Qls 2000 Series User manual
QLS™ 2000/3000 Series
Digital Color Printers
Operation & Setup Guide
Part No. 22834-451
03/05
Firmware V 1.3
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
____________________________________________________
QuickLabel® Systems
an Astro-Med, Inc. product group
600 East Greenwich Avenue
West Warwick, RI 02893
Tel 1.401.828.4000
Fax 1.401.822.2430
www.quicklabelsystems.com
____________________________________________________
Technical Support 1.800.343.4039
Copyright © 2000 - 2005
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this manual may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form by any means without written permission of QuickLabel® Systems.
LRU, CQL, QLS, QuickLabel, Range Boss, and Top Hand are trademarks of QuickLabel
Systems. MicroCell and RibbonRation are trademarks of Astro-Med, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Limited Warranty
QuickLabel Systems, an Astro-Med, Inc. product group, warrants all non-wear components
of this product against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year from
the date of original purchase. If the customer discovers a defect, this defect must be
reported promptly to QuickLabel Systems. QuickLabel Systems will, at its option, repair or
replace the defective component or product at no additional charge except as set forth
below.
Repair parts and replacement parts will be furnished on an exchange basis and will be
either reconditioned or new. All replaced parts become the property of QuickLabel
Systems. Travel, freight, and other expenses related to warranty repairs are not covered.
Service Agreements are available for purchase and provide on-site service and/or loaner
equipment. This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident, abuse,
neglect or misapplication, or if the product has been improperly installed, or if the product
has been modified without the express written permission of QuickLabel Systems.
With respect to printers and print and apply systems, QuickLabel Systems warrants the
printhead for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase, or one million linear inches,
whichever occurs first, contingent upon the use of QuickLabel Systems thermal transfer
ribbon. This specific printhead warranty does not apply to printheads damaged by
accident, abuse, neglect, misapplication, or the like.
QuickLabel Systems makes no warranty, either express or implied, with respect to this
product's fitness for a particular purpose. QuickLabel Systems is not responsible for your
product if it is lost or damaged in transit.
Canadian Emissions Requirements
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
Le present appareil numérique n’emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la class A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des Communications du Canada.
FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation. Shielded cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance
with the Class A FCC limits.
WARNING
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the operation guide,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Ownership Information
Use the spaces below to record the model and serial number of your product.
Model ____________________________________ Serial No. _____________________
Contact QuickLabel Systems
Contact QuickLabel Systems to pass along your comments about any QLS product, Astro-
Med, Inc. Data Acquisition Instrument, Grass Instruments, or related software products. To
contact the QuickLabel® Systems Development Group, call 401-828-4000 or e-mail us at
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Manufacturer’s Name: Astro-Med,Inc.
Manufacturer’s Address: Astro-Med, Inc.
600 East Greenwich Avenue
West Warwick, RI 02893 USA
declares that the product
Product Name: QLS-2000 QLS-2001
QLS-3000 QLS-3001
conforms to the following product specifications:
Safety: EN 60950-1:2001
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-03
EMC: EN 55022:2000, Class A
EN 55024:1998
EN 61000-3-2:2000
EN 61000-3-3:1995
Relevant Directives are 89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC
Steven Holbrook / Quality Assurance Manager
03/03/2005
European Contact: Your local Astro-Med, Inc. Sales and Service Office.
FRANCE – Astro-Med SNC, Parc dʹActivities de Pissaloup, 1, rue
Edouard Branly, 78190 Trappes (Tel. 331-3482-0900 Fax: 331-3482-0571
Email:AstroMedFr[email protected])
GERMANY – Astro-Med GmbH, Senefelderstrasse 1/T6, D-63110
Rodgau (Tel. 49-6106-75033 Fax: 49-6106-771121
Email: AstroMedDeutschland@astromed.com)
UNITED KINGDOM – Astro-Med, Inc., Astro-Med House, 11 Whittle
Parkway, Slough, SL1 6DQ. (Tel. 44-1628-668836 Fax: 44-1628-664994
ITALY –Astro-Med S.R.L, Via Plezzo 8, 20132 Milano. (Tel. 39-02-
26411909 Fax: 39-02-26412828 Email: AstroMedItalia@astromed.com)
QLS 2000/3000 Digital Color Printers
Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Before You Get Started...................................................................................................................................... 1
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
2000/3000 Digital Color Printer Specifications ......................................................................... 1
Comm Ports ............................................................................................................................... 3
Internal Components.................................................................................................................. 4
User Interface .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Keypad & Indicator Lights......................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 2
Printer Setup....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Assembly..................................................................................................................................................... 7
QLS 2000/3000 Series Printers .................................................................................................. 7
Cutter, Cutter-Stacker, or External Rewinder............................................................................. 7
Communications.......................................................................................................................................... 7
Printer Drivers............................................................................................................................ 7
Platforms Supported................................................................................................................... 7
Comm Protocol.......................................................................................................................... 8
Comm Port................................................................................................................................. 9
Baud Rate / Handshaking.........................................................................................................10
Media......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon (TTR) Media..................................................................... 11
Loading Label Media............................................................................................................... 13
Specify Media Type................................................................................................................. 16
Calibration................................................................................................................................................. 16
Current Media.......................................................................................................................... 16
Label Length............................................................................................................................ 18
Chapter 3
Printing ............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Printer Status ............................................................................................................................................. 19
Initialization............................................................................................................................. 19
Current Settings ....................................................................................................................... 19
