Ovation2 Operator’s Manual
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 Bar Code Products Corporation. As an Energy Star Partner, Datamax Corporation has determined that this product meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.
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.
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: • Carefully read the installation and operating instructions provided with your printer. • Read and follow all warning instruction labels on the printer. • Place the printer on a flat, firm, solid surface.
♦ Contents ♦ Getting Started 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Introduction ..................................................................... 1 Unpacking and Inspection................................................. 2 Additional Requirements .................................................. 2 Connecting Power ............................................................ 3 Interfacing to the Printer................................................... 4 Interface Cables .........................
♦ Troubleshooting 4.0 Introduction ..................................................................... 34 Appendix A ASCII Control Code Chart ........................................................ 1 Appendix B Printer Specifications................................................................. 1 Appendix C Available Fonts and Bar Codes .................................................. 1 Appendix D Error Codes...............................................................................
♦ Getting Started Figure 1-1 Printer Overview 1.0 Introduction The Ovation2 hereafter referred to as ‘the printer’, is a high quality/low cost direct thermal and optional thermal-transfer label printer. The printer’s unique construction combines a durable plastic casing with a metal print mechanism to ensure reliability and consistent print registration.
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: • • • Label printer External power supply Special or additional items purchased.
Getting Started 1.3 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. Caution Connect power supply to printer before plugging into AC outlet.
Getting Started 1.4 Interfacing to the Printer The printer can be connected to the host via a serial or parallel cable. Figure 1-3 Interfacing to the Printer 1.5 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 RS232C or parallel cable. Cable configurations for serial (RS-232C) interfaces are shown below, (contact your reseller for part numbers and ordering information).
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. After a connection has been made, the printer must be turned off and then back on again to change the interface connection. 1.6 Loading Media 1. Open the cover. 2.
Getting Started 1.7 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. 4. Pull the Peel-off Lever forward to the ‘open’ position. 5. Remove 6″ (152 mm)of labels from the backing. Route the backing over the tearbar and behind the peel-off shaft as shown below.
Getting Started 1.8 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. 5. Slide the direct/thermal transfer switch to the ‘transfer’ position.
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. Close the cover. Press and hold the feed button down while powering on the printer. Continue to hold down the feed button until the printer starts to move the media, then release.
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. Hold the ribbon supply spindle and rotate the ribbon tension adjustment knob to meet your media/ribbon widths based on the table below.
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. Figure 1-11 Thumbwheel for Media Width Adjustment 1. Load media into the printer. 2. Print a label, if it is light on the right-hand side then move the thumbwheel to the right, (see example below). 3.
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. The printer will automatically detect if a ribbon has been installed and will then print two test labels.
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. Bad Test Label: Streaks in test label indicate a dirty or faulty printhead. (See Chapter 3 for cleaning and replacement.) Figure 1-13 Printhead Test Label 1.
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 ON/OFF switch FEED Button Printer in ready state (LED ON) Press twice Press once Printer in alarm state (LED fast flash) Press once Darkness Control Power LED Solid ON Slow Flash Fast Flash Ovation2 Function Controls power to the Printer. Printer feeds media to first print position of next label.
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. This feature attaches to the front of the printer.
Getting Started PC-Batch Software This label-creation software package is available for IBM PC or compatibles. Wall Mount Assembly This space-saving device allows the printer to be mounted to a wall or other vertical surface using a specially-designed mounting plate. Time/Date This feature allows the printer to maintain the current time and date. This is useful when printing labels that require the current time or date to be included within the label format.
Getting Started 16 Ovation2
♦ Printing Labels 2.0 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. A programmer's manual can be obtained by mailing or faxing the request card located in the back of this manual. 2.
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).
Printing Labels 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.
Printing Labels Char Description m Set metric flag, enter metric mode n Clear metric flag, return to inch mode O Form edge offset (start of print position) o Cycle cutter P Enter character dump mode p Controlled pause Q Clear all memory modules q Clear module r Select reflective sensor S s Slew (feed) speed Set up for one print buffer T t U V Printhead dot pattern test label Test RAM memory module (Must be in Test Mode) Label format field replacement Software switch settings v W w x X Y Firmware vers
Printing Labels 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. CC Description Set cut by amount (4 digits) : The cutter function will perform a cutting action after the number of labels specified.
Printing Labels CC Description X Terminate label formatting mode y Select font symbol set (optional scalable fonts only) z or Zero (0) conversion to "O" Z eliminates slash (/) + Make last field entered increment numeric - Make last field entered decrement numeric > Make last field entered increment alphanumeric < Make last field entered decrement alphanumeric ^ Set count by amount Format y S xx y = ASCII (0x79) S = ASCII (0x54) xx = symbol selection +pii Make last entered field incrementing p =
Printing Labels 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.
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. L D11 1A93040001501000123456789 121100000000100Barcode A E L Syntax L on line 1 is used to enter the label formatting mode.
Printing Labels 2.3 Configuration Command String The configuration command string sets the operating parameters of the printer. The command strings are described below. KDwxy where w: Bit # Function 0-2 Baud Rate Value 3 4&5 6 7 0=8 bits*, 1=7bits Set to 0 Set to 1 Set to 0 Word Length Unused Always 1 Always 0 where x: Bit # Function 0 Print Method 1 Present Sensor 2 Alternate Char.
Printing Labels @ 26 Sets the printer to: gap (edge) media.
Printing Labels 2.4 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. Caution The use of memory cartridges other than those specifically designed for the printer can cause damage to both the cartridge and the printer.
