SATO GT400 series User manual

1
Safety precautions
This chapter describes safety measures in using the printer.
Please read carefully before using the printer.
▲About the pictograms
This instruction manual uses various pictograms so that you can operate the printer safely, and prevent
damage or injury. The indications and meanings are as follows. Please understand the description
before reading the instruction.
It indicates a case where neglecting this indication and erroneous use may
lead to death or serious injuries.
It indicates a case where neglecting this indication and erroneous use may
lead to injuries or only to property damage.
The sign means “what to be careful about.” Specific point to be careful about is described
in the sign (the sign on the left cautions for electric shock).
This sign means “what must not be done.” The specific prohibited point is described in or
near the sign (the sign on the left prohibits disassembly).
The sign means “what must be done.” The specific point to heed is described in the sign
(the sign on the left tells you to pull out the plug from the outlet).
Warning
Caution
Examples of the indications
Warning
• Do not put it in unstable places such as
shaky table, slanting or vibrating place.
It may cause the equipment to drop or
fall, leading to injuries.
• Do not put containers such as a vase or
glass, holding water or chemicals, or small
metals around the printer. In case water
should be spilled or a metal should fall
inside, immediately turn off the power,
pull out the plug of the power cable from
the outlet, and contact a sales outlet,
dealer, or service center. In this case,
continued use of the printer may cause a
fire or electric shocks..
■Do not put it in an unstable place
■Do not put containers holding water, etc.
• Do not insert or drop anything metallic or
flammable into the openings of the printer
(the cable outlet or mounting hole of the
memory cartridge). In case a foreign
object should get inside, immediately turn
off the power, pull out the plug of the
power cable from the outlet, and contact a
sales outlet, dealer, or service center. In
this case, continued use of the printer may
cause a fire or electric shocks.
• Do not use any other voltage but the
specified power voltage (AC240V).
Otherwise, it may cause a fire or electric
shocks.
■Do not put foreign objects inside
■Use it only in the specified voltage
First edition: November 15, 2004 Q00940000
C
2004 Sato Corporation

2
Warning
• Be sure to connect the ground cable to the
ground of the printer. If the ground cable
is not connected, the printer may cause
electric shocks.
• Do not damage, break, or process the
power cable. Also, putting heavy objects
on it, heating or pulling it may damage
the power cable and cause a fire or
electric shocks.
• When the power cable is damaged
(exposure of cable conductors,
disconnection, etc.), contact a sales outlet,
dealer, or service center. In this case,
continued use of the printer may cause a
fire or electric shocks.
• Do not process, forcibly bend, twist, or
pull the power cable. If you keep using it,
it may cause a fire or electric shocks.
• When the printer is dropped or damaged,
immediately turn off the power, pull out
the plug of the power cable from the
outlet, and contact a sales outlet, dealer,
or service center. In this case, continued
use of the printer may cause a fire or
electric shocks.
■Be sure to ground
■How to handle the power cable
■When it is dropped or damaged
• If abnormality such as smoke or peculiar
smell from the printer should occur,
continued use of the printer may cause a
fire or electric shocks. Immediately turn
off the power, pull out the plug of the
power cable from the outlet, and seek
service from a sales outlet, dealer or
service center. Customers should never
try to fix it on their own, because it is
dangerous.
• Do not disassemble or alter the printer.
It may cause a fire or electric shocks.
Ask a sales outlet, dealer, or service
center for checking, adjusting, or
repairing the inside of the printer.
• Do not insert a hand or objects to the
cutter. It may cause injuries.
• The head cleaning liquid is flammable.
Never heat it or throw it in fire.
• Keep it out of children’s reach to avoid
accidental consumption. Should this
occur, consult a doctor immediately.
■ Do not use the printer when it is in trouble
■Do not disassemble it
■Cutter
■Handling head cleaning liquid
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in
a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

