Brother QL-1060N User manual

P-touch
SERVICE MANUAL
MODEL: QL-1060N

PREFACE
This publication is a service manual covering the specifications, theory of operation,
disassembly/reassembly procedure, and troubleshooting the Brother QL-1060N. It is intended for
service personnel and other concerned persons to accurately and quickly provide after-sale service
for our QL-1060N.
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 THEORY OF OPERATION
CHAPTER III DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY
CHAPTER IV TROUBLESHOOTING AND ERROR MESSAGE
APPENDIX 1. MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE OPERATION
© Copyright Brother 2007
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.

i
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................... I-1
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 Thermal Tape..................................................................................................... I-2
1.1.6 Cutter................................................................................................................. I-3
1.1.7 PC Interface ....................................................................................................... I-3
1.2 ELECTRONICS SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................... I-3
1.2.1 Power Supply..................................................................................................... I-3
CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION ............................................................ II-1
2.1 OUTLINE OF MECHANISMS ................................................................................... II-1
2.1.1 Print Mechanism ................................................................................................ II-1
2.1.2 Press Contact and Release Mechanism of Thermal Head ............................... II-2
2.1.3 Tape Feed Mechanism ...................................................................................... II-3
2.1.4 Automatic Tape Full Cutter Mechanism ............................................................ II-4
2.1.5 Cover Open (Cover Lock) Sensor ..................................................................... II-5
2.2 OUTLINE OF CONTROL ELECTRONICS............................................................... II-6
2.2.1 Main PCB........................................................................................................... II-6
2.2.2 Media Position Detect Sensor PCB (Tape Sensor)........................................... II-6
2.2.3 Key, LED PCB (SB PCB)................................................................................... II-7
2.2.4 Cutter Home Position Sensor ............................................................................ II-7
2.2.5 Media Feed Motor (Tape Feed Motor) .............................................................. II-7
2.2.6 Full Cutter Motor ................................................................................................ II-7
2.2.7 Thermal Head .................................................................................................... II-7
2.3 MAIN PCB................................................................................................................. II-8
2.3.1 Logic Components ............................................................................................. II-10
[ 1 ] CPU ................................................................................................................ II-10

ii
[ 2 ] Flash ROM...................................................................................................... II-10
[ 3 ] SDRAM........................................................................................................... II-10
[ 4 ] EEPROM ........................................................................................................ II-10
2.3.2 Key, LED Circuit................................................................................................. II-11
2.3.3 Head and Motor Power Supply ON/OFF Circuit................................................ II-12
2.3.4 Full Cutter Motor Driver Circuit and Media Feed Motor Driver Circuit............... II-13
2.3.5 Media Type Sensor Circuit, Media Position Detect Sensor Circuit
and Cover Open Sensor Circuit ........................................................................ II-14
2.3.6 Head Temperature Detect Circuit...................................................................... II-18
2.3.7 Cutter Home Position Sensor Circuit................................................................. II-18
2.3.8 Reset Circuit ...................................................................................................... II-18
2.3.9 USB Interface Circuit ......................................................................................... II-19
2.3.10 RS232C Interface Circuit ................................................................................... II-19
2.3.11 LAN Interface Circuit.......................................................................................... II-20
CHAPTER III DISASSEMBLY AND REASSEMBLY.......................................... III-1
3.1 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ......................................................................................... III-1
3.2 TIGHTNING TORQUE LISTS................................................................................... III-2
3.3 LUBRICATION POINTS LIST................................................................................... III-3
3.4 DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE................................................................................. III-5
[ 1 ] Removing the Top Cover ASSY and Thermal Tape ...................................... III-5
[ 2 ] Disassembling the Top Cover ASSY.............................................................. III-7
[ 3 ] Removing the Upper Cover ASSY ................................................................. III-9
[ 4 ] Removing the Power Supply PCB and Main PCB.......................................... III-12
[ 5 ] Removing the Front Cover, Panel Cover and Front Side Cover .................... III-17
[ 6 ] Removing the Cutter Unit ASSY and Mecha ASSY ....................................... III-19
[ 7 ] Disassembling the Panel Cover..................................................................... III-20
[ 8 ] Disassembling the Mecha ASSY .................................................................... III-21
3.5 REASSEMBLING PROCEDURE.............................................................................. III-27
[ 1 ] Reassembling the Mecha ASSY .................................................................... III-27
[ 2 ] Installing the Panel Cover............................................................................... III-34
[ 3 ] Installing the Mecha ASSY and Cutter unit ASSY.......................................... III-35
[ 4 ] Installing the Front Side Cover, Panel Cover and Front Cover ...................... III-38

