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Velocity VCode User Manual

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VCode
User's Manual
version 2.2
435 Acacia Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94306
phone: (650) 846-6500
service: (800) 979-4811
www.velocity11.com

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  • Page 1 ® VCode User’s Manual version 2.2 435 Acacia Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 phone: (650) 846-6500 service: (800) 979-4811 www.velocity11.com...
  • Page 2 Information in this document is subject to change without notice copyright © 2002 by Velocity11 Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Velocity11 is strictly forbidden. Portions of this manual contain copyrighted material of Intermec Technologies Corporation. Used with permission. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Warranty Information and Service Contracts ..................4 Chapter 2: Installation ........................5 Unpacking the VCode ......................... 5 Set Up the VCode ..........................6 Install Lines and Cords ........................11 Install ActiveX ............................. 13 Chapter 3: Design a Label ......................15 Sample Labels .............................
  • Page 4 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Table of Contents...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1: General Information

    Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Velocity11 VCode bar code print and apply station. This unit prints and applies bar code labels to microplates and microplate lids. The VCode applies printed labels to any of the four sides of the microplate and can adjust for different skirt heights on both shallow and deepwell plates.

  • Page 6: Warnings And Advisories

    The VCode must only be used in the manner in which it was intended by Velocity11. Any other use of the VCode may cause damage to the product, samples, or harm to the user. Take note of the following signs. They call attention to a procedure that if not correctly performed, could result in a hazardous condition or damage all or part of the product.

  • Page 7: Chapter 2: Installation

    VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation Chapter 2: Installation Unpacking the VCode Your VCode has come shipped to you direct from Velocity11. The following is a list of the contents of the Velocity11 VCode package. •VCode •Intermec® 3240 printer •Power cord...

  • Page 8: Set Up The Vcode

    VCode Parts The following is a diagram of the VCode (see Figure 1). Please note the part names as they will be used throughout the manual. The control panel for the VCode is located on the back side of the VCode next to the Intermec printer.
  • Page 9 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation Figure 2 media cover media cover release ( between the two notches) Place the fingers of your right hand between the two notches on the lower edge of the media cover (the media cover release) and pull the bottom of the media cover away from the base of the printer (see Figure 2).
  • Page 10 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation Load a Roll of Media (Instructions and figure reprinted with permission of Intermec Technologies Corporation, 3240 Bar Code Label Printer User’s Manual, pp. 2-9 to 2-10, © 1997 Intermec Technologies Corporation.) If you lift the printhead while printing with self-strip, you may not receive the best perfomance NOTE from the Precision Print technology.
  • Page 11 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation 13) Open the media access door and thread the media liner under the self-strip assist roller and over the rewinder hub in a clockwise direction. 14) Remove the rewinder clasp from the rewinder hub and wind approximately 2 inches of media liner over the rewinder hub.
  • Page 12 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation Figure 4 empty ribbon core thermal transfer ribbon ribbon supply hub upper media guide ribbon rewind hub lateral printhead adjust head lift lever TTR assist roll printhead 7) Turn the ribbon rewind hub clockwise until the ribbon runs smoothly through the printhead mechanism.

  • Page 13: Install Lines And Cords

    Working with open, charged air lines can result in injury. Proper technique should be used to bring an air line to the system. If you have questions regarding this, be sure to contact your facilities department or a Velocity11 service representative. Ensure that the air line coming into the VCode is properly filtered from CAUTION moisture.
  • Page 14 CAUTION instrument. Before turning on the system, be sure that the voltage supplied to the VCode is 120 VAC, 50-60 Hz, and the line is rated to supply a minimum of 3 amps. 1) Ensure that the VCode is turned off.

  • Page 15: Install Activex

    8) Click Next if you want the folder shown. If not, select a new folder and then click Next. 9) Setup Status Screen will appear and InstallShield Wizard Complete will appear. Click Finish. 10) The VCode ActiveX has been installed in the folder you specified. You are now ready to run the VCode ActiveX from your computer.
  • Page 16 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 2: Installation...

