Microcom 412 User manual

MODEL 412
THERMAL PRINTER
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Part Number 880016-0221
- Revised: March 24, 2004 MSG -
Centronics is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corporation.
HP and LaserJet are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Arial is a registered trademark of Agfa Monotype Corporation.
Swiss is a trademark of Bitstream Inc.
TrueType is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
HyperTerminal is a registered trademark of Hilgraeve Inc.
Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
This manual is subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1997-2004 Microcom Corporation, Lewis Center, Ohio - All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America

412 Operators Manual
Table of Contents
List of Tables .............................................................vii
List of Figures .............................................................vii
Introduction ................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS .................................3
1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES ............................................3
1.2 BAR CODES ...................................................3
1.3 FONTS .......................................................3
1.4 PRINTING .....................................................4
1.5 INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS ...................................4
1.6 PHYSICAL .....................................................4
1.7 ENVIRONMENT ................................................4
1.8 ELECTRICAL ...................................................4
1.9 OPTIONS ......................................................5
1.10 APPROVALS ...................................................5
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION ..............................................7
2.1 UNPACKING THE 412 PRINTER ...................................7
2.2 INITIAL POWER UP .............................................7
2.3 FRONT PANEL SWITCHES AND STATUS LIGHTS .....................7
2.3.1 NORMAL MODE ..........................................7
2.3.2 STATUS LABEL MODE .....................................7
2.3.3 PAPER-OUT MODE .......................................8
2.4 THE STATUS LIGHT .............................................9
2.5 LOADING PAPER ...............................................9
2.5.1 NORMAL AND TAG/TEAR MODES ..........................10
2.5.2 PEEL-AND-DISPENSE MODE ..............................10
2.6 PRINT HEAD PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT ...........................11
2.7 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS ......................................12
CHAPTER 3: COMMUNICATIONS .............................................13
3.1 CABLE PINOUT ...............................................13
3.2 PRINTER CABLES .............................................14
3.3 MULTIDROP COMMUNICATIONS .................................14
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS ..................................17
4.1 CONTROL CHARACTERS .......................................17
4.2 GETTING STARTED ............................................17
4.2.1 PC CONNECTION (SERIAL) ................................17
4.2.2 PC CONNECTION (PARALLEL) .............................18
4.2.3 LEARNING LDS .........................................18
4.3 FORMATTING LABELS: AN OVERVIEW ............................18
4.4 LABEL HEADER ...............................................21
4.4.1 A SAMPLE SESSION (HEADER) ............................25
4.5 LABEL FIELDS ................................................26
4.5.1 BIT MAPPED TEXT, BAR CODE, AND FONT/GRAPHIC FIELDS ...26
4.5.2 LINES .................................................32

Table of Contents
412 Operators Manual
4.5.3 A SAMPLE SESSION (FIELDS) .............................34
CHAPTER 5: PRINTER COMMANDS ..........................................35
5.1 SPECIAL PRINTER CONTROL CODES .............................35
5.2 PRINTER ENQUIRIES ...........................................36
5.3 SENDING ^D PRINTER COMMANDS ...............................37
5.3.1 SOFTWARE DIP SWITCHES AND NON-VOLATILE COMMANDS ..37
5.3.2 PRINTING COMMANDS ...................................42
5.3.3 AUTO-SIZING AND VALID GAP COMMANDS ..................43
5.3.4 REAL-TIME CLOCK ......................................45
5.3.5 SERIAL NUMBER COMMANDS .............................47
5.3.6 SAVING FORMAT COMMANDS .............................49
5.3.7 LABEL DISPENSING COMMANDS ...........................51
5.3.8 TEXT STRINGS COMMANDS ...............................52
CHAPTER 6: DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHIC IMAGES ..............................55
6.1 USING THE GRAPHIC CONVERSION UTILITIES .....................55
6.1.1 PCX2MIC.EXE PROGRAM .................................55
6.1.2 BMP2MIC.EXE PROGRAM .................................55
6.2 GRAPHIC IMAGE DOWNLOAD METHODS ..........................55
6.2.1 COMPRESSED BINARY IMAGE COMMAND (^D107) ..............55
6.2.2 UNCOMPRESSED IMAGE COMMAND (^D104) ..................57
6.3 GRAPHIC IMAGE DATA FORMAT .................................57
6.3 DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHICS COMMAND SUMMARY ................59
CHAPTER 7: DOWNLOADABLE FONTS .......................................61
7.1 USING THE FONT CONVERSION UTILITIES ........................61
7.1.2 TTF2MIC16.EXE PROGRAM ...............................61
7.2 FONT DOWNLOAD METHODS ...................................61
7.2.1 COMPRESSED BINARY IMAGE COMMAND (^D107) ..............61
7.2.2 UNCOMPRESSED IMAGE COMMAND (^D104) ..................63
7.3 FONT STRUCTURE ............................................63
7.3 DOWNLOADABLE FONT COMMAND SUMMARY .....................65
CHAPTER 8: BAR CODES ...................................................67
8.1 TYPES OF BAR CODES .........................................67
8.2 DESIGNING WITH BAR CODES ...................................76
8.2.1 BAR CODE HUMAN READABLES ...........................76
CHAPTER 9: SPECIAL EFFECTS .............................................79
9.1 REVERSED PRINT (WHITE TEXT OVER BLACK) .....................79
CHAPTER 10: OPTIONS ....................................................81
10.1 MICROCOM GRAPHICS CONVERSION UTILITIES ....................81
10.2 MICROCOM DOWNLOADABLE FONT UTILITY .......................81
10.3 WYSIWYG SOFTWARE PACKAGES ...............................81
10.4 CLEANING KIT ................................................81
APPENDIX A: WARRANTY AND REPAIR PROCEDURES ..........................82
APPENDIX B: LABEL SAMPLES ..............................................84

