Microcom 410 ECA User manual

MODEL 410 ECA
DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
- Revised 10/06/95 MSG -
Products, names, and brands are trademarks of their respective holders.
This manual is subject to change without notice.
Copyright ©1995, Microcom Corporation, Westerville, Ohio - All rights reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.

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410 ECA Operators Manual
Table of Contents
ListofTables ............................................................. v
ListofFigures............................................................. v
Introduction............................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 FEATURES ................................................... 3
1.2 BARCODES................................................... 3
1.3 FONTS ...................................................... 3
1.4 PRINTING .................................................... 4
1.5 INTERFACECOMMUNICATIONS.................................. 4
1.6 PHYSICAL.................................................... 4
1.7 ENVIRONMENT ............................................... 4
1.8 ELECTRICAL.................................................. 4
1.9 OPTIONS .................................................... 4
1.10 APPROVALS.................................................. 4
CHAPTER2:BASICOPERATION............................................. 7
2.1 UNPACKINGTHE410ECAPRINTER .............................. 7
2.2 FRONT PANEL SWITCH AND STATUS LIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2.1 NORMALMODE ......................................... 7
2.2.2 BATCHMODE........................................... 7
2.2.3 STATUSMODE.......................................... 7
2.2.4 PAPER-OUTMODE ...................................... 8
2.3 THESTATUSLIGHT............................................ 9
2.4 LOADINGPAPER .............................................. 9
2.4.1 NORMAL AND TAG/TEAR MODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 CLEANINGINSTRUCTIONS..................................... 10
CHAPTER3:COMMUNICATIONS............................................ 11
3.1 CABLEPINOUT............................................... 11
3.2 PRINTERCABLES ............................................ 11
CHAPTER4:DESIGNINGTAGSUSINGLDS................................... 12
4.1 CONTROLCHARACTERS ...................................... 12
4.2 GETTINGSTARTED........................................... 12
4.2.1 PCCONNECTION(SERIAL)............................... 12
4.2.3 LEARNINGLDS......................................... 13
4.3 FORMATTINGTAGS:ANOVERVIEW ............................. 13
4.4 TAGHEADER ................................................ 14
4.4.1 A SAMPLE SESSION WITH A TAG HEADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.5 TAGFIELDS ................................................. 18
4.5.1 A SAMPLE SESSION WITH A TAG FIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CHAPTER5:PRINTERCOMMANDS ......................................... 26
5.1 SPECIAL PRINTER CONTROL CODES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.2 PRINTERENQUIRIES.......................................... 27
5.3 SENDING^DPRINTERCOMMANDS.............................. 28
5.3.1 SOFTWARE DIP SWITCHES AND EEPROM COMMANDS . . . . . . . 29
5.3.2 PRINTINGCOMMANDS .................................. 34
5.3.3 AUTO-SIZINGCOMMAND ................................ 35
5.3.4 REAL-TIMECLOCK ..................................... 36
5.3.5 SERIALNUMBERCOMMANDS ............................ 38
5.3.6 TAGHEADERCOMMANDS ............................... 40
5.3.7 SAVING FORMAT FILES COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Table of Contents
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)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 410 ECA Operators Manual
5.3.8 TAG/TEARCOMMANDS.................................. 44
5.3.9 TEXTSTRINGSCOMMANDS.............................. 45
5.3.10 MISCELLANEOUS PRINTER COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
CHAPTER6:LOGOS...................................................... 49
6.1 PROCEDURE FOR USING MICROCOM OGO SOFTWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.2 FORMATOFLOGOFILES ...................................... 51
CHAPTER7:SPECIALDESIGNS ............................................ 53
7.1 DESIGNINGWITHBARCODES .................................. 53
7.1.1 HUMANREADABLES .................................... 54
7.2 MAKINGLINES ............................................... 56
7.3 REVERSEVIDEO ............................................. 57
CHAPTER8:OPTIONS .................................................... 58
8.1 MICROCOMLOGOSOFTWARE ................................. 58
APPENDIX A: LIMITED WARRANTY AND REPAIR PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
APPENDIXB:ACCESSORIES............................................... 60
APPENDIXC:MORESAMPLES ............................................. 61
MICROCOMPOWER-UP ............................................. 61
FONTS410ECA.................................................... 62
APPENDIX D: A SAMPLE BASIC PROGRAM FOR THE 410 ECA PRINTER . . . . . . . . . . . 66
APPENDIX E: QUICK REFERENCE COMMAND SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Index................................................................... 73

