Intermec EasyCoder F2 User manual

User’s Guide
EasyCoder F2
Bar Code Label
Printer
(Fingerprint Version)

Information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Intermec Printer AB.
© Copyright Intermec Printer AB, 2002. All rights reserved. Published in Sweden.
EasyCoder, EasyLAN, Fingerprint, and LabelShop are registered trademarks of Intermec Technolo-
gies Corp. The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, InterDriver, PrintSet, and Duratherm are
trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corp.
Centronics is a registered trademark of Genicom Corporation.
Kimdura is a registered trademark of Kimberly Clark.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Torx is a registered trademark of Camcar Division of Textron Inc.
TrueDoc is a registered trademark of Bitstream, Inc.
TrueType is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Unicode is a trademark of Unicode Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 – User’s Guide 1
Preface
Preface Table of Contents .........................................................................1
FCC Notice (U.S.A.) ...................................................................4
DOC Notice (Canada) ................................................................4
GS Notice (Germany)..................................................................4
EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)........................4
Declaration of Conformity (CE) .................................................5
1. Introduction EasyCoder F2 ...............................................................................6
Safety ............................................................................................7
Product Labeling ..........................................................................7
2. Installation Unpacking ....................................................................................8
Front View....................................................................................9
Rear View ...................................................................................10
Media Compartment .................................................................11
• Description ..........................................................................11
• Media Roll Supply Post .......................................................12
• Media supply Positions ........................................................13
Print Mechanism........................................................................14
Connections ...............................................................................15
• Power ...................................................................................15
• Computer ............................................................................15
Controls and Indicators..............................................................16
• Control Lamps.....................................................................16
• Display .................................................................................16
• Keyboard..............................................................................16
• Beeper ..................................................................................17
3. Starting Up Startup Files ................................................................................18
Memory Card.............................................................................19
Switching On the Printer ...........................................................20
Display Messages at Startup .......................................................20
4. Media Load Tear-Off (Straight-through) .......................................................21
Tear-Off (Straight-through) with Quick-Load ..........................25
Peel-Off (Self-strip).....................................................................27
External Supply (Fanfold) ..........................................................31
5.Thermal Transfer Printing Ribbon Load...............................................................................32
6. Setting Up the Printer Description.................................................................................36
Default Setup..............................................................................37
Contents

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide2
Preface
Contents, cont.
6. Setting Up the Printer, cont. Setup Parameters: .......................................................................38
•Serial Communication:........................................................38
- Baud Rate ..........................................................................38
- Character Length...............................................................39
- Parity..................................................................................39
- Stop Bits.............................................................................39
- Flow Control .....................................................................39
- New Line ...........................................................................40
- Receive Buffer....................................................................40
- Transmit Buffer..................................................................40
•Feed Adjust: .........................................................................41
- Start Adjust........................................................................41
- Stop Adjust ........................................................................41
- Recommended Feed Adjustments.....................................41
•Media: ..................................................................................42
- Media Size .........................................................................42
- Media Type........................................................................44
- Paper Type .........................................................................45
- Contrast.............................................................................49
- Testfeed ..............................................................................49
•Print Defines:.......................................................................49
- Head Resistance.................................................................49
- Testprint.............................................................................49
- Print Speed ........................................................................51
- LTS (Label Taken Sensor)..................................................52
7. Setup Mode Entering the Setup Mode at Installation....................................53
Navigating in Setup Mode .........................................................54
Setup Mode Overviews ..............................................................55
8. Intermec Shell Startup Program Introduction ...............................................................................60
Starting with Intermec Shell.......................................................61
Intermec Shell Diagram .............................................................64
Terminal Setup ...........................................................................65
•Starting Terminal Setup .......................................................65
•Solving Communication Problems .....................................65
•Using Terminal Setup ..........................................................66
•Selecting an Application ......................................................67
•Changing the Setup.............................................................68
•Exiting Terminal Setup ........................................................69
Line Analyzer..............................................................................70

