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Printronix T5000 Series User Manual
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Printronix T5000 Series User Manual

Printronix T5000 Series User Manual

Data validator
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Data Validator User's Manual
The Printronix T5000 Series of Label Printers

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Summary of Contents for Printronix T5000 Series

  • Page 1 ® Data Validator User’s Manual The Printronix T5000 Series of Label Printers...
  • Page 3 The Printronix T5000 Series of Thermal Printers Data Validator User’s Manual ® 170895-001C...
  • Page 4 Product” includes the Software resident in the printer and its documentation. The Software Product is licensed (not sold) to you, and Printronix, Inc. either owns or licenses from other vendors who own, all copyright, trade secret, patent and other proprietary rights in the Software Product.
  • Page 5 This License shall continue until terminated. This license may be terminated by agreement between you and Printronix, Inc. or by Printronix, Inc. if you fail to comply with the terms of this License and such failure is not corrected within thirty (30) days after notice. When this License is terminated, you shall return to the place you obtained them, the printer and all copies of the Software and documentation.
  • Page 6 Hinweis: Dieses Genehmigungsverfahren ist von der Deutschen Bundespost noch nicht veröffentlict worden. Printronix makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Printronix shall not be held...
  • Page 7 Table of Contents 1 Installation Instructions ......9 Overview................9 Safety Notices ..............10 Installation ................12 Adjusting The Validator Beam ..........16 Enabling And Disabling The Validator......19 Shifting The Scanner Beam ..........21 Calibration ................22 Bar Code Validation Demo Page ........24 2 Operation ..........27 Basic Validator Setup ............27 Validator Menu Structure ..........29 Configuring the Validator .............30...
  • Page 8 Table of Contents Maintenance ................54 Troubleshooting..............54...
  • Page 9 Installation Instructions Overview The data validator is an external device attached near the paper exit of the printer. Once activated, it scans the printed output, looking for bar codes. When the validator finds a bar code, it determines what type of bar code it is and monitors the bar code quality as it passes through the scan area.
  • Page 10 Chapter 1 Safety Notices lower security levels, you must lower the Deflects Percentage to 5% to enable checking for bar code damage. Refer to Table 1 for the minimum x-dimension requirements for each printer size. Table 1: Minimum X-Dimension and Beam Width for 300 dpi Printer Minimum Printer Size...
  • Page 11 WARNING Class 2 laser light. Do not stare into the laser beam or a reflected image of the laser beam. Note: This is the laser exit window. Figure 1. Safety Warnings...
  • Page 12 Chapter 1 Installation Installation Support Bracket Screw (3) No screw here Figure 2. Installing the Support Bracket 1. Remove the validator, the support bracket, and the power/data cable from the packaging. 2. Make sure the printer is off, and unplug the printer from its power source.
  • Page 13 4. Using the three screws and Allen Key provided, install the support bracket, as shown in Figure 2. NOTE: Use the three screws to install the support bracket, as shown in Figure 2. (Figure 3 shows the bracket in place.) The screw heads can prevent complete opening of the printhead on some models if the support bracket is not installed as shown.
  • Page 14 Chapter 1 Installation 7. When the unit is positioned correctly, tighten the thumb screw to lock the unit onto the proper notch on the lower bracket. Flex Cable Cable Holder Bracket Tab Grommet Figure 4. Attaching the Power/Data Cable 8. Attach the flex cable end of the power/data cable to the validator unit.
  • Page 15 12. Lower the media cover. Side Hole Side Cover Cable Clip RJ-11 Receptacle T5bkoff Cable Path November 7, 2000 Figure 5. Connecting the Validator NOTE: Do the following steps only if the field kit was purchased. The following steps must be done by a qualified electronic technician.
  • Page 16 Chapter 1 Adjusting The Validator Beam Adjusting The Validator Beam When the validator is first installed, the visible scannig beam may need to be aligned with the two notches on the sides of the tear bar, as shown in Detail A of Figure 6. When the visible scanning beam is properly aligned it will line up with the two notches.
