CAB Tharo Apollo 4 User manual

Edition 11/98
Transfer Printer
Apollo 4
Operator's Manual

2 cab - Produkttechnik GmbH /Tharo Systems, Inc.
copyright by cab / 900 8063 / H49 / 50
Technische Änderungen vorbehalten
In accordance with our policy of continual product improvement, we reserve the right to alter specifications without notice
Données technique modifiables sans prévais
Gesellschaft für Tharo Systems, Inc.
Computer- und Automations- 2866 Nationwide Parkway
Bausteine mbH P.O. Box 798
cab-Produkttechnik GmbH Brunswick, OH 44212-0798
Postfach 19 04 D-76007 Karlsruhe Web: http://www.tharo.com/tharo/
Haid- und-Neu-Straße 7 D-76131 Karlsruhe E-mail: [email protected]
Telefon +49 (0) 721 / 66 26-00 Tel. : [phone]
Telefax +49 (0) 721 / 66 26-249 Fax : [phone]
Web : http://www.cabgmbh.com
e-mail : [email protected]

3cab - Produkttechnik GmbH / Tharo Systems, Inc.
Thermal Transfer Printer
Operator's Manual
Thermal Transfer Printer
Operator's Manual
Apollo 4
All rights reserved, including those of the translations.
No part of this manual nor any translation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use, without the
express written permission of cab - Produkttechnik GmbH Karlsruhe.
Edition 11/98
Printed in Germany

4 cab - Produkttechnik GmbH / Tharo Systems, Inc.
Table of Contents
A General Guide to the Documentation ........................................................................... 8
Operating Manual................................................................................................................ 8
Further Documentation........................................................................................................ 8
Trademarks ........................................................................................................................ 9
Characteristics of the Thermal Printhead ...................................................................... 10
1. Product Description ................................................................................................. 11
General Information..................................................................................................... 11
Compliances ............................................................................................................... 12
Technical Specifications.............................................................................................. 13
Optional Features ....................................................................................................... 15
External Rewinder................................................................................................. 15
Memory Card ........................................................................................................ 15
Keyboard Adapter ................................................................................................. 15
Label Design Software EASYLABEL for Windows ............................................... 15
Print Media.................................................................................................................. 16
Print Media for Direct Thermal Printing ................................................................. 17
Print Media for Thermal Transfer Printing.............................................................. 17
Label/ Tag Media Specifications............................................................................ 18
Transfer Ribbon .................................................................................................... 19
2. General Safety Instructions ..................................................................................... 20
3. Unpacking and Delivery Contents............................................................................ 20
4. Printer Component Location .................................................................................... 21
5. Connecting the Printer ............................................................................................. 25
Connection to Power Supply ....................................................................................... 25
Connection to a Computer.......................................................................................... 26
6. Media Loading........................................................................................................... 27
Installing the Collection Box ........................................................................................ 27
Loading Labels............................................................................................................ 28
Loading Transfer Ribbon ............................................................................................. 30
7. Adjustments Concerning the Labels........................................................................ 31
Adjustment of the Printhead Support........................................................................... 31
Adjustment of the Transfer Ribbon .............................................................................. 32
8. Control Panel............................................................................................................. 33
System Mode ONLINE ................................................................................................ 34
System Mode OFFLINE .............................................................................................. 35

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System Mode PRINT................................................................................................... 36
System Mode PAUSE ............................................................................................... 37
System Mode FAULT-CORRECTABLE ....................................................................... 38
System Mode FAULT-IRRECOVERABLE.................................................................... 39
System Mode SYSTEM TEST..................................................................................... 40
System Mode SETUP ................................................................................................. 41
System Mode TEST PRINT......................................................................................... 42
System Mode MONITORMODE / ASCII Dump Mode .................................................. 43
System Mode LABEL FROM CARD ............................................................................ 44
9. Setup.......................................................................................................................... 46
Start of Setup Mode .................................................................................................... 46
Overview of the Setup Parameters.............................................................................. 47
Country/Land............................................................................................................... 48
Transfer Print .............................................................................................................. 50
Label Sensor............................................................................................................... 51
Interface ..................................................................................................................... 52
Cut Position ................................................................................................................ 53
Peel Position............................................................................................................... 54
Printhead Position....................................................................................................... 55
Heat Level................................................................................................................... 56
Printer Info .................................................................................................................. 57
Set Date...................................................................................................................... 58
Set Time ..................................................................................................................... 59
Character Set ............................................................................................................. 60
Format Card................................................................................................................ 61
Copy Memory Card ..................................................................................................... 62
Backfeed..................................................................................................................... 63
Debug Mode................................................................................................................ 64
Tear-off Position ......................................................................................................... 65
Pause Reprint ............................................................................................................. 66
10. Self Test / Test Print .................................................................................................. 67
Start of the Test Print .................................................................................................. 67
Explanation of the Self Test Printout ........................................................................... 68
11. Printer Info Display ................................................................................................... 72
Viewing the Printer Info Display................................................................................... 72
Definition of the Printer Info Display ............................................................................ 72
12. Monitor Mode / ASCII Dump Mode ........................................................................... 74
Start of the Monitor Mode / ASCII Dump Mode............................................................ 74
Representation of the Control Characters.................................................................... 74
Example of ASCII Dump Mode.................................................................................... 75

