How it Works
AMT Datasouth
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Fastmark 400
User Manual
76 pgs952.82 Kb0

AMT Datasouth Fastmark 400 User Manual

Fastmark 400 Series
Barcode Label Printer
User’s Guide
Part No. 110021 A
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
AND OTHER NOTICES
This label printer complies with the requirements in Part 15 of FCC rules for a Class B or A
Place the printer on a flat, firm and solid surface.
Do not place the printer near a heat source or near water.
Refer to the specification label on the bottom of this printer and ensure that your power source
exactly meets these requirements.
Do not open the printer during operation to avoid electrical shock.
Do not attempt to disassemble this printer if it malfunctions.
All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or issued to third parties in
any form without the permission of AMT Datasouth.
The material in this document is provided for general information and is subject to change
without notice.
TRADEMARK CREDITS
PCL is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company Windows, MS-Word and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation PC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Corporation CodeSoft is a registered trademark of Techniques Avancees BarTender is a registered trademark of Seagull Scientific Systems, Inc LabelView is a registered trademark of Techniques Avancees LabelMatrix is a registered trademark of StrandWare, Inc
User's Guide 1
CONVENTIONS
Some of the procedures in this guide contain special notices that highlight important information:
Note Indicate information that you should know to help your printer
run properly and efficiently.
Caution Indicate guidelines that, if not followed, can cause damage to
equipment.
Warning Indicate a situation where there may be a danger to you.
The use of the term's right and left assume that you are looking at the front of the printer.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Please contact your local dealer first for technical support. Your dealer is knowledgeable about driver installation, application software and general printer operation. If you still need factory technical support after contacting your dealer, you may mail any problems through the E-mail account, “www.amtdatasouth.com”. You can also get the most updated driver or application from the web site “http://www.amtdatasouth.com”.
© Copyright 2001 by AMT Datasouth Corporation First Edition: April 2001
User's Guide 2
Table of Contents
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................... 6
Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................... 8
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION .......................................................... 9
Finding a Location for the Printer............................................................................ 9
Connecting the Power Cord ................................................................................... 10
Connecting the Printer to Your Host...................................................................... 11
Loading the Ribbon................................................................................................ 12
Loading Media ....................................................................................................... 15
Loading Media when Peel and Present Option is Installed ................................... 18
Loading Media When Cutter is Equipped.............................................................. 19
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................. 20
Switch, Indicators and Connections....................................................................... 20
Label Sensor Calibration Procedure ...................................................................... 21
Printer's Internal Self Test Procedure and Configuration Report .......................... 22
Resetting the Printer to Factory Default Settings .................................................. 25
Entering into HEX Print mode............................................................................... 25
COMMAND QUICK REFERENCE ...................................................................... 26
Command Set for the PPLA................................................................................... 26
Command Set for the PPLB................................................................................... 33
PRINTER DRIVER.................................................................................................. 36
Driver Installation .................................................................................................. 36
How to Use the Driver ........................................................................................... 38
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE.................................................. 43
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................... 43
Recovery ................................................................................................................ 45
Preventive Maintenance......................................................................................... 46
Appendix A: Printer Specifications......................................................................... 49
Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics.............................................................................. 50
Optional Accessories.............................................................................................. 51
Appendix B: INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS ................................................... 52
Introduction............................................................................................................ 52
Serial ...................................................................................................................... 52
Parallel (Centronics) .............................................................................................. 54
Auto Polling ........................................................................................................... 54
Appendix C: ASCII TABLE .................................................................................... 55
Appendix D: FONTS AND BAR CODES FOR THE PPLA Emulation............. 56
User's Guide 3
Internal Fonts ......................................................................................................... 56
Courier Font Set ..................................................................................................... 61
Internal Bar Codes ................................................................................................. 65
Appendix E: FONTS AND BAR CODES FOR PPLB Emulation ...................... 69
Internal Fonts ......................................................................................................... 69
Symbol Set ............................................................................................................. 70
Internal Bar Codes ................................................................................................. 73
User's Guide 4
Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Fastmark 400 series.................................................................................................................7
Figure 2 - Included Materials ..................................................................................................................8
Figure 3 - Switches, Indicators and Connections ....................................................................................9
Figure 4 - Power Connection................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 5 - Printer to Host....................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 6 - Printhead Latches.................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 7 - Ribbon Core Notch Location ................................................................................................ 13
Figure 8 - Ribbon Loading ....................................................................................................................14
Figure 9 - Open Printhead Module ........................................................................................................ 15
Figure 10 - Media Spindle and Retainer Disk .......................................................................................16
Figure 11 - Loading Media.................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 12 - Loading Media - Peal and Present ...................................................................................... 18
Figure 13 - Loading Media - Cutter....................................................................................................... 19
Figure 14 - Switches and Indicators ......................................................................................................20
Figure 15 - Self Test Sample - PPLA Emulation...................................................................................23
Figure 16 - Self Test Sample - PPLB Emulation...................................................................................24
Figure 17 - Printhead Location.............................................................................................................. 46
Figure 18 - Platen Roller ....................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 19 - Paper Compartment and Paper Sensor................................................................................ 48
User's Guide 5
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User's Guide 6
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This label printer is a high-performance, low-cost direct thermal/thermal transfer labeling system. Its user-friendly design and affordable price set a new standard for the Desktop Label Printer in retail, office, industrial, and many other applications.
The printer is designed with the most efficient memory management technology - True Speed and prints at a speed of 2 to 3 inches per second. When bundled with its smart printer driver, the user can easily print out bar codes, texts and graphics from any editing application (e.g. CodeSoft, BarTender) under Windows 95/98/2000 and NT. All popular bar codes and fonts are resident in the printer memory to handle versatile applications.
The solidly designed mechanism allows quick and easy media (paper) and ribbon loading. The optional Peel and Present and Cutter provide the alternatives of fan-fold label and continuous paper handling.
This printer is a compact, highly integrated, high performance and high resolution on-site labeling system.
The User’s Guide will help you understand basic operations of the printer such as set-up, installation, configuration and maintenance. Before reading the manual you should first identify your printer model. To determine the model and serial number of your printer, look at the label located on the bottom of the printer.
Figure 1 - Fastmark 400 series
User's Guide 7
UNPACKING and INSPECTION
This printer is packed in a heavyweight carton and custom recyclable foam for environmental protection. Inspect the shipping carton and contact the carrier directly to report any suspected damage.
Consider the following when unpacking:
♦ The container should stay right side up. ♦ Lift the printer out of the box carefully. ♦ Remove the accessory items. ♦ Set the printer on a solid, flat surface. ♦ Inspect the shipping container and printer for any damage that may have occurred during
shipping.
Verify that you have the following materials when unpacking:
Printer
a.
User’s Guide
b.
Media spindle (with retainer disk)
c.
Power adapter (AC to AC)
d.
Driver diskette for Windows 95/98/NT/2000
e.
Label Design Software.
f.
Sample Media
g.
Sample Ribbon (Thermal Transfer printers only)
h.
Printer
Media Spindle
User's Guide 8
Power Adapter
User's Guide
Diskette & Software
Figure 2 - Included Materials
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION
Power LED
Ready LED
Feed button
On Switch
Figure 3 - Switches, Indicators and Connections
Serial Port
Power Jack
Parallel Port
Finding a Location for the Printer
Before setting up the printer you should first consider the following:
♦ Find a solid flat surface with adequate room for the printer. Make sure there is enough room
on the top side for the media and ribbon access.
♦ The location should be near the host or terminal. Consider the distance between host and
printer for the communication cable (serial or parallel cable)
♦ The power adapter should be connected to a properly grounded and isolated electrical outlet. ♦ Away from direct sun, extreme temperatures, humidity dust and debris.
User's Guide 9
Connecting the Power Cord
1. Make sure that the source voltage matches that on the input voltage on the power adapter.
Caution: Incorrect voltage could cause damage to the printer and/or the power
adapter.
2. Make sure that the power switch is set to the Off, ”O”, position.
3. Connect the power supply plug to the power jack on the printer.
Note: When plugging into the power jack, make sure that you avoid the 36 pin
parallel connector.
4. Connect the other end of the power adapter to your AC source.
User's Guide 10
Figure 4 - Power Connection
Connecting the Printer to Your Host
1. You can connect the printer with any standard Centronics Parallel cable to the parallel port of
the host computer.
2. Alternatively you can connect the printer with a serial cable to the RS-232C port of your
computer or terminal. (For PC compatibles, the RS-232C port is COM1, COM2 or COM3.)
