Print Speed Limits

Operation

There are a number of factors which contribute to successful bar code validation, including printer speed, demand print settings, calibration, and ambient light. The following sections describe how to ensure your bar code validator is scanning and reporting properly.

Print Speed Limits

Two factors in the validation process affect the printer’s speed limit: bar code height and the validation report type selected.

Bar Code Height (Min. Code Height)

The validator cannot function at the highest speed possible by the printer. It requires a minimum number of scans per bar code to make a reliable assessment, so the speed of the printer is limited by the height of the bar code. If the bar code is very short, printing needs to be slowed down to allow sufficient scans to occur. If the print speed exceeds this limit, the message, “Speed Exceeds Validator Limit” will display. Print speed will be lowered automatically if required, but will not automatically reset to a higher speed.

The printer cannot predict how high all the bar codes in a given job will be, so it cannot automatically limit or adjust the print speed to insure the code height/speed requirement is being met. When the bar code is too short for the selected speed, the printer produces a missing bar code error condition. Therefore, printer speed must be set manually to compensate for bar code height.

Use this formula to determine printer speed in relation to bar code height:

Bar Code Height In Inches

=

Maximum Printer Speed In

 

0.04

Inches Per Second

 

 

 

57

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Printronix T5000e Series user manual Operation, Print Speed Limits, Bar Code Height Min. Code Height