Intermec EasyCoder F4 User Manual

EasyCoder F4
Bar Code Label Printer
Installation & Operation
P/N 1-960467-02
Edition 3
September 2000

Intermec EasyCoder F4 Specifications

General

Resolution	203 dpi (8 dots/mm)
Function	Label Printing
Compatibility	Intermec printers
Print Method	Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer
Max Print Width	104 mm (4.1 in)
Max Print Speed	6 inches per second
Connectivity	USB, RS-232
Operating System Compatibility	Windows
Media Type	Labels, Tags
Memory	8 MB SDRAM, 4 MB Flash

Summary

Preface

Copyright Information

Copyright and proprietary information for the printer manual.

Trademarks

List of registered trademarks associated with the printer.

FCC Notice (U.S.A.)

Regulatory compliance statement for the United States regarding radio frequency interference.

DOC Notice (Canada)

Regulatory compliance statement for Canada regarding radio noise emissions.

GS Notice (Germany)

General safety regulations for machinery operation in Germany.

EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)

Compliance statement for electromagnetic compatibility in the EU.

1. Introduction

Safety Precautions

Essential safety guidelines to follow during printer operation and maintenance.

Product Labeling

Information regarding labels on the printer identifying model, serial number, and approvals.

2. Printing a Label

Using Intermec Fingerprint

Guide to creating custom label formats using the Fingerprint language.

Using Intermec Direct Protocol

Instructions for label creation using the Direct Protocol.

3. Installation

Unpacking

Steps for safely removing the printer from its packaging.

Front View

Description of the printer's front panel components and controls.

Rear View

Description of the printer's rear panel connectors and switches.

Media Compartment

Details on the printer's internal area for loading media rolls.

Print Mechanism

Overview of the printer's components responsible for printing.

Connections

Information on connecting the printer to power and external devices.

Controls and Indicators

Explanation of the printer's lights, display, and keyboard.

4. Starting Up

Startup Files

How startup files determine the printer's behavior on power-up.

Electronic Keys

Information on using electronic keys for specific printer functions.

Memory Card

Details on using memory cards for additional fonts or firmware.

Switching On

Procedure for powering on the printer and initial checks.

Display Messages at Startup

Understanding messages shown during the printer's initialization.

5. Media Load

Tear-Off (Straight-through)

Procedure for loading media for manual tearing at the tear bar.

Tear-Off (Straight-through) with Quick-Load

Using Quick-Load guides for easier tear-off media loading.

Peel-Off (Self-strip)

Procedure for loading media for peel-off label dispensing.

External Supply (fanfold)

Loading media from an external source like fanfold tickets.

6. Thermal Transfer Printing

Ribbon Load

Instructions for loading thermal transfer ribbons into the printer.

7. Setting Up the Printer

Description

Overview of printer setup parameters like communication and print speed.

Default Setup

Printer's factory default configuration settings.

Setup Parameters

Detailed configuration options for serial communication, media, and print defines.

8. Setup Mode

Entering the Setup Mode at Installation

Methods to access the printer's setup menu.

Navigating in Setup Mode

How to use the keyboard keys to move through setup menus.

Setup Mode Overviews

Diagrams illustrating the structure of the setup menus.

9. Intermec Shell Startup Program

Introduction

Explains Intermec Shell as a startup program for printer functions.

Starting with Intermec Shell

Steps to launch and enter the Intermec Shell environment.

Intermec Shell Overview

Describes the menus and options available within Intermec Shell.

Terminal Setup

Procedure for setting up communication via a terminal program.

10. Options

Introduction

Overview of optional hardware for printer customization.

DTP Model

Information on the Direct Thermal Printing model.

Side Doors and Megatop

Description of different side door options affecting media access.

Integral Liner Takeup Unit

Details on the optional unit for peel-off operation.

Media Supply Hub

Description of the optional rotating hub for media rolls.

3-inch Adapter

Adapter for using 3-inch core media rolls with the supply hub.

Quick-Load Guides

Optional guides to simplify media loading.

Label Taken Sensor

Sensor to detect if a label has been removed.

EasySet Bar Code Wand

Device for easy setup via bar codes.

Real Time Clock

Function to set and maintain printer date and time.

Interface Boards

Details on optional interface boards for expanded connectivity.

11. Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting List

A guide to diagnosing and resolving common printer issues.

12. Maintenance

Printhead Cleaning

Procedure for cleaning the printer's printhead.

External Cleaning

Instructions for cleaning the printer's exterior surfaces.

Cleaning the Media Guides

How to clean the guides that direct the media.

Printhead Replacement

Steps for replacing the printer's printhead.

13. Adjustments

Narrow Media Adjustment

Adjusting the pressure arm for media less than full width.

Label Stop Sensor Position

Aligning the sensor for accurate media gap detection.

Printhead Pressure

Adjusting the pressure applied by the printhead.

Ribbon Break Shaft Adjustment

Adjusting the shaft to prevent ribbon wrinkling.

Appendix 1

Technical Data

Specifications and technical details of the EasyCoder F4 printer.

Appendix 2

Media Specifications

Details on compatible media types, sizes, and properties.

Non-Adhesive Strip

Specifications for non-adhesive media strips.

Self-Adhesive Strip

Specifications for self-adhesive media strips.

Self-Adhesive Labels

Specifications for self-adhesive label media.

Tickets with Gap

Specifications for tickets with detection gaps.

Tickets with Black Mark

Specifications for tickets with black marks for detection.

Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Specifications for thermal transfer ribbons.

Appendix 3

Interfaces

Information on various interface board options for the printer.

RS-232 Interface

Details on the standard serial communication port.

USB Interface

Details on the Universal Serial Bus interface.

Double Serial Interface Board (option)

Information on the optional board providing two extra serial ports.

IEEE 1284 Parallel Interface Board (option)

Details on the optional parallel interface board.

Industrial Interface Board (option)

Information on the optional industrial interface board.

EasyLAN 100i Interface Board (option)

Details on the optional Ethernet network interface board.

Appendix 4

EasySet Bar Code Wand Setup

Guide to setting up the printer using a bar code wand.

Serial Communication on "uart1:"

Bar codes for configuring serial communication parameters.

Start- and Stopadjust

Bar codes for adjusting media feed start and stop points.

Contrast

Bar codes for adjusting print contrast.

Test Labels

Bar codes for printing test labels.

Media Width

Bar codes for setting media width.

Media Length

Bar codes for setting media length.

Media Type

Bar codes for selecting media types.

Print Speed

Bar codes for setting print speed.

Paper Type

Bar codes for selecting paper types.

FCC Notice (United States of America)

DOC Notice (Canada)

GS Notice (Germany)

EU Standard EN 55022 (The European Union)

Declaration of Conformity (CE)