AGFA Ovation! Operator's Manual
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AGFA Ovation! Operator's Manual

AGFA Ovation! Operator's Manual

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  • Page 1 Ovation! ™ Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 2 CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation. CG Times, based upon Times New Roman under license from The Monotype Corporation. Ovation!, SEAQ, and PC Batch are trademarks of Datamax Corporation. As an Energy Star Partner, Datamax Corporation has determined that this product meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.
  • Page 3 Agency Compliance and Approvals: FCC: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC rules. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

  • Page 5: Important Safety Instructions

    Important Safety Instructions This printer has been carefully designed to give you many years of safe, reliable performance. As with all electrical equipment, there are a few basic precautions you should take to avoid hurting yourself or damaging the printer: •...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    ♦ Contents ♦ Getting Started Introduction...............1 Unpacking and Inspection..........2 Additional Requirements..........2 Connecting Power............3 Interfacing to the Printer ..........4 Interface Cables............4 Loading Media ............5 Loading Media for Peel Configuration .......6 Loading Ribbon (Thermal-Transfer Option) .....7 Adjustments for Various Sizes of Ribbon or Media..9 1.10 Power-up Configuration and Self-Test.....11 1.11 Setting the Printer to the Factory Defaults ....13 1.12 Switches and Indicators ...........14...
  • Page 8 Appendix A ASCII Control Code Chart..........A-1 Appendix B Printer Specifications ............B-1 Appendix C Available Fonts and Bar Codes........C-1 Appendix D Error Codes..............D-1 Appendix E Warranty Information............E-1...

  • Page 9: Getting Started

    ♦ Getting Started Figure 1-1 Printer Overview 1.0 Introduction The Ovation!™, hereafter referred to as ‘the printer’, is a high quality/low cost direct thermal and optional thermal-transfer printer. This printer’s unique construction combines a durable plastic casing with a metal print mechanism to ensure reliability and consistent print registration.

  • Page 10: Unpacking And Inspection

    Getting Started 1.1 Unpacking and Inspection Inspect the shipping container(s) for damage, if damage is evident notify the shipping company to specify the nature and extent of the damage. Remove the printer from the packaging material and check the contents of the package. In addition to this manual the following items should be included: •...

  • Page 11: Connecting Power

    Getting Started Connecting Power The printer is powered from an external power supply that connects to the printer as shown below. Power supplies are available in both 115 and 230 AC voltages. Ensure that the power supply shipped with your printer matches your electrical service. Connect power supply to printer before plugging into AC outlet.

  • Page 12: Interfacing To The Printer

    Getting Started Interfacing to the Printer The printer can be connected to the host via a serial or parallel cable. Figure 1-3 External Power Supply Interface Cables An interface cable is necessary to connect the printer to the host. The interface between the printer and the host will be either a serial RS-232C or parallel cable.

  • Page 13: Loading Media

    Getting Started The printer can also be connected to the host with a parallel connection. In addition, the printer has a unique feature where if you connect both the serial and parallel cables to the printer at the same time, the printer will automatically interface to the first connection, (serial or parallel) that transmits valid data.

  • Page 14: Loading Media For Peel Configuration

    Getting Started Loading Media for Peel Configuration 1. Open the cover. 2. Push the printhead latch toward the back of the printer and raise the printhead carrier assembly. 3. Place a roll of media (labels should be facing up) on the media hub and insert into the printer.

  • Page 15: Loading Ribbon (Thermal-Transfer Option)

    Getting Started Loading Ribbon (Thermal-Transfer Option) 1. Open the cover. 2. Remove the two ribbon hubs. 3. Slide the ribbon and empty core onto the hubs making sure that the ribbon unwinds and rewinds. Figure 1-7 Ribbon Hub Removal 4. Place the ribbon supply hub back into the thermal transfer assembly.
  • Page 16 Getting Started Figure 1-8 Selecting the Print Type 6. Load the printer with media (see Section 1.6) and ribbon. When loading ribbon be sure to guide the ribbon through the printhead carrier assembly as shown below. Figure 1-9 Routing the Ribbon 7.

  • Page 17: Adjustments For Various Sizes Of Ribbon Or Media

    Getting Started 1.9 Adjustments for Various Sizes of Ribbon or Media 1.9.1 Ribbon Width Adjustment The adjustable ribbon handler feature allows adjustment to the ribbon supply hub which provides optimum tension when using different widths of media or ribbon. 1. Turn ‘off’ the printer. 2.
  • Page 18 Getting Started 1.9.2 Media Width Adjustment The thumbwheel on the side of the printhead carrier assembly allows the printhead to be adjusted for various sizes of media. The numbers on the thumbwheel serve only as a reference point and do not correspond with a particular media width.

