Print    Created : 23 Oct 2024 Last Update : 07 Nov 2024

Zebra FAQs

Barcodes to X-dimension - all you need to know is here

Barcodes: what barcode symbology can be verified with the ZT610?

1D

  • EAN-8
  • EAN-128
  • EAN-13
  • UPCA
  • UPCE
  • 2of5 Interleaved
  • Code 39
  • Code 39 Extended
  • Code 93
  • Codabar
  • GS1 Databar
  • GS1 Databar Limited
  • Pharmacode

2D

  • DataMatrix
  • GS1 DataMatrix
  • QR Code
  • PDF417

Calibration: how do I ensure my printer is calibrated and functioning correctly with Perceptor IoT

Calibration Test card

Every Perceptor IoT kit for the Zebra ZT610 and ZT620 comes with a standard Calibration Test card which includes Ronchi ruling bars and greyscale reflectants. Each card is manufactured to very precise tolerances and then measured so that the measured parameter values of the test card can be compared to those of Perceptor IoT.

The Calibration Test card provided with your Perceptor IoT hardware kit is produced by Applied Image and serves as a primary reference standard, with a traceability chain to national standards for all verifiers calibrated:

  • ISO/IEC 15416 and ISO/IEC 15426-1

  • or ISO/IEC 15415 and ISO/IEC 15426-2

  • Traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • or another National Metrology Institute

Certified Calibration Test card

For highly regulated industry sectors, the option to upgrade to a Certified Calibration Test card is available for both ZT610 and ZT620. Each certified card is serialized and is supplied with an ANAB Calibration Certificate and a Calibration Data report.

Further reading: Bespoke Conformance Calibration Test Cards for Real-Time Label Inspection

Calibration: what is the calibration card procedure

Follow these steps to prepare for calibration with the calibration card.

Printer calibration set up

1. Go to the Tear line offset menu on the printer touch panel. Using the toggle on the printer,  move the gap position to the new tear bar position.

NB for a 600dpi printer this will be about 740. For a 300dpi this will be 370. These values are dots.

2. Set the Head 'close and power up' action to Calibrate. 

This is to ensure that the printer always has the correct label length set. Perceptor uses this gauge the label length. By forcing this setting, when the operator changes the media, Perceptor can be sure it has the correct label length.

This completes the printer set up.

Perceptor set up

1. On the Perceptor touchscreen, click the top left hand cog to go to the Settings options.

2. Check that Perceptor is enabled: go to Printer settings > scroll to the bottom > if Perceptor is already enabled, it will say Disable.

3. Go to Acquisition settings. Select the top option to run the calibration routing. Follow the prompts on screen for guidance when and how to insert the calibration card.

4. When the black screen appears, click on the top right icon to run the calibration.

5. When it is complete, click the ✅ icon to save the calibration.

The calibration routine completed with the date/time saved to the database.

NB The default reminder is set to 90 days for the Operator to run the process again. This value can be changed to any value up to a maximum of 90 days. 

You are now ready to run Perceptor.

For guidance on setting up a label template, setting up and running Perceptor etc, please visit the tutorials on our website: https://perceptor-inspection.com/tutorials 

NB When designing label templates we recommend using an external monitor. To switch between the touchscreen and a monitor, go to /Settings > scroll to the bottom > select Switch to full UI.

Character height: what is the smallest character height with the ZT610?

3pt.

Firmware: how do I set up the Zebra printer to work with Perceptor IoT?

If you are purchasing new Zebra ZT610 or ZT 620 printers, your reseller will supply the printer and the firmware required.  The firmware has its own SKU/part number so that it can be ordered as a distinct item if existing Zebra printers are to be upgraded for use with Perceptor IoT.

The firmware will then be installed during implementation of Perceptor IoT.

Please see this short video from Zebra showing the simple steps for implementing Perceptor IoT including the Zebra firmware. 

Indicator light: is there a visible light which indicates label pass/fail?

Yes - an indicator light is provided as part of the Perceptor IoT hardware kit for both the ZT610 and ZT620 printers.

The light displays green as Perceptor successfully inspects and verifies labels. It displays red when a label is failed by Perceptor based on the inspection criteria selected for the label run.

Inspection types: what inspection types can be done with the ZT610?

SO Barcode grading, OCR/OCV, print blemish and pattern match.

Media drift: how do I stop media moving along the tear bar while labels feed through?

Label drift in the ZT610 and ZT620 printers can be stopped by slightly increasing the left printhead pressure as shown in this article from Zebra:

ZT600 Series Printers - Media Wandering (Horizontal Drift) (zebra.com)

Zebra also recommends checking that the platen roller is not damaged and that the media guide is properly set.

Media type: what media type can be used with the ZT610?

Continuous and diecut.

Media width: what is the minimum print width on the ZT610 and ZT620?

ZT610: 0.79"/20mm

ZT620: 2.0"/51mm

If a smaller label than the minimum requirement is needed, then multiple labels can be printed across to meet the minimum width.

Print method: what print methods are available with the ZT610?

Thermal transfer and direct thermal.

Print mode: what print modes are available with the ZT610?

Tear-off, continuous, peel and present, external rewind and internal rewind.

Print quality: why does the print quality from the ZT600 series vary with different media?

Zebra recommends for the ZT600 series printers adjusting the media combination and testing with different printing speeds.

Print speed should be lowest to achieve the desired print quality.

The following Zebra article addresses these quality issues:

  • How to solve light print, faded images, broken bars or lines in a barcode.
  • What to do if the print is partially missing or cut off.
  • How to solve white lines in the print, poor or low barcode ANSI grade.

X-dimension: what is the smallest X-dimension with the ZT610?

6mils/0.16mm.

Tags
zebra barcode 1D 2D calibration conformance calibration character height firmware indicator light inspection inspection type media drift drift media width width height print method x-dimension x dimension print quality quality
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