Avery Dennison AP7.t User manual

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AP7.t
Commissioning & Operation
Mounting the Printer ......................................2
Unpacking the AP7.t .................................2
Carrying the AP7.t .................................... 3
Mounting the AP7.t ...................................4
Checking the contents ............................... 4
Product Description ....................................... 6
Operating parts of the AP7.t ..................... 6
Printer connections ................................... 7
Warning notes on the AP7.t ...................... 8
Control panel (display) .............................. 9
Operating modes ..................................... 10
Basic Operating Procedures .......................12
Connecting the printer .............................12
Setting the interface .................................13
Offline operation ......................................13
Online operation ......................................14
Creating a print job ..................................15
Transferring a print job .............................15
Using CompactFlash cards ......................17
Setting the realtime clock .........................18
Outputting the realtime clock value using
Easy Plug .................................................19
The First Printer Test ...................................20
Settings for the material type ...................20
Printing the status report ..........................20

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Mounting the Printer
Unpacking the AP7.t
1. Lift off the lid of the shipping box [1].
2. Take out the plastic bag containing the
accessories [1B].
3. Lift off the styrofoam support [1A].
4. Part the plastic cover [2].
5. Grab the printer from underneath and lift it
out. The material feed slot in the back wall
of the printer [3A] can be used as a
handle.
6. Place the printer on a level surface in its
usual operating position (rubber feet [3C]
at the bottom).
¯The original packaging should always
be used for transporting the printer!
CAUTION! - Do not lift the printer by
the front cover [3B]. The front cover is
a movable part not designed for
handling stress.
[1] Shipping box without lid:
AStyrofoam support
BAccessories
A B
[2] Part the plastic cover…
[3] … and lift the printer out of the box.
ABack wall of printer (not visible)
BFront cover (do not use for lifting)
CRubber feet
A
B
C

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Carrying the AP7.t
«To carry the printer, putone hand under the base plate and the other into the
feed slot at the back of the printer.
[1] Carrying the AP7.t safely (A: back – grab by the feed slot, B: front – grab by the base
plate).
WARNING!
The AP7.t is a heavy printer (21kg). A bad carrying technique can cause
back injury.
«Try to lift the printer in a safe way, for example by
– carrying it close to your body, and by
– bending your knees, not your back.
CAUTION! - Do not lift the printer by the front cover (window side), as this
can damage it!
A B

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Mounting the AP7.t
The AP7.t has been designed as a desktop printer, which means that it is
normallymountedinanuprightposition onatable [2].Othersufficientlylarge,
level and sturdy surfaces can also be used as a base.
[2] The correct orientation of the AP7.t
Checking the contents
Before using the AP7.t for the first time, take a few minutes to check
everything is in order:
«Ensure that the printer hasnot been damaged intransit. If the packaging has
been dented or torn, check the contents particularly carefully for shipping
damage.
«Are the articles listed below included in the box [3]?
WARNING!
When choosing a base for the printer, observe the following guidelines to
avoid dangerous operating conditions:
«The base needs to be at least as deep and wide as the printer itself.
«The surface needs to be level, solid and dry.
«The printer’s fan and ventilation slits must not be obstructed, as the device
may overheat otherwise.
«The printer must not be mounted in the immediate vicinity of other heat
sources.
«The environmental conditions specified (temperature, air humidity, etc.)
need to be complied with.
«The power cable should be run to the printer so that
– nobody will trip on it, and that
– the power plug can easily be pulled out if necessary.

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[3] Articles supplied with the AP7.t
•AP7.t printer
•Documentation CD [3A]
Contains extensive instructions on using the printer as well as the Windows
driver and service manual.
•Label printing layout program “NiceLabel” [3B]
•Quick reference guide [3C]
Brief multilingual operating instructions (printed).
•Core adapters [3D]
There are two core adapters each for the material rolls, with internal
diameters of 76.2mm (3") and 101.4mm (4"). On delivery, the core adapters
are placed on the printer’s material dispenser.
•Print roller, long [3E] for label material widths exceeding 50.8mm.
•Power cable[3F]
The plug for the power supply may vary depending on the country of delivery.
•Data cable [3G]
Centronics IEEE 1284 CA cable 2m. The printer is connected with a type C
connector (compact design)!
•Ribbon sample [3H]
•Cardboard take-up roll [3I]
Empty take-up roll for rewinding the thermal transfer ribbon. On delivery, the
take-up roll is placed on the ribbon rewinding mandrel.
AC
DE
B
F
G
H
I