  • Page 17 Rear Of Validator Top Left Screw Bottom Left Screw Bottom Right Screw Thumb Screw Front Of Validator (Facing the Printer) Figure 7. Adjustment Screws Figure 7 shows the screws used to adjust the parallelism and position of the validator beam. The positions of the screws assume you are behind the validator unit and facing the printer.
  • Page 18 Chapter 1 Adjusting The Validator Beam NOTE: You may have to loosen all three screws and allow the rubber spacers to expand (relax) before making any adjustments. Correct alignment of the validator beam. The beam should line up with the two notches and be parallel to the tear bar outside edge.
  • Page 19 Enabling And Disabling The Validator Summary Of Beam Adjustment To Move Beam To Rotate Beam To Rotate Beam To Move Beam Up Down Clockwise Counterclockwise Tighten top left screw Loosen top left Tighten bottom Tighten bottom screw left screw right screw Loosen both bottom Tighten both Loosen bottom...
  • Page 20 Chapter 1 Adjusting The Validator Beam 5. Press + or - until the “Enable” option appears on the printer display. 6. Press ↵ to disable the validator. The printer does not command the validator to begin scanning and no errors are reported. The counters are not incremented while the validator is disabled.
  • Page 21 Shifting The Scanner Beam Shifting The Scanner Beam This is an advanced operation and is only visible if the Advanced menus are shown. Refer to "Configuring the Printer" for information on hiding/showing menu options. This option enables you to shift the beam horizontally to the left or right.
  • Page 22 Chapter 1 Calibration Calibration WARNING Using controls, making adjustments, or performing procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. WARNING Class 2 laser light. Do not stare into the laser beam or a reflected image of the laser beam. The validator must be calibrated before it can be used.
  • Page 23 Shifting The Scanner Beam 6. Press and hold the RESET button on the validator until the CALIBRATION light begins flashing. CALIBRATION Light RESET Button Printhead Release Lever Calibration Bar Code Card Figure 8. Opening the Printhead Assembly 7. The scanning beam should turn off for few seconds then back on and the CALIBRATION light should turn off.
  • Page 24 Chapter 1 Calibration ambient light conditions (see “Ambient Light Fault” in the printer User’s Manual ). NOTE: In some cases the validator can detect and indicate to the printer that calibration is required. Refer to “Calibration Warning” in the User’s Manual for details. Bar Code Validation Demo Page This demo page allows you to test or demonstrate the validator operation without a host computer.
  • Page 25 Bar Code Validation Demo Page 8. Press the ↵ key to print and validate the demo page. (If the ↵ key is locked, unlock it by pressing ↓ and ↵ together. This key combination can be changed by the user. Use the correct key combination if it was changed.) 9.
  • Page 26 Chapter 1 Calibration...
  • Page 27 Operation Basic Validator Setup Unit Positioning The validator must be positioned so the beam properly covers the entire area containing the bar codes, including the area required for quiet zones. The validator can be moved along the support bracket and latched into any of the pre-cut notches, depending on the size of the labels printed and the positioning of the bar codes on those labels.
  • Page 28 Chapter 2 Basic Validator Setup Time Reset Button Is Depressed Result Less than 2 seconds Turns on laser beam More than 4 but less than 6 seconds Validator goes into calibration mode CAUTION Do not lift the printer by the validator unit or by the support bracket.
  • Page 29 Validator Menu Structure Validator Menu Structure VALIDATOR Validator Report (page 31) Clear Data (page 31) Codes Printed (page 34) Forms Printed (page 34) Bad Forms (page 34) Average BWD: (page 34) Last BWD: (page 34) Validator Funct. (page 30) Telemetry Path (page 32) Telemetry Data (page 33) Number of Codes (page 35) Validator Action (page 50)
  • Page 30 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator Configuring the Validator Setting validator options is done through the printer configuration menu. The validator comes equipped with a default setting for each configuration option, and it works without having to change any of these options. However, in some cases it is necessary to adjust these options, which are described below.
