1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. UBI Manuals
  4. Printer
  5. EasyCoder 401 Linerless
  6. Technical manual

UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless Technical Manual

Hide thumbs Also See for EasyCoder 401 Linerless:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: User Manual
UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless - Technical Manual
CONTENTS
Setting Up EasyCoder 401 Linerless Different Methods .................................................................................... 27
Technical Manual
UBI Fingerprint 6.1
Edition 1, March 1996
Art. No. 1-960409-00
Contents ..................................................................................................... 1
FCC, DOC and VDE Notices ..................................................................... 3
Preface ....................................................................................................... 4
EasyCoder 401 Linerless Tear-Off ............................................................. 5
EasyCoder 401 Linerless Cutter ................................................................. 7
Installation Check List ................................................................................ 9
Unpacking ................................................................................................ 10
Mains Connection ..................................................................................... 11
Computer Connection ............................................................................... 12
Startup Files ............................................................................................. 13
Turning On the Printer .............................................................................. 13
Messages at Startup .................................................................................. 14
General Information ................................................................................. 15
Contrast .................................................................................................... 16
Serial Communication .............................................................................. 16
Detection .................................................................................................. 19
Media Size ............................................................................................... 22
Print Window (printhead in left-hand position) ......................................... 23
Print Window (printhead in right-hand position) ....................................... 24
Media Type .............................................................................................. 25
Print Defines ............................................................................................. 25
Performance ............................................................................................. 26
Memory Allocation .................................................................................. 26
General Information ................................................................................. 28
Direct Thermal Printing ............................................................................ 28
Printhead Pressure Adjustment ................................................................. 28
Dot Size .................................................................................................... 30
Conversion Table ..................................................................................... 30
General Information ................................................................................. 31
Setup Options ........................................................................................... 32
Roll Size ................................................................................................... 33
Linerless Strip w/o Marks ......................................................................... 34
Perforated Strip w. Marks ......................................................................... 35
Non-Perforated Strip w. Marks ................................................................. 36
General Information ................................................................................. 37
Adjusting the Sensitivity ........................................................................... 38
Program Example ..................................................................................... 39
Paper Jam Detection in Cutter ................................................................... 39
General Information ................................................................................. 40
Controlling the Cutter ............................................................................... 41
Cleaning ................................................................................................... 42
General Information ................................................................................. 43
Scaling Fonts in UBI Fingerprint .............................................................. 43
Downloading Outline Font Files from a PC .............................................. 44
Printout Samples ....................................................................................... 45
Continued!
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the EasyCoder 401 Linerless and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless

Summary of Contents for UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    Media Type ....................25 Print Defines ..................... 25 Performance ..................... 26 Memory Allocation .................. 26 Setting Up EasyCoder 401 Linerless Different Methods ..................27 Printing Principles General Information ................. 28 Direct Thermal Printing ................28 Printhead Pressure Adjustment ..............28 Dot Size ....................
  • Page 2 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual CONTENTS, cont'd. Electronics Accessing the CPU Board ................ 46 CPU Board ....................47 UBI Fingerprint EPROMs ................ 48 Configuration EPROMs ................48 ROM-expansion EPROMs ............... 48 RAM memory ..................49 Real-time Clock Circuit ................49 Fuse ......................

  • 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, 1996. All rights reserved. Published in Sweden. EasyCoder and LabelShop are trademarks of United Barcode Industries (UBI).

  • Page 4: Preface

    Gives information on how to run and maintain the printer and how to load paper supply. • UBI Shell Standard Startup Manual Gives information on how to run the UBI Shell startup program. • UBI Direct Protocol, Programmer's Guide Introduction to the UBI Direct Protocol, an easy-to-use “slave” protocol for computer connection.

  • Page 5: Models Easycoder 401 Linerless Tear-Off

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual MODELS EasyCoder 401 LLT The UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless Tear-Off (LLT) is a rugged direct thermal printer intended for printing on pre-perforated linerless paper strip, from which labels can be manually torn off.
  • Page 6 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual MODELS, cont'd. EasyCoder 401 LLT Feature EasyCoder 401 Linerless Tear-Off Notes Print Technique Direct Thermal on Linerless Media Quick-Mount Printhead 8 dots/mm (203.2 dpi) Thin-film technique Print Width max. 104 mm (4.09") Media Width max.

