Star Micronics LC24 100, 20, 200, 10, LQ 860, LQ 850 printer, SF 10DV Automatic Sheet Feeder, SPC 8K Interface Converter User manual

Below you will find brief information for printer LC24 100, printer LC24 20, printer LC24 200, printer LC24 10, Automatic Sheet Feeder SF 10DV, Interface Converter SPC 8K. The printer supports the Epson printer commands and character sets, enabling it to print just about anything your computer can generate, both text and graphics. This printer accepts any of the following papers: single sheets (cut forms) and stationery, fanfold forms (continuous forms), multi-part forms, preprinted forms. This printer has the following resident (internal) fonts which you can print: Draft, Roman, Sanserif, Courier, Prestige, and Script. The control panel has four buttons and ten indicators. The indicators display and beep tones provide immediate, easy to understand feedback when you press the buttons on the control panel. The four buttons can operate in combinations to perform a surprising variety of functions, including saving a micro. The Paper Parking function enables you to keep fanfold forms parked in readiness while printing on single sheet paper.

PDF

Document

LC24-100

MULTI-FONT

USERS MANUAL

QBA 80825557

NOT INTENDED FOR SALE

VDE Statement

This device carries the VDE RFI protection mark to certify that it meets the radio interference requirements of the Postal Ordinance No. 243/1991. The additional marking “Vfg. 243/P” expresses in short form that this is a peripheral device (not operable alone) which only individually meets the Class B RFI requirements in accordance with the DIN VDE 0878 part 3/11.89 and the Postal Ordinance 243/1991.

If this device is operated in conjunction with other devices within a set-up, in order to take advantage of a “General (Operating) Authorization” in accordance with the Postal Ordinance

243/1991, the complete set-up must comply with the Class B limits in accordance with the

DIN VDE 0878 part 3/11.89, as well as satisfy the preconditions in accordance with § 2 and the prerequisites in accordance with § 3 of the Postal Ordinance 243/1991.

As a rule, this is only fulfilled when the device is operated in a set-up which has been typetested and provided with a VDE RFI protection mark with the additional marking “Vfg 243”.

Machine Noise Information Ordinance 3. GSGV, January 18, 1991: The sound pressure level at the operator position is equal or less than 70dB(A) according to ISO 7779.

The above statement applies only to printers marketed in Germany.

Trademark Acknowledgements

LC24-100, LC24-20, LC24-200, LC24-10, SF-10DV, SPC-8K: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.

IBM-PC, PS/2, PC-AT, PC-DOS: International Buisiness Machines Corp.

MS-DOS, Microsoft BASIC, Windows: Microsoft Corporation

LQ-860, LQ-850: Seiko Epron Corp.

NOTICE

• The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.

• All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual at the time of press.

However, shoulld any errors be detected, STAR would greatly appreciate being informed of them.

• The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manual.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

This manual is organized into eleven chapters. To learn how to make the best use of your printer you are urged to read through chapters 1 through 6. Chapters

7 through 11 may be treated as a refernce guide for programming operations, etc. It assumes a degree of knowledge of the operation of computers. The chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1 - Introduction

This chapter indicates the primary features of your ptinter, the names and functions of the printer components, and an actual example of the many font styles that your printer can produce.

Chapter 2 - Setting Up the Printer

This chapter explains how to get the printer unpacked and set up. Read this chapter before you do anything else.

Chapter 3 - Paper Installation and Use

This chapter describes the instructions for printing such as selecting paper types, adjusting the printing gap, and installing paper.

Chapter 4 - Control Panel Operations

There are a number of controls on the front panel which perform various functions related to paper handling, print modes and font selection.

After performing the setup of the printer, read this chapter and try out the procedures to find out how the printer works.

Chapter 5 - Default Settings - EDS mode

This chapter explains how to set the Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode to make your printer match your system and software needs.

Chapter 6 - Troubleshooting

This section shows a list of check points to follow if your printer is not working properly. It also includes details of some routine maintenance operations you can perform yourself. It is not, however, a complete service manual. Call your authorized service center if you are unsure of your ability to carry out any maintenance or servicing operatioins on the printer.

Chapter 7 - Optional Accessories

This chapter explains the optional accessories that are available for your printer, and how to install and use them.

Chapter 8 - Printer Control Commands

This chapter explains the software commands that are used to drive your printer. This section is of use if you are writing or modifying programs to take advantage of the printer’s features.

Chapter 9 - Download Characters

This chapter explains the procedures to create your own characters.

Chapter 10 - MS-DOS and Your Printer

Since the PS/2 or PC-AT family of computers running under MS-DOS is currently the most popular configuration of microcomputer, we have included a few hints and tips to help you use your printer with such systems.

Since virtually all PCs are sold with a Microsoft BASIC interpreter, we have also included some hints, and a sample program in this language to demonstrate the capabilities of the printer.

Chapter 11 - Reference

This section provides references for your printer, such as specifications, the pinout of interface connector, and the character tables.

The character table charts give the different character sets available.

