Ap1400 Thermal Printer

Transcription

1 The Experts in Small Printer Solutions Ap1400 Thermal Printer Installer Guide Able Systems Limited Denton Drive, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7TU England Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Web:

2 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS REVISION HISTORY INTRODUCTION NOTES ON PRINTER FIRMWARE REVISIONS (INCLUDING FLASH) COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER IMPORTANT INFORMATION EMC STATEMENT AND CAUTION ORDERING PART CODES, OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES INTERFACE DETAILS RS-232 SERIAL INTERFACE USB INTERFACE POWER SUPPLY DETAILS ALTERNATIVE POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS CONNECTION GUIDE J4 RS232 DATA J3 POWER J2 USB DATA CHASSIS EARTH STRAP UNIT DIMENSIONS MECHANICAL FIXINGS BACK FIXING FRONT FIXING MOUNTING BRACKET FIXING ORIENTATIONS LOCATING THE PRINTER MODES OF OPERATION IDLE MODE SPOOL MODE PAPER LOADING PAPER PAPER OUT AND HEAD UP SENSORS LED INDICATIONS PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING DATA BUFFER SPOOL MODE CHARACTER PRINTING AND FONTS GRAPHICS PRINTING AND OTHER PROGRAMMING MODES TECHNICAL SUPPORT Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 2 of 16

3 2 REVISION HISTORY Version Date Description /01/13 First Release /01/13 Second release, minor revisions /10/13 Third release, minor revisions 3 INTRODUCTION This document is an Installer Guide, written for the person connecting the Able Systems Ap1400 thermal printer. Please read this Guide carefully before making any connection. A separate Programmers Guide provides details of the control codes, and describes the internal operation of these products. 3.1 NOTES ON PRINTER FIRMWARE REVISIONS (INCLUDING FLASH) Able Systems reserves the right to modify and improve the firmware in its printer products at any time. Whilst every effort is made to ensure backward compatibility, no guarantee in this respect is given or implied. The Ap1400 includes a flash-reprogramable microcontroller. This allows firmware upgrades under customer control (including customised fonts, which may be created using the Able Systems Font Editor Utility). Refer to the factory for more information on this feature, if required. 3.2 COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER Copyright subsists in all Able Systems intellectual property, including controller firmware (embedded software) and circuit diagrams, pin connection lists and application data. No warranty in respect of patent rights of Able Systems Limited or of third parties is given. Unauthorised reproduction or amendment of controller firmware may result in prosecution. Design Registration of the Ap1400 range of printers has been applied for. Fujitsu is a registered mark of its owner Fujitsu Limited. References to this or other owners' marks in this document are for illustrative purposes only. Able Systems do not assume responsibility for interchangeable functionality of other parties' command sets. 3.3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Standard ESD precautions must be observed when handling, installing and servicing this product. Failure to do so may invalidate the warranty. Keep the unit in the anti-static bag until you are ready to install it. Use an earthed wrist-strap when handling. NOTE: The Ap1400 is a component: compliance to all applicable national and international regulations remains the responsibility of the system integrator. Check connections to the host equipment are wired correctly before connecting to Ap1400. Failure to do so may damage the Ap1400 and/or host. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 3 of 16

4 4 EMC STATEMENT AND CAUTION The European Union (EU) has introduced laws covering Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC). This section defines our current view of this law, as it relates to the Ap1400. Able Systems believes that the Ap1400 is exempt from this law because: It is a component, designed for building into other products Responsibility for EMC compliance rests with the System Integrator. To aid system integrators, ABLE Systems has carried out fully traceable EMC testing and a copy of a test certificate can be provided on request. To ensure compliance with this testing, the system integrator should ensure that there is a sound earth connection to the earth strap, and the data and power connections are enclosed by the equipment they are mounted in and are no more than 3m long. 5 ORDERING PART CODES, OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES The following table details full Able Systems part codes for products related to the Ap1400 printer: DATA CABLES AP1400SC AP1400D9 AP1400USBC MOUNTING BRACKETS Ap1400MBKIT POWER CABLES & ADAPTORS Ap1400PSA Ap1400PC SOFTWARE Ap1400FEU Ap1400SU Multiple CONSUMABLES A05836TPR1 A05836RLRKIT Ap1400 Serial Cable Assembly (unterminated) Ap1400 Serial Cable Assembly D9F Ap1400 USB-A to Mini-B Cable 1m Ap1400 Mounting Bracket (including fixings) Universal Power Supply Adaptor supplied with UK, Euro, USA and Australian style click-ins Vac Ap1400 Power Cable Assembly (unterminated) Able Font Editor Utility (for Windows) Able Printer Setup Utility Windows drivers 36mm Diameter thermal paper (approx. 13m long) 36mm Diameter linerless label thermal paper (18rolls+cleaning card) Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 4 of 16

