Microcom 438TM User manual

MODEL 438TM
DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
PART NUMBER: 880049-0113
July 7, 2021 CPC
Copyright © 2021 by Microcom Corporation, Lewis Center, Ohio – All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America

Proprietary Statement
This manual contains information proprietary to Microcom Corporation. This information is
intended solely for the use of parties operating and maintaining such equipment described
herein.
Product Enhancements
Microcom Corporation is committed to the continual improvement of performance and
quality in our products. For this reason, specifications are subject to change without notice.
Documentation support written up to code version 1.11.44.
Liability Disclaimer
Microcom Corporation makes every effort to assure that all information and specifications
contained in this manual are accurate; however, mistakes are sometimes made. Microcom
Corporation shall not be liable for any damages resulting in the use or misuse of this
product. The exclusion or limitation involving consequential or incidental damage does not
apply to all states; therefore limitation mentioned above may or may not apply.
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply withthe limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions contained in this
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
HyperTerminal®and HyperAccess®are trademarks of Hilgraeve Inc.
Centronics® is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corporation.
HP®and LaserJet II®are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Arial®is a registered trademark of The Monotype Corporation.
TrueType®is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows NT®are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.

i 438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ III
CHAPTER 1: PRINTER SPECIFICATIONS...............................................1-1
1.1 General Specifications.........................................................................................1-1
1.2 Printing Specifications.......................................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Media Specifications............................................................................................1-2
CHAPTER 2: FEATURES AND OPTIONS ................................................2-1
2.1 Fonts.................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Graphics............................................................................................................... 2-1
2.3 Bar codes............................................................................................................. 2-1
2.4 Special Features.................................................................................................. 2-2
2.5 Options................................................................................................................. 2-2
CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS......................................4-1
4.1 Control Characters...............................................................................................4-1
4.2 LDS Design Exercises.........................................................................................4-1
4.2.1 PC Connection (Serial)................................................................................. 4-1
4.2.2Format Creation............................................................................................4-2
4.3 Label Design: An Overview.................................................................................. 4-3
4.4 Label Header .......................................................................................................4-4
4.4.1 HFM (Number of Fields in Layout)................................................................ 4-6
4.4.2 LSX (Print Head Size X) ............................................................................... 4-6
4.4.3 LSY (Label Size Y)........................................................................................4-6
4.4.4 WEB (Web Size)........................................................................................... 4-6
4.4.5 GAP (GAP Size)........................................................................................... 4-6
4.4.6 DPS (Print Speed) ........................................................................................ 4-6
4.4.7 LCB (Label Control Byte).............................................................................. 4-7
4.4.7.1 Die-Cut and Blow-Hole Media (setting = 0)...................................................4-7
4.4.7.2 Continuous Media (setting = 2).....................................................................4-7
4.4.7.3 Black Line Media (Reflective) (setting = 3)....................................................4-8
4.4.8 AGD (Activate Gap Detector)........................................................................ 4-8
4.4.9 SPG (Steps Past Gap).................................................................................. 4-8
4.4.10 OFX (Offset X Direction)............................................................................. 4-10
4.4.11 OFY (Offset Y Direction)............................................................................. 4-10
4.5 Sample Header.................................................................................................. 4-10
4.6 Label Format Fields........................................................................................... 4-11
4.6.1 TSN (Text String Number)......................................................................... 4-12
4.6.2 XB (X Beginning Coordinate)...................................................................... 4-12
4.6.3 YB (Y Beginning Coordinate)...................................................................... 4-12
4.6.4 CC (Character Count)................................................................................. 4-12
4.6.5 TCI (Text Conversion Identifier).................................................................. 4-12
4.6.6 CGN (Character Generator Number).......................................................... 4-14
4.6.6.1 Embedded Fonts......................................................................................... 4-14
4.6.6.2 Downloadable Fonts and Graphics............................................................. 4-14

438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113 ii
4.6.6.3 Embedded Bar Codes.................................................................................4-16
4.6.7 FO (Field Orientation) .................................................................................4-17
4.6.8 FJ (Field Justification) ................................................................................4-17
4.6.9 CMX (Character Multiplier X Direction) .......................................................4-17
4.6.10 CMY (Character Multiplier Y Direction) .......................................................4-18
4.6.11 CS (Character Spacing)..............................................................................4-18
4.6.12 TSP (Text Starting Position)........................................................................4-18
4.6.13 ,,, (Reserved Spaces) ................................................................................4-18
4.6.14 AN (Attribute Number).................................................................................4-18
4.7 Line Draw...........................................................................................................4-18
4.8 Reverse Video....................................................................................................4-21
4.8.1 Black Box Reverse Video............................................................................4-21
4.8.2 Auto Reverse Video....................................................................................4-22
APPENDIX.................................................................................................13-1
Appendix A: Limited Warranty..................................................................................13-1
Appendix B: RMA Procedure ...................................................................................13-3
Appendix C: ^D Command Summary.......................................................................13-5
Glossary......................................................................................................................13-19
Appendix D: User Notes.........................................................................................13-23

iii 438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113
Introduction
The Model 438TM printer has been designed to provide solutions for the ticketing industry.
The printer uses the same reliable print mechanism found in the Model 428TM printer and is
intended to be a direct replacement. The print mechanism has been designed with a 4”
printhead capable of printing up to 8” per second and is available in 203 or 300 dpi. It
incorporates the latest features of the proven LDS software found in earlier Microcom
Corporation printers.
438TM Rear Side View
438TM Front Side View

438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113 iv

438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113 1-1
Chapter 1: Printer Specifications
1.1 General Specifications
Width* 7.3” (185 mm)
Height*7.4” (188 mm)
Depth*5.8” (148 mm)
Weight*10.2 lbs. (4.6 kg)
Electrical +24 VDC
Current 3 Amps maximum
Temperature** 40° F –104° F (5° C –40° C), operating
Humidity 10% – 85%, non-condensing
SRAM Memory 800 K
User Flash Memory 16 MB
Agency Approvals Designed to meet cTUVus, CE, and complies with FCC
Class A
Interface Communications RS232, USB, Version 1.1 supported, and Ethernet Ports
Flow Control CTS/RTS Hardware
Baud Rate 115200
Parity Odd, Even, and None
Data Bits 7 or 8
Table 1-1 General Specifications
* NOTE: Listed specifications based on a standard print mechanism and may vary based on
final configuration.
** NOTE: Higher temperature applications are possible; please contact your Microcom
Corporation Sales representative for more information.
1.2 Printing Specifications
Print Type Direct Thermal
Print Resolution 203 DPI (8 dots/mm = 0.0049” per dot)
300 DPI (12 dots/mm = 0.0032” per dot)
Maximum Print Speed 8”/sec. (203 mm/sec.)
Maximum Print Width 203 DPI = 4.098” (104.10mm); 832 dots
300 DPI = 4.252” (108 mm); 1,280 dots
Maximum Print Length 50” (1,270 mm)
Minimum Print Length 0.25” (6 mm)
Table 1-2 Printing Specifications

Printer Specifications Chapter 1
1-2 438TM Operator’s Manual - 880049-0113
1.3 Media Specifications
Media Types Continuous, die-cut, preprinted and tag stock either rolled
or fanfold
Maximum Media Thickness* .011” (.2794 mm)
Maximum Media Width 4.38” (111 mm)
*NOTE: The printers may print on thicker media types depending on the pliability of the
material; however, this requires testing and evaluation. Contact your authorized Microcom
Corporation representative for additional information regarding testing and evaluation of
thicker or rigid media types.
Table 1-3 Media Specifications