Citizen CLP-521 User manual

USER'S
MANUAL
CLP-521
Thermal Label & Barcode Printer

2
CONTENTS
Before Operation
Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR EUROPEAN USERS----------------------------- 4
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS ----------------------- 4
EMI COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR CANADIAN USERS------------------------ 5
ETAT DE CONFORMITE EMI A L’USAGE DES UTILISATEURS CANADIENS ----- 5
I portant Safety Instructions------------------------------------------------------- 6
Notice--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ 8
Chapter 1 Setup
Confir ation of Carton Contents -------------------------------------------------10
Part Na es and Functions---------------------------------------------------------- 11
Connection to Power ---------------------------------------------------------------16
Driver Installation -------------------------------------------------------------------16
Connection to a Co puter --------------------------------------------------------17
Chapter 2 Printer Operation
Power ON/OFF ----------------------------------------------------------------------18
Nor al Operating Mode -----------------------------------------------------------19
Setting the Media ------------------------------------------------------------------ 21
Mode Settings ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Chapter 3 Printer Adjustments
Sensor Adjust ents --------------------------------------------------------------- 34
Media Thickness Adjust ent ----------------------------------------------------- 37
Media Width Adjust ent ---------------------------------------------------------- 38
Cleaning ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
Chapter 4 Troubleshootin --------------------- 40
Appendixes
Specifications ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Interfaces --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
Replacing the Interface Board ---------------------------------------------------- 51

3
❚❚❚ Main Features ❚❚❚
<Hi h-speed, hi h-quality printin >
This printer can be used for high-speed high-quality printing thanks to its ther al-transfer
syste that uses a line ther al head together with its 32 bit RISC CPU and its 'history control
IC'.
<Easy operation>
• It is easy to change the printer’s settings on the operation panel, thanks to its unique and
si ple VuePrint enu syste .
• Its high-lift printhead and echanis eans that edia can be loaded with ease and it is
constructed for easy head cleaning, etc.
• Media width adjust ent, edia thickness adjust ent, and edia sensor adjust ent can all be
ade easily by the user using the colour-coded operator controls.
<Interface>
In addition to a serial port, an IEEE1284 (ECP ode) and USB1.1 are standard equip ent, for
quick data transfer and printing.
<Optional interface>
The CLP-521 has an optional internally housed Ethernet (LAN) and a wireless LAN (WiFi) print server.
<Optional auto-cutter / peeler unit>
Its auto-cutter and peeler unit are constructed so they can be replaced easily.
<Adjustable sensors>
The adjustable sensors that per it the adjust ent of the positions of the edia gap or the
black ark detection sensor in the edia width direction are standard equip ent that can detect
the position of special edia.
<Installation>
The interface, power switch etc. are installed towards the back and the top cover opens and
closes vertically so that the sides of the printer are not restricted.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you very uch for purchasing Citizen's co pact direct ther al label & barcode printer Model CLP-521
that offers high perfor ance printing at 4 inches per second on 4.1 inch edia at very low cost.

4
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR EUROPEAN USERS
CE arking shows confor ity to the following criteria and provisions:
Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC)/EN60950
EMC Directive (89/336/EEC)/EN55022, EN55024, EN61000-3-2 & EN61000-3-3
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equip ent has been tested and found to co ply with the li its for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These li its are designed to provide reasonable protection
against har ful interference when the equip ent is operated in a co ercial environ ent. This
equip ent generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction anual, ay cause har ful interference to radio co unications.
Operation of this equip ent in a residential area is likely to cause har ful interference in which case
the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

5
EMI COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR CANADIAN USERS
This equip ent generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly,
that is, in strict accordance with the anufacturer's instructions, ay cause interference to radio and
television reception. This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A li its for radio noise e issions
fro digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Depart ent of
Co unications. This equip ent is designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equip ent does cause interference to radio or television
reception, which can be deter ined by turning the equip ent off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or ore of the following easures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equip ent and receiver.
•Connect the equip ent into an outlet on a circuit different fro that to which the receiver is
connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION: Use shielded cables to connect this device to co puters.
Any changes or odifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could
void the user's authority to operate the equip ent.
ETAT DE CONFORMITE EMI A L’USAGE
DES UTILISATEURS CANADIENS
Cet équip ent produit et utilise l’énergie à radiofréquences et s’iln’est pas installé et utilisé correct ent,
c’esst à dire en accord strict avec les instructions du fabricant, il risque de provoquer des intérferences
avec la réception de la radio et de latélévision.
Le présent appareil nu érique n’é et pas de bruite radio électriques dépassant les li ites applicables
aux appareils nu ériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Régle ent sur le brouillage radioélectrique
édicté par le inistère des Co unications du Canada.
Cet équip ent est conçu pour fournir une protection satisfaisante contre de telles interférences dans
une installation résidentielle. Cependant, il n’y a pas de garantie contre les interférences avec les
réceptions radio ou télévision, provoquées par la ise en et hors circuit de l’équip ent; aussi, il est
de andé a l’utilisateur d’essayer de corriger l’interférence par l’une ou plus des esures suivantes:
•Réorienter l’antenne de réception.
•Installer l’ordinateur autre part, par égard pour le récepteur.
•Brancher l’ordinateur dans une prise de courant différente de façon à ce que l’ordinateur et le
récepteur soient branchés sur des circuits différents.

