Brother P-touch PT-D600 User manual

SERVICE MANUAL
MODEL: PT-D600

PREFACE
This publication is a service manual covering the specifications, theory of operation, disassembly/reassembly
procedure, and troubleshooting of the Brother PT-D600. It is intended for service personnel and other concerned
persons to accurately and quickly provide after-sale service for our PT-D600.
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 appendixes.
CHAPTER I SPECIFICATIONS
CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION
CHAPTER III DISASSEMBLY WITH ASSEMBLING NOTE
CHAPTER IV TROUBLESHOOTING
APPENDIX 1 SERVICEMAN SOFTWARE TOOL
APPENDIX 2 CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
© Copyright Brother 2014
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.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 Mechanical Specifications........................................................................................................I-1
1.1.1 External Appearance ...........................................................................................................I-1
1.1.2 Keyboard .............................................................................................................................I-1
1.1.3 Display.................................................................................................................................I-1
1.1.4 Printing Mechanism.............................................................................................................I-2
1.1.5 Tape Cassette.......................................................................................................................I-2
1.1.6 Tape Cutter ..........................................................................................................................I-3
1.2 Electronics Specifications.........................................................................................................I-4
1.2.1 Character Generator.............................................................................................................I-4
1.2.2 Power Supply.......................................................................................................................I-5
1.3 Key commands for Special Functions ......................................................................................I-6
1.3.1 Initializing............................................................................................................................I-6
1.3.2 Inspection Mode ..................................................................................................................I-6
CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION
2.1 Outline of Mechanisms........................................................................................................... II-1
2.1.1 Print Mechanism................................................................................................................ II-1
2.1.2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism .................................................... II-3
2.1.3 Roller Holder ASSY, Side Sensor & Cassette Cover Interlocking Mechanism ............... II-4
2.1.4 Tape & Ribbon Feed Mechanism...................................................................................... II-6
2.1.5 Tape Cutter Mechanism .................................................................................................... II-8
2.2 Outline of Control Electronics................................................................................................ II-9
2.2.1 Configuration..................................................................................................................... II-9
2.2.2 Main PCB ........................................................................................................................ II-11
[ 1 ] Block Diagram............................................................................................................... II-11
[ 2 ] Power Supply Circuit .................................................................................................... II-13
[ 3 ] Side Sensor Circuit ........................................................................................................ II-14
[ 4 ] Color Sensor 24 mm...................................................................................................... II-15
CHAPTER III DISASSEMBLY WITH ASSEMBLING NOTE
3.1 Disassembly with Assembling Note...................................................................................... III-3
[ 1 ] Removing the Tape Cassette .......................................................................................... III-3
[ 2 ] Removing the Battery Lid and Dry Cells....................................................................... III-4
[ 3 ] Removing the Lower Foot, Bottom Cover and Battery Box Film ................................. III-5
[ 4 ] Removing the Battery(+/-) Terminals ASSY and Battery Springs plus/minus.............. III-7
[ 5 ] Removing the Cassette Cover ........................................................................................ III-8
[ 6 ] Removing the Cassette Panel and Blind Cover.............................................................. III-9
[ 7 ] Removing the CAS Cover Panel and LCD Unit .......................................................... III-10
[ 8 ] Removing the Frame ASSY ......................................................................................... III-11
[ 9 ] Removing the Sensor Frame 24B ASSY,
Roller Holder Release Lever and Side Sensor PCB ASSY.......................................... III-14
[ 10 ] Disassembling the Frame ASSY .................................................................................. III-16
[ 11 ] Removing the Upper Cover and Rubber 62 Key.......................................................... III-17