5 6 INTERFACE DETAILS 6.1 RS-232 SERIAL INTERFACE The Ap1400 printer has an industry standard RS-232 interface. The default parameters are 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. Other baud rates can be programmed by control codes, or by using a setup utility available from the factory. The following baud rates are supported: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, and baud. Serial data is expected in standard RS-232C format with -12V meaning 'mark' or '1' and +12V a logical '0', with reference to the common ground. The serial data output line, TxD, transmits XON/XOFF and status information to the host at the same Baud rate and in the same format as the serial data input. The hardware busy line is true (nominal -12V) when busy. Both serial output lines will relax to approximately 0V when the Ap1400 is off, and the user must allow a short period after switching on before relying on the values of these signals. Some host equipment use a constant space condition (+12V) to indicate a reset condition or wait state. Some battery powered host equipment present the same output signal when they go to sleep. The Ap1400 can be set to ignore this condition as detailed in the Programmer s Guide, but even then this type of host behaviour may result in one or more spurious characters being received and printed. 6.2 USB INTERFACE The Ap1400 has a full speed USB 2.0 client interface allowing the unit to be connected to a Windows based host via USB allowing simple configuration and access. There are two ways of printing from the Ap1400; 1) Spool printing. This is the way a standard desktop printer works and will enable you to print in the normal way from applications such as Word, Excel or any other application that supports spool printing. Spool printing requires the installation of windows drivers and allows all applications access to the printer. 2) API interface. The API interface is for programmers who wish to add USB printing to their programs. This interface gives exclusive control of the printer and allows either text or graphical printing. In addition, the full printer command set is available to the programmer allowing much tighter tailoring of the printed output to suit this form of printer & application combination. Please contact Able Systems if you require the USB drivers or API interface. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 5 of 16

6 7 POWER SUPPLY DETAILS The Ap1400 is powered via the connector, J3. A suitable Universal input mains power supply is available from Able Systems and can be ordered using the part number; Ap1400PSA. It is supplied with UK, Euro, USA & Australian style click-ins and needs a VAC input. When ordering the Ap1400PSA you will receive both the wall adapter and the Ap1400 conversion cable, both shown below. Alternatively, the user may make their own power supply arrangements as described below. 7.1 ALTERNATIVE POWER SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS The Ap1400 is designed to be operated from a 4.5V to 8.5V voltage source which is capable of supplying the primary power for the printer. The electrical specification for the power supply input of the Ap1400 printer is: Input Voltage Range: +4.5V to +8.5V (without any internal voltage or reversal protection) Supply Current Requirement: 100mA ( Printer in Idle Mode ) ( typical ) 3A average ( Printer Printing ) 10A peak ( Printer Printing ) N.B. The average and peak current requirements can be adjusted by firmware control codes. See the Programmer Guide or contact Able Systems for details. The recommended power supply input is 7.5V with a current capacity of at least 3.3A, and this allows the printer to perform best. However, the printer will automatically accommodate any input voltage in the range 4.5V to 8.5V by varying the print speed accordingly. In addition, power supplies with lower current capacities may be accommodated by varying the internal PowerSave parameter. See the Programmers Guide or contact the factory for more details. N.B. No internal regulation or protection is included inside the printer, so the user must ensure that the printer cannot be damaged by connecting an inappropriate power supply. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 6 of 16

7 8 CONNECTION GUIDE The Ap1400 is fully hot-swappable. It has 3 user connectors and a chassis earth strap. Either data connector may be used, but only one concurrently. The Ap1400 will detect and receive data from a single data connector automatically. To swap data connections, the power must be cycled. J3 Power (pin 1 indicated) J2 USB Data J4 RS232 Data (pin 1 indicated) Chassis Earth Strap 8.1 J4 RS232 DATA J4 Mating Connector Manufacturer: Molex Part Number: Crimp Part Number: Pin Ap1400 Function Ap1400 Input/Output Standard PC D9 Pin 1 RX data i/p 3 2 Printer Wake i/p 4 3 Printer Busy o/p 6 and 8 4 TX data o/p 2 5 GND - 5 A moulded RS232 D9 lead for direct connection to a PC RS232 port can be obtained from Able by ordering part number: Ap1400D9. An unterminated RS232 lead can be obtained from Able by ordering part number: Ap1400SC. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 7 of 16

