Fastmark M4 Series Portable Direct Thermal Bar Code Printer User’s Guide © April 2014, AMT Datasouth Corp.
Copyright Declaration Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of AMT Datasouth Corporation. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed written permission of AMT Datasouth Corporation. Trademark Credits: CG is a registered trademark of Agfa Corporation.
Regulatory Statements: Wichtige Sicherheits-Hinweise 1. Bitte lesen Sie diese Hinweis sorgfältig durch. 2. Heben 3. Sie diese Anleitung fűr den späteren Gebrauch auf. Vor jedem Reinigen ist das Gerät vom Stromentz zu trennen. Verwenden Sie keine Flüssig-oder Aerosolreiniger. Am besten eignet sich ein angefeuchtetes Tuch zur Reinigung. 4. Die Netzanschluß-Steckdose soll nahe dem Gerät angebracht und leicht zugänglich sein. 5. Das 6. Gerät ist vor Feuchtigkeit zu schűtzen.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
RF exposure warning (For Bluetooth) The equipment complies with FCC RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The equipment must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Canada, Industry Canada (IC) Notices This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210.
Table of Contents User Caution...................................................................................................................8 Packaging .......................................................................................................................9 Unpacking the printer .................................................................................................................................... 9 Removing protective material ................................................
Diagnostic Tool ............................................................................................................ 36 Starting diagnostic tool ................................................................................................................................ 36 Printer functions ........................................................................................................................................... 37 Setting Bluetooth configuration ..................................
Operational safety User Caution CAUTION Refer to the product label (back of the printer) and verify your power source exactly meets those requirements. Mechanical and electrical repairs should be conduct by qualified service personnel. Do not use this product near heat or water while utilizing AC power outlet. Unplug this product from the power outlet before cleaning. Cautions in setting up CAUTION Unpack the printer.
Packaging Unpacking the printer Portable Printer Battery Belt Clip CD ROM AC Adaptor Quick Start Guide Removing protective material 1. 2. 3. This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receipt. Open the carton and remove the printer from bubble wrap. If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor.
Introduction Product Thank you very much for purchasing your AMT Datasouth bar code printer. The Fastmark M4 is a, light-weight portable printer efficient for printing quick and trouble-free labels or receipts on demand. The Fastmark M4 is designed for a rough life, inside the IP54-rated environmental case to resist dust and water and with its rubber over-mold design prepared to take up to a five foot fall and keep printing.
Printer Overview Front view 1 2 4 3 6 5 7 8 10 9 12 13 11 14 15 1. Power on/off button 2. Feed button 3. Printer status LED indicator 4. Battery status LED indicator 5. Media cover release button 6. Peel-off sensor 7. Print head 8. Transmissive Gap sensor 9. Media holder lock switch 10. Media holder 11. Media cover 12. Reflective Black Mark sensor 13. Platen roller 15. Peeler module 14.
Rear view 2 1 3 4 5 6 8 7 1. 3. 5. 7. Li-ion battery Battery open clasp External label entrances chute *Micro SD card socket 2. 4. 6. 8. Belt clip Shoulder strap hanger USB interface Power jack *Recommended Micro SD card specifications SD card spec SD card capacity Approved SD card manufacturer V1.0, V1.1 MicroSD 128 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 MicroSD 256 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 MicroSD 512 MB Transcend, Panasonic V1.0, V1.1 MicroSD 1 GB Transcend, Panasonic V2.
Operator Controls LED indication and keys Keys LED’s Function Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn on the printer Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn off the printer Ready status: Feed one label Printing status: Pause the print job Status Indication Full charged Green (solid) 2/3 charged level Green (solid) 1/3 Charged level Green (blinking) Low battery Amber (solid) Battery is charged Blue (solid) Bluetooth device is ready Blue (blinking) Bluetooth device is communicating Blue (solid)
LED indication and keys for LCD (optional) Keys Function − − − − − − − − − − LEDs Error Power Display the printer information Button for LCD setting menu Enter the printer setting menu Button for LCD setting menu Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn on the printer Press and hold for 2-3 seconds to turn off the printer Button for LCD setting menu Ready status: Feed one label Printing status: Pause the print job Button for LCD setting menu Status Indication Off Printer is ready − Media cover is open −
Setup Installing the belt clip and battery 1. 2. 3. Insert the belt clip first. Insert the left side to install the battery at the rear of the printer. PUSH Push the right side of the battery. Battery safety warning: DO NOT throw the battery in fire. DO NOT short circuit the contacts. DO NOT disassemble the battery. DO NOT throw the battery in municipal waste. The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal waste.
Battery charging It takes 5~6 hours to fully charge the battery before the first time usage. The lifetime of the battery is 300 times for charge/discharge cycles. 1. 2. 3. 4. ~ 16 ~ The battery is installed into the printer. Open the interface cover and plug the power cord to the power jack. Plug the power cord into a properly power outlet. When the battery is changing, the color of battery status LED indicator is solid amber.
Loading media 1. 2. 3. ~ 17 ~ Open the printer media cover by pressing the media cover release button. Pull the media holders apart to fit the label roll width. Place the roll (print side up) between the media holders and close them onto the core. Pull paper past the print head.
4. Press each side of media cover to close the media cover and make sure the media cover closed correctly. Media Calibration: Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media. Turn ON the printer and open/close the media cover. The printer will automatically calibrate.
Loading media in Peel-off Mode 1. 2. 3. ~ 19 ~ Refer to above Loading Media section and insert label roll. Open/close media cover to perform calibration. Feed one or two lables from the printer and remove the label(s) from the liner. Close the media cover by pressing both sides down. Be sure the cover is latched on both sides.
4. Feed the liner through the module as shown. 5. Pull liner to remove the slack. 6. Move the peeler module to near the peeler bar by pushing each side of the module. (cover the platen roller).
7. Press down on the peeler module to lock into place. 8. Loosen and remove media and carrier in reverse order.
Loading fan-fold/external media 1. Open the printer media cover by pressing the media cover release button. Pull the media holders apart to fit the media width. 2. Push down each side of media holder lock switch to fix the media holder. 3. Feed the media (print side up) through the rear external label entrance chute.
4. Press each side of media cover to close the media cover and make sure the media cover closed correctly. Media Calibration: Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media. Turn ON the printer and open/close the media cover. The printer will automatically calibrate.
Loading linerless media (requires linerless printer) 1. Push down each side of media holder lock switch to affix linerless media roll. 2. Place the paper, printing side face up, and pull out one or two labels/paper past the print head. 3. Press each side of media cover to properly close the cover. Verify the cover is completely closed to avoid feed or print discrepancies. 4. Perform a media calibration.
Connecting the printer interface The printer must establish communication with a host terminal which sends the data to be printed. There are three ways to connect for Fastmark M4 series printer. By a USB cable between the printer and its host terminal By a Bluetooth short-range radio By a Wireless LAN per 802.1 b/g (Optional) Cable communications USB connector (Printer) USB/RS-232 connector (PC) 1.
Wireless communications with WiFi (optional) Refer to DiagTool instructions to set Non LCD display units. Printers with a LCD display can be set via DiagTool or control panel buttons. For control panel setup refer to the “LCD Menu Function” section. Environmental case with shoulder strap installation (optional) 1. Open case top cover. 2. Insert the printer as shown. 3. Close the case top cover. The outside cover should be opened while printing.
Paper core adapter (0.75” ~ 1”) installation (optional) 1. Required parts: a. Adapter x2 b. Screw x2 c. Nut x2 2. Insert nut into media holder. 3. Align arrow as shown.
4. 5. ~ 28 ~ Pull apart the media holders (max amount) and lock into place. With adapter in place, hold nut, insert and tighten the screw.
Power-ON Utilities There are three power-ON utilities to set up and test printer hardware. These utilities are activated by pressing the FEED button ( ) then turning on the printer power ( ) simultaneously and release the button at different LED light indications. Power-ON Utility for standard panel (No LCD Display) Follow the steps below for different power-on utilities. 1. 2. 3. Turn off the printer power switch. 4.
Printer initialization Printer initialization is used to clear DRAM and restore printer settings to defaults. 1. 2. 3. Turn off the printer power switch. 4. The printer will beep twice, then release the FEED ( ) button when the battery LED indicates and blinking. The LED will sequence right to left, 5 blinks each. 5. The printer will restore printer settings to defaults Hold on the FEED button ( ) then turn on the power switch ( ).
