Intermec 3240 User manual

3240 Bar Code Label Printer
P/N 063015-003
User’s Manual
Norand Mobile Systems Division

Intermec Corporation
6001 36th Avenue West
P.O. Box 4280
Everett, WA 98203-9280
U.S. technical and service support: 1-800-755-5505
U.S. media supplies ordering information: 1-800-227-9947
Canadian technical and service support: 1-800-688-7043
Canadian media supplies ordering information: 1-800-268-6936
Outside U.S. and Canada: Contact your local Intermec service supplier.
The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing
customers to operate and/or service Intermec manufactured equipment and is not to be released,
reproduced, or used for any other purpose without written permission of Intermec.
Information and specifications in this manual are subject to change without notice.
1997 by Intermec Corporation
All Rights Reserved
The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, JANUS, IRL, TRAKKER, Antares, Duratherm, Precision
Print, PrintSet, Virtual Wedge, and CrossBar are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
Intermec Corporation.
Novell is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
Kimdura is a registered trademark of Kimberly Clark.
Kapton is a registered trademark of Dupont.
Speedo, Dutch, and Swiss are registered trademarks of Bitstream Inc.
The name Centronics is wholly owned by GENICOM Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Throughout this manual, trademarked names may be used. Rather than put a trademark (or ®)
symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state that we are using the names only in an
editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement.

Manual Change Record
This page records the changes to this manual, which was originally released as version 001.
Version Date Description of Change
002 10/96 These two addenda were added:
• Self-strip addendum Part No. 064196-001
• Top of form addendum Part No. 064522-001
Other minor corrections and changes were made throughout the
manual.
003 11/97 Removed Chapters 5 and 6, which pertained to IPL commands. This
information is now contained in the IPL Programming Reference Manual.

Contents
v
Contents
Before You Begin xi
Warranty Information xi
Safety Summary xi
Warnings and Cautions xii
About This Manual xiii
Getting Started
Unpacking the 3240 Printer 1-3
Checking the Order for Completeness 1-4
Reporting Damage or Defects 1-4
Getting to Know Your 3240 Printer 1-5
Preparing the Printer for Installation 1-7
Plugging In the Printer 1-7
Opening the Printer 1-8
Loading a Roll of Media 1-9
Printing the Hardware Configuration Test Label 1-12
What the Hardware Configuration Test Label Tells You 1-13
If the Hardware Configuration Test Label Does Not Print 1-13
Connecting the Printer to Your System 1-13
Connecting the 3240 to a PC 1-14
Connecting the Printer to a PC Serial Port 1-14
Connecting the Printer to a PC Parallel Port 1-15
Connecting the 3240 to a Network 1-15
Connecting the 3240 to an AS/400 1-16
Connecting the 3240 to a Mainframe 1-16
Configuring the Serial Port 1-17
Verifying Printer Communications With Your System 1-19
Operating the Printer
Learning How to Operate the Printer 2-3
Understanding the Front Panel 2-3
Using the Front Panel LEDs 2-4
Using the Front Panel LEDs for Troubleshooting 2-4
1
2

3240 Bar Code Label Printer Users Manual
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Using the Feed/Pause Button 2-5
Loading Media Into the Printer 2-6
Loading Media for Fanfold Printing 2-6
Loading Media for Self-Strip Printing 2-8
Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon 2-11
Setting the Media Sensitivity Number 2-13
Setting the Media Sensitivity Number for Intermec Media and Ribbon 2-14
Setting the Media Sensitivity Number for Other Media and Ribbon 2-15
Communicating With the Printer 2-17
Using the PrintSet Software 2-17
Using Third-Party Software 2-17
Using the Intermec Printer Language (IPL) Commands 2-17
Printing a Test Label 2-18
Using a Different Platform Than a PC 2-19
Maintaining the Printer
Inspecting the Printer 3-3
Cleaning the Printer 3-3
Maintenance Schedule 3-4
Cleaning the Printhead 3-6
Cleaning the Printer Covers 3-7
Cleaning the Rollers and the Tear Bar 3-8
Cleaning the Media Guides and Media Path 3-10
Cleaning the Label Sensors 3-12
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Checklist 4-3
Printer Operation Problems 4-3
Print Quality Problems 4-5
Communications Problems 4-7
Preventing Data Loss 4-8
Optimizing and Maintaining Print Quality 4-9
3
4

