ME240/ ME340 THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL BAR CODE PRINTER SERVICE MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENT 1. FUNDAMENTAL OF THE SYSTEM .......................................................................... 1 1.1. Overview ................................................................................................................. 1 2. ELECTRONICS.......................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Summary of Board Connectors ............................................................................. 5 2.2 Pin Configuration ..
1. FUNDAMENTAL OF THE SYSTEM 1.1. Overview Front View 1 2 6 3 4 7 5 1. LED indicators 1 2. Pause key 3. Feed key 8 4. Paper exit chute 5. Lower front cover 6. Media viewer 9 7. Printer right side cover opener 8. LCD (Option) 9.
Interior View 1 6 7 2 8 3 4 9 5 10 1. Ribbon rewind spindle 2. Ribbon supply spindle 3. Print head pressure adjustment knob 4. Ribbon end sensor 5. Print head release lever 6. Label roll guard 11 7. 3” core adapter 8. Label supply spindle 9. Ribbon guide bar 12 10. Media guide bar 11. Print head 12. Platen roller 13. Media sensor 13 14.
Rear View 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 1. Internal Ethernet interface (Option) 2. Fan-fold paper entrance chute 3. RS-232C interface (Max. 115,200 bps) 4. USB interface (USB 2.0/ Full speed mode) *5. SD card slot 6. Centronics interface (Option) 7. USB host (Option) 8. Power switch 9. Power jack socket Note: The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for the interfaces availability. * Recommended SD card specification.
V1.0, V1.1 microSD 1 GB Transcend, Panasonic V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 microSD 4 GB Panasonic V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 microSD 4 GB Transcend V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 128 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 256 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 512 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 1 GB Transcend, Panasonic V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 miniSD 4 GB Transcend V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 miniSD 4 GB - The DOS FAT file system is supported for the SD card.
2. ELECTRONICS 2.
Connector Description 1 USB connector 2 RS-232C connector 3 SD card slot 4 Ethernet RJ-45 connector (Option) 5 USB host connector (Option) 6 Micro processor Head open sensor connector Pin Description 1 Head open sensor emitter power pin 1.2~1.4V 2 GND 0V 3 Head open sensor receiver 0V: Head close 3.3V: Head open 4 GND 0V 7 8 RFID module connector 9 Recovery connector Voltage Ribbon near end sensor connector Pin 10 Description Voltage 1 GND 0V 2 Encoder signal 3.
Pin Description Voltage 1 Ribbon sensor receiver A/D: 0~3.3V 2 Ribbon sensor emitter power pin 5V 3 GND 0V 4 Ribbon sensor emitter 4.0~4.1V: Emitter on 4.3~4.4V: Emitter off Pin Description Cutter/peel-off sensor connector 16 Voltage 1 GND 0V 2 Cutter power 24V 3 Peel sensor emitter 4.0~4.1V: Emitter on 4.3~4.4V: Emitter off 4 Logic power 5V 5 Cutter position sensor switch 0V: Cutter stop 3.3V: Cutter work 6 Peel sensor receiver A/D: 0~3.
Centronics-interface board 1 3 2 Connector Description Remark 1 Centronics soft cable connector 2 Centronics power connector 3 Centronics port connector 8
2.
Ethernet PIN CONFIGURATION 1 Tx+ 2 Tx- 3 Rx+ 4 N/C 5 N/C 6 Rx- 7 N/C 8 N/C 10
3. MECHANISM 3.1Remove the Electronics Cover 1. Remove three screws on back of the printer. Screws 2. Open printer right side cover and remove one screw then close the cover. Screws 3. Remove the electronics cover. Electronics cover 4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.2 Remove the Right Side Cover 1. Open printer right side cover and remove four screws to remove the printer right side cover. 2. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.3 Replacing the Key/LCD Panel Module 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Disconnect harness from the Key/LCD panel module. 3. Push two tabs to remove/replace the Key/LCD panel module. Key Panel Module LCD Panel Module (Option for Basic model) PUSH PUSH PUSH PUSH 4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.4 Replacing the Main Board 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove electronics cover. 2. Remove two screws on the power jack socket then pull out the socket. 3. Disconnect all connectors from the main board. Note: You should press the tab of power supply harness when disconnect the power supply connector.
