Avery Dennison Monarch 9855 User manual

Monarchand 9855are registered trademarks of Avery Dennison Corp.
TC9855RFIDQR Rev. AU5/152007 Avery Dennison Corp. All rights reserved.
QUICK REFERENCE
This Quick Reference contains supply loading and general
maintenance procedures for the Monarch® 9855® RFID
printer. Additional RFID documents are available on the
Monarch® Printer’s Documentation CD-ROM and on our
Web site (www.monarch.averydennison.com). Refer to the
RFID Setup Utility at
http://www.servisource1.com/prnutil/rfidsetup for
illustrations to determine which type of RFID supplies you
are using and basic printer configuration information. For
information about creating formats, configuring the printer,
or programming the printer, refer to the Packet Reference
Manual available on our Web site.
Note: Information in this document supercedes
information in previous versions. Check our Web
site for the latest documentation and release
information.
The limited warranty on knives used in or with
RFID printers is one (1) year from the date of
shipment, or 500,000 cuts, whichever occurs first.
RFID Overview
Your printer has been engineered to program (encode) an
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) label (commonly
called “RFID tags”) before the label’s format is printed.
RFID tags contain an embedded RFID inlay (chip and
antenna).
RFID is only available using die cut or black mark supplies.
Linerless supplies are not currently supported. The RFID
printer is also capable of printing standard (non-RFID)
supplies.
The printer supports Class 1 Generation 2 (C1Gen2)
protocol encoding.

2
Connecting the Cables
The power supply automatically switches between 115V or
230V. There are no operator settings required.
1. Review the safety information in the Regulatory
Compliance document included with your printer.
2. Plug the power cable into the socket. Plug the other
end of the cable into a grounded electrical outlet.
3. Connect the communication cable into the appropriate
port. Secure the cable with the connecting screws
(serial) or spring clips (parallel).
If you are communicating with the host through the
serial port, make sure the printer's communication
values match those at the host. The factory default
values are 9600 Baud, 8 bit data frame, 1 stop bit, no
parity, and DTR flow control (9600, N, 8, 1, DTR). Set
the communication values on the printer to match
those at the host.
The printer also has a USB (Universal Serial Bus)
version 2.0 communications port, which is compatible
with version 1.1. Drivers are available on our Web site
for a variety of operating systems.
4. Turn on the printer. Press ( I ) to turn on and ( O ) to
turn off the printer.
Parallel Port
USB Port
Serial Port
Power Cable
Goes Here
Power Switch

3
Using the Control Panel
The control panel has a two-line LCD display, two status
lights, and five buttons. The control panel displays error
codes/messages, and allows you to setup/configure the
printer.
Power: The printer shows a
steady green light
when it is on.
Fault: The printer shows a
steady amber light
when it is out of
labels or ribbon, or
when you have a
supply jam.
Feed/
Cut: Prints a label in the on-demand mode,
feeds a blank label if there is no print job,
and prints a label with error information
that is useful to your System Administrator
if an error is displayed. When the printer
is offline, changes the displayed value by
one or ten.
Enter/
Pause: Pauses the current print job or resumes a
paused print job. Selects the displayed
menu item.
Escape/
Clear: When an error is present, clears the error.
When a job (batch) is printing, cancels the
print job (batch). Enters the offline menu
mode or returns the display to the next
higher menu.

Displays the previous menu item.

Displays the next menu item.

and

Prints a test label when you press the
buttons at the same time. Hold for one
second and release.

4
Loading RFID Labels
The RFID supplies are sensitive to static electricity and can
be damaged by static electricity. Ground yourself by
touching some metal, such as the printer’s metal base,
before handling the supplies.
Refer to the 9855 Operator's Handbook for
additional supply loading instructions if using non-RFID
supplies in your RFID printer.
1. Open the cover.
2. Unlock the printhead by turning the retaining latch.
3. Lift the printhead assembly using the printhead tab
until the assembly locks into place.
4. Place the roll of supply on the supply holder. For
labels, the supply unrolls from the top or the bottom.
For tags, make sure the supply unrolls from the
bottom, because tag rolls are wound face in. Do not
pick up the printer by the supply holder.
Printhead
Tab
Deflector
Tab

