Fastmark 600 Series Barcode Label Printer User’s Guide Part No.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND OTHER NOTICES n This label printer complies with the requirements in Part 15 of FCC rules for a Class A computing device. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause unacceptable interface to radio and TV reception, requiring the operator to take whatever steps are necessary to correct the interference. n Place the printer on a flat, firm and solid surface. n Do not place the printer near a heat source or near water.
CONVENTIONS Some of the procedures in this guide contain special notices that highlight important information: Note Indicate information that you should know to help your printer run properly and efficiently. Caution Indicate guidelines that, if not followed, can cause damage to equipment. Warning Indicate a situation where there may be a danger to you. Important Indicate that the associated material needs to be done to ensure proper printer operation.
Table of Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND OTHER NOTICES ........................1 TABLE OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................4 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................5 MODEL OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................6 Models..................................................
TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1 – Model and Serial Number Location ............................................................................... 6 Figure 2 – Shipped with Printer ....................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3 – External Switches, Indicators and Connections ........................................................... 10 Figure 4 – Internal Features ..................................................................................
INTRODUCTION The printer is a high-performance, low-cost Direct Thermal/Thermal Transfer labeling systems. Its user-friendly design and affordable price set a new standard for the Desktop Label Printer in retail, office and industrial applications. The printer is designed with the most efficient memory management technology - True Speed and prints at a speed of 1 to 6 inches per second.
MODEL OVERVIEW Models The Fastmark 600 series supports several models and emulations: Fastmark 602 (203 dpi – PPLA or PPLB emulations) Fastmark 603 (300 dpi – PPLA or PPLB emulations) Fastmark 612 (203 dpi – PPLZ emulation) These models are similar in many ways. Throughout this manual instructions and illustrations applying to a particular model will be labeled accordingly otherwise the instructions apply to all models.
Model Features For detailed feature specifications, please refer to Appendix A. Below is a brief summary of printer features: Standard Features q Popular Emulations. The printer offers multiple emulations. These emulations allow the user to select one of three-printer languages thus allowing exceptional printing abilities with flexible programming abilities.
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION This section is provided to assist you in removing the printer from the shipping container and setting it up in the application environment. Inspect the shipping carton and contact the shipping carrier directly to report any suspected damage. 1. With the shipping container in the upright position, remove the top foam packing material. 2. Carefully, lift the printer straight up out of the box. 3. Remove the printer from the plastic bag and place the printer on a flat stable surface.
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION Finding a Location for the Printer Determine a suitable location for the printer with the following requirements: • Find a flat stable surface with sufficient clearance to allow for interface cables and media loading. • The location should be near the host or terminal. Consider the distance between the host and printer for the communication cable. • The location should be free from excessive direct sunlight, temperature, humidity, dust, dirt, and debris.
Printer Parts and Features Top Cover External Media Slot Power Switch Media Out Slot Serial Port Cover Lock Parallel Port AC Power Port Figure 3 – External Switches, Indicators and Connections Top Cover Media Holder Thermal Printhead Ribbon Supply Holder Media Guides Media Sensor Ribbon Take-up Holder Media Present Bar Platen Roller Figure 4 – Internal Features 10 User Manual
Connecting the Power Cord 1. Ensure the printer power switch is Off, “O”. 2. Connect the power plug to the back of the printer. 3. Connect AC power plug to a suitable AC source. 4. Connect either a Centronics Parallel or RS-232 Cable.
Connecting the Printer to Your Host 1. You can connect the printer with any standard Centronics cable to the parallel port of the host computer or network print server. 2. Alternatively, you can connect the printer with a serial cable to the RS-232C port of your computer or terminal. (For PC compatibles, the RS-232C port is COM1, COM2 or COM3.) Parallel Port Serial Port Figure 6 – Communication Cable 3. If you use the serial port with your own cable, refer to the Appendix B and check the pin connection.
Loading the Ribbon Direct Thermal Media does not require the installation of a ribbon. Skip to the Loading Media section. Thermal Transfer media requires an installed ribbon. Follow the below instructions for ribbon installation. Note: The media and the ribbon must be compatible. Also the print head temperature setting may need to be adjusted (see emulation commands for heat adjustments). 1.
