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TSC MX240 Series User Manual

Thermal transfer / direct thermal bar code printer
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See also: Service Manual
MX240/ MX340/ MX640 Series
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL
BAR CODE PRINTER
USER'S
MANUAL

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Summary of Contents for TSC MX240 Series

  • Page 1 MX240/ MX340/ MX640 Series THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL BAR CODE PRINTER USER’S MANUAL...
  • Page 2 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of TSC Auto ID Technology Co. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed...
  • Page 3 Agency Compliance and Approvals EN 55022, Class B EN 55024 EN 60950-1 FCC part 15B, Class B AS/NZS CISPR 22, Class B UL 60950-1 EN 60950-1 GB 4943.1 GB 9254 GB 17625.1 Wichtige Sicherheits-Hinweise 1. Bitte lesen Sie diese Hinweis sorgfältig durch. 2.
  • Page 4 DO NOT throw the battery in municipal waste. The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal waste. CAUTION Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type. Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions. “VORSICHT”...
  • Page 5 HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS, KEEP FINGER AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY. CAUTION 1. HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS IN CUTTER MODULE. KEEP FINGER AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY. 2. THE MAIN BOARD INCLUDES REAL TIME CLOCK FEATURE HAS LITHIUM BATTERY CR2032 INSTALLED. RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction ........................ 1 1.1 Product Introduction ..................... 1 1.2 Product Features ....................2 1.2.1 Printer Standard Features ....................2 1.2.2 Printer Optional Features ....................4 1.3 General Specifications ..................5 1.4 Print Specifications ....................5 1.5 Ribbon Specifications ................... 5 1.6 Media Specifications .....................
  • Page 7 6. Diagnostic Tool ......................33 6.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool ..................33 6.2 Printer Function ....................34 6.3 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Tool ..............35 6.3.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface ............ 35 6.3.2 Using RS-232 interface to setup Ethernet interface ..........36 6.3.3 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface ...........
  • Page 8 - vii -...

  • Page 10: Introduction

    To print label formats, please refer to the instructions provided with your labeling software; if you need to write the custom programs, please refer to the TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual that can be found on the accessories CD-ROM or on TSC website at http://www.tscprinters.com.

  • Page 11: Product Features

    1.2 Product Features 1.2.1 Printer Standard Features The printer offers the following standard features. Product standard feature MX240 MX340 MX640 ○ ○ ○ Thermal transfer/ or direct thermal Die-cast based print mechanism and frame / Aluminum ○ ○ ○ cover with large clear media view window 16 bits Color, 480 x 272 pixel, with back light, Resistive ○...
  • Page 12 Bar code, graphics/image printing Supported bar code Supported image 1D bar code 2D bar code BITMAP, BMP, PCX Code128 subsets CODABLOCK F (Max. 256 A.B.C, mode, colors Code128UCC, DataMatrix, graphics) EAN128, Interleave Maxicode, 2 of 5, Code 39, PDF-417, Code 93, EAN-13, Aztec, EAN-8, Codabar, MicroPDF417,...

  • Page 13: Printer Optional Features

     ISO-8859-9: Turkish  ISO-8859-10: Nordic  ISO-8859-15: Latin-9  UTF-8 1.2.2 Printer Optional Features The printer offers the following optional features. User Dealer Factory Product option feature option option option Internal rewinding kit (include internal rewind & label ○ redirect front panel) ○...

  • Page 14: General Specifications

    Operation: 5 ~ 40˚C (41 ~ 104˚F), 25~85% non-condensing Environmental Storage: -40 ~ 60 ˚C (-40 ~ 140˚F), 10~90% non-condensing condition 1.4 Print Specifications Print MX240 MX340 MX640 Specifications Print head resolution 203 dots/inch 300 dots/inch...

  • Page 15: Media Specifications

    1.6 Media Specifications Media Specifications MX240 MX340 MX640 Media roll capacity Max. 8” (203.2) OD Media core diameter 3” (76.2 mm) ID core Media type Continuous, die-cut, black mark, external fan-fold, notch Media wound type Outside wound 20 mm ~ 114 mm (0.78“ ~ 4.49“)

  • Page 16: Operations Overview

    2. Operations Overview 2.1 Unpacking and Inspection This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer. Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.