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 3
Preface
Contents, cont.
9. Options Introduction ...............................................................................71
Thermal Transfer Mechanism ....................................................72
Side Doors ..................................................................................72
Integral Liner Takeup Unit.........................................................72
Media Supply Hub.....................................................................72
3-inch Adapter............................................................................72
Label Taken Sensor.....................................................................72
Real Time Clock.........................................................................73
Interface Boards..........................................................................73
10.Troubleshooting Troubleshooting List...................................................................74
11. Maintenance Printhead Cleaning.....................................................................75
External Cleaning.......................................................................78
Cleaning the Media Guides........................................................79
Printhead Replacement ..............................................................80
12. Adjustments Narrow Media ............................................................................83
Label Stop Sensor Position .........................................................84
Printhead Pressure ......................................................................85
Ribbon Break Shaft (option)......................................................86
Installing the Quick-Load Guides..............................................87
Appendix 1 Technical Data Technical Data............................................................................88
Appendix 2 Media Specifications Direct Thermal Media................................................................90
Thermal Transfer Media.............................................................91
Media Roll Size...........................................................................92
Media..........................................................................................93
•Non-Adhesive Strip .............................................................93
•Self-Adhesive Strip ...............................................................94
•Self-Adhesive Labels.............................................................95
•Tickets with Gap .................................................................96
•Tickets with Black Mark......................................................97
Transfer Ribbons ........................................................................98
Appendix 3 Interfaces RS-232 Interface.........................................................................99
USB Interface .......................................................................... 100
Bar Code Wand Interface........................................................ 101
Double Serial Interface Board (option)................................... 102
IEEE 1284 Parallel Interface Board (option).......................... 104
Industrial Interface Board (option) ......................................... 105
EasyLAN 100i Interface Board (option)................................. 106
RFID 13.56 MHz Interface Board (option)........................... 107

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide4
Preface
FCC Notice (United States of America)
WARNING
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions manual, may cause interference to radio communications.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant
to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the user at his own expense will be
required to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.
DOC Notice (Canada)
Canadian Dept. of Communication
REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE (DOC-A)
This digital apparatus does not exceed the class A limits for radio noise emissions from a digital
apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Commu-
nication.
Ministère des Communications du Canada
CONFORMITE DE REGLEMENTS (DOC-A)
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant les limites applicables
aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le règlement sur brouillage radioélectrique édicté
par le Ministère des Communications du Canada.
GS Notice (Germany)
ALLGEMEINE VORSCHRIFT
Reparaturen oder sonstige Eingriffe, die sich nicht auf normale Bedienung der Maschine beziehen,
dürfen ausschließlich nur von einem ausgebildeten, zuständigen Fachmann vorgenommen werden.
EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)
WARNING
This is a Class A ITE product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference
in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 5
Preface
Declaration of Conformity (CE)
We,
Intermec Printer AB
Idrottsvägen 10
Box 123
S-431 22 Mölndal
Sweden
declare under our sole responsibility1that the product
EasyCoder F2
to which this declaration relates is in conformity with the following standards
EMC:
EN 50 081-1:1992
EN 55 022:1994
EN 61 000-3-2:1995, class A
EN 50 082-2:1995
EN 61 000-4-2:1995
EN 61 000-4-3:1996
ENV 50 204:1995
EN 61 000-4-4:1995
EN 61 000-4-6:1996
Electrical Safety:
EN 60 950
following the provisions of Directives
89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC
Mölndal 1999-09-01
...................................................................
Mats Gunnarsson
President
1 /. Intermec assumes no responsibility regarding the CE Directive if the
printer is handled, modified, or installed in other manners than those described in
Intermec’s manuals.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide6
Chapter 1
Introduction
The EasyCoder F2 is a sturdy medium-duty direct thermal
printer with a printhead resolution of 8 dots per mm (203.2
dots per inch) and a maximum print width of 56 mm (2.2
inches). Optionally, it can be provided with a thermal transfer
mechanism. The EasyCoder F2 offers a large number of useful
features, such as:
•Flash memory SIMMs for firmware, fonts, bar codes, and
application programs
•Built-in memory card adapter
•Built-in RS-232 and USB interfaces
•Provision for one extra interface board
•Keyboard and display with backlight for improved user inter-
face.
A large number of factory-installed or field-installable options are
available, so the printer can be configured for a wide range of
applications. See Chapter 9 and Appendix 1 for more informa-
tion.
The EasyCoder F2 supports the unique and flexible Intermec
Fingerprint v7.61 programming language, which allows the user
or third-party developer to create custom-made application pro-
grams and label formats in a BASIC-like environment.
EasyCoder F2 is also designed to work with the Intermec Direct
Protocol programming language, 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 F2 supports 15 scaleable Unicode TrueType and
TrueDoc fonts as standard. Additional fonts can be downloaded
into the printer’s Flash memory, or be plugged in using a memory
card. The Unicode standard allows the use of special characters
for various languages including non-Latin fonts, such as Arabic,
Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, and similar.
A special version of EasyCoder F2, that supports the Intermec
Programming Language (IPL-3), is described in a special manual.
EasyCoder F2