iii
[ 5 ] Installing the Upper Cover ASSY.................................................................... III-41
[ 6 ] Installing the Power Supply PCB and Main PCB............................................ III-43
[ 7 ] Reassembling the Top Cover ASSY .............................................................. III-48
[ 8 ] Installing the Top Cover ASSY and Thermal Tape ........................................ III-50
[ 9 ] Demonstration Print and Final Check............................................................. III-52
CHAPTER IV TROUBLESHOOTING AND ERROR MESSAGE ........................ IV-1
4.1 PRECAUTIONS ........................................................................................................ IV-1
4.2 AFTER REPAIRING.................................................................................................. IV-1
4.3 ERROR MESSAGE.................................................................................................. IV-2
4.4 TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWS ................................................................................ IV-3
[ 1 ] Printing is performed with specific dots omitted ............................................. IV-3
[ 2 ] The tape is not detected correctly .................................................................. IV-4
[ 3 ] LED does not turn on...................................................................................... IV-5
[ 4 ] No printing is performed ................................................................................. IV-6
[ 5 ] The USB interface malfunction ....................................................................... IV-7
[ 6 ] The RS232C interface malfunction................................................................. IV-8
[ 7 ] The Ethernet interface malfunction................................................................. IV-9
[ 8 ] The tape is not cut .......................................................................................... IV-10
[ 9 ] The tape is not fed correctly ........................................................................... IV-11
[ 10 ] The tape is fed, but the error message appears shortly................................. IV-12
APPENDIX 1 MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE OPERATION ................................ 1
APPENDIX 1.1 Role and Use Procedure of the Reset Software Tool
(QL1060NtstReset.exe) .......................................................................... 2
APPENDIX 1.2 Setting and Use Procedures of the Maintenance Software Tool
(QL1060NtstSE.exe) ............................................................................... 3
APPENDIX 1.3 Role and Use Procedure of the VR Adjustment Tool
(QL1060NtstVRAdjust.exe)..................................................................... 24

I- 1
CHAPTER I SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS
1.1.1 External Appearance
[ 1 ] Dimensions (W x D x H) 170mm x 222mm x 147.5mm
[ 2 ] Weight Approx. 1.7kg (Machine proper only)
147.5mm 170mm
222mm
Fig. 1.1-1 External Appearance
1.1.2 Keyboard
[ 1 ] Number of function keys 3
[ 2 ] Key arrangement See Fig. 1.1-2.
Fig. 1.1-2 Key Arrangement
1.1.3 Display
[ 1 ] Display type LED 1 (ON/OFF: Green On/Off, Error: Red blinking
Cover open: Yellow On/Off,
Cooling: Yellow blinking)
CUT button
FEED button
POWER button
LED lamp

1.1.4 Printing Mechanism
[ 1 ] Print method Direct thermal printing with thermal head
Printing on thermal paper tape, and printing on thermal
paper and thermal plastic tape (with fixed head and tape
feeding)
[ 2 ] Highest printing speed 110mm/sec
[ 3 ] Print head
Type Thick film thermal head
1296 dots by one row
Size of heating element 0.0847mm (Height) x 0.13mm (Width)
Resolution 300 dpi
1.1.5 Thermal Tape
[ 1 ] Tape Roll type (Die cut and free length)
[ 2 ] Type and size of die cut tape
Type of tape Label size (W X H) Roll overall width
P29 x 90BW 29mm x 90mm 32.0mm
P38 x 90BW 38mm x 90mm 42.0mm
P62 x 29BW 62mm x 29mm 66.0mm
P62 x 100BW 62mm x 100mm 66.0mm
P17 x 54BW 17mm x 54mm 19.0mm
P17 x 87BW 17mm x 87mm 19.0mm
M58DBW
66.0mm
P23 x 23BW 23mm x 23mm 32.0mm
P12DBW
19.0mm
P24DBW
32.0mm
P29BW
32.0mm
P62BW
66.0mm
M29BW
32.0mm
M62BW
66.0mm
M62BY
66.0mm
M62BC
66.0mm
P12BW
32.0mm
P102 x 51BW 102 x 51mm 105.6mm
P102 x 152BW 102 x 152mm 105.6mm
P102BW
105.6mm
P50BW
54.0mm
I- 2

