Barcode printers have been around for years and while they continue to improve year-over-year, Zebra has made significant improvements this year with the release of its Xi4 series of next generation direct thermal and thermal transfer barcode printers.
The Zebra Xi series of barcode label printers have long been the industry’s benchmark for industrial label printers and are the defacto standard for warehouse and transportation companies. Past barcode printers include the 110XiIIIplus barcode printer, the 140XiIIIplus label printers, the 170XiIIIplus barcode label printer and the 220XiIIIplus thermal transfer label printer.
Zebra has injected new “Xi”tement into the Xi series with the improved functionality and performance of our next-generation Xi4 printers. Xi4 printers carry on the high-performance hallmarks of Zebra’s legendary rugged, reliable, all-metal Xi series with:
Trouble-free, 24/7 operation for reduced downtime and maintenance costs Consistent print quality on the widest range of media thicknesses 40 percent faster print speeds Redesigned front control panel includes larger, brighter, easier-to-read LCD 110Xi4 is built RFID Ready to grow with future needs
The Zebra Xi4 barcode printers, including the 110XI4 barcode printer, the 170Xi4 label printer, the 170Xi4 barcode printer and the 220Xi4 thermal barcode label printer, are now available and come with a number of options for both media handling (such as cutters and rewinders) as well as interface options (such as Ethernet and Wireless). More specifically, the Zebra thermal label printer models include the following: the Zebra 110Xi4 label printer which is Zebra’s flagship printer now delivers faster 14 ips print speeds and is designed for applications with high duty cycles in harsh environments; the fast, durable, and reliable Zebra 140Xi4 also features 14 ips speed with ease of integration and mission-critical reliability while the Zebra 170Xi4 label printer is Zebra’s high-performance, compliance-labeling solution and is ideal for AIAG, ODETTE, and UCC/EAN-128 labeling on demand or in batches; and of course, the Zebra 220Xi4 label printer which features advanced printer management tools and is perfect for chemical-drum, banner-size, and other wide-label applications. Additionally, all of these barcode printers utilize standard direct thermal and thermal transfer stock to minimize any switching costs. Just as importantly, these printers can print on a wide range of media including direct thermal labels, tags and RFID labels.
Other barcode printer manufacturers include Datamax-O’Neil and Intermec who are also continuing to improve the current state of barcode printers through more software functionality, as well as improved reliability and ease-of-use. All of this is driven by user requirements for lower TCO for their barcode printers, thus driving the need for capability like remote management and monitoring of all barcode equipment, including thermal barcode printers.
Edmond Shi has worked in the computer industry since the early 1980s. Since then, Mr.Shi has published numerous articles ranging from academic journals to magazines on topics ranging from the impact of computers on manufacturing organizations. Professionally, he has worked in the mobile computing and barcoding industries since the mid 1990s with expertise in barcode printers and barcode scanners.
