Sl5000e QuickSetup Guide
Sl5000e QuickSetup Guide
Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards
Canada
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS 210.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Declaration Of Conformity
Manufacturer: Printronix, Inc.
14600 Myford Rd.
Irvine, CA 92623 U.S.A.
declares that the product:
Product Type: Information Technology Equipment, Printer
Equipment Class: Commercial and Light Industrial
Model Numbers: T5204e, T5304e, SL5204e, SL5304e with optional suffixes
Configuration: serial, parallel, coax, twinax, external LAN, Ethernet, Wireless Ethernet, RFID
conforms to the following standards:
Safety: EN 60950: 1992 +A1, A2, A3, A4, A11
EMC: ETSI EN 301 489-1
ETSI EN 301 489-3
ETSI EN300 220 V1.3.1 Sec. 8.1, 8.2, 8.6, 8.7, 8.9
EN 55022: 1998 +A1 Class B
EN 55024: 1998
EN 61000-4-2
EN 61000-4-3
EN 61000-4-4
EN 61000-4-5
EN 61000-4-6
EN 61000-4-8
EN 61000-4-11
EN 61000-3-2: 2000
EN 61000-3-3: 1995 +A1
and complies with:
The Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.
Printronix makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding this material, including, but not limited
to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Printronix shall not be held
responsible for errors contained herein or any omissions from this material or for any damages, whether
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential, in connection with the furnishing, distribution, performance or use
of this material. The information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. No part of this document may be
reproduced, copied, translated or incorporated in any other material in any form or by any means, whether
manual, graphic, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Printronix.
COPYRIGHT © 2004, 2005, PRINTRONIX, INC. All rights reserved.
Trademark Acknowledgements
Printronix and PGL are registered trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
SL5000e and T5000e are trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
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Table of Contents
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Unpacking And Installing The Printer
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Unpacking And Installing The Printer
Foam Pad
c
Open
Foam Pad
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Installation
Installation
AC Power
Receptacle
Power Switch
1. Place the printer on a flat level surface that allows easy access
to all sides of the printer.
CAUTION Verify the required voltage on the printer’s model number label
on the back of the printer.
4. Attach the AC power cord to a grounded (three prong) electrical
outlet of the proper voltage.
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Controls And Indicators
Power Switch
The power switch is located on the bottom back panel of the printer.
To apply power, place the switch in the | (On) position. When you
first power on the printer, a series of initialization messages
appears on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) on the control panel.
To remove power, place the power switch in the O (Off) position.
Control Panel
The control panel is located on the front of the printer and includes
an LCD, indicators, and control keys (buttons). These are described
in the following tables.
Online Status
Indicator
Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD)
Job In Process
Indicator
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Function in Function in Function in
Indicator Description
Online Mode Offline Mode Menu Mode
Online Status Indicates when the Stays lit when the Off when the printer is Off.
printer is online, printer is online, ready offline.
offline, or when to print, and accept
there is a fault data from the host.
Liquid Crystal A backlighted Displays “ONLINE,” the Displays “OFFLINE.” Displays “OFFLINE”
Display (LCD) liquid crystal interface type, and and a main menu,
display with two emulation in use. submenu, or option.
rows of 16
characters each. During a fault condition, During a fault condition, During a fault condition,
displays the specific displays the specific displays the specific
fault message and the fault message and the fault message and the
corrective action. corrective action. corrective action.
Status And Display Indicators
Job In Indicates when the Flashes when receiving Flashes when receiving None
Process printer is receiving data. data.
or processing
data. Stays lit when data has Stays lit when data has
been processed and is been processed and is
waiting to be printed. waiting to be printed.
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Control Panel
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Function in Function in Function in
Button Description
Online Mode Offline Mode Menu Mode
JOB SELECT Key None Displays the name and Scrolls left through main
Controls And Indicators
FEED Key Advances the Advances the media one Scrolls the current menu
Control Panel Keys
TEST PRINT Key None Scrolls through the Test Scrolls right through main
Pressing the ↵ Print patterns. menus.
