Fastmark M7 Series Thermal Transfer Barcode Printer User’s Guide Document #120702
Contents 1. Introduction.....................................................................................................4 1.1 Product Introduction ................................................................................4 1.2 Compliances .............................................................................................4 2. Operations Overview ......................................................................................6 2.1 Unpacking and Inspection ...........................
Contents 3. Menu Function ..............................................................................................32 3.1 Setup Menu Overview ............................................................................33 3.1.1 Printer Setup.......................................................................................34 3.1.2 Sensor ................................................................................................41 3.1.3 Serial Comm. ..............................................
1. Introduction 1.1 Product Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing an AMT Datasouth bar code printer. This printer is designed with die-casting aluminum chassis and print mechanism, metal cover with large clear media view window, which ensuring to work for the extreme and heavy duty industrial environment and applications. With back-lit graphic LCD display, printer status can be managed easier and operated more user friendly. The moveable sensor design can accept wide range of label media.
ANSI C63.4:2003 CANADIAN ICES-003 C-Tick: AS/NZS CISPR22 (Class A) UL, CUL UL 60950 3rd TÜV-GS: EN60950: 2000 Wichtige Sicherheits-Hinweise 1.Bitte lesen Sie Diese Hinweis sorgfältig durch 2.Heben Sie diese Anleitung fűr den späteren Gebrauch auf. 3.Vor jedem Reinigen ist das Gerät vom Stromentz zu trennen. Verwenden Sie Keine Flűssig-oder Aerosolreiniger. Am besten eignet sich ein angefeuchtetes Tuch zur Reinigung. 4.Die Netzanschlußsteckdose soll nahe dem Gerät angebraucht und leicht zugänglich sein. 5.
2. Operations Overview 2.1 Unpacking and Inspection This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer. Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.
2.2 Printer Overview 2.2.1 Front View 1 2 3 4 6 5 1. LED indicators 2. LCD display 3. Front panel buttons 4. Paper exit chute 5. Lower front cover 6.
2.2.2 Interior view 1 7 8 2 9 3 10 4 11 5 12 6 13 1. Ribbon rewind spindle 2. Ribbon release button 3. Ribbon guide plate 4. Print head 14 5. Platen roller 6. Print head release lever 7. Media guide bar 15 8. Label roll guard 9. Label supply spindle 10. Ribbon supply spindle 11. Damper 12. Label guide 13. Z axis mechanism adjustment knob 14. Print head pressure adjustment knob 15.
16. Ribbon sensor 17.
2.2.3 Rear View 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 9 5 10 1. Fan-fold paper entrance chute 2. Centronics interface Note: 3. USB interface 1. SD card slot, Ethernet interface and PS/2 interface are standard 4. RS-232C interface interfaces for M7 PLUS models, but optional for M7 non-PLUS 5. Power jack socket models. 6. GPIO interface 2. GPIO interface card includes SD card slot, Ethernet and PS/2 *7. SD card slot interfaces. So GPIO interface is an factory option for M7 PLUS , 8.
2.3 Operator Controls 2.3.
2.3.2 LED Indicators LED Status Off On Indication The printer power is turned off The printer power is turned on On Printer is ready Blinking Pause Downloading data into printer. Off On Printer is ready "CARRIAGE OPEN" or “CUTTER ERROR” Blinking "NO PAPER", "PAPER JAM" or "NO RIBBON" 2.3.3 Front Panel Keys Keys Function 1. Enter the menu 2.
2.5 Installation of Ribbon 2.5.1 Loading Ribbon 1. Lift open printer right side cover. 2. Push the print head release lever to open the print head mechanism. 3. Install the ribbon onto the ribbon supply spindle.
4. Thread the ribbon through the ribbon sensor slot and then through the open space in between print head and platen. Ribbon Ribbon sensor 5. Wrap the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind spindle. Keeping the ribbon flat and without wrinkles. 6. Wind the ribbon clockwise about 3~5 circles onto the ribbon rewind spindle until it is smooth and properly stretched. 7. Close the print head mechanism making sure the latches are engaged properly.
