TSC PEX1000 Series User manual

r
PEX1000 Series
Industrial Barcode Printers
User Manual
Series Lists:
PEX1120/ PEX1130/ PEX1160
PEX1220/ PEX1230/ PEX1260
Thermal Transfer
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.

II
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Product Specification...................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.1.1 Product standard feature.......................................................................................................................................................................2
1.1.2 Printer Optional Features ......................................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Print Engine Specifications.......................................................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Print Specifications ......................................................................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Ribbon Specifications ..................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.5 Media Specifications....................................................................................................................................................................................5
2. Operation Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Print Engine Orientation...............................................................................................................................................................................7
2.3 Checking the Installation Space...................................................................................................................................................................8
2.4 Printer Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................................12
2.4.1 Front View...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
2.4.2 Interior View ........................................................................................................................................................................................13
2.4.3 Rear View............................................................................................................................................................................................14
2.5 Operator Control........................................................................................................................................................................................15
2.5.1 LED Indication and Keypads ...............................................................................................................................................................15
3. Setup...............................................................................................................................................................................................................18

III
3.1 Setting up the printer..................................................................................................................................................................................18
3.2 Loading the Ribbon....................................................................................................................................................................................19
3.3 Loading the Media .....................................................................................................................................................................................23
3.4 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)...................................................................................................................................................27
4. Knob Adjustment.............................................................................................................................................................................................31
4.1 Ribbon Tension Adjustment Knob..............................................................................................................................................................32
4.2 Mechanism Fine Adjustment to Avoid Ribbon Wrinkles..............................................................................................................................33
4.3 Suggestion of Ribbon Tension Adjustment ................................................................................................................................................36
5. TSC Console...................................................................................................................................................................................................38
5.1 Start TSC Console.....................................................................................................................................................................................38
5.2 Setup Ethernet Interface............................................................................................................................................................................40
5.3 Set WiFi and Add to TSC Console Interface ..............................................................................................................................................42
5.4 Initialize the Printer WiFi Setting ................................................................................................................................................................45
5.5 Printer Function .........................................................................................................................................................................................46
5.6 Setting Post-Print Action............................................................................................................................................................................47
6. LCD Menu Function.........................................................................................................................................................................................48
6.1 Enter the Menu ..........................................................................................................................................................................................48
6.2 Menu Overview..........................................................................................................................................................................................49
6.3 Setting .......................................................................................................................................................................................................50

IV
6.3.1 TSPL...................................................................................................................................................................................................51
6.3.2 ZPL2 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................53
6.4 Sensor.......................................................................................................................................................................................................56
6.5 Interface.....................................................................................................................................................................................................57
6.5.1 Serial Comm........................................................................................................................................................................................58
6.5.2 Ehernet................................................................................................................................................................................................59
6.5.3 Wi-Fi....................................................................................................................................................................................................60
6.5.4 Bluetooth.............................................................................................................................................................................................61
6.5.5 GPIO...................................................................................................................................................................................................62
6.6 Advanced...................................................................................................................................................................................................67
6.7 File Manager..............................................................................................................................................................................................69
6.8 Diagnostic..................................................................................................................................................................................................70
6.9 Favorites....................................................................................................................................................................................................71
7. TroubleShooting..............................................................................................................................................................................................73
8. Maintenance....................................................................................................................................................................................................76
9. Angency Compliance and Approvals...............................................................................................................................................................78
10. Revise History...............................................................................................................................................................................................84

1
1. Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing TSC bar code printer.
TSC’s innovative PEX-1000 Series print engine incorporates a robust die cast construction designed for years of reliability, ease of
use, and cost-conscious serviceability. The PEX combines a precision print mechanism with high performance electronics to
produce labels at up to 18 inches per second, the fastest in its class.
Designed for ease of integration, the PEX features a bolt-compatible construction with a commonly used GPIO interface and an
easy to use color display. The PEX offers simple integration into both new and existing label application installations. It is ideal for
manufacturing and logistic applications where high speed and high demand label printing is required.
This document provides an easy reference for operating the PEX-1000 series. 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.
Applications Work In Process
Product Marking
Compliance Labeling
Industrial-Duty Printing
Packing
Order Fulfillment
Shipping/Receiving
Inventory Management Retail
Product Label
Event Ticketing

2
1.1 Product Specification
1.1.1 Product standard feature
Printing method
Thermal transfer and direct thermal
LCD display/
Operation buttons
14 languages selectable
3.5” color TFT display, 320 x 240 pixel
Six operation buttons
One LED Indication
Processor
32-bit RISC multi-tasking 536 MHz high performance processor
Memory
512 MB Flash memory
512 MB SDRAM memory
Support USB memory sticker
Micro SD card reader for memory expansion, up to 32GB
Interface
RS-232 (Max. 115,200 bps )
USB 2.0 (High speed mode)
Internal Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
USB host (Front side, connecting USB storage device)
GPIO (Applicator interface with DB15F connector +5V I/O) + Parallel
Sensors
Gap transmissive sensor (Position adjustable, 15mm 98mm)
Black mark reflective sensor (Position adjustable, 15mm 92mm)
Ribbon end sensor
Ribbon encoder sensor
Head open sensor
Media cover open sensor
Internal font
8 alpha-numeric bitmap fonts
One Monotype Imaging®CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed scalable font
Built-in Monotype True Type font engine

