TSC Alpha-2R Series User manual

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Alpha-2R
Moblie Barcode Printers
User Manual
Series Lists:
Alpha-2R
Direct Thermal

I
Copyright information
© 2021 TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
The copyright in this manual, the software and firmware in the printer described are owned by TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
All rights reserved.
CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation. CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed font is under license from the Monotype
Corporation. 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 TSC Auto ID Technology Co. 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 TSC Auto ID Technology Co.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Product Specification...................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.2 Printer Optional Featussf .............................................................................................................................................................................3
1.3 General Specifications.................................................................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Print Specifications ......................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.5 Media Specifications....................................................................................................................................................................................6
2. Operation Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Printer Overview ..........................................................................................................................................................................................8
2.2.1 Front View.............................................................................................................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Interior View ..........................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2.3 Rear View............................................................................................................................................................................................10
2.3 Operator Control........................................................................................................................................................................................11
2.3.1 Led Indication and Keys ......................................................................................................................................................................11
2.3.2 Power-on Utilities ................................................................................................................................................................................13
3. Setup...............................................................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Install the Battery.......................................................................................................................................................................................14
3.2 Charge the Battery.....................................................................................................................................................................................15
3.2.1 Charge the Battery ..............................................................................................................................................................................15
3.2.2 Charge by Charger Station (Optional) .................................................................................................................................................17
3.3 Communicate.............................................................................................................................................................................................19
3.3.1 Connecting with the Communication Cable.........................................................................................................................................19
3.3.2 Connecting with Bluetooth (Optional) ..................................................................................................................................................19

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3.4 Loading the Media .....................................................................................................................................................................................20
4. Accessories.....................................................................................................................................................................................................21
4.1 Install the Belt Clip.....................................................................................................................................................................................21
4.2 Install the IP54-rated environmental case with shoulder strap (Optional)...................................................................................................22
4.3 Install the Media Adapter (Optional)...........................................................................................................................................................23
5. TSC Console...................................................................................................................................................................................................24
5.1 Start TSC Console.....................................................................................................................................................................................24
5.2 Set WiFi and Add to TSC Console Interface ..............................................................................................................................................26
5.3 Initialize the Printer WiFi Setting ................................................................................................................................................................29
5.4 Printer Function .........................................................................................................................................................................................30
5.5 Setting Post-Print Action............................................................................................................................................................................31
6. TroubleShooting..............................................................................................................................................................................................32
7. Maintenance....................................................................................................................................................................................................34
8. Angency Compliance and Approvals...............................................................................................................................................................36
9. Revise History.................................................................................................................................................................................................45

1
1. Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing TSC bar code printer.
Enjoy TSC’s reputation for cost-efficient, high durability printers with the Alpha-2R economical printer. The Alpha-2R is a
comfortable, light-weight printer capable of working with any mobile printing application where you need quick, simple
receipts/labels on demand.
Our Alpha-2R is designed for a rough life, inside the IP54-rated environmental case to resist dust and water and with its rubber
over-mold design prepared to take up to a five-foot fall and keep printing.
These small and light printers can be worn comfortably for a full shift, without interfering with the user’s tasks. Use USB or optional
Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless or Serial to connect to a mobile computer or even a smartphone and produce clear easy-to-read
receipts hour after hour.
This document provides an easy reference for operating this printer. TSC printers include the Windows labeling software for
creating your label template. For system integration, the TSPL/TSPL2 printer programming manual or SDKs can be found on TSC
website at: https://www.tscprinters.com.