3. Rotate the Print Head Module to the vertical position. 4. Verify that the Ribbon Supply Core and the Ribbon Take-up Core have two slots on the left side of the core 180-degree’s apart. If the width of the ribbon is less than the minimum core width or if no slots are present, insert one of the supplied Ribbon Core Adapters into each ribbon core. 5. The Slots in the Ribbon Core should mate to the Notches in the Left Ribbon Supply Holder and the Left Take-Up Holder.
6. Unwrap the Ribbon Supply Roll and prepare to place it into the Supply Holder area of the print head module. Make sure that the Ribbon is coming off the Top of the Ribbon Roll and to the front of the printer (Ribbon should be a wound-in type). See Supply Ribbon Installation figure below. 7. Insert the Ribbon Supply Core into the Ribbon Supply Area by first compressing the right side spring and snapping the left side of supply core into the left side of the notched wheel.
8. Loop the ribbon over the Print Head Module. Insert the Take-up Core into the Take-Up Area by first compressing the right side spring and snapping the left side of take-up core into the left side of the notched wheel. Make sure that the slots in left side of the core mate with the notches on the left side ribbon drive wheel. Take-Up Core Ink Side of the Ribbon Print Head Module Figure 11 – Ribbon Take-Up Installation 9.
10. Close and latch the print head module. Be sure to press firmly on both sides so that both latches clink into place. If either latch is not clicked into place it will cause the media to not feed properly or print light. Figure 13 – Print head Module Closed Note: The printer must be set to the Thermal Transfer mode to ensure the end of ribbon is detected. Refer to the section Emulation Commands for instructions on how to change the Media Type feature.
Loading Media 1. Open the Top Media Access Cover by pressing in on both Cover locks (one on each side of the printer) and lifting the top cover until it rests in the vertical position. Cover Lock Figure 14 – Top Media Cover Latches 2. Remove the Media Hanger from the printer. 3. Remove one side of the Guides from the Media Hanger and slide the Media Roll onto the Media Hanger, then reinstall the removed Guide. 4.
5. Press down on the two Print Head Latches to unlock the print head module. Figure 16 – Print Head Latches 6. Rotate the Print Head Module to the vertical position. 7. Spread the Media Guides to their full open position.
8. With the printing side up, feed the Media off the Media Roll under the Print Head Module and over the platen. Figure 18 – Loading Media over Platen Roller 9. Position the Media Sensor to the desired location. To position the Media Sensor examine the back of the Media Stock. As the media is pulled through the printer position the sensor to avoid holes or preprinted information on the back of the stock. These may cause incorrect top of form alignment.
11. Close and latch the print head module. Be sure to press firmly on both sides so that both latches clink into place. If either latch is not clicked into place it will cause the media to not feed properly or print light. Figure 20 – Print head Module Closed 12. Close the Top Media Cover. 13. Press the Feed Button to correctly position the next Top of Label. Note: User Manual The first time media is installed, the Media Sensor must be calibrated.
Loading Media with Peeler option 1. Install media as indicated in the Loading Media Section. Return to these steps when directed to do so. 2. Remove about the first 6 inches of Labels from the media Backing. Figure 21 – Label Removal for Peeler Option 3. Make sure the leading edge of the Media Backing has a straight edge. 4. Pull down the Peeler Latch.
5. Position the Media Backing out of the printer and over the Peel Bar. 6. Push the Media Backing in the slot just under the Peel Bar and between the front cover. Continue to push the stock until it comes out of the larger slot in the front cover. 7. If the Media Backing will not push through, then press the Feed button one time. 8. Once the media comes out of the larger slot, gently roll the excess media back onto the Media Roll until the Backing is snug around the Peel Bar.
10. Close and lock the print head module by pressing firmly until the right and left Print Head Latches snap shut. 11. Close the Media Access Cover. 12. Press the Feed Button until the first label is peeled off. Note: In this position the trailing edge of the media may be caught between the Platen and the Printhead and will not be removable until the next printing.