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

Printer components

Summary of printer features

Font style example

Chapter 2 SETTING UP THE PRINTER

Printer placement

Unpacking and inspection

Setting up

Installing the platen knob

Removing the front cover

Installing the ribbon cartridge

Installing the front cover

Installing the paper guide

Connecting the interface cable

Configuring your software for the printer

Chapter 3 PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE

Selection of paper

Adjusting the printing gap

Loading fanfold forms

Paper parking

Paper unparking

Tear off function

Loading single sheets

Chapter 4 CONTROL PANEL OPERATIONS

Button and indicator functions

ON LINE

PAPER FEED

PITCH

FONT

Power-up functions

Short test mode

Long test mode

Pitch lock mode

Font lock mode

Font and Pitch lock mode

Dot adjustment mode

Hexadecimal dump

Switch combination functions

Form feed

Paper parking

Top of form

Forward micro-feed

Reverse micro-feed

Changing the auto loading position

Clearing the buffer/All reset

Save macro definition

Conditions indicated by beep tones

Chapter 5 DEFAULT SETTINGS - EDS MODE

How to set the EDS mode

Functions of the EDS settings

Chapter 6 TROUBLESHOOTING

Chapter 7 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Automatic Sheet Feeder

Setting up

Loading paper

Interface Converter

DIP switch functions on the converter

Chapter 8 PRITNER CONTROL COMMANDS

Font control commands

Character set commands

Character size and pitch commands

Vertical position commands

Horizontal position commands

Graphics commands

Download character commands

Other printer commands

Chapter 9 DOWNLOAD CHARACTERS

Assigning the character data

Assigning a value of character space

Sample program

Chapter 10 MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER

Programming the printer with DOS commands

Programming with BASIC

Chapter 11 REFERENCE

Specifications

Pinout of interface connector

Parallel interface

Serial interface

Character sets

Italic character set #2

International character sets

Graphics character set #2

Character set #1

INDEX

COMMAND SUMMARY

105

108

109

110

111

113

114

121

123

127

hapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This printer has a full complement of features, making it an excellent partner for a personal computer. It supports the Epson printer commands and character sets, enabling it to print just about anything your computer can generate, both text and graphics.

The selection of paper you can use is as varied as the types of documents you can produce. This printer accepts any of the following papers:

• Single sheets (cut forms) and stationery

• Fanfold forms (continuous forms)

• Multi-part forms

• Preprinted forms

This Multi-font printer has the following resident (internal) fonts which you can print:

• Draft

• Roman

• Sanserif

• Courier

• Prestige

• Script

The control panel has four buttons and ten indicators. The indicators display and beep tones provide immediate, easy to understand feedback when you press the buttons on the control panel.

The four buttons can operate in combinations to perform a surprising variety of functions, including saving a micro.

The Paper Parking function enables you to keep fanfold forms parked in readiness while printing on single sheet paper.

To get acquainted with the printer’s components and capabilities, refer to the information on the pages that follow.

PRINTER COMPONENTS

Component

Paper guide

Release lever

Front cover

Rear cover

Entry slot

Control panel

Power switch

Platen knob

Interface connector

Print head

Ribbon cartridge

Adjustment lever

Tractors

Clamp lever

Bail lever

Description

Aligns single sheets (cut forms) to help the printer detect when paper is inserted.

Releases pressure on the paper. This lever must be back for cut-sheet forms ( ), and forward for fanfold forms ( ).

Protects the print head and other internal components of your printer.

Protects the tractor feed unit and separates incoming and outgoing fanfold forms.

For inserting single sheets of paper.

Indicates printer status and makes various control of printer functions simple and convenient.

Switches power on or off.

Advances the paper manually.

Connects the computer to the printer.

Has a high resolution dot matrix (24-wire) composition for outstanding print quality.

Contains the printer ribbon.

Controls print darkness by adjusting for the thickness of forms being printed.

Control the movement of fanfold forms.

Clamps the tractor in place.

Opens and closes the paper bail which holds the paper against the platen.

This lever is also used to load paper.

SUMMARY OF PRINTER FEATURES

Feature

Dot matrix (24-wire) impact printing

Extensive software support

Function

Draft and Letter-Quality printing.

Multi-font support

Carriage size

Multi-speed printing

Charactor spacing

Control panel

Font/Pitch Lock

Quiet mode

Graphics printing

It is compatible with the Epson standard, and works with any software that supports those printers.

This printer includes Draft, Roman, Sanserif,

Courier, Prestige, and Script fonts.

A standard carriage that prints on fanfold forms up to 254 mm (10 inches) wide and cut forms up to 215.9 mm (8.5 inches)wide.

In Draft mode, prints at speeds up to:

• 240 CPS in 15 pitch

• 192 CPS in 12 pitch

• 160 CPS in 10 pitch

In Letter-Quality mode, prints at speeds up to:

• 80 CPS in 15 pitch

• 64 CPS in 12 pitch

• 53 CPS in 10 pitch.

Prints in 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 CPI, as well as proportional spacing.

Button control for fonts, pitches, paper movement, and paper park functions.

Ignores font and pitch selections sent from your computer, and stays on the selected font and pitch with the control panel.

Reduces printing noise by approximately 50%.

However, printing speed is also reduced.

Standard graphics printing with resolution of up to 360 x

360 dots per square inch.

It also supports the NEC graphics commands.

Feature

Paper parking

Print styles

Tear off function

Multi-part forms

Ribbon cartridge

EDS mode

CDM function

Function

Parks fanfold paper. You can print on cut sheet paper without unloading the fanfold forms.