3.2 How to Enter the Factory Inspection Mode......................................................................... III-18
3.3 Factory Inspection Mode ([1] to [6], [9] and [T] Keys) ...................................................... III-20
3.4 Write Setting Mode ([1] key): Required on the Production Line........................................ III-22
3.4.1 Head Rank Set Mode...................................................................................................... III-22
3.4.2 Write Country Set: Required on the Production Line .................................................... III-23
3.4.3 Check LCD Indication: Required on the Production Line ............................................. III-24
3.5 INFORMATION Mode ([2] key): Required on the Production Line ................................. III-25
3.6
Inspect Cassette/Color Sensor Switch Mode ([3] key): Required on the Production Line ... III-26
3.7 Inspect Key Mode ([4] key): Required on the Production Line .......................................... III-31
3.8 PRINT 1 Mode (30 mm/sec) ([5] key): Required on the Production Line.......................... III-33
3.9 PRINT 1 Mode (20 mm/sec) ([8] key): Not Required on the Production Line................... III-35
3.10 Full CUT Mode ([6] key): Not Required on the Production Line (Shipping Tool) ............ III-37
3.11 PRINT 2 Mode ([7] key): Not Required on the Production Line........................................ III-38
3.12 PRINT 3 Mode ([X] key): Not Required on the Production Line....................................... III-39
3.13 AD Check Mode 2 ([9] key): Required on the Production Line ......................................... III-40
3.14 CPU Internal Memory Initialization Mode ([BS] key: three times):
Not Required on the Production Line.................................................................................. III-41
3.15 Checksum Check Mode ([S] key): Not Required on the Production Line .......................... III-42
3.16 Serial Number Check Mode ([N] key): Not Required on the Production Line................... III-42
3.17 Program Version Data ([V] key): Not Required on the Production Line............................ III-43
3.18 Motor Rotation Mode ([M] key): Not Required on the Production Line
(30 Pieces with a String in Trial Production) ...................................................................... III-44
3.19 T&D Check Mode ([T] key): Required on the Production Line ......................................... III-45
3.20 Write Serial Number from PC Mode: Required on the Production Line ............................ III-46
3.21 Print from PC Mode: Required on the Production Line...................................................... III-46
3.22 Other Inspection Tools:
<USB Port Wiping Tool for PT-D600: QM Inspection use only>...................................... III-46
3.23 Check Items after Completion of
Line Inspection / Shipment Tool / QA 100% Inspection .................................................... III-47
CHAPTER IV TROUBLESHOOTING
4.1 Precautions.............................................................................................................................IV-1
4.2 After Repairing ......................................................................................................................IV-1
4.3 If Any Error Message is Displayed on the Computer Screen................................................IV-2
4.4 Error Messages ......................................................................................................................IV-4
4.5 Troubleshooting Flows ........................................................................................................IV-77
[ 1 ] Tape feeding failure......................................................................................................IV-77
[ 2 ] Printing failure..............................................................................................................IV-79
[ 3 ] Powering failure (Nothing appears on the LCD.) ........................................................IV-81
[ 4 ] No key entry possible ...................................................................................................IV-83
[ 5 ] Tape cassette type not identified ..................................................................................IV-84

APPENDIX 1 SERVICEMAN SOFTWARE TOOL
1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 1-1
1.1.1 Software Tool ..................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1.2 Items Required for Inspections........................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Serviceman Tool...................................................................................................................... 1-2
1.2.1 Role of the Serviceman Tool.............................................................................................. 1-2
1.2.2 Inspection Outline .............................................................................................................. 1-2
1.2.3 How to Start the Serviceman Tool ..................................................................................... 1-3
1.2.4 Read Serial Number ........................................................................................................... 1-4
1.2.5 Full Cut Test ....................................................................................................................... 1-6
1.2.6 Write Serial Number........................................................................................................... 1-7
APPENDIX 2 CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

I - 1
CHAPTER I SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 Mechanical Specifications
1.1.1 External Appearance
Figure 1.1-1 External Appearance
(1) Dimensions (W x D x H) Approx. 201 x 192 x 86 mm
(Approx. 7.92 x 7.56 x 3.39 inches)
(2) Weight
Machine proper Approx. 950 g
(without batteries and tape cassette)
1.1.2 Keyboard
(1) Entry system 62-rubber keypad
(2) Key arrangement See Figure 1.1-2.
1.1.3 Display
(1) Display type Liquid crystal display (LCD)
(2) Number of columns 320 x 120 dots, full-color-graphic
(3) Number of guidance indicators 10
86 mm 201 mm
192 mm

