Monarch 9406 Service manual

Monarch
®
9406™
Thermal Printer
Operator’s Handbook
TC9406OH Rev. B 8/94 ©1994 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Each product and program carries a respective written
warranty, the only warranty on which the customer can rely.
Monarch reserves the right to make changes in the product
and the programs and their availability at any time and without
notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide
complete and accurate information in this manual, Monarch
shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any
update will be incorporated in a later edition of this manual.
WARNING
This equipment can interfere with radio communication if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class Acomputing device
pursuant to FCC Rules, Part 15, Subpart B, which provide reasonable
protection against such interference when operated in a commercial
environment. Operation in a residential area is likely to cause
interference which the user must correct at their own expense.
CANADIAN D.O.C. WARNING
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio
noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la
classe Aprescrites dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique
édicte par le ministère des Communications du Canada.
Trademarks
Monarch is a registered trademark and 9406 is a trademark of Monarch Marking
Systems, Inc.
R

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................1-1
About This Manual.......................................................1-1
Menu Charts....................................................1-1
Other Documentation..................................................1-2
Menu Structure............................................................1-2
New 9406 Features.....................................................1-4
Terms You Should Know .............................................1-5
2. Getting Started .................................................................2-1
Turning the Printer On.................................................2-2
Using the Keypad........................................................2-2
Control Keys....................................................2-2
Start Up........................................................................2-3
Selecting a Function....................................................2-3
Exiting an Option.........................................................2-4
3. Setting Supply Options ...................................................3-1
Finding the Supply Options.........................................3-1
Ribbon .........................................................................3-2
Supply Type.................................................................3-3
Dispense Mode............................................................3-4
Continuous Mode Features.............................3-5
Print Position ...............................................................3-6
Supply Position............................................................3-8
Margin Position............................................................3-9
Table of Contents
i

4. Setting Communication Values......................................4-1
Finding Communication Value Options.......................4-1
Baud Rate ...................................................................4-2
Word Length................................................................4-3
Stop Bits......................................................................4-4
Parity...........................................................................4-5
Flow Control................................................................4-6
Reset to Default Values...............................................4-7
5. Setting the Contrast.........................................................5-1
6. Setting Defaults................................................................6-1
Finding Default Options...............................................6-1
Monetary Sign.............................................................6-2
Secondary Sign...........................................................6-3
Decimal Places ...........................................................6-5
7. Printing Online .................................................................7-1
9406 Operator’s Handbook
ii

1. Introduction
The 9406™printer lets you print letters, numbers, bar codes,
and graphics on labels. You can create and download formats
from a host.
About This Manual
This manual explains how to begin using the printer and print a
batch. You can print online, sending data to the printer from a
host.
Menu Charts
Each section of the manual has one or more charts showing
the printer’s menu structure. The example below is the chart
from "Setting the Contrast."
There are two styles of boxes with borders in the charts:
•Boxes with heavy borders (SETUP in the sample)
show the selections you make to get to the function
discussed in the section.
•Boxes with reverse highlighting (CONTRAST in the
sample) show the functions discussed in the section.
SUPPLY CONTRAST DEFAULTS PORT
SETTINGS
MAIN MENU
PRINT
MODE SETUP DIAG.
Introduction
1-1

Other Documentation
Following are other manuals you might need:
Equipment Manual Contains general set-up and
maintenanceprocedures.
System Administrator’s
Guide
Explains communications and
message structures for sending
format and batch data streams
online.
Messages Manual Lists offline and online messages
and what action you should take (if
any).
Graphics Manual Tells how to create and print
graphics on your 9406 printer.
Menu Structure
The diagram on the next page shows the structure of the 9406
menu system.
9406 Operator’s Handbook
1-2

Introduction
1. Introduction
1-3

New 9406 Features
With the latest release of the software, the 9406 printer:
•bases the dispense mechanism on the supply type and
dispense mode (instead of only dispense mode). For
example, an indexed supply in on-demand mode
moves the label over the peel bar. A non-indexed
supply in on-demand mode delivers the label under the
tear bar. The printer memorizes the last dispense
distance so that it can find the top of form position if you
change the dispense mode between labels.
•handles non-indexed supplies the same way as
indexed supplies. For example, you do not need to
treat no-print zones and label lengths as variables.
They are fixed, no matter what supply you use.
•displays error messages for five seconds. This change
does not affect hard-coded messages or messages that
require operator response.
•allows you to suspend a batch. After suspending it, you
can cancel it or alter the printer setup and resume
printing.
•creates Swedish characters that appear on the same
base line as English characters (instead of below the
base line).
•offers a new dot shifting algorithm, which shifts the bar
code three dots on the left side and three dots on the
right side of the bad dot element. After six shifts, if the
dark modules of the barcode are not completely out of
the bad dot elements, the printer:
1. Prints a label replacing the bar code with a solid line
.156 inches tall.
2. Cancels the batch.
3. Beeps and displays "Bad Dot On Bars."
4. Waits for the operator to acknowledge the error by
pressing the E key.
9406 Operator’s Handbook
1-4