4. Remove four screws on the main board. Screws Screws 4. Replace the main board. 5. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.5 Replacing the Power Supply Unit 1. Refer to section 3.4 to remove the main board. 2. Disconnect two connectors from the power switch. 3. Take off the power supply cover (black mylar). Disconnect two connectors and remove four screws on the power supply unit. Screws Screws 3. Replace the power supply unit. 4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.6 Replacing the Stepping Motor 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Disconnect the stepping motor connector. Stepping motor connector 3. Remove three screws on the stepping motor. Screws 4. Replace the stepping motor. 5. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.7 Replacing the Platen Roller Assembly 1. Open printer right side cover. 2. Disengage the print head lift lever. 3. Remove one screw to remove the lower front cover. Lower front cover Screw 4. Remove one screw on the platen right side bushing. Screws 5. Disengage the platen left side bushing tab from the printer.
6. Take out the platen bushing, platen roller assembly and replace a new platen roller assembly. Right side bushing Platen roller assembly 7. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures. Note: For regular label For thick label (Thickness is 0.
3.8 Replacing the Print head ASS'Y 1. Open the printer right side cover. 2. Remove one screw from the mechanism. Screws 3. Disengage the print head release lever. 4. Carefully disconnect the print head connector from the print head module. 5. Replace the print head module.
6. Connect the print head cable and carefully slide assembly into the print mechanism. The holes of print head assembly must align and then insert the tenons of print mechanism. Tenons Print head module 7. Close the print head release lever. Use the new screw to install the new print head module.
3.9 Replacing the Media Sensor Module 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Disconnect the media sensor module connector from the main board. Media sensor module connector 3. At the bottom of the media sensor module, there is a green plastic tab to latch the sensor module to the mechanism. Use a tool to push up the tab then pull out the media sensor module. 6. Replace the media sensor module. 7. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.10 Replacing the Ribbon End Sensor Module 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Disconnect the ribbon end sensor module connector from the main board. Ribbon end sensor module connector 3. Remove two screws to remove the ribbon end sensor module. Screws 6. Replace the media sensor module. 7. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.11 Replacing the Ribbon Encoder Sensor Module 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Disconnect the ribbon encoder sensor module connector from the main board. Ribbon encoder sensor module connector 3. Remove one screw that fixing the ribbon supply spindle. Screw 6. Open the printer right side cover to remove the ribbon supply spindle.
7. Remove one screw to replace the ribbon encoder sensor module. Screw 8. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.12 Centronics Parallel Interface Board Installation (Option) 1. Refer to section 3.1 to remove the electronics cover. 2. Remove two screws to remove the interface cover. Screws 3. Use two screws to fix the Centronics parallel interface board on the rear of printer. Screws 4. Break the tab at the interface cover to get the parallel interface opening. Then fasten the interface cover back by two screws.
5. Loosen the connector before install the flat cable. 6. Connect the flat cable between the Centronics parallel interface board and the main board. 7. Connect the 5-pin cable between the Centronics parallel interface board and main board. 8. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.
3.13 Cutter Module Installation (Option) 1. Open printer right side cover. 2. Remove one screw to remove the lower front cover. Lower front cover Screw 3. Thread the cutter cable through the bottom of lower print mechanism. Lower print mechanism Cutter module cable 4. Plug the cutter mini DIN cable connector into the cutter/peel-off module cable connector. The triangle mark on the connector must be at the upper side.
5. Use enclosed two screws to fix the cutter fixing plate onto the lower print mechanism. 6. Close the cutter cover.
3.14 Peel-off Module Installation (Option) 1. Open printer right side cover. 2. Remove one screw to remove the lower front cover. Lower front cover Screw 3. Thread the peel-off module cable through the bottom of lower print mechanism. Lower print mechanism Peel-off module cable 4. Plug the peel-off module mini DIN cable connector into the cutter/peel-off connector. The arrow mark on the connector must be at the upper side.
5. Use enclosed two screws to fix the peel-off fixing plate onto the lower print mechanism. 6. Close the peel-off cover.
3.
-Print engine module with cutter Bottom view Note: 1. All measurements are in mm. 2. There are 3 fastenings in this print engine module, the fastening location be marked in blue on bottom view drawing, fits with screw M4*10L.
4. TROUBLESHOOTING 4.1 Common Problems The following guide lists the most common problems that might be encountered when operating this bar code printer. If the printer still does not function after all suggested solutions have been invoked, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance. Problem Possible Cause Power indicator does not illuminate Recovery Procedure * The power cord is not properly connected.
Not Printing Memory full ( FLASH / DRAM ) SD card is unable to use * Re-connect cable to interface. * If using serial cable, - Please replace the cable with pin to pin connected. - Check the baud rate setting. The default baud rate setting of printer is 9600,n,8,1. * If using the Ethernet cable, - Check if the Ethernet RJ-45 connector green LED is lit on. - Check if the Ethernet RJ-45 connector amber LED is blinking. - Check if the printer gets the IP address when using DHCP mode.
Poor Print Quality * Reload the supply. * Clean the print head. * Clean the platen roller. * Adjust the print density and print speed. * Run printer self-test and check the print head test pattern if there is dot missing in the pattern. * Change proper ribbon or proper label media. * Adjust the print head pressure adjustment knob.
Skip labels when printing The printing position of small label is incorrect * Label size is not specified * Check if label size is setup correctly. properly. * Calibrate the sensor by Auto Gap or * Sensor sensitivity is not set Manual Gap options. properly. * Clear the GAP/Black-mark sensor by * The media sensor is covered with blower. dust. * Calibrate the sensor sensitivity again. * Set the correct label size and gap size.
4.2 Print Head Pressure Adjustment Knob There are two conditions that will need to adjust the print head pressure. 1. Print with thick media If the media thickness is larger than 0.19 mm, the larger pressure is required to get good quality printout. 2. Print with narrow media If the media width is less than 4 inch wide the print head pressure will need to be adjusted to avoid ribbon wrinkle There are 5 levels of pressure for adjustment. Level 1 is the minimum pressure and level 5 is the maximum pressure.
4.3 Mechanism Fine Adjustment to Avoid Ribbon Wrinkles This printer has been fully tested before delivery. There should be no ribbon wrinkle presented on the media for general-purpose printing application. Ribbon wrinkle is related to the media thickness, print head pressure balance, ribbon film characteristics, print darkness setting…etc. In case the ribbon wrinkle happens, please follow the instructions below to adjust the printer parts. Adjustable Printer Parts Symptom 1.
Adjust the print head pressure adjustment knob Adjust the print head pressure adjustment knob Left knob Right knob The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of settings. Clockwise direction adjustment is to increase the print head pressure. Counter Clockwise adjustment can decrease the print head pressure. If the wrinkle on the label starts from the lower left side to upper right side, please do following adjustment. The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of settings.
4.4 Z-axis Mechanism Adjustment Knob Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob Marker position For narrow media, If change the print head pressure adjustment knob setting can’t get the printout without ribbon wrinkle, the Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob should be adjusted to get the satisfied printout. This Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob is used to find tune the right side pressure of print head.
2. Please be noted that print head right pressure find turn should be done by try-and-error. Rotate the Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob for a few circles by wrench and print again to check if the ribbon wrinkle remains. If the wrinkle still remains, please turn the Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob clockwise about 1/4 circle each time for adjustment.
5. MAINTENANCE This session presents the clean tools and methods to maintain your printer. 1. Please use one of following material to clean the printer. Cotton swab (Head cleaner pen) Lint-free cloth Vacuum / Blower brush 100% ethanol 2. The cleaning process is described as following Printer Part Method Interval 1. Always turn off the printer Clean the print head when changing a before cleaning the print head. new label roll 2. Allow the print head to cool for a minimum of one minute. 3.
Note: Do not touch printer head by hand. If you touch it careless, please use ethanol to clean it. Please use 100% Ethenol. DO NOT use medical alcohol, which may damage the printer head. Regularly clean the print head and supply sensors once change a new ribbon to keep printer performance and extend printer life.
UPDATE HISTORY Date Content Editor 2012/6/14 Add section 3.15 for print engine module info Camille 2012/9/28 Modify section 3.13 and 3.
TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd. Corporate Headquarters 9F., No.95, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 23141, Taiwan (R.O.C.) TEL: +886-2-2218-6789 FAX: +886-2-2218-5678 Web site: www.tscprinters.com E-mail: printer_sales@tscprinters.com tech_support@tscprinters.com 47 Li Ze Plant No.35, Sec. 2, Ligong 1st Rd., Wujie Township, Yilan County 26841, Taiwan (R.O.C.
