Argox P4 Series User manual

P4 Printer
User Manual
P4-250 / P4-350 / P4-650
http://www.argox.com
[e-mail]
Version: 1.8

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User Manual
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FCC ID
In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in
which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
FCC Warning
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this manual, it
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
FCC Statement for Optional RF module
This device complies with RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment.
The antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a
separation distance of at least 20 cm from all people and must not be
collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.
Bluetooh/Wireless LAN Communication
Compliance Statement
This product has been certified for compliance with the relevant radio
interference regulations of your country or region. To make sure continued
compliance, do not:

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∙Disassemble or modify this product.
∙Remove the certificate label (serial number seal) affixed to this product.
Use of this product near microwave and/or other Wireless LAN equipment,
or where static electricity or radio interference is present, may shorten the
communication distance, or even disable communication.
WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
(for USA only)

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Liability Disclaimer
ARGOX Corporation takes steps to assure that the company’s published
engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do
occur. ARGOX reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims any
resulting liability. In no event shall ARGOX or anyone else involved in the
creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including
hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,
without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
out of the use of or the results of use of or inability to use such product,
even if ARGOX has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.

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User Manual
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Contents
1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1
1.1 Features.......................................................................................................1
1.2 Unpacking....................................................................................................2
1.3 Understand your printer .............................................................................4
1.3.1 Perspective view ............................................................................4
1.3.2 Back view .......................................................................................5
1.3.3 Interior view I.................................................................................6
1.3.4 Interior view II................................................................................7
1.4 Printer lights................................................................................................8
1.4.1 Status lights....................................................................................8
1.4.2 System mode................................................................................10
2 Get started ...........................................................................................................11
2.1 Attach the power cord ..............................................................................11
2.2 Turn on/off your printer............................................................................12
2.2.1 Turn on your printer.....................................................................12
2.2.2 Turn off your printer ....................................................................13
2.3 Load media................................................................................................14
2.3.1 Prepare media..............................................................................14
2.3.2 Place a media roll.........................................................................15
2.3.3 Test media feed............................................................................19
2.4 Media types...............................................................................................20
2.5 Paper Support Roller.................................................................................22
2.6 Placing Ribbon Roll....................................................................................23
2.7 Media sensing ...........................................................................................27
2.7.1 Transmissive sensor .....................................................................27
2.7.2 Reflective sensor..........................................................................28
3 Printer operation..................................................................................................29
3.1 Printing Media Calibration & Configuration .............................................29
3.2 Self test......................................................................................................30
3.3 Restore your printer..................................................................................36
3.4 Communications .......................................................................................37
3.4.1 Interfaces and Requirements.......................................................37
3.5 Driver installation......................................................................................38
3.5.1 Installing a Plug and Play printer driver (for USB only)................39
3.5.2 Installing a Printer Driver (for other interfaces except USB)........44

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4 Maintenance........................................................................................................50
4.1 Cleaning.....................................................................................................50
4.1.1 Printhead......................................................................................50
4.1.2 Media housing .............................................................................51
4.1.3 Sensor...........................................................................................52
4.1.4 Platen roller..................................................................................53
5 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................54
5.1 Printer issues.............................................................................................54
5.2 Media issues..............................................................................................54
5.3 Ribbon Problems.......................................................................................56
5.4 Other issues...............................................................................................57
6 Specifications .......................................................................................................58
6.1 Printer........................................................................................................58
6.2 Media ........................................................................................................59
6.3 Fonts, Barcodes, and Graphics Specification ............................................60
6.4 Bluetooth...................................................................................................63
6.5 Ethernet ....................................................................................................64
6.6 Wireless LAN (Option)...............................................................................64
6.7 Electrical and operating environment.......................................................66
6.8 Physical dimension....................................................................................66
6.9 Interfaces...................................................................................................67
6.9.1 USB...............................................................................................67
6.9.2 Ethernet .......................................................................................68
6.9.3 RS-232C ........................................................................................69

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1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a ARGOX P4 printer. This manual provides
information about how to set up and operate your printer, load the media
and solve common problems.
1.1 Features
￭Various Connectivity Options USB, Ethernet, RS-232
￭Easy Operation One-button design for easy control
￭Fast Print Speed Max 6 inches/sec for the P4 model
￭Wireless LAN Connection Build a Wireless LAN printing environment
with Bluetooth
￭External Memory The extra USB port allows you to use a USB flash
drive for storage

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1.2 Unpacking
Make sure all of the following items are included in your package.
ARGOX P4 Printer
Quick Installation Guide
DVD
Power Supply
AC Power Cord
USB Cable
Ribbon Core (1 inch)
Ribbon Core (0.5 inch)
Platen Support Roller

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When you receive the printer, open the package immediately and inspect for
shipping damage. If you discover any damage, contact the shipping company
and file a claim. ARGOX is not responsible for any damage incurred during
shipping. Save all package materials for the shipping company to inspect.
Note If any item is missing, please contact your local dealer.