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 7
Chapter 1 Introduction
Safety
Product Labeling
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.
Caution
•Read this manual carefully before connecting the printer.
•Moving parts are exposed when the side door is open, so
ensure that the door is closed before you operate the printer.
•Do not open the front/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 5.5 kg (12 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 protect it carefully from spray and moisture.
•Carefully read the warning text on the envelope before using
a cleaning card.
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.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide8
Chapter 2
1/. Type and quantity may
vary, or labels/ribbon may be
omitted completely, depend-
ing on area of distribution.
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
transportation. 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 contains:
- Intermec EasyCoder F2 printer
- One set of Quick-Load Guides
- Power cord (at least one depending on model)
- Quality check card
- Cleaning card
- Short strip of labels1
- Starter pack of thermal transfer ribbon (thermal transfer
models only)1
- Adapter for 3-inch media roll core (only in models fitted
with a rotating media supply hub)
- This User’s Guide
- Supporting software and product information on CD.
•Check that the power cord is appropriate for the local stan-
dard. The printer works within 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60
Hz.
If the printer has been damaged in any way during transporta-
tion, complain to the carrier immediately.
If the delivery is incorrect or any parts are missing, report it
immediately to the distributor.
Unpacking
European-type US/Canadian-type GB-type
230 VAC plug 115 VAC plug 230 VAC plug
Installation

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 9
Chapter 2 Installation
Front View
At the front of the printer are the display window, the control
lamps, and the keyboard. These features allow the operator to
control and set up the printer manually, in addition to the remote
control facilities offered by the Intermec Fingerprint programing
language and Intermec Shell.
The printed labels, tickets, or tags are presented at the front of
the print mechanism.
Side Door
Control Lamps
Display Window
Keyboard
Print Key
Print Mechanism

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide10
Chapter 2 Installation
Rear View
The rear plate contains the On/Off switch, the AC power cord
receptacle, and various interface connectors and slots.
On/Off Switch
AC Power Cord Receptacle
Memory Card Slot
Machine Label
RS-232 Serial Interface
("uart1:")
Provision for one Optional
Interface Board
Bar Code Wand Interface
Not used
USB Interface ("usb1:")

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 11
Chapter 2 Installation
Media Compartment
The media compartment is either covered by a long side door
that completely encloses the print mechanism and media com-
partment, or a short side door that only covers the print
mechanism and gives easy access to the media stock. The door is
held by a magnetic lock. It can be opened 180°to provide full
access to the media compartment.
The media supply can be from a supply post, or from an external
supply of fan folds behind the printer. There is also an optional
rotating media supply hub.
Also see Chapter 9, “Options.”
2
1
4
3
bw
fw
Media Supply
Roll Post
with Edge Guide
Long Side Door
Print Mechanism Optional Integral Liner
Takeup with Guide Shaft
Description

