Argox Xellent X-1000VL User manual

1
Website: http://www.satoamerica.com
X-1000VL
X-2000V / X-2000V Zip
X-2300E / X-2300ZE
X-3200 / X-3200Z
X-3200E / X-3200ZE
Xellent Series Industrial Barcode Printer
User’s Manual
9001284 (A) – ENG
2
For Support
For any issues or questions, contact SATO America, Inc. using the contact
information shown here.
Limitation of liability
SATO Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in Japan, the United States, and other
countries make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding this
material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose. SATO Corporation shall not be held responsible
for errors contained herein or any omissions from this material or for any
damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential, in connection with
the furnishing, distribution, performance or use of this material.
SATO Corporation reserves the right to make changes and/or improvements in
this product and document without notice at any time.
SATO America, Inc.
10350A Nations Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28273
Main Phone: [phone]
Technical Support: [phone]
Technical Support Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
www.satoamerica.com
© Copyright 2013 SATO America, Inc.
All rights reserved.

3
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started 6
Unpacking 6
Connecting the Power Cord 9
Internal Parts and Features 11
Loading Ribbon 14
Switching Ribbon Wound Ink-side in or Ink-side out 18
Loading Media 20
Standard Mode Loading Me7dia 21
Peel Off Mode Loading Media 25
Cutter Mode Loading Media 29
Adjust Position of Label Sensor 32
2. Printer Operation 33
Front Panel 33
LED Indicators 34
Buttons 35
LCD Display 36
Setting Display Language 38
Changing Settings from the Panel 39
Media Calibration 47
Printing a Configuration Report 48
Resetting to Factory Default Settings 52
3. Computer Connections 53
USB Interface Requirements 53
Centronics Parallel Port 53
Serial (RS-232) Port 54
Ethernet 10/100 Internal Printer Server Option 55
Ethernet Module Status Indicators 55
Communicating with the Printer 57
4
Installing a Plug and Play printer driver (for USB only) 57
Installing a Printer Driver (for other interfaces except USB)
63
4. Troubleshooting 70
LED and LCD Diagnosis 70
Media Problems 70
Ribbon Problems 71
Other Problems 71
Printer Status 72
Transmission Problems 73
Recovery 73
Printer Maintenance 74
Cleaning the Print Head 75
Cleaning Interval 75
Cleaning Material 75
Cleaning Direction 76
Cleaning the Roller 76
Cleaning the Media Compartment 76
5. Advanced Installation andAdjustment 78
Print Head Pressure 78
Print Head Print Line Position 81
Ribbon Tension Adjustment 84
Printing Wrinkle 86
Rotary Cutter and Guillotine Cutter Installation 89
Rotary Cutter and Guillotine Cutter Settings 92
Rotary Cutter with Paper Jam 95
Guillotine Cutter with Paper Jam 96
Dispenser Installation 97
RTC Battery Replacement 100
Stand-alone with Keyboard 101
Form Control Functions 102

5
Example: Making a Keyboard Form 103
Stand-alone with Barcode Reader 107
Example: Making a Barcode Reader Form 108
6. Technical Reference 111
General Specifications 111
Printer Programming LanguageA, PPLA 115
Printer Programming Language B, PPLB 116
Printer Programming Language Z, PPLZ 118
Interface Specifications 120
USB 120
PS/2 120
Serial Interface 121
Connection with Host: 122
Parallel (Centronics) 124
Ethernet Interface 125
Auto Polling 125
ASCII TABLE 126
6
1. Getting Started
Congratulations on choosing the Argox Xellent Series (X-Series)
industrial barcode printer. This user’s manual describing the
Xellent Series printer models, will help you get to know your new
printer. The manual includes a guide to operate the printer as well
as related information on troubleshooting, maintenance, and
technical reference. Illustrations are provided to help you quickly
become familiar with the printer.
Proprietary Statement
This manual contains proprietary information of Argox Information
Co., Ltd. It is intended solely for the information and use of parties
operating and maintaining the equipment described herein. Such
proprietary information may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed
to any other parties for any other purpose without the expressed
written permission of Argox Information Co., Ltd.
CAUTION:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Unpacking
After receiving your printer, please check for possible shipping
damage:
1. Inspect the outside of both the box and the printer for

