CAB M4 User manual

Edition 5/04
Thermal Transfer Printer
Operator's Manual

2 cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4
copyright by cab / 9008331 / O20 / 1
All specifications about delivery, design, performance and weight are given to the best of our current knowledge and are subject
to change without prior notice.
Gesellschaft für
Computer- und Automations-
Bausteine mbH & Co KG
cab-Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
Postfach 19 04 D-76007 Karlsruhe
Wilhelm-Schickard-Str. 14 D-76131 Karlsruhe
Telefon +49 (0) 721 / 66 26-0
Telefax +49 (0) 721 / 66 26-249
http://www.cabgmbh.com
e-mail : [email protected]

3cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4
All rights reserved, including those of the translations.
No part of this manual nor any translation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use, without the
express written permission of cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG Karlsruhe.
Edition 5/04
Printed in Germany
Thermal Transfer Printer
Operator's Manual
M4
Thermal Transfer Printer
Operator's Manual

4 cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4
Table of Contents
Trademarks .................................................................................................................................... 6
A General Guide to the Documentation........................................................................................ 7
1. Product Description................................................................................................................... 8
General Information .................................................................................................................. 8
Printer Types ............................................................................................................................. 8
Particular Features M4/200P, M4/300P ..................................................................................... 9
Characteristics of the Thermal Printhead .................................................................................. 9
Compliances ........................................................................................................................... 10
Instructions for the Lithium Battery .......................................................................................... 10
Technical Specifications ........................................................................................................... 11
Options ................................................................................................................................... 14
External Media Unwinder/Rewinder .................................................................................. 14
Present Sensor................................................................................................................. 14
Cutter ............................................................................................................................... 14
Memory Card ................................................................................................................... 14
Print Media .............................................................................................................................. 15
Print Media for Direct Thermal Printing ............................................................................. 16
Print Media for Thermal Transfer Printing ......................................................................... 16
Label / Tag Media Specifications ...................................................................................... 17
Transfer Ribbon ................................................................................................................ 18
Software .................................................................................................................................. 19
Direct Programming ......................................................................................................... 19
Windows Printer Driver..................................................................................................... 19
Label Software ................................................................................................................. 19
2. General Safety Instructions .................................................................................................... 20
3. Unpacking ................................................................................................................................ 20
Delivery Contents .................................................................................................................... 20
Removing the Securing Devices ............................................................................................. 21
4. Printer Component Location ...................................................................................................22
5. Installation ................................................................................................................................ 27
Connection to Power Supply ................................................................................................... 27
Connection to a Computer ...................................................................................................... 28
USB Interface ...................................................................................................................28
Serial RS-232 Interface .................................................................................................... 29
Ethernet Interface ............................................................................................................. 29
Switch on the Printer ............................................................................................................... 30
Windows Driver Installation .....................................................................................................31
USB Interface ...................................................................................................................31
Serial RS-232 Interface .................................................................................................... 33
Ethernet Interface ............................................................................................................. 35
6. Navigator Pad ........................................................................................................................... 37
7. Media Loading .......................................................................................................................... 40
General Information ................................................................................................................ 40
Preparation for Tear-Off Mode / Rewind Mode ........................................................................ 41
Table of Contents

5cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4 Table of Contents
Loading Labels ........................................................................................................................ 42
Loading Labels from Roll .................................................................................................. 42
Adjustment of the Printhead Support ................................................................................ 47
Loading Fanfold Labels .................................................................................................... 48
Loading Transfer Ribbon .........................................................................................................50
Adjustment of the Transfer Ribbon .......................................................................................... 52
8. Printer Configuration ............................................................................................................... 54
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 54
Printer Configuration Using the cab Setup Utility ..................................................................... 55
Printer Configuration Using CABLABEL .................................................................................. 58
Printer Configuration Using the Printer Webpage .................................................................... 61
Recognition / Assignment of the IP Address ..................................................................... 61
Access to the Printer Web-Page ....................................................................................... 63
PIN Activation ................................................................................................................... 64
Changing the Parameters ................................................................................................. 64
Overview of the Configuration Parameters .............................................................................. 65
Local Settings ......................................................................................................................... 66
Machine Parameters ............................................................................................................... 68
Print Parameters ..................................................................................................................... 72
Interfaces ................................................................................................................................ 76
Security ................................................................................................................................... 80
9. Test Options ............................................................................................................................. 81
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 81
Seft Test Printout ..................................................................................................................... 81
Status Print ....................................................................................................................... 82
Font list ............................................................................................................................ 83
Device list ......................................................................................................................... 84
ASCII Dump (Monitor) Mode ................................................................................................... 85
10. Network Printer Functions .................................................................................................... 87
Connecting the Printer / Printer Configuration ......................................................................... 87
Printer Web-Page ................................................................................................................... 88
"Status" Tab ...................................................................................................................... 88
"Info" Tab ......................................................................................................................... 90
"EAlert" Tab ...................................................................................................................... 91
"SNMP" Tab ......................................................................................................................92
"Fonts" Tab ....................................................................................................................... 94
"Devices" Tab ...................................................................................................................95
"Help" Tab ........................................................................................................................ 95
Printing on a Network .............................................................................................................. 96
Availability and Installation of the Printing Protocols under Windows ................................ 96
Adjustment of the Windows Printer Settings ..................................................................... 96
FTP Printer Administration ......................................................................................................97
FTP Log-on ......................................................................................................................97
Structure of the FTP Server .............................................................................................. 98
Administration of the Memory Card .................................................................................. 98
FTP Fimware Update ....................................................................................................... 99
Copyright SNMPAgent ..........................................................................................................100
11. Memory Cards .......................................................................................................................101
Installation and Removing the Memory Card ..........................................................................102
Preparing the Memory Card ...................................................................................................103
Writing to the Memory Card ...................................................................................................103

6 cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4Table of Contents / Trademarks
Trademarks
Centronics ® is a registered trademark owned by Centronics Data Computer
Corporation.
Macintosh-Computer is a product of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft ® is a registered trademark owned by Microsoft Corporation.
Bitstream ® is a registered trademark owned by Bitstream Inc.
Speedo  is a registered trademark owned by Bitstream Inc.
TrueType  is a registered trademark owned by Apple Computer Inc.
cablabel ® is a registered trademark owned by cab Produkttechnik GmbH &
Co KG.
Appendices
Appendix A - Operation in Peel-off Mode .................................................................................. A-1
Components for the Peel-off Mode ......................................................................................... A-1
Prelimininary Tests ................................................................................................................. A-2
Printer Configuration .............................................................................................................. A-3
Loading Labels ....................................................................................................................... A-3
Operation ............................................................................................................................... A-3
Appendix B - Pin Assignment of the Interface Connectors ..................................................... B-1
Pin Assignment of the RS-232 Interface ................................................................................. B-1
Interface Cable for RS-232 .................................................................................................... B-2
Appendix C - Error Messages / Problem Solution .................................................................... C-1
Error Messages ...................................................................................................................... C-1
Recoverable Errors ......................................................................................................... C-1
Non-Recoverable Errors .................................................................................................. C-2
Extended Error Indication ................................................................................................ C-3
Problem Solution .................................................................................................................... C-5
Appendix D - Maintenance / Cleaning ....................................................................................... D-1
General Cleaning ................................................................................................................... D-1
Cleaning the Print Roller ........................................................................................................ D-1
Cleaning the Printhead ........................................................................................................... D-2
Cleaning the Label Edge Sensor ............................................................................................ D-3
Appendix E - Replacing Assembly Units ................................................................................... E-1
Replacing the Printhead ......................................................................................................... E-1
Replacing the Print Roller and the Rewind Assist Roller ......................................................... E-4
Appendix F - Firmware Updates ................................................................................................ F-1
General Information ............................................................................................................... F-1
Firmware Update Using the RS-232 Interface ........................................................................ F-1
Firmware Update Using the Ethernet Interface ....................................................................... F-2
Index
EU - Conformity Declaration

7cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4 A General Guide to the Documentation
A General Guide to the Documentation
This manual contains the description and usage instructions for the M4 printer.
For detailed technical information on programming of the M4, a separate
Programming Guide is available on request. For specific information on
maintenance and repair of the printers, a separate Service/Maintenance
Manuals is available.
The first few chapters cover general information which is necessary for
unpacking and setup of the printer, including ribbon and media loading.
Chapter 5 covers the connection and usage of optional equipment that may be
attached to the printer.
In the appendices, additional information such as cabling specifications, error
messages and problem resolution, and maintenance/cleaning instructions are
included.
Please take special note of the specifications for suggested print media and
the references to cleaning the printer, to prevent damage, poor quality printing
and avoidable failures of your printer.
Every effort has been made in the creation of this manual to provide as much
information as possible in a form that is both understandable and useful.
We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding additions or
corrections to improve future editions of this manual.

