AMT Datasouth Printer Fastmark 400 Users Guide

							Users Guide 40
Paper
Paper size
Select the label size for your printer.  The selected label size may be a little longer than
that of the physical label.
Orientation
Set portrait or landscape according to the print direction. 
						

							Users Guide 41
Paper source
Select one of the following items:
T/T & Media with Gap
T/T & Media with Black Line
T/T & Continuous Media
D/T & Media with Gap
D/T & Media with Black Line
D/T & Continuous Media
T/T stands for thermal transfer (ribbon) mode and D/T for direct thermal model (without
ribbon).
Media choice
Set the heat value or darkness from this field.  The darkness value ranges from 0 to 15.
Copies
This function designates the number of printed copies of each page.
More Options
To use the cutter and peeler function you need to select More Options and select one of
the items.
w/o Cutter and Peeler
Cutter Enabled
Peeler Enabled 
						

							Users Guide 42
Device Options
Print speed for the FM402TT can be set at 1 to 3 IPS.
Print speed for the FM402DT and FM403TT can be set for 1 to 2 IPS. 
						

							Users Guide 43
TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE
Troubleshooting
Generally, when a malfunction or an abnormal condition occurs, the “POWER” LED will keep
blinking.  Printing and communication between the host and printer will stop.
Power and Ready LEDs blink together at the same time
Possible Problems Solutions Remarks
Missing gap Check the media path
Check the paper sensorIf using continuous media with
Windows then in the Paper Tab
section continuous should be
selected.
Media out Install a Media roll
Media not installed Install a media roll
Media jam Clear the jam Verify that the media is routed
correctly.
Printhead module is
not closedClose and latch the
printhead module
Power and Ready LEDs alternate blinking **
Possible Problems Solutions Remarks
Ribbon has run out Supply the ribbon roll Does not apply to direct thermal.  If
you use direct thermal and run under
Windows the Ribbon should not be
selected.
Ribbon jam Clear the jam not for direct thermal
Ribbon sensor error Replace the ribbon sensor not for direct thermal
Note: **The FM402DT does not use a ribbon and should not display this error.
Only the Power LED blinks
Possible Problems Solutions Remarks
Serial I/O error Check the baud rate
Check the flow control
Memory full Add the extension RAM
Cutter failed, or jam
at cutterCheck the cutter
Clear the jamOnly when cutter is installed.
Hardware error Call for service 
						

							Users Guide 44
Host and Data related errors
Possible Problems Solutions
Verify that the communication cable is connected securely to
the parallel or serial port on the PC and to the connector on
the printer.Host Displays:
Printer Time Out
Verify that the Power LED is illuminated.  If not, verify that the
power cord is connected, the power switch is at position ‘1’.
If Power LED is still not illuminated, check the fuse in the
power adapter.
Print a Self Test and verify that the emulation being used is the
correct one.Data has been sent,
but there is no output
from the printer.
If using Windows, verify the active printer driver.
Blank or Extra lines in the label
 
Problem Solutions
Verify Program does not have an inadvertent line command.
Clean printhead.  Look for dirt or dust in the print area.
Dark Vertical lines that
go the full length of the
label.
Faulty Printhead.  Replace the printhead.
Verify Program does not have an inadvertent line command.
Direct Thermal printing:
Verify label stock does not have voids in the Direct Thermal
coating.
Thermal Transfer printing.
Verify ribbon is not damaged in the area in question.
Verify that ribbon is not folded or wrinkled.
Blank vertical lines that
go the full length of the
label.
Faulty Printhead.  Replace the printhead.
Verify that the ribbon cores (Supply and Take-up) have
notches on the proper side (Left)
Verify that the notches in the ribbon core are in the correct
locations.
Verify ribbon is tight between the two ribbon cores.
Ribbon not rotating
properly
Verify that the ribbon is not folding.
  Dust on or dirty on
platen  Clean Platen Roller.
  
