Axiohm THTN Series User manual

AXIOHM, 1-9 Rue d’Arcueil
BP 675, 92542 Montrouge Cedex, France
Tel : (33) (0) 1 47 46 78 00 Fax (33) (0) 1 46 55 13 44
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THERMAL PRINTER MECHANISM
USER'S MANUAL
THTN Series
Reference : FDE – 3106531 issue-Z
January - 01

THTN series User's Manual page 2 / 25 Ref : FDE – 3106531 - Z
IMPORTANT
This manual contains the basic instructions to run your printer. Read it
carefully before using your printer paying full attention to the section :
Recommendations .

THTN series User's Manual page 3 / 25 Ref : FDE – 3106531 - Z
CONTENTS
1. UNPACKING............................................................................................................................................................4
2. OVERVIEW..............................................................................................................................................................4
3. MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................................................6
3.1 EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS.......................................................................................................................................6
3.2 FIXING ELEMENTS................................................................................................................................................6
3.3 CHASSIS MOUNTING .............................................................................................................................................6
3.4 COVER SWITCH POSITION .....................................................................................................................................6
3.5 COVER AXIS POSITION ..........................................................................................................................................7
3.6 USEFUL DISTANCES..............................................................................................................................................7
4. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................................8
4.1 NOMINAL POWER SUPPLY ....................................................................................................................................8
4.2 NOMINAL CONSUMPTION OF PRINTER...................................................................................................................8
4.3 DESCRIPTION OF PRINT-HEAD...............................................................................................................................8
4.3.1 Function of 64-BIT LSI drivers chart and operation..................................................................................9
4.3.2 Electrical specifications of 64-bits LSI driver...........................................................................................11
4.3.3 Print-head connection...............................................................................................................................13
4.4 BIPOLAR STEPPING MOTOR.................................................................................................................................14
4.4.1 Characteristics..........................................................................................................................................14
4.4.2 Motor connection......................................................................................................................................14
4.4.3 Induction sequence and timing (paper feed).............................................................................................15
4.4.4 Printing mode : .........................................................................................................................................15
4.5 SENSORS SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................................................16
4.5.1 Cover detection micro-switch....................................................................................................................16
4.5.2 End of paper opto-sensor..........................................................................................................................16
4.5.3 Recommended use for Opto-sensor...........................................................................................................17
5. PRINTER CONTROL TECHNIQUES ................................................................................................................18
5.1 MODE 1..............................................................................................................................................................18
5.2 MODE 2..............................................................................................................................................................19
5.3 MODE 3..............................................................................................................................................................20
6. RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................................................................................21
6.1 MECHANICAL RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................................21
6.2 ELECTRICAL RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................................21
6.3 MOTOR DRIVING RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................................................................21
7. HEATING TIME....................................................................................................................................................22
7.1 HISTORICAL CONTROL .......................................................................................................................................22
7.2 HEATING TABLE.................................................................................................................................................23
7.3 THERMISTOR SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................................24
8. INDEX......................................................................................................................................................................25

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1. UNPACKING
Each printer mechanism is packaged in an antistatic bag. Observe precautions for handling in electrostatic
protected areas.
2. OVERVIEW
Based on static thermal printing technology, the THTN series is a family of user-friendly, highly reliable
devices which have been specially designed with 5Vdots line and very small size, to suit independent terminal
applications.
The printer can be used either with or without clamshell cover, an optional tear bar is available, and the
mechanism can tolerate a latch if required.
SUMMARY OF PRINTER SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM VALUE UNIT
Printing method Static thermal dot line printing -
Number of resistor dots 384 -
Resolution 8 Dots/mm
Printing width 48 mm
Paper width 58 or 60 mm
Head T° detection Thermistor -
Paper feed pitch 2 Motor steps
0.125 mm
Paper empty detection Opto-sensor -
Operating voltage range Vcc (logic) 2.7 to 5.5 V DC
Operating voltage range Vch (dot) 3 to 8.5 V DC
Current consumption:
Vch (at nominal value : 5V)
29 mA per resistor dot « on »
Current consumption:
Icc (at nominal value : 5V)
I leak
42
0.2
mA
mA
Current consumption:
Stepping motor (at nominal value)
277 mA per activated phase
Maximum number of dots energised
simultaneously 128* -
* The maximum current allowed in printhead is 5A, but the printing density variation may become significant
when the number of dots energised simultaneously becomes greater than 64 (128 dots "on" correspond to 5A
when applying 5V).

