Italora AH 53/8 GM User manual

O . E . M .
T H E R M A L & T H E R M A L T R A N S F E R
L A B E L P R I N T E R S
models
A
AA
AH 53/8
H 53/8 H 53/8
H 53/8 EL7
EL7EL7
EL7
A
AA
AH 53/8 GM
H 53/8 GM H 53/8 GM
H 53/8 GM EL
ELEL
EL7
77
7
A
AA
AH 53/12 GM
H 53/12 GM H 53/12 GM
H 53/12 GM EL
ELEL
EL7
77
7
USER MANUAL
italora
Italora S.r.L. Largo Guastalla7 - 20082 Binasco - (Milano) - Ital
phone [phone] - fax [phone]
www.italora.it
[e-mail]
rev. 02.15

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 2
CONTENTS
1. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................3
2. UNPACKING ..............................................................................................................................................3
3. GENERAL VIEW........................................................................................................................................4
4. ROLLS COMPARTMENT DESCRIPTION...............................................................................................7
5. INCOMING INSPECTION .........................................................................................................................7
5.1. LABEL FORMAT SET UP PROCEDURE................................................................................9
6. PRINTING MEDIA DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................................9
6.1. PAPER SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................9
6.2. THERMAL RIBBON SPECIFICATIONS.................................................................................9
7. THERMAL RIBBON AND LABEL ROLL REPLACEMENT ..................................................................9
7.1. THERMAL RIBBON REPLACEMENT....................................................................................9
7.2. LABEL ROLL REPLACEMENT...............................................................................................9
8. PARAMETERS SETTING, DISPLAY AND KEYBOARD.......................................................................10
8.1. KEYBOARD...............................................................................................................................10
8.2. MEANING OF DISPLAY COLOURS.......................................................................................18
9. INTERFACING ...........................................................................................................................................18
9.1. SERIAL INTERFACE................................................................................................................18
9.2. I/O SIGNALS..............................................................................................................................20
10. MAINTENANCE.......................................................................................................................................30
10.1. CLEANING...............................................................................................................................30
11. TROUBLE SHOOTING............................................................................................................................31
11.1. NO LABELS FEEDING...........................................................................................................31
11.2. INCORRECT LABEL ALIGNMENT......................................................................................31
11.3. PAPER SLIDES TO RIGHT SIDE...........................................................................................31
11.4. PRINTING WITH PATCHES MISSING.................................................................................31
11.5. BLANK LABELS .....................................................................................................................31
11.6. POOR PRINTING CONTRAST...............................................................................................31
12. HARDWARE NOTES...............................................................................................................................31
12.1. HOW TO CHECK ELECTRONIC BOARDS..........................................................................31
12.2. PRINT HEAD PROTECTION FUSE REPLACEMENT.........................................................32
12.3. THERMAL PRINT HEAD REPLACEMENT .........................................................................32
12.4. DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT..............................................................................................32
13. PICTURES.................................................................................................................................................33
14. PART LIST AND RELEVANT PICTURES.............................................................................................39
Features and specifications are subject to change without notice

