Intermec PK80 Series User manual

PK80 Series
80-Column Printer
User's Manual

ii PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Intermec Technologies Corporation
Corporate Headquarters Technical Communications Department
6001 36th Ave. W. 550 Second Street SE
Everett, WA 98203 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
U.S.A. 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.
E2003-2005 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.
Bluetooth is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A.

iiiPK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Document Change Record
This page records changes to this document. The document was originally released as Revision A.
Revision Date Description of Change
B05/2003 Updated information about Bluetooth configuration
C10/2003 Added Easy Print commands, default and downloable fonts.
D04/2004 Added printer behavior information to Chapter 2, “Operations.” Added additional down-
loadable fonts to Appendix B, “Fonts.” Updated printer paper specifications in Chapter 1,
“Introduction.” Added Appendix C, “Graphics Printing.”
E12/2004 Added additional setting page length commands to Appendix C, “Graphics Printing.”
F02/2005 Updated Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting,” to include the latest self-test information.

iv PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual

Contents
vPK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Contents
Before You Begin ix..............................................................
Safety Summary ix........................................................
Donotrepairoradjustalone ix........................................
First aid ix........................................................
Resuscitation ix....................................................
Energized equipment ix..............................................
Safety Icons x............................................................
Global Services and Support xi...............................................
Warranty Information xi.............................................
Web Support xi....................................................
Telephone Support xi................................................
WhoShouldReadthisManual? xii...........................................
Related Documents xii.....................................................
Introduction 1...............................................................
About the Printer 2..............................................................
Cables 3................................................................
Hinges on Printer Cover 3..................................................
Paper 4.................................................................
Material Breakdown 4...............................................
Caliper Breakdown 5................................................
Printer Dimensions 5......................................................
Remote Connections 6.....................................................
User Panel 6.............................................................
Forward and Reverse Buttons 6........................................
Radio Button 7....................................................
Vehicle Battery 7.........................................................
Specifications 8.................................................................
Inside Sales 9...................................................................
What’s New 10.................................................................
Operation 11.................................................................
Check List 12..................................................................
Open the Printer 12.............................................................
Install the Ribbon Cartridge 13.....................................................
Adjust the Print Head Gap 14.....................................................
1
2

Contents
vi PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Fill the Paper Tray 15............................................................
Fill the Compact Paper Tray 15..............................................
Fill the Dashboard Mount Paper Tray 17......................................
Load Paper into Printer 19........................................................
Position the Paper 19......................................................
Adjust the Pinfeed Holders 20...............................................
Set the Paper 21..........................................................
Printer Behavior 22..............................................................
Expectations 22..........................................................
Indicators 22............................................................
Printer Runs Out of Paper 23...............................................
Printer Head Jams 23......................................................
Print Job Status Report 24..................................................
Timing Out 24..........................................................
Maintenance 25..............................................................
Operation Guidelines 26..........................................................
General Cleaning 27.............................................................
Outside Cleaning 27.............................................................
Inside Cleaning 28..............................................................
Old Ribbon Cartridge Removal 29...........................................
Mask Spring Cleaning 30...................................................
Troubleshooting 33..........................................................
Check the Power Source 34........................................................
Large Print Jobs 34..............................................................
Printer Cold-Boot 34............................................................
Self-Test 34....................................................................
Sample Self-Test 36.......................................................
Report Failure 37.........................................................
Possible Printer Problems 38.......................................................
Communications with Host Computer 39............................................
3
4