  • Page 17: Printer Overview

    2.2 Printer Overview 2.2.1 Front View LED indicators LCD display Front panel buttons USB host x 2 Media view window Paper exit chute Printer cover Note: * For LCD control panel, please refer to subsection 2.3.2 for more details. - 8 -...

  • Page 18: Interior View

    2.2.2 Interior view Ribbon rewind spindle Print head release lever Media sensor position adjustment knob Label guide bar release lever Ribbon supply spindle Ribbon tension adjustment knobs Label supply spindle Rear label guide External label entrance chute Print head pressure adjustment knobs Platen roller Print head Media sensor...

  • Page 19: Rear View

    2.2.3 Rear View inte inter face External label entrance chute Power cord socket Power switch External BlueTooth or WiFi module (Option) RS-232C interface GPIO interface (Option) Ethernet interface * SD card socket USB interface Centronics interface USB host x 2 (Option) Note: The interface picture here is for reference only.
  • Page 20 V1.0, V1.1 1 GB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 4 GB V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 4 GB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic CLASS 10 16 GB Kingston CLASS 10 32 GB SanDisk, Transcend, Kingston V1.0, V1.1 microSD 128 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 microSD 256 MB Transcend, Panasonic...

  • Page 21: Operator Control

    2.3 Operator Control LEDs interfac Touch screen interface Icons Printer firmware version Printer model interface USB interface interface Keys interface 2.3.1 LED Indication and Keys Status Indication Printer power off POWER Printer power on Printer is ready ON-LINE Blinking Printer is paused - 12 -...

  • Page 22: Touch Screen

    Printer is downloading data Printer is ready Carriage open or cutter error ERROR Blinking No paper, paper jam or no ribbon Keys Function Pause/Resume the printing process PAUSE 1. Enter the menu MENU 2. Exit from a menu or cancel a setting and return to the previous menu Advances one label FEED Scroll up the menu list...
  • Page 23 Scroll up Scroll down interface interfa - 14 -...

  • Page 24: Setup

    3. Setup 3.1 Setting up the printer 1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface. 2. Make sure the power switch is off. 3. Connect the printer to the computer with the provided USB cable. 4. Plug the power cord into the AC power cord socket at the rear of the printer, and then plug the power cord into a properly grounded power outlet.

  • Page 25: Loading The Ribbon

    3.2 Loading the Ribbon Open the printer right side cover. Install the ribbon and paper core onto ribbon supply spindle and ribbon rewind spindle. Push print head release lever to open print head mechanism. - 16 -...
  • Page 26 Wind the ribbon rewind spindle counterclockwise roughly 3~5 circles until ribbon is smooth, properly stretched and wrinkle-free. Close the print head mechanism by pushing the print head release lever. Note: * Please refer to video on TSC YouTube or driver CD. - 17 -...
  • Page 27 Loading path for ribbon * Ink coated outside wound * Ink coated inside wound - 18 -...

  • Page 28: Loading The Media

    3.3 Loading the Media 3.3.1 Loading the Media Open the printer right side cover. Place the roll of media on the label supply spindle. Push open the print head release lever and label guide bar release lever for loading media. - 19 -...
  • Page 29 Pull the leading edge of the label forward through the media guide bar pass media sensor, and place the leading edge onto the platen roller. Adjust the rear label guide (green) to fit the label width. Adjust the front label guide (green) to fit the label width.
  • Page 30 Set media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. Note: * Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media. * Please refer to video on TSC YouTube or driver CD. Loading path for media - 21 -...

  • Page 31: Loading The Fan-Fold/External Media

    3.3.2 Loading the Fan-fold/External Media Open the printer right side cover. Insert the fan-fold media through the bottom or rear external label entrance chute. Please refer to section 3.3.1 step 3~9 for loading media. Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.

