Monarch Marking Systems MONARCH@ 9494 TM THERMAL PRINTER Operator's Handbook ~ ,..«;: ~ . ""'1:~ :;.cr-:""".,~o;r..~ 'tII;,.')(~~~~~ -:" "~~-_.~ ~~.~-,:; . ."',:..,-.:O;;'-.,,,~~ TC94940HI 12/94 __;o~_:':r ~~~-~~~';r...~ :v...:...~:'"~~ ~..~~"<~~~ iiIIIN~fi:. @1994 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only warranty on which the customer can rely. Monarch reserves the right to make changes in the product and the programs and their availability at any time and without notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide complete and accurate information in this manual, Monarch shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be incorporated in a later edition of this manual.
Preface This manual contains information about the printer’s ✦ features and functions ✦ general operation ✦ procedures for maintenance and troubleshooting. You can purchase an optional documentation package that includes: ✦ MPCLII Packet Reference Manual —explains how to design labels, create formats, and use online commands to control the printer. ✦ MPCLII Graphics Manual —explains how to create and print graphics with the printer.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Terms to Know ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ii continuous mode Print mode in which a format and data with a specific quantity are sent to the printer to be printed in one continuous strip. download (send) Transmission of data from the host to your printer. format Data stream that contains the specific label design for printing data. host Any mainframe, minicomputer, data collect terminal or personal computer.
Table of Contents 1. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Connecting the Power Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Connecting the Communications Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Communication Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9494 Operator’s Handbook 6. Specifications and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Label Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Cable Pin Outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1. Installation This printer is a tabletop, online-only unit used to print labels. When you first receive the printer, you must: ✦ Connect the power cord to the printer. See "Connecting the Power Cord." ✦ Load your labels. See Chapter 2, "Loading Ribbon and Supplies." ✦ Print a test label to make sure the printer operates. See Chapter 5, "Troubleshooting." ✦ Connect the printer to a host to download formats and label data. See "Connecting the Communications Cable.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Connecting the Power Cord –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Before you plug or unplug the power cord, turn the printer off. To connect the power cord: 1. Turn the printer off. (I) indicates on and (O) indicates off. 2. Turn the printer as shown. 3. Insert the power cord into the socket as shown below. Power Cord Socket 4. Plug the other end of the power cord into a grounded electrical outlet of the correct voltage.
Chapter 1.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Connecting the Communications Cable ––––––––––––––––––––––– Before receiving data, you must connect the communications cable to the host and to the printer. Connect the communications cable to your communications port as shown below.
Chapter 1. Installation Communication Values –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In order for your printer to communicate with your host, you must make sure the communication values are set to the same values.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies Before loading ribbon or labels, you must open the printer: 1. Insert your fingers into the depression beneath the face plate and pull up.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 2. Pull the label guide forward and down as shown. Label Guide Front View 3. Push the printhead assembly toward the rear of the printer until it opens completely.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies 4. To close the printer, push the printhead assembly toward the front of printer, close the label guide and latch the face plate into place. Loading Ribbon––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Use ribbon only when printing on thermal transfer labels. To load the ribbon cassette into the printer: 1. Open the printer and remove the ribbon cassette. 2. Slide a new ribbon cassette onto the printhead assembly until it slips into place.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Reloading a Ribbon Cassette ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To reload your ribbon, remove the ribbon cassette from the printer and follow these steps: 1. Locate the end of the cassette with the two latches. Locate the International Symbols for opening and closing. ( )indicates the cassette is locked (closed). ( )indicates the cassette is unlocked (open). 2. Rotate both latches until they snap into the unlocked position. 3.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies DO NOT wrinkle or crush the ribbon. 5. With the ridged end of the take-up reel facing down, place the ribbon roll on the spool with the foam washer (on the half of the cassette with the latches). 