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FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment may generate, use and/or radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in full accordance with this instruction manual, interference to radio communications may occur.
Important Safety Instructions Ⴗ Only qualified and trained service technicians should attempt to repair the printer. Ⴗ Do not place the printer on or near a heat source. Ⴗ Be sure that the output of the power adapter is 24VDC and your power source matches the rating listed on the power adapter. Be certain your power source is grounded. Ⴗ To avoid getting an electric shock, do not use a worn or damaged power cord. If the power cord becomes damaged or frayed, replace it immediately.
Contents Preface .................................................................................... 1 Important Notice, Read Me First! ........................................ 2 Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................... 3 Specifications ................................................................................... 3 Unpacking and Inspection ................................................................ 4 Chapter 2 Getting Started ............................
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting .................................................. 25 Error Indications ............................................................................ 25 Miscellaneous ................................................................................ 26 Others ............................................................................................. 27 Appendix A: Interface Specifications .................................. 28 Appendix B: ASCII Table ................................
Preface Thank you for purchasing the METAPACE L-3 label printer. The METAPACE L-3 Industrial Grade barcode label printers feature innovative state of the art technology and superior quality workmanship. Their all metal frame and unique core construction form a sturdy and durable stationary printer platform. A powerful control system can easily handle the most complicated printing requirements, at high speed printing. Advanced thermal transfer/direct thermal technology offers optimum printout clarity.
Important Notice, Read Me First! Thermal printhead can be easily damaged due to its precision construction. A printhead damaged by misuse is not covered under the terms of the warranty. To ensure longevity of the printhead, please note the following: 1. DO NOT scrape or use tools that might damage the printhead surface. 2. To protect from corroding the printhead, DO NOT touch the printhead with bare hands. 3. DO NOT use thermal paper or thermal transfer ribbon, which contains Na, K or Cl. 4.
Chapter 1 Introduction Specifications METAPACE Model Printing method Printing resolution Max printing speed Max printing width Max printing length CPU/Memory Media Ribbon Media sensor METAPACE METAPACE L-3᧤200dpi᧥ L-3᧤300dpi᧥ L-3᧤600dpi᧥ Direct thermal & Thermal transfer 203 dpi 300 dpi 600 dpi (8 dots/mm) (11.8 dots/mm) (23.6dots/mm) 8 ips 8 ips 4 ips (203.2 mm/s) (203.2 mm/s) (101.6 mm/s) 4.16″ 4.16″ 4.09ೀ (105.7 mm) (105.
User-downloadable Truetype Fonts (Optional); Five built-in ASCII fonts. Fonts Interfaces Power rating LCD display Weight 1D Barcode: Code 39, Code 93, Code 128/subset User-downloadable Truetype Fonts (Optional); A,B,C, Codabar, Interleave Five built-in ASCII fonts. 2 of 5, UPC A/E 2 and 5 add-on, EAN-13/8/128, UCC-128, etc; 1D Barcode: 39, Code 93, CodeData 128/subset 2D Barcode: Code MaxiCode, PDF417, Matrix, A,B,C, Codabar, Interleave 2 of 5, UPC A/E 2 QR, etc.
Inspect the shipping carton(s) for possible shipping damage, if damage is discovered, notify the shipping company to report the nature and extent of the damage. Please check the items according to the Packing List. If there are any items missing, notify your authorized reseller. 3. Sample Media Packing List᧤Figure 1᧥: 4. CD Rom 1. Printer 1. Printer 2. Ribbon 2. Ribbon 3. Sample Media 3. Sample Media 4. CD Rom4. CD Rom 5. USB Cable 6.
Chapter 2 Getting Started Setting up Before setting up the printer you should consider the following: 1. Make sure there is adequate space around the printer for loading consumables and proper ventilation. 2. Make sure the printer is close to the host so the interface cable is easily accessible at either end.
Main Parts and Features 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 11 12 Figure 2 1. MENU Button 4. PAUSE Button 7. MEDIA Indicator 10. Right Cover 2. CANCEL Button 5. Media Calibration 8. RIBBON Indicator 11. Media Outlet 7 3. FEED Button 6. READY Indicator 9. LCD 12.
5 6 7 8 4 9 3 10 11 2 1 Figure 3 1. Platen Roller 4. Ribbon Take-up Spindle 7. External Media Loading Opening 10. Lever 2. Printhead Module 5. Bolt 8. Media Spindle 11. Media Sensor Cover Plate 8 3. Ribbon Supply Spindle 6. Positioning ArmMedia Roll 9.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 4 1. Centronics Port 4. RS232 Serial Port 7. Ethernet Port 2. PS/2 Port 5. Power Switch 3. USB Port (Type B) 6. AC In Port Note: The above figure illustrates all possible interface ports on a METAPACE L-3 printer, but some ports may not be available for your printer. Please check your requirements when purchasing the printer.