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 3
AH 53/8
AH 53/8AH 53/8
AH 53/8 EL
ELEL
EL7
77
7 , AH 53/8 GM
, AH 53/8 GM, AH 53/8 GM
, AH 53/8 GM EL
ELEL
EL7
77
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&&
& AH 53/12 GM
AH 53/12 GMAH 53/12 GM
AH 53/12 GM EL
ELEL
EL7
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O.E.M. GRAPHIC LABEL PRINTERS
1. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
PRINTING
Method: Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
AH 53/8 Resolution: 8 dots/mm, 384 dots/line
Printing area: 51 x 2300 mm
Print speed: up to 150 mm/s
AH 53/8 GM Resolution: 8 dots/mm, 384 dots/line
Printing area: 51 x 2300 mm
Print speed: up to 300 mm/s
AH 53/12 GM Resolution: 12 dots/mm,
640 dots/line
Printing area: 54 x 1000 mm
Print speed: up to 200 mm/s
X/Y positioning of texts and bar codes
Texts and bar codes printed in four orthogonal
directions
Lines, boxes, shadow and reverse printing
Graphic and logos: bit image mode
Bar Codes: EAN8, EAN13, 2/5, 2/5 I, 3/9, 2/7, DUN-
14/16, UPC-A, UPC-B, UPC-E, CODE128, EAN128,
Code 32, PZN, Code 93, PDF 417, Datamatrix, GS1
Databar, QR Code
Automatic Check Digit computation
Wide/narrow ratio full programmable
Half, standard and double density
Height programmable
Suppression of human readable characters
Batch printing: up to 99.999.999 labels
Layouts: 26 programmable in Flash memory, 100
fields each
Up to 10 protection levels for variable data printing
4 up/down 16 digits counters
Real Time Clock
Black intensity adjustable via software
Print button for last label repeating
INTERFACING SIGNALS
Three optoisolated I/O
DATA TRANSFER INTERFACE
RS232/422/485: serial parameters settable by sw
USB, Ethernet (optional)
HANDSHAKE PROTOCOL
SW : XON/XOFF
HW : DTR
DATA TRANSMISSION
ASCII format
CHARACTER GENERATORS
5 fixed matrix), 6 proportionals
up to 112 customized
(see Programming Manual for further details)
Magnifications 9x9
MEMORY
32 – bit RISC microprocessor
8 MB flash
16 Mb RAM
DISPLAY: LCD alfanumeric 16 characters x 2 rows, 8
colours
KEYBOARD: 10 Keys membrane panel
DETECTORS
End of paper and feeding synchronism
End of thermal ribbon
PRINT MEDIA
Die cut labels
LABEL SIZES
Width: 30 mm min., 60 mm max.
Length: 6 mm min.
2.300 mm max.
Key: width min.: 2 mm
depth min.: 25 mm starting
from the inner edge
ROLL SIZES
Width: 30 mm min., 60 mm max.
Outer diameter: 220 mm max.
Core diameter: 45 mm min.
THERMAL RIBBON
Base polyester film
Outer diameter:length 220 meters max.
Width: 32 mm min., 54 mm max.
Core diameter: 25.4 mm
PRINTER DIMENSIONS
See following pictures
Weights: 8 Kg (printer)
7 Kg (electronic cabinet)
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Voltage: 115/230/240 Vac; 50-60 Hz
ENVIRONMENT
Operating temperature: 0°/ 40° C
Storage temperature: -20°/60° C
Humidity: 10% - 95% non-condensing
OPTIONS
32 digital opto-coupled I/O channels expansion boards
with internal 24V power supply, Ethernet interface,
Wifi interface, Label taken sensor
ETIK, wysiwyg label editor Windows based
2. UNPACKING
Open the box and check the content :
- italora label printer model AH 53/8 ,
AH 53/8 GM or AH 53/12 GM
- Electronic Control Unit cabinet
- connection cables
serial RS232, USB,DB9, DB25
- 1 DIN connector 6 poles
- unwind holder and flanges
- power cable
- roll of labels
- roll of thermal ribbon
- printing tests
- CD Rom with manuals and Etik Light

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
4
3. GENERAL VIEW
(See picture 1)
1 manual printing push button
5 2 fuses 2AT (main)
6: fuse 1.6AT (logic)
8A USB connector
8B RS232 connector
9 fuse 8AT
42 connection board
44 photocell connector
100 Display
103: main switch
104: power cord plug
Electronic Control Unit overall dimensions and fitting holes

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
5
PICTURE 1

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
6
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
365
455
438
51
175
---------------------------
NP X Y DIA
---------------------------
P5 290 155.25 M6
P4 290 10.00 M6
P3 145 155.25 M6
P2 10 10.00 M6
P1 0 0.00 ---
220
Printer mechanism - overall dimensions
SERIAL NUMBER
and fitting holes
PICTURE 2 (side view)
206
108 16
PICTURE 3 (front view)