4. The printer will beep twice, then release the FEED ( ) button when the LCD indicates the desired function; “Calibrate” or “Self-test” or “Initialize”. Power ON Utilities Standard Panel LCD Release FEED button for LCD Configurations Calibrate..… Self Test..… (5 dots) (5 dots) Media sensor calibration different functions Media sensor calibration, self- test and enter DUMP Mode Initialize..… (5 dots) Printer initialization Turn the printer OFF/ON to exit utility mode.
Dump Mode The printer will enter dump mode after printing the configuration page. In the dump mode, all characters will be printed in 2 columns as following. The left side characters are received from your system and right side data are the corresponding hexadecimal value of the characters. It allows users or engineers to verify and debug the program exceptions. ASCII Data Hexadecimal Data Dump mode requires 4” wide paper width setting.
PALTM Print and Program Overview Printers featuring PALTM Print and Program ability can be used in several ways in any given environment. This section describes 3 common ways this advanced capability is used. For help and assistance determining the best way to use this ability in your situation, please consult your sales representative. Traditional printing This environment represents the most common use of printers. Generally a single print job (PALTM print sequences) generates a single label.
Using a PALTM Print and Program capable printer solves this problem. In this case a PALTM program is written which interprets a data stream normally sent to the legacy device being replaced. This program is stored on the printer and is automatically executed each time the printer is powered on. This program is able to produce a new label format based on this legacy data. Even though the host computer is sending the exact same legacy data to the printer, the label format can be completely different.
Examples of these advanced capabilities are: Ability to operate on line from host or off line in stand-alone mode Ability to range check user input Ability to combine data from multiple fields into a single bar code Ability to access database stored in printer Ability to perform math calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) Ability to perform logical calculations (equal to, less than, greater than, etc.
Diagnostic Tool The Diagnostic Utility is a toolbox that allows users to explore the printer's settings and status; change printer settings; download graphics, fonts, and firmware; create printer bitmap fonts; and to send additional commands to the printer. Using this convenient tool, you can explore the printer status and settings and troubleshoot the printer. Starting diagnostic tool 1. Double click on the Diagnostic tool icon software. 2.
Printer functions (Calibrate sensor, media setup, RTC setup…) 1. 2. 3. 4. Connect the printer and PC via USB cable. Turn ON printer and start DiagTool utility. Click the “Function” button for settings. The detail functions in the Printer Function Group are listed as below.
Setting Bluetooth configuration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Connect the printer and PC via USB cable. Turn ON printer and start DiagTool utility. Select “Wireless” tab and click on “Built-in wireless module” item. Enter the new BT Local Name or BT PIN Code in the editor. Press “Set” button to set the new BT name or BT PIN code of the printer. Press “Get” button to get back the settings. Make sure the Bluetooth module settings are set properly.
Setting WiFi configuration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Connect the printer and PC via USB cable. 7. The Wi-Fi LED will turn on blue (the Wi-Fi, icon will be shown for LCD panel) if device has been connected. 8. 9. Print out the self-test page to confirm correct settings. Turn ON printer and start DiagTool utility. Select “Wireless” tab and click on “Built-in wireless module” item. Enter the new WLAN settings in the editor. Press “Set” button to set the new settings to the printer.
LCD Menu Function (Optional) The Fastmark M4 series offer the LCD panel for selection to further enhance its capabilities to meet the demands of a wide range of printing solutions. This optional feature includes LCD control panel, 4 buttons and 2 LED display. LCD menu setup 1. Press the “M” button to enter the setting menu. 2. Use the four buttons to scroll through the menu, select and save a setting, or return to a previous menu. The black highlight indicates the selected setting.
3. Press 4. Press button to enter the “Print Setup” item. Select the “TSPL2” item. Enter the “Speed” setting mode. 5. At this status, you can scroll up or scroll down to select the value of print speed. Then press the button to save the selected value into the printer. Press “ ” button to go back to “Ready mode. button to enter the “Setup” item.
Main menu overview Main Menu Setup File Manager Diagnostic Language Service ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ Printer DRAM Print Config English Initialization ↓ ↓ ↓ Sensor Flash Dump Mode ↓ ↓ Serial Battery ↓ ↓ *Wireless Print Head ↓ Bluetooth ↓ Date/Time ↓ Display NOTE: The WiFi (Wireless) LAN function is optional for the Fastmark M4 series printers.
