admin:printer_installation

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
admin:printer_installation [2019/05/28 04:42] – heading levels revised to ensure contents matches standard format louadmin:printer_installation [2024/03/05 00:08] (current) – [25.18. Label printer hardware setup] Nick Pendergrast
Line 1: Line 1:
-{{indexmenu_n>130}} +{{indexmenu_n>195}} 
-===== Label printer installation ===== +====== 25.18. Label printer hardware setup ====== 
- +We recommend **Zebra ZD421t** (which has replaced the Zebra GK420t which we recommended previously) label printer with a network port.\\ 
-We recommend Zebra GK420 TT printers with a network port. +You may use other printers that support the ZPL printing language (or EPL if using mSupply 3.2 or earlier), but we cannot provide much support for these models as we have not used them ourselves.
-You may use other printers that support the ZPL printing language (or EPL if using mSupply 3.2 or earlier), but we can not provide much support for these models as we have not used them ourselves.+
  
 ==== Setup ==== ==== Setup ====
-  - Load the printer with ribbon and labels.+  - Load the printer with ribbon and labels
   - Turn on   - Turn on
-  - Plug in network cable.+  - Plug in network cable
   - By default the printer is set to obtain an address by DHCP. Assuming you have a DHCP server on your network: press the button on the front and hold until it flashes once, then release the button. A configuration label will print. Note the IP address. If the printout is the wrong width and unreadable, see "Setting label width" below   - By default the printer is set to obtain an address by DHCP. Assuming you have a DHCP server on your network: press the button on the front and hold until it flashes once, then release the button. A configuration label will print. Note the IP address. If the printout is the wrong width and unreadable, see "Setting label width" below
     - You may also be able to get the IP address from the list of DHCP leases when logged in to your router (e.g. for pFsense: Status > DHCP )     - You may also be able to get the IP address from the list of DHCP leases when logged in to your router (e.g. for pFsense: Status > DHCP )
   - There are now 2 options for setting a static address   - There are now 2 options for setting a static address
     - (Preferred method): Configure your DHCP server to assign a static address to the printer. Note that after doing this, you may have to turn the printer off and back on to get the new address from the DHCP server.     - (Preferred method): Configure your DHCP server to assign a static address to the printer. Note that after doing this, you may have to turn the printer off and back on to get the new address from the DHCP server.
-    - Alternative: Assign a static address on the printer itself. The default static address for the printer is 192.168.254.254. +    - Alternative: Assign a static address to the printer.  
-      - You can now log on to the printer using it's current IP address http://printer_ip_address  where ''printer_ip_address'' is the current printer's ip address.+      - The default static address for the printer is 192.168.254.254. 
 +      - If you are connecting to that address, you must assign your own computer a 192.168.254.X address so it can connect to the printer. You can then log on to the printer using it's current IP address http://printer_ip_address  where ''printer_ip_address'' is the current printer's ip address (So, out of the box: http://192.168.254.254 )
       - Go to "Print Server Settings", then click "Print Server" and log in       - Go to "Print Server Settings", then click "Print Server" and log in
         * user: admin         * user: admin
Line 22: Line 22:
       - Reset the printer (you can do this from the web interface)       - Reset the printer (you can do this from the web interface)
   - Ping the IP address you have set to ensure the printer has the right address   - Ping the IP address you have set to ensure the printer has the right address
-  - Finally, tell mSupply about the printer: see [[dispensing:printer_setup|Printing Preferences]] for instructions on doing that.+  - Finally, tell mSupply about the printer: see [[dispensing:printer_setup]] for instructions on doing that.
  
