PANTHER™ LS8 HAND-HELD THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER Operator’s Manual Panduit Corp. Identification Products Division 1819 Atlanta Highway Cumming, GA 30040 USA Technical Support: 1-866-871-4571 Technical Support: 1-866-871-4571 Technical Support: 1-866-871-4571 Customer Service: 1-800-777-3300 www.panduit.com REV.
Section 1: Getting Started .............................................................3 Introduction and Safe Operation .................................................. 4-6 General Description........................................................................ 7-9 Loading Batteries and Label Cassette ..........................................10 Keyboard Functions ....................................................................11-12 Section 2: Working with the PANTHER™ LS8........................
SECTION 1 GETTING STARTED 3
INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION Congratulations on your purchase of the PANTHER LS8 Hand-Held Thermal Transfer Printer. The versatile PANTHER LS8 is designed to meet the demanding printing requirements of electrical and network users. The LS8 prints high quality industrial labels on a wide variety of materials for electrical and network applications, such as wire/cable, components, safety, and facility identification.
INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION Do Not Substitute Parts Or Modify Equipment Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute parts or perform an unauthorized modification to the printer or its accessories. The proper components for service and repair may be obtained from Panduit Corp. WARNING: When the printer has been in use for an extended period of time, the printer motor may become hot. DO NOT touch the printer motor with bare hands.
INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION Printer Power Supply The PANTHER LS8 is supplied with 6 AA alkaline batteries. These batteries are not re-chargeable. After the batteries have surpassed their useful life, they must be disposed of properly. An optional AC adapter is also available for use with the PANTHER LS8. The AC adapter is available in different versions that are suitable for use in many regions of the world, including North America, Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION PANTHER LS8 Hand-Held Thermal Transfer Printer Large, graphic display with backlight 59 button keypad Drive Roller lock Adjustable wrist/neck strap P1 Label Cassette System Durable plastic housing Ribbon included Die-cut or continuous labels 7
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Print Technology The PANTHER LS8 prints labels using thermal transfer printing technology. The print head melts ink contained on a thin web of ribbon material allowing the ink to transfer to the label material. The print head operates at a resolution of 203 dots per inch (dpi). Smart Label Cassette P1 label cassettes are automatically detected by the PANTHER LS8 printer. The LS8 printer automatically adjusts its settings according to the label cassette that is installed.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION PC KIT The PC KIT includes a CR-ROM with PanTherLink software and a USB cable. The PC KIT is used to communicate between a computer and the PANTHER LS8 printer. This provides the ability to transfer files or upgrade the operating system.
LOADING BATTERIES AND LABEL CASSETTE Loading the Batteries 1. Remove the battery door from the back of the PANTHER LS8 printer. If the impact bumper is installed on the printer, you will have to move it away from the battery door first. 2. Install the 6 AA batteries according to the molded indicators within the battery compartment. 3. Reattach the battery door. Move the impact bumper back over the battery door if necessary. Loading a Label Cassette 1.
KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS 14) Delete/Clear 1) Setup 13) Feed/Backlight 2) Power 12) Print 3) Size/Length 11) Insert or Edit Tools 4) Letters 10) Label Mode/Caps Lock 5) Numbers 9) Directional Arrows 6) Shift 8) Enter/Rotate 7) Space/Accent 11
KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS Basic Keyboard Functions • POWER – Turn printer on or off • SETUP – Access the Set Up menu • DELETE – Erase characters and tools • CLEAR – Clear the entire screen • FEED – Feed labels • – Turn the backlight on or off • PRINT – Print labels • COPIES – Print multiple copies • SIZE – Select the text font size • LENGTH – Set the length of continuous label media • STYLE – Select the text font style • ALIGN – Change the label justification • LINE – Add vertical and hori
SECTION 2 WORKING WITH THE PANTHER™ LS8 13
USING THE PANTHER ™ LS8 The Home Screen The home screen is where the user enters and edits text or places label items known as tools. The home screen is also where the user prints labels. The home screen has several different indicators, including: INDICATOR ICON Caps Lock Shift Function Indicates if caps lock is on or off. or Text Size Indicates if the shift key has been pressed. Indicates the text size for the current line.
