SATO LC400e Series User manual

Operator Manual
For printer model:
LC400e Series

Copyrights
Any unauthorized reproduction of the contents of this document, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited.
Limitation of Liability
SATO Corporation and its subsidiaries in Japan, the U.S. and other countries make no representations or
warranties of any kind regarding this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. SATO Corporation shall not be held responsible for errors
contained herein or any omissions from this material or for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential, in connection with the furnishing, distribution, performance or use of this material.
Specifications and contents in this document are subject to change without notice.
Trademarks
SATO is a registered trademark of SATO Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries in Japan, the U.S. and
other countries.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States.
QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Version: GBS-LC400e-r01-02-05-17OM
© 2017 SATO Corporation. All rights reserved.

Safety Precautions
LC400e Series Operator Manual Page i
Safety Precautions
This section describes how to safely operate the printer. Be sure to read and understand all instructions carefully before
you install and use the printer.
Pictographic Symbols
This operator manual and the printer labels use a variety of pictographic symbols. These symbols show the safe and correct
operation of the printer and how to prevent injury to others and property damage. The symbol explanations are as follows.
Warning
Ignoring the instructions marked
by this symbol and erroneously
operating the printer could result
in death or serious injury.
Caution
Ignoring the instructions marked
by this symbol and erroneously
operating the printer could result
in injury or property damage.
Warning
Do not set on an unstable area
• Do not set on an unstable
area, such as a wobbly table
or slanted area or an area
subject to strong vibration. If
the printer falls off or topples
over, it could injure someone.
Do not place containers full of water
or other liquid on the printer
• Do not place flower vases,
cups, or other containers
holding liquids, such as water
or chemicals, or small metal
objects near the printer. If they
are spilled and get inside the
printer, immediately turn off
the power switch, unplug the
power cord from the outlet,
and contact your SATO
reseller or technical support
center. Using the printer in this
condition could cause a fire or
electric shock.
Do not put objects inside the printer
• Do not insert or drop in metal
or burnable objects inside the
printer’s openings (cable
outlets, etc.). If foreign objects
do get inside the printer,
immediately turn off the power
switch, unplug the power cord
from the outlet, and contact
your SATO reseller or
technical support center.
Using the printer in this
condition could cause a fire or
electric shock.
Do not use other than the specified
voltage
• Do not use other than the
specified voltage. Doing so could
result in fire or electric shock.
Always ground the connections
• Always connect the printer’s
ground wire to a ground. Not
grounding the ground wire
could result in electric shock.
Handling of the power cord
• Do not damage, break, or
modify the power cord. Also,
do not place heavy objects on
the power cord, heat it, or pull
it because doing so could
damage the power cord and
cause a fire or electric shock.
• If the power cord becomes
damaged (core is exposed,
wires broken, etc.), contact
your SATO reseller or
technical support center.
Using the power cord in this
condition could cause a fire or
electric shock.
• Do not modify, excessively
bend, twist, or pull the power
cord. Using the power cord in
such a condition could cause a
fire or electric shock.
When the printer has been dropped or
broken
• If the printer is dropped or
broken, immediately turn off
the power switch, unplug the
power cord from the outlet,
and contact your SATO
reseller or technical support
center. Using the printer in this
condition could cause a fire or
electric shock.
Do not use the printer when some-
thing is abnormal about it
• Continuing to use the printer in
the event something is
abnormal about it, such as
smoke or unusual smells
coming from it, could result in
fire or electric shock.
Immediately turn off the power
switch, unplug the power cord
from the outlet, and contact
your SATO reseller or
technical support center for
repairs. It is dangerous for the
customer to try to repair it, so
absolutely do not attempt
repairs on your own.
Do not disassemble the printer
• Do not disassemble or modify
the printer. Doing so could
result in fire or electric shock.
Contact your SATO reseller or
technical support center to
conduct internal inspections,
adjustments, and repairs.
Example Pictographs
The pictograph means “Caution is required.” A specific
warning symbol is contained inside this pictograph (The
symbol at left is for electric shock).
The pictograph means “Should not be done.” What is
specifically prohibited is contained in or near the pictograph
(The symbol at left means “Disassembly prohibited”).
The pictograph means “Must be done.” What is specifically
to be done is contained in the pictograph (The symbol at left
means “Unplug the power cord from the outlet”).