Table of Contents
412 Operators Manual
APPENDIX C: SAMPLE BASIC PROGRAM ......................................85
APPENDIX D: QUICK REFERENCE COMMAND SUMMARY ........................86
APPENDIX E: HARDWARE DIP SWITCHES .....................................96
Index ....................................................................97

Table of Contents
412 Operators Manual

412 Operators Manual
List of Tables
Status Light ................................................................9
RS-232 Serial Port Configuration ..............................................13
RS-485 Serial Port Configuration ..............................................14
Print Speed ...............................................................23
Bitmapped Font Descriptions .................................................28
Bar Code Symbologies ......................................................29
Character Starting Positions ..................................................30
Enquiry Responses .........................................................36
Clock Field Parameters ......................................................45
UPC Zero Reduction Format .................................................67
Control Code Equivalents for use in Data Strings ..................................69
Code 128 Special Function Access ............................................71
UCC/EAN Application Identifiers ...............................................75
List of Figures
Front View .................................................................6
Rear View .................................................................6
Printer Parts ...............................................................7
Status Label ...............................................................8
Internal View of Printer ......................................................10
Print Head Pressure Adjustment ...............................................11
Microcom Label ............................................................20
Label Header Parameters of a 4" X 3" Label .....................................21
Lines ....................................................................33
European Date Format ......................................................46
US Date Format ...........................................................46
Unmodified Date Format .....................................................46
Bar Code Rotations ........................................................76
UPC-A Bar Code ..........................................................77
Bar Code Human Readables .................................................77
Reverse Video Sample ......................................................79

412 Operators Manual

412 Operators Manual
Introduction
The Model 412 is a Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer label printer with a high resolution (832
dots, 8 dots/mm) 2 or 4 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
you to create personalized label formats. It can be driven from a PC, mini-computer,
mainframe, and most special purpose computers.
Among many other features, LDS supports downloadable graphics and fonts, multiple serial
numbering, and flexible character spacing. It offers many font sizes and all popular bar code
symbologies. Graphic images can be printed or stored in the printer's memory for future use.
Bitmapped Fonts, bar codes, and graphic images can be multiplied in size and printed in
0,90,180,270 degree rotations. Once the labels are designed, they can be stored in the printer
for high speed access.
The 412 is capable of printing on most types of label or fax stock. It offers operation in a
tag/tear, peel-and-dispense, or cut-off mode. It can handle blow-hole, black-line, label gap, and
continuous stock.
Many printer applications use the same label format, but change the data on every label. This
is not a problem for the 412 printer. Data may be changed without down-loading the same
fixed format, or fixed data fields, time after time. This, along with a greatly increased
communication speed, increases data access time and productivity.
Microcom Corporation also offers Windows™ drivers and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What
You Get) software packages which allow quick and easy on-screen label designing, along with
database capabilities.