8 cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4
Printer Types
M4/200 : with 203dpi printhead
M4/200R : with 203dpi printhead and internal rewinder
M4/200P : with 203dpi printhead, internal rewinder and present sensor
M4/300 : with 300dpi printhead
M4/300R : with 300dpi printhead and internal rewinder
M4/300P : with 300dpi printhead, internal rewinder and present sensor
All printer types shown above are available as thermal transfer printers or as
direct thermal printers.
1. Product Description
General Information
M4 is an innovative printer which may be used in either direct thermal or
thermal transfer mode. It offers a high resolution with virtually an unlimited
variety of printout designs.
The center mounting plate is made of die-cast aluminum which makes it very
robust and resistant to bending.
By using 32 bit-processors from Motorola and the internal memory of 8 MB,
very long large labels (up to a length of 39 in / 1000 mm) can be printed
quickly.
As standard equipment, the printer has a serial RS-232-interface, an USB-
interface and an Ethernet-interface. Therefore the M4 can be used both as
local printer and in a network. The printer auto-senses which interface is
actually used.
The ranging power supply (100-240VAC) allows the printers to be used around
the world without re-configuration.
The modular design of the printers guarantees efficient service.
Additional accessories are external un- and rewinders as well as a label/tag
cutter.
1. Product Description

9cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M4
Characteristics of the Thermal Printhead
CAUTION !
The thermal printhead is the most sensitive part of your printer. Please
pay special attention to the following guidelines:
1) The glass cover on the printhead must not be touched with the hand. Also,
do not use sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers, etc) to clean the printhead.
2) Ensure that the printhead is properly adjusted at all times.
3) Make sure that there are no high spots or debris on your media to lodge on
or damage the printhead. The label surface must be smooth. Lower grade
direct thermal paper is very rough and will act like sandpaper on the head,
reducing the head's lifetime. Do not use low grade stock.
4) Clean the head at each change of ribbon, or with each new roll of direct
thermal media, with a special cleaning pen, or a cotton swab with isopropyl
alcohol.
5) Print with the lowest possible head temperature to increase the life of the
printhead.
6) When changing the printhead, first turn the power off and disconnect the
power cord. Then, place a clean paper towel or tissue under the head to
provide a clean surface for it to rest on. When removing the head, hold it
on the sides only.
Failure to observe the instructions above can lead to a reduced printhead life.
1. Product Description
Particular Features M4/200P, M4/300P
The P-versions of the printers are specificly developed for operation in the
peel-off mode and they are equipped with dispense edge and present sensor
as standard. In the peel-off mode the labels are removed from the silicon liner
immediately after printing, and then available in a dispense position ready for
further processing. The sensor, which is attached to the printer by the
peripheral connector, indicates the presence of a label, and pauses the printing
process until the label is removed. After taking the label from the dispense
position the next label will be printed. To guarantee a maximum of reliability in
the peel-off mode the printers are additionally equipped with a pair of rollers to
cause the dispense tension.
NOTICE !
In the delivery state, M4/200P is configured in such a way, that the print
speed in the peel-off mode is limited to maximum 100mm/s. When using
smaller labels or supply rolls with a small outside diameter it is possible
to increase the print speed for the peel-off mode.
We recommend to carry out preliminary tests with speed limitation
switched off (see printer configuration) !

10 cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG
M41. Product Description
Compliances
The device complies with the following safety regulations :
CE : The printer complies with the following safety requirements
- EC Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC)
- EC Machinery Directive (98/37/EEC)
- EC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
(89/336/EEC)
FCC : The device complies with the requirements of the FCC
regulations part 15 for class A computers. Under
disadvantageous circumstances, the operation of these
devices may cause interference with radio or TV reception,
which has to be eliminated by the operator.
Instructions for the Lithium Battery
The PCB of the printer is equipped with a Lithium battery.
Take necessary precautions against a possible short circuit if the battery is not
fully discharged. Properly remove the battery should the printer be scrapped.
WARNING !
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause
radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate
measures.