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SATO GT424 manual Adjusting Print Quality

Models: GT424

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4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY

Section 4: Cleaning and Maintenance

4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY

Print quality can be optimized with regular cleaning and maintenance of the print head and components along the label path. Additionally, you can fine-tune print quality by adjusting print darkness and print speed settings.

This4.5.1adjustmentAdjustingallowsPrintDarknessthe user to control (within a specified range) the amount of power applied to the individual print head heat elements. It is important to find a proper print darkness level based on your particular label and ribbon combination. The printed images should not be too light nor should the ink from the ribbon “bleed.” The edges of each image should be crisp and well defined.

LCD Panel — Thecan be set using the front panel LCD panel or by sending the Print Darkness software command from a computer. There are five settings, from 1 (lightest) to 5 (darkest). The default setting is 3.

Once the range has been selected, the Darkness Potentiometer on the front panel can be used to make finer adjustments. For instructions on setting Print Darkness, refer to Section 3, Configuration.

Darkness Potentiometer — The fine adjustment for Print Darkness is the Darkness Potentiometer on the front panel. It provides a continuous range of adjustment, allowing you to make precise changes. Use a small cross-point screwdriver, turning clockwise for darker print and counterclockwise for lighter print. See Section 3: Configuration for instructions on performing potentiometer adjustments.

Note

The PRINT potentiometer adjustment will affect the darkness in all of the command code speed ranges, i.e., if the PRINT potentiometer is adjusted for lighter print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges selected by the command code.

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GT Series Operator’s Manual

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SATO GT424 manual Adjusting Print Quality

