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

8SST3 Installation Manual
1.1.3 Loading Labels into the Printer
Use the following steps to load labels into the printer.
1. Make sure printer is sitting on a horizontal surface.
2. Open printer cover by unlocking the hinged latches that are located on both sides of the unit and lifting
the cover to the front of the unit.
Figure 1-15. Hinged Latch Location
3. Open the media cover and lower the media hanger guide (if equipped) and media guide
4. Press in on the printhead latch and raise the printhead assembly.
Figure 1-16. Printhead Loading Sequence
5. Slide the roll media onto the media hub or media hanger. If the printer is equipped with a media hanger,
raise the media hanger guide. The media hanger guide should be pushed inward so that it is just touching
the roll media.
Open the
hinged
latches
1. Printhead Latch
2. Media Guide
3. Media Hanger Guide

Introduction 9
6. Route the media through the printer as shown. Raise the media guide. The media guide should be pushed
inward so that it is just touching the edge of the media.
Figure 1-17. Routing Media Through Printer
7. Close the printhead assembly and press down until it locks into place.
8. Close the cover and press the FEED button several times to position the media and ensure proper
tracking. If the printer does not correctly sense the top of each label, it may be necessary to calibrate the
printer.
Figure 1-18. Printhead Assembly
1. Roll Media
2. Media Hanger Guide
3. Media Sensor
4. Media Guide
1. Printhead Assembly

10 SST3 Installation Manual
Loading Optional Ribbon into the Printer
1. Make sure printer is sitting on a horizontal surface.
2. Open printer cover by unlocking the hinged latches that are located on both sides of the unit and lifting
the cover to the front of the unit.
3. Press in on the printhead latch and raise the printhead assembly.
Figure 1-19. Open Printhead Latch to Load Optional Ribbon
4. Wrap the ribbon around the ribbon hub and rotate the ribbon take up shaft several times to take up all the
slack and remove any wrinkles in the ribbon.
Figure 1-20. Wrap Ribbon Around Ribbon Spool
1. Printhead Latch
Ink Side (CSO
ribbon) Ink Side (CSI ribbon)

Introduction 11
Figure 1-21. Feed Ribbon Through Printer
Figure 1-22. Close Printhead Assembly
Figure 1-23. Latch Printhead Assembly
1. Ribbon Roll
2. Ribbon Supply Hub
3. Ribbon Idler
1. Printhead Assembly
1. Printhead Assembly

12 SST3 Installation Manual
Figure 1-24. Ribbon Take-up Hub Diagram
1. Ribbon Take-up Hub

Introduction 13
1.1.4 Label Peel and Present
Use the following steps to load label peel and present. With this option, labels printed in a batch will
automatically be separated from the backing material and dispensed on demand which means printing will occur
only after a previously printed label has been removed from the printer.
1. Make sure printer is sitting on a horizontal surface.
2. Open printer cover by unlocking the hinged latches that are located on both sides of the unit and lifting
the cover to the front of the unit.
3. Press in the latch to open the mechanism as shown in Figure 1-25.
Figure 1-25. Opening Latch for Peel and Present
4. Swing the mechanism open as shown in Figure 1-25.
5. Load the printer with media.
Figure 1-26. Load Printer With Media
6. Load the media into the printer as you normally would for tear-off operation, however, extend an
additional 12 inches (30 cm) of media out the front of the printer.
7. From this above 12 inches of media, remove all of the labels, so that only the backing material remains.
Press latch mechanism
to open.

14 SST3 Installation Manual
8. Route the backing material under the assist roller and around the internal rewinder as shown below.
Figure 1-27. Route Backing Material Under Assist Roller
9. Put the leading edge of the backing material into a slot on the internal rewinder and insert the media clip.
Be sure the leading edge of the backing material is cut square and that is inserted evenly into the slot.
Figure 1-28. Place Backing Material onto Internal Rewinder
10. Manually rotate the internal rewinder to remove slack from the backing material.
Figure 1-29. Flip Mechanisms Back Down to Secure Labels
11. Flip the holding mechanisms down to secure the labels as shown in Figure 1-29.
12. Plug in and turn “on” the printer. After initialization, press the FEED button to align the next label to the
top of form position. (If a peeled label is presented, remove it to proceed). The printer is now ready for
on-demand use.

Introduction 15
1.1.5 Auto Sense Setup
The present sensor is automatically set up when installed. If necessary to set up at a later time, use the following
steps to set up the auto sense.
1. Access the menu through the front panel of the printer.
Figure 1-30. SST3 Main Display
2. Press through the menu on the front panel until you get to Printer Options.
3. Press the down or up key to access Present Sensor.
4. Enable the sensor.
5. Press the Enter key to save and exit.
Time and Date
Main Display Area
Soft Keys
Menu, Test and Navigation Buttons
Soft Key Labels
Printer Status Line
Current State Icons
Fault
Paused/Stopped
Receiving Data

16 SST3 Installation Manual
1.2 Washdown Procedure
The following instructions must be followed explicitly. Failure to follow these
instructions will result in damage to the contents inside enclosure and/or create a hazardous
condition.
This section describes the general procedure for washdown applications.
1. Unplug power to the printer.
2. Securely latch the main latches on the side of the enclosure.
Figure 1-31. Secure Main Latches
3. Ensure that the label presentation chute cover is securely closed. The label cover tab will be tightened
securely against retaining washer and mounting block.
Figure 1-32. Presentation Chute Location
4. Perform washdown.
5. Dry the outside of the enclosure thoroughly before opening.
6. Open the label presentation chute cover (Figure 1-32) first to relieve any pressure or vacuum that might
be present.
7. Plug the printer back in after the washdown procedure is completed making sure that the power plug is
completely dry after washdown before inserting into a GFI rated outlet.
Warning
Main latches (one on
each side of enclosure)
Presentation chute cover
Mounting block

General Maintenance 17
2.0 General Maintenance
This section describes procedures for general maintenance and cleaning of the SST3 printer.
2.1 General Cleaning
During normal operation, media debris may accumulate around the printer mechanism inside the printer. This
debris should be removed regularly using a soft bristle brush and/or vacuum cleaner.
2.2 Cleaning the Printhead
Foreign particles can collect on the printhead, causing characters or bar codes to appear light or faded. This type
of problem is evidenced by a continuous light streak which appears in the same physical position on each printed
line. This condition should only appear after extensive printer operation or if poor quality paper has been used. It
is recommended that Rice Lake Weighing Systems-supplied labels are used to obtain continuous high quality
printing.
Recommended printhead cleaning intervals:
• Due to abrasion and foreign particle deposits, direct thermal printheads should be cleaned every 50,000
linear inches (approximately eight rolls of labels) (12700m).
• Thermal transfer printheads should be cleaned at least every 250,000 linear inches (approximately 40
rolls of labels).
Printhead cleaning procedure:
1. Unplug printer from the outlet.
2. Open cover. Unlock and raise printhead.
3. Gently wipe underside of printhead burn-line area using a cotton swab moistened (not soaked) with
isopropyl alcohol. Allow to dry.
4. Lower and lock printhead.
5. Close cover. Plug in and turn on printer.
2.3 Cleaning the Platen Roller
Use the following steps to clean the platen roller of the SST3.
1. Turn off and unplug the printer from outlet.
2. Open the cover. Rotate the platen roller.
Figure 2-1. Platen Roller Location
Platen Roller location