Panduit PANTHER LS8E User manual

1
PANTHER ™ LS8E
HAND-HELD THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER
Operator’s Manual
Panduit Corp.
Identification Products Division
1819 Atlanta Highway
Cumming, GA 30040
USA
Technical Support: 1-866-871-4571
Customer Service: 1-800-777-3300
www.panduit.com
LS8E-MAN-
A
REV. 0 – 03/27/07

2
Section 1: Getting Started...........................................................3
Introduction and Safe Operation..................................................4-6
General Description .....................................................................7-8
Loading Batteries and Label Cassette............................................9
Keyboard Functions.................................................................10-11
Section 2: Working with the PANTHER™LS8E.........................12
Using the PANTHER™ LS8E..........................................................13
Creating Labels
Creating Text ...............................................................14-15
Creating Serializations..................................................16-18
Creating Symbols..........................................................19-21
Creating Data Lists ............................................................22
Creating Bar Codes ......................................................23-24
Creating a Date or Time Stamp.........................................25
Creating Lines...............................................................26-27
Creating Frames................................................................28
Using Pages.......................................................................29
Using Special Functions ....................................................30
Setting up the PANTHER™ LS8E and Using File Manager.......31-33
PANTHERLINK™.........................................................................34-48
Labeling Exercises...................................................................49-55
Application Based Label Wizard ..............................................56-58
Printer Cleaning Instructions....................................................59-60
Printer Troubleshooting............................................................61-62
Frequently Asked Questions....................................................63-64
Warranty Information …................................................................65
General Specifications..................................................................66

3
SECTION 1
GETTING STARTED

INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION
4
Congratulations on your purchase of the PANTHER™LS8E Hand-Held Thermal
Transfer Printer. The versatile PANTHER™LS8E is designed to meet the
demanding printing requirements of electrical and network users. The LS8E
prints high quality industrial labels on a wide variety of materials for electrical and
network applications, such as wire/cable, components, safety, and facility
identification. It is the ideal labeling tool for electricians, installers, maintenance
personnel, and contractors. As you will read throughout this operator’s manual,
the PANTHER™LS8E has been designed with many time saving features that will
allow you to maximize your labeling productivity.
This manual will guide you step by step through the set-up, operation, and
troubleshooting of the PANTHER™LS8E Hand-held Thermal Transfer Printer. If
you have problems not covered herein, contact your local Panduit Sales
Representative, call Panduit Technical Support at 866-871-4571, or call Panduit
Customer Service at 800-777-3300. More information is also available on the
web at www.panduit.com.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
The following general safety practices supplement the specific warnings and
cautions depicted elsewhere in this manual. They are recommended precautions
that must be understood and applied during the operation and maintenance of this
printer.
Do Not Operate In An Explosive Environment
Do not operate the printer in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
Operation of this printer in such an environment constitutes a definite safety
hazard.
Do Not Operate In Wet Or Damp Areas
Do not operate this printer in wet or damp areas. Operation of the printer in such
an environment constitutes a definite safety hazard.

INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION
5
Do Not Substitute Parts Or Modify Equipment
Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute
parts or perform an unauthorized modification to the printer or its accessories. The
proper components for service and repair may be obtained from Panduit Corp.
WARNING:
When the printer has been in use for an extended period of time, the printer
motor may become hot. DO NOT touch the printer motor with bare hands.
Information to USA Users
NOTE: This printer has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the printer is
operated in a commercial environment. This printer generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not used in accordance with this instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of
this printer in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Information to Canadian Users
This digital apparatus does not exceed Class A limits for radio noise emissions for
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n’emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant
les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la class A prescrites dans le
Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des
Communications du Canada.
It is possible that infrequent electrical phenomena (static discharge, power line
fluctuations) may cause printer function to be temporarily interrupted. In this case,
the printer will usually reset itself. In extreme cases, the user should remove then
re-apply power (batteries or AC adapter).