Terms You Should Know
batch A group of labels that contain the
same data.
batch separator An extra label between batches that
shows where one batch ends and
the next one begins.
character A letter, number, or symbol.
continuous Dispense mode in which the printer
prints all the labels in a batch without
stopping.
cursor The underline symbol that shows
where you are on the screen.
digits Numbers only.
field An area on the supply where data
prints.
format The arrangement of fields printed on
the supply.
enter Type data from the keypad.
indexed supply Supplies with an aperture or black
mark.
non-indexed supply Supplies without marks indicating
the specific length of the label.
on-demand Dispense mode in which the printer
stops after each label to allow the
operator to remove it.
online Entering data and printing batches
by sending data from a host.
queue Batches waiting to print (also
includes the batch that is printing).
supplies Labels used for printing.
Introduction
1. Introduction
1-5

9406 Operator’s Handbook
1-6

2. Getting Started
Before you use the 9406 printer:
•Install the printer (refer to your Equipment Manual ).
•Load supplies (refer to your Equipment Manual ).
•Set the supply options (see Chapter 3, "Setting Supply
Options").
•Set the communication values (see Chapter 4, "Setting
CommunicationValues").
•Set the printer options (Monetary Sign, Secondary Sign,
Ribbon, and Dispense Mode).
Getting Started
2-1

Turning the Printer On
Refer to your Equipment Manual for information about installing
the printer and loading supplies.
The power switch is on the back of the printer (see the figure
below). To turn the printer on, press the top of the power
switch.
Using the Keypad
The printer keypad consists of four control keys for the printer
functions.
Control Keys
Q Returns the display to the next
higher menu (when you press Q
once).
R Displays the next menu item.
L Displays the previous menu item.
E Selects the displayed menu item.
Back of 9406 Printer
9406 Operator’s Handbook
2-2

Start Up
When you turn the printer on, the printer displays copyright and
format loading messages. Then you will see
Calibrating...
as the printer checks the supply. If the supply type is set to
Indexed and indexed supplies are installed, the printer
calibrates to determine the length of each label so the printed
image is positioned correctly. If the supply type is set to
Non-Indexed and non-indexed supplies are installed, the
printer feeds out three inches of supply.
You will see another message as the printer loads formats.
When the printer has completed the start up process, you will
see
PRINT MODE
Ready
NOTE: If you are using the printer for the first time, press Q
to display the Main Menu.
Selecting a Function
The Main Menu has several functions (operating modes). The
Main Menu functions are shown in the chart below. Each
operating mode has several other functions.
MAIN MENU
PRINT
MODE SETUP DIAG.
Getting Started
2. Getting Started
2-3

To display the menu options, press the arrow keys, as follows:
•When the screen displays a right arrow,
MAIN MENU
Print Mode >
press R to display more options.
•When the screen displays a left arrow,
MAIN MENU
< Diagnostics
press L to display more options.
•When the screen displays a left arrow and a right arrow
MAIN MENU
<Setup>
press either R or L to display more options.
When you see the menu option you want, press E to select it.
Use the arrow keys to display the operating mode options the
same way you use them for the Main Menu.
Exiting an Option
To exit an option, press Q once. You will exit to the next
higher menu.
NOTE: When you press Q , you lose any entries you have
made since the last time you pressed E .
9406 Operator’s Handbook
2-4

3. Setting Supply Options
You may need to set supply options often to adjust for different
supplies. The options are shown below with the default settings
in bold.
1. Ribbon Settings No Yes
2. Supply Type Non-indexed Indexed
3. Dispense Mode Continuous On-demand
4. Adjust Print Position -999 to +999 dots +0
5. Adjust Supply Position -99 to +99 dots +0
6. Adjust Margin Position -99 to +99 dots +0
Finding the Supply Options
Follow these steps to position yourself in the menu system to
be able to set supply options.
1. From the Main Menu, press R or L until you see
MAIN MENU
< Setup >
SUPPLY CONTRAST DEFAULTS PORT
SETTINGS
RIBBON
MAIN MENU
PRINT
MODE SETUP DIAG.
SUPPLY
TYPE SUPPLY POS
DISPENSE
MODE PRINT POS MARGIN POS
Setting Supply Options
3-1

