Alpha-4L

1. FUNDAMENTAL OF THE SYSTEM

1.1 Overview

Front View

Diagram showing the front view of the Alpha-4L printer with numbered callouts.

• 1. Power on/off button
• 2. Feed button
• 3. Printer status LED indicator
• 4. Battery status LED indicator
• 5. Media cover release button
• 6. Peel-off sensor (Without for linerless model)
• 7. Print head
• 8. Transmissive sensor – Gap sensor
• 9. Media holder lock switch
• 10. Media holder
• 11. Media cover
• 12. Reflective sensor – Black mark sensor
• 13. Platen roller
• 14. Tear/Peeler bar (Without for linerless model)
• 15. Peeler module

Note: The media sensor position is selectable by factory adjustment. Please refer to this figure for default settings. (Default – center position, black mark in back side)

Rear View

Diagram showing the rear view of the Alpha-4L printer with numbered callouts and connection ports.

• 1. Li-ion battery
• 2. Belt chip
• 3. Battery open clasp
• 4. Hanger for shoulder strap
• 5. External label entrance chute
• 6. USB interface
• 7. MicroSD card socket
• 8. Power jack

Note: Recommended MicroSD card specification.

- The DOS FAT file system is supported for the SD card.

- Folders/files stored in the SD card should be in the 8.3 filename format

2. ELECTRONICS

2.1 Summary of Board Connectors

Image of the main board's top side, highlighting connector areas J101, J401, J404, CON101, CON102, CON103.

Main board top

Micro SD connector

Micro USB

Battery

CON101 pin1~4 & CON102 pin1 for battery positive

CON103 pin1~4 & CON102 pin4 for battery negative

CON102 pin2~3 for NTC

Main board bottom

Image of the main board's bottom side, highlighting connector areas J501, J301, J701, J702, J402, S1, J603, J601, J600, J602, BAT1, J703, S101.

For LED Board

For LCD board

Download port

WiFi connector

Bluetooth connector

Stepping motor

Black mark sensor

Gap sensor

LCD

Charger station

RTC battery

3. MECHANISM

3.1 Replacing the Platen Roller

1. Open the printer cover. Use a tool to take the platen roller off. Replace the platen roller.

Image showing a hand using a tool to remove the platen roller from the printer mechanism.

2. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.2 Replacing the Print Head Assembly

1. Use hex wrench (#2.5) to remove two screws on lower cover.

Image showing the underside of the printer with two circled screws on the lower cover.

2. Open the printer cover. Remove four screws on lower inner cover.

Image showing the printer with the cover open, and four circled screws on the lower inner cover.

3. Remove the upper cover carefully.

Two images showing hands detaching the upper cover of the printer.

4. Remove 2 screws on the each side of lower inner cover to remove the print head spring fixture.

Two images showing circled screws on the sides of the lower inner cover, indicating where to remove screws for the print head spring fixture.

5. Loosen the connector lock (black) then disconnect the flat cable from the main board. Remove the print head assembly.

Image showing hands disconnecting a flat cable from the main board. Red arrows indicate the cable and connector lock.

6. Replace the print head assembly.

Image highlighting the removed print head assembly and the print head spring fixture.

7. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.3 Replacing the Keys Control Board/ LCD Control Board

1. Refer to section 3.2 to remove the upper cover. Disconnect the cables from the main board.

Note: For the flat cable (LCD control board), please loosen the connector lock (brown) then disconnect the cable.

Side-by-side images showing the Keys control board cable and the LCD control board cable connections to the main board, with red arrows indicating disconnection points.

2. Remove 4 screws on the keys control board/ LCD control board and disconnect the peel-off sensor connector by loosen the connector lock (brown).

Side-by-side images of the Keys control board and LCD control board, showing circled screws and connector locations.

3. Replace the keys control board/ LCD control board assembly.

4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.4 Replacing the Peel-off Sensor Module

1. Refer to section 3.2 to remove the upper cover.

2. Disconnect the peel-off sensor connector by loosen the connector lock for panel board. Remove 1 screw.

Image showing a circuit board with a connector and a circled screw, with a red arrow indicating the screw to be removed.

3. Replace the peel-off sensor module.

Image of the peel-off sensor module.

4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.5 Replacing the Bluetooth Module

1. Refer to section 3.2 to remove the upper cover.

2. Remove 2 screws on the Bluetooth control board. Use a tool to remove the spacer support on the Bluetooth control board.

Image of the Bluetooth control board with two circled screws and a highlighted area for spacer support removal.

3. Disconnect the connector on the board. Replace the Bluetooth module.

Image showing a connector on the Bluetooth module being disconnected.

