Altec ATP-23 User manual

ATP-23
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL LABEL PRINTER
USER’S MANUAL

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Inhoud
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Product Introduction........................................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Compliances.................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Operations Overview ............................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Printer Overview.............................................................................................................................. 5
2.2.1 Front View ................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.2 Interior View................................................................................................................................. 6
2.2.3 Rear View.................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Setup........................................................................................................................................................ 8
3.1 Setting Up the Printer...................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Loading the Media........................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.1 Loading the media....................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option) ................................................................................. 10
3.2.3 Loading Media in Cutter Mode (Option).................................................................................... 11
3.2.4 Loading the Thick Media (Thickness is 0.19 mm)..................................................................... 12
3.3 Loading the Ribbon ....................................................................................................................... 13
3.4 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Utility (Option).............................................................................. 15
3.4.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface....................................................................... 15
3.4.2 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface ................................................................ 15
4. LED and Button Functions..................................................................................................................... 18
4.1 LED Indicator................................................................................................................................. 18
4.2 Regular Button Function................................................................................................................ 18
4.3 Power on Utilities........................................................................................................................... 18
4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration.......................................................................................... 19
4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode ........................................................... 20
4.3.3 Printer Initialization.................................................................................................................... 23
4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Black Mark Sensor...................... 24
4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor............................................ 24
4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS ........................................................................................................................ 25
5. Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................... 26
5.1 LED Status .................................................................................................................................... 26
5.2 Print Problem................................................................................................................................. 27
6. Maintenance........................................................................................................................................... 28
7. Contactgegevens................................................................................................................................... 29

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1. Introduction
1.1 Product Introduction
Thank you for purchasing ATP-23 label printer. Although the printer has a small footprint,
it delivers reliable, superior performance.
This printer provides direct thermal printing at user selectable speed of: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 ips.
It accepts roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold media with gap or black mark. All common bar codes formats are
available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in 4 directions, 8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and
built-in scalable font capability. You will enjoy trouble free, high throughput for printing labels with this
printer.
1.2 Compliances
CE Class B:
EN55022: 1998+A1: 2000+A2: 2003
EN55024: 1998+A1: 2001+A2: 2003 IEC 61000-4 Series
EN61000-3-2: 2006 & EN61000-3-3: 1995+A1: 2001
FCC Part 15, Class B
UL, CUL: UL60950-1
C-Tick: CFR 47, Part 15/CISPR 22 3rd Edition: 1997, Class B
ANSI C63.4: 2003
Canadian ICES-003
TÜ V/Safety: EN60950-1 / IEC 60950-1
CAUTION
1. HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS IN CUTTER MODULE. KEEP FINGER AND OTHER BODY
PARTS AWAY.
2. THE MAIN BOARD INCLUDES REAL TIME CLOCK FEATURE HAS LITHIUM BATTERY
CR2032 INSTALLED. RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN
INCORRECT TYPE.
3. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS.

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2. Operations Overview
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please
carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain
the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.
Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.
One printer unit
One Windows labeling software/Windows driver CD disk
One power cord
One auto switching power supply
One USB interface cable
One paper core
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased
reseller or distributor.

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2.2 Printer Overview
2.2.1 Front View
1. LCD display (Factory option)
2. LED indicator
3. Feed button
4. Paper exit chute
5. Media view window
6. Top cover open lever

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2.2.2 Interior View
1. Ribbon access cover
2. Ribbon rewind hub
3. Ribbon rewind gear
4. Print head
5. Ribbon supply hub
6. Gap sensor (receiver)
7. Media holders
8. Media guide
9. Top cover support
10. Black mark sensor
11. Platen roller
12. Gap sensor (transmitter)
13. Media guide adjuster knob
14. Top cover

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2.2.3 Rear View
1. Power switch
2. Power jack socket
3. USB interface
4. USB host (Factory option)
5. RS-232C interface / Ethernet interface (Option)
6. SD card socket
Note:
* The interface picture is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for the
interface availability.
* Recommended MicroSD card specification.
SD card spec
SD card capacity
Approved SD card manufacturer
V1.0, V1.1
MicroSD 128 MB
Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
MicroSD 256 MB
Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
MicroSD 512 MB
Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
MicroSD 1 GB
Transcend, Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6
MicroSD 4 GB
Transcend
- The DOS FAT file system is supported for the SD card.
- Folders/files stored in the SD card should be in the 8.3 filename format

