Printronix SLPA7000 User manual

SLPA7000eSmart Label Printer Applicator
User’s Manual

User’s Manual
SLPA7000eSmart Label Printer Applicator

IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION
PRINTER WARRANTY
Printronix warrants to purchaser that under normal use and service, this printer (excluding the
thermal printhead) purchased hereunder shall be free from defects in material and workmanship
for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of shipment from Printronix.
Consumable items such as media and ribbons are not covered under this warranty. This warranty
does not cover equipment or parts that have been misused, altered, or used for purposes other
than those for which they were manufactured. This warranty also does not cover loss, shipping
damage, damage resulting from accident or damages resulting from unauthorized service.
THERMAL PRINTHEAD
Printronix warrants the printhead for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days, or 1,000,000 linear
inches for direct thermal use, or 2,000,000 linear inches for thermal transfer use, whichever comes
first. The warranty does not cover printheads that have been misused, damaged due to improper
cleaning, or damaged due to use of improper ribbons or media.
SUPPLIES
For the nearest Printronix full-service distributor that carries Printronix genuine supplies, please
call [phone] or fax [phone]. Supplies design, specification, and selection are
integral to the development of any computer imaging system. Printronix’s extensive manufacturing
and research capabilities, along with years of experience in the design of printers and their
applications, assures that you will receive the exact materials that you require to maximize the
performance of your Printronix printer. For more information, call the Printronix Customer
Solutions Center at [phone] or access the Printronix website at http://www.printronix.com.
ON-SITE MAINTENANCE SERVICE
Printronix offers on-site support services in the United States. Please contact the Printronix
Maintenance Contracts Group at [phone] for detailed service agreement information.

Model ____________ Setup Values
Software Version ___________________________
Touch-Blo Control ___________________________
Print Mode ___________________________
Apply Mode ___________________________
Print Darkness ___________________________
Machine Type ___________________________
Pinch Roller ___________________________
Random Stroke Delay ___________________________
Cycle Time Delay ___________________________
Cylinder Extend Time ___________________________
Vacuum Delay Time ___________________________
CPU Dip Switch Settings __________________________
Printer Serial Number ___________________________

Communication Notices
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement: This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provided 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 instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.
Properly shielded and grounded cables and connectors must be used in order to meet FCC
emission limits. Printronix is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by
using other than recommended cables and connectors or by any unauthorized changes or
modifications to this equipment. Unauthorized changes or modifications could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Department of Communications Compliance Statement: This Class A digital
apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Avis de conformite aux normes du ministere des Communcations du Canada: Cet appareil
numerique de la classe A est conform á norme NMB-003 du Canada.
European Community (EC) Conformity Statement:
This product is in conformity with the protection requirements of EC Council Directive 89/336/EEC
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.
Printronix cannot accept responsibility for any failure to satisfy the protection requirements
resulting from a non-recommended modification of the product, including the fitting of non-
Printronix option cards.
German Conformity Statement:
Zulassungsbescheinigung Gesetz über die elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit von Geraten
(EMVG) vom 30. August 1995
Dieses Gerät ist berechtigt in Übereinstimmung mit dem deutschen das EG-Konformitätszelchen -
CE - zu führen.
Der Außteller der Konformitätserklärung ist die Printronix......(1)
Informationen in Hinsicht EMVG Paragraph 3 Abs. (2) 2:
Das Gerät erfüllt die Schutzanforderungen nach EN 55022 und EN 55024
Klasse A.

EN 55022 Klasse A Geräte bedürfen folgender Hinweise:
Nach dem EMVG: “Geräte dürfen an Orten, für die sie nicht asreichend entstört sind, nur mit
besonderer Genehmigung des Bundesminesters für Post und Telekommunikation oder des
Bundesamtes für Post und Telekommunikation betrieben werden. Die Genehmigung wird erteilt,
wenn keine elektromagnetischen Störungen zu erwarten sind.” (Auszug aus dem EMVG,
Paragraph 3, Abs. 4) Dieses Genehmigungsverfahren ist nach Paragraph 9 EMVG in Verbindung
mit der entsprechenden Kostenverordnung (Amtsblatt 14/93) kostenpflichtig.
EN 55022: Dieses ist eine Kategorie A Vorrichtung. Betrieb in den Wohnbereichen kann
elektrische Störung verursachen. Es ist die Verantwortlichkeit des Benutzers, passende
Gegenmaßnahmen zu ergreifen.
EN 55024: Begrenzung Werte für Gebrauch in bevölkerten Bereiche, kommerziellen und
Industriegebieten sind innen Übereinstimmung mit den spezifizierten Anforderungen Hinsichtlich
Störfreiheit.Anmerkung: Um die Einhaltung des EMVG sicherzustellen sind die Geräte, wie in den
Handbüchern angegeben, zu installieren und zu betreiben.
This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A Information
Technology Equipment according to European Standard EN 55022. The limits for Class A
equipment were derived for commercial and industrial environments to provide reasonable
protection against interference with licensed communication equipment.
This is a Class A product. In a domestic
environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be
required to take adequate measures.
Warning