  • Page 32: Loading Media In Peel-Off Mode (Option)

    3.3.3 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option) 1. Open the printer right side cover. 2. Please refer to section 3.3.1 step 3~9 for loading media. 3. Using the front display panel to do the calibration first and set the printer mode to peeler mode.
  • Page 33 7. Feed the leading edge of liner through the peeler sensor and peel-off roller. Peel-off sensor Peel-off roller 8. Wrap the liner onto the paper core and wind the spindle until the liner stretched properly. 9. Press the middle of the peel-off roller to close the peel-off roller release lever.
  • Page 34 10. Close print head release lever and label guide bar release lever. 11. Press the FEED button to test. - 25 -...

  • Page 35: Loading Media In Rewind Mode (Option)

    3.3.4 Loading Media in Rewind Mode (Option) 1. Open the printer right side cover. 2. Please refer to section 3.3.1 step 3~9 for loading media. 3. Using the front display panel to do the calibration and set the printer mode to rewind mode.
  • Page 36 7. Wrap the label onto the internal rewind spindle and stick the label onto the paper core. Wind the spindle until the label stretched properly. 8. Adjust the supply holder guide to fit the supply width. Turn the screw to fix the supply holder guide.

  • Page 37: Moveable Print Head Pressure Adjustment Knob

    4. Moveable Print Head Pressure Adjustment Knob The moveable print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of adjustment. Because the printer’s paper alignment is to the left side of mechanism, different media widths require different pressure to print correctly. Therefore it may require to adjust the pressure knob to get your best print quality.
  • Page 38 The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of settings. Clockwise direction adjustment is to increase the print head pressure. Counter Clockwise adjustment can decrease the print head pressure. Adjustable Printer Print head pressure adjustment Parts Fixing knobs screws 1.

  • Page 39: Ribbon Tension Adjustment Knob

    5. Ribbon Tension Adjustment Knob The ribbon tension adjustment knob has 3 levels of adjustment. Because the printer’s ribbon alignment is to the left side of mechanism, different ribbon width require different tension to print correctly. Therefore it may require to adjust the ribbon tension knob to get your best print quality. The biggest tension is #1. Adjust the tension by turning the knobs to suitable # (1, 2 or3) on both ribbon supply &...

  • Page 40: Suggestion Of Ribbon Tension Adjustment

    5.1 Suggestion of Ribbon Tension Adjustment For 4” width ribbon If the ribbon width is 4”, adjust both ribbon tension adjustment knobs to the #1 on ribbon supply & rewind spindles. (Factory default tension is #1) Ribbon Rewind Spindle Ribbon Supply Spindle Tension # 1 Tension # 1 For 3”...
  • Page 41 For 2” width ribbon If the ribbon width is 2”, adjust both ribbon tension adjustment knobs to the #3 on ribbon supply & rewind spindles. Ribbon Rewind Spindle Ribbon Supply Spindle Tension # 3 Tension # 3 - 32 -...

  • Page 42: Diagnostic Tool

    6. Diagnostic Tool TSC’s Diagnostic Utility is an integrated tool incorporating features that enable you to explore a printer’s settings/status; change a printer’s settings; download graphics, fonts and firmware; create a printer bitmap font; and send additional commands to a printer.

  • Page 43: Printer Function

    6.2 Printer Function 1. Connect the printer and computer with a cable. 2. Select the PC interface connected with bar code printer. USB cable Other cable The default interface setting is USB interface. If USB interface is connected with printer, no other settings need to be changed in the interface field.

  • Page 44: Setting Ethernet By Diagnostic Tool

    6.3 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Tool The Diagnostic Utility is enclosed in the CD disk \Utilities directory. Users can use Diagnostic Tool to setup the Ethernet by RS-232, USB and Ethernet interfaces. The following contents will instruct users how to configure the Ethernet by these three interfaces.

  • Page 45: Using Rs-232 Interface To Setup Ethernet Interface

    6.3.2 Using RS-232 interface to setup Ethernet interface 1. Connect the computer and the printer with a RS-232 cable. 2. Turn on the printer power. 3. Start the Diagnostic Utility by double clicks on the icon. 4. Select “COM” as interface then click on the “Setup” button to setup the serial port baud rate, parity check, data bits, stop bit and flow control parameters.

