Meteor COMPACT SERIES User manual

Compact series printers
User’s manual
v1.0

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1. Checking Your Box..............................................................3
2. Power Supply .......................................................................4
3. Parts and Features ................................................................5
4. Loading the Ribbon..............................................................7
5. Loading the Media .............................................................12
5.1 Standard Mode ...........................................................13
5.2 Peel Off Mode............................................................17
5.3 Cutter Mode ...............................................................20
6. Operator Controls...............................................................22
6.1 Power Switch .............................................................22
6.2 Buttons .......................................................................22
6.3 LED Indicators...........................................................23
7. Performing Calibration ......................................................25
8. Printing Configuration Report ...........................................26
9. Resetting the Printer to Factory Default Settings ..............27
10. Hooking up the Printer & Computer..............................28
11. Communicate with the Printer .......................................29
11.1 Before installation......................................................29
11.2 Installing Driver .........................................................30
11.3 Set the Parameters......................................................32
12. Troubleshooting .............................................................44
12.1 Problems on media.....................................................44
12.2 Problems on ribbon ....................................................45
12.3 Miscellaneous ............................................................45
12.4 Recovery ....................................................................46
13. Caring for your Printer...................................................47
13.1 Cleaning the print head (TPH)...................................47
13.2 Cleaning the roller......................................................47
13.3 Cleaning the media compartment ..............................47
14. Reference Technical Information...................................48
14.1 General Specifications ...............................................48
14.2 Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics..................................50
14.3 Interface Specifications..............................................52
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14.4 ASCII TABLE............................................................56
15. Appendix........................................................................57
15.1 Appendix A: Printer Status ........................................57
15.2 Appendix B: Stand-Alone Operation.........................58
15.3 Appendix C: Dispenser Kit installation .....................58
15.4 Appendix D: Cutter Installation.................................61

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1. Checking Your Box
Receiving the box of your printer, you are advised to check first for
the possible shipping damage. There are two ways you can do it:
1.1 Inspect the outer appearances of both the box and the printer
for possible damage.
1.2 Raise the top cover of the printer to see if the media
compartments are in order.
If damages did occur, immediately file the claim to the shipping
company for settlement.
Having performed the primary inspections, next step, please check
whether you have received the following accessories together with the
printer. If there is any item missing, contact your local dealer to get it.
Printe
r
Power Cord
Sample Media Ribbon
CD ROM
Ribbon Core Adapter
Media Core Adapter
4
2. Power Supply
WARNING:
NEVER OPERATE THE PRINTER AND POWER SUPPLY IN AN AREA
WHERE THEY CAN GET WET.
2.1 Leave the power switch at the “ O ” Position.
2.2 Connect the power supply plug to the power cord connecter and
the other end to your AC source.
Power Cord
AC Electrical Outlet
Power Switch Power Cord Connecter

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3. Parts and Features
Top Cover
Power Switch
Cover Lock
6
Release Levers
Ribbon Pick-up Holder
Media Holde
r
Thermal Printhead
Power Switch
Ribbon Supply Holder
Platen Roller
Cover Lock

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4. Loading the Ribbon
Note:
This section is not applicable to the direct thermal printing.
4.1 Press the cover locks on both sides to swing the top cover
toward the rear.
Cover Lock
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4.2 Unlatch the print head module by pushing the two green
release levers on the sides toward the rear.
4.3 This allows print head module to rotate upward
automatically and expose the ribbon supply holder.
Print Head Module
Release Lever
Release Lever
Ribbon Supply Holder

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4.4 Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the ribbon roll
and the bare core.
4.5 Attach the edge of the ribbon on the bare core and wind it
a little bit onto the core.
4.6 Insert the ribbon roll into the supply holder. (First snap in
the right side and then the left side.)
Ribbon Roll
Bare Core
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4.7 Turn back the print head module and then insert the bare
core into the pick-up holder. (First snap in the right side,
then the left side.)

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4.8 Turn the wheel of the print head module to ensure the
ribbon is tightly wound.
4.9 Press down the print head module firmly on both sides till
you hear a snap.
Note:
1. Compact-series ribbons are wound face (inside
coating). Outside-coating ribbon is not acceptable.
2. Optional ribbon core adapter is available once ribbon
width is less than 4’’ width.
Print Head Module
Wheel
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5. Loading the Media
Compact-Series printers can be operated in three different
options: standard, peel-off, or with a cutter.
- Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
- In peel-off mode, the backing material is being peeled away
from the label as it is printed. After the former label is
removed, the next one will be printed.
- In cutter mode, the printer automatically cuts the label after
it is printed.

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5.1 Standard Mode
5.1.1 Press the cover locks on both sides to swing the top
cover toward the rear and expose the media
compartment.
5.1.2 Push media holder to adjust the space allowed a media
roll to fit in.
5.1.3 Load the media roll onto the hanger.
Media Roll Media Roll Holder
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5.1.4 Unlatch the print head module.
5.1.5 Hold the print head module upright with one hand to
allow the media pass under it. Lead the media through
the media guides with the other hand. The media
guides can be adjusted centrality to well fit with
different label width.
5.1.6 Route the media through the media sensor for media
detection.
5.1.7 Lead the media over the platen roller.
Media Guides
Media Guides
Print Head Module
Platen Roller
Senso
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5.1.8 Turn back the print head module and then press it
down firmly on both sides till you hear a snap.
Print Head Module
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5.1.9 Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press
feed button if the printer is already on.
Note:
3” holder paper is available for 3” ID media roll.
Feed Button

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5.2 Peel Off Mode
(Installing the dispenser kit, please refer to chapter 15.3)
Follow the common procedure of "Loading the Media "of
Standard Mode from step 5.1.1 to step 5.1.9.
5.2.1 Remove approximate 6" long labels from the backing
paper.
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5.2.2 Trim the edge of label backing paper with scissors or
knife.
5.2.3 Push down peeler-switch to ease the access packing
paper.
5.2.4 Lead the backing paper over the plate, then thread it back
into the slot, ensuring that it is inserted between white
plastic roller and plate.
5.2.5 Pull back the peeler-switch to secure backing paper.
Peele
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-Switch