Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus
Industrial/Commercial Printer
User Guide
© 2007 ZIH Corp. The copyrights in this manual and the software and/or firmware in the label printer describe d
therein are owned by ZIH Corp. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual or the software and/or firmware in the
label printer may result in imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to $10,000 (17 U.S.C.506). Copyright
violators may be subject to civil liability.
This product may contain ZPL
Monotype Imaging fonts. Software © ZIH Corp. All rights reserved worldwide.
®
, ZPL II®, and ZebraLink™ programs; Element Energy Equalizer® Circuit; E3®; and
ZebraLink and all product names and numbers are trademarks, and Zebra, the Zebra logo, ZPL, ZPL II, Element
Energy Equalizer Circuit, and E
All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For additional trademark
information, please see “Trademarks” on the product CD.
3
Circuit are registered trademarks of ZIH Corp. All rights reserved worldwide.
Proprietary Statement This manual contains proprietary information of Zebra Technologies Corporation and its
subsidiaries (“Zebra Technologies”). It is intended solely for the information and use of parties operating and
maintaining the equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed
to any other parties for any other purpose without the express, written permission of Zebra Technologies Corporation.
Product Improvements Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Zebra Technologies Corporation.
All specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.
Liability Disclaimer Zebra Technologies Corporation takes steps to ensure that its published Engineering
specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Zebra Technologies Corporation reserves the right
to correct any such errors and disclaims liability resulting therefrom.
Limitation of Liability In no event shall Zebra Technologies Corporation or anyone else involved in the creation,
production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including hard ware and software) be liab le for any damages
whatsoever (including, without limitation, consequential damages including loss of busin ess profi ts, business
interruption, or loss of business information) arising out of the use of, the results of use of, or inability to use such
product, even if Zebra Technologies Corporation has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some
jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation
or exclusion may not apply to you.
Part Number: 13163L-002 A
Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity
I have determined that the Zebra printers identified as the
3
ZM™ Series
Z4M, Z6M, Z4Mplus, Z6Mplus, R4Mplus
manufactured by:
Zebra Technologies Corporation
333 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061-3109 U.S.A.
Have been shown to comply with the applicable technical standards of the FCC
For Home, Office, Commercial, and Industrial use
If no unauthorized change is made in the equipment,
and if the equipment is properly maintained and operated.
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Compliance Information
4
Compliance Information
Compliance Information
FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Zebra
Technologies Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. To ensure
compliance, this printer must be used with Shielded Communication Cables.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
(for printers with RFID encoders)
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be instal led and operated with minimum distance 20cm
between the radiator and your body.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.
Canadian DOC Compliance Statement
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Contents
Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Who Should Use This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
How This Document Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Web Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Asia Pacific. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Document Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1 • Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
External View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Control Panel Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Control Panel Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Printer Media Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2 • Printer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Handling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Unpack and Inspect the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Store the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ship the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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Contents
6
Select a Site for the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Select a Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide Proper Operating Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Allow Proper Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide a Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide a Power Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Select a Data Communication Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Data Cables and Wireless Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connect the Printer to the Computer or Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connect the Printer to a Power Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Cord Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Types of Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Ribbon Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
When to Use Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Coated Side of Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3 • Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Media Loading Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Print Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Start a Roll of Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Insert Media into the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Load Media in Tear-Off Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Load Media in Peel-Off Mode or Liner Take-Up Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Remove Liner in Peel-Off with Liner Take-up Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Load Media in Cutter Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Load Media in Rewind Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Remove Printed Labels or Liner from the Rewind Spindle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adjust Media Alignment for Rewind Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Load Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Remove Used Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Calibrate the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Auto Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Manual Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Position the Media Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Select or Position the Transmissive Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Adjust the Reflective Sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Adjust Printhead Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Install Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Contents
4 • Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Setup Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Enter Setup Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Exit Setup Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Change Password-Protected Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Default Password Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Disable the Password Protection Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Print a Configuration Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Print a Network Configuration Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Control Panel Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
How to View or Modify Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Additional Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
5 • Routine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Replacing Printer Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Ordering Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Recycling Printer Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cleaning Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Clean the Exterior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Clean the Printhead and Platen Roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Clean the Media Compartment and Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Clean the Rewind Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Clean the Peel-Off Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Clean the Cutter Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Fuse Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
7
6 • Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Troubleshooting Checklists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
LCD Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Print Quality Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Calibration Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Communications Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Miscellaneous Printer Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Printer Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Power-On Self Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
CANCEL Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
PAUSE Self Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
FEED Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
FEED and PAUSE Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Communications Diagnostics Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
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Contents
8
7 • Data Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Parallel Data Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Parallel Cabling Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Parallel Port Interconnections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Serial Data Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hardware Control Signal Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
RS-232 Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
8 • Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Agency Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Printing Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Media Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Ribbon Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Printer Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
ZPL II Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Supported Bar Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
End User License Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
About This Document
This section provides you with contact information, documen t struc ture and organization, and
additional reference documents.
