User’s Manual1 DATECS LP-1000
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generate any action on the part of the printer. This command may be used
for comments if we register the commands in a text file.
The fastest and easiest way to work with this printer is to use the ac-
companying software program DATECS Label Editor (LPeditWH.EXE) with
the help of which you can arrange the elements of the label and see its final
appearance on the computer screen even before loading it into the printer.
You can also print it out as a test trial. In order to work with the program
successfully you will only need to have a general idea about the functions
of the printer. No special knowledge of the command language will be
needed.
It is, of course, possible to prepare the information for printing in ad-
vance in a text file and send this over the serial interface. Here is a descrip-
tion of one possible option for preparing a label. It includes the following
stages:
When working under DOS, the setup of the PC serial port is done
with the MODE COMn command in parallel to the setup of the printer, the
format of this command being: MODE COMn: BaudRate,n,8,1 where “n” is
the number of the serial port and “BaudRate” is the set up speed of the
printer.
Select a name for the form. In any case it is advisable that the first
line of the text file should include the command for deleting a form of the
same name (FK) - if such exists, it will be deleted and replaced with the
new one. You may then proceed with the loading of a new form (command
FS).
The length of the label is defined as well as the distance between
the separate labels. When using paper rolls these distances may be arbi-
trarily selected and set but when working with self-adhesive labels, the
length of the label must be set as close to its actual dimensions as pos-
sible or the result may be incomplete printouts or empty labels. The com-
mand Q, with all demanded parameters, is placed at the beginning of the
text file. Other commands may also be located here - starting point (R),
select code table (I), print density (D) and printing speed (S).
Designing the appearance of the label. Setting the elements, which
will not be subject to changes - they will need no counters or variables.
Setting and defining the elements subject to changes for each
label. When some of them are whole numbers and will change at regular
rates a counter may be defined for them. The rest must be variables. De-
pending on the case in question the information on a given inscription or
bar code may be set in several different variables and/or counters.
Defining variables and counters includes an assessment of their
maximum possible length, alignment if and when the text is shorter than
the maximum length, rate of growth of the counters. The selection of the
initiating text is important too if it is not informative operating with the forms
later on may be difficult. A line with the command “V” or “C” is added in the
text file for each counter or variable.
If we wish to insert graphics in the label, we must select a name and
position for this element and add a command for its layout in the text file
(GG). The PCX file must be prepared in advance on a PC and loaded into
the printer prior to the execution of the form. Before sending it to the printer
its length must be verified and noted because the loading command GM
will demand this information. One possible way for doing this is by send-
ing the file from a terminal program with the DOS command COPY FileName
COMn: /B (sending the file as binary in this case is obligatory) - “n” is the
number of the serial port.
Selecting the position, font, size and orientation of the inscriptions
on the label. “A” commands are added for this purpose and if necessary,
the inclusion of text modifiers for the counters and the variables for receiv-
ing the necessary strings for printing.
Selection of the type, position, size and orientation of the bar codes
- if there will be such - where modifiers may also have to be used.
If drawing of lines and frames is needed the following commands
may be added - LE, LO, LW, X.
At the end of the file the command FE is added - “Form End”.
The ready file is then sent to the printer: the form should be loaded
into the memory and be printed out in the list with the FI command.
With the FR command the form may become active. Values of the
variables and counters are added with the command “?” from a terminal
program.
The forms, the graphics and loadable fonts use a common memory of
the printer, i.e., if we enter more graphic information there will be less
memory left for forms and vice-versa. This memory restriction comes for
two reasons: on one hand not more than 512 forms, graphic files and fonts
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