Argox X2000 User manual

Checking Your Box
Receiving the box of your printer,you are advised to
check first for the possible shipping damage. There are two ways you
can do it:
1. Inspect the outer appearances of both the box and the printer for
Printer
Power Cord
User's
Manual
CD ROM Ribbon
possible damage.
2. Raise the top cover of the printer to see if the media compartments
are in order.
If damages did occur, immediately file the claim to the shipping
company for settlement.
Having performed the primary inspections, next step,
please check whether you have received the following accessories
together with the printer. If there is any item missing, contact your local
dealer to get it.
1 2

Power Supply
Setting up the Printer
Before setting up the printer you should first consider the following:
♦
♦
♦
Find a solid flat surface with adequate room for the printer. Make
sure there is enough room on the top side for the media and ribbon
access.
The location should be near the host or terminal. Consider the
distance between host and printer for the communication cable
(serial or parallel cable)
Clear the ground and isolate from other electrical cables for the
power adapter.
Connecting the Power Cord
1. Leave the power switch at the ”O” position.
2. Connect the power supply plug to the power jack and the other
end to your AC source.
4
AC Electrical Outlet
Power Jack
AC Power Connector
Power Switch
3

Parts and Features
LCD Display
Top Access Door
Front Access Doo
r
6
Head Latch
Paper Sensor
Guide
Platen Roller
Thermal Print Head
Thermal Print Head
Bracket
Feed Slot
Ribbon Supply Spindle
Media Supply Spindle
Ribbon Pick-up Spindle
5

Loading the Ribbon
Reminder
Notes:
Peeler
Sensor
1. This section is applicable to the transfer thermal printing.
2. Attached ribbon is coating inside.
1. Lift the top access door and the front access door to expose the
compartment. ( Figure 1 )
2. Push the head latch by anti-clockwise, and then fold the bracket.
( Figure 2 )
3. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll and the bare
core.
4. Insert the ribbon roll into the ribbon supply spindle. ( Figure 3 )
5. Lead the bare core through the print head module. ( Figure 4 )
Peel Off Mode
6. Attach the edge of the ribbon on the bare core and wind it a little bit
onto the core.
Note:
The dull side of the ribbon should be faced down.
7. Insert the bare core into the ribbon pick-up spindle. ( Figure 5 )
8. Turn the pick-up spindle to ensure the ribbon is tightly wound.
Cutter Mode
Cutte
r
8
Top Cover
Front Access
1
Door
7

Bracket
Head
Latch
2
Ribbon Supply
Spindle
3
10
Bare Core
Print Head Module
Ribbon Pick-up
Spindle
4
5
9

Loading the Media
X 2000 Zip printers can be operated in three different options: standard,
peel-off, or with a cutter.
 Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
 In peel-off mode, the backing material is being peeled away from
the label as it is printed. After the former label is removed, the next
one will be printed.
 In cutter mode, the printer automatically cuts the label after it is
printed.
Standard Mode
1. Insert the media roll into the media supply spindle and move the
media guide to the inside. ( Figure 6 )
2. Push the head latch by anti-clockwise, and then fold the bracket.
3. Remove the outside media guide. ( Figure 7 )
1.Lead the Media through the print head module and under the paper
sensor guide. ( Figure 8 )
5. Put back the outside media guide, close the bracket, and buckle the
head latch. ( Figure 9 )
6. Close the top access door and the front access door and then turn
on the printer or press the “FEED” button if the printer is already on
( Figure 10 )
12
7
Bracket
Outside Media
Guide
Head Latch
6
Media Guide
Media Supply
Spindle
11

Print Head
Module
Paper Sensor
Guide
8
9 Head Latch
Bracket
Outside Media Guide
13 14

Peel Off Mode
Follow the common procedure of “ Loading the Media “ of Standard
Mode from step 1 to 3.
1
Backing Paper
Print Head
M
dl
12
4. Remove approximately 6” long labels from the label
backing paper. ( Figure 11 )
5. Lead the backing paper through the print head module. ( Figure 12 )
6. Turn back under the print head module. ( Figure 13 )
7. Clip the media between the iron stick and the rewinder kit. ( Figure 14 )
8. Turn the rewinder kit twice to ensure the media is firmly fixed. ( Figure
15 )
9. Close the side access door and turn on the printer or press the FEED
button if the printer is already on. ( Figure 16 )
Notes:
1. The “ FEED “ button will not drive the printer to peel. The peeling work
can be executed only when (1 ) the software setting is ready; (2) Bit 5
of DIP switch at real panel must be set to ON position for X-2000 Zip.
2. Please sure the peeler sensor is out of ribbon path when it’s installed.
16
15

