SATO WS4 Series - 10 Barcode Command

60
10. Barcode Command
The barcode setting is done by inputting the relevant parameter for B, D, BD after ESC. This enables the selection of the
barcode type, the barcode ratio and the print out of guard bars or Human-readable characters, and etc.
Please carefully study the following pages for barcode setting specifications.
Please find the description of parameters B, D, BD below.
[Barcode ratio]
Parameter
Barcode
<B>
<D>
<BD>
0
CODABAR (NW-7)
1 : 3
1 : 2
2 : 5
1
CODE39
1 : 3
1 : 2
2 : 5
2
ITF
1 : 3
1 : 2
2 : 5
5
Industrial 2of5
1 : 3
1 : 2
2 : 5
6
Matrix 2of5
1 : 3
1 : 2
2 : 5
（1）Barcode ratio
Barcodes consist of narrow bars, wide bars, narrow spaces and wide spaces. The barcode ratio is specified as the ratio between
one wide bar and one narrow bar.
Barcode ratio: Parameter <B>, Ratio: 1:3
Narrow bar width [1] stands against wide bar width [3]
Barcode ratio: Parameter <D>, Ratio: 1:2
Narrow bar width [1] stands against wide bar width [2]
Barcode ratio: Parameter <BD>, Ratio: 2:5
Narrow bar width [2] stands against wide bar width [5]
If an other barcode ratio shall be chosen, this can be done by specifying an user-defined ratio, using command <BT> and printing
that registered ratio by command <BW>.
（2）Narrow bar width and barcode height
The width of the narrow bar is set through the thickness of the bar. The barcode height is set by the height of the bar.
For example, if printing a narrow bar with a width of 1 dot with a print head of 12 dots/mm (305dpi) the width of the narrow bar will
be 0.083 mm, which could cause problems when reading the barcode with a scanner. Setting the narrow bar width to 2 dots (0.166
mm) will enable a trouble free reading by the barcode scanner.
When specifying the narrow bar it is necessary to consider the print head density and the ability of the barcode scanner.
The barcode ratio and the width of the narrow bar specify the actual thickness of the bar.
For example: Barcode ratio 1:3. Narrow bar width: 3 dots. The actual barcode ratio (in dots) will be 3:9.
The Barcode height shall be adjusted to the specifications of the barcode scanner.
（3）Inter-character gap
The inter-character gap is the space between each barcode characters.
The inter-character gap shall be put in directly in front of the barcode ratio parameters <B>, <D>, <BD> or in front of the printing
command for user specified ratios <BW>. The inter-character gap is set by command <P>. If no gap is specified, the default value of
2 dots is chosen.
Barcodes which allow the specification of an inter-character gap are as follows:
1) CODABAR (NW-7)
2) CODE39
3) Industrial 2of5
4) Matrix 2of5
The actual inter-character gap is specified by the multiplication of the character pitch <P> and the width of the narrow bar.
For example: Inter-character pitch <P>: 3, Narrow bar width: 2 dots
Inter-character gap = 3 x 2 = 6 dots