Trademark Acknowledgements
Compatibility Software Copyright © 1989 Phoenix Technologies Ltd., All Rights Reserved.
Alien and Alien Technology are registered trademarks of Alien Technology Corporation.
Code V is a trademark of Quality Micro Systems, Inc.
EIA is a registered service mark of the Electronic Industries Association.
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
IGP, LinePrinter Plus, PGL, Printronix, and PSA are registered trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
IPDS is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
LaserJet is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
PCL is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
PhoenixPage PCL 5 is a registered trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems.
PPI1, PPI2, SLPA7000e are trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
Proprinter is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
QMS is a registered trademark of Quality Micro Systems, Inc.
TEC is a registered trademark of the Toshiba TEC Corporation.
Zebra is a registered trademark of Zebra Technologies Corporation.
Copyright 2004, 2005, Printronix, Inc.

9
1 Introduction ......................................................... 15
Printronix Customer Support Center.................................................... 15
To Replace Parts .......................................................................... 15
To Order Parts .............................................................................. 16
Notes And Notices ........................................................................ 16
Manual Conventions ..................................................................... 17
Related Manuals ........................................................................... 17
Overview.............................................................................................. 18
General Operation......................................................................... 18
Operating Specifications ............................................................... 19
Storage, Shipping, & Handling ...................................................... 20
Safety................................................................................................... 21
Warnings And Cautions ................................................................ 21
Operating Precautions .................................................................. 22
Operational Safety ........................................................................ 22
The T5000e Series Label Printer......................................................... 23
Standard Features ........................................................................ 23
Optional Features.......................................................................... 24
Thermal Printer Media................................................................... 25
Ribbons ......................................................................................... 25
Thermal Printer Technology.......................................................... 25
Installing The SLPA ............................................................................. 28
Unpacking Your SLPA .................................................................. 28
Mounting The SLPA ...................................................................... 28
Optional Mounting Accessories..................................................... 29
Mounting The Beacon ................................................................... 29
Air, Power, And Communications Connections............................. 30
Adjusting The Voltage ................................................................... 33
2 Operation ............................................................ 35
Control Panel ....................................................................................... 35
LCD ............................................................................................... 36
Keypad .......................................................................................... 36
Key and Indicator Descriptions...................................................... 38
Pneumatic Control Valves And Gauges........................................ 40
Table Of Contents

10
Table of Contents
Setup ................................................................................................... 41
Removing Label Backing .............................................................. 41
Threading The Label Roll.............................................................. 41
Loading Ribbon ............................................................................. 49
Positioning The Air Jets ................................................................ 52
RFID System Configuration Parameters ............................................. 53
System Adjustments............................................................................ 55
Printhead Pressure Adjustment .................................................... 55
Printhead Pressure Block Adjustments......................................... 56
Positioning The Media Sensors .................................................... 56
Sensing Different Media Types ..................................................... 58
Calibrating The Media Sensors..................................................... 63
Printing And Applying Labels............................................................... 68
Label Application (Positioning) Adjustments ................................. 68
Adjusting The Cylinder Extend Time............................................. 70
The Print And Apply Process ........................................................ 71
3 Configuring The SLPA ........................................ 73
Setting Printer Configuration Parameters............................................ 73
Moving Within The Configuration Menu............................................... 73
Selecting A Menu Option .............................................................. 74
Changing Printer Settings ............................................................. 74
Saving A Configuration ................................................................. 75
Specifying A Power-Up Configuration........................................... 76
Modifying A Saved Configuration.................................................. 77
Printing A Configuration ................................................................ 78
Main Menus ......................................................................................... 82
QUICK SETUP Menu .......................................................................... 87
QUICK SETUP Submenus............................................................ 88
RFID CONTROL Menu........................................................................ 95
RFID CONTROL Submenus ......................................................... 96
Admin User Submenus ................................................................. 99
CONFIG. CONTROL Menu ............................................................... 102
CONFIG. CONTROL Submenus ................................................ 103
MEDIA CONTROL Menu................................................................... 105
MEDIA CONTROL Submenus .................................................... 107
CALIBRATE CTRL Menu .................................................................. 121
CALIBRATE CTRL Submenus.................................................... 122
PRINTER CONTROL Menu .............................................................. 127
PRINTER CONTROL Submenus................................................ 130
DIAGNOSTICS Menu........................................................................ 140
DIAGNOSTICS Submenus ......................................................... 141