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
7
4. ROLLS COMPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
(SEE FOLLOWING PICTURES)
10 - photosensor for end of roll and
label synchronisation
17 - lock / unlock toggle lever
17a - working position
17b - open position
18 - print head position fine adjustment
21 - printing roller
23 - print head assembly pressure spring
25 - lock / unlock print head lever
25a - working position
25b - open position
25c - cleaning position
28 - clip holder
29 - thermal ribbon rewinder
30 - thermal ribbon stock
32 - pressure roller
33 - pressure clip
35 - driving roller
41 - lock / unlock flange lever
45 - label unwind holder
48 - photosensor for end of thermal ribbon
102 - rewinding shaft
105 - print head assembly
45
41
33
30
25a25b
2318 10529
21
32
10 48
35 17b 17a
102
28
25c
PICTURE 5
5. INCOMING INSPECTION
* Assemble the label unwind holder support and
flanges as shown in picture 6, using provided
three screws and three spacers.
* Proceed with label and ribbon loading, see chapter 7.
* Connect the Printer Mechanism to the Electronic
Control Unit using the two provided cables.
* Check the correct pinout of the serial Cannon
9 pins female connector and connect the printer to
the computer .
* For further details see chapter 8 "Interfacing".
* Check the voltage on the name plate next to the
power receptacle.

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
8
* Connect the power cable to a grounded power line
* Switch the main switch on (rear panel)
LIGHT BLUE display ON means operating
conditions.
* Push the PRINT BUTTON, you will get a printing
test with the FIRMWARE release information.
* Sending data from the computer you will get the
first printing.
* Push the PRINT BUTTON to get the last
printing again; the printer keeps the information
of the last printing until next data arrive.
NOTE: Printer retains the label length and the baking paper transparency in permanent memory.
In case of change of print media see the following paragraph.
PICTURE 6

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
9
5.1. LABEL FORMAT SET UP PROCEDURE
(SEE PICTURES 5 and 7)
The printer retains the label length and the backing
paper transparency in permanent memory.
If changing label format or print media type
you have to use the following procedure to update the
values (see also paragraph 7.2):
1 - Switch the printer off.
2 - Lift the printing head up by rotating lever #25b.
3 - Thread the web between the printing roller and
the printing head #21,105.
4 - Lift the pressure roller up by rotating lever #17b.
5 - Thread the web between the driving roller and
the pressure roller #35,32 up to the rewinding
shaft #102.
6 - Check web has been rightly positioned under the
label photosensor #10.
7 - Lift the printing head and the pressure roller down
by rotating levers #25a and #17a.
8 - Switch the printer on while pushing the print
button.
9 - Printer ejects some labels (depending on their
length) and stores the values of the media.
10 - Release the print button.
11 - The display lits light blue and the printer is ready
to work.
6. PRINTING MEDIA DESCRIPTION
6.1. PAPER SPECIFICATIONS
White coated glossy printing paper
- weight: 65 ÷ 90 g/mq (ISO536)
- caliper: 0,075 ÷ 0,083 mm (ISO534)
ADHESIVE SPECIFICATIONS
- peel adhesion(90° C): 430 N/m
- service temperature: -20° C ÷ + 70° C
LINER SPECIFICATIONS
- BG 40 brown, supercalendered glassine
- weight: 65g/mq (ISO536)
- caliper: 0.057 mm (ISO534)
- transparency: 45%
SUGGESTED MODELS
- Fasson Fasthermal NT
- Kanzaki KPT 86-H
- Fasson Fastransfer MP - S470 (TT models)
- Fasson Fastransfer Extra - S470 (TT models)
LABEL DIMENSIONS See Chapter 1
6.2. THERMAL RIBBON
SPECIFICATIONS
- film thickness 4.5 ÷ 6 micron
- core diameter: 25.4 mm
- width: 32 mm min/ 54 mm max.
- length: about 220 meters
- ink coating outside
SUGGESTED MODELS
- TOIKO C 250 (matt paper)
- TOIKO CR 150 (glossy paper and polypropylene)
- TOIKO R 300 (plastic media)
STORAGE
Keep labels and ribbons in a dry place at temperature
not over 40° C and not exposed to direct sun light.
7. THERMAL RIBBON AND LABEL ROLL REPLACEMENT
7.1. THERMAL RIBBON REPLACEMENT
(SEE PICTURE 7)
Remove the used roll. Remove the core #47 from the
shaft #30 and put it on the rewinder #29.
By rotating the lever #25b, lift the printing head #105
from the printing roller #21, setting the movement
of the ribbon free.
Slide new ribbon #43 onto shaft #30 and thread it
under the ribbon photosensor #48 and the threaders
#108, 107 and 37 and up round to the rewinder #29.
Attach the ribbon leader with label/tape to core #47.
Return head lever to closed position #25a
7.2. LABEL ROLL REPLACEMENT
(SEE PICTURE 5)
In case of changing of label format or printing media type, remember to follow the "Label format set up
procedure" shown on paragraph 5.1.
Remove the movable flange by rotating the lever #41.
Remove the empty label roll.
Insert new label roll onto roller #45
Reassemble the movable flange and push it tightly
against the side of the label roll; lock lever #41.
By rotating the lever #25b, lift the printing head #105
from the feed roller #21, setting the movement of
labels and ribbon free.
By rotating the lever #17b, lift the pressure roller #32
from the driving roller #35.
Remove clip #28 from the rewinding shaft #102.
Remove backing paper from the rewinding shaft.
Remove the first 50 centimetres from liner of the new
roll labels.
Hold pressure clip #33 up and feed the liner through
the path, thread the web between the printing roller
and the thermal head #21,105, then around the
driving roller and under the pressure roller #35,32,
finally slide the liner on the rewinder unit #102 and
fasten it with the clip holder #28.
Turn the rewinder to stretch the paper.
Turn head lever and toggle lever back to closed
positions #25a,17a.
Check paper has been rightly positioned under
the label photosensor #10.