Highlighting capability with the following emphasis styles:

• Double-high • Double-strike • Double-wide

• Emphasized • Italics • Outline

• Overlining • Shadow

• Superscript • Underlining.

• Subscript

Fanfold forms can be removed without advancing blank forms.

Prints up to three-part forms.

Contains the printer ribbon.

Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode allows you to easily change the default settings of your printer to match your system and software needs.

This printer can use the Compressed Data Mode

(CDM), which has been sent with the exclusive printer driver.

CDM is useful for a speed-up data communication between host computer and printer, especially in case of bit-image data (Windows environment).

FONT STYLE EXAMPLE

The following example shows the many font styles your printer can print.

hapter 2

SETTING UP THE PRINTER

This chapter describes the following procedures to set up your new printer.

If you have optional accessories, refer to Chapter 7 after setting up the printer.

• Printer placement

• Unpacking the carton box

• Installing the platen knob

• Installing the ribbon cartridge

• Connecting the printer to your computer

• Configure your software for the printer

PRINTER PLACEMENT

Before you start setting up your printer, make sure that you have a suitable place on which to locate it. By “a suitable place”, we mean:

• A firm, level surface which is fairly vibration-free

• Away from excessive heat (such as direct sunlight, heaters, etc)

• Away from excessive humidity

• Away from excerssive dust

• A steady power supply that is not subject to power surges should be connected to the printer.

For example, do not connect it to the same circuit as a large, noise-producing appliance such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner.

• Make sure the line voltage is the voltage specified on the printer’s identification plate.

• Install the printer where there is sufficient room for the fanfold paper stack and any paper being fed in or printed out.

• If you are connecting your printer with a parallel interface, make sure that the cable is within 2m (6ft) of the printer. An RS-232 connection using the optional SPC-8K interface converter can be made over longer distances.

UNPACKING AND INSPECTION

Now check each item in the box against Figure 2-1 to make sure that you have everything (there should be five items).

If any of these items are missing, contact your supplier.

Figure 2-1. Check to make sure you have all five items: 1) Printer, 2) Platen knob, 3) Ribbon cartridge, 4)

Paper guide, and 5) User’s manual.

The optional accessories which you may have ordered with your printer are:

• Serial-Parellel converter (SPC-8K)

• Automatic sheet feeder (SF-10DV)

For details of the optional accessories, refer to Chapter 7.

SETTING UP

Place the printer in the desired location, and remove all packing material from the printer. This packing material is intended to prevent damage to the printer while in transit.

You will want to keep all the packing material, along with the printer carton, in case you have to move the printer to a new location.

Installing the platen knob

The platen knob is packed into a recess of the cardboard packing material which held your printer inside the carton. Be sure to remove the knob from the packaging.

Align the knob on the platen shaft, which is located on the right-hand side of the printer. Rotate the knob on the shaft before pushing the knob fully into position.

Figure 2-2. Installing the platen knob.

Removing the front cover

Open the front cover by lifting up the back cover using the two grips on either side, then remove the cover by pulling up (see Figure 2-3).

Figure 2-3. Open the front cover, and remove it by pulling up.

NOTE: You can keep the front cover installed on the printer, as shown in

Figure 2-4. But, in this case you must take care not to injure your fingers with the tear assist edge.

Figure 2-4. The front cover can stay on the printer.

Installing the ribbon cartridge

Now install the ribbon with the following procedure.

1. Take the slack out of the ribbon by turning the tension knob on the ribbon cartridge clockwise as shown by the arrow.

Figure 2-5. Take out the slack of the ribbon by turning the tension knob on the ribbon cartridge.

2. Guide the ribbon between the print head and the silver print head shield, making certain that the spindles on the cartridge holder fit into th esockets on the cartridge itself.

Figure 2-6. Installing the ribbon cartridge.

3. Make sure that the ribbon is positioned between the print head and the print head shield as shown in Figure 2-6.

4. Take the slack out of the ribbon again by turning the tension knob.

Figure 2-7. Make sure that the ribbon is positioned correctly.

Installing the front cover

After you have installed the ribbon cartridge, re-install the front cover.

1. Insert the tabs into the slots on the printer case.

2. Swing down the rear of the front cover to close it.

Figure 2-8. Swing down the rear of the front cover after insert the tabs into the slots of the printer case.

Leave the front cover closed during normal operation. The cover keeps out dust and dirt and reduces the printer’s operating sounds. Open the cover only to change the ribbon or make an adjustment.

Installing the paper guide

Follow the procedure below to install the paper guide:

1. Insert the two slots on either side of the paper guide into the two tabs on the rear cover, as shown in Figure 2-9.

2. Place the paper guide horizontally to use fanfold forms, and vertically to use single sheets.

Figure 2-9. Installing the paper guide.

Connecting the interface cable

Connect the printer to your computer using a standard Centronics parallel interface cable. On a PS/2 or PC/AT-type computer, this means that you use the 25-pin D-type connector at the computer end, and the Amphenol-type

36-pin connector at the printer end. The configuration of the printer’s connector is given in Chapter 11 should you need a cable for connecting to another computer.

If you need to connect to a serial port, use the optional Serial-Parallel

Converter, SPC-8K.

