10 Maintenance Tips for Your Zebra Printer

If you want to ensure that you keep your zebra printer functioning to the best of its ability, our top 10 maintenance tips are sure to help. These important tips will keep your zebra thermal barcode printer working perfectly.

Zebra Printer Maintenance Tips

Keep Printheads Clean
The first failure in many thermal barcode printers happens because printheads are not being cleaned on a regular basis. You should clean your printhead every time you replace the ribbon or roll of labels. It only takes a minute to do and could save you a great deal over the life of your zebra printer.

Check the Recommended Heat and Darkness Settings
If you think you are using too many printheads too often, check your user’s manual and make sure the recommended heat and darkness settings are correct. An incorrect setting can reduce the lifespan of the printhead and cost you a lot more over the life of your zebra printer.

Keep the Media Sensor Clean
The media sensor or label sensor is what keeps the space between the label and the printhead constant. If dust gets on this it can stop your printer. We recommend using air dusters to keep this clean. You should do this before you put a new roll in.

Use Quality Ribbons
Low quality ribbons can cause wax build-up on the platen rollers and assembles which will lower your printing quality. This can cause barcode and label issues. We supply a full range of Zebra printer supplies including ribbon.

Use a Wider Ribbon
You should buy a ribbon that is slightly wider than the actual label. The extra width helps to lubricate the printhead and extend its life.

Use Good Quality Label Paper
Cheap rolls of labels can often have a rougher grain which causes additional wear on your printheads and reduces the lifespan. Printheads can be expensive so it is worth spending the extra few cents on good quality paper instead. We supply a wide range of labels, contact us to discuss further. 

Use the Pause Test
If you find that information is missing on our label, it could be that the print element in the printhead is burnt. To check this, perform a Pause test. First turn off your printer, then press and hold Pause while turning the power on. Hold Pause until the first control panel light turns off. The self test will print 15 labels at the slowest speed then automatically pauses the printer. Every time you press Pause an additional 15 labels will print. It is important to keep in mind that printheads are consumables and will need to be replaced from time to time.

Watch Error Alerts
To proactively manage your Zebra printer, you should keep an eye on remote alerts. There are several tools you can use including ZebraNet Bridge and ZebraLink. These help you monitor and control your barcode printers and take note of any alerts.

Keep Your Zebra Printer Clean
You should keep your zebra printer clean on the inside and the outside. By not cleaning it, it can become exposed to dust and debris which can cause problems. The outside surfaces should be cleaned with a lint-free cloth. Don’t use abrasives or harsh chemicals. You should clean the inside of your zebra printer and remove dust every time you chance rolls. You can use a soft duster or air cleaner. Remember to clean the printhead and platen rollers the sensors, and other installed accessories on a regular basis.

Use Only Certified Parts
You should only use manufacturer’s certified parts for your zebra printer if you want it to last. 

Contact us on 0800 27 26 26 or email us if you require any parts or friendly advice for your printer, our team will be happy to help!

When it comes to weigh labelling the Ansutek Team are up for any customer requests!

Hey Andy,

We have setup our scales/printer in their position on our fudge counter. It's in use and working well. We really appreciate your great service & communication. We have been trying to achieve a good setup like this for some time, so I'm happy to have stumbled upon you and get this project completed in great time.

Thank you very much!

In this case our customer needed to generate an “In-House” weight barcode (with an FU prefix) from an existing weigh scale. Whilst the scale couldn't print directly for this information our software (resident in the printer) sends a weight request to the scale when the feed key is pressed.

When the weight data is received, our program trims the weight string to remove any blanks, adds the FU Prefix to the weight for the barcode, adds the label text and prints the label, no computer required, and easy to use.

The printer can be used for other labelling tasks and when connected to a computer, the customer simply presses the feed twice when it’s not connected to the scale to stop our program running.

Ansutek is an industry leader for Turnkey systems providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration. 


ANSUTEK QC Check Automates The Recording of Production Data & Reporting.

With subscriptions starting from $85 + gst per month ANSUTEK QC Check automates the recording of Production Data, and Reporting. One Touch Data Capture with No Manual Data Entry improves efficiencies, and accuracy. QC Check works with Mobile Phones, Portable Computers, Tablets or PC's and Consolidates your data and reporting easily, from ANSUTEK SECUREWEIGH services https://lnkd.in/g9SAyzcZ ANSUTEK is an industry leader for Turn Key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.


Barcoding | Weighing | Labelling | Scanning | Vision and Dimensioning

Ansutek Onsite: www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online www.ansutek.biz

Simple weigh labeling jobs can be achieved quickly with one of our label printers and any existing scale that has an RS232 output!


Simple weigh labelling jobs can be achieved quickly with one of our label printers and any existing scale that has an RS232 output, no need for an expensive scale or computer! 

Label formats are customised to suit the customer application, the project below issues a pallet label each time the forklift loads a pallet onto the platform scale.

For portability our Bluetooth Solution allows the printer to be located on the forklift.