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410 ECA Operators Manual
List of Tables
StatusLight............................................................... 9
SerialPortConfiguration.................................................... 11
PrintSpeed.............................................................. 16
Fonts................................................................... 20
BarcodeSymbologies...................................................... 21
Logos .................................................................. 21
CharacterStartingPositions ................................................. 23
EnquiryResponses........................................................ 28
ClockFieldParameters..................................................... 36
List of Figures
FrontView................................................................ 5
RearView ................................................................ 5
StatusTag ............................................................... 8
PrinterFeedMechanism..................................................... 9
MicrocomTag ........................................................... 14
TagHeaderParametersofa4"X3"Tag ....................................... 15
EuropeanDateFormat ..................................................... 37
U.S.DateFormat ......................................................... 37
TimeFormat ............................................................. 37
LogoinFourRotations ..................................................... 50
TwoLogosinTwoRotations................................................. 50
BarcodeRotations ........................................................ 53
BarcodeHumanReadables ................................................. 54
ThickLines .............................................................. 56
ReverseVideo ........................................................... 57

Table of Contents
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410 ECA Operators Manual
Introduction
The Microcom 410 ECA is a direct thermal tag printer with a high resolution, 640 element, 4.16
inch wide print head. The economic size and price have no effect on the printer's ability to handle
a wide variety of labeling tasks - even the most demanding applications.
The resident Label Design Software (LDS) is a powerful and easy to use package that allows the
user to create personalized tag formats. It can be driven from a PC, mini-computer, mainframe
and most special purpose computers.
Among many other features, LDS supports graphics functions and multiple serial numbering. It
offers 18 different text fonts in four rotations and all popular barcode symbologies. Logos can also
be loaded into the printer's memory. Fonts, barcodes and logos can be multiplied in size to offer
great flexibility in custom designing tags. Once the tags are designed, they can be stored in the
410 ECA's memory for high speed printer access.
The 410 ECA is prints on tag stock and uses a black-line sense mark for top of form registration. It
offers operation in a tag/tear, batch mode, with a user-defined advance mode.
Many thermal printer applications use the same tag layout, but change the data on every tag. This
is not a problem for the Microcom 410 ECA printer. Data may be changed without down-loading
the same fixed format, or fixed data fields, time after time. This increases data access time and
productivity.

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410 ECA Operators Manual 3
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
The Microcom 410 ECA Direct Thermal printer is designed with many standard features that are
unique when compared to other printers. The 410 ECA is built to meet the demands of
complicated applications and rigorous use. A guarantee of excellence in engineering is provided
by fulfilling the requirements for approval by UL, CSA and the FCC.
1.1 FEATURES
!Prints on tag stock 6 to 9 mil thickness
!Resolution of 6 dots/mm (.0065" per dot) and a print width of 640 dots (4.16")
!Print length is virtually unlimited
!Print speed up to 2.5"/sec
!Software-controlled contrast adjustment
!Standard memory of 128K bytes ROM, 64K bytes RAM
!Easy to load media path
!Fixed media guides for easy loading
!Preheated head for improved print quality and head life
!Detects black line stock
!Internal statistical counter for inches and tags printed
!Logo/graphics capability in four rotations
!Incrementing and decrementing fields
!Machine state enquiries for security and maintenance
1.2 BARCODES
!Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, CODABAR, Code 128, Code 93, Plessey, Modified Plessey,
UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13
!Selectable ratios for producing HIBC, AIAG, LOGMARS, and Bookland
1.3 FONTS
!18 resident fonts, including OCR-A
!All fonts expandable in height and width up to 255 times
!Rotated fonts and bar codes: 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees

Features and Specifications
Chapter 1
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4410 ECA Operators Manual
1.4 PRINTING
!Tag/tear mode advances tag to tear bar for easy dispensing
!Tag back-up to prevent wasted media
!Batch mode printing
1.5 INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS
!Serial: RS-232C, 9 pin female D-Sub connector (DCE)
-Flow control: XON/XOFF, CTS
-Baud rate: 110 to 19200, user-selectable
-Parity: odd, even or none
-Data bits: 7 or 8
1.6 PHYSICAL
!Construction: Rigid painted steel construction
!Height: 5" (127mm)
!Width: 8.5" (216mm)
!Depth: 10.5" (267mm)
!Weight: 12 LBS (5.44 Kg)
1.7 ENVIRONMENT
!Temperature: 0 C to 40 C operating
""
!Humidity: 10-90% non-condensing
1.8 ELECTRICAL
!Voltage: 117 VAC nom.,60Hz
!Current: 3 AMPS maximum
1.9 OPTIONS
!Cleaning kit
!Assorted printer cables
!PCX to printer logo conversion PC software
1.10 APPROVALS
!UL, CSA, Complies with FCC, Class A

