HP DMXTM 400/430 User manual

DMX400/430
Operator’s Manual

HP PCL-4, and HP Laser Jet II are Trademarks of Hewlett Packard Corporation.
CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation.
CG Times, based upon Times New Roman under license from The Monotype
Corporation.
plc, is a product of Agfa Corporation.
DMX, SEAQ, and PC Batch are trademarks of Datamax Barcode Products
Corporation.
As an Energy Star Partner, Datamax Corporation has determined that this product
meets the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency.
Firmware (Software) Agreement:The enclosed Firmware (Software) resident
in the EPROM’s is owned by Licensor or its suppliers and is licensed for used
only on a single printer in the user’s Trade or Business. The User agrees not
to, and not to authorize or permit any other person or party to, duplicate
or copy the EPROM’s or the information contained in the EPROM’s.
The firmware (Software) is protected by applicable copyright laws and
Licensor retains all rights not expressly granted. In no event will Licensor or
its suppliers be liable for any damages or loss, including direct, incidental,
economic, special, or consequential damages, arising out of the use or
inability to use the Firmware (Software).
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of Datamax Barcode Products
Corporation. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use,
without the expressed written permission of Datamax Corporation.
© Copyright 1997 by Datamax Corporation
7500 Flying Cloud Drive • Suite 655 • Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
[phone]
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
Part Number: 88-2190-01
Revision: A2

Agency Compliance and Approvals:
UL: UL1950 Information Technology Equipment
CSA: C22.2 No. 950-M89
TUV: EN60950
VDE: Class B Vfg. 243/1991
1. Nur für Gebrauch innerhalb eines Gebäudes geeignet.
2. Bei Gefahr, Kabel aus der Steckdose herausziehen
3. Falls kein Kabel mitgeliefert wurde, bitte Folgendes bei der
Anschaffung eines Kabels beachten:
Für 230 Volt (Europa):Benützen Sie ein Kabel, das mit "HAR"
markiert ist, bestehend mindestens aus einem H05VV-F Kabel, das
mindestens 0,75 Quadratmillimeter Drahtdurchmesser hat; sowie eine
IEC320 Steckdose und einen für das Land geeigneten Stecker, 6A, 250
Volt.
1. This unit is intended for indoor use only.
2. Disconnect power supply cord in case of emergency.
3. When power supply cord is not provided; for proper power
supply cord selection please see below:
For 230 Volt Operation (Europe):Use a cord set, marked "HAR,"
consisting of a min H05VV-F cord which has a minimum 0.75
square mm diameter conductors, provided with an IEC 320
receptacle and a male plug for the country of installation rated 6A,
250V
FCC: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC rules.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this
manual, may cause interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Important Safety Instructions
Your Barcode Printer has been designed to give you many years of
safe, reliable service. As with all electrical equipment, there are a
few basic precautions you should take to avoid getting hurt or
damaging the Printer.
•Carefully read the installation and operating instructions
provided with your Printer.
•Read and follow all warning instruction labels on the Printer
itself.
•Place the Printer on a flat, firm, solid surface.
•To protect your Printer from overheating, make sure all
openings on the Printer are not blocked.
•Do not place the Printer on or near a heat source, (i.e., a radiator
or heat register).
•Do not use your Printer near water, or spill liquid of any kind
into it.
•Be certain that your power source matches the rating listed on
the back of the Printer. If you are unsure, check with your
dealer or with your local power company.
•Do not place the power cord where it will be walked on. If the
power cord becomes damaged or frayed replace it immediately.
•Do not insert anything into the ventilation slots or openings on
the Printer.
•Only qualified, trained service technicians should attempt to
repair your Printer.

