AMT Datasouth Printer Fastmark 400 Users Guide

							Fastmark 400 Series
Barcode Label Printer
User’s Guide
Part No. 110021    A 
						

							Users Guide 1
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
AND OTHER NOTICES
„ This label printer complies with the requirements in Part 15 of FCC rules for a Class B or 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.
 
„ Place the printer on a flat, firm and solid surface.
„ Do not place the printer near a heat source or near water.
 
„ Refer to the specification label on the bottom of this printer and ensure that your power source
exactly meets these requirements.
 
„ Do not open the printer during operation to avoid electrical shock.
 
„ Do not attempt to disassemble this printer if it malfunctions.
 
„ All rights are reserved.  No part of this document may be reproduced or issued to third parties in
any form without the permission of AMT Datasouth.
 
„ The material in this document is provided for general information and is subject to change
without notice.
TRADEMARK CREDITS
PCL is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company
Windows, MS-Word and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
PC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Corporation
CodeSoft is a registered trademark of Techniques Avancees
BarTender is a registered trademark of Seagull Scientific Systems, Inc
LabelView is a registered trademark of Techniques Avancees
LabelMatrix is a registered trademark of StrandWare, Inc 
						

							Users Guide 2
CONVENTIONS
Some of the procedures in this guide contain special notices that highlight important information:
NoteIndicate information that you should know to help your printer
run properly and efficiently.
CautionIndicate guidelines that, if not followed, can cause damage to
equipment.
WarningIndicate a situation where there may be a danger to you.
The use of the terms right and left assume that you are looking at the front of
the printer.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Please contact your local dealer first for technical support.  Your dealer is knowledgeable about driver
installation, application software and general printer operation.  If you still need factory technical
support after contacting your dealer, you may mail any problems through the E-mail account,
“www.amtdatasouth.com”.  You can also get the most updated driver or application from the web site
“http://www.amtdatasouth.com”.
© Copyright 2001 by AMT Datasouth Corporation
First Edition: April 2001 
						

							Users Guide 3
Table of Contents
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................... 6
Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................... 8
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION .......................................................... 9
Finding a Location for the Printer ............................................................................ 9
Connecting the Power Cord ................................................................................... 10
Connecting the Printer to Your Host...................................................................... 11
Loading the Ribbon................................................................................................ 12
Loading Media ....................................................................................................... 15
Loading Media when Peel and Present Option is Installed ................................... 18
Loading Media When Cutter is Equipped.............................................................. 19
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................. 20
Switch, Indicators and Connections ....................................................................... 20
Label Sensor Calibration Procedure ...................................................................... 21
Printers Internal Self Test Procedure and Configuration Report .......................... 22
Resetting the Printer to Factory Default Settings .................................................. 25
Entering into HEX Print mode ............................................................................... 25
COMMAND QUICK REFERENCE ...................................................................... 26
Command Set for the PPLA................................................................................... 26
Command Set for the PPLB ................................................................................... 33
PRINTER DRIVER .................................................................................................. 36
Driver Installation .................................................................................................. 36
How to Use the Driver ........................................................................................... 38
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE .................................................. 43
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................... 43
Recovery ................................................................................................................ 45
Preventive Maintenance ......................................................................................... 46
Appendix A: Printer Specifications......................................................................... 49
Fonts, Bar Codes and Graphics .............................................................................. 50
Optional Accessories.............................................................................................. 51
Appendix B: INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS ................................................... 52
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 52
Serial ...................................................................................................................... 52
Parallel (Centronics) .............................................................................................. 54
Auto Polling ........................................................................................................... 54
Appendix C: ASCII TABLE .................................................................................... 55
Appendix D:  FONTS AND BAR CODES FOR THE PPLA Emulation............. 56 
						

							Users Guide 4
Internal Fonts ......................................................................................................... 56
Courier Font Set ..................................................................................................... 61
Internal Bar Codes ................................................................................................. 65
Appendix E:  FONTS AND BAR CODES FOR PPLB Emulation ...................... 69
Internal Fonts ......................................................................................................... 69
Symbol Set ............................................................................................................. 70
Internal Bar Codes ................................................................................................. 73 
						