5
5. Adjust the supply holder guides so the sides barely
touch the roll. Make sure the supply roll turns freely.
If you are using fan-fold supplies, place the
supply stack behind the printer, label side facing
up.
6. Push down on the supply lever to unlock the supply
guides.
7. Lay the label strip across the supply guide so that a
few inches extend past the front of the printer. Tuck
the supply under the nibs and in between the die cut
sensor. Do not feed supply between the supply roller
and deflector.
For fan-fold supplies, lay the label strip over the
supply holder and across the supply guide so that
a few inches extend past the front of the printer.
Tuck the supply under the nibs and in between the
die cut sensor.
Supply
Holder
Guides
Supply Lever

6
8. For tag supplies using the optional knife, feed the
supply through the knife. Make sure at least 0.5 inches
of supply is past the knife.
9. Adjust the supply guides so they touch the supply.
Push up on the supply lever to lock the supply guides
into place.
10. Hold the printhead assembly by the printhead tab while
pressing down on the printhead release.
Deflector
Supply Roller
Tag
Die Cut Sensor
Supply
Lever
Nibs

7
11. Close the printhead by
pressing down on the
thumb well until you
hear it click into place.
12. Close the cover.
13. Press Feed/Cut several
times to feed at least
three labels/tags to
properly position the
supply and the ribbon.
Loading Labels for the Optional Peel Mode
Peel mode (on-demand) must be purchased separately. In
peel mode, the printer separates the backing paper from
the label. The next label is not printed until the completed
one is removed from the printer. Make sure the printer is
configured for on-demand mode and the correct supply
type is installed. The minimum feed length is 1.5 inches
for peel mode. Hold the leading edge of peeled labels
when printing labels longer than six inches. You must use
non-perforated supplies for peel mode. Follow the steps
for loading supplies from the previous section. Then,
follow these steps after you close the printhead.
1.
Remove the labels from the first 10 inches of the
backing paper.
2.
Press down on the exit cover tabs to open the exit
cover on the front of the printer.

8
3.
Feed the backing paper over the peel bar.
4.
Feed the backing paper through the lower opening of
the exit cover. Close the exit cover. Pull down on the
backing paper to remove any slack.
When removing the backing paper, pull up
across the saw-toothed tear edge. Make sure
the backing paper tears at the edge.
5.
Close the printer's cover.
6.
Press Feed/Cut several times to feed at least three
labels/tags to properly position the supply and the
ribbon.
Peel
Bar
Lower
Opening
Tear
Edge
Backing
Paper

9
Adjusting the Wide/Narrow Knobs
You may need to adjust the two wide/narrow knobs
according to the width of your supply. For supply that is
more than two inches, adjust the knobs to the wide setting.
For supply that is two inches or less, adjust the knobs to
the narrow setting.
You must adjust both of the knobs to the same position.
If you experience ribbon smudging in cold, dry
environments, adjust the wide/narrow knobs to the wide
setting.
For wide supplies, push down and turn the wide/narrow
knobs clockwise with a screwdriver.
For narrow supplies, turn the wide/narrow knobs counter-
clockwise with a screwdriver until it pops back up.
The adjustment is shown in the wide position.
Wide/Narrow Knobs

10
Loading Ribbon
1.
Open the cover.
2.
Unlock the printhead by turning the retaining latch.
3.
Lift printhead assembly using the printhead tab until
the assembly locks into place.
4.
Push the deflector tab down.
5.
Slide the extra ribbon core on the take-up reel as far
as it will go with the "This End Out" writing facing out.
Use your empty ribbon core as the take-up core. The
take-up core only fits on the take-up reel one way.
6.
Remove the new ribbon from the package. Do not
wrinkle or crush the new ribbon.
7.
Slide the ribbon onto the back reel as far as it will go.
Carefully unwind a few inches of ribbon from the
bottom of the roll.
Note: Make sure the “This End Out” writing is facing
out. The ribbon roll only fits on the reel one way.
Printhead
Tab
Deflector
Tab