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3. Setup
3.1 Setting Up the Printer
1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.
2. Make sure the power switch is set to “off”.
3. Connect the printer to the computer with the provided USB cable.
4. Plug the power cord into the AC power cord socket at the rear of the printer, and then plug the power
cord into a properly grounded power outlet.
Note: Please switch OFF printer power switch prior to plug in the power cord to printer power jack.
3.2 Loading the Media
3.2.1 Loading the media
1. Open the printer top cover by pulling the tabs located on each side towards the front of the printer, and
then lift the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. Separate the media holders to the label roll width.

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3. Place the roll between the holders and close them onto the core. Place the paper, printing side face up,
through the media guides, media sensor and place the label leading edge onto the platen roller.
4. Move the media guides to fit the label width by turning the media guide adjuster knob.
5. Hold the top cover and press the top cover support to disengage the top cover support with lower inner
cover. Gently close the top cover. Make sure the cover latches securely.

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6. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. (Start the
“Sensor” button)
Note:
* Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
3.2.2 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)
1. Refer to section 3.2.1 to load the media.
2. Open the top cover and peel-off panel after calibrated the sensor.
3. Lead the media through the backing paper opening, beneath the peel-off roller.
4. Push the peel-off panel back to the printer.

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5. Close the top cover gently.
6. Press the FEED button to test.
Note:
Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
3.2.3 Loading Media in Cutter Mode (Option)
1. Refer to section 3.2.1 to load the media.
2. Lead the media through the cutter paper opening.
3. Close the top cover gently.
4. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. (Start the
Sensor” button)

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Note:
* Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
* Regular cutter specification:
Full cut: Paper thickness: 0.06 ~ 0.19 mm, 200,000 cuts
Partial cut: Paper thickness: 0.06 ~ 0.12 mm, 500,000 cuts
* Except for the linerless cutter, all regular/heavy duty/care label cutters DO NOT cut on media with
glue.
3.2.4 Loading the Thick Media (Thickness is 0.19 mm)
1. Open the printer top cover by pulling the tabs located on each side towards the front of the printer, and
then lift the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. Remove the lower front cover.
3. Disengage the platen holder tabs from the lower inner cover by pulling out the right side and left side
tabs. Alter the both side tabs into the 90 degree position for thick label.
4. Reassemble the lower front cover in the reverse procedure.
5. Refer to section 3.2.1 to load the media.

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3.3 Loading the Ribbon
1. Open the printer’s top cover by pulling the top cover open levers located on each side of the printer and
lifting the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. Insert the ribbon right side onto the supply hub. Align the notches on the left side and mount onto the
spokes.
3. Open the ribbon access cover.
4. Insert the paper core right side onto the rewind hub. Align the notches on the left side and mount onto
the spokes.

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5. Pull the leading ribbon to pass the print head.
6. Stick the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind paper core.
7. Turn the ribbon rewind gear until the ribbon plastic leader is thoroughly wound and the black section of
the ribbon covers the print head. Close the ribbon access cover and the top cover.

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3.4 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Utility (Option)
The Diagnostic Utility is enclosed in the CD disk \Tools directory or can be downloaded from
www.altec.nl website. Users can use Diagnostic Tool to setup the Ethernet by USB and
Ethernet interfaces. The following contents will instruct users how to configure the Ethernet by
these interfaces.
3.4.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface
1. Connect the USB cable between the computer and the printer.
2. Turn on the printer power.
3. Start the Diagnostic Utility by double clicking on the icon.
Note: This utility works with printer firmware V6.00 and later versions.
4. The Diagnostic Utility default interface setting is USB interface. If USB interface is connected with
printer, no other settings need to be changed in the interface field.
5. Click on the “Ethernet Setup” button from “Printer Function” group in Printer Configuration tab to setup
the IP address, subnet mask and gateway for the on board Ethernet.
3.4.2 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface
1. Connect the computer and the printer to the LAN.
2. Turn on the printer power.
3. Start the Diagnostic Utility by double clicks on the icon.
Note: This utility works with printer firmware V6.00 and later versions.
4. Select “Ethernet” as the interface then click on the “Setup” button to setup the IP address, subnet mask
and gateway for the on board Ethernet.