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Product Description
Operating parts of the AP7.t
[4] Exterior view of the AP7.t
[5] Operating parts of the AP7.t
Front cover
Open to insert material and
ribbon.
Window
Allows material/ribbon supply
checking without opening the
front cover.
Control panel
LCD display, 4 buttons. Displays
printer operating mode and
parameter settings.
Connection for additional
devices
Optional devices such as a
cutter, rewinder or textile cutter
stacker (TCS) can be connected
here.
Tear-off edge
Thesimplest wayto cut tagstockor self-adhesive
stock (if no cutter is used). Note that textile
material can only be cut with the TCS.
Ribbon unwinding
mandrel
Holds the new ribbon roll. Material dispenser
The label material roll is
inserted here.
Adapter rings
To adjust the dispenser to
the core diameter of the
material roll.
Guide plate
Prevents the material roll
from slipping sideways.
Material brake
This ensures the proper material
tension under the printhead.
Ribbon rewinding
mandrel
Holds the take-up roll onto
which used ribbons are
rewound.
Flange mount for optional
devices
Use this to mount a cutter,
dispenser or TCS. To do this,
remove the plastic cover.
Braking brush
Tensions the material (textile
material).
Setting knob for
printhead pressure
To adjust the printhead
pressure to the roller
width.

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Printer connections
PNotes on how to use the network connection can be found in Advanced
Applications.
[6] Back of the AP7.t with the optional I/O board
CAUTION! Add-on devices of an inferior quality may damage the printer!
«Connect the printer only to devices that fulfil SELV (safety extra-low
voltage) circuit requirements acc. to EN60950!
«Only connect OEM devices.
Keyboard connection
In standalone mode, the
keyboard can be used for data
input and print job selection.
Centronics interface
For parallel transfer of print
data.
USB interface
For serial transfer of print data.
Card slot
For CompactFlash cards –
used for storing fonts, logos,
graphics, etc.
Status LED/Ethernet
Ethernet interface
To connect to an “Ethernet 10/
100 Base T” network.
Power switch
Turns the printer on/off.
Optional: Signal interface
4 inputs / 3 outputs, contained
on the optional
I/O board.
Power supply connector
Connection to the mains power supply
using the power cable provided.
RS232 interface
For serial transfer of print data.
Optional: Serial interface
RS232 or RS422/485, contained
on the optional
I/O board.

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Warning notes on the AP7.t
[7] Warning notes on the AP7.t
•The warning label depicted at the top of Fig. [7] warns of the danger of
movable parts drawing external items into the printer (part no. A5346).
•The warning label depicted at the bottom of Fig. [7] warns of hot surfaces
around the printhead (part no. A5640).
«The warning labels must be replaced if they are lost or become illegible.
WARNING
!
Keep hands clear
of rollers.
A5346

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Control panel (display)
[8] Control panel of the AP7.t
Display With 32 digits and two lines, the display shows the operating conditions
(modes) for parameters, values, status and errors. You can select the
language you want touse for the display. Backlighting ensures good legibility.
Button
functions The buttons offer a multitude of operating functions. A logical menu structure is used for operation. The meaning of each button varies according to the
operatingmodeand the menu item.Additionally,specialfunctionshave been
programmed for certain button combinations.
Depending on the modes and menu levels, the following functions apply for
each button:
Online button •For switching between online and offline mode.
•For confirming entries, menu items and messages.
•For selecting print jobs and for entering values in standalone mode.
Cut button •Triggers a cut. Requirements:
– Cutter or TCS fitted and activated.
– Printer offline.
•Also for accessing deeper levels within the menu structure and selecting
menu items.
•For decrementing values.
Feed button •For feeding in material when the device is offline.
•For starting the printing process once the feed has been stopped (in online
mode).
•Also for accessing deeper levels within the menu structure and selecting
menu items.
•Increments values.
Prog button •For accessing the parameter menu when offline.
•For stepping back through the parameter menu and/or exiting it.
Display
Cut button
Online button
Feed button
Prog button