8 8.2 J3 POWER J3 Mating Connector: Manufacturer: JST Part Number: XHP-4 Crimp Part Number: SXH-002T-P0.6 Pin Signal Description 1 V+ 4.5V-8.5V dc positive supply to printer. 6A Fuse Required* 2 V+ (Connect to both V+ pins to avoid overloading connector J3) 3 GND 0V Common (signal and power ground). 4 GND (Connect to both GND pins to avoid overloading connector J3) *NOTE: An unterminated cable assembly is available from Able Systems, part number Ap1400PC. An in-line 6A fuse is required in the V+ line. Failure to fit this may invalidate the warranty. Please follow the wiring diagram below: 8.3 J2 USB DATA The Ap1400 supports full speed USB 2.0 connections to the Mini USB-B port, J2. A standard USB-A to Mini USB-B lead can be obtained from Able by ordering part number: Ap1400USBC. Note: Power must also be provided at J3 to enable printing. Please contact Able systems for USB drivers. J2 Mating Connector Standard Mini USB-B (USB 2.0). 8.4 CHASSIS EARTH STRAP The earth strap is provided as an electrostatic discharge path from the printer mechanism to the system ground. In earthed equipment, the eyelet should be connected to ground. It is designed to accommodate a No.2 screw. NOTE: If the Ap1400 is being fitted into host equipment that has no earth, remove the earth strap with wire-cutters to prevent short circuits to the printer and/or host equipment. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 8 of 16

9 9 UNIT DIMENSIONS (All dimensions in mm) 10 MECHANICAL FIXINGS The Ap1400 has several fixing options to suit a variety of installations; 10.1 BACK FIXING 1) Prepare the panel aperture as described below. 2) Fit the printer into the panel using M3 machine screws being careful not to screw more than 5mm in to the Ap ) Open the lid of the printer, fit a paper roll and close the lid. 4) Connect power and data leads as described in the Connection Guide in this document. Panel aperture as viewed from rear Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 9 of 16

10 10.2 FRONT FIXING 1) Open the lid of the printer and remove the two knock-outs using a small flat-headed screwdriver. 2) Prepare the panel aperture as described below. 3) Fit the printer to the panel and fix in place using two self-tapping screws as shown above (Ø 3mm max, included in Ap1400KIT). 4) Fit a paper roll and close the lid, checking the screw heads clear the lid. 5) Connect power and data leads as described in the Connection Guide in this document. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 10 of 16

11 10.3 MOUNTING BRACKET 1) Fit the printer into the panel and apply the mounting bracket as shown below. 2) Secure with two M3 machine screws or two cable ties, one at either side of the bracket. (all included in Ap1400KIT). 3) Open the lid of the printer, fit a paper roll and close the lid. 4) Connect power and data leads as described in the Connection Guide in this document FIXING ORIENTATIONS Ideally, the fixing orientation of the Ap1400 host panel should permit the free rotation of the paper roll in normal operation and its retention when the paper compartment is opened. The printer can therefore be mounted horizontally or angled to the limits shown below. Should you wish to use the Ap1400 in orientations that exceed these limits please contact Able Systems for advice LOCATING THE PRINTER NOTE: The Ap1400 is a thermal printer and care should be taken to ensure that the printer and the paper it prints to are not subjected to extreme temperature or humidity NOTE: The Ap1400 is an open-framed printer. It is the installer s responsibility to ensure the enclosure into which the printer will be fitted confers suitable protection from environmental factors and electrical and physical interference, as well as preventing user access behind the face of the panel. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 11 of 16

12 11 MODES OF OPERATION The Ap1400 has two operating modes, when not actually printing: "Idle Mode": ready to accept data, but no data are in the buffer awaiting printing, and the printer motor is not running; "Spool Mode": active, but storing data for later printing. Modes are indicated by different colour combinations on the front-panel LED (see section 8) IDLE MODE In idle mode, the printer is ready to receive data, which will be printed as soon as complete lines or graphics patterns are decoded. It responds to the paper feed button in the normal way, and can also produce a demonstration print (see below) SPOOL MODE In spool mode, data is received and stored, but not printed. This is useful when printing needs to be suppressed during data transfer (for example in mobile radio systems); or when the printer is unable to print because the paper has run out or the lid is open. The Ap1400 will automatically enter spool mode when the paper is out, when the head is up, or if some other error condition occurs, or alternatively by command from the host. Spool mode may be cleared by host command, automatically when the condition is cleared, or by "double-clicking" the feed button. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 12 of 16

13 12 PAPER Pressing the paper feed button when the printer is idle, or in spool mode, advances paper at typically 60 mm per second. However, the feed button has additional functions: "Double-clicking" the button: (i.e. pressing and releasing twice in quick succession just like a PC mouse) in idle mode, prints a demo/test message including the firmware version, encoded calibration data, and the full character set; in spool mode, or having been out of paper, prints any stored data and enters idle mode. Some of the functions of the paper feed button can be invoked or disabled under control of the host LOADING PAPER The procedure for loading paper is as follows: 1. Press the lid in towards the panel. 2. Unwind a small amount of paper from the roll and Insert the Paper Roll into the Printer. 3. Close the Lid, and the paper is loaded. 4. After loading, check that the paper is straight and advances properly, and tear off any excess by pulling the paper sharply towards you across the serrated tear bar. In the event of a jam or other paper loading problem, release the lid and straighten the paper before closing again. Paper rolls must be 57.5 ± 0.5 mm wide, 36 mm maximum diameter, and have the thermally sensitive coating on the outside. The printer can accept rolls which are coreless or wound on a core. Suitable rolls are available as ASL Product Code: A05836TPR1 Thermal Paper Roll (36 mm dia, 13.5 m long approx) 12.2 PAPER OUT AND HEAD UP SENSORS A reflective optical Paper Out sensor within the mechanism detects an out-of-paper condition, and/or senses black marks to register with pre-printed forms. A mechanical Head Up sensor detects when the lid is open. By default, the printer enters Spool mode automatically if either sensor becomes active. The printer will automatically exit spool mode, and print any stored data, when new paper is loaded and the lid closed. This behaviour may be modified. Please refer to the Programmers Guide for details of how to configure these functions. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 13 of 16

14 13 LED INDICATIONS The LED indicator at the front of the Ap1400 has a number of colour combinations, which repeat in up to a 4-phase pattern to provide status information (see table below). In summary, if the LED is constant green it indicates that the printer is operating normally. Flashing on and off indicates that Spool mode is active and no printing can take place. Red warns of a low power supply voltage or other problem. No light indicates that the unit is off. LED Pattern Table Pattern Power Status Buffer Mode Constant Green OK Normal Fast Flashing Green OK Spool * Long Green - Short Red Low Voltage Normal Short Green - Short Red Low Voltage Spool * Fast Flashing Red Error Condition Spool (Printing prohibited) No light Printer is off * (Spool may have resulted from Paper Out or Head Up conditions) Although this table may seem complicated, few applications will produce many of the combinations. Other LED Patterns Other LED patterns may be programmed into the Ap1400 on request or by the system designer. Please refer to the Programmers Guide for details of how to configure these functions. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 14 of 16

15 14 PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING The Ap1400 utilises a Fujitsu FTP-628MCL103 printer mechanism, with a fixed (parallel) print head with 384 horizontally-arranged thermal elements. The paper is advanced by a stepper motor, and printing takes place in a single dot row for each step of the paper. Each printed dot is approximately 1/8 mm square. The printing speed and dot density are controlled according to the power supply voltage and the head temperature. Various printing modes, including graphics, are invoked by 'Escape' sequences. Control codes and status report protocols are described in detail in the Programmers' Guide, available separately DATA BUFFER The Ap1400 has a nominal 10k byte buffer to optimise throughput: this enables data to be received into the buffer while previous lines are being printed. Printing will be initiated on receipt of a valid logical line of data or a complete graphics pattern. The buffer may be cleared by data command or by a hardware reset. A partially full line will be printed on receipt of an appropriate control code, or after a programmable timeout delay SPOOL MODE Spool mode is can be entered by: a command from the host; Paper Out condition or Head Up condition being sensed; an error condition (e.g. head over temperature, power supply over voltage, etc). In spool mode, the buffered data are stored without being printed until the mode is exited by: a command from the host; the 'causing condition' (e.g. Paper Out or Head Up) being cleared; the paper feed button being double-clicked CHARACTER PRINTING AND FONTS The default 32-column character set is formed from a 24x10 dot matrix, and is based on the industry standard IBM character set Code Page 437. This character set has been modified to include the Euro symbol ( ) at position 80H (128 Decimal), in place of the usual capital C with cedilla ( Ç ). Various combinations of single or double width, single or double height, inverted, underlined, and other attributes may be mixed within a line. Customised fonts may be created using the Able Systems Font Editor Utility, and downloaded to the Ap1400. Please contact the factory for more information GRAPHICS PRINTING AND OTHER PROGRAMMING MODES Various dot-addressable graphics modes are supported, at up to 384 dots per line. The Windows driver operates in the graphics mode. Refer to the Programmer s Guide for full details of this and other advanced programming modes. Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 15 of 16

16 15 TECHNICAL SUPPORT In the meantime, if more information is required, please contact; Technical Support: Or call +44 (0) and select option 4 for Technical Support. [End] Copyright Able Systems Limited All Rights Reserved Ap1400 Installers Guide Page 16 of 16