Operation................................................................................................................................................... 20
CQL 99™ and Third-Party Design Software ........................................................................... 20
Print/Pause ............................................................................................................................... 20
Advance Media........................................................................................................................ 21
Print Quality .............................................................................................................................................. 21
QLS 2000/3000 Digital Color Printers
ii Table of Contents
Test Print Quality..................................................................................................................... 21
Heat Intensity .......................................................................................................................... 23
Printhead Pressure ................................................................................................................... 24
TTR Media Tension................................................................................................................. 26
Print Position............................................................................................................................................. 26
Print and Cut Offset................................................................................................................. 26
Web Alignment ....................................................................................................................... 27
Mirror Images.......................................................................................................................... 28
Image Area .............................................................................................................................. 29
Speed......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Job Reprints .............................................................................................................................................. 30
Chapter 4
Printer Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................ 31
Routine Cleaning....................................................................................................................................... 31
Replacing Parts ......................................................................................................................................... 33
Printheads ................................................................................................................................ 33
Platen Rollers........................................................................................................................... 35
Drive Roller............................................................................................................................. 37
Upgrade Firmware..................................................................................................................................... 39
Parallel Upgrade ...................................................................................................................... 40
Serial (RS-232) Upgrade .........................................................................................................41
Enable/Disable TTR Sensors ................................................................................................... 42
Chapter 5
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................................... 43
Solutions to Common Problems ................................................................................................................ 43
Mechanical Problems............................................................................................................... 43
Poor Print Quality.................................................................................................................... 43
Index ................................................................................................................................................................. 45
QLS 2000/3000 Series Digital Color Printers
Before You Get Started 1
Chapter 1
Before You Get Started
Overview
All QLS 2000/3000 series thermal transfer printers print in vibrant spot color.
In addition, the 3000 model prints full process color.
QLS 2000 Model .......................... Prints two spot colors on one side of the media.
QLS 2001 Model .......................... Prints one spot color on each side of the media
simultaneously.
QLS 3000 Model .......................... Prints three spot colors or full process color on one
side of the media.
QLS 3001 Model .......................... Prints two colors on one side of the media and one
color on the opposite side simultaneously.
2000/3000 Digital Color Printer Specifications
Print Method ................................. thermal transfer
Print Speed.................................... up to 5 ips
Resolution..................................... 304 dpi
RAM ............................................. 1 MB Flash optional for download and storage of
bitmaps or fonts. Dynamic sizing of RAM occurs
automatically when maximum label length is changed
to accommodate download of bitmaps or fonts.
Drivers .......................................... Windows or Macintosh
Communications........................... RS232, RS422, Centronics® Parallel
QLS 2000/3000 Series Digital Color Printers
2Before You Get Started
Pin table for the serial interface is:
1 ........................................not used
2 ........................................TXD (transmit data)
3 ........................................RXD (receive data)
4 ........................................DTR (data terminal ready)
5 ........................................ground
6 ........................................DSR (data set ready)
7 ........................................internally connected
8 ........................................internally connected
9 ........................................not used
Media Travel Sensors ....................
Transmissive .....................Senses the gap, inverted gap, notch,
string hole, or punch out. This sensor is
marked by a sliding red handle and
pointer that is to be positioned over the
gap, notch, string hold, or punch out.
Reflective ..........................Senses a black mark on the underside of
a label or tag. This is a fixed sensor and
is not adjustable.
TTR Media Roll Length ................300 meters
TTR Media Widths........................1.75, 2, 2.75, 3.25, 3.75 inches
Label Media...................................die cut or continuous; paper, plastic, or synthetics;
card or care tag
Min/Max Label Media Size ...........1” to 4.625” W x 0.2” to 22” L
Max Label Thickness.....................12 pt
Min/Max Print Width ....................5 mm to 4.4 inches
QLS 2000/3000 Series Digital Color Printers
Before You Get Started 3
Label Print Software ..................... optional
Label Design Software.................. optional
Standard Bar Codes ...................... all standard, plus Agfa® True Type™ scalable fonts
Power Requirements ..................... 110/240V A/C, 50/60 Hz, 400W
Dimensions ................................... 20” x 17” x 22”
Weight .......................................... 84 lb
Heat Intensity................................ 1 (coolest, results in the lightest output) to 32 (hottest).
Other Options ............................... external cutter, external cutter-stacker, external
rewinder
Comm Ports
Ports for external connection to the printer are provided on the rear of the unit.
1 parallel port
2 serial port
3 reserved for future use
4 utility I/O port
Figure 1, QLS 2000/3000 Comm Ports
QLS 2000/3000 Series Digital Color Printers
4Before You Get Started
Internal Components
All models contain mechanisms similar to those shown on the 3000 model
illustrated.
Figure 2, Interior - QLS 3000 Digital Color Printer
1 thermal transfer ribbon (TTR) rewind mandrel (front print station)
2 TTR tension switch
3 TTR unwind mandrel (front print station)
4 silver clip holding the cam
5 drive roller pressure cam lever (closed position)
6 drive roller pressure support assembly
This manual suits for next models
1
Table of contents