Safety Precautions
Page ii LC400e Series Operator Manual
Warning
Do not operate with wet hands
• Do not operate the power
switch, connect the power
cord or disconnect the power
cord with wet hands. Doing so
increases the risk of electric
shock.
Using the head cleaning fluid
• Use of flame or heat around
the head cleaning fluid is
prohibited. Absolutely do not
heat it or subject it to flames.
• Keep the fluid out of reach of
children to prevent them from
accidentally drinking it. If a
child accidentally drinks the
fluid, immediately consult with
a physician.
Print head
• The print head is hot after
printing. Be careful not to get
burned when replacing media
or cleaning immediately after
printing.
• Touching the edge of the print
head with bare hands could
result in injury. Be careful not
to become injured when
replacing media or cleaning.
Regarding the cutter
• Do not touch the cutter with
your hands or do not put
something into the cutter.
Doing so could result in an
injury.
Do not use in hazardous locations
• The printer is not explosion
proof certified.
• Do not use in a potentially
explosive environment or
atmosphere.
Caution
Do not place in areas with high
humidity
• Do not place the printer in
areas with high humidity or
where condensation forms. If
condensation forms,
immediately turn off the power
switch and do not use the
printer until it dries. Using the
printer while condensation is
on it could result in electric
shock.
Carrying the Printer
• When moving the printer,
always unplug the power cord
from the outlet and check to
make sure all external wires
are disconnected before
moving it. Moving the printer
with the wires still connected
could damage the cords or
connecting wires and result in
a fire or electrical shock.
• Do not carry the printer with
paper loaded in it. The paper
could fall out and cause an
injury.
• When setting the printer on the
floor or a stand, make sure not
to get your fingers or hands
pinched under the printer feet.
Power cord
• Keep the power cord away
from hot devices. Getting the
power cord close to hot
devices could cause the cord’s
covering to melt and cause a
fire or electrical shock.
• When unplugging the power
cord from the outlet, be sure to
hold it by the plug. Pulling it by
the cord could expose or
break the core wires and
cause a fire or electric shock.
• The power cord set that
comes with the printer is
especially made for this
printer. Do not use it with any
other electrical devices.
Top cover
• Be careful not to get your
fingers pinched when opening
or closing the top cover. Also
be careful the top cover does
not slip off and drop.
Loading media
• When loading media roll, be
careful not to get your fingers
pinched between the media
roll and the supply unit.
When not using the printer for a long
time
• When not using the printer for
a long time, unplug the power
cord from the outlet to
maintain safety.
During maintenance and cleaning
• When maintaining and
cleaning the printer, unplug the
power cord from the outlet to
maintain safety.

Safety Precautions
LC400e Series Operator Manual Page iii
Precautions for Installation and Handling
Printer operation can be affected by the printer environment.
Refer to the following instructions for installation and handling of LC400e series printer.
Select a Safe Location
Power Supply
Place the printer on a surface that is flat and level.
If the surface is not flat and level, this may result in bad
print quality. This may also cause malfunction and
decrease the life span of the printer.
Do not place the printer on a location that
produces vibration.
Giving serious vibration or shock to the printer may
cause malfunction and shorten the life span of the
printer.
Keep the printer out of high temperature and
humidity.
Avoid locations subject to extreme or fast changes in
temperature or humidity.
Do not place the printer in a location subject to
water or oil.
Do not place the printer in a location where it will be
exposed to water or oil. Water or oil entering inside
the printer may cause a fire, electric shock, or
malfunction.
Avoid dust.
Dust build up may result in bad print quality.
Keep out of direct sunlight.
This printer has a built-in optical sensor. Exposure to
direct sunlight will make the sensor less responsive
and may cause the media to be sensed incorrectly.
Close the top cover when printing.
This printer requires an AC power supply.
Be sure to connect the printer to an AC power supply.
Connect the power cord to a grounded power
outlet.
Make sure that the printer is connected to a
grounded power outlet.
Supply a stable source of electricity to the printer.
When using the printer, do not share its power outlet
with other electrical devices that could cause power
fluctuations and performance issues with your
printer.