  • Page 19: Power-Up Configuration And Self-Test

    Getting Started 1.10 Power-up Configuration and Self-Test With the printer off, load the die-cut media (the media must be at least 4 inches wide), and ribbon (if printing in thermal-transfer). Press and hold the feed button and turn the printer on, (the power LED should be ‘on’), continue holding the feed button until the media begins to move then release it.
  • Page 20 Getting Started INTERNAL MODULE______ SCALABLE FONTS_______ Figure 1-12 Configuration Test Label Ovation!™...

  • Page 21: Setting The Printer To The Factory Defaults

    Getting Started The second label printed is the test pattern label. This label is used to determine whether the printhead is in need of replacement. 'Good' and 'bad' test pattern labels are shown below: Good Test Label: Indicates that the printhead is operating normally.

  • Page 22: Switches And Indicators

    Getting Started 1.12 Switches and Indicators Descriptions and locations of the Printer's switches and indicators are shown below. Figure 1-14 Switches and Indicator Locations Switch/Indicator Function ON/OFF switch Controls power to the Printer. FEED Button Printer in ready state - (LED ON) Press twice Printer feeds media to first print position of next label.

  • Page 23: Available Options

    Getting Started 1.13 Available Options Thermal Transfer Thermal transfer printing requires the use of a ribbon. The ink/wax from the ribbon transfers to the media by the printer to create an image. Thermal transfer printing provides exceptional clarity and scannability. External Cutter The external cutter provides ease of automatic cutting for tags and labels after a label is printed.
  • Page 24 Getting Started PC-Batch Software ® This label-creation software package is available for IBM PC or compatibles. Linerless Media This option allows the use of linerless media, (no backing), thereby saving on disposal cost of the linered media and increasing the amount of printable labels per roll.
  • Page 25 Getting Started Ovation!™...

  • Page 26: Printing Labels

    ♦ Printing Labels Introduction Labels can be generated using RS-232 or parallel communications to a host computer or a PC with a compatible labeling software package. This chapter explains some of the basic programming commands that are required when writing programs to generate label formats.
  • Page 27 Printing Labels When the printer receives an immediate command it will cease whatever it is doing and perform that command. Commands of all types must be in this sequence: 1. Attention Getter 2. Command Character 3. Parameters that must be entered by the user (if any). Command Must Enter Printer...
  • Page 28 Printing Lables The system-level commands are used to create formats, load and store graphic information, and control the printer. Table 2-3 provides a brief description and format of each system-level command character. Char Description Format Set time and date FORMAT: AwmmddyyyyhhMMjjj 16 digits total.
  • Page 29 Printing Labels Char Description Format Set metric flag, enter metric mode All references set to metric until reset Clear metric flag, return to inch mode Form edge offset (start of print Onnnn = 4 digits, in/100 or mm/10 position) Cycle cutter Enter character dump mode Controlled pause Clear all memory modules...
  • Page 30 Printing Lables A STX L command switches the printer from the system-level to the label-formatting mode. All command characters after STX L are interpreted as label-formatting commands until the label-formatting mode is terminated with the command character E. All label - formatting commands are terminated with hex value 0D.
  • Page 31 Printing Labels Description Format Terminate label formatting mode Select font symbol set (optional scalable y S xx fonts only) y = ASCII (0x79) S = ASCII (0x54) xx = symbol selection z or Zero (0) conversion to "O" eliminates slash (/) Make last field entered increment numeric +pii Make last entered field incrementing...

  • Page 32: Programming Examples

    Printing Lables The commands used for bit mapped font loading are usually generated by font-creation software. However, the Assign Font ID Number command must be sent to the printer before the font file. Font-loading commands are listed in Table 2-6. Description *c###D Assign Font ID Number...
  • Page 33 Printing Labels The example shown below prints out a Code 3 of 9 bar code with a wide to narrow bar ratio of 3:1 and can be used to print any of the bar codes shown in Appendix B by altering the example's fields. Refer to Figures 2-2 and 2-3 for a brief explanation of the data fields.

