VnM®4 SignMaker
User Manual
Version 1.01
Updated 01/2014
Table of Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................
®
VnM
4 SignMaker Quickstart ..................................................
®
VnM
4 SignMaker Overview ....................................................
Loading VnM®4 Ink Roll ...........................................................
Loading VnM®4 Media ..............................................................
®
VnM
4 SignMaker Setup ..........................................................
®
VnM
4 Keypad Navigation ......................................................
®
VnM
4 Keypad Templates .......................................................
A) 1 to 5 Line Horizontal ..........................................
B) 1 Line Vertical ......................................................
C) OSHA/ANSI Haz Com ..........................................
D) GHS Templates ....................................................
E) RTK Labels ..........................................................
F) Lock Out Tags .....................................................
G) Pipe Marking .......................................................
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9-17
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
H) Barcode Labels ...................................................
I) VnM4 Apps ...........................................................
®
VnM
4 Print & Font Settings ...................................................
Fonts/Symbols ..........................................................................
OSHA/ANSI Safety Denitions .................................................
Pipe Marker Color Chart ...........................................................
Connecting to PC ......................................................................
Maintenance/Troubleshooting .................................................
Accessories ...............................................................................
Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................
Tech Support .............................................................................
1
16
17
18
19-20
21
22
23
24
25
25
26
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the VnM®4 SignMaker by Cobra Systems, Inc.
The compact, high-performance VnM®4 SignMaker System has been
developed to provide an easy, fast, and hassle free solution to all your
industrial applications.
It includes a pre-programmed smart keyboard and thermal transfer sign
applications via USB connection (not supported unless pruchased with
VnM® LabelDirect).
Specications
Dimensions: 2.36” (L) x 8.39” (W) x 7.40” (H)
Operating Conditions: 5°-40° C (41°-104° F)
Storage Conditions: -40°-60° C (-40°-140° F)
Resolution: 203 DPI
AC Input: 100 - 240V Power Supply
DC Output: 24V 3.75A (external adaptor)
Print Speed: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 inches per second
Connections: VnM® Keypad, USB, LPT
Warranty
VnM®4 SignMaker comes with a 3-Year Printer Warranty, 1-Year Printhead
Warranty, 6-Month Cutter Warranty, and 1-Year Keypad Warranty.
Out of the Box
The VnM®4 SignMaker System includes:
®
1. VnM
2. VnM
with RS232 Cable (1)
3. Printer Power Supply (1)
4. Printer Power Cord (1)
5. Printer USB Cable for
PC Connection (1)
6. Take-Up Core for
VnM
7. VnM
Spindles (2)
4 SignMaker Printer (1)
®
4 SignMaker Keypad
®
Ink (1)
®
Ink Take-Up
1
6
7
5
4
23
2
VnM®4 SignMaker Quickstart
1 2
PRINTER MUST BE TURNED OFF!
Open printer lid by pressing
the green tabs on each side
located toward the front
of the printer.
3 4
Easily slide new VnM Media
into roll mount.
5 6
Slide ink roll onto rst spindle and
set in rear hub. Pass ink roll leader
under the ink roll carriage, past the
printhead, and attach to the ink
roll take up core in front hub.
Feed media face up under the support
bar and through the cutter slot.
Plug VnM4 Keypad & the power
cord into AC power cord socket at
the rear of the VnM4 Printer.
3
Plug power cord into a properly
grounded power outlet. Turn on VnM4
Printer, choose template and print.
VnM®4 SignMaker Overview
2
1
VnM4 SignMaker Top View
4
6
VnM4 SignMaker Rear View
1. USB interface
2. Parallel interface
3. RS-232 DB-9 interface
4. Power jack
5. Power switch
6. Rear VnM media guide
1. Ribbon access cover
2. LED indicator
3. Feed button
4. Printer top cover
5. Top cover open lever
6. Cutter
3
5
6
1 2 3 4 5
VnM4 SignMaker Interior View
1
5
6
1. Top cover
2. Top cover support
3. VnM media guide
2
4. Cutter
7
5. Printer head
6. Roll mount
3
7. Teon bar
4
4
Loading VnM®4 Ink Roll
/IMPORTANT
TURN OFF PRINTER WHEN
CHANGING INK ROLLS
1
3 4
PRINTER
MUST BE
TURNED
OFF!
