Cobra Systems VnM 8 SignMaker User manual

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
User Manual
Updated: 1/2017
VnM SignMaker, Safety Signs & LabelsVnM SignMaker, Safety Signs & Labels
Version 2.2D
VnM 8 SignMaker

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Quick Start
Overview
Loading Ink Roll
Loading Media
Power Up
Print and Font Settings
Keypad Navigation
VnM®8 Templates
a) 1 to 5 Line Horizontal
b) 1 Line Vertical
c) 2 Line Horizontal
d) Multi Line Header
e) ANSI Header
f) Die Cut
g) Arc Flash
h) Custom 1 Line
i) Hazardous Waste
j) VnM8 Apps
OSHA and ANSI Safety Identication
Fonts and Symbols
Connecting to a PC
Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Support/Service and Repair
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21-22
23
24
25
25
26
1

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
Thank you for purchasing the VnM®8 SignMaker by Cobra Systems, Inc.
Throughout this manual you will nd User Tips, Troubleshooting, and step-by-step instructions that
will show you how to create signs and labels that are perfect for all of your safety and identication
requirements.
Dimensions: 17.32” (W) x 13.23” (H) x 20.24”(D)
Operating Conditions: 41°-104° F (5°-40° C )
Storage Conditions: -40°-140° F (-40°-60° C )
Resolution: 300 DPI
AC Input: 100-240V, 3.0a, 50-60Hz
DC Output: 24V, 8.33A, 200W
Print Speed: 4” per second
Connections: VnM® Keypad, USB, LPT, Ethernet 10/100
VnM®8 SignMaker comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, 1-Year Print-head Warranty, 6-Month Cutter
Warranty, and 1-Year Keypad Warranty.
The VnM®8 SignMaker System includes:
1. VnM®8 SignMaker Printer (1)
2. VnM®8 SignMaker Keypad (1)
3. Printer Power Cord (1)
4. Printer USB Cable (1)
5. Take-Up Core for VnM® Ink (1)
6. Cleaning Pen (1)
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
Introduction
Warranty
Out of the Box
Specications

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
3
PRINTER MUST BE TURNED OFF!
1. Open the VnM8 SignMaker.
2. Load VnM Ink Roll and attach to take up core.
3. Load VnM Media and feed through VnM8 Cutter. 4. Be sure to use both hands when closing down
the print head.
5. Plug in VnM8 Keypad. 6. Connect power cord to the VnM8 SignMaker
and outlet. Turn ON VnM8 SignMaker.
VnM®8 SignMaker Quickstart
NOTE: Always have the VnM printer cover closed when powering on.

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
4
VnM8 SignMaker Front View
1. LED indicators
2. Touchscreen
3. Operation buttons
4. Media exit chute
5. Printer cover opener
VnM8 SignMaker Rear View
6. SD card socket
7. USB interface
8. USB host
9. GPIO interface
10. Power cord socket
11. Power switch
12. Centronics interface
13. Ethernet interface
VnM8 SignMaker Interior View
14. Ribbon rewind spindle
15. Print head
16. Ribbon sensor
17. Media sensor
18. Platen roller
19. Print head release lever
20. Ribbon supply spindle
21. Label roll guard
22. Label supply spindle
23. Media guide bar
24. Label guide
VnM®8 SignMaker Overview
1
2
5
3
4
7
6
13
12
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10
11
8
14
20 21
22
23
15
16
17
18
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24

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
5
With printer
turned o,
open the
cover, press
down on the
printhead
and push
back the
green lever
to raise the
printhead.
Use the
cleaning pen
to gently
clean the
surface of
the print
head before
each ribbon
installation.
1 2
Center
ink roll on
spindle and
feed above
black plastic
sensor under
printhead.
Pull ink
through and
up to the
take-up core
and securely
attach with
tape.
Slide VnM8
ink roll onto
rear spindle.
Attach empty
take-up core
to the front
ink spindle.
Hand wind
the ink to
remove any
slack.
With hands
on both
sides, push
down on the
printhead
until the
green latch
clicks.
3
5
7 8
4
6
NOTE: Always have the VnM printer cover closed when powering on.
Loading VnM®8 Ink Roll

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
6
Loading VnM®8 Media
With printer
turned o,
open the
cover, press
down on the
printhead
and push
back the
green lever
to raise the
printhead.
Slide the
VnM8 vinyl
media onto
rear spindle
and center.
Feed media
under the
white bar
and through
the white
media guides.
Pull the
media from
under the
printhead
and between
the cutter gap.
With hands
on both
sides, push
down on the
printhead
until the
green latch
clicks.
Secure
the media
spindle with
end guides,
keeping
everything
centered.
Now feed
the media
under the
green sensor
bar.
Make sure
media and
ribbon are
properly
installed.
1
3
5
7
2
4
6
8
IMPORTANT: To prevent smudges and ngerprints, handle media on the ends of the roll.