Follow the procedures below to connect the interface cable:

1. Turn off the power switch both the printer and the computer.

2. Connect the interface cable to the printer as shown in Figure 2-10.

Make sure that you press the plug into the interface connector.

Figure 2-10. Connecting the interface cable.

3. Move both clips inside the extended prongs on the sides of the plug until you hear a click.

Figure 2-11. Move the clips until you hear a click.

4. Connect the other end of the interface cable to your computer. Use your computer instructions to attach the interface cable.

Configuring your software for the printer

Most application software programs let you specify the type of printer you area using so that the software can take full advantage of the printer’s features.

Many of these software packages provide an installation or setup program that presents a list of printers.

Choose one of the following (in order of preference):

# Printer Name

1 Star LC24-100

2 Star LC24-10

2 Star LC24-200

3 Epson LQ-860

4 Epson LQ-850

5 Star LC24-10

You can also select one of NEC 24-wire printers to print graphics.

If your software package does not mention printers by name, but asks instead what features your printer is capable of, the most common questions are:

“Can your printer perform a backspace?” and “Can it do a hardware form feed?”. You should answer “Yes” to both these questions.

Make sure that the Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) is set for the correct printer condition, and that you have also selected the appropriate character set.

(Refer to Chapter 5 for detailed information on the EDS mode.)

If you are in doubt about the configuration of your application software, seek expert advice. Your software supplier will probably be your most qualified reference.

MEMO

hapter 3

PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE

This chapter describes instructions for printing such as selecting paper types, adjusting the printing gap, and installing paper.

SELECTION OF PAPER

Your printer accepts any of the following types of paper:

• Single sheets (cut forms) and stationary

Use the friction feed or the optional Automatic Sheet Feeder.

• Fanfold forms

Fanfold forms have holes along the sides and perforations between the sheets. They are also called sprocket forms, continuous forms, or just plain

“computer paper”.

Printing on or near the perforations of continuous fanfold forms may reduce printing quality, misalign the fanfold forms, or cause a paper jam.

• Multi-part forms

You can use multi-part forms that have up to three parts including the original.

Use pressure sensitive multi-part forms with both side edges glued and a difference in thickness of 0.05mm or less between the side edges.

Figure 3-1 shows the recommended print area for each type of papers.

Figure 3-1. Recommended print area for acceptable papers.

ADJUSTING THE PRINTING GAP

The distance between the print head and the platen can be adjusted to accommodate different paper thicknesses. The adjustment lever is located at the left side of the printer. Pushing the adjustment lever towards the rear of the printer narrows the gap; pulling it towards the front of the printer widens the gap.

There are five positions, and you can feel the lever clicking into each position.

The second positon from the rear (marked with “•”) is the one most commonly used for single sheets of paper.

Try different positions until you get the best printing results.

NOTE: Printing with an inappropriate gap may drastically shorten the life of the print head.

Figure 3-2. Location of the adjustment lever.

The following table provides the recommended lever positions for each paper types as a reference.

Paper Type

Single

2-ply

3-ply

Weight(g/m 2 ) Thickness(mm) Recommended

(Each sheet) (Total) Lever position

52 to 90 0.07 to 0.12

2nd or 3rd

40 to 52

0.12 to 0.14

0.18 to 0.21

2nd or 3rd

3rd or 4th

LOADING FANFOLD SHEETS

This printer accepts fanfold forms up to 10

”

wide.

This printer can feed fanfold forms from the rear of the printer, as shown in

Figure 3-3.

Figure 3-3. Paper path for fanfold forms.

This section will take you through the procedures for loading, parking and unparking fanfold forms.

1. Place a stack of fanfold paper behind and below the printer.

2. Turn the printer’s power OFF.

3. Pull the release lever toward the front of the printer ( ). This has the effect of releasing the paper from the platen roller, and engaging the tractor feed.

4. Open the rear cover using the two grips on either side, as in Figure 3-4.

Figure 3-4. Opening the rear cover.

5. Pass the paper between the printer case and the rear cover.

6. Open both tractor covers and mount the paper by aligning holes with the pins on the tractor unit.

Figure 3-5. Mount the fanfold paper over the tractor units.

7. Adjust the spacing of the tractor units by sliding them along the bar, using the clamp lever at the back of each unit to release and lock them in position. When the clamp lever is down, the unit is released, and when it is up, the unit is locked.

8. Now close the tractor covers, again making sure that the paper holes are aligned with the pins on the tractor units. If they are not aligned properly, you will have problems with paper feeding, possibly resulting in tearing and jamming of the paper.

Figure 3-6. Adjust the tractor positions to accommodata the width of fanfold forms.

9. Close the rear cover, then set the paper guide in the horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3-7. This will separate the printed from the unprinted paper.

Figure 3-7. Close the rear cover, then set the paper guide horizontally.

10.Turn on the power using the switch located at the front of the printer. The printer will beep, indicating that the paper is not yet fully loaded. The

POWER indicator will also flash on the control panel to confirm this.

11.Now pull the bail lever toward the front of the printer. The paper will be fed and adjusted past the print head to a position ready for printing.

Figure 3-8. Pull the bail lever toward the front of the printer to load paper.

NOTE: Do not return the bail lever backward before the paper goes through under the bail lever location. The printer indicates with the beep tones to close the bail lever after the paper goes through under the bail lever location.

