1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Eltron Manuals
  4. Printer
  5. Strata Series
  6. User manual

Eltron Strata Series User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
Strata

Thermal Printers

User's Manual
User's Manual No. 980181-001
Rev. B
©1998 Eltron International Inc.

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Strata Series and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Eltron Strata Series

Summary of Contents for Eltron Strata Series

  • Page 1: Thermal Printers

    Strata Thermal Printers User’s Manual User’s Manual No. 980181-001 Rev. B ©1998 Eltron International Inc.

  • Page 3: Copyright Notice

    Eltron International Incorporated and may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without written approval from Eltron. While every effort has been made to keep the information contained within current and accurate as of the date of publication, no guarantee is given or implied that the document is error-free or that it is ac- curate with regard to any specification.

  • Page 4: Warranty Information

    (12) months from the date of purchase by the end user. Eltron warrants the print head, under normal use and service, to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days or 30KM of print- ing (whichever occurs first) from the date of purchase by the end user.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Installation ......1 Introduction ......1 Unpacking Your Printer .
  • Page 6 General Cautions and Warnings These pages describe general safety and maintenance warnings and cautions for the printer. They are referenced throughout the manual. The manual may also include other warnings and cautions not displayed here. Warning - Shock Hazard The printer should never be operated in a location where it can get wet.
  • Page 7 1) Always use high quality Eltron approved labels and tags. Eltron approved supplies can be ordered from your ELTRON dealer. For the name of a dealer in your area, call Eltron Customer Service at one of the numbers listed on the back page of this manual.
  • Page 8 viii 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 9: Installation

    Installation Installation This section provides information on the installation of the printer and software. Introduction The Strata printer models are low cost, manu- facturing oriented, thermal desktop printers. The Strata LP is a direct thermal printer. The Strata TLP is a thermal transfer and direct ther- mal printer.

  • Page 10: Unpacking Your Printer

    Installation Unpacking Your Open the shipping carton and remove the printer and it’s accessories. Printer Check List 1) Printer 2) Power Cord 3) Media Holder and Retainers 4) Cleaning Pen 5) User’s & Programmer’s Manuals 6) Sample Label Roll 7) Sample Transfer Ribbon Roll (TLP only) 8) Ribbon Core (TLP only) 9) Software: CAL Tools for Windows™...

  • Page 11: Installation

    Installation Installation The following steps will guide you through the installation of the printer and software. Step Attach Power Check Voltage O = Off See Warnings - Page vi 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 12: Interface Cable

    Installation Step Attach Interface Cable Parallel Interface Serial Interface For additional information on serial cable wir- ing, refer to Appendix A. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 13 Installation Step Apply Power I = On If the indicator fails to light, refer to Appendix A - Trouble Shooting. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 14 Installation Step Install Start your computer. Follow the installation in- structions on the diskette label to install the soft- Software ware. Refer to Section 2 - Operation, for information on loading labels and using your printer. 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 15: Operation

    Operation This section provides information on the opera- tion of the printers. All user control (and adjustment) printer features are identified by green parts. 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 16: Your Printer

    Operation Your Printer Strata A) Cover Release Button K) Label Backing Exit B) Upper Media Bracket L) Peel Bar C) Lower Media Bracket M) FEED Button D) Media Guide Adjustment N) STATUS Indicator E) Transmissive (Gap) Sensor O) Bezel Release Adjustment P) Platen Roller F) Print Carriage Release Lever...

  • Page 17: The Feed Control

    Operation The FEED Control The FEED button controls specific printer functions: feeding media (labels, tags or continuous media), loading media, pausing printing, and initiating AutoSense (Dump Mode). FEED Switch Use the FEED control button in normal opera- tion by tapping or holding the button. •...
  • Page 18 Operation • Holding the FEED button down will cause the printer to continuously Form Feed until the button is released. The printer will feed the media until the next top of form is reached. • Holding the FEED button without media loaded will cause the printer to continuously (line) feed until the button is released or me- dia is detected.