Table of Contents
Page iv LC400e Series Operator Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1 - 1
1.1 Features of the Printer................................................................................................. 1 - 2
1.2 Unpacking ................................................................................................................... 1 - 2
1.2.1 Included Accessories......................................................................................... 1 - 2
1.3 Parts Identification....................................................................................................... 1 - 3
Installation 2 - 1
2.1 Site Location................................................................................................................ 2 - 2
2.2 Media Selection........................................................................................................... 2 - 2
2.3 How to Load the Media ............................................................................................... 2 - 3
2.3.1 How to Load Media Roll..................................................................................... 2 - 3
2.3.2 How to Load Fan-fold Media.............................................................................. 2 - 5
2.3.3 To Route the Label when Using the Optional Dispenser................................... 2 - 6
2.3.4 To Route the Label when Using the Optional Cutter ......................................... 2 - 6
2.4 How to Load the Carbon Ribbon................................................................................. 2 - 7
2.5 Connections ................................................................................................................ 2 - 8
2.5.1 Cable Connection .............................................................................................. 2 - 8
2.5.2 To Set the Power to On ..................................................................................... 2 - 9
2.5.3 To Set the Power to Off ..................................................................................... 2 - 9
Operation and Configuration 3 - 1
3.1 Operator Panel ............................................................................................................ 3 - 2
3.1.1 Potentiometer Adjustment ................................................................................. 3 - 3
3.2 DIP Switch Settings..................................................................................................... 3 - 4
3.3 Operating Modes......................................................................................................... 3 - 7
3.4 Normal Mode............................................................................................................... 3 - 8
3.5 Advanced Mode ........................................................................................................ 3 - 10
3.6 Card Mode................................................................................................................. 3 - 13
3.7 Service Mode ............................................................................................................ 3 - 15
3.7.1 To Set the Input Threshold Voltage Level for Gap Sensor .............................. 3 - 18
3.7.2 To Set the Input Threshold Voltage Level for I-mark Sensor........................... 3 - 19
3.8 Counter Mode............................................................................................................ 3 - 20
3.9 Test Print Mode ......................................................................................................... 3 - 22
3.10 Default Setting Mode............................................................................................... 3 - 24
3.11 Maintenance Mode.................................................................................................. 3 - 25
3.12 Flash Memory Download Mode............................................................................... 3 - 29
3.13 Boot Download Mode.............................................................................................. 3 - 31
3.14 User Download Mode.............................................................................................. 3 - 33
3.15 Protocol Initialization Mode ..................................................................................... 3 - 34
3.16 Hex Dump Mode ..................................................................................................... 3 - 34

Table of Contents
LC400e Series Operator Manual Page v
Cleaning and Maintenance 4 - 1
4.1 Cleaning the Print Head, Platen and Rollers............................................................... 4 - 2
4.2 Cleaning the Print Head with Cleaning Sheet ............................................................. 4 - 2
4.3 Replacement Procedures............................................................................................ 4 - 3
4.3.1 Print Head Replacement.................................................................................... 4 - 3
4.3.2 Interface Board Replacement ............................................................................ 4 - 5
4.3.3 Fuse Replacement............................................................................................. 4 - 6
4.4 Adjusting Print Quality ................................................................................................. 4 - 7
4.4.1 Adjusting Print Darkness ................................................................................... 4 - 7
4.4.2 Adjusting Print Speed ....................................................................................... 4 - 7
Troubleshooting 5 - 1
5.1 Error Signal Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 5 - 2
5.1.1 More about Head Check Function ..................................................................... 5 - 4
5.2 Troubleshooting Table................................................................................................. 5 - 5
5.3 Interface Troubleshooting............................................................................................ 5 - 7
5.4 Test Print Troubleshooting .......................................................................................... 5 - 8
5.4.1 Hex Dump.......................................................................................................... 5 - 8
5.4.2 Test Label Printing............................................................................................. 5 - 9
Basic Specifications 6 - 1
6.1 Printer Basic Specifications......................................................................................... 6 - 1
Interface Specifications 7 - 1
7.1 Interface Types............................................................................................................ 7 - 1
7.2 RS-232C High Speed Serial Interface......................................................................... 7 - 2
7.2.1 Basic Specifications........................................................................................... 7 - 2
7.2.2 DIP Switch Settings ........................................................................................... 7 - 2
7.2.3 READY/BUSY Flow Control .............................................................................. 7 - 3
7.2.4 X-ON/X-OFF Flow Control................................................................................. 7 - 4
7.3 IEEE 1284 Parallel Interface ....................................................................................... 7 - 5
7.3.1 Basic Specifications .......................................................................................... 7 - 5
7.3.2 Pin Assignments ................................................................................................ 7 - 6
7.3.3 Input and Output Signals ................................................................................... 7 - 7
7.4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface .......................................................................... 7 - 8
7.4.1 Basic Specifications .......................................................................................... 7 - 8
7.4.2 Pin Assignments ................................................................................................ 7 - 8
7.5 Local Area Network (LAN) Ethernet ............................................................................ 7 - 9
7.5.1 Basic Specifications........................................................................................... 7 - 9
7.5.2 DIP Switch Settings ........................................................................................... 7 - 9
7.5.3 Software Specifications .................................................................................. 7 - 10
7.6 External Signal Interface (EXT)................................................................................. 7 - 11
7.6.1 Basic Specifications ........................................................................................ 7 - 11
7.6.2 DIP Switch Setting ........................................................................................... 7 - 11
7.6.3 Pin Assignments ............................................................................................. 7 - 12
7.6.4 Timing Charts .................................................................................................. 7 - 13
7.7 All Interfaces.............................................................................................................. 7 - 15
7.7.1 Receive Buffer ................................................................................................. 7 - 15
7.7.2 ACK/NAK Protocol........................................................................................... 7 - 15
7.7.3 Status4 Return................................................................................................. 7 - 15