12.If you want to set the paper to a different position, set the printer off-line by pressing the

ON LINE

button, then set the paper by using the microfeed function. (For details, refer to Chapter 4.)

Paper parking

After loading fanfold paper, you need not to unload it when you want to print on a cut sheet. The printer will “park” it for you if you follow the procedure below.

1. To begin paper parking, start with the power ON, fanfold paper loaded in printing position, and the release lever toward the front of the printer

( ).

2. Press the

ON LINE

button on the control panel to set the printer off-line.

The ON LINE indicator will turn off.

3. Tear off the printed form at the last perforation, leaving not more than about half a page showing above the front cover. If necesary, press the

PAPER FEED

button to feed paper forward until a perforation is located just above the front cover, and tear there.

Figure 3-9. Tear off the printed fanfold paper.

4. Press the

PAPER FEED

button while holding the

FONT

button on the control panel.

The printer will automatically feed the fanfold form backward until the paper is completely free of the platen.

5. The

POWER

indicator on the control panel will blink and a beep will sound.

6. Move the release lever toward the rear of the printer ( ).

7. Mount the paper guide in the upright position.

Now you can load single sheets. The fanfold paper remains parked at the back of the printer.

Paper unparking

When you want to resume using fanfold paper, the procedure is as follows.

1. Remove all cut forms from the printer.

2. Mount the paper guide in the horizontal position.

3. Move the release lever toward the front of the printer ( ).

4. Move the bail lever forward. The printer will automatically feed the parked fanfold paper back into position for printing.

NOTE: The printer beeps intermittently if you move the release lever while the paper is loaded.

Tear off function

At the end of printing, use this tear off function to cut off the printed form without advancing blank forms.

1. Press and hold the

ON LINE

button for one second while in the on-line state.

The paper will be fed to the tear off position and the printer goes off-line state.

2. Tear off the printed form with the tear assist edge of the front cover.

3. Press the

ON LINE

button again to go back on-line.

The paper automatically returns to the printing position. (If fine adjustment is needed use the Micro Feed feature.)

LOADING SINGLE SHEETS

This section will take you through the procedures for loading single sheets of paper.

The paper path for cut forms is shown in Figure 3-10.

Figure 3-10. Paper path for cut forms.

If you are using the optional Automatic Sheet Feeder, refer to Chapter 7.

1. Raise the paper guide in position on the rear cover of the printer.

Figure 3-11. Raise the paper guide for single sheets.

2. Adjust the paper guides to match the size of the paper you will be using.

Remember that printing will start some distance from the left-hand edge of the carriage.

3. Turn on the power using the switch located at the front of the printer. The printer will beep, indicating that there is no paper in position for printing.

The

POWER

indicator will also flash on the control panel to confirm this.

4. Make sure that the release lever is at rear position ( ).

If fanfold paper is already mounted in the printer, press the

PAPER FEED button while holding the

FONT

button to park the paper in the off-line state, then move the release lever toward the rear of the printer.

5. Place a single sheet between the guides, placing the side on which you want to print towards the back of the printer. Gently push the paper down in the guides until you feel it stop.

6. Now pull the bail lever toward the front of the printer. The paper will be fed into the printer and adjusted past the print head to a position ready for printing.

Figure 3-12. Place a single sheet between the guides and pull the bail lever forward.

NOTE: Do not return the bail lever backward before the paper goes through under the bail lever location. The printer indicates with the beep tones to close teh bail lever after the paper goes through under the bail lever loacation.

7. If you want to set the paper to a different position, set the printer off-line by pressing the ON LINE button, then set the paper position by using the micto-feed function. (For details, refer to Chapter 4.)

hapter 4

CONTROL PANEL OPERATIONS

The control panel buttons can be pressed individually to perform the operations indicated by their names. Other functions can be achieved by holding these buttons down when you turn the printer’s power on, or by pressing the control panel buttons in combination.

This chapter explains all the button and indicator functions.

• Pause printing

• Feed paper (fast and slow, forward and reverse)

• Park fanfold forms

• Set the top-of-form position

• Select the print pitch

• Select a font

• Print test patterns

• Prevent software from changing the panel pitch and font selections

• Adjusting the print alignment for bi-directional printing

• Print a hexadecimal dump

• Clear the printer’s buffer

• Save macro definition

BUTTON AND INDICATOR FUNCTIONS

The printer is equipped with four buttons on the control panel. From left to right they are

FONT

PITCH

PAPER FEED

and

ON LINE

The following is a brief guide to the buttons and indicators on the control panel.

Figure 4-1. Control panel.

ON LINE

The ON LINE button sets the printer on-line and off-line. The status changes each time you press the button.

When the printer is on-line, it can receive and print data from the computer and will be indicated by the

ON LINE

indicator being lit. When the printer is off-line, it stops printing and sends the computer a signal indicating that it cannot accept data.

The printer powers up in the on-line status when paper is loaded. If paper is not loaded, the printer powers up off-line with the

POWER

indicator light blinking. When you load paper, the printer goes on-line.

You will want to press the

ON LINE

button:

• Before and after any other panel operation

The other panel buttons operate only in the off-line state. Press the ON LINE button to go off-line. After performing the panel operation(s), press the

LINE button again to go back on-line.

• To pause during printing

If you press the ON LINE button during printing, the printer stops printing and goes off-line, allowing you to check the printout or change a control panel setting. Printing resumes when you press the ON LINE button again to go back on-line.

• To cut fanfold forms at the end of printing

When you hold the

ON LINE

button down for one second with the fanfold forms, the printer goes off-line, then the printer also feeds the paper forward approximately two inches forward. This allows you to cut it off just below the last line printed.

When you press the

ON LINE

button again to go back on-line, the paper feeds backward stopping where you left off.

NOTE: This function is valid only when the buffer is empty.

PAPER FEED

If you press and release this button while off-line, the paper will feed forward one line. If you hold the button down, the printer will perform consecutive line feeds.

If you also press the ON LINE button while you are line-feeding, the paper will feed automatically to the top of the next page. This is explained later.

If you press the

PAPER FEED

button while on-line, this will alternately select and cancel the Quiet mode. When in Quiet mode, the printer will print slightly slower, but at a reduced noise level.

PITCH

This button allows you to select the printing pitch. Remember that the printer must be off-line for you to do this. Successive presses of this button will illuminate (and select) the following options in order:

Pitch

Pica (10 CPI)

Elite (12 CPI)

Semi-condensed (15 CPI)

Condensed pica (17 CPI)

Condensed elite (20 CPI)

Proportional

Condensed proportional

Indicator(s)

10 CPI

10 CPI, 15 CPI

15 CPI

10 CPI, COND

10 CPI, 15 CPI, COND

PROP

PROP, COND

FONT

This button selects the font to be printed. Draft font is selected at power-up unless the default settings are changed. To change the font, set the printer off-line, then press the

FONT

button repeatedly until the indicators beside the desired selection illuminate. The selections cycle in the following order:

Font

Draft

Roman

Sanserif

Courier

Prestige

Script

Indicator(s)

DRAFT

ROMAN

ROMAN, COUROER

COURIER

COURIER, SCRIPT

SCRIPT

When this switch is pressed in on-line, the printer indicates the current status as shown below:

Status

Font lock mode

Pitch lock mode

Macro definition

Compressed Data mode

Indicator

DRAFT

ROMAN

COURIER

SCRIPT

POWER-UP FUNCTIONS

In addition to their normal functions, all of the control panel buttons perform

“special” functions if you hold them down while switching the power button on.

Figure 4-2. Power-up functions of control panel.

Short test mode

If the printer is turned on while the

ON LINE

button is pressed, the printer will enter the short self-test mode. The printer will print the version number of the printer’s ROM, followed by seven lines of the character set.

Each line will be offset by one character from the one before it. The final result will be something like Figure 4-3.

Figure 4-3. Short self-test.

Since the self-test prints across the full width of the carriage, it is recommended that the printer is loaded with the widest paper possible to avoid damage to the print head and/or platen.

Long test mode

If the printer is turned on while the PAPER FEED button is pressed, the printer will enter the long self-mode. The printer will print the version number of the printer’s ROM, the current Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) settings and the current Dot Adjustment settings, followed by the entire character set printed in each font and pitch available.

The test repeats endlessly, so you must turn the power off to stop it.

Figure 4-4. Long self-test.

Since the self-test prints across the full width of the carriage, it is recommended that the printer is loaded with the widest paper possible to avoid damage to the print head and/or platen. In addition, the total number of lines printed is considerable, more than can be accommodated on a single sheet, so fanfold paper is recommended for this test.

Pitch lock mode

By holding the PITCH button down during power-up, the print pitch can only be selected from the control panel. This prevents software interference.

You will hear an acknowledging beep as power comes on.

After the beep tone, you can set the printer off-line, select a print pitch, then return to on-line and start printing. The pitch you selected will show with indicators on the control panel and will not be reset or otherwise changed by any commands your software may issue.

Font lock mode

By holding the

FONT

button during power-up, fonts can only be selected from the control panel. This prevents software interference. There will be an acknowledging beep. After which you can set the printer off-line, select a font, then return to the on-line state and begin printing. The selected font will not be changed by any commands your software may issue.

Font and Pitch lock mode

If you want to protect both the font and pitch settings from software changes, press both the FONT and PITCH buttons during power-up. There will be two acknowledging beep tones.

Pressing these buttons power-up does not prevent you from making any number of changes later from the control panel.

Dot adjustment mode

This mode is used to adjust the vertical alignment of text and graphics on successive bi-directional passes.

After a period of time, your printer may work itself out of alignment on left and right prinnting passes, appearing most visibly during graphics printing.This mode will probably be used very rarely.

1. Turn the printer off and then turn it on again while holding down the

PITCH and ON LINE buttons. The printer will print something like the following:

2. The printer will feed the paper forwards and backwards during this operation, allowing you to view the paper for optimum alignment.

3. To adjust the printing, use the

PITCH

and

PAPER FEED

buttons.

The

PITCH

button will move the second pass to the left. The

PAPER

FEED

button will move the second pass to the right.

4. When the two passes are aligned with each other to form one continuous line, the bi-directional alighnment test is completed.

5. To change the mode for which the bi-directional adjustment is performed, press the ON LINE button. This will cycle between “LQ”, “DRAFT”,

“DRAFT COND”, “GRAPHICS A” and “GRAPHICS B”.