Contents
vii
Selecting the Correct Media 4-9
Setting the Print Speed 4-10
Selecting the Correct Media Sensitivity Number 4-10
Selecting the Correct Bar Code Orientation 4-10
Adjusting the Print Darkness 4-11
Adjusting the Printer for Self-Strip Printing 4-12
Using Precision Print Technology to Print High Registration Labels 4-13
Correcting the Lateral Position of the Label Image 4-13
Accurately Detecting the Start of a Label 4-15
Correcting Uneven Print Quality 4-17
Fine-Tuning the Top of Form Position 4-19
Performing Advanced Procedures
Using the Printer Memory Efficiently 5-3
How Is the 3240 RAM Used? 5-3
Making the Most of Your RAM 5-4
Maximizing Throughput 5-5
What Is an Image Band? 5-5
How the Image Bands Command Works 5-6
Optimizing Print Speed and Image Band Setting 5-6
Reimaging Modified Fields 5-7
Optimizing Image Bands for Batch Printing 5-7
Using Test and Service Mode 5-8
Printing Test Labels 5-10
Using Data Line Print 5-10
Performing Selective Transfer 5-11
Using Memory Reset 5-12
Changing Configuration Commands in Test and Service Mode 5-13
Setting the Number of Dot Increments 5-14
Adjusting the Label Rest Point 5-15
Setting Emulation Mode 5-17
Replacing an 86XX, 4100, or 3400 Printer With a 3240 Printer 5-19
Differences Between 86XX Printers and 86XX Emulation 5-19
No BEL Status Response 5-19
Prints Erroneous Labels 5-20
Limited User-Defined Protocol 5-20
Added Auto-Transmit 3 and SI Configuration Commands 5-22
Increased Storage Capacity 5-22
Features Not Implemented 5-22
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3240 Bar Code Label Printer Users Manual
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Differences Between the 3240 Printer and the 4100 Printer 5-23
DIP Switches 5-23
Communications 5-23
Entering Test and Service Mode 5-23
No Cutter 5-23
Front Panel 5-24
RAM Differences 5-24
Differences Between the 3400 Printer and the 3240 Printer 5-24
Printhead Size 5-24
Fonts 5-25
DPI Emulation Modes 5-25
Printer Reference
3240 Printer Specifications A-3
Factory Default Settings A-6
Communications Protocol Characters A-7
Configuration Parameters Upload A-8
Printer Functional Boundaries A-9
Printer Options A-11
Bar Code Symbologies A-13
International Character Sets A-16
Extended Character Sets A-19
DIP Switch Settings A-24
Full ASCII Chart A-25
Cabling and Communications
Communications Reference B-3
Interface Cables and Connectors B-11
Connecting the Printer to a Network or Modem B-15
A
B

Contents
ix
Glossary
Index
G
I

Before You Begin
xi
Before You Begin
This section introduces you to standard warranty provisions, safety
precautions, warnings and cautions, document formatting conventions, and
sources of additional product information. A documentation roadmap is also
provided to guide you in finding the appropriate information.
Warranty Information
To receive a copy of the standard warranty provision for this product, contact
your local Intermec sales organization. In the U.S. call 1-800-755-5505, and in
Canada call 1-800-688-7043. Otherwise, refer to the Worldwide Sales & Service
list that came with this manual for the address and telephone number of your
Intermec sales organization.
Safety Summary
Your safety is extremely important. Read and follow all warnings and cautions
in this book before handling and operating Intermec equipment. You can be
seriously injured, and equipment and data can be damaged if you do not follow
the safety warnings and cautions.
Do not repair or adjust alone Do not repair or adjust energized equipment alone
under any circumstances. Someone capable of providing first aid must always
be present for your safety.
First aid Always obtain first aid or medical attention immediately after an
injury. Never neglect an injury, no matter how slight it seems.
Resuscitation Begin resuscitation immediately if someone is injured and stops
breathing. Any delay could result in death. To work on or near high voltage,
you should be familiar with approved industrial first aid methods.
Energized equipment Never work on energized equipment unless authorized
by a responsible authority. Energized electrical equipment is dangerous.
Electrical shock from energized equipment can cause death. If you must
perform authorized emergency work on energized equipment, be sure that you
comply strictly with approved safety regulations.

3240 Bar Code Label Printer Users Manual
xii
Warnings and Cautions
The warnings and cautions in this manual use the following format.
Warning
A warning alerts you of an operating procedure, practice, condition, or
statement that must be strictly observed to avoid death or serious injury to the
persons working on the equipment.
Avertissement
Un avertissement vous avertit d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une
méthode, d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour
éviter l’occurrence de mort ou de blessures graves aux personnes manupulant
l’équipement.
Caution
A caution alerts you to an operating procedure, practice, condition, or
statement that must be strictly observed to prevent equipment damage or
destruction, or corruption or loss of data.
Conseil
Une précaution vous avertit d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une
méthode, d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour
empêcher l’endommagement ou la destruction de l’équipement, ou l’altération
ou la perte de données.