THTN series User's Manual page 5 / 25 Ref : FDE – 3106531 - Z
ITEM VALUE UNIT
Storage - 20 to + 60 °C
Relative humidity 20 to 80 %
Operating range 0 to +50 °C
Electrical lifetime* 0.5 108Pulses
Mechanical lifetime* 50 KM
Dimensions:
Width
Depth
Height
72
39
16
mm
mm
mm
Weight 40 g
Recommended paper JUJO TF50KSE3 -
Maximum paper thickness -80 g/m2with front paper path
-130 g/m2with underneath paper path
For underneath paper path this value can be overshot with restrictions : if
needed contact technical support.
Maximum printing speed see "heating time" : depends on voltage, temperature and control way
Specified standards IEC 68-2-6, IEC 68-2-29, IEC 68-2-36
* Per AXIOHM standard test conditions (which are mainly 5V, ≈
≈≈
≈25°C, dot printing duty cycle = 30%)

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3. MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Note : general tolerances ± 0.2 (when no other is specified)
3.1 External Dimensions
3.2 Fixing Elements
3.3 Chassis mounting
Fixing holes position is shown on figure 3.2, use 3 x M2.5 self threading screws pan head eco-syn length 6 mm
(for example from our supplier BOSSARD) for the 3 diameters Ø2,2 ±0.05.
3.4 Cover switch position
The cover must contain a spur to activate the switch, its lateral position is given on the following view
relatively to the platen axis. Force and shape of the spur on cover should give the indicated position to make sure the
switch is in open position (thus door closed).
7
2
f
rom platen axis to upper face of
switch lever

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3.5 Cover axis position
nThe inlet angle for the platen axis is from 3.5° to 11°
nThe optimum position for setting cover axis close to the mechanism is on the platen axis plan (up to 30mm).
nThe cover axis should not be fitted above the platen axis plan
Those possible positions depend on the play of platen axis in its fixations to the cover
Example 1: the cover axis is on the same plan than the platen axis at 30 mm.
Example 2: the cover axis is 65 mm from the platen axis and 8.5 mm below the platen axis plan.
3.6 Useful distances
nDistance between opto-sensor and line of dots : 11 ±1.5 mm
nDistance between opto-sensor and cut line (with tear bar) : 14 ±1.5 mm
nTow positions for opto sensor : Middle lateral position 30.15 mm from paper path guide
Set on right side at 19.5 mm from the paper path guide
1
9.
4
30.2
The cover can be set between 56 and 60 mm (2mm on each side) it
is recommended to use a maximum of 1.8 mm only on each side
55.8 0
-0.1
1.8 mm
1.8 mm
usable width for fixing
Shaft diameter : 3- 0.02
0
platen axis plan
30 m
m
Possible cover axis
p
ositio
n
Exam
p
le 1
Example 2
Platen inlet/outlet angle
Important note : when the mechanism is used with both
Clamshell and tear bar option, the platen axis must be free to
move 1.5 mm in its holders as shown on the drawing below .
This allows the platen path without pushing against the tear bar.
cover side
(platen holder) Tear bar side
1.5 mm
platen axis

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4. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
4.1 Nominal Power supply
Table 1 Nominal power supply
Printer THTN
Printhead :
Logic (Vcc)
Dot line 3.3 / 5
5V DC
Stepping Motor 5
4.2 Nominal consumption of printer
Table 2 Nominal consumption of printer
Printer THTN Units
Printhead : Heating current / dot (Vch) 29 mA
Logic current (Vcc) 42 mA
Stepping motor current (2 activated
phases) 544 mA
4.3 Description of print-head
Printer THTN
Driver chips 6-
Operating range (Vcc) 2.7 to 5.5 *1V DC
Mean dot resistance (±
±±
±4%) 173 Ω
Nominal dot supply voltage 5 (min=3, max=8.5) V DC
Nominal Heating current per dot 29 mA
Max. number of dots to heat at once 128 *2-
*1 Filter any transient signal and parasitic on this line. Separate Vcc from Vch because Vch can go lower
than 4.75 Volts. Vcc must be connected to the same power supply than the other electronic circuits
which drive the printer.
*2 The aim is to avoid current greater than 5A (128 dots "on" give 5 A when applying 5V).

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4.3.1 Function of 64-BIT LSI drivers chart and operation
The LSI power and multiplexing circuit drivers located on the thermal printhead provide power
control from logic signals and the DC power supply voltage.
These circuits are supplied by 2.7 to 5.5 V ± 5% logic voltage. Take care to filter transient and
parasitic on all logic lines. Undetermined states can happen and destroy the head. The power source
should be disconnected from the logic source. The logic source must be connected to the same source as
the electronic circuits in charge of controlling the printer.
Each circuit features 64 open collector transistors, a 64-bit shift register and a 64-bit memory register.
Each circuit controls 64 resistor dots on the printhead.
SERIAL
OUTPUT (SO)
64 bits buffer
register
64 bits shift
register
Strobe
Serial
Input (SI)
CLOCK
Output
Enable (OE)
Vch
Line of resistor dots -
GND
1 2 3 4 ...... (OUTPUTS).... 62 63 64
Figure 1 driver chart

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note : see page 11 and 12 for the available signals on the printer connection.
OUT
CLK
Strobe
IN
SI SO SI SO
Resistors Resistors
R64 R1 R64 R1
OE n OE n+1
CHIP n CHIP n+1
Figure 2 Routing of data to the thermistor dots
paper path
direction
Figure 3 Dots print order
The first bit of data entered will be the first bit of data printed (FIFO).