Argox F1 User Manual
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Argox F1 User Manual

F series industrial barcode printer
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  • Page 1 F1 User’s Manual...
  • Page 2 Argox Information Co., Ltd. has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
  • Page 3 A LETTER TO OUR CUSTOMERS Dear Customer, Congratulations on selecting the Argox F Series label printer! You have made an excellent choice. This manual is intended to help you get to know your new printer. There are two parts: an operation guide and a technical reference. In the operation guide there are illustrations to help you quickly learn the functions and features of the printer.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................3 ........................ 3 RINTER VERVIEW Front View ......................... 3 Rear View .......................... 4 Interior View ........................5 ........................6 ONTROL ANEL ...................... 7 ONTROL ANEL UTTONS Ready Mode ........................7 Setup Mode ........................7 ......................8 ONTROL ANEL IGHTS PRINTER SETUP ........................
  • Page 5 ....................45 ERFORMING ALIBRATION ..................45 RINTING A ONFIGURATION ABEL ................. 47 ELECT OR DJUST THE EDIA ENSOR Select the See-through Sensor ..................47 Adjust the Reflective Sensor ................... 47 .................... 48 DJUST RINT RESSURE ........................49 ETUP Enter Setup Mode ......................49 Enter Special Setup Mode ....................

  • Page 6: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION Congratulations on choosing the Argox F Series industrial barcode printer! This user’s manual, which describes the F-Series printer, will help you get to know your new printer. This manual includes a guide to operating the printer as well as related information on maintenance, troubleshooting and technical reference.

  • Page 7: Rear View

    Rear View RS232 Serial Port PS/2 Port USB Port Centronics Parallel Port Power switch (O = Off, I = On) Electronics cover AC power connector...

  • Page 8: Interior View

    Interior View Ribbon take-up spindle Media supply hanger Media roll guide Print head module Ribbon supply spindle Media guide Platen roller...

  • Page 9: Control Panel

    Control Panel All controls and indicators are located on the control panel.  The LCD shows the operation status and printer parameters.  The control panel buttons are used to operate the printer and to set parameters.  The LED indicators show the printer’s operation status or indicate which control panel buttons are active.

  • Page 10: Control Panel Buttons

    Control Panel Buttons The printer has six basic control buttons on the control panel. Some of these buttons also work as selection keys. The selectable modes and related functions of the printer key are detailed below. Ready Mode Button Function / Description ...

  • Page 11: Control Panel Lights

    Control Panel Lights Light Status Function / Description POWER The printer power is turned on. The printer power is turned off. ALERT blinks when an error ALERT Blinking occurs.

  • Page 12: Printer Setup

    Printer Setup Unpack and Inspect the Printer After unpacking the box, check to make sure you have the following items.  Printer  Power cord  An extra ribbon core  Ribbon core adaptor  Media hanger  USB cable ...

  • Page 13: Placing The Printer

    Placing the Printer Before setting up and connecting the printer, please consider the following:  Find a solid surface that is large and sturdy enough to accommodate the printer. Choices could include a table, countertop, desk, or cart.  This printer is designed to function in a wide range of environmental and electrical conditions.

  • Page 14: Selecting A Communication Interface

    Selecting a Communication Interface This printer comes with a USB interface, a standard Centronics parallel interface, and a nine-pin Electronics Industries Association (EIA) RS-232 serial data interface. USB Interface Requirements The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface is version 2.0 and 1.1 compliant and provides a full-speed (12Mb/s) interface that is compatible with your existing PC hardware.
  • Page 15 1. The Centronics port allows a much higher communication speed than the serial port. 2. The pin assignment of the cable used for this serial port is different than serial cables used for a PC. Please contact your local Argox reseller if you need this cable.

  • Page 16: Communicating With The Printer

    2. Make a backup copy of the driver. Installing the Driver (Label Dr.200) 1. Double click the driver file (Label Dr. 200) to execute in Windows. 2. Click "Next". 3. Select a driver for your printer and click "Next". For F1, you should select Argox F1(203 dpi).
  • Page 17 4. Select the port of the printer and click "Next". 5. When the related files have been copied to your system, click ―Next‖. 6. After the installation is complete, click ―Finish‖. 7. Click ― Yes‖ to restart your computer.
  • Page 18 LabelView or CodeSoft, you should activate the Label Dr. 200 driver and set it as the current printer driver. 3. If you install new bar code application software such as Bartender Ultra Lite, you should activate the seagull driver for Argox printers.

