Allegro2Operator’s Manual

Getting Started2 Allegro2Location of Parts on Your PrinterThe following illustrations show the major components of yourPrinter. Figure 1-2 is a detail

Cable ListingsE-2 Allegro2STRAIGHT CABLE ( MXM)Figure E-1 Null Modem Cable (MXM)Note: Cable is used for typical connection to other DCE equipmentwith

Cable ListingsAllegro2 E-3PC (DB25P) TO PRINTERFigure E-3 PC (DB25P) to PrinterNote: Cable is used for connection to a PC compatible with DB25Pcommu

Cable ListingsE-4 Allegro2• Parallel to Serial Adapter (Part Number: 899516)If the Printer is being set up for parallel to serial communications aspe

Allegro2 F-1Appendix FSpecificationsPrintingType: Direct thermal or thermal transferResolution: 203 dots per inch (8 dots/mm)Print Speed: 2.0 −3

SpecificationsF-2 Allegro2FontsResident Fonts: Nine alphanumeric fonts from 0.035"H(0.89mm) to 0.64"H (16mm) and OCR-A, OCR-B; CG Triumvir

SpecificationsAllegro2 F-3MediaWidth: 0.75" (19mm) to 4.65" (118mm); 4.25"(108mm) maximum recommendedLength: 0.50" (13mm) to 9

SpecificationsF-4 Allegro2Label/Tag Media Specifications:Figure F-1 Media SpecificationsDescription MAX* MIN*A Label width 4.650 0.750B Backing width

SpecificationsAllegro2 F-5Lists of Approved MediaFor a current list approved standard Media for use in Thermal andThermal-Transfer Printers, please co

SpecificationsF-6 Allegro2EnvironmentalOperatingTemperature: 40°F to 90°F (4°C to 32°C)StorageTemperature: 32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C)Humidity:

SpecificationsAllegro2 F-7256K Flash EEPROMMemory Module : Used for permanent storage of custom fonts,graphics and formats.256K and 512K RAMMemory M

Getting StartedAllegro2 3Figure 1-3 Rear View

SpecificationsF-8 Allegro2

Allegro2 G-1♦ Appendix GWarranty InformationDatamax Barcode ProductsLimited Warranty StatementAllegro2PrinterDatamax warrants to Purchaser that unde

Warranty InformationG-2 Allegro2Thermal PrintheadThis warranty is limited to a period of one year, (365 days), or1,000,000 linear inches of use, which

Warranty InformationAllegro2 G-3General Warranty ProvisionsDatamax makes no warranty as to the design, capability, capacity orsuitability of any of it

Getting Started4 Allegro21.2 Tear- off Assembly InstallationTo install the Tear-off Assembly complete the following steps:1. Open the Printer's S

Getting StartedAllegro2 51.3 Using the Printer Control PanelThe Printer has three operator-accessible buttons, three indicatorslights (LEDs), one sw

Getting Started6 Allegro2Pause Button: This button allows the operator to stop printing arun of labels and then restart the job by pressingthe button

Getting StartedAllegro2 7Paper/Ribbon This light is activated when:Light: • No label and/or ribbon is detected.• The Internal Rewinder (if installe

Getting Started8 Allegro21.4 Media InstallationInstallationThe Printer is designed for easy label stock and ribbon installation.A diagram located unde

Getting StartedAllegro2 91.4.1 Label Loading InstructionsTo load labels complete the following steps:1. Disengage the Printhead by rotating the Head

Getting Started10 Allegro21.4.2 Ribbon Loading InstructionsLoad ribbon as shown below in Figure 1-7. The ribbon can bewound directly on to the hub an

Getting StartedAllegro2 111.5 Using the Printer Options1.5.1 Available ModulesThe Printer uses memory modules to expand its built-in capabilities,pri

HP PCB-4, and HP Laser Jet II are Trademarks of Hewlett Packard CorporationCG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation.CG Times, based upon Time

Getting Started12 Allegro21.6.2 OptionsFont ROM ModulesFont ROM Modules contain additional fonts that extend thecapabilities of the Internal Fonts.

Getting StartedAllegro2 13Peel and PresentThe Printer can be ordered with an optional Peel and PresentMechanism Kit, or the option can be purchased an

Getting Started14 Allegro2

Allegro2 15♦ Setting Up Your Printer2.0 Checking Voltage SelectionThe standard Printer is configured for 115 VAC ±10% single-phase50/60 Hz with a

Setting Up Your Printer16 Allegro2If a label edge is not detected within 12" (305mm) of stock, thePrinter will stop feeding labels. If this occur

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 172.2 Interfacing to the PrinterDepending on your application, the Printer can be set up in differentways. Table 2-1

Setting Up Your Printer18 Allegro22.3 Sample InstallationsIn this section, four typical installations are reviewed, CRT terminal,PC, minicomputer, an

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 19If your Printer is controlled by a third-party software package,please refer to the operator’s manual supplied with