2. Press E . You will see
SETUP
Supply >
3. Press E . You will see the first supply option.
SUPPLY
Ribbon >
To change one of these options, follow the instructions under
the correct heading. To exit an option without changing the
setting, press Q .
Ribbon
You can print with or without a ribbon, but you have to tell the
printer which option you want.
The default setting for ribbon is Yes. To change the setting,
follow the steps under "Finding the Supply Options." Then
follow the steps below.
1. Press E to set the ribbon option. You will see the
previous setting, for example
RIBBON
<Yes
2. Press R or L until you see the option you want. Then
press E . You will see
SUPPLY
Ribbon >
9406 Operator’s Handbook
3-2

3. Press Q to exit to the Setup menu.
NOTE: If you set the Ribbon option to Yes, be sure you
install a ribbon before printing.
4. Press Q to exit to the Main Menu.
NOTE: After changing settings in the Setup Menu, always
return to the Main Menu before turning your
printer off. The printer will not save changes to
these menus if you turn it off before returning to
the Main Menu.
Supply Type
You can use indexed or non-indexed supplies with the 9406
printer. These supplies are defined as follows:
• Indexed supplies have marks to indicate the specific
length of each label. Supplies with an aperture or black
mark are indexed supplies.
• Non-indexedsupplies have no marks to indicate the
specific length of the label.
The default setting for Supply Type is Indexed. To change the
setting, follow steps listed under "Finding the Supply Options."
Then follow the steps below.
1. Press R until you see
SUPPLY
< Supply Type >
2. Press E . You will see the previous setting, for example,
SUPPLY TYPE
< Indexed
Setting Supply Options
3. Setting Supply Options
3-3

3. Press R or L until you see the option you want. Then
press E . The printer calibrates to check the supply.
You will see
SUPPLY
< Supply Type >
4. Press Q to exit to the Setup menu.
5. Press Q to exit to the Main Menu.
NOTE: After changing settings in the Setup Menu, always
return to the Main Menu before turning your
printer off. The printer will not save changes to
these menus if you turn it off before returning to
the Main Menu.
Dispense Mode
You can print supplies in the following modes:
On-demand Prints one label at a time.
Continuous Prints one batch of labels at a time.
NOTE: The total print range (how close the printer starts
from the top of the label) depends on the
Dispense Mode you choose. For continuous
printing, the total print range is plus or minus 45
mils (1 mil equals 1/1000 of an inch). For
on-demand printing, it is plus or minus 65 mils.
9406 Operator’s Handbook
3-4

The default setting for Dispense Mode is On-demand. To
change the setting, follow steps listed under "Finding the
Supply Options." Then follow the steps below.
1. Press R until you see
SUPPLY
< Dispense Mode >
2. Press E . You will see the previous setting, for example
DISPENSE MODE
< On-Demand
3. Press R or L until you see the option you want. Then
press E . You will see
SUPPLY
< Dispense Mode >
4. Press Q to exit to the Setup menu.
5. Press Q to exit to the Main Menu.
NOTE: After changing settings in the Setup Menu, always
return to the Main Menu before turning your
printer off. The printer will not save changes to
these menus if you turn it off before returning to
the Main Menu.
Continuous Mode Features
Regardless of the supply type, when you use continuous mode,
the printer dispenses all but the last label or tag to the peel bar.
The last one goes to the tear bar.
Setting Supply Options
3. Setting Supply Options
3-5

The printer does not stop between labels in continuous mode,
but you can interrupt the batch. Press Q in the middle of the
batch to suspend printing and bring the printer to the Pause
menu. Then, you can change the supply, printer values, etc.
and resume printing (or cancel the batch). If you enter new
values and resume printing, the printer finishes the current
batch. It only uses the new values when you print another
batch (unless described otherwise under that feature in this
manual).
Print Position
This function adjusts where data prints vertically on the supply.
You can adjust the print if it is too close to the top or bottom of
the supply, or goes over the pre-printed area ("MONARCH" in
the sample below). The adjustments are in dots (0.0052 inch),
which is the smallest measurement the printer recognizes. The
range is from -999 to +999 (5.20 inches), and the default is 0.
NOTE: If you change this value in the middle of a batch,
the change is immediate. It does not wait for the
next batch to make the change. Alter the number
as follows:
•If the data is too close to the bottom of the supply,
increase the number.
•If the data is too close to the top of the supply, decrease
the number.
9406 Operator’s Handbook
3-6