  • Page 46: Using Ethernet Interface To Setup Ethernet Interface

    6.3.3 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface 1. Connect the computer and the printer to the LAN. 2. Turn on the printer power. 3. Start the Diagnostic Utility by double clicks on the icon. 4. Select “Ethernet” as the interface then click on the “Setup” button to setup the IP address, subnet mask and gateway for the on board Ethernet.
  • Page 47 5. Click the “Discover Device” button to explore the printers that exist on the network. 6. Select the printer in the left side of listed printers, the correspondent IP address will be shown in the right side “IP address/Printer Name” field. 7.
  • Page 48 Except to use the Diagnostic Utility to setup the printer, you can also explore and configure the printer settings and status or update the firmware with the IE or Firefox web browser. This feature provides a user friendly setup interface and the capability to manage the printer remotely over a network. - 39 -...

  • Page 49: Lcd Menu Function

    7. LCD Menu Function 7.1 Enter the Main Menu * By Keys: Press the “MENU” button and press the “SELECT” button to enter the main menu. * By touch display: Tap the “Menu” icon on LCD to enter the main menu. - 40 -...

  • Page 50: Main Menu Overview

    7.2 Main Menu Overview There are 8 categories for the main menu. You can easy to set the settings of printer without connecting the computer. Please refer to following sections for more details. Menu TSPL ZPL2 Sensor Interface File Manager Advance Set Service Diagnostics...

  • Page 51: Tspl2

    7.3 TSPL2 This “TSPL” category can set up the printer settings for TSPL2. Speed None Density Batch Mode Direction Peeler Mode Print mode Cutter Mode Offset Cutter Batch Menu TSPL Shift X Rewinder Mode Shift Y Reference X Reference Y Code Page Country Item...
  • Page 52 Peeler Mode Enable the label peel off mode. Cutter Mode Enable the label cutter mode. Cutter Batch Cut the label once at the end of the printing job. Rewinder Enable the label rewinder mode. Mode This item is used to fine tune media stop location. Available setting Offset +000 value is from “+”...

  • Page 53: Zpl2

    ZPL2 This “ZPL2” category can set up the printer settings for ZPL2. Darkness Print Speed Tear Off Tear Off Print Mode Peeler Off Print Width Cutter Maximum Length List Fonts List Images List Formats List Setup Control Prefix Format Prodix Feed Menu ZPL2...
  • Page 54 Use this item to setup print speed. The each increase or Print Speed decrease is 1 ips. Available setting is from 1 to 6. This item is used to fine tune media stop location. Available Tear Off +000 setting value is from “+” to “-” or “0” to “9”. This item is used to set the print mode.
  • Page 55 label. The range is -9999 to +9999 dots. When reprint mode is enabled, you can reprint the last label Reprint Mode Disabled printer by pressing button on printer’s control panel. Selects the bitmap scaling factor. The first number is the original Format Convert None dots per inch (dpi) value;...

  • Page 56: Sensor

    Sensor This option is used to calibrate the selected sensor. We recommend calibrate the sensor before printing when changing the media. Auto Calibration Black Mark Continuous Manual Setup Black Mark Menu Sensor Continuous Auto Threshold Detect Fixed Maximum Length Advanced Item Description Default...

  • Page 57: Interface

    Interface This option is used to set the printer interface settings. Serial Comm. Ethernet Menu Interface Bluetooth Wi-Fi 7.6.1 Serial Comm. This option is used to set the printer RS-232 settings. 1200 bps 2400 bps 4800 bps 9600 bps Baud Rate 19200 bps 38400 bps 57600 bps...

  • Page 58: Ethernet

    7.6.2 Ethernet Use this menu to configure internal Ethernet configuration check the printer’s Ethernet module status, and reset the Ethernet module. Status Menu Interface Ethernet DHCP Static IP Item Description Default Use this menu to check the Ethernet IP address and Status MAC setting status.

  • Page 59: Bluetooth

    7.6.3 Bluetooth This option is used to set the printer blustooth settings. Bluetooth Name Menu Interface Bluetooth Bluetooth PIN code Item Description Default Bluetooth This item is used to set the local name for Bluetooth. BT-SPP Name Bluetooth This item is used to set the local PIN code for 0000 Code Bluetooth.