I - 2
1.1.4 Printing Mechanism
(1) Print system Thermal transfer onto plastic and fabric tapes
(Fixed thermal print head and tape feed
mechanism)
(2) Print speed See the table below.
(3) Print head
- Type Thermal print head
- Heat generator Consists of 128 heating elements vertically
aligned in 180 dpi
- Size of a heating element 0.18 mm wide by 0.141 mm high
(4) Character size
1.1.5 Tape Cassette
(1) Cassette Cartridge type (TZe cassette)
(2) Types of tape cassettes
- Laminate tape cassette Laminate tape, ink ribbon and adhesive base
tape
- Non-laminate tape cassette Non-laminate tape and ink ribbon
- Special tape cassettes Special tape and ink ribbon
(3) Tape size
Output Power supply
Tape type
Resolution
Laminated
(black ink)
Laminated
(color ink)
Non-
laminated Fabric Heat
shrink tube
Standard Alkaline
(only low temp) 15 mm/sec 15 mm/sec 15 mm/sec 15 mm/sec 15 mm/sec
180 x 180
dpi
Alkaline or
Ni-MH 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 15 mm/sec
AC adapter 30 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec 20 mm/sec
High
resolution
Alkaline or
Ni-MH 10 mm/sec 10 mm/sec 10 mm/sec
--
180 x 360
dpi
AC adapter 15 mm/sec 10 mm/sec 10 mm/sec
--
Size
6 pt
9 pt
12 pt
18 pt
24 pt
36 pt
42 pt
48 pt
Type of tape Width
Laminate tape 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 mm
Non-laminate tape 3.5, 9, 12, 18, 24 mm
Special tapes Fabric tape 12, 18 mm
Heat shrink tube 5.8, 8.8, 11.7, 17.7, 23.6 mm

I - 3
1.1.6 Tape Cutter
(1) Tape cutting Automatic cutting
(2) Cutter unit Not user-replaceable
Figure 1.1-2 Display and Key Arrangement
PT-D600 Germany version PT-D600 U.K. version
PT-D600 U.S. version PT-D600 France version

I - 4
1.2 Electronics Specifications
1.2.1 Character Generator
(1) Internal characters 826 or more (excluding space)
- Alphameric characters: 62 or more
- Acute accent: 146 or more
- Symbols: 618 or more
(2) Internal fonts Helsinki, Brussels, US, Florida, Belgium,
San Diego, Los Angeles, Calgary, Atlanta,
Adams, Brunei, Letter Gothic, Sofia, Germany
(3) Text buffer Max. 280 characters
(4) File memory 99 files
(5) Memory backup
No dedicated backup battery is provided. However, the memory is backed up for
2 minutes even after:
1) you remove the batteries (e.g., at the replacement time of batteries) without
connection of the specified AC adapter.
2) you unplug the specified AC adapter (being plugged in the DC jack of the
machine) from the wall socket without batteries loaded.
If the machine is loaded with batteries when you unplug the AC adapter (being
plugged in the DC jack of the machine) from the wall socket, the memory will be
backed up by those batteries.

I - 5
1.2.2 Power Supply
(1) Power supply Driven by:
Alkaline batteries (LR6) x6,
Ni-MH batteries (HR6) x6
Specified AC adapter available: AD-E001 **
(
“**” part changes depending on US, EU, and UK. )
(2) Battery type
Alkaline batteries (LR6)/Ni-MH batteries (HR6)
that come with the machine.
(3) Service life of batteries Will last through one 24-mm wide tape cassette,
and then some (at room temperature and
normal humidity).
(4) Automatic powering-off Dry cell battery 5 minutes
When using P-touch labeler only.
When connected to a PC, 1 hour.
Adapter 8 hours
(5) Low battery detection and indication
Indicated on LCD
Assurance limit for the printing quality (Stop after printing)
- When the machine is driven by batteries: Low Battery!
Limit for printing (Stop even in the middle of printing)
- When the machine is driven by batteries: Replace Battery!
Cut OFF: Turns the power OFF forcefully or does not turn ON the power.

I - 6
1.3 Key commands for Special Functions
1.3.1 Initializing
Inside RAM is cleared by pressing the following key simultaneously at power-off state,
and the content of character edit in the machine mode is initialized.
For European/North American models: [Space] + [BS] + [ON/OFF]
1.3.2 Inspection Mode
After inside RAM is cleared, enter the factory inspection mode by pressing the
following key simultaneously at power-off state. (When the machine enters the factory
inspection mode, the LCD displays as shown in <
Figure 1.3-1 >.)
For European/North American models: [Space] + [Clear] + [ON/OFF]
Figure 1.3-1 Factory Inspection Mode
FACTORY CHECK

II - 1
CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION
2.1 Outline of Mechanisms
2.1.1 Print Mechanism
Structure of Thermal Head
This machine uses direct thermal printing. The thermal print head has a heat
generator consisting of 128 heating elements which are vertically aligned in 180 dpi
as shown in Figure 2.1-1. Each heating element is 0.18 mm wide by 0.141 mm high.
Figure 2.1-1 Heat Generator of Thermal Head
Printing Process
When the cylindrical rubber platen is pressed against the thermal print head with the
tape and ink ribbon sandwiched inbetween, the CPU applies current to the selected
ones of those 128 heating elements.
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 graphic pattern on the tape.
For laminate tape cassettes, the CPU processes the print data to generate a mirror
image so that the printed pattern can be seen normally when viewed from the other
side of the printed face of the tape.
Graphic Pattern Formation
While the tape feed motor (stepping motor) feeds the tape and ink ribbon (tape only
when using non-laminate thermal film tape cassettes) by 0.141 mm for 14.1 ms, the
thermal head generates heat once. The feed amount of 0.141 mm is smaller than the
width (0.18 mm) of the heating elements so that the heat generated at one heating
cycle will overlap with the next heating cycle. This forms a graphic pattern having no
gap between adjacent printed dots.
0.141 mm (1/180")
0.18 mm
18.048 mm
(128 elements)