Loading Media with Pinch Roller Only option This procedure should only be used with labels that do not have sticky back. This option increases the surface of the media around the platen, thus resulting in extra pulling force. Note: This option expects that one-inch of the leading edge of the media will not be printed upon. 1. Install media as indicated in the Loading Media Section. Return to these steps when directed to do so. 2. Pull down the Pinch Roller Latch.
6. In this position the Media Backing coming out of the large slot in the front cover should be aligned with the Labels coming out of the printer. Figure 28 – Media Exit Position Note: If not, then pull down the Pinch Roller Latch and gently pull the backing until they are aligned. Make sure to close the Pinch Roller Latch when done. 7. Close and lock the print head module by pressing firmly until the right and left Print Head Latches snap shut. 8. Close the Media Access Cover. 9.
Loading Media into the Cutter Option 1. Install media as indicated in the Loading Media Section. Return to these steps when directed to do so. 2. Push the Media Stock through the slot on the Cutter Module near the platen Roller. Figure 30 – Inserting Labels in the Cutter Option 10. Close and lock the print head module by pressing firmly until the right and left Print Head Latches snap shut. 11. Close the Media Access Cover. 12. Press the Feed Button to cut the first label.
Calibrating the Media Sensor Important information: § Calibration should be done when media is first installed in the printer. § Calibration should be done each time the media type is changed (sensing method, Length, color, etc) § The printer should be calibrated following a reset of the E2PROM. § Following a calibration feed a label to align the printer to the top of the next label. Procedure to Calibrate the Media Sensor 1. Ensure the printer is powered off. 2.
Printing the Configuration Label Important information: § The configuration label indicates the current setting and parameters of the printer. Some of the items displayed in this label are: Current Firmware revision (Top line of the label). RS-232 parameters, Media type (DT/TT), Label Count, Media Sensor Level, Resident font types, etc. § Following printing of the configuration page the printer may be in a diagnostic (hexadecimal) mode. To exit the diagnostic mode, turn the power off.
The following are examples and may not reflect the actual printed font types.
KEYPAD OPERATION The Front Panel keys serve multiple functions. Refer to the following tables for their specific functions. FEED PAUSE CANCEL £ READY £ MEDIA £ RIBBON Figure 34 – The Printer’s Front Panel LED Description m m m User Manual LED Function READY ON: Printer is powered on and ready for operation. OFF: Printer is receiving data, or in a Fault condition. Steady Blinking: Error has occurred. MEDIA ON: Printer is online and ready to receive data.
Key functions The table below indicates the function performed when a key is pressed during normal operation and when held while the printer is powered up. Key FEED Normal Operation Feeds a Label PAUSE Stops printing and places the printer on line. Resumes printing if offline. CANCEL Pauses and deletes the current print job. Clears an error condition. Pressed during Power Up The printer generates a configuration label. See Printing the Configuration Label for details.
Windows Drivers The provided CD contains printer driver can be used with applications under Windows XP/2000/98/95, and Windows NT. These drivers can be used with popular software applications, such as Word, to print labels as long as the applications are using the Windows Print Manager. Information: § Follow the instructions on the CD for Proper Installation Procedures. § Before installation, make sure you have “User right’s” up to the level of ‘Administrator'.
Notes: 34 § If you have set the printer as the default printer, the driver is now ready for use. § If you did not set the printer as the default printer, you can change the setting by right clicking on the printers' icon and select 'Set as Default' from the dialog. § If you are updating an existing driver, it is suggested that you delete the old driver first. § A Windows driver must be installed prior to installing Xbar.
Setting the Printer’s Windows Parameters After installing the driver, you can follow the path below to set parameters: Start à Settings à Printers à Printer Name 200dpi à Properties The parameters include: § Ports Select the I/O port to link with the printer. § Paper size Select the paper size on the menu. If there is no desired size, select “Custom” (only in Win98/95/Me) to define the paper sizes. § Create a new size Define paper size in Win 2000/XP/NT4.0 under Fileà Server Properties.
The following pages contain the various Windows display screens Windows 98 Details Tab Ø Ports Communications port.
