LabelStation CN User manual

1
LabelStation
Model CN
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL BAR CODE PRINTER
USER MANUAL

2
Contents
1. Introduction (product & compliances) ..................................................... 4
2. Operations Overview...................................................................................... 5
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................... 5
2.2 Printer Overview (exterior & interior views and SD card spec.)................... 6
3. Setup.................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Setting Up the Printer ...................................................................................... 8
3.2 Open / Close the Top Cover ............................................................................ 9
3.3 Loading the Ribbon.......................................................................................... 10
3.4 Loading the Media (label stock)...................................................................... 12
3.4.2 External Label Roll Mount Installation (Optional).......................................... 15
3.4.3 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)....................................................... 16
3.4.4 Loading Media in Cutter Mode (Option) ......................................................... 18
3.5 Diagnostic Tool ................................................................................................ 19
3.5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool................................................................................. 19
3.5.2 Printer Function (Calibrate sensor, Ethernet setup, RTC setup etc.) .......... 20
3.6 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Utility ............................................................ 20
3.6.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface........................................... 20
3.6.2 Using RS-232 interface to setup Ethernet interface...................................... 21
3.6.3 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface.................................... 22
3.7 Install SD Memory Card ................................................................................... 24
4. LED and Button Functions........................................................................... 25
4.1 LED indicator.................................................................................................... 25
4.2 Button Function................................................................................................ 25
4.3 Power on utilities (utilities available when switching printer on) ................ 26
4.3.1 Ribbon and Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration........................................... 26
4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode................................ 27

3
4.3.3 Printer Initialization.......................................................................................... 28
4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate Black Mark Sensor29
4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor ................ 29
4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS ................................................................................................ 29
5. Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. 30
5.1 LED Status ........................................................................................................ 30
5.2 Print Quality...................................................................................................... 30
6. Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 31

4
1. Introduction
1.1 Product Introduction
This printer provides both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at user selectable speeds
of: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 inches per second. It accepts roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold labels for both
thermal transfer and direct thermal printing. All common bar codes formats are available. Fonts and
bar codes can be printed in 4 directions, 8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and a built-in true type
font capability.
1.2 Compliances
CE Class B:
EN55022: 1998+A1: 2000+A2: 2003
EN55024: 1998+A1: 2001+A2: 2003 IEC 61000-4 Series
EN61000-3-2: 2006 & EN61000-3-3: 1995+A1: 2001
FCC Part 15, Class B
UL, CUL
C-Tick:
CFR 47, Part 15/CISPR 22 3rd Edition: 1997, Class B
ANSI C63.4: 2003
Canadian ICES-003
TÜV/Safety: EN60950: 2000
CAUTIONAUTION
1. THERE ARE HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS IN THE CUTTER MODULE. KEEP FINGERS AND
OTHER BODY PARTS CLEAR.
2. THE MAIN BOARD INCLUDES A REAL TIME CLOCK POWERED BY A LITHIUM BATTERY
TYPE CR2032. THERE IS A RISK OF EXPLOSION IF THIS BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN
INCORRECT TYPE.
3. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS.
NOTES
1. Lengthy continuous printing may cause the printer motor to overheat. The printer will stop
printing automatically for about 10~15 minutes to cool the motor. If you turn the power off
during this period any data transferred to the printer buffer will be lost.
2. The maximum printing ratio per dot line is 15% for this printer. To print the full width black
line, the maximum black line height is limited to 40 dots, which is 5mm for 203 DPI resolution
printer and 3.3mm for 300 DPI resolution printer.

5
2. Operations Overview
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
The following items should be found in the carton.
1. LabelStation CN printer.
2. Labelling software (for Windows) on CD.
3. Power cord.
4. Power adaptor.
5. USB interface cable.