II - 2
Character Formation
See the table below.
The feed amount of 0.141 mm is smaller than the width (0.18 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.
Output Power supply
Tape type
Resolution
Laminated
(black ink)
Laminated
(color ink)
Non-
laminated Fabric Heat shrink tube
Standard Alkaline
(only low temp) 9.4 msec 9.4 msec 9.4 msec 9.4 msec 9.4 msec 180 x 180
dpi
(by 0.141
mm)
Alkaline or
Ni-MH 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 9.4 msec
AC adapter 4.7 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec
High
resolution
Alkaline or
Ni-MH 7.05 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec
--
180 x 360
dpi
(by 0.0705
mm)
AC adapter 4.7 msec 7.05 msec 7.05 msec
--

II - 3
2.1.2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism
This mechanism consists of the roller holder release lever, roller holder release rod
24B, roller holder ASSY and side sensor PCB ASSY.
The roller holder supports the platen and tape feed sub roller so that they can move
perpendicularly to the thermal head ASSY and tape feed roller built in the tape
cassette, respectively, as well as rotating freely.
Loading a tape cassette and closing the cassette cover pushes down the roller holder
release lever which moves the roller holder release rod 24B to the left as illustrated
below. This pivots the roller holder ASSY around the shaft provided on the side
sensor frame 24B so as to press the roller holder ASSY against the thermal head
ASSY side.
The platen is pressed perpendicularly against the thermal head ASSY with the tape
and ink ribbon (only the tape when using non-laminated thermal film tape cassettes)
sandwiched in between under a uniform load by the roller holder springs. At the same
time, the platen gear becomes engaged with the P idle gear and the side sensor
touch to the top of cassette to detect the width of the tape cassette.
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) sandwiched in between under a uniform load by the roller holder springs.
At the same time, the sub roller gear becomes engaged with the tape drive gear
TZA24.
If you open the cassette cover, the roller holder release lever pops up so that the roller
holder release rod 24B retracts the roller holder ASSY from the thermal head ASSY
and side sensor also retracts from the tape cassette, providing you with enough
space to replace the tape cassette.
Figure 2.1-2 Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting Mechanism
Tape cassette
Adhesive base tape
Laminate tape
Ink ribbon
Thermal head ASSY
Roller holder release lever
P idle gear
Tape feed roller built
in a tape cassette
(Tape idle gear)
Tape feed sub roller
Platen roller
Roller holder ASSY
Roller holder release rod 24B
Roller holder spring, lower
Roller holder spring, upper
Platen roller
Tape feed sub roller
Sub roller gear
Platen gear
Side sensor PCB ASSY

II - 4
2.1.3 Roller Holder ASSY, Side Sensor & Cassette Cover Interlocking Mechanism
Closing the cassette cover pushes down the roller holder release lever and brings the
top of the lever into the box provided on the inside of the cassette cover.
As described in Subsection 2.1.2 "Roller Holder ASSY Setting & Retracting
Mechanism" the roller holder release lever shifts the roller holder release rod 24B so
that the roller holder ASSY is pressed towards the thermal head side.
Figure 2.1-3 Roller Holder Release Lever & Roller Holder Release Rod 24B
Figure 2.1-4 Roller Holder ASSY & Cassette Cover Interlocking Mechanism
Sensor frame 24B
Roller holder ASSY
Tape cassette
Roller holder release rod 24B
Side sensor PCB ASSY
Roller holder release lever
Side sensor
spring B
Side sensor
Roller holder release rod 24B
Thermal head ASSY
Roller holder
release lever
Roller holder ASSY
Tape cassette
Hook
Cassette cover
Roller holder release lever
Roller holder release lever

