Datamax Allegro 2 manual Connecting to Your Minicomputer, Connecting to Your Non-ASCII Device

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Setting Up Your Printer

If your Printer is controlled by a third-party software package, please refer to the operator’s manual supplied with the software package for operating instructions. For detailed explanations of the Printer’s commands and label format structure, refer to the Programmer's Manual.

A typical application for a PC-based system is printing labels for manufacturing production in a Batch Mode. In these applications, a data-base of part numbers, descriptions, warehouse locations, and shipping weight information may be obtained through the PC. Through an entry screen, the operator selects the type and quantity of labels to be printed. The PC sends the data serially to the Printer and the operator receives the labels requested.

Connecting to Your Minicomputer

Connecting the Printer to most minicomputers is similar to connecting to a PC. Most minicomputers made by Digital Equipment, Hewlett Packard, Unisys, etc., have ASCII RS-232C serial ports similar to PCs. Interfacing to IBM systems sometimes requires a protocol converter. The cable you select for connecting the Printer to a minicomputer will vary depending on the type of computer system you have. Diagrams in Appendix D describe a straight serial cable and a null modem cable, one of these two cables should work on your system.

Connecting to Your Non-ASCII Device

The Printer uses the standard ASCII for conversion of byte patterns to characters. The standard port for receiving data expects asynchronous ASCII serial data. If your host system uses an interface other than ASCII character-based RS-232C, you will need an interface converter.

Some hosts, such as IBM mainframe equipment, do not use the ASCII standard for data encoding, rather many IBM machines use

EBCDIC.

Allegro2

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Contents Allegro2 Operator’s Manual Part Number Revision A3 Agency Compliance and Approvals Page Important Safety Instructions Page Contents Maintenance Getting Started IntroductionUnpacking and Inspection Mechanism Detail Location of Parts on Your PrinterRear View Tear Bar Assembly Installation Tear- off Assembly InstallationButtons, Lights and Switches Using the Printer Control PanelGetting Started Ribbon SwitchPaper/Ribbon LightMedia Installation InstallationLabels Label Loading Instructions Ribbon Loading Ribbon Loading InstructionsUsing the Printer Options To install a Memory ModuleAvailable Modules 256K and 512K RAM Modules OptionsCutter Font ROM ModulesPeel and Present Present SensorMedia Rewinder Getting Started Allegro2 Setting Up Your Printer Power Up Self-TestChecking Voltage Selection Test Label Interfacing to the Printer Part Number DescriptionInterface Cables Sample Installations Connecting to a CRTConnecting to a PC Connecting to Your Non-ASCII Device Connecting to Your MinicomputerSwitch Settings Switch SettingsWord Length Setting the Baud RateBaud 9600 4800 2400 1200 300 Test Baud RateSwitch Settings and Functions Other SwitchesImmediate Commands Programming CommandsChar Description Format System-Level CommandsBatch, 1-Cutter Enable Description Format Label-Formatting CommandsSpecial Label-Formatting Commands Programming Examples 10 Font-Loading CommandsExample line Setting Up Your Printer Allegro2 Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software Check Link CRT Settings Printer Used With a Link CRTConnect Cables Batch System Initialization Function Default SettingsVerify Setup, Power Up, and Load Media Function Keys Formatting and Printing LabelsAvailable Fonts and Barcodes Menu ScreensLabel Name NEW Label Name ALT-P Screen Print Parameters Description Default RangeOther Important Keys Print Label Screen Header Create/Modify Label ScreenCreating Labels Using Internal Batch Software Sample Label Format Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software Invalid Font Type Smooth Font Information Smooth Font Valid BH RangesNumber OUT of Range Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software Not Enough Room for Field Data Lines Lhhhvvv Creating Labels Using Internal Batch Software = Day number 1 = Monday Time and Date Information FormatPrints SamplePrint Label Screen Print Label ScreenCreating Labels Using Internal Batch Software System Maintenance Menu System Maintenance ScreenPrint Test Label Reset PrinterCopy Module MetricCreate/Modify Label Commands Command Valid InputsQuick Reference Listing Print Parameters ALT-P Special KeysKey Function Troubleshooting Controlling Print Quality Tag Stock or Stiff Media Mechanical AdjustmentsAligning the Printhead Direct-Thermal StockPrinthead Alignment Printhead Alignment Procedure Label Stock Tracking AdjustmentRibbon Feed and Tracking Adjustments Fine Printhead Alignment Troubleshooting Allegro2 Printhead Mount Assembly Adjusting Printhead Pressure and SupportTroubleshooting Unacceptable Print QualityPrinter Does Not Print, or Prints Several Labels at once Unable to print in rotation Erratic PrintingRibbon Does Not Advance Skips Every Other LabelPrinter fails to turn on Prints Light on the Right Side of the LabelMaintenance Interior and ExteriorDrive Roller Area Method Interval Cleaning ScheduleCleaning the Printhead Cleaning the PrintheadMaintenance Allegro2 Page Appendix a Ascii Control Code ChartMaintenance Allegro2 Char Hex Dec Page Table B-3 Options Appendix B Switch Settings and Cable InterfacingTable B-1 Baud Rate Table B-2 Word LengthTable B-2 Printer Default Communication Parameters Signal PinTable B-1 I/O Port Wiring Paramete Default ValueTable C-1 Valid Human-Readable Font Ascii Characters Appendix CAvailable Fonts and Barcodes FontsTable C-2 Font Sizes Font 6 62-character alphanumeric, uppercase Available Fonts and Barcodes Barcodes Table C-3 Barcode CharacteristicsHbic Barcode I Codabar Kmart NON EDI Uppercase T Error CodesLowercase Uppercase RAllegro2 Table E-2 Printer Pin Connections Appendix ETable E-1 Printer Interface Cables Pin DescriptionStraight Cable MXM PC DB25P to Printer Figure E-5 Centronics Parallel Interface Converter ∙ Parallel to Serial Adapter Part NumberPrinting Appendix FBarcodes FontsLabel Material MediaTable F-1 Media Dimensions Label/Tag Media SpecificationsElectrical Lights, Buttons, Switch and POTLists of Approved Media Communications InterfacingEnvironmental PhysicalOptions 256K Flash Eeprom Specifications Allegro2 Printer Appendix GThermal Printhead Warranty Service ProceduresLimitation of Liability General Warranty Provisions