Loading path for ribbon Page 15 of 73
2.5.2 Remove Used Ribbon 1. Break the ribbon between ribbon guide plate and the ribbon rewind spindle. 2. Push the ribbon release button to release the ribbon on the ribbon rewind spindle.
3. Then, slide off the ribbon from ribbon rewind spindle. 2.6 Installation of Media 2.6.1 Loading Roll Labels 1. Lift open printer right side cover. 2. Push the print head release lever to open the print head mechanism.
2. Move the label roll guard horizontally to the end of label spindle then flip down the label roll guard. 3. Place the roll of media on the label supply spindle. Flip up the label roll guard. Move the label roll guard horizontally to gently fit the width of label roll.
4. Pull label roll leading edge forward through the media guide bar, damper, media sensor and place the label leading edge onto the platen roller.
6. Adjust the label guide to fit the width of the label. 7. Close the print head mechanism making sure the latches are engaged properly. 8. Using the front display panel, set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. (Please refer to section 3.1.2) Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
2.6.2 Loading Fan-fold Labels Fan-fold media feeds through either the bottom or rear external label entrance chute. 1. Lift open printer right side cover. 2. Push the print head release lever to open the print head mechanism. 3. Insert the fan-fold media through the bottom or rear external label entrance chute. 4. Pull fan-fold label leading edge forward through the media guide bar, damper media sensor and place the label leading edge onto the platen roller. 5.
Loading path for fan-fold labels Page 22 of 73
2.6.3 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option) 1. Lift open printer right side cover. 2. Push the print head release lever to open the print head mechanism. 3. Move the label roll guard horizontally to the end of label spindle then flip down the label roll guard. 4. Place the roll of media on the label supply spindle. Flip up the label roll guard. Move the label roll guard horizontally to fit the width of label roll. 5.
12. Lift up the peel-off roller release lever and close the print head mechanism. 13. Move the peel-off sensor toward the paper exit chute. Peel-off sensor 14. Peeling will automatically start. Press the FEED button to test. Liner Label Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
2.6.4 Remove Liner from Internal Rewind (Option) 1. Break the liner between peel-off roller and the internal rewind spindle. 2. Push the liner release button to release the liner on the internal rewind spindle.
3. Then, slide off the liner from internal rewind spindle.
2.6.5 Loading Media in Rewind Liner with Label Mode (Option) This mode can rewind the media including liner and label on the rewind spindle. 1. Lift open printer right side cover. 2. Insert the supply holder guide and paper core into the internal rewind for 1” core label roll. Insert the supply holder guide, 3” label core adapter and paper core into the internal rewind for 3” core label roll.
5. Insert another supply holder guide into the internal rewind for 1” core label roll. Supply holder guide 6. Using the LCD panel set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. (Please refer to section 3.1.2) Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
2.6.6 Remove Labels from Internal Rewind (Option) 1. Slide off the labels with supply holder guides from internal rewind spindle.
2.7 Adjustment Knob 2.7.1 Print head Pressure Adjustment Knob Print head pressure adjustment knobs The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of adjustment. Because the printer’s paper alignment is to the left side of mechanism, different media widths require different pressure to print correctly. Therefore it may require to adjust the pressure knob to get your best print quality. For example, if the label width is 4”, adjust both print head pressure adjustment knobs to the same level.
The print head burn line adjustment knobs are used to fine tune the print quality for different thickness of media. Turning the knobs adjusts the print head’s burn line forward or backward as it relates to the platen roller. Caution: Incorrectly adjusting these knobs can lead to poor print quality and may cause damage to the printer. Proceed with caution. The print head burn line default is set for general purpose printing media (plain paper and paper thickness less than 0.008 inch).
3. Menu Function Main Menu Overview Main Menu Setup F ile Manager Diagnostics Language Serv ice ¡ õ Printer Setup ¡ õ File List ¡ õ Print Config. ¡ õ English ¡ õ Initialization ¡ õ Sensor ¡ õ Dump Mode ¡ õ Chinese(TC) ¡ õ Mileage Info. ¡ õ Serial Comm. ¡ õ Avail. Memory ¡ õ Del.