412 Operators Manual
2

412 Operators Manual 3
CHAPTER 1: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
The Model 412 Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer printer is designed with many features that
are unique when compared to other printers.
1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES
!Direct thermal or thermal transfer tag/ticket feed operation
!Resolution of 8 dots/mm (.0049" per dot) and a print width of 448 dots (2.2") or 832
dots (4.09")
!Print speed up to 3.0 inches per second
!Internal media supply holds roll sizes up to 5 inches OD
!Prints on die-cut, continuous, fax, or preprinted labels up to 9.0 mil thick
!Software-controlled contrast adjustment
!Standard memory of 512Kbytes ROM and 512Kbytes RAM
!Easy to load label path
!Detects label gap, black line or blow-hole stock using reflective and transmissive
sensors
!Internal statistical counter for inches and labels printed
!Downloadable bitmap fonts and graphics
!Field incrementing and decrementing
!Remote printer interrogation.
1.2 BAR CODES
!Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, CODABAR, Code 128, UCC/EAN-128, Code 93, Plessey,
Modified Plessey, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Postnet, PDF-417 and MaxiCode
1.3 FONTS
!Bitmapped fonts (normal/bold and OCR-A and OCR-B)
!Converted HP LaserJet™ or TrueType® font compatibility
!Fonts can be printed with proportional or non-proportional spacing
!All bitmapped fonts expandable in height and width
!Printable in 0, 90, 180, and 270 degree rotations

Features and Specifications Chapter 1
412 Operators Manual
4
1.4 PRINTING
!Optional peel function with label taken sensor
!Optional cutter
!Batch and tag/tear mode advances label to the tear bar
!Label back-up prevents wasted media in tag/tear and peel modes
1.5 INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS
!Serial: RS-232, 9-pin female D-Sub connector (DCE) and 2Kbytes buffer
-Flow control: XON/XOFF, CTS
-Baud rate: 110 to 115,200, user-selectable
-Parity: odd, even or none
-Data bits: 7 or 8
!Parallel: 36-pin Centronics® female
1.6 PHYSICAL
!Heavy duty plastic shell and a rigid metal print mechanism.
!Height: 6.00" (152.4mm)
!Width: 8.75" (222.25mm)
!Depth: 11.00" (279.4mm)
!Weight: 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
1.7 ENVIRONMENT
!Temperature: 5"C to 40"C operating
!Humidity: 10-85% Non-condensing
1.8 ELECTRICAL
!Voltage: 100 ~ 240 VAC, 50 ~ 60Hz
!Current: 3 AMPS maximum

Chapter 1 Features and Specifications
412 Operators Manual 5
1.9 OPTIONS
!Cutter
!Thermal Transfer
!Assorted printer cables
!Labels Taken Sensor
!Battery backed real-time clock
!On-screen label design PC software packages
!PCX / BMP graphics and SFP / TTF font conversion software
!Windows™ 95/98/NT4/2000/XP driver
!Cleaning kit
!Twinax / Coax Interface adapter
1.10 APPROVALS
!CUL (UL and CSA), CE, Complies with FCC class A

Features and Specifications Chapter 1
412 Operators Manual
6
412 Printer
Front View
Figure 1
412 Printer
Rear View
Figure 2

412 Operators Manual 7
CHAPTER 2: BASIC OPERATION
2.1 UNPACKING THE 412 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 (see Figure 3). All packaging material should be kept and used if the printer
is to be shipped.
Printer Parts
Figure 3
2.2 INITIAL POWER UP
Before connecting the printer to a power source, verify that the line voltage and frequency (Hz)
is within the range printed on the power supply.
Plug the printer in and turn the power switch on. The front panel LED should turn green. If this
does not occur, check the power source and if necessary call your service organization.
2.3 FRONT PANEL SWITCHES AND STATUS LIGHTS
The front panel switch performs several functions depending on the printer mode:
2.3.1 NORMAL MODE
The front panel button is used to issue a label request. If the button is pressed while the printer
is idle, the unit will print a label using the current label format. If the button is pressed while a
label is printing, the printer will enter pause mode.
2.3.2 STATUS LABEL MODE
To print a status label, hold the front panel button while turning on the printer. Release the
button and a test pattern with statistical information will be printed (see Figure 4). When a
status label is created, the software dip switches are temporarily set to defaults. 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 labels printed to date. The printed
labels and printed inches fields can be reset by the user while the total labels and total inches
cannot. Printed inches and printed labels are reset using the ^D29 command (see section 5.3).
Other useful information on the power-up label is the unit serial number, power-on hours, serial