3
Caution
• Do not operate the power switch or
handle the power cable with a wet hand.
Operating or handling with a wet hand
may cause electric shocks.
• Do not put heating equipment close to the
power cable. Otherwise, the coating of
the power cable may melt and cause a fire
or electric shocks.
• When pulling out the power cable from
the outlet, be sure to hold the plug.
Pulling it out by holding the power cable
may result in exposure of the cable
conductor or disconnection, and cause a
fire or electric shocks.
• When opening/closing the cover, beware
of getting your fingers caught. Also, hold
the opening/closing cover well so that it
may not slip and fall.
■Power supply
■Power cable
■Cover
• When opening/closing the printer head,
be careful not to catch any other foreign
objects but paper. It may cause injuries or
damage to the printer.
• When setting the roll paper, be careful not
to catch your fingers between the paper
and the feed.
• Be careful not to hurt yourself when
detaching the back cover of the fanfold
through hole and attaching it.
• Simplified cutter is structured as a blade.
Be careful not to cut yourself.
• If the printer is not used for extended
periods of time, disconnect the power
cable for safety.
• When maintaining or cleaning the printer,
first disconnect the power cable for
safety.
■Opening/closing the printer head
■Setting the paper
■During extended periods of non usage
■Simplified cutter
■Maintaining/cleaning
• After printing, the printer head is hot.
When replacing paper or cleaning
immediately after printing, be careful not
to burn yourself.
• Touching the edge of the printer head
may cause injuries. When replacing paper
or cleaning, be careful not to hurt
yourself.
• Beware of injuries, burn injuries, or
electric shocks when replacing the printer
head.
■Printer head
• Do not put the printer in a humid or
condensing place. If condensation forms,
immediately turn off the power, and do
not use it until the condensation
disappears. If you use it with
condensation, it may cause electric
shocks.
■Avoid humid storage areas
• When moving the printer, be sure to pull
out the plug of the power cable from the
outlet, and check that the external cable
has been disconnected. Moving the
printer with the cable connected may
damage the cables, and cause a fire or
electric shocks.
• Do not move the printer with the paper
set. The paper may fall, leading to injuries.
• When putting the printer on the floor or a
table, be careful not to catch your foot or
fingers under the printer.
■When moving the printer

4
Notes on installation and handling
When installing and handling the printer, note the following points.
▲Installation Tips
Place the printer in a level place
If installed in a rough
or slanting place,
quality printing will not
be available. It may
cause malfunction and
shorten the life of the
printer.
Do not place it near cranes or
compressors
Equipment using large capacity of electricity, such
as cranes and pressing machines, may cause
electric noise or undervoltage. Since it may cause
malfunction, do not place this
product near that kind of
equipment.
Use a stable platform
Use a stable platform.
Also, do not carry the
printer with the roll
paper set, and do not
rock the printer.
Avoid high heat and humidity
Do not install it in a place
where it is high in
temperature and humidity.
High temperature and
humidity may cause
malfunction.
Avoid direct sunlight
Since this product is
installed with optical
sensors, direct sunlight
may cause erroneous
operation. Ensure that the
cover is closed when
printing.
Avoid dust
Dust may deteriorate the
quality of printing.
It may not only cause
malfunction but shorten
the life of the printer.
When installing this product, note the following points.
Always connect the ground cable
If there is not a grounding facility, please have it
installed.
Supply electricity from the source
Do not supply electricity from the same power
source as electric appliances, which consume a
lot of power, such as a heater or refrigerator, or a
power source nearby. It may cause malfunction
due to undervoltage of the
power supply.
This product requires the alternator
of AC100-240V.
▲Power supply

5
Printer
Cushion
Box
Unpacking the printer
This section describes the contents of the product.
First, unpack the printer and check the contents.
* The shape of cushioning material (cushion holding the printer)
may be different.

6
Names of various parts
▲Printer main body
Operation panel
There are a display to show
messages, two buttons for
operation, and five LEDs
showing the condition of
the printer.
Operation panel cover
There are various operation
buttons, adjusting volumes,
etc. inside.
Roll paper feeder
Roll guide lever
Roll guide
Main cover
Main cover
Front cover
Ribbon take-up reel
Front cover
Power switch
Used to turn on/off the
power. Pushing the I side
turns on the power, and
pushing the ○side turns
off the power.
Head close lever
Ribbon feeder
Head open lever
Head pressure
adjustment knob

7
Mini LAN interface
card (optional)
AC input power terminal
(Power supply connector)
Insert the power cable to supply power to the printer.
Interface card (optional)
Select one from IEEE 1284,
fast RS-232C, USB, LAN,
and wireless LAN.
EXT connector (optional)
External signal interface
Power cable hook
A groove for hooking the
power cable.
How to remove the cable cover
Press the catch of the cable cover,
slide it sideways, and remove.
Cable cover

8
Head close lever
Label guide handle
Head open lever Fanfold cover
Label guide
Maintenance
screw
Stopper
screw
Label guide handle
Label damper
Paper sensor
Label damper
stopper
Memory cartridge
Tilt the knob of the
memory cartridge cover
inside and remove the
memory cartridge cover.
Printer head (consumable)
The component that transfers
heat to the ribbon or media for
printing. Maintain periodically.
Platen roller (consumable)
Feeds the paper.
Maintain periodically.