CREATING TEXT Creating Text After turning on the PANTHER LS8, the home screen will appear. The home screen is also the text editor. To create text on the home screen, simply begin pressing the alphabetic or numeric keys on the keypad. Text will be entered at the position of the cursor. The cursor is indicated by a vertical line. To insert blank spaces, press the key. Press to move down to the next line. Use the directional arrow keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left.
CREATING TEXT Text Style The PANTHER LS8 has two different text styles: Bold and Bold + Underline. To change the text style, press the STYLE key. All characters typed after changing the style will have the new style. Text style can be different for each individual text character on a line. Text Rotation Label legends may be rotated to 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees in the clockwise direction. The page shaped icon in the lower right hand corner of the display indicates the current rotation.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS The Serialization Tool The serialization tool is used to automatically number labels in a sequence. The sequence can be either numeric (1 to 999) or alphabetic (A to ZZZ). A serialization is defined by a start value, an end value, and a step value. To correctly define a serialization, the end value must be larger than the start value and the start and end values must be both numeric or both alphabetic.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS More Serialization Parameters The serialization tool includes more parameters on a second screen following the first screen. The second screen includes Copies and Collate. To access the second screen press the down directional arrow twice after Increment. 1. The Copies parameter determines the number of copies to print for the serialization. The Copies parameter can be set to any number from 1 to 99.
CREATING SERIALIZATIONS To change the Collate parameter, press the up or down directional arrow keys to highlight Collate. Press the right directional arrow key to select Yes or No. Press the screen. key to accept the changes and to return to the home Advanced Serialization Options The serialization tool includes several advanced options for customizing labels. The advanced serialization options are Print As and Place On. 1.
CREATING SYMBOLS The Symbol Tool The Symbol Tool is used for creating electrical, network, and safety or facility identification labels. Creating a Symbol The symbol tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the symbol tool: 1. Press the INSERT key to enter the tools menu. 2. Press the directional arrows to highlight the symbol tool. 3. 4. 5. Press the key to select the symbol tool. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to search the symbol library.
CREATING SYMBOLS Currently available symbols and their assigned library numbers are listed below. Additional symbols may be added to the PANTHER™ LS8 firmware in the future.
CREATING DATA LISTS The Data Tool The data tool is used to create printable data lists in the PANTHER™ LS8. The data tool is very useful for customizing labels because it allows up to one hundred unique labels to be created from a list of data. With the data tool, users can input, store, or transfer custom lists of data. The PANTHER™ LS8 stores up to 6 unique data lists. Creating a Data Tool The data tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the data tool: 1.
CREATING BAR CODES The Bar Code Tool The bar code tool can be used for bin labeling, component identification, or asset management and can be used in combination with other tools. The bar code tool can be printed with or without a checksum digit or human readable text. The bar code symbology available in the PANTHER™ LS8 is CODE 39. Creating a Bar Code The bar code tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the bar code tool: 1. Press the INSERT key to enter the tools menu. 2.
CREATING BAR CODES 5. Press the key to accept all of the changes and to return to the home screen. Otherwise, press the DEL key to return to the home screen without accepting changes. Bar Code Settings The default bar code settings can be changed in the setup menu. To change the default settings, access the printer settings in the setup menu. Readable: Indicates whether the bar code text is human readable or not. If activated (bar code text is human readable) the setting will display Yes.
CREATING A DATE OR TIME STAMP AND CREATING LINES The Date Tool The Date Tool allows the user to print a date stamp on a label. The date printed on the label is defined by the internal clock of the PANTHER™ LS8. Creating a Date Tool The date tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the date tool: 1. Press the INSERT key to enter the tools menu. 2. Press the directional arrows to highlight the date tool. 3. Press the key to select the date tool. 4.
CREATING A DATE OR TIME STAMP AND CREATING LINES Lines Lines allows custom placement of vertical and horizontal lines on a label. Lines are especially useful for creating patch panel, faceplate, or terminal block labels. There are seven unique line settings available: Center Horizontal, Center Vertical, Top, Bottom, Left, Right, and @ Pages. Each of these settings may be turned on or off independently. NOTE: 1.
