Zebra Technologies R2844Z Thermal Printer with RFID User Manual Part 2

Zebra Technologies Corporation Thermal Printer with RFID Users Manual Part 2

Users Manual Part 2

Getting StartedThis section describes how to set up your printer for the first time and usethe most common operating procedures for loading media in tear-off modeand loading ribbon.Modes of PrintingYou can operate this printer in different modes:■Standard tear-off mode allows you to tear off each label (or a strip oflabels) after it is printed.■In optional peel-off mode, the backing material is peeled away from thelabel as it is printed. After this label is removed, the next one is printed.■In optional cutter mode, an attached unit cuts through the media.The printer typically uses roll media, but you can use fan-fold or othercontinuous media as well.For procedures to use optional modes and features, refer to the Operationand Options section.980476-001A 7
Attaching Power SupplyCheck the power supply to make certain it is appropriate for your inputvoltage.Caution • Use the power supply that came with your printer. Never operate theprinter and power supply in an area where they can get wet. Serious personal injurycould result!1. Make sure the power switch is in the off position (down).2. The DC power supply has a barrel connector on one end that must beinserted into the power supply receptacle on the back of the printer.3. Insert the separate AC power cord into the power supply.4. Plug the other end of the cord into an appropriate AC electrical outlet.8 980476-001APlugVaries byCountryACPowerCordPowerSupplyPowerSwitchPowerSupplyReceptacleBarrelConnector
Loading Roll MediaWhen you load media, you must place the roll on the media hangers andthen adjust the media guides.You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require. Whenprinting without a ribbon, you must use direct thermal media. When usingribbon, you must use thermal transfer media. The printer's ribbon sensordetects motion of the supply spindle.Placing the Roll in the Media CompartmentWhether your roll media is inside oroutside wound you load it into the printerthe same way.1. Open the printer. Remember that youneed to pull the release levers towardthe front of the printer.2. Remove the outside length of media.During shipment, the roll may becomedirty when handled or dusty whenstored. Removing the outside lengthavoids dragging adhesive or dirtymedia between the print head andplaten.3. Separate and hold open the mediahangers.4. Orient the media roll so that itsprinting surface will be up as it passesover the platen.5. Lower the roll between the hangersand close them onto the core.980476-001A 9MOVIEMOVIE
Adjusting the GuidesThe adjustable guides direct the mediatoward the platen and print head.1. Open the media guides by turning theguide adjuster knob to the rear.2. Thread the media through the guides.3. Close the media guides by turning theguide adjuster knob to the front. Theyshould just touch, but not restrict, theedges of the media.4. Unless you need to load ribbon, closethe top cover. Remember that youneed to release the cover lock, lowerthe top cover, and press down until thelatches snap into place.10 980476-001A
Using the Optional Media Adapter PlatesIf your media roll has a larger diametercore, you can use an accessory to adaptthe core to the media holders.1. Note which position will fit thediameter of the roll core.2. On the left side plate, align the pegswith the screws and use a smallPhillips driver to tighten them.3. On the right side plate, align the pegswith the screws and use a smallPhillips driver to tighten them.4. Align the plates so that the pegs holdthe roll core and press together.5. Place the roll into the mediacompartment.980476-001A 11
Loading RibbonYou must use thermal transfer media (accepts wax and/or resin transferredoff a ribbon) when you use a ribbon. When loading ribbon, you install thesupply and take-up rolls, then tighten the ribbon on the carriage.Install the Ribbon Supply RollBefore following these steps, prepare theribbon by removing its wrapping andpulling its adhesive strip free.1. Thread the ribbon through thecarriage.2. Press the right side onto the supplyhub.3. Align the notches on the left side andmount onto the spokes of the left hub.Install the Take-Up Core1. Press the right side onto the take-uphub.2. Align the notches on the left side andmount onto the spokes of the left hub.You can find your first ribbon take-upcore in the packing box. Subsequently,use the empty supply core to take up thenext roll of ribbon.12 980476-001AMOVIE
