TTP-244 Plus

THERMAL TRANSFER BAR CODE PRINTER

Service
Manual

TTP/TDP 244/342
TTP-244 Plus Bar Code
Printer Service Manual

Table of Contents

1. FUNDAMENTALS ABOUT THE SYSTEM .................................................................. 1

1.1 Features of the TTP/TDP-244 Plus ............................................................................ 1
1.2 Model Naming Syntax............................................................................................ 1
1.3 Overview .................................................................................................................... 2
1.3.1 Front View........................................................................................................... 2
1.3.2 Rear View ........................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Basic Specifications.................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Effective Print Area ..................................................................................................... 5
1.6 Available Bar Codes ................................................................................................... 5
1.7 Various Sensors ......................................................................................................... 6

2. SUPPLY SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 8

2.1 Types of Paper ........................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Specifications ............................................................................................................. 8
2.3 Ribbon Sizes and Shapes ........................................................................................ 10

3. ELECTRONICS .............................................................................................................. 11
3.1 Summary of Board Connectors ................................................................................ 11
3.2 Pin Configuration ...................................................................................................... 13

4. MECHANISM .................................................................................................................. 15
4.1 Mainboard Replacement........................................................................................... 15
4.2 DC Motor Replacement ............................................................................................ 17
4.3 Print Head Replacement .......................................................................................... 21
4.4 Ribbon Rewind Spindle Encoder Replacement ........................................................ 23
4.5 Felt Fabric Replacement .......................................................................................... 24
4.6 Stepping Motor Replacement ................................................................................... 26
4.7 Black Mark Sensor / Gap Sensor (Receiver) Replacement ...................................... 27
4.8 Ribbon Sensor (Receiver) Replacement................................................................... 28
4.9 Ribbon Sensor (Transmitter) / Gap Sensor (Transmitter) Replacement ................... 30
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4.10 Platen Replacement ............................................................................................... 31

5. TROUBLE SHOOTING ................................................................................................... 33

5.1 Trouble Shooting ...................................................................................................... 33
5.2 Calibrate the Gap Register ....................................................................................... 34
5.3 Self-test .................................................................................................................... 34
5.4 Ram Clear ................................................................................................................ 34
5.5 Diagnosis Operation Procedure ................................................................................ 34
5.6 Testing Sensors ....................................................................................................... 35

UPDATE HISTORY ............................................................................................................ 36

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1. FUNDAMENTALS ABOUT THE SYSTEM

1.1 Features of the TTP/TDP-244 Plus

1. TTP-244 Plus bar code printer prints bar codes, characters, logos, on various types of labels
and tickets by direct thermal or thermal transfer printing.
2 TTP-244 Plus adopts a “BASIC-like” high level programming language to help users
programme the desired label forms with ease.
3. TTP-244 Plus bar code printer can be connected to a personal computer or an optional LCD
keyboard to execute the programs downloaded in the printer’s memory. The printer is
equipped with the following standard devices:gap transmissive sensor, black mark reflective
sensor and ribbon end sensor.
4. TTP-244 Plus bar code printer provides a selection of optional features, including portable LCD
keyboard, etc.

1.2 Model Naming Syntax

T T P – 2 4 4 Plus
(1) (2) (3) (4)

(1) Print method:

TTP – Thermal Transfer Printing
TDP – Thermal Direct Printing
(2) Resolution of print head (DPI)
(3) Maximum print width (Inch)
(4) Maximum print speed (Inch/Sec)

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1.3 Overview

1.3.1 Front View

PAUSE Button

PWR., ON-LINE
and ERR.
Top Cover
Indicators

FEED Button

Label Dispense
Opening
Cover Release Button

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1.3.2 Rear View

Label Insert
Opening (for use
with external
labels)

RS-232 Interface USB Interface

Connector Connector
Power On/Off
Switch Power Supply
Connector

Centronics Interface
Connector (Option)

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1.4 Basic Specifications

 Thermal transfer and direct thermal printing

 High dot density printing (203 dots/inch)
 Selectable print speeds at 2.0”, 3.0” or 4.0” per second
 Supports RS-232 and USB interface
 Maximum media width up to 4.49” (114 mm)
 Adjustable label edge guide
 International character sets
 Print area is 4.09”W x 40”L (without any file downloaded in the printer memory)
 User selectable bar code ratios and heights
 Prints on labels or tickets
 Equipped with black mark sensor
 Label stock and thermal transfer ribbon are easy to install
 Internal label print counter
 Self test and hex dump mode
 Downloadable fonts from label design software

