TSC TTP-243 Series User manual

TTP-243 Series/243E Series/ 342 Series
USER’S
MANUAL
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL BAR
CODE PRINTER

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CONTENTS
1. PRODUCT INTRODUCTION ..........................................................2
1.1 Compliances..................................................................................................... 2
2. GETTING STARTED.......................................................................3
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................ 3
2.2 Equipment Checklist..................................................................................... 3
2.3 Printer Parts ................................................................................................. 4
2.4 External Label Roll Mount ............................................................................ 7
2.5 Buttons and Indicators.................................................................................. 8
3. SET UP............................................................................................9
3.1 Setting Up the Printer................................................................................... 9
3.2 Loading Label and Tag Stock....................................................................... 9
3.3 Self-Peeling Function ................................................................................. 12
3.4 Ribbon Loading Instructions....................................................................... 15
3.5 Install External Label Roll Mount................................................................ 18
3.6 Install Memory Module (Option) ................................................................. 19
3.7 Self Test..................................................................................................... 20
3.8 Dump Mode................................................................................................ 22
4. USING TTP-243 SERIES/243E SERIES/342 SERIES .................23
4.1 Power-on Utilities ....................................................................................... 23
4.1.1 Self Test Utility .................................................................................... 23
4.1.2 Gap Sensor Calibration Utility ............................................................. 23
4.1.3 Printer Initialization.............................................................................. 24
4.2 Troubleshooting Guide............................................................................... 25

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1. PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Thank you very much for purchasing TSC TTP-243 eries/243E series/342 series
bar code printer. The attractive desktop printer delivers superior performance at
an economical price. Both powerful and easy-to-use, this printer is your best
choice among desktop direct thermal and thermal transfer label printers.
Printer offers both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at selectable
speeds of 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 inches per second for TTP-243 series/243E series and
1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 inch per second for TTP-342 series. It can accept a wide range
of media, including roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold labels or tags for both thermal
transfer and direct thermal printing. All of the most frequently used bar code
formats are available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of four
directions. This printer provides a choice of five different sizes of alphanumeric
fonts. By using font multiplication, an even greater range of sizes is possible.
Smooth fonts can be downloaded from the user-friendly Windows labeling design
software. In addition, This printer is capable of independently executing BASIC
programming functions, including arithmetic, logical operation, loop, flow-control
and file management, among others. This programming capability provides the
greatest efficiency in label printing. The status of printer and error messages may
either be printed out or viewed on a monitor by means of the RS-232 connection.
1.1 Compliances
CE, FCC, TÜV-GS, BSMI, CCC

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2. GETTING STARTED
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
The printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage in the shipping
process. However, for fear that unexpected damage might occur, upon receiving
the bar code printer, carefully inspect the package and the device. In case of
evident damage, contact the carrier directly to specify the nature and extent of
the damage. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship
the printer.
2.2 Equipment Checklist
 One bar code printer unit
 One sample roll of plain label stock (Not available for 243E series printer)
 One sample roll of wax-resin ribbon (Not available for 243E series printer)
 One paper core for ribbon rewind spindle
 Two ribbon supply/rewind spindle
 One round label supply roll spindle
 One label spindle with two fixing tabs
 One external label roll mount/spindle (Not available for 243E series printer)
 One power supply
 One power cord
 One Centronics interface cable (Not available for 243E series printer)
 One Quick installation guide
 One Windows labeling software/Windows driver CD disk
Separately purchased items may also be included. These additional items may
include:
 Label
 Ribbon
 Memory module
 Cutter (Not available for 243E series printer)
 Peel off module (Not available for 243E series printer)
 Portable LCD keyboard
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of
your purchased reseller or distributor.

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2.3 Printer Parts
Figure 1. Top front view
1. Cover Release Button
2. PWR., ON-LINE and ERR. Indicators
3. PAUSE Button
4. FEED Button
5. Label Dispense Opening
6. Backing Paper Opening (for use with self-peeling function)

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Figure 2. Interior view
1. Printer Cover (in open position)
2. Label Supply Roll Spindle
3. Fixing Tabs
4. Ribbon Mechanism
5. Ribbon Supply Spindle
6. Ribbon Rewind Spindle
7. Printer Carriage Release Lever
8. Backing Paper Opening
9. Detachable Front Panel
10. PAUSE Button
11. PWR., ON-LINE, ERR. Indicators
12. FEED Button
13. Peel-Off Sensor
14. Memory Module Slot (with cover on)

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Figure 3. Rear view
1. Power On/Off Switch
2. Power Supply Connector
3. RS-232C DB-9 Interface Connector
4. Centronics Interface Connector
5. Label Insert Opening (for use with external labels)

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2.4 External Label Roll Mount
Figure 4. External label roll mount