Contents
viiPK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Communications Pin-Out Configurations 40..........................................
Commands 43................................................................
Commands 44..................................................................
Bluetooth Wireless Configuration Commands 44................................
Easy Print Commands 45...................................................
Query Commands 46......................................................
Interpreting the Reply to a Query 46...................................
ESC{ST?} — Status 47..............................................
ESC{CF?} — Configuration 48.......................................
ESC{VR?} — Version 49............................................
ESC{MY?} — Memory 50...........................................
ESC{PH?} — Print Head 51..........................................
ESC{FN?} — Fonts 52..............................................
PK80F Control Sequences 53......................................................
Radio Queries 55...............................................................
Bluetooth QUERY ESC{BL?} 55.............................................
Fonts 57......................................................................
Default Fonts 58................................................................
Downloadable Fonts 58..........................................................
Graphics Printing 59.........................................................
Graphics Overview 60............................................................
Pin Labels 60............................................................
Graphics Command Format 60..............................................
Column Reservation Numbers 60............................................
Graphics Mode 61..............................................................
Eight-Pin Graphics Modes 61...............................................
Nine-Pin Graphics Modes 61................................................
ESC K — Select Single-Density Graphics Mode 61...............................
ESC L — Select Low-Speed Double-Density Graphics Mode 62.....................
ESC Y — Select High-Speed Double-Density Graphics Mode 62....................
ESC Z — Select Low-Speed Quadruple-Density Graphics Mode 62..................
ESC ^ — Select 9-Pin Graphics Mode 63......................................
ESC * — Select Graphics Mode 63...........................................
ESC ? — Reassign Graphics Mode 64.........................................
ESC + — Print Character Graphics 64........................................
ESC t — Print Character Graphics 64.........................................
A
B
C

Contents
viii PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Line Spacing 65.................................................................
ESC 0 — Select 1/8-inch Line Spacing 65......................................
ESC 1 — Select 7/72-inch Line Spacing 65.....................................
ESC A — Select n/72-inch Line Spacing 65....................................
ESC 2 — Select 1/6-inch Line Spacing 65......................................
ESC 3 — Select n/216-inch Line Spacing 65....................................
Page Length 66..........................................................
Set Page Length (lines) 66............................................
Set Page Length (inches) 66..........................................
User-Defined Characters 67.......................................................
ESC : — Copy ROM to RAM 67............................................
ESC & — Define User-Defined Characters 67..................................
ESC % — Select User-Defined Set 68.........................................
ESC 6 — Enable Printing of Codes 128–159 68.................................
ESC 7 — Cancel Printing of Codes 128–159 69.................................
ESC I — Printable Code Area Expansion 69....................................

Before You Begin
ixPK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
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.
Donotrepairoradjustalone
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.

Before You Begin
x PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Safety Icons
This section explains how to identify and understand dangers, warnings,
cautions, and notes that are in this manual. You may also see icons that tell
you when to follow ESD procedures and when to take special precautions
for handling optical parts.
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 éviterl’occurrencedemortoude
blessures graves aux personnes manupulant l’équipement.
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.
Attention: 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.
Note: Notes either provide extra information about a topic or contain
special instructions for handling a particular condition or set of
circumstances.

Before You Begin
xiPK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
Global Services and Support
Warranty Information
To understand the warranty for your Intermec product, visit the Intermec
web site at www.intermec.com and click Service & Support.TheIntermec
Global Sales & Service page appears. From the Service & Support menu,
move your pointer over Support,andthenclickWarranty.
Disclaimerofwarranties:Thesamplecodeincludedinthisdocumentis
presented for reference only. The code does not necessarily represent
complete, tested programs. The code is provided “as is with all faults.” All
warranties are expressly disclaimed, including the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Web Support
Visit the Intermec web site at www.intermec.com to download our current
manuals in PDF format. To order printed versions of the Intermec
manuals, contact your local Intermec representative or distributor.
Visit the Intermec technical knowledge base (Knowledge Central) at
intermec.custhelp.com to review technical information or to request
technical support for your Intermec product.
Telephone Support
These services are available from Intermec Technologies Corporation.
Service Description
In the U.S.A. and Canada
call 1-800-755-5505
and choose this option
Factory Repair and
On-site Repair
Request a return authorization
number for authorized service
center repair, or request an
on-site repair technician.
1
Technical Support Get technical support on your
Intermec product.
2
Service Contract
Status
Inquire about an existing
contract, renew a contract, or ask
invoicing questions.
3
Schedule Site Surveys
or Installations
Schedule a site survey, or request
a product or system installation.
4
Ordering Products Talk to sales administration,
place an order, or check the
status of your order.
5
Outside the U.S.A. and Canada, contact your local Intermec
representative. To search for your local representative, from the Intermec
web site, click Contact.