Setting Up Your Printer20 Allegro2To connect the Printer to EBCDIC devices, or devices with anyother data encoding standard, a protocol converter must

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 21Setting the Baud RateFor all modes of operation, you must set the baud rate of theinterface. On the back of the Prin

Agency Compliance and Approvals:UL: UL1950 Information Technology EquipmentCSA: C22.2 No. 950-M93TUV: EN60950, IEC950VDE: Class B Vfg. 243/19911.Nu

Setting Up Your Printer22 Allegro2Other SwitchesSwitch SW-5: Controls the label edge offset, when the switch is on,the label edge offset will defaul

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 232.5 Programming CommandsIn order to be ready for a command sequence, the Printer must firstreceive a special charac

Setting Up Your Printer24 Allegro2The System-Level Commands are used to create formats, load andstore graphic information, and control the Printer. T

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 25Char Description Formatm Set metric flag, enter metric mode All references set to metric until resetn Clear metric f

Setting Up Your Printer26 Allegro2A STX L Command switches the Printer from the System Level tothe Label-Formatting Mode. All command characters afte

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 27CC Description FormatX Terminate label formatting modey Select font symbol set (optional scalablefonts only)y S xxy

Setting Up Your Printer28 Allegro2The commands used for bit-mapped font loading are usuallygenerated by font-creation software. However, the assigned

Setting Up Your PrinterAllegro2 29The example shown below prints out a Code 3 of 9 bar code with awide to narrow bar ratio of 3:1 and can be used to p

Setting Up Your Printer30 Allegro2

Allegro2 31♦ Creating Labels Using Internal BatchSoftware3.0 IntroductionThe Printer can be used in any one of three different operatingmodes: RS-23

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software32 Allegro23.1 The Printer Used With a LINK CRTA number of steps are required before you can begin to fo

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 33Function DefaultSettingsFunction SettingsHandshake: none F1 CTRL WMode: FDX F2 CTRL XData Bits

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software34 Allegro2To format the module hit "I" and the following screen will appear:MODULE MEMORY TEST

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 353.2 Formatting and Printing LabelsFormatting labels is designed to be a three step procedure

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software36 Allegro2F2 (LIST): Displays a library listing of every label format and/orgraphic image loaded in th

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 37F6 and ALT-P: While in the far left position of the Create/ModifyLabel Screen or the Sample: p

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software38 Allegro2Description Default RangeHeat Factor 10 0 to 20Print Speed C C-ESlew Speed C C-EDot Pattern Wi

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 39F9 and ALT-F: Feeds one label at a time from the Print Label Screen.It operates the same wa

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software40 Allegro23.3 Create/Modify Label ScreenThis section describes how to create a new label. Before beginn

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 412. The software’s two operating screens are Create/ModifyLabel and Print Label.All data is ent

Important Safety InstructionsYour Barcode Printer has been designed to give you many years ofsafe, reliable service. As with all electrical equipment,

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software42 Allegro2Notice in the upper left-hand corner of the screen that the currentField Number is displayed.

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 434. The Printer can print fonts, barcodes, and graphics at 0, 90,180, or 270 degree rotations.

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software44 Allegro2• Y is another special font choice that is not actually afont. The Y font selects a graphic i

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 457. Enter the desired XH dimension. The default value for fonts is1. The default value for elem

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software46 Allegro29. The 4-digit Row Field tells the Printer "how far up" on the labelto print the dat

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 4711. The Type Position tells the Printer how the Data/Prompt area isto be used. There are six o

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software48 Allegro2If any of these symbols are entered in the Type Position, theprinting will either increment or

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 49Some of the data will need to be re-entered. Use the DEL Key,home key or arrow keys to change

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software50 Allegro2For special font Y, enter the name of the graphic image you want tocall from the memory module

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 51• For repeat fields, enter the data in the Data/Prompt Field justas if the field were a type

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software52 Allegro2In the following example the proper matching characters are sent tothe Printer that request th

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 533.4 Print Label ScreenThe Print Label Screen is used to print labels that have beenformatted

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software54 Allegro2starting number or the prompt information, followed bythe return key, for each consecutive nu

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 553.5 System Maintenance ScreenThe third screen, System Maintenance, is used to format and cop

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software56 Allegro2Copy Module: Copies graphic images and/or labelformats from one memory module toanother. Be

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch SoftwareAllegro2 573.6 Quick Reference ListingThe following pages list the valid commands for the Printer'

Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software58 Allegro2 Print Parameters (ALT-P)Description Default RangeHeat Factor 10 0 to 20Print Speed C C-ESlew

Allegro2 59♦ Troubleshooting4.0 IntroductionThis chapter provides general operator service to help maintain printquality when using media other than

Troubleshooting60 Allegro24.1 Controlling Print QualityThe Printer provides maximum flexibility by offering both Direct-Thermal and Thermal-Transfer P

TroubleshootingAllegro2614.2 Aligning the PrintheadComponents used for Printhead alignment are illustrated inFigure 4-1.Direct-Thermal Stock:For best

i♦ Contents♦ Getting Started1.0 Introduction ...11.1 Unpacking and Inspection ...

