BMP®41 LABEL PRINTER USER’S MANUAL
Copyright This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No portion of this manual may be copied or reproduced by any means without the prior written consent of BRADY Worldwide, Inc. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, BRADY assumes no liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or by statements resulting from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
UNITED STATES This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC This product contains a lithium battery. The crossed-out wheeled bin shown to the left is used to indicate 'separate collection' for all batteries and accumulators in accordance with European Directive 2006/66/EC. Users of batteries must not dispose of batteries as unsorted municipal waste. This Directive determines the framework for the return and recycling of used batteries and accumulators that are to be collected separately and recycled at end of life.
BRADY Warranty Our products are sold with the understanding that the buyer will test them in actual use and determine for him or herself their adaptability to his/her intended uses. BRADY warrants to the buyer that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship, but limits its obligation under this warranty to replacement of the product shown to BRADY’s satisfaction to have been defective at the time BRADY sold it.
Technical Support Technical Support Numbers/On-line Help For repair or technical assistance, find your regional Brady Tech Support office by going to: • In the Americas: www.bradyid.com • In Europe: www.bradyeurope.com • In Asia: www.bradycorp.com Repair and Replacement Parts Brady Corporation offers repair and replacement services. Contact Brady Technical Support for repair and replacement information.
i Table of Contents Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Unpack Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Save Your Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Register Your Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ii Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pause/Cut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Time/Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Units . . . . . . .
iii Serialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 How Serialization Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Examples of Serialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Numbers in Sequences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Add Serialization. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Introduction The BMP®41 Label Printer is capable of printing on a variety of both die-cut and continuous supplies, up to 1 inch (25.4 mm) wide. It includes the following features: • Targeted applications to simplify the creation of specific label types • Battery operation - printing 1000 or more standard Brady die cut labels on a fully charged Brady battery pack.
2 Introduction Unpack Your Printer Unpack Your Printer The following items are included in the standard BMP®41 Label Printer package: • BMP®41 Label Printer • BMP41-BP NiMH Battery Pack (M41-BATT) • MC1-1000-595-WT-BK cartridge • USB connection cable (M41USB) • AC adapter (M41-AC) • Product CD • Brady Printer Drivers CD • Quick Start Guide The following items are accessories available for the BMP®41 Label Printer: • Hard-sided carrying case (M41-HC) • BMP41-BP NiMH Battery Pack (M41-BATT) • Magnet (M41-MA
Introduction Physical and Environmental Characteristics BMP®41 Label Printer System Specifications The BMP®41 Label Printer has the following specifications: • Weight 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) • Thermal Transfer Print Mechanism 300 dpi • Optical Registration System for Precise Print Registration • Softplast QWERTY Keypad Technology • Custom True Type Fonts • Print Width - 1 inch (25.4 mm) maximum label width • Maximum print length for labels: 39” (990.
4 Introduction Firmware Upgrades Environmental Operation Storage Temperature* (Printer) 4° to 43° C (40° to 110° F) Be mindful, when using the AC adapter with the printer, that the AC adapter is rated at a maximum temperature of 30° C (86° F). -18° to 43° C (0° to 110° F) Relative Humidity (Printer) 20% to 90% (noncondensing) 10% to 90% (noncondensing *Exposing the BMP®41 Label Printer to direct sunlight is not recommended.
External View Firmware Upgrades External View 1 Power key 5 Navigation pad with ENTER key 2 Function keys 6 Thumb Drive-Port 3 Print key 7 AC Adaptor Port 4 Feed key 8 USB port BMP®41 User’s Manual 5
6 Power Source Firmware Upgrades Power Source Power is supplied to the BMP®41 Label Printer through a BMP41-BP NiMH battery pack, or through an AC power adapter. Do not expose batteries to temperatures above 60C (140F). Do not disassemble or mistreat the battery pack. Do not attempt to open, damage, or replace components in the battery pack. The Battery Pack should only be used in the BMP®41 Label Printer. Do not use any other rechargeable battery pack other than the BMP-UBP in the BMP®41 Label Printer.
Power Source Firmware Upgrades Do not dismantle, open or shred secondary cells or batteries. Do not expose cells or batteries to heat or fire. Avoid storage in direct sunlight. Do not short-circuit a cell or a battery. Do not store cells or batteries haphazardly in a box or drawer where they may short-circuit each other or be short-circuited by other metal objects. Do not remove a cell or battery from its original packaging until required for use. Do not subject cells or batteries to mechanical shock.
8 Power Source Loading the BMP41-BP NiMH Battery Pack Loading the BMP41-BP NiMH Battery Pack If using a BMP41-BP NiMH battery pack, please consult the instructions enclosed with the battery pack for charging and discharging the rechargeable battery. 1. On the backside of the printer, pull the door release latch downward, then swing the battery compartment door up and out. (The door will come off.) BMP®41 User’s Manual 2.
