Intermec EasyCoder PL3 User manual

EasyCoder®PL3
Printer
Quick Start Guide

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.
2003 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 registered 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 infringement.
There are U.S. and foreign patents pending.

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide iii
Contents
Introducing the EasyCoder PL3 Printer............................... 4
Unpacking and Inspecting..................................... 4
Reporting Damage ................................................ 5
Learning About the Printer.................................................. 5
Installing the Battery............................................................ 7
Charging the Battery............................................................ 8
Understanding the LCD Control Panel ............................... 9
Loading the Media............................................................. 11
Verifying the Printer Is Working ....................................... 15
Using the Belt Clip............................................................ 19
Using the Adjustable Shoulder Strap.................................. 20
What To Do Next............................................................. 21
Specifications..................................................................... 21

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 4
Introducing the EasyCoder PL3 Printer
Thank you for choosing the Intermec EasyCoder®PL3 Printer.
This rugged printer is sure to become a productive and efficient
addition to your workplace thanks to its innovative design.
Intermec ensures world-class support for all of your bar code
printers, software, and supplies.
This quick start guide gives you the information you need to
confirm the printer is working and start printing. For
information on connecting your printer to your network or
terminals, see the EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide
(P/N 073204), which also applies to the PL3.
The PL3 uses the CPL programming language. To create and
print labels using the CPL language, refer to the EasyCoder
PL-Series Printer Programmer’s Reference Manual (P/N 073210).
You can also use our Intermec PL-Series Utility Software™
(PLUS™) to create labels and send files to your printer. The
manual and Intermec PLUS are available on the CD that came
with your printer and on our web site at www.intermec.com.
Unpacking and Inspecting
Remove the accessories, packing material, and printer from the
shipping container. Verify the contents of the shipping container
against the next list:
• PL3 printer with belt clip
• Battery
• Shoulder strap
• Cleaning pen
• PL4 Companion CD. This CD contains the EasyCoder PL4
Printer User’s Guide, the EasyCoder PL-Series Printer
Programmer’s Reference Manual, the Intermec PLUS
application, Windows drivers, and sample labels.
• Information on ordering media and contacting Intermec
product support
• This guide and Important PL-Series Printer Information!

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 5
Inspect the printer for possible shipping damage:
• Check all exterior surfaces for damage.
• Open the media cover (refer to “Loading the Media” on page
11) and inspect the media compartment for damage.
In case shipping is required, save the carton and all packing
material.
Reporting Damage
If you discover shipping damage:
• immediately notify and file a damage report with the shipping
company. Intermec is not responsible for any damage
incurred during shipment of the printer and will not cover
the repair of this damage under its warranty policy.
• keep the carton and all packing material for inspection.
• notify your authorized Intermec reseller or sales
representative.
Learning About the Printer
The EasyCoder PL3 printer is a rugged mobile label and receipt
printer that provides:
• print resolution of 200 dpi.
• print speeds up to 7.62 cm (3 inches) per second.
• serial or wireless communications options.
Use the next two illustrations to familiarize yourself with the
printer.

6 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Platen
roller Black mark
sensor
Media support
(2 places)
Self-strip
bar
Media
cover
Media support
disks (2 places)
Printhead
Control
panel
Latch
Latch
release
lever
"D" rings
Media rollers
(2 places)
Front View of the EasyCoder PL3
Belt clip
Battery
Charging
jack
Back View of the EasyCoder PL3

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 7
Installing the Battery
Note: Batteries are shipped uncharged.
1 Unwrap the battery.
2 Rotate the belt clip to allow access to the battery
compartment.
Belt clip
Battery
Charging
jack
3 Insert the battery into the printer.
4 Press the battery into the printer until it locks in place.
When the battery is first installed, the Control Panel indicators
may briefly turn on and then go off, which indicates the battery
is not fully charged. For help, see “Charging the Battery” on
page 8 and “Understanding the LCD Control Panel” on page 9.

8 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Charging the Battery
Do not attempt to charge batteries with the
charger while printing. Attempting to print while
charging can result in improperly charged
batteries.
Attention: Ne pas essayer de charger des batteries
à l’aide du chargeur pendant l’impression. Toute
tentative d’impression pendant le processus de
charge risque de produire des batteries mal
chargées.
You can order the following charger for the battery:
• Single battery charger (P/N AT15759-7) that comes with an
AC contact adapter for the U.S.A. (110V)
Single
battery
charger
AC
contact
adapter
Charger
jack
Charger
LED
Connecting the Single Battery Charger
For help using the charger, see the documentation that came
with the charger.

