TSC 4T520 Series User manual

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USER’S
MANUAL
4T520/ 4T530 Series
4T520P/ 4T530P Series
THERMAL TRANSFER/DIRECT THERMAL
BAR CODE PRINTER

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Copyright Information
The copyright in this manual, the software, and firmware in the printer described
therein are owned by TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd, All rights reserved.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of zenpert. No part of this manual may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose other
than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed written permission of
zenpert.

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Agency Compliance and Approvals
GB 4943.1
GB 9254, Class A
GB 17625.1
此为 A 级产品，在生活环境中，该产品可能会造成无线电干扰，在这种情况
下，可能需要用户对干扰采取切实可行的措施。
IS 13252(Part 1)/
IEC 60950-1
KN 32
KN 35
Important safety instructions:
1. Read all of these instructions and keep them for later use.
2. Follow all warnings and instructions on the product.
3. Disconnect the power plug from the AC outlet before cleaning or if fault happened.
Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Using a damp cloth is suitable for cleaning.
4. The mains socket shall be installed near the equipment and easily accessible.
5. The unit must be protected against moisture.
6. Ensure the stability when installing the device, Tipping or dropping could cause damage.
7. Make sure to follow the correct power rating and power type indicated on marking label
provided by manufacture.
8. Please refer to user manual for maximum operation ambient temperature.
WARNING:
Moving parts. Keep finger or body away from moving parts.
Caution: The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the
printhead to cool.
WARNING:
Remove the power from AC inlet before opening the media cover for cleaning or repairing
faults. After cleaning or fixing faults, media cover closing before power connecting to AC
inlet.

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Contents
1. Introduction..........................................................................................................1
1.1 Product Introduction......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Product Features............................................................................................... 2
2. Operations Overview ...........................................................................................3
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection................................................................................ 3
2.2 Printer Overview................................................................................................ 4
2.2.1 Front View............................................................................................... 4
2.2.2 Interior View............................................................................................ 5
2.2.3 Rear View ................................................................................................ 6
3. Setup.....................................................................................................................7
3.1 Setting up the Printer........................................................................................ 7
3.2 Loading the Ribbon........................................................................................... 8
3.3 Loading the Media........................................................................................... 11
3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels ....................................................................... 11
4. LED and Button Functions ...............................................................................14
4.1 LED Indicator................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Regular Button Functions .............................................................................. 14
4.3 Power-on Utilities............................................................................................ 14
4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration .................................................... 15
4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode..................... 16
4.3.3 Printer Initialization .............................................................................. 19
4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Black Mark
Sensor............................................................................................................ 20
4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor...... 20
4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS .................................................................................... 21
5. Diagnostic Tool..................................................................................................22
5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool................................................................................ 22
5.2 Printer Function .............................................................................................. 23
5.3 Calibrating Media Sensor by Diagnostic Tool................................................24
5.3.1 Auto Calibration.................................................................................... 24
6. Troubleshooting.................................................................................................25
6.1 Common Problems ......................................................................................... 25
7. Maintenance.......................................................................................................28
Revise History........................................................................................................30

1
1. Introduction
1.1 Product Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing zenpert bar code printer.
The 4T520(P) / 4T530(P) series printer features the single motor that is capable of handling
large capacity 300 meters ribbon and large rolls of media inside its sleek design. If the 5”
interior label capacity is not enough, simply add an external media roll mount and the 4T520(P)
/ 4T530(P) series can easily handle 8”OD rolls of labels designed for expensive industrial label
printers.
The moveable black mark sensor design can accept a wide range of label media. All of the
most frequently used bar code formats are included. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any
one of the four directions.
The 4T520(P) / 4T530(P) series printer is built-in the high quality and support various kinds of
media. With flexible firmware design, users can also download the True Type Font from PC into
printer memory for printing labels. Besides the scalable font, it also provides a choice of eight
different sizes of the alphanumeric bitmap font. By integrating rich features, it is the most cost-
effective and high-performance printer in its class!
To print label formats, please refer to the instructions provided with your labeling software; if
you need to write the custom programs, please refer to the TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual
that can be found on zenpert official website.
Applications
oManufacturing & Warehousing
Work in Progress
Item Labels
Instruction labels
Agency labels
oHealthcare
Patient Identification
Pharmacy
Specimen Identification
oParcel Post
Shipping / Receiving
Labels
oSmall Office / Home Office
oRetail Marking
Price tags
Shelf labels
Jewelry tags