Before You Begin
xii PK80 Series 80-Column Printer User’s Manual
WhoShouldReadthisManual?
This manual provides you with information about the features of the
PK80 Series 80-Column Printer, and how to install, configure, operate,
maintain, and troubleshoot the printer.
Related Documents
This table contains a list of related Intermec documents and their part
numbers.
Document Title Part Number
PK80 Series 80-Column Printer Installation Instructions 962-018-022
PK80F 80-Column Printer Quick Start Guide 962-018-021
The Intermec web site at www.intermec.com contains many of our
documents that you can download in PDF format.
To order printed versions of the Intermec manuals, contact your local
Intermec representative or distributor.

1PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Introduction
1
The PK80 Series 80-Column Wireless Printer is used in the route ac-
counting industry to produce high-quality customer invoices, receipts,
load reports, transfers, and other documents. A unique “sleep” feature
saves energy when the printer is not printing, eliminating the ON/OFF
switch. Data input is normally provided by mobile computers.

IntroductionChapter —1
2 PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
About the Printer
The Fixed Mount Printer (PK80F) can hang on a wall, on a mounting
plate secured to a wall, or secured directly to a wall. Mobile computers
communicate with this printer through a wireless radio or a wired serial
connection. There is no internal paper tray, thus paper is loaded from a
separate dashboard mount, compact paper tray, or a box. The printer
mechanism is permanently attached inside the printer.

Introduction—Chapter 1
3PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Cables
Communications to the printer is centered around radio technology, such
as a Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network) radio module. This will al-
low for new vehicle configurations.
The Fixed Mount Printer has a 12-volt dc power cable at the bottom of
the printer, which connects the printer to a power source, such as the ve-
hicle battery.
The printer also communicates with an Intermec
®
700 Series Mobile
Computer through an RS-232 DB25-pin data communications cable also
found on the bottom of the printer.
DC power cable
RS-232 DB25-pin data communications cable
Hinges on Printer Cover
All printer covers are hinged to the printer. These hinges have a tension
screw (turn clockwise to tighten, turn counterclockwise to loosen), should
you need to adjust them.

IntroductionChapter —1
4 PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Paper
Use of paper that matches the following specifications ensures
optimum PK80 performance. Variation from these specifications, use
of aged paper, or use of paper exposed to elements such as dirt or
humidity may cause printing problems.
The printer works with 1–3 ply carbonless paper that is single-edge glued
and designed for sprocket feed. Standard paper size is 8.5 x 11” or 8.5 x
12” (241 x 305 mm international). Use 3-ply forms up to a maximum of
0.009 inch (0.23 mm) thick.
A soft, flexible, rubber type cement applied to one perforation strip only is
preferred. The resultant lamination should wrap around a 1-1/4 inch di-
ameter roll without curl or wrinkle.
Material Breakdown
The following tables show the material broken down per ply:
14# CBF (Carbonless Back and Front)
Target Under Over
Basis Weight 14# 13.3 14.7
Caliper 2.9 2.6 3.2
Moisture 5.0 4.0 6.0
Smoothness (RS) 165 110 230
Smoothness (CB) 270 220 320
Brightness (Wht) 88 86 90
Colors available: White, Canary, Pink, Goldenrod, Blue, Green
15# CF (Carbonless Front)
Target Under Over
Basis Weight 15# 14.43 15.8
Caliper 3.0 2.5 3.2
Moisture 5.0 4.0 6.0
Smoothness (RS) 140 100 180
Smoothness (CF) 140 100 180
Brightness (Wht) 85 84 86
Colors available: White, Canary, Pink, Goldenrod, Blue, Green

Introduction—Chapter 1
5PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
16# CB (Carbonless Back)
Target Under Over
Basis Weight 16# 15.2 16.8
Caliper 3.3 2.8 3.8
Moisture 5.7 4.2 6.7
Smoothness (RS) 180 120 270
Smoothness (CB) 270 220 320
Brightness (Wht) 86 84 88
Opacity (Wht) 81 78.5 82
20# OCR Laser Bond
Target Under Over
Basis Weight 20# 15.2 16.8
Caliper 4.0 3.8 4.2
Moisture 3.8 4.7 5.0
Smoothness 140 100 170
Brightness (Wht) 94 82 N/A*
Opacity (Wht) 85 84 N/A
* Not Applicable
Caliper Breakdown
The following information show the caliper of forms broken down per ply:
1-Ply (20#)
Targeted: 4.0
Maximum: 4.2
2-Ply (15# and 16#)
Targeted: 6.3
Maximum: 7.0
3-Ply (14#, 15#, and 16#)
Targeted: 9.2
Maximum: 10.2
Printer Dimensions
See the PK80 Series 80-Column Printer Installation Instructions for Fixed
Mount Printer assembly dimensions. Below are the width, length, and
depth dimensions for the Fixed Mount Printer.
Width Length Depth
10.25” W 14.25” L 5.00” H
(26.04 cm) (36.20 cm) (12.70 cm)