Power Source AC Power Adapter AC Power Adapter The printer can be powered through an AC/DC power adapter. If the battery pack is installed when using the power adapter, the battery will charge. Use only the 18 VDC, 3.3A, Brady AC/DC adapters, shown below, for supplying power to the BMP®41 Label Printer.
10 Connecting AC Power Adapter Connecting The BMP®41 Label Printer is equipped with a USB port, enabling you to connect via USB to a PC. You can create labels in various applications (such as LabelMark™ Labeling Software) and send the data to be printed on the BMP®41 Label Printer. You can also transfer files to be printed to the BMP®41 Label Printer by placing the files on a thumb drive which can be connected directly to the BMP®41 Label Printer.
Connecting Connecting to a PC Connecting to a PC In order to send data from a Brady PC labeling program to the BMP®41 Label Printer, you must install the BMP®41 Label Printer driver. The printer drivers can be found on the Brady Printer Drivers CD enclosed with your BMP®41 Label Printer package. To install the printer drivers: 1. Turn the printer on. 2. Insert the Brady Printer Drivers CD into the CD drive of your computer. The printer drivers wizard is launched. 3.
12 Connecting Connecting to a PC 4. On the Advanced Options screen, click Properties button for Custom Settings. 5. On the Custom Settings screen, click the down arrow in Cutter Option field and select if you want to pause the printer for cutting at the end of each label or at the end of the job. 6. Click OK to accept the changes. (You may have to click OK a number of times as you back out of the Printing Preferences screens.
Media Cartridge Load Cartridge Media Cartridge The media and ribbon supplies for the BMP®41 Label Printer are combined in a plastic cartridge for easy one-step loading. To load the cartridge: Load Cartridge 1. To open the printer cover, push or pull up on the finger tab. 2. Holding the hinged fin, drop the cartridge into the cartridge well, pushing gently until it snaps into place. Slide the locking lever to the right to lock the cartridge into place.
14 Media Cartridge Unload Cartridge Unload Cartridge To remove the media cartridge: 1. To open the printer cover, push or pull up on the finger tab. 2. To unlock the cartridge, slide the locking lever to the left. 3. On the back of the printer, push the round eject button to pop the cartridge up. Then, grasping the hinged fin, pull the cartridge out of the cartridge well. If the cartridge is empty, recycle according to local regulations.
Power On Unload Cartridge Power On To turn the system on or off: 1. Press Power . To preserve battery life, when the printer detects a time of inactivity, it automatically shuts down. Any data on the screen at the time of auto shutdown is retained and available the next time the [Power] key is pressed to restart the printer. (See page 29 for information on setting the shut off delay time.) The first time the printer is turned on, you may want to choose a language in which to display screen items.
16 Power On Display Screen Display Screen The display screen enables you to view font attributes and other formatting features directly on the screen while you are entering and editing data. The screen displays one label, or one area on a multi-area label, at a time. For labels with multiple areas, use Print Preview (see page 81) to view all areas together.
Keypad Navigation and Editing Keys Keypad Navigation and Editing Keys Function Navigation Keys Key Description Navigation keys: • In a line of text, move the cursor left or right a character at a time, or up and down a line at a time. • In menus, move the selection left or right in a primary menus; up or down through a secondary, or submenu. • In a dialog box, move up/down or left/right through the fields.
18 Keypad Navigation and Editing Keys Function Backspace Key Key Description • Removes characters one at a time, moving to the left. • Backs out of menu options and functions, one screen at a time. Note: Depending on how deep you are into menus and functions, you may have to press Backspace multiple times.) Caps Lock Key Acts as a toggle to lock text into uppercase as data is entered. Clear Key Clears data from the screen.
Keypad Navigation and Editing Keys Function Key Description Highlight Text Highlights (selects) text on the editing screen, left or right a character at a time, enabling you to add font attributes (bold, italics, underline) to text already entered. Hold the [SHIFT] key while pressing the left or right navigation key. Font Size Increment On the editing screen, increases or decreases the font size, a point at a time. Hold the [SHIFT] key while pressing the up or down navigation key.
20 Keypad Function Keys Function Keys Function Key Description Setup Key Defines the printer’s default parameters. Print Preview Key Previews the label as it will look when printed. Serial Key Sets the values for single, multiple, or linked serialization. Label Settings Key Provides formatting that affects the entire label (e.g., centering data on the label, framing the label, rotating data). File Key Saves, opens, or deletes a label.
Keypad Function Keys Function Key Description Barcode Key Places a text string in Barcode format, toggling the barcode on and off. International Key Accesses characters specific to some international alphabets with diacritical and accent marks incorporated into the characters. Insert Time Key Inserts the current time, as set on the printer. Insert Date Key Inserts the current date, as set on the printer. Area Key Adds, removes, and formats areas on a label.
22 Menus Function Keys Menus Menus display at the bottom of the screen and are activated by the function keys (the set of keys to the left of the display). Use navigation keys to access the different menus items. Continue to press the navigation keys to access the overflow menus. When you have reached the last menu item displayed, the menus cycle back to the first menu item. Figure 2 • Menus To access the menus: 1. Press the Function key for the menu you want to access.
Dialog Boxes Function Keys Dialog Boxes Some function keys display dialog boxes, rather than sub-menus. Note: You will know that a dialog box is associated with a menu if a sub-menu does not immediately pop up when highlighting the main menu option. To access the dialog box, with the desired main menu selected: 1. Press Enter . A dialog box displays. Figure 3 • Dialog box 2. Press the up/down and left/right navigation keys to move to the different fields.
24 Dialog Boxes Drop Down Field Lists Drop Down Field Lists If a field has a drop down list associated with it, a downward facing arrow displays on the right side of the field. To select an option from the drop down list: 1. Press Enter to open the drop down list. 2. Use up/down navigation keys to highlight the desired option. 3. Press Enter to select the option.
Dialog Boxes Data Fields Data Fields In fields requiring user-supplied data: 1. Using navigation keys, navigate to the data field. 2. Enter data using the keyboard. 3. Use navigation keys to move off the field after entering data.
26 Dialog Boxes Spinner Boxes Spinner Boxes A spinner box lets you toggle through a range of values in a field. To use a spinner box: 1. Navigate to the field containing the spinner box. 2. Press Enter . 3. Use the up/down navigation keys to toggle through the range of values. 4. When the desired value is reached, press Enter . Figure 6 • Spinner boxes Note: Some fields containing spinner boxes allow you to type numbers directly in the field.
Dialog Boxes Cancel a Menu or Dialog Box Radio Buttons and Option Boxes To check or uncheck a radio button or option box: 1. Navigate to the desired option. 2. Press Enter . Figure 7 • Radio buttons, Option boxes and OK button Accept Dialog Box Edits To accept all edits in a dialog box: 1. Navigate to 2. Press Enter at the bottom of the dialog box. . Cancel a Menu or Dialog Box To cancel a menu or dialog box, without accepting changes: 1. Press Backspace .
28 Setup Pause/Cut Setup Figure 8 • Setup menu options The Setup function key is used to determine the default settings for the printer. To change Setup functions: 1. Press Setup . 2. Using navigation keys, choose the setup function to change. 3. Press Enter . If a dialog box is associated with the specific Setup function, it displays upon pressing OK. Pause/Cut The Pause/Cut function allows you to remove a label from the printer before another label starts printing.
Setup Config Config The following settings can be found under the Config menu in the Setup function. Figure 9 • Printer configuration in Setup settings The Shut Off Delay sets the auto-off time-out. This refers to the number of minutes of inactivity after which the printer automatically shuts off. When using the AC adapter, power is constant so there is no drain on the battery. In this case, you can turn off the Shut Off Delay by choosing No Shut off (AC). The Backlight time (sec.
30 Setup Units Time/Date The following settings can be found under the Time/Date menu in the Setup function. Set the Time/Date options upon initial start-up of the printer. Figure 10 • Time/Date settings in Setup function Units The Units setting is used to configure label parameter measurements for the printer.
Setup Font Settings Language The following languages can be found under the Language menu in the Setup function. English Norwegian French Finnish Spanish Swedish German Italian Portuguese Danish Dutch Initial Language Setup When turning the printer on for the first time, immediately go to the Setup function and choose the language in which you want all printer menus, functions, and data displayed. 1. Press Setup . 2. Using navigation keys, choose Language>desired language. 3.
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Getting Started Editing Text Getting Started This section describes the process of creating a text label with minimal formatting, using basic editing techniques, and printing the label. Entering Text Before entering label text, be sure the media cartridge is loaded and the power is ON. The vertical bar on the display screen is the cursor and is the starting point for every label you create using the BMP®41 Label Printer. Begin entering text at the position of the cursor.
34 Getting Started Editing Text Deleting Text To remove characters, one at a time, from the position of the cursor TO THE LEFT (backwards): 1. Press Backspace . Clear [CLEAR] is used to clear data from the screen or cancel a function. Clear Data To Clear data: 1. Press Clear . You are presented with two options: • Clear Text • Clear All Clear Text removes all data on the label, but leaves the formatting in place (e.g., font size, number of areas, etc.
Getting Started Editing Text 4. Press Enter to confirm the deletion. If you do not want to delete the labels: 5. Press Backspace to cancel the Clear All function. You are returned to the screen with all labels and data intact. Cancel Functions Backspace is also used to cancel functions, a menu, or dialog box. When pressing Backspace in the middle of a function, you are walked out of the function a screen at a time. You may have to press Backspace several times to completely exit the function.
36 Getting Started Editing Text Font Size Font size is applied on a line-by-line basis. If the size is changed before the data is entered, all the data in the current and subsequent lines, takes on the new font size until font size is changed again. Changing the font size on pre-entered data changes the size on the entire line, regardless of where the cursor is in the line. However, the font size will not change on subsequent lines of pre-entered data.
Getting Started Printing a Label To turn autosize on (if not already on): 1. Press Font . 2. Choose Size>Auto. 3. Press Enter . Autosize remains on for the entire area or label, until a different font size is selected. However, after being turned off, any previous text entered using autosize retains the size generated by autosize. Printing a Label To print a label: 1. Press Print . When the cut label message displays: 2. Push the cutter lever down as far as it will go.
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Formatting Font Formatting Formatting refers to the layout, structure, and appearance of a label. Different formatting features can be found under the Font, Label and Area functions. Font Figure 13 • Font menu options Character/line formats are called attributes that change the appearance of the fonts, such as size, weight (bold), and angle (italics).
40 Formatting Font Size Font size applies to an entire line of data at a time and is measured in point size or millimeters, as determined in the Setup function. To change the size of the chosen font: 1. Press Font . A sub-menu displays the available font sizes for the media installed. 2. Choose Size>font size desired. 3. Press Enter . Custom Size If the desired size is not displayed, you can manually enter a font size within the valid size range.
Formatting Font Shortcut You can increase or decrease the size of the font, one point at a time using the navigation keys: 1. Hold the [Shift] key and press the Up/Down navigation keys enough times to reach the desired font size. Font Attributes Font attributes (bold, italics, underline) can be applied to individual characters in a line of text. To turn an attribute on: 1. Position the cursor where the attribute should take affect. 2. Press Font . 3. Choose the desired attribute, then choose ON. 4.
42 Formatting Font Pre-Existing Data To apply an attribute to previously entered text: 1. Hold Shift while pressing the left/right navigation keys to move the cursor across the characters on which the attribute will take affect. This highlights the data. Note: Highlighting works on a line-by-line basis. You cannot highlight more than one line at a time. 2. Press Font . 3. Choose the attribute, then choose ON. 4. Press Enter . All highlighted text displays the attribute.
Formatting Font Expand/Condense Expanding and condensing data affects character width and the spacing between characters in a word. Data can be expanded or condensed according to predefined percentages. Figure 14 • Expanded and condensed text To Expand or Condense data, as it is entered: 1. Position the cursor where Expand or Condense should take affect. 2. Press Font . 3. Choose Exp/Cond>percentage desired. 4. Press Enter .
44 Formatting Superscript/Subscript Superscript/Subscript Superscript places a character slightly above the line of type and subscript places a character slightly below. The super- or subscript character also displays slightly smaller than the normal line of type. Superscript and subscript functions are on the numeric keypad. Pressing either the superscript or subscript key applies that format to the next character typed.
Formatting Symbols Symbols Figure 15 • Symbol categories The BMP®41 Label Printer contains hundreds of symbols (graphics) that can be used for a variety of applications. To add a symbol to the label: 1. Position the cursor at the point where you want the symbol to display. 2. Press Symbol . 3. Navigate to the desired symbol category. Note: When adding symbols, the printer will always return to the last symbol category used. 4. Press Enter to pick the symbol category. 5.
46 Formatting Symbols The symbol displays with the same font size that is currently in use. Figure 16 • Selecting a symbol Remove a Symbol The symbol is the same as any other character. To remove a symbol: 1. Position the cursor to the right of the symbol. 2. Press Backspace BMP®41 User’s Manual .
Formatting Date and Time Date and Time To have the current date and/or time inserted on each label: 1. Position the cursor at the point on the label where you want the date and/or time to be inserted. 2. To insert the date, press Insert Date 3. To insert the time, press Insert Time . . The BMP41 printer inserts the current Date or Time data using the current system clock value at the time of printing and the date/time format defined in the Setup function.
48 Labels and Areas Date and Time Labels and Areas Figure 17 • Label Settings menu options Label settings, with few exceptions, apply to the entire label, not individual data. Figure 18 • Area menu options Areas are used to apply different formatting (such as justification, rotation, and frames) to different parts of a single label. Areas can only be added to continuous media set to auto length mode. However, area formatting can be applied to die cut labels that have pre-defined areas.
Labels and Areas Fixed Length Fixed Length If using continuous media, the label length will be as long as necessary to accommodate the font size and attributes applied to the label. However, you can set the length of the media to a fixed length. To set a fixed length for continuous media: 1. Press Label Settings . 2. Navigate to Length>Fixed. 3. Enter the desired fixed length in the pop-up field. 4. Press Enter .
50 Labels and Areas Go To An Area Add Areas To add an area to a label: 1. Press Area . 2. Choose Add. 3. Press Enter . A new area is added at the end of existing areas and is reflected on the upper right side of the display screen. The font size used on the first line of the previous area carries over to the new area. Go To An Area To move to another area on a multi-area label: 1. Press Area . 2. Choose GoTo, then enter the number of the label or area to go to. 3. Press Enter .
Labels and Areas Delete Area Delete Area To delete an area: 1. Navigate to the area you want to delete. 2. Press Area . 3. Choose Delete. A delete confirmation message displays. To delete the area: 4. Press Enter . To cancel the delete function, thereby not removing the specific area from the label: 5. Press Backspace .
52 Labels and Areas Justification Justification Justification refers to the alignment of data between boundaries on a label or in an area. There are two types of justification: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal justification (H. Justify) aligns data between the left and right boundaries of a label or area, while Vertical justification (V. Justify) aligns data between the top and bottom boundaries of a label or area. Justification is applied to an area or a label. It cannot be applied line-by-line.
Labels and Areas Rotate Rotate Rotation flips the data on a label, counter-clockwise, at 90° increments. Rotation affects all data on a label. Figure 20 • Degrees of rotation on printed label Note: If rotation is applied individually to areas, you cannot apply rotation to the entire label. Data cannot be rotated on a line-by-line basis. When adding a new area, the rotation is the same as the previous area. To rotate data: 1. Navigate to the label or area where rotation will take affect. 2.
54 Labels and Areas Rotate Note: If the auto font size is selected, rotated data is autosized to accommodate the height vs. the width of the label. However, if using a fixed font size, the rotated data may not fit on the label. If this occurs, an error message displays indicating rotated text will not fit. The Rotate function is canceled and data is not rotated. To clear the error message: 1. Press Backspace The Rotate function is canceled and data is not rotated.
Labels and Areas Frame Frame A frame (border) can be added to an area or a label, but not to a line of text. You can have a different frame, or no frame, on individual areas in a multi-area label. You can also place a frame on a label that contains area frames. Figure 21 • Available frame options 1. To add a frame to a label, press Label Settings . OR To add a frame to an area, press Area . 2. Choose Frame>frame type. 3. Press Enter . Frames do not display on the editing screen.
56 Labels and Areas Reverse Reverse The Reverse function switches the foreground and background colors of data on a label, based on the media installed. Figure 22 • Reverse text For instance, black lettering on a yellow background, if reversed, would print yellow lettering on a black background. You can apply Reverse formatting to areas or labels. Reverse cannot be applied to an individual line of text or to a barcode. To apply Reverse formatting to a label or area: 1. Press Label Settings .
Labels and Areas Vertical Text Vertical Text In Vertical text, each character drops down a line below the preceding character. The word “WIRE” as vertical text displays as such: Example: W I R E Vertical text can only be applied to an area or a label. It cannot be applied line-by-line. To format text vertically: 1. Navigate to the label or area where you want to display text vertically. 2. Press Label Settings . OR Press Area . 3. Choose Vertical>On. 4. Press Enter .
58 Labels and Areas Vertical Text If a barcode is in the line of text to be placed vertically, or if the height of the label cannot accommodate the vertical placement of text, an error message displays. Figure 24 • Error messages when applying Vertical text After removing the error message, the text is displayed in its original format, without applying the vertical text option. 1. Navigate to the label or area displaying data as Vertical Text. 2. Press Label Settings . OR Press Area . 3.
Labels and Areas Barcode Barcode Barcode data can be displayed in the same line as other data (text or symbols). It is not necessary to have a separate area for the barcode. Barcode data on the same line as text will not overwrite the text already on the line but will be placed next to it. Barcode Settings Field To Use Barcode Symbology The BMP®41 Label Printer supports Code 128 and Code 39 barcode symbology. Ratio The ratios available are 2:1 and 3:1.
60 Labels and Areas Add a Barcode A dialog box displays. 4. Use navigation keys to access the various fields that you want to change. (See page 23 for more information on working with dialog boxes.) When finished, to accept all changes: 5. Navigate to and press 6. Press Backspace . to exit out of the Label Settings menus. Add a Barcode The barcode key acts as a toggle between a barcode and text. Press once to turn it on, press again to turn it off. To add a barcode: 1.
Labels and Areas Add a Barcode The barcode displays on the screen as the data is being entered. If the Human Readable option has been turned off (i.e., “None” is selected), a data entry box displays directly over the barcode, enabling you to view and edit the barcode data as you enter it. The data in this entry box does not print out. If you want the actual data that the barcode represents to print out, select Below or Above in the Human Readable field of the Barcode main menu.
62 Labels and Areas Edit Barcode Data Edit Barcode Data To edit barcode data: 1. Position the cursor in the barcode text. The barcode mode automatically turns on. 2. Edit the barcode text. The barcode mode automatically turns off when you move past the last character of the barcode.
Serialization How Serialization Works Serialization Serialization (or sequencing) automatically adds a series of sequential numbers or letters to the printed labels. The Serial function consecutively places the next number or letter in the defined sequence on individual labels. The number of labels created is defined by the sequence values you enter. You can view the serialized labels before they print through the Print Preview function. (See “Print Preview” on page 80 for more information.
64 Serialization Examples of Serialization Examples of Serialization In a simple serialization, a sequence runs through its full range of numbers and/or letters (i.e., 0 to 9, or A to Z), one number/letter for each label. Example: Simple serialization: Sequence #1 Start Value: End Value: Increment: Produces: 1 10 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 You can combine letters and numbers in a single serialization.
Serialization Examples of Serialization In a multi-sequence “linked” serialization (i.e., Linked box checked), the second set of values is dependent on the first set. The second sequence holds its initial value until the first sequence completes, after which it moves to the next value. Multiple linked serialization: Sequence #1 Sequence #2 Start Value: 1 Start Value: A End Value: 10 End Value: C Increment: 1 Increment: 1 Produces: 1A..10A, 1B..10B, 1C..
66 Serialization Add Serialization Add Serialization To add serialization to labels: 1. Position the cursor on the label where you want the serialization to display. 2. Press Serial . A dialog box displays where you can enter the start value of the serialization, the end value, and the increment value. For simple serialization: 3. With the cursor immediately displayed in the Start Value field of Sequence #1, enter the start value of the sequence.
Serialization Add Serialization For multiple serialization: 7. Complete Steps 1 through 6 above. 8. On the Editing screen, navigate to the next sequence location (cursor position) on the label. Note: If creating a compound serialization to display at the same cursor position on the label, complete Steps 1-5 above, then proceed immediately to Step 10 below. 9. Press Serial . The previous serialization values display in the dialog box presented. 10.
68 Serialization Edit a Sequence For Linked serialization: Note: Linked serializations do not have to display at the same position on the label. They can be in separate locations within the label. 14. Navigate to the Linked option box and press Enter 15. When finished, navigate to and press Enter . . Edit a Sequence You can change the serialization values after a sequence has been determined. To edit the sequence values: 1. Press Serial .
File Management Save File Management Figure 27 • File menu options A label can be saved as a file, to be opened and reused at a later date. File Naming Standards To create a file on the BMP®41 Label Printer, the file must be given a name. Names can be up to 20 characters long and can consist of letters, numbers, and spaces. When creating files, remember this rule: You cannot have two files with the same name. If you do, the most recent file with the name will overwrite the previous file with that name.
70 File Management Save If storing externally, ensure the thumb drive is plugged into the appropriate port. The presence of the external drive will bring up the following screen. To save externally (on a thumb drive): 3. Navigate to the External option box. 4. Press Enter . To save your file, proceed to Step 9.
File Management Save To create a directory system for ease of locating files, place the files into folders. To create a folder: 5. Navigate to and press Enter . 6. Enter a name for the folder in the field provided, and press Enter . The folder is automatically opened. To save a file in this open folder, proceed to Step 9. To save the label file in a different folder from the one that is open: 7. Navigate to and press Enter 8. Navigate to the desired folder and press Enter . . 9.
72 File Management Save If the name already exists, a message displays asking if you want to overwrite the previous file with that name. 10. To overwrite, press Enter . OR, to remove the message from the screen and return to the file name entry box: Press Backspace . 11. To enter a different file name repeat Step 9.
File Management Save Remove File from Screen When the file is saved, you are returned to the Editing screen with the saved file still displayed. To remove the saved file from the screen: 1. Press Clear 2. Choose . and press Enter . A message displays confirming the removal of all labels from the display. 3. Press Enter to delete the label from the display. OR, to remove the error message and cancel the Clear All function: Press Backspace .
74 File Management Open a File Open a File To open (recall) a saved file: 1. Press File . 2. Choose Open and press Enter . 3. Indicate if the file to open is stored internally on the BMP®41 Label Printer, or externally on a thumb drive. Note: If the file to be opened is stored externally, in order to get the desired list of files, be sure to plug the thumb drive into the appropriate port. 4. Press Enter . A list of previously saved files and folders displays. If the file is stored in a folder: 5.
File Management Open a File When opening a file, if the stored data does not fit on the installed media, an error message displays. You must use label media that can accommodate the data in the file being opened. You cannot place data saved with die-cut media on continuous media, and vice versa. 7. Press Enter to remove the error message and install the correct media to accommodate the data.
76 File Management Delete a File Delete a File The display screen does not have to be cleared before deleting a file. A file can be deleted with other data still on the screen. To delete a previously saved file: 1. Press File . 2. Choose Delete and press Enter . 3. In the dialog box presented, use navigation keys to move to the option box indicating if the file to be deleted is stored internally on the BMP®41 Label Printer, or externally on a thumb drive, PC, etc.
File Management Delete a File A delete confirmation message displays. 7. Press Enter to accept the deletion. OR, to cancel the delete function: Press Backspace . When a file is deleted, it is removed from the system and is no longer available for use.
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Printing Cancel a Print Job Printing The Print function prints the current file. To print: 1. Press Print . The data is printed. After printing, to cut the label: 2. Push the cutter lever down as far as it will go. Rollers on the label exit chute hold the label in place after it has been cut to avoid dropping. To remove the label: 3. Gently pull the label from the rollers.
80 Printing Print Preview Print Preview The Print Preview function of the BMP®41 Label Printer enables you to view your label file prior to printing. To preview the label: 1. Press Print Preview . The label contents display as they will print out. To exit Print Preview and return to the editing screen: 1. Press Backspace You are returned to the editing screen. BMP®41 User’s Manual .
Printing Print Preview Scrolling in Print Preview If a label file is particularly long it may not be completely visible on one screen in print preview. The Print Preview screen displays a scroll bar indicating there is more data to view. To scroll through a preview of a long label: 1. Press Left/Right navigation keys, as applicable. Scrolling in Multi-Area Preview When using serialization, multiple areas are created. To scroll through the different labels in print preview: 1.
82 Printing Multi-Print Multi-Print Pressing the Multi-Print key brings up a dialog box displaying the following options: Multi-print lets you print a number of copies of a label or a range of labels in a multi-label (series) file. If printing a number of copies, you can also determine if you want the copies collated or not. Note: Depending on the media and label type in use, the Multi-print dialog box may display the option to define a separator (tic or line).
Printing Multi-Print Non-collated – Prints all first numbers in a sequence, then all second numbers, etc. Figure 29 • Three copies of five labels, non-collated To print a number of copies: 1. Press Multi-Print . 2. With the cursor in the No. of Copies field, enter the number of copies desired. Determine if the copies should be collated. The default is to print collated. If you do not want to collate the copies: 3. Navigate to the Collate option box and press Enter to remove the checkmark.
84 Printing Multi-Print Mirror Print Mirrored print takes all data on a label and flips it to provide a mirror image. Mirroring displays on the printed label only. Figure 30 • Mirror image Mirrored print is label-based, meaning all data on the label is mirrored. You cannot mirror data in an individual area. To provide a mirror image of label contents, in the Multi-Print dialog box: 1. Navigate to the Mirrored Print option box and press Enter to place a checkmark in the field. 2.
Label Types Accessing a Label Type Label Types Figure 31 • Label Type menu options The general editing mode of the BMP®41 Label Printer contains standard functions and formats used for most generic labels. Label types, however, provide templates that guide and control the layout for specific label formats. Accessing a Label Type To work with a label type: 1. Press Label Type . 2. Choose the desired Label Type. 3. Press Enter .
86 Label Types Accessing a Label Type The label type’s template is launched. The name of the specific type being used is displayed on the left side of the Status bar, below the font size.
General Label Type Accessing a Label Type General Label Type When you are using a specific label type, clearing the data removes the data you entered but the specific label type parameters remain. To exit out of the specific label type and return to the general editing mode of the BMP®41 Label Printer, select the General label type: 1. Press Label Type . 2. Choose General. 3. Press Enter . The previous label type in use is removed from the screen and you are returned to the general editing mode.
88 WireMarker Accessing a Label Type WireMarker The WireMarker label type is designed to repeat entered text down the length of the label. The data will repeat as many times as possible, considering the font size and the number of text lines available on the label. Figure 33 • Repeated data on a WireMarker label Die-cut, self-laminating, or continuous media can be used for WireMarker labels. To use the WireMarker label type: 1. Press Label Type . 2.
WireMarker Accessing a Label Type If you press [Enter] to start a new line of text, a space opens below each line of repeated data and begins to repeat the next line of text as you enter it.
90 Terminal Block, Patch Panel, 66 Block Accessing a Label Type Terminal Block, Patch Panel, 66 Block Terminal Block, Patch Panel, and 66 Block label types are designed to be used with continuous media. If continuous media is not installed, these label types do not display in the menu. To use Terminal Block, Patch Panel, or 66 Block label type: 1. Press Label Type . 2. Navigate to the desired label type and press Enter . A dialog box displays requesting additional information.
Terminal Block, Patch Panel, 66 Block Accessing a Label Type 4. Navigate to the Separator field and, from the drop down list, select the separator to use. 5. Navigate to the Orientation field and, from the drop down list, select the desired layout. Line Separator, Vertical Orientation Tic Separator, Horizontal Orientation Figure 35 • Separators and Orientation 6. Navigate to the Terminal Repeat field and indicate the size of the gap between each terminal (with a minimum of 0.2 inches).
92 Flags Accessing a Label Type Flags A Flag label wraps around a wire or cable, with the ends joined together to form a flag. The Flag label type is designed to work with continuous media or specific multi-area die cut labels. To use a Flag label type: 1. Press Label Type 2. Choose Flags and press Enter . . A dialog box displays the different Flag layouts, preceded by a radio button. To select a layout: 3. Navigate to the radio button of the desired layout and press Enter . 4.
Flags Accessing a Label Type The range for the cable diameter is 0.25 inches to 8 inches. By entering the diameter of the wire or cable, the system automatically calculates an additional length of label to allow complete wrap of the wire/cable with additional label material left for the flag. Note: If using pre-defined die-cut media, the Flag Length and Cable Diameter fields will be grayed out and not available for input. 6. When finished, navigate to and press Enter .