  • Page 7: Easycoder 401 Linerless Cutter

    MODELS, cont'd. EasyCoder 401 LLC The UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless Cutter (LLC) is a rugged cutter-equipped direct thermal printer intended for printing on continuous linerless strip, which is automati- cally cut into labels. The cutter is fitted with a built-in label-taken sensor, that holds the printing of a new label until the previous one has been removed.
  • Page 8 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual MODELS, cont'd. EasyCoder 401 LLC Feature EasyCoder 401 Linerless Cutter Notes Print Technique Direct Thermal on Linerless Media Quick-Mount Printhead 8 dots/mm (203.2 dpi) Thin-film technique Print Width max. 104 mm (4.09") Media Width max.

  • Page 9: Installation Installation Check List

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

  • Page 10: Unpacking

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 11: Mains Connection

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

  • Page 12: Computer Connection

    RS 422 or 20 mA Current Loop after additional circuits have been fitted on the CPU board, see chapter “Interfaces”. The EasyCoder 401 Linerless can also be fitted with an optional parallel interface board. No communication cable is provided unless ordered separately.

  • Page 13: Starting Up Startup Files

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

  • Page 14: 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 LL): UBI Fingerprint Refer to the documentation of the corresponding version of UBI Fingerprint for further information.

  • Page 15: Setup Parameters General Information

    /. All three options relate to the same nominal print speed. /. Special Feedadjust, Media Type, and Paper Type setup values for EasyCoder 401 Linerless are stored in RAM before delivery from factory and will have precedence over the standard default values stored in EPROM (same as those of the non-linerless EasyCoder 401).

  • Page 16: 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 17 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Serial Communication, • Parity: cont'd. The parity decides how the software will check for transmission errors. There are five options: None Even Mark Space • Character Length: The character length specifies the number of bits in a character.

  • Page 18: New Line

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

  • Page 19: Detection

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Detection The Detection facilities are used to adjust the label stop/black mark • LSS Adjustment sensor (LSS) and to control the paper feed. • Feed Adjustment LSS Adjustment: Emitter The LSS is a photo-electric detection device that controls the paper feed.
  • Page 20 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 21 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Detection, cont'd. The default setup values have been selected to allow the printer to be operated as follows: TPH density 8 dots/mm (203.2 dpi): EasyCoder 401 LLT: 1 dot = 0.125 mm = 4.92 mils...

  • Page 22: Media Size

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 23: Print Window (Printhead In Left-Hand Position)

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Print Window: The printhead can be fitted in two positions (see chapter “Printhead Printhead in left-hand position Replacement”). When the printhead is fitted in the innermost, left- hand position (see illustration), dot No. 0 is aligned with the inner edge of the paper web.

  • Page 24: Print Window (Printhead In Right-Hand Position)

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual SETUP PARAMETERS, cont'd. Print Window: The printhead can be fitted in two positions (see chapter “Printhead Printhead in right-hand position Replacement”). When the printhead is 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 25: Media Type

    EasyCoder 401 Linerless printers: Label (w gaps) is used for adhesive labels mounted on backing paper. This option is not intended for EasyCoder 401 Linerless. Ticket (w mark) is used for pre-perforated paper strip provided with black marks at the back of the paper web (EasyCoder 401 LLT only), or non-perforated paper strip with black marks (EasyCoder 401 LLC only).

  • Page 26: Performance

    • Normal • High • Ultra High In EasyCoder 401 Linerless printers, all these three options trans- late to the same nominal print speed, which is 100 mm/second (≈4"/ second) regardless of type of printing and print direction Memory Allocation The Memory Allocation setup allows you to set the size for three •...

  • Page 27: Setting Up Easycoder 401 Linerless Different Methods

    • You can change any setup parameter via the Terminal Setup option in UBI Shell. • You can change the LSS setup via the Setup option of UBI Shell. • As an alternative, you can also change the setup by means of a...

  • Page 28: Printing Principles General Information

    Direct Thermal Printing The direct thermal printing method used in EasyCoder 401 Linerless printers requires a special paper coated with a thin layer of heat- sensitive chemicals. As the paper is fed past the dots, the heat from the dots will make the chemicals react, producing a dark salt, which makes up the imprint under each dot.
  • Page 29 UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual PRINTING PRINCIPLES, cont'd. The print unit is fitted with two adjustable spring packages, which Printhead Pressure allow the pressure to be set by turning the knobs: Adjustment, cont'd. • Turn the knobs clockwise to increase the pressure.