11
8.
Carefully feed the ribbon under both ribbon rollers and
printhead.
9.
Align the ribbon and make sure it is straight and
centered throughout the path.
10.
Tape the ribbon to the take-up core. Do not tape the
ribbon to the take-up reel.
11.
Rotate the take-up core until the leader is past the
printhead.
12.
Remove any slack in the ribbon by turning the take-up
reel clockwise.
13.
Hold the printhead assembly by the printhead tab while
pressing down on the printhead release.
14. Close the printhead by pressing down on the thumb
well until you hear it click into place. Close the cover.
15. Press Feed/Cut several times to feed at least three
labels/tags to properly position the supply and the
ribbon.
Printing
Before you print, make sure the printer is connected and
ready to receive data.
When you turn on the RFID printer, “Monarch Initializing”
flashes briefly and then you see “Print Mode Ready.” If an
error occurs while the printer is initializing, the error
message flashes briefly on the display and then you see
“Print Mode Ready.” The printer displays “Not available”
when you try to select the RFID menus if the module is
inoperative.
Take-up Core
Take-up Reel
Ribbon
Rollers

12
The printer accepts RFID and non-RFID batches once you
see “Print Mode Ready.”
1. Download a format and a batch. Refer to the Packet
Reference Manual for information on downloading print
jobs.
2. The printer prints a strip of labels or labels in on-
demand mode. If printing RFID supplies, you see
RFID Printing…
1 of 10
If the RFID tag is not programmable for any
reason, the label may print with an overstrike
pattern, indicating that it should not be used. Your
System Administrator should set the desired Error
Action accordingly.
When printing on non-RFID supplies, you may also
see a label with an overstrike pattern. Do not use
that label. When using “overstrike” as the Error
Action, the data prints on the non-RFID label, but
there is no data printed on the RFID label.
Note: The RFID printer pauses while programming the
RFID tag.
3. Remove the printed labels. If the printer will be
unused for extended periods of time, we recommend
leaving the printhead unlatched.
Clearing Jams
When you are printing and a jam occurs, the Fault light on
the printer's front panel blinks.
1.
Turn off the printer and open the cover and printhead
assembly.
2.
If necessary, remove the label roll and ribbon.
3.
Remove the jammed labels and reload the label roll.
4.
Close the printhead assembly and turn on the printer.
5.
Press Feed/Cut several times to feed at least three
labels/tags to properly position the supply and the
ribbon.

13
Voids
Streaks
Cleaning
You must clean the printhead as described below to
maintain printhead life.
CAUTION: Do not use sharp objects to clean the
printhead or touch the printhead. This may
damage the printhead and require a service
charge.
The rate and frequency at which you print determines how
often you must clean the printer. You may need to clean
the printhead, sensor, and platen roller:
if there is any adhesive build-up in the supply path.
after printing approximately three rolls of
thermal transfer/thermal direct supplies or
after each ribbon.
daily if your printer is in an excessively
dirty, hot, or humid environment.
if you frequently receive supply error
codes or when you see voids or streaking
in the print as shown.
1.
Turn off the printer and open the
cover and printhead assembly.
2.
Remove the label roll and ribbon (when cleaning the
printhead).
3.
Press down on the exit cover tabs to open the exit
cover on the front of the printer.

14
4. Clean the platen roller when you see significant
adhesive build-up or a label is wrapped around the
platen roller. Use a dry, soft-bristle brush, such as a
toothbrush, to clean the
platen roller.
If the brush does not
remove all the adhesive,
use isopropyl alcohol on
the platen roller. Moisten
a cotton swab with
isopropyl alcohol and run
the cotton swab across
the platen roller.
Turn the platen roller with your finger to make sure
the platen roller is clean all the way around. After
cleaning, feed several inches of supply through
without printing to remove any remaining isopropyl
alcohol.
5. Rub the cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol
across the peel bar and remove any build-up.
6. Moisten another cotton
swab with isopropyl
alcohol. Rub the cotton
swab across the
printhead and remove
any build-up. You may
need to use a printhead
CLEAN-STRIP if the
printhead is extremely
dirty or you see streaks
on the supply.
7. Rub the cotton swab
across the supply
sensor and die cut sensor and remove any build-up.
Platen Roller
Printhead
Supply
Sensor