INTRODUCTION & SAFE OPERATION
6
Printer Power Supply
The PANTHER™LS8E is supplied with 6 AA alkaline batteries. These batteries are
not re-chargeable. After the batteries have surpassed their useful life, they must
be disposed of properly and replaced.
An optional AC adapter is also available for use with the PANTHER™LS8E. The
AC adapter is available in different versions that are suitable for use in many
regions of the world, including North America, Australia, China, Continental
Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Certifications
The PANTHER™LS8E Hand-Held Thermal Transfer Printer meets the
requirements of the following standards:
• FCC Part 15 Class A
• CE
• European Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of Hazardous
Substances (RoHS)
Additional Reference Materials
A Quick Reference Card, which summarizes the most important and frequently
used features of the PANTHER™LS8E is included with your printer. The Quick
Reference Card has several label exercises to help familiarize you with LS8E
functions. Should you misplace the quick reference card, you may download
another copy from the web at www.panduit.com.
All of the detailed product ordering information is included in the comprehensive
LS8E Product Bulletin. The bulletin is available from Panduit Customer Service
(800-777-3300) or online at www.panduit.com.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
7
PANTHER™LS8E Hand-Held Thermal Transfer Printer
P1™Label Cassette System
Large, graphic
display with backlight
59 button keypad
Adjustable
wrist/neck strap
Print head latch
Durable plastic
housing
Die-cut or continuous
labels
Ribbon included
Cutter button with
partial cut adjustment
Integrated
memory device

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
8
Print Technology
The PANTHER™LS8E prints labels using thermal transfer printing technology. The
print head melts ink contained on a thin web of ribbon material allowing the ink to
transfer to the label material. The print head operates at a resolution of 203 dots
per inch (dpi).
Smart Label Cassette
P1™label cassettes are automatically detected by the PANTHER™LS8E printer
upon insertion. The LS8E printer automatically adjusts its settings according to the
label cassette that is installed. This process saves you the time and effort normally
required to begin printing. With the LS8E, simply install the label cassette and lock
the print head latch. Now you are ready to begin printing. P1™label cassettes
have an embedded memory device designed to improve your labeling productivity.
The device maintains an accurate count of the remaining labels in the cassette.
The device also recalls the last label design used. When you take a label cassette
out of the printer, your last label design goes with the cassette. This is very useful
for sharing files between more than one user or printer.
Label Cutter
The PANTHER™LS8E has a manually operated cutter blade. Press and release
the cutter button in order to cut your label. The cutter button has two possible
settings: Full Cut and Partial Cut.
Full Cut is used to cut entirely across a label and its liner. This is the familiar
cutting style used on other hand-held printers. Partial Cut is used to leave a very
small area of the label liner still attached even after cutting. This is an innovative
adaptation to label cutting that allows you to avoid the frustration of searching for
the correct label within a disorganized pile or having to use scissors. After using
the partial cut setting, you will take a strand of labels to a job and then separate
them as needed. In this way, your labels remain in the order that they were
printed.
The Cut Pause feature allows you to cut between labels during a print job. When
Cut Pause is turned on, the printer will stop printing and allow you to cut the label.
After cutting, the printer will resume printing automatically. The Cut Pause feature
is turned on or off within the Setup menu.
Carrying Case
The PANTHER™LS8E has a custom protective carrying case constructed of
durable plastic material. The case provides a convenient method of transporting
the printer, label cassettes, and accessories to and from a job site.
PC KIT
The PC KIT includes a CD-ROM with PanTherLink™software and a USB cable.
The PC KIT is used to communicate between a computer and the PANTHER™
LS8E printer. This provides the ability to import data, upgrade the printer operating
system, and print labels from Panduit Easy-Mark Labeling Software.