  • Page 30: Dot Size

    PRINTING PRINCIPLES, cont'd. 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 31: Linerless Direct Thermal Paper General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual LINERLESS DIRECT THERMAL PAPER General Information The EasyCoder 401 Linerless printer models are intended for linerless printing only. Normal direct thermal papers may be used, but have to be tested in your application.

  • Page 32: Selecting Paper Setup Options

    EPROM, as listed below. Most of them are intended for non-linerless direct thermal paper only (refer to the UBI EasyCoder 401 Technical Manual), but a few can also be used for linerless printing. To achieve better print quality, the printer is also provided with some specific linerless “Paper Type”...

  • Page 33: Paper Dimensions Roll Size

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS Roll Size 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. Warning! The paper must be attached the core in such a manner that the printer can pull the end of the paper free from the core.

  • Page 34: Linerless Strip W/O Marks

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. Linerless Strip w/o Marks Intended for EasyCoder 401 LLC. Use setup options: • Variable Length Strip (default), or • Fixed length strip ← a → Paper Width Maximum ............: 114.0 mm...

  • Page 35: Perforated Strip W. Marks

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. Perforated Strip w. Marks Perforated strip with marks is intended for EasyCoder 401 LLT. Use setup option: • Ticket (w mark) ← a → Web Width: Maximum ............: 114.0 mm (4.49")

  • Page 36: Non-Perforated Strip W. Marks

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual PAPER DIMENSIONS, cont'd. Non-Perforated Strip w. Marks Non-perforated strip with marks is intended for EasyCoder 401 LLC. Use setup option: • Ticket (w mark) ← a → Web Width: Maximum ............: 114.0 mm (4.49")

  • Page 37: Label-Taken Sensor General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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.

  • Page 38: 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 39: Program Example

    Paper Jam Detection The LTS fitted inside the cutter on an EasyCoder 401 LLC can be in Cutter used for detecting paper jams by means of a few lines in a UBI Fingerprint program, as illustrated by the following example: NOTE!

  • Page 40: Linerless Paper Cutter General Information

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual LINERLESS PAPER CUTTER General Information EasyCoder 401 LLC is factory-fitted with a special Linerless Paper Cutter, which is specially designed to cut through linerless paper. EasyCoder 401 LLT can easily be fitted with the same cutter which is available as a field-installable option .

  • Page 41: Controlling The Cutter

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual LINERLESS PAPER CUTTER, cont'd. General Information, cont'd. The Linerless Paper Cutter can be tilted forward in order to facilitate cleaning and paper load. Controlling the Cutter The cutter is activated by instructions, see UBI CUT ON Fingerprint manuals or UBI Direct Protocol Programmer's Guide.

  • Page 42: Cleaning

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual LINERLESS PAPER CUTTER, cont'd. Cleaning The cutter mechanism consists of a rotating shear and a spring- loaded anvil blade. To prevent the adhesive to stick to the cutting parts, the rotating shear is lubricated with a thin film of silicon oil at each cutting cycle, and the anvil blade is provided with a special “non-stick”...

  • Page 43: Scalable Fonts Kit General Information

    Speedo and True- Type products from UBI. 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 Products from other suppliers might work,...

  • Page 44: Downloading Outline Font Files From A Pc

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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.

  • Page 45: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless Printout Samples

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 46: Electronics Accessing The Cpu Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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.

  • Page 47: Cpu Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 48: 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 software. • The default setup (see the chapter “Setup Parameters”).

  • Page 49: Ram Memory

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – Technical Manual ELECTRONICS, cont'd. RAM Memory IC-106, IC-107, IC-108 and IC-109 In these sockets either two or four SRAM packages, which contain WARNING! the printer's working and storage memory, can be fitted. The SRAM The semicircular “front” marking of each package should face upward as packages must have an access time of max.

  • Page 50: Potentiometers

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 51: Label-Taken Sensor

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 52: Interfaces Communication Port "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 53: Rs 232C (V24) On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 54: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    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 55: Rs 422 On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 56: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 57: Ma Current Loop On "Uart1

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 58: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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.

  • Page 59: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 60: Parallel Interface Board

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 61: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    UBI EasyCoder 401 Linerless – 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 62: Ubi Easycoder 401 Linerless

    /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:...

Table of Contents