Alere 55115 User manual

PN 55115
Alere™Universal Printer
User Manual

Contents
1. Product Description ...........................................................................1
1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1
1.2 Material List..............................................................................................................1
1.3 Printer Installation Position.......................................................................................1
1.4 Power Adapter Connection......................................................................................1
1.5 Communication Cable Connection ..........................................................................2
2. Printer Operation................................................................................2
2.1 Appearance and Module .........................................................................................2
2.2 Introduction of Main Module .....................................................................................3
2.3 Function of LED and Button......................................................................................3
2.3.1 Function of LED................................................................................................3
2.3.2 Function of Button ...........................................................................................3
2.3.3 LED ..................................................................................................................3
2.3.4 Function of Button Conguration ....................................................................4
2.4 Paper Loading...........................................................................................................4
2.5 Start the Printer ........................................................................................................5
2.5.1 Power ON and Self-Test ..................................................................................5
2.5.2 Print Self-Test Page .........................................................................................6
2.5.3 Label Verication .............................................................................................6
3. Printer Adjustment .............................................................................7
3.1 Adjustment of Parameters.........................................................................................7
3.1.1 Adjustment and Adjustment Range .................................................................7
4. Routine Maintenance .........................................................................7
4.1 Cleaning the Print Head ..........................................................................................7
4.2 Cleaning the Sensor Cover .....................................................................................8
4.3 Cleaning the Print Roller...........................................................................................8
5. Troubleshooting..................................................................................9
5.1 LED Status Indication...............................................................................................9
5.2 Printing Quality Problem ..........................................................................................9

Appendix ...............................................................................................10
Appendix 1. Technical Specication .............................................................................10
Appendix 1.1 Main Technical Specications ..........................................................10
Appendix 1.2 Paper Technical Specications.........................................................11
Appendix 2. Self-Test Page...........................................................................................11
Appendix 3. Button Conguration.................................................................................13
Appendix 4. Printing and Paper Out Position ...............................................................16
Appendix 5. Communication Interface..........................................................................17
Appendix 5.1 Serial Interface ..................................................................................17
Appendix 5.2 USB Interface....................................................................................17
Appendix 6 Guidance and Manufacturer’s Declaration –Electromagnetic Emissions ..18
Glossary of Terms and Symbols..........................................................22
Contact Alere .......................................................................................23

Safety and Precautions
Before installing and using the printer, please read the following items carefully.
1. Caution
Do not touch the print head during printing and just after operation. It is a thermal
element and can reach a high temperature. Contact with the print head can cause a
minor burn.
Keep the printer away from water to avoid a shock hazard and equipment damage.
Keep the printer out of moist areas to avoid condensation. If condensation occurs,
do not turn on the power until it has completely gone away. Condensation build up
could cause minor shock.
Disconnect the power when the printer is not in use.
Do not spill water or other conductive materials into the printer (e.g. metal). If this
happens, turn off the power immediately.
Do not disassemble the printer.
2. Important
• Install the printer on a at and stable surface.
• Reserve adequate space around the printer so that the operation and maintenance
can be performed properly.
• Do not use or store the printer in a place exposed to heat, moisture or
serious pollution.
• Do not place the printer in a place exposed to vibration or impact.
• Do not touch the print head. It is an ESD-sensitive device.
• Do not expose the printer to direct sunlight, strong light or heat.
• Connect the printer power to an appropriate outlet. Avoid sharing one electrical
outlet with large instruments or other devices that may cause the uctuation
of voltage.
• Do not attempt to print when there is no paper installed, otherwise the print head
and roller will be damaged.
• To ensure quality print and normal lifetime, use the recommended paper.
• Shut down the printer when connecting or disconnecting data cables to avoid
damages to control board.
• Set the print darkness to a lower grade as long as the print quality is acceptable.
This will help to keep the print head durable.
• Keep this manual carefully in hand for reference.
Waste Disposal
Council Directive 2002/96/EC concerning Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE). Indicates a requirement not to dispose of WEEE as municipal waste. Contact
your local distributor for information regarding disposal of the unit and accessories.

1Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
1. Product Description
1.1 Introduction
Alere™ Universal Printer is a high performance thermal label printer with a simple structure
for easy operation. It adopts modular design and can accept up to an 80mm (maximal
diameter) paper roll. Equipped with serial and USB ports, the printer provides real-time
printing when connected with the testing device.
Main Features:
• Thermal printing.
• Low noise, 150mm/s high speed printing.
• Easy paper loading, convenient operation, easy to use.
• 32 bit high speed microprocessor.
• Automatically temperature controlled, and high printing quality.
• ESC/POS programming language.
1.2 Material List
Open the packaging, and check the parts according to the packing list. Please contact if
there is shortage or damage.
CD
Multilingual CD
Power Adapter
User Manual Printer
Paper Spool
Figure 1.2.1
1.3 Printer Installation Position
Place the printer on a at stable surface that is free of moisture, water and dust. The
maximum tilt angle should not exceed ±15° during installation.
1.4 Power Adapter Connection
1. Ensure the power switch is turned off.
2. Connect the AC power cord with power adapter, and then insert the other end of
the power adapter into the power adapter interface of printer.
3. Insert the other end of AC power cord into a 110V/220V wall socket.
Caution:
When the printer is not in use, disconnect the power.

2 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
1.5 Communication Cable Connection
1. Conrm the power of printer is turned off.
2. Insert the data cable to the suitable interface on the back of the printer, and xed
it with a screw or clip spring.
3. Connect other end of the communication cable to the testing device.
Important:
Do not connect or disconnect the serial or USB data cable when the power is on.
2. Printer Operation
2.1 Appearance and Module
The detailed structure of printer is as follows:
1—Window
2—Top cover
3—Tear-off bar
4—Front cover
5—Cover open button
6—LED
7—Feed button
8—Bottom cover
9—Warning label
10—Micro switch
11—Sensor cover
12—Right latch
13—Paper end sensor
14—Paper housing
15—Paper loading label
16—Paper spool
17—Gear
18—Platen roller sleeve
19—Print roller
20—Upper path
21—Left latch
22—Spanner
23—Print head
24—Product label
25—Rubber foot
26—USB interface
27—Interface xing plate
28—Serial interface
29—Power adapter interface
30—Power switch

3Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
2.2 Introduction of Main Module
1. Paper spool (16): to support paper roll.
2. Micro switch (10): to detect print head lift up/press down.
3. Paper end sensor (13): to detect and position media like label paper, etc.
4. Power switch (30): power control switch of printer.
2.3 Function of LED and Button
2.3.1 Function of LED
LED name Status Explanation
Power LED (green) Always On Printer power is on
Error LED (red) Flashing Printer error.
Table 2.3.1
2.3.2 Function of Button
Button Function Explanation
Feed
button
Press down button to feed paper
For label printing: the printer only feeds
one label; for continuous paper (paper
without hole cut-outs), the printer does
not stop feeding paper until the button
is released.
Print self-test page
If turning on the power while pressing
down the feed button, the printer will
print out the main menu. According to
the menu’s operation prompt, select
“print conguration information”
through the feed button. For operation
steps, please refer to 2.5.1.
Parameter conguration Refer to appendix 3 to modify the
printer parameters.
Sensor verication For sensor verication method, please
refer to 2.5.3.
Table 2.3.2
2.3.3 LED
Error information LED Flash Status
Out of paper
Print head is lifted up
Print head voltage is abnormal
Print head temperature is
abnormal
Can not nd the label cut-
outs or the printer does not
recognize labels
Table 2.3.3

4 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
2.3.4 Function of Button Conguration
Parameters can be congured via long-press time or short-press time according to the
printed conguration information. For the detailed conguration information, please
refer to appendix 3.
2.4 Paper Loading
1. Press down the cover open button to open the top cover to the position shown
in gure 2.4.1.
2. Open the top cover to the position shown in gure 2.4.2.
Figure 2.4.1
Figure 2.4.2

5Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
3. Load the paper roll onto the paper roll spool, and put the paper roll spool into the
paper housing, as shown in gures 2.4.3 and 2.4.4.
Figure 2.4.3
Figure 2.4.4
4. Close the top cover.
Important:
The print side of the paper should be facing down.
2.5 Start the Printer
2.5.1 Power ON and Self-Test
Ensure the power adapter and the data cables are correctly connected. When turning
on the power the green LED will be on and the red LED off.
Important:
If the printer does not power on or does not work normally after powered on, please
contact Alere.

