SATO M84PRO service manual General Description, Theory of Operation

Section 1: Introduction

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The M84Pro printer was designed for continuous industrial and commercial applications as self- evident with its uncompromising all-metal housing, 203 to 609 dpi resolution, and label width capacity up to 5 inches wide.

This printer uses standard SATO programming language with specific values for print resolutions. These values are specified in “dots” and will vary depending upon the printer resolution and the amount of memory available for label imaging.

The M84Pro was designed to be compatible with preceding M-8400 series printers. The main difference is how it receives the command sequence and how it responds to certain commands. Refer to the Operator and Technical Reference Manuals for additional information.

LEFT HOUSING COVER

PANEL COVER

FRONT HOUSING COVER

TOP HOUSING COVER

RIGHT HOUSING COVER

Figure 1-1, Primary Components

THEORY OF OPERATION

When activated, the media and ribbon (where applicable) are fed in conjunction past the print head by an integrated drive train. The drive train is electric, stepper motor driven, coupled to a gear configuration located on the left side of the printer chassis. Paper guides within the chassis assembly ensure that the media remains properly positioned during the printing process and is fed unimpeded through the front cover. The exhausted ribbon material is rewound onto a take-up core inserted onto drive-train driven spindles.

A series of strategically located sensors send signals to the processing unit. The processing unit in turn sends response signals to the various features based on programmed and received data. Correct signals initiate print head activity.

M84Pro Service Manual PN: 9001111A Page 1-2