♦ Maintenance 3.0 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 Printhead Platen Roller Peel-Off Roller Media Path Method Turn off the printer before cleaning the printhead. Use solvent* on a cotton swab to clean the printhead from end to end. Turn the power off.
Maintenance 3.1 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. 3. Using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, rub the cotton swab along the printhead. Figure 3-1 Cleaning the Printhead Note: The printhead should be cleaned every time a new roll of media is installed.
Maintenance 3.2 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. To adjust the printhead, turn the set screw until optimum print quality is obtained, (some trial and error may be necessary).
Maintenance 3.3 Printhead Replacement (203 DPI) 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. Figure 3-4 Disconnecting the Printhead Cable Replacement: 1. Connect the printhead cables to the new printhead. 2.
Maintenance 3.4 Printhead Replacement (300 DPI) 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. Figure 3-5 Disconnecting the Printhead Cable Replacement: 1. Connect the printhead cables to the new printhead. 2.
Maintenance Ovation2 33
♦ 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. Contact a qualified service technician for problems that persist or are not covered in this section. Unacceptable print quality: • Dirty printhead.
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. Ensure that the correct type of ribbon is being used. Skips every other label (Print quality is good but skips every other label).
Troubleshooting Printer fails to turn on • A fuse may be blown, call for service. • Faulty AC cord. • A bad power switch may exist on the printer, call for service. • A faulty AC wall outlet. Label advances 1-2 inches before a fault indication • 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.
Troubleshooting Ovation2 37
Appendix A ASCII Control Code Chart Char NUL SOH STX EXT EOT ENQ ACK BEL BS HT LF VT FF CR SO SI DLE DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 NAK SYN ETB CAN EM SUB ESC FS GS RS US Dec 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Note: Ovation2 Hex 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F Char ! Ò # $ % & Ô ( ) * + , .
ASCII Control Code Chart Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Ç 128 80 á 160 A0 192 C0 Ó 224 E0 ü 129 81 í 161 A1 193 C1 ß 225 E1 é 130 82 ó 162 A2 194 C2 Ô 226 E2 â 131 83 ú 163 A3 195 C3 Ò 227 E3 ä 132 84 ñ 164 A4 196 C4 õ 228 E4 à 133 85 Ñ 165 A5 197 C5 Õ 229 E5 å 134 86 ª 166 A6 ã 198 C6 µ 230 E6 ç 135 87 ° 167 A7 Ã 199 C7 þ 231 E7 ê 136 88 ¿ 168 A8 200 C8 Þ 232 E8 ë 137 89 ® 16
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 Print Speed 1, 1.5, and 2" per second Resolution 203 dpi (8 dots/mm) 300 dpi (11.
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" (1.27 cm) w/ Present Sensor Media Thickness .0025" - .01" (.0635 mm - .254 mm) Supply Roll Capacity 4" O.D. on 1" core Max. Ribbon Width 4.3" (109mm) Optional Ribbon Matched to media; approx. 361’ (110m) long 1.5" O.D. on .
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 Present Sensor FLASH Memory Cartridges External Cutter Thermal Transfer DRAM Memory, (Expandable to 1MB) Wall Mount External Battery Pack Time/Date External Media Suppl
Printer Specifications B-4 Ovation2
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. Lowercase alpha names will print bar codes only.
Available Fonts and Bar Codes Table B-2 lists the font sizes. The numbers indicate the number of dots. FONT Font 0 Font 1 Font 2 Font 3 Font 4 Font 5 Font 6 Font 7 Font 8 HEIGHT 7 13 18 27 36 52 64 32 28 WIDTH 5 7 10 14 18 18 32 15 15 SPACING 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 Table B-2 Font Sizes Font 0 96-character alphanumeric, upper and lower case. Font 1 145-character upper and lower case alphanumeric w/ descenders and ascenders. Font 2 138-character alphanumeric, upper and lower case.
Available Fonts and Bar Codes Font 4 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase. Font 5 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase. Font 6 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase.
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).
Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Codes Font A B Length Varies 11 Cksum No Yes C D E F 6 Varies Varies 12 Yes No M-103 Yes G H I J K 7 Varies Varies Varies Up to 14 Yes M-43 No M-10 M-10 L M N O p Q R S T u v z 13 2 5 Varies Varies 19 18 34 + Varies 84 1 Varies M-10 Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Valid ASCII Characters 32, 36, 37, 42, 43, 45-57, 65-90 48-57 Numeric only Option V used in the 6th & 7th position 48-57 Numeric only 48-57 Numeric only 32-127 48-57 Numeric only Option V us
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) C-6 Ovation2
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 addendum Bar Code O Code 93 Ovation2 Bar Code N 5 Digit UPC addendum Bar Code p Postnet C-7
Available Fonts and Bar Codes Bar Code Q UCC/EAN Code 128 Bar Code R UCC/EAN Code 128 KMART NON EDI Bar Code S UCC/EAN Code 128 Random Weight Bar Code T Telepen Bar Code u UPS MaxiCode Bar Code v FIM Bar Code z PDF-417 C-8 Ovation2
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. Uppercase "T" This code signals that there was a software reset. A software reset results from sending the # command sequence to the printer or by doing a front panel reset.
Error Codes D-2 Ovation2
Appendix E Warranty Information Datamax Limited Warranty Statement Ovation2 Label Printer Printer Datamax Corporation warrants to Purchaser that under normal use and service, the Ovation2 Label Printer 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. Expendable and/or consumable items or parts such as lamps, fuses, labels and ribbons are not covered under this warranty.
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 Ovation2 Label Printer 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.
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.
Warranty Information E-4 Ovation2