CREATING A DATE OR TIME STAMP AND CREATING LINES 6. The Right setting places a line at the far right side of the label. A01 7. The @ Pages setting places lines between each page of a label that has multiple pages defined. The @ Pages setting is used for patch panel, outlet, and terminal block labeling. A01 A02 A03 A04 A05 A06 Creating Lines Lines should be accessed from the home screen. To access the line tool: 1. Press the LINE key. 2.
CREATING FRAMES Frames Frames are useful for customizing a label. There are three unique frame settings available: Outline, Reverse, and Frame Off. The Outline setting places a box outline around the perimeter of the entire label area. WARNING The Reverse setting places a dark background with light text characters on a label. WARNING The Frame Off setting deactivates the frame. Creating a Frame The frame menu should be accessed from the home screen. To access the box tool: 1.
USING PAGES The Page Function The PANTHER™ LS8 provides 9 separate pages for each label. Label items, including text and tools may be placed on each of the 9 pages. The pages function is particularly useful for creating non-standard serializations that do not follow a common increment. The pages function is also useful for creating text on patch panel labels. Using the Page Function The page number icon in the lower right hand corner of the display indicates the current page.
SETTING UP THE PANTHER LS8 AND USING FILE MANAGER The Setup Menu The setup menu is used to modify the default printer settings. The setup menu should be accessed from the home screen. To access the setup menu press the key. Use the setup menu to adjust the contrast, heat, time, date, units, language, and bar code settings. Also use the setup menu to transfer files to a personal computer or to upgrade your printer’s operating system. Within the setup menu, scroll up or down using the directional arrows.
SETTING UP THE PANTHER LS8 AND USING FILE MANAGER The PANTHER™ LS8 has the ability to store and recall label files. Label files stored and recalled within File Manager. Label files are designated with a .LS8 ending. To access File Manager, press the FILE key: 1. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to select the desired file. There are 50 file storage locations in the PANTHER™ LS8. NOTE: When saving a new file, press the key to begin entering a file name.
PANTHERLINK Installing PANTHERLINK Use the PANTHERLINK CD to install PANTHERLINK software onto a personal computer. The PANTHERLINK CD is available with the purchase of LS8-KIT or LS8-PCKIT. Insert the CD into a personal computer. The installation program will begin automatically. Follow the instructions in the installation wizard in order to complete the installation process. PANTHERLINK desktop icon Using PANTHERLINK To use PANTHERLINK software with the PANTHER ™ LS8 printer: 1. 2. 3.
PRINTER CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS Cleaning the Print Head and Drive Roller The print head should be cleaned regularly, and more often in harsh environments. The drive roller should be cleaned whenever foreign matter, such as dust or adhesive, is present. 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn OFF power to printer. Unlock the drive roller lever. Remove the label cassette from the printer Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the print head, drive roller, and cutter blade.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING This section helps identify printer conditions and problems that can often be solved by the user. If you are unable to correct the problem contact Panduit Technical Support at 866-871-4571 or Panduit Customer Service at 800-7773300. SYMPTOM POWER Printer does not power up properly, and LCD does not come on. ACTION • • • To turn printer ON, press the power button. Make sure that 6 AA alkaline batteries are loaded in the printer. If problem persists, replace batteries.
PRINTER TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM Printed image is full, but grayish or “translucent”. • ACTION Print head heat setting is too high. Reduce heat setting. The heat setting is accessible in the Setup menu. Press the SETUP key, scroll down to heat and Press ENTER. Adjust the heat setting with the up or down arrows. Voids in printed image: areas where there is no print. LABELS Labels not registering • Print head elements or “dots” are dirty or obstructed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION Our products are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship at the time of sale but our obligation under this warranty is limited to the replacement of any product proved to be defective within 6 months (for product) or 90 days (for printers) from the date of delivery. Printer warranty is void if Panduit printers are modified, altered or misused in any way.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Print Method: Effective Print Width: Print Length: Print Resolution: Label Width: Media Length: Media Types: Materials: Media Cutting: Display: LCD Contrast Control: Operating System: Power Supply: AC Adapter: Oper. Temp/Hum: Stor. Temp/Hum: Compliance: Weight Thermal transfer 1.00” (25.4 mm) 30.00” (maximum label length) 203 dpi (horizontally and vertically) 0.24” to 1.