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide12
Chapter 2 Installation
76 mm
(3 inches)
CORE
38-40 mm
(1.5 inch)
Because the EasyCoder F2 has a modular design, it uses a media
supply roll post that can be fitted in three different positions
inside the media compartment. The position depends on the
type of side door (long or short) and whether or not the printer
is fitted with an integral liner takeup. Alternatively, an external
media supply (for example a box of fan-folded tickets) behind the
printer can be used. A rotating media supply hub is also available
as an option, see Chapter 9, “Options.”
The media supply roll post fits both 38-40 mm (1.5 inches) and
76 mm (3.0 inches) cores since it can be moved vertically in the
slot in center section. The bottom position is intended for small
cores and the top position is for large cores. The post is locked by
a straight-slot screw and has a moveable edge guide to fit various
media widths.
To move the post to a different slot; remove the screw, twist the
post a quarter of a turn, and pull it out.
To fit the post; rotate it a quarter of a turn, insert it into the
appropriate slot in the center section (see next page), and twist
back so the lips engage the cutouts in the sides of the slot. Move
it up (large core) or down (small core) as far as it goes and secure
it with the screw.
Edge Guide
Screw
Media Compartment, cont.
Media Supply Roll Post
Caution!
Make sure to adjust the posi-
tion of the post according to
the size of the media roll core.
When the post is fitted in
the top position, the head of
the screw will interfere with
small (38 mm/1.5 inches)
cores,causingmedia misalign-
ment.
Description, cont.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 13
Chapter 2 Installation
Media Compartment, cont.
There are four sets of threaded holes and slots in the printer’s
center section for the media supply roll post or rotating hub
(optional). These slots allow the largest possible roll size to fit,
given the limitations of any liner takeup and/or the full enclosure
provided by the long side door. The positions are indicated by
numbers engraved in the center section.
•Position 1 is used when the media compartment is fully
enclosed by a long side door, regardless of the existence of
any integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 152 mm
(6 inches).
•Position 2 is used when the printer has a short side door
that only encloses the print mechanism, but does not have
an integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 213 mm
(8.38 inches).
•Position 3 is used when the printer has a short side door and
an integral liner takeup unit. Maximum roll size is 213 mm
(8.38 inches).
•Position 4 is reserved for future development.
The printer can also use an external media supply located behind
the printer.
2
1
4
3
Pos. 1
Pos. 3
Pos. 4 (not used)
Pos. 2
Media Supply Positions

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide14
Chapter 2 Installation
Print Mechanism
The print mechanism features a high-performance 8 dot/mm
(203.2 dots/inch) thermal printhead with quick-mount fittings
to facilitate replacement. Refer to Chapter 5 “Thermal Transfer
Printing”and Chapter 9 “Options”for illustrations of the ther-
mal transfer mechanism, which is partly integrated with the print
mechanism.
Thermal Printhead
Tear Bar
Pressure Arm
Printhead Lift Lever
Label Stop Sensor
Position Adjustment
(bottom sensor hidden)
Edge Guide
Locking Screw
Platen Roller

