EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 1
EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions
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.
Using the 3400e Linerless Printer
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.
2 EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions
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.
EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 3
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 Cleaning Procedure
After each roll of media (152.4
meters or 6,000 inches)
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)
After every 10 rolls of media
(1,524 meters or 60,000 inches)
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.
4 EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions
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.
EasyCoder 3400e Linerless Printer Instructions 5
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.
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
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