IntroductionChapter —1
6 PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Remote Connections
A printer and a mobile computer, using the Personal Area Network (PAN)
radio, can operate while up to 30 feet (10 meters) apart.
User Panel
The printer user panel is located in the center top of the printer and has
three buttons and two Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
Forward
Button
Reverse
Button
Radio Button
Radio LED
Power LED
Forward and Reverse Buttons
Use the Forward and Reverse buttons as follows:
Forward (Left) Button
SPress this button to power on the printer.
SPress this button to feed one line.
SPress and hold this button longer to feed up to five lines, one line at a
time.
SPress and hold this button longer than five feed lines to do a Form Feed,
which moves the paper to the top of the next page, or form. Press this
button again during a Form Feed to stop the paper feed.
SPress and hold this button longer than a Form Feed to perform a self-
test. See Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting,” for more information about this test.
SPress this button any time during a printing job to cancel the current
print job. The print buffer is flushed, all automatic reporting is can-
celled, and the printer is ready to print again.
SWhen there is a paper out, press this button to clear the paper out
mode. Insert the paper, then continue to press this button to feed the
paper into the printer.
Reverse (Right) Button
SPress this button to power on the printer.
SPress and hold this button to do a Back Feed, which pulls the paper
back into the printer line-by-line.
Both Forward and Reverse Buttons
Press both buttons to power off the printer. The current print buffer is
flushed and all automatic reporting is cancelled.

Introduction—Chapter 1
7PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Power LED
The power (left) LED shows a steady green when the power is plugged in
and when the printer is awake after coming out of a sleep mode.
Radio Button
Press the third button, the Radio Button,totoggletheradioonoroff.
SIf the button is pressed when the RF power is off, then the printer emits
one short beep before turning on the RF power.
SIf this button is pressed when the RF power is on, the printer emits two
short beeps before turning off the RF power.
Single Color (Blue) Radio LED
The single-color (blue) radio LED indicator shows the current status of
the RF power for this printer as follows:
Printer State Radio State Radio Power State
Asleep Off Off
Awake Off Off
Asleep Momentary flash at 1 every 5 seconds On
Awake On On
Single Color (Green) Power LED
Thesinglecolor(green)LEDindicatorshowsthecurrentstatusofthe
printer power as follows:
Printer State Color LED and Meaning
Asleep Off
Awake Green
Vehicle Battery
Power is provided to the printer through a cable permanently installed in
the vehicle. See “Inside Sales” for ordering information and part numbers.

IntroductionChapter —1
8 PK80 Series 80-Column User’s Manual
Specifications
Note: Various print fonts do affect the print speed.
Print Speed: 230 cps
Weight:
Fixed Mount Printer: 11.15 lbs (5.06 kg)
Mounting plate: 7.4 lbs (3.36 kg)
Compact paper tray: 5.85 lbs (2.66 kg)
Dashboard mount: 25.95 lbs (11.76 kg)
Temperature:
Operating: –4_to 140_F (–20_to 60_C)
Storage: –22_to 149_F (–30_to 65_C)
Humidity:
Noncondensing: 77_to 140_F(25_to 60_C) at 90% R.H.
Low condensation: 14_F(–10_C)@0%R.H.to
High condensation: 140_F(60_C) @ 90% R.H.
Altitude:
Operating: –100 to 5000 meters
Storage: 15,000 meters
Electrical:
Voltage: 12 volts dc (nominal)
Current: 100 mA (sleep mode with no charge)
Vibration: 12.5 GRMS for 6 hours @ –31_to 158_F (–35_to 70_C)
ESD: Level 4 (15 kV noncontact and 8 kV contact)