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7
10
Check pressure clip #33 has been positioned between centre and outer side of the label.
WARNING: Italora
ItaloraItalora
Italora OEM
OEMOEM
OEM printer mechanisms must operate only in peel-off mode with backing paper
rewound by toggle lever rollers. Any other print mode (strip form, tear-off, etc.) is not
allowable and cause an incorrect paper feeding and bad printout quality.
8. PARAMETERS SETTING, DISPLAY AND KEYBOARD
8.1. KEYBOARD
The Printer behaviour in response to the keyboard use depends on the current status of the Printer itself.
P OWER -ON
Features available at Printer Switching-ON.
NB: hold down corresponding key while switching on the Printer.
(release the key only after the activation of the desired function)
- "Power-ON" keypress procedure -
•Print/OK
oRun the Printer "Initializing Procedure"
•Menu
oAccess the Printer "Setup Menu" before it reaches the Standard operating mode
•UP Arrow
oRun the "DUMP Mode" of receiving data
Standard Operating Mode (Ready / Data Receiving)
Features available when the Printer is in Standard operating mode ("Ready").
- "Ready" Display message -
•Print/OK
oPrint of the content of the Print Buffer (repeat the last label printed)
If the Print Buffer is empty (condition that occures at Printer Switching-ON or after performing a "Reset
Procedure"), the Printer will print the "Test Label", that lists the main Printer's current operating settings
•UP Arrow
oIncrease the energy percentage supplied to the Print-Head (0 - 150 %), accordingly increasing the Print
Contrast
Press and hold the key on the front panel
of the Printer Switch on the Printer (and release the key previously pressed)
(Printer Name)
Ready!