4 5 3 2 6 1 7 Figure 5 1. Media Sensor Handle 4. Ribbon Path 7. Media Guide Slide 2. Media Path 5. Ribbon Guide 3. Platen Roller 6. Media Guide Lever Connecting the Printer Power Connection Caution: Do not use the printer near liquids or corrosive chemicals. 1. Make sure the printer is switched OFF. 2. Connect the power cord to the AC Port on the back of the printer. 3. Plug the power cord into a live wall outlet.
Interface Connection Caution: Make sure the printer is switched OFF before connecting the interface cable. The interface between the printer and the host will use either a serial or USB (or parallel) cable. Contact your reseller for Ethernet connection options. 1. The printer identifies the communication port automatically. 2. The default values of printer port can be obtained from the self-test report. (See Chapter 2 Operation Basics - System Mode - Self Test) 3.
Loading the Ribbon Caution: This section is not applicable to direct thermal printing. 1. Lift to open the cover; 2. Turn the handle anticlockwise to release the Printhead Module; 3. Check the ink side on the label of the ribbon roll then unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll and the core; 4. Adjust the brackets (figure 6), making sure that the ribbon roll is firmly in place on the ribbon spindle; Ribbon Spindle Shrapnel Figure 6 5.
7-a Ribbon 7-b 7-c 7 8. Attach the edge of the ribbon to the core and wrap it on; 9. Insert the core onto the ribbon take-up spindle to the inside edge; 10. Turn the take-up spindle untill the ribbon is tightly wound; 11. Turn the lever to the close position.
Loading the Media METAPACE L-3 printers can be operated in three different modes: Standard mode, Peel-off mode, or Cutting mode. -- In Standard mode, each printed label remains on the backing liner. -- In Peel-off mode, each printed label is peeled away from the backing liner manually. -- In Cutting mode, the printer automatically cuts the label after it is printed. Standard Mode 1. Lift the Positioning Arm of the Media Roll, insert the media roll onto the media spindle to the inside edge; 2.
Sensor position Slide Handle Figure 8 7. Move the Media Guide Slide to the edge of the media, making sure not to pinch the media; 8. Turn the lever clockwise to close the Printhead Module; 9. Close the cover and turn on the printer or press the “FEED” button if the printer is already on. Cutting Mode: The loading guide will be provided with the cutter kit. Adjusting the Position of Media Sensor Note: Only applies to the reflective sensor. 1. Lift the top cover. 2.
Power Switch The power switch is on the back panel of the printer.
Buttons There are five buttons on the front panel. The normal functions of the five buttons are listed in the following table.
Examples of LCD display Ready to print. Total = number of pages printed. Note: when the printer is powered Ready to print. off, the counter of reverts 0. Total = number pagestoprinted. Examples of LCD display READY[203DPI] Total:00000888 READY[203DPI] Total:00000888 PAUSE Total:XXXXXXXX PAUSE Total:XXXXXXXX MEDIA ERROR YYYY/XXXXXXX MEDIA ERROR YYYY/XXXXXXX MAIN MENU Note: when the printer is powered In normal printing mode, off, the counter reverts to display 0.
MAIN MENU SUB MENU DESCRIPTION Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer. Default: Thermal Transfer. Print Method Tear Off Cutter Manual Peel Off Options: Enable, Disable. Default: Disable. Options: Reflective, Transmissive. Default: Reflective. Options: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600. Default: 9600. When set at ‘0’, the printer will accept the default setting or command setting, if not, the printer will not accept the default setting or command setting. Return to main menu. The increment for the METAPACE L-32 is 0.
Tear-Off Tear-Off Tear down a. Grab printed label a. Grab printed label Figure 9 Tear down Figure 9 1. Press MENU to enter setup menu: Common Settings → Tear Off, select Enable; 1. Press MENU to enter setup menu: Common Settings → Tear Off, 2. Follow the directions shown in Figure 9 to tear off the label; select Enable; 3. If the tear-off position needs to be adjusted, press MENU to enter 2.
Manual Peel-Off 123456789 a. Press the printed label downwards b. Press the label to printer 123456789 c. Remove the label Figure 10 1. Press MENU to enter setup menu: Common Settings → Manual Peel Off, select Enable; 2. Follow the directions shown in Figure 10 to peel off the label; 3. Press PAUSE to print next label; 4. If the peeling position needs to be adjusted, press MENU to enter setup menu: Offset Settings → Peeling Offset, input suitable offset value.