i
♦Contents
♦Getting Started
1.0 Introduction.........................................................1
1.1 Unpacking and Inspection....................................1
1.2 Supplies Necessary to Print..................................2
1.3 Location of Parts on your Printer .........................2
1.4 Tear-off Assembly Installation.............................4
1.5 Using the Printer’s Control Panel..........................5
1.6 Using Print Media.................................................8
1.6.1 Label Loading Instructions ......................9
1.6.2 Adjusting Printhead Pressure ................10
1.7 Ribbon Loading.................................................12
1.7.1 Ribbon Loading Instructions ................12
1.8 Using the Printer’s Options.................................13
1.8.1 Available Modules ................................13
1.8.2 Cutter ....................................................14
1.8.3 Peel and Present Mechanism .................14
♦Printing Labels
2.0 Checking Voltage Selection................................15
2.1 Power-up Self-Test............................................15
2.2 Interfacing to the Printer.....................................18
2.3 Sample Installation.............................................19
2.4 Switch Settings...................................................21
2.4.1 Setting the Baud Rate ............................22
2.4.1 Other Switches ......................................23
♦Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software
3.0 Introduction.......................................................25
3.1 The Printer used with a LINK CRT....................26
3.2 Formatting and Printing Labels...........................29
3.3 Create/Modify Label Screen ..............................34
3.4 Print Label Screen ............................................47
3.4.1 Printing a Label from Print Label Screen 47
3.5 System Maintenance Screen ..............................49
(Continued)

ii
3.6 Quick Reference Listing .....................................51
3.6.1 Create/Modify Label Commands ..........51
3.6.2 Print Parameters (ALT-P)......................52
3.6.3 Special Keys .........................................52
♦Printing Labels
4.0 Introduction........................................................53
4.1 Programming Commands....................................53
4.2 Programming Examples.......................................59
♦Troubleshooting
5.0 Introduction........................................................61
5.1 Controlling Print Quality.....................................62
5.2 Aligning the Printhead.........................................63
5.2.1 Direct-Thermal Stock ..........................63
5.2.2 Tag Stock or Stiff Media......................63
5.2.3 Mechanical Adjustments.......................64
5.3 Printhead Alignment Procedure...........................65
5.3.1 Label Stock Tracking Adjustment.........65
5.3.2 Ribbon Feed and Tracking Adjustments65
5.3.3 Fine Printhead Adjustment....................67
5.4 Adjusting Printhead Pressure and Support..........67
5.5 Troubleshooting..................................................68
♦Maintenance
6.0 Cleaning the Printer.............................................73
6.1 Cleaning the Printhead ........................................74
(Continued)

iii
♦Appendix A
ASCII Control Code Chart........................................A-1
♦Appendix B
Switch Settings and Cable Interfacing.......................B-1
♦Appendix C
Available Fonts and Barcodes...................................C-1
♦Appendix D
Error Codes ..............................................................D-1
♦Appendix E
Cable Listings ...........................................................E-1
♦Appendix F
Specifications............................................................F-1
♦Appendix G
Warranty Information...............................................G-1

iv

DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual 1
♦Getting Started
1.0 Introduction
The DMX400/430 Label Printer, hereafter referred to as the
"Printer", incorporates high-performance/low cost direct thermal
and optional thermal-transfer label printing capabilities. The
combination of powerful capabilities, easy-to-use features, a
contemporary look, and affordable pricing set a new standard for
direct-thermal and thermal-transfer label printers in retail, office and
industrial applications.This manual provides all the information
necessary for the daily operation of your printer.
To create and print labels refer to the instructions included with the
software you have chosen or if you wish to write a custom program,
visit our website at http//www.datamaxcorp.com for a copy of the
Programmer’s Manual (part number 88-2051-01).
1.1 Unpacking and Inspection
Inspect the shipping container(s) for damage, if damage is evident
contact the carrier to specify the nature and extent of the damage.
Remove the Printer from the packaging material and check the
contents of the package. In addition to this manual, the following
items should be included:
•label printer
•front tear bar assembly
•special or additional items purchased.

