Zebra Technologies 170PAX2TM manual Glossary, 170PAX2-Series User’s Guide

Glossary

alphanumeric Indicating letters, numerals, and characters such as punctuation marks.

backfeed When the printer pulls the media and ribbon (if used) backward into the printer so that the beginning of the label to be printed is properly positioned behind the printhead. Backfeed occurs when operating the printer in tear-off, peel-off, or cutter mode.

bar code A code by which alphanumeric characters can be represented by a series of adjacent stripes of different widths. Many different code schemes exist, such as the universal product code (UPC) or Code 39.

black mark A registration mark found on the underside of the print media which acts as a start-of-label indication for the printer. (See non-continuous media.)

calibration (of a printer) A process in which the printer determines some basic information needed to print accurately with a particular media and ribbon combination. To do this, the printer feeds some media and ribbon (if used) through the printer and senses whether to use the direct thermal or thermal transfer print method, and (if using non-continuous media) the length of individual labels or tags.

character set The set of all letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and other characters that can be expressed by a particular font or barcode.

check digit A character added to a barcode symbol that indicates to the scanner that it has read the symbol correctly.

configuration The printer configuration is a group of operating parameters which are specific to the printer application. Some parameters are user selectable while others are dependent on the installed options and mode of operation. Parameters may be switch selectable, front panel programmable or downloaded as ZPL II commands. A Configuration Label listing all the current printer parameters may be printed for reference.

continuous media Label or tag-stock media that has no notch, gap, or web (backing material only) to separate the labels or tags. The media is one long piece of material.

core diameter The inside diameter of the cardboard core at the center of a roll of media or ribbon.

cutter An optional mechanical device that cuts the media into individual labels or tags immediately after it is printed.

diagnostics Information about which printer functions are not working that is used for troubleshooting printer problems.

die-cut media A type of label stock where individual labels are stuck to a backing material. The labels may be either lined up against each other or separated by a small distance. Typically the material surrounding the labels has been removed. (See non-continuous media.)

direct thermal A printing method in which the printhead presses directly against the media. Heating the printhead elements causes a discoloration of the heat-sensitive coating on the media. By selectively heating the printhead elements as the media moves past, an image is printed onto the media. No ribbon is used with this printing method. Contrast this with thermal transfer.

direct thermal media Media that is coated with a substance which reacts to the application of direct heat from the printhead to produce an image.

dynamic ram DRAM is the term used to describe the memory devices used to store the label formats in electronic form while they are being printed. The amount of DRAM memory available in the printer determines the maximum size and number of label formats that can be printed. This is volatile memory which loses the stored information when power is turned off.

170PAX2-Series User’s Guide 71