							Users Guide 5
Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Fastmark 400 series................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 2 - Included Materials .................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 3 - Switches, Indicators and Connections .................................................................................... 9
Figure 4 - Power Connection ................................................................................................................. 10
Figure 5 - Printer to Host ....................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 6 - Printhead Latches .................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 7 - Ribbon Core Notch Location ................................................................................................ 13
Figure 8 - Ribbon Loading .................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 9 - Open Printhead Module ........................................................................................................ 15
Figure 10 - Media Spindle and Retainer Disk ....................................................................................... 16
Figure 11 - Loading Media .................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 12 - Loading Media - Peal and Present ...................................................................................... 18
Figure 13 - Loading Media - Cutter....................................................................................................... 19
Figure 14 - Switches and Indicators ...................................................................................................... 20
Figure 15 - Self Test Sample - PPLA Emulation...................................................................................23
Figure 16 - Self Test Sample - PPLB Emulation ...................................................................................24
Figure 17 - Printhead Location .............................................................................................................. 46
Figure 18 - Platen Roller ....................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 19 - Paper Compartment and Paper Sensor ................................................................................ 48 
						

							Users Guide 6
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							Users Guide 7
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This label printer is a high-performance, low-cost direct thermal/thermal transfer labeling system.  Its
user-friendly design and affordable price set a new standard for the Desktop Label Printer in retail,
office, industrial, and many other applications.
The printer is designed with the most efficient memory management technology - True Speed and
prints at a speed of 2 to 3 inches per second.  When bundled with its smart printer driver, the user can
easily print out bar codes, texts and graphics from any editing application (e.g. CodeSoft, BarTender)
under Windows 95/98/2000 and NT.  All popular bar codes and fonts are resident in the printer
memory to handle versatile applications.
The solidly designed mechanism allows quick and easy media (paper) and ribbon loading.  The
optional Peel and Present and Cutter provide the alternatives of fan-fold label and continuous paper
handling.
This printer is a compact, highly integrated, high performance and high resolution on-site labeling
system.
The User’s Guide will help you understand basic operations of the printer such as set-up, installation,
configuration and maintenance.  Before reading the manual you should first identify your printer
model.  To determine the model and serial number of your printer, look at the label located on the
bottom of the printer.
Figure 1 - Fastmark 400 series 
						

							Users Guide 8
UNPACKING and INSPECTION
This printer is packed in a heavyweight carton and custom recyclable foam for environmental
protection.  Inspect the shipping carton and contact the carrier directly to report any suspected damage.
Consider the following when unpacking:
♦ The container should stay right side up.
♦ Lift the printer out of the box carefully.
♦ Remove the accessory items.
♦ Set the printer on a solid, flat surface.
♦ Inspect the shipping container and printer for any damage that may have occurred during
shipping.
Verify that you have the following materials when unpacking:
a.  Printer
b.  User’s Guide
c.  Media spindle (with retainer disk)
d.  Power adapter (AC to AC)
e.  Driver diskette for Windows 95/98/NT/2000
f.  Label Design Software.
g.  Sample Media
h.  Sample Ribbon (Thermal Transfer printers only)
Figure 2 - Included Materials
Printer
Media SpindlePower Adapter
Users Guide
Diskette & Software 
						

							Users Guide 9
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION
Figure 3 - Switches, Indicators and Connections
Finding a Location for the Printer
Before setting up the printer you should first consider the following:
♦ Find a solid flat surface with adequate room for the printer.  Make sure there is enough room
on the top side for the media and ribbon access.
 
♦ The location should be near the host or terminal.  Consider the distance between host and
printer for the communication cable (serial or parallel cable)
 
♦ The power adapter should be connected to a properly grounded and isolated electrical outlet.
♦ Away from direct sun, extreme temperatures, humidity dust and debris.
Power LED
Ready LED
Feed button
Serial Port
Power Jack
Parallel Port
On Switch