Getting Started
2DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual

Getting Started
DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual 3
1.2 Supplies Necessary to Print Labels
In order for the Printer to generate labels you will need the
necessary software and media. There are many different types of
media and software packages available, therefore it is a good idea
to contact your local reseller on which software and media is best
suited for your needs.
1.3 Location of Parts on your Printer
The following illustrations show the major components of your
Printer. Figure 1-1 is the front view of the Printer, Figure 1-2 is the
rear view of the Printer, and Figure 1-3 shows the mechanism detail.
In this manual we will refer to the components and connectors
depicted in these illustrations.
Figure 1-1 Front View

Getting Started
4DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual
Figure 1-2 Rear View
Figure 1-3 Mechanism Detail

Getting Started
DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual 5
1.4 Tear-off Assembly Installation
1. Open the cover.
2. Disengage the Printhead by rotating the Head-Lift Lever
counter-clockwise to the ‘up’ position.
3. Fit the Tear-off Assembly to the slots below the drive roller and
push it down until it snaps into place.
4. Engage the Printhead by rotating the Head-Lift Lever clockwise,
locking into the ‘down’ position.
Figure 1-4 Tear-off Assembly Installation

Getting Started
6DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual
1.5 Using the Printer’s Control Panel
The Printer has three operator-accessible buttons, three indicator
lights (LEDs), one switch and one POT, (see Figure 1-5). A brief
description of the buttons, lights, switch and POT are listed in this
section.
Figure 1-5 Buttons and Lights
Power Light: The power light is turned on after the power button
on the rear of the Printer is activated.

Getting Started
DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual 7
Pause Button: This button allows the operator to stop printing a
run of labels and then complete the job by
pressing the button again. Activation of the button
will:
•Stop the print mechanism when the label
printing is complete.
•Turn on the pause light.
•Stop the label counter, but maintain the
count balance.
•Hold all data in memory.
Pressing the button a second time will:
•Restart the Printer.
•Print the balance of labels on the counter
unless interrupted.
•Turn ‘off’ the pause light.
Pause Light: The pause light will turn on if any of the
following occurs:
•The pause button is pressed
•A print job is canceled with the stop/cancel
button.
•A fault occurs with the cutter or rewind
option.
Stop/Cancel Button:This button allows the operator to stop and cancel
a run of labels in the process of being produced
and continue on to the next run in the Printer’s
buffer.
Feed Button: Pressing this button causes the paper to
automatically advance to the first print position of
the next label. On a new size label, 0 - 2 labels
may feed before registration occurs.

Getting Started
8DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual
Paper/Ribbon This light is activated when:
Light: •No label and/or ribbon is detected.
•The Internal Rewinder (if installed) is not
rotating, (i.e., maximum rewind capacity has
been reached).
Ribbon For direct-thermal printing, (no ribbon), slide the
Switch: switch to the ‘off’ position. For thermal-transfer
printing, (ribbon installed), slide the switch to the
‘on’ position.
Darkness POT: This POT is used to fine adjust the print darkness
due to variations in different medias and
printheads.

Getting Started
DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual 9
1.6 Using Print Media
Installation
The Printer is designed for easy label stock and ribbon installation.
A diagram located under the cover of the Printer shows the feed
path for print media. Simply lift the cover of the Printer from the
right-hand side for installation instructions.
Figure 1-6 Label Loading Diagram
Labels
The Printer uses labels up to 4.65" (118 mm) wide. The maximum
diameter of a roll of labels used in the Printer is 8" (203 mm). If a
label is narrower than 3.5" (89 mm) then the Printhead must be
adjusted. Please refer to Section 5.4, “Adjusting Printhead Pressure
and Support,” for more information.

Getting Started
10 DMX 400/430 Operator’s Manual
1.6.1 Label Loading Instructions
1. Disengage the Printhead by rotating the Head-Lift Lever
counter-clockwise to the ‘up’ position.
2. Slide the Media Guide to the outer edge and rotate it to the
‘down’ position.
3. Slide the Retainer to the outer edge of the Supply Mount.
4. Place the label roll on the Supply Mount and slide the
Retainer firmly against it.
5. Insert the label stock as shown in Figure 1-6.
6. Rotate the Media Guide ‘up’ and slide it to the edge of the
media.
7. Engage the Printhead by rotating the Head-Lift Lever
clockwise and locking in the ‘down’ position.
8. Set the Media Width Adjustment Cam according to the media
width, (see Table 1-1).
Cam Setting Media Width
1Up to 1 "
2Greater than 1", Up to 2"
3Greater than 2", Up to 3"
4Greater than 3", Up to 4.1"
Table 1-1 Media Width Cam Settings