Setup This “Setup” category is used to configure the sensor, serial communications, wireless, Bluetooth, date time and display settings. Printer setup for TSPL2 Speed Density Direction Print Mode Offset Main Menu TSPL2 Setup Shift X Shift Y Reference X Reference Y Code Page Country Item Speed Density Description Use this item to setup print speed. The each increase or decrease is 0.5 ips. Available setting is from 1 to 6. Use this option to setup printing darkness.
This item is used to set the print mode. There are 3 modes as below, Printer Mode Print mode None Batch Mode Peeler Mode Offset Shift X Shift Y Reference X Reference Y Code page Country Description Next label top of form is aligned to the print head burn line location. (Tear Off Mode) Once image is printed completely, label gap/black mark will be fed to the tear plate location for tear away. Enable the label peel off mode. This item is used to fine tune media stop location.
Printer setup for ZPL2 Density Print Speed Tear Off Print Mode Print Width List Fonts List Images Main Menu Setup ZPL2 List Formats List Setup Control Prefix Format Prefix Delimiter Character Media Power Up Head Close Left Position Definition of options next page ~ 45 ~
Item Description Density Use this item to setup printing darkness. The available setting is from 0 to 30, and the step is 1. You may need to adjust your density based on selected media. Print Speed Tear Off Print Mode Default Use this item to setup print speed. The each increase or decrease is 1 ips. Available setting is from 1 to 6. This item is used to fine tune media stop location. Available setting value is “+” or “-” from “0” to “9”.
Printer Option Feed Calibration Media Power Up Description Printer will advance one label. Printer will calibrate the sensor levels, determine length and feed label. Length Printer determines length feeds label. No Motion Printer will not move media. No Motion This option is used to set the action of the media when you turn on the printer: Printer Option Feed Calibration Head Close Description Printer will advance one label. Printer will calibrate the sensor levels, determine length and feed label.
Sensor Gap Auto Calibration Black Mark Continuous Gap Manual Setup Black Mark Continuous Main Menu Setup Sensor Scan Backing Scan Mark Label Scan Paper Scan Paper Paper Auto Threshold Fixed Max. Length ON Advanced OFF Min. Paper Max. Gap/Mark Item Auto Calibration Manual Setup Threshold Description This feature is used to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. The printer will feed 2 to 3 gap labels to calibrate the sensor sensitivity automatically.
Serial communication 1200 bps 2400 bps 4800 bps Baud Rate 9600 bps 19200 bps 38400 bps 57600 bps 115200 bps Main Menu Serial Comm. Setup None Odd Parity Even Data Bits Stop Bits Item Baud Rate Parity Description 7 8 1 2 Default This feature is used to set the RS232 baud rate. 9600 This feature is used to set the RS232 parity. None Data Bits This feature is used to set the RS232 data bits. 8 Stop Bits This feature is used to set the RS232 stop bits.
Wireless LAN Infrastructure Operating Mode Ad-hoc Main Menu Setup Wireless LAN Scan AP ON DHCP OFF Item Operating Mode Description Default This feature is used to set the wireless local area network connectivity. Infrastructure Scan Ap This feature is used to scan the access point devise. N/A DHCP This feature is used to set the network Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ON or OFF.
Date / Time Date Main Menu Setup Date Time Time Item Description Default Date This feature is used to set the date (ex: 2014-03-21). Time This feature is used to set the time (ex: 19-20-02). N/A None Display Always ON Always OFF 5 Seconds 10 Seconds Main Menu Setup Contrast 30 Seconds Backlight 1 Minute Display 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 30 Minutes 1 Hour 5 Hours Item Description Default Contrast This feature is used to set the display contrast.
File Manager File Manager Main Menu Item DRAM (Available memory) Saved file list FLASH (Available memory) Saved file list CARD (Available memory) Saved file list Description DRAM This feature is used to show available DRAM memory space and save/run (BAS) memory files. FLASH This feature is used to show available FLASH memory space and save/run (BAS) memory files. CARD This feature is used to show available MicroSD memory space and save/run (BAS) memory files.
Diagnostics Main Menu Diagnostics Print Configuration Dump Mode Battery Print Head Print Configuration Main Menu Diagnostics Print Configuration This feature is used to print the current printer configuration. The printout will include a head test pattern to determine damaged heat elements (missing print). Dump Mode Main Menu Diagnostics Dump Mode This feature is used to capture data from the communications port received by the printer.
