Brother P-Touch PT-530 User manual

SERVICE MANUAL
MODEL: PT-530/550

© Copyright Brother 1997
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by
any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

PREFACE
This publication is a service manual covering the specifications, theory of operation,
disassembly/reassembly procedure, and troubleshooting of the Brother PT-530/550. It is
intended for service personnel and other concerned persons to accurately and quickly provide
after-sale service for our PT-530/550.
To perform appropriate maintenance so that the machine is always in best condition for the
customer, the service personnel must adequately understand and apply this manual.
This manual is made up of four chapters and appendices.
CHAPTER I.SPECIFICATIONS
CHAPTER II.MECHANISMS
CHAPTER III.ELECTRONICS
CHAPTER IV.TROUBLESHOOTING
APPENDICES CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

Chapter I.
SPECIFICATIONS

CONTENTS
1.1 MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................I-1
1.1.1 External Appearance .....................................................................................I-1
1.1.2 Keyboard .......................................................................................................I-1
1.1.3 Display ..........................................................................................................I-2
1.1.4 Printing Mechanism .......................................................................................I-2
1.1.5 Tape Cassette ...............................................................................................I-3
1.1.6 Tape Cutter ...................................................................................................I-4
1.1.7 Lettering Stick ...............................................................................................I-4
1.1.8 PC Interface (not provided on the PT-550/530 USA versions.) ......................I-4
1.2 ELECTRONICS SPECIFICATIONS .....................................................................I-8
1.2.1 Character Generator ......................................................................................I-8
1.2.2 Power Supply ................................................................................................I-8

I- 1
1.1 MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
1.1.1 External Appearance
Figure 1.1-1 External Appearance
[ 1 ] Dimensions (W x D x H) 221 x 253 x 87 mm
[ 2 ] Weight Machine proper Approx. 1.2 kg
Approx. 1.4 kg (including batteries and a tape
cassette)
In package Approx. 3.2 kg
1.1.2 Keyboard
[ 1 ] Entry system Rubber keypad
[ 2 ] Number of alphanumeric and symbol keys 39
[ 3 ] Number of function keys 23 (excluding On/Off key)
[ 4 ] Key arrangement See Figure 1.1-2.
(Unit: mm)

I- 2
1.1.3 Display
[ 1 ] Display type Liquid crystal display (LCD)
[ 2 ] Configuration (See Figure 1.1-2.) 112 dots wide by 32 dots high
[ 3 ] Number of indicators (See Figure 1.1-2.)
PT-550 USA version: 23
European versions: 24
PT-530 USA version: 20
[ 4 ] Display system WYSIWYG (What you see is what
you get)
1.1.4 Printing Mechanism
[ 1 ] Print method Thermal transfer onto plastic tapes (laminate tape
and non-laminated tape) or special tapes (instant
lettering tape, non-laminated thermal film tape, iron-
on transfer tape, and porous-stamp tape)
(Fixed print head and tape feeding mechanism)
[ 2 ] Print speed (max.) 73 dots (10.3 mm) per second
[ 3 ] Print head Type Thermal print head
Heat generator Consists of 128 heating elements vertically aligned
Size of heating element 0.195 mm wide by 0.141 mm high
[ 4 ] Character size (dots)
Height Point size 6 9 12 18 24 36 48
No. of heating
elements to 15 21 28 44 58 88 120
be used
Width • N (Narrow)
• M (Medium)
• W (Wide)

I- 3
1.1.5 Tape Cassette
[ 1 ] Cassette Cartridge type
[ 2 ] Types of tape cassettes
•Laminated tape cassette Laminate tape, ink ribbon, and adhesive base tape
•Non-laminated tape cassette Non-laminated tape and ink ribbon
•Non-laminated tape cassette, -Non-laminated tape refill
refill-type (YS-18) -Ink ribbon refill
•Instant lettering tape cassette Instant lettering tape and ink ribbon
•Non-laminated thermal film Non-laminated thermal film tape
tape cassette
•Iron-on transfer tape cassette Iron-on transfer tape and ink ribbon
•Stamp tape cassette Porous-stamp tape and base paper
[ 3 ] Tape size Width Length
Laminate tape 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 8 m
36 mm (5 m for fluorescent
coating tapes)
Non-laminated tape 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 mm 8 m
Instant lettering tape 18 mm 8 m
Non-laminated thermal film tape 12, 18 mm 8 m
Iron-on transfer tape 18 mm 5 m
Refill type Non-laminated tape refill 18 mm 8 m
Ink ribbon refill 18 mm 8 m
Porous-stamp tape 18, 24 mm 8 m
[ 4 ] Tape cassette packed with the machine
Laminated tape cassette containing a 12-mm-wide
black ink ribbon, laminate tape, and adhesive base
tape