LOADING BATTERIES AND LABEL CASSETTE
9
Loading the Batteries
1. Remove the battery door from the back of the PANTHER™LS8E printer. If the
impact bumper is installed on the printer, you will have to move it away from
the battery door first.
2. Install the 6 AA batteries according to the molded indicators within the battery
compartment.
3. Reattach the battery door. Move the impact bumper back over the battery
door if necessary.
Observe Correct Polarity When Installing
Batteries
Replace All Six Batteries At The Same Time
Loading a Label Cassette
1. Remove the cassette door from the back of the PANTHER™LS8E printer.
2. Install a label cassette. Press firmly to lock the cassette in place. Do not
remove the raised white tab from the cassette. This tab is used to assist with
removal of the cassette from the LS8E printer.
3. Lock the print head latch.
4. Reattach the cassette door.
NOTE: To uninstall a label cassette:
1. Unlock the print head latch.
2. Remove the cassette door.
3. Remove the cassette. Use the white removal tab on the
cassette for assistance.
4. Reattach the cassette door.
Print Head Latch

KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS
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Setu
p
Power
Delete
/
Clear
Feed/Backlight
Print
Enter/Rotate
Space/Accent
Shift
Directional Arrows
Numbers
Letters
Size/Length
Insert or Edit Tools
Label Mode/Caps Loc
k

KEYBOARD FUNCTIONS
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Basic Keyboard Functions
• POWER – Turn printer on or off
• SETUP – Access the Set Up menu
• F1 – Display function key menu
• DELETE – Erase characters and tools
• CLEAR – Clear the entire screen
• FEED – Feed labels
• – Turn the backlight on or off
• PRINT – Print labels
• COPIES – Print multiple copies
• SIZE – Select the text font size
• LENGTH – Set the length of continuous label media
• STYLE – Select the text font style
• ALIGN – Change the label justification
• LINE – Add vertical and horizontal lines to a label
• FRAME – Add a frame around a label
• PAGE – Move to another page
• FILE – Access the file manager
• INSERT – Insert a new tool
• EDIT – Edit an existing tool
• LABEL – Change the label mode
• CAPS – Turn caps lock on or off
• HOME – Move to home position on screen
• END – Move to end position on screen
• SHIFT – Access secondary functions on keypad
• SPACE – Add a space to a label
• ACCENT – Insert an international character
• ENTER – Move to the next line or accept menu changes
• ROTATE – Rotate the label to 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees

12
SECTION 2
WORKING WITH THE
PANTHER™LS8E

USING THE PANTHER ™ LS8E
13
The Home Screen
The home screen is where you enter and edits text or place label items known as
tools. The home screen is also where you print labels. The home screen has
several different indicators, including:
INDICATOR ICON DESCRIPTION
Caps Lock Indicates if caps lock is on or off.
Shift Function or Indicates if the shift key has been pressed.
Label Mode Indicates current label mode.
Text Size Indicates the text size for the current line.
Text Style A
B
B
Indicates the text style for the current cursor
position. Available styles include Normal (no
icon), Normal + Underline, Bold, and Bold +
Underline.
Text Line Indicates the current line.
Page 1:9 Indicates the current page. There are 9 total
pages.
Vertical or
Horizontal Line Indicates that a label has one or more dividing lines selected.
Frame Indicates that a label has a frame selected.
Low Battery Indicates that battery voltage is low and that
batteries need replacing.
The Tools Menu
The tool menu includes serializations, symbols, data lists, bar codes, and
date/time stamps. These items are placed on the home screen. The tool menu is
accessed by pressing the Insert Tools key.
Tool Icons
The following icons represent the available tools:
- Serialization
- Symbol
- Data List
- Barcode
- Date Stamp
- Time Stamp

CREATING TEXT
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Creating Text
After turning on the PANTHER™LS8E, the home screen will appear. The home
screen is also the text editor. .
To create text on the home screen, simply begin pressing the alphabetic or
numeric keys on the keypad. Text will be entered at the position of the cursor.
The cursor is indicated by a vertical line. To insert blank spaces, press the
key. Press to move down to the next line. Use the directional arrow keys to
move the cursor up, down, right, or left. The home screen has a maximum of 8
lines on which to place text. The home screen also has 9 separate pages on
which to place text. The current page number is indicated in the bottom right
corner of the home screen.
Inserting Text
To insert characters on a line, move the cursor to any position and begin typing.
The character will be inserted at the cursor position.
Deleting Text
To remove characters from the screen, press the key. Each press of the
key will delete one character at a time immediately to the left of the cursor.
Pressing and holding the key will delete characters more rapidly. The Clear
function can also be used to delete all text and reset all formats at once.
Text Size
The PANTHER™LS8E has 10 different font sizes available for creating text. The
font sizes range from 4 point to 72 point. To change the font size, press the SIZE
key. Then scroll up or down with the directional arrows. Press ENTER To select
a size. The new size will be displayed at the top of the home screen. Each P1™
label cassette has a default font size. The default font size is automatically
chosen when inserting a new cassette. The text size can be different on each of
the 8 available lines of text on each page.

CREATING TEXT
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Text Style
The PANTHER™LS8E has four different text styles: Normal, Bold, Normal +
Underline, and Bold + Underline. To change the text style, press the STYLE key.
The new text style can be applied to all characters on a label or just to characters
inserted after the change. Text style can be different for each individual text
character on a line.
Text Rotation
Label legends may be rotated to 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees in the clockwise
direction. The page shaped icon in the lower right hand corner of the display
indicates the current rotation. To change the rotation, press the key and then
press the key. Use the directional arrows to scroll to the desired rotation
and press ENTER. The rotation of the legend can be different on each of the 9
pages of a label.
Text Justification
Label legends may be horizontally and vertically justified by pressing the key
and then pressing ALIGN. The horizontal justification options include left justified,
center justified, and right justified. The vertical justification options include top
justified, center justified, and bottom justified. The character “A” inside of the
page shaped icon in the lower right hand corner of the display indicates the
current justification setting. The character “A” will move within the page shaped
icon to indicate the current justification settings.
NOTE: Vertical justification is not allowed in wire marker mode.
Print Offsets
The printing location of label legends may be adjusted by using the Print Offsets
function. This function is accessed by pressing the key twice and then
pressing ALIGN. The print offset function has three adjustments: TOP, BOTTOM,
and LEFT. Use the up or down directional arrows to select the adjustment type.
Then use the right or left directional arrows to make the adjustment.
Adjusting the TOP print offset moves the start of a label legend toward or away
from the leading edge of the label. Adjusting the BOTTOM print offset moves the
end of a label legend toward or away from the trailing edge of the label. Adjusting
the LEFT print offset moves the label legend across the width of the label.

CREATING SERIALIZATIONS
16
The Serialization Tool
The serialization tool is used to automatically number labels in a sequence. The
sequence can be either numeric (1 to 999) or alphabetic (A to ZZZ). A
serialization is defined by a start value, an end value, and a step value.
To correctly define a serialization, the end value must be larger than the start
value and the start and end values must be both numeric or both alphabetic.
(Numbers and letters cannot be used together when defining a particular
serialization.)
The step value can be any number between 1 and 99.
Serializations can be combined with other label items, such as text, boxes, lines,
symbols, etc. For example, to create a prefix or a suffix to a serialization, enter
text immediately before or after the serialization on a line.
Serializations can be printed as text or as bar codes on a label.
Creating a Serialization
The serialization tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the
serialization tool:
1. Press the INSERT key to enter the tools menu.
2. Press the directional arrows to highlight the serialization tool.
3. Press the key to select the serialization tool.
4. Use the up or down directional arrow keys to select the serialization
parameters: Start, End, or Increment.
5. Use the right or left directional arrow keys to set the values for Start, End, or
Increment.
NOTE: Pressing the right directional arrow key will move the cursor to
the current value of the selected parameter. For a new
serialization, the start and end values will display an asterisk *.
After entering a value, pressing will automatically move the
cursor to the next parameter.
6. Repeat step 5 for each parameter.
7. Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the home screen.
Otherwise, press the DEL key to return to Tools menu without accepting
changes.
8. On the home screen, the serialization tool icon will appear at the position
of the cursor.

