^SS - Set Media Sensors

Overview

The ^SS command is used to manually change the values for media, web, ribbon, and label length that were initially set during the media calibration process. This allows fine-tuning of sensor thresholds and label detection parameters without performing a full recalibration. The values represent sensor reading thresholds that help the printer distinguish between media, web (gap), and ribbon.

Syntax

^SSw,m,r,l,m2,r2,a,b,c

Parameters

• w = Web sensor threshold (000-100, from calibration)
• m = Media sensor threshold (000-100, from calibration)
• r = Ribbon sensor threshold (000-100, from calibration)
• l = Label length in dots (0001-9999, from calibration)
• m2 = Media LED intensity (000-100, from calibration)
• r2 = Ribbon LED intensity (000-100, v14.5.3+, from calibration)
• a = Mark sensing threshold (000-100, from calibration)
• b = Mark media sensing threshold (000-100, from calibration)
• c = Mark LED sensing threshold (000-100, from calibration)

Sensor Values Explained

Web/Gap Sensor (w)

• Detects gap between labels
• Range: 000-100
• Higher values = stricter gap detection
• Lower values = more lenient

Media Sensor (m)

• Detects media presence
• Range: 000-100
• Higher values = detect thicker media
• Lower values = detect thinner media

Ribbon Sensor (r)

• Detects ribbon presence and feed
• Range: 000-100
• Higher values = detect thick ribbon
• Lower values = detect thin ribbon

Label Length (l)

• Physical length of label in dots
• 203 DPI examples:
  • 406 = 2 inches
  • 812 = 4 inches
  • 1218 = 6 inches

LED Intensities (m2, r2, a, b, c)

• Control sensor LED brightness
• Range: 000-100
• Used for optical sensor calibration
• m2 and r2 have no effect on Stripe Printers

Mark Sensing (a, b, c)

• For black mark detection
• a = mark threshold
• b = mark media threshold
• c = mark LED threshold

Description

• Fine-tunes sensor thresholds after calibration
• Allows adjustment without full recalibration
• Helps resolve specific media issues
• Improves accuracy for unusual media types

Usage Notes

• Default values from media calibration profile
• Should not be manually adjusted unless fine-tuning
• Incorrect values cause media tracking errors or misprints
• Recommend performing full calibration first
• Use when standard calibration doesn't work perfectly
• Values are stored in printer non-volatile memory

Examples

Basic Web and Media Adjustment

^XA
^SS030,060,040,0406
^FO50,50^A0N,30,30^FDCustom Sensors^FS
^XZ

Sets: web=030, media=060, ribbon=040, label length=406 dots (2 inches at 203 DPI).

With LED Intensity Adjustments

^XA
^SS025,055,035,0812,050,045
^FO50,50^A0N,30,30^FDAdjusted Settings^FS
^XZ

Sets web, media, ribbon, label length, and LED intensities.

Full Configuration with Mark Sensing

^XA
^SS030,060,040,0406,050,045,025,055,040
^FO50,50^A0N,30,30^FDFull Configuration^FS
^XZ

Sets all sensor parameters including mark sensing values.

Fine-Tuning for Thin Media

^XA
^SS035,045,035,0406,045,040
^FO50,50^A0N,30,30^FDThin Media Setup^FS
^XZ

Adjusted thresholds for thin label media.

Common Sensor Values

Troubleshooting Guide

Media Not Detected

• Increase media sensor threshold (m)
• Increase media LED intensity (m2)

False Gap Detection

• Decrease web sensor threshold (w)
• Adjust web LED intensity if available

Ribbon Issues

• Adjust ribbon threshold (r)
• Adjust ribbon LED intensity (r2)

Misaligned Labels

• Re-run full media calibration
• Verify label length (l) is correct

Related Commands

• ^MN - Media Tracking
• ^MT - Media Type
• ^MF - Media Feed
• ^LL - Label Length
• ~JC - Set Media Sensor Calibration

See Also

• Media Tracking (^MN)
• Label Length (^LL)
• Set Media Sensor Calibration (~JC)