I- 3
1.1.6 Cutter
[ 1 ] Tape cutting Automatic cut
(Cutter unit is user unexchangeable component)
1.1.7 PC Interface
[ 1 ] Method
Standard USB Standard Ver.2.0 Full speed (12Mbps)
RS232C
Ethernet 10BASE-T/ 100BASE-TX
[ 2 ] Supported OS Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Microsoft Windows VISTA
1.2 ELECTORONICS SPECIFICATIONS
1.2.1 Power Supply
Integral switching power supply U.S.A. / Canada: 120V AC 60Hz
Europe: 220V - 240V AC 50/60Hz
Japan: 100V AC 50/60Hz

CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION
2.1 OUTLINE OF MECHANISMS
2.1.1 Print Mechanism
Structure of Thermal Head
This machine adopts direct thermal printing system. The thermal head consists of 1296
pieces of heating elements arrayed in vertical single row as shown in the Fig. 2.1-1.
The dimension of each heating element is vertical length 0.0847(0.0847mm pitch) x
horizontal width 0.13mm.
Pitch 0.0847mm
0.13mm
Fig. 2.1-1 Heating Elements of Thermal Head
Printing Process
A thermal tape is pressed against the thermal head in the printing process by the force
comes from a nip between the cylindrical rubber platen and the thermal head. At this
timing, voltage is applied selectively to 1296 pieces of heating elements arrayed on the
thermal head. By this voltage application, the heating elements generate heat and the
thermal tape develops dots by itself at heat sensing points. After application of voltage
the thermal tape is fed to the next printing position by the platen (0.0847mm).
This printing cycle is repeated and characters and geometries are printed on the tape.
One time travel distance (0.0847mm) is shorter than the width of a heating element
(0.13mm), so that continuous printing cycle can print characters and geometries on a tape
by developing dots with no gap.
II- 1

2.1.2 Press Contact and Release Mechanism of Thermal Head
The head ASSY is pressed firmly against the platen by the force of spring. When the
release levers L and R are pulled upwards, they are unlocked so that the platen and top
cover are released. The tape can be loaded into the machine in this status. If the head
ASSY is pressed against the platen, close the top cover.
Head ASSY
Top cover ASSY
Platen
Head spring Sub plate
Release lever L, R
Release lever L
Platen
Release lever R
Fig. 2.1-2 Press Contact and Release Mechanism of Thermal Head
II- 2

2.1.3 Tape Feed Mechanism
When the tape is fed, the tape is pressed against the thermal head, which is nipped between
the platen and the thermal head. Here, the tape feed motor (step motor) rotates, of which
drive power is transmitted via the gear train to the platen gear and the platen, and
consequently the platen can feed the tape.
Thermal tape
Platen
Double gear B
Double gear C Feed motor ASSY
Double gear A
Fig. 2.1-3 Tape Feed Mechanism
II- 3

2.1.4 Automatic Tape Full Cutter Mechanism
The automatic tape full cutter mechanism moves the moving cutter blade up and down to the
direction of the fixed cutter blade to cut the tape on the feeding pass. The cam is rotated
once so that the moving cutter blade moves up and down and cuts a medium. The cutter
motor rotates from the position where the cutter home position sensor is ON, and the gear of
the cam is rotated through the cutter worm gear. When the cam is rotated once, the cutter
motor stops and stays again at the position where the cutter home position sensor is ON.
This mechanism provides the mechanism to reverse the driving system, which is used in
case that the tape or the like is jammed between the blades. (For the details, refer to
“CHAPTER IV TROUBLESHOOTING & ERROR MESSEAGE”.)
When the driving system is reversed, the cutter motor stops and stays again at the position
where the cutter home position sensor is ON.
Fixed cutter blade
Moving cutter blade A view
Cutter motor
Thermal tape
Cut helical gear
Cutter home position sensor
Cut worm gear
< A view > Moving cutter blade
Fixed cutter blade
Cutter home position sensor Cutter motor
Cut worm gear Cut helical gear
Fig. 2.1-4 Automatic Tape Full Cutter Mechanism
II- 4