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
7
Connecting VnM®8 Keypad and Power Up
1. Make sure power switch is OFF.
2. After connecting the key pad, connect the power supply into the printer.
3. Plug the printer into your power source, preferably using a surge protector.
4. Turn on the VnM8.
VnM®8 SignMaker Power Up
Power On/OPower Socket
RS232
USB
Interface
USB Host
GPIO Interface
(Optional)
SD Socket
Ethernet
Interface
PS/2
Interface
Plug to Outlet
IMPORTANT: Keep all magnetic devices away from the VnM8 printer.

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
8
To change print settings for certain VnM inks and media, including font, make sure you are
on the main menu; press and hold the ALT + EXIT keys at the same time.
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH:
Press 4,5,6,7, or 8
A) To Change Print Settings
1. This should be the rst screen you see.
VNM PRINT SETTINGS
Press ENTER
VNM MANUAL SETTINGS
Press ENTER
ENTER SPEED:
2
2. Press the DOWN arrow key until you see
VNM PRINT SETTINGS and press ENTER.
4. To manually change the print speed,
print density, and /or cutter settings,
press ENTER or VNM MANUAL SETTINGS.
5. Enter the Printer speed and press ENTER.
Recommended at 2.
6. Enter the print density and press ENTER.
Recommended density based on the ink
color being used:
Black: 6-9, White: 10-13
Blue: 2-4, Green: 2-4, Red: 2-4
3. Using the up and down arrows on the
keyboard, locate your desired ink and
media and press ENTER.
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH:
Press 4,5,6,7, or 8
B) To Change Font Settings
1. This should be the rst screen you see.
SELECT FONT/SYMBOLS
Press ENTER
2. Press the UP arrow key until you see
SELECT FONT/SYMBOLS and press ENTER.
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
BOLD
3. Using the up and down arrows on the
keyboard, locate your desired font and
press ENTER. To get back to the main
menu after you have selected your font,
hold down ALT and EXIT.
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
SYMBOLS3
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
NORMAL
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
SYMBOLS1
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
SYMBOLS2
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
UTILITY
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
PIPE MAKER
CHOOSE FONT/SYMBOLS:
ITALIC
VnM®8 Print and Font Settings
ENTER DENSITY:
5
NOTE: See pages 21-22 for fonts and symbols.
VNM BLACK INK 1
PRESS ENTER
VNM WHITE INK 1
PRESS ENTER
LOOK AT VNM MANUAL
TURN CUTTER ON
LOOK AT VNM MANUAL
TURN PARTIAL CUT ON
VNM BLACK INK 2
PRESS ENTER
VNM WHITE INK 2
PRESS ENTER
LOOK AT VNM MANUAL
TURN CUTTER OFF
LOOK AT VNM MANUAL
BLANK CUT
Standard settings for
VnM Black ink
Standard settings for
VnM White ink
Turns the cutter on
Turns the partial cut on
High Density settings for
VnM Black ink
High Density settings for
VnM White ink
Turns the cutter off
Turns the blank cut on

Copyright © 2016 Cobra Systems, Inc. All rights reserved
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Press ENTER
VnM8 APPS
Press ENTER
HOW TO PRINT
QUOTATIONS
VnM8 Tips
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH:
Press 4,5,6,7, or 8
SELECT FONT/SYMBOLS
Press ENTER
VNM PRINT SETTINGS
Press ENTER
+
+
SELECT MEDIA WIDTH
PRESS 4,5,6,7, OR 8
Use the UP and DOWN
arrow keys on the VnM®8
Keypad to navigate
through the templates.
Press the ENTER key to
select your template.
If an entry error has
been made, press the
EXIT key and re-enter the information.
“SELECT MEDIA WIDTH” is the Main Menu
when powering on the VnM 8 SignMaker,
and when pressing the ALT + EXIT keys.
To begin printing, select the size of media
that is loaded in the printer.
The VnM®8 keypad navigation tree on the
left displays the ow and order of all the
available options/templates.
Detailed information about each template
starts on page 10.
In order to print quotations (“) or inch and
foot marks, press the SHIFT key + PERIOD
key (on the numeric keypad). Do not use
the keypad QUOTATION key, you will have
blank text.
1 to 5 LINE HORIZONTAL
Press ENTER
2 LINE HORIZONTAL
Press ENTER
MULTI LINE HEADER
Press ENTER
ANSI HEADER TEMPLATE
Press ENTER
DIE CUT TEMPLATE
Press ENTER
ARC FLASH TEMPLATE
Press ENTER
CUSTOM 1 LINE
Press ENTER
1 LINE VERTICAL
Press ENTER
VnM®8 SignMaker Prompt: MAIN MENU
VnM®8 Keypad Navigation
9