Open
the VnM®4
SignMaker
Printer and
the ribbon
access cover.
Load rear
ink spindle
with the
unused
portion of
the ink roll.
2
/IMPORTANT
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONAL
DIAGRAM INSIDE PRINTER
Load front
ink spindle
with an
empty
take-up
core.
Pull ink from
rear to the
front going
under the
print head
and up to
attach to the
mpty takeup core.
5 6
7 8
5
Tape or
adhere
rear ink to
front take
up ink
spindle.
Wind the
front ink
spindle to
take up the
slack, make
sure there
are no
wrinkles in
the ink.
Make sure
ink spindles
are as
shown,
note larger
circular end
on the right
side.
End Result:
close the
ink roll
access
cover.
Loading VnM®4 Media
/IMPORTANT
HANDLE MEDIA ON THE SIDES
TO PREVENT BAD PRINTS
1
First, be
2
sure to
have the
correct
VnM®4
Media.
3 4
Pull media
to go under
the white
platten
roller.
5 6
Adjust media
guide to t
the VnM®4
Media being
used and
keep the
media
centered.
Simply drop
the new
VnM®4
media roll
into the
printers roll
mount.
Pull media
through
cutter as
shown on
photo.
Leave a
small piece
of media
hanging out
of the printer.
Wind up any
extra material
and keep
straight.
7 8
Close the
top cover
slowly by
lifting up
the push
lever. DO
NOT SLAM
SHUT!
Turn on your
VnM®4
Printer by
ipping the
power switch
located on the
back of the
printer. Start
printing your
instant signs.
6
VnM®4 SignMaker Setup
Connecting VnM®4 Keypad and Power Up
1. Place printer on a at and secure surface.
2. Make sure the power switch is OFF.
3. Connect VnM4 Keypad to the VnM4 SignMaker RS-232 serial port.
4. Plug power cord into AC power cord socket at the rear of printer then
plug power cord into a properly grounded power outlet.
Plug
USB
Optional Battery Pack
Paralle
RS232
Power Switch
Power Cable
Power Supply
7
VnM®4 Keypad Navigation
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH:
PRESS 1,2,3, or 4
VNM PRINT SETTINGS
PRESS ENTER
The VnM®4 keypad navigation tree to
the left displays the ow and order of
all the available options/templates.
More detailed information about the
templates are found further in the manual.
Default VnM®4 SignMaker Prompt
SELECT FONT/SYMBOLS
PRESS ENTER
1 to 5 LINE HORIZONTAL
PRESS ENTER
1 LINE VERTICAL
PRESS ENTER
OSHA TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
GHS TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
RTK LABEL TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
LOCK OUT TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH:
PRESS 1,2,3, or 4
Select Media Width is the default
prompt when powering on the VnM
®
4
SignMaker and when pressing the
ALT + EXIT keys.
To begin printing, rst select the
size media loaded inside the printer.
Use the UP and
DOWN arrow keys on
the VnM®4 Keypad
to navigate through
the templates. Press
the ENTER key to
select your template
To get back to the main
+
menu (or if you made
a type error), press the
ALT key + EXIT key.
VnM4 Tips
.
PIPE MARKING TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
BARCODE TEMPLATES
PRESS ENTER
VnM4 APPS
PRESS ENTER
HOW TO PRINT
QUOTATIONS!
+
In order to print quotations (“) or inch
and foot marks, press the SHIFT key +
PERIOD key (on the numeric keypad).
Do not use the keypad QUOTATION
key, you will have blank text.
8
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