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5. Click the “Discover Device” button to explore the printers that exist on the network.
6. Select the printer in the left side of listed printers, the correspondent IP address will be shown in the
right side “IP address/Printer Name” field.
7. Click “Change IP Address” to configure the IP address obtained by DHCP or static.
The default IP address is obtained by DHCP. To change the setting to static IP address,
click “Static IP” radio button then enter the IP address, subnet mask and gateway. Click “Set IP” to take
effect the settings.

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Users can also change the “Printer Name” by another model name in this fields then click
“Set Printer Name” to take effect this change.
Note: After clicking the “Set Printer Name” or “Set IP” button, printer will reset to
take effect the settings.
8. Click “Exit” button to exit the Ethernet interface setup and go back to Diagnostic Tool main screen.
Factory Default button
This function will reset the IP, subnet mask, gateway parameters obtained by DHCP and reset the
printer name.
Web setup button
Except to use the Diagnostic Utility to setup the printer, you can also explore and configure the printer
settings and status or update the firmware with the IE or Firefox web browser. This feature provides a
user friendly setup interface and the capability to manage the printer remotely over a network.

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4. LED and Button Functions
This printer has one button and one three-color LED indicator. By indicating the LED with different color
and pressing the button, printer can feed labels, pause the printing job, select and calibrate the media
sensor, print printer self-test report, reset printer to defaults (initialization). Please refer to the button
operation below for different functions.
4.1 LED Indicator
LED Color
Description
Green/ Solid
This illuminates that the power is on and the device is ready to use.
Green/ Flash
This illuminates that the system is downloading data from PC to
memory or the printer is paused.
Amber
This illuminates that the system is clearing data from printer.
Red / Solid
This illuminates printer head open, cutter error.
Red / Flash
This illuminates a printing error, such as head open, paper empty, paper
jam or memory error etc.
4.2 Regular Button Function
1. Feed labels
When the printer is ready, press the button to feed one label to the beginning of next label.
2. Pause the printing job
When the printer is printing, press the button to pause a printing job. When the printer is paused, the
LED will be green blinking. Press the button again to continue the printing job.
4.3 Power on Utilities
There are six power-on utilities to set up and test printer hardware. These utilities are activated by pressing
FEED button then turning on the printer power simultaneously and release the button at different color of
LED.
Please follow the steps below for different power-on utilities.
1. Turn off the power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3. Release the button when LED indicates with different color for different functions.

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4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration
Gap/black mark sensor sensitivity should be calibrated at the following conditions:
1. A brand new printer
2. Change label stock.
3. Printer initialization.
Please follow the steps below to calibrate the gap/black mark sensor.
1. Turn off the power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3 Release the button when LED becomes red and blinking. (Any red will do during the 5 blinks).
It will calibrate the gap/black mark sensor sensitivity.
The LED color will be changed as following order：
Amber red (5 blinks) amber (5 blinks) green (5 blinks) green/amber (5 blinks) red/amber
(5 blinks) solid green
Note:
1. Sensor calibration can be done by Diagnostic Tool or by power on utility. Please refer to “3.3
Diagnostic Tool” Section for more information.
2. Please select gap or black mark sensor type prior to calibrate the sensor.

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4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode
While calibrate the gap/black mark sensor, printer will measure the label length, print the
internal configuration (self-test) on label and then enter the dump mode. To calibrate gap or
black mark sensor, depends on the sensor setting in the last print job.
Please follow the steps below to calibrate the sensor.
1. Turn off the power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3. Release the button when LED becomes amber and blinking. (Any amber will do during the 5 blinks)
The LED color will be changed as following order.
Amber red (5 blinks) amber (5 blinks) green (5 blinks) green/amber (5 blinks) 
red/amber (5 blinks) solid green
4. It calibrates the sensor and measures the label length and prints internal settings then
enter the dump mode.
Note:
1. Sensor calibration can be done by Diagnostic Tool or by power on utility.
2. Please select gap or black mark sensor type prior to calibrate the sensor.