  • Page 34: Configuration Command String

    Printing Lables Configuration Command String The configuration command string sets the operating parameters of the printer. The command strings are described below. <STX>KDwxy <CR> where w: Bit # Function Value 0=9600*, 1=600, 2=2400, 3=19200, 4=4800, 5=N/A, Baud Rate 6=1200, 7=9600 Test Mode Word Length 0=8 bits*, 1=7 bits 4&5...

  • Page 35: Memory Cartridges (Modules)

    Printing Labels Memory Cartridges (Modules) The printer has one memory cartridge slot that can be used to store: graphic images; smooth formed fonts; and label formats that can be recalled by host computers. The use of memory cartridges other than those specifically designed for the printer can cause damage to both the cartridge and the printer.

  • Page 36: Maintenance

    ♦ Maintenance Introduction This chapter covers the cleaning, adjusting, and some troubleshooting tips involved with your printer. In addition, the following table provides a recommended cleaning schedule for the various parts of your printer. Area Method Interval Printhead Turn off the printer before cleaning After every roll the printhead.

  • Page 37: Cleaning The Printhead

    Maintenance Cleaning the Printhead Warning: Turn ‘off’ the printer and unplug the unit from the outlet before cleaning the printhead. 1. Turn ‘off’ the printer and open the cover. 2. Push the printhead latch back toward the back of the printer and raise the printhead carrier assembly.

  • Page 38: Fine Printhead Adjustment

    Maintenance Fine Printhead Adjustment A fine printhead adjustment set screw is located on top of the printhead carrier assembly that can used for adjusting print quality. This adjustment is set at the factory and should not need further adjusting; however, with different types and thickness of media some adjustment may be necessary.

  • Page 39: Printhead Replacement

    Maintenance Printhead Replacement Removal: 1. Turn off the printer. 2. Unlatch the printhead carrier assembly, Loosen the printhead screw until it is free from the printhead. Carefully remove the printhead from the printhead carrier assembly. 3. Remove the printhead cables from the back of the printhead.

  • Page 40: Troubleshooting

    ♦ Troubleshooting 4.0 Introduction Occasionally situations occur that require some troubleshooting skills. Possible problem situations and potential solutions are listed in this section. While not every situation is addressed, you may find some of these tips helpful. After the correction action is taken press the feed button to clear the alarm.

  • Page 41: Skips Every Other Label

    Troubleshooting The ribbon does not advance (The printer advances paper but ribbon does not advance). • The ribbon is installed incorrectly. Make sure that the dull side (side with ink) is facing the paper. • A bad ribbon/paper combination is resulting in an insufficient amount of friction between paper and ribbon.
  • Page 42 Troubleshooting Prints light on the right side of the label • The media width adjustment thumbwheel is set for a narrower media width than the actual media being used, (see Section 1.9). • The printhead is adjusted for thick media or cardstock. •...
  • Page 43 Troubleshooting The labels start to print on an angle and the top-of-form is not able to be sensed, (improper tracking of media)  commonly seen when switching between various widths of stock. • The media is not loaded properly, see Section 1.6. When loading media be certain that the media hub and media guide are against the media.

  • Page 45: Ascii Control Code Chart

    Appendix A ASCII Control Code Chart Char Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Ò 100 64 101 65 & 102 66 Ô 103 67 104 68 105 69 106 6A 107 6B 108 6C 109 6D 110 6E 111 6F 112 70...
  • Page 46 ASCII Control Code Chart Char Char Char Char Ç á Ó ü í ß é ó Ô â ú Ò ä ñ õ à Ñ Õ å ª ã µ ç ° Ã þ ê ¿ Þ ë ® Ú è...

  • Page 47: Printer Specifications

    Appendix B Printer Specifications Mechanical Width 8.8" (22.35 cm) Depth 10.1" (25.65 cm) Height 6.2" (15.75 cm) Weight 7 lbs. (3.2 kg) Operating Temperature 40° F to 100° F (4° C to 38° C) Printer Specifications Print Type Direct Thermal (standard) Thermal Transfer (optional) Print Speed 1, 1.5, and 2"...
  • Page 48 Printer Specifications Media/Ribbon Media Types Roll-Fed, Die-Cut, Continuous, Fan-Fold Max. Media Width 4.65" (118 mm) Max. Print Width 4.1" (104 mm) Min. Print Width 1" (25 mm) Max. Print Length 12" (305 mm) with standard RAM Min. Print Length .375" (.95 cm) .5"...