6 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
2.5.2 Print Self-Test Page
1. Ensure the printer’s power source is connected and the paper roll with spool
is loaded into the paper housing.
2. Ensure the green LED is off and the printer is powered off.
• Press and hold the feed button.
• While holding the feed button, turn on the power switch.
• When the printer starts feeding, release the feed button.
Press the feed button twice and hold (at least 1s) and the printer will print out
the conguration information (for a sample print out, refer to appendix 2) and
the prompt information (“Press and Release FEED to continue SELF-TEST
printing” and “Press and Hold FEED to congure the printer”), and then it will
enter into pause and waiting status with the red LED ashing.
3. Pressing down the feed button for a short time, the printer will print out
character test page, and the self-test page printing is completed. If the feed
button is pressed and held down, the printer will print out the interface with
the title of “MAIN MENU”.
2.5.3 Label Verication
Manual Verication
1. Power off the printer.
2. Install the labels or print paper.
3. Press down the feed button while turning on the power switch. After the
printer starts feeding the paper, release the feed button, waiting for it to nish
the printing of the main menu.
4. Press down the feed button three times, and then hold the feed button
down (for at least 1 second). The printer will feed the paper and start the
label verication.
• After nishing the verication, the printer enters into standby status; if the
mark cannot be found, the printer will distinguish it to be continuous paper.
Important:
Manual verication of the labels is needed under each of the following situations:
• Install and use of the printer for the rst time.
• Re-installation of the printer after being disconnected.
• The sensor is used for the rst time after cleaning.
• The label cannot be effectively recognized during print.
• The operation environment is changed.
Important:
• Once the verication of labels is completed, the printer is ready.
• After the above steps and sensor cleaning, if the printer fails the label
verication, please contact Alere.

7Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
3. Printer Adjustment
3.1 Adjustment of Parameters
3.1.1 Adjustment and Adjustment Range
Adjustment object Setting range Remark
Print darkness 00—90
Set the print darkness to a lower grade as
long as the print quality is acceptable. This
will extend the print head’s durability.
Darkness difference
of label paper and
continuous paper
20—40
Set the darkness of label paper to be higher
than that of continuous paper. Default value
is 30.
Table 3.1.1
4. Routine Maintenance
Clean the print head, roller and sensor according to the following steps.
4.1 Cleaning the Print Head
If the following cases occur, the print head should be cleaned:
• Printout is not clear.
• Paper feeds and retracts with excessive noise.
• Debris on the print head.
The following steps are for print head cleaning:
1. Turn off the power and open the top cover.
2. Wait for the print head to cool down completely.
3. Wipe off dust or particles on the surface of the print head with a soft cotton cloth
dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. (It should not be dripping.)
4. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes until the alcohol evaporates completely. Press down the
print head module and close the top cover.
Caution:
Do not touch the print head during printing and just after operation. It is a thermal element
and can reach a high temperature. Contact with the print head can cause a minor burn.
Important:
Do not touch the print head. It is an ESD-sensitive device. Contact with the print head
may cause damage.

8 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
4.2 Cleaning the Sensor Cover
The sensor cover should be cleaned when the following occur:
• During printing, the printer LED ashes the out of paper pattern, when paper
is installed.
• The printer does not alarm the paper end LED pattern when there is no paper left.
• The printer does not identify labels correctly.
The following steps are for paper end sensor cover cleaning:
1. Turn off the printer power and open the top cover.
2. Wipe off dust or particles on the dustproof cover surface of the paper end sensor
with soft cotton cloth damped with 70% isopropyl alcohol. (It should not be
dripping.)
3. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes until the alcohol evaporates completely, press down the
print head module and close the top cover.
4.3 Cleaning the Print Roller
If the following cases occur, the roller should be cleaned:
• Printout is not clear.
• Paper feeds and retracts with excessive noise.
• Debris on the print roller.
The following steps are for print roller cleaning:
1. Turn off the power and open the top cover.
2. Wait for the print roller to cool down completely.
3. Wipe off dust or particles on the surface of the print roller with a soft cotton cloth
dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. (It should not be dripping.)
4. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes until the alcohol evaporates completely, press down the
print head module and close the top cover.
Caution:
• Before starting routine maintenance of the printer, make sure the power is
turned off.
• Do not touch the surface of the print head with hands or metal.
Important:
• Do not use forceps; this will prevent the print head, print roller and sensors
from being scratched.
• Do not use organic solvent like gasoline, acetone etc.
• Please wait for the alcohol to evaporate completely before printing.

9Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
5. Troubleshooting
If the printer has an error, please refer to this chart for troubleshooting steps. If it still cannot
be solved, please contact Alere.
5.1 LED Status Indication
The red LED ashes when the printer has an error. At this time, the printer will stop printing
and the connection between the testing device and printer will be terminated. Please check
the pattern that the LED continuously ashes and then troubleshoot per the following:
Error LED status Reason Solution
Flash twice Paper end /no paper present Load paper roll again.
Reection sensor error Contact Alere.
Flash three times Print head lifted up Press down the print head.
Micro switch error Contact Alere.
Flash ve times Abnormal voltage
Check the power supply and power
adapter connection to the printer and
the wall socket. Visibly inspect both
connections for damage as well.
Voltage sampling module error Contact Alere.
Flash six times Print head temperature is abnormal Wait until the temperature of the print
head returns to normal working range.
Temperature sampling module error Contact Alere.
Table 5.1.1
5.2 Printing Quality Problem
Malfunction Reason Solution
Printout is unclear or
is illegible.
Print head or print roller is dirty Clean the print head or roller
Paper quality problem Use recommended paper
Low print darkness Increase the print darkness
Table 5.2.1

10 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
Appendix
Appendix 1. Technical Specication
Appendix 1.1 Main Technical Specications
Item Alere™ Universal Printer PN 55115
parameter
Printing
Resolution 203DPI
Print mode Thermal
Print width (Max.) 56mm
Print speed (Max.) 150mm/s
CPU 32bit RISC kiosk microprocessor
Memory SDRAM: 2MB FLASH: 2MB
Print head temperature
detection Thermal resistor
Print head position
detection Micro switch
Paper mark detection Photoelectric sensor
Communication
interface
Standard conguration RS-232 serial, USB
interface
Media
Paper type Thermal continuous or label paper
Paper OD (Max.) 80mm
Paper roll width (Max.) 62mm
Paper out mode Tear off
Character
Barcode
Image
Character enlargement/
rotation
All characters can be enlarged 1–6 times
horizontally and vertically.Rotation printing
(0°, 90°, 180°, 270°)
Character set
ASCII character
International character set: USA, France,
Germany, UK, Denmark I, Sweden, Italy,
Spain, Japan, Norway, Denmark II
Code page: 437, 850, 852, 860, 863, 865,
858, 866, 1252, 862, Katakana, 1253, 737
User-dened font: User can dene font and
download it to FLASH or SDRAM.
Image Plain bitmap in binary system, which can be
downloaded to FLASH or RAM.
Barcode
One-dimensional barcode: UPC-A,
UPC-E, EAN13, EAN8, CODE39,
CODE93, ITF, CODABAR, CODA128, etc.
Two-dimensional barcode: PDF417,
MAXICODE, QRCODE,GS1 etc.
Operation interface Button, LED 1 button, 2 LEDs
Power adapter Input AC 110~240V, 50/60Hz
Output DC 24V, 1.5A
Environmental requirements Operation environment +5°C - 45°C, 20%~90% (40°C)
Storage environment -40°C - 60°C, 20%~93% (40°C)
Physical features Overall size 193.5mm*113mm*120.5mm (L*W*H)
Weight 655g
Appendix table 1.1.1

11Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
Appendix 1.2 Paper Technical Specications
The maximum paper height is decided by the size in the printer’s congured memory.
1 Continuous paper specication (unit: mm)
Type Figure Index
Without adhesives, continuous,
strip paper without adhesives Paper width: a=62mm
Appendix table 1.3.1
2 Discontinuous paper (unit: mm)
Type Figure Index
With adhesives,
discontinuous,
punched label
paper
Base Paper width: a=62
Label width: b=56
Label gap: c=74.8
Label height: d=70
Label position: e=1.5
Detection hole height: f=8
Detection hole width: g =3
Detection hole position: h=7
Appendix table 1.3.2
Appendix 2. Self-Test Page
Printer conguration information contained in the self-test page:
1. Conguration information of printer
Boot Firmware :FV1.012
Main Firmware :FV1.011
H/W Parameters
Flash Memory Size :2M Bytes
Flash Logos/Fonts :512K Bytes
Resolution :203×203 DPI
Print Width (max) :56mm
Fixed LeftMargin :0mm
Fixed RightMargin :0mm
Print Speed (max) :150mm/s
Dark Scale :80
CRCommand :Disabled
Current Codepage :PC437

12 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
Communication Interface
Interface Type1 :RS232
Rx Buffer Size :4K Bytes
Baud Rate :9600 bps
Data Bits :8
Stop Bits :1
Parity :None
Handshaking :DTR/DSR
Command CR :Disabled
Data Received Error :Print ‘?’
Interface Type2 :USB_
BTP-L560_1
Interface Mode :WinDriver Mode
Rx Buffer Size :4K Bytes
Resident Fonts
Font Type :ELITE
Code Page :PC437, PC850
:PC852, PC860
:PC863, PC865
:PC858, PC866
:PC1252, PC862
:PC1253, PC737
:KATAKANA
International Character
:U.S.A
:France
:Germany
:U.K.
:Denmark I
:Sweden
:Italy
:Spain
:Japan
:Norway
:Denmark II

13Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
Bar Code Available
:UPC-A
:UPC-E
:EAN-8
:EAN-13
:CODE 39
:CODE 93
:ITF
:CODABAR
:CODA128
:PDF417
:QRCODE
:MAXICODE
:GS1
Appendix 3. Button Conguration
The following steps are for the printer button parameter conguration:
1. Ensure the printer is connected to its power source and paper is loaded. Press
down the feed button while turning on the power, then release the feed button,
the printer will print out the main menu of button conguration and button
operation prompts.
2. All the numbers in the menus correspond with the times button is pressed down
for a short time; the current selection is conrmed by pressing down the button
for a long time (at least 1 second).
3. Pressing down the feed button twice for a short time and once for a long time (at
least 1 second), the printer will print out the conguration information and prompt
the information (“Press and Release FEED to continue SELF-TEST printing” and
“Press and Hold FEED to congure the printer), and then will enter into pause and
waiting status with the red LED ashing.
4. Pressing and holding down the feed button will print out the interface with the title
of “MAIN MENU”.
5. Pressing down the feed button three times for a short time and once for a long
time, the printer will print out the interface with the title of “CONFIGURATION”.
Select the conguration according to the number before the menu.
Menu Structure of Step 1:
MAIN MENU
Exit
>1
Print Self Test
>2
Calibration
>3

14 Alere™ Universal Printer User Manual
Menu Structure of Step 4:
Main Menu
Exit
>1
Conguration
>3
Sensor Test
>4
Print Self Test
>2
Print Statistics
>5
Menu Structure of Step 5:
Conguration
Exit
without
Save
>1
Exit with
Save
>2
Commu-
nication
>3
Mech. &
Hardware
>4
Print
Settings
>5
Set
Default
Cong
>6
Font
Settings
>7
Communication >3 Menu Structure of Communication Interface.
COMMUNICATION
USB
Interface
>2
Back to
last menu
>1
Serial
Interface
>3
Rx Bu
Size
>4
Communication USB Interface >2 Relevant Conguration Parameter of
Communication Interface:
USB MODE: WinDriver Mode
Back to
last menu
>1
WinDriver
Mode
>2
API MODE
>3
Communication Rx Buff Size >4 Relevant Conguration Parameter of
Receive Buffer:
Rx Bu Size: 4K Bytes
Back to last
menu
>1
4k Bytes
>2
45 Bytes
>3
64k Bytes
>4