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 9
Understanding the LCD Control Panel
The LCD control panel has buttons for the power on/off and
media feed functions. In addition, it has two keys that allow easy
navigation and selection of menu options affecting many printer
functions.
Printer status icons
Feed
button
Power
button LCD
Select
button
Scroll
button
LCD Control Panel Functions
Button Function
Feed Advances the media out one label or a software determined
length of media.
Scroll Scrolls through the options and settings.
Select Selects an option or setting.
Power Turns the printer on and off.
The top of the screen has a row of status icons that indicate the
state of various printer functions.
Status Icon Functions
Icon Function
A flashing icon indicates low battery status. You should
suspend any printing operations and recharge or replace the
battery pack as soon as possible.
A flashing icon indicates that the media cover is open or not
properly latched.
A flashing icon indicates that a file is being downloaded to the
printer.

10 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Status Icon Functions (continued)
Icon Function
A flashing icon indicates that the printer does not detect any
media. This could indicate an out of media condition or
improperly loaded media.
In addition to the status icons, the LCD control panel can
display many of the printer’s settings and functions as text. Refer
to the next table, “LCD Functions,” for the full set of printer
features that you can see with the LCD panel. To set these
functions, see the EasyCoder PL-Series Printer Programmer’s
Reference Manual.
LCD Functions
Function Default Setting Options
Sensor Type Gap Black mark
Gap
Baud Rate 19200 9600
19200
38400
Data Bits 8 7
8
WLAN ID** Factory Set Value N/A
Label Top-of-
Form
000 Increase (+120 dots max)
Decrease (-120 dots max)
Left Position 000 Increase (+120 dots max)
Decrease (-120 dots max)
LCD Contrast 0 Increase
Decrease
No activity
Timeout**
60 sec. 60 sec.
5 min.
10 min.
30 min.
Custom
Tear-off Position 00 Increase (+120 dots max)
Decrease (-120 dots max)

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 11
LCD Functions (continued)
Function Default Setting Options
Media Type Label Label
Continuous
LCD Backlight Off On
Off
Momentary on with time
delay
Factory Reset No No
Yes
** Some parameters, such as the WLAN ID number and non-standard no-
activity timeout values can be set using a PC running Intermec PLUS and a
data cable link to the printer.
The LCD has a backlight option that allows viewing of the
screen in a dark environment or provides better contrast in a
very bright environment. Using the backlight decreases the time
the printer runs between charges. For more information on
battery life, see the EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide.
Loading the Media
You can operate this printer in one of two different modes:
Tear-Off or Self-Strip. Tear-Off mode allows you to tear off
each label (or a strip of labels) after it is printed. In Self-Strip
mode, the backing material is peeled away from the label as the
label advances. After you remove this label, the next one is
printed.
The PL3 printer supports direct thermal receipt, label, or tag
media.
Note: To print a configuration label, you need to
load continuous media (media with no black marks
or gaps) into the printer. For help printing a
configuration label, see “Verifying the Printer Is
Working” on page 15.

12 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
To load the media
1 Pull the latch release lever on the side of the printer. The
latch assembly flips open automatically.
2 Rotate the media cover back to expose the media
compartment and the adjustable media supports.
Latch
release
lever
Latch
assembly
Media
cover
3 Pull the media supports apart, insert the roll of media
between them, and let the media supports close. Make sure
the media pulls off the core in the direction shown in the next
illustration.

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 13
Media
supports
The supports adjust themselves to the width of the media.
The media should be able to spin freely on the supports.
4 If you want to use the printer in Tear-Off mode, continue
with Step 5.
If you want to use the printer in Self-Strip mode, peel one or
two labels off of the backing material.
5 Close the media cover.
6 If you want to use the printer in Tear-Off mode, flip the
self-strip bar down away from the latch assembly.
If you want to use the printer in Self-Strip mode, slide the
self-strip bar up with your thumbs until it locks into place on
the latch assembly.

14 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Latch
assembly
Self-strip
bar shown
in tear-off
position
Media
cover
Label
Tear-Off mode
Media
cover
Backing
Latch
assembly
Self-strip
bar shown
in self-strip
position
Self-Strip mode
7 Rotate the latch assembly until it locks in place.
8 Turn on the printer or press the Feed button if the printer is
already on. The printer advances the media.