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 11
•DOWN Arrow
oDecrease the energy percentage supplied to the Print-Head (150 - 0 %), accordingly decreasing the Print
Contrast
WARNING:
a too high percentage may seriously damage the Print-Head or however reduce its life!!
•Menu
oAccess the Printer "Setup Menu"
(refer to "Setup Menu" paragraph)
•F1
oAccess the "Label Layout Selection" section
(refer to "Label Layout Selection (A - Z)" paragraph)
•Pause
oEnable/Disable the execution of the "Apply Equipment Cycle" stored in Printer memory
(available only on models with Apply Equipment / "OEM Expansion Board")
•"UP Arrow + DOWN Arrow" (simultaneous pressure)
oRun the Printer "Reset Procedure"
Setup Menu
Features available in the Printer "Setup Menu".
•RIGHT/LEFT Arrows
oScroll Menu and Submenus Items
•UP/DOWN Arrows
oScroll available Options for each Item in Menu and Submenus
oIncrease/Decrease numeric fields in the Options
•Print/OK
oStore the displayed Option
oAccess Submenus (when the message "OK to Enter" is shown)
oRun the displayed procedure (when the message "OK to START!" is shown)
•Esc
oExit Submenus and return to the previous Menu/Submenu
oExit Menu and return to the "Ready" operating condition
WARNING: to really change the value of any option, the "Print/OK" key should be pressed!!
Transferring to another Item ("RIGHT/LEFT Arrows") or exiting the Submenu/Menu ("ESC" key) without
pressing the "Print/OK" key will NOT STORE the setting of the option previously displayed!!
In this case, the settings of the last properly performed storing operation will be kept as valid.
Each press of the "Print/OK" key stores the value of the currently displayed option.
Label Layout Selection (A - Z)
Features available in the "Label Layout Selection" section.
•RIGHT/LEFT Arrows
oScroll "Label Layouts" ('A' to 'Z')
•UP/DOWN Arrows
oScroll available Options ("Set as Default" or "Erase!")
•Print/OK
oPerform the Option displayed
•Esc
oExit the section and return to the "Ready" operating condition
Special Combos
The special combos are keys combinations (starting from "Ready" operating condition) that should be used to
access some special features.
Debug Menu
This combo give access to the "Debug Menu", feature that allows to analyze the internal settings of the Printer
and (eventually) the external interfacing signals.
"Ready" condition
 "Menu"
 "F1"

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 12
 "Print/OK"  access the "Debug Menu"
 "Esc"  return to "Ready"
Available features inside the "Debug Menu" of the Printer:
•RIGHT/LEFT Arrows
oScroll Menu and Submenus Items
•UP/DOWN Arrows
oScroll available Options for "Output Commands" ("ON" or "OFF")
(feature available on "OEM" models only)
•Pause
oSuspend/Resume reading "Internal Sensors"
oSuspend/Resume reading "Input Signals"
(feature available on "OEM" models only)
•Print/OK
oAccess Submenus (when the message "OK to Enter" is shown)
oRun the displayed procedure (when the messages "OK to START!" or "OK to PRINT!" are shown)
oResume reading "Internal Sensors" from Pause condition
oResume reading "Input Signals" from Pause condition
(feature available on "OEM" models only)
oPerform the selected Option for "Output Commands"
(feature available on "OEM" models only)
•Esc
oExit Submenus and return to the previous Menu/Submenu
oExit the Menu and return to the "Ready" operating condition
Batch Print Mode
Features available with Printer in "Batch Print" operating mode.
- "Batch Print" Display message -
•Pause
oSuspend/Resume the current Print Cycle
•Print/OK
oResume the current Print Cycle from Pause condition
•Esc
oQuit the current Print Cycle and return to "Stand By" operating condition
Batch Copies:
# (x) of (N)

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 13
Setup Menu
: "Print/OK" key
: "R/L" arrows
: "R/L" arrows
(*) : items available on some
Printer models only
PRINTER SETUP EXTERNAL SIGNALS (*) SPECIAL OPTIONS
StartPrint Sign.
StartPrint Mode
StartPrint Level
StartPrint Time
Print-End Signal
Print-End Level
AlarmSign. Level
Apply Equipment (*)
StartApply Sign. (*)
Writing Mode
Paper Settings
Y Alignment
Print Speed
Print Intensity
COM1 Setup
COM2 Setup (*)
RS485 Address (*)
Set Time/Date
LabelTaken Sens.
Connection Mode
Characters Set
'SUB' at PowerON
MACRO Status
DUMP Mode
'A'Format(PwrON)
Endless PrintingPreprinted Lab.
Paper Photosens.
Paper Mode
Contrast
Head EnergyRange
COM1: Parity
COM1: Baudrate
COM1: Stop bits
COM1: Data bits
COM2: Parity
COM2: Baudrate
COM2: Stop bits
COM2: Data bits

