Zebra Printer Integration

Easy integration of Zebra/ZPL printers

Zebra printers are used in many industrial labelling applications. Zebra printers are supplied with printing information via the ZPL (Zebra Programming Language). ZPL is also implemented by many other labeling systems. With the OPC Router, these printers can easily be supplied with data from various systems. The connection is made via this plug-in and the data transfers are configured via the graphical configuration. You can find a detailed video on this topic, using the Windows printer as an example, under the description “connecting different printers” here in our tutorial stream.

Zebra Printer Integration

That’s how easy it is.

Zebra Printer connection via drag & drop

Connecting your systems to a Zebra Printer is very simple and intuitive with the OPC Router via drag & drop. This screenshot shows you an example of an application of the OPC Router and the Zebra Printer. The OPC Router receives data from a database and automatically forwards it to the Zebra Printer. The printer then prints labels for production, for example.

Example for a integration of a Zebra Label Printer

Bringing Industry 4.0 to life with Zebra Printer

  • Achieving more with coupled systems:
    Printing systems take on important product labeling tasks. Wrong or missing labels can result in sizeable economic damages. When a printers is connected with the OPC Router, data exchange can take place coherently, which rules out human errors by tapping into the data source immediately.
  • Industry 4.0 for Zebra Printers:
    Making use of the OPC Router in connection with the  Zebra Plug-in dispences of manual configuration efforts of printing data in ZPL-compatible printers. Instead, the printer is now part of an Industry 4.0 infrastructure.
  • About OPC Router:
    The OPC Router offers a visual network configuration interface for successful cross-linking of your systems. A high variety of Plug-ins turn the OPC Router into a powerful data hub for industrial applications.
    Easy configuration, sophisticated monitoring and robustness are main distinguishing features of the OPC Router.

Test the Zebra Printer Plug-in now.

Test OPC Router with the Zebra Printer Plug-in without any obligation and request your free demo now.

Zebra Labelprinter Plug-in application examples

SAP Systems
Plug-in Connections
Zebra Symbol

Zebra printers and industry 4.0

If a Zebra printer is supplied with the print data for the current article at the start of production, you can experience Industry 4.0 live. The collected data for the job was retrieved in advance from the OPC Router of SAP and transferred to the central production database. After the start signal for the job was given from the MES, the OPC Router gave all PLCs parameters for production via OPC UA. In the chain of setup processes the Zebra printer is then automatically sent the assignment of the print fields and the layout to be used. The data all originate from the central production database and are obtained automatically. If all systems give their OK, the production system starts its operation, set up without errors. With one click in the MES, one person sets up an entire production chain. One of many practical examples for Industry 4.0.

Zebra Symbol
Plug-in Connections
ThingWorx

Zebra printers as part of the IoT

By retrieving the status information of the Zebra printer it is possible to determine the status of the printer remotely. IoT (Internet of Things) is about mapping “things” virtually and reproducing their state as accurately as possible in order to make decisions about necessary actions. The status values that the OPC Router can retrieve from the Zebra printer provide information about ink level, paper shortage, label quantities, etc. If these data are transferred by the OPC Router to a central database or to an IoT-system like ThingWorx (see ThingWorx Plug-in), the digital twin of the printer can be brought to life. In case of critical conditions (paper shortage etc.) intelligent measures can be initiated immediately. The Zebra printer thus becomes part of the IoT.

Connecting Systems

Transfer-Objects

The transfer object of the Zebra Plug-in contains  ZPL commands for printing.

Fields

The configured template contains ZPL command sequences, and can also be enhanced with dynamic fields.  During transfer the dynamic fields are filled with transferred values first. Once this has occurred, the now current ZPL command sequence is sent to the printer.

Trigger

The Zebra Plug-in does not have trigger functions of its own but uses the standard trigger functions the OPC Router offers.

Browsing

The Zebra Plug-in extracts the filled-in dynamic parameters from inside the comman sequence and makes it available for selection.

Haven’t found the right information yet?

Here you will find more information on our software as well as an overview of all available OPC Router Plug-ins. We also provide a free demo with which you can test a fully functional version of OPC Router.