6
2.2 Printer Overview
2.2.1 Front View
Media view window
Ribbon access cover
Feed button
LED indicator
SD card socket
Top cover open lever

7
Recommended SD card specification.
SD card spec SD card capacity Approved SD card manufacturer
V1.0, V1.1 128 MB SanDisk, Transcend
V1.0, V1.1 256 MB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 512 MB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 1 GB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 4 GB
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 4 GB SanDisk, Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 microSD 128 MB Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 microSD 256 MB Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 microSD 512 MB Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 microSD 1 GB Transcend, Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 microSD 4 GB Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 microSD 4 GB Transcend
V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 128 MB Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 256 MB Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 512 MB Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1 miniSD 1 GB Transcend, Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4 miniSD 4 GB Transcend
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6 miniSD 4 GB
-The DOS FAT file system is supported for the SD card.
-Folders/files stored in the SD card should be in the 8.3 filename format
-The miniSD/microSD card to SD card slot adapter is required.
2.2.2 Interior view
1. Ribbon rewind hub
2. Ribbon rewind gear
3. Gap sensor (receiver)
4. Media (label) holder
5. Media holder lock switch
6. Gap sensor (transmitter)
7. Print head
8. Ribbon supply hub
9. Top cover support
10. Media guide adjustment knob
11. Black mark sensor
12. Platen roller
3
2
5
1
6
4
7
8
9
10
11
12

8
2.2.3 Rear View
1. Ethernet RJ-45 interface
2. USB interface
3. Centronics parallel interface
4. RS-232C interface
5. Power jack socket
6. Power switch
7. Fan-fold paper entrance chute
3. Setup
3.1 Setting Up the Printer
1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.
2. Make sure the power switch is off.
3. Connect the printer to the computer with the USB cable provided.
4. Connect the AC power cord from the adaptor to a power socket, then plug the low voltage
cord into printer. See diagram.
7
6
4 5
2
1
3

9
3.2 Open / Close the Top Cover
1. Open the printer top cover by pulling the tabs located on each side towards the front of the printer,
then lift the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. A top cover support at the rear of the printer will engage with lower inner cover to hold the printer
top cover open.
ADAPTOR
POWER
SOCKET
LOW VOLTAGE CORD
AC POWER CORD

10
3. Hold the top cover and press the top cover support to disengage the top cover support with lower
inner cover. Gently close the top cover.
3.3 Loading the Ribbon
1. Open the printer’s top cover by pulling the top cover open levers located on each side of the printer
and lifting the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. Open the ribbon access cover.
Note:
1. With peeler/cutter fitted, the top cover must be opened before the ribbon access cover can
be opened.
3. Insert the ribbon right side onto the supply hub. Align the notches on the left side and mount onto
the spokes.

11
4. Insert the paper core right side onto the rewind hub. Align the notches on the left
side and mount onto the spokes.
5. Stick the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind paper core.

12
6. Turn the ribbon rewind gear until the ribbon plastic leader is thoroughly wound and the black
section of the ribbon covers the print head. Close the ribbon access cover and the top cover.
Loading Path for Ribbon
3.4.1 Loading the media
1. Open the printer top cover by pulling the tabs located on each side towards the front of the printer,
then lift the top cover to the maximum open angle.
2. Separate and hold open the media holders.

13
3. Place the roll between the holders and close them onto the core.

14
4. Press down the media holder lock switch to hold the label roll firmly.
5. Place the paper, printing side face up, through the media sensor and place the label leading edge
into the platen roller. Move the media guides to fit the label width by turning the guide adjuster knob.
Disengage the top cover support and close the top cover gently.

15
6. Use the “Diagnostic Tool” or your labelling software to select and calibrate the appropriate media
sensor for your label type.
(If you use the “Diagnostic tool” click as follows: Select the “Printer Configuration” tab then click the
“Calibrate Sensor” button ).
Always be prepared to recalibrate the gap/black mark sensor after changing the media (label stock)
Loading path for roll labels
3.4.2 External Label Roll Mount Installation (Optional)
1. Attach an external paper roll mount on the bottom of the printer.
2. Insert a 3” label spindle into a paper roll. And install it
on the external paper roll mount.
3. Open the printer’s top cover and separate the media (label) holders to fit the media width.

