Intermec ColorCoder V4 Operating instructions

ColorCoder V4

Color Label Printer

P/N 1-960460-00

Edition 1

April 1999

Installation & Operation

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

1

Chapter 1

1. Introduction

1.1 Contents ............................................................................................1

1.2 FCC Notice (U.S.A.) .........................................................................3

1.3 DOC Notice (Canada) .......................................................................3

1.4 VDE Notice (Germany).....................................................................3

1.5 Intermec ColorCoder V4 ...................................................................4

1.6 Bubble Jet Technology ......................................................................5

1.7 Main Parts .........................................................................................6

2. Unpacking

2.1 Unpacking the Printer ........................................................................8

2.2 Verifying the Contents.......................................................................9

3. Installation Requirements

3.1 Storage and Installation Locations ...................................................10

3.2 Moving the Printer...........................................................................10

3.3 Mains Connection ...........................................................................11

3.4 Precautions ......................................................................................12

3.5 Ink Cartridges ..................................................................................12

4. Installation

4.1 Assembling the Printer ....................................................................13

4.2 Ink Cartridge Loading .....................................................................15

4.3 Connecting the Printheads ...............................................................16

4.4 Power Connection ...........................................................................18

4.5 Control Panel...................................................................................19

4.6 Cleaning at Installation ....................................................................20

4.7 Turning Printer On in User Mode ....................................................21

4.8 Paper Roll Loading..........................................................................22

4.9 Selecting Paper Type .......................................................................25

4.10 Test Print .........................................................................................27

4.11 Test Print Evaluation .......................................................................29

4.12 Print Position Alignment .................................................................32

4.13 Stop Position Alignment..................................................................36

4.14 Saving the Settings ..........................................................................38

4.15 Connection to a PC..........................................................................39

4.16 Windows Driver Installation ............................................................40

5. Printing

5.1 Preparations Before Printing ............................................................47

5.2 Starting Up the Printer .....................................................................48

5.3 Windows Driver Print Setup ............................................................49

5.4 Printing using the Windows Driver..................................................55

5.5 Printing from Memory Cards...........................................................57

5.6 Label Cutter.....................................................................................59

6. Routine Maintenance

6.1 Ink Cartridge Replacement ..............................................................60

6.2 Paper Roll Replacement ..................................................................62

6.3 Printhead Cleaning ..........................................................................66

6.4 Cleaning (A) Procedure ...................................................................67

6.5 Cleaning (B) Procedure ...................................................................68

6.6 Automatic Cleaning.........................................................................69

6.7 External Cleaning ............................................................................71

1. Introduction

1.1 Contents

Intermec ColorCoder V4

Installation & Operation

Edition 1, April 1999

Part No. 1-960460-00

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

2

Chapter 1 Introduction

7. Troubleshooting

7.1 Paper Jams ......................................................................................73

7.2 Error Messages................................................................................76

8. Specifications

8.1 Printer .............................................................................................81

8.2 Labels with Gaps .............................................................................83

8.3 Labels with Black Marks .................................................................84

8.4 Tags with Detection Holes...............................................................85

8.5 Tags with Black Marks....................................................................86

8.6 Tags with No TOF Detection...........................................................87

9. Advanced Paper Settings

9.1 General Information ........................................................................88

9.2 Paper Type Setup ............................................................................89

9.3 Setting Top of Form ........................................................................90

9.4 Setting Paper Width and Length ......................................................91

9.5 Setting Label Gap ............................................................................93

9.6 Setting the Mark/Hole Width ...........................................................94

9.7 Setting Partition Interval and Number of Partition Sheets ................95

9.8 Setting Margins ...............................................................................97

10. Advanced Printer Settings

10.1 Interface Setting ..............................................................................99

10.2 Print Mode ....................................................................................101

10.3 Start-Up Option .............................................................................102

10.4 Output Option ...............................................................................103

10.5 Display Mode ................................................................................104

11. Reset Setup to Default

11.1 Resetting the Setup ........................................................................105

11.2 Default Settings .............................................................................106

12. Control Menu Diagrams

12.1 Main Menu....................................................................................107

12.2 Maintenance Menu, Part 1 .............................................................108

Maintenance Menu, Part 2 .............................................................109

Maintenance Menu, Part 3 .............................................................110

Appendices

A.1 Precautions to Observe with Windows ...........................................111

A.2 Shipping Preparations.................................................................... 113

1.1 Contents, cont'd.

Information in this manual is subject to change without prior notice and does not represent a commitment

on the part of Intermec Printer AB.

Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Aptex Inc.

Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corp.

ColorCoder and Collux are trademarks of Intermec Technologies Corp.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 1 Introduction

WARNING

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and

if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions manual, may

cause interference to radio communications. It has been tested and found to

comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J

of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection

against such interference when operated in a commercial environment.

Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference

in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever

measures may be required to correct the interference.

Canadian Dept. of Communication

REGULATIONS COMPLIANCE

(DOC-A)

This digital apparatus does not exceed the class A limits for radio noise

emissions from a digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference

regulations of the Canadian Department of Communication.

Ministère des Communications du Canada

CONFORMITE DE REGLEMENTS

(DOC-A)

Le présent appareil numérique n´émet pas de bruits radio-électriques dépassant

les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans

le règlement sur brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des

Communications du Canada.

ALLGEMEINE VORSCHRIFT

Reparaturen oder sonstige Eingriffe, die sich nicht auf normale Bedienung der

Maschine beziehen, dürfen ausschließlich nur von einem ausgebildeten,

zuständigen Fachmann vorgenommen werden.

1.2 FCC Notice

(U.S.A.)

1.3 DOC Notice

(Canada)

1.4 VDE Notice

(Germany)

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 1 Introduction

The Intermec ColorCoder V4 is a second genera-

tion version of the Intermec ColorCoder 901, which

initiated a revolution in 4-colour label printing. The

Bubble Jet printing technology lets you produce

brilliant colour graphics on labels, tickets and tags.

All four colours are printed in one single pass

through the printer. And it's very fast. Production

speed means an incredible 150 mm per second (6

in.). Full colour, full speed!

The Intermec ColorCoder V4 offers superior im-

age contrast, sharp text and bar codes.

Think of the advantage of printing your labels in-

house, just the quantity you need, just when you

need them, and with minimum lead time! The

Intermec ColorCoder V4 prints as many labels as

you need, ten or ten thousand. It is both easier and

more economical than the traditional way of getting

your pre-printed labels from a printing office, espe-

cially for low-volume runs. With the Intermec

ColorCoder V4 you can forget about printing serv-

ices like text composing, reproduction, films and

plates. Besides, you do not need to bother about

stocking all the different sorts of labels. So this

means economy, it saves your time, and it saves

your money.

The Intermec ColorCoder V4 offers opportunities

to print 4-colour text, images and bar codes in many

kinds of business, for example with label convert-

ers/print shops (low-volume runs), manufacturing

(product marking labels), transportation (address-

ing/shipping labels), retail (product/price marking

labels), and theatres and sports grounds (entrance

tickets).

The Intermec ColorCoder V4 comes with a printer

driver for Microsoft Windows 95 and 3.11. These

drivers makes it possible to produce printouts from

most personal computer programs.

1.5 Intermec ColorCoder V4

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

5

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.6 Bubble Jet

Technology

The Bubble Jet technology used in Intermec ColorCoder V4 is

based upon the simple and natural phenomenon that when a liquid

is heated little bubbles are formed. An electric pulse creates a

temperature elevation (up to 300–400˚C). Every elevation of

temperature forms a tiny bubble that, in its turn, increases the

pressure and squirts out a well defined amount of ink. After that, the

pressure is reduced and vacuum is formed attracting new ink –and

the process starts all over again.

There are four printheads, one for each CMYK colour (cyan,

magenta, yellow and black). Each printhead and its connected

circuitry has capacity to handle thousands of pulses each second. As

the paper moves past the printheads, a multitude of well-defined ink

droplets are pressed out through the nozzles at an extremely high

speed.

The Bubble Jet method offers very high image resolution: 360 dpi

(dots per inch). The combination of high speed and high quality

printing makes the Bubble Jet technology unique compared to other

ink jet printing methods.

The printheads in ColorCoder V4 have 1,360 extremely small

nozzles each. In fact, every nozzle is thinner than a hair. Inside there

is a heating element and electrodes, and it is manufactured the same

way as integrated circuits (IC). Compare with traditional ink jet

methods, where every nozzle has an electromechanical pump that

shoots ink through the nozzle. The Bubble Jet printhead weighs

only one tenth of that of a conventional ink jet. Besides, it has no

moving parts.

Thus, the Bubble Jet method is silent, reliable and accurate, and

offers high quality four-colour printing at a reasonable cost.