6
Important Safety Instructions
•Read all of these instructions and save the for later reference.
•Follow all warnings and instructions arked on the product.
•Unplug this product fro the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Use a da p
cloth for cleaning.
•Do not use this product near water.
•Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. The product ay fall, causing serious da age
to the product.
•Slots and openings on the cabinet and the back or botto are provided for ventilation.
To ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it fro overheating, do not block or cover these
openings. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other si ilar
surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register. This product should
not be placed in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
•This product should be operated fro the type of power source indicated on the arking label.
If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local power co pany.
•This product is equipped with a three-pronged plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin. This plug will
only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into
the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the grounding-type plug.
•Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product where the cord will be walked
on.
•If an extension cord is used with this product, ake sure that the total of the a pere ratings on the
products plugged into the extension cord do not exceed the extension cord a pere rating. Also, ake sure
that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 a peres for 120V outlet and
7.5 a peres for 220V-240V outlet.
•Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they ay touch dangerous
voltage points or short out parts that could result in a risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any
kind on the product.
•Except as explained elsewhere in this anual, don't atte pt to service this product yourself. Opening and
re oving those covers that are arked "Do Not Re ove" ay expose you to dangerous voltage points or
other risks. Refer all servicing on those co part ents to service personnel.
•The ains plug on this equip ent ust be used to disconnect ains power. Please ensure that the socket
outlet is installed near the equip ent and shall be easily accessible.
•Unplug this product fro the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following
conditions:
A. When the power cord or plug is da aged or frayed.
B. If liquid has been spilled into the product.
C. If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
D. If the product does not operate nor ally when the operating instructions are followed. Adjust only
those controls that are covered by the operating instructions since i proper adjust ent of other controls
ay result in da age and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product
to nor al operation.
E. If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been da aged.
F. If the product exhibits a distinct change in perfor ance, indicating a need for service.

7
Notice
•Before use, be sure to read this anual. And keep it handy for reference when needed.
•The contents of this anual ay change without prior notice.
•Reproduction, transfer, or trans ission of the contents of this anual without prior consent is strictly
prohibited.
•We are not liable for any da age resulting fro the use of the infor ation contained herein, regardless of
errors, o issions, or isprints.
•We are not liable for any proble s resulting fro the use of optional products and consu able supplies
other than the designated products contained herein.
•Do not handle, disasse ble or repair the parts other than those specified in this anual.
•We are not liable for any da age caused by user's erroneous use of the printer and inadequate environ ent.
•Data residing in the printer is te porary. Therefore, all data will be lost if power is lost. We are not liable for
any da age or loss of profits caused by data loss due to failures, repairs, inspections, etc.
•Please contact us if there are any istakes or a biguities within this anual.
•If there are issing or incorrectly collated pages in this anual, contact us to obtain a new anual.

8
Indicates a situation which, if not observed and handled
properly, could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a situation which, if not observed and handled
properly, could result in injury.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
which must be strictly observed !
Caution
•To prevent personal injury or property dama e, the followin shall be strictly observed.
•The de ree of possible injury and dama e due to incorrect use or improperly followin
instructions is described below.
Warnin
Never perform the following. If not avoided, these may cause damage or trouble to the
printer or cause the printer to overheat and release smoke and cause burns or an electrical
shock. If the printer is damaged or is malfunctioning, be sure to turn the printer off
immediately and remove the power cord from the outlet, then consult our service
personnel.
•Do not jolt or i pact to the printer by stepping on, dropping or hitting the printer.
•Do not place the printer in a poorly ventilated area, or shut off the air vent of the printer.
•Do not place the printer where che ical reactions occur, such as in laboratories or where air is ixed
with salt or gas.
•Do not use a power voltage or frequency other than those specified.
•Do not plug/unplug the power cord or attach/detach the interface cable by si ply grabbing the
power cord or interface cable. Do not pull or carry the printer when the tension of the power cord or
interface cable is increased.
•Do not drop or put foreign atter such as clips and pins into the printer. This ay cause proble s.
•Do not plug the power cord into an outlet with any loads.
•Do not spill drinks such as tea, coffee and juice on the printer or spray insecticide on the printer. If
drink or water is spilled, first be sure to turn the power off and re ove the power cord fro the
outlet, then consult our service personnel.
•Do not disasse ble or odify the printer.
Discard or safely store the plastic packing bag. This bag should be kept away from children.
If the bag is pulled over a child’s head, it may cause suffocation.
Warnin
: This is a mark to call attention to the reader.

