AMT Datasouth Printer M7 User Guide

							
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Country code  001 
Clear flash memory No 
Shift X 0 
Shift Y 0 
Gap sensor sensitivity 3 (Will be reset. Need to re-calibrate the gap) 
Bline sensor sensitivity 2 (Will be reset. Need to re-calibrate the gap) 
Language English 
IP address DHCP 
 
 
3.5.2 Mileage Info.
 
Use this option to check the printed mileage (displayed in meter). 
 
Service        1/3  Mileage:(m)   
 Initialization    
> Mileage Info.  Labels: (pcs.)   
 Exit     
						

							
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4. Diagnostic Tool 
The Diagnostic Utility is a toolbox that allo ws users to explore the printers settings 
and status; change printer settings; download  graphics, fonts, and firmware; create 
printer bitmap fonts; and to send additional  commands to the printer. Using this 
convenient tool, you can explore the printe r status and settings and troubleshoot the 
printer. 
 
Note: This utility works with printer firmware V6.00 and later versions. 
 
4.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool 
1. Double click on the Diagnostic tool icon  to start the software. 
2. There are four features (Printer C onfiguration, File Manager, Bitmap Font 
Manager, Command Tool) included  in the Diagnostic utility. 
 
 
Features tab 
Printer functions  Interface
Printer Status 
Printer setup 
						

							
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4.2 Printer Function (Calibrate sensor, Ethernet setup, RTC setup…) 
 
1. Select the PC interface  connected with bar code printer. 
2. Click the “Function” button to setting. 
3. The detail functions in the Printe r Function Group are listed as below. 
 
FunctionDescription 
Factory Default  Initialize the printer and restore the settings to factory default. 
Dump Text  To activate the printer dump mode. 
Configuration Page Print printer configuration. 
RTC Setup  Synchronize printer Real Time Clock with PC. 
Calibrate Sensor  Calibrate the sensor specified in the Printer Setup group media 
 sensor field. 
Reset Printer  Reboot the printer. 
Print Test Page  Print a test page. 
Ignore AUTO.BAS  Ignore the downloaded AUTO.BAS program. 
 Ethernet Setup 
Setup the IP address, subnet ma
sk, gateway for the on board  
Ethernet. 
 
Note:  
For more information about Diagnostic Tool,  please refer to the diagnostic utility quick start 
guide in the CD disk  Utilities directory.   
						

							
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5. Troubleshooting 
 
5.1 Common Problems 
 
The following guide lists the most common  problems that may be encountered when 
operating this bar code printer.  If the printer still does not function after all suggested 
solutions have been invoked, please contact  the Customer Service Department of your 
purchased reseller or distributor for assistance. 
 
Problem Possible Cause Recovery Procedure 
Power indicator does 
 not illuminate  * The power cord is not properly  
connected.  * Plug the power cord in printer and outlet. 
* Switch the printer on. 
Carriage Open
 
 
  * The printer carriage is open.  * Please close the print carriage. 
No Ribbon
 
 
  * Running out of ribbon. 
* The ribbon is installed incorrectly. 
* Supply a new ribbon roll. 
* Please refer to the steps in user’s manual to  
reinstall the ribbon. 
No Paper  
 
  * Running out of label. 
* The label is installed incorrectly. 
* Gap/black mark sensor is not  
calibrated.   * Supply a new label roll. 
* Please refer to the steps in user’s manual to  
reinstall the label roll. 
* Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor.  
Paper Jam 
 
  * Gap/black mark sensor is not set  
properly. 
* Make sure label size is set properly. 
* Labels may be stuck inside the   printer mechanism.  * Calibrate the gap/black mark sensor. 
* Set label size correctly. 
Take Label
 
 
   * Peel function is enabled.  * If the peeler module is installed, please remove the 
label. 
* If there is no peeler module in front of the printer,   please switch off the printer and install it. 
* Check if the connector is plugging correctly. 
UP:   Fwd. 
DOWN: Rev. 
MENU: Exit   * Cutter jam. 
* There is no cutter installed on the  
printer. 
* Cutter PCB is damaged.  * If the cutter module is installed, please press UP or 
DOWN key to rotate the cutter up or down to make  
the knife back to the right position. 
* Remove the label. 
* Make sure the thickness of label is less than   200 g/m2 (for regular cutter) or 300 g/m2 (for heavy 
duty cutter). 
* Replace a cutter PCB.  
						