Ink is warmed up

Heating element creates bubbles

Ink is vaporized

Bubble expands

Steam is condensed and bubble contracts

Ink droplet is shot out when bubble

disappears

Heating Element

Ink

Nozzle

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 1 Introduction

MENU

READY

PAUSE

STOP

ON LINE

FEED

DATA ERROR

ENTER

READY

1.7 Main Parts

The following part names are used in the descriptions contained in

this manual.

Front of Main Unit

Operation Panel

Power Switch

Roll Cover

Control Panel

Front Cover

Printhead Station (PHS) Unit

Display Panel

Enter Key

Pause Key

Cursor Right

Key

Cursor Left Key

Feed Key

On Line Key

Stop Key

Menu Key

Roll Unit

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 1 Introduction

1.7 Main Parts,

cont'd.

Back of Printer

Sub Cover

Printer Interior

PHS Unit

Front Cover

Paper Arm

Fixing Screw

Parallel Connector

Power Cord Connector

Connector

for optional units

Collux Ink Cartridges

Roll Retainer (front)

Memory Card

Slot

Roll

Retainer

(inner)

Take-up Shaft

Fixing Screw

Paper Guide

(inner)

Paper Guide

(front)

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 2

Remove the printer from the shipping container according to the

following procedure.

1

. Release the clips from four places on the shipping container as

shown below, and remove the shipping container's upper box

only.

2

. After removing the upper pallet, the printer and the cartridges

will be accessible as shown below.

3

. The following components are packed in the upper pallet.

2. Unpacking

2.1 Unpacking the

Printer

Note!

Save packing material, clips, pads etc.

in case you need to transport the printer

later (see Appendix A.2). Replacement

packing material can also be provided

by your local Intermec distributor.

Power Cords (2)

Collux Ink

Cartridges

(2 x 100 ml)

Printer Driver Kit

Manuals

Head Shading

Data

Software Package

Clear Ink

Cleaning Sheets

Cleaning Sticks

Collux Ink

Cartridges

(2 x 100 ml)

Upper Pallet

Printer

(in aluminum

shrink pack)

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 2 Unpacking

2.2 Verifying the

Contents

After unpacking contents of the box, verify that the following items

are present.

1 Head Shading Data Floppy Disk

Manuals

Two Power Cords

Four Collux Ink Cartridges

Printer Main Unit

2 Windows Driver Floppy Disks

Clear Ink

Software Package CD-ROM

Cleaning Sheets

Cleaning Sticks

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 3

3. Installation Requirements

Keep the following in mind when selecting the site of installation:

There must be a power outlet 100–240V AC exclusively dedicated

to the printer. Faulty operation may result if the printer is placed near

devices that produce strong magnetic fields, such as radios, televi-

sions, speakers, etc. In addition, the printer may interfere with

electromagnetic signal reception if used near a television, radio, and

the like.

The temperature must be +15°C to +30°C (+59°F to + 86°F) and the

humidity between 10 and 80% RH. In particular, avoid areas near

water faucets, water boilers, humidifiers and refrigerators.

Avoid excessively dusty areas, or areas where there is exposure to

large amounts of salt, such as areas exposed to sea breezes. Do not

expose to corrosive gases.

The room should be well ventilated. Avoid areas subject to extreme

variations in temperature, such as areas exposed to direct sunlight

or adjacent to air conditioning equipment. Do not store the printer

in areas subject to sudden rises in temperature, such as car interiors.

The floor must be flat, level and free from excessive vibrations. The

desk, table, or the like, should be level, flat, and stout enough to

support the weight of the printer (29 kgs/64 lbs) and paper supply.

The space must be large enough to allow at least 10 cm (4") of free

space in all directions around the printer.

If the printer is moved from a place of low temperature or humidity

to a place of high temperature or humidity for installation, dew

condensation may occur. In such cases, let the printer adapt to the

new environment for at least 2 hours before starting the installation.

Please refer to Appendix A.2 for important instructions how to

prepare and pack the printer before transporting it outside the

premises or in a manner that will expose it to vibration. Subjecting

an improperly packed printer to vibration, shock, etc. may result in

damage. Use the original packing material, or order a replacement

set of packing material from your local Intermec distributor.

Observe the following precautions when moving the printer within

the premises to prevent damage or ink leakage:

• Open the sub cover at back of the printer (see chapter 1.7) and

raise the green lever to put the printer in transport mode.

• While moving the printer, two persons should carry it by

grasping the baseplate of the printer main unit. Do not hold onto

the roll unit.

• Do not tilt the printer.