Ansutek is an industry leader for turn key systems providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

Barcoding | Weighing | Labelling | Scanning | Vision and Dimensioning

Ansutek Onsite: www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online www.ansutek.biz

ANSUTEK Engineering Team supplied, installed and commissioned a new fixed position scanner which delivers a high scan rate (1000 scans/sec)

Completing an upgrade over the weekend the ANSUTEK Engineering Team supplied, installed and commissioned a new fixed position scanner which delivers a high scan rate (1000 scans/sec). 

To accurately scan each item (travelling at 2.7m per second), our team program an optimum scan window based on trigger events, and rotary encoder input to track the package. 

Once the window is programmed they calibrate the overhead scanner at various points of focus to create a three dimensional scan area for width (x) , length (y) and height (z). 

With an optimum scan performance achieved, the scanner messaging and outputs are programmed to emulate the original scanner and completion testing is undertaken. 

Post commissioning testing produced a 97.8% scan rate on 11000 parcels, delivering a high level of first scan passes for the customer and optimizing dispatch efficiencies. Scan rates may be optimised further with adjustments to barcode print quality.

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for Turn Key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.


Barcoding | Weighing | Labelling | Scanning | Vision and Dimensioning

Ansutek Onsite: www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online www.ansutek.biz

Delivering an Increase in Productivity and Reduction of Operator Steps

Delivering an Increase in Productivity and Reduction of Operator steps, ANSUTEK Scan-Weigh has exceeded our customers expectations with regard to capturing weight and product data quickly and easily.


Suitable to almost any environment or application ANSUTEK Scan-Weigh can be run on a number of instruments and platforms, automating tasks in the office, laboratory, and factory for computers and mobile devices. 

Partnering with ANSUTEK or one of our approved integrators means you are dealing direct with the developer. Enabling the TEAM to provide specialist knowledge and support for your application from concept to implementation.

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for turn key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

Barcoding | Weighing | Labelling | Scanning | Vision and Dimensioning

Ansutek Onsite: www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online www.ansutek.biz

Capture "on demand" weighment data directly into your application

Its just got easier and quicker to capture "on demand" weighment data directly into your application. Simply place the article on the scale, and scan the ANSUTEK weight barcode to automatically enter scale weights into your software....

ANSUTEK Commercial is pleased to offer a new release of our Weigh & Scan software complete with Preamble and Postamble configuration strings for use on Web Portals and Terminal Integration,.

Once set up users can scan the weight barcode to enable automatic entry of Weight, Station ID, Date and Time and any other preset information that is relevant to the weighment.

Out of the box Weigh & Scan will work directly with most weigh scales and applications.
Configuration is simple and intuitive using our unique configuration utility.

Our engineers and resellers can assist you with more diverse applications.

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for turn key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

*Barcoding *Weighing *Labelling *Scanning *Vision and *Dimensioning .

Ansutek Onsite http://www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online https://ansutekbiz.co.nz


  * Video best viewed in full screen

Final configuration of our new grower scanner system

Final configuration of our new grower scanner system, before the units head out into the paddocks with our customers teams.

The ANSUTEK mobile application was custom written following an on-site visit from our engineering team to identify user requirements and prepare a workflow specification.

The software provides a remote support agent, including live updates along with a cloud data repository.

The teams will be collecting Flowering and Pollen data along with images, each plant has a “twig tag” plant label containing a unique 2D barcode that will be scanned..

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for turn key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

*Barcoding *Weighing *Labelling *Scanning *Vision and *Dimensioning .

Ansutek Onsite http://www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online https://ansutekbiz.co.nz


 

The ZT411 is a great new printer from the Zebra Technologies Team

On a recent install, from arrival onsite to first label printed, it took our technicians 15 minutes to configure the new printers to the network, and adjust print settings to the customers media.

Intuitive Menus, easy operation and onscreen diagnostics for the users ensures hassle free printing.

There’s even a light inside the cover to help you see!

Well done to the Zebra Team!

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for turn key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

*Barcoding *Weighing *Labelling *Scanning *Vision and *Dimensioning .

Ansutek Onsite http://www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online https://ansutekbiz.co.nz


 

Another batch of RFID Tags shipping out to one of our international customers...

While barcoding is a viable option for many businesses, RFID can provide extended capabilities for tracking product within the manufacturing process and the wider supply chain. 

Our staff have assisted in a variety of Batching and Weighing applications for tracking bins, and carts to ensure the correct Product/Mix and Weight arrive at the Tipping/Mixing Point.

One customer's staff use hand-held scanners to register the carts at the Weighing Platform so they can be verified automatically in batching.

Combining RFID and IIoT for inventory management enables a shift from knowing not only the location and the status of a perishable item, but also knowing its transit and storage conditions.

One of the key benefits of this technology: RFID communicates smoothly with the ERP system, ensuring reliable information processing without manual rework.

ANSUTEK is an industry leader for turn key systems. Providing software and hardware solutions that lower costs, increase productivity, and leverage IIoT data connectivity to provide seamless MIS integration.

*Barcoding *Weighing *Labelling *Scanning *Vision and *Dimensioning .

Ansutek Onsite http://www.ansutek.com
Ansutek Online https://ansutekbiz.co.nz