  • Page 19: The Status Indicator

    Operation The STATUS The STATUS indicator is a power and status in- dicator. When the printer power is first switched Indicator ON (1), the STATUS indicator will glow GREEN, indicating that the printer is ready for operation. STATUS Indicator Indicator Color Meaning 1) Power ON, ready for use.

  • Page 20: Loading Labels Or Tags

    Operation Loading Labels Your printer can print on adhesive backed la- bels, non-adhesive tags or continuous media or Tags (typically paper). The printer is capable of using media on a roll or fan fold media. Step 1 Open the printer. Press the two green release buttons on the sides of the printer to open the cover.
  • Page 21 Operation Step 2 Place the roll of media on the media holder tube. The media holder tube is directional and will not work properly if installed incorrectly. The media holder is keyed with a hex to be mounted on the right side of the printer when installed.
  • Page 22 Operation Step 3 Center the media roll on the holder. If the media roll is narrow, then the media roll holders can be added to prevent loose (uneven) pack of the media on the roll. Media Retainers (optional) 90° 90° 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 23 Operation Step 4 Set the media and roll holder on the upper me- dia stand. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 24 Operation Step 5 Turn the media guide adjustment wheel to- wards the rear of the printer to open the media guides. Open the media guides until they are wider than the media. Media Guides 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 25: Release Lever

    Operation Step 6 Open the print carriage with the release lever. Pull back and then up. Release Lever 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 26 Operation Step 7 Insert the loose end of the media roll between the media guides and under the guide bar bracket. Continue feeding the media under the print head carriage until it exits out the front of the printer. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 27 Operation Step 8 Turn the green media guide adjustment wheel towards the front of the printer until the label guides to match the width of the media. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 28 Operation Step 9 Move the media roll to the lower media posi- tion. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 29 Operation Step 10 When using the transmissive (gap) sensor to top of form (label) sensing, verify that the sensor is positioned at minimum label gap point or cen- tered over a tag hole. See Top of Form Sensing, page 31, for more details on sensor operation. Adjustment Wheel Sensor...
  • Page 30 Operation Step 11 Close and lock the print carriage. Pull the print carriage’s release lever back and then down to close. Push the lever arm down to lock the print carriage. Turn on the printer power. Tap the FEED con- trol until the STATUS indicator glows GREEN.

  • Page 31: Windows Users

    Operation Step 12 Set label detection parameters for media: • Use the AutoSense procedure for first time use of new media to set transmissive (gap) sensor. • Use the AutoSense procedure for detection of label and gap lengths. • Use EPL2 programming (Q) command to set form length (and gap) as well as media de- tection and control method for sensing label gap, black mark or continuous (unmarked)

  • Page 32: Loading Transfer Ribbons

    Operation Loading Transfer Transfer ribbons are used when printing on thermal transfer adhesive labels or non- Ribbons adhesive tags. Thermal transfer ribbons are available in general purpose wax (blue leader), general purpose resin (silver leader) and polyes- ter resin (gold leader). Take-Up Spindles Supply...
  • Page 33 Operation Step Install an empty ribbon core onto the front rib- bon (take-up) spindle. Push the core onto the left side ribbon (take up) spindle. Rotate the core on the spindle until the notches on the right side of the core match-up with the long spokes on the right side ribbon (take-up) spindle.
  • Page 34 Operation Step Loosen the ribbon leader that secures the end of the transfer ribbon roll. Fold the ribbon leader over and attach it to the under side ofthe ribbon leader. Notch 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 35 Operation Step Install the ribbon roll onto the rear ribbon (supply) spindle so that the ribbon feeds from the top of the roll toward the back of the printer. The ribbon roll installs the same as the ribbon (take- up) core. Wrap the ribbon around the print carriage, un- der the ribbon tracking bar and above the media guide bracket.
  • Page 36 Operation Step Open the print carriage to pull the ribbon through towards the front of the print carriage. Center the ribbon on ribbon core. Attach the ribbon to the core with the adhesive strip on the leader or with tape. 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 37 Operation Step Rotate the ribbon take-up core a minimum one full revolution (from the top to the back of the printer) to remove most of the slack from the rib- bon. Verify that the ribbon is wrapping straight on the ribbon core. Close the print head after the media is loaded.