Chapter 1 Features and Specifications
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410 ECA Operators Manual 5
Microcom 410 ECA Printer, Front View
(Note: ECA version does not have supply shaft/racks or pinch roller.)
Figure 1
Microcom 410 ECA Printer, Rear View
(Note: ECA version has fixed label guide.)
Figure 2

Features and Specifications
Chapter 1
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410 ECA Operators Manual 7
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION
2.1 UNPACKING THE 410 ECA PRINTER
While unpacking the printer, please check all packing materials closely to avoid misplacing any
necessary parts. After the printer is removed from the box, verify that all parts are present and in
good condition. All packaging material should be kept and used if the printer is to be shipped. The
printer must be returned in the original container to insure proper warranty coverage.
2.2 FRONT PANEL SWITCH AND STATUS LIGHTS
The front panel switch performs several different functions depending on the printer mode:
2.2.1 NORMAL MODE
The front panel switch (see figure 1) acts as both a feed button and a tag request button. If the
button is pressed and then released within a half second, the unit will print a tag using the current
tag format. If the button is held for more than the half second, the unit will start to feed tags until
the button is released.
2.2.2 BATCH MODE
If the printer is in the process of printing a predetermined quantity of tags (see ^D73, section 5.3),
pressing the button after the printer has started to print these tags will cause the unit to pause.
Pressing the button again will allow the printer to continue the batch.
2.2.3 STATUS MODE
When status mode is accessed, the printer creates a status tag and temporarily defaults all serial
communication settings.
To print a status tag, hold the button while turning on the printer until the status light turns orange.
Release the button and a test pattern with statistical information will be printed (see figure 3).
When a status tag is created, the communication settings will be temporarily set to 9600 baud
rate, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. The printer will return to the old settings, if different,
after power down or a soft reset.
The printed labels and total labels represent the number of tags printed to date. The printed labels
and printed inches fields are user resetable while the total labels and total inches are not. Printed
inches and printed labels are reset using the ^D29 command (see section 5.3). Other useful
information on the power-up tag is the unit serial number, the non-resetable power-on hours, the
previous serial parameters (not the default parameters caused by executing creating a status tag),
and the revision number of the Label Design Software (LDS).
The switch bank settings reflect the contents of the four software dip switches that configure the
operation of the printer. See section 5.3, specifically ^D21, ^D22, ^D23, ^D24 and ^D25, for more
information on software dip switch settings.

Basic Operation Chapter 2
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PRINTER SERIAL #: 0-43128
PRINTED LABELS: 121549
TOTAL LABELS: 121549
PRINTED INCHES: 258292
TOTAL INCHES: 258292
POWER ON HOURS: 854
SWITCH BANK 1: 10001011
SWITCH BANK 2: 01010001
SWITCH BANK 3: 00000000
SWITCH BANK 4: 00000000
SERIAL PARAMETERS: 9600-N-8-1
LDS 410 REV 3.6E 11/16/93
Status Tag
Figure 3
2.2.4 PAPER-OUT MODE
After a paper-out condition, the front panel switch serves to load and realign the new tag stock.
When a paper out condition occurs, the indicator light will turn red. Pressing the button and
holding it will cause the status light to go from red to yellow and feed paper. The status light will
then flash yellow until the button is pressed for a tag request. It will then turn yellow and the
printer will print a duplicate of the last tag printed and return to the blinking mode. This feature
was designed to facilitate batches with serial numbers or other variable data. This process can be
repeated as often as necessary to allow the paper to align itself. To return to the pre-paper out
condition, tap the button while the duplicate tag is being printed. The status light will turn green
and normal printing may resume.

Chapter 2 Basic
Operation
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410 ECA Operators Manual 9
2.3 THE STATUS LIGHT
Status Light
Color Mode Meaning
Green All On-Line and ready to print
Red All Printer error:
Caused by a paper-out condition or a hardware failure. If
paper is out, follow instructions in section 2.3, otherwise turn
printer off and back on. If condition persists, contact your
service representative.
Flashing
Red All Spike or low voltage on the AC line. The unit will remain in this mode until the condition is removed and the printer is
powered off.
Flashing
Yellow All Printer is paused or in standby mode and is waiting for the front panel button to be pressed. If the paper was just
changed and the reprinted tag looks good, press the button
during the next print cycle to clear the repeat function and
flashing yellow light.
Table 1
2.4 LOADING PAPER
The
following
section
explains
the
dispensing
mode.
Refer to
figures 1, 2
and 4 for
the printer
component
s.