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PFor more detailed descriptions of the button functions, please see
–Offline operation on page 13 and
Online operation on page 14
– in “Info-Printouts and Parameters”.
Operating modes
Offline mode Printer settings can be made when the device is offline. The offline mode is
normally active when the printer is switched on. Print jobs are received via
the selected interface but not processed.
To configure the printer so that it goes directly into online mode when
switched on, set the parameter SYSTEM PARAMETER > Active Mode to “Online”.
Online mode In online mode, print jobs are received and processed immediately. Possible
messages:
¯To stop printing, press the online button.
Message mode The printer uses status reports to signal an error or a particular operating
status. This message mode indicates that the printer is waiting to quit or for
fault clearance. When quitting, the printer switches from message mode to
offline mode (depending on the error and the progress of the last active
process).
OFFLINE 0 JOBS No jobs are waiting to be processed.
ONLINE 0 JOBS No jobs are waiting to be processed.
ONLINE 0: JOBS The current data transfer to the printer is shown on
thedisplay.Thisisindicatedbythedot onthebottom
right next to the number of loaded jobs.
Another point on half line height above the first
shows the interpreter status:
•No point: No data to interpete.
•Solid point: The interpreter is busy (still data left
in the spooler).
•Flashing point: The interpreter is waiting for data
required to complete acommand (no data in the
spooler).
ONLINE 13 JOBS
Restcount: 25 During printing, the display also shows the number
of print jobs read (13) and the remaining number of
labels (25) to be printed in the current job.
ONLINE 13 JOBS
Restcount: endless If a print job recognises an endless number of labels
to be printed, then the remaining number for this job
is also shown as endless.
Status 5001
No gap found Messages are made up of the status number and a brief descriptive text.

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The status message 5001 (shown above) occurs when for example the
printer is set for punched label material, but continuous form material without
punches has been inserted. In this case, the printer will continue to feed the
material for a few seconds before it generates an error message.
PMore information on status reports and a detailed list of all messages can be
found under Status Reports.
Standalone
mode In standalone mode, print jobs are not transferred but saved on a CF card. They are started directly from the printer’s control panel or via a connected
keyboard.
PFurther information about standalone mode can be found in Special
Applications.

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Basic Operating Procedures
Connecting the printer
1. Ensure that the printer power switch is set to “0” (off).
2. Connect the printer to the power supply using the cable [9B] provided.
3. Using the data cable supplied, connect the Centronics interface [9A] on the
printer to the host computer.
[9] Sockets for the Centronics cable (A) and power cable (B) on the AP7.t
4. Turn on the printer using the power switch (set to position “1”). The following
sequence of messages is displayed:
WARNING!
The printer operates using mains voltage! Touching electrically live parts
can cause exposure to hazardous electrical currents and may lead to
burns.
«Make sure that the printer is switched off before connecting the power
cable.
«Only operate the printer using the system voltage indicated on the
nameplate.
«Only connect the printer to a grounded power socket fitted to authorised
standards.
«The power cable should be run to the printer so that
– nobody will trip on it, and that
– the power plug can easily be pulled out if necessary.
System start... The boot loader is starting.
System start...
Start user prog Valid firmware recognised, program is starting.
AP7.t 203 Dpi
V 2.34 Printer type (here: AP7.t with 203dpi) Version number of the printer firmware
A
B

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¯When the parameter SYSTEM PARAMETER > Active Mode is set to “Offline”, the
printer switches directly to offline mode when turned on.
¯CAUTION! - Wait at least 10 seconds between switching the device off
and on again, otherwise any modified parameter settings are not saved.
Setting the interface
By factory default, the AP7.t is set for data transfer via the Centronics
interface. Print data can also be transferred via the RS232, USB or Ethernet
interface.
«The interface type is selected with the following parameter:
INTERF. PARAM. > EASYPLUGINTERPR > Interface
PFor further information on how to set parameters, see Info-Printouts and
Parameters, “Using the Parameter Menu”.
PPart numbers for network and data cables can be found in Accessories.
PNotes on how to use the Ethernet interface can be found in
Advanced Applications.
Offline operation
•Switching from offline mode to online mode:
•Switch to online mode when the print job is stopped:
•Slow material and ribbon feed:
•Material travels backwards under the printhead:
Memory: 8 MB
Flashcard: 32 MB Internal RAM (here: 8 MB) Optional RAM on the CompactFlash card (here: 32
MB) – only displayed when a CompactFlash card is
in use.
OFFLINE 0 JOBS
Initialisation Offline mode
ONLINE 0 JOBS Online mode. The unit is ready for printing.
OFFLINE x JOBS ONLINE x JOBS
OFFLINE x JOBS
Stopped xx ONLINE x JOBS Stopped xx
OFFLINE x JOBS OFFLINE x JOBS
feeding…
OFFLINE x JOBS OFFLINE x JOBS
feeding…
Online
Online
Feed
Online
Cut Online