Device Option Tab Ø Print Quality Print Speed selection. Note: Depending upon density of label the printer will vary the print speed to maintain print quality. Creating User-Define Paper Ø To define a Custom form click on the Custom Paper Size.
Windows 2000 Ports Tab Ø Ports Communications port.
Layout Ø Orientation of label print Advance Option Button Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø User Manual Paper size Copies Media choice (Accessory setting) Paper/Output (Speed) Print quality (Darkness) 39
Create a new size To create a custom label size requires the user to do so though the Server Properties. Once the size is created then it is available for all printers. To access the Server properties go to the main Printer Folder. Ø Ø Ø Ø Select the Server Properties (File tab). Click on the Create a New Form box. Fill in the Measurements Name the form in the Form Description line. Ø Click on Save Form button.
Windows NT 4.0 Ports Ø Ports Communications setup General Tab – Documents Defaults Advanced Tab Ø Paper size Ø Orientation Ø Paper source (Media type) Ø Copies Ø Media choice (Accessory setting) Ø Paper/Output (Speed) Ø Print quality (Darkness) Create a new size Please refer to the procedure to create a new size under Windows 2000.
Windows XP Ports Ø Ports Communications setup General Tab - Printing Preferences Paper / Quality Media type installed Ø Ø 42 Layout Orientation User Manual
General Tab - Printing Preferences (continue) Ø Advanced Options Paper size Copies Media choice (Accessory setting) Paper/Output (Speed) Print quality (Darkness) Creating a new label size Ø Ø Ø Printer menu - Server Properties Enter a form name for the new form Modify the paper size in the specific squares of the "Form description" Ø click "OK" User Manual 43
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE When the printer detects a malfunction or an abnormal condition occurs the READY LED will begin to blink. The printer will also stop printing and communication with the host will stop. Check the following LED conditions when the READY LED is blinking. LED m READY Error Condition and possible Cause and Correction Blinking: Ø The format or baud rate of the RS232 protocol is incorrect between the printer and host.
User Detected Errors The following tables contain solutions other than user detected or visualized errors. Description of Issue No power or LEDs are not ON Media not feeding properly Possible Cause Printer not attached to a power source. Possible Correcting Procedures 1. Verify Power Plug on back of printer is pushed firmly in. 2. Verify Power Adapter is connected to a known power source. 3. See Maintenance Manual for procedure of verifying and changing of the fuse.
Description of Issue LEDs indicate Media Out Possible Cause Media Latches not closed. Or Media is too far from the Media Sensor to be detected. Possible Correcting Procedures 1. Open the Top Cover. 2. Press firmly on the top of the Printhead Mechanism and verify the both the right and left latches are locked. 3. Close the Top Cover. Media Guide not in the proper position. 1. 2. Verify Media is installed under the media guides. Verify that the right Media Guide is in the proper Position.
Description of Issue Vertical Streaks on output Possible Problem Dirty printhead Possible Correcting Procedures 1. Turn off power and open the Top Cover and Printhead Mechanism. 2. Using an alcohol swab wipe the printhead. 3. Allow the alcohol dry, close the Printhead Mechanism, close the Top Cover and retry. Vertical line on all printed samples. 1. 2. 3. 4. Host indicates PRINTER TIME OUT Data is sent but no output. Text cut off at top or bottom of the label.
Peel and Present Sensing Description of Issue Printer prints multiple labels before pausing Printer does not Retract the label after it is taken. Printer Retracts media only after top cover is lifted. Does not print the next label Possible Problem Top Cover is not closed. Possible Correcting Procedures Close Top Cover. Sensor is not working properly 1. 2. Clean Present Sensor Recalibrate the Present Sensor. See Maintenance Manual for procedure. Printed label has not been removed. 1. 2. 3.
Preventive Maintenance Before performing any Preventive Maintenance be sure to turn off the printer's power and unplug the power cable. Cleaning the Thermal Print Head (TPH) It is recommended at a minimum that the Print Head should be cleaned: • Each time a Ribbon is changed. • Each time a new roll of media is installed. 1. Turn off the printer, open the top cover, and if installed remove the ribbon. 2. Lift the print head module to the vertical position. 3.
Cleaning the Platen Roller It is recommended that the platen roller should be cleaned when: • Excessive dusty condition exists. • Following a media jam where the adhesive comes in contact with it. • Because of the squeezing process of feeding the media the roller can become sticky from the adhesive being pressed out from behind the label. Turn off the printer and open the top cover. 2. Lift the print head module to the vertical position. 1. 3.
Cleaning the Paper Compartment It is recommended that the Paper Compartment be cleaned regularly if exposed to a dusty environment. This will keep dirt and dust from contaminating or damaging your printer (Print Head and Platen). 1. Turn off the printer and open the top cover. 2. Remove paper dust by blowing using compressed air or vacuuming. 3. Clean the paper compartment with cotton, which has been moistened with mild detergent.
Appendix A: General Specifications Specifications Printing method Printing resolution Printing speed Printing length Printing width Memory CPU type Media sensor Display Operation interface Communication interfaces Fonts (Emulation Dependent) 2D Barcodes Graphic Software (Emulation) Media Ribbon Mechanism information Weight Power source Agency listing Operation environment Optional items Fastmark 602 and 612 Fastmark 603 Direct thermal or Thermal Transfer 203 dpi (8 dots/mm) 300 dpi (12 dots/mm) 2 ~ 6 i
Appendix B: INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS This appendix presents the serial and parallel interface specifications. These specifications include pin assignments, protocols and detailed information about how to properly interface your printer with your host or terminal. The Serial ports Communication protocol can only be changed through the installed emulation. Serial Interface Pin Configuration The RS-232 serial interface uses a female, DB-9 connector.
The simplest way to connect to other hosts (not PC compatible) or terminals is: Printer Pin 2- RxData Pin 3- TxData Pin 5- Ground ……… ……… ……… Terminal/Host TxData RxData Ground In general as long as the data quantity is not too large or you use Xon/Xoff as flow control, there will be no problem at all. Baud rate: 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 and 38400. Data format: always 7 or 8 data bits; 1,2 stop bit. Parity : none, even, odd parity.
Appendix C: ASCII TABLE The following table may be used to determine HEX values of ASCII characters. For example the character A is hex 41 commonly shown as 0x41H.
Appendix D: Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics The specifications of fonts, bar codes and graphics depend on the printer emulation. The emulation is a printer programming language, through which the host can communicate with your printer.
Printer Editing Commands These commands are saved into the EEPROM KI7n Sets Media Type (DT/TT) KI8n Sets Baud Rate KI9bdpt Sets Baud Rate, Databits, parity, stop bits KIKIXnnnn Sets label length for continuous label KI0n Sets cut mode KI5nn Sets the gap distance KI;n Sets control code set KI;n Sets offset value for cutting or peeling KI:n Sets horizontal shift position @0 Clears Flash memory Printer System Level Comm
Label Formatting commands These commands are used to format the printed label. :nnnn An Cnnnn cnn Dwh E G Sn Hnn M m n Pn Qnnnn Rnnnn rmnn..nn smnn..
Printer Programming Language B, PPLB Specification General fonts 5 fonts with different point sizes Symbol sets 8 bits: code page 437, 850, 852, 860, 863 and 865. (Code pages) 7 bits: USA, British, German, French, Danish, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Swiss.
PPLB continued Command FS"ID" GGp1,p2"ID" GI GK"ID" GM"ID"p1 GWp1,p2,p3,p4,[raster image] Ip1,p2,p3 JB JF LEp1,p2,p3,p4 LOp1,p2,p3,p4 LWp1,p2,p3,p5 N Op1 Pp1,p2 PA Qp1,p2 qp1 Rp1,p2 Sp1 TD[p1][p2][p3] TT[p1][p2][p3] TSp1,p2,p3,p4,p5,p6 U UN US Vp1,p2,p3,p4,"MSG" Xp1,p2,p3,p4,p5 Yp1,p2,p3,p4 Zp1 ZN ZS ? d0,1 d0,0 d5,0 d5,1 KXnnnn KI;nnnn @0 60 Description Stores form Prints Graphic Prints Graphics list Deletes Stored Graphic Stores Graphic Prints Graphic immediately Selects symbol set Disabl
Appendix E: Parts Lists and Mechanical Drawings ITEM PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY DETAIL 1 90.R4002.001 COVER MODULE 1 B 2 39.R4002.003 MIDCOVER 1 B 3 39.R4004.004 BOTTOM USB 1 D 4 90.R4001.005 CHASSIS MODULE 1 C 5 90.R4003.007 CHASSIS2 MODULE V7 1 D 6 42.R4004.003 PAPER-GUIDE (R) V3 1 D 7 42.R4003.003 PAPER-GUIDE (L) V3 1 D 8 32.R4004.001 GEAR 33T 3 D 9 35.R4004.003 SHAFT -FIBER 2 C,D 10 34.R4004.001 BUSH 4 4 D 11 42.R4010.001 BUSH-RIBBON 1 D 12 47.R4001.
