AMT Datasouth Printer M5DT Plus User Guide

							Document #120523 Rev-A 
 
 
 
Fastmark M5 Plus Series 
 
Direct Thermal Barcode Printer  
 
 
User’s Guide 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
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1. Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 
2. Getting Started......................................................................................... 1 
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection ....................................................................1 
2.2 Equipment Checklist ............................................................................1 
2.3 Printer Parts .........................................................................................3 
2.3.1 Front View ..................................................................................... 3 
2.3.2 Rear View ...................................................................................... 3 
3 Setup.......................................................................................................... 3 
3.1 Setting Up the Printer ...........................................................................3 
3.2 Loading Media Stock ............................................................................4 
3.3 Peel-Off Module Installation (Option)...................................................6 
3.4 Loading Labels for Peel-off Mode (Option)...........................................9 
3.5 External Media Roll Mount Installation (Option) ................................. 10 
3.6 Cutter Module Installation (Option).....................................................12 
3.7 Loading Media in Cutter Mode ........................................................... 15 
3.8 Internal Ethernet Print Server Module Installation (Option) ................ 16 
3.9 Diagnostic Tool .................................................................................. 20 
3.9.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool .............................................................. 20 
3.9.2 Printer Function (Calibrate, Ethernet setup, RTC setup…) .......... 21 
3.10. Install Memory Card ........................................................................ 21 
4. Power on Utilities................................................................................... 23 
4.1 Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration ................................................... 23 
4.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test, Dump Mode ........................... 24 
4.3 Printer Initialization ............................................................................. 27 
4.4 Black Mark Sensor Calibration ........................................................... 28 
4.5 Gap Sensor Calibration ...................................................................... 28 
4.6 PAL application program .................................................................... 28 
5. Maintenance........................................................................................... 29 
5.1 Cleaning ............................................................................................. 29 
6. Troubleshooting..................................................................................... 31 
6.1 LED Status ......................................................................................... 31 
6.2 Print Quality........................................................................................ 32 
7. LED and Button Operation.................................................................... 33 
7.1 LED .................................................................................................... 33 
7.2 Button Operation ................................................................................ 33 
Revise History............................................................................................ 37 
Contents 
						

							 
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1. Introduction 
Thank you for purchasing the AMT Datasouth M5 DT PLUS Direct Thermal Bar Code Printer. 
Although the printer takes only a small amount of space, it delivers reliable, superior 
performance. 
 
This printer provides direct thermal printing at user selectable speeds of: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 
inches per second. It accepts roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold labels for printing media. All 
common bar codes formats are available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in 4 directions, 
8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and a build-in true type font capability. You will enjoy 
high throughput for printing labels with this printer. 
 
2. Getting Started 
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection 
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please 
carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon opening and prior to installation. Please 
retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer. 
2.2 Equipment Checklist 

						

							 
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Optional Configurations  

						

							 
3
2.3 Printer Parts 
 
2.3.1 Front View 
                
Fig.1 Top Front View 
 
2.3.2 Rear View 
                 
 
3 Setup 
3.1 Setting Up the Printer 
1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface. 
2. Make sure the power switch is off.   
1 2 345
6 
1. USB Interface 
2. Centronics Interface  
3.  RS-232C DB-9 Interface 
4. Power Jack 
5. Power Switch  
6. Rear Label Guide 
Top Cover Open Lever
LED Indicator 
Feed Button 
Top Cover 
Clear Window 
Backing Paper Opening 
Label Opening 
Front Panel 
Fig.2 Rear View 
						

							 
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3.  Connect the printer to the computer with the Centronics or USB cable. 
4  Plug the DC power cord into the power jack at the rear of the printer, and then plug 
the AC power cord into a properly grounded receptacle. 
 
Fig. 5 Attach a power supply to a printer 
 
3.2 Loading Media Stock 
1.  Insert spindle into a media roll (If your media core is 1 inch, remove the 1.5 inch core 
adapter from the fixing tab). 
  
                  
                      
                  
Fig 6 Media roll installation (I) 
Media Roll 
1” Media Spindle 
1.5” Core Adapter
Fixing Tab 
Power Cord 
Power Switch
Power Supply
Plug USB 
RS-232C 
Centronics 
Power Jack 
Printing Side Face up  
						

							 
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Media Guide 
2.  Open the printer’s top cover by releasing the green levers located on each side of the 
printer and lifting the top cover.   
3.  Place a roll of media onto the internal Media Spindle.  
4.  Feed the media (printing side face up) under the Teflon bar and through the support 
guides. The media should come to rest outside the printer. Refer to Fig #7. 
5.  Adjust the black center-biased media guides in or out by turning the adjustment knob so 
they are slightly touching the edges of the media/backing. 
            
               
Fig. 7 Media roll installation (II) 
6. Close the printer top cover slowly and make sure the cover locks securely. 
Note: Failure to securely close and lock the cover will result in poor print quality. 
              
 
Fig. 8 Close the top cover completely 
Media Roll Mount
Platen 
Adjustment Knob  
						

							 
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3.3 Peel-Off Module Installation (Option) 
1.  Open the top cover.   
2.  Remove the 6 screws in the lower inner cover. 
 
 
3.  Turn over the printer. 
4.  Remove two screws located near the top cover hinge. 
 
Remove screw   
Remove screw   
Screws Screws 
						

							 
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5.  Remove the screw at memory card cover. 
 
 
 
6.  Separate the top, inner, and the lower cover. 
 
 
7.  Thread the cable red connector through the inner cover opening located near the front 
of the printer. Insert the red cable connector into location JP17 (M5 DT) / JP19 (M5 DT 
PLUS) on the main board. Install the peel-off module onto the lower inner cover slot. 
 
Lower inner 
cover 
Lower cover
Screw  
						

							 
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8. Gently push the peel-off panel to lock onto the lower inner cover. 
9.  Reassemble parts in reverse procedures after installing the module. 
 
Peel-off module 
assembly 
Install (2-places) one 
side at a time.