Table of Contents
11
ETHERNET ADDRESS Menu........................................................... 144
ETHERNET ADDRESS Submenus ............................................ 145
ETHERNET PARAMS Menu ............................................................. 146
ETHERNET PARAMS Submenus............................................... 147
GPIO CONTROL Menu ..................................................................... 149
GPIO CONTROL Submenus....................................................... 150
Applicator Delay Menu....................................................................... 152
4 Preventive Maintenance ................................... 153
Cleaning............................................................................................. 153
General Cleaning ........................................................................ 153
Cleaning The Printhead, Platen Roller And Media Sensors........ 155
Cleaning Procedure .................................................................... 155
Cleaning The Applicator Pad ...................................................... 156
Cleaning/Replacing The Vacuum Generator............................... 157
Cleaning Schedule ...................................................................... 158
5 Troubleshooting ................................................ 159
Introduction ........................................................................................ 159
What You Should Know About Print Quality ............................... 159
How To Maximize Printhead Life................................................. 159
Troubleshooting At A Glance ...................................................... 160
Start Here .......................................................................................... 161
How To Troubleshoot ........................................................................ 162
Printer Tests................................................................................ 163
To Print A Test Label .................................................................. 163
Troubleshooting Display Messages................................................... 164
List Of Messages ........................................................................ 165
Troubleshooting Other Symptoms ..................................................... 198
General Symptom List................................................................. 198
Communications Failures .................................................................. 218
Troubleshooting A New Installation ................................................... 221
Printer Configuration ................................................................... 221
GAP NOT DETECTED................................................................ 221
PRINT HEAD UP......................................................................... 221
Ribbon......................................................................................... 221
Documentation ............................................................................ 221

12
Table of Contents
6 Replacing Parts................................................. 223
About This Chapter............................................................................ 223
Preparing The Printer For Maintenance...................................... 223
Restoring The Printer To Operation ............................................ 224
Removal And Replacement Procedures............................................ 225
Access Panels............................................................................. 226
Control Panel Assembly.............................................................. 227
Controller PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly)..................... 228
Damper, Media............................................................................ 230
Drive Belt, Platten Rollers ........................................................... 231
Gear, Ribbon Drive, Final............................................................ 232
Gear, Ribbon Drive, Intermediate ............................................... 233
Head Pressure Block Assembly.................................................. 234
Media Sensor Assembly, Lower.................................................. 237
Memory Modules, Flash And DRAM........................................... 239
Motor, DC Ribbon Drive .............................................................. 242
Motor, Stepper ............................................................................ 243
NIC Assembly ............................................................................. 244
Platen .......................................................................................... 248
Power Supply Assembly ............................................................. 249
Printhead Assembly .................................................................... 250
Printhead Cover/Upper Media Sensor ........................................ 252
Resistors, Terminating ................................................................ 253
Rewind (Label Liner Take-Up) Assembly.................................... 255
Security PAL ............................................................................... 256
Sensor, Head Up......................................................................... 258
Spindle Assembly, Ribbon Supply Or Take-Up .......................... 259
Support Assembly, Lower ........................................................... 260
Support Assembly, Upper ........................................................... 261
7 Illustrated Parts Breakdown .............................. 263
Organization Of This Chapter............................................................ 263
Illustrated Parts Breakdown............................................................... 263
Hardware Kit ............................................................................... 316
A Specifications .................................................... 319
Applicator Orientation ........................................................................ 319
Product Distance Variation ................................................................ 319
Application Rate................................................................................. 319
Placement Accuracy.......................................................................... 319
Printing............................................................................................... 320
Media ................................................................................................. 320