7
possible damage.
2. Open the top cover of the printer to see if the media
compartments are in order.
Note: If damage has occurred, contact your shipping company
immediately to file a claim.
3. Check whether you have received the following
accessories together with the printer. If there are any
items missing, please contact your local dealer.
8
Package Contents
Printer Power Cord
Quick Guide Core for Ribbon
CD Rom (including
software and user’s
manuals)
USB Cable
1” ID Core for
Ribbon
Power Cord
Printer
CD ROM
Quick
Guide
USB Cable

9
Connecting the Power Cord
Before setting up and connecting the printer you should consider
the following.
WARNING! Do not operate the printer in an area where it might
get wet.
Find a solid flat surface with adequate room for the printer
and enough space above for media and ribbon access.
Place the printer within cable distance of the host and
printer (serial or parallel cable.)
Isolate the power cord from other electrical cables.
10
Connect the power cord as below.

11
Feed
Slot
Internal Parts and Features
Ribbon Pick-up Spindle Ribbon Su
pp
l
y
S
p
indle
Media Supply Spindle
Bracket
Thermal Print Head
12
Standard Mode
Head
Latch
Paper Sensor Guide
Paper Roller
Thermal Print Head

13
Peel Off Mode
Cutter Mode
14
Loading Ribbon
Note: Thermal Transfer printing requires media to print with
appropriate ribbon. This section can be referred to, for X-Series
to use transfer thermal printing. The sample steps below are
based on ribbon wound ink-side in as an example.(X series
printers use ribbon wound ink-side in as default. To change
setting to ribbon would ink-side out, refer to Section - Switching
Ribbon Wound Ink-side out or Ink-side in)
1. Lift the top cover and front access door to expose the
media compartment. (Figure 1)
2. Turn the head latch counter-clockwise and open the
bracket. (Figure 2)
1

15
3. Unwrap the ribbon and separate the ribbon roll from the
bare core. Insert the ribbon roll onto the ribbon supply
spindle. (Figure 3)
Bracket
2
Head
Latch
3
Ribbon Supply
Spindle
16
4. Lead the ribbon through the print head module. (Figure 4)
5. Attach the edge of the ribbon onto the bare core and wind
it a bit onto the core. Make sure the coating side of the
ribbon is face down.
Bare Core
Print
Head
Module
4

17
6. Insert the core onto the ribbon pick-up spindle. (Figure 5)
7. Turn the pick-up spindle to ensure the ribbon is tightly
wound.
Ribbon
Pick-up
Spindle
5
Ribbon
Pick-up
Spindle
18
Switching Ribbon Wound Ink-side in or Ink-side out
The printer is produced to suit flexible applications, no matter with
ribbon wound ink-side in (manufacturing default), or with ribbon
wound ink-side out. The steps to switch for ribbon wound ink-side
out are listed as follows:
1. Pull and move the SHAFT RIBBON ADJ to “Outside”:

19
2. After the adjustment above, ribbon wound ink-side out can be
used. Then install the ribbon:
3. If ribbon wound ink-side in is in use, pull and move the
SHAFT RIBBON ADJ to “Inside”. Then install the ribbon:
20
Loading Media
The X-Series printers offer three different loading modes:
standard, peel-off, or with a cutter.
Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
Peel-off mode peels backing material away from the label
as it prints. After the label is removed, the next label prints.
Cutter mode automatically cuts the label after it prints.
Note:

21
Standard Mode Loading Media
1. Insert the media roll into the media supply spindle and
move the media guide to the inside. (Figure 1)
1 Media
Guide
Media Supply
Spindle
22
2. Turn the head latch counter-clockwise and open the
bracket. Remove the outside media guide. (Figure 2)
3. Lead the media through the print head module and under
the paper sensor guide. (Figure 3)
Head
Latch
Bracket
Outside
Media
Guide
2