  • Page 38: Removing A Partially Used Transfer Ribbon

    Operation Removing A A partially used transfer ribbon can be removed by following the steps below. Partially Used Transfer Ribbon Partially used transfer ribbons can be reloaded using the normal ribbon loading procedure. Step Open the print carriage to release ribbon ten- sion.

  • Page 39: Top Of Form Sensing

    Operation Top Of Form To accommodate different media and media dimensions, your printer is equipped with sen- Sensing sors capable of detecting the top of form for la- bels or tags. Two methods are used by the printer for top of form sensing: gap sensing and black mark sensing.

  • Page 40: Using Autosense

    Operation Using AutoSense The AutoSense feature sets sensitivity of the transmissive sensor and measures and stores the form (label) and gap lengths. To activate the AutoSense feature: Step 1 Set the power switch to the OFF (0) position. Step 2 Load labels into the printer (do not use the dis- penser Step 3...
  • Page 41 Operation Step 4 Tap the FEED Control once to switch the printer back to normal operation. If the indicator light turns AMBER or RED, refer to Appendix A for troubleshooting information. 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 42: Cleaning Your Printer

    Operation Cleaning Your The user has easy access to all of the printer’s media path areas to allow for cleaning and Printer clearing of media jams. The user can clean the sensor areas, print head, platen roller and areas adjacent to the media path surfaces. Warning -Shock Hazard - See page vi.

  • Page 43: Cleaning The Print Head

    Operation Cleaning the As you use your printer, the print head may be- come contaminated resulting in poor print qual- Print Head ity. Whenever new labels are loaded into the printer, the print head should be cleaned with a cleaning pen. Step 1 Open the printer and the print head carriage.

  • Page 44: Cleaning Under The Sensor Bracket

    Operation Cleaning Under The transmissive (gap) sensor swivel bracket can pivot up for easy cleaning. the Sensor Bracket Step 1 Open the print head carriage. Step 2 Open the sensor bracket. Pull the slide lock to the left and lift the front of the bracket up. Transmissive (Gap) Sensor Bracket Slide Lock...

  • Page 45: Trouble Shooting

    Trouble Shooting Appendix A Trouble Shooting This section addresses the most common issues user’s may face with operation and configura- tion of the printer. Where to Start The first trouble shooting reference source is the Common Problems Trouble Shooting table on the following page.

  • Page 46: Trouble Shooting Guide

    1/16". Printing stops and the b) For tags, see Tag Media Sensing, page 42. STATUS indicator c) Use only Eltron approved labels and tags. lights RED. 3. Possible label jam. 4. Check that the media is correctly routed.
  • Page 47 Trouble Shooting Problem Solution or Reason 1. Check for Out-of-Media condition or missing labels in the middle of a roll. 2. Check for Out-of-Ribbon condition or dam- age or previous use of ribbon in middle of the roll. 3. Check that the ribbon and label stock are cor- rectly routed.

  • Page 48: Other Support Resources

    The first troubleshooting reference source is the table on the previous page. Next, contact the Resources dealer where you purchased your printer. Eltron International also provides a variety of information and user support services: • Internet: Web Address: http://www.eltron.com ftp: //ftp.eltron.com e-mail: Label Printers: techsup@eltron.com...

  • Page 49: Serial Interface Communication Configuration

    Trouble Shooting Serial Interface The printer’s serial port is configured with the “Y” command for the printer. See the EPL2 Communication programmer's manual for details. Configuration The printer’s serial port default configuration is: 9600 baud 8 bit data 1 stop bit No parity Serial Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring re-...