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 14
The "Setup Menu" allows to manage Printer operating general settings and parameters.
Available settings are divided into the following Submenus:
•PRINTER SETUP
Printer operating parameters
•EXTERNAL SIGNALS(available on "OEM" models only)
External Signals management
•SPECIAL OPTIONS
special Printer operating modes
PRINTER
SETUP
"Printer Setup" Submenu contains the following Items:
oWriting Mode
Printing method:
−Direct Thermal: directly on thermo-sensitive media
−Thermal Transfer: through inked ribbon transfer
oPaper Settings
Print Media management:
Paper Mode
Print Media typology:
−Labels: stickers/adhesive labels
−Continuous: continuous media without marking signs
−Tag/Tickets: media with marking signs or holes
Paper Photosens.
Print Media photosensor typology:
−Fork
−Reflection
Preprinted Lab.
setting to use pre-printed labels
oY Alignment
Set the alignment "Gap" at printing end
oPrint Speed
Set the Printer printing speed
oPrint Intensity
Print Intensity adjusting:
Head EnergyRange
limitation of the energy supplied to the Print-Head:
−Standard (Low): limitation enabled, operating in "Low Energy" range
−High Energy: limitation disabled, operating in "High Energy" range
Contrast
percentage of energy supplied to the Print-Head (Print Contrast)
oCOM1 Setup
Serial communication settings for "COM1" Port
COM1: BAUDRATE
COM1: PARITY
COM1: DATA bits
COM1: STOP bits
oCOM2 Setup (available on "two-RS232 COM Port" models only)
Serial communication settings for "COM2" Port
COM2: BAUDRATE
COM2: PARITY
COM2: DATA bits
COM2: STOP bits
oRS485 Address (available on "RS485" models only)
Printer address for communication on "RS485" protocol
oSet Time/Date
Internal Time/Date settings
oLabelTaken Sens.
Use/Presence of Label-Taken Sensor
oConnection Mode
Control Characters receiving mode
−Standard: received characters are not modified
−Mainframe: conversion of all Control Characters received in the "Carriage Return"

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 15
character (CR, ASCII code = 13)
oCharacters Set
Alphabetical Characters Set selection
EXTERNAL
SIGNALS ( AVAILABLE ON “OEM” MODELS ONLY )
"External Signals" Submenu contains the following Items:
oStartPrint Sign.
Enable/Disable Start-Print Signal
oStartPrint Mode
Start-Print Signal operating mode selection
oStartPrint Level
Set the Start-Print Signal logic level of activation
oStartPrint Time
Set the Start-Print Signal minimum period
oPrint-End Signal
Print-End Signal operating mode selection
oPrint-End Level
Set the Print-End Signal logic level of activation
oAlarmSign. Level
Set the Alarm Signal / Auxiliary Out logic level of activation
oApply Equipment (available on “OEM” and “OEM Expansion Board” models only)
Enable/Disable the execution of the "Apply Equipment Cycle"
oStartApply Sign. (available on “OEM” and “OEM Expansion Board” models only)
Enable/Disable Start-Apply Signal
SPECIAL OPTIONS
"Special Options" Submenu contains the following Items:
o'SUB' at PowerON
Send of "SUB" character (by the Printer) every time the power is restored (eg: at Power-ON or in case of
voltage drops)
oMACRO Status
"Macro Interpreter" operating mode:
the Printer automatically composes the labels with data directly received from the device to which it is
connected (eg: an electronic balance)
oDUMP Mode
"DUMP" operating mode:
the Printer decodes all the received characters and prints them as a sequence of single values depending
on the set code (hexadecimal, decimal or ASCII)
o'A'Format(PwrON)
Management of the "Label 'A' Format" auto-activation at Power-ON
oEndless Printing
Endless Printing operating mode:
continuous printing of data contained in the Print Buffer