							
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Not Printing 
* Cable is not well connected to serial  
or USB interface or parallel port. 
* The serial port cable pin configuration 
to pin connected.  * Re-connect cable to interface. 
* If using serial cable, 
- Please replace the cable with pin to pin connected. 
- Check the baud rate setting. The default baud rate  
setting of printer is 9600,n,8,1. 
* If using the Ethernet cable, 
- Check if the Ethernet RJ -45 connector green LED  
is lit on.. 
- Check if the Ethernet RJ -45 connector amber LED  
is blinking. 
- Check if the printer gets the IP address when using  DHCP mode. 
- Check if the IP address is correct when using the   static IP address. 
- Wait a few seconds let the printer get the   communication with the server then check the IP  
address setting again. 
* Chang a new cable. 
* Ribbon and media are not compatible. 
* Verify the ribbon-inked side.  
* Reload the ribbon again. 
* Clean the printhead. 
* The print density setting is incorrect. 
* Printhead’s harness connector is not well connected  with printheat. Turn off the printer and plug the  
connector again. 
* Check if the stepping motor is plugging in the right   connector. 
* Check your program if there is a command PRINT  
at the end of the file and there must have CRLF at  the end of each command line. 
Memory full 
( FLASH / DRAM )  * The space of FLASH/DRAM is full.  * Delete unused files in the FLASH/DRAM. 
* The max. numbers of file of DRAM is 50 files. 
* The max. user addressable memory space of DRAM i
* The max. numbers of file of FLASH is 256 files. 
* The max. user addressable memory space of  
FLASH is 2560 KB for M7 and 6656KB for  
M7  PLUS  . 
SD card is unable to 
 use  * SD card is damaged. 
* SD card doesn’t insert correctly. 
* Use the non-approved SD card  
manufacturer.  * Use the supported capacity SD card. 
* Insert the SD card again. 
* The supported SD card spec. 
- 128MB 
- 256MB 
- 512MB 
- 1GB 
- 4GB SDHC CLASS 6 
* Approved SD card manufacturers; SanDisk,  
Transcend  
						

							
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PS/2 port does not 
work  * Did not turn off power prior to plug in
 the PS/2 keyboard. 
* PS/2 keyboard is damaged. 
* PS/2 keyboard doesn’t plug-in  
   correctly. 
* There is no BAS file in the printer.  * Turn off printer power prior to plug in the PS/2 
 keyboard . 
* Plug the PS/2 keyboard again. 
* Make sure the keyboard is fine. 
* Make sure if there is any BAS file downloaded into pri
Poor Print Quality  * Ribbon and media is loaded  
   incorrectly 
* Dust or adhesive accumulation on the 
head. 
* Print density is not set properly. 
* Printhead element is damaged. 
* Ribbon and media are incompatible. 
* The printhead pressure is not set  
   properly.  * Reload the supply. 
* Clean the printhead. 
* Clean the platen roller. 
* Adjust the print density and print speed. 
* Run printer self-test and check the print head test 
   pattern if there is dot missing in the pattern. 
* Change proper ribbon or proper label media. 
* Adjust the printhead pressure adjustment knob. 
- If the left side printout is too light, please adjust the  
left side pressure adjustment knob to the higher 
index (higher pressure). If the pressure adjustment 
knob has been adjust to index “5” and the poor print
quality is still at the left side of the printout, please 
adjust the pressure adjustment knob to index “1”  
and use the Z-axis adjustment knob to fine tune the 
pressure. 
- If the right side printout is too light, please adjust the r
pressure adjustment knob to the higher index 
(higher pressure) to improve the print quality. 
* If the label thickness is more than 0.22 mm, the print 
q
might be not good enough, please adjust the heater 
line adjustment screw counter clockwise to get the 
  best print quality. 
* The release lever does not latch the printhead 
properly. 
LCD panel is dark  
and keys are not  
working  * The cable between main PCB and 
 LCD panel is loose.  * Check if the cable between main PCB and LCD is 
secured or not. 
LCD panel is dark but 
the LEDs are lit  * The printer initialization is 
unsuccessful.  * Turn OFF and ON the printer again. 
* Initialize the printer.  
						