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1.1 Product Specification
The printer offers the following standard features
Product standard feature
Direct thermal printing (receipts & partial label)
Black mark reflective sensor
Head open sensor
3 operation buttons (On/off, feed/pause, and cover-open buttons)
5 LEDs: 1 for printer states (green or red); 3 for Battery capacity (green or orange); 1 for RF status (blue or green)
Audible alert Programmable buzzer
Mini type USB 2.0 (High speed mode)
64 MB DRAM
128 MB Flash memory
32-bit RISC high performance processor
Eltron® EPL, Epson® ESC-POS, and Zebra® ZPL emulation languages support
Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four directions (0, 90,180, 270 degree)
8 alpha-numeric bitmap fonts
One Monotype Imaging® CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed scalable font
Built-in Monotype True Type Font engine
Downloadable fonts from PC to printer memory
Downloadable firmware upgrades
Text, bar code, graphics/image printing (Please refer to the TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual for supporting code page)
Supported bar code
Supported image
1D bar code
2D bar code
BITMAP,
BMP,
PCX
(Max. 256 colors graphics)
Code128 subsets A.B.C,Code128UCC, EAN128,
Interleave 2 of 5,Code 39,Code 93, EAN-13,
EAN-8, Codabar, POSTNET, UPC-A, UPC-E,
EAN and UPC 2(5) digits add-on, MSI,
PLESSEY, China Post, ITF14, EAN14, Code 11,
TELPEN, PLANET, Code 49, Deutsche Post
Identcode, Deutsche Post Leitcode, LOGMARS
CODABLOCK F mode, DataMatrix,
Maxicode, PDF-417, Aztec, MicroPDF417,
QR code, RSS Barcode (GS1 Databar)

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1.2 Printer Optional Featussf
The printer offers the following optional features.
Features Description
User options
Factory options
Bluetooth V4.0 + EDR
Standard mode ; support SMART READY
○
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
○
Bluetooth V4.2 + MFi ; support SMART READY
○
NFC tag
○
NFC (tag & reader)
○
TSPL-EZ, CPCL or ESC-POS emulation
○
128 MB DRAM memory
○
256 MB Flash memory
○
1 bay battery charger station
○
4 bay batteries charger station
○
Vehicle power adapter
○
IP54-rated environmental case with shoulder strap
○
Mini type USB cable
○
Mini type USB to RS232 cable
○
Li-ion battery
○
Belt strap
○
Fork truck mount
○
Cart mount
○
1"/2"media adapter
○
Linerless mode
○

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1.3 General Specifications
Physical dimensions
89.3 mm (W) 134.5 mm (H) x 56.5 mm (D)
Enclosure
Plastic
Weight (w/ battery)
350g
Electrical
Internal charging capability (battery-in)
12VDC automobile cigarette lighter plug
Auto-switching AC adapter
External charging capability (battery-out)
1 bay battery charger station
- Input: 100 ~ 240VAC
- Output: 12 VDC, 1.5A
4 bay batteries charger station
- Input: 100 ~ 240VAC
- Output: 12 VDC, 1.5A
Note: The printer will automatically turn off when stopping operation after 30 minutes.
Environmental condition
Operation Temperature: -20 ~ 50˚C (-4 ~ 122˚F)
Charging Temperature: 0 ~ 40˚C (32 ~ 104˚F)
Storage Temperature: -30 ~ 70 ˚C (-22 ~ 158˚F)
Relative Humidity:
- Operation: 10% to 90% non-condensing
- Storage: 10% to 90% non-condensing
IP54 w/ protective case
IP42 w/o protective case
Drop 1.5m (5ft)
Drop 2.0m (6.5ft) w/ IP54-rated environmental case with shoulder strap

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1.4 Print Specifications
Print Specifications
Alpha-2R
Print head resolution
203 dots/inch (8 dots/mm)
Printing method
Direct thermal (receipts & partial label)
Dot size
0.125 x 0.125 mm
(width x length)
(1 mm = 8 dots)
Print speed
(inches per second)
Max. 4 ips (102 mm/sec)
Max. 2 ips for linerless mode
Max. print width
48 mm (1.89")
Max. print length
Continuous receipt paper: 2,286 mm (90”)
Printout bias
Vertical: 1 mm max.
Horizontal: 1 mm max.