9
Screwdriver for adjusting
the volume
▲Operation panel
Icons, operation messages, and error messages are displayed.
LED
The status of the printer is shown.
POWER
Lights up when the power is on.
ONLINE
Lights up when communication
is available. Flashes when
communication fails.
STATUS
When an error occurs, it lights
up and flashes. When the printer
is receiving/sending data, the
Status LED flashes.
LABEL
When a paper error occurs, this
indicator lights up and flashes.
RIBBON
When a ribbon error occurs, this
indicator lights up and flashes.
・ ・ ・ 
Operation buttons
The status of the printer is shown.
FUNCTION
With each setting mode, you
can return to the mode selection
screen.
In each setting mode, values are
input, and the cursor moves.
ENTER
Confirms the choice of a
selection or value.
CANCEL
Cancels printing data. In each
setting mode, you can return to
the previous setting item.
Display
Icons, operation messages, and error
messages are displayed.
LINE button
For switching between start/stop of printing and
on/off of data receiving/sending.
FEED button
For feeding of paper. When it is pressed once,
equivalent of a sheet of paper is sent out.
*There are times when the paper is not aligned to
the proper position, such as when the power is
turned on or the paper is set. At this time, always
press the FEED button to align the paper to the
proper position.
Adjustment volume
Volume for service adjustment.
Unless otherwise specified, do
not change it.
Buzzer volume
For buzzer volume adjustment
PITCH
For adjusting print position
OFFSET
For adjusting the stop
positions of the cutter, peeling,
and tear off.
DARKNESS
For adjusting printing density.

10
Turning on the power
The setting procedure of the power cable and interface cable will be described.
Setting the power supply and interface cable
After installing the printer, set the power supply and interface cable as shown below.
▲Power cable and interface cable
Press the catch of the cable cover, slide it
sideways, and remove.
Connect the interface cable to the PC.
The shape of the attached plug is the
3-prong type, as shown in the illustration.
One of the three pins of the 3-prong type
plug is for the ground.
Pass the power cable and interface cable
through the hook, and take it out from
beneath.
When inserting the power cord and interface
cable into the printer, check the inserting
direction.
When inserting it into the printer, hold the
printer with one hand and insert.
Press the catch of the cable cover, slide it
sideways, and remove.
Interface
cable
Power cable
Hook
Catch of the
cable cover
Power
cable
Power outlet
Cable cover

11
Turning on the power
Turn on the power with the switch on the front side of the main body. Press the side with “|”.
When the power is turned on, the POWER lamp will light, and “ONLINE” will appear on the display.
• Do not operate the power switch or insert/ pull out the power cable with wet hands. Otherwise, electric
shocks may occur.
ONLINE
QTY:000000
When the power outlet is 2-prong type, use
the attached 2-prong adapter, and insert into
the power outlet.
Always connect the grounding cable to
the ground. Otherwise, electric shocks
may occur.
Insert the attached power cable first to the main body, and then to the power outlet.
▲Power cable and outlet
Warning
Caution
Power outlet
Ground
Grounding
cable
Power
outlet
side
Power outlet
Power outlet side Power cable
To main
body
Main body side
ON OFF

12
Turning off the power
After checking that the printer operates normally, turn off the power.
Do not suddenly turn it off. Check the following points to see if the power can be safely turned off.
When turning off the power, check that it is OFFLINE.
If “ONLINE” is shown on the display, it is ONLINE.
Make it OFFLINE. Press the LINE button.
“OFFLINE” will appear on the display as below.
▲Check before turning off the power
Make it offline

Always perform the following before turning off the power.
When you press the FEED button, the paper will be ejected.
Cut off the sent paper.
Hold the paper, and lightly pull the
paper diagonally downward (for
standard model).
ONLINE
QTY:000000
OFFLINE
000000
How to cut the paper
Label
(twist it a little)
Tear off blade

13
GT400 series Basic specifications
The following is an abbreviated list of the GT400 series specifications. For a complete listing,
please refer to Section 1 of the Operator and Technical Reference Manual.
Model: GT408e/412e/424e
Print Mothod: Thermal Transfer or Direct Thermal
Resolution: 203/305/609dpi 8dpmm/12dpmm/24dpmm
Max. Media Width: 5.0'' 128mm
Max. Print Width: 4.1'' 104mm
Max. Print Length: 98.4/59.1/15.7'' 2500/1500/400mm
Max. Print Speed: 12/12/6ips 300/300/150mm/s
Physical Size: 10.7''W x 17.9''D x 12.0''H 271mmW x 455mmD x 305mmH
Welght: 30.9lbs 14kg
Max.Media Roll OD: 10.4'' 265mm(3-inch paper tabe)
Label Sensing: Eye-Mark, Gap, Notch or None
Ribbon: 1475ft 450m
Power: 100-240VAC, 3-1.5A, 50/60Hz
Environmental: Operating: 32°to 104°F(0°to40°C)
 Storage: 0°to104°F(-20°to40°C)
 RelativeHumidity: 30to80%noncondensing