Table of Contents
Page vi LC400e Series Operator Manual
Appendix 8 - 1
8.1 Positions of Sensors and Options ............................................................................... 8 - 2
8.2 Operation Mode Selection........................................................................................... 8 - 3
8.3 Base Reference Point ................................................................................................. 8 - 4
8.4 Base Reference Point Adjustment .............................................................................. 8 - 5
8.4.1 Adjustment of Base Reference Point for Printing .............................................. 8 - 5
8.4.2 Adjustment of Option Stop Position ................................................................... 8 - 6
8.5 Information on Media when Using Optional Cutter...................................................... 8 - 7
8.5.1 Cutting of Labels................................................................................................ 8 - 7
8.5.2 Cutting Media with Perforation .......................................................................... 8 - 7
8.5.3 Cutter Replacement........................................................................................... 8 - 7

Section 1: Introduction
LC400e Series Operator Manual Page 1-1
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your investment in this SATO printer product.
This Operator Manual contains the basic information about the installation, setup, configuration, operation
and maintenance of the printer.
A total of eight topics are covered herein, and they are organized as follows:
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Installation
Section 3: Operation and Configuration
Section 4: Cleaning and Maintenance
Section 5: Troubleshooting
Section 6: Basic Specifications
Section 7: Interface Specifications
Section 8: Appendix
It is recommended that you read carefully and become familiar with each section before installing and
maintaining the printer. Refer to the Table of Contents at the front of this manual to search for the relevant
information needed. All page numbers in this manual consist of a section number followed by the page
number within the stated section.
This section assists you in unpacking the printer from the shipping container. You will also be guided through
a familiarization tour of the main parts and controls.
The following information is provided herein:
• Features of the printer
• Unpacking
• Parts Identification

Section 1: Introduction
Page 1-2 LC400e Series Operator Manual
1.1 FEATURES OF THE PRINTER
The SATO LC400e series printers (Thermal transfer or Direct thermal) are complete, high-performance
labeling systems designed specifically for printing labels.
The key features of the LC400e series are:
• Optional interface module (IEEE1284, RS232C, USB (type B) or LAN)
• Cutter, dispenser with liner (backing paper) internal rewinder options
• Easy media loading
• Easy maintenance
1.2 UNPACKING
When unpacking the printer, take note of the following:
1. The box should stay right-side up. Lift the printer out of the box carefully.
2. Remove all the packaging from the printer.
3. Remove the accessory items from their protective containers.
4. Set the printer on a solid, flat surface. Inspect the shipping container and printer for any sign of damage
that may have occurred during shipping. Please note that SATO shall hold no liability of any damage of any
kind sustained during shipping of the product.
Note:
• If the printer has been stored in the cold, allow it to reach room temperature before turning it on.
• Please do not discard the original packaging box and cushioning material after installing the printer. They
may be needed in future, if the printer needs to be shipped for repairs.
1.2.1 Included Accessories
After unpacking the printer, verify that you have the following materials:
User documents
(Quick guide, warranty, etc.)
Cleaning sheet set Ribbon core