23
4. Return the outside media guide, close the bracket, and
hook the head latch. (Figure 4)
4 Head
Latch
Outside Media Guide
Bracket
3
Print Head
Module
Paper Sensor
Guide Paper Sensor
Position Lever
24
5. Close the top cover and the front access door and turn
on the printer, or press the “FEED” button if the printer is
already on. (Figure 5)
5

25
Peel Off Mode Loading Media
Follow steps 1 to 3 in “Standard Mode Loading Media” above.
1. From the leading end of the media roll remove enough
labels to expose 6-inches of backing paper. (Figure 1)
Backing Paper
1
26
2. Lead the media backing paper through the print head
module. (Figure 2)
3. Push down the peel-off mechanism release lever and
lead the media under the peeler module. (Figure 3)
3
Dispenser Module
Peel Lever
2
Print Head
Module

27
4. Close the peeler module using the peel-off mechanism
release lever. (Figure 4)
5. Close the top access door and turn on the printer or
press the FEED button if the printer is already on.
(Figure 5)
5
4
Peel Lever
Dispenser Module
28
Notes:
1. The FEED button does not make the printer peel. To
enable Peeling function, set by the LCD panel.
2. Make sure the peeler sensor is out of the ribbon path
when installed.

29
Cutter Mode Loading Media
Follow steps 1 to 3 in “Standard Mode Loading Media” above.
1. Insert the media into the print head module and under the
paper sensor guide. (Figure 1)
Paper Sensor Guide
Print Head Module
1
30
2. Return the outside media guide, close the bracket, and
hook the head latch. (Figure 2)
2
Outside Media
Guide
Bracket
Head
Latch

31
3. Close the top access door and turn on the printer or press
the FEED button if the printer is already on. The printer will
then feed the labels through the cutter automatically.
(Figure 3)
Note: The FEED button does not make the printer cut. To
enable Cutter function, set by the LCD panel
3
Cutte
r
32
Adjust Position of Label Sensor
Function of the label sensor is to detect the gap, notch, or holes of
labels, to help the printer for accurate print positions and label
length. For labels with gaps, label sensor can be positioned
wherever media locates. If labels with notches or holes are in use,
follow the steps below to check position of the label sensor:
- Unlatch the Print head Latch. (as Figure 2 in Section –
Standard Mode Loading Media)
- Pull down Paper Sensor Position Lever (as Figure 3 in
Section – Standard Mode Loading Media), to horizontally
adjust position of label sensor.
- Make sure the Media sensor position mark locates right on
notch or hole of labels.
Check below.

33
2. Printer Operation
The illustrations below describe parts and features of X-Series.
Front Panel
Top Access Door
Front Access Door
X-1000VL
LEDs and
Buttons
LCD Display X-2000V
X-2000V Zip
X-2300E
X-2300ZE
X-3200
X-3200Z
X-3200E
X-3200ZE
34
The front panel includes:
3 LED indicators (READY, MEDIA and RIBBON)
3 buttons (FEED, PAUSE and CANCEL)
LCD display (except X-1000VL)
Top Access Door
Front Access Door
LED Indicators
There are three LED indicators on the front panel - READY,
MEDIA and RIBBON. These indicators display operation status of
the printer.
READY On – Normal operation
Off – Error conditions including ribbon out, media
out, print tasks cancelled, printing errors, printer
paused, printer receiving data
MEDIA On – Normal operation
Blinking – Media is used out; install new media.
Print head overheat (LCD will indicate “Print Head
Heat”; printer will resume printing automatically
later.)
RIBBON On – thermal transfer mode with ribbon installed.
Off – direct thermal mode with no ribbon installed.
Blinking – Ribbon is used out; install new ribbon.
For the X-2000V / X-2000V Zip / X-2300E /
X-2300ZE / X-3200 / X-3200Z / X-3200E /
X-3200ZE models, modes of thermal transfer and