16
4. Press down the media holder lock switch to fix the media holder.
5. Feed the media through the rear external label entrance chute. Place the paper, printing side face
up, through the media sensor and place the label leading edge onto the platen roller.
6. Move the media guides to fit the label width by turning the guide adjuster knob.
7. Disengage the top cover support and close the top cover gently.
8. Use the “Diagnostic Tool” or your labelling software to select and calibrate the appropriate media
sensor for your label type.
(If you use the “Diagnostic tool” click as follows: Select the “Printer Configuration” tab then click the
“Calibrate Sensor” button ).
Always be prepared to recalibrate the gap/black mark sensor after changing the media (label stock)
3.4.3 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)
1. Refer to previous instructions to load the media.

17
2. Feed the paper, printing side facing up, through the paper guide and pass over the platen.
3. Move the media guides to fit the label width by turning the guide adjuster knob.
4. Use the “Diagnostic Tool” or your labelling software to select and calibrate the appropriate media
sensor for your label type.
(If you use the “Diagnostic tool” click as follows: Select the “Printer Configuration” tab then click the
“Calibrate Sensor” button ).
Always be prepared to recalibrate the gap/black mark sensor after changing the media (label stock)
5. Open the peel-off panel by pulling it out.
6. Lead the media through the backing paper opening, beneath the peel-off roller.
Peel Off Panel
Backing Paper Opening
Peel-off roller

18
7. Push the peel-off panel back to the printer
8. Disengage the top cover support and close the top cover gently.
9. Peeling will automatically start. Press the FEED button to test.
3.4.4 Loading Media in Cutter Mode (Option)
1. Refer to previous instructions to load the media.
2. Lead the media through the cutter paper opening.
Backing Paper

19
3. Move the media guides to fit the label width by turning the guide adjuster knob.
4. Disengage the top cover support and close the top cover gently.
5. Use the “Diagnostic Tool” or your labelling software to select and calibrate the appropriate media
sensor for your label type.
(If you use the “Diagnostic tool” click as follows: Select the “Printer Configuration” tab then click the
“Calibrate Sensor” button ).
Always be prepared to recalibrate the gap/black mark sensor after changing the media (label stock)
3.5 Diagnostic Tool
The Diagnostic Utility is a toolbox that allows users to explore the printer's settings and
status; change printer settings; download graphics, fonts, and firmware; create printer
bitmap fonts; and to send additional commands to the printer. Using this convenient
tool, you can explore the printer status and settings and troubleshoot the printer.
Note: This utility works with printer firmware version V6.00 and later.
3.5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool
1. Double click on the Diagnostic tool icon to start the software.
2. There are four features (Printer Configuration, File Manager, Bitmap Font Manager, Command
Tool) included in the Diagnostic utility.

20
3.5.2 Printer Function (Calibrate sensor, Ethernet setup, RTC setup etc.)
1. Select the PC interface type connected to the printer (typically USB).
2. Click the “Read” button followed by any appropriate Function button.
3. The Printer Functions are listed as below.
Function Description
Calibrate Sensor Calibrate the sensor specified in the Printer
Setup group media sensor field
Ethernet Setup Setup the IP address subnet mask gateway for
the on board Ethernet (Please refer to next
section)
RTC Time Synchronize printer Real Time Clock with PC
Print Test Page Print a test page
Reset Printer Reboot printer
Factory Default Initialize the printer and restore the settings to
factory default
Dump Text To activate the printer dump mode.
Ignore AUTO.BAS Ignore the downloaded AUTO.BAS program
Configuration Page Print printer configuration details
3.6 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Utility
Users can use the Diagnostic Tool to setup the Ethernet by RS-232, USB and Ethernet interfaces.
The following contents will instruct users how to configure the Ethernet by these three interfaces.
3.6.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface
1. Connect the USB cable between the computer and the printer.
2. Turn on the printer power.
3. Start the Diagnostic Utility by double clicking on the icon.
Interface
Printer Status
Printer Functions
Features Tab
Printer Setup