Dot To Gap Parameters - Microcom 438 Operator's Manual

Designing Labels Using LDS
For example: Imagine a receipt format that contains 100 lines. If data is provided for the
first 50 lines, the printer will not advance for the remaining 50 lines that have been left blank.
The printer would stop immediately after printing the 50th line and then advance the media
by the amount specified in the SPG header parameter.
When the AGD header parameter is set to "0", the printer will advance the same amount of
media even when text data fields are left blank. In this case, the advance distance is
determined by adding the SPG parameter and LSY parameter values.
For example: Imagine the same format as mentioned above that has an LSY value of 609
(3" x 203 = 609), an SPG value of 285, and an AGD value of "0" that contains 100 format
lines. If text data is provided for the first 50 lines and the remaining 50 lines are left empty,
then the printer will print the first 50 lines, advance the next 50 lines, advance the remaining
LSY value, and then finally advance the SPG or 285 dots. Regardless of the format fields, if
the LSY is set to 609 and the SPG is set to 285 the printer will advance a total of 881 dots
(609+285=881).
4.4.7.3 Black Line Media (Reflective) (setting = 3)
The Reflective Black Line method is used when media using a black line for a registration
mark and reflective detection is desired; a "3" should be entered in the LCB parameter. This
setting will detect the leading edge of the black line by using the lower sensor only. The
light from the emitter in the lower sensor is reflected down to the detector in the lower
sensor. This method is the preferred method for detecting media containing a black line
and should be used whenever possible.
Note: The detector in the upper sensor is still used to detect a "paper out" condition.
4.4.8 AGD (Activate Gap Detector)
HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB,
This parameter selects the number of step (dot rows) that the printer should skip before gap
sensing is activated. This value is usually set to "1". It is a good idea to set it to a value to
ignore areas of pre-printed or perforated stock that might cause incorrect gap detection.
4.4.9 SPG (Steps Past Gap)
HFM, LSX, LSY, WEB, GAP, DPS, LCB, AGD,
This parameter is used to specify the number of steps (thermal dots) to advance the media
after a registration mark has been detected. This parameter is required to properly register
print on each label. The table below lists proper SPG settings for particular printer
configurations when the LSY is greater than the parameter value.
Model/Print Head DPI
For media that has a LSY value less than the parameter value in table 4-3, the SPG will
need to be calculated. SPG can be calculated using this formula:
4-8
438 – 203 DPI
438 – 300 DPI
Table 4-3

Dot to Gap Parameters

AGD
, SPG, OFX, OFY
SPG
, OFX, OFY
D2G Value
468
730
438 Operator's Manual - 880052-0103
Chapter 4