3.1 Storage and

Installation

Locations

3.2 Moving the

Printer

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 3 Installation Requirements

Operating specifications for the printer are as follows. Use only

with a power supply that meets these specifications.

Power supply voltage: 100-240 VAC

Power supply frequency: 50/60 Hz

Power consumption: 300 W max. (during printing)

Do not share the AC outlet used for the printer with other devices.

Electrical noise from air conditioners, copiers, fluorescent lights,

etc., plugged into the same outlet as the printer may cause faulty

operation.

In order to insure that the power cord can be removed quickly from

the outlet, keep area around the outlet clear of objects which would

block access. Always grasp the plug, not the cord, when unplugging

the power cord from the outlet. Use of the printer with heavy objects

resting on the power cord or with the power cord severely bent will

damage the cord and is extremely hazardous, as it may result in

machine failure, fire, or electric shock.

Make sure that the printer has stopped printing before turning it off.

Unplugging the power cord from the outlet while the printer is

turned on may result in damage to the printer.

Always wait at least four (4) seconds after turning the printer off

before turning it back on again. Turning the printer back on too

quickly may result in faulty operation.

In the event of smoke emissions, a burning smell or other unusual

odour, abnormal noise coming from the printer, or any other sign of

abnormal operation during use, immediately turn printer power off,

unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet, and notify your

printer dealer.

3.3 Mains

Connection

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 3 Installation Requirements

Observe the following precautions when using the printer. In

addition, do not use the printer in any way other than described in

the User's Manual.

• Do not spill water or other liquids on the printer. Do not place the

printer in the vicinity of water faucets or in damp places to avoid

risks of electric shock.

• Do not drop or strike the printer.

• Exercise caution around the label cutter; striking it with your

face or hands will result in injury.

• Do not disassemble or modify the printer.

• Do not use alcohol, paint thinner, etc., around the printer (fire

hazard!).

• Use a soft dry cloth to clean the printer exterior.

• Do not insert fingers under ink cartridge protective covers or

force covers open.

• Do not let fingers come in contact with the area around the

printhead. Do not let fingers come in contact with drive unit or

sensors in order to avoid injury.

• Do not affix the labels, which are printed by this printer, to foods

such as fruits, vegetables, etc. If the labels should unavoidably

be affixed to them, be sure to affix the labels on wrapping

materials.

• Do not unplug the power cord while the printer is turned on.

For continuous printing of the images having highly dense charac-

ters, the printer may drop in printing speed for best printing quality,

this is not a an error.

• Keep ink cartridges in a place away from the reach of children.

• Do not disassemble the cartridges.

• Dispose of empty ink cartridges in accordance with local laws

and regulations.

• Do not drop or shake the ink cartridges.

• Ink cartridges must not be refilled.

3.4 Precautions

3.5 Ink Cartridges

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4

After removing the printer from the shipping container, install the

printer according to the following procedure. The only tool required

is a M4 Phillips screwdriver.

1

. Remove the printer from its aluminum shrink pack, and place the

printer on a level surface. Remove the tape attached to exterior

of the main unit.

2

. Open the printer cover, and open the Print Head Station (PHS)

unit by lifting the handle.

3

. Remove the pad under the PHS unit (with tag), but leave the

paper towels.

4. Installation

4.1 Assembling

the Printer

IMPORTANT!

It is most important that the installation

procedure is carried out exactly as

described in this chapter. If not, the

printer will not work and is subject to

the risk of severe damage!

Note!

Save packing material, clips, pads etc.

in case you need to transport the printer

later (see Appendix A.2). Replacement

packing material can also be provided

by your local Intermec distributor.

Paper Towels

(Do NOT remove!)

Remove Pad

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4 Installation

4

. Gently close the PHS unit, and close the front cover.

5

. Remove the tape from the shipping cover at the back of the main

unit. Remove the sub cover while depressing the clip, and push

the green lever down. After confirming the position of the

green lever, reattach the sub cover.

6

. Remove the two M4 screws that hold the PHS cover and remove

the PHS cover.

7.

Remove the pad (w tag), which is taped inside the PHS unit.

4.1 Assembling

the Printer,

cont'd.

Important!

If the green lever is not depressed as

described in paragraph 5, the ink may

spout of the tube station.

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4 Installation

4.2 Ink Cartridge

Loading

The printer requires Collux ink cartridges in four colours. Load ink

cartridges according to the following procedure prior to using the

printer for the first time.

1

. Open the front cover and remove the shipping pads.

