Meteor COMPACT SERIES User manual

Compact series printers
User’s manual
v1.0

1
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
r

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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
r
-Switch

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5.2.6 Latch print head module.
5.2.7 Turn on the printer and press feed button.
5.2.8 Labels will be separated from backing paper and fed out
on H cover, while backing paper will come out from the
slot under the H cover, and label will be fed out.
5.2.9 Close the top cover.
Note:
The "FEED" button will not drive the printer to peel. The
peeling work can be executed only when the software
setting is ready.
Feed Button
Backing Paper
Label
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5.3 Cutter Mode
(Installing the cutter, please refer to chapter 15.4)
Follow the same procedure as "Loading the Media" from
step 5.1.1 to step 5.1.9.
5.3.1 Mount cutter on print head module by fastening with two
screws.
5.3.2 Thread the media over the platen roller, and then route
the media through the slot of the cutter module.
Screw
Screw
Cutter

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5.3.3 Press down the print head module firmly.
Note:
The "Feed" button will not drive the printer to cut.
The cutting work can be executed only when the software
setting is ready.
Cutter
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6. Operator Controls
6.1 Power Switch
Controls printer power
On-normal operation
Off-the power should be turned off before connect or disconnect
the communication cables and power cables
6.2 Buttons
There are three buttons, each has two basic functions.
BUTTON Pressed at normal status Pressed during power-on
FEED Feed a label. Perform a self-test for
configuration report.
PAUSE ■Stop the printing process.
■Resume the printing job
after press it again.
Perform the media
calibration.
CANCEL ■Interrupt and delete the
printing job.
■Force the printer to
continue working after an
error had been recovered.
Reset the settings at
E2PROM.

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6.3 LED Indicators
There are three LED indicators on the front panel, “READY”,
“MEDIA” and “RIBBON”. These indicators display the
operation status of the printer.
READY The READY indicator will remain lighted except if any
of the following conditions prevail.
- Receiving data from host.
- A fault condition.
MEDIA The MEDIA indicator will remain on for the normal
operation of the printer.
- The printer is at PAUSE state.
- Blinking – Media run out. (READY will be also
blinking.)
RIBBON ONI– under thermal transfer mode with ribbon installed.
OFF – under direct thermal mode. (No ribbon installed.)
Set by Windows driver or command.
Blinking – Ribbon run out. (READY will be also
blinking.)
Notes:
1. We suggest you make “ media calibration “.
- for the first time media installation
- after change different type or size of media
2. After calibration, the printer will save the related parameters
(reflection characteristics, label length, etc.) to E2PROM.
Without calibration, the incorrect media/Gap detection may
occur, especially for small-size labels (less than 20mm in
height).
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3. Before calibration, the media and ribbon must be loaded
properly and move the label sensor to correct position.
4. After self-test, the printer is at dump mode, If you need
normal operation, you must press CANCEL to restart the
printer.
Top Cover
Cover Lock Power Switch

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7. Performing Calibration
After the media loaded, it is necessary to do the calibration for
the label size detection.
7.1 Press and hold the pause button.
7.2 Turn on the power.
7.3 Media indicators will blink, at this point release PAUSE
button.
7.4 The printer will feed the labels for 12 inches.
7.5 Media indicators stop blinking and remain illuminated.
Note:
This procedure is very important and must always be carried
out after installation and every time the media type is changed.
Failure to do so will result in the gap and label-empty detection
being incorrect.
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8. Printing Configuration Report
Performing the Self Test
1. Turn off the printer. Press and hold the feed button.
2. Turn on the power.
3. Ready indicator blinks, release feed button.
4. The printer will print out a configuration report.
5. Ready indicator stops blinking and lights up.
6. The following information will be printed on this report.
Note:
After self test the printer will enter character dump mode. For
normal operation press the cancel button to exit from dump
mode.

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9. Resetting the Printer to Factory
Default Settings
If you would like to reset the printer to its factory defaults after
certain commands have been sent or settings changed:
9.1 Turn off the printer. Press and hold the CANCEL button.
9.2 Turn on the power.
9.3 Ribbon indicator blinks, release the button.
9.4 Ribbon indicator stops blinking and lights up.
9.5 The following parameters automatically reset.
- Label parameters
- Heat (Darkness)
- Speed
- Symbol set (language)
- Others for specific emulation
Notes :
1. All settings stored in non-volatile E2PROM cannot be
destroyed even by turning the printer off.
2. It is necessary to perform label sensitivity calibration after
resetting.
3. The printed label count cannot be reset.
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10.Hooking up the Printer & Computer
Connecting the Printer to Your Host
1. You can connect the printer with any standard Centronics
cable to the parallel port of the host computer.
2. Alternatively you can connect the printer with a serial cable
to the RS232C port of your computer or terminal. (for PC
compatibles, the RS232C port is COM1, COM2 or COM3.)
Note :
Using Centronics allows for a much higher communication speed
than the use of a serial interface.
Parallel Port
Power Cord
Connecter
RS232 Serial Port