  • Page 19: Installing The Printer Driver (Seagull Driver)

    Installing the Printer Driver (Seagull Driver) 1. Double click the driver file to execute in Windows. 2. Click "Next". 3. Select ‖Install printer drivers‖ and click ―Next‖.
  • Page 20 4. Select a driver for your printer and click "Next" . Please select ―Argox F1 PPLB‖. 5. Select the port of the printer and click "Next.
  • Page 21 6. Enter a specify Printer Name ―Argox F1 PPLB‖ and click ―Next‖ 7. Click ―Finish‖ to complete the installation.
  • Page 22 8. After the related files have been copied to your system, click ―Finish‖ 9. After the installation is completed, click ―Close‖...
  • Page 23 CodeSoft, you should activate the Label Dr. 200 driver and set it as the current printer driver. 6. If you install new bar code application software such as Bartender Ultra Lite, you should activate the seagull driver for Argox printers.

  • Page 24: Installing Usb Driver (Windows 98 Only)

    Installing USB Driver (Windows 98 Only) Note: Uninstall the printer driver before installing the USB driver. 1. Connect the label printer to a computer with a USB cable. 2. Turn on the printer’s power. 3. The window ―Add New Hardware Wizard‖ will pop, click ―Next‖.
  • Page 25 6. Click ― Next‖ 7. Click ― Finish‖ 8. Click ― Next‖ Note: After the USB driver is installed, you could refer to next page to install the printer driver.

  • Page 26: Installing Printer Driver (Windows 98 Only)

    Installing Printer Driver (Windows 98 Only) 9. Select‖ Search for the best driver for your device‖ ( Recommended)‖. 10. Click‖ Next‖ 11. Select‖ Specify a location‖ 12. Click‖ Browse‖ and choose Label Dr. 200 location. 13. Select― Win98‖ 14. Click‖ OK‖...
  • Page 27 15. Click‖ Next‖ 16. Click‖ Next‖ 17. Click‖ Finish‖ 18. Click‖ Finish‖...
  • Page 28 19. Click‖ OK‖...

  • Page 29: Usb Plug And Play Function

    USB Plug and Play Function Note: The printer driver needs to be installed with version 1.4.00 or later and support ―USB Plug and Play‖ for Windows XP, Windows 2003 and Windows 2000. 1. Extract the PrinterDriver.exe to the fixed route. (―C:\Label Dr. 200‖, for example) 2.
  • Page 30 5. Select ―Search for the best driver in these locations‖ and choose ―Include this location in the search‖. Input the location of the printer driver, click ―Next‖. 6. Select ―Continue Anyway‖.
  • Page 31 7. Click ―Finish‖. 8. The Label Dr. 200 (4 inch model) printer is added in ―Printers and Faxes‖. 9. Reboot the system. 10. The system assigns the USB port for Label Dr. 200 (4 inch model) printer.

  • Page 32: Installing The Usb Driver In Windows Vista (Plug And Play)

    Installing the USB Driver in Windows Vista (Plug and Play) 1. Extract the PrinterDriver.exe to the fixed route. (―C:\Label Dr. 200‖, for example) 2. Connect the label printer to a computer with an USB cable. 3. Turn on the printer’s power and the system will detect the device automatically.
  • Page 33 6. Select ―I don’t have the disk. Show me the other options.‖ 7. Select ―Browse my computer for driver software (advanced) ―.
  • Page 34 8. Input the location of printer driver. (―C:\Dr200 Printer Driver_ x86\Win Vista\4 inch mode‖, for example) 9. Select‖ Install this driver software anyway‖ 10. The related files start to copy to your system.
  • Page 35 11. After the installation is complete, click ―Close‖.