Repeat the process for all print modes.

6. To exit from this mode, press the

FONT

button.

Hexadecimal dump

This feature is useful for programmers who are dubugging printing programs and want to see the actual codes the printer is receiving. (Some computers change the codes the programmer intended.)

In this mode, all data received will be printed in a hexadecimal dump format, rather than the control codes being acted on as command codes.

This mode is accessed with the following procedure:

1. While holding both the

When you power on the printer, the top-of-form position is automatically set to the current position. If this is not where you want the top of the page to be, you can change the top-of-form positon as follows:

1. Press the

ON LINE

button to set the printer off-line.

2. Move the paper to the desired top-of-form position by pressing the PAPER

FEED button.

3. Press and hold the

ON LINE

button.

4. While holding the

ON LNE

button down, press the

FONT

button, then release both buttons at the same time. The top-of-form position has been set.

Forward micro-feed

For fine alighnment, you can feed the paper forward in very small increments as follows:

1. Press the

ON LINE

button to set the printer off-line.

2. Press the ON LINE button again and hold it down.

3. While holding the

ON LINE

button down, press the

PAPER FEED button.The paper will start advancing in a series of small steps.

When you want to stop, release both buttons.

Reverse micro-feed

You can also feed the paper in small increments in reverse, to return to a higher position on the same page.

1. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line.

2. Press the

ON LINE

button again and hold it down.

3. While holding the ON LINE button down, press the PITCH button. The paper will start moving backwards in a series of small steps.

When you want to stop, release both buttons.

NOTE: Open the bail lever when the printer beeps intermittently near the edge of the paper.

Changing the auto loading position

Normally, the printer automatically loads the paper to the desired position according to the setting of EDS switch B-5.

If you want to change this value, follow this procedure:

1. Load the paper by moving bail lever toward the front of the printer.

2. Change the print position using the micro feed function.

3. After you get the desired position, press the ON LINE button to save the value.

This position will remain unless you power off the printer. If you want to retain this position even after you turn off the power, store it using the Macro

Definition function, which is described later.

Note that you can only change this value immediately after loading paper. If you feed paper, you cannot change the auto loading value.

Clearing the buffer/All reset

The printer stores received data in a large memory buffer. This creates a problem when you want to abandon a printing job and restart: the printer may be holding more data in its buffer than it has actually printed, and this unprinted data must be cleared out before restarting. Turning power off is one way to clear the buffer, but there is another way:

1. Halt the printing program on the computer. If printing stops immediately, the buffer is clear and the rest of this procedure is unnecessary. If printing does not stop, continue as follows:

2. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line. Printing will now stop, but there may be data remaining in the buffer.

3. Press and hold the FONT button.

4. While pressing the

FONT

button down, press and hold the

ON LINE

button.

Continue holding these two buttons down, you will hear a beep tone that the buffer is cleared. If you hold these buttons down longer, you will hear three beep tones and the printer has been initialized to the power-on default settings.

5. Release these buttons, make any necessary control panel settings, then set the printer back on-line.

It is essential to stop the printing program on the computer before you go offline. Otherwise, when you go back on-line the computer will start sending data again and the printer will continue printing, with missing data from when the buffer was cleared.

Save Macro Definition

You can save the current settings to the printer for later use with the following procedure:

1. Press the

ON LINE

button to set the printer off-line.

2. Press the

FONT

button and hold it down.

3. While holding the

FONT

button down, press the

PITCH

button and hold them down.

4. Release both buttons at the same time after two beep tones to save the current setting. If you release these buttons after three beep tones, the macro has been cleared.

NOTE: You can store the following settings with this procedure.

• Current Font

• Current Pitch

• Current auto-loading amount for cut forms

• Current auto-loading amount for fanfold forms

• Current auto-loading amount in ASF mode

CONDITIONS INDICATED BY BEEP TONES

This section helps you identify the meanings of beep tones.

Beep tones

Two seconds tone

Meanings

Printer detects an error condition.

Turn off the power switch and turn it on again.

Long tone, once

Two long tone sequence, two times

Printer detects an error condition.

Turn off the power switch and turn it on again.

Bail lever is closed before the paper goes through the location of the bail lever.

Open the bail lever to pass the paper under the bail lever.

Printer is out of paper.

Four short tone sequence, two times

Short tone, once

Short tone, twice

Short tone, triple

• Buffer is cleared.

• Top of form is set.

• Quiet mode is selected.

• EDS mode is selected.

• Macro definition is selected.

• Quiet mode is cancelled.

• Macro definition is cancelled.

• Printer is reset.

One-quarter tone • Hexadecimal mode is selected.

• Pitch lock mode is selected.

• Font lock mode is selected.

One-quarter tone, twice Pitch and Font lock mode is selected at a time.

Intermittent tone Release lever is moved while the paper is in printing position.

MEMO

hapter 5

DEFAULT SETTINGS-EDS MODE

From the control panel you can change the parameters that define how your printer works. These parameters become your power-on settings. This function is called the Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode.

HOW TO SET THE EDS MODE

The EDS mode in this printer has 13 functions that you can set as the poweron default.

Turn the printer on while simultaneously holding the

FONT

PITCH

, and

PAPER FEED buttons. You will hear an acknowledging beep as power comes on. This indicates that you have entered the EDS mode.

