EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions Using the 3400e Linerless Printer The EasyCoder 3400e partially linerless printer is an EasyCoder 3400e that has been adapted to use both heat-sensitive linerless paper (media) with less than 20% adhesive backing and standard direct thermal media. These instructions explain the special features of the EasyCoder 3400e partially linerless printer. Note: This 3400e partially linerless printer was tested using linerless media with 10% adhesive backing. Standard linerless media with 100% adhesive backing will not work since the printer is shipped with a standard platen roller. Linerless media eliminates the liner (backing paper) that usually protects the adhesive on labels. Coated parts in the printer ensure that the linerless media does not stick as the media feeds through the printer. Several key parts need to be coated to make a printer into a linerless printer. This 3400e printer is a partially linerless printer because some of the parts needed to make it linerless have been replaced with coated parts, but not all, such as the standard platen roller. The 3400e partially linerless printer has been built to handle linerless media with less than 20% adhesive backing. To install and use your 3400e partially linerless printer 1 Connect the printer to a power supply. For help, see the EasyCoder 3400e, 4420, 4440 Bar Code Label Printer Quick Start Guide (P/N 072004) that ships with your printer. 2 Connect the printer to your system. For help, see the EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User s Manual (P/N 071881) that ships on the CD with your printer. 3 Load a roll of media. For help, see the quick start guide. 4 Configure the printer as needed. For help, see the user s manual or the PrintSet software that is on the CD. 5 Download label formats as needed. For help, see the user s manual or the LabelShop START software that is on the CD. Note: This 3400e printer has been configured at the Intermec factory to print on mark media label stock. If you reset the printer to its default configuration, you need to reconfigure your printer (settings and label formats) and reset the Label Stock Type to mark media label stock. EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 1
Guidelines for Using Linerless Media The printing environment affects linerless printing operation. To get the best performance from the linerless printer, follow these guidelines: Do not increase darkness beyond the level to achieve zero bar growth on a Code 39 10 mil ladder bar code. Avoid high duty cycles or dense formats that increase tackiness of the adhesive (increasing the propensity of label wrap). As the format gets denser, more dots are turned on and the media becomes hotter, causing label wrap. Label wrap occurs when the label adheres to the platen surface causing the label to wrap around the platen roller during printing. Avoid high air temperatures that will cause adhesive to bond to the platen roller. Advance the media beyond the tear bar and raise the printhead when not printing for an extended period of time (as short as 15 minutes in a hot or humid environment). Engage the printhead and advance the media before sending the print command. Retract before printing format may be required in certain customer applications where chronic wrapping issues occur. For help, contact your Intermec customer support representative. Store the linerless media in a controlled environment within 4 C to 26 C (40 F to 79 F) and at 35 to 75% relative humidity. Note: Use of non-intermec standard linerless media can lead to premature printhead failure and void the printhead warranty. Maintaining the 3400e Linerless Printer This section explains how to clean and maintain the 3400e partially linerless printer to maximize performance. The two cleaning methods approved for linerless printing are isopropyl alcohol and abrasive cleaning cards. To maintain the partially linerless printer, follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your printer user s manual with these exceptions: Remove the labels from the platen by hand if required. Using tools or solvents will damage the platen roller. Use the abrasive cleaning card as described in the next section. 2 EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions
Cleaning the Printhead With the Linerless Printer Abrasive Cleaning Card Excessive media adhesive buildup on the surface of the printhead insulates the heating elements from the media. The result is an overall degradation in print quality and a reduction in the heat dissipation from the printhead. This can cause excessive thermal stress on the heating elements that can lead to premature printhead failure. If you try to compensate for weaker print quality by turning up the print energy, it adds to the thermal stress on the printhead. Isopropyl alcohol alone may not effectively remove burnt-on buildup. An abrasive cleaning card is an effective tool for removing buildup. Printhead Cleaning Schedule Cleaning Schedule After each roll of media (152.4 meters or 6,000 inches) After every 10 rolls of media (1,524 meters or 60,000 inches) Cleaning Procedure Clean the printhead with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab or isopropyl alcohol cleaning (IPA) cards or pens. IPA cleaning card (P/N 1-110501-00) IPA cleaning pen (P/N 1-091501-01) Clean the printhead with an abrasive cleaning card (P/N GEZ400STB). To order IPA cards, IPA pens, or abrasive cleaning cards, contact the Intermec Media group at 1-800-227-9947 or 1-513-874-5882. Note: Abrasive cleaning cards should only be used after every 10 rolls of media. They can damage the printhead if used more frequently. Do not use sharp objects such as knives or screwdrivers to scrape the printhead clean. Cleaning with sharp objects will severely damage the printhead. Clean with only a cotton swab, or a clean, lint-free cloth or tissue damp with isopropyl alcohol. Attention: N utilisez pas d objets pointus tels que couteaux ou tournevis pour nettoyer la tête d imprimante. Nettoyer avec des objets pointus endommagera la tête d imprimante. Nettoyez-la seulement avec de la ouate ou avec un linge propre et libre de peluches, humecté avec de l alcool d isopropyl. EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 3
To clean the printhead using the abrasive cleaning card 1 Turn off the printer power and unplug the AC power cord. The platen roller can now spin freely. Switch off the printer power and remove the power cord before cleaning any part of the printer. Avertissement: Mettez l imprimante hors tension et débranchez le câble d alimentation avant de nettoyer une parte de l imprimante. 2 Remove the media. 3 Insert the blue abrasive cleaning card (P/N GEZ400STB) with the smooth shiny side against the platen roller until 2.5 cm (1 in) extends out in front of the printer. 4 Close the printhead and pull the cleaning card out of the printer. 5 Repeat Steps 3 and 4 two more times using the same card. 6 Clean the surface of the printhead with a cotton swab that is soaked with isopropyl alcohol or with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) card or pen. For help, see the EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User s Manual (P/N 071881). Spare Parts for the 3400e Linerless Printer These parts are installed in the 3400e printer to make it a partially linerless printer: Lower media path bracket (P/N 070247) Tear bar (P/N 070248) Platen roller (P/N 058996) Extrusion (P/N 070244) For help ordering spare parts, cleaning cards, or cleaning pens, contact your Intermec service representative. Standard 3400e Printer Features That Are Not Available The following standard features and options are not available on the 3400e partially linerless printer: Gap Sensor feature is not available. You can use the Taken Sensor feature and the Mark Sensor feature. Batch Take-Up option is not available. Cutter option is not available. Thermal transfer (TTR) printing is not available. 4 EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions
Where To Go For More Information For more information on using the 3400e printer, please see: EasyCoder 3400e, 4420, 4440 Bar Code Label Printer Quick Start Guide (P/N 072004) EasyCoder 3400e Bar Code Label Printer User s Manual (P/N 071881) Go to the Intermec web site at www.intermec.com to find manuals as PDF files. To order printed documentation, contact your local Intermec sales representative. If you have any problems, please visit our Product Support web site at intermec.custhelp.com. EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 5
6001 36th Avenue West Everett, Washington 98203 U.S.A. tel 425.348.2600 fax 425.355.9551 www.intermec.com 2005 Intermec Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions *075251-001* P/N 075251-001