  • Page 31 Validator Reporting Validator Reporting After any completed print job, you can request a report from the printer which describes the validation statistics since the printer was turned on, or since the last data reset (for information on resetting data, see page 31). Requesting A Validator Report This procedure prints a summarized validator report on the printer itself.
  • Page 32 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator 2. If the ↵ key is locked, unlock it by pressing ↓ and ↵ together. (This key combination may be set to two different keys. See “Configuring the Printer” in your User’s Manual for details.) 3.
  • Page 33 Validator Reporting • Network Port. The printer outputs the bar code analysis and underlying data from the validator to a device connected to the network port so the validator data can be seen and analyzed with the validator software. 6. When your selection is displayed, press ↵ to activate it. All future reports are output to your selection.
  • Page 34 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator 7. Relock by pressing ↓ and ↵ together, then press PAUSE to put the printer back online. Validator Statistics The validator displays a number of statistics directly on the printer LCD, without having to print a report. To view any of the statistics: 1.
  • Page 35 Defining Validator Options 4. Press PAUSE to put the printer back online. Defining Validator Options A number of validator options which define specific parameters for certain print jobs can be set from the printer configuration menu. Setting Number Of Bar Codes On A Form You can define how many bar codes the validator should expect on a form.
  • Page 36 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator Setting The Symbol Contrast Symbol contrast represents the contrast between the bars and spaces in the bar code. The bar code must have a certain level of contrast to be recognized by the validator. When the Symbol Contrast parameter is enabled, then the bar code contrast is included as part of the pass/fail criteria.
  • Page 37 Defining Validator Options 2. If the ↵ key is locked, unlock it by pressing ↓ and ↵ together. (This key combination may be set to two different keys. See “Configuring the Printer” in your User’s Manual for details.) 3. Press to enter the printer menu.
  • Page 38 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator Setting For Skip Labels This option is used for skipping blank labels after the bad label has been marked. It is useful when the user wants to have extra blank labels in between bad and good labels. The settings are Minimum (as default) and Maximum.
  • Page 39 Defining Validator Options Setting Interleave 2 of 5 Checksum This option allows user to include or exclude the checksum option in the Interleave 2 of 5 code as part of the grading. For example, if this option is set as enabled then any incoming barcode data without checksum digits will be graded as failure.
  • Page 40 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator Advanced Validator Options The following items are considered advanced items and are only visible if the advanced menus are unhidden. Refer to your User’s Manual , in the section titled “Configuring the Printer' for information on hiding/unhiding menu options.
  • Page 41 Advanced Validator Options Decodeability You can set how strict the validator grades the wide/narrow bars and spaces which compose the bar code. For example, if the default Decodeability value is set to 40%, the validator gives the bar code a failing grade. You can set the Decodeability parameter to a percentage value between 90% and 30%.
  • Page 42 Chapter 2 Configuring the Validator Defects You can set how strict the validator grades the irregularities such as voids and spots found within elements and quiet zone for each bar code. For example, the default Defects value is 20%. This means that if the bar code and quiet zone defects exceeds 20%, the validator gives bar code a failing grade.
  • Page 43 "VALIDATOR" appears on the printer display. 4. Press ↓ until "Scanner Setting" appears on the printer display. 5. Press + or - scroll through the options: Printronix Default or special file name. Printronix Default seting is default. 6. Press ↵ to accept the special setting option.
  • Page 44 Chapter 2 Operation Operation There are a number of factors which contribute to successful bar code validation, including printer speed, demand print settings, calibration, and ambient light. The following sections describe how to ensure your bar code validator is scanning and reporting properly.
  • Page 45 Print Speed Limits Use this formula to determine printer speed in relation to bar code height: Bar Code Height In Inches Maximum Printer Speed In Inches Per Second 0.04 For example, a bar code 1” in height can scan successfully at a printer speed of 25 inches per second;...
  • Page 46 Chapter 2 Operation 6. Press ↵ to select the desired value. 7. Relock by pressing ↓ and ↵ together, then press PAUSE to put the printer back online. Validation Report Type Another factor that limits print speed is the type of validation report selected.