2.1.5 Cover Open (Cover Lock) Sensor
The cover open (cover lock) sensor R (push switch) is mounted on the SB PCB ASSY.
The cover open sensor L is secured on the cutter unit ASSY with the screw.
Closing the top cover ASSY, the cover sensor arms R and L push the cover open (cover
lock) sensors (R and L) (push switch) and the signal of top cover ASSY close status is
output.
Top cover ASSY
Rib
Cover sensor arm L
Cover open(cover lock)
sensor L(push switch)
Top cover ASSY
Rib
Cover sensor arm L
Rib
Cover open sensor L
Cutter unit ASSY
Cover open sensor R Cover sensor arm R
SB PCB ASSY
Top cover ASSY
Rib
Cover sensor arm R
Cover open(cover lock)
Sensor R(push switch)
SB PCB ASSY
Fig. 2.1-5 Cover Open (Cover Lock) Sensor
II- 5

2.2 OUTLINE OF CONTROL ELECTRONICS
Fig. 2.2-1 shows the block diagram of the control electronics. The control electronics
consist of the following components.
CN14
CN16
CN13
CN10
CN12
CN11 CN8
CN7 CN4
CN6
CN5
Cutter motor
Cutter home
position sensor
Serial
Fan motor unit
Media feed motor
Media
position
detect
sensor
Cover open sensor
Thermal head
Power supply PCBDC8V Power PCB ASSY
PC
USB LAN
Key, LED PCB
(SB PCB)
HUB
Fig. 2.2-1 Block Diagram of the Control Electronics
2.2.1 Main PCB
This manages all the components. This PCB consists of CPU, EEPROM, USB chip and
motor drivers etc.
2.2.2 Media Position Detect Sensor PCB (Tape Sensor)
This sensor PCB detects the printing start position for the die cut label, and checks existence
of the zebra pattern for the free length label, using reflection type photo sensor.
II- 6

2.2.3 Key, LED PCB (SB PCB)
This is the PCB equipped with ON/OFF button, FEED button, CUT button, cover open sensor
and LED lamp.
2.2.4 Cutter Home Position Sensor
This sensor detects existence of the cutter at its home position.
2.2.5 Media Feed Motor (Tape Feed Motor)
The media feed motor supplies the drive power to feed media. This motor is step motor of
which drive voltage is VH(25V).
2.2.6 Full Cutter Motor
The cutter motor supplied the drive power to cut media. This motor is a DC motor of which
drive voltage is VH(25V).
2.2.7 Thermal Head
Thermal head is thick film and drive built-in type thermal head, which consists of1296 dots by
one row / 300dpi. The drive voltage is VH(25V).
II- 7

2.3 MAIN PCB
Fig. 2.3-1 and Fig. 2.3-2 show the block diagram of the main PCB. The main PCB consists of
the following components.
(1) CPU (Including ROM and RAM)
(2) Flash ROM, SDRAM
(3) EEPROM (4Kbit)
(4) Power supply ON/OFF circuit, FEED button ON/OFF circuit, CUT button ON/OFF
circuit, LED ON/OFF circuit
(5) Head power supply ON/OFF circuit
(6) Full cutter motor driver circuit, and Media feed motor driver circuit
(7) Media type sensor circuit, Media position detect sensor circuit, and Cover open sensor
circuit
(8) Head temperature detect circuit
(9) Cutter home position sensor circuit
(10) Reset circuit
(11) USB interface circuit
(12) RS232C interface circuit
(13) Ethernet interface circuit
FEED, CUT button
Green LED, Red LED
Oscillator circuit
7.6MHZ
DC motor
for full cut
For tape feed
driving
EEPROM
(4Kbit)
FROM 64Mbit
(Max. 64Mbit)
SDRAM 128Mbit
(Max. 128Mbit)
LAN IC
LAN 9115
RS232C
IC
RS232C
IF
Step motor
Bipolar constant current
drive circuit
100/120V
INT
(NEC)
+25V
output
LAN
IF
USB IC
D12 USB
IF
Cutter home position
sensor
Media type sensor circuit
6 selector switches
Cover open sensor
Power supply
ON/OFF button
Cover left sensor
Fan motor unit
AC power supply Switching
power supply Power supply
shunt PCB
+2.5V power
supply circuit
+3.3V power
supply circuit
Photo sensor for
detecting top edge
of media
DC motor
Normal/reverse
drive circuit
Thermal head
temperature detect circuit
Thermal head
+25V power supply
voltage detect circuit
16bit bus
+2.5V output
(for CPU power supply)
+25V output
(for drive power supply)
+3.3V output
(for logic power supply)
Lock
signal
Key PCB
+5V output
+8V output
CPU
<For 100/120V model>
850E/MA3
ROM: 256KB
RAM: 16KB
Fig. 2.3-1 Block Diagram of Main PCB (For 100/120V model)
II- 8

