC computer, such font files can be downloaded to the RAM memory of the printer. The following description applies to the Terminal program in Microsoft Windows, but similar methods can be used with other communication programs that support Kermit.

  • Page 46: Printout Samples

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual SCALABLE FONTS KIT, cont'd. Printout Samples The following 10 scalable outline fonts in Speedo format are stored in the EPROMs of the Scalable Fonts Kit. All characters from ASCII 32 through 254 decimal according to the Roman 8 character set are included.

  • Page 47: Electronics Accessing The Cpu Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual ELECTRONICS Accessing the CPU Board The CPU board is situated in the electronics compartment on the left side of the printer's centre-line wall. To gain access to the electronics compartment, proceed as follows: Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cord. The CPU board contains power supply circuits with dangerous voltage.

  • Page 48: Cpu Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual ELECTRONICS, cont'd. CPU Board The CPU board contains a number of jumpers and socket-mounted circuits, which decide how the printer will work. The illustration shows the CPU board 1-040700-30. Power On LED POWER ON...

  • Page 49: Ubi Fingerprint Eproms

    UBI Fingerprint EPROMs IC-100 & IC-101 These two EPROMs are alike for all EasyCoder printers with the same version of the UBI Fingerprint software and always contain: • The UBI Fingerprint firmware. • The default setup (see the chapter “Setup Parameters”).

  • Page 50: Ram Memory

    UBI Fingerprint manuals TIME$ DATE$ or in the UBI Direct Protocol Programmer's Guide). When installing an RTC, be careful to fit it with the semi-circular marking pointing upward, as seen when the CPU board is fitted in the printer. Because of the risk of short-circuits, do not use any conductive tools when fitting or removing the RTC.

  • Page 51: Potentiometers

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual ELECTRONICS, cont'd. Potentiometers The CPU board is fitted with four potentiometers with the following functions: • Display contrast adjustment • Label stop sensor (LSS) adjustment • Label-taken sensor (LTS) adjustment • Ribbon end sensor (R-End) adjustment...
  • Page 52 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual ELECTRONICS, cont'd. Potentiometers, cont'd. The remaining three potentiometers are situated along the top edge of the CPU board and can only be accessed after the left-hand cover plate has been removed. Normally, they do not require any adjust- ment.

  • Page 53: Interfaces Communication Port "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES Communication Port All EasyCoder 401 printers are fitted with a DB25 male interface "uart1:" connector on their rear plates (comm. port "uart1:"). This connector can be used for an RS 232C, an RS 422, or a 20 mA current loop UART = Universal Asynchronous interface depending on how the CPU board is strapped.

  • Page 54: Rs 232C (V24) On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. RS 232C (V24) on "uart1:" RS 232C (V24) is the most common interface for serial communi- cation with computers over short distances. The transmission can only take place between one transmitter and one receiver. The most simple form of two-way communication only requires a 3-wire cable.
  • Page 55 RS 232C (V24) on "uart1:", The following ready-made RS 232C connection cables can be cont'd. ordered from UBI. Cables procured from other sources should follow the same wiring principles. Note: Be careful not to connect the external +5V unintentionally, which may harm your computer or terminal.

  • Page 56: Rs 422 On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. RS 422 on "uart1:" RS 422 is a point-to-point interface for connection between one printer and one host computer over a distance of up to 1,200 metres (4,000 ft.) by use of a four-wire cable. The transmission is full duplex, i.e.
  • Page 57 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. RS 422 on "uart1:", cont'd. On the CPU board, check: An optional RS 422 circuit must be fitted on IC-207. Jumper must be fitted on the lowest position of P-202 to select RS 422.

  • Page 58: Ma Current Loop On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. 20 mA Current Loop The 20 mA current loop interface is a single-ended, full duplex on "uart1:" serial interface which uses current instead of voltage to transmit signals on a four-wire line. 20 mA current corresponds to a logical “0”...
  • Page 59 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. 20 mA Current Loop On the CPU board, check: on "uart1:", cont'd. Opto-couplers must be fitted on IC-205 and IC-206. These are not included as standard and must be ordered separately. Jumper must be fitted on middle position of P-202 to select 20 mA current loop.
  • Page 60 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. 20 mA Current Loop The examples below illustrate two of four possible cases of the on "uart1:", cont'd. printer or host computer being active transmitter or receiver, i.e. being the supplier of the current to the loop.

  • Page 61: Parallel Interface Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. Parallel Interface Board The Parallel Interface Board adds one extra parallel communication port ("centronics:") to the standard serial communication port ("uart1:"). The Parallel Interface Board may either be bought separately as a kit complete with installation instructions, or be factory installed.
  • Page 62 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual INTERFACES, cont'd. Parallel Interface Board, cont'd. Female Centronics connector S3 S2 S-2/S-3 Three different straps can be fitted on the Parallel Interface Board: External +5V Jumper fitted on connector P-2 enables external +5V (max. 200 mA) on pin 18.
  • Page 63 /SLCTIN 37–38 Housing Note: The PE signal (Paper End) on pin 12 requires an error-trapping routine to be included in the UBI Fingerprint software, activating statements. Here is an example on how such BUSY READY a routine may be written:...
  • Page 64 UBI EasyCoder 401 – Technical Manual NOTES...

This manual is also suitable for:

Easycoder 601Easycoder 601 e

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