6. Feed the ribbon around the guides and place the take-up reel onto the shorter spool. 7. Twist the ribbon roll back and forth as you firmly push it down until it is seated on the spool. Do not force the ribbon roll down onto the spool; you could damage the foam washer.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Loading Supplies ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We recommend synthetic labels when printing serial or high-density bar codes. Use only paper labels for peel mode. For label sizes, see Chapter 6, "Specifications and Accessories." You can load your supplies to ✦ peel ✦ feed without peeling. Refer to the following sections for information on loading for peel and non-peel modes.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies Loading for Peel Mode Use only paper labels for peel mode. Peel mode separates labels from the backing paper. Make sure the appropriate configuration record has been downloaded so the printer prints in on-demand mode. The printer default is on-demand. For more information, contact your company’s host support person or see the MPCLII Packet Reference Manual . Before loading labels, make sure the label path is clean. See Chapter 4, "Care and Maintenance.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 3. Insert the roll of labels between the supply holders inside the printer. 4. Use the handles on the supply holders to press the supply holders together until they lock into the label roll. Supply Holder Handle Make sure the supply holders are pressed against the supply roll. Also, make sure the label roll turns freely in the supply well.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies 5. Feed the label strip through the lower opening in the label guide. Label Guide Lower Opening in Label Guide Rear View 6. Keep light tension on the label strip while lifting the back of the printhead assembly.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 7. Close the printer. Make sure the ribbon is wound tightly inside the ribbon cassette before you close the printer. See "Reloading a Ribbon Cassette" to wind the ribbon. Upper Opening Label Guide Lower Opening 8. Turn the printer on. 9. Wait until the LED flashes one time (about five seconds) and then press the trigger. The printer calibrates the label strip for printing.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies Loading for Non-Peel Mode Non-peel mode feeds the labels through the printer without peeling them from the backing paper. Before loading labels, make sure the label path is clean. See Chapter 4, "Care and Maintenance." To load your supplies: 1. Open the printer. 2. Use the handles on the sides of the supply holders to spread the supply holders apart to the width of your supply.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 3. Insert the roll of supply between the supply holders inside the printer. 4. Use the handles on the supply holders to press the supply holders together until they lock into the supply roll. Supply Holder Handle Make sure the supply holders are pressed against the supply roll. Also, make sure the supply roll turns freely in the supply well.
Chapter 2. Loading Ribbon and Supplies 5. Feed the label strip through the upper opening in the label guide. Label Guide Upper Opening in Label Guide Rear View 6. Keep light tension on the label strip while lifting the back of the printhead assembly.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 7. Close the printer. Upper Opening Label Guide Lower Opening Make sure the ribbon is wound tightly inside the ribbon cassette before you close the printer. See "Reloading a Ribbon Cassette" to wind the ribbon. 8. Turn the printer on. 9. Wait until the LED flashes one time (about five seconds) and then press the trigger. The printer calibrates the label strip for printing. Trigger LED The LED slowly alternates flashing amber and green to indicate the printer is out of labels.
Chapter 3. Printing Data packets may be downloaded from a portable host device or may be downloaded from another host. You can print labels in these modes: ✦ On-demand (peel mode) ✦ Continuous (non-peel mode). Printing in On-Demand Mode –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In on-demand mode, the printer prints and dispenses one label at a time until the quantity downloaded is reached. To print labels on demand: 1. Load the labels for peel mode. See Chapter 2, "Loading Ribbon and Supplies.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 4. Remove the printed label or press the trigger to print the next label in the batch. Trigger LED Canceling a Print Job To cancel the current print job, hold down the trigger until the LED stops blinking and displays solid green. The batch is canceled and the data is lost. To resume printing, you must download the batch again.
Chapter 3. Printing Interrupting a Print Job You can pause or cancel the current print job: ✦ To pause the current print job, press the trigger once. The current print job stops temporarily. To resume printing, press the trigger again. ✦ To cancel the current print job, hold down the trigger until the printing stops. The batch is canceled and the data is lost. To resume printing, you must download the batch data again.