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 15
Media
cover
Latch
assembly
Latch
assembly
Media
cover
Tear-Off mode Self-Strip mode
The printer advances the media to the next label if printing
labels. If you are printing on continuous media, the printer will
advance a short strip of media and will then be ready for
printing.
Verifying the Printer Is Working
Before you connect the printer to your computer or portable
data terminal, make sure that the printer is in proper working
order. You can do this by printing a configuration label using
the next procedure. If you cannot get this label to print, see the
EasyCoder PL4 Printer User’s Guide.
To print a configuration label
1 Turn the printer off. Load the media compartment with
continuous media (media with no black marks or gaps).
2 While holding the Feed button, press and release the Power
button. When printing starts, release the Feed button.
The printer prints a line of interlocking “x” characters to make
sure all elements of the printhead are working, prints out the
version of software loaded in the printer, and then prints two
reports.

16 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
The first report indicates model, firmware version, serial
number, baud rate, and other printer information. The second
report prints out a print quality test and then more detailed
information on the printer’s configuration and parameter
settings. If no second report appears, there is no application
loaded. The following illustrations are examples of the first
report followed by the second report.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Intermec PL3
V79.40 12/23/02
CHK: FFFF
HTSE7940 /18
Testing Memory...
Memory tested and OK
Baud Rate: 19200 BPS
In-activity Timeout: 120 Secs
Low battery Shut-down: 170
End of report.
Printhead test
Example of the First Report of the Configuration Label

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 17
Intermec PL3 V79/00 08/24/01
Serial Number:
XXEC00-10-0042
xxQF00-10-0042
Name: xxQF00-10-0042
Program:
Firmware:HTQ47940 /18
Chksum:F18A
Software:HTK44L
Chksum:5C8F
Ver:L4.R79.40.U176.B19.T19.A00
Cable Communications:
19200 BPS, N,8,1
Handshake:hardware
DSR: 1
Bridge mode: off
Wireless Communications:
Unit serial number
Application number
Report appears only
on units with wireless
options installed. Units
with no wireless options
will print an empty line
and resume the report.
1
2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
1234567890
Example of the Beginning of the Second Report
Wireless Communications:
Bluetooth:
.version 1.2.0
.date 08/01/02
.baud 9600
.device printer
.mode slave
.local_name ?
.authentication off
.discoverable on
.encryption off
.address 00:80:37:17:1E:B0
Debug Mode: Disabled
Bluetooth software version
Bluetooth settings
Example of the Bluetooth Part of the Second Report

18 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Peripherals:
MCR 2.00
LCD: Installed
Expansion module: 0x1D
802.11/b PCMCIA 5V
Other : 0F
Power Management:
In-activity Timeout:120 Secs
Low-battery Timeout:60 Secs
Remote(DTR) pwr-off:Enabled
Voltage :6.98(179)
Low-bat Warning :6.86(176)
Low-bat Shut-down:6.55(168)
Memory(0):
Flash :2097151 Bytes
RAM :2097151 Bytes
Label:
Width :800 dots, 100 mm
Height:15095 dots, 1886 mm
Sensors: (Adj)
Pres [DAC:143,Thr:120,Cur: 13]
Label Present
Media [ 8 (384 dots)]
Gap [DAC: 0,Thr: 30,Cur: 6]
Bar [DAC: 0,Thr: 70,Cur: 11]
Termperature :165
Voltage :6.94(178)
Resident Fonts:
Font Sizes Chars
0 0-6 20-FF
1 0 20-80
2 0-1 20-59
4 0-7 20-FF
5 0-3 20-FF
6 0 20-44
7 0-1 20-FF
File Directory:
File Size
DIAGS .BAT 1427
INDEX .WML 4723
1226000 Bytes Free
Command Language:
CCL Key '!'[21]
End of report.
Flash memory size
Maximum label size
Amount of memory available
Files loaded in printer memory
(includes pre-scaled or
scalable fonts)
Example of the End of the Second Report

EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide 19
Using the Belt Clip
The PL3 is equipped with a belt clip.
To use the belt clip
• Hook the clip over your belt and ensure that the clip is
securely attached to the belt. The belt clip pivots to allow you
to move freely while wearing the printer.
Clip printer
to belt
Printer can
pivot freely

20 EasyCoder PL3 Printer Quick Start Guide
Using the Adjustable Shoulder Strap
The PL3 comes with a shoulder strap (P/N BT11132-1) for
your convenience.
To use the shoulder strap
1 Snap each end of the shoulder strap into the “D” rings on the
top of the printer.
2 Slide the buckle until you achieve the desired length.
Pull here
to shorten
Pull here
to lengthen
Hold
buckle
Snap into "D"
rings on printe
r