6 cab - Produkttechnik GmbH / Tharo Systems, Inc.
13. Options ...................................................................................................................... 76
Memory Cards............................................................................................................. 76
Preparing the Memory Card .................................................................................. 76
Installation of the Memory Card............................................................................. 77
Formatting the Memory Card................................................................................. 78
Writing on the Memory Card ................................................................................. 78
Printing from a Memory Card ................................................................................ 79
Keyboard Adapter ....................................................................................................... 80
Installation of the Keyboard Adapter...................................................................... 80
Key Assignment.................................................................................................... 81
Special Key Functions........................................................................................... 81
APPENDICES
Appendix A - Character Tables...................................................................................... A-1
Setup Selectable Character Tables............................................................................ A-1
Unicode Tables.......................................................................................................... A-9
Special Characters - Keyboard Adapter ................................................................... A-13
Appendix B - Pin Assignment of the Interface Connectors......................................... B-1
Pin Assignment of the Serial Interface Connectors .................................................... B-1
Interface Cable for RS-232 ........................................................................................ B-2
Interface Cable for RS-422/ RS-485 .......................................................................... B-3
Pin Assignment of the Parallel Interface Connector ................................................... B-4
Centronics Interface Cable ........................................................................................ B-4
Appendix C - Error Messages/ Problem Resolution .................................................... C-1
Correctable Errors .................................................................................................... C-1
Irrecoverable Errors................................................................................................... C-2
Error Messages ......................................................................................................... C-3
Appendix D - Maintenance/ Cleaning/ Adjustment of the Printhead .......................... D-1
General Cleaning....................................................................................................... D-1
Cleaning the Media Feed Rollers............................................................................... D-1
Cleaning the Printhead .............................................................................................. D-2
Adjustment of the Printhead ...................................................................................... D-3
Cleaning and Replacing the Cutter Blades................................................................. D-5
Appendix E - Firmware - Update ................................................................................... E-1
Index
EC-Conformity Declaration

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8 cab - Produkttechnik GmbH / Tharo Systems, Inc.
A General Guide to the Documentation
Operating Manual
This present manual contains informations on the characteristics, features,
functions, and the use of the printers of the Apollo4-line.
The first few chapters of this manual cover general information which is
necessary for unpacking and operating the printer as well as information about
accessibility to different components of the printer and on optional accessories.
In the next chapters, the loading of media and ribbon, the self test of the
printer, and the configuration in setup will be explained.
In the appendices, you will find useful additional information, such as internal
character sets of the printer, and cabling specifications. Furthermore,
comments on possible error messages and printer maintenance are included.
Note the directions for use on recommended material and comments on
maintenance in order to avoid damage and premature failure of your Apollo 4.
Every effort has been made in the creation of this manual to provide as much
information as possible in an understandable manner.
We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding additions or
corrections to improve future editions of this manual. Please, let us know if you
have any questions.
Further Documentation
Further information on the programming of the Apollo 4 with its own set of
commands can be found in the "Programming Instructions - Apollo".
Detailed information about service and maintenance are included in the
"Service Manuals" of the Apollo 4 (e.g. replacement of components,
adjustment instructions, circuit diagrams, spare parts lists, etc.)
F

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Trademarks
Centronics ® is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation.
Macintosh-Computer is a product of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft ® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Bitstream ® is a registered trademark of Bitstream, Inc.
Speedo  is a registered trademark of Bitstream, Inc.
TrueType  is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Easylabel ® is a registered trademark of Tharo Systems, Inc.

10 cab - Produkttechnik GmbH / Tharo Systems, Inc.
Characteristics of the Thermal Printhead
Dear Customer,
The thermal printhead is the most sensitive part of your printer.
Pay special attention to the following guidelines :
1) The glass cover on the printhead must not be touched with the hand.
Do not use any sharp items, such as knives or screwdrivers, to clean
the printhead.
2) During printing, always take care that there is no dirt or foreign
objects on the labels in order to avoid impurification of the printhead.
This way, the printhead might be damaged.
3) Use proper label material with a smooth surface only.
A rough surface will affect the printhead and may cause damage and
reduce its operating life.
4) Clean the printhead regularly with a special printhead cleaning pen, or
an isopropyl alcohol soaked cotton swab.
5) Print with the lowest possible printhead temperature.
Careful use will allow you to print approximately between 18 to 30 miles
(30 to 50 km) of print media before the printhead needs replacing.
Improper usage can cause damage to the printhead.
Please note :
No manufacturer provides a warranty on the printhead, since improper
usage can hardly be proved after failure, but will affect the operating life
and durability of the printhead.
F