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2.5 Buttons and Indicators
PWR. (POWER) Indicator
The green PWR. indicator illuminates when the POWER switch is turned on.
ON-LINE Indicator
The green ON-LINE indicator illuminates when the printer is ready to print. When
PAUSE button is pressed, the ON-LINE indicator flashes.
ERR. Indicator (Error/Paper Empty)
The red ERR. indicator illuminates in the event of a printer error, such as memory
error, syntax error, and so forth. For a full list of error messages, please refer to
section 4.2, Troubleshooting Guides.
PAUSE Button
The PAUSE button allows the user to stop a print job and then continue the
printing with a second depression of the button. By pressing the PAUSE button:
(1) the printer stops printing after the printing label, (2) the PAUSE LED flashes,
and (3) the printer will hold all data in memory. This allows for trouble-free
replacement of label stock and thermal transfer ribbon. A second depression of
the PAUSE button will restart the printer.
Note: If the PAUSE button is held down for more than 3 seconds, the
printer will be reset and all data of the previous printing job will be lost.
FEED Button
Press the FEED button to feed the label to the beginning of the next label.

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3. SET UP
3.1 Setting Up the Printer
1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.
2. Make sure the POWER switch is off.
3. Connect the printer to the computer mainframe with the provided RS-232C or
Centronics cable.
4. Plug the power cord into the power supply connector at the rear of the printer,
and then plug the power cord into a properly grounded receptable.
3.2 Loading Label and Tag Stock
1. Open the printer cover
2. Disengage the printer carriage by pulling the printer carriage release lever on
the left side of the platen.
3. Slide the label supply roll spindle through the core of a label roll and attach the
fixing tabs onto the spindle.
4. Place the label roll into the label roll mount. Feed the label under the carriage
and over the platen.
5. Adjust the label guide to fit the width of the media.
6. Engage the printer carriage.
7. Wind the label roll until it becomes adequately taut.
8. Close the printer cover and press the FEED button three or four times until the
green ON-LINE indicator illuminates.
9. When the printer is out of ribbon or media, the ON-LINE LED will not illuminate
and the ERR. LED will flash. Reload the ribbon or media without turning off the
printer power. Press the FEED button three or four times until the ON-LINE
LED illuminates. The printing job will be resumed without data loss.

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Figure 5. Inserting label supply roll into label roll mount
1. Label Supply Roll Spindle
2. Label Roll Mount
3. Label Roll
4. Fixing Tabs

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Figure 6. Feed labels through adjustable label guide
1. Printer Carriage Release Lever
2. Platen
3. Label Media
4. Adjustable Label Guide

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3.3 Self-Peeling Function
To employ the self-peeling function, load the label stock according to the
following steps.
1. Remove the front panel.
2. Tear off the foremost one or two labels of the label stock, as befits the case.
Feed the backing paper between the platen and the white “self-peeling” roller,
as shown in Figure 7.
3. Feed the backing paper through the backing paper opening in the front panel,
as shown in Figure 8.
4 Put back the front panel.
Figure 7. Setting up printer for self-peeling function
1. Printer Carriage Release Lever
2. Platen
3. Self-Peeling Roller
4. Backing Paper

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Note:
It is recommended that the print speed be set at 2 inches (1.5 inches for
TTP-342 Plus) per second when using the self peeling function of the
printer.
Peel off function is not available for 243E series printer.

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Figure 8. Printer ready for self-peeling function
1. Printer Carriage Release Lever
2. Printer Front Panel
3. Backing Paper Opening
4. Backing Paper
5. Label
Note: The 243E series printer is not equipped with the self-peeling device.

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3.4 Ribbon Loading Instructions
1. Place an empty paper core on the ribbon rewind spindle.
2. Install the ribbon on the ribbon supply spindle.
3. Disengage the printer carriage.
4. Pull the ribbon leader to the front from beneath the printer carriage. Attach the
ribbon leader to the ribbon rewind paper core.
5. Rotate the ribbon rewind roller until the ribbon leader is thoroughly, firmly
encompassed by the black section of the ribbon.
6. Engage the printer carriage.
7. Close the printer cover and press the FEED button until the green ON-LINE
LED illuminates.
Note: Please install ribbon and media and close print head mechanism
prior to turn on power. Printer will determine direct thermal or thermal
transfer mode automatically while turning on printer power.

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Figure 9. Placement of ribbon supply roll
1. Printer Carriage Release Lever
2. Ribbon Supply Spindle
3. Ribbon Rewind Spindle
4. Thermal Transfer Ribbon

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Figure 10. Installation of label stock and thermal transfer ribbon

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3.5 Install External Label Roll Mount
Figure 11. Installation of external label roll mount
1. External Label Roll Mount
2. Label Supply Roll Spindle
3. External Label Feed Opening
4. Fixing Tabs