I- 4
1.1.6 Tape Cutter
[ 1 ] Tape cutting Automatic cutter
[ 2 ] Cutter unit Not user-replaceable
1.1.7 Lettering Stick Mounted on the bottom of the machine
1.1.8 PC Interface (not provided on the PT-550/530 USA versions.)
[ 1 ] Interface cable Serial interface (RS-232C) cable for IBM AT/AT or
clones
[ 2 ] Interface programs Editor and device driver for Windows version 3.1 and
Windows 95 (which are provided in a floppy disk)

I- 5
nPT-550 USA
UK
Figure 1.1-2 Key Arrangement (1)

I- 6
Germany
France
Figure 1.1-2 Key Arrangement (2)

I- 7
Belgium
nPT-530 USA
Figure 1.1-2 Key Arrangement (3)

I- 8
1.2 ELECTRONICS SPECIFICATIONS
1.2.1 Character Generator
[ 1 ] Internal characters PT-550/530 USA version : 398 (including symbols)
PT-550 European versions : 452 (including symbols)
[ 2 ] Internal fonts PT-550 USA version : 8
European versions : 8
PT-530 USA version : 5
1.2.2 Power Supply
[ 1 ] Power supply Driven by 8 batteries
Optional AC line adapter (9.5 VDC, 1.3A) available
[ 2 ] Battery type 8 alkaline batteries (“AA” SIZE LR6/AM3)
[ 3 ] Service life of batteries Will last through one 24-mm wide tape cassette, and then some.
(by the DEMO print, at room temperature and normal humidity)
[ 4 ] Automatic power off Yes
If the machine remains unused for approx. 5 minutes, it
automatically powers itself off.
[ 5 ] Low battery indication When the voltage level drops below the specified level, the
[ BATTERIES WEAK ] or [ REPLACE BATTERIES! ] message
appears on the LCD.

Chapter II.
MECHANISMS

CONTENTS
2.1 THEORY OF OPERATION ..................................................................................II-1
2.1.1 Print Mechanism ...........................................................................................II-1
2.1.2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism ....................................II-3
2.1.3 Regular Tape & Ribbon Feed Mechanism .....................................................II-4
2.1.4 Color Printing Mechanism
(provided on the PT-550 European versions only) .........................................II-6
2.1.5 Tape Cutter Mechanism ................................................................................II-8
2.1.6 Cover Open Switch .......................................................................................II-9
2.1.7 Cassette Cover Sensor ..................................................................................II-9
2.2 DISASSEMBLY & REASSEMBLY ........................................................................II-10
nSafety Precautions................................................................................................II-10
nTightening Torque List...........................................................................................II-10
2.2.1 Disassembly Procedure .................................................................................II-11
[ 1 ] Removing the Tape Cassette and Cassette Cover ......................................II-11
[ 2 ] Removing the Lettering Stick ......................................................................II-12
[ 3 ] Removing the Battery Lid and Batteries ......................................................II-13
[ 4 ] Removing the Bottom Cover ......................................................................II-14
[ 5 ] Removing the Blind Cover, Power Supply PCB, and Terminal Plates .........II-16
[ 6 ] Removing the Chassis ASSY .....................................................................II-17
[ 7 ] Removing the Cassette Sensor PCB ..........................................................II-20
[ 8 ] Removing the Main PCB and Leading-edge Sensor PCB ...........................II-21
[ 9 ] Removing the Rubber Keypad and LCD Module .........................................II-22
[ 10 ]Removing the Cover Open Switch ..............................................................II-23
2.2.2 Reassembly Procedure .................................................................................II-24
[ 1 ] Installing the Cover Open Switch ................................................................II-24
[ 2 ] Installing the LCD Module and Rubber Keypad ...........................................II-25
[ 3 ] Installing the Leading-edge Sensor PCB and Main PCB..............................II-26
[ 4 ] Installing the Cassette Sensor PCB ............................................................II-27
[ 5 ] Installing the Chassis ASSY .......................................................................II-28
[ 6 ] Installing the Terminal Plates, Power Supply PCB, and Blind Cover ...........II-32
[ 7 ] Installing the Bottom Cover ........................................................................II-33
[ 8 ] Installing the Batteries and Battery Lid ........................................................II-34
[ 9 ] Installing the Lettering Stick ........................................................................II-35
[ 10 ]Installing the Cassette Cover and Tape Cassette ........................................II-36
[ 11 ]Demonstration Print and Final Check .........................................................II-37