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•Reset:
•Access the parameter menu:
•Feed material until the next punch is reached or as long as the button is held
down:
•Standalone operation: Selecting a print job stored on a CF card (e.g.,
Testdat.FOR):
Online operation
•Switching to offline mode:
•Setting the print contrast: Press the Feed button to increase and the Cut
button to decrease the print contrast.
•Interrupting the print job: The device will finish printing the current label.
•Switching to offline mode while the print job is stopped:
•Continuing the print job:
•Standalone operation: Selecting a print job stored on a CF card (e.g.,
Testdat.FOR):
OFFLINE x JOBS OFFLINE x JOBS
OFFLINE x JOBS PRINT INFO
OFFLINE x JOBS OFFLINE x JOBS
feeding…
OFFLINE x JOBS Choose a file
Testdat.FOR
ONLINE x JOBS OFFLINE x JOBS
ONLINE x JOBS Print contrast
xxx%
ONLINE X JOBS
Restcount XXX ONLINE X JOBS Stopped XXXa
a) The message “Stopped xxx” alternates with “Press Feed”.
ONLINE X JOBS
Stopped XXX OFFLINE x JOBS
ONLINE X JOBS
Stopped XXX ONLINE X JOBS Restcount XXX
ONLINE x JOBS Choose a file
Testdat.FOR
Cut Online Feed
Prog
Feed
ProgOnline
Online
Prog
Online
Online
Feed
ProgOnline

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Creating a print job
Essentially, there are two ways of creating a print job: Either by using the
AP7.t Windows printer driver, or by creating a text file using print commands.
Windows
printer driver •AP7.t printer drivers are available for different versions of Windows. You can
print from nearly every Windows application using the printer drivers.
However, functionality is strongly dependent on the choice of software.
Special label layout programs are best suited, for example NiceLabel (a
demo version is included with the AP7.t software).
PPrinter drivers for the different versions of Windows can be found on the
Internet at
http://www.machines.averydennison.com/printersystems_gb.nsf/wview/
L4L3?OpenDocument
PThe driver’s help function explains how to use the printer driver. The help
function of your Windows operating system will tell you how to install the
driver.
Command file •Youcanwriteasequenceof commands in a text fileandsendittotheprinter.
To do this, you can use any text editor and the MS-DOS Copy command.
Easy Plug provides a special command language to program print jobs.
However, writing a print job in text file format does require some
programming knowledge. Furthermore, you will not be able to preview the
resulting printout on the screen. Instead, you have to run a test print to see a
copy of the finished result.
PYou can find a practice example of a print job together with instructions in the
Easy Plug Manual in the section “Program Example” under “General,
Definitions Commands Overview”.
Transferring a print job
The printer can only carry out a print job once this job has been transferred
into the printer’s RAM. This can be accomplished in two ways: via a direct
transfer from your computer via a data cable or by saving it to a
CompactFlash (CF) card.
Data cable The print job can be transferred
– via the serial interface,
– via the parallel interface, or
– via the Ethernet connection.
To transfer data via the serial orparallel interface, connect the corresponding
ports on the host computer and theprinter. Use the DOS window to send the
print job file to the interface:

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•Serial interface (COM1): copy testjob.txt com1
•Parallel interface (LPT1): copy testjob.txt lpt1
•USB interface / Ethernet interface:
copy testjob.txt \\computername\sharename.
–computername = Name of the computer (e.g., “DM-ECH-0990”). In
Windows XP this can be found under START > SETTINGS > CONTROL
PANEL > SYSTEM > COMPUTER NAME.
–sharename = enter the name found under START > SETTINGS >
PRINTERS AND FAXES after clicking on a printer symbol and right-
clickingPROPERTIES>SHARE(inWindows XP).Thesharenamestands
for a printer, which is connected to a certain port. This is the USB port for
tranferring via USB and the TCP/IP port for transferring by Ethernet.
A few hints on using the USB interface:
¯The method described here does not work in Windows 98, Windows ME
or Windows NT 4.0.
¯The sharename has to comply with the MS-DOS formatting conventions
(no more than 8 characters, no symbols or spaces).
PFurther information about Ethernet data transfers can be found in topic
section Advanced Applications.
Before sending a print job from a text program, you need to ensure that the
correct printer driver has been installed.
Special label layout programs, such as NiceLabel, make this much easier.
These programs also require a driver to be installed.
CF card You require the following items to load a print job from a CF card:
•CF card (copy the print job to the directory \FORMATS)
•CF card reader (to connect to your computer)
PA detailed description of how to transfer print jobs via CF cards can be found
in Advanced Applications, “Standalone Mode”.

