ABLE Ap1400V Assembly instructions

The Experts in Small Printer Solutions
Installer Guide
Ap1400-V
Thermal Printer
Able Systems Limited Denton Drive, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7TU England
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web: www.able-systems.com

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 2 of 15
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................ 2
2 REVISION HISTORY ................................................................................................................................... 3
3 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 3
3.1 N OTES ON P RINTER F IRMWARE R EVISIONS (I NCLUDING F LASH ) ............................................................................ 3
3.2 C OPYRIGHT N OTICE A ND D ISCLAIMER .............................................................................................................. 3
3.3 I MPORTANT I NFORMATION ............................................................................................................................ 3
4 EMC STATEMENT AND CAUTION .............................................................................................................. 4
5 ORDERING PART CODES, OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES ............................................................................. 4
6 INTERFACE DETAILS .................................................................................................................................. 5
6.1 RS-232 S ERIAL I NTERFACE ............................................................................................................................ 5
6.2 USB I NTERFACE .......................................................................................................................................... 5
7 POWER SUPPLY DETAILS .......................................................................................................................... 6
.1 A LTERNATIVE P OWER S UPPLY A RRANGEMENTS ................................................................................................. 6
CONNECTION GUIDE ................................................................................................................................ 7
8.1 J2 – USB D ATA ..........................................................................................................................................
8.2 J4 – RS232 D ATA .......................................................................................................................................
8.3 J3 – P OWER ............................................................................................................................................... 8
8.4 C HASSIS E ARTH S TRAP .................................................................................................................................. 8
8.5 S HUTDOWN I NPUT ....................................................................................................................................... 9
9 UNIT DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................................................. 10
10 MECHANICAL FIXINGS ........................................................................................................................ 10
10.1 M OUNTING B RACKET ................................................................................................................................. 10
10.2 F RONT F IXING ........................................................................................................................................... 11
10.3 F IXING ORIENTATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 12
10.4 L OCATING THE P RINTER .............................................................................................................................. 12
11 MODES OF OPERATION ...................................................................................................................... 13
11.1 I DLE M ODE ............................................................................................................................................... 13
11.2 S POOL M ODE ........................................................................................................................................... 13
12 PAPER ................................................................................................................................................. 13
13 LED INDICATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 13
13.1 L OADING P APER ........................................................................................................................................ 14
13.2 P APER O UT AND H EAD U P S ENSORS ............................................................................................................. 14
14 PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING ....................................................................................... 15
14.1 D ATA B UFFER ........................................................................................................................................... 15
14.2 S POOL M ODE ........................................................................................................................................... 15
14.3 C HARACTER P RINTING AND F ONTS ................................................................................................................ 15
14.4 G RAPHICS P RINTING AND O THER P ROGRAMMING M ODES ................................................................................ 15
15 TECHNICAL SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................... 15

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 3 of 15
2 REVISION HISTORY
Version Date Description
1.0 15/08/12 First Release
1.1 22/01/13 Second Release minor revisions
1.2 28/01/13 Third Release minor revisions
1.3 20/01/15 Shutdown Jumper position instruction corrected
3 INTRODUCTION
This document is an Installers’ Guide, written for the person connecting the Able Systems Ap1400V
thermal printer.
Please read this Guide carefully before making any connection.
A separate Programmer Guide provides details of the control codes, and describes the internal
operation of these products.
3.1 NOTES ON PRINTER FIRMWARE REVISIONS (INCLUDING FLASH)
Able Systems reserves the right to modify and improve the firmware in its printer products at any time.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure backward compatibility, no guarantee in this respect is given or
implied.
The Ap1400V includes a flash-reprogramable microcontroller. This allows firmware upgrades under
customer control (including customised fonts, which may be created using the Able Systems Font
Editor Utility). Refer to the factory for more information in this feature, if required.
3.2 COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Copyright subsists in all Able Systems intellectual property, including controller firmware (embedded
software) and circuit diagrams, pin connection lists and application data. No warranty in respect of
patent rights of Able Systems Limited or of third parties is given. Unauthorised reproduction or
amendment of controller firmware may result in prosecution.
Design Registration of the Ap1400 range of printers has been applied for.
Fujitsu is a registered mark of its owner Fujitsu Limited. References to this or other owners' marks in
this document are for illustrative purposes only.
Able Systems do not assume responsibility for interchangeable functionality of other parties'
command sets.
3.3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
•
Standard ESD precautions must be observed when handling,
installing and servicing this product. Failure to do so may
invalidate the warranty.
•Keep the unit in the anti-static bag until you are ready to
install it.
•Use an earthed wrist-strap when handling.
NOTE: The Ap1400
V
is a component: compliance to all applicable
national and international regulations remains the responsibility of
the system integrator.
Check connections to the host equipment are wired correctly before
connecting to Ap1400V. Failure to do so may damage the Ap1400V
and/or host.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 4 of 15
4 EMC STATEMENT AND CAUTION
The European Union (EU) has introduced laws covering Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
(EMC). This section defines our current view of this law, as it relates to the Ap1400.
Able Systems believes that the Ap1400 is exempt from this law because:
•It is a component, designed for building into other products
Responsibility for EMC compliance rests with the System Integrator.
To aid system integrators, ABLE Systems has carried out fully traceable EMC
testing and a copy of a test certificate can be provided on request. To ensure compliance with this
testing, the system integrator should ensure that there is a sound earth connection to the earth
strap, and the data and power connections are enclosed by the equipment they are
mounted in and are no more than 3m long.
5 ORDERING PART CODES, OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES
The following table details full Able Systems part codes for products related to the Ap1400 printer:
DATA CABLES
Ap1400SC Ap1400V Serial Cable Assembly (unterminated)
Ap1400D9 Ap1400V Serial Cable Assembly D9F
Ap1400USBC Ap1400V USB-A to Mini-B Cable 1m
MOUNTING BRACKETS
Ap1400MBKIT Ap1400V Mounting Bracket (including fixings)
POWER CABLES & ADAPTORS
Ap1400VPC Ap1400V Power Cable Assembly (unterminated)
FONT EDITOR UTILITY
Ap1400FEU Able Font Editor Utility (for Windows)
CONSUMABLES
A05836TPR1 Box of 20 thermal paper rolls
A05836RLRKIT Box of 18 Linerless Label rolls with cleaning card
A complete kit is available to purchase under part number Ap1400VKIT:
Ap1400VKIT includes
Quantity Part Number Description
1x Ap1400V Ap1400 9-36V panel printer
2x A05836TPR1 Rolls of 36mm diameter thermal paper
1x Ap1400VPC Ap1400V Power cable assembly (unterminated)
1x Ap1400USBC USB-A to Mini USB-B data cable
1x Ap1400SC RS232 cable (unterminated)
1x Ap1400D9 RS232 cable (D9 connector)
1x
Ap1400MBKIT
61-SC0-1500
61-SC2-1600
61-TR-TYB-23M
64-AP1400-MB
Mounting kit
Contents:
2x M3 machine screws
2x M3 self-tapping screws
2x Quick fix cable ties
1x Mounting bracket

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 5 of 15
6 INTERFACE DETAILS
6.1 RS-232 SERIAL INTERFACE
The Ap1400V printer has an industry standard RS-232 interface. The default parameters are 9600
baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. Other baud rates can be programmed by control codes, or
by using a setup utility available from the factory. The following baud rates are supported: 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200 baud.
Serial data is expected in standard RS-232C format with -12V meaning 'mark' or '1' and +12V a
logical '0', with reference to the common ground. The serial data output line, TxD, transmits
XON/XOFF and status information to the host at the same Baud rate and in the same format as the
serial data input. The hardware busy line is true (nominal -12V) when busy. Both serial output lines
will relax to approximately 0V when the Ap1400V is off, and the user must allow a short period after
switching on before relying on the values of these signals.
Some host equipment use a constant space condition (+12V) to indicate a reset condition or wait
state. Some battery powered host equipment present the same output signal when they go to sleep.
The Ap1400V can be set to ignore this condition as detailed in the Programmer’s Guide, but even
then this type of host behaviour may result in one or more spurious characters being received and
printed.
6.2 USB INTERFACE
The Ap1400V has a full speed USB 2.0 client interface allowing the unit to be connected to a
Windows based host via USB allowing simple configuration and access. There are two ways of
printing from the Ap1400V:
1) Spool printing. This is the way a ‘standard’ desktop printer works and will enable you to print
in the normal way from applications such as Word, Excel or any other application that
supports spool printing. Spool printing requires the installation of windows drivers and allows
all applications access to the printer.
2) API interface. The API interface is for programmers who wish to add USB printing to their
programs. This interface gives exclusive control of the printer and allows either text or
graphical printing. In addition, the full printer command set is available to the programmer
allowing much tighter tailoring of the printed output to suit this form of printer & application
combination.
Please contact Able Systems if you require the USB drivers or API interface.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 6 of 15
7 POWER SUPPLY DETAILS
The Ap1400V is directly powered via the connector J3. The printer is designed for direct connection to
a +12V or +24V vehicle battery. On models with the shutdown feature enabled, apply a voltage of 2V
or greater to the shutdown Input to wake the printer.
7.1 ALTERNATIVE POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS
The Ap1400V is designed to be operated from a 9V to 36V voltage source that is capable of supplying
the primary power for the printer.
The electrical specification for the power supply input of the Ap1400V printer is:
Input Voltage Range: +9V to +36V (internal over voltage at 37V and reversal protection)
Shutdown Input Voltage Range 0V to +36V (internal over voltage and reversal protection)
Supply Current Requirement: 0.06mA ( Shutdown active )
( typical @12V in ) 70mA ( Printer in Idle Mode )
2A average ( Printer Printing )
7A peak ( Printer Printing )
Supply Current Requirement: 0.12mA ( Shutdown active )
( typical @24V in ) 40mA ( Printer in Idle Mode )
1.2A average ( Printer Printing )
4A peak ( Printer Printing )
N.B. The average and peak current requirements can be adjusted by firmware control codes.
See the Programmer Guide or contact Able Systems for details.
The recommended power supply input is either a 12V or 24V vehicle battery, this allows the printer to
perform at its best. However, the printer will automatically accommodate any DC input voltage in the
range 9V to 36V. In addition, power supplies with lower current capacities may be accommodated by
varying the internal PowerSave parameter. See the Programmers Guide or contact the factory for
more details.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 7 of 15
8 CONNECTION GUIDE
The Ap1400V is fully hot-swappable. It has 3 user connectors and a chassis earth strap. Either data
connector may be used, but only one concurrently. The Ap1400V will detect and receive data from a
single data connector automatically. To swap data connections, the power must be cycled.
8.1 J2 – USB DATA
The Ap1400V supports full speed USB 2.0 connections to the Mini USB-B port, J22 a standard USB-
A to Mini USB-B lead can be obtained from Able by ordering part number: Ap1400USBC.
Please contact Able systems for USB drivers.
J2 Mating Connector:
Standard Mini USB-B lead (USB 2.0).
8.2 J4 – RS232 DATA
J4 Mating Connector
Manufacturer
: Molex
Part Number
: 51065-0500
Crimp Part Number
: 0502128000
Pin
Ap1400V Function
Ap1400V Input/Outp
ut
Standard PC D9 Pin
1 RX data i/p 3
2 Printer Wake i/p 4
3 Printer Busy o/p 6 and 8
4 TX data o/p 2
5 GND - 5
A moulded RS232 D9 lead for direct connection to a PC RS232 port can be obtained from Able by
ordering part number: Ap1400D9.
An unterminated RS232 lead can be obtained from Able by ordering part number: Ap1400SC.
J3 Power
(pin 1 indicated)
J2
USB
Data
J4 RS232
Data
(pin 1 indicated)
Chassis
Earth
Strap

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 8 of 15
8.3 J3 – POWER
J3 Mating Connector:
Manufacturer: Molex
Part Number: 51065-0600
Crimp Part Number: 0502128000 (24-30 AWG)
Pin
Signal
Description
1
V+
Positive 9
-
36V with overvo
ltage and reverse protection. (5A fuse required)
(Connect to both V+ pins to avoid overloading the connector)
2
V+
3
GND
0V Common (RS
-
232 signal return and power supply common)
(Connect to both GND pins to avoid overloading the connector)
4
GND
5
SD
N
Shutdown input
(
Active Low
-
see section
8.5
for
further
details)
6
N/C
No connection, do not make any connections to this pin
8.4 CHASSIS EARTH STRAP
The earth strap is provided as an electrostatic discharge path from the printer mechanism to the
system ground. In earthed equipment, the eyelet should be connected to ground. It is designed to
accommodate a No.2 screw.
NOTE: If the Ap1400V is being fitted into host equipment that has no
earth, remove the earth strap carefully with wire-cutters to prevent
short circuits to the printer and/or host equipment.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 9 of 15
8.5 SHUTDOWN INPUT
The shutdown input (J3, pin 5) is designed to be used with an Active Low input such as the ignition
connection in a vehicle. The user shutdown function is disabled as standard, the printer defaults to
awake at power on.
To allow the user shutdown feature, the position of the jumper at site JP4 must first be altered,
following this applying a voltage of +2V to +36V on the shutdown pin will keep the printer awake
otherwise the printer will enter the sleep state. The supply current drawn from the V+ rail is
approximately 600uA (at 12V) while the printer is shutdown.
To enable the user shutdown feature, please follow the steps below.
1. Unscrew the bottom PCB from the printer and pull the 2 PCB’s apart:
2. Move the jumper at site JP4 away from the position marked “W” as shown:
3. Push the two PCB’s back together and screw them back in to the printer, making sure not
to overtighten:

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 10 of 15
9 UNIT DIMENSIONS
(All dimensions in mm)
10 MECHANICAL FIXINGS
The Ap1400V has several fixing options to suit a variety of installations;
10.1 MOUNTING BRACKET
1) Fit the printer into the panel and apply the mounting bracket as shown below.
2) Secure with two M3 machine screws or two cable ties, one at either side of the bracket. (all
included in Ap1400VKIT).
3) Open the printer lid, fit a paper roll and close the lid.
4) Connect power and data leads as described in the ‘Connection Guide’ in this document.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 11 of 15
10.2 FRONT FIXING
1) Open the lid of the printer and remove the two knock-outs using a small flat-headed screwdriver.
2) Prepare the panel aperture as described below.
3) Fit the printer to the panel and fix in place using two self-tapping screws as shown above (Ø 3mm
max, included in Ap1400VKIT).
4) Fit a paper roll and close the lid, checking the screw heads clear the lid.
5) Connect power and data leads as described in the ‘Connection Guide’ in this document.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 12 of 15
10.3 FIXING ORIENTATIONS
Ideally, the fixing orientation of the Ap1400V host panel should permit the free rotation of the paper
roll in normal operation and its retention when the paper compartment is opened. The printer can
therefore be mounted horizontally or angled to the limits shown below.
Should you wish to use the Ap1400V in orientations that exceed these limits please contact Able
Systems for advice.
10.4 LOCATING THE PRINTER
NOTE: The Ap1400V is a thermal printer and care should be taken to
ensure that the printer and the paper it prints to are not subjected to
extreme temperature or humidity
NOTE: The Ap1400
V
is an open
-
framed printer. It is the installer’s
responsibility to ensure the enclosure into which the printer will be
fitted confers suitable protection from environmental factors and
electrical and physical interference, as well as preventing user
access behind the face of the panel.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 13 of 15
11 MODES OF OPERATION
The Ap1400V has two operating modes, when not actually printing:
"Idle Mode": ready to accept data, but no data in the buffer awaiting printing, and the
printer motor is not running;
"Spool Mode": active, but storing data for later printing.
Modes are indicated by different colour combinations on the front-panel LED (see section 8).
11.1 IDLE MODE
In idle mode, the printer is ready to receive data, which will be printed as soon as complete lines or
graphics patterns are decoded. It responds to the paper feed button in the normal way, and can also
produce a demonstration print (see below).
11.2 SPOOL MODE
In spool mode, data is received and stored, but not printed. This is useful when printing needs to be
suppressed during data transfer (for example in mobile radio systems); or when the printer is unable
to print because the paper has run out or the lid is open.
The Ap1400V will automatically enter spool mode when the paper is out, when the head is up, or if
some other error condition occurs, or alternatively by command from the host. Spool mode may be
cleared by host command, automatically when the condition is cleared, or by "double-clicking" the
feed button.
12 PAPER
Pressing the paper feed button when the printer is idle, or in spool mode, advances paper at up to 80
mm per second. However, the feed button has additional functions:
"Double-clicking" the button: (i.e. pressing and releasing twice in quick succession just like a PC mouse)
in idle mode, prints a demo/test message including the firmware version, encoded
calibration data, and the full character set;
in spool mode, or having been out of paper, prints any stored data and enters idle mode.
Some of the functions of the paper feed button can be invoked or disabled under control of the host.
13 LED INDICATIONS
The LED indicator at the front of the Ap1400V has a number of colour combinations, which repeat in
up to a 4-phase pattern to provide status information (see table below).
In summary, if the LED is constant green it indicates that the printer is operating normally. Flashing
on and off indicates that Spool mode is active and no printing can take place. Red warns of a low
power supply voltage or other problem. No light indicates that the unit is off.
LED Pattern Table
Pattern
Power Status Buffer Mode
Constant Green OK Normal
Fast Flashing Green OK Spool *
Long Green - Short Red Low Voltage Normal
Short Green - Short Red Low Voltage Spool *
Fast Flashing Red Error Condition Spool (Printing prohibited)
No light Printer is off
* (Spool may have resulted from Paper Out or Head Up conditions)
Although this table may seem complicated, few applications will produce many of the combinations.
Other LED Patterns
Other LED patterns may be programmed into the Ap1400 on request or by the system designer.
Please refer to the Programmers’ Guide for details of how to configure these functions.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 14 of 15
13.1 LOADING PAPER
The procedure for loading paper is as follows:
1. Press the lid in towards the panel.
2. Unwind a small amount of paper from the roll and Insert the Paper Roll into the Printer.
3. Close the Lid, and the paper is loaded.
4. After loading, check that the paper is straight and advances properly, and tear off any excess
by pulling the paper sharply towards you across the serrated tear bar. In the event of a jam or
other paper loading problem, release the lid and straighten the paper before closing again.
Paper rolls must be 57.5 ± 0.5 mm wide, 36 mm maximum diameter, and have the thermally sensitive
coating on the outside. The printer can accept rolls which are coreless or wound on a core. Suitable
rolls are available as ASL Product Code:
A05836TPR1 Thermal Paper Roll (36 mm dia, 13.5 m long approx)
13.2 PAPER OUT AND HEAD UP SENSORS
A reflective optical Paper Out sensor within the mechanism detects an out-of-paper condition, and/or
senses black marks to register with pre-printed forms. A mechanical Head Up sensor detects when
the lid is open.
By default, the printer enters Spool mode automatically if either sensor becomes active. The printer
will automatically exit spool mode, and print any stored data, when new paper is loaded and the lid
closed. This behaviour may be modified. Please refer to the Programmers’ Guide for details of how to
configure these functions.

Ap1400V Installers’ Guide Page 15 of 15
14 PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING
The Ap1400V utilises a Fujitsu FTP-628MCL103 printer mechanism, with a fixed (parallel) print head
with 384 horizontally-arranged thermal elements. The paper is advanced by a stepper motor, and
printing takes place in a single dot row for each step of the paper. Each printed dot is approximately
1/8 mm square. The printing speed and dot density are controlled according to the power supply
voltage and the head temperature.
Various printing modes, including graphics, are invoked by 'Escape' sequences. Control codes and
status report protocols are described in detail in the Programmers' Guide, available separately.
14.1 DATA BUFFER
The Ap1400V has a nominal 10k byte buffer to optimise throughput: this enables data to be received
into the buffer while previous lines are being printed. Printing will be initiated on receipt of a valid
logical line of data or a complete graphics pattern.
The buffer may be cleared by data command or by a hardware reset. A partially full line will be
printed on receipt of an appropriate control code, or after a programmable timeout delay.
14.2 SPOOL MODE
Spool mode is can be entered by:
a command from the host;
Paper Out condition or Head Up condition being sensed;
an error condition (e.g. head over temperature, power supply over voltage, etc).
In spool mode, the buffered data are stored without being printed until the mode is exited by:
a command from the host;
the 'causing condition' (e.g. Paper Out or Head Up) being cleared;
the paper feed button being double-clicked.
14.3 CHARACTER PRINTING AND FONTS
The default 32-column character set is formed from a 24x10 dot matrix, and is based on the industry
standard IBM® character set Code Page 437. This character set has been modified to include the
Euro symbol (‘€’) at position 80H (128 Decimal), in place of the usual capital C with cedilla (‘Ç’).
Various combinations of single or double width, single or double height, inverted, underlined, and
other attributes may be mixed within a line.
Customised fonts may be created using the Able Systems Font Editor Utility, and downloaded to the
Ap1400V. Please contact the factory for more information.
14.4 GRAPHICS PRINTING AND OTHER PROGRAMMING MODES
Various dot-addressable graphics modes are supported, at up to 384 dots per line. The Windows
driver operates in the graphics mode. Refer to the Programmer’s Guide for full details of this and other
advanced programming modes.
15 TECHNICAL SUPPORT
In the meantime, if more information is required, please contact;
Technical Support: ([e-mail])
Or call [phone] and select option 4 for Technical Support.
[End]
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