Rewinder Kit
16
15
13
Print Head Module
14
Rewinder Kit Iron Stick
17 18

Cutter Mode
20
Follow the common procedure of “ Loading the Media “ of Standard
Mode from step 1 to 3.
Head
Latch
4. Insert the media into the print head module and under the paper
sensor guide. ( Figure 17 )
5. Put back the outside media guide, close the bracket, and buckle the
head latch. ( Figure 18 )
6. Close the top access door and turn on the printer or press the FEED
button if the printer is already on, and then the label will be fed into the
cutter mode automatically. ( Figure 19 )
Note:
The “ FEED “ button will not drive the printer to cut. The cutting work can
be executed only when (1) the software setting is ready; (2) Bit 3 of DIP
switch at rear panel must be set to the ON position for X-2000 Zip.
17
Paper Sensor Guide
Print Head Module
18
Outside Media
Guide
19
Bracket
Cutter
19

Operator Controls LED Indicators
Front Panel There are three LED indicators on the front panel, “READY”, “MEDIA” and
“RIBBON”. These indicators display the operation status of the printer.
The front panel includes
✸READY The READY indicator will remain lighted except if any of the
following conditions prevail.
- The printer is at PAUSE state.
- A fault condition
✸MEDIA
The MEDIA indicator will remain on for the normal
operation of the printer.
Blinking – Media run out
✸RIBBON
ONIII– under thermal transfer mode with ribbon installed.
OFF – under direct thermal mode. ( no ribbon installed )
Set by Windows driver or command.
Blinking – Ribbon run out
- 3 LED indicators (READY, MEDIA and RIBBON)
- 3 buttons (FEED, PAUSE and CANCEL)
- A LCD display
21 22

Buttons LCD Display
Basic Functions :
There are three buttons, each having two basic functions.
Button Under normal condition Pressed the button and
turn on the power
simultaneously
FEED Feeds a label. Performs a self test and a
configuration report will
be printed.
PAUSE ■Stops the printing process.
■Resume the printing after
press it again.
Perform the media
calibration.
CANCEL ■Interrupts and deletes the
printing task.
■Forces the printer to
continue working after an
error had been solved.
Resets the settings at
E2PROM.
- to display the printer status
- to display the printer settings
- to display the input data from a keyboard or barcode
reader.
READY (203,PPLB)
 After power on the following
message is displayed on the
LCD.
The first parameter is either 203 or 300. It stands for the printer
resolution. The second parameter indicates the emulation (printer
language), PPLA or PPLB.
READY (203,PPLB)
<ESC> FOR KEYBD
 If a keyboard is plugged in,
extra message will be shown
at the second row.
Notes:
1. We suggest you make “ media calibration “.
READY (203,PPLB)
WITH B.C. READER
 If a barcode reader is
connected and bits 6 ~ 8 are
all at ON positions, extra
message will be shown at
the second row.
- after the first time installation
- after change different type or size of media
2. After calibration the printer will save the related parameters
(reflection characteristics, label length, etc.) to E2PROM. Without
correct calibration the gap detection is easily lost during printing
especially for small labels (less than 1.5 inches in height).
RIBBON OUT
 If any abnormal condition
occurs the related message
will be displayed. For
example,
3. Before calibration, the media and ribbon must be loaded properly
and move the label sensor to correct position.
4. After self-test, the printer is at dump mode, If you need normal
operation, you must press CANCEL to restart the printer.
24
23

Setting from Panel Selection Items
Item Range Factory Default Remarks
CUT/PEEL POS
(mm)
-15 ~ 15 mm 0 mm Controls cut and peeling
position.
PRINT OFFSET
(mm)
-8 ~ 15 mm 0 mm Controls vertical print
position. Positive value
only.
TPH VER OFFS
(mm)
-3~3 mm 0 mm Offset of vertical print
position
RECOVERY
PRINT
ENABLED,
DISABLED
ENABLED Contents reprint after
media-out or ribbon-out
GAP HEIGHT MORE THAN 10
mm,
5 ~ 7 mm,
8 ~ 9 mm.
MORE THAN 10
mm
This item appears only
when DIP switch bit 4 is at
ON position.
CUTTER
ROTATION
NORMAL (~4”),
MORE (<3”),
MORE (<2”)
NORMAL (~4”) This item appears only
when DIP switch bit 3 is at
ON position. 2”, 3” and 4”
(inches) stand for the
label width. Setting
proper width can avoid
jam.
CUTTER TYPE TYPE I,
TYPE II
TYPE I This item appears only
when DIP switch bit 3 is at
ON position.
WIN CON LEN
(mm)
0 ~ 254 mm 0 mm This takes effect only
when you run under
Windows with bundled
printer driver and use
continuous media.
You can change some settings from proper panel operation instead of
sending commands.
Buttons Function
PAUSE + CANCEL
(Don’t press over 1
second)
Enters setting mode.
A second press will exit setting mode and return to
normal mode.
FEED Pressing this button will show next parameter.
PAUSE Pressing this button will show next setting item.
CANCEL Selects certain parameter and causes the
parameter to be saved in the permanent memory
(E2PROM).
Except you change it from either panel or
command the parameter will be kept even you
restart the printer.
Procedure
Turn on the printer.
1. Till “ READY” message is displayed on the LCD, press
[PAUSE]+[CANCEL] buttons simultaneously.
2. Press [PAUSE] button for several times to select the proper item that
you want to change the parameter.
3. Press [FEED] button till the specified parameter appears.
4. Press [CANCEL] button to save it. A “*” mark will appear at the last
column.
5. Press both [PAUSE] and [CANCEL] buttons at the same time, to
return to normal mode.
Note:
Do not make this operation during printing or communication.
25 26