Troubleshooting62 Allegro2Figure 4-1 Printhead AlignmentThe horizontal placement of the Printhead is adjusted by turning theright and left Head Adjus

TroubleshootingAllegro2634.2.1 Printhead Alignment ProcedureDepending on the degree of alignment necessary to your Printhead,one or perhaps all of the

Troubleshooting64 Allegro2b. To adjust the Ribbon Shield (see Figure 5-2),temporarily move the ribbon and loosen the screwlocated on the left end of t

TroubleshootingAllegro265

Troubleshooting66 Allegro24.2.2 Adjusting Printhead Pressure and SupportThe Printer's Printhead support plate requires adjustment if mediawidths

TroubleshootingAllegro2674.3 TroubleshootingOccasionally, situations occur that require some troubleshootingskills. Possible problem situations and po

Troubleshooting68 Allegro2Erratic Printing(Prints strange characters instead of the correct label format).a. Printer is in the test mode. Reset the Pr

TroubleshootingAllegro269 Prints Light on the Right Side of the Labela. Printhead is adjusted for thick media or cardstock.b. Printhead is not proper

Allegro2 70♦ Maintenance5.0 IntroductionThis chapter covers the cleaning receommendations for yourPrinter.Interior and Exterior• Interior During

MaintenanceAllegro2 715.1 Cleaning ScheduleThe following table provides a recommended cleaning schedule forthe various parts of your Printer.Area Meth

ii♦ Troubleshooting4.0 Introduction ...594.1 Controlling print quality ...

Maintenance72 Allegro25.2 Cleaning the Printhead1. Turn the power ‘off’ and unplug the Printer.2. Raise the cover and turn the Head-Lift Lever to the

MaintenanceAllegro2 73

Allegro2 A-1Appendix AASCII Control Code ChartChar DecHexChar DecHex Char Dec HexChar Dec HexCtrl @ NUL 0 00 32 20 @ 64 40 ` 96 60Ctrl A SOH 1 01 ! 33

MaintenanceA-2 Allegro2

MaintenanceAllegro2 3Char DecHex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex CharDec HexÇ 128 80 á 160 A0 192 C0 Ó 224 E0ü 129 81 í 161 A1 193 C1 ß 225 E1é 130 82 ó 16

Allegro2 B-1Appendix BSwitch Settings and Cable InterfacingBaud 9600 4800 2400 1200 600 300 TestSW-1 off off off off on on onSW-2 off off on on off of

Switch Settings and Cable InterfacingB-2 Allegro2Printer Cabling and Interfacing:When the Printer receives data from any host system, it will notprope

Allegro2 C -1Appendix CAvailable Fonts and BarcodesAll character fonts and barcodes available with the Printer aredescribed in this section. Each font

Allegro2 1♦ Getting Started1.0 IntroductionThe Allegro2 Label Printer, hereafter referred to as the "Printer",incorporates high-performa

Available Fonts and BarcodesC-2 Allegro2Table C-2 lists the font sizes. The numbers indicate the number ofdots.FONT HEIGHT WIDTH SPACINGFont 0 7 5 1Fo

Available Fonts and BarcodesAllegro2 C-3Font 4 62-characteralphanumeric, uppercase.Font 5 62-characteralphanumeric, uppercase.Font 6 62-character a

Available Fonts and BarcodesC-4 Allegro2Font 7 OCR-A, size I. Font 8 OCR-B, size III.Font 9 Internal Triumvirate font.Point sizes are selected by t

Available Fonts and BarcodesAllegro2 C-5BarcodesFont Length Cksum Valid ASCII Characters Bar widthsA Varies No 32, 36, 37, 42, 43, 45-57, 65-902:1 - 3

Available Fonts and BarcodesC-6 Allegro2Barcode A Code 3 of 9 Barcode B UPC-ABarcode C UPC-E Barcode D Interleaved 2 of 5Barcode E Code 128 Barco

Available Fonts and BarcodesAllegro2 C-7Barcode I Codabar Barcode J Interleaved 2 of 5w/module 10 checksumBarcode K Plessey Barcode L Interleaved

Available Fonts and BarcodesC-8 Allegro2Barcode Q UCC/EAN Code 128 Barcode R UCC/EAN Code 128KMART NON EDI

Allegro2 D-1Appendix DError CodesThe error codes that may be transmitted by the Printer are describedhere.Lowercase "v"There is an input buf

D-2 Allegro2

Allegro2 E-1Appendix ECable ListingsPart Number Description556000 Printer to CRT Terminal (DB25P) RS-232556001 Printer to PC 9 Pin (DB9S) RS-232556002