3.1 Setup Menu Overview Setup Printer Setup Sensor Serial Comm. Ethernet ¡ õ TSPL2 ¡ õ Status ¡ õ Baud Rate ¡ õ Status ¡ õ Z PL2 ¡ õ Calibration ¡ õ Parity ¡ õ Configure ¡ õ Exit ¡ õ Exit ¡ õ Data Bits ¡ õ Exit Exit ¡ õ Stop Bit(s) ¡ õ Exit Notice: * The Ethernet function is available for M7 PLUS series only and option for M7. * Ethernet function is available on the LCD display when Ethernet card is installed.
3.1.
3.1.1.1 Speed: Print Setup 1/12 > Speed Speed Density 6 Direction Use this option to setup print speed. The available print speed is between 4~12 ips and each increament/decreament is 1 ips. The default print speed is 6 ips. key to raise the print speed, and press key to decrease print Press speed. Press key to set it into printer. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu.
The following 2 figures are the printouts of DIRECTION 0 and 1 for your reference. DIRECTION 0 DIRECTION 1 Note: If printing from enclosed software/driver, the software/driver will send out the command, which will overwrite the setting set from the front panel. 3.1.1.4 Print Mode: (None/Batch Mode/Peeler Mode/Cutter Mode/Cutter Batch) Print Setup Density 4/12 Print Mode 2/6 > Batch Mode Direction Peeler Mode > Print Mode Cutter Mode This option is used to set the print mode.
Cutter Batch Cut the label once at the end of the printing job. Note: If printing from enclosed software/driver, the software/driver will send out the command, which will overwrite the setting set from the front panel. 3.1.1.5 Offset: Print Setup 5/12 Direction Offset Print Mode +000 > Offset This option is used to fine tune media stop location.
3.1.1.6 Reference X & Reference Y: Print Setup 9/12 Shift Y Reference Y Reference X 000 > Reference Y This option is used to set the origin of printer coordinate system horizontally and button to move the cursor from left digit to right digit, vertically. Press the and press the button to set the value from “0” to “9”. Press the button to set the value into printer. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu. The default value is 000.
Windows Code Page (SBCS) code page International number Character Set 1252 Latin 1 1250 Central Europe 1253 Greek 1254 Turkish 1251 Cyrillic 1255 Hebrew 1256 Arabic 1257 Baltic 1258 Vietnam Windows Code Page (DBCS) code page International number Character Set 950 Traditional Chinese Big5 936 Simplified Chinese GBK 932 Japanese Shift-JIS 949 Korean ISO Code Page code page International name Character Set 8859-1 Latin 1 8859-2 Latin 2 8859-3 Latin 3 8859-4 Baltic 8859-5 Cyrillic ISO Code Page code Inter
Code Country Code Country Code Country Code 001 USA 034 Spanish (Spain) 002 CanadianFrench 036 003 Spanish 038 031 Dutch 039 Italian 032 Belgian 041 Switzerland 048 Polish 033 French (France) 042 Slovak 044 United Kingdom 055 Brazil Hungarian 045 Danish 061 English (International) Yugoslavian 046 Swedish 351 Portuguese 047 Norwegian 358 German 049 Page 40 of 73 Country Finnish
3.1.2 Sensor Sensor Status Calibration Exit 3.1.2.1 Status This function is available to check the printer’s sensor status. When enter the [Status] option, you will see following message. Paper Len. Gap Size Intensity Ref. Level 3.1.2.2 Calibration This option is used to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected sensor. We recommend to calibrate the sensor before printing when changing the media. Calibration Gap Mod e Bline Mode Cont.
A. Gap Mode Calibration 1/4 > Gap Mode Gap Mode 1/4 > Automatic Bline Mode Manual Cont. Mode Pre-Printed Press the the and buttons to scroll the cursor to the media type and press button to enter the sensor calibration mode. Note: If printing from enclosed software/driver, the software/driver will send out the GAP or BLINE command, which will overwrite the sensor type setting set from the front panel.
2. Press the button to move the cursor from left digit to right digit, and press the button to set the value from “0” to “9” and the “dot/ mm/ inch”. button to set the gap Press the size into the printer. Gap Size 0024 dot 3. Open the print head mechanism, put the Label backing (liner) under the media sensor. Press the button to set the value into the printer. Gap Mode Scan Backing Intensity Ref. Level xxx Media sensor Label backing (liner) Gap Mode 4.
Gap Mode 3/4 Manual > Pre-Printed Exit When enter [Pre-Printed] option, you will see following message. Please complete there steps 1. Press the Paper Len. 00812 dot Gap Size 0024 dot Gap Mode Pre-Printe button to move the cursor from button to set left digit to right digit, and press the the value from “0” to “9” and the “dot/ mm/ inch”. Press the button to set the paper length into the printer. 2.
B. Bline Mode Calibration 2/4 Gap Mode Bline Mode 1/4 > Automatic > Bline Mode Manual Cont. Mode Pre-Printed and buttons to scroll the cursor to the sensor type. Press the Press the button to enter the black-mark sensor calibration mode. B-1 Automatic When enter the [Automatic] option, you will see following message and printer will feed the black mark label to calibrate the sensor sensitivity automatically. When calibration process is completed, the LCD screen will return to the previous menu.
Bline Mode 3. Open the print head mechanism, put the black Scan Mark Mark under the media sensor. Press the button to set the value into the printer. Intensity Ref. Level xxx Media sensor Black mark Bline Mode 4. Then, put the label without black mark under the Scan Paper media sensor. Press the value into the printer. Intensity Ref. Level button to set the xxx Media sensor Label without black mark Note: Normally, the value of “Ref. Level” for mark should be larger than paper for over 128.
B-3 Pre-Printed This function can set the paper length and gap size before auto-calibrate the sensor sensitivity. It can to get the sensor sensitivity accurately. Bline Mode 3/4 Manual > Pre-Printed Exit When enter [Pre-Printed] option, you will see following message. Please complete there steps 1. Paper Len. 00812 dot 2. Press the button to move the cursor from Left digit to right digit, and press the button to set the value from “0” to “9” and the “dot/ mm/ inch”.
C. Cont. Mode Calibration 3/4 Bline Mode Cont. Mode 1/3 > Automatic > Cont. Mode Manual Exit Exit and buttons to scroll the cursor to the sensor type. Press the Press the button to enter the black-mark sensor calibration mode. C-1 Automatic When enter the [Automatic] option, you will see following message and printer will calibrate the sensor sensitivity automatically. When calibration process is completed, the LCD screen will return to the previous menu. Cont.
3. The sensor calibration is complete. Press The button the LCD screen will return to the previous menu. Cont. Mode Complete Intensity Ref. Level xxx 3.1.3 Serial Comm. Seria l Comm.
3.1.3.1 Baud Rate Serial Comm. 1/5 Baud Rate > Baud Rate 4/9 > 9600 bps Parity 19200 bps Data Bits 38400 bps This option is used to set the RS-232 baud rate. The default setting is 9600 bps. and buttons to select the different baud rate and press Press button to set the value into printer. When you enter this list, the baud rate value in the right side of ">" icon is the current setting in the printer. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu. 3.1.3.2 Parity Serial Comm.
3.1.3.4 Stop Bit(s): Serial Comm. Parity Data Bits > Stop Bit(s) 4/5 Stop Bit(s) 1/3 > 1 2 Exit This option is used to set the RS-232 Stop Bits. The default setting is “1” stop bit. and buttons to select the different Stop Bits and press Press button to set the value into printer. When you enter this list, the option in the right side of ">" icon is the printer current setting. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu.
3.1.4 Ethernet Use this menu to configure internal Ethernet configuration check the printer’s Ethernet module status, and reset the Ethernet module. This function is available on the LCD display when Ethernet card is installed. Press and buttons to select the different options and press button to enter the option. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu.
3.1.4.1.2 MAC Ethernet 1/3 > Status Status 2/3 IP Address > MAC Configure Exit Exit The MAC address information will be shown on the LCD display. Please press or button to return to the previous menu. 3.1.4.2 Configure: (DHCP / Static IP) Use this menu to set the printer's DHCP and Static IP. 3.1.4.2.1 DHCP Ethernet 2/4 Configure 1/3 > DHCP Status Static IP > Configure Exit Reset Press and to enter.
3.1.4.2.2 Static IP Use this menu to set the printer's IP address, subnet mask and gateway. Ethernet Status 2/3 Configure 2/3 DHCP > Configure > Static IP Exit Exit Press and buttons to select the different options and press button to enter the option. Press key to cancel the setting and return to the previous menu. IP Address Subnet Mask Gateway 000.000.000.000 000.000.000.000 000.000.000.
3.2 File Manager This feature is used to check the printer available memory and file list. File Mana ger File List Avail. Memory Del. All Files ¡ õ DRAM ¡ õ FLASH ¡ õ DRAM ¡ õ FLASH ¡ õ CARD ¡ õ CARD ¡ õ Exit ¡ õ Exit Exit 3.2.1 File List Use this menu to show, delete and run (.BAS) the files saved in the printer DRAM/Flash/Card memory. To show the files File Manager > File List 1/ File List 2 > FLASH Avail. Memory CARD Del. All Files Exit FLASH File List > DEMO.TTF DEMO.
3.2.2 Avail. Memory Use this menu to show available memory space. File Manager 2/4 File List > Avail. Memory Del. All Files Avail. Memory DRAM: 256 KB FALSH: 6656 KB CARD: 0 KB 3.2.3 Del. All Files Use this menu to delete all files. Press button to delete all files in the device. Press to cancel deleting files and go back to previous menu. File Manager 3/4 File List Avail. Memory > Del. All File File List 1/4 Del.
3.3 Diagnostics Diagnostics Print Config. Dump Mod e Rotate Cutter Exit 3.3.1 Print Config. This feature is used to print current printer configuration to the label. On the sconfiguration printout, there is a print head test pattern, which is useful for checking if there is any dot damage on the print head heater element. Diagnostics 1/4 Self Test ... > Print Config. Printing ...
3.3.2 Dump Mode Captures the data from the communications port and prints out the data received by printer. 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. Diagnostics 2/4 Printing ... Pritn Config. Dump Mode 1/1 > Dump Mode Rotate cutter Note: 1.
3.3.3 Rotate Cutter In case paper is jammed in the cutter, this feature can rotate the cutter blade forward or reverse direction, which is helpful to remove the jammed paper easily from the cutter. Diagnostics 3/4 Print Config. UP: Fwd. DOWN: Rev. Dump Mode > Rotate Cutter MENU: Exit 3.4 Language Language English Chinese (TC) Chinese (SC) Japanese G erman Italian French Russian Polish Spanish Exit This option is used to setup the language on LCD display.
3.5 Service Service Initialization Mileage Info. Exit This feature is used to restore printer settings to defaults and display printer mileage information. 3.5.1 Initialization Service 1/3 Initialization Initializing ... > Initialization Mileage Info. SELECT YES Exit MENU NO The printer settings are restored to defaults as below once printer is initialized. Note : When printer initialization is done, please calibrate the gap or black mark sensor before printing.
Country code Clear flash memory Shift X Shift Y Gap sensor sensitivity Bline sensor sensitivity Language IP address 001 No 0 0 3 (Will be reset. Need to re-calibrate the gap) 2 (Will be reset. Need to re-calibrate the gap) English DHCP 3.5.2 Mileage Info. Use this option to check the printed mileage (displayed in meter). Service 1/3 Mileage:(m) Initialization > Mileage Info. Labels: (pcs.
4. 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. Note: This utility works with printer firmware V6.00 and later versions. 4.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool 1.
4.2 Printer Function (Calibrate sensor, Ethernet setup, RTC setup…) 1. Select the PC interface connected with bar code printer. 2. Click the “Function” button to setting. 3. The detail functions in the Printer Function Group are listed as below. Function Factory Default Dump Text Description Initialize the printer and restore the settings to factory default. To activate the printer dump mode. Configuration Page Print printer configuration.
5. Troubleshooting 5.1 Common Problems 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 Possible Cause * The power cord is not properly connected.
Not Printing Memory full ( FLASH / DRAM ) SD card is unable to use * Re-connect cable to interface. * If using serial cable, - Please replace the cable with pin to pin connected. - Check the baud rate setting. The default baud rate setting of printer is 9600,n,8,1. * If using the Ethernet cable, - Check if the Ethernet RJ-45 connector green LED is lit on.. - Check if the Ethernet RJ-45 connector amber LED is blinking. - Check if the printer gets the IP address when using DHCP mode.
PS/2 port does not work * Did not turn off power prior to plug in the PS/2 keyboard. * PS/2 keyboard is damaged. * PS/2 keyboard doesn’t plug-in correctly. * There is no BAS file in the printer. Poor Print Quality * Reload the supply. * Clean the printhead. * Clean the platen roller. * Adjust the print density and print speed. * Run printer self-test and check the print head test pattern if there is dot missing in the pattern. * Change proper ribbon or proper label media.
LCD panel is dark and * The LCD panel harness connector LEDs are lit on, but The label is feeding is loose. forward * The LCD panel harness connector is plugged upside down. Ribbon encoder sensor doesn’t work * The ribbon encoder sensor connector is loose. * Fasten the connector. Ribbon end sensor doesn’t work * The connector is loose. * The ribbon sensor hole is covered with dust. * Check the connector. * Clear the dust in the sensor hole by the blower.
Skip labels when printing * Label size is not specified properly. * Check if label size is setup correctly. * Sensor sensitivity is not set properly. * Calibrate the sensor by Auto Gap or Manual Gap * The media sensor is covered with options. dust. * Clear the GAP/Black mark sensor by blower. * Calibrate the sensor sensitivity again. * Set the correct label size and gap size. * Press [MENU] [SELECT] x3 [DOWN]x6 [SELECT] to fine tune the parameter of Shift Y.
5.2 Mechanism Fine Adjustment to Avoid Ribbon Wrinkles This printer has been fully tested before delivery. There should be no ribbon wrinkle presented on the media for general-purpose printing application. Ribbon wrinkle is related to the media thickness, print head pressure balance, ribbon film characteristics, print darkness setting…etc. In case the ribbon wrinkle happens, please follow the instructions below to adjust the printer parts.
Adjust the print head pressure adjustment Adjust the print head pressure adjustment knob Left knob Right knob knob Left knob The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of settings. Clockwise direction adjustment is to increase the print head pressure. Counter Clockwise adjustment can decrease the print head pressure. If the wrinkle on the label starts from the lower left side to upper right side, please do following adjustment. 1.
6. Maintenance This session presents the clean tools and methods to maintain your printer. 1. Please use one of following material to clean the printer. Cotton swab (Head cleaner pen) Lint-free cloth Vacuum / Blower brush 100% ethanol 2. The cleaning process is described as following Printer Method 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.
Interior Brush or vacuum As needed Note: Do not touch printer head by hand. If you touch it careless, please use ethanol to clean it. Please use 100% Ethanol. DO NOT use medical alcohol, which may damage the printer head. Regularly clean the print head and supply sensors once change a new ribbon to keep printer performance and extend printer life.
Corporate Headquarters Manufacturing/Service 803 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite-D Camarillo, CA 93012 TEL: 800.215.9192 5033 Sirona Drive, Suite-800 Charlotte, NC 28273 TEL: 800.476.2120 FAX: 805.484.5282 FAX: 704.525.6104 Web site: www.AMTDatasouth.