BASE SPEED
(IPS)
0 ~ 4 IPS 0 IPS This is for the PPLB
emulation only. When
you choose TLP2642/
3642 driver the speed is
limited under 2 ips. This
makes printer to up
g
rade
the speed.
COUNTER ON
LCD
ENABLED,
DISABLED
ENABLED
MEDIA SENS.
TYPE
REFLECTIVE
SEE-THROUGH
REFLECTIVE Select the proper type by
the media
characteristics. Once you
change it make sure to
make calibration before
printing.
CUTTER
SIGNAL
CHECKED,
IGNORED
CHECKED This item appears only
when DIP switch bit 3 is at
ON position.
For general media, set it
to “CHECKED” except for
thick media.
BACK FEED DISABLED,
ENABLED
DISABLED
BACK
DISTANCE
10~40 mm 0 mm This item appears only
when BACKFEED is
enabled.
3. Before selecting the see-through sensor make sure the main board
version is 5.0 or later, otherwise it can not work.
Setting Display Language
The printer supports six languages, English, French, German, Italian,
Spanish and Portuguese for LCD display.
To select the language
1. Press PAUSE and CANCEL buttons at the same time.
2. Hold both buttons for about 3 seconds.
3. Release buttons.
4. The language item will appear.
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH *
5. Press FEED button for next language.
6. Press CANCEL button to select or set the language for your
need.
Pressing PAUSE or PAUSE+CANCEL buttons exits setting and enters
normal mode.
Item Range Factory Default
LANGUAGE ENGLISH, FRENCH,
GERMAN, ITALIAN,
SPANISH, PORTUGUESE.
ENGLISH
Notes:
1. To make sure the settings take effect you had better restart the
printer after changing them.
2. When you store graphics with compression in flash board, do not
use them under non-compression mode. They must be consistent.
27 28

Rear Panel
Performing Calibration
The rear panel includes
After the media and label are loaded, it is necessary to do the
calibration for the label sensor.
- An 8-bit DIP switch
- A 36-pin parallel port
1. Press and hold the PAUSE button.
- A 9-pin RS-232 serial port
2. Turn on the power.
- A PS/2 keyboard connector
3. When the message “CALIBRATION …” is displayed on the LCD, both
READY and MEDIA indicators will blink, at this point release the
button.
- A power switch and power connector
4. The printer will feed the labels for 12 inches.
DIP Switch
Centronics 5. Finally the “READY” message is displayed, the READY and MEDIA
indicators stop blinking and remain illuminated.
PS/2 KB I/F
RS-232
Serial Port
Note:
This procedure is very important and must always be carried out after
installation and every time the media type is changed. Failure to do so
will result in the gap and label-empty detection being incorrect.
Power Switch
Power Connecto
r
30
29

Printing Configuration Report Resetting the Printer to Factory
Default Settings
Performing the Self Test
If you would like to reset the printer to its factory defaults after certain
commands have been sent or settings changed:
1. Turn off the printer. Press and hold the FEED button.
2. Turn on the power.
1. Turn off the printer. Press and hold the CANCEL button.
3. When the message “SELF TESTING …” is displayed on the LCD and
READY indicator blinks, release the button. 2. Turn on the power.
3. When the message “ E2PROM RESET …” is displayed on the LCD and
READY indicator blinks, release the button.
4. The printer will print out a configuration report.
5. Finally the “READY” message is displayed and the READY indicator
stops blinking and lights up. 4. Finally the “READY” message is displayed and the READY indicator
stops blinking and lights up.
6. The following information will be printed on this report.
5. The following parameters automatically reset.
- Font list
- Label parameters
- DIP switch settings
- Heat(Darkness)
- Hardware configuration and status
- Speed
- Label parameters
- Symbol set (language)
- Firmware version
- Others for specific emulation
Note:
After self test the printer will enter character dump mode. For normal
operation press the CANCEL button to stop dump mode.
Notes :
1. All settings stored in non-volatile E2PROM cannot be destroyed even
by turning the printer off.
2. The settings of DIP switch can not be reset.
3. It is necessary to perform label sensitivity calibration after resetting.
4. The printed label count can not be reset.
31 32

