[Brother QL-720NW] Red flashing while printing

medouederni commented 8 years ago

I think I didn't get the right resolution/size for the png file to convert. Could you please provide a sample png file for a demo.

pklaus commented 8 years ago

What label type and size do you use?

Here is my example file: 720x151_monochrome.png

medouederni commented 8 years ago

Same result. I'm using QL-720NW Model. Label type: DK-22205 (62 mm). How should I calculate the png file size and resolution (300 DPI I think).

Thank you

pklaus commented 8 years ago

The manual states this about a flashing red LED:

Indicates one of the following errors. Red lamp flashes in 1.0 second intervals: • End of DK Roll • Incorrect DK Roll installed • Feed error • No DK Roll • Transmission error • The roll cover is opened (While running) • Data image deployment error • Access point search/connection error Red lamp flashes 0.9 seconds OFF, 0.3 seconds ON, 0.3 seconds OFF, and then 0.3 seconds ON: • Cutter error Red lamp flashes in 0.3 second intervals: •EEPROM error

I assume the problem is the 1 second interval flashing. Quite a lot of problems in that error class... Usually it's a problem with the commands in the raster protocol file sent, if such an error occurs.

I do not own the QL-720NW myself so I cannot debug it directly. You could try the following though:

Run a modified version of brother_ql_create: Save the raw version of create.py into a folder on the Raspberry Pi 2, change it, and run this instead of brother_ql_create. (They are the same.) What you would want to modify are the setup commands. You could comment out those function calls for example, create the .bin file again and send it to the printer to see if that helps.
Run the vendor software to print a label via the network (Ethernet/WiFi) and capture the network packets with tcpdump or Wireshark. Send the .pcap to me to let me inspect it.
Ask for the error status via USB (if connected that way). This is not implemented in the software yet but it can be done. There is no status/error information if you send the raster print commands via network.

I'm sure we will sort it out.

FYI: Starting tomorrow I'll attend a conference (Sunday to Sunday), so my answers might be slightly delayed.

medouederni commented 8 years ago

I commented the line 53: qlr.set_mode(), and transferred the bin file to the printer via network. I got a green light flashing, that means data transfer but without printing result. Btw I got the same old behavior with the usb transfer mode.

medouederni commented 8 years ago

Using this project: https://github.com/nametacker/brother-label I got an infinite printer rolling without any printing:

root@raspberrypi:/home/pi/brother-label/brother-label# ./printlabel.py DEBUG:brother.printer:Connected to 192.168.1.65:9100 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM IHDR 16 13 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM PLTE 41 6 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM bKGD 59 1 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:bKGD 59 1 (unknown) DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM pHYs 72 9 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM tIME 93 7 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:tIME 93 7 (unknown) DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM iTXt 112 29 DEBUG:PIL.PngImagePlugin:STREAM IDAT 153 265 DEBUG:brother.task.label:40 lines of data DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b40 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b696101 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b697a860a3e1d000100000000 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b694d40 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b694101 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b6908 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b696423 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1b694d00 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: ffffffffff8000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ffffffffff DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80200802008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ff80000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80210bc238800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000788f0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80238a2244800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001c081c000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80228a228080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000700807000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8026cbc28080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000c00801800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8027ca228080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001800800c00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 802c6a224480000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003000800600000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80282bc23880000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000006000800300000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80200802008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000c000800180000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: ffffffffff8000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000800080008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ffffffffff DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8020080200800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000180008000c0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 9c2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000010000800040000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000030000800060000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000800020000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000800020000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000060000800030000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 9f2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 802008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: ffffffffff8000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000007fffffffff000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ffffffffff DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 802008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8e2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 912008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000040000800010000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 812008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000060000800030000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 822008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000800020000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 842008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020000800020000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 882008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000030000800060000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 9f2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000010000800040000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8020080200800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000180008000c0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: ffffffffff8000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000800080008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ffffffffff DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80200802008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000c000800180000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8e2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000006000800300000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 912008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003000800600000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 812008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001800800c00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8e2008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000c00801800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 812008020080000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000700807000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 9120080200800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001c081c000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 8e20080200800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000788f0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 80200802008000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ff80000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000008020080200 DEBUG:brother.printer:Sent: 1a

medouederni commented 8 years ago

Finally I got the expected result with this project: https://github.com/chaosdorf/labello But it is text only.

pklaus commented 8 years ago

Hi medouederni! I'm back from my business trips. The "labello" project cannot work for graphics output since the library they are using (python-brotherprint) states that they only support the text-only ESC/P and template mode. I would like to find the problem in my brother_ql code and fix this with and for you. I propose two ways of proceeding: Either you send me the QL-720NW to Germany, I debug and fix the software, and then I send it back to you (~ a week later); or you try to print again via USB, reading back the error message - this isn't implemented so far but can be done (only supported via USB).

gregsadetsky commented 8 years ago

Hi,

I'm having the same problem (following the example in the main project README) with a QL-570 -- the red light flashes when I cat my binary file to the USB interface.

Also, brother_ql_create complains twice that:

WARNING:brother_ql.raster:Trying to switch the operating mode on a printer that doesn't support the command.

however, on this spreadsheet from Brother, it seems like the QL-570 should support the 'raster' mode.

Any help would be appreciated! :-)

Thanks

@pklaus you mention that it's possible read back the error message via USB. Would you mind detailing how this can be done? Thanks (I'm on Debian if that helps)

pklaus commented 8 years ago

Hi @gregsadetsky, The QL-570 definitly supports the raster mode. But not every printer understands the opcode/instruction to switch into a specific mode (like e.g. the raster mode). If they don't, they are most likely permanently in the raster mode. But the warning you stated is not a problem, the command should not have been included in the output file. I was spending a lot of work on the package in the last days. Please update to the latest version and try again. If you're still having trouble, which I expect, you can try the new brother_ql_debug tool as explained in the README. It connects to the device via USB and reads the status information back. So you can see after which opcode/instruction you're getting an error. Consider using it with the --interactive flag to confirm sending each instruction individually by pressing [Enter]. Please post the output here. Thanks

pklaus commented 7 years ago

@gregsadetsky It seems there was a problem concerning the QL-570 in the code. See issue #7. Please try again and report any further problems there.

pklaus commented 7 years ago

@medouederni Is there still an interest from your side to make the code work with the QL-720NW?

gregsadetsky commented 7 years ago

@pklaus apologies Philipp, I won't have access to the printer for some time. Best of luck!

pklaus commented 7 years ago

So, we now have a QL-720NW at the university and I can say that it works perfectly with brother_ql. Just be sure to call brother_ql_create with the --model QL-720NW so it can adapt to the particularities of that model. I'm closing this issue now. Anyone else seeing a problem with the QL-720NW: please open a new issue with the image file you want to print.

pklaus / brother_ql

[Brother QL-720NW] Red flashing while printing #2