Adjusting The Pressure Of Printhead 1 2 Figure 11 As shown in Figure 11, there are two screws, #1 and #2. Unscrew #2 first᧤do not remove it᧥, then unscrew #1. Adjust the position of screw #1 towards Increase or Decrease as required. Then first fasten screw #1, then the #2. Windows Driver and Metapace Label Designer Software The printer driver supports Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95 operating systems.
instructions. Both the Windows driver and Metapace Label Designer are available on the Printer Accessory CD, also available for download from: www.matapace.com. Note: If you need to update the driver, please remove any old versions of the driver before continuing. Chapter 3 Maintenance Warning: 1. Make sure the printer is turned OFF before performing any maintenance operations. 2. The printhead becomes hot while printing, be careful when performing maintenance on the printhead. 3.
printhead. Never use hard materials for scraping the printhead. 2. Always use high-quality consumables. When the TPH module is closed, pressure is placed directly on the TPH; dirt such as paper scraps, sand, dust and glue can scrape or damage the printhead. The TPH is also easily damaged by static electricity, which may be generated by poor quality ribbons. 3. After every roll of ribbon or every three rolls of media , the printhead should be cleaned with anhydrous isopropyl alcohol. a.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting Occasionally situations occur that require some troubleshooting. Possible issues and potential solutions are listed in this section. While not every situation is addressed, you may find some of these tips useful. Error Indications Typically, when the printer is not functioning, one or two of the three indicator lamps will begin blinking. The possible situations addressed by the status of the three indicator lamps are listed bellow.
READY and RIBBON Lamps blink simultaneously Possible Cause Recommend Solutions Run out of ribbon Load a roll ribbon Ribbon jam Clear the jam Ribbon Sensor error Service Ribbon Sensor Remarks To be serviced only by qualified personnel Only READY Lamp blinks Possible Cause Recommend Solutions Serial I/O error Check Baud Rate settings in Setup Menu Memory overflow Restart the printer Perform Reset Remarks Miscellaneous Vertical blank lines Continuous vertical blank lines in printout indicate a
The data has been sent, but not printing 1. Verify you have chosen the correct Windows printer. The data the has printer. been sent, but not printing 2. Reset 1. Verify you have chosen the correct Windows printer. If the situation remains unsolved, please contact your reseller or our 2. Reset the printer. customer service engineer. If the situation remains unsolved, please contact your reseller or our Print quality customer serviceproblems engineer. 1. Adjust Print Darkness setting.
Appendix A: Interface Specifications RS232 Serial The RS232 connector on the printer is a DB9F: Pin Direction Definition 1 / / 2 Out TX 3 In RX 4 In CTS 5 - Ground 6 Out RTS 7 In DSR 8 Out DTR 9 / / Connection with host: Host 25S Printer 9P Host 9S Printer 9P TX 2 ……… 3 RX RX 2 ……… 2 TX RX 3 ……… 2TX TX3 ……… 3 RX DSR 6 ……… 8 DTR DTR 4 ……… 7 DSR DTR 20 ……… 7 DSR DSR 6 ……… 8 DTR RTS 4 ……… 4 CTS RTS 7 ……… 4 CTS CTS 5 ……… 6 RTS CTS 8 ……… 6 RTS GND 7
Alternately you can just connect the 3 wires as follows: Host 25S Printer 9P Host 9S Printer 9P TX 2 ……… 3 RX RX 2 ……… 2 TX RX 3 ……… 2TX TX3 ……… 3 RX GND 7 ……… 5 GND GND 5 ……… 5 GND pin 4 pin 4 pin 5 pin 6 pin 6 pin 7 pin 20 pin 8 Baud rate : 9600, 19200, 38400,57600 Data format: always 8 data bits, 1 start bit and 1 stop bit. Parity : always non parity. Flow control: RTS/CTS (Hardware flow control).
Parallel (Centronics) The parallel port is a standard 36-pin Centronics interface.
Appendix B: ASCII Table 1 2 0 0 NUL 3 0 4 @ 5 P 6 ` 7 p 1 SOH XON ! 1 A Q a q 2 STX “ 2 B R b r 3 XOFF # 3 C S c s 4 $ 4 D T d t % 5 E U e u NAK 5 6 ACK & 6 F V f v 7 BEL ‘ 7 G W g w 8 BS ( 8 H X h x ) 9 I Y i y * : J Z j z + ; K [ k { 9 A LF ESC B C FF , < L \ l | D CR - = M ] m } E SO RS .
FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment may generate, use and/or radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in full accordance with this instruction manual, interference to radio communications may occur.
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