  • Page 36: Operations

    Operations Loading a Ribbon Note: The F-Series printer uses transfer thermal printing and the required ribbon is coated outside. 1. Lift the top cover and front access door to expose the media compartment. (Figure 1) Figure 1 2. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the release lever on the right side toward the rear.
  • Page 37 Media Compartment Release Lever Figure 2 Print Module Figure 3 3. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll and the bare core. 4. Attach the edge of the ribbon to the bare core and wind a little bit onto the core.
  • Page 38 Figure 5 5. Insert the ribbon roll into the supply holder. First snap in the right side and then left side. Make sure the coating side of the ribbon is face down. (Figure 6) Ribbon Supply Holder Figure 6 6. Put the print head module down and insert the bare core into the pick-up holder.
  • Page 39 7. Turn the wheel of the print head module to ensure the ribbon is tightly wound. (Figure 8) Wheel Figure 8 8. Press down the print head module firmly on both sides till you hear a snap. (Figure 9) Figure 9...

  • Page 40: Loading Media

    Loading Media The F-Series printer offers three different loading modes: standard, peel-off, or with a cutter. Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.  Cutting mode automatically cuts the label after it prints.  Peel-off mode peels backing material away from the label as it prints. ...
  • Page 41 4. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the release lever on the right side toward the rear. 5. Hold the print head module upward to let the media pass under it. Lead the media through the media guides with the other hand. Adjust the media guide to the media width by pushing the button located on the media guide.
  • Page 42 7. Close the print head module and then press it down firmly on both sides till you hear a snap. (Figure 13) Figure 13 8. Close the top cover and press the FEED button if the printer is already on. (Figure 14) Note: After the media is loaded, you could press FEED button to calibrate the media length.

  • Page 43: Cutting Mode

    Cutting Mode Note: For cutting mode you must first install the cutter—please refer to Appendix A. Follow steps 1 to 6 in ―Loading Media – Standard Mode‖ above and then continue with the steps below. 7. Thread the media over the platen roller, and then route the media through the slot of the cutter module.
  • Page 44 Figure 16 Note: The ―FEED‖ button does not make the printer cut. For cutting to occur the panel setting must be properly enabled.

  • Page 45: Peel Off Mode

    Peel Off Mode Note: For Peel-off mode you must first install the dispenser kit. Please refer to Appendix B. 1. Open the peeler assembly. (Figure 17) Figure 17 2. Remove approximately 6-inches of labels from the backing paper. (Figure...
  • Page 46 Figure 18 3. Lead the backing paper over the platen roller, and then thread it back into the slot. Make sure that the media is under the peeler module. (Figure 19) Figure 19...
  • Page 47 4. Close the peeler assembly. (Figure 20) Figure 20 5. Latch the print head module. 6. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the ―FEED‖ button if the printer is already on. (Figure 21) Figure 21 The ―FEED‖...

  • Page 48: Configuration

    Configuration This section discusses calibration, printer configuration settings and shows you how to view or change printer parameters through the control panel. Performing Calibration After the media is loaded, you should perform a media calibration to calibrate the media sensor. During the calibration, the printer determines the label length and the sensor settings.
  • Page 49 PRINTER CONFIGURATION VERSION INFORMATION: PPLB F1B0-1.00 ..FIRMWARE VERSION 032408 ....DATE CODE (mmddyy) 80320001 ... . . SERIAL NO 1.1 .

  • Page 50: Select Or Adjust The Media Sensor

    Select or Adjust the Media Sensor This printer uses two types of media sensors: See-through and reflective. The default is see-through sensor No 1. Select the See-through Sensor The standard see-through sensor is in a fixed position and enabled from the control panel.

  • Page 51: Adjust Print Head Pressure

    Adjust Print Head Pressure If printing quality is not even, you may need to adjust the print head pressure. To adjust print head pressure use a flat tip screwdriver to turn the left and right screws counterclockwise to increase the pressure, or clockwise to decrease the pressure.

  • Page 52: Setup Mode

    Setup Mode You can set printer parameters for your application directly by using the control panel LCD and buttons. Enter Setup Mode Press <MENU>. Use the left or right button to scroll through the parameters. Enter Special Setup Mode Special setup mode is the menu that lets you set up the language and change password.