9
•Prior to operation, read the safety instructions carefully and observe the .
•Do not drop or put foreign atter such as clips and pins into the printer. This ay cause proble s.
•Be careful when oving or carrying the printer. Dropping the printer ay cause injury or property
da age.
•Make sure if you open the top cover, it is opened all the way. If only partially open, the cover could
sla shut, possibly causing injury.
•When the cover is open, be careful of the corners of the cover. They could cause injury.
•Do not open the printer during printing.
•When cleaning the surface of the printer case, do not use the cloth that is soaked in thinner,
trichloroethylene, benzine, ketone or si ilar che icals.
•Do not use the printer where there is a lot of oil, iron particles, or dust.
•Do not spill liquids or spray insecticide on the printer.
•Do not jolt or i pact to the printer by stepping on, dropping or hitting the printer.
•Operate the control panel properly. A careless, rough handling ay cause proble s or alfunction.
Do not use such sharp-edged tool as a ballpoint pen for operation.
•Be careful of the edges of the plates so injury or property da age is possible.
•If a proble occurs during printing, stop the printer i ediately and unplug the power cord fro
the outlet.
•When printer trouble occurs, do not try to disse ble it. Instead, consult our service personnel.
•Prior to operation, read the safety instructions carefully and observe the .
•Do not use or store the printer near fire, excessive oisture, in direct sunlight, near an air conditioner
or heater or other source of unusually high or low te perature or hu idity or excessive dust.
•Do not place the printer where che ical reactions occur, such as in a laboratory.
•Do not place the printer where air is ixed with salt or gas.
•The printer ust sit on a fir , level surface where there is a ple ventilation. Never allow the
printer's air vent to be blocked by a wall or other object.
•Do not put anything on the top of printer.
•Do not place the printer near a radio or television, and do not use the sa e wall outlet for the
printer and radio or television. Radio or television reception could be adversely affected.
•Do not use a power voltage or frequency other than those specified.
•Do not put anything on the power cord or step on it.
•Do not drag or carry the printer with the power cord or interface cable.
•Avoid plugging the power cord into an outlet with any loads.
•Do not bundle the power cord when inserting the plug.
•Always grip the plug housing, not the cord, to plug/unplug the power cord.
•Make certain the power is turned off before connecting/disconnecting the interface cable.
•Avoid lengthening the signal cable or connecting it to any noise-producing device. If it is unavoidable,
use the shielded cable or twisted pair for each signal.
•Place the printer near the outlet where the power cord can be unplugged easily to shut off power.
•Use the AC outlet that accepts a three-pronged plug. Otherwise, static electricity ay be generated
and there will be danger of electric shock.
Caution
Caution
General Precautions
Precautions When Installin the Printer

1
Setup
10
Confirmation of Carton Contents
Note: The e pty carton and packing aterials should be stored for future
shipping of the printer.
CD-ROM Quick-start Guide
Printer
Media holder
bar
Media holder
guide Head cleaner
Test label edia
Power cord
Q
UICK-
S
TART
G
UIDE
This QuickStart Guide covers basic operation.
For detailed operating instructions, please see
the User's Manual on the supplied CD ROM.
Removin the Packin Material
The printer is shipped with adhesive tape in place to hold the top cover
closed. Si ply re ove the two pieces of tape on either side of the top cover.
Then si ply open the cover by lifting up and tipping it backwards.
There is another strip of adhesive tape that ust be re oved which holds
the echanis closed for shipping. Re ove the tape and attached paper by
carefully peeling fro the plastic case.
Retain the tape should you need to transport the printer again. A further
piece of packing paper is inside the echanis and you can re ove this
when the head is opened as explained below.
Check that the following accessories are
included with the printer in the carton.