  • Page 17: Chapter 3: Design A Label

    Sample Labels Your VCode software includes sample formats and a sample spreadsheet with which to experiment. You can print sample labels from these files. These formats give you an idea of the different bar code symbologies and fonts you can use when creating your own format.
  • Page 18 Sample Label Formats The following shows the sample formats provided in your software. These formats are saved in Velocity11\VCode ActiveX\Formats. These formats are designed to give you an idea of the possible label variations available with the VCode. Format 1...
  • Page 19 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label Format 2 Figure 9 Field Symbology/ OriginX OriginY Magnification Magnification Field Orientation Font Swiss Mono 721 Bold Horizontal Code 39 Horizontal Dutch Roman 801 prop Horizontal Dutch Roman 801 prop Horizontal...

  • Page 20: Create Your Own Label Format

    (see figure 11). Figure 11 1) Open the Diagnostics dialog in the VCode software. 2) In the Diagnostics dialog, click the up and down Format arrows to specify the format number (see Figure 7).
  • Page 21 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label 17) You may wish to practice a bit with various fonts, bar code symbologies, and positions until you find a combination that suits your needs. You only need to save the format to the disk and to the printer once. You will not need to NOTE load the format from the disk each time you wish to print a format.
  • Page 22 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label The Intermec printer does not scale fonts in a predictable manner. Therefore, if you change NOTE the font on a display, the origins may change as well. The figure below only gives you a general idea of where the field will be.

  • Page 23: Cycle Test The Vcode

    VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label Figure 14 Cycle Test the VCode Run Tests with Print and Apply Use the Print and Apply dialog box to set up a print test. 1) In the Advanced Set Up dialog, click on Cycle Test.
  • Page 24 9) Click Exit to exit without running a print test. Create a Spreadsheet with VCode ActiveX You can set up an Excel spreadsheet or a comma-delimited file to contain the data used for printing your labels. The following is a quick set up to get started.
  • Page 25 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label Test your File To test the file you have just created, see “Print Sample Labels from Disk” on page 15. Instead of choosing example_labels.csv, open the file that you just created.
  • Page 26 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 3: Design a Label...

  • Page 27: Chapter 4: Manual Application

    8) Press the green button. Hold the button down for at least .5 seconds. 9) The VCode will print the information from the first row in the .csv file and apply the label to the specified sides. 10) When the first plate is done, remove it from the plate locator.
  • Page 28 As well, column I in your spreadsheet provides a command to tell the VCode to raise or lower the plate locator. This command gives you two positions, Up or Down. If you want to change these two positions, you can do so mechanically.
  • Page 29 The Post Print Delay function measures in milliseconds the time from when the print command is sent to the printer to the time the VCode attempts to fetch the label. Adjust this function if the VCode attempts to take a label before the printer has printed it. If you are sending formats to the printer with many fields, you may need to extend the post print delay time.
  • Page 30 When the VCode fails to pick up a label, it will try a specified number of times to pick the label up before printing another label. The user can change this number to a higher or lower value in order for the VCode to attempt to pick the label a greater or lesser number of times.

  • Page 31: Diagnostics Dialog

    Green Button Mode If the VCode is being used in manual mode, often it is easier to use the green button to activate the Print and Apply rather than the clicking on the computer screen. To print and apply manually using the green button, see “Chapter 4: Manual Application” on...

  • Page 32: Error Messages

    VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 4: Manual Application Error Messages The following is a table of the error messages you may encounter while operating the VCode. Table 2 Error Causes Solutions The serial port is not open Operator has not called Operator needs to call Initialize() (see “Chapter 5:...

  • Page 33: Regular Maintenance

    11). Reset VCode by cycling the power. Regular Maintenance The VCode needs little regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. The following steps are all you need to take on a regular basis: •Remove used labels on the take-up reel in the printer once every 1,000 cycles •When loading media, take the time to clean the rollers, printhead, and lower media door’s sensor window with isopropyl...
  • Page 34 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 4: Manual Application...