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1.2 Product Features
The printer offers the following product features.
Model Name
4T520
4T530
4T520P
4T530P
Resolution
203 dpi
300 dpi
203 dpi
300 dpi
Speed
6 ips
4 ips
6 ips
4 ips
Max. printable width
104 mm
104 mm
104 mm
104 mm
Max. media width
19~118 mm
Min. label length
15 mm
Label thickness
0.06~0.20 mm
Max. OD
127 mm
Inner core
1”
Media wound type
Outside wound
Min. gap length
2 mm
Gap sensor position
Fixed
Min. black mark size
2 mm x 8 mm
Ribbon width
40~110 mm
Ribbon length/OD
300 m, OD 67 mm
Ribbon inner core
1”
Ribbon wound type
Outside wound (ink out)
CPU
ATMEL AT91SAM9G25-CU
DRAM
DDR2 64MB
FLASH
SPI FLASH 16MB
SPI FLASH 128MB
Interface
USB2.0 type B
USB2.0 type B + Ethernet
10/100Mbps
Sensor
Gap sensor
Black mark sensor
Head open sensor
Ribbon end sensor
Buzzer
Standard
Environmental
WEEE、REACH、RoHS
Operation
temperature
0 ~ 40 ℃
Operation humidity
10-90%, non-condensing
Storage temperature
-20 ~ 60 ℃
Storage humidity
5-95%, non-condensing
Option
Cutter
Factory option (China
only)
Internal Bluetooth

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2. Operations Overview
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please
carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain
the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.
Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.

One printer unit
One quick installation guide
One power cord
One external universal switching power supply
One USB interface cable
A pair of 1”ribbon spindles
A pair of 0.5”ribbon spindles
One ribbon paper core
One label spindle with two wings and two 1.5” adaptors
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased
reseller or distributor.

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2.2 Printer Overview
2.2.1 Front View
1. LED indicator & Feed/Pause button
2. Top cover open tab
3. Paper exit chute
3
2
1

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2.2.2 Interior View
1. Printer top cover
2. Ribbon supply spindle
3. Ribbon supply hub
4. Ribbon rewind hub
5. Print head release button
6. Ribbon rewind spindle
7. Fixing tab
8. Media supply spindle
9. Platen roller
10. Gap sensor
11. Black mark sensor
12. Media guide
13. Ribbon cover
14. Print head
15.Cutter (optional)
WARNING
HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS
KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER
BODY PARTS AWAY
OPEN
12
13
15
9
11
10
10
7
6
1
4
5
2
3
8
14

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2.2.3 Rear View
4T520/4T530 model
4T520P/4T530P model
1. Power switch
2. USB interface (USB 2.0/Full speed mode)
3. Power jack socket
4. Ethernet interface (10/100 Mbps)
Note:
The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for
the interfaces availability.
1
2
3
1
2
4
3

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3. Setup
3.1 Setting up the Printer
Place the printer on a flat, secure surface, then follow the steps below:
1. Plug the power cord into the AC power cord socket at the rear of the printer. Then, plug the other
side into a properly grounded power outlet.
2. Connect the printer to the computer with the provided USB cable.
3. Push the power switch on “-” side to open the power of printer.
4. If you would like to watch printer installation videos or download the firmware and software, please
scan the QR code as below for more information.
Note:
* Please switch OFF printer power switch prior to plugging in the power cord to printer power
jack.
* The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for
the interfaces availability.




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3.2 Loading the Ribbon
1. Open the printer top cover by
pressing the top cover open tabs
located on each side of the printer.
1” core:
0.5” core:
2. Insert the paper core to the ribbon
rewind spindle.
Note:
Please follow the direction when
installing the ribbon rewind
spindle.
1” core:
0.5” core:
3. Insert the ribbon roll to the ribbon
spindle.
Note:
Please follow the direction when
installing the ribbon supply
spindle.
R
L
R
L

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4. Push the print head release button to open the print head mechanism.
5. Open the ribbon cover.
6. Insert the ribbon rewind spindle (with
paper roll) and ribbon supply spindle
((with ribbon) to ribbon rewind hub
and rewind spindle hub.
Note:
Insert right side of spindle (marked
“R”) to hub first. Then, insert the
left side (marked “L”) to the hole at
the ribbon mechanism.
OPEN

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7. Pull the leader of the ribbon through
the print head and stick the leader of
the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind
paper core.
8. Turn the ribbon rewind hub until the
ribbon plastic leader is thoroughly
wound and the blue section of the
ribbon covers the print head.
9. Close the print head mechanism with
both hands and make sure the
latches are engaged securely.

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3.3 Loading the Media
3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels
1. Open the printer top cover by
pressing the top cover open tabs
located on each side of the printer.
2. Insert the paper roll into the media supply spindle and use two fixing tabs to fix the
paper roll onto the center of the spindle. (If your paper width is 4”, you can remove
the fixing tabs on both sides of the media supply spindle.)
3. Place the paper roll onto the paper
roll mount.