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Using CompactFlash cards
CF = CompactFlash
¯The printer firmware cannot utilise more than 128 MB of card storage
capacity.
[10] Example: A 32 MB CF card
CAUTION!-Observethefollowingguidelines to avoiddamagingtheprinter
or the CF card.
«Only use CF -cards approved by the manufacturer.
«Always wait at least 5seconds after switching off the printer before
removing or inserting the CF card.
«When inserting or removing the CF card, never use force.
Manufac-
turer Card type Physical
storage
capacity
(in MB)
Actual
storage
capacitya
(in MB)
a) Storage capacity recognised by the printer firmware
Hama USB CF Card 64 MB 64 63
USB CF Card 128 MB 128 126
Intenso CF 32 MB 32 32
Kingmax KCF032MHT 32 32
KCF096MHT 96 94
Pretec 16 MB 16 16
32 MB 32 32
64 MB 64 62
128 MB 128 123
SanDisk 16 MB 16 16
128 MB 128 123
Silicon Tech SLCF032A 32 31
Toshiba Xtra speed professional 32 MB 32 32
Xtra speed professional 64 MB 64 62
Xtra speed professional 128 MB 128 123
[Table 1] CF cards compatible with the AP7.t
Wide guide notchSlim guide notch
Contacts

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Inserting a CF
card 1. Switch off the printer. Wait for 5 seconds.
2. Insert the CF card [11A] completely into the card slot, contact side first. The
card’s label is on the right side.
¯Push the CF card into the slot until the release button [11B] comes out.
The inserted card will sit flush with the back wall of the housing.
¯The differently sized guide notches [10] of the CF card prevent the card
from being inserted wrongly. For the card to be inserted correctly, the wider
guide notch needs to be on top.
[11] Inserting the CF card. If the CF card has been inserted correctly, it will sit flush with the
printer’s back wall (right).
PFor more detailed information on how to use CF cards, please refer to the
Plugin Card Manual, Application, “CompactFlash Card”.
Setting the realtime clock
The AP7.t’s realtime clock can be used, for example, to calculate and print
the expiry date of a perishable product.
This is how you set the realtime clock:
1. Navigate to the SYSTEM PARAMETER > Realtime Clock.
2. To enter the date and time, use the Cut button to shift the cursor, the Feed
button to change the parameter, and the Online button to save it.
PTo find out how to set parameters, see Info-Printouts and Parameters.
Realtime clock
dd.mm.yyyy hh:mm dd = day, mm = month, yyyy = year, hh = hour, mm = minute
A
B

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Outputting the realtime clock value using Easy Plug
Use the following Easy Plug commands to output the current realtime clock
value:
•#YC realtime as text
•#YS realtime as barcode
•#DM download month names
PFurther information can be found in the Easy Plug manual.

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The First Printer Test
Settings for the material type
The parameter settings described below provide the printer with the
necessary information about the label material used. When printing from a
layout program, these settings are usually provided automatically by the
printer driver. For your first test prints, you need to configure them manually.
Material type •The label material is “endless”, which means that it contains no punches/
perforations, breaks or reflex marks that could be recognised by the punch
sensor:
«Set the PRINT PARAMETER > Material Type to “endless”.
•Thelabelmaterialcontains punches/perforations,breaksorreflexmarksthat
can be recognised by the punch sensor (so-called “punched” material):
«Set the PRINT PARAMETER > Material Type to “Punched”.
Material length «Set the PRINT PARAMETER > Material Length to the length of the material (in mm).
Material width «Set the PRINT PARAMETER > Material Width to the width of the material (in mm).
Only for punched/perforated material:
Type of punch •Label material with breaks or punches:
«Set the SYSTEM PARAMETER > Sensor Type to “Punched”.
•Label material with reflex marks:
«Set the SYSTEM PARAMETER > Sensor Type to “Reflex”.
PInstructionson howtousethe parametermenucanbe foundinInfo-Printouts
and Parameters, “Using the Parameter Menu”.
Printing the status report
A status report printout is a perfectly adequate printer test. The width of the
status printout can be set to 100mm or 50mm. This should match the width
of the label material used. The length of the printout is 200mm.
100mm width «Navigate to INFO PRINTOUT > Printer Status.
The printout that is triggered spans a label length of 2x 200mm, listing all of
the printer’s current parameter settings.
50mm width «Set the SYSTEM PARAMETER > Print Info Mode to “Compact right”.
«Navigate to INFO PRINTOUT > Printer Status.
The printout that is triggered contains the same information as the wider
printout, compressed to a width of 50mm.
Density If the printout is not as black as you would like it to be, increase the print
density as follows: