adaptronic_label-printer/old_code/NEW_FEATURES.md

Label Printing - New Features Guide

Overview

The label printer now supports:

1. Multiple Templates - Choose between OK and NOK labels
2. Multiple Copies - Print multiple labels in one operation

File Format

The monitored file (check.txt) now supports an extended format:

ARTICLE;NR_ART;SERIAL;TEMPLATE_TYPE;COUNT

Parameters

Parameter	Position	Description	Values	Default
ARTICLE	1	Article/Command number	Any text	Required
NR_ART	2	Article number	Any text	Required
SERIAL	3	Serial number	Any text	Required
TEMPLATE_TYPE	4	Template selection	0 = OK, 1 = NOK	0 (OK)
COUNT	5	Number of copies	1-100	1

Templates

Template Files

• conf/label_template_ok.svg - Template for OK labels (TEMPLATE_TYPE=0)
• conf/label_template_nok.svg - Template for NOK labels (TEMPLATE_TYPE=1)
• conf/label_template.svg - Default fallback template

Customizing Templates

Edit the SVG files to customize the layout:

• Both templates use the same variables: {Article}, {NrArt}, {Serial}
• Modify colors, fonts, or layout as needed
• Keep dimensions at 35mm × 25mm (landscape)

Usage Examples

Example 1: Print 1 OK Label

COM-2024-001;ART-12345;SN-20260213-001;0;1

Example 2: Print 3 OK Labels

COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260213-002;0;3

Example 3: Print 1 NOK Label

COM-2024-003;ART-11111;SN-20260213-003;1;1

Example 4: Print 5 NOK Labels

COM-2024-004;ART-22222;SN-20260213-004;1;5

Example 5: Backward Compatibility (Old Format)

COM-2024-005;ART-33333;SN-20260213-005

This will default to OK template with 1 copy.

Testing

Quick Test

1. Start the application:

   .\venv\Scripts\python.exe label_printer_gui.py
   

2. Select your printer in the GUI

3. Edit the monitored file (default: C:\Users\Public\Documents\check.txt):

   TEST-OK;123456;SN-001;0;2
   

4. Save the file - The app will automatically:

   • Detect OK template (type=0)
   • Print 2 copies

5. Test NOK template:

   TEST-NOK;789012;SN-002;1;1
   

PDF Testing

Use "Microsoft Print to PDF" to test without physical printer:

• Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" in the GUI
• PDFs will be saved to pdf_backup/ folder
• Check that the correct template was used

Workflow

File Modified
    ↓
Read Parameters (Article, NrArt, Serial, Template, Count)
    ↓
Select Template (OK or NOK)
    ↓
For each copy (1 to Count):
    ├─ Generate PDF from SVG template
    ├─ Replace variables {Article}, {NrArt}, {Serial}
    ├─ Save to pdf_backup/
    └─ Print via SumatraPDF
    ↓
Clear file (write "-")
    ↓
Show success message

Safety Limits

• Maximum copies: 100 per operation
• Minimum copies: 1
• Invalid values default to 1 copy

Troubleshooting

Template Not Found

• Symptom: Message "Using SVG template: conf/label_template.svg"
• Cause: label_template_ok.svg or label_template_nok.svg missing
• Fix: Ensure both template files exist in conf/ folder

Wrong Template Printed

• Symptom: NOK template used when OK expected
• Cause: TEMPLATE_TYPE parameter incorrect
• Fix: Check 4th parameter is 0 for OK, 1 for NOK

Only 1 Label Printed

• Symptom: COUNT parameter ignored
• Cause: Invalid COUNT value or missing parameter
• Fix: Ensure 5th parameter is a number between 1-100

Technical Details

File Parsing

The system tries:

1. Semicolon format: value1;value2;value3;value4;value5
2. Key=value format (fallback):

   article=COM-2024-001
   nr_art=ART-12345
   serial=SN-001
   template=0
   count=3
   

Multiple Copy Handling

• Each label is printed sequentially
• 0.5 second delay between copies
• Progress shown in GUI for multiple copies
• All copies use the same PDF template

Backward Compatibility

Old format (3 parameters) still works:

ARTICLE;NR_ART;SERIAL

Automatically uses: OK template, 1 copy

Log Files

Print actions are logged to logs/print_log_YYYYMMDD.csv:

• Date/Time
• Article, NrArt, Serial
• Printer name
• PDF filename
• Template used
• Number of copies
• Success/Failure status

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Version: February 2026
Compatible with: Citizen CTS-310, Zebra ZD420/ZD421