Before You Begin
xiii
About This Manual
This manual contains all of the information necessary to install, operate,
configure, design labels, troubleshoot, and maintain the printer.
This manual was written for analysts and programmers who operate, program,
and connect the printer to a network or system. A basic understanding of DOS,
programming, and data communications is necessary.
What You Will Find in This Manual
This table summarizes the information in each chapter of this manual:
For information on Refer to
Installing the printer Chapter 1, “Getting Started.” Tells you how to plug in the
printer, load a small roll of media, configure the printer,
and print a configuration test label.
Operating the printer Chapter 2, “Operating the Printer.” Explains the printer
front panel, tells you how to load media for fanfold and
self-strip applications, how to load ribbon, and how to test
for communications.
Routine maintenance Chapter 3, “Maintaining the Printer.” Tells you how to
maintain the printer.
Troubleshooting Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting.” Instructs you on how to
clear error messages and troubleshoot programming or
configuration problems. It also tells you how to control
print quality.
Advanced procedures Chapter 5, “Performing Advanced Procedures.” Tells you
how to perform advanced procedures on the 3240 printer
such as decreasing processing time.
Printer specifications Appendix A, “Printer Reference.” Contains operating
specifications, extended character sets, and reference
tables.
Cabling and
communication
protocols
Appendix B, “Cabling and Communications.” Provides
information on correct cables and communication
protocols for your system.

3240 Bar Code Label Printer Users Manual
xiv
Terms and Conventions
The following special terms and conventions occur throughout the manual.
Refer to the glossary for a complete list of terms.
Terms
“Printer” or “3240” refer to the 3240 bar code label printer.
“Media” is the label stock on which the printer prints labels.
“Host” refers to a personal computer or other computer that communicates
with the printer.
Conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this manual for operating
procedures and descriptions of the printer.
• Feed/Pause refers to the Feed/Pause button on the printer front panel.
• Downloaded commands appear in the order that you enter them into the
printer with the following conventions:
Convention Description
< > Angle brackets < > enclose mnemonic representations of ASCII control
characters. For example, <ETX> represents the ASCII “End of Text”
control character.
[data] Italic text within brackets represents optional data.
Ctrl Bold text represents a key on your keypad. For example, Ctrl
represents the Ctrl key.
Ctrl-CWhen two keys are joined with a dash, press them simultaneously. For
example, if you see the command Ctrl-C, press the two keys at the
same time.
E3;F3 Type all characters that appear in the Courier font by pressing an
individual key on the keypad.

Before You Begin
xv
Other Intermec Manuals
The following manuals provide additional information about printing labels
with your bar code printer.
Manual Intermec Part No.
Data Communications Reference Manual 044737
IPL Programming Reference Manual 066396
The Bar Code Book by Roger C. Palmer 051241
3240 Bar Code Label Printer Getting Started Guide 063257
9154 Multi-Drop Line Controller System Manual 048517
9161B Installation Manual 049572
9180 Network Controller User’s Manual 054292
RF System User’s Manual 053574

Getting Started
1

Getting Started
1-3
1
This chapter introduces the 3240 printer and explains how to get your new printer up
and running for the first time.
Unpacking the 3240 Printer
Remove the accessories, packing material, and the printer from the shipping
container. Set the printer on a clean, stable, flat surface and remove the packing
material. Save the shipping container and packing materials in case you need to
move or ship your printer.
Contents of the 3240 Printer Package
Power
Intermec
3240
Alert
Feed/Pause
Empty/Pause
3240 Printer
AC power
cord Ribbon core
3240U.001
3240 Bar Code Label Printer
Intermec
Getting
Started
Guide
Media Roll

3240 Bar Code Label Printer Users Manual
1-4
Checking the Order for Completeness
Verify the contents of the shipping container against the list below and the
figure on the previous page. If any parts are missing, please contact your local
Intermec representative.
•3240 printer
•AC power cord
•Ribbon core
•3240 Label Printer Getting Started Guide
•Media roll (a 50-foot direct thermal media roll)
Reporting Damage or Defects
Intermec thoroughly tests and inspects your 3240 before shipping it from the
factory. If you receive any items damaged, please take the following steps to
correct the problem.
•Take photographs if necessary.
•Contact the transport carrier.
Note: The customer is responsible for all damage claims against the carrier. See the
“Intermec Terms of Sale” printed on your sales invoice.