CREATING SERIALIZATIONS
17
More Serialization Parameters
The serialization tool includes more parameters on a second screen following the
first screen. The second screen includes Copies and Collate. To access the
second screen press the down directional arrow twice after Increment.
1. The Copies parameter determines the number of copies to print for the
serialization. The Copies parameter can be set to any number from 1 to 99.
To change the Copies parameter, press the up or down directional arrow
keys to highlight Copies.
Press the right directional arrow key to move the cursor to the current value
of the Copies parameter. The Copies parameter will default to a value of 1.
Enter the number of copies to print.
Press the key to accept the changes.
2. The Collate parameter determines whether or not the copies of the
serialization items will be collated. The Collate parameter only works when
more than one copy of a serialization is defined. The Collate parameter
defaults to No.
If No is selected, then consecutive copies of the serialization items will be
placed together. The result will resemble the following legend:
If Yes is selected for Collate, then consecutive copies of the serialization
items will not be placed together. The result will resemble the following
legend:
To change the Collate parameter, press the up or down directional arrow
keys to highlight Collate.
A01 A02 A03 A01 A02 A03
A01 A01 A02 A02 A03 A03

CREATING SERIALIZATIONS
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Press the right directional arrow key to select Yes or No.
Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the home screen.
Advanced Serialization Options
The serialization tool includes several advanced options for customizing labels.
The advanced serialization options are Print As and Place On.
1. The Print As option determines whether the serialization will print as text or
as a bar code on the labels. The default setting will print as text. The bar
code settings can be changed in the setup menu. Printing a serialization as
a bar code is useful for asset tracking, component manufacturing, and quality
control.
2. The Place On option determines whether the serialization will print on
consecutive labels or on consecutive pages of the same label. The default
setting will print on labels. Printing a serialization on pages is useful for
creating serialized patch panel labels using die cut network systems label
media, such as P1™cassette part number C252X030FJC.
Editing a Serialization
To edit a serialization on the home screen, move the cursor directly to the left of
the serialization so that the icon is highlighted. Press the SHIFT key and then
press the INSERT key. Follow the steps listed above for creating a serialization.

CREATING SYMBOLS
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The Symbol Tool
The Symbol Tool is used for creating electrical, network, and safety or facility
identification labels.
Creating a Symbol
The symbol tool should be accessed from the home screen. To access the
symbol tool:
1. Press the INSERT key to enter the tools menu.
2. Press the directional arrows to highlight the symbol tool.
3. Press the key to select the symbol tool.
4. Use the right or left directional arrow keys or the PAGE key to search the
symbol library. The PAGE key allows quicker navigation through the symbol
categories. (see the next page for available symbols)
5. Use the up or down directional arrow keys to increase or decrease the size
of the symbol. The default size of the symbol is chosen to match the text
size on the current line.
6. Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the home screen.
Otherwise, press the DEL key to return to the home screen without accepting
changes.
7. On the home screen, the symbol tool icon will appear at the position of
the cursor.
Editing a Symbol
To edit a symbol on the home screen, move the cursor directly to the left of the
symbol so that the icon is highlighted. Press the SHIFT key and then press the
INSERT key.
1. Use the right or left directional arrow keys or the PAGE key to search the
symbol library.
2. Use the up or down directional arrow keys to increase or decrease the size
of the symbol.
3. Press the key to accept the changes and to return to the home screen.
Otherwise, press the DEL key to return to the home screen without accepting
changes.
NOTE: There are 3 sizes available for each symbol. The sizes range from 1
(smallest) to 3 (largest).

CREATING SYMBOLS
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Currently available symbols and their assigned library numbers are listed below.
Additional symbols may be added to the PANTHER™ LS8E firmware in the future.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63