Operation; Print Speed Limits - Printronix SL5000r User Manual

Chapter 2

Operation

There are a number of factors which contribute to successful bar code validation,
including printer speed, on-demand print settings, calibration, and ambient light. The
following sections describe how to ensure your bar code validator is scanning and
reporting properly.

Print Speed Limits

Two factors in the validation process affect the printer's speed limit: minimum code
height (bar code height) and minimum code gap. The printer automatically examines
the Min. Code Height and Min. Code Gap values and sets the defined maximum slew
(vertical paper movement) and print speeds to insure proper operation. If the current
Print Speed and/or Slew Speed values in the MEDIA CONTROL menu are higher than
the newly defined maximum, the values are changed to equal the maximum. If the
current values are lower than the newly defined maximum, no change in speed occurs.
Min. Code Height (Bar Code Height)
The validator cannot function at the highest speed possible by the printer. It requires a
minimum number of scans per bar code to make a reliable assessment, so the speed of
the printer is limited by the height of the bar code. If the bar code is very short, printing
needs to be slowed down to allow sufficient scans to occur. If the print speed exceeds
this limit, the message Speed Exceeds Validator Limit will display. Print speed will be
lowered automatically if required, but will not automatically reset to a higher speed.
The printer cannot predict how high all the bar codes in a given job will be, so it cannot
automatically limit or adjust the print speed to insure the code height/speed requirement
is being met. When the bar code is too short for the selected speed, the printer produces
a missing bar code error condition. Therefore, printer speed must be set manually to
compensate for bar code height.
Use this formula to determine printer speed in relation to bar code height:
NOTE:
By changing the Min. Code Height, the printer and slew speeds will be changed
automatically.
To change the Min. Code Height:
1. Press
2. If necessary, press and
3. Press
4. Press  until Min. Code Height displays.
5. Press + or – to scroll through the choices: 0.13 to 1.00 inches in 0.01 inch
72
Bar Code Height In Inches
0.030
Set Min. Code Height to the height of the shortest bar code on the label.
. .
.
to take the printer offline and place the printer in Menu mode.
. .
. until VALIDATOR displays.
increments. The default is 0.30 inches.
Maximum Printer Speed In
=
Inches Per Second

at the same time to unlock the

key.