4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.6 Replacing the Main Board Assembly

1. Refer to section 3.5 to remove the upper cover and Bluetooth control board.

2. Remove 2 screws on the main board. Disconnect all the connectors on the main board. Replace the main board.

Image of the main board with two circled screws highlighted.

3. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.7 Replacing the Stepping Motor

1. Refer to section 3.2 to remove the upper cover.

2. Remove 5 screws. Disconnect the connectors on main board to take out the internal mechanism.

Two images showing circled screws on the internal mechanism and main board connections.

3. Remove 2 screws to replace the stepping motor.

Image showing the stepping motor with two circled screws.

4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.8 Replacing the Gap Sensor Assembly

1. Refer to section 3.7 to take out the internal mechanism.

2. Loosen 2 springs.

Two close-up images showing hands loosening springs on the internal mechanism.

3. Remove 4 screws on the internal mechanism.

Image of the internal mechanism with four circled screws.

4. Replace the gap sensor assembly.

Image of the gap sensor assembly.

5. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.9 Replacing the Media Holder Assembly

1. Refer to section 3.8 to remove the gap sensor assembly.

2. Replace the media holder assembly.

Image of the media holder assembly.

3. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.10 Replacing the Hand Open Sensor Assemble

1. Refer to section 3.7 to take out the internal mechanism.

2. Remove 1 screw to replace the hand open sensor assembly.

Image showing the internal mechanism with a circled screw for the hand open sensor.

3. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.11 Replacing the Peel-off Module

1. Refer to sections 3.1 and 3.7 to remove the platen roller and take out the internal mechanism.

2. Remove the black mark sensor cover.

Two images showing hands removing the black mark sensor cover, with arrows and a circled screw.

3. Remove 4 screws on upper cover to take out the black mark sensor module.

Image of the printer's upper cover with four circled screws.

4. Replacing the Peel-off cover.

Image showing the peel-off cover being handled.

5. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.12 Replacing the Black Mark Sensor Assembly

1. Refer to sections 3.11 to take out the black mark sensor assembly. Disconnect the black mark sensor connector from main board.

Image showing the black mark sensor connector and its connection to the main board, with a circled area.

2. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

Image of the black mark sensor assembly.

3.13 Replacing the Charger Board Assembly

1. Refer to the section 3.7 to take out the internal mechanism.

2. Disconnect the connector on the main board. Remove 2 screws to replacing the charger board assembly.

Image showing the main board with a connector and two circled screws related to the charger board assembly.

3. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

3.14 Replacing the Wi-Fi Module (Option)

1. Refer to section 3.2 to remove the upper cover.

2. Disconnect the antenna connector gently.

3. Remove the screw and loose the spacer support on the Wi-Fi module.

Image of the Wi-Fi module on the main board, showing circled screws, a highlighted spacer support area, and a label pointing to the 'Antenna connector'.

4. Replace the Wi-Fi module board.

5. Arrange cable of antenna as indicated.

6. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

Note: If you replace the main board, please check the Wi-Fi signal band on configuration page for your using region. If any questions, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance.

3.15 Replacing the RTC Battery (Option)

1. Refer to section 3.14 to remove the WiFi module.

2. Disconnect the connector on the main board.

Image showing a connector on the main board, likely related to the RTC battery or WiFi module.

3. Replace the RTC battery.

Image showing the RTC battery and its connection on the main board.

4. Reassemble the parts in the reverse procedures.

4. TROUBLESHOOTING

4.1 Common Problems

The following guide lists the most common problems that may be encountered when operating this bar code printer. If the printer still does not function after all suggested solutions have been invoked, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance.

5. MAINTENANCE

This session presents the clean tools and methods to maintain your printer.

1. Please use one of following material to clean the printer.

• Cotton swab
• Lint-free cloth
• Vacuum / Blower brush
• 100% ethanol

2. The cleaning process is described as following,

Diagram illustrating the print head and its elements for cleaning.

Note:

• Do not touch printer head by hand. If you touch it careless, please use ethanol to clean it.
• Please use 100% Ethenol. DO NOT use medical alcohol, which may damage the printer head.
• Regularly clean the print head and supply sensors once change a new ribbon to keep printer performance and extend printer life.

Revise History

Contact Information

Image: TSC Logo and company name: TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.

Corporate Headquarters

9F., No.95, Minquan Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 23141, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

TEL: +886-2-2218-6789

FAX: +886-2-2218-5678

Web site: www.tscprinters.com

E-mail: printer_sales@tscprinters.com, tech_support@tscprinters.com

Li Ze Plant

No.35, Sec. 2, Ligong 1st Rd., Wujie Township, Yilan County 26841, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

TEL: +886-3-990-6677

FAX: +886-3-990-5577