Intermec EasyCoder PX6i User manual

User’s Guide
EasyCoder PX6i
Bar Code Label
Printer
(IPL Version)

User’s Guide
EasyCoder PX6i
Bar Code Label
Printer
(IPL Version)

ii EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Intermec Technologies Corporation
Corporate Headquarters
6001 36th Ave. W.
Everett, WA 98203
U.S.A.
www.intermec.com
The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely
for the purpose of allowing customers to operate and 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 contained in this document are subject to
change without prior notice and do not represent a commitment on the
part of Intermec Technologies Corporation.
© 2004 by Intermec Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved.
The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, Norand, ArciTech, CrossBar,
Data Collection Browser, dcBrowser, Duratherm, EasyCoder, EasyLAN,
Enterprise Wireless LAN, EZBuilder, Fingerprint, i-gistics, INCA (under
license), InterDriver, Intermec Printer Network Manager, IRL, JANUS,
LabelShop, Mobile Framework, MobileLAN, Nor*Ware, Pen*Key,
Precision Print, PrintSet, RoutePower, TE 2000, Trakker Antares, UAP,
Universal Access Point, and Virtual Wedge are either trademarks or regis-
tered trademarks of Intermec Technologies 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 infringe-
ment.
There are U.S. and foreign patents pending.
Kimdura is a registered trademark of Kimberly Clark.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Valeron is a registered trademark of Valéron Strength Films, an ITW
Company.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Document Change Record
This page records changes to this document. The document was origi-
nally released as version -00.
Version Date Description of Change
-00 May 2004 For preproduction printers (Intermec internal use only)
-01 Sept. 2004 First official release. Supports IPL v2.30.
EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) iii

iv EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) v
Contents
Contents
Before You Begin........................................................................... ix
Safety Summary.............................................................. ix
Safety Icons ..................................................................... x
Global Services and Support........................................... xi
Warranty Information ...................................... xi
Web Support.................................................... xi
Telephone Support ........................................... xi
Who Should Read This Document .................. xi
Related Documents.......................................... xi
1 Introduction
Description of EasyCoder PX6i Printer..........................................2
Safety Summary .............................................................................3
Product Identification ....................................................................3
2 Installation
Unpacking the Printer....................................................................6
Front View.....................................................................................7
Rear View ......................................................................................8
Media Compartment .....................................................................9
Print Mechanism..........................................................................10
Connections................................................................................. 11
Power ............................................................................11
Computer...................................................................... 11
Controls and Indicators ...............................................................12
Indicator Lamps ............................................................12
Display ..........................................................................13
Keyboard .......................................................................13
Beeper ...........................................................................14
3 Starting Up
Switching On the Printer .............................................................16
4 Media Load
Tear-Off (Straight-through) .........................................................18

vi EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Contents
Cut-Off........................................................................................23
Peel-Off (Self-strip) ...................................................................... 28
External Supply (Fan-fold) ...........................................................34
5 Thermal Transfer Printing
Ribbon Load................................................................................38
6 Setting Up the Printer
Description. .................................................................................46
Default Setup...............................................................................47
Setup Parameters..........................................................................48
Serial Communication...................................................48
Baud Rate .......................................................48
Character Length ............................................48
Parity...............................................................48
Stop Bits..........................................................49
Protocol ..........................................................49
Test/Service ...................................................................51
Testprint..........................................................51
Data Dump.....................................................52
Memory Reset.................................................52
Media ............................................................................53
Media Type ..................................................... 53
Paper Type....................................................... 53
Label Length ...................................................53
Sensitivity (Media sensitivity number).............53
Darkness .........................................................54
Label Rest Point ..............................................54
Form Adj Dots X ............................................54
Form Adj Dots Y.............................................54
Ribbon Low ....................................................54
Paper Low .......................................................54
Configuration................................................................55
Emulation .......................................................55
Print Speed......................................................55
Cutter (option)................................................55
Label Taken Sensor (option)............................55
Returning to Factory Default Setup .............................................56

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) vii
Contents
7 Setup Mode
Navigating in Setup Mode ...........................................................58
Setup Mode Overviews ................................................................60
8 Options
Introduction ................................................................................66
Liner Takeup Unit........................................................................ 67
Paper Cutter.................................................................................67
Fan-Fold Guides ..........................................................................68
3-inch Adapters............................................................................68
Label Taken Sensor ......................................................................68
Interface Boards ...........................................................................69
9 Troubleshooting
Intermec Readiness Indicator .......................................................72
Troubleshooting List ....................................................................75
10 Maintenance
Printhead Cleaning ......................................................................78
External Cleaning ........................................................................82
Cleaning the Label Stop Sensor....................................................83
Printhead Replacement ................................................................84
Media Jams ..................................................................................88
11 Adjustments
Narrow Media..............................................................................90
Printhead Pressure........................................................................91
Label Stop Sensor.........................................................................92

viii EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Contents
A Technical Specifications
Technical Data ............................................................................. 96
B Media Specifications
Media Roll Size.......................................................................... 100
Media ........................................................................................101
Non-Adhesive Strip .....................................................101
Self-Adhesive Strip....................................................... 102
Self-Adhesive Labels.....................................................103
Tickets with Gap .........................................................105
Tickets with Black Mark..............................................107
C Interfaces
RS-232 Interface........................................................................110
USB Interface ............................................................................111
Optional Interfaces ....................................................................112
D Intermec Supplies
Setting the Media Sensitivity Number .......................................116

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) ix
Before You Begin
Before You Begin
This section provides you with safety information, technical support
information, and sources for additional product information.
Safety Summary
Your safety is extremely important. Read and follow all warnings and
cautions in this document 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 circum-
stances. 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 breath-
ing. 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 autho-
rized emergency work on energized equipment, be sure that you comply
strictly with approved safety regulations.

x EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Before You Begin
Safety Icons
This section explains how to identify and understand dangers, warnings,
cautions, and notes that are in this document. You may also see icons
that tell you when to follow ESD procedures.
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.
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.
This icon appears at the beginning of any procedure in this
manual that could cause you to touch components (such as
printed circuit boards) that are susceptible to damage from
electrostatic discharge (ESD). When you see this icon, you
must follow standard ESD guidelines to avoid damaging
the equipment you are servicing.
Note: Notes either provide extra information about a topic or
contain special instructions for handling a particular condition
or set of circumstances.