Electronics/Communication Specifications
 Electrical
DC Motor: DC24V
Memory:
─DRAM: 8 Mb
─Flash: 2 Mb
Adapter 100~240VAC10%, 50~60Hz
Regulations: FCC Class A, CE Class A, C-Tick Class A, TÜ V/GS, CCC

 Communications Interface:
* RS-232/USB
* RS-232/Centronics (factory option)

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 RS-232 Interface Pin Configuration:

Host Function 9 Pin 25 Pin 9 Pin Printer Function

1 +5V
RxD 2 3 2 TxD
TxD 3 2 3 RxD
DTR 4 20 4 DSR
GND 5 7 5 GND
DSR 6 6 6 RDY
RTS 7 4 7 N/C
CTS 8 5 8 RDY
9 +5V

1.5 Effective Print Area

Label/Ticket Length 12mm~2286mm

Effective Print
10mm~2284mm
Length
Label/Ticket Width 25mm~103mm
Effective Print Width 23mm~101mm
No Print Area 1mm

1.6 Available Bar Codes

1D bar code:
 Code 39
 Code 93
 Code 128 UCC
 Code 128, Subsets A, B, and C

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 Codabar
 Interleaved 2 of 5
 EAN-8, EAN-13, EAN-128
 UPC-A, UPC-E
 EAN and UPC with 2 or 5 digits add-on
 MSI
 Postnet
 Plessey
 China POST
2D bar codes:
 Maxicode
 DataMatrix
 PDF-417
 QR code

1.7 Various Sensors

Feed Gap Sensor

The feed gap sensor detects a label gap to locate the starting print position of the next
label. The sensor is mounted 4 mm off the center line of the main mechanism.

In case of Label

Black Mark Sensor

The black mark sensor locates the position of label by emitting infrared rays onto the
black mark at the back of the ticket. The sensor is mounted 5.75 mm off the center line
of the ticket roll width on the mechanism.

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In case of Ticket
The default sensor position is (1) as shown on the figure below. To change to the (2)
position, the customer should notify the manufacturer in advance. There can be only
one position for the sensor. Once the sensor position is agreed upon, it can not be
changed afterwards.

Ribbon End Sensor

The sensor detects the end portion of the ribbon. The ribbon end must be transparent.
Label End Sensor
The sensor detects the end portion of the label.
Ribbon encoder
The encoder is used to detect if the ribbon is broken.

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2. SUPPLY SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Types of Paper

Two types of media are available for TTP-244 Plus: label and ticket.
In TTP-244 Plus, there are two types of sensors for paper: gap sensor and black mark
sensor.
Label and ticket can be further classified into direct thermal type or thermal transfer type.

2.2 Specifications
Items Label
Max.114mm
Paper Width
Min. 25.4mm
Length (Pitch) 10～1016mm
Paper
0.25 mm
Thickness
Paper Weight Max 240 g/m2
Max. Roll Inner roll diameter. Max 4.3” (110mm)
Diameter
(1” core) External roll diameter. Max 8.4”
(214mm)
Roll Up Method Print surface wound outside as
standard
Paper Core ID. 25.7±0.3mm

Note:
(1). The width and thickness quoted above are said of the label plus its backing paper.
(2). Likewise, the approval of label entails that of its backing paper.
(3). Paper shape is as shown on next page:

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2.3 Ribbon Sizes and Shapes

Item Specifications
Ribbon shape Spool type
Max. 110mm
Ribbon width
Min. 40mm
Max. 110mm
Ribbon winding width
Min. 40mm
Leading tape Polyester film, 3355mm long
End tape Polyester film (transparent), 2505mm
long
Max. ribbon OD. 67mm
Winding method Ink surface to be wound outside

Note: The maximum length of ribbon depends on its thickness and core outside diameter.