Battery Main Menu Diagnostics Battery This feature is used to check the printer battery voltage. Print Head Main Menu Diagnostics Print Head This feature is used to check the printer temperature, resistance and print head elements (missing print). Language Main Menu Language English This feature is used to set LCD Language. Service Main Menu Service Initialization This feature is used to restore printer default settings.
Troubleshooting The following guide lists the most common problems that may be encountered when operating this bar code printer. If the printer still does not function after all suggested solutions have been invoked, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor for assistance. Problem Power indicator does not illuminate Not Printing Possible Cause Recovery Procedure * The battery is not properly installed. * Battery out of power. * The battery is dead.
* Media is loaded incorrectly Poor Print Quality * Reload the supply. * Clean the print head. * Dust or adhesive accumulation * Clean the platen roller. on the print head. * Adjust the print density and print * Print density is not set properly. speed. * Run printer self-test and check the * Print speed is not set properly. print head test pattern if there is dot * Print head element is damaged. missing in the pattern. * Change proper media roll. Missing printing on the left * Wrong label size setup.
Maintenance This session presents cleaning tools and methods to maintain your printer. Required Materials: Head Cleaning Pen or Cotton swab Lint-free cloth Compressed air or vacuum 100% Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol Printer Part Method Interval 1. Always turn off the printer before cleaning the print head. 2. Allow the print head to cool for a minimum of one minute. 3. Use a cotton swab and 100% Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol to clean the print head surface.
Product Characteristics Printer specifications Product standard feature Direct thermal printing Black mark reflective sensor (center position , black mark in back side) Gap transmissive sensor (Fixed, .1 inch to right from center) Head open sensor Peeler sensor 2 operation buttons (On/off and feed) 3 LEDs for printer status, 3 LEDs for battery status USB 2.0 (full speed) interface Class 2 Bluetooth 2.1 module 32 MB SDRAM memory 16 MB FLASH memory Micro SD card reader for memory expansion up to SDHC 4G (max.
Bar code symbologies 1D bar code 2D bar code Supported Image Code128 subsets A.B.C, Code128UCC, EAN128, Interleave 2 of 5, Code 39, Code 93, EAN-13, EAN-8, Codabar, OSTNET, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN and UPC 2(5) digits, MSI, PLESSEY, China Post, ITF14, EAN14, Code 11, TELPEN, PLANET, Code 49, Deutsche Post Identcode, Deutsche Post Leitcode, LOGMARS CODABLOCK F, mode, DataMatrix, Maxicode, PDF417, Aztec, MicroPDF417, QR, code, RSS Barcode (GS1 Databar) BITMAP, BMP, PCX, (Max.
General General Specifications Physical dimensions Mechanism Weight Power Environmental condition Battery Spec Charging capability 6.3”(W) x 7.5’(H) x 3.1”(D) Plastic with rubber over molded 0.945 kg (w/o battery) External power adapter Input: AC 100-240V Output: DC 12V 1A Operation: 14 ~ 122˚F (-10 ~ 50˚C) Storage: -40 ~ 140˚F (-40 ~ 60 ˚C) Relative humidity: 10 ~ 90% non-condensing IP54 w/ IP54-rated environmental case Drop 1.5m (5ft) Drop 1.8m (6.
Media Media Specifications Media roll capacity Media core diameter Max. 2.65” (67.3 mm) OD 0.5” ~ 1” (12.7 mm ~ 25.4 mm) ID core Media type Continuous, die-cut, black mark, External fanfold, receipt, Linerless label (w/ linerless kit) Media wound type Outside wound Media width Media thickness Label length Label length (peeler mode) 2” ~ 4.4” (50.8 mm ~ 112 mm) .002” ~ .006” (0.055 mm ~ 0.165 mm) 0.5” ~ 90” (12.7 mm ~ 2286 mm) 1” ~ 6” (25.4 ~ 152.4 mm) External fan-fold media Stack height: 70 mm (2.
Corporate Headquarters Manufacturing/Service 803 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite-D Camarillo, CA 93012 TEL: 800.215.9192 FAX: 805.484.5282 Web site: www.AMTDatasouth.com 5033 Sirona Drive, Suite-800 Charlotte, NC 28273 TEL: 800.476.2120 FAX: 704.525.