Attach and Tighten the RibbonYou must align the ribbon so that it willbe taken straight onto the core.1. Attach the ribbon to the take up core.Use the adhesive strip on new rolls;otherwise, use tape.2. Turn the ribbon take-up gearcounter-clockwise (top moves towardrear) to remove slack from the ribbon.3. Close the top cover. Remember thatyou need to release the cover lock,lower the top cover, and press downuntil the latches snap into place.980476-001A 13
Operator ControlsPower SwitchPress up to turn ON or down to turn OFF the printer.CAUTION • The power should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting thecommunications and power cables.Feed ButtonPress once to feed one blank label.Press once to take the printer out of a “pause” condition. (The printer is putinto “pause” by either a programming command or an error condition.) See“What the Status Light is Telling You” on page 61.Use the Feed button for printer setup and status (see “Feed Button Modes”on page 70).Status LightFunctions as a printer operational indicator (see “What the Status Light isTelling You” on page 61).14 980476-001A
Printing a Test LabelBefore you connect the printer to yourcomputer, make sure that the printer is inproper working order. You can do this byprinting a configuration label.1. Make sure the media is properlyloaded and the top cover of the printeris closed. Then, turn the printerpower on if you have not already doneso.2. When the status light is solid green,press and hold the feed button untilthe status light flashes once.3. Release the feed button. Aconfiguration label will print.If you cannot get this label to print, referto Troubleshooting on page 61.980476-001A 15+10 DARKNESS+000 TEAR OFFTEAR OFF PRINT MODENON-CONTINUOUS MEDIA TYPEWEB SENSOR TYPETHERMAL-TRANS. PRINT METHOD104 0/8 MM PRINT WIDTH12 LABEL LENGTH.0IN MM MAXIMUM LENGTH0 BAUD8 BITS DATA BITSNONE PARITYXON/XOFF HOST HANDSHAKENONE PROTOCOL000 NETWORK IDNORMAL MODE COMMUNICATIONS<˜> 7EH CONTROL PREFIX<^> 5EH FORMAT PREFIX<,> 2CH DELIMITER CHARZPL II ZPL MODEMEDIA POWER UPFEED HEAD CLOSEDEFAULT BACKFEED+020 LABEL TOP+0000 LEFT POSITION029 WEB S.068 MEDIA S.050 RIBBON S.050 MARK S.001 MARK MED S.CS MODES ENABLED.. MODES DISABLED832 8/MM FULL RESOLUTIONSP.814.B <- FIRMWAREV2.2.6.98.C HARDWARE IDCUSTOMIZED CONFIGURATION1024.............R: RAM0768.............E: ONBOARD FLASHNONE FORMAT CONVERTNONE OPTIONNONE ZEBRA NET II400:Ver. 2. RFID VERSION.............................................................................48...............39 988 .....NOT CONNECTED ...... USM COMM.PARALLEL........... PARALLEL COMM.RS232 ............. SERIAL COMM.860 ...........................................................................................................................................FEED.......................................................................................................................................................062................ MEDIA LED000................ RIBBON LED081................ MARK LED................................................................................................ TWINAX/COAX ID..............................OEM 4FZebra TechnologiesZTC R2844-Z-200dpiPRINTER CONFIGURATIONFIRMWARE IN THIS PRINTER IS COPYRIGHTED
Hooking Up the Printer and ComputerYour printer will have one of two combinations of interfaces:■Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel and serial■USB, ethernet, and serialEach specific interface option—USB, parallel, ethernet, serial—is discussedindividually.You must supply the required interface cable for your application.CAUTIONS • Keep the power switch in the OFF position when attaching theinterface cable.The power supply barrel connector must be inserted into the power supplyreceptacle on the back of the printer before connecting or disconnecting thecommunications cables.This printer complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15, for Class BEquipment, using fully shielded six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables orunshielded cables may increase radiated emissions above the Class B limits.Interface Cable RequirementsData cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with metal ormetalized connector shells. Shielded cables and connectors are required toprevent radiation and reception of electrical noise.To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:Keep data cables as short as possible (6’ [1.83 m] recommended).Do not tightly bundle the data cables with power cords.Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.USB Interface RequirementsUniversal Serial Bus (version 1.1) provides a high-speed interface that iscompatible with your existing PC hardware. USB’s “plug and play” designmakes installation easy. Multiple printers can share a single USB port/hub.16 980476-001AMOVIE
Parallel Interface RequirementsThe required cable (IEEE 1284-compliant is recommended) must have astandard 36-pin parallel connector on one end, which is plugged into theparallel port located on the back of the printer. The other end of the parallelinterface cable connects to the printer connector at the host computer.For pinout information, refer to page 72.Ethernet Interface RequirementsEthernet provides a powerful networking capability that can be of use in avariety of internet/intranet printing solutions. After you load media andclose the top cover, you can press the test button next to the connector onthe rear of the printer to get an ethernet configuration label.Serial Interface RequirementsThe required cable must have a nine-pin “D” type (DB-9P) male connectoron one end, which is plugged into the mating (DB-9S) serial port located onthe back of the printer. The other end of this signal interface cable connectsto a serial port at the host computer. Depending on the specific interfacerequirements, this will most likely be a null modem cable.For pinout information, refer to page 74980476-001A 17
Communicating with the PrinterUniversal Serial Bus (USB) CommunicationsThe printer is a terminal device when using a universal serial bus interface.You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Specification for details regardingthis interface.Parallel CommunicationsWhen using the parallel port, typically there is no setup is required once thecable is plugged in. If you should encounter any problems, consult theuser’s guide that came with your computer.Internal Ethernet CommunicationsFor details regarding this interface, refer to the ethernet guide from themanufacturer.18 980476-001A
Serial CommunicationsSerial communications between the printer and the host computer can be setby either autobaud synchronization or the^SCcommand.AutobaudAutobaud synchronization allows the printer to automatically match thecommunication parameters of the host computer. To autobaud:1. Press and hold the feed button until the green status LED flashes once,twice, and then three times.2. While the status LED flashes, send a ZPL II format to the printer.3. When the printer and host are synchronized, the LED changes to solidgreen. (No labels will print during autobaud synchronization.)^SC CommandUse the Set Communications (^SC) command to change thecommunications settings on the printer.1. With the host computer set at the same communications settings as theprinter, send the^SCcommand to change the printer to the desiredsettings.2. Change the host computer settings to match the new printer settings.Refer to the ZPL II Programming Guide for more information about thiscommand.Defaulting the Serial ParametersTo reset the communications parameters on the printer to the factorydefaults (9600 baud, 8 bit word length, no parity, 1 stop bit, andXON/XOFF), do the following:1. Press and hold the feed button until the green status LED flashes once,twice, and then three times.2. While the status LED rapidly flashes amber and green, press the feedbutton.980476-001A 19
Adjusting the Print WidthPrint width must be calibrated when:■You are using the printer for the first time.■There is a change in the width of the media.Print width may be set by way of the five-flash sequence in “Feed ButtonModes” (see page 70) or refer to the Print Width (^PW) command (consultyour ZPL II Programming Guide).Adjusting the Print QualityPrint quality is influenced by the heat of the print head, the speed of themedia and the type of media you are using. Only by experimenting willyou find the optimal mix for your application.The relative darkness setting is controlled by either the six-flash sequencein “Feed Button Modes” (see page 70) or the Set Darkness (~SD) ZPL IIcommand (follow the instructions in the ZPL II Programming Guide).If you find that the print speed needs to be adjusted, refer to the Print Rate(^PR) command in the ZPL II Programming Guide.20 980476-001A

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