  • Page 60: File Manager

    7.7 File Manager This feature is used to check the printer available memory and file list. DRAM Flie List FLASH Avail. Memory CARD Menu File Manager DRAM Del. All Files FLASH CARD Item Description Use this menu to show, delete and run (.BAS) the files saved in File List the printer DRAM/Flash/Card memory.

  • Page 61: Diagnostics

    Menu Diagnostics Print Config. Self-test printout Model name F/W version Firmware checksum Printer S/N TSC configuration file System date System time Printed mileage (meter) Cutting counter Print speed (inch/sec) Print darkness Label size (inch) Gap distance (inch)
  • Page 62 ZPL setting information Print darkness Print speed (inch/sec) Label size Control prefix Format prefix Delimiter prefix Printer power up motion Printer head close motion Note: ® ZPL is emulating for Zebra language. RS232 serial port configuration Numbers of download files Total &...

  • Page 63: Dump Mode

    7.8.2 Dump Mode Captures the data from the communications port and prints out the data received by printer. In the dump mode, all characters will be printed in 2 columns. The left side characters are received from your system and right side data are the corresponding hexadecimal value of the characters.

  • Page 64: Rotate Cutter

    7.8.3 Rotate Cutter In case paper is jammed in the cutter, this feature can rotate the cutter blade forward or reverse direction, which is helpful to remove the jammed paper easily from the cutter. Menu Diagnostics Rotate Cutter - 55 -...

  • Page 65: Advance Set

    7.9 Advance Set This feature is used to set the printer LCD settings. Brightness Menu Advance Set Date & Time Language Item Description Brightness This item is used to setup the brightness for display. Date & Time display This item is used to setup the date and time on Language display This item is used to setup the language on...

  • Page 66: Service

    7.10 Service This feature is used to restore printer settings to defaults and checking information for printer. Initialization Mileage Info. Menu Service Contact us Serial Info. Item Description Initialization This feature is used to restore printer settings to defaults. Mileage Info. This feature is used to check the printed mileage This feature is used to check the contact information for tech support Contact us...

  • Page 67: Troubleshooting

    8 Troubleshooting The following guide lists the most common problems that may be encountered when operating this bar code printer. If the printer still does not function after all suggested solutions have been invoked, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance.
  • Page 68 Can’t downloading the file to memory (FLASH / * The space of memory is full. * Delete unused files in the memory. DRAM/CARD) * SD card is damaged. * Use the supported capacity SD card. * SD card doesn’t insert * Insert the SD card again.
  • Page 69 * Calibrate the sensor sensitivity again. * Set the correct label size and gap size. * Press [MENU]  [SELECT] x3[DOWN]x6  [SELECT] to fine tune the parameter of Shift Y. * If using the software BarTender, please set the vertical offset in the driver. * Media sensor sensitivity is not set properly.

  • Page 70: Maintenance

    9 Maintenance This session presents the clean tools and methods to maintain your printer. 1. Please use one of following material to clean the printer.  Cotton swab  Lint-free cloth  Vacuum / Blower brush  100% Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol 2.

  • Page 71: Revise History

    Revise History Date Content Editor 2014/4/24 Modify agency compliance and approvals Camille 2014/6/18 Modify switching power supply spec (section 1.3) Camille 2014/11/5 Modify agency compliance and approvals Camille 2014/12/8 Modify pictures for key feature change Camille 2014/12/9 Add ribbon tension adjustment section Camille 2014/12/25 Modify section 1.3...
  • Page 73 9F., No.95, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist., No.35, Sec. 2, Ligong 1st Rd., Wujie Township, New Taipei City 23141, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Yilan County 26841, Taiwan (R.O.C.) TEL: +886-2-2218-6789 TEL: +886-3-990-6677 FAX: +886-2-2218-5678 FAX: +886-3-990-5577 Web site: www.tscprinters.com E-mail: apac_sales@tscprinters.com TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd. tech_support@tscprinters.com...

This manual is also suitable for:

Mx340 seriesMx640 series

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