Zebra R170Xi UHF-R0 Supplementary Manual
RFID TRANSPONDER PLACEMENT /
POWER GUIDELINES
y
Transponder
Antenna
Leading
Edge
Transponder
Antenna
Center
a
VIEWED FROM FACESTOCK SIDE
Mainframe/ Firewall
Side
Transponder Carrier
Transponder Antenna
The purpose of this guideline is to define the optimal transponder placement within the media such that the
media can completely printed without use of the programmable encode position command.
Transponder Orientation
• Inlay orientation is critical to ensure proper encoding.
• Transponder picture shown in guideline is how it must be inserted in into the media.
• Picture shows the transponder orientation as seen through the facestock and media feed direction down.
Transponder Antenna Placement Dimensions
Label Construction
• Zebra printer encoders are generally ran with a standard 1/8" gap between labels without a black mark
• If transponder placement guidelines to not allow for transponder to properly fit within the wanted label size,
then a black mark may need to be introduced to create a "virtual" label to ensure proper encoding. This
will usually also shift the label home position and therefore print formats may have to also be adjusted.
• The "Label Start" is defined by one of three different methods: 1) The physical leading edge of a label, 2)
The leading edge of a black mark, or 3) The leading edge of a notch (Black mark and notch dimension
requirements are outlined printer specifications).
Model Number: RXX-7XX-XXXXX
Zebra R170Xi UHF -R0
Printer/ Encoder and Firmware
• Note that inlay placement within media may differ for each printer/ encoder model. The guidelines
contained within this document are relevant only for the listed printer/ encoder(s).
• Guidelines are established using the latest firmware available for the printer/ encoder. Please ensure
that the latest firmware is being utilized to get the optimum encoding performance. Firmware downloads
may be found at www.zebra.com.
x
Label Start
(Actual or
Virtual)
y
Transponder
Antenna
Leading
Edge
DISCLAIMER
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS GUIDELINE IS SUBJECT TO THE WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS
OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
INLAY GUIDELINES TERMS OF USE. SUCH TERMS OF USE MAY BE FOUND AT WWW.RFID.ZEBRA.COM/
TRANSPONDERSPECS. USERS SHOULD ALWAYS TEST THE RFID TRANSPONDER AND LABELS FOR SUITABILITY
IN THE INTENDED APPLICATION PRIOR TO MAKING ANY MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT PURCHASES. THE
GUIDELINE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
©2005 ZIH Corp. All Rights reserved.
www.zebra.com
Media
Feed
Direction
Label
x
y
a
Dimension Definition
Printer Mainframe/
Firewall (or Liner
Edge) to Transponder
Antenna Center
Coupling with the transponder changes across the width of the printer
and can cause x and y dimensions to vary. Please note that
dimension is always to the antenna center, not the chip or transponder
carrier. Dimension generally given with a +/- 3mm tolerance.
Transponder Antenna Placement Dimensions
• There are three dimensions that are critical in determining transponder placement as shown in the
schematic to the right and as explained below
Label Start to
Transponder Antenna
Leading Edge
This dimension ensures coupling with the transponder in the current
label to be printed without use of programmable encode position
command. Please note that dimension is always to the antenna
leading edge, not the chip or transponder carrier. Dimension generally
given with a +/- 3mm tolerance.
Explanation
Transponder Antenna
Leading Edge to
Transponder Antenna
Leading Edge Pitch
This dimension ensures coupling with only the transponder in the
current label. Please note that dimension is always to the antenna
leading edge, not the chip or transponder carrier. Dimension
generally given as a ≥ 3 mm minimum distance.
Transponder Carrier
Transponder Antenna
TRANSPONDER PLACEMENT/ POWER GUIDELINES
Zebra R170Xi UHF –R0
Printer/ Encoder
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