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Chapter 4. Care and Maintenance DO NOT use sharp objects to clean the printer. This may damage the printer and void your warranty. This chapter tells you how to: ✦ clear label jams ✦ clean the printhead, peel blade, and platen roller.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Clearing Label Jams––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– When you are printing and a jam occurs, the LED flashes amber and green. To clear a label jam: 1. Turn the printer off and open the printer. 2. Remove the label roll. 3. Remove the jammed labels and reload the label roll. 4. Close the printer and turn it on. 5. Press the trigger to resynchronize the labels.
Chapter 4. Care and Maintenance Cleaning ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– You may need to clean the printhead, platen roller, and peel blade: ✦ after 8 rolls of supplies ✦ daily if your printer is in an excessively dirty, hot, or humid environment ✦ when you see voids in the print. To clean the printhead, platen roller, and peel blade: DO NOT touch the printhead with your hands. This may damage the printhead. 1. Turn the power off and open the printer. 2.
9494 Operator’s Handbook 3. Moisten a cotton swab with alcohol. Rub it back and forth across the printhead, platen roller, and peel blade to remove build-up. Make sure the printhead, platen roller, and peel blade are clean. Printhead Platen Roller Peel Blade 4. Let the printer dry and reload your supplies.
Chapter 5. Troubleshooting The printer uses a combination of lights to display a variety of printer states. See the "Problems and Solutions" section for those requiring further actions. When an error occurs that you cannot clear, print a test label before calling Service or sending the printer in for repair. Printing a Test Label –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Turn the printer off and disconnect the host from the printer before printing a test label.
9494 Operator’s Handbook If the printer is in on-demand mode, the LED rapidly blinks green. Press the trigger to dispense the test label. If the printer is in continuous mode, a test label prints automatically. The test label displays the following information: ✦ Model number ✦ Software version ✦ Inches printed ✦ COMM port settings ✦ Printhead information ✦ Test pattern. Turn the printer off and then back on to return to normal printing.
Chapter 5. Troubleshooting LED Indicator –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This table explains the meanings of various LED states. Use the color of the LED and whether it is solid, blinking slowly, or blinking rapidly to determine the meaning of the indicator. LED States Solid Fast Blink (1⁄4 second) Slow Blink (2 seconds) GREEN Ready... On-Demand Label Ready N/A AMBER Ready... Continuous Error Printhead Hot...
9494 Operator’s Handbook Problems and Solutions ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This section helps you correct some problems that may occur. If you cannot fix a problem, please contact Service. Problem Solution Prints blank labels. (Thermal transfer models only) Check ribbon and reload if necessary. Printed supply has voids or is too light. Make sure the supplies are loaded correctly. Check the supplies for damage or defects. Reload supplies or ribbon if necessary.
Chapter 5. Troubleshooting Problem Solution Printer does not print. Make sure the power cord is connected to the printer and plugged into a live outlet. Make sure the printer is not paused. Make sure the correct commands have been downloaded. Make sure the supplies are loaded correctly. Make sure the communications cable is connected. Printer does not feed. Reload the supplies. Verify that the ribbon is not out and that a label is not jammed in the label path. Slow or sluggish feeding.
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Chapter 6. Specifications and Accessories Specifications –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Height: 8 inches (203 mm) Width: 8.1 inches (206 mm) Depth: 10.5 inches (267 mm) Weight: 6.3 lb. (2.86 kg.) without supplies Storage Limits: 15˚F to 120˚F (-9˚C to 49˚C) Operating Limits: Thermal Direct: 40˚F to 110˚F (4˚C to 43˚C) Thermal Transfer: 40˚F to 95˚F (4˚C to 35˚C) Power Source: Internal, universal power supply (Voltage range: 90–260v.
9494 Operator’s Handbook Label Sizes––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The printer lets you print labels 2.0 inches (50 mm) to 4.0 (102 mm) inches wide and up to 6.0 inches (152 mm) long. The standard stocked label lengths include: 1.0 inch (25 mm) 2.0 inch (51 mm) 4.0 inch (102 mm) 6.
Chapter 6. Specifications and Accessories Cable Pin Outs ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The following table describes the cable pin outs for the printer connection. The printer uses a male 9-pin RS-232 connector.
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