						

							Users Guide 45
Print Quality
 
Problem Solutions
Verify printer is set for Thermal Transfer stock.
Verify that a certified ribbon is installed.
Verify that the Media is certified to work with the ribbon.
Note: Direct Thermal media can be used with a ribbon,
however inadequate heat transfer may result in light
print.  It is not recommended to use Direct Thermal
media with a Thermal Transfer ribbons.
Clean the printhead.
Adjust the Darkness setting.
Too light in Thermal
Transfer
Slow down the print speed
Verify printer is set for Direct Thermal stock.
Verify that the stock is coated with Direct Thermal material.
Verify that a ribbon is not installed.
Clean the printhead.
Adjust the Darkness setting.
Too light in Direct
Thermal
Slow down the print speed
Clean the printhead.
Adjust the Darkness setting.
Too dark in Direct
Thermal mode
Adjust the print speed
 
Recovery
To continue your print jobs after any abnormal conditions have been recovered, simply press the
Feed button or restart the printer.  Make sure that the LEDs are not blinking and you may need to
re-send the print job. 
						

							Users Guide 46
Preventive Maintenance
Before performing any Preventive Maintenance be sure to turn off the printers power and unplug the
power cable.
Cleaning the Thermal Printhead (TPH)
It is recommended at a minimum that the Printhead 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 printhead module to the vertical position.
3. Rub the printhead with a piece of cotton, which has been moistened with Isopropyl Alcohol,
or use a thermal head cleaning pen.
4. Check for any traces of discoloration or adhesive on the cotton after cleaning.
5. Repeat if necessary until the cotton is clean, after it is passed over the printhead.
Figure 17 - Printhead Location
Note: The printhead should be cleaned at least every time the ribbon is replaced and more often
depending on actual usage and conditions.
Printhead 
						

							Users Guide 47
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.
1. Turn off the printer and open the top cover.
2. Lift the printhead module to the vertical position.
3. Rub the full length of the platen available with a piece of cotton, which has been moistened
with Isopropyl Alcohol.
4. Manually rotate the platen and repeat step 3 until the entire platen has been cleaned.
Figure 18 - Platen Roller
Note: The roller should be cleaned whenever it has been in contact with foreign materials such as
dust or adhesives.
Platen Roller 
						

							Users Guide 48
Cleaning the Paper Compartment
It is recommended that the Paper Compartment be cleaned regularly if exposed to a dust
environment.  This will keep dirt and dust from contaminating or damaging your printer
(Printhead 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.
Cleaning the paper sensor
It is recommended that the Paper Sensor be cleaned regularly if exposed to a dusty
environment.  This will prevent false paper OUT or paper IN conditions.
1. Turn off the printer and open the top cover.
2. Remove paper dust by blowing using compressed air or vacuuming.
3. Clean the two Paper Sensor LEDs with cotton stick, which has been moistened with
Isopropyl Alcohol.
Figure 19 - Paper Compartment and Paper Sensor
Paper Compartment
Paper Sensor 
						

							Users Guide 49
Appendix A: Printer Specifications
Specification FM402DT FM402TT FM403TT
Print method Direct thermal Direct thermal and thermal transfer
Resolution 203 DPI
(8 dots/mm)300 DPI
(12 dots/mm)
Maximum print
width4.2 in. (107 mm) 4.10 in. (104 mm)
Maximum print
length43 in. (1090 mm)**29 in. (736 mm)**
Maximum print
speed2 inches (50.8 mm)
per second3 inches (76.2 mm)
per second2 inches (50.8 mm)
per second
Onboard RAM 512 K bytes 2 M bytes
I. Direct thermal:
Paper, vinyl, visible light and infrared scannable label, tag
stock, butt cut or die cut, with various adhesives.Media type
II. All above media, plus thermal transfer
paper or vinyl labels and tags, butt cut
or die cut, with various adhesives.
Maximum label
roll diameter4 in.(102mm) outside diameter, 1 in.(25.4mm) inside
diameter
Label indexing Black stripe and gap
Ribbon types Wax, Wax/resin and Resin
Ribbon size OD 1.45 in. (37 mm); ID 0.5 in. (12.7mm)
Interface RS-232 serial and Centronics parallel ports, auto polling for
both ports
Dimension W7.3 in. x D10.9 in. x H6.0 in.
(W186 mm x D278 mm x H153mm)
Weight 1.7 kg (3.74 lbs.) 1.9 kg (4.1 lbs.)
FCC class B FCC class AElectrical
CE, UL and CUL approved.  Input 19 VAC or 24 VDC
(min. 2.5 A), 50/60 Hz
Operating
temperature40° to 140°F (5° to 38°C)
Storage
temperature-40° to 140°F (-40° to 60°C)
Humidity 15 to 85% RH
Windows driver Win, 95, 98, 2000 and NT
Rotation 0o, 90 o, 180 o and 270 o , 4 direction rotations