Have you ever wondered why you need a PC to go with a thermal transfer barcode printer just to print the collection of product labels you print over and over again? Well, the time has come where we have a stand-alone printer that works flawlessly in producing labels and running them with the printer alone. These printers are made by cab Technologies and they offer a wide range of models to fit every need from $1,350.00 with the Mach4 series base unit to $5,641.00 for the most extreme A8+/300 series printer with all the bells and whistles including Metal Cover and RFID read and write 13.56 MHz capabilities.

This stand-alone operation, without a PC, is performed through a toggle on the face of the printer and a nice large screen allowing configuration options to display. The layout of the labels is created either with the label software or directly on the PC and then loaded into the printer. The best method is to have the Memory card Compact Flash Type I accessory to the printer and plug that into your PC in the office where you can configure the label. Once configured, save it to the memory card and insert the card into the printer. Other methods include USB memory, the CF memory card or on the internal IFFS printer memory itself. Label formats, fonts and graphic data, serial data and database contents are saved on the memory card or printer.

This printer will also accept a keyboard for entry of variable data if needed. Direct programming with J-Script is another cool way to use this printer. The printer language is easy to understand and integrates into the host system and there is linkage of variable data with the host application. Label design, graphics and fonts are recorded on the compact flash card. The host computer sends only the variable data to the printer.

The abc – Basic Compiler as an integrated element of the firmware enables the printer to process data via BASIC programming before being transmitted to print editing. Thereby external printer languages can be replaced or data from other systems, e.g. SPS, which can be transferred to be printed on different label sizes.

Printer monitoring with Intra- and Internet is also available. The integrated HTTP- and FTP-Server enables, with standard programs like web browser or FTP-clients, the print monitoring, configuration, the firmware-update and the administration of the memory card. Status signals, warning or error signals are sent to users or administrators either as email or SNMP-datagram via SNMP- and SMTP-clients.

There are many interface options for this printer as well. One of the best points about this printer is the maintenance. If you have ever changed a print head, you know the difficulty in lining it up properly and getting it tightened just right. These models come with the tool and it is only one tool so you can do all the maintenance in house.

The label sensor can be unlocked with only one finger and can be removed for cleaning. The print head can be exchanged in only a few steps. Adjustments and settings are not necessary. For cleaning or replacement the print roller can be easily removed by loosening only three screws. These are the 3 main consumables on the cab barcode printers.

These printers are also light enough to carry around from room to room or department to department, plug in and print. Many warehouses do not have PC’s in them and this is now a easy way to allow printing of labels right at the source of the packages without a PC. Whether it is for security reasons or cost reasons, these printers will help.

If your company does not want employees on a computer in the warehouse, or does not want staff members changing label configurations by accident, or you just want to make it easy for an employee to toggle to a label and hit print right on the printer, then this is a great solution.  Fast, easy to maintain, high quality, and reliable, our in house testing proved these to be true. Top quality and loaded with features, the A+ series from cab Technologies passes the grade.