  • Page 47 Demand Printing Modes have trouble distinguishing which bar code report correlates with which form. To avoid the risk of miscorrelation, the printer will limit the speed of the printer, based on the information given here to insure the validation results are always accurate. To change the form spacing: 1.
  • Page 48 Chapter 2 Operation close to the bottom of a label and the printer is in a demand print mode, the printer automatically pushes the label past the scanning laser. Once the bar code is validated, the printer retracts the label back to be cut or torn off.
  • Page 49 Bad Bar Code Error Detection Bar Code Failures There are two cases where the validator will notify the printer to alert you to a fault situation: if the validator detects a bad bar code, or if it detects no bar code where it expects to find one. How the printer reacts to these faults are determined by the printer’s configuration settings, described below.
  • Page 50 Chapter 2 Bar Code Failures For more information on choosing a value for the “Number of Codes” parameter, see “Setting Number Of Bar Codes On A Form” on page 35. Error Action Whether an error stems from a bad or a missing bar code, the printer response is identical.
  • Page 51 Error Action The printer remains in a fault condition until you press the PAUSE key. This clears the error message and puts the printer in the offline state. You must correct any condition that may have caused the fault. When ready, the printer can be placed back online and resumes printing where it left off.
  • Page 52 Chapter 2 Bar Code Failures first form has finished being assessed. Therefore, the reprint operation will need to reprint more than just the form with the error. If the printer has to reprint the same form five times in a row, the print job stops completely and behaves the same as in Stop mode (see above).
  • Page 53 Error Messages Poor Scanning/Check Media The validator detected gross inconsistencies within the height of the bar code. These types of failures are likely attributed to large blemishes within the bar code, such as a wrinkle. Poor Scanning/Inspect Head The validator detected unexpected dark spots in spaces or light spots in bars.
  • Page 54 If the problem with the printer is not fixed by one of these troubleshooting methods, call your authorized service representative or Printronix Technical Support. Troubleshooting If you are having problems with the validation process, consult Table 4 for a list of problems and possible solutions.
  • Page 55 Error Messages Table 4. Troubleshooting (continued) Problem Solution The validator laser beam does not 1. Make sure that the validator is located at the cover the entire width of the right notch. Refer to Figure 3B for detail on labels being printed. location of notch.
  • Page 56 Chapter 2 Troubleshooting Table 4. Troubleshooting (continued) Problem Solution The printed bar codes are There are a number of factors which could be causing error conditions. causing validation errors: • Make sure the validator is enabled. • Scanner Beam is not properly aligned with two notches on the tear bar of the printer.
  • Page 57 Index message, 52 ambient light, 48 Ambient Light Fault, 48 demand printing, 47 auto detect bar codes, 35, 49 disabling validator, 19, 30 Average BWD display, 34 enabling validator, 20, 30 bad bar codes, 49 error action, 50 Bad Forms display, 34 Overstrike Mode, 51 bar code failure, 49 Retry Form, 51...
  • Page 58 Index installing the validator, 12 reports, 31 external device, 32 resetting data, 31 Last BWD display, 34 selecting type, 33 requesting reports, 31 resetting data, 31 maintenance, 54 Retry Form, 51 missing bar code, 49 Scanner Setting, 43 number of codes on a form, 35 Short Report, 33 speed limits, 44 statistics...
  • Page 59 Index bar code failure, 49 calibration, 22, 48 configuration, 30 disabling, 19, 30 enabling, 20, 30 error action, 50 failure, 48 installation, 12 maintenance, 54 options, 35, 40 panel, 27 parameters, 9 reporting, 31 statistics, 34...
  • Page 60 Index...
  • Page 62 P.O. B 163, N IEUWEWEG NL-6600 A IJCHEN ETHERLANDS : (31) 24 6489489 HONE : (31) 24 6489499 RINTRONIX CHWEIZ 42 C HANGI OUTH TREET HANGI OUTH NDUSTRIAL STATE 486763 INGAPORE : (65) 542-0110 HONE : (65) 543-0220 www.printronix.com 170895-001C...