The formula below defines the correlation between ribbon roll length and ribbon core
diameter.
(D 2  d 2 )  
L= , where
4t
L = Ribbon length
D = Max. roll diameter
d = Ribbon core outside diameter
t = Ribbon thickness

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3. ELECTRONICS

3.1 Summary of Board Connectors

Main board

1 2 3 4 5

7
8

14

9 10 11 12 13

Connector Description Remark

1 Ribbon sensor connector JP18

Black mark sensor connector JP46

Pin Description Voltage

2
1 Power 5V
Black mark No paper or black mark : 3.1~3.2V
2
sensor receiver Detect paper: 0~0.3V
3 GND 0V

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Gap sensor connector JP53

Pin Description Voltage

1 GND 0V
Emitter on : 0.7~1.8V
2 Gap sensor emitter
3 Emitter off: 2.4~2.7V
3 Power 5V
4 GND 0V
No paper or gap: 3.1~3.2V
5 Gap sensor receiver
Detect paper: 0~0.3V
6 Power 5V

4 Ribbon encoder sensor & DC motor connector JP37

5 Stepping motor connector JP14
6 Print head connector JP42
7 SD memory card module connector JP44
8 Micro processor U2
9 Power switch SW2
10 Power supply output (24V DC) connector B3
11 RS-232C connector JP7
12 Centronics port connector (Option) JP4
13 USB connector JP9
Push button connector JP52

Pin Description Voltage

LED light on: 2.0~2.2V
1 LED green (PWR)
LED light off: 0~0.3V
LED light on: 2.0~2.2V
2 LED green (ONLINE)
LED light off: 0~0.3V
14
LED light on : 2.0~2.2V
3 LED red (ERR)
LED light off: 0~0.3V
0V: Push key
4 Pause switch
3.3V: Stand-by
0V: Push key
5 Feed switch
3.3V: Stand-by
6 GND 0V

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3.2 Pin Configuration

RS-232C
PIN CONFIGURATION
1 +5 V
2 TXD
3 RXD
4 CTS
5 GND
6 RTS
7 N/C
8 RTS
9 N/C

USB
PIN CONFIGURATION
1 N/C
2 D-
3 D+
4 GND

Centronics

Pin SPP Mode Nibble In/Out Function

A low on this line indicates that there are valid data
at the host. When this pin is de-asserted, the +ve
1 Strobe N/A In
clock edge should be used to shift the data into the
device.
2-9 Data 0-7 N/A In Data Bus. Single-directional.
A low on this line indicates that there are valid data
at the Device. When this pin is de-asserted, the
10 Ack N/A Out
+ve clock edge should be used to shift the data into
the host.
When in reverse direction, a high indicates data,
11 Busy N/A Out while a low indicates a command cycle. In forward
direction, it functions as PtrBusy.
Paper Out /
12 N/A Out When low, device acknowledges reverse request.
End
13 Select N/A Out Extensibility flag
14 Ground N/A GND
15 No Defined N/A N/A
16-17 Ground N/A GND Ground
18 No Defined N/A N/A
19-30 Ground N/A GND Ground
31 No Defined N/A N/A

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A low set by the device indicates that the reverse

32 Error / Fault N/A Out
data is available
33-35 Ground N/A GND Ground
36 No Defined N/A N/A

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4. MECHANISM

4.1 Mainboard Replacement

1. Turn off the printer power.

2. Remove the power cord and RS-232 and/or USB port cable.
3. Open the top cover of the printer.
4. Remove the four screws of the internal label roll mount.

Remove screws of the label roll mount

5. Move the mechanism about 5 mm in the label feed direction.

6. Take out the internal label roll mount.

Internal label
roll mount

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7. Remove all connectors on the main board.

JP52

JP42

JP37 Ground Wire

JP14

JP53 JP46 JP18

Remark Description
JP52 Push button connector
JP37 Ribbon encoder sensor & DC motor connector
JP14 Stepping motor connector
JP53 Gap sensor connector
JP46 BLine sensor connector
JP18 Ribbon sensor connector
JP42 Print head connector

8. Remove the screw of ground wire on the main board.

9. Remove the rest three screws on the mainboard.
10. Replace the mainboard.
11. Reassemble the internal label roll mount in the reverse procedures of the removal.

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4.2 DC Motor Replacement

1. Turn off the printer power.

2. Remove the power cord and RS-232 and/or USB port cable.
3. Open the top cover of the printer.
4. Remove the printer front panel.

5. Remove the screws in the lower left, lower right corners of the main mechanism.

Screws

6. Remove all four screws of the internal label roll mount.

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7. Move the mechanism in the label feed direction about 5 mm.

8. Take out the internal label roll mount and remove connectors as below.
9. Remove the screw of ground wire on the mainboard.

JP42

JP37 Ground Wire

JP14

JP53 JP46 JP18

10. Take out the mechanism.

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11. Remove the one screw.

Screw

12. Remove the three screws on DC motor fixture.

Screws DC Motor
fixture

13. Remove the three screws used to fix DC motor on the fixture and remove the cable tie.

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Cable tie

Screws

14. Replace the DC motor and pull out the cables in connector JP 37.
Note: The colors of DC motor wires in connector JP 37 are yellow (outside) and green
(inside).

15. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of the removal.

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4.3 Print Head Replacement

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.2 to take out the mechanism.
2. Open the print carriage.
3. Remove the screws, springs and spring bushing on both sides of the mechanism.

Spring bushing

Screws

Spring

Note: The left side spring and the right side spring are different in shape. The right
side spring has a straight end, when the left side spring has an end that is
curved 90 degrees.

4. The main mechanism is divided into upper mechanism and lower mechanism.
5. Disconnect the print head cables.
6. Remove the e-ring at the mechanism, as shown.

E-ring

7. Remove the screws.

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Screws

8. Resplace the print head.

9. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

Note:
1. Tidy up the cable so that it does not protrude or interfere with the ribbon.
2. Do not touch the elements of the print head.
3. Do not disassemble the print head.

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4.4 Ribbon Rewind Spindle Encoder Replacement

The encoder is installed on the gear box of DC motor, and is used to detect if the ribbon
is unerringly rewound by the spindle. The encoder is connected to JP6 on the
mainboard. Please switch the printer to thermal transfer mode. The multi-meter is used
to measure the voltage of Pin2 (+5V). If the voltage changes continuously from 0 to 5
volts DC, the encoder is in condition. Otherwise, please follow the steps below to
replace the encoder PCB.

1. Follow directions in Section 4.2 to remove DC motor and DC motor fixture.

DC Motor
Encoder

2. Remove the two flat tap screws and cable tie.

3. Replace the Encoder PCB.
4. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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4.5 Felt Fabric Replacement

Felt Fabric is located in the ribbon supply spindle. It is used to tighten the ribbon to
prevent it from getting wrinkled during printing. If the ribbon can not be tightened when
label back feeds during printing, please replace with a new felt to secure the best
printing quality. Follow the steps below to replace the felt fabric.

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.2 to remove DC motor and DC motor fixture.
2. Remove the E-ring and washer on ribbon supply spindle.

E Ring Spring Holder

Washer Spring

Spring Cover Felt Clutch

Compression
Spring Felt Fabric

Components of the
Ribbon Supply Spindle

3. Remove the spring cover, compression spring and spring holder.

4. Remove the spring, felt clutch and felt fabric.
5. Replace with a new felt.

Side View of the

Ribbon Supply Spindle Assembly

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6. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

Front View of the

Ribbon Supply Spindle

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4.6 Stepping Motor Replacement

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.2 to take out the mechanism.

2. Remove the two screws on stepping motor fixture.

Screws

3. Replace the stepping motor and reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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4.7 Black Mark Sensor / Gap Sensor (Receiver) Replacement

Black mark sensor is reflection type sensor. It is connected to JP4 (3 pin connector). A
multi-meter is used to measure the signal of Pin2 to see if there is voltage variation
when black mark is detected. Before conducting the test, please issue the BLINE
command first. The printer will switch from gap sensor to black mark sensor. If there is
no voltage variation, please follow steps below to replace the black mark sensor / gap
sensor (receiver) PCB.

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.2 to take out the mechanism.

Black mark
sensor PCB

2. Remove two flat tap screws and black mark sensor PCB.

Screws

3. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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4.8 Ribbon Sensor (Receiver) Replacement

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.2 to take out the mechanism.

2. Open the print carriage.

3. Remove the screws, springs and spring bushing on both sides of the mechanism.

Spring bushing

Screws

Spring

Note: The left side spring and the right side spring are different in shape. The right
side spring has a straight end, when the left side spring has an end that is
curved 90 degrees.

4. The main mechanism is divided into upper mechanism and lower mechanism.
5. And ribbon sensor (receiver) is located in the upper mechanism. Remove the screws on the
ribbon sensor cover.

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Sensor Cover

Flat Tap Screw

6. Replace with a new ribbon sensor PCB.

Ribbon sensor PCB

7. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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4.9 Ribbon Sensor (Transmitter) / Gap Sensor (Transmitter) Replacement

1. Please follow the steps in Section 4.8 to separate the upper mechanism from the lower
mechanism.
2. The ribbon sensor (transmitter) is located in the center of the lower mechanism.

Ribbon sensor
(transmitter) PCB

3. Remove the two flat tap screws

Screws

4. Remove the cable tie and sensor PCB.

5. Replace with a new PCB. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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4.10 Platen Replacement

1. Follow the instructions in Section 4.6 to remove the stepping motor fixture and stepping motor.
2. Remove the E-ring and two gears.
3. Remove the E ring and the printer carriage release lever arm.

