How to use MAX label printers & wire markers

Choosing the right printer for the job

MAX has two industrial printer ranges: Bepop CPM prints and die-cuts labels and signs in any shape; LETATWIN LM prints numbers and text on marker tubes, heat-shrink tubes and label tape to identify wires. The table below summarises the main differences.

• For warning labels, safety signs, equipment labels and pipe markers with images and colours: choose a Bepop CPM.
• To number wires in panels: choose a LETATWIN; for site work choose LM-550A3 or the battery version LM-550A3B, for volume production in the workshop choose LM-3000PRO.

Bepop CPM: loading the label roll and ribbon cassette

1. Switch off and pull the lever to open the top cover.
2. Lift the (silver) dust guard.
3. Place the label roll on the holder, thread the label under the dust guard and through the two label rollers.
4. Engage the holes on both label edges with the left and right sprockets, then lower the dust guard.
5. Holding the cassette, turn the gear in the arrow direction to tension the ribbon, hook the cassette onto the cover and press until it clicks.
6. Close the cover until it locks, switch on and print a test.

• The CPM-100HG5M uses 100 mm SL-R1xx cassettes; the CPM-200GM uses 200 mm SL-R2xx cassettes and SL-TR2xx refills.
• Always switch off when loading labels or changing the cutter, so the printer cannot start unexpectedly.
• When moving the printer, remove the cutter first so the blade tip does not break.

Designing labels in Bepop PC EX

1. Type a heading (e.g. CAUTION), divide the label with a grid and fill background colours.
2. Insert symbols from a library of over 1.400 symbols and templates: ISO 7010, GHS, ANSI/OSHA, directional and maintenance signs.
3. Type the text and add a cut line (rectangle, rounded corners, oval or around the letters).
4. Click print: the printer prints then die-cuts automatically – just peel and apply.

• Barcodes: 12 barcode types (CODE39, CODE128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ITF, CODABAR, PDF417, MSI…) and 4 2D code types (QR, Micro QR, Data Matrix, MaxiCode).
• Data links: connect CSV/TXT/XLSX files to batch-print asset and product labels with different serial numbers and barcodes.
• Auto-numbering: select the number part of a string (e.g. Lot No. 9M33012), set the increment and the software duplicates the labels.
• Wire Marking Wizard: creates wrap-around and flag labels sized to the cable diameter.
• Product label mode: enter the size and fill in the spec table to get a machine nameplate label.
• Mirror printing: prints reversed text for applying on the inside of glass.
• Software and drivers are free to download from MAX; the new version has a Vietnamese interface for multilingual text.

Matching labels and ribbons

Bepop printers use thermal transfer: the head heats resin ink to about 250 °C and fuses it into the vinyl label surface, so text resists solvents, cleaners and UV better than inkjet or laser print. The label colour is the background and the ribbon colour the text; one label can be printed with several ribbon colours in turn.

• GN (Guardian Note) labels: glossy vinyl 65–70 µm, adhesion 18 N/25 mm, −40 to +80 °C, conforms to curved surfaces such as cables and pipes; medium-term outdoor use. Apply above 8 °C.
• NL (Navigation Linker) labels: matte vinyl 100 µm, low glare, 16 colours, adhesion 11,6 N/25 mm, −20 to +50 °C; suits directional signs, 5S boards and tool boards. Apply at 15 – 25 °C.
• Special labels: reflective SL-S141NL, white polyester SL-S153NL, gold/silver metallic fibre labels, anti-abrasion and UV overlay film (hand-cut, not fed into the printer), anti-slip floor film SL-L100 FLOOR, cut-lettering transfer film SL-S100AP.

LETATWIN LM-550A3: loading ribbon, tubes and label tape

1. Load the ribbon into the LM-RC500 cassette: hold the take-up core and pull the ribbon core gently to separate the ribbon; press button B to fit the ribbon core and button A to fit the take-up core (lettered side up); turn until the ribbon shows black.
2. Open the cover, push the (blue) head-release lever back and slide the (silver) changeover lever fully right.
3. Thread the tube under the holder plate with 1 – 2 cm sticking out of the printer, set the tube on the TUBE label and move the changeover lever back to lock.
4. Check the ribbon is not slack (if it is, turn the take-up core), fit the cassette, pull the head-release lever back and close the cover until it clicks.
5. Label tape: pull out about 4 cm, thread it through the guides and fit the tape cassette; for label tape and ID plates set the cut-depth lever to TAPE, for tubes set it to TUBE.

• φ1,5 / 2,0 mm tubes and φ2,9 / 3,7 / 4,6 mm GRIP TUBE need the attachment supplied with the printer.
• The old LM-RC300 cassette (LM-380/390 printers) does not work in the LM-550A3; LM-IR50B, LM-IR50BP, LM-IR50W ribbons do not fit the LM-RC300 cassette either.
• Keep 4,1 mm ID plates in a plastic bag – they attract dust by static, and dust on them can damage the print head.
• Tubes must come off the roll easily (pull force about 200 g), untwisted and free of oil and dust.

Choosing tube size by wire cross-section

Too tight and the tube is hard to slide on; too loose and it slips and spins. MAX's guide is below; measure the actual outer diameter of the wire with calipers before ordering tube.

• MAX N2 tubes (LM-TU332N2 – LM-TU352N2) are UL224 certified (E171616, 105 °C, 600 V) for projects that require insulation.
• MAX L tubes (LM-TU425L2 – LM-TU480L) are large PVC rolls in a drum box; the tube feeds evenly into the printer, so long runs need no supervision.
• TOVINA tubes (LM-TU315N – LM-TU3100N) are designed by MAX and produced under licence by TOVINA, in every size from φ1,5 to 10 mm.

Preparing data and frequently used print functions

• Three number sequences in one piece: e.g. TB1-01/TB2-01, all incrementing together to the last number.
• Auto 180° rotation: prints text both ways so it reads correctly from either end of the wire.
• AUTO SIZE: the printer calculates character size and spacing to fit the piece.
• Fonts: standard, bold, clear, square; electrical symbols, slashed 0, dot to distinguish 6/9.
• USB flash: the LM-550A3 reads LMF or CSV files and stores 50 files (250.000 characters) internally.
• LETATWIN PC EDITOR: edit on a PC, paste lists from Excel, preview and send to the printer over USB. The software manual is available in Vietnamese (see Official documents below).

LM-3000PRO desktop printer

The LM-3000PRO uses LETATWIN PC EDITOR PRO (Windows 11) and connects via Wi-Fi, LAN or USB. Each consumable has its own platen roller (tube, GRIPSLEEVE, each block marker size) and its own guide for φ1,5 / 2,0 / 8 / 10 mm tubes. See the product page LM-3000PRO for details.

Official MAX documents

Manuals, drivers and software published by MAX, downloaded directly from the manufacturer's site. If a link does not open, send a request and TOVINA will email it to you.

• LETATWIN PC EDITOR software guide (Vietnamese)PDF · MAX
• LM-550A3 series manual (English)PDF · MAX
• LM-550E manual (English)PDF · MAX
• LM-3000PRO manual (English)PDF 22 MB · MAX
• Bepop PC EX software guide (English)PDF 12 MB · MAX
• Download LETATWIN PC EDITOR drivers and softwareMAX download page
• Download Bepop PC EX drivers and softwareMAX download page

Frequently asked questions