Basic Operation Chapter 2
412 Operators Manual
8
parameters (not the default parameters caused by executing creating a status label), and the
revision number of the firmware.
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, and ^D24, for more
information on software dip switch settings.
PRINTER SERIAL #: 1234567890
PRINTED LABELS: 8432
TOTAL LABELS: 8498
PRINTED INCHES: 25296
TOTAL INCHES: 25494
POWER ON HOURS: 897
SWITCH BANK 1: 10001011
SWITCH BANK 2: 01010000
SWITCH BANK 3: 00000010
SWITCH BANK 4: 00000000
SERIAL PARAMETERS: 9600-N-8-1
EXTRA RAM: YES
ADDRESS: 0
NETWORK: OFF
412 REV 02.14 070199-0214 06/24/99
Status Label
Figure 4
2.3.3 PAPER-OUT MODE
When a paper out condition occurs, the red error indicator will light. Once the new labels are
loaded, quickly press and release the front panel button to print a duplicate of the last label
printed. This label can be repeated until proper registration occurs. To return to the pre-paper
out condition, tap the button while the duplicate label is being printed. The red error light
should go out and normal printing may resume.

Chapter 2 Basic Operation
412 Operators Manual 9
2.4 THE STATUS LIGHT
The status lights have different functions depending upon the mode of the printer. The
following table explains the meanings.
Status Light
Color Meaning
Solid Green Power is on.
Flashing Green
during Download Font or graphic file transferring successfully.
Flashing Red
during Download Font or graphic file transfer is failing.
Solid Red Printer error: Possibly caused by paper-out, ribbon-out, take- up full, or hardware failure. If an unexplained condition
persists, contact your service representative.
Continuous
Flashing Red
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.
Solid Yellow Printer is paused.
Table 1
2.5 LOADING PAPER
The 412 can dispense labels in a many different ways. The following two sections explain the
dispensing modes. If narrow stock is used (3.5 inches wide or less), it may be necessary to
adjust the print head support screw (see section 2.6).
Thermal Transfer Note:
The 412 will, on power-up, automatically sense a loaded ribbon and select thermal transfer
mode. Please note that the printer will not select thermal transfer mode if the ribbon is loaded
after the printer is turned on. To correct the situation simply cycle the power once the ribbon
has been loaded.

Basic Operation Chapter 2
412 Operators Manual
10
Internal View of Printer
Figure 5
2.5.1 NORMAL AND TAG/TEAR MODES
Place the label roll on the internal supply shaft and adjust the paper width stop. Raise the print
head and feed the paper through the printer until it comes out of the front. Lower the print
head.
2.5.2 PEEL-AND-DISPENSE MODE
1. Load the media as described in section 2.5.1 above.
2. Feed and remove enough labels to expose about 6"-12" of backing paper.
3. Release pressure from the peel mechanism by pulling the pinch release lever forward.
5. Thread the backing paper through the opening between the pinch roller and the driver
roller and remove slack.
6. Close the pinch roller by pushing the pinch roller release lever backwards.
Print Head Pressure
Adjustment, See Figure 5a

Chapter 2 Basic Operation
412 Operators Manual 11
7. Use the feed button to align the labels. (Be sure to remove the labels as the are
peeled.)
8. Enable the peel-and-dispense mode using the ^A1^D98.
2.6 PRINT HEAD PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT
When using narrowmedia, it is possible to increase drive rollerlife by reducing the print head
pressure. To make the adjustment, simply turn the green adjustment knob (see Figure 5)
counter-clockwise. If thick tags are used, additional pressure may be added by turning the
knob clockwise.
Print Head Pressure Adjustment
Figure 5a

Basic Operation Chapter 2
412 Operators Manual
12
2.7 CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
The printer and print head should be cleaned every 5,000 labels, every two weeks, or between
label roll changes, whichever occurs first. A Microcom Corporation cleaning kit should be used
for cleaning and maintaining a Microcom Corporation printer product. It is important to note that
the optimum print head life is achieved by maintaining a clean printer and print head.
To clean the 412 printer:
1) Turn the printer off.
2) Lift the print head and remove any label stock.
3) Use the cleaning brush to sweep away all small label and adhesive particles that may
be in the area of the print head.
4) Moisten a cleaning swab with the cleaning solution and wipe away any adhesive from
the rollers or the peel bracket.
5) Dampen a swab with cleaning solution and gently wipe the underside of the print head.
Repeat if necessary (if swab is extremely dirty).
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE PRINT HEAD WITH ANY METAL OR SHARP OBJECTS