2

. Carefully load each colour ink cartridge in the following order

from left to right: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K

(black). An ink cartridge inserted in the wrong location will not

load properly. Be sure to insert the cartridges completely. The

cartridges should slip in quite easily, or they are not inserted

correctly.

3

. Verify that all the cartridges have been loaded, and close the

front cover.

CAUTION

• Use only Collux ink cartridges. Use of

other brands of ink will invalidate the

warranty.

• Do not attempt to refill cartridges.

• Sharp parts underneath ink cartridge

protective covers are hazardous. Do

not insert fingers under protective

covers or force covers open. Notify

the printer dealer immediately if

covers ever become broken.

• Store the cartridges in a place out of

direct sunlight.

• Use the cartridges within a year.

Before using, store the cartridges in a

bag.

• The ink contains Diethylene Glycol

and is harmful if swallowed. Keep out

of the reach of children!

Note!

Save shipping pads in case you need to

transport the printer later (see Appendix

A.2).

Y

M

C

K

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4 Installation

1

. Open the white plastic cover in the PHS unit and remove the

transportation connectors. Save the connectors for later use.

Caution! The transportation connectors may contain a small

amount of ink.

2

. Remove the polyethylene bag, the tag, and the rubber caps from

the head connectors. Insert the head connectors into the tube

station and connect.

Caution!

If the metal plate of the head connector is caught under the head

connector cover, ink will leak out of the tube station.

4.3 Connecting

the Printheads

Wrong OK

Note!

Savecaps in case you need to transport

the printer later (see Appendix A.2).

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4 Installation

4.3 Connecting the

Printheads,

cont'd.

3

. After completing connections for all head connectors, close the

tube release lever (i.e. the white plastic cover). Pass the tube of

each head connector under the tube retaining pin, as shown in the

figure below.

Caution!

Make sure that each head connector is passed under the tube

retaining pin. This is to prevent the PHS cover from touching the

tubes and possibly bending them.

4

. Re-attach the cover over the PHS unit.

Retaining Pin

Tube

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

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Chapter 4 Installation

Connect the printer to a power outlet and turn the printer on

according to the following procedure.

1

. Attach the power cord to the power connector, located in the

back of the main unit.

2

. Plug the power cord, that is attached to the main unit of the

printer, into an AC outlet.

3

. While pressing both the <Pause> and <On Line> keys, turn the

power switch ON. Keep pressing those keys until the buzzer

beeps. About 10 seconds later, the message “01 OFFLINE”

appears on the display panel.

Note!

By pressing the <Pause> and <On Line> keys during power up,

you will enter a special “Service Man Mode”. The operator

should only enter this mode to perform installation cleaning (see

chapter 4.6). All other facilities in the Service Man Mode are

intended for trained service personnel only.

4.4 Power

Connection

READY DATA

ERROR

MENU

PAUSE

ON LINE

FEED

STOP

Intermec ColorCoder V4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 1

19

Chapter 4 Installation

MENU

READY

PAUSE

STOP

ON LINE

FEED

DATA ERROR

ENTER

READY

The printer can be controlled by means of a panel on the front. In

addition to a 16 character LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display

panel, there are various keys and indicator lamps, some of which

you will need to use to complete the installation:

1. Display Panel Prompts the operator and shows menus, settings, errors

and other messages.

2. Data Lamp Lights during data access.

3. Ready Lamp Flashes during warming up and is lit when power is on and

printer is ready.

4. Pause Key Holds printing or resumes held printing.

5. Stop Key Cancels printing.

6. On Line Key Switches the printer between on line/off line.

When on line is selected, a lamp in the key lights.

7. Feed Key Feeds out paper, e.g. after a completed print job. Can only

be used when the printer is off line:

- Feed key only:

A single copy is fed out each time the key is pressed.

- Feed + Cursor Left keys:

The paper is continuously fed out as long the keys are

pressed.

- Feed + Cursor Right keys:

The paper is continuously pulled back as long the keys

are pressed.

8. Cursor Left Key Displays previous menu at current menu level.

9. Enter Key Selects the displayed menu option.

10. Cursor Right Key Displays next menu at current menu level.

11. Menu Key Displays menu when printer is off-line.

Also moves menu back one step.

12. Error Lamp Lights when an error occurs.

Refer to chapter 12 for complete control menu diagrams.

4.5 Control Panel

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

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Intermec ColorCoder V4 Operating instructions

Intermec ColorCoder V4 Operating instructions

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