II - 1
2.1 THEORY OF OPERATION
2.1.1 Print Mechanism
nStructure of Thermal Head
The machine uses thermal transfer printing. The thermal print head has a heat generator
consisting of 128 heating elements which are vertically aligned as shown in Figure 2.1-1. Each
heating element is 0.195 mm wide by 0.141 mm high.
Figure 2.1-1 Heat Generator of Thermal Head
nPrinting Process
When the cylindrical rubber platen is pressed against the thermal print head with the tape and ink
ribbon (the tape only when using non-laminated thermal film tape cassettes) sandwiched
inbetween, the CPU applies electric power to the selected ones of those 128 heating elements.
[ For tape cassettes except non-laminated thermal film tape cassettes ]
If the selected heating element(s) generates heat, the ink on the sandwiched ribbon will be melted
and transferred to the tape, producing a dot(s) on the tape. The ink ribbon and the tape are
advanced and then the next heating cycle is repeated, thus forming a character on the tape.
[ For non-laminated thermal film tape cassettes ]
If the selected heating element(s) generates heat, the thermal film tape develops itself to produce
a dot(s) on the tape. The tape is advanced and the next heating cycle is repeated, thus forming a
character on the tape.
[ For stamp tape cassettes ]
If the selected heating element(s) generates heat, the porous-stamp tape will be melted so that a
pore(s) will be formed in the tape. The tape is advanced and the next heating cycle is repeated,
thus forming a character of pores in the tape. The printed stamp tape can be used as the face of a
stamp. When the stamp is pressed against the ink-pad, it will absorb ink through the pores.

II - 2
For laminated tape cassettes, instant lettering tape cassettes, and iron-on transfer tape cassettes,
the CPU processes the print data to generate a mirror image so that the printed character can be
seen normally when viewed from the other side of the printed face of the tape.
nCharacter Formation
While the main motor (stepping motor) feeds the tape and ink ribbon (tape only when using non-
laminated thermal film tape cassettes or stamp tape cassettes) by 0.141 mm for 13.8 ms, the
thermal head generates heat once. The feed amount of 0.141 mm is smaller than the width (0.195
mm) of the heating elements so that the heat generated at one heating cycle will overlap with the
next heating cycle. This forms a character having no gap between adjacent printed dots.

II - 3
2.1.2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism
This mechanism consists of the roller release lever, roller release rod, and roller holder ASSY.
The roller holder ASSY incorporates the platen holder and the sub roller holder. These holders
support the platen and the tape feed sub roller so that they can move perpendicularly to the
thermal head and the tape feed roller, respectively, as well as rotating freely.
Closing the cassette cover pushes down the roller release lever which moves the roller release rod
to the left (when viewed from the front of the machine). This pivots the roller holder ASSY around
the shaft provided on the chassis so as to press the roller holder ASSY against the thermal head
side.
The platen is pressed perpendicularly against the thermal head with the tape and ink ribbon (only
the tape when using non-laminated thermal film tape cassettes or stamp tape cassettes)
sandwiched inbetween under a uniform load by the platen spring. At the same time, the platen
gear becomes engaged with the platen idle gear.
Also, the tape feed sub roller is pressed perpendicularly against the tape feed roller built in the
tape cassette with the tape (and base paper when using laminated tape cassettes or stamp tape
cassettes) sandwiched inbetween under a uniform load by the sub roller holder springs. At the
same time, the sub roller gear becomes engaged with the tape feed gear.
If you open the cassette cover, the roller release lever pops up by pivoting around its center shaft
since its bottom end is pulled down by the release lever spring. This retracts the roller holder
ASSY from the thermal head, providing you with enough space to replace the tape cassette.
Figure 2.1-2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism

II - 4
2.1.3 Regular Tape & Ribbon Feed Mechanism
This mechanism consists of a main motor, gear train, and roller holder ASSY.
nRegular Tape Feeding
When you load a tape cassette and close the cassette cover, the platen and the thermal head
sandwich the tape and ink ribbon (only the tape when using non-laminated thermal file tape
cassettes or stamp tape cassettes) inbetween. Also, the tape feed sub roller in the roller holder
ASSY and the tape feed roller inside the tape cassette sandwich the tape (and base paper when
using laminated tape cassettes or stamp tape cassettes) inbetween, as described in Subsection
2.1.2.
As the main motor (stepping motor) rotates, the rotation is transmitted via the gear train to the
platen idle gear (which rotates the platen gear) and the tape feed gear (which rotates the tape feed
roller and the tape feed sub roller at the same rotation speed).
Accordingly, the sandwiched tape and ink ribbon will be advanced. (When a laminated tape
cassette is mounted, the sandwiched laminate tape, adhesive base tape, and ink ribbon will be
advanced together).
The feeding amount of the platen is slightly less than that of the tape feed sub roller.
Figure 2.1-3 Tape Feeding Mechanism