  • Page 49: Available Bar Codes

    Printer Specifications Fonts 10 Resident Styles Resident Fonts Expandable to 8x Reverse Image Rotated 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees Available Bar Codes Code 39, Ext Code 39, Code 93, Ext Code 93, Code 128 UCC, Code 128 A, B & C, Codabar, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPC-E, UPC Ship C Code, EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN 128, POSTNET, MaxiCode, PDF417 Options...
  • Page 50 Printer Specifications Ovation!™...

  • Page 51: Available Fonts And Bar Codes

    Appendix C Available Fonts and Bar Codes All character fonts and bar codes available with the printer are described in this section. Each font and bar code has a name associated with it for use in programming. Human-readable fonts have numeric names while bar code fonts have alpha names. Uppercase alpha names will print bar codes with human readable interpretations.
  • Page 52 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Table B-2 lists the font sizes. The numbers indicate the number of dots. FONT HEIGHT WIDTH SPACING Font 0 Font 1 Font 2 Font 3 Font 4 Font 5 Font 6 Font 7 Font 8 Table B-2 Font Sizes Font 0 96-character Font 1 145-character upper and...
  • Page 53 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Font 4 62-character Font 5 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase. alphanumeric, uppercase. Font 6 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase. Ovation!™...
  • Page 54 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Font 7 OCR-A, size I. Font 8 OCR-B, size III. Font 9 Internal Triumvirate font. Point sizes are selected by the number in the bar code height. Larger point sizes can be obtained by increasing the height and width multipliers (see the Programmer's Manual for more information).

  • Page 55: Bar Codes

    Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Codes Font Length Cksum Valid ASCII Characters Bar widths Varies 32, 36, 37, 42, 43, 45-57, 65- 2:1 - 3:1 48-57 Numeric only 2:1 - 4:1 Option V used in the 6th & 7th position 48-57 Numeric only 2:1 - 4:1 Varies...
  • Page 56 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Code A Code 3 of 9 Bar Code B UPC-A Bar Code C UPC-E Bar Code D Interleaved 2 of 5 Bar Code E Code 128 Bar Code F EAN-13 Bar Code G EAN-8 Bar Code H Health Industry Bar Code (HBIC)
  • Page 57 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Code I Codeabar Bar Code J Interleaved 2 of 5 w/modulo 10 checksum Bar Code K Plessey Bar Code L Interleaved 2 of 5 w/modulo 10 checksum and shipping bearer bars Bar Code M 2 Digit UPC Bar Code N 5 Digit UPC addendum addendum...
  • Page 58 Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Code Q UCC/EAN Code Bar Code R UCC/EAN Code 128 KMART NON Bar Code S UCC/EAN Code Bar Code T Telepen 128 Random Weight Bar Code u UPS MaxiCode Bar Code v FIM Bar Code z PDF-417 Ovation!™...

  • Page 59: Error Codes

    Appendix D Error Codes The error codes that may be transmitted by the printer are described here. Lowercase "v" There is an input buffer overflow situation. Uppercase "R" This code is sent every time the printer is turned on. It signals that there was a hardware reset.
  • Page 60 Error Codes Ovation!™...

  • Page 61: Warranty Information

    Appendix E Warranty Information Datamax Limited Warranty Statement Ovation! ™ Label Printer Printer Datamax Corporation warrants to Purchaser that under normal use and service, the Ovation! Label Printer (with the exception of the thermal printhead) purchased hereunder shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year, (365 days) from the date of shipment by Datamax Corporation.

  • Page 62: Thermal Printhead

    Warranty Information Thermal Printhead This warranty is limited to a period of one year, (365 days), or 1,000,000 linear inches of use, whichever comes first, for the Ovation! label printer's thermal printhead. This one year, (365-day), warranty is valid only if a Datamax-approved thermal or thermal transfer label media is used, as defined in the then current Datamax list of approved thermal/thermal transfer media, a copy of which is available from Datamax.

  • Page 63: Limitation Of Liability

    Warranty Information General Warranty Provisions Datamax makes no warranty as to the design, capability, capacity or suitability of any of its hardware, supplies, or software. Software is licensed on an 'as is' basis without warranty. Except and to the extent expressly provided herein, and in lieu of all other warranties, there are no warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
  • Page 64 Warranty Information Ovation!™...
  • Page 65 Do not include this page in the manual  this serves only as a reminder: Insert Business Reply Card to receive copy Programmer’s Manual {7 point matte-coated, right angle perf. card (US Post Office approved stock}. Note: This card should not say “Business Reply Mail”.
  • Page 66 Warranty Information Ovation!™...

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