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Microcom 438M User Manual

Direct thermal printer
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MODELS 438M
DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER
USER'S GUIDE
PART NUMBER 880044-0000
Revised: April 30, 2013 CPC
© Copyright 2013 by Microcom Corporation, Lewis Center, Ohio – All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America

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  • Page 1 MODELS 438M DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER USER’S GUIDE PART NUMBER 880044-0000 Revised: April 30, 2013 CPC © Copyright 2013 by Microcom Corporation, Lewis Center, Ohio – All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America...
  • Page 2 This Page Intentionally Left Blank...
  • Page 3 This Page Intentionally Left Blank...
  • Page 4 For this reason, specifications are subject to change without notice. Liability Disclaimer Microcom Corporation makes every effort to assure that all information and specifications contained in this manual are accurate; however, mistakes are sometimes made. Microcom Corporation shall not be liable for any damages resulting in the use or misuse of this product.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    >SCRIPT ERROR< (30) ...................... 15 4.2.2.6 >INVALID PARAMETER< (31) .................... 16 4.2.2.7 >PARSER ERROR< (32) ..................... 16 4.2.2.8 >COMM ERROR< (40) ......................16 4.2.2.9 >FLASH ERROR< (51) ......................16 4.2.3 Basic Status Responses ....................... 16 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 6 RIVE OLLER ........................... 27 XTERIOR LEANING ......................27 ETECTOR DJUSTMENT APPENDIX A ........................29 ............................29 IMITED ARRANTY APPENDIX B ........................31 (RMA) P ................... 31 ETURN ATERIAL UTHORIZATION ROCEDURE GLOSSARY ........................33 INDEX..........................37 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 7 USER NOTES ........................41 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 8 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 9: List Of Tables

    Printing Specifications ................3 Table 3 Media Specifications .................. 4 Table 4 Minimum Power Supply Specifications ............8 Table 5 Enquiry Responses ................. 14 Table 6 RS-232 Cable Configurations ..............19 Table 7 Recommended Maintenance Schedule ........... 21 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 10 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 11: List Of Figures

    Removal of Thermal Card ..............23 Figure 12 Internal Cleaning .................. 24 Figure 13 Print head Thermal Elements .............. 25 Figure 14 Platen or Drive Roller ................26 Figure 15 Gap Detector Locations ............... 27 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 12: Figure 1 Front Angled View

    Figure 1 Front Angled View Figure 2 Rear Angled View viii 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 13: Introduction

    Many printer applications use the same label format, but change the data on every label. This is not a problem for the 438M printer, data may be changed without downloading the same fixed format or fixed data field. This, along with the available serial communication speeds, increases data access time and productivity.
  • Page 14 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 15: Chapter 1: Printer Specifications

    50” (1270mm) using standard memory Print Length 24” (609mm) with 300 DPI option Table 2 Printing Specifications * NOTE: Listed specifications are based on a standard print mechanism and may vary based on final configuration. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 16: Media Specifications

    *NOTE: The printers may print on thicker media types depending on the pliability of the material; however, this requires testing and evaluation. Contact your authorized Microcom Corporation representative for additional information regarding testing and evaluation of thicker or rigid media types.

  • Page 17: Chapter 2: Features And Options

    · Two-dimensional: PDF-417 and Data Matrix · Rotated: 0 º, 90 º, 180 º, and 270 º. Special Features · Durable steel chassis that protects your investment, even in harsh environments. · Rotating head mechanism for easy print head cleaning. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 18: Options

    · Standard USB version 1.1 capability. · Detects label gap, blackline, and blowhole using reflective and transmissive sensors. · Powerful Label Design Software (438M) that is easy to master. · User storable Flash memory. · On-site Flash memory updates. Options ·...

  • Page 19: Chapter 3: Getting Started

    The protective foam and shipping container(s) should be kept and used if the printer is to be shipped. Additional shipping materials may be ordered by contacting the Microcom Corporation Service Department. Figure 3...

  • Page 20: Printer Power

    3.2.1 Printer Power Microcom Corporation offers a “desk type” universal power adapter as an option for the printer. The printer requires a universal +24VDC 100 Watt power supply that operates in the 90-264 VAC; 50-60 Hertz range; 4.2 Amps at a minimum. The power supply should operate in an “output foldback mode”...

  • Page 21: Communication Interface

    Once the sensor is blocked or activated, the printer issues the “>INPUT 1<” enquiry response that may be defined by the host application to identify custom meanings. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 22: Button And Indicator Light

    >INPUT 1< Figure 6 >INPUT 1< Sensor Connection Button and Indicator Light The button and the indicator light are used to identify and perform many functions Status Light Print Button Figure 7 Button and Indicator Light 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 23: Loading Media

    The open frame printers have been designed to make loading media a simple process. No adjustments are required when installing media once the media guides are set, thus reducing down time. Contact your Microcom Corporation Representative about the availability of custom size media guides. Follow the instructions below to properly load the media.