Figure 5 - Printer to Host
3. If you use the serial port with your own cable, refer to the Appendix A and check the pin
connection. Be sure that the speed (baud rate) and protocol are consistent between printer and host.
Caution: Pin 9 on the serial port is directly connected to +5volts DC. It is
suggested that this pin is not connected in your cable, unless required.
The factory default parameters of serial port are:
Speed (baud rate) 9600 Data format 1 start bit,
8 data bits and
1 stop bit. Parity None Handshaking (Flow control)
XON/XOFF as well as
RTS/CTS
Note: It is not necessary to set a switch or send a command for the parallel
and serial port selection. The printer automatically detects the active port. Print a SELF-TEST to review serial settings.
User's Guide 11
Loading the Ribbon
p
Thermal Transfer Media only
1. Lift the printer top cover and to the open position.
2. Slide the two printhead latches toward the back of the printer to unlock the printhead module.
Top Cover in
en Position
O
Printhead Latch
Printhead Latch
Figure 6 - Printhead Latches
User's Guide 12
3. Raise the printhead module to the vertical position.
4. Verify that the Supply Core and the Take-up Core have two slots on the left side of the ribbon
core when the ribbon is positioned to go into the printer. These notches will be inserted into the notches on the Left Ribbon Holders.
Note: The notches are the drive mechanism for the ribbon. If the slots in the core are not
present or if they are in the wrong position, contact your ribbon supplier to obtain a correct ribbon.
Notch
Figure 7 - Ribbon Core Notch Location
User's Guide 13
5. Unwrap the ribbon roll and place the supply roll into the supply holder of the printhead
module. Insert the left end of the ribbon supply onto the supply holder spindle first, and then insert the right end. Make sure that the Ribbon Core Slots match the notches on the Ribbon Drive Mechanism.
6. Place the Take-up core into the take-up holder of the printhead module.
First insert the left end of the Take-up core into holder spindle, and then insert the other end. Make sure that the Ribbon Core Slots match the notches on the Ribbon Drive Mechanism.
Take-up Holder
Ribbon Supply Roll
Supply Holder
Figure 8 - Ribbon Loading
7. Manually rotate the Take-up core until the transfer (typically Black) portion of the ribbon,
from the Supply Holder starts onto the Take-up core.
8. Close and latch the Printhead module.
Note: The printer must be set to the Thermal Transfer mode to ensure the end of ribbon is
detected. This setting may be made using the Windows drivers, Utility Software, or sending the appropriate printer commands via the host.
User's Guide 14
Loading Media
1. Lift the printer top cover to the open position.
2. Slide the two printhead latches toward the back and unlock the printhead module.
Figure 9 - Open Printhead Module
Printhead Latch
3. Raise the printhead module.
Printhead Latch
User's Guide 15
4. Insert the media spindle into core of the label media (the Retainer Disk should be on the
right).
Retainer Disk
Media Spindle
Figure 10 - Media Spindle and Retainer Disk
5. Insert the spindle and media into the slots in the printer. The media should feed from the top
of the roll.
6. Slide the media to the far left and slide in the guide until it is snug with the media.
7. Move the Right Media guide to the far right of the printer. The Right and Left Media Guides
are located under the printhead module.
Note: The Right and Left Media Guides are 'U' shaped parts and are located at the bottom of
the paper path. Only the right media guide can be moved. The media should be snugly positioned in the 'U' portion of the guides.
Media guides
User's Guide 16
Figure 11 - Loading Media
8. Pull out 6 inches of media and thread the end of the media between the Right and Left Media
Guides.
9. Slide in the Right Media Guide until it is snug with the media.
Note: If the guides are positioned incorrectly, the media sensor may not sense
the form properly.
If too loose the media may slide out from under them, uncover the paper out sensor and indicate a false paper out message. If too tight so that the media may buckle and a paper jam could occur.
10. Thread the media over the roller until approximately 2 inches of the media shows out of the
printer. (MAKE SURE THAT THE LABELS ARE FACING UP.)
11. Press the printhead module down firmly until it snaps into place.
12. Close the top cover.
13. Turn on the printer.
14. If you are using die-cut media, press the ”FEED” button to advance the first label into the
standby position.
Note: If the labels do not feed correctly, run the Label Sensor Calibration test (see the
section on Label Sensor Calibration).