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 15
Chapter 2 Installation
Connections
Power
Computer
1Place the printer on a level surface, near an AC outlet. You
should be able to easily access the printer to load media and
to remove the printout.
2Check that the printer is switched off.
3Connect the power cord between the receptacle on the rear
plate and to the electrical outlet (>90 to <264 VAC).
The Easycoder F2 is fitted with one 25-pin D-style subminiature
(DB25) female connector for the RS-232 serial interface port and
one class B connector for the USB interface port (see Appendix
3).
•
RS-232 Serial Interface
(device name: "uart1:")
Use the serial interface with Intermec LabelShop or the Inter-
mec InterDriver. Also use it with the Intermec Direct Protocol
or the Intermec Fingerprint programming language because
you can receive error messages from your printer. Before you
can use the serial interface, you may need to set up the
communication parameters, such as baud rate, parity, etc. as
described in Chapter 6, “Setting Up the Printer.”
•
USB Interface
(device name: "usb1:")
Use the USB interface with an USB-compatible version of the
Intermec InterDriver for printing. The printer works only as
a “slave”(that is, the USB interface is not suitable for program-
ming because you cannot receive error messages from your
printer). Unlike RS-232, there is no communication setup in
regard of baud rate, parity, handshaking, etc.
•
Optional Interface Board
(device name: "uart2:", "uart3:", "centronics:", or "net1:")
Several types are available (see Chapter 9, “Options”). Refer
to Appendix 3 and the separate documentation delivered with
the boards for connection and setup instructions.
The printer can be set to scan all communication ports for
incoming data and automatically switch to that port. This facility
("auto:") can be selected in Intermec Shell (see Chapter 8)
or using the Intermec Fingerprint instruction SETSTDIO, see
Intermec Fingerprint v7.61, Programmer’s Reference Manual.
Switch off both PC and printer before connecting them together.

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide16
Chapter 2 Installation
Controls and Indicators
Control Lamps
The EasyCoder F2 has several ways of communicating directly
with its operator: three control lamps, a display window, a
membrane-switch keyboard with 22 programmable keys, a big
programmable “Print”button on the printer’s front, and a beeper.
The control lamps are colored LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)
and are used for the following purposes:
•Power (green) indicates when the power is on.
•Ready (green) indicates when the printer is ready for use.
•Error (red) indicates when some kind of error has occurred.
If using a serial communication, an error message may be
returned to the host computer.
The display window contains an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
with background illumination and two lines of text, each with 16
characters. It guides the operator through the setup and indicates
possible errors during printing.
The Intermec Fingerprint programming language and the
Intermec Direct Protocol allow custom-made messages to be
composed and displayed according to the requirements of the
application.
The keyboard is of the membrane-switch type and has 22 keys.
The keyboard is supplemented by a large “Print”button on
the printer’s front. Some keys have hard-coded functions in the
startup and setup modes.
In application programs created by the Intermec Fingerprint
programming language, the keys can be assigned to various func-
tions. Since one key is assigned as shift key, up to 44 different
key combinations are possible. An audible signal, which can be
turned off if so desired, acknowledges that a key has been pressed.
Display
Keyboard

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide 17
Chapter 2 Installation
Controls and Indicators, cont.
Beeper
The beeper notifies the operator when an error has occurred
and acknowledges that a key has been pressed. The Intermec
Fingerprint programming language allows the key acknowledge
signal to be turned off. The frequency and duration of signals
can be specified. Thus, it is possible to create different signals
for different conditions or even to make the printer play simple
melodies!

Intermec EasyCoder F2 –User’s Guide18
Chapter 3
Starting Up
Startup Files
When the printer is switched on, its behavior depends on the
existence of a startup file (autoexec.bat) in its memory. There
are two cases:
A The printer is only fitted with the Intermec Shell file-manag-
ing program, which allows the operator to choose between a
variety of applications and functions.
B In addition to Intermec Shell, the printer is also fitted with
a custom-made application program that is design to perform
a specific task, for example to print tickets, baggage tags, or
product labels for a certain company. Such a program may be
initiated by a startup file (autoexec.bat) stored in the printer’s
permanent memory or in a memory card.
There can be one startup file stored in each of three different
parts of the printer’s memory. If there are startup files stored in
more than one part, only one will be used with the following
priority:
1. An autoexec.ba tfile stored in a memory card, provided the
card was inserted in the printer before power up.
2. An autoexec.ba tfile stored in the read/write part of the
printer’s permanent memory (device "c:").
3. The pup.bat file (Intermec Shell) in the read-only part of the
printer’s permanent memory (device "rom:").
If you insert a memory card that contains a startup file before
you switch on the printer, this startup file will be used instead
of Intermec Shell.