  • Page 24: Clearing Media Jams

    6. Insert the media into the media path (Figure 6), located on the back of the printer, until you feel resistance. 7. The printer will then Autoload and align the paper. Figure 9 Releasing the Print Head 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 25: Chapter 4: Printer Modes

    The printer has detected an invalid parameter. 0x32 >PARSER ERROR< An error with the printer’s parser has occurred. 0x40 >COMM ERROR< A Communication error has been detected. 0x51 >FLASH ERROR< The flash memory has encountered an error. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 26 Cannot save an item to the flash memory due to 0xDA >INADEQUATE FLASH SPACE< lack of space. 0xDB >I/O FAILURE< The Input/Output circuitry has failed. The requested file does not exist or cannot be 0xDC >FONT/GRAPHIC NOT FOUND< found. Table 5 Enquiry Responses 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 27: Fatal Error Responses

    The “>SCRIPT ERROR<” response is generated when a script contains an error and cannot be processed while in text and verbose response sets. If the printer is configured for byte responses, the code ASCII 0x30 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 28: Invalid Parameter< (31)

    If the printer is configured for byte responses, the code ASCII 0x21 is issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command. This sensor and response is intended to provide the user with the flexibility for custom configurations. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 29: Restarted< (80)

    The “>NONEXISTENT COMMAND<” response indicates that the printer has received data in the 438M command structure that does not exist or is yet to be implemented while in text and verbose response sets. If the printer is configured for byte responses, the code ASCII 0xD1 will be issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command.

  • Page 30: Unsupported File Type< (D5)

    This enquiry response indicates that the graphic sent to the printer is larger than the available memory while in text or verbose response sets. If the printer is configured for byte responses, the code ASCII 0xF2 is issued from the printer in response to an enquiry command. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 31: Chapter 5: Communications

    The other signals are offered in the event that the host computer requires them. 5.1.1 RS-232 Printer Cables The 438M printers use standard cables that may be purchased through Microcom Corporation or a local computer supply company. A NULL-modem cable is not required because the printer is configured as DCE.

  • Page 32: Usb Port

    The printer provides the capability of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that supports version 1.1. The USB Type 1 port is a virtual serial communications port and requires the installation of the Microcom Corporation supplied virtual serial communication USB driver to be installed to properly function.

  • Page 33: Chapter 6: Maintenance And Adjustments

    It is important to note that optimum print quality and print head life is achieved by maintaining a clean printer and print head. A Microcom Corporation approved cleaning kit (part # 040005-0000) is available. Contact your Microcom Corporation sales representative for purchasing information.

  • Page 34: Thermal Printer Card

    The necessary cleaning materials can be purchased through Microcom Corporation by contacting your sales representative and ordering the Cleaning Kit, part # 040005-0000. The print head should be cleaned after every roll of media or after every 512 feet (a typical stack of tag or fanfold media is about 3200 tags).

  • Page 35: Figure 10 Unlatching Of The Print Head

    Chapter 6 Maintenance and Adjustments Figure 10 Unlatching of the Print head Figure 11 Removal of Thermal Card 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 36: Internal Cleaning

    Using any combination of these materials, remove dust or other contaminants from the printer. 5. When finished, latch the print head completely. 6. Turn the printer power ON and reinsert the media. Print head Elements Drive Roller Figure 12 Internal Cleaning 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 37: Print Head Maintenance

    Print head Thermal Elements CAUTION: When performing maintenance inside the printer, always make sure that the print head is latched completely before installing the top cover. Failure to do so may result in damage to the print head. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 38: Cleaning The Drive Roller

    Platen or Drive Roller CAUTION: Isopropyl Alcohol should be used to clean the drive roller. The use of other cleaning solvents or materials is not recommended and may degrade the performance of the drive roller. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 39: Exterior Cleaning

    The Gap detectors may be custom configured and placed in a different position upon request. The printers contain fixed gap detection locations every half inch to provide flexibility for custom applications. Fixed Sensor locations Figure 15 Gap Detector Locations 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 40 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 41: Limited Warranty

    Although the user is not required to purchase Microcom Corporation brand supplies, to the extent it is determined that the use of other supplies (such as non-approved label stock, ribbons, and cleaning solutions) shall have caused any defects in the thermal print head for which the warranty claim is made, the user shall be responsible for Microcom Corporation’s customary...
  • Page 42 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 43: Return Material Authorization (Rma) Procedure

    Return the defective item(s) for repair to the address listed above, freight and insurance prepaid. Upon receipt of an RMA number, the customer contact is notified by a Microcom Corporation representative regarding repair charges, at which time the ship method is determined.
  • Page 44 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 45: Glossary

    RS-232 Communication link. Used in conjunction with DTR. DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) - The terminal or computer end of an RS-232 serial communication link. Serial ports on computers are typically configured as DTE. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 46 Guillotine Cutter – A cutter that has a blade that cuts perpendicular to the media path. Kiosk – A small structure or stand used to dispense items.. 438M (Label Design Software II) - This is the resident control software language that is used to develop label formats and controls the full function of the printer.
  • Page 47 TXD (Transmit Data) - An essential signal that carries data from the DTE to the DCE for 2- way RS-232 serial communication. Also known as TX and TD. USB (Universal Serial Bus) - A high-speed asynchronous serial interface, typically transfers up to 12M bits/second, used for connecting host computers to various peripherals. 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 48 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 49: Index

    Head Release Levers ..................................25, 26, 27 Height ......................................... 3 Indicator Light ....................................10, 13 Inspection ........................................7 Interface Communications Network Connectivity .................................... 3 Serial ........................................3 Isopropyl Alcohol ....................................23, 26 Label Design Software II.................................... 1 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 50 Return Material Authorization .................................. 32 RS-232 Cable ......................................20 Service ........................................32 Shipping Damage ....................................... 7 Specifications ......................................8 General ........................................3 Media ........................................4 Printing ........................................3 Temperature ........................................ 3 Thermal Printer Card ....................................23 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 51 Unpacking ........................................7 Warranty ........................................30 Weight ........................................3 Width .......................................... 3 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...
  • Page 52 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

  • Page 53: User Notes

    User Notes 438M User’s Guide – 880044-0000...

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