Contents

GT Series OPERATOR’S MANUALCopyright 438A ALEXANDRA ROAD #05-01/02 ALEXANDRA TECHNOPARK SINGAPORETel 65 6271 Fax 65 6273 Sales Hotline 65 6276 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cartridge Mode Cleaning The Print Head, Platen and Rollers How To Clean The Printer Cleaning SETHow To Clean The Printer Cleaning SHEET Adjusting Print QualityUsing the Centronics Parallel Interface Using the RS232C SERIAL InterfaceUnderstanding the STATUS INDICATORS Understanding the LCD Error MessagesSection 1 Overview Section 2 Installation Section 3 Configuration and OperationSection 4 Cleaning and Maintenance Section 5 Interface Specifications Section 6 Troubleshooting Section 7 Optional Accessories1.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Features of SATO GT4xxe Series Printers FeatureGT408e GT412e1.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS CONT’D SpecificationGT408 GT4121.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS CONT’D SpecificationGT408 GT4121.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS CONT’D SpecificationGT408 GT412INSTALLATION SECTION 2 INSTALLATION SAFETY PRECAUTIONSTHE CAUTION SYMBOL PRINTER PLACEMENT TIPSPage GENERAL PRECAUTIONSGT Series Operator’s Manual SECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.1 UNPACKING 2.1.1 INCLUDED ACCESSORIES Global WarrantyCleaning Power cableSECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.1.2 PARTS IDENTIFICATION IDENTIFYING THE MAIN PRINTER PARTSFront View Angled Front View2.1.2 PARTS IDENTIFICATION CONT’D Rear ViewHowremovecabletocoverthe IDENTIFYING THE MAIN PRINTER PARTSSide View Media assembly SECTION 2 INSTALLATIONIDENTIFYING THE MAIN PRINTER PARTS Angled Front ViewView of Front Panel Adjustment screwdriverIDENTIFYING THE MAIN PRINTER PARTS 2.1.2 PARTS IDENTIFICATION CONT’DSECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.2 LOADING THE CARBON RIBBON Front CoverRibbon feeder Carbon ribbon2.2 LOADING THE CARBON RIBBON CONT’D Knob Carbon ribbonLabel loaded SECTION 2 INSTALLATIONPaper tube Ribbon feeder Paper tube Print head Paper tube Print head FanfoldPaperCharacteristicsLabel 2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGSRollPaperCharacteristicsLabel SECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D Front CoverPrint head Head release lever purple Roll Guide Lever Roll Guide Release the Lever to lock the Roll Guide in place2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D AdjustPull the purple label damper LabelSECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D Adjusting for the paper widthSETTING Head pressure balance adjustment knob2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D Front CoverRear cover release screw Rear cover Rear coverSECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D AdjustPull the purple label damper Label2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’D coverscrew Fanfold coverSECTION 2 INSTALLATION Label Guide KnobLabel Damper Label GuidePaper sensor 2.3 LOADING LABELS AND TAGS CONT’DFront Cover SECTION 2 INSTALLATION 2.4 REPLACING THE PRINT HEAD 2.5 TURNING THE PRINTER ON/OFF GT Series Operator’s Manual SECTION 2 INSTALLATIONThis page is intentionally left blank CONFIGURATION AND OPERATION 3.1 OPERATING MODES3.2 THE OPERATION PANEL How To Adjust Screen ContrastOverview of the Display for Printer Setting Description of Setting Overview of the Operation Panel Status Icon display area3.3 SCREEN ICONS AND THEIR MEANING Section 3 Configuration and OperationGT Series Operator’s Manual Page3.3 SCREEN ICONS AND THEIR MEANING CONT’D Section 3 Configuration and OperationPage GT Series Operator’s Manual3.4 ONLINE AND OFFLINE MODES 3.5 USER MODE SpeedPrint head Use the Print head3option.5.7isSettingonly valid Kanjifor printingFontin JapaneseStyle Press ENTER to confirm your selection and return to the main User 3.6 INTERFACE MODE Input Portsee Section 3.6.4 above 3.7 CARTRIDGE MODE GT Series Operator’s Manual When formatting is complete, the next screen appearsPress the ENTER button to return to the main CARTRIDGE MODE screen 3.8 SEMBL MODE Name of program in memoryPress ENTER to return to the main SEMBL Mode screen GT Series Operator’s Manual3.9 ADVANCED MODE With3.9.4thisChoosingsetting, youContinuouscan chooseorbetweenTearOffcontinuousOperationpaper feed or Tear Off operation. If a cutter or peeler has been installed correctly, you will also see the DISPENSER and CUTTER settings. If the printer supports linerless labels, you will also see LINERLESS option The3.9.7printerSettingcanthebe switchedPrintModeto operate in Thermal Transfer or About the Head Check function Set3.9.this12Enabling/Disablingoption to enable or disableExternaltheSignalprinter’sOutputexternal signal communication port. If the port is enabled, you can send and receive data using an appropriate device plugged into the EXT port The3.9.15printerUsingcanthebe Autoset Onlinego into FeatureONLINE mode automatically upon being turned on. Otherwise, the printer starts in the OFFLINE state The3.9.18ESCSpecifyingsequencethein SBPLProtocolcommandsCodeFormatcan be defined as standard using non-printable code 1BH non-standard some other user code 3.10 HEX DUMP MODE 3.11 TEST PRINT MODE 13.11Make.1Enteringsure theTestprinterPrintis turnedModeOFFTo exit the Test Print mode, turn of the printer 3.12 OVERVIEW OF ALL MODES Section 3 Configuration and OperationGT Series Operator’s Manual Page3.12 OVERVIEW OF ALL MODES CONT’D Section 3 Configuration and OperationPage GT Series Operator’s ManualSection 3 Configuration and Operation 3.12 OVERVIEW OF ALL MODES CONT’DGT Series Operator’s Manual PageSection 3 Configuration and Operation 3.12 OVERVIEW OF ALL MODES CONT’DPage GT Series Operator’s ManualSection 3 Configuration and Operation 3.12 OVERVIEW OF ALL MODES CONT’DGT Series Operator’s Manual Page3.12 OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED INTERFACE MODE CONFIGURATIONS CON’TD Section 3 Configuration and OperationPage GT Series Operator’s Manual3.12 OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED INTERFACE MODE CONFIGURATIONS CON’TD Chart continued on next pageGT Series Operator’s Manual Page3.12 OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED INTERFACE MODE CONFIGURATIONS CON’TD Section 3 Configuration and OperationPage GT Series Operator’s Manual3.12 OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED INTERFACE MODE CONFIGURATIONS CON’TD Chart continued on next pageGT Series Operator’s Manual Page3.12 OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED INTERFACE MODE CONFIGURATIONS CON’TD Section 3 Configuration and OperationPage GT Series Operator’s Manual3.13 RESTORING FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS 13.13Make.1Enteringsure theDefaultprinter hasModebeen turned OFFIn3.13the.2previousIfYouChosemenu, toif youResetchosePrinterPRINTERSettingsSETTINGS, the following screen appears Continuous Print Operation 3.14 UNDERSTANDING CONTINUOUS PRINT AND TEAR OFF OPERATIONSSection 3.5.2 Setting Print Speed Section 3 Configuration and