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 16
Debug Menu
: "Print/OK" key
: "R/L" arrows
: "R/L" arrows
(*) : items available on some
Printer models only
(I) : Input Signals
(O) : Output Commands
INTERNAL SENSORS STORED PARAM. TEST PROCEDURES
EXTERNAL SIGNALS (*) I/O CHANNELS (*)
PrintHead Temp.
Print Contrast
Fork PhotoLabel
Pick Photosensor
Ribbon Photosens
Refl. PhotoLabel
StartPrint Sign.
Paper Photosens.
PaperOut Level
BackingPaper Lev
Labels Level
Odometer
Ejected Meters
Printed Meters
Printed Labels
Test Labels
Large Points
Points and Lines
Printer Param.
Flash Info
Memory Config.
Check COM1 Port
Check LCD Colors
StartPrint Sign. (I)
Print-End Signal (O)
Alarm Signal (O)
Input Signals (I)
Channel-IN 1
Overall View
Output Commands (O)
Channel-OUT 16
Channel-OUT 1
Channel-IN 16

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 17
The "Debug Menu" allows to monitor and analyze Printer settings and (eventually) the external interfacing
signals, in order to identify and solve any faults or malfunctioning.
Available settings are divided into the following Submenus:
•INTERNAL SENSORS
Printer Internal Sensors interrogation
•STORED PARAM.
displaying of parameters related to Print Media transparencies and made/performed Prints
•TEST PROCEDURES
procedures to test some Printer features
•EXTERNAL SIGNALS (available on "OEM" models only)
External Control Signal analysis
•I/O CHANNELS (available on “OEM” and “OEM Expansion Board” models only)
Input Signals end Output Commands analysis
INTERNAL
SENSORS
−PrintHead Temp.: Print-Head temperature
−Print Contrast: Print Contrast percentage
−Fork PhotoLabel: value read from Print Media Photosensor (Fork type)
−Pick Photosensor: value read from Label-Taken Photosensor
−Ribbon Photosens: value read from Inked Ribbon Photosensor
−Refl. Photolabel: value read from Print Media Photosensor (Reflection type)
−StartPrint Sign.: Start-Print Signal value
STORED PARAM.
oPaper Photosens.
Print Media transparencies, stored during the last alignment procedure:
−Labels Level: boundary value of labels detection
−BackingPaper Lev: boundary value of backing-paper detection
−PaperOut Level: boundary value of End-Media detection
oOdometer
parameters related to made/performed Prints:
−Printed Labels: number of printed labels
−Printed Meters: amount of printed Print Media
−Ejected Meters: amount of ejected Print Media
TEST PROCEDURES
oTest Labels
print of Test/Check Labels:
−Printer Param.: Printer operating settings (also called "Printer Test Label")
−Points and Lines: Print-Head dots integrity check pattern
−Large Points: Print-Head dots integrity check pattern
−Memory Config.: Printer's memories settings
−Flash Info: Printer's Flash Memory settings
oCheck COM Port
serial communication check procedure (available for "COM1" Port only)
oCheck LCD Colors
8-color LCD Display check procedure
EXTERNAL SIGNALS ( AVAILABLE ON "OEM" MODELS ONLY )
−StartPrint Sign.: Start-Print Signal status
−Print-End Signal: Print-End Signal management
−Alarm Signal: Alarm Signal / Auxiliary Out management
I/O CHANNELS ( AVAILABLE ON “OEM” AND “OEM E XPANSION B OARD ”)
oInput Signals
reading of the 16 Input Signals ("Channel-IN")
oOutput Commands
management of the 16 Output Commands ("Channel-OUT")