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) xi
Before You Begin
Global Services and Support
Warranty Information
To understand the warranty for your Intermec product, visit the
Intermec web site at http://www.intermec.com and click Service &
Support. The Intermec Global Sales & Service page appears. From the
Service & Support menu, move your pointer over Support, and then
click Warranty.
Web Support
Visit the Intermec web site at http://www.intermec.com to download
our current documents in PDF format. To order printed versions of the
Intermec manuals, contact your local Intermec representative or distribu-
tor.
Visit the Intermec technical knowledge base (Knowledge Central) at
http://intermec.custhelp.com to review technical information or to
request technical support for your Intermec product.
Telephone Support
Contact your local Intermec representative. To search for your local rep-
resentative, from the Intermec web site, click Contact.
Who Should Read This Document?
This User’s Guide provides you with information about the features of
the EasyCoder PX6i printer and how to install, configure, operate, main-
tain, and troubleshoot it.
Related Documents
The Intermec web site at http://www.intermec.com contains our current
documents that you can download in PDF format. To order printed ver-
sions of the Intermec manuals, contact your local Intermec representative
or distributor.

xii EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Before You Begin

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) 1
1 Introduction
This chapter introduces the EasyCoder PX6i printer.
The chapter covers the following topics:
• Description of EasyCoder PX6i
• Safety summary
• Product identification

2 EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Chapter 1 — Introduction
Description of EasyCoder PX6i Printer
The EasyCoder PX6i is a high-volume thermal transfer printer with a
printhead resolution of 8 dots/mm = 203.2 dots/inch and a maximum
print width of 168 mm (6.6 inches). It offers a large number of useful
features, such as:
The EasyCoder PX6i offers a large number of useful features, such as:
• High speed printing up to 225 mm/sec. (9 inches/sec.)
• Flash memory SIMMs for firmware, fonts, and bar codes
• Built-in CompactFlash memory card adapter
• Built-in RS-232 and USB interfaces
• Provision for one or two extra interface boards including wired or
wireless EasyLAN connections and parallel interface
• Keyboard and display with backlight
• Support for network monitoring through optional software tools
A large number of factory-installed or field-installable options are avail-
able, so the printer can be configured for a wide range of applications.
See Chapter 8 and Appendix A for more information.
The printer is designed to work with the Intermec InterDriver and
Intermec LabelShop. The InterDriver allows you to print labels from
standard MS Windows applications, for example Microsoft Office.
Intermec LabelShop is a series of label-design programs that work under
various versions of MS Windows.
The EasyCoder PX6i supports the Intermec Programming Language
(IPL) v2.30. A version of EasyCoder PX6i, that supports Intermec Fin-
gerprint v8.30, is described in a special User’s Guide.

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) 3
Chapter 1 — Introduction
Safety Summary
Intermec assumes no responsibility regarding the CE Directive if the
printer is handled, modified, or installed in any way other than that
described in Intermec’s manuals.
• Read this manual carefully before connecting the printer.
• Moving parts are exposed when the side doors are open, so ensure that
the doors are closed before you operate the printer.
• Do not remove the left-hand cover. Dangerous voltage!
• Do not remove the bottom plate. Dangerous voltage!
• Do not put your fingers inside the print mechanism when the power
is on.
• Place the printer on an even surface which can support its weight of
approximately 15 kg (33 pounds) plus supplies.
• Do not spray the printer with water. If you are using a hose to clean
the premises in an industrial environment, remove the printer or pro-
tect it carefully from spray and moisture.
• Carefully read the warning text on the envelope before using a clean-
ing card.
Product Identification
The machine label is attached to the printer’s rear plate and contains
information on type, model, and serial number as well as AC voltage. It
also contains various signs of approval.

4 EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Chapter 1 — Introduction

EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version) 5
2 Installation
This chapter explains how to unpack and install the
EasyCoder PX6i and also describes the printer’s vari-
ous parts in detail. It covers the following topics:
• Unpacking the printer
• Parts on the printer’s front
• Parts on the printer’s rear plate
• Parts in the media compartment
• Parts in the print mechanism
• Connecting the printer
• Using the controls and understanding the indica-
tors

6 EasyCoder PX6i User’s Guide (IPL version)
Chapter 2 — Installation
Unpacking the Printer
Before you install the printer, examine the package for possible damage
or missing parts:
• Open the box and lift the printer out.
• Check that the printer has not been visibly damaged during transpor-
tation. Keep the packing materials in case you need to move or reship
the printer.
• Check the label on the printer’s rear plate, which gives the voltage, the
part number, and the serial number.
• Check that any options you ordered are included.
• Check that all the accessories are included. As standard, the box con-
tains:
- Intermec EasyCoder PX6i printer
- Two adapter for 3-inch media roll core
- Power cord
- Quality check card
- Cleaning card
- This User’s Guide
- Compact disk (CD) with supporting software, additional manuals,
and product information.
• Check that the type of power cord is appropriate for the local stan-
dard. The printer works within 90 to 265 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz.
If the printer has been damaged in any way during transportation, com-
plain to the carrier immediately.
If the delivery is incorrect or any parts are missing, report it immediately
to the distributor.