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4. Push the print head release button to open the print head mechanism.
5. Adjust the black mark sensor if
using black mark label.
Note:
The black mark sensor position is
moveable and the gap sensor is
fixed. Please make sure the gap or
black mark is at the location where
media gap/black mark will pass
through for sensing.
Black mark
sensor
Platen roller
Gap sensor
OPEN

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6. Feed the paper, printing side faces
up, through the media sensor and
place the label leading edge onto
the platen roller.
7. Move the media guides to fit the
label width.
8. Close the print head mechanism
with both hands and make sure the
latches are engaged securely.
9. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected
sensor. (Start the “Diagnostic tool” Select the “Printer Configuration” tab Click
the “Calibrate Sensor” button ) Please refer to section 5.3.
Note:
* Please calibrate the gap/ black mark sensor when changing media.
1
2

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4. LED and Button Functions
This printer has one button and one three-color LED indicator. By indicating the LED with
different color and pressing the button, the printer can feed labels, pause the printing job,
select and calibrate the media sensor, print printer self-test report, reset printer to defaults
(initialization). Please refer to the button operation below for different functions.
4.1 LED Indicator
LED Color
Description
Green/Solid
This illuminates that the power is on and the device is ready to use.
Green/Flash
This illuminates that the system is downloading data from PC to
memory or the printer is paused.
Amber
This illuminates that the system is clearing data from the printer.
Red/Solid
This illuminates printer head open, cutter error.
Red/Flash
This illuminates a printing error, such as head open, paper empty,
paper jam, ribbon empty, or memory error etc.
4.2 Regular Button Functions
1. Feed labels
When the printer is at ready status (Green/Solid), press the button to feed one label to the
beginning of next.
2. Pause the printing job
When the printer is at printing states, press the button to pause a print job. When the printer is
paused the LED will be green blinking. Press the button again to continue the printing job.
4.3 Power-on Utilities
There are six power-on utilities to set up and test printer hardware. These utilities are activated
by pressing FEED button then turning on the printer power simultaneously and release the
button at a different color of LED.
Please follow the steps below for different power-on utilities.
1. Turn off the printer power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3. Release the button when LED indicates with different color for different functions.

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Power on utilities
The LED color will be changed as the following pattern:
LED color Functions
Amber
Red
(5 blinks)
Amber
(5 blinks)
Green
(5 blinks)
Green/Amber
(5 blinks)
Red/Amber
(5 blinks)
Solid green
1. Gap / black mark sensor calibration
Release
2. Gap / black mark sensor calibration,
Self-test and enter dump mode
Release
3. Printer initialization
Release
4. Set black mark sensor as media
sensor and calibrate the black mark
sensor
Release
5. Set gap sensor as media sensor and
calibrate the gap sensor
Release
6. Skip AUTO.BAS
Release
4.3.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration
Gap/black mark sensor sensitivity should be calibrated at the following conditions:
1. A brand new printer
2. Change label stock
3. Printer initialization
Please follow the steps below to calibrate the ribbon and gap/black mark sensor.
1. Turn off the power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3. Release the button when LED becomes red and blinking. (Any red will do during the 5
blinks).
It will calibrate the ribbon sensor and gap/black mark sensor sensitivity.
The LED color will be changed as the following order：
Amber red (5 blinks) amber (5 blinks) green (5 blinks) green/amber (5 blinks)
red/amber (5 blinks) solid green
Note:
Please select gap or black mark sensor by sending GAP or BLINE command to printer prior to
calibrate the sensor.
For more information about GAP and BLINE command, please refer to TSPL/TSPL2 programming
manual.

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4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode
While calibrating the gap/black mark sensor, the printer will measure the label length, print the
internal configuration (self-test) on the label and then enter the dump mode. To calibrate gap or
black mark sensor depends on the sensor setting in the last print job.
Please follow the steps below to calibrate the sensor.
1. Turn off the power switch.
2. Hold on the button then turn on the power switch.
3. Release the button when LED becomes amber and blinking. (Any amber will do during the 5
blinks)
The LED color will be changed as the following order.
Amber red (5 blinks) amber (5 blinks) green (5 blinks) green/amber (5 blinks)
red/amber (5 blinks) solid green
4. It calibrates the sensor and measures the label length and prints internal settings then enter
the dump mode.
Note:
Please select gap or black mark sensor by Diagnostic Tool or by GAP or BLINE command prior
to calibrating the sensor.
For more information about GAP and BLINE command, please refer to TSPL/TSPL2 programming
manual.