94 110-Block, Bix Block Label Type Accessing a Label Type 110-Block, Bix Block Label Type The 110-Block and Bix Block use only the following dedicated label parts. • 110-Block: MC-475-412 or MC-412-422 • Bix Block: MC-625-412 or MC-625-422 The 110-Block label type is based on user-selected pair configurations, with the length of the label determined by the pair type selected. The label height uses a dedicated 110-Block part height of 0.475 inch. The length of a 110-Block label is 7.
110-Block, Bix Block Label Type Accessing a Label Type In the 110- and Bix Block applications, the number of areas created is based on the pair configuration selected. • 2 pair = 24 areas • 3 pair = 16 areas • 4 pair = 12 areas • 5 pair = 10 areas • Blank = 2 areas Vertical and horizontal separator lines are automatically added. The following example displays the areas based on the Block Type selected (i.e., 2-pair, 3-pair, 4-pair, 5-pair, or blank).
96 110-Block, Bix Block Label Type Accessing a Label Type In Backbone serialization, the left-most area on each strip prints with two numbers. The first number is left-justified; the second number is right justified. All other areas print with one right-justified number. Figure 38 • Sample sequence types 4. In the Sequence Type field, from the drop down list, select the Sequence Type to use. 5.
DesiStrip Accessing a Label Type DesiStrip To create a DesiStrip: 1. Press Label Type . 2. Navigate to DesiStrip and press Enter . The default length is 1.5 in. To enter a different length: 3. In the Length field, press Backspace to clear the default length. 4. Enter the new length of the individual strip. 5. Navigate to and press Enter .
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Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Use the following table to troubleshoot and diagnose possible performance problems with your BMP®41 Label Printer. If the corrective action suggested does not work, contact Brady’s Technical Support Group at www.bradyid.com. Problem Cause Corrective Action Hardware Head over temp Print Head too hot Print head has reached maximum operating temperature. Let print head cool down for approximately 10 minutes, then re-initiate print job.
100 Troubleshooting Problem Cause Corrective Action Hardware (continued) Printer jammed, cannot feed labels Label exit chute is blocked causing To clear the jam inside the printer: label material to back up inside 1. Open the printer cover. printer 2. Slide the locking lever to the unlock position. Note: Unlocking retracts the platen so the cartridge can be removed. If there is a large jam, you may have to force the locking lever to the unlock position.) 3. Remove the cartridge. 4.
Troubleshooting Problem Cause Corrective Action Power ON/OFF - Printer not working (continued) Printer frequently powers OFF. Auto shutoff timing. Adjust the Shut Off Delay timing in the Setup>Config menu. (See page 29.) Printer not responding Battery is dead. Attach the AC adapter to provide power to the printer and charge the battery. OR Install a new battery. Error - “Cut while printing” Operating cutter while labels are still printing. 1. Cut through the material completely. 2.
102 Troubleshooting Problem Cause Corrective Action Print Quality (continued) Void areas or lines appear on printed text. Ribbon wrinkling. 1. Remove the cartridge from the printer and advance the ribbon by rotating the take-up spool clockwise until the wrinkled/ damaged ribbon is no longer visible (typically about one or two full turns). 2. Reinstall the cartridge and continue printing normally. OR, try a new cartridge. Labels Printer will not feed labels.
Troubleshooting Problem Cause Corrective Action Label/media memory device has counted down to zero. Circuit board on the roll holder core of label/media contains a memory device that tells the printer how much unused material remains on the label/media supply. Reuse of the roll holder with memory device will eventually count down to zero and give error 1. Replace label/media or label/ Damaged circuit board on label/ media roll. 1. Replace label/media roll.
104 Troubleshooting Cleaning the Printer Cleaning the Printer Cleaning the printer will improve print quality and legibility. It also increases output, machine life, printer reliability and performance. Display Screen To clean the display screen: 1. Lightly moisten a soft (non-scratching) cloth with isopropyl alcohol. OR Use pre-moistened static-free cloths available with the Brady PCK-6 Cleaning Kit. 2. Gently wipe the display screen until clean.
Appendix A - Symbols Appendix A - Symbols Symbols for all enabled applications are available for use on any label, regardless of the application/label type in use. See page 45 for information on how to apply symbols to your labels.
106 Appendix A - Symbols Electrical Exit Fire First Aid BMP®41 User’s Manual
Appendix A - Symbols CLP/GHS HSID Greek International BMP®41 User’s Manual 107
108 Appendix A - Symbols Laboratory BMP®41 User’s Manual Laboratory (cont.
Appendix A - Symbols Mandatory Misc Packaging PPE BMP®41 User’s Manual 109
110 Appendix A - Symbols Prohibition Public Info Safety BMP®41 User’s Manual
Appendix A - Symbols Warning WHMIS BMP®41 User’s Manual 111