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 18
8.2. MEANING OF DISPLAY COLOURS
The Printer display can use different background colours. The meaning of these colours is the following:
•Light Blue:
o"Ready" operating condition
•Red:
oError/Alarm condition due to factors external to the Printer (need for direct Operator intervention to
identify and solve the problem)
•Yellow:
oError/Alarm condition due to critical operating conditions internal to the Printer (Printer resumes when
operating conditions go back to the optimal ones)
•Blue:
obrowsing the Printer "Setup Menu"
obrowsing the "Label Layout Selection" section
obrowsing the "RAM Memory Backup" section
•Violet:
obrowsing the Printer "Debug Menu"
•Dark Blue:
oPrinter busy/engaged in internal procedures
oPause status during "Batch Print Mode"
oPause status while reading "Internal Sensors" (Debug mode)
oPause status while reading "Input Signals" (Debug mode)
(available on "OEM" models only)
•Green:
o"Ready" operating condition when the execution of the "Apply Equipment Cycle" is enabled.
(available on “OEM” and “OEM Expansion Board” models only)
•Yellow/Green blinking:
oneed for Operator intervention to restart Printer (when the message "Turn OFF/ON to do" is shown)
9. INTERFACING
9.1. SERIAL INTERFACE
Electronic Control Units for AH 53/8 EL7 , AH 53/8 GM EL7 and AH 53/12 GM EL7 printer
mechanisms have a RS232/422/485 hardware interface. Provided on board connector is a Cannon 9 pins "DB"
female cabled as shown in the following pictures.
Connection to personal computer may be done in different ways:
2 - Rs232 Rx
5 - LOGIC GROUND (GND)
7 - Rs232 RTS
3 - Rs232 Tx
9 - +5V

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 19
R S 422 – DB9 CONNECTOR
Connector pinout is
HANDSHAKE PROTOCOL
Rs422 serial line has no handshake protocol.
It means that if you transmit more than 2 / 3 KBytes of data at a time it’s strongly recommended to insert a short
delay (1 or 2 msec) between transmission of each character, in order to avoid printer errors during data receiving;
alternatively software XON / XOFF.handshake mode may be used.
Connection to personal computer may be done in different ways based on used converter.
R S 485 – DB9 CONNECTOR
Connector pinout is
COMPUTER CONNECTOR - 9 PIN
2
3
8
5
COMPUTER
PRINTER
3 TX
2 RX
7 RTS
5 GND
COMPUTER CONNECTOR:
-using sw protocol XON/XOFF:
short together PINS 7-8 and 1-4-6.
-using hw protocol CTS/RTS:
short together PINS 1-4-6.
COMPUTER CONNECTOR - 25 PIN
3
2
5
7
COMPUTER
PRINTER
3 TX
2 RX
7 RTS
5 GND
COMPUTER CONNECTOR:
-using sw protocol XON/XOFF:
short together PINS 4-5 and 6-8-20.
-using hw protocol CTS/RTS:
short together PINS 6-8-20.
1 - Rs422 Tx+
4 - Rs422 Rx-
6 - Rs422 Rx+
8 - Rs422 Tx-
1 - Rs422 Tx+
4 - Rs422 Rx-
6 - Rs422 Rx+
8 - Rs422 Tx-

AH53/8 EL7 – AH53/12 GM EL7 20
Maybe you’ll need to do a short circuit between pins 2 and 4 on printer side connector, in
order to enable the line terminator resistance (already included on the cpu board).
Ind 00 Ind 01 Ind 14 24
Pin2
Pin3
HANDSHAKE PROTOCOL
RS 485 serial line has no handshake protocol.
In fact CTS printer signal, normally used in RS232 serial line to stop data transmission, is used here to set up the
direction of data stream.
It means that if you transmit more than 2 / 3 KBytes of data at a time it’s strongly recommended to insert a short
delay (1 or 2 msec) between transmission of each character, in order to avoid printer errors during data receiving.
Connection to personal computer may be done in different ways based on used converter.
9.2. I/O SIGNALS
Wiring for I/O signals
6 poles DIN connector
Pick & Place working mode allows an external device (i.e. PLC, photocell, pneumatic applicator, etc...)
to start or halt printing.
When Pick & Place options is enabled 3 optoisolated signals are available:
START PRINT Input – print consent
PRINT END Output – print end signal
ALARM Output – auxiliary output for error conditions
These 3 signals are mapped on a 6 poles DIN tap.
DIN plug has following outline:
External view
Wiring for I/O signals
3,4 and 5 poles connectors
Pick & Place working mode allows an external device (i.e. PLC, photocell, pneumatic applicator, etc...)
to start or halt printing.
When Pick & Place options is enabled 3 optoisolated signals are available:
START PRINT Input – print consent
PRINT END Output – print end signal
ALARM Output – auxiliary output for error conditions