Table of Contents
13
Ribbon ............................................................................................... 322
Electrical ............................................................................................ 322
Pneumatic.......................................................................................... 322
Environmental.................................................................................... 323
Physical ............................................................................................. 323
Connections....................................................................................... 324
Communications Interface ................................................................. 324
B Options.............................................................. 325
Expansion Modules ........................................................................... 325
Beacon Package Options .................................................................. 325
Fault/Warning Beacon Package.................................................. 326
Pneumatic Monitor Package ....................................................... 326
Fault/Warning Beacon Package With Interface Module.............. 326
Pneumatic Monitor Package With Interface Module ................... 326
Mounting The Beacon ................................................................. 327
Mounting Accessories........................................................................ 328
U-Arm And Accessories .............................................................. 328
Mounting Stand ........................................................................... 329
Low Label Sensor.............................................................................. 330
Product Sensor .................................................................................. 331
Application Options............................................................................ 333
Cylinder Stroke Lengths.............................................................. 333
Soft Pad ...................................................................................... 333
Random Stroke Sensor............................................................... 333
C Wire Data .......................................................... 335
Circuit Board And Cable Pinouts ....................................................... 335
D Downloading Software ...................................... 351
Flash Memory .................................................................................... 351
Downloading Software Through the Serial or Parallel Port......... 352
Downloading Software Through the NIC..................................... 355
Downloading Optional Fonts to Flash Memory ........................... 358
E Dual NIC Wireless Interface.............................. 361
Installation and Removal ................................................................... 361
Install The Dual NIC Wireless Interface ...................................... 362
Install The Radio Card, Protective Cover, And Antenna ............. 365
Spare Parts........................................................................................ 367

14
Table of Contents
F RFID Encoder and Antenna Assemblies........... 369
Installation And Removal................................................................... 369
Prepare The Printer ........................................................................... 369
Replace The RFID Antenna And Encoder Assemblies ..................... 370
Remove the RFID Encoder Assembly ........................................ 370
Replace The RFID Antenna Assembly ....................................... 372
Install The RFID Encoder Assembly ........................................... 375
Route The Data And Power Cables ............................................ 377
Finish The Installation........................................................................ 378
Error Messages ................................................................................. 379
Troubleshooting................................................................................. 380
Spare Parts........................................................................................ 381

15
1Introduction
CAUTION Thoroughly review this manual before attempting to install, set up, and
operate the SLPA.
Printronix Customer Support Center
The Printronix Customer Support Center offers technical support with:
•Installation
•Configuration and setup
•Operation and supplies loading
•Specifications of the proper print media and ribbon
•Answers to post-sale service support questions
Call the Printronix Customer Support Center at:
[phone] in the Americas
(31) 24 6489 489 in Europe, Middle East, and Africa
(65) 654 84114 in Asia Pacific
or visit the Printronix web page at www.printronix.com
http://www.printronix.com/public/servicesupport/default.aspx
To Replace Parts
1. Go to Chapter 6, page 223.
2. Find the removal procedure for the part.
3. Read the entire procedure
before you start and make sure you
understand all notes and notices, which are defined on page 16.
4. Gather the tools you will need.
5. Do the procedure.

16
Chapter 1 Printronix Customer Support Center
To Order Parts
Go to the Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) on page 263, which contains
drawings of all printer assemblies. Next to each illustration is a list of the parts
shown and their part numbers. When locating parts, note the following:
•If a part number is listed you can order that part or assembly. If a
component is part of a field kit, order the kit.
•Parts marked “Ref” (reference) are not spared or are part of another
assembly.
•Part numbers are not listed for common fasteners.
•In illustrations, magnified details are shown with locator arrows and
letters:
•Assemblies you can order as kits are shown in the following manner:
Notes And Notices
For your safety and to protect valuable equipment, always read and comply
with information highlighted under the following special headings:
WARNING A warning describes conditions that can harm you as well as damage
the equipment.
CAUTION A caution describes conditions that can damage the printer or related
equipment.
IMPORTANT Information vital to proper operation of the printer.
NOTE: Helpful and timesaving tips about printer operation and maintenance.
A
A
This arrow points to an area . . . that is magnified here, on
the same page or a
subsequent page.
90
85
80
87
To get item 80, 85, or 87, for
example, order item 90, which
is a kit containing all these
parts.

Manual Conventions
17
Manual Conventions
•Control panel keys are printed in bold, uppercase letters.
Example: Press the PAUSE key to take the printer offline.
•Control panel keys are often shown by their symbol or icon (located on
the control panel directly below the key).
Example: Press the ↵to select it.
•Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) messages are printed in uppercase letters
inside quotation marks ( “ ” ).
Example: When “OFFLINE” appears on the LCD, you may release the
PAUSE key.
•LCD fault messages display the specific fault in uppercase letters on the
top line. A corrective action in upper and lowercase letters displays on the
bottom line.
Example: PAPER OUT
Load Paper
•Key combinations (pressing keys at the same time) are indicated by the
+(plus) symbol.
Example: Press ↓+ ↵to unlock the ↵key.
Related Manuals
This manual does not explain how to install, operate, configure the printer, or
how to program application software for operation with the printer. That
information is in the following manuals, available online at www.printronix.com:
•T5000 Thermal Printer User’s Manual
•T5000 Quick Reference Manual
•T5000 Maintenance Manual
•Network Interface Card User’s Manual
•Online Data Validator User’s Manual
•IGP®/PGL Emulation Programmer’s Reference Manual
•IGP®/VGL Emulation Programmer’s Reference Manual
•IPDS™ Programmer’s Reference Manual
•LinePrinter Plus®Emulation Programmer’s Reference Manual
•Printer Protocol Interpreter 1.0 (PPI1™) Programmer’s Reference Manual
•Printer Protocol Interpreter 2.0 (PPI2™) Programmer’s Reference Manual

18
Chapter 1 Overview
Overview
General Operation
Figure 1. SLPA Dimensions
This document contains information and instructions for the Printronix Smart
Label Printer Applicator (SLPA). The SLPA can print label patterns up to 4.1
inches (104 mm) wide and applies them by means of a pneumatic applicator
system, although optional methods of applying the label are available by
design. The
User’s Manual contains information on setup, operation, and
menu configurations, as well as adjustments and basic maintenance
procedures the operator can perform.
The SLPA is both a direct thermal and thermal transfer label printer. The
SLPA can be positioned for top, side, or bottom applications and mounted
using the mounting holes in either the base or sides.
NOTE: Specify the orientation of the SLPA when ordering. If the system is to
be used for bottom applications, custom work may be needed.
The SLPA is an integrated unit composed of the following modules:
•Label printer engine
•Label apply system
•GPIO control system
•Control panel (comprised of air controls, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),
touch keypad/display, and air pressure gauges)
•Label supply
•Backing rewind system
These systems are packaged into a metal frame with an aluminum cover
enclosing the rest of the system. The metal frame is used for component
mounting, and all system controls are located on this frame.

Operating Specifications
19
Operating Specifications
Operating Environment
The SLPA is designed for general use in warehouse and industrial
environments. It should not be exposed to liquids or damaging chemical
vapors, and will function properly in environments with an ambient
temperature between 40oto 100oF (4oto 38oC). Minimizing unnecessary
exposure to dirt and dust is also recommended.
NOTE: Optional enclosures may be purchased to protect the products in
unusually harsh environments.
Power Requirements
A properly grounded, dedicated line supplying either:
115 VAC +10%, single phase @ 50 - 60 Hz
or
230 VAC +10%, single phase @ 50 - 60 Hz.
CAUTION It is recommended that you isolate the SLPA from its power supply by
means of a surge suppressor to minimize any potential damage to the
equipment.
A suppressor which limits voltage to 400V and has a response time of
1-5ns is highly recommended.
Air Supply
The applicator system works with a regulated 80 to 100 psi (550 to 690 kPa)
air supply that is dust and oil free. A filter is provided that is equipped with a
mist separator to remove any condensation that builds in the line.
CAUTION The pneumatic supply line should also be dedicated to maintain the
appropriate pressure range, thereby providing relief against excess
pressure. Providing such protection should prevent the supply pressure
from exceeding 135 psi (931 kPA).

20
Chapter 1 Overview
Storage, Shipping, & Handling
Storage
•Store the SLPA in a clean dry area.
•Storage temperatures should be between -40oto 150oF (-40oto 65oC).
•Do not store the SLPA with labels or printing ribbon installed.
•Store the SLPA in its original packaging if possible.
Shipping
•Observe storage conditions when shipping. Retain the shipping materials
if the SLPA is intended to be moved from site to site.
•If the original packing is not available, ensure sufficient padding/
protection for the printhead, applicator, label rollers, and rear cover.
•Carefully inspect the SLPA packaging upon receipt. If damage from
dropping, crushing, or punctures occurred, contact the carrier directly and
specify the nature of the damage.
Handling
•When handling the SLPA, do not rest or pivot it such that pressure may
be applied to the printhead assembly.
•Do not lift or pull the SLPA by gripping the applicator pad, the pneumatic
tubing, the printhead assembly, or any of the rollers which are located on
the front of the it.
NOTE: It is possible to manually position the applicator pad. Ensure that the
applicator pad is in the full up position to prevent any damage from
occurring when the SLPA is moved.