Basic Operation Chapter 2
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10 410 ECA Operators Manual
Printer Feed Mechanism
(Note: ECA version does not have pinch roller.)
Figure 4

Chapter 2 Basic
Operation
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410 ECA Operators Manual 11
2.4.1 NORMAL AND TAG/TEAR MODES
Insert the tag stock under the rear guide shaft, thermally sensitive side up, until it stops. (Note:
The black line sense mark is printed closer to one edge of the label. To assure proper operation, it
is very important that the tags be inserted in the correct direction. Tags inserted backwards will be
printed off center.) Gently push the tags into the printer while turning on the printer. The printer will
advance a few tags and stop. At this point it is recommended that the power be turned off and
back on. This will insure that the printer has detected the black line sense mark correctly. It may
be necessary to slightly lift the printhead to help load the tags.
2.5 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
The Microcom 410 ECA printer and printhead should be cleaned approximately every 5,000 tags
or every two weeks whichever occurs first. A Microcom cleaning kit should be used for cleaning
and maintaining a Microcom printer product. It is important to note that the optimum printhead life
is achieved by maintaining a clean printer and printhead.
To clean your Microcom 410 ECA printer:
1) Turn the printer off.
2) Lift the printhead using the "PUSH TO LIFT HEAD" lever and remove any tags that
remains inside the head mechanism.
3) Using the cleaning brush, sweep away all small particles that may be in the area of the
printhead.
4) Moisten a cleaning swab with the cleaning solution and wipe the aluminum peel bar.
5) Moisten the felt side of a cleaning card with the cleaning solution. Insert card with felt side
facing up into the rear of the printer as you would insert tag stock. Hold down on the print
button to feed the card through the printer (see section 2.3). Do not lift the print head for
this operation. Allow the printhead to ride on the cleaning card. Repeat the process if
needed. The cleaning card may be used once at each end.
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE PRINTHEAD WITH ANY METAL OR SHARP OBJECTS

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12 410 ECA Operators Manual
CHAPTER 3: COMMUNICATIONS
The 410 ECA printer may be connected to PC's, mini-computers, main frames, and many other
special purpose machines. The following sections explain the communication interfaces.
3.1 CABLE PINOUT
Table 2 shows the signals of the 410 ECA's 9-pin RS-232 serial port. Out of the box, unless
otherwise requested, the Microcom 410 ECA communicates serially at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1
stop bit and no parity with both hardware and software handshaking. This configuration may be
changed through software commands.
If XON/XOFF hand shaking is used, the only signals the 410 ECA requires are RXD, TXD, and
GND. If hardware (CTS) hand shaking is used, a CTS signal is provided and an RTS signal is
required. XON/XOFF may be disabled through the software dip switch #1 (see chapter 5). The
other signals are offered in the event the host computer requires them.
Serial Port Configuration
25 TO 9 PIN 9 TO 9 PIN
State 410 ECA Direction PC
HI 1 DCD---->---- DCD 8
X 2 TXD --->---- RXD 3
X 3 RXD ---<---- TXD 2
HI 4 DTR --->---- DSR 20
LO 5 GND --<->--- GND 7
HI 6 DSR --->---- DTR 6
DC 7 RTS ---<---- CTS 4
X 8 CTS --->---- RTS 5
9 -->---- +5V
DE-9 DB 25
DC = Do Not Care
X = Indeterminate
State 410 ECA Direction PC
HI 1 DCD---->---- DCD 1
X 2 TXD --->---- RXD 2
X 3 RXD ---<---- TXD 3
HI 4 DTR --->---- DSR 4
LO 5 GND --<->--- GND 5
HI 6 DSR --->---- DTR 6
DC 7 RTS ---<---- CTS 7
X 8 CTS --->---- RTS 8
9 -->---- +5V 9
DE-9 DE-9
DC = Do Not Care
X = Indeterminate
Table 2
3.2 PRINTER CABLES
Warning: Connection of a serial 410 ECA to a parallel port may result in damage to the printer
and/or computer.
The printer cables needed for the 410 ECA printer are standard and available through Microcom.
A NULL-modem cable is not required because the printer is DCE equipment.
If the host has a...
25 pin serial com port - Use a standard 25 pin male to 9 pin male serial cable.
9 pin serial com port - Use a 9 pin female to 9 pin male video extension cable.

