SATO Argox I4 Series User manual

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I4 Series Printer
User Manual
http://www.argox.com
ser[email protected]om
Version: 1.3
Date: May 23, 2019

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Liability Disclaimer
Argox Corporation takes steps to assure that the company’s published
engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do
occur. Argox reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims any
resulting liability. In no event shall Argox or anyone else involved in the
creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including
hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including,
without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
out of the use of or the results of use of or inability to use such product,
even if Argox has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
FCC Compliance 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 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 the 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 the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment into a different outlet on a different circuit.
Consult the dealer or an experience Radio/TV technician for help.
This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded
cables must be used with the unit to insure compliance. The user is
cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by
Argox Information Co., Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

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This is a Grade A product. In living environment, the product may cause interference
to radio communications. In this case, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by effective measures.
Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 Argox Information Co., Ltd

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Contents
1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1
1.1 Features.......................................................................................................1
1.2 Unpacking....................................................................................................2
1.3 Understand your printer .............................................................................3
1.3.1 Perspective view ............................................................................3
1.3.2 Back view .......................................................................................4
1.3.3 Interior view...................................................................................5
1.4 Printer control panel ...................................................................................6
1.4.1 Status lights....................................................................................6
1.4.2 Buttons...........................................................................................8
2 Get started .............................................................................................................9
2.1 Attach the power cord ................................................................................9
2.2 Turn on/off your printer............................................................................10
2.2.1 Turn on your printer.....................................................................10
2.2.2 Turn off your printer ....................................................................11
2.3 Load media................................................................................................12
2.3.1 Prepare media..............................................................................13
2.3.2 Placing media roll.........................................................................14
2.3.3 Media types .................................................................................26
2.4 Load Ribbon ..............................................................................................28
2.4.1 Placing Ribbon Roll.......................................................................29
3 Printer operation..................................................................................................32
3.1 Front Panel ................................................................................................32
3.1.1 LCD Function Setting Procedure ..................................................33
3.2 Printing Media Calibration & Configuration .............................................40
3.3 Printing a Configuration Report ................................................................41
3.4 Resetting to Factory Default Settings........................................................51
3.5 Media sensing ...........................................................................................52
3.5.1 Transmissive sensor .....................................................................52
3.5.2 Reflective sensor..........................................................................53
3.5.3 Adjust Position of Label Sensor....................................................53
3.6 Communications .......................................................................................56
3.6.1 Interfaces and Requirements.......................................................56
3.7 Driver installation......................................................................................58
3.7.1 Installing a Plug and Play printer driver (for USB only)................59
3.7.2 Installing a Printer Driver (for other interfaces except USB)........65

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4 Maintenance ........................................................................................................71
4.1 Cleaning.....................................................................................................72
4.1.1 Printhead......................................................................................72
4.1.2 Platen Roller.................................................................................73
4.2 RTC Battery Replacement..........................................................................74
5 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................75
5.1 Printer issues.............................................................................................75
5.2 Media issues..............................................................................................76
5.3 Ribbon issues.............................................................................................77
5.4 Other issues...............................................................................................78
6 Specifications .......................................................................................................79
6.1 Printer........................................................................................................79
6.2 Media & Ribbon ........................................................................................81
6.1 Fonts, Barcodes, and Graphics Specification ............................................82
6.3 Electrical and operating environment.......................................................85
6.4 Physical dimension....................................................................................85
6.5 Wireless LAN(Option)................................................................................85
6.6 Interfaces...................................................................................................88
6.6.1 USB ...............................................................................................88
6.6.2 RS-232C ........................................................................................89
6.6.3 Centronics ....................................................................................90
6.6.4 Ethernet .......................................................................................91

1 Introduction Features
1
1Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an Argox I4 Series industrial barcode printer. This
manual provides information about how to set up and operate your printer,
load media, ribbon and solve common problems. Illustrations are provided
to help you quickly become familiar with the printer.
1.1 Features
￭Fast Print Speed
Max. 8 IPS, fastest print speed in its class.
￭Communication
Standard: Ethernet, dual USB hosts, USB device, and RS-232.
Option: Wi-Fi, GPIO, Parallel, and Buzzer
￭Online management
Web management and SNMP v2 support
￭Duel USB host function
Stand-alone mode of scanner/ keyboard multiple data entry devices
￭New media calibration
Intelli mode & Auto-feed mode & Smart mode

1 Introduction Unpacking
2
1.2 Unpacking
Make sure all of the following items are included in your package.
Printer
Quick Installation
Guide
DVD
USB Cable
AC Power Cord
1” ID Core for Ribbon
When you receive the printer, open the package immediately and inspect for
shipping damage. If you discover any damage, contact the shipping company
and file a claim. Argox is not responsible for any damage incurred during
shipping. Save all package materials for the shipping company to inspect.
Note If any item is missing, please contact your local dealer.

1 Introduction Understand your printer
3
1.3 Understand your printer
1.3.1 Perspective view
Control
panel
Top Access Door
Front Access Door

1 Introduction Understand your printer
4
1.3.2 Back view
WIFI
Optional
Standard
USB Type A
Ethernet
USB Type B
RS232 Serial
Power switch
AC power connector
Parallel port
GPIO

1 Introduction Understand your printer
5
1.3.3 Interior view
Internal Parts and Features
Open Bracket
Head Latch
Paper Sensor
Paper Roller
Thermal Print
Ribbon Pick-up Spindle
Ribbon Supply Spindle
Media Supply Spindle
Bracket
Feed Slot