11
Setup
Part Names and Functions
Front View
3
1
2
4
1Top cover
Is opened vertically to place or replace edia.
2Heat dischar e vent
It allows war air to vent fro the printer.
Be sure not to block it with edia etc.
3Operation panel
This is used to ake changes and adjust ents to the printer and its
configuration.
4Media window
The a ount of edia re aining can be checked through this window.
•Be careful when oving or carrying the printer and when taking the
printer out of the carton. The printer ay cause injury or property
da age if dropped. Be sure to grip the printer housing fir ly when
taking it out of the carton. Do not grip the printer by the foa packing
aterial which ay break, causing the printer to drop.
•When opening the cover, open it all the way. If only part way open,
the cover could sla shut, possibly causing injury.
•Be careful of the edge of the cover when the cover is opened. It ay
cause injury or property da age.
•Be careful of the edges of the etal plates so injury or property
da age is possible.
Caution
Operation Panel (p.14)

1
Setup
12
8
7
9
10
11
5
6
Part Names and Functions
5Media holder bar
The edia is supported by the edia holder bar when installed in the
printer.
6Media holder uide
This guide is oved horizontally to atch the edia size.
The guide can be sliding it fro the holder bar.
7Motor cover
It discharges the heat of the edia feed otor.
Do not cover it with edia etc.
8Front cover
It is re oved to install optional units such as the peeler or cutter.
9Media width adjustment dial
It is adjusted to atch the width of the edia.
0Media thickness adjustment dial
It is adjusted to atch the thickness of the edia.
-Lar e blue-head open lever
The head unit can be raised to install edia by pushing this lever.
It locks the head unit during printing.
Media Width Adjustment
(p.38)
Media Thickness Adjustment
(p.37)

13
Setup
12
15
14
17
-1
16 -1
14 -2
16 -2
13
Part Names and Functions
=Thermal head
This is the printhead. Avoid touching this with your fingertips and leaving
grease or dirt on the printhead surface.
~Platen
Interlocked with the ther al head, it feeds edia backwards or forwards.
!Upper sensor (!-1) and bottom sensor (!-2)
When used as a transparent sensor (for labels and tags with notches), it
is used by atching the sensor arkings of the upper sensor and the
botto sensor. When used as a reflective sensor, it is used by atching
the sensor arking on the botto sensor with the position of the black
ark on the liner or edia backing.
@Sensor arm
The edia can be installed by raising this ar .
The edia can be held in place by lowering this ar .
#Media uides
(Left fixed media uide (#-1) and ri ht movable media uide (#-2))
The end of the edia is atched to the left fixed edia guide, then the
right side ovable edia guide is oved horizontally to atch it to the
edia size.
$Optional unit connector cover
It is opened when the cables of the cutter unit and the peeler unit are
connected. Do not re ove during nor al use.
Setting sensor positions
(p.23)
Sensor Adjustments (p.34)
Media Setting (p.24)

1
Setup
14
Part Names and Functions
Operation Panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
1POWER LED
This is lit when the printer power is on. (green)
2PRINT LED
This is lit when the printer is able to print. (green)
3CONDITION LED
This is on when selecting settings. (orange)
4ERROR LED
This is lit or flashes when the printer is in an alar or error status. (red)
5PAUSE key
This te porarily stops printing.
6FEED key
This key feeds the edia to the top of the next label or for .
7STOP key
This stops printing or cancels the alar .
8MODE/REPEAT key
This key exits current status in the enu setting ode or reprints the
final label, depending on printer status.
LED Functions (p.20)
Normal Operating Mode
(p.19)

15
Setup
Part Names and Functions
1
2
3
4
5
Rear View
1Serial interface (RS232C)
This receives serial trans ission of data fro a host co puter.
2Parallel interface (Centronics parallel or IEEE1284)
This receives parallel trans ission of data fro a host co puter.
3USB interface
This receives USB trans ission of data fro a host co puter.
4Power switch
The is the power switch for the printer.
5Power cord inlet
The connector of the enclosed power cord is connected here.
Serial interface (p.45)
Parallel Interface (p.47)
USB Interface (p.50)
Power ON/OFF (p.18)
Connection to Power (p.16)

1
Setup
16
Connection to Power
1. Check that the power switch to the printer is turned OFF.
2. Connect the connector of the power cord to the power cord
inlet on the printer.
3. Insert the plug of the power cord in the AC outlet.
Caution
Use an AC outlet that accepts a three-pronged plug. Otherwise, static
electricity ay be generated and there will be danger of electric shock.
AC Outlet
Power Switch
Power Cord Inlet
Driver Installation
The co puter ay auto atically detect the presence of the new printer when
it is first started, depending on the co puter type, interface and operating
syste . Follow any on-screen instruction and also instructions supplied with
any additional CD-ROM or floppy disk included with your printer.
Your supplier will assist you with the correct drivers and software which are
co patible with your particular co puter syste .