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11. Communicate with the Printer
The bundled printer driver can be applied to all the
applications under Windows XP/2000/98/95, and Windows
NT. Through this driver you may run any popular software
applications e.g. MS-Word and print out the contents by this
label printer.
11.1Before installation
11.1.1 Check the contents of the driver to ensure it is
complete.
11.1.2 Make a backup copy of this driver. Read the
README.TXT file for installation guide and change
notices.
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11.2Installing Driver
Note:
Before installation, please make sure your “user’s right” is up to the
level of ‘Administrator'.
1) Click the “Start” button.
2) Select “Setting”, then select “Printers” and double click the
“Add Printer” icon. Click “Next”.
3) Click the “Network” or “Local” button and click the “Next”
button.
4) Select the communication port for the label printer. For
parallel port, select “LPT1:”, “LPT2:” or “LPT3:”, for serial
port select “COM1:” or “COM2:”.
5) Click “Have Disk”, click the pull-down menu to select CD
ROM driver path.
6) Click “Browse” button.
7) Select the proper directory for installation:
WIN98
WIN2000
NT4.0
WIN XP
8) The driver name “Label Dr. 200” (for Compact400) or
“Label Dr.300” (for Compact600) will appear in the “List of
Printers”.
9) Select “4 inch model” and click “Next”.
10) Select “Replace Existing Driver”.
11) After the related files have been copied to your system, the
installation is complete.
12) If you need to print from the label printer, set “Label Dr.
200” (for Compact400) or “Label Dr. 300” (for Compact600)
as the Default Printer.
Notes:
1. If you are just updating your driver, make sure to
delete the previous version first.

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2. If you install a new bar code application software
like LabelView or CodeSoft, the Label Dr. 200 (or Label
Dr. 300) driver should be activated and set as the current
printer driver:
·LabelView
File
Æ Select Printer Æ Label Dr. on LPT1: Æ OK
·CodeSoft
File
Æ Printer Æ Windows Æ Label Dr. on LPT1: Æ OK
·LabelMatrix
File
Æ Printer Setup Æ Label Dr. on LPT1: Æ OK
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11.3Set the Parameters
After installing the driver, you can follow the path below to set
parameters:
Start ÆSettings ÆPrinters ÆLabel Dr. ÆProperties
The parameters include:
· Ports Select the I/O port to link with the printer. The port may be
one of parallel (LPT), serial (COM), network port or file.
·Paper size Select the paper size on the menu. If there is no
desired size, select “Custom” (only in Win98/95/Me) to define the
paper size.
·Create a new size Define paper size in Win 2000/XP/NT4.0.
·Orientation Set portrait or landscape according to the print
direction.
·Paper source (Media type) T/T stands for thermal transfer
(ribbon) mode and D/T for direct thermal mode (without ribbon).
·Media choice (Darkness) Set the heat value or darkness from
this field. The darkness value ranges from 0 to 15.
·Copies This function designates the number of printed copies of
each page.
·More option (Accessory setting) To use the cutter and
peeler function you still need to enter More Options and select one of
the items.
·Device options (Speed) Set the printer speed. For
Compact-400, the speed ranges from 2 to 6 IPS; for Compact-600 it
ranges from 2 to 4 IPS.

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11.3.1 For Win 98
· Ports
Properties menu
Æclick “Details”
Æselect the IO port
Æclick “OK”
· Paper size
· Orientation
· Paper source
(Media type)
· Media choice
(Darkness)
· Copies
Properties menu
Æclick "Paper"
Æclick each item to
Æselect desired parameter
Æclick "OK".
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· Output bin(Accessory
setting)
Properties menu
Æclick "Paper"
Æclick "more option"
Æselect Enable / without
cutter, peeler, tear off
Æclick "OK"
· Print quality(Speed)
Properties menu
Æclick" Device Options"
Æselect parameters
Æclick "OK"

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· Create User-Define
Paper
Properties menu
Æclick "Paper"
Æselect "Custom"
ÆUser-Define size
Æset up a new size
Æclick "OK"
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11.3.2 For Win 2000
· Ports
Properties menu
Æclick "Ports"
Æselect the IO port
Æclick "OK"
· Paper source (Media type)
Back to Printers menu
ÆLabel Dr.
Æright click to get
pop-up menu
Æselect "Printing Reference"
Æclick "Paper Quality"
Æselect media type
Æclick "OK"

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· Orientation
Printing Reference
menu
Æclick "Layout"
Æselect "Portrait" or
"Landscape"
Æclick "OK"
· Paper size
· Copies
· Media choice (Accessory
setting)
· Paper/Output
(Speed)
· Print quality
(Darkness)
Printing Reference menu
Æclick "Layout"
Æclick "Advanced" button
Æclick each item to select
the parameters
Æclick "OK"
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· Create a new size
Printer menu
Æright click to get pop-up
menu in blank space
Æselect "Server Properties"
Æenter a form name for the
new form in "Form
description for"
Æreset the paper size in the
specific squares of the
"Measurements"
Æclick "OK"