  • Page 50: Tag Media Sensing

    Trouble Shooting Tag Media Sensing The printer uses a moveable sensor to detect in- dex holes/notches in tag stock. The sensor can move from a center tag notch to a notch on the out side edge of tag stock as wide as 8.5 inches (216mm) wide.

  • Page 51: Printer Features

    Printer Features Appendix B Printer Features Features The printer has many time saving, user friendly, design features. Some of these printer features are listed below: • Anti-jam, straight through media path • Steel, clam shell case with force balanced lid and locking latch for safer handling •...
  • Page 52 Printer Features • Flash memory makes firmware updates easy and seamless ® • Create-A-Label Tools for Windows Software ® • Wi n d o w s D r i ve r s ( W i n d o w s 3 .
  • Page 53 Printer Features • Easy-to-load label and ribbon path • Easy-to-use EPL2 command language • Batch or on-demand printing • Prints text, graphics and bar codes in four di- rections: 0°, 90°, 80° and 270° • Graphics, line and box drawing features, PCX bit map supported •...
  • Page 54 Printer Features • CodaBar • UCC/EAN-128 • Interleaved 2 of 5 • UPC-A, UPC-E, 2 & 5 digit add on • EAN-8, EAN-13, 2 & 5 digit add on • POSTNET • MaxiCode • PDF-417 • German Postal Code • Bar codes with or without human readable text •...
  • Page 55 Printer Features Media • Type: roll-fed, die-cut, continuous or fan- fold labels, tags or tickets • Materials: thermal transfer or thermal sensi- tive papers • Maximum media width: 8.75" (222.3mm) • Minimum media width: 4" (102mm) • Maximum media length: 11" (279mm) stan- dard, 22"...
  • Page 56 Printer Features Mechanical • Width: 12.3" (312mm) • Depth: 13.5" (343mm) • Height: 12.0" (304mm) • Weight: 21.0lbs. (9.5kg) Electrical • Voltage: 115V/60 Hz, 230V/50 Hz • Complies with FCC Class A and CE require- ments; Built to UL, CUL and TUV require- ments.

  • Page 57: Supplies And Accessories

    Supplies and Accessories Supplies and Accessories can be ordered from your Eltron dealer where you purchased your printer or by calling ELTRON for the dealer nearest you. Accessories available for the printer are listed below. Always refer to the ELTRON part number when placing an order.
  • Page 58 Supplies and Accessories 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 59 Supplies and Accessories 980181-001 Rev.B...
  • Page 60 Supplies and Accessories 980181-001 Rev.B...

  • Page 61: Windows Printer Driver

    Appendix D Windows Printer Driver Using The The Windows printer driver provides control of Windows Printer several printer features when printing from Win- dows software applications. These features are Driver accessed through the “Settings / Printers” win- dow on the Windows 95 Start menu. Printer drivers for the Windows NT and Windows 3.1X operating systems are also included with the Windows 95 drivers.
  • Page 62 Windows Printer Driver Paper (Label) Size Before creating a label, the paper size for the currently loaded labels must be selected in the control panel. Setting the proper label size allows the driver to provide accurate printing limits and margin in- formation to Windows applications.

  • Page 63: Print Density

    Windows Printer Driver Print Quality, The print darkness or density can be changed by using the Print Quality option. If print looks Print Density faded when printing at high speed, select a higher darkness number for the Print Quality setting. If horizontal lines seem to run together, select a lower darkness number.
  • Page 64 World Wide Offices: Eltron International, Corporate Headquarters 41 Moreland Road Simi Valley, CA 93065-1692 USA Phone: +1 (805) 579 1800 FAX: +1 (805) 579 1808 e-mail: sales@eltron.com Eltron International, Europe Eltron House Molly Millars Lane Wokingham, RG41 2QZ England Phone: +44 (0) 1189 770 300 FAX: +44 (0) 1189 895 762 e-mail: eurosales@eltron.com...

This manual is also suitable for:

Strata lp2684Strata tlp2684

Table of Contents