Contents
Who Should Use This Document. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
How This Document Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Contacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
About This Document
10
Who Should Use This Document
Who Should Use This Document
This User Guide is intended for use by any person who needs to operate or troubleshoot
problems with the printer.
How This Document Is Organized
The User Guide is set up as follows:
Section Description
Introduction on page 15 This section shows the operational controls and
Printer Setup on page 21 This section provides the tasks that you must
Operations on page 35 This section provides the procedures for loading
location of major components used when loading
media and ribbon.
complete and the issues that you must consider
before you load and configure your printer.
and calibrating the printer.
Configuration on page 75 This section describes the control panel parameters
that are used to configure the printer for operation.
Routine Maintenance on page 105 This section provides routine cleaning and
maintenance procedures.
Troubleshooting on page 119 This section provides information about errors that
you might need to troubleshoot. Assorted
diagnostic tests are included.
Data Ports on page 139 This section describes the standard communication
ports available to connect the printer to your
computer or network.
Specifications on page 147 This section provides the features of and
specifications for the printer.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Contacts
Web Site
The Americas
About This Document
Contacts
You can contact Zebra Technologies Corporation at the following.
http://www.zebra.com
Technical Support via the Internet is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Go to
http://www.zebra.com/support.
Regional Headquarters Technical Support Customer Service Dept.
Zebra Technologies International,
LLC
333 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061.3109
U.S.A
T: +1 847 793 2600
Toll-f ree +1 800 423 0422
F: +1 847 913 8766
T: +1 877 ASK ZEBRA (275 9327)
F: +1 847 913 2578
Hardware: ts1@zebra.com
Software: ts3@zebra.com
For printers, parts, media, and ribbon,
please call your distributor, or
contact us.
T: +1 877 ASK ZEBRA (275 9327)
E: clientcare@zebra.com
11
Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India
Regional Headquarters Technical Support Internal Sales Dept.
Zebra Technologies Europe Limited
Zebra House
The Valley Centre, Gordon Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire, HP13 6EQ, UK
T: +44 (0)1494 472872
F: +44 (0) 1494 450103
T: +44 (0) 1494 768298
F: +44 (0) 1494 768210
Germany: Tsgermany@zebra.com
France: Tsfrance@zebra.com
Spain/Portugal: Tsspain@zebra.com
All other areas: Tseurope@zebra.com
Asia Pacific
Regional Headquarters Technical Support Customer Service
Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, LLC
120 Robinson Road
#06-01 Parakou Building
Singapore 068913
T: +65 6858 0722
F: +65 6885 0838
T: +65 6858 0722
F: +65 6885 0838
E: China: tschina@zebra.com
All other areas:
tsasiapacific@zebra.com
For printers, parts, media, and ribbon,
please call your distributor, or
contact us.
T: +44 (0) 1494 768316
F: +44 (0) 1494 768244
E: cseurope@zebra.com
For printers, parts, media, and ribbon,
please call your distributor, or
contact us.
T: +65 6858 0722
F: +65 6858 0836
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
About This Document
12
Document Conventions
Document Conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this document to convey certain information.
Alternate Color (online only) Cross-references contain hot links to other sections in this
guide. If you are viewing this guide online in .p df format, you can click the cross-reference
(blue text) to jump directly to its location.
LCD Display Examples Text from a printer’s Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) appears in
Bubbledot ICG font.
Command Line Examples Command line examples appear in Courier New font. For
example, type
Files and Directories File names and directories appear in Courier New font. For
example, the
Icons Used
ZTools to get to the Post-Install scripts in the bin directory.
Zebra<version number>.tar file and the /root directory.
Caution • Warns you of the potential for electrostatic discharge.
Caution • Warns you of a potential electric shock situation.
Caution • Warns you of a situation where excessive heat could cause a burn.
Caution • Advises you that failure to take or avoid a specific action could result in physical
harm to you.
Caution • (No icon) Advises you that failure to take or avoid a specific action could result in
physical harm to the hardware.
Important • Advises you of informatio n that is essential to complete a task.
Note • Indicates neutral or positive information that emphasizes or supplements important
points of the main text.
Example • Provides an example, often a scenario, to better clarify a section of text.
Tools • Tells you what tools you need to complete a given task.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
About This Document
PAUSE
Document Conventions
Illustration Callouts Callouts are used when an illustration contains information that needs
to be labeled and described. A table that contains the labels and descriptions follows the
graphic. Figure 1 provides an example.
Figure 1 • Sample Figure with Callouts
21
FEED button
1
CANCEL button
2
13
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
About This Document
14
Document Conventions
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
1
Introduction
This section shows the operational controls and location of major components used when
loading media and ribbon.
Contents
External View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Control Panel Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Control Panel Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Printer Media Compartment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Introduction
16
External View
External View
Figure 2 shows the outside of the printer.
Figure 2 • External View
1
2
Electronics cover
1
Control panel
2
Media door
3
3
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Control Panel
PAUSE
The control panel display shows the printer’s operating status and allows you to change
settings as needed to work with your media and label formats.
The control panel buttons and lights are sho wn in Figure 3. Descriptions for each are located in
Ta ble 1 and Table 2.
Figure 3 • Control Panel
1 2 3 4
5
Introduction
Control Panel
17
12
11
10
6
7
8
9
Power LED
1
Pause LED
2
Error LED
3
Data LED
4
LCD
5
PLUS (+) button
6
SETUP/EXIT button
7
CANCEL button
8
PAUSE button
9
FEED button
10
SELECT button
11
MINUS (–) button
12
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Introduction
18
Control Panel
Control Panel Buttons
Button Function
Table 1 • Control Panel Buttons
FEED
PAUSE
CANCEL
SETUP/EXIT
SELECT
PLUS (+)
(scroll mode)
PLUS (+)
(change mode)
Forces the printer to feed one blank label each time the button is pressed.
• Printer not printing: one blank label immediately feeds.
• Printing: one blank label feeds after the current batch of labels is complete.
Starts and stops the printing process.
• Printer not printing: no printing occurs. (Press
PAUSE again to resume printing.)
• Printing: printing stops after the current label is complete.
Cancels print jobs when in the pause mode.
• Printer not printing: the next stored label format does not print.
• Printing: current label completes printing, and the next label format is cancelled.
Press and hold for several seconds to cancel all print jobs in memory.
Enters and exits the configuration mode.
Toggles the function of PLUS (+) and MINUS (–) between the Scroll and Change
Modes.
• Press once to use
PLUS (+) and MINUS (–) to change the values of the selection.
• Press again to use PLUS (+) and MINUS (–) to scroll through the menu items.
Scrolls to the next selection.
• Increases the value.
• Answers yes.
• Prints a label (when applicable).
MINUS (–)
Scrolls to the previous selection.
(scroll mode)
MINUS (–)
(change mode)
• Decreases the value.
• Selects the digit you wish to change.
• Answers no.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Control Panel Lights
Table 2 • Control Panel Lights
Light Status Indication
POWER Off The printer is off, or no power is applied.
On The printer is on.
PAUSE Off Normal printer operation.
On The printer has stopped all printing operati ons.
Flashing The Pause light flashes when initializing FLASH or PCMCIA
memory and in Peel-Off Mode when the label is available.
ERROR Off Normal printer operation (no errors).
Introduction
Control Panel
19
Slow flashing
Fast flashing
On
DATA Off Normal printer operation (no data being received or processed).
One flash
Slow flashing The printer cannot accept more data from the host.
Fast flashing The printer is receiving data.
On A partial format has been received and no subsequent data activity.
RIBBON IN warning, HEAD UNDER TEMP warning, or HEAD
OVER TEMP
error.
HEAD OPEN error.
MEDIA OUT error
CANCEL was pressed and a format is successfully cancelled.
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Introduction
20
Printer Media Compartment
Printer Media Compartment
Figure 4 shows a simplified view of your printer. Depending on installed options, your
printer may look slightly different.
Figure 4 • Media Compartment
3 4 5
2
1
Printhead assembly
1
Transmissive sensor
2
Ribbon supply spindle
3
Ribbon take-up spindle
4
Label supply guide
5
Label supply hanger
6
Dancer
7
Label guide
8
Printhead open lever
9
789
6
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
2
Printer Setup
This section provides the tasks that you must complete and the issues that you must consider
before you load and configure your printer.
Contents
Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Handling the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Unpack and Inspect the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Store the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ship the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Select a Site for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Select a Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide Proper Operating Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Allow Proper Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide a Data Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Provide a Power Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Select a Data Communication Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Data Cables and Wireless Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connect the Printer to the Computer or Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connect the Printer to a Power Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Cord Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Types of Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Ribbon Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
When to Use Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Coated Side of Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Printer Setup
22
Before You Begin
Before You Begin
Review this checklist, and resolve any issues before you set up or use your printer.
Unpack and Inspect the Printer Have you unpacked the printer and inspected it for
Select a Site Have you selected an appropriate location for the printer? If y ou have no t,
Attach a Power Cord Do you have the correct power cord for your printer? If you are
Connect to a Data Source Have you determined how the printer will connect to a
Select Media Do you have the correct media for your application? If you are unsure,
Select Ribbon Do you need to use ribbon, and is the appropriate ribbon available, if
damage? If you have not, see Unpack and Inspect the Printer on page 23.
see Select a Site for the Printer on page 24.
unsure, see Power Cord Specifications on page 30. To attach the power cord and connect
the printer to a power source, see Connect the Printer to a Power Source on page 29.
data source (usually a computer)? For more information, see Select a Data
Communication Interface on page 25.
see Types of Media on page 31.
needed? If you are unsure, see Ribbon Overview on page 33.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Handling the Printer
This section describes how to handle your printer.
Unpack and Inspect the Printer
When you receive the printer, immediately unpack it and inspect for shipping damage.
• Save all packing materials.
• Check all exterior surfaces for damage.
• Raise the media door, and inspect the media compartment for damage to components.
If you discover shipping damage upon inspection:
• Immediately notify the shipping company and file a damage report.
• Keep all packaging material for shipping company inspection.
• Notify your authorized Zebra reseller.
Important • Zebra Technologies Corporation is not responsible for any damage incurred
during the shipment of the equipment and will not repair this damage under warranty.
Printer Setup
Handling the Printer
23
Store the Printer
If you are not placing the printer into immediate operation, repackage it using the original
packing materials. You may store the printer under the following conditions:
• Temperature: –40°F to 140°F (–40°C to 60°C)
• Relative humidity: 5% to 85%, non-condensing
Ship the Printer
• Turn off (O) the printer, and disconnect all cables.
• Remove any media, ribbon, or loose objects from the printer interior.
• Close the printhead.
• Carefully pack the printer into the original container or a suitable alternate container to
avoid damage during transit. A shipping container can be purchased from Zebra if the
original packaging has been lost or destroyed.
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Printer Setup
24
Select a Site for the Printer
Select a Site for the Printer
Consider the following when selecting an appropriate location for your printer.
Select a Surface
Select a solid, level surface of sufficient size and strength to accommodate the printer and
other equipment (such as a computer), if necessary. The choices include a table, countertop,
desk, or cart.
Provide Proper Operating Conditions
This printer is designed to function in a wide range of environmental and electrical conditions,
including a warehouse or factory floor. For more information on the required conditions, see
General Specifications on page 148.
Ta ble 3 shows the temperature and relative humidity requirements for the printer when it is
operating.
Table 3 • Operating Temperature and Humidity
Mode Temperature Relative Humidity
Thermal Transfer 41° to 104°F (5° to 40°C) 20 to 85% non-condensing
Direct Thermal 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) 20 to 85% non-condensing
Allow Proper Space
The printer should have enough space around it for you to be able to open the media door. To
allow for proper ventilation and cooling, leave open space on all sides of the printer.
Caution • Do not place any padding or cushioning material behind or under the printer
because this restricts air flow and could cause the printer to overheat.
Provide a Data Source
If the printer will be located away from the data source, the selected site must provide the
appropriate connections to that data source. For more information on the types of
communication interfaces, see Select a Data Communication Interface on page 25.
Provide a Power Source
Place the printer within a short distance of a power outlet that is easily accessible.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Select a Data Communication Interface
Select a Data Communication Interface
Ta ble 4 provides basic information about data communication interfaces that you can use to
connect your printer to a computer. You ma y send label formats to the printer through a ny data
communication interface that is available. Select an interface that is supported by both your
printer and your computer or your Local Area Network (LAN).
Table 4 • Characteristics of the Data Communication Interfaces
Standard or
Interface
RS-232 Serial Standard • Maximum cable length of 50 ft (15.24 m).
Optional on
Printer
Characteristics
• You may need to change printer parameters to match the host
computer.
• You need to use a null-modem adaptor to connect to the printer
if using a standard modem cable.
Printer Setup
25
IEEE 1284
Bidirectional Parallel
Standard • Maximum cable length of 10 ft (3 m).
• Recommended cable length of 6 ft (1.83 m).
• An Ethernet print server takes up or covers this port on the
printer.
• No printer parameter changes required to match the host
computer.
USB Standard • Maximum cable length of 16.4 ft (5 m).
• No printer parameter changes required to match the host
computer.
Internal wired
Ethernet print server
Optional • Can print to the printer from any computer on your LAN.
• Can communicate with the printer through the printer’s web
pages.
• Computer must be equipped with an Ethernet board.
• The printer must be configured to use your LAN.
Wireless Ethernet
print server
(available as a special
order on Z4Mplus
printers only)
Optional • Can print to the printer from any computer on your Wireless
Local Area Network (WLAN).
• Can communicate with the printer through the printer’s web
pages.
• Computer must be equipped with an Ethernet board.
• The printer must be configured to use your WLAN.
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Printer Setup
26
Select a Data Communication Interface
Data Cables and Wireless Cards
You must supply all data cables or wireless cards for your application.
Data Cables Ethernet cables do not require sh ielding, but all o ther data cabl es must be fully
shielded and fitted with metal or metallized connector shells. Unshielded data cables may
increase radiated emissions above the regulated limits.
To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:
• Keep data cables as short as possible.
• Do not bundle the data cables tightly with the power cords.
• Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.
Wireless Cards For supported wireless cards, refer to the ZebraNet Wireless Print Server
and Wireless Plus Print Server User Guide. A copy of the manual is available at
http://www.zebra.com/manuals or on the user CD that came with your printer.
Connect the Printer to the Computer or Network
Ta ble 5 shows how to connect the different types of data cables to your printer and computer.
The connectors on the back of your computer may be in different locations than on the samp le
computer shown in this section.
Caution • Ensure that the printer power is off (O) before connecting data communications
cables. Connecting a data communications cable while the power is on (
printer.
I) may damage the
Table 5 • Connecting the Printer to a Computer or Network
Interface Connection and Configuration
RS-232 Serial The baud rate, number of data and stop bits, the parity, and the
XON/XOFF or DTR control must match those of the host computer. See
Control Panel Param eters on page 81 to view or change these paramet ers.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Select a Data Communication Interface
Table 5 • Connecting the Printer to a Computer or Network (Continued)
Interface Connection and Configuration
Printer Setup
27
IEEE 1284
Bidirectional
No additional configuration is necessary. An Ethernet print server takes u p
or covers this port on the printer.
Parallel
USB No additional configuration is necessary.
Caution • Be careful not to plug the USB cable into the wired Ethernet
print server connector on the printer because doing so will damage the
connector.
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Printer Setup
28
Select a Data Communication Interface
Table 5 • Connecting the Printer to a Computer or Network (Continued)
Interface Connection and Configuration
Internal wired
Ethernet print
server
Wireless
Ethernet print
server
Refer to the ZebraNet 10/100 Print Server User and Reference Guide for
configuration instructions. A copy of this manual is available at
http://www.zebra.com/manuals or on the user CD that came with your
printer.
Refer to the ZebraNet Wireless Print Server and Wireless Plus Print
Server User Guide for configuration instructions. A copy o f this manual is
available at http://www.zebra.com/manuals or on the user CD that came
with your printer.
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
Connect the Printer to a Power Source
The AC power cord must have a three-prong female connector on one end that plugs into the
mating AC power connector at the rear of the printer. If a power cable was not included with
your printer, refer to Power Cord Specifications on page 30.
Caution • For personnel and equipment safety, always use an approved three-conductor
power cord specific to the region or country intended for installation. This cord must use an
IEC 320 female connector and the appropriate region-specific three-conductor grounded
plug configuration.
To connect the printer to a power source, complete these steps:
1. Turn the printer power switch to the Off (O) position.
2. Refer to Figure 5. Plug the power cord into the AC power connector on the rear of the
printer.
3. Plug the other end of the power cord into a power outlet near the printer.
Printer Setup
Connect the Printer to a Power Source
29
Figure 5 • Power Connection
Power switch
1
AC power connector
2
1
2
9/18/07 Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 13163L-002 A
Printer Setup
30
Connect the Printer to a Power Source
Power Cord Specifications
Caution • For personnel and equipment safety, always use an approved three-conductor
power cord specific to the region or country intended for installation. This cord must use an
IEC 320 female connector and the appropriate region-specific, three-conductor grounded
plug configuration.
Depending on how your printer was ordered, a power cord may or may not be included. If one
is not included or if the one included is not suitable for your requirements, refer to the
following guidelines:
• The overall cord length must be less than 9.8
ft. (3.0 m).
• The cord must be rated for at least 10 A, 250 V.
• The chassis ground (earth) must be connected t o ensure safety and redu ce electromagnetic
interference. The third wire in the power cord grounds the connection (Figure 6).
Figure 6 • Power Cord Specifications
2
1
4
AC power plug for your country—This should bear
1
3
the certification mark of at least one of the known
international safety organizations (Figure 7).
3-conductor HAR cable or other cable approved for
2
your country.
IEC 320 connector—This should bear the
3
certification mark of at least one of the known
international safety organizations (Figure 7).
Length ≤ 9.8 ft. (3 m). Rating 10 Amp, 250 VAC.
4
Figure 7 • International Safety Organization Certifications
13163L-002 A Z4Mplus/Z6Mplus User Guide 9/18/07
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