(ENTER) key with a Increments option values
Diagnostic Test within submenus.
displayed initiates the
test. Pressing ↵ again
terminates the test.
INCREMENT Key in
+ Menu mode
Function in Function in Function in
Button Description
Online Mode Offline Mode Menu Mode
MENU Key Takes the printer Offline and Selects the Scrolls between main
selects the Menu mode. Menu mode. menu selections.
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Control Panel
Loading Media And Ribbon
CAUTION Do not close the pivoting deck without label stock installed
between the printhead and the platen, because debris on the
platen may damage the printhead.
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Loading Roll Media
Media Hanger
Media Hanger
Pivoting Guide
Deck
Deck Lock
Lever
IMPORTANT If you are using direct thermal mode, clean the printhead,
platen roller, and upper and lower media sensors every time
you change the media. See “Cleaning” on page 50.
1. Slide the media hanger guide outward to the end of the media
hanger, and flip it up into the horizontal position (as shown).
2. Open the pivoting deck by rotating the deck lock lever fully
clockwise.
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Loading Media And Ribbon
Media Roll
Media Hanger
Media Hanger
Guide
Media Width
Guide
Media Damper
3. Slide the media width guide close to the outside end of the
media damper.
4. Slide the supplied starter media roll onto and towards the back
of the media hanger.
5. Place the media hanger guide under the media hanger and
against the lower part of the label core at a 45 degree angle
(as shown). This position provides the required tension for a
new label roll and the desired drag for a partial label roll.
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Loading Roll Media
Media and
Ribbon Loading
Instructions
Media
Printhead
Media Damper
Platen
6. Thread the media under the media damper and then between
the platen (rubber drive roller) and the printhead.
You can also refer to the arrows on the printer frame or to the
label inside the media cover for media loading instructions.
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Loading Media And Ribbon
Lower
Media Sensor
Fixed
Guide
Media Width
Guide
Media Media
Guard Damper
7. Verify that the left edge of the media is against the fixed guide
on the bottom of the media damper.
8. Push the media width guide in until it is flush with the outer
edge of the media.
9. Check the horizontal position of the lower media sensor
(located under the media guard) and the upper media sensor
(shown on page 27). (See “Positioning The Media Sensors” on
page 28.)
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Loading Roll Media
10. Align the left (inside) edge of the media with the left straight
edge of the platen (rubber drive roller).
Pivoting
Deck
Deck Lock
Lever
11. Close the printhead by pressing down on the pivoting deck and
rotating the deck lock lever fully counterclockwise.
12. Power on the printer (place the power switch in the | position).
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Loading Media And Ribbon
Loading Ribbon
Ribbon
Take-Up Core
Ribbon
Spindle Take-Up Spindle
Flange
Ribbon
Roll
Pivoting
Deck
Ribbon
Supply Spindle
IMPORTANT Clean the printhead, platen roller, and upper and lower media
sensors every time you change the ribbon. See “Cleaning” on
page 50.
1. Install the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle.
NOTE: The first ribbon take-up core comes with the printer.
Thereafter, use the core from the old (used up) ribbon.
2. Slide the ribbon roll onto the ribbon supply spindle until it stops
against the spindle flange.
3. Open the pivoting deck by rotating the deck lock lever fully
clockwise until the deck swings upward.
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Loading Ribbon
Ribbon
Printhead
Media
4. Thread the end of the ribbon under the rear ribbon guide roller,
then between the platen and the printhead.
You can also refer to the arrows on the printer frame or to the
upper-right corner of the label inside the media cover for ribbon
loading instructions.
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Loading Media And Ribbon
Media and
Ribbon Loading
Instructions
Ribbon
Take-up Core
Ribbon
Take-up Spindle
IMPORTANT Do not attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up spindle without
a ribbon take-up core installed.
5. Attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon
take-up spindle using the adhesive on the ribbon leader.
6. Manually rotate the spindle clockwise until the clear leader has
passed the printhead.
7. Close the pivoting deck and rotate the deck lock lever fully
counterclockwise.
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Printhead Pressure Adjustment
Printing Adjustments
Right Pressure
Block
Left Right Pressure
Pressure Block Pointer
Block
Lead Screw
Left Knob
Pressure
Block
Handle
Bold Mark
Printhead Pressure
Adjustment Dial
Printhead Cover/
Upper Media
Sensor Pressure Block
Adjustment Scale
Adhesive Label
(left edge)
Lower
Media Sensor
Handle (2)
Your printer is equipped with upper and lower media sensors that
detect the top-of-form position on media with label length indicators
(black marks, gaps, notches, or holes). These media sensors also
detect Paper Out conditions.
Use the handles on the lower media sensor to horizontally position
it so that the left edge of the sensor’s visible red LED is aligned
under the left edge of the die cut label of the installed media.
The upper media sensor, located in the slot under the printhead
cover (see figure on page 27), should be located directly over the
lower media sensor.
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Positioning The Media Sensors
If you are using smart labels, the lower media sensor should not be
placed in the path of media features that could cause false gap
detection or paper out faults. Such features are dark pre-printing,
rounded die cut label corners, and extraneous cut-outs.
FEED
Avoid Pre-Printing
Avoid Rounded
Die Cut Label
Corner
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Calibrating The Printer
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Running Auto Calibrate
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Calibrating The Printer
Gap Sensing
This figure shows a Media Profile printout of a smart label where
Gap/Mark Sensor is set to Gap in the CALIBRATE CTRL menu.
In this example, the gap threshold value the printer selected
(represented by the Gap/Mark dotted line) is too close to the
amplitude of the antenna pulse. This may cause the printer to
falsely use the antenna as the gap (top-of-form).
255
191
127
Paper Out(110)
063
Gap/Mark(052)
000
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Calibrating The Printer
255
191
127
Paper Out(110)
Gap/Mark(072)
063
000
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Making A Media Profile Printout
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191
127
Paper Out(075)
063
Gap/Mark(030)
000
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Configuring The Printer
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127
Paper Out(075)
063
Gap/Mark(040)
000
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Making A Media Profile Printout
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QUICK SETUP Menu
QUICK SETUP
(cont. from previous page)
Notes:
* = Default.
1 Appears only if an RFID encoder is installed.
2
Appears only if Toolset [1] is selected under
SMT: Sel Toolset.
3 Appears only if Toolset [2] is selected under
SMT: Sel Toolset.
4
Undocumented options are reserved for internal
use and future design.
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QUICK SETUP Menu Items
Print Speed
This menu item specifies the speed in inches per second (ips) at
which the media passes through the printer while printing.
The range is 2 through 10 ips (in increments of 1 ips).
The default is 6 ips.
NOTE: The maximum print speed varies based on maximum
printer width and dot per inch (dpi) resolution of the
printhead installed (203 or 300 dpi).
Print Mode
This menu item specifies the type of printing to be done.
• Transfer. Indicates Thermal Transfer printing (ribbon installed).
• Direct. Indicates Direct Thermal printing (no ribbon) and
requires special heat sensitive media.
The default is Transfer, unless your printer is shipped as direct
thermal only (no ribbon motors installed).
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QUICK SETUP Menu
Media Handling
This menu item specifies how the printer will handle the media
(labels or tag stock).
• Tear-Off Strip. Printer prints on the media and sends it out the
front until the print buffer is empty, then positions the last label
over the tear bar for removal.
• Tear-Off. After each label is printed, the printer positions the
label over the tear bar and waits for you to tear off the label
before printing the next one (on-demand printing). A “Remove
Label” message displays to remind you to remove the label
before the next one can be printed.
• Peel-Off. When the optional rewinder is installed, prints and
peels die cut labels from the liner without assistance. The
printer waits for you to remove the label before printing the next
one (on-demand printing). The label liner is rewound on the
internal rewinder. A “Remove Label” message displays to
remind you to remove the label before the next one can be
printed.
• Cut. When the optional media cutter is installed, it
automatically cuts media after each label is printed or can cut
after a specified number of labels have been printed using a
software cut command. It cuts continuous roll paper, labels, or
tag stock.
NOTE: This option is hidden when RFID Reader is set to Enable in
the RFID CONTROL menu.
• Continuous. Printer prints on the media and sends it out the
front.
The default is Tear-Off Strip.
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QUICK SETUP Menu Items
Label Length
In most applications, the user-selected Label Length will match the
physical label length. Physical label length is the actual label length
of the media installed. Following is a list of different media types:
• Die cut labels: measurable length of the removable label
(leading edge to trailing edge). This does not include the
liner material or gap.
• Tag stock with notches or holes: measurable length from
the trailing edge of one notch or hole to the trailing edge of
the next notch or hole.
• Tag stock with black marks on the underside: measurable
length from the leading edge of one black mark to the
leading edge of the next black mark.
• Continuous media (no label length indicators): measurable
length should be within + 1 to 2% of the Label Length value
entered.
Label Width
This menu item specifies the label width. The allowable range in
inches is 00.1 to the maximum print width of the printer. The
allowable range in millimeters is 2.5 to the maximum width of the
printer.
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QUICK SETUP Menu
Orientation
Specifies the image orientation to be used when printing the label.
• Portrait. The default. Portrait refers to vertical page orientation,
where the height of a page is greater than its width. The top
edge of the image is parallel to the leading edge of the media.
The following example is viewed from the front of the printer.
NOTE: Portrait orientation applies to PGL® and VGL emulations.
This is regarded as Inverse Portrait using PPI1.
4 inches
FEED
Leading Edge
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QUICK SETUP Menu Items
4 inches
FEED
edge of the media.
parallel to the left
The top edge of
6 inches
the image is
Leading Edge
Trailing Edge
4 inches
Leading Edge
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QUICK SETUP Menu
4 inches
FEED
edge of the media.
parallel to the right
the image is
The top edge of
6 inches
Leading Edge
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QUICK SETUP Menu Items
Gap/Mark Sensor
Specifies the sensor type needed for detecting the top-of-form
position on media with label length indicators (gaps, notches, holes,
or black marks).
• Disable. Select when using media with no label length
indicators (no gaps, notches, holes, or black marks), or when
you want the printer to ignore all existing label length indicators
on the installed media.
NOTE: When you select Disable, the length of each label is based
on the Label Length value entered.
• Mark. Select when using media that has horizontal black marks
located on the underside of the label liner or tag stock. The
top-of-form position is the leading edge of the black mark.
• Gap. Select when using media with a liner space between
die cut labels or when using tag stock with notches or holes as
label length indicators on white background media. The
top-of-form position is the leading edge of the die cut label
(trailing edge of the gap, notch, or hole).
• Advanced Gap. Select when using media that has liner gaps
between die cut labels with black background. The top-of-form
position is the leading edge of the die cut label (trailing edge of
the gap, notch, or hole).
• Advanced Notch. Select when using media with notches or
holes that interrupt a black vertical line on the underside of the
media. The top-of-form position is the leading edge of the die
cut label (trailing edge of the gap, notch, or hole).
The default is Disable.
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QUICK SETUP Menu
If your smart labels have no horizontal black bar located within each
liner gap, you must choose between Gap and Advanced Gap
sensing. Run an Auto Calibrate (page 30), then make a Media
Profile printout (page 32). Choose the sensing type that provides
the highest liner gap amplitude compared to the amplitude of the
antenna line. If you select Gap sensing, and then see that the
Media Profile printout shows very little amplitude difference for the
liner gap compared to the amplitude of the antenna line, select
Advanced Gap sensing instead.
Advanced Gap sensing (often called transmissive) uses an LED
array for the upper sensor and a receiver in the lower sensor to
detect infrared light through the liner gap. This sensing has the
advantage of detecting the liner gap as a positive amplitude pulse
and the antenna line as a smaller, negative pulse.
Auto Calibrate
This feature is used to improve the sensitivity and reliability of the
media sensor in detecting gaps, notches, holes, or black marks on
the installed media, as well as a Paper Out condition.
To initiate Auto Calibrate, scroll to the Auto Calibrate menu and
press the ↵ key. The printer will advance media the distance
needed to accurately detect the label length indicators, then stop at
the top-of-form position and momentarily display the Sensed
Distance. This process takes a few seconds and results in an
update of the printer values.
Auto Calibrate is completed successfully when the Sensed
Distance displayed correctly matches that of the installed media.
With Gap or Advanced Gap selected, the Sensed Distance should
match the length from the trailing edge of one gap to the trailing
edge of the next gap (one label + one gap). With Mark selected, the
Sensed Distance should match the length from the leading edge of
one black mark to the leading edge of the next black mark.
Auto Calibrate supports label lengths up to 24 inches.
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QUICK SETUP Menu Items
Save Config.
Allows you to save up to eight unique configurations to meet
different print job requirements. This eliminates the need to change
the parameter settings for each new job. The configurations are
stored in memory and will not be lost if you turn off the printer.
The default is 1.
Power-Up Config.
You can specify the Factory configuration or any one of the eight
possible saved configurations as the power-up configuration.
The default is Factory.
SMT: Status
This menu appears only if an RFID encoder is installed. See
“Software Migration Tools (SMT)” in the RFID Labeling Reference
Manual.
• [Link] printer disables the use of the Software
Migration Tools.
• Enabled. The printer enables the use of the Software Migration
Tools.
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Saving The Configuration
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Repacking
QUICK The Printer
SETUP Menu Items
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Cleaning
Cleaning
Depending on the media used, the printer may accumulate
residues (media dust, adhesives, etc.) as a by-product of normal
printing. To maintain top printing quality, you should remove these
residues by cleaning the printer periodically.
Exterior
Clean the exterior surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth. If
necessary, use a mild detergent or desktop cleaning solution.
NOTE: Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or solvents.
Interior
Clean the interior of the printer by removing any dirt and lint with a
soft-bristled, non-metallic brush. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove
the residue.
General Cleaning
Periodically clean all rollers, guides, and assemblies. Use low
pressure air to remove dust in the printer. Use isopropyl alcohol and
a cotton swab to clean any areas where media dust, adhesives, etc.
have accumulated.
Printhead Cleaning
As you use your printer, the printhead may become dirty which can
result in poor print quality. Clean the printhead each time you install
new ribbon (thermal transfer print mode) or install new media
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Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors
(direct thermal print mode). Clean the printhead with the cleaning
pen supplied with the printer.
By keeping your printhead clean, you will help maintain its life.
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Cleaning
Pivoting
Deck
Printhead
Heating
Elements
A
See page 53.
Peel/Tear Door
Lower Media
Sensor
(with visible
red LED)
Printhead Cover/
Upper Media Sensor
Deck Lock
Platen Roller Lever
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Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors
A
From page 52.
Printhead
Heating
Elements
Upper
Media
Sensor
1. Rotate the deck lock lever clockwise to open the pivoting deck
and remove any media and ribbon (if loaded) to gain access to
the printhead assembly heating element area.
2. Gently rub the felt tip of the cleaning pen or a cotton swab with
isopropyl alcohol across the printhead heating elements (light
brown area).
3. Allow the printhead to dry for one minute before reloading the
media and ribbon.
4. Clean the platen roller.
5. Clean the upper and lower media sensors.
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Repacking The Printer
Pivoting Deck
Printhead Pressure
Adjustment Dial
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Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller, And Media Sensors
CAUTION Pack the printer with the media cover (window side) up.
6. Pack the remaining items as shown (b), and tape the box flaps
closed.
7. Strap the box securely (straps not supplied) before shipping (c).
a
b
Media Cover
(window side)
Up
c
Straps (not
supplied)
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For More Information
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For technical assistance, contact your
Distributor/VAR/Reseller for service.
*178371-001* 178371-001E