  • Page 53: Password Parameters

    Password Parameters The F-Series printer has three password levels. When you enter the setup mode on the control panel, parameters which are not protected by password are displayed. You must enter a correct password to enter AUTHORISED SETUP 1 and AUTHORISED SETUP 2. The password levels and default passwords are shown in the following table.

  • Page 54: Menu System

    Menu System The menu system lets you set printer options using the buttons on the control panel. The following is a description of menu selections and settings. Basic Setup Press <MENU> to enter Basic Setup Mode A checkmark  indicates the default option. Note: RIBBON This parameter sets print mode for use with...
  • Page 55 1 (CENTER) Sensor 1 is positioned in the center of the media route. This option enables sensor 1. 2 (LEFT) The position of sensor 2 is to the left side of sensor 1. This option enables sensor 2. MEDIA CAL LENGTH Set the maximum label length to calibrate.
  • Page 56 ROTATE CUTTER This parameter allows you to rotate cutter. Press <ENTER> to activate. Note: The parameter shows only if a cutter is installed. OFFSET This option fine tunes the media stop location TEAR OFFSET Sets label tear off offset. 0mm (-3~+3) PEEL OFFSET Sets label peeling offset.

  • Page 57: Authorised 1

    to scroll through the selection. Press <ENTER> to begin print out. SETTING Prints a printer configuration label. FORM LIST Prints a label that lists the form currently stored in the printer. GRAPHIC LIST Prints a label that lists the graphics currently stored in the printer.
  • Page 58 Press <ENTER> and use the up <↑> and down <↓> buttons to scroll through selections. Press <ENTER> again and a warning message ―Are you sure‖ appears. You can select ―YES‖ to continue or ―NO‖ to cancel this operation.  FORM Delete form.
  • Page 59 HEX DUMP The hex dump mode is a troubleshooting tool for checking the interconnection between the printer and the host computer. Select ―ON‖ and all transmitted data is dumped and printed as ASCII and Hex values. OFF Normal operating mode. Prints raw ASCII data received from the host.

  • Page 60: Authorised 2

    0 (0~4ips) The default of base speed is 0. LOAD DEFAULT Reset Printer and panel settings. Press <ENTER> and a warning message ―ARE YOU SURE? YES/CONFIRM‖ appears. Select with the up <↑> and down <↓> buttons. Press <ENTER> to confirm. Authorised 2 RTC SETUP This function appears on the LCD display...

  • Page 61: Special Setup

    IGNORE COMMAND Set panel commands to be active or ignored. In default, all commands are active. SELECT ALL DARKNESS SPEED RIBBON DETECT MEDIA TYPE PRINT MODE PRINT WIDTH SERIAL COMM. RTC SETUP Special Setup LANGUAGE The LANGUAGE parameter is included in the special menu.
  • Page 62 you to enter the old password. Press <ENTER> again and the printer prompts you to enter the new password. Press <MENU> and the printer prompts you to accept changes. SETUP 1 The default password is 1234. SETUP 2 The default password is 9999.

  • Page 63: Maintenance

    CAUTION! 1. The print head gets hot and could cause severe burns. Always allow the print head to cool before maintenance. 2. Argox is not responsible for damage caused by the use of cleaning fluids on this printer. Component Procedure...

  • Page 64: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This section provides information about errors that you might need to troubleshoot. If an error condition exists with the printer, review the LCD display error messages below for possible causes and the solutions. Error Messages LCD Display Blinking Buzzer Possible Cause Solution alert...

  • Page 65: Technical Reference

    Technical Reference General Specifications Model name Printing method Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer Printing resolution 203 dpi (8 dots/mm) Printing speed 2 ~ 6 ips (50 ~152 mm/s) 0.5‖ ~ 90‖ (13mm ~ 2286mm), MAX 90‖(Command Printing length mode) Printing width Max 4.09‖...
  • Page 66 Internal fonts are expandable up to 24x 24 times 4 direction 0º~270º rotation Soft fonts are downloadable (up to 72 points) Graphic PCX bitmap, GDI , Binary raster Software ARGOX PPLB Windows Driver (Win XP/ Vista/ Windows 7) Label editing software-ArgoBar Pro/ Print Utility/...
  • Page 67 Bartender/ Font Utility Media Roll-feed, die-cut, continuous, fan-fold, tags, thermal ticket, plain paper and fabric label Max width 4.6‖ (118 mm) Min width 0.79‖ (20 mm) Thickness .0025‖~. 01‖ (.0635mm ~. 254mm) Max OD 8‖ (203 mm) ID width 1‖ and 3‖ (25.4mm~76 mm) (3‖ ID can be installed by media core adapter) Ribbon Wax, Wax/Resin, Resin(Ribbon wound ink-side out or...