Thermal Head
Gear #1
Printer Carriage
Release lever arm

Gear #2
E-ring

4. Remove the E-ring and the printer carriage release lever on the left side of the mechanism.

Printer Carriage
Release Lever

E-ring

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5. Remove the teflon tube and stripper rod.

Teflon Tube

6. Remove the E ring, the right side and left side platen bushes.

Platen

E-ring Platen bush (Left side)

7. Move the platen to the right of the mechanism.

8. Replace the platen and reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

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5. TROUBLE SHOOTING

5.1 Trouble Shooting

Problems Solutions
1. Ribbon does not advance. Check the printing mode setting and reset the
printer.

2. Poor print quality. Clean the print head.

Adjust the print density setting.

3. Only prints diagonal pattern in the self-test. Ribbon and paper are incompatible. Use a
different type of ribbon.

4. Power indicator light does not illuminate. Check the connection of serial port cable.

5. On-line indicator light does not to illuminate. Check the DIP switch setting and reset the
printer.
Check that power cord is properly connected.

6. Error indicator remains illuminated. Out of paper or out of ribbon.

Check the DIP switch setting

Check the paper core, make sure it is installed

on the ribbon rewind spindle.

Press the FEED key. The error message will

be printed out on the print media or sent out
through RS-232 port.

If there is no problem with direct thermal

printing, but error occurs in thermal transfer
printing. Please check the encoder of the DC
motor.

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5.2 Calibrate the Gap Register

Install the label.
Turn on the printer power while pressing the PAUSE button. The printer will calibrate the
transparency of the backing paper and adjust the gap register.

5.3 Self-test
Install the label.
Turn on the printer power while pressing the FEED button, the printer will:
Print head checking pattern.
Calibrate the label length.
Print internal settings.
Initiate self-test.
Enter dump mode.

5.4 Ram Clear

Press the PAUSE and FEED button simultaneously for more than 3 seconds. The printer will
clear the memory and reset the printer.
Be sure to calibrate the gap register with blank label before printing.

5.5 Diagnosis Operation Procedure

When the power is turned on without any button pressed, self diagnosis is performed
automatically to test the available memory. If any error occurs during this period, the ERR
light will flash.

Do the self test and inspect the test pattern to check if the thermal head is available.

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5.6 Testing Sensors

A. Checking Ribbon Sensor

Switch the multimeter to the DC gear. Connect the black wire to DC GND, and the red
wire to PIN2 of JP18.
1. When ribbon is detected between TX and RX of the ribbon sensor, the measured
voltage should be 5 Vdc.
2. When ribbon is not detected between TX and RX of the ribbon sensor, the measured
voltage should be 0 Vdc.
The ribbon sensor is normal if the checking complies with the two cases above. Or else,
the ribbon sensor is out of order.

B. Checking DC Motor Encoder Sensor

Switch the multimeter to the DC gear. Connect the black wire to DC GND, and the red
wire to PIN4 of U35.
1. When gap of the gear box is detected by the DC motor encoder sensor, the
measured voltage should be 5 Vdc.
2. When gap of the gear box is not detected by the DC motor encoder sensor, the
measured voltage should be 0 Vdc.
The DC motor encoder sensor is normal if the checking complies with the two cases
above. Or else, the DC motor encoder sensor is out of order.

C. Checking Black Line Sensor

Switch the multimeter to the DC gear. Connect the black wire to DC GND, and the red
wire to PIN2 of U2. Load black line label on the printer.
1. When black line is detected by the black line sensor, the measured voltage should
be 3 Vdc.
2. When black line is not detected by the black line sensor, the measured voltage
should be 0 Vdc.
The black line sensor is normal if the checking complies with the two cases above. Or
else, the black line sensor is out of order.

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UPDATE HISTORY

Date Content Editor

2009/10/6 Modify section 3.1 Camille
2011/1/25 Modify TSC address Camille
2011/4/7 Modify section 3.2 Camille

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 Corporate Headquarters Li Ze Plant
9F., No.95, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist., No.35, Sec. 2, Ligong 1st Rd., Wujie Township,
New Taipei City 23141, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Yilan County 26841, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
TEL: +886-2-2218-6789 TEL: +886-3-990-6677
FAX: +886-2-2218-5678 FAX: +886-3-990-5577
Web site: www.tscprinters.com
TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]