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410 ECA Operators Manual 13
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING TAGS USING LDS
Label Design Software (LDS) refers to the software resident in the printer used to decipher tag
formats sent by the host computer. All fonts, character sets and barcodes symbologies are
resident in the printer.
A tag format is produced by a series of 5 steps:
1: Control commands to define printer operation
2: A header to define tag height, width, print speed, etc..
3: Field data to define placement of text, barcode, graphic or line
4: Actual text data to place in the above text or barcode fields
5: Control commands to initiate printing
4.1 CONTROL CHARACTERS
Throughout this manual there are references to control characters. In order to print them in this
manual, they have been written using standard characters and icons. Escape characters are
represented by <ESC> and a carriage return is represented by the 5symbol. It is important to
note that all printer functions, unless otherwise noted, must be followed with a carriage return5.
4.2 GETTING STARTED
There are many different machines that can send information to the 470 printer: For example -
main frames, mini-computers, special purpose computers and PC's. However, if you are using the
printer for the first time, the easiest way to start is with a PC and a terminal emulation software
program. This will allow two-way, serial communication with the printer. You will be able to quickly
upload files and access auto-sizing and other features that will help considerably in formatting
your first tags.
4.2.1 PC CONNECTION (SERIAL)
Items required:
- A computer with at least one unused serial communications port. (COM1,COM2...)
- A serial interface cable. (See section 3.2 for cable information)
- A terminal emulation program. (Procomm, Telix, Windows terminal...)
Note: This communications test assumes that you have a standard serial 470 printer.
Set the communication parameters in the PC terminal software program to 9600 baud, no parity,
8 data bits and 1 stop bit. Unless modified by the user, this is the printers' communication
configuration out of the box. Depress ^C (ASCII or control code) on the PC keyboard. If the
printer prints a tag, proper PC to printer communications have been confirmed. Depress ^E to
verify printer to PC communication. You will receive a text response from the printer.
If a terminal program is not available, it is possible to send files to the printer using the DOS
COPY command. To do this you must first create a text file containing the information to be sent
(i.e. ^C ). You may use any text editor that does not add its own formatting characters (QEDIT,
Wordstar non-document mode, DOS 5.0 EDIT, EDLIN...).
Use the following DOS MODE command to set up the appropriate PC port.

Designing Labels Using LDS
Chapter 4
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14 410 ECA Operators Manual
(Note: COM1 may be any available communications port on your PC.)
C:>MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P
Next, send the file to the printer using the following DOS command.
C:>COPY FILENAME COM1
4.2.3 LEARNING LDS
You can test some of the control code functions (see section 5.1) directly through the keyboard.
Large tag formats, such as some of those illustrated in Appendix B, may be entered in a straight
ASCII text word editor and then up-loaded to the printer using a terminal emulation program or the
DOS copy command. (To use the DOS copy command, first use the DOS mode instruction to
configure the PC. For example, MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P).
There are some special features offered by the 410 ECA printer that will aid tag design. For
example, the autosize command (^A2^D395) will provide most of the header format information
needed to define the different properties of tag stock. The state of the machine is accessed
through the enquiry command (^D55or ^E). The statistical printer information is made available
through the ^A0^D295command.
The following sections of this chapter are designed to give an overview of a tag format, define the
tag header, and list the different types of field information available. Chapter 5 explains the special
functions of the control codes. Once some understanding of these basic concepts are achieved,
use the quick reference guide in Appendix D for expedient tag design.
4.3 FORMATTING TAGS: AN OVERVIEW
A tag format consists of a header record and field records, followed by the text data to be printed.
The records describe how the tag is to be printed. The header contains information about the tag
itself such as tag height, width, print speed, etc. The field records refer to the data section and
contain information about positioning coordinates, the type of character generators or barcodes to
use, etc.. Below is a sample tag format. We will refer to this format as we break down the
components of its structure.
(See figure 5)
^D575
4,615,153,,20,30,1,70,45
1,100, 40, 4, 1,45
2,100, 60,17, 1,45
3,100,100, 5, 1,65
3,100,150, 5,16,2,,,,305
^D565
^D25
EASY5
MICROCOM MAKES IT5
HELLO5
^D35
A format is coming
Header information
Field #1 information
Field #2 information
Field #3 information
Field #4 information
Select RAM Format
Text Data is Coming
Text String #1
Text String #2
Text String #3
Print