1 Introduction Printer lights
6
1.4 Printer control panel
There are three lights on the front panel - READY, MEDIA and RIBBON. These
indicators display operation status of the printer. Three Buttons – FEED,
PAUSE, CANCEL can control printer simple function.
1.4.1 Status lights
Status lights help you check printer’s condition. The following tables show
the status lights and the conditions they indicate.
LCD Display READY MEDIA RIBBON Description
READY ON ON ON In the ready mode
PRINT HEAD
HEAT
ON Blinking ON Print head needs to cool down.
COMMAND
ERROR
ON Blinking Blinking A command error was found while
checking the command sequence.
EEPROM
ERROR
ON Blinking Blinking An EEPROM for back-up cannot be
read/written properly.
MEMORY
ERROR
ON Blinking Blinking ∙An error has occurred in writing
data into USB memory or flash
memory.
∙An erase error has occurred in
formatting USB memory or flash
memory.
∙Saving failed because of the
insufficient capacity of USB
memory or flash memory.
∙Firmware update has error.
CANCEL ... Blinking ON ON Press CANCEL KEY to interrupt and
delete a print task

1 Introduction Printer lights
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LCD Display READY MEDIA RIBBON Description
CLEAR FLASH
Blinking
ON
ON
Clear flash memory.
CUTTER
FAILED
Blinking
ON
ON
Cutter has failed, or there is paper
jam inside the cutter.
MEMORY FULL
Blinking
ON
ON
Printer buffer is full caused by the
loaded soft fonts, graphics or
forms.
MEMORY
INITIALIZED
Blinking ON ON
USB Memory is being initialized.
PAUSE Blinking ON ON Printer is in PAUSE status. Media
sensor cannot index label gaps
PRINTHEAD
BROKEN
Blinking ON ON
Head broken error
PRINT HEAD
OPEN
Blinking ON ON
Head latch is not closed.
RESET Blinking ON ON Press CANCEL KEY + POWER ON to
reset NVR table.
SERIAL IO
ERROR
Blinking ON ON The format or baud rate of the
RS232 communication is
inconsistent between the printer
and host.
SELF TEST ... Blinking ON ON Press FEED KEY + POWER ON to
print the self-test label.
UPGRADING
FW.
Blinking ON ON Printer is receiving data
RIBBON OUT Blinking ON Blinking Ribbon is not installed or
end-of-ribbon occurred.
CALIBRATION .
..
Blinking Blinking ON Press PAUSE KEY + POWER ON to
calibrate media.

1 Introduction Printer lights
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LCD Display READY MEDIA RIBBON Description
MEDIA OUT
Blinking
Blinking
ON
Media is not installed or used up.
Printer fails to detect the media
gap. The media sensor is out of
range during calibration. The label
has run out. The last label has been
issued normally and the label has
run out.
PAPER JAM
Blinking
Blinking
ON
A paper jam occurred during paper
feed.
1.4.2 Buttons
There are three buttons, each with two basic functions.
Button Function 1 Function 2
FEED •Feed a label
PAUSE •Pause printing •Press again to resume printing
CANCEL •Interrupt and delete a print task •Force printer to continue after
an error is solved.

2 Get started Attach the power cord
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2Get started
This chapter describes how to set up your printer.
2.1 Attach the power cord
1. Make sure the power switch is set to the OFF position.
2. Place the printer within cable distance of the host and printer (USB or
Serial cable.)
3. Isolate the power cord from other electrical cables.
4. Plug the other end of the AC power cord into the wall socket.
Warning Do not plug the AC power cord with wet hands, or operate
the printer and the power supply in an area where they may get wet.
Serious injury may result from these actions!

2 Get started Turn on/off the printer
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2.2 Turn on/off your printer
When your printer is connected to a host (a computer), it is good to turn on
the printer before turning on the host, and turn off the host before turning
off the printer.
2.2.1 Turn on your printer
1. To turn on your printer, turn on the Power Switch as below. The “I” is the
ON position.
2. READY、MEDIA and RIBBON LED are solid green. Then READY LED turn
off few second while LCD screen shows firmware version. LCD screen will
show Ready to print and READY LED will back to solid green.

2 Get started Turn on/off the printer
11
2.2.2 Turn off your printer
1. Make sure READY、MEDIA、RIBBON are solid green before turning off the
printer.
2. To turn off your printer, turn off the Power Switch as below. The “O” is
the OFF position.
Caution Do not turn off your printer during data transmission.

2 Get started Load media
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2.3 Load media
The I4 Series printers offer three different loading modes: standard, peel-off,
or with a cutter.
•Standard mode allows you to collect each label freely.
•Peel-off mode peels backing material away from the label as it prints. After
the label is removed, the next label prints.
•Cutter mode automatically cuts the label after it prints. There are rotate
cutter and guillotine cutter types to cut media.
Important
The first time to use peel-off mode and cutter mode.
Make sure to enable the PEELER INSTALLED or CUTTER INSTALLED
setting in front panel. For more information about panel setting,
go to CH 3.1.1 LCD Function Setting Procedure.

2 Get started Load media
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2.3.1 Prepare media
The inside wound and outside wound media roll can be loaded into the
printer the same way. In case the media roll is dirty during shipping,
handling or storage, remove the outside length of the media. It helps avoid
dragging adhesive and dirty media between the printhead and platen roller.
Inside Wound Outside Wound

2 Get started Load media
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2.3.2 Placing media roll
Load Media In Standard Mode
1Lift the top cover and front access door to expose the media compartment.
2Insert the media roll into the media supply spindle and move the media guide to
the inside.
Media
Guide
Media Supply
Spindle
Door

2 Get started Load media
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3. Turn the head latch counter-clockwise and open the bracket. Turn the outside
media guide counter-clockwise for media insert.
4. Lead the media through the print head module, under the paper sensor guide
and over the roller.
Print Head
Module
Paper Sensor
Guide Module
Bracket
Outside Media Guide
Head Latch
Roller