Note: The first time media is loaded, the label sensor must be calibrated. After this initial
calibration, further calibration is not needed unless the media length, media changes or irregular feeding occurs. See Label Sensor Calibration for instructions on how to calibrate the Label sensor.
User's Guide 17
Loading Media when Peel and Present Option is Installed
1. Follow the same procedures in "Loading Media" up to closing of the Printhead Module.
2. Peel off 6 inches of labels from its backing.
3. Thread the label backing over the platen roller, over the Peel and Present Bar then back under
the Peel and Present Bar towards the platen.
4. Turn on the power to “1” position.
5. With the Printhead module still open, press “FEED” button. The printer will advance the
backing. Once the label backing comes out of the front of the printer, turn off the power to “O” position.
6. Pull down the printhead module down and latch it closed.
7. Close the top cover.
8. Turn on the power to “1” position.
9. Press the Feed key to feed up to the first label in the printer.
Note: The printer must be configured for Peel and Present Mode. This setting may be made in
the windows driver, utility software, label design software or using printer commands from the host.
User's Guide 18
Label
Backing
Figure 12 - Loading Media - Peal and Present
Loading Media When Cutter is Equipped
1. Follow the same procedure as “Loading Media”.
2. After you thread the media over the platen roller, thread the media through the horizontal gap
at the cutter module.
Note: The printer must be configured for Peel and Present Mode. This setting may be made
in the windows driver, utility software, label design software or using printer commands from the host.
Cutter
Figure 13 - Loading Media - Cutter
Caution: When removing a label from a printer with the Cutter option make
sure that the cutter is not rotating before removing the label or when manually opening the printer.
User's Guide 19
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Power LED
Ready LED
Feed button
On Switch
Figure 14 - Switches and Indicators
Serial Port
Power Jack
Parallel Port
Switch, Indicators and Connections
Device name Function Usage
On/Off switch (power switch)
FEED button
READY indicator
POWER indicator
Power jack Connected to power
RS-232 serial port Communication Connected to host (RS-232 COM port), terminal
Parallel port Communication Connected to host (Centronics ) Top cover Protects the printer
Controls printer power Advances the media stock to first printing position of next label
Shows the printer status
Shows the power and error status
adapter
media and ribbon
On – normal operation Off – loading paper and ribbon Press once to advance a label.
Press and Hold while powering on to run Label
Sensor Calibration test.
Continue to press and hold to print out the self-
test pattern and enter into Hex mode.
Press to continue, when READY LED is
blinking. Green – printer is ready to operate Blinking – printer is paused; press “FEED”
button to continue operation Off – printer power off Green – printer power on Blinking – error has occurred Connected with power supply transformer plug
or KDU
Lift and reach the media/ribbon compartment
User's Guide 20
Label Sensor Calibration Procedure
The Label Sensor Calibration procedure allows the printer to calibrate the Label Sensor to the media type and length being used. The Label Sensor in this procedure looks at the back of the media sensing for:
Black Bar Media Gap Media Or, Continuous Feed Media
1. Power the printer on while pressing the Feed button on the front panel.
2. When the feed motor begins moving, release the “FEED” button.
3. The printer will feed approximately 12 inches of blank media.
4. Once the printer has stopped feeding the user can, open the printhead module and manually
reverse feed the media back to the first label.
5. Press the Feed button again to align the media to the top of the next label.
Notes:
These steps are very important and must always be carried out after the first installation and each time the media type (color, size, backing, etc) is changed. Failure to run the Label Sensor Calibration test may result in the label registration errors and label-empty detection being incorrect.
User's Guide 21
Printer's Internal Self Test Procedure and Configuration Report
1. Make sure that media is installed.
2. Press and hold down the Feed Button while powering on the printer.
3. The printer will begin the Label Sensor Calibration test.
4. Continue to hold the Feed button until the Self Test begins.
5. After feeding 12 inches of blank media, the printer will begin printing out the current
configuration and font list.
6. The printer will print the following information on the installed media:
Firmware version, ROM checksum, RS-232 settings, Thermal transfer/Direct thermal settings, Hardware configuration and, Font types.
7. If the installed emulation is PPLB emulation, the printer will enter character Hex Print Mode.
8. To exit the Hex mode, press the Feed button again.
The following pages are examples of the printer's Self Test mode. The samples that you print may be different. Before requesting service, if possible, please have this page ready.
User's Guide 22
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