-==== Setting label width ==== 
  
-Note that you **do not** have to do this to get the right width when printing from mSupplyThis is only for viewing a configuration label before using mSupply:+==== GK420 Flash sequences ==== 
 +This is a feature on the printer itself that you access by holding down the Feed button Refer here for full documentationhttps://support.zebra.com/cpws/docs/gseries/gseries_button_modes.pdf
  
-Hold down the button on the front of the printer - it will flash once, then twice, then three times, then four times, then five times: immediately release the button. +==== Calibrating the printer GK420 ====
-Labels will print with a box that gets wider with each one: press the button again when the box is the width of the label. If needed, you can use the "one flash" sequence above to print out the IP address and other information once you have the printer detecting the label width correctly. +
- +
-==== Flash sequences for the GK420 ==== +
-The following flash sequences occur in order by holding down the front button ("3" means you hold the button and it flashes once, then twice, then three times, and you immediately release the button for that action to be performed) +
-  - Print status +
-  - Media callibration: use to make the printer detect the length of the labels you're using +
-  - Serial port config: not needed +
-  - Factory defaults: Sets everything back to default settings +
-  - Print width adjustment (above) +
-  - Print Darkness (Density) Adjustment +
-  - Manual media calibration (you most likely don't need this) +
- +
-==== Calibrating the printer ====+
 For various reasons the printer may need to be re-calibrated. The act of "calibrating" is essentially to allow the printer to work out the size of label that is being used.  For various reasons the printer may need to be re-calibrated. The act of "calibrating" is essentially to allow the printer to work out the size of label that is being used. 
  
 There are many levels of Calibration but we will try the basic one.  There are many levels of Calibration but we will try the basic one. 
   * Switch on the printer.   * Switch on the printer.
-  * Press and continue pressing the button button until the light :+  * Press and continue pressing the Feed button until the light :
     * flashes once     * flashes once
     * flashes twice >>>  then let go of the button.     * flashes twice >>>  then let go of the button.
-  * The printer will print and waste a few label. +  * The printer will print one to four labels while calibrating.
-  * click the button once. +
-  * Calibration is theoretically complete +
-  * Then see if label printing works.+
  
  
 +==== Setting the label width GK420 ====
 +
 +Note that you **do not** have to do this to get the right width when printing from mSupply. \\
 +
 +This is only for printing a configuration status label from the printer before using mSupply:
 +
 +  * Hold down the feed button - the light will flash once, then twice, then three times, then four times, then five times: immediately release the button when it flashes 5 times.
 +  * It will print a succession of boxes starting at the minimum print width and ending in the printer’s maximum print width in 4mm increments. Press the Feed button once when the box has reached your desired maximum print width.
 +
 +
 +==== Print out the configuration status GK420 ====
 +You can print out a configuration status label with the IP address and other information once you have the printer detecting the label width correctly.
 +  * Hold down the feed button - the light will flash once: immediately release the button when it flashes once.
  
 ==== Cleaning the printer ==== ==== Cleaning the printer ====
 Over time, the printer will fail to perform due to collection of dust. We imagine sweat particles will cause friction on the moving parts of the printer and this hinders performance. So in many cases throughly cleaning the printer ends up reviving a printer that seems broken. Please follow the steps below to clean :  Over time, the printer will fail to perform due to collection of dust. We imagine sweat particles will cause friction on the moving parts of the printer and this hinders performance. So in many cases throughly cleaning the printer ends up reviving a printer that seems broken. Please follow the steps below to clean : 
  
-  * Take the printer off the mains….. So un-plug the electric+  * Take the printer off the mains… So un-plug the electricity
-  * Take out the ribbon and label, cleaning the printer with small amount of  Isopropyl swipes. +  * Take out the ribbon and label roll.  If you have been printing let the print head cool for a minute.  Clean the printer with small amount of Isopropyl wipes: 
-    * Wipe the print head. +    * Wipe the print head 
-    * Wipe the paper roll holder. +    * Wipe the label roll holder 
-    * Wipe the track that the paper travels on.+    * Wipe the track that the paper travels on
     * The last black roller : Turn the roll and wipe.     * The last black roller : Turn the roll and wipe.
-    * Lastly clean the outside of the printer and appearance :-) +    * Lastly clean the outside of the printer. 
-  * Leave for 20 minutes +  * Leave the printer for 20 minutes. 
-  * re-connect the ribbon and label. +  * Reload the ribbon and label roll
-  * re-connect the printer to the mains+  * Plug in the power cord and turn the printer on
-  * Go through the calibration mode.+  * Go through the calibration process.
   * See if the printer behaves.   * See if the printer behaves.
  
