Media Feed - Intermec EasyCoder 501XP Programmer's Reference Manual

Chapter 5 — Feeding & Printing Instructions

5.1 Media Feed

In order to provide maximum fl exibility, there are several instructions for
controlling the media feed and an optional paper cutter:
CLEANFEED <feed length in dots>
Runs the printer's media feed mechanism in order to facilitate cleaning of the platen roller.
FORMFEED | FF [<feed length in dots>]
Feeds out a blank label or optionally feeds out (+) or pulls back (-) a certain amount of media without
printing.
TESTFEED [<feed length>]
Feeds out a number of blank labels, or optionally a specifi ed amount of media, while adjusting the
sensitivity of the label stop/black mark sensor and detecting the front edges of the labels. If a feed length
is specifi ed, make sure that at least one gap or mark passes the label stop/black mark sensor.
CUT
Makes an optional paper cutter perform a cutting cycle.
The media is fed past the printhead by a rubber-coated platen roller
driven by a stepper motor. The movement of the media is detected by the
label stop sensor (LSS) or black mark sensor (BMS), except when various
types of continuous stock are used.
The printer's setup in regard of "Media Size; Length" and "Media Type"
is essential for how the media feed will work. There are fi ve different
Media Type options (also see the User's Guide for the printer):
• Label (w gaps)
• Ticket (w mark)
• Ticket (w gaps)
• Fix length strip
• Var length strip
When a , , or instruction is executed,
FORMFEED TESTFEED PRINTFEED
the photoelectric label stop sensor (LSS) detects the forward edge of each
new label or the forward edge of each detection gap, and the black mark
sensor (BMS) detects the rear edge of each black mark, as the media is
moved past the sensor.
By performing a operation after loading a new supply of
TESTFEED
media, the fi rmware is able to measure the distance between, for exam-
ple, the forward edges of two consecutive labels, thereby determining
the label length, and can adjust the media feed accordingly. The same
principle applies to tickets or tags with detection gaps, and to tickets with
50 Intermec Direct Protocol v7.80 Programmer's Reference Manual