15
8. Clean the build-up in the supply path.
9. Let the printer dry before you reload supplies.
10. Push on the exit cover firmly to close it. Both latches
will click into place. Close the cover and printhead
assembly.
11. Turn on the printer and press Feed/Cut several times
to feed at least three labels/tags to properly position
the supply and the ribbon. Resend your format, batch,
and check digit packets.
Troubleshooting
This section lists common problems and their solutions.
For more detailed information, refer to the Operator’s
Handbook available on our Web site.
Problem Action
Error message
appears during
startup
Turn OFF the printer, wait fifteen
seconds and then turn ON the
printer. Call Service.
Does not print. Check supply and ribbon, send a
corrected format and batch.
Does not feed. Set wide/narrow knobs correctly.
Partially printed
data. Clean printhead, send a corrected format packet.
Printing shadows/
smears. Light or
Heavy Printing.
Clean printhead, change
supply/ribbon, adjust print contrast,
check wide/narrow knobs.
Voids in printing. Clean printhead, change supplies.
Serial bar codes
do not scan. Unlatch printhead when not in use, set print speed to 2.5 IPS, adjust
print contrast.
Backing paper is
wrapped around
platen/peel roller.
Carefully remove the backing
paper. Tear backing paper at the
tear edge in peel mode.
Blank labels print
or 750 errors. Clean supply sensors.
Printer does not
read or program
the RFID tag.
See your System Administrator.

16
Common Errors
If the action does not resolve the problem, call Service.
Error Action
002 Name must be 1 to 8 characters inside quotes.
005 Supply width is invalid.
018 Code page selection defined in the field is invalid.
025 Data length is too long.
101 Format referenced by batch not in memory.
400
Invalid character following {.
403 Field separator was not found.
409 Delete unused formats or graphics from memory.
410 Parity mismatch.
411
Framing error (baud rate mismatch).
412 Flow control mismatch.
413
Check for a flow control problem.
611 Font, bar code, or density in the batch is invalid.
612 The batch data is missing or invalid.
613 Reference point off supply.
614
Field off supply or invalid character in packet.
703 Calibration error. Load the correct supply type.
704
Supply error. Press
Escape/Clear
. Load supply.
751 Supply error. Press Escape/Clear. Load supply.
752 Printer sensed a mark in the wrong place.
753 Printer sensed a mark that is too long.
754 Ribbon jam. Load ribbon.
755 Printhead is open. Close the printhead.
756
Load supplies.
757 Load supplies. Press Feed/Cut.
758 Check for a label jam or reload supplies.
763 Waiting to dispense label. Press Feed/Cut.
765 Less than 8 bad dots in format area. Press
Escape/Clear.
768 More than 8 bad dots in format area. Replace or
connect printhead.

17
RFID Errors
See the RFID Application Notes for more information.
Check with your System Administrator about the format.
The printer does not recalibrate (feed a blank label) after
an RFID error.
Error Description/Action
052
Data type in the RFID Data Field is invalid.
053 The starting block in the RFID Data Field is invalid.
226 Rule Record Line xx. Upload device is invalid.
228 Memory class identifier is invalid.
229
Byte code is invalid.
230 Lock code is invalid.
715 Invalid data length/data mismatch in the RFID Data
Field. This error also occurs when there is an error
in the Expanded C1Gen2 fields.
732 RFID Hardware Error. A non-RFID printer received a
format containing an RFID Data Field.
740 Command, hardware, or memory allocation error.
741 RFID tag missing - not found in the area inside the
printer where the RFID tag is programmed. Check
supply loading. Make sure the RFID tag was not
moved out of the programmable range.
742 Tag erase failed. The RFID tag was found in the RF
Field, but could not be erased.
743 Program tag failed. The RFID tag was found in the
RF Field, but could not be programmed.
744 Tag locked fail. The RFID tag is unable to be
programmed because it is already locked.
746 Lock tag fail. The RFID tag has not been locked to
prevent reprogramming.
747 Time out failure. An RFID command (read, program,
etc.) has failed to complete in the maximum amount
of allowed time.
748 Invalid data length/data mismatch from RFID
interrogator module.
749 RFID Verify Fail. The RFID verification process
failed after writing (programming) tag.

18