 +See the [[https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/zebra_new_ia/en-us/manuals/printers/desktop/legacy/gk420t/gk420t-ug-en.pdf|**Zebra GK420t Label Printer User Guide**]] for further information and diagrams.
 +
 +==== Status light descriptions GK420t ====
 +What is the Status light on my Zebra GK420 printer trying to tell me???!!!\\  Info given [[https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/knowledge-articles/g-series-gk-models--status-indicator-light.html|here]] on the Zebra website.
 +|<100% 15em >|
 +^  LED status and colour  ^  Printer Status  ^  Details  |
 +^Off |  Off  |__Printer not receiving power__\\  Check power connections from the wall outlet to the power supply, and from the power supply to the printer.  Disconnect the printer from the wall outlet for 30 seconds and then reconnect the printer to the wall outlet. |
 +^Solid Green|  On  | __The printer is on and in an idle state__\\ No action necessary |
 +^Solid Amber|  Stopped  | __A. After you have been printing__\\ There is a memory error.  Turn the printer power off and on, and then resume printing.  \\ __B. If this error continues__\\ The printhead needs to cool down.  Turn the printer power off for five minutes.  If this persists the printer needs a service.\\ __C. Right after you turn on the printer__\\ The printer has failed its power on self test (POST), contact an authorized reseller for assistance.\\ //When the printer is operating normally after power up the status light will be amber for about 10 seconds before turning green (solid or blinking).// |
 +^Flashing Green|  Normal Operation  |__The printer is receiving data__\\ As soon as all of the data has been received, the status LED will turn green and the printer will automatically resume operation. |
 +^Flashing Red |  Stopped  |__A. The printer has run out of labels__\\ __B. The printer ribbon ha run out__\\ __C. The printer is open__|
 +^Double Flashing Green|  Paused  |__The printer is paused__\\ Press the Feed button to resume printing. |
 +^Flashing Amber|  Paused  |__The printhead is over temperature__\\ Printing will stop until the printhead cools to an acceptable printing temperature. When it does, the printer will automatically resume operation. |
 +^Alternately Flashing Green and Red|  Needs Service  |__FLASH memory is not programmed__\\ Return the printer to an authorized reseller. |
 +^Flashing Red, Red and Green|  Needs Service  | __The printhead or motor has had a critical failure__\\ Return the printer to an authorized reseller. |
 +^Flashing Red, Amber Green |  Memory Defragmentation  | __The printer is running a defragmentation* process__\\ **Do NOT reset or turn off the power!** |
 +
 +NOTE: **Defragmentation** is a normal operation of the GK420t printer.  The printer will defragment its memory both after a factory default and when the printer detects that a defragment is required.  When the printer is in this condition, allow it to finish defragmenting. If this warning occurs frequently then refer to the printer user guide as some label format changes could resolve this. 
  
- +==== Zebra TLP 2844 ==== 
 +You may have an old label printer : Zebra TLP 2844 
  
 +Click to download the user guide for  {{ :admin:zebra_manual-tlp_2844.pdf |Zebra TLP 2844}}
  
-// Previous: [[admin:purging|Set Start of Year Stock]]     Next: [[admin:the_log|The Log]]//+On page 48 the manual has a guide on how to manually calibrate the printer.  
  
 +\\
 +\\
 +|  //  Previous:  **[[admin:purging]]** | | Next: **[[admin:the_log]]** //  |
  
 ---- struct data ---- ---- struct data ----
 +pagestatus.status    : 
 ---- ----
  
  • Last modified: 2019/05/28 04:42
  • by lou