Information Systems:Mobile belt printers

Overview

Receiving uses mobile printers to create putaway labels. The model is Zebra QLn420. These are direct thermal printers that print to special labels i.e. so no ink or ribbon is required.

Configuration

Initial setup process

• Each device has a hostname of MBPTR07 - MBPTR12 with a suffix of unipharm.local.
• The static range of IP addresses used by these printers is 172.30.17.50-55.
• The printers use 802.11n and are currently connected to "uwd_dcrf".
• Each printer has its own assigned out queue on the Power8 so that staff in Receiving can use the printers to print labels. The important settings for the proper configuration of the out queues, are as follows:
  1. Manufacturer type or model - *WSCST
  2. Workstation Customization Object - Z4XIWSCST in library TLABARCODE
  3. The INTNETADR does need to be an IP address instead of a hostname which is sucky
  4. Need to use PortLF1
  5. Set writers to 1
  6. Connection Type needs to be IP and use *OTHER instead of *AS400

When configuring new printers with out queues for the Power8, be aware that the writer for the queue needs to be ended before configuration changes are made and the new printer needs to be added to the zone table (DFU from a DC menu option) so that the RF Guns can actually print to the device.

To work with all output queues enter the following command into a command line: WRKOUTQ or type: WRKOUTQ OUTPUT QUEUE NAME to work with a specific output queue.

Zebra also has Windows based configuration program available from the website that can be downloaded and used to configure the printer devices. There is also a mobile app that can be used from an Android phone that can connect to the assigned IP address of the printer and manage it that way. If the printer needs to be configured using the Windows program it will require an old style mini-USB cable. Device drivers for the printer are included in the Zebra program for Windows.

Connecting to the printer

Download Zebra Utilities for Windows from Zebra's site to configure a printer (or to print to it from desktop). A Mini-USB (not Micro-USB) to USB Type A cable will be required to connect the printer to the computer.

Alternatively, Zebra has several apps in the iOS and Google Play (Android) app stores that allow you to manage and/or print from Zebra thermal printers by connecting to them via wireless or Bluetooth. This has already proven to be the more efficient (and thus preferred way) of management, as it is non-disruptive.

Batteries and thermal rolls

• There are 9 batteries for the 6 printers. The battery for the QLn420 lasts fairly long (much longer than the ones for the previous printers). Replacements can be acquired through Inventory Solutions or TRG.
• The quad chargers are the same as for the old batteries; there are plenty in the IT cage.
• Labels are approxiamtely 4x1 inches and they are direct thermal. They are acquired/managed by Gerald, not by IT.

Troubleshooting/Common problems

• Each label on the thermal roll is separated by a black stripe printed on the back, along the tear. This mark is how the printer senses where the label ends, so that it can feed the label just far enough to be torn off. If this stripe is offset from its normal position, the labels will not tear off properly. Replacing the roll solves the problem.

• On the other side of this equation, the sensor that reads the black mark may also become dirty. Try to spot and clean the sensor on the printer if it is spitting out too many labels.

• The platen roller is made of a dense rubber that presses the label to the thermal printhead, producing printed output. The following conditions can cause undesirable print quality, or roll output issues:

• Adhesive from the labels can collect on the labels over time, causing bumps in the roller
• Cracks in the roller cause the labels to 'skip' over those areas.
• The receiving workflow will prompt you to specify a printer to work with during the first PO being received. A barcode is affixed to the printer which the receivers use to specify the printer, but if none exists, remember that the printer name can simply be typed in (MBPTRXX, where XX is the printer number).

Other

Hardware upgrade

• Original grey Zebra QL420 mobile printers were replaced in June of 2017 with the Zebra QLn420. Many of the older printers will still function but are configured for the old wireless network. They have 802.11b radios so if active/connected to a network capable of 802.11n, their mere presence would lower the overall quality of the network (it's just how 802.11 works). Their use should be avoided, but they should be kept available as last-resort spares.