35
direct thermal can be set via the printer panel.
For the X-1000VL model, set via Printer Utility,
Windows driver or printer commands.
Buttons
There are three buttons, each with two basic functions.
Button Function 1
(Press the button)
Function 2
(Press the button and
power switch together)
FEED Feed a label Perform self test & print
configuration report
PAUSE Pause printing
Press again to resume
printing
Perform a media
calibration
CANCEL Interrupt and delete a print
task
Force printer to continue
after an error is solved.
Reset FLASH settings
36
LCD Display
The X-2000V / X-2000V Zip / X-2300E / X-2300ZE / X-3200 /
X-3200Z / X-3200E / X-3200ZE models have a LCD that shows:
printer status
printer settings
input data from a keyboard or barcode reader
After power-on, the LCD displays the following message as
examples:
X-2000V / X-2000V Zip / X-2300E / X-2300ZE
X-3200 / X-3200Z / X-3200E / X-3200ZE
The first parameter is either 203 or 300, which stands for the
printer resolution. The second parameter indicates the emulation
(printer language), PPLA, PPLB or PPLZ.
Notes:
The Ethernet models will prompt “ETHERNET CARD
INITIALIZING” on LCD for about 20 seconds after Power-on and
then show the message above.
READY (203,PPLB)
READY (300,PPLB)

37
If a keyboard is plugged in, the LCD display will indicate:
X-2000V / X-2000V Zip / X-2300E / X-2300ZE
X-3200 / X-3200Z / X-3200E / X-3200ZE
If a barcode reader is connected, the LCD display will indicate:
X-2000V / X-2000V Zip / X-2300E / X-2300ZE
X-3200 / X-3200Z / X-3200E / X-3200ZE
If an abnormal condition occurs, the LCD display will indicate.
For example:
READY (203,PPLB)
<ESC> FOR KEYBD
READY (300,PPLB)
<ESC> FOR KEYBD
READY (203,PPLB)
WITH B.C. READER
READY (300,PPLB)
WITH B.C. READER
RIBBON OUT
38
Setting Display Language
The printer’s LCD display supports six languages: English,
French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Item Range Factory Default
LANGUAGE ENGLISH,
FRENCH,
GERMAN,
ITALIAN,
SPANISH,
PORTUGUESE,
SIMPLIFIED CHINESE
(Optional)
ENGLISH
To select a language:
1. Press the PAUSE and CANCEL buttons at the same time.
2. Hold both buttons for about 3 seconds and release.
3. The language selection screen appears.
4. Press the FEED button for the next language.
5. Press the CANCEL button to select and set the language.
Press PAUSE or the PAUSE+CANCEL buttons to exit the
language selection screen and enter normal standard mode.
LANGUAGE
ENGLISH

39
Changing Settings from the Panel
You may change settings using the buttons on the front panel of
the X-2000V, X-2000V Zip, X-2300E, X-2300ZE, X-3200,
X-3200Z, X-3200E, and X-3200ZE printer models, in addition to
changing settings via software commands.
Change settings via buttons on panel:
Buttons Function
PAUSE+CANCEL Press to enter setting mode. (Don’t press
over 1 second)
Press again to exit setting mode and return
to normal mode.
FEED Press to show next parameter.
PAUSE Press to show next setting item.
CANCEL Selects and saves a parameter to
permanent FLASH memory. Unless
changed via panel or command the
parameter is saved even if you restart the
printer.
Note: Do not change settings during printing or sending printing
data.
40
LCD Function Setting Procedure
The following procedure is an example of setting procedure
to direct thermal printing mode:
LCD indicating LCD setting steps
READY (203,PPLB) After printer power in on, LCD will indicate
as shown at the left.
Step 1 Press both PAUSE + CANCEL buttons.
Then release the buttons to enter settings.
PRINT MODE
THERM. TRANSFER*
LCD will then prompt LCD function
selections; default settings include the “*”
sign. For example, the first option of print
modes is thermal transfer.
Step 2
Keep press FEED button until LCD
prompts the function setting needed.
PRINTMODE
DIRECT THERMAL
For example, the second option of print
modes is direct thermal.
Step 3
Press CANCEL button to store the setting.
PRINTMODE
DIRECT THERMAL *
The option selected will now include the “*”
sign.
Step 4
Press PAUSE button to continue the other settings.
Back to standard
printing mode
After LCD function settings are completed,
press both PAUSE + CANCEL and then
release them to exit from settings.
READY (203,PPLB) Now printer is in normal printing mode.
Printer LCD function settings and parameters: