Rice Lake SURVIVOR SST3 Installation and operating instructions

109181
SURVIVOR SST3
Direct Thermal Label Printer
Operation & Service
Manual
®TM

i
Contents
About This Manual ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 General Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1.1 Connecting the Interface Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1.2 Split Communications Cable Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.3 Loading Labels into the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.1.4 Label Peel and Present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.1.5 Auto Sense Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.2 Washdown Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.0 General Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 17
2.1 General Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.2 Cleaning the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.3 Cleaning the Platen Roller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.4 Cleaning the Peel Off Roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.0 Parts Replacement .................................................................................................................... 19
3.1 Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.2 Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3 Printhead Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.4 CPU Board Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.5 Replacement Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.0 Communications........................................................................................................................ 23
4.1 Parallel Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.2 Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.2.1 Setting up the Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.4 Communicating to RLWS Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.5 Printer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.5.1 Serial Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.5.2 Configuring Label Format in an RLWS Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.5.3 Gross Weight Label Format Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.0 Options ....................................................................................................................................... 27
5.1 Heater Kit Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.1.1 Heater Fuse Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.1 Wireless Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.0 Specifications............................................................................................................................ 45
SURVIVOR®SST3TM Limited Warranty...................................................................................................... 46
Technical training seminars are available through Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
Course descriptions and dates can be viewed at www.ricelake.com or obtained
by calling 715-234-9171 and asking for the training department.
© 2010 Rice Lake Weighing Systems. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
Specifications subject to change without notice. January 2010

Introduction 1
About This Manual
This manual is intended for use by technicians responsible for setting up and servicing the SURVIVOR®SST3TM
printer. Along with this manual, the Datamax®M ClassTM Mark II Operator’s Manual (RLWS PN 77562) is on a
CD-ROM and accompanies the SST3. It gives an overview of the operation, calibration, and in-depth
maintenance of the printer. (The Datamax manual can also be viewed or downloaded at the RLWS web site at
www.ricelake.com.)
The following service procedures are intended to instruct you on how to:
• Understand features and specifications of the SST3.
• Set up communications parameters.
• Perform general printer maintenance.
Great care should be taken when opening and closing the SST3 enclosure to ensure that fingers and
cables are not in the way of the enclosure cover.
Some procedures described in this manual require work inside the printer enclosure.
These procedures are to be performed by qualified service personnel only.
Authorized distributors and their employees can view or download this manual from the
Rice Lake Weighing Systems distributor web site at: www.ricelake.com.
1.0 Introduction
The SURVIVOR SST3 is a high-performance, high-speed direct thermal and optional thermal transfer industrial
washdown label printer.
Features include:
• Print speed of up to 10 inch per second (254 mm/sec).
• Common bar codes are resident in SST3 memory and can be printed with or without adjacent human
readable bar code interpretations.
• Character fonts can be printed in any one of four directions and with any one of nine different font sizes.
In addition, a resident smooth font, called CG Triumvirate, can be separately selected and contain 10
different font sizes. By using font multiplication, font size expands vertically and horizontally up to 24
times.
• Connects to most computers and controllers through either RS-232, USB or the Centronics parallel
interface.
• Optional Ethernet and/or wireless network communication.
• Software-selectable printhead temperature, print speed, slew rates and form dimensions provide the
option of storing a wide variety of parameters, thus eliminating the need for manual adjustments. This is
especially helpful when using several different types or brands of label stock, or when switching between
direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.
• Configurable for “one up” printing mode. With the present sensor installed and enabled, the next label is
not printed until the last label printed has been removed from the printer. Quantities of one-at-a-time can
be selected.
Warning
Caution

2SST3 Installation Manual
1.1 General Setup
When setting up the SST3 printer, ensure that the unit is firmly placed on a sturdy, horizontal work surface that
has sufficient work space around the perimeter of the unit. The unit opens towards the front so adequate space
must be made available to allow the user to safely lift the cover of the unit and change out labels as needed.
Because the cover opens to the front, counter depth only needs to accommodate the base footprint of the unit.
The cover does not rest on counter top when open.
Unit should sit on a sturdy surface when the cover is open to prevent tipping. This could
cause injury to the user.
The unit comes with an eight foot power cord. Use appropriate GFI outlet types for the
appropriate environment.
The SST3 printer must be installed near an easily accessible power outlet to allow for quick
disconnect in case of emergency.
Since unit will be used around water, use appropriate grounded outlets (GFI). Not doing so
could cause injury to the user.
1.1.1 Connecting the Interface Cable
The SST3 can be interfaced to a host device via Ethernet, Parallel, Serial and USB ports. Use the appropriate
cable for your application (not included).
Figure 1-1. Various Types of Interface Cables
Front of unit
Warning
Warning
Ethernet Network Cable
USB Cable
Parallel Port Cable
Serial Port Cable

Introduction 3
Following power up, interface port selection occurs automatically upon detection of valid data. If the incoming
data flow stops and the host timeout period is achieved, partially received formats will be ignored and the port
detection process repeated.
Ethernet Connection
The Ethernet interface supports several menu-selectable modes. Depending on the length, the cable should be
Category/Type 3 or better. To order, ask for Rice Lake part number 103372. Installation documentation is
supplied with the interface option.
Parallel Connection
The parallel interface supports directional communications. Choose and connect cabling as follows:
• For uni-directional communication, use a Centronics IEEE 1284 cable with a 36-pin male connector; or
• For bi-directional communication, use an IEEE 1284 compliant cable with a 36-pin male connector (and
supporting host software).
USB Connection
The USB connection cable supports directional communications.
Serial Connection
The serial interface supports RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 communications.
1.1.2 Split Communications Cable Installation
The SST3 printer enclosure comes with a unique cable installation assembly that ensures the interior of the unit
stays moisture free even during washdown conditions. The assembly allows the installer to eliminate the need to
cut cables and still maintain a watertight barrier. Use the following steps to install your cable of choice through
the split communications cable seal.
1. Using a 7/16” socket, remove the four nuts holding the split communications cable plate in place. Take
care in removing the nuts as they could slip and fall down between the plate and the printer enclosure.
Set the nuts aside.
Figure 1-2. Split Communications Cable Assembly in the SST3 Printer Enclosure
Four nuts

4SST3 Installation Manual
2. Pull the SST3 enclosure forward so that it hangs slightly off of table edge to allow access to the bottom
access hole.
3. Remove split communications cable plates by pushing with fingers up through the bottom access hole
from the underside to dislodge the split communications cable plates. Set aside.
Figure 1-3. Remove the Component Parts of the Split Communications Cable Assembly
4. The split communications cable plate is made up of several individual pieces that are shown in Figure
1-4.
Figure 1-4. Component Pieces
5. Ensure the rubber gasket is seated properly in the SST3 printer enclosure.
Figure 1-5. Rubber Gasket
6. Set the main plate over the four studs with recesses around the four holes located downward and press
down.
Clamp plate
Half clamp
plate
Split
communications
cable main plate
O-ring
Split seal
plates
Seal
plug
Large &
small split
seal
gromment
Rubber gasket

Introduction 5
Note: Ensure that the split communications cable main plate is oriented so that the tapered side is facing up
as shown in Figure 1-6. An easy way to tell if the main plate is oriented correctly is to note that the four holes
on the main plate have counter bores which should face down. Refer to Figure 1-6.
.
Figure 1-6. Incorrect and Correct Orientation of Main Plate
7. Pass the communications cable through the printer base and main plate. Make sure that the cable end and
printer communications socket match correctly.
Figure 1-7. Communications Cable Comes Up Through Bottom of Hole
8. Push the entire SST3 enclosure unit back onto the table or other sturdy work surface.
9. Assemble the split seal plates back together with the cable in between (Figure 1-8, left image).
Note: Run finger across the split seal plates to ensure there is no dirt or oil on the surface prior to joining the two
surfaces together.
Note: Make sure the larger diameter hole side is facing upwards as you put the two pieces together.
Figure 1-8. Assemble The Split Seal Plates Together
Ensure that
the larger side
of the tapered
pocket is
facing
upwards when
placing it on
the four studs
Note counter
bore

6SST3 Installation Manual
10. Place the O-ring over the cable end and into the groove around the split seal plates (Figure 1-8, right
image). This will hold the plates together and also offer a watertight barrier.
11. Connect the communications plug to the appropriate connection on the back of the printer.
Figure 1-9. Connect the Communications Cable to the Back of the Printer
12. Carefully push the whole split seal assembly down into the printer enclosure as shown below.
Figure 1-10. Seat the Split Seal Assembly
13. Wrap a split grommet around the cable with the small end of the grommet pointing downwards. Orient
the grommet split to a position that is 90 degrees to the split in the split seal insert and press the grommet
into the tapered hole in the split seal insert. At this time, position the cable to make a 90 degree bend
from the printer.
Figure 1-11. Insert Split Grommet Onto the Split Seal Plates

Introduction 7
14. Place the half clamp plate onto the studs, then place the clamp plate onto the studs with the step facing
down and the half plate nesting in the step of the clamp plate.
Figure 1-12. Place Half Clamp Down on Assembly
15. Press the assembly down and partially tighten the four nuts that hold the entire assembly in place. Once
all the nuts are started, tighten the nuts in a diagonal sequence until all the nuts are tight using a 7/16”
socket and torque wrench. Tighten to 30 in/lb torque.
Warning: Over tightening can break the studs from the base.
Figure 1-13. Tighten Up The Entire Assembly
Figure 1-14. 7/16” Socket and Torque Wrench Used to Tighten Assembly in Figure 1-13
Half clamp plate
Clamp plate - note
the step for the
half plate