							
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LCD panel is dark and 
LEDs are lit on, but 
The label is feeding 
forward  * The LCD panel harness connector 
is loose.  * The LCD panel harness connector is plugged 
upside down. 
Ribbon encoder 
sensor doesn’t work  * The ribbon encoder sensor 
connector is loose.  * Fasten the connector. 
Ribbon end sensor 
 doesn’t work * The connector is loose. 
* The ribbon sensor hole is covered 
   with dust. 
* Check the connector. 
* Clear the dust in the sensor hole by the blower. 
Peel sensor is not 
working * Peel sensor is not located on the 
  correct position. 
* The connector is loose.  * Make sure that the media goes through the Peel 
   sensor. 
* Plug the connect cable correctly. 
Cutter is not working 
* The connector is loose.  * Plug in the connect cable correctly. 
Label feeding is not 
stable (skew) when 
printing * The media guide does not touch the 
   edge of the media.  * If the label is moving to the right side, please move 
   the label guide to left. 
* If the label is moving to the left side, please move 
   the label guide to right.  
						

							
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Skip labels when 
printing  * Label size is not specified properly. 
* Sensor sensitivity 
is not set properly. 
* The media sensor is covered with 
  dust.  * Check if label size is setup correctly. 
* Calibrate the sensor by Auto Gap or Manual Gap 
  options.  
* Clear the GAP/Black mark sensor by blower. 
The printing position 
of small label is 
 incorrect * Media sensor sensitivity is not set 
properly. 
* Label size is incorrect. 
* The parameter Shift Y in the LCD 
menu is incorrect. 
* The vertical offset setting in the 
  driver is incorrect.  * Calibrate the sensor sensitivity again. 
* Set the correct label size and gap size. 
* Press [MENU] 

						

							
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5.2 Mechanism Fine Adjustment to Avoid Ribbon Wrinkles 
 
This printer has been fully tested before delivery. There should be no ribbon 
wrinkle presented on the media for general -purpose printing application. Ribbon 
wrinkle is related to the media thickne ss, print head pressure balance, ribbon film 
characteristics, print darkness setting… etc. In case the ribbon wrinkle happens, 
please follow the instructions bel ow to adjust the printer parts.
 
 
Adjustable 
Printer 
Parts 
 
Symptom 
1. Wrinkle happens from label  lower left to upper right 
    direction ()   2. Wrinkle happens from label lower right 
    to upper left direction () 
 Wrinkle 
 Example 
  
 
   
     
 
Feed direction
Ribbon guide plate 
Print head pressure 
adjustment knob 
Z-axis mechanism 
adjustment knob  
						

							
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Adjust the print head  pressure adjustment knob  
 
  
The print head pressure adjustment knob has 5 levels of settings.  
Clockwise direction adjustment is to increase the print head  
pressure. Counter Clockwise adjustment can decrease the print  
head pressure. If the wrinkle on the label starts from the lower left  
side to upper right side, please do following adjustment. 
 
1. Decrease the right side print head pressure adjustment knob  
setting 1 level per each adjustment then print the label again to  
check if wrinkle is gone. 
 
2. If the right side print head adjustment knob setting has been set  
to index 1 (the lowest pressure index), please increase the left side  
print head pressure. 
 
3. If the left side print head adjustment knob setting has been set to 
5 (the highest pressure index) the wrinkle can’t be avoid, please  
rotate the both knobs back to setting 1 then rotate the Z-axis 
mechanism adjustment knob clockwise for a few degrees and print  
again for fine tune the print head pressure distribution. 
 
 
  
Note for step 3: 
 
*Factory default setting, the Z-axis knob is rotated counter clockwise 
to the end of thread. 
*Turn the Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob clockwise until you  
feel the knob touch the mechanism for the first adjustment. 
* If the wrinkle is still there, pl ease turn the Z-axis mechanism  
adjustment knob clockwise about 1/4 circle each time for adjustment 
* If the winkled direction is change from  to  by adjusting the  
Z-axis mechanism adjustment knob , please turn the Z axis  
mechanism adjustment knob counter  clockwise to avoid the wrinkle. 
  Adjust the print head pressure adjustment 
knob 
 
 
 
The print head pressure adjustment knob 
has 5 levels of settings. Clockwise  
Direction adjustment is to increase the  
print head pressure. Counter Clockwise  
adjustment can decrease the print head  
pressure. If the wrinkle on the label starts 
from the lower right side to upper left  
side, please do following adjustment. 
 
1. Decrease the left side print head  
pressure adjustment knob setting 1 level 
per each adjustment then print the label  
again to check if wrinkle is gone. 
 
2. If the left side print head adjustment  
knob level has been set to index 1 (the  
lowest index), please increase the right  
side print head pressure. 
 
Right knob
Left knob 
Right knob
Left knob 
Z axis mechanism 
adjustment knob