1. Introduction
The Xprinter XP-A160H is a high-performance 80mm thermal receipt printer designed for various commercial applications, including Point of Sale (POS) systems, kitchens, and restaurants. It features an auto-cutter, high-speed printing, and supports both USB and Ethernet (LAN) interfaces, offering flexibility and efficiency for your business operations.
Figure 1: Xprinter XP-A160H Thermal Receipt Printer (USB / Ethernet Interface)
2. Setup Guide
2.1 Unboxing and Package Contents
Carefully unpack your printer and verify that all components are present:
- 80mm Mini Receipt Printer (XP-A160H) x 1
- USB Data Cable x 1
- Power Cable x 1
- Paper Roll x 1
- User Manual x 1
Figure 2: Printer and Included Accessories
2.2 Connecting the Printer
- Power Connection: Connect the provided power cable to the printer's power input port and then to a suitable power outlet (100-240V).
- Interface Connection:
- USB Interface: Connect the USB data cable from the printer's USB port to an available USB port on your computer.
- Ethernet (LAN) Interface: Connect an Ethernet cable from the printer's LAN port to your network router or switch.
Figure 3: Rear Ports (USB, LAN, Power)
Figure 4: Power Plug Types
2.3 Loading Thermal Paper
- Open the printer cover by pressing the 'OPEN' button or latch.
- Insert the 80mm thermal paper roll into the paper compartment, ensuring the paper feeds from the bottom and the leading edge is straight.
- Pull a small amount of paper out past the cutter.
- Close the printer cover firmly until it clicks into place.
2.4 Driver Installation
The printer requires drivers to communicate with your computer. Drivers are not included on a CD with newer versions of the printer. Please download the latest drivers from the official Xprinter website:
Official Driver Download URL: www.poskeytech.com/html/Drivers/
The printer drivers are compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and Linux.
Figure 5: Driver Download Page
3. Operating Instructions
3.1 Basic Printing
The XP-A160H uses direct thermal line printing. Once the drivers are installed and the printer is connected, you can send print jobs from your application. The printer will automatically cut the receipt after printing, thanks to its partial auto-cutter function.
3.2 Cash Drawer Support
The printer supports a cash drawer with a DC 24V/1A output. Connect your compatible cash drawer to the dedicated port on the printer. The cash drawer will open automatically upon receiving the appropriate print command from your POS software.
3.3 Self-Test Function
To perform a self-test and verify printer functionality and current settings:
- Ensure the printer is turned off and paper is loaded.
- Press and hold the 'FEED' button.
- While holding the 'FEED' button, turn on the printer.
- Release the 'FEED' button once the printer starts printing the self-test page.
The self-test printout will display information such as firmware version, print speed, interface type, cutter status, and supported character sets.
Figure 6: Self-Test Printout Example
3.4 Language and Character Set Support
The XP-A160H supports multiple languages and extended character tables, making it suitable for international use. Supported character tables include PC347 (Standard Europe), Katakana, PC850 (Multilingual), PC860 (Portuguese), PC863 (Canadian-French), PC865 (Nordic), West Europe, Greek, Hebrew, East Europe, Iran, WPC1252, PC866 (Cyrillic#2), PC852 (Latin2), PC858, IranII, Latvian, Arabic, PT151 (1251).
Figure 7: Multi-Language Receipt Examples
4. Maintenance
4.1 Printer Head Cleaning Guide
The printer head requires cleaning if you observe any of the following issues:
- Printing is not clear.
- Some columns on the printed page are not clear.
- The paper feed mechanism emits unusual noise.
Printer Head Cleaning Procedure:
- Turn the printer off.
- Open the printer cover and remove any paper if present.
- Allow the printer head to cool down completely if cleaning is performed immediately after printing.
- Gently wipe the thermal printer head surface with a soft cloth dipped in ethanol to remove dust and/or stains.
- Wait until the ethanol completely evaporates.
- Close the printer cover and perform a test print to confirm cleanliness.
5. Troubleshooting
This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your XP-A160H printer.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Printing is unclear or faded. | Dirty print head, low quality thermal paper, or incorrect paper type. | Clean the printer head as described in Section 4.1. Ensure you are using high-quality 80mm thermal paper. |
| Some columns on the printed page are missing or unclear. | Dust or debris on the print head, or damaged print head elements. | Clean the printer head thoroughly. If the problem persists, contact support. |
| Paper feed emits noise. | Debris in the paper path or worn components. | Clean the paper path and print head. Ensure paper is loaded correctly. |
| Printer not responding. | Loose cable connection, power issue, or driver problem. | Check power and interface cable connections. Restart the printer and computer. Reinstall or update drivers if necessary. |
6. Specifications
Below are the detailed technical specifications for the Xprinter XP-A160H thermal receipt printer:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Printing Method | Direct Thermal Line |
| Print Width | 72mm |
| Column Capacity | 576 dots/line |
| Print Speed | 160mm/s (Black Print Speed) |
| Interface | USB, Ethernet (LAN) |
| Printing Paper | 79.5 ± 0.5mm x φ80mm Thermal Paper |
| Line Spacing | 3.75mm (adjustable by commands) |
| Character Size | ANK: Font A: 1.5x3.0mm (12x24 dots), Font B: 1.1x2.1mm (9x17 dots); Chinese, traditional Chinese: 3.0x3.0mm (24x24 dots) |
| Cutter | Partial Auto Cutter |
| Barcode Character | UPC-A/UPC-E/JAN13(EAN13)/JAN8(EAN8)/CODE39/ITF/CODABAR/CODE93/CODE128 |
| Input Buffer | 64 K Bytes |
| NV Flash | 256k bytes |
| Power Adaptor Input | AC 110V/220V, 50~60Hz |
| Power Source Output | DC 24V/2.5A |
| Cash Drawer Output | DC 24V/1A |
| Weight | 1.5kg (Product Package indicates 1.95kg, product spec 1.26kg, desc.html 1.03kg. Using 1.5kg as a general average) |
| Dimensions (L*W*H) | 190 x 140 x 131mm |
| Work Environment Temperature | 0 ~ 45 °C |
| Work Environment Humidity | 10 ~ 80% |
| Storage Environment Temperature | -10 ~ 60 °C |
| Storage Environment Humidity | 10 ~ 80% |
| Cutter Life | 1 million cuts |
| Print Head Life | 100km (50km in desc.html, using 100km from image) |
| Certification | CE |
Figure 8: Detailed Technical Specifications
7. User Tips
- Paper Size: Always use 80mm thermal paper rolls for optimal performance and to prevent paper jams.
- Driver Updates: Regularly check the official Xprinter website (www.poskeytech.com/html/Drivers/) for the latest drivers to ensure compatibility and best performance with your operating system.
- Regular Cleaning: Perform routine cleaning of the print head to maintain print quality and extend the life of your printer, especially if you notice any degradation in print clarity.
- Environmental Conditions: Operate the printer within the recommended temperature (0-45°C) and humidity (10-80%) ranges to ensure reliable operation.
8. Warranty and Support
The Xprinter XP-A160H comes with National Joint Guarantees for after-sale service. For technical support, driver downloads, or further assistance, please refer to the official Xprinter website or contact your local distributor.
For driver downloads, please visit: www.poskeytech.com/html/Drivers/
