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hardware_config_guide.md

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Hardware

Zebra Printers

  • Printers will need to be able to secure an IP address either via a wired connection or via wireless. The printers will need to be visible to the machine running this package in order to accept print requests. Further, there are tools to scan the local network and identify Zebra Printers. Identified printers are automatically configured for use by zebra_day.

    • Network attached printers should be able to run w/out any connection to a PC/laptop. This affors much greater flexibility in placing print stations. In fact, zebra_day does not communicate with USB only printers.

  • The below zebra printer models have been tested, but any zebra printer able to obtain an IP address and accept ZPL should also work.

  • IMPORTANT, The initial configuration of zebra printers can be a little gnarly. I intend to add some notes on this topic soon. In the mean time, the GUI printer status report includes links to access the web server admin utility each zebra printer exposes.

    • the printer admin UIs all use the default un/pw: admin/1234.
      • The first thing I suggest when setting up a new printer is resetting the factory defaults - doable via the zebra printer admin UIs.
    • Wired ethernet connections are advised for greater robustness. Configure the wired network settings to obtain an IP automatically. ask your network admins to set DNS rules which will assign the same IP to each printer. You'll need to supply the printer MAC address to do this, which you can find on via each printers admin UI.
      • NOTE Sometimes these printers can not seem to obtain an IP with DHCP, this could be a router/hub issue, but sometimes you'll need to set the printer to a static IP. This can be done via the printer admin UI. If the network config is saved with an error, you'll now need to connect to the printer via USB to reset (there might be a button seuquece cycle which can be hit to factory reset...).
      • Wireless setup is SUPER fussy. You'll need to know precisely what bands your router is running on, and the precise auth used. This can be done via the zebra printer admin UI, or when connected via a USB cable to a computer running a driver config program(not advised really).
    • Next, you may have to mess around with calibration settings for label width and length.
    • I have used this driver/config tool on a MAC when I have needed to connect to a printer via USB, Peninsula Zebra Printer Driver. I'm fairly sure there are several windows options.

GX420d - wired, no LCD screen

These printers are NOT reccomended b/c the lack of LCD screen makes them a pain to configure. You will probably need to connect via USB to set good initial settings. If you have the zebra_day UI running, try connecting the printer to the network and powering on, then run the zebra printer network scan. If the printer is discovered, you're in luck and can admin it via the UI on the printer.

GX420d - wired, with LCD screen

These are solid, but aging out and not as easy to find for sale.

ZD620d - wired and wireless, with color LCD screen

These are solid, but aging out and not as easy to find for sale.

Zebra QLn420 Direct Thermal Printer - Monochrome - Portable

Zebra - ZD620d Direct Thermal Desktop Printer with LCD Screen - Print Width 4 in - 203 dpi - Interface: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, Serial, Ethernet - ZD62142-D01L01EZ

Zebra ZD620t Thermal Transfer Desktop Printer 203 dpi Print Width 4 in Ethernet Serial USB ZD62042

note, this is a thermal transfer printer & requires ribbons to print

Initial Printer Configuration

Ideally, you will be able to use zebra_day to auto-detect printers on your network, and connect to each ones web based admin tool (links are presented on the printer fleet summary page, un/pw is admin/1234 ). Failing this, you will need to connect via usb, there are several drivers to choose from if this is necessary, I liked this one for a MAC. The main changes to make (and do so after consulting each printers manual):

  • reset to factory defaults.
  • set the network settings (wired and wifi) & hard code IPs if needed. It is helpful if they retain the same IP over time.
  • Set the media type to web, set behavior on close and restart to be calibrate.
  • Once you begin printing, you might find you need to adjust the print width and length for some printers if they do not set properly during calibration.
  • Increase the darkness.
  • Decrease print speed, IPS to 2 or 3.
Reference Printer Config Reports

Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Also require distinct label stock from the direct thermal transfer printer labels.

Label Stock

The zebra_day code can easily manage a printer fleet comprised of different printing mechanism.

Thermal Transfer vs. Direct Thermal Transfer Labels

  • Printers are only capable of printing using one or the other method only.

Direct thermal transfer labels require no ribbon, cheaper, can be less robust in some situations, speciality use case label stock mfgs are numerous.

Thermal transfer labels require a ribbon, can be more durable, prone to smudging, more costly

Aegis Labels

For general purpose use. Very inexpensive and easy to source.

2in x 1in - Direct TT

Good for paperwork, some larger tubes.

  • Amazon
  • Cost per roll : $3.21

2in x 0.5in - Direct TT

Good for smaller tubes, or tubes that already have space taken up by labels.

Labtag

2in x 1in / a few colors / cryo - Direct TT

2in x 0.25in / plate style / cryo - Direct TT

small tube w/dot / cryo - Direct TT

2in x 1in / cryo / many colors - Thermal Transfer

2in x 0.25in / plate / cryo - Thermal Transfer

Barcode Scanners

Tera 1d, 2d, QR scanner. Corded and bluetooth and wireless

Programable and well supported/adopted.

Tera Mini 1d 2d QR. Corded and wireless and bluetooth.

experimenting... tiny handheld pretty well behaving non-corded scanner.