ITEM 62 PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY DETAIL 25 59.R4003.001 CORE ADAPTER (RIBBON) 2 2 B 26 110478.1 1 D 27 32.21406.003 GEAR 42T 2 C,D 28 34.R4003.001 BUSH 2 1 D 29 34.21408.001 RUBBER FOOT 4 D 30 110478.4 1 D 31 32.R4002.001 GEAR 20X39T 1 D 32 32.21407.001 GEAR 66X 17T 1 C 33 33.R4016.003 SPRING-TOPCOVER 1 D 34 42.R4012.004 PAPER-SENSOR 1 D 35 32.R4007.001 PL ASTIC GEAR 1 D 36 33.R4002.002 BRACKET-GEAR2 1 C 37 33.R4004.
ITEM PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY FIGURE 49 35.R4008.002 SHAFT2-CHASSIS 1 C 50 32.R4006.001 GEAR 48T 1 C 51 33.R4005.002 BRACKET-SWITCH (R ) 1 C 52 34.R4017.001 SPRING-BUTTON (R) 1 C 53 33.R4008.001 BRACKET-SHAFT (R) 1 C 54 34.R4011.004 SPRING-TPH 2 C 55 33.R4003.007 BRACKET-TPH V7 1 C 110478.2 KIT, 200 DPI PRINTHEAD 1 56 110478.3 KIT, 300 DPI PRINTHEAD 1 C 57 110478.7 KIT, RIBBON SENSOR 1 D 58 33.R4011.003 COVER-TPH 1 C 59 35.R6001.
ITEM 64 PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY DETAIL 73 38.05008.001 SPACE-SUPPORT 1 D 74 55.R4005.002 CONNECT-PCB V2 1 D 75 110478.8 1 D 76 33.R4012.001 BRACKET -COVER1 1 D 77 32.R4001.001 GEAR 20X26T 1 D 78 42.R4014.001 RACK2-PAPER 2 D 79 33.R4015.001 SPRING-RACK2 1 D 80 33.R4013.001 BRACKET-COVER2 1 D 110478.5 KIT, MAIN PCB FM612 1 81 110478.6 KIT, MAIN PCB FM602/603 1 D 82 98.R4003.002 R400 SWITCHING POWER 1 D 83 34.R4015.001 SPRING-PEELER (R) 1 NOT SHOWN 84 34.
ITEM PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY DETAIL 95 47.R4005.001 WASHER2 2 C 96 33.R4020.001 BRACKET -SPRING2 1 D 97 42.R4023.001 BUSH-RIBBON 1 D 98 33.R4019.001 BRACKET-ADJ 1 C 99 35.R4001.002 SHAFT-HOLDER1 V2 1 C 100 88.12301.C06 WASHER-SPRING 2 C A 86.1A324.4R0 SCREW M3X4 BLACK 6 C,D B 86.VA824.4R0 SCREW T3X4 BLACK 13 C,D C 86.VA324.6R0 SCREW T3X6 BLACK 27 C,D D 86.AA324.6R0 SCREW I3X6 (T) BLACK 7 C,D E 86.5A524.5R0 FLAT HEAD 4 C F 86.VG524.
Detail A 66 User Manual
Detail B User Manual 67
Detail C User Manual 68
Detail D 69 User Manual
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