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1.5 Media Specifications
Media Specifications
Alpha-2R
Media roll capacity
Label: 50 mm
Media type
Continuous, die-cut, receipt, and black mark
Media wound type
Outside wound
Media length
12.7 mm (0.5”) ~ 2,286 mm (90”)
Tear mode: 50.8 mm (2.0”)
(suggested shortest printing length)
Media width
w/o adapter: 58 mm
*w/ adapter: 50.8 mm and 25.4 mm
ID core: 10.2 mm (0.4")
Media thickness
Receipt: 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm (2 mil to 4 mil)
Label: Max. 0.14 mm (5.5 mil)
Linerless: 2 mil ~ 3 mil (0.05 mm ~ 0.08 mm)

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2. Operation 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 Li-ion battery
One quick installation guide
One auto-switching AC adapter
One belt clip
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor.

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1. Media cover release button
2. Media cover
3. LED indicator
4. Feed/stop button
5. Power on/off button
2.2 Printer Overview
2.2.1 Front View
2
1
5
3
4

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2.2.2 Interior View
1. QR code label (link to TSC website downloads area for more information)
2. Platen roller
3. Tear edge
4. Print head
5. Black mark sensor
2
1
3
4
5

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2.2.3 Rear View
1. Li-ion Battery
2. Battery open clasp
3. USB interface
4. Power jack
5. Interface cover
2
1
3
4
5

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2.3Operator Control
2.3.1 Led Indication and Keys
Keys
Function
1. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn on the printer.
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn off the printer.
1. Ready status: Feed one label
2. Printing status: Pause the print job
Wireless status LED indicator
Printer status LED indicator
Feed/Pause button
Power on/off button
Battery charge level LED indicators

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LED
Status
Indication
Printer status LED indicator
Off
Printer is ready
Green (blinking)
Printer is paused
Green (blinking every two seconds)
Sleep mode/ entered the sleep mode after stop
working over 2 minutes
Red (solid)
Media cover is open
Red (blinking)
Printer error
Amber (blinking)
Battery is charging.
Battery status LED indicator
Green (solid)
Fully charged
2/3 charged level
1/3 charged level
Wireless/Bluetooth status LED
indicator
Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi
Blue (solid)
Bluetooth device is ready
Blue (blinking)
Bluetooth device is communicating
Wi-Fi
Green (solid)
Wireless device is ready
Green (blinking)
Wireless device is communicating

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2.3.2 Power-on Utilities
Power-on Utilities provides the basic functions and can be activated by below procedures:
Turn off the power > Hold the Feed button ( ) > Open the power > Release the button depending on the the color of the LED.
Sequences of the settings:
LED Colors
Functions
(solid)
(5 blinks)
(5 blinks)
(5 blinks)
(Solid green)
1. Media sensor calibration
Release
2. Self-test and enter dump mode
Release
3. Printer initialization
Release

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3. Setup
3.1 Install the Battery
1. Insert battery to the left side of battery slot on the
rear of the printer.
2. Push the battery down and pull the battery clasp to
lock the battery.
Battery safety warning:
1. DO NOT throw the battery in fire. DO NOT short
circuit the contacts.
2. DO NOT disassemble the battery. DO NOT throw the
battery in municipal waste.
3. The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin ( )
indicates that the battery should not be placed in
municipal waste.
PUSH

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3.2 Charge the Battery
3.2.1 Charge the Battery
It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge the battery before the first time usage. The lifetime of the battery is 300 times for
charge/discharge cycles.
1. Open the interface cover and plug the power cord
into the power jack.
Note:
Please switch OFF printer power prior to plug in the
power cord to printer power jack.
When the battery is charging, please do not remove
the battery from the printer, otherwise, please re-
plug the power cord into a power outlet.
2. Plug the power cord into a properly power outlet.

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3. When the battery is charging, the color of battery
status LED indicator is solid amber. The amber
LED indicator will turned off after the battery is fully
charged.
Note:
When checking the battery status, please connect the
adapter and push power button, the LED indicator will
turn to green then extinguished when the battery is fully
charged.