CPU
<For 220/230/240V model>
850E/MA3
ROM: 256KB
RAM: 16KB
FEED, CUT button
Green LED, Red LED
Oscillator circuit
7.6MHZ
DC motor
for full cut
For tape feed
driving
EEPROM
(4Kbit)
FROM 64Mbit
(Max. 64Mbit)
SDRAM 128Mbit
(Max. 128Mbit)
LAN IC
LAN 9115
RS232C
IC
RS232C
IF
Step motor
Bipolar constant current
drive circuit
220/230/240V
INT
(NEC)
+25V
output
LAN
IF
USB IC
D12 USB
IF
Cutter home position
sensor
Media type sensor circuit
6 selector switches
Cover open sensor
Power supply
ON/OFF button
Cover left sensor
Fan motor unit
AC power supply Switching
power supply Power supply
shunt PCB
+2.5V power
supply circuit
+3.3V power
supply circuit
Photo sensor for
detecting top edge
of media
DC motor
Normal/reverse
drive circuit
Thermal head
temperature detect circuit
Thermal head
+25V power supply
voltage detect circuit
16bit bus
+2.5V output
(for CPU power supply)
+25V output
(for drive power supply)
+3.3V output
(for logic power supply)
Lock
signal
Key PCB
+5V output
ON/OFF
current control signal
+8V output
Fig. 2.3-2 Block Diagram of Main PCB (For 220/230/240V model)
II- 9

2.3.1 Logic Components
[ 1 ] CPU
CPU (U12) controls and manages the entire system, which is 32bit microcomputer of
NEC brand.
[ 2 ] Flash ROM
One 32M-bit flash ROM is used, where the program, font and downloaded data are
stored.
[ 3 ] SDRAM
One 64M-bit SDRAM is used. It is used when the program is executed, and when
the received data is stored temporarily.
[ 4 ] EEPROM
One 4Kbit EEPROM (U3) is used. This memory is used for write and storage of
baud rate information, Vendor ID code, Product ID code and mechanical information.
If the main PCB is replaced, it is needed to write the serial number printed on the
EEPROM mounted on the main PCB and the mechanical configuration date.
For this operation, refer to “APPENDIX 1. MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE
OPERATION”.
II- 10

2.3.2 Key, LED Circuit
- Power supply ON/OFF circuit
This circuit detects the state of ON/OFF of the ON/OFF button. Pressing this button in the
power supply OFF state (LED OFF), LOW signal is sent to the CPU. Then the CPU starts
initializing process and establishes the status of power supply ON (LED ON and ready for
date acceptance from PC). Pressing this button in the condition that the status of power
supply in ON and the status of ready for date acceptance from PC (LED ON), the CPU starts
power OFF process, turns the LED OFF and changes the status into power supply OFF (LED
OFF). Pressing this button in the condition that the status of power supply is ON and now
going on printing, the CPU stops printing, starts power OFF process after reading and
discarding the date sent from PC, and changes the status into power supply OFF (LED OFF).
Fig. 2.3-3 Key, LED Circuit
II- 11

2.3.3 Head and Motor Power Supply ON/OFF Circuit
Turning the CPU status of 91pin (VHON) to High, Q2 turns on, VH(25V power supply) turns
on and consequently the head and motor is energized.
Turning the CPU status of 91pin (VHON) to Low, Q2 turns off, VH(25V power supply) turns
off and consequently the head and motor power supply is cut off.
Fig. 2.3-4 Head and Motor Power Supply ON/OFF Circuit
II- 12