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1.3 Understand your printer
1.3.1 Perspective view
LED2
LED1
Feed Button

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1.3.2 Back view
Caution The areas indicated by the ellipse have sharp edges. To avoid
injury, be careful not to touch them when handling the printer.
Caution To avoid injury, be careful not to trap your fingers in the Paper
Slot while opening or closing the Top Cover.
RS232
LAN
USB A
USB B
Power Jack
Power Switch

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1.3.3 Interior view I
Media Roll
Holders
Ribbon
Supply Wheel
Take-Up Wheel
Module
Release Latch

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1.3.4 Interior view II
Warning The printhead becomes very hot during printing. Do not touch
the printhead or touch around it directly after printing. By doing so you
may get burnt.
Reflective Sensor
Lock Button
Media Shaft
Printhead
Transmissive
Sensor
Media Guides
Platen Roller

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1.4 Printer lights
There are two LED lights that show the status of your printer.
1.4.1 Status lights
Status lights help you check printer’s condition. The following tables show
the blinking speed of status lights and the conditions they indicate.
LED image
Blinking Speed
Blinking Interval
lighting
Always on
Slow
0.8 Seconds
Fast
0.2 Second
LED image
Blinking Pattern description
Alternate blinking.
Blinking at the same time.
Blinking
pattern
LED 2
LED 1
Description
Green
Green
The printer is ready to print.

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Green
Green
In pause.
Green
Green
The printer is transmitting data.
Green
Green
TPH high temperature.
Green
Green
The printer is writing data to the flash or USB memory.
The USB memory is being initialized.
Amber
Amber
Paper jam.
The media is out when the print data sent to the printer.
Paper end.
Amber
Amber
Ribbon end or ribbon error. (for thermal transfer models)
Red
Red
H/W Error
The printhead is broken.
Communication error (RS-232C).
Cutter error (with optional cutter).
The RTC battery is low. (If the printer has a
built-in RTC)
Red
Red
Command
error
An EEPROM for backup cannot be read or
written properly.
A command has been fetched from an odd
address.
Word data has been accessed from a place
other than the boundary of the word data.
Long word data has been accessed from a
place other than the boundary of the long
word data.
Command error.
Red
Red
Top Cover
open
The print module is opened when the printer is
turned on.
Cover (Thermal Head) open error during
printing.

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Red
Red
USB r/w
error
Flash ROM on the CPU board error or USB
memory error.
An erase error has occurred when formatting
the USB memory.
Unable to save files due to insufficient USB
memory.
1.4.2 System mode
The system mode consists of status light color combinations. It contains a
list of commands for you to select and run.
To enter the system mode and run the command, do the following:
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the FEED button, and turn on the printer.
3. Both status lights glow solid amber for a few seconds. Next, they turn to
green shortly, and then turn to other colors.
4. When status lights show the color combination you need, release the
FEED button immediately.
5. Press the FEED button to run the command.
The following table is the command list of the system mode.
LED 2
LED 1
Command
Red
Green
Transmissive Sensor Calibration (Section 3.1)
Amber
Green
Reflective Sensor Calibration (Section 3.1)
Red
Red
Resetting Your Printer (Section 3.3)
Amber
Red
Reserved
Green
Red
Disable Checking RTC Battery Charge
Red
Amber
Reserved
Green
Amber
Self Test Mode (Section 3.2)

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2Get started
This chapter describes how to set up your printer.
Caution Do not use your printer in areas exposed to splashing water or
any other liquid.
Caution Do not drop your printer, or place it in an area subject to
humidity, vibration or shock.
2.1 Attach the power cord
1. Make sure the power switch is set to the OFF position.
2. Insert the power supply’s connector into the printer power jack.
3. Insert the AC power cord into the power supply.
4. Plug the other end of the AC power cord into the wall socket.
Important Use only power supplies listed in the user instructions.
Warning Do not plug the AC power cord with wet hands, or operate the
printer and the power supply in an area where they may get wet. Serious
injury may result from these actions!

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2.2 Turn on/off your printer
When your printer is connected to a host (a computer), it is good to turn on
the printer before turning on the host, and turn off the host before turning
off the printer.
2.2.1 Turn on your printer
1. To turn on your printer, turn on the Power Switch as below. The “I”is the
ON position.
2. Both status lights glow solid amber for a few seconds, and then LED 2
goes out, while LED 1 turns to solid green.
Note If you connect the printer to the internet or insert a USB drive
before turning on the printer, it will take longer for the printer to enter
the online mode (LED 1 glows solid green) after you turn it on.

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2.2.2 Turn off your printer
1. Make sure LED 2 is off and LED 1 is solid green before turning off the
printer.
2. To turn off your printer, turn off the Power Switch as below. The “O”is
the OFF position.
Caution Do not turn off your printer during data transmission.

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2.3 Load media
There are various types and sizes for the media roll. Load the applicable media
to satisfy your need.
2.3.1 Prepare media
The inside wound and outside wound media roll can be loaded into the printer
the same way. In case the media roll is dirty during shipping, handling or storage,
remove the outside length of the media. It helps avoid dragging adhesive and
dirty media between the printhead and platen roller.
Inside Wound
Outside Wound