17
Setup
Connection to a Computer
This product has three interfaces that can be used to receive printing data: a
serial port (RS232C), parallel port (IEEE1284), and a USB port (USB1.1).
An optional internal Ethernet (LAN) or Wireless LAN (WiFi) port can be added
by your dealer.
With the exception of a wireless LAN connection, an interface cable is
necessary to connect the printer to a co puter.
To connect the cable, proceed as follows:
1. Turn OFF both power switches of the printer and the computer.
2. Connect one end of the interface cable to the interface connector
on the back of the printer and secure it with locks or locking
screws, where available.
3. Connect the other end of the interface cable to the interface
connector on the computer and secure it with locks or locking
screws, where available.
Serial Interface Cable
USB Interface Cable
Parallel Interface Cable
Note: If the optional Ethernet or wireless LAN port is used, the standard
parallel port is re oved fro the printer, so the parallel interface cannot
be used.
Serial interface (p.45)
Parallel Interface (p.47)
USB Interface (p.50)
Replacing the Interface
Board (p.51)

2
Printer Operation
18
Power ON/OFF
Turnin on the power
1. Turn on the power switch on the back of the printer.
2. The POWER and PRINT LED are lit.
Turnin off the power
1. Turn off the power switch on the back of the printer.
2. The POWER and PRINT LED go off.
Power Switch
Power Switch
Operation Panel

19
Printer Operation
1PAUSE key: Temporarily pauses printin
• When this key is pushed once, the PRINT LED turns off and the printer
te porarily pauses.
• When it is pushed during printing, the printer pauses after the label
currently being printed is issued. Pressing the key a second ti e restarts
printing and the re aining nu ber of designated labels are printed.
2FEED key: Feeds media
• Pressing this key feeds edia to the print start position. The distance
it is fed is deter ined by auto atically detecting the front end of the
edia when using label edia, and when continuous edia has been
designated, a fixed quantity is fed, then feeding stops.
• When the TEAR OFF setting is effective, feeding stops when the edia
has been fed to the TEAR OFF location.
• When the optional cutter unit is installed, the edia is fed to the cut
position then it is cut.
Regardless of whether there is or is not a cut operation setting on the
setting enu, if the unit is installed, the edia is cut each ti e it is fed.
• If the optional peeler unit is installed, the edia is fed to the peeling
location. When the edia is pausing at the peeling position, feeding
does not occur, even if the FEED key is pushed.
3STOP key: It stops printin and cancels the alarm
Pushing this key once during printing puts the printer in pause ode
after the label is issued. It is possible to cancel 1 batch of label issuing
data by pressing the STOP key for 4 seconds or longer in pause status.
(The PRINT LED flashes at high speed during cancel.)
4MODE/REPEAT key:
It reprints the last label when pressed for 4 seconds.
Pushing the MODE/REPEAT key continuously for 4 seconds in PRINT
status (when the PRINT LED is lit) reissues the last label. The last label is
issued by setting MODE/REPEAT on the enu.
Normal Operatin Mode
When the power is turned on, the printer enters nor al operating ode.
The control keys activate the following functions.
1
2
4
3
Menu Setting Mode (p.27)

2
Printer Operation
20
Table of Warnin and Error Indications
1POWER LED
It lights up when printer power is
turned on. (green)
2PRINT LED
This is lit when the printer is able to
print. (green)
3CONDITION LED
This is on when selecting settings.
(orange)
4ERROR LED
This is lit or flashes when the printer
is in alar status. (red)
LED Functions
In addition to nor al operating ode, when an abnor al condition is detected
in the printer, a buzzer sounds and each LED either lights up or flashes to
indicate the type of error.
Ti e Axis  : ON, : OFF
1
2
3
4
ON OFF ON OFF
ON OFF ONOFF
ON OFF
ON OFF ON OFF
ON OFF ONOFF
ON OFF
Auto cutter abnor ality
(ja ing etc.)
PRINT
LED
ERROR
LED
CONDITION
LED
Ite
When the STOP key has been pushed OFF OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF OFF ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
Media out
( edia location cannot be detected)
Abnor al head te perature
Abnor al otor te perature
Head open
Media end
Abnor al head resistance
Co unication error
(reception buffer overrun)
Co unication error
(parity, fra ing)
Co unication error
(trans ission buffer overflow)
OFF
Normal Operatin Mode
Wide on/off arks indicate slow LED flashing.
S all circle on/off arks indicate quick LED flashing.