  • Page 35: Chapter 5: Activex

    This document provides information on how to use the VCode’s ActiveX control with your Visual C++ or Visual Basic application. This manual covers version 2.1.2 of the VCode ActiveX control only. In all of the Visual Basic examples, assume that there is a VCode control named VCode1 on the current form.
  • Page 36 CVCode m_VCode; VCode1.Initialize 1 // Initialize to use COM1 m_VCode.Initialize(1); Close Description: Closes the serial port used by the VCode and puts the VCode in sleep mode. Close should always be called before exiting an application. Parameters: None Returns: None...
  • Page 37 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX ShowDiagsDialog Description: Displays the Diagnostics dialog. Parameters: None Returns: None Example: Visual Basic Visual C++ ‘ Initialize to use COM1 CVCode m_VCode; VCode1.Initialize 1 // Initialize to use COM1 ‘ Open diagnostics dialog m_VCode.Initialize(1);...
  • Page 38 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX Type Name Range Description VARIANT Field1 Varies according to Characters to print field style VARIANT Field2 Varies according to Characters to print field style VARIANT Field3 Varies according to Characters to print field style...
  • Page 39 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX Example: Visual Basic Visual C++ Dim text1, text2 As String #define TOP_SIDE 1 Dim TopSide, RightSide As Integer #define RIGHT_SIDE 10 RightSide = 10 TopSide = 1 CVCode m_VCode; text1 = ”Field0” // Initialize to use COM1 text2 = ”Field1”...
  • Page 40 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX PrintLabel Description: Prints a label on the Intermec printer. The label is NOT applied. Parameters: Type Name Range Description short Format 1-20 Specifies the format to print. short NumberOfFields Specifies the number of...
  • Page 41 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX Example: Visual Basic Visual C++ Dim text1, text2 As String CVCode m_VCode; text1 = ”Field0” // Initialize to use COM1 text2 = ”Field1” m_VCode.Initialize(1); VCode1.Initialize 1 // Declare some BSTRs VCode1.PrintLabel 1, 3, text1, _ VARIANT Field0, Field1, Field2;...
  • Page 42 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX Example: Visual Basic Visual C++ ‘ Initialize to use COM1 CVCode m_VCode; VCode1.Initialize 1 // Initialize to use COM1 ‘ Load a saved label file m_VCode.Initialize(1); VCode1.LoadLabelFile // Load a saved label file m_VCode.LoadLabelFile();...
  • Page 43 ‘ Prints the next label in the loaded file m_VCode.LoadLabelFile(); VCode1.PrintLabelFromFile // Prints the next label in a loaded file m_VCode.PrintLabelFromFile(); DisplayMessage Description: Displays a message on the initialized VCode’s 40-character text display. Parameters: Type Name Range Description VARIANT MessageToDisplay...
  • Page 44 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Chapter 5: ActiveX Home Description: Initializes the stepper motor and puts the plate locator at the plate resting angle. Sends the HomeComplete() event when done. Parameters: none Returns: none Example: Visual Basic ‘Initialize to use COM1 CVCode m_VCode;...

  • Page 45: Velocity11'S Product Warranty

    In order for Customer to receive the Support Services described in Exhibit A, Customer must: (a) Initiate a service request by contacting Velocity 11 at (650) 846-6500. (b) Provide the serial number of the Product, a description of the problem and the current version of the control software.
  • Page 46 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Appendix A (a) altered or damaged Products; (b) any version of the Products other than the current version of the product, unless otherwise covered under an existing service contract or agreement; (c) any Product with software that has been modified or is out-of -date, without the written approval and authorization of Velocity11;...
  • Page 47 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Appendix A REINSTATEMENT OR RENEWAL OF SUPPORT SERVICES In the event Customer fails to timely renew Support Services under this Contract, Support Services shall be discontinued at the end of the then-current term. If Support Services are terminated for any reason, at Velocity11’s sole option, Customer may be permitted to reinstate or renew Support Services by paying Velocity11 applicable Support Services fees.
  • Page 48 VCode User’s Manual 2.2 Appendix A EXHIBIT A SUPPORT SERVICES VELOCITY11’S STANDARD WARRANTY The Standard Warranty, effective for one full year upon purchase date, covers all parts and labor costs necessary to repair your covered product due to all functional part failures as reasonably considered under this contract. If the technician cannot correct the Product problem over the telephone at the initiation of a service request, then the technician will follow the procedures outlined for the Support Services, described in this Agreement.

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