  • Page 68: Interface Specifications

    Interface Specifications The Argox F-Series printer sends and receives messages through serial, parallel and USB communication interfaces. The printer automatically checks each interface for incoming messages. Serial Interface Specification The serial interface of the F-Series printer is an RS-232 port with 9-pin (DB9-S) connector located at the rear of the printer.

  • Page 69: Parallel Interface Specification

    Parallel Interface Specification The parallel interface of the F-Series printer is a Centronics port with standard 36-pin connector located at the rear of the printer. You can connect the F-Series printer and the host controller with a standard parallel cable. . Pin Assignment and Description Pin No.

  • Page 70: Ps2 Keyboard Interface

    GROUND IN/OUT CLOCK USB Interface The Argox F-Series printer provides a standard USB interface that conforms to USB 2.0 full-speed specification. This increases the data transfer rate between the host controller and printer, dramatically enhancing performance. Pin Assignment and Description Pin No.

  • Page 71: Appendix A: Stand-Alone Keyboard & Barcode Reader

    Appendix A: Stand-alone Keyboard & Barcode Reader This appendix covers stand-alone operation with keyboard or barcode reader. Keyboard To use the printer in stand-alone operation with a keyboard, please follow the procedure described below: Press the MENU key to enter menu mode on the LCD panel. Enter a password to switch to privileged menu and enable the AUTO FORM function.
  • Page 72 Insert Inserts a new character at the cursor position. Shift Switches between upper/lower case characters as the shift key is pressed. Delete Deletes the character at the cursor and shifts all the characters on the right forwards. Caps Lock Switches to upper case characters. Space Moves the cursor to right.
  • Page 73 Turn off the printer, connect the keyboard and then turn on the printer. The LCD displays this message: SELECT FORM KBDFORM Use the up and down keys to select another form and press <ENTER> to confirm. Once a form is selected, the LCD displays: LOADING FORM KBDFORM Key-in the input device and barcode data.
  • Page 74 Output...

  • Page 75: Barcode Reader

    Barcode Reader Example: Stand alone operation with READER form Please follow the procedure below: Make a command file for the form, READER.FRM Command Description Enable store to flash FK"READER" Delete previous form FS"READER‖ Start of form V00,15,N,"Product Name ?" Define variable and display message C0,10,N,+1,"Product No.
  • Page 76 A label is printed. The copy count depends on the PA command for the READER form. Step 4 repeats automatically. Output Notes: To return to normal operation, press and hold <ESC> on keyboard or the CANCEL key for more than 5 seconds. During standalone operation, you can input data through: ...

  • Page 77: Appendix B: Cutter Installation

    Appendix B: Cutter Installation Follow this procedure to install a cutter in the printer. Turn off the printer. Remove the left cover and press down the TPH release lever to release the print head module. Locate the cutter in the two slots and secure two screws indicated in the figure below.
  • Page 78 All other times use the following procedure: Put the media end on the roller. Close the TPH latch. Turn on the printer. Press the FEED button so the media end goes through the cutter. The cutter generally cuts the label at the center of the media gap. You may change the cutting position for special media by operating the panel setting or sending a shift command to the printer: Panel setting:...

  • Page 79: Appendix C: Dispenser Installation

    Appendix C: Dispenser Installation Turn off the printer Remove the left cover and press down the TPH release lever to release the print head module. Screw the peeler brace to the printer as shown in the figure below. Turn on the power switch and enable the peeler function from the control panel.

  • Page 80: Appendix D: Super Card Installation

    Appendix D: Super card Installation 1. Shut the power down and open the back cover. 2. Plug the super card in the socket and set the DIP switch 5 to ON. 3. Turn on the power and wait the LCD display appears ―RESTART PRINTER‖.

This manual is also suitable for:

F series

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