3
Supported bar code
1D bar code
Code 11, Code 39, Code 49, Code 93, Code128UCC,
Code128 subsetsA.B.C, Codabar, Standard 2 of 5,
Industrial 2 of 5, Interleave 2 of 5, EAN-8, EAN-13,
EAN-14, EAN-128, ITF14, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN and
UPC 2(5) digits add-on, MSI, PLESSEY, PLANET,
POSTNET, RSS-Stacked, GS1 DataBar, China Post,
Telepen, LOGMARS
2D bar code
CODABLOCK F mode, DataMatrix, Maxicode, Micro
PDF-417, Aztec, MicroPDF417, QR code, RSS Barcode
(GS1 Databar)
Font & bar code
rotation
0, 90, 180, 270 degree
Command set
TSPL-EZD
Others
Standard for real time clock
Standard for buzzer
Print head pressure force & pressure location adjustable
Heater element damage detection
Clean print head warning
1.1.2 Printer Optional Features
The printer offers the following optional features.
Option feature
Dealer option
Internal Bluetooth 4.0 module
○
Wi-Fi module a/b/g/n band
○

4
1.2 Print Engine Specifications
Physical dimensions
W:245mm x H:300mm x L:390mm
Weight
Net weight:13kg
Gross weight:16kg
Power
Auto switching power supply (20% print ratio)
•Input: AC 100-240V, 4-2A, 50-60Hz
•Output: Total 243W
Note:
The max. full web black bar is limited to 5 mm only, otherwise print engine may stop printing to protect power
supply.
Default delay time to power saver mode for standard model is 60 minutes.
Environmental condition
Operation: 5 ~ 40˚C (41 ~ 104˚F), 25~85% non-condensing
Storage: -40 ~ 60 ˚C (-40 ~ 140˚F), 10~90% non-condensing
1.3 Print Specifications
Print Specifications
PEX-1120
PEX-1220
PEX-1130
PEX-1230
PEX-1160
PEX-1260
Print head resolution
(dots per inch/mm)
203 dots/inch
(8 dots/mm)
300 dots/inch
(12 dots/mm)
600 dots/inch
(24 dots/mm)
Printing method
Thermal transfer/ or direct thermal
Dot size
(width x length)
0.125 x 0.125 mm
(1 mm = 8 dots)
0.084 x 0.084 mm
(1 mm = 12 dots)
0.042 x 0.042 mm
(1 mm = 24 dots)
Print speed
(inches per second)
2,3,4,5…18 ips selectable
2,3,4,5…14 ips selectable
1.5,2,3…. 6 ips selectable
Up to 18 IPS
Max. print width
4.09”(104 mm)
Max. print length
1000”(25400 mm)
450”(11430 mm)
100” (2540 mm)
Printout bias
Vertical: 0.3 ~ 1 mm max.
Horizontal: 1 mm max.

5
1.4 Ribbon Specifications
Ribbon outside diameter
Max. 90 OD
Ribbon length
600 meter
Ribbon core inside diameter
1“ (25.4 mm)
Ribbon width
25.4 mm ~ 114.3 mm (1”~4.5”)
Ribbon wound type
Ink coated outside wound, ink coated inside wound
Ribbon end type
Transparent
1.5 Media Specifications
Media type
Continuous, die-cut, black mark, external fan-fold, notch
Media width
20 mm ~ 114 mm (0.78“ ~ 4.49“)
Media thickness
0.076 mm ~ 0.305 mm (2.99 ~ 12.01 mil)
Label length
5 mm ~
Label length (peeler mode)
Factory option of media sensor for 5mm~152mm (Gap sensor only, with fixed position
of the sensor). System integrator need to notice the design of Take Label Sensor to fit
the label position of the small size of the labels. Please contact TSC service.
Black mark
Min. 8 mm (W) x Min. 2 mm (H)
Gap height
Min. 2 mm

6
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.
1 Printer unit
1 Quick installation guide
1 Power cord
1 USB interface cable
1 CD unit
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor.

7
2.2 Print Engine Orientation
The PEX-1000 series are available in a left-hand configuration and a right-hand configuration.
PEX-1120/ PEX-1130/ PEX-1160 series
PEX-1220/ PEX-1230/ PEX-1260 series
Left-hand model
Right-hand model
Note:
This document is going to show the components inside the media compartment of a left-hand print engine. A right-hand unit
contains a mirror image of those components. Familiarize yourself with these components before continuing with the print
engine setup procedure.

8
2.3 Checking the Installation Space
Please check the space for mounting the print engine into an applicator. Please refer to the dimensions in this section.

9

10

11

12
1. Soft keys
2. Power switch
3. LCD display
4. Wi-Fi antenna (option)
5. USB host
6. LED indicator
7. Navigational keys
8. Media view window
9. Print engine cover
2.4 Printer Overview
2.4.1 Front View
2
4
1
6
7
3
8
9
5

13
2.4.2 Interior View
1. Ribbon rewind spindle
2. Ribbon tension adjustment knobs
3. Print head pressure adjustment knobs
4. Print head release lever
5. Print engine cover open sensor
6. Ribbon supply spindle
7. Label guide bar release lever
8. Media sensor position adjustment knob
9. Platen roller
10. Print head
11. Media sensor Black mark :Blue ; Gap: Whilte)
12. Label guide
12
7
6
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
5

14
2.4.3 Rear View
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
1. GPIO interface (Applicator interface with DB15F
connector +5V I/O)
2. RS-232C interface
3. Ethernet interface
4. USB interface
5. Power cord socket
6. Centronics interface
7. Micro SD card socket
Note:
The interface picture here is for
reference only. Please refer to the
product specification for the interfaces
availability.

15
2.5 Operator Control
LED
Printer status
Printer mode &
Firmware version
Icons
Navigation Keys
Ethernet / Wi-Fi IP
Soft Keys