II - 5
The locking boss on the side sensor holder 24B enters the locking boss hole on the
tape cassette, and the side sensor switches are held down according to the holes on
the tape cassette. (The side sensor turns ON when the sensor switches that
correspond to the sections without holes are held down.)
The tape cassette type and width are determined depending on the pattern that the
side sensor switches are held down. (The tape cassette type and width are
determined depending on the holes (1 to 5) at the section "A".)
Figure 2.1-5 Side Sensor Mechanism
Tape cassette
Locking boss hole Locking boss
"A" Side sensor PCB ASSY
Side sensor
switches (5 pcs.)
Side sensor hole
Side
sensor
holder 24B
Side sensor
PCB ASSY

II - 6
2.1.4 Tape & Ribbon Feed Mechanism
This mechanism consists of a stepping motor, gear train, and roller holder ASSY.
Tape Feeding
As the stepping motor rotates, the rotation is transmitted via the gear train to the
platen idle gear (which rotates the platen roller gear) and tape idle gear (which rotate
the tape feed roller and its sub roller at the same rotation speed).
Accordingly, the sandwiched tape and ink ribbon will be advanced at the constant
speed. (When a laminate tape cassette is mounted, the sandwiched laminate tape,
ink ribbon and adhesive base tape will be advanced together.)
Adhesive Base Tape Feeding (only for laminate tape cassettes)
A laminate tape cassette contains both a transparent laminate tape roll and a
separate adhesive base tape roll.
When a transparent laminate tape and adhesive base tape pass through the contact
point (between the tape feed roller and tape feed sub roller), they are then bonded
together into a single, printed tape. The ink printed on the laminate tape is, therefore,
sealed up with the adhesive base tape.
Figure 2.1-6 Tape Feeding Mechanism
Adhesive base tape
Platen idle gear
Tape feed roller built
in a tape cassette
(Tape idle gear)
Tape feed sub roller
Transparent
laminate tape
Thermal head ASSY
Roller holder ASSY
Platen roller
Stepping motor
Tape idle gear
Frame ASSY
Platen idle gear

II - 7
Ink Ribbon Feeding
As the stepping motor rotates, the ribbon drive cam located at the middle of the gear
train rotates counterclockwise. When fitted on the ribbon drive cam, the ribbon take-
up roll in the tape cassette also rotates to take up the ink ribbon.
To apply proper tension to the ink ribbon between the platen and the ribbon drive cam,
the feed amount of the ribbon drive cam is slightly greater than that of the tape idle
gear. The difference between the feed speeds at the platen roller and at the ribbon
drive cam is absorbed by the clutch spring which is integrated in the ribbon drive cam
and allows the cam to slip.
This way, the ink ribbon is kept tense, which enables the ribbon to clearly separate
from the tape at the stabilized angle after printing.
Figure 2.1-7 Ribbon Feeding Mechanism
Tape feed roller built
in a tape cassette
(Tape idle gear)
Ink ribbon
Thermal head ASSY
Roller holder ASSY
Tape feed sub roller
Platen roller
Stepping motor
Tape idle gear
Frame ASSY
Ribbon drive cam
Platen idle gear

II - 8
2.1.5 Tape Cutter Mechanism
The cutter ASSY consists of a stationary blade and movable blade.
The printed tape will come through those blades. Pressing the feed button (the cutter
button) will turn the DC motor, and move the movable blade in the direction of an
arrow, cutting the printed tape, just like a scissors.
Figure 2.1-8 Tape Cutter Mechanism
Tape cassette
Stationary blade
Movable blade
Tape

II - 9
2.2 Outline of Control Electronics
2.2.1 Configuration
Figure 2.2-1 shows a block diagram of the control electronics of this machine. The
control electronics consists of three PCBs (main PCB, key PCB and side sensor
PCB), a LCD, stepping motor, DC motor, thermal print head and cutter sensor.
Main PCB
This PCB manages all the components including a LCD, DC motor, stepping motor
and thermal print head and AC jack. For electronic devices on the main PCB, refer
to Section 2.2.2.
Key PCB
This PCB is connected with the main PCB via a relay harness.
Side sensor PCB
According to the states of the five sensor switches on this PCB, the CPU can
identify the tape width and type of the tape cassette loaded.
LCD
The LCD has 320 x 120 dots.
Stepping motor
The stepping motor is a power source to advance the tape and ink ribbon.
Thermal print head
This is a thick-film thermal print head which integrates a heat generator (consisting
of 128 heating elements vertically aligned in 180 dpi) and driver circuitry.
Cutter sensor
The cutter sensor detects the position of cutter.
DC motor
The DC motor is a power source to drive the auto cutter.
Cover open sensor
This sensor detects the condition of cassette cover.
Color sensor
This sensor detects the color of the ink ribbon using the five switches.