Operation This page is intentionally left blankPage GT Series Operator’s ManualCLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 4.2 CLEANING THE PRINT HEAD, PLATEN AND ROLLERS4.1 INTRODUCTION When to clean with the supplied cleaning set4.3 HOW TO CLEAN THE PRINTER CLEANING SET 4.4 HOW TO CLEAN THE PRINTER CLEANING SHEET Be sureCautionto turn off the power before cleaning4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY 4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY CONT’D Section 4 Cleaning and Maintenance This page is intentionally left blankPage GT Series Operator’s ManualINTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS 5.1 INTERFACE TYPES5.2 INTERFACE CARD DIP SWITCH SETTINGS RS-232C Function5.3 INTERFACE CARD DIP SWITCH SETTINGS LAN 5.4 INTERFACE CARD DIP SWITCH SETTINGS WIRELESS LAN5.5 INTERFACE CARD DIP SWITCH SETTINGS MINI LAN 5.6 SERIAL INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS RS-232C Basic SpecificationsGT Series Operator’s Manual PagePin Assignments 5.7 READY/BUSYInterface Signals 5.8 SINGLE JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Error Processing GT Series Operator’s Manual5.9 MULTI JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Error Processing GT Series Operator’s Manual5.10 X-ON/X-OFF Input/Output SignalsSignal Type Contents5.11 SINGLE JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Error Processing GT Series Operator’s Manual5.12 MULTI JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Error Processing GT Series Operator’s Manual5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL Input/Output SignalsSignal Type Contents5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Cancel Processing GT Series Operator’s ManualTiming Chart - Error Processing Timing Chart - Pause and Restart Processing5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D GT Series Operator’s ManualTiming Chart - Status Response Processing 5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’DGT Series Operator’s Manual Page5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D Status Response2 Cancel Request Command ContentsContents ContentsContents 5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D3 Other Status Responses Byte noContents Contents5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D c Status Responses cont’dContents 5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D3 Form Overlay Status Request Byte numberContents c Status Byte DefinitionGT Series Operator’s Manual Page5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D 4 Response sequence1 Normal GT Series Operator’s Manual2 Cancel request command 5.13 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’DGT Series Operator’s Manual Page5.14 STATUS Input Output SignalsSignal Type Contents5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Cancel Process GT Series Operator’s Manual5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Cancel Process GT Series Operator’s ManualTiming Chart - Error Processing 5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’DGT Series Operator’s Manual PageThe details of each request or echo command are explained below 1 Status Request Command5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D Status Response2 Cancel Request Command ContentsContents 5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D 3 Echo sequenceGT Series Operator’s Manual Receive, analyze, edit2 Cancel Request Command 5.15 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D3 Echo sequence GT Series Operator’s Manual5.16 REFERENCE FLOWCHART Error detection?Reception status? Display ID number5.17 PARALLEL INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS CENTRONICS Basic SpecificationsGT Series Operator’s Manual Page5.17 PARALLEL INTERFACE CONT’D Interface SignalsSignal Type Contents5.18 SINGLE JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessingTiming Chart - Procedure during Paper End GT Series Operator’s ManualGT Series Operator’s Manual 5.18 SINGLE JOB BUFFER CONT’DTiming Chart - Error Processing 5.19 MULTI JOB BUFFER GT Series Operator’s ManualPage DATA Initia l5.19 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D GT Series Operator’s ManualReceive, an alyze, edit R eceive, ana5.19 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’D GT Series Operator’s ManualPage R eceive, an alyze, e ditNear full clear 5.20 IEEE 1284 INTERFACEBasic Specifications 5.20 IEEE 1284 INTERFACE CONT’D Pin AssignmentGT Series Operator’s Manual Page5.21 INTERFACE SIGNALS With Centronics standards, each signal pin placement is as follows5.20 IEEE 1284 INTERFACE CONT’D Pin Assignment5.22 SINGLE JOB BUFFER GT Series Operator’s ManualPage Receive, analyze, editGT Series Operator’s Manual 5.22 SINGLE JOB BUFFER CONT’DTiming Chart - Procedure during Paper End 5.23 MULTI JOB BUFFER Timing Chart - Normal ProcessGT Series Operator’s Manual PageGT Series Operator’s Manual 5.23 MULTI JOB BUFFER CONT’DTiming Chart - Procedure during Paper End 5.24 DRIVER PROTOCOL Echo Status 5.24 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’DContents Contents ContentsStatus StatusByte no Contents5.24 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D Contents Contents5.24 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D Byte noByte number Contents5.24 DRIVER PROTOCOL CONT’D TROUBLESHOOTING 6.1 INITIAL CHECKLIST6.2 USING THE CENTRONICS PARALLEL INTERFACE Observations6.2 USING THE CENTRONICS PARALLEL INTERFACE CONT’D 6.3 USING THE RS232C SERIAL INTERFACE Observations6.4 UNDERSTANDING THE STATUS INDICATORS IndicatorActivity Cause6.5 UNDERSTANDING THE LCD ERROR MESSAGES Error NoGT Series Operator’s Manual PageSection 6 Troubleshooting Error NoClean the paper path to establish a smooth paper flow Head related errorSection 6 Troubleshooting Error NoGT Series Operator’s Manual PageSection 6 Troubleshooting Error NoItem Number error Remove the wound label. If the same error message perSection 6 Troubleshooting Error NoGT Series Operator’s Manual Page6.6 LCD WARNING MESSAGES Error NoGT Series Operator’s Manual LCD Message6.7 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE What to checkRemedy Symptom The display remains blank when the power switch is pressed6.7 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE CONT’D Symptom Low quality print What to checkRemedy GT Series Operator’s Manual6.7 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE CONT’D Symptom Print position is misalignedWhat to check RemedySection 6 Troubleshooting This page is intentionally left blankPage GT Series Operator’s ManualOPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 7.1 INTRODUCTION7.2 AVAILABLE INTERFACE BOARDS Interface Specifications Interface connector7.3 LABEL MANAGEMENT ACCESSORIES ¤ Peel unit with mounting winder factory option¤ Simplified peel unit factory option ¤ Cutter Unit factory option7.3 PCMCIA MEMORY CARTRIDGE 17.3.Lift1Installingup the frontthememorycover. cardSection 7 Optional Accessories This page is intentionally left blankPage GT Series Operator’s Manual