Hooking up the Printer & Computer Communicate with the Printer
Connecting the Printer to Your Host Communicate with the Printer
1. You can connect the printer with any standard Centronics cable to
the parallel port of the host computer.
The bundled printer driver can be applied to all the applications under
Windows 2000/98/95, and Windows NT. Through this driver you may run
any popular software applications e.g. MS-Word and print out the
contents by this label printer as long as they are for Windows. 2. Alternatively you can connect the printer with a serial cable to the
RS232C port of your computer or terminal. (for PC compatibles, the
RS232C port is COM1, COM2 or COM3.)
Before installation
1. Check the contents of the driver to ensure it is complete.Note :
2. Make a backup copy of this driver.Using Centronics allows for a much higher communication speed than
the use of a serial. 3. Read the README.TXT file for installation guide and change notices.
Centronics
PC
PC
RS232 Serial
Por
t
34
33

Installing Driver Notes:
1. If you are just updating your driver, make sure to delete the previous
version first.
Note: Before installation, please make sure your “user’s right” is up tothe
level of ‘Administrator'. 2. If you install a new bar code application software like ArgoBar,
LabelLView or CodeSoft, the Label driver should be activated and
set as the current printer driver:
1. Click the “Start” button.
2. Select “Setting”, then select “Printers” and double click the “Add
Printer” icon. Click “Next”. ArgoBar
File New Select Printer Label Dr. on LPT1: OK
3. click the “Network” or “Local” button and click the “Next” button.
4. Click “Have Disk”, click the pull-down menu to select CD ROM
driver path. LabelView
File
 Select Printer  Label Dr. on LPT1:  OK
5. click “Browse” button.
6. Select the proper directory for installation:
CodeSoft
-WIN95
-WIN98 File
 Printer  Windows  Label Dr. on LPT1:  OK
-WIN2000
LabelMatrix
-NT4.0
. file
 Printer Setup  Label Dr. on LPT1:  OK
.
.
7. The driver name “Label Dr. 200” will appear in the “List of Printers”,
click “Next”.
8. Select “Replace Existing Driver”.
9. Select the communication port for the label printer. For parallel
port, select “LPT1:”, “LPT2:” or “LPT3:”, for serial port select “COM1:”
or “COM2:”.
10. After the related files have been copied to your system, the
installation is complete.
11. If you need to print from the label printer, set “Label Dr. 200” as the
Default Printer.
35 36

Set the Parameters For Win 98
After installing the driver, you can follow the path below to set
parameters:
 Ports
Properties menu
click “Details”
Start Settings Printers Label Dr. Properties
select the IO port
The parameters include:
click “OK”
Ports Select the IO port to link with the printer. The port may be one of
parallel (LPT), serial (COM), net work port or file.
Paper size Select the proper size on the menu. If there is no desired
size, select “Custom” (only in Win98/95/Me) to define the paper size.
Create a new size Define paper size in Win 2000/NT4.0.
Orientation Set portrait or landscape according to the print
direction.
Paper source (Media type) T/T stands for thermal transfer
(ribbon) mode and D/T for direct thermal mode (without ribbon).  Paper size
 Orientation
Media choice (Darkness) Set the heat value or darkness from
this field. The darkness value ranges from 0 to 15.
 Paper source
(Media type)
 Media choice
Copies This function designates the number of printed copies of each
page. (Darkness)
 Copies
Properties menu
More option (Accessory setting) To use the cutter and peeler
function you still need to enter More Options and select one of the items.
(Set DIP Switch also).
click "Paper"
click each item to
select desired
parameter
Device options (Speed) Set the printer speed. Fro the X-2000 Zip
ranges from 2 to 6 IPS. click "OK".
37 38

40
 Output bin  Create User-Define
Paper(Accessory setting)
Properties menu Properties menu
click "Paper" click "Paper"
click "more option" select "Custom"
select Enable/without User-Define size
cutter, peeler set up a new size
click "OK" click "OK"
 Print quality
(Speed)
Properties menu
click "Device Options"
select parameters
click "OK"
39