In EDS mode, the buttons on the control panel are used as shown below in

Figure 5-1.

Figure 5-1. Button functions in the EDS mode.

• Use the

FONT

button to select the Bank Letter.

• Use the PITCH button to select the Switch Number.

• The

ON LINE

indicator shows the current setting, ON or OFF.

Use the ON LINE button to change the settings.

• Press the

PAPER FEED

button to print the current settings.

• Press the PITCH button while holding down the FONT button to save and exit the EDS mode.

FUNCTIONS OF THE EDS SETTINGS

The printer stores the parameters that you can select from the control panel while in the EDS mode.

A default is the setting that the printer will use if none is specifically selected by a program. When you first turn on or later reset your printer these default settings will take effect.

By changing the settings, you can alter various printer functions to match your specific requirements. The following questions will help you choose the proper settings.

Bank-Switch Function

B-4

B-5

C-1

C-2

C-3

C-4

C-5

D-1

A-1

A-2

A-3

A-4

A-5

B-1

B-2

B-3

D-2

D-3

D-4

D-5

E-1

E-2

E-3

E-4

E-5

RAM Usage

Auto LF with CR

Graphics Direction

(Not used)

Paper-out

(Not used)

(Reserved)

Printable Area

Print Mode

Page Length

Character Table

Code page or

International

Character Set

CR Centering

LQ Font Selection

(Reserved)

(See below)

Disabled

Automatic Sheet Feeder Not installed

Bi-directional

Enabled

Leave ON

Type A

(See below)

Graphics

(See below)

Disabled

(See below)

Leave ON

OFF

Enabled

Installed

Uni-directional

Disabled

Type B

Italics

Enabled

NOTE: The factory default is ON for all functions expert A-5 and B-5 which are set to the OFF position.

Switches A-1 and A-2: RAM Usage

These switches determine how to use the RAM memory, as shown below:

A-1 A-2 Download Input Buffer Line Buffer

ON ON

OFF ON

OFF OFF

Disabled

Enabled

7 K-Byte

16 K-Byte

256 Bytes

2 Lines

1 Line

Switch A-3: Auto LF with CR

If you leave this switch at the ON position, a separate line-feed code is required from your computer to obtain a line feed.

If you move this switch to the OFF position, the printer performs both a carriage return and line feed each time it receives a carriage-return code.

Most computer systems send a line feed code, or both a carriage return and line feed, at the end of each line, so this switch should be left ON.

If you get double line spacing when you expect single spacing, or if lines overprint each other, try changing the setting of this switch.

Switch A-4: Auto Sheet Feeder

In order to use the optional automatic sheet feeder (SF-10DV), move this switch to the OFF position.

Otherwise leave it ON.

Switch A-5: Graphics Direction

When printing in graphics mode, the printer may either print bidirectionally (in alternate directions) for speed or in one direction only

(uni-directional for increased accuracy). For practically all purposes, however, bi-directional printing is sufficiently accurate.

Switch B-2: Paper-out

When this switch is OFF the printer ignores the paper-out detector and prints down to (and beyond) the bottom edge.

Switch B-5: Printable area

This printer can use two types of printing area format.

By putting the switch ON (“Type A”), the top of the first line of printing will start 1/6 inch from the top of the paper, and the printed area will end 1/6 inch from the bottom of the paper.

By putting the switch OFF (“Type B”), the first line of printing will start at one inch from the top of the paper, and the printed area will end to print 6 mm from the bottom of the printer.

Switches C-1 and C-2: Print Mode

These switches select the default print pitch and the fonts as shown bellow.

Print Mode C-1

10CPI DRAFT ON

17CPI DRAFT OFF

10CPI LQ OFF

C-2

OFF

NOTE: If you change these swiches after you have saved a macro, these new settings will override the macro setting.

Switches C-3 to C-5: Page Length

Leave these switches ON if you will be using 11-inch forms. You will need to change the switches if you will be using a different page length as shown below:

Page Length

11 inches/Letter

8 inches

11.7 inches/A4

12 inches

C-3

OFF

C-4

OFF ON

ON OFF

OFF

8.5 inches ON ON

14 inches/Legal OFF ON

10.5 inches/Executive ON OFF

7.25 inches OFF OFF

C-5

OFF

Switch D-1: Character Table

Move this switch OFF to select Italic character table. If you leave this switch to the ON position, in place of italics you will get the graphic characters, international characters, and mathematical symbols.

Switches D-2 to D-4: Code Page or International Character Set

When the EDS switch D-1 is set ON, these switches select the default character code page as shown below:

Code Page

#437 U.S.A.

#850 Multi-lingual

D-2 D-3 D-4

ON ON ON

OFF ON ON

#860 Portuguese

#861 Icelandic

ON OFF ON

OFF OFF ON

#863 Canadian French ON

#865 Nordic OFF

OFF

International character sets differ in their assignment of 14 character codes in the Italic character set. See the character tables in Chapter 11.

With these switches you can select one of eight character sets as follows:

Country

U.S.A.

France

Germany

England

Denmark I

Sweden

Italy

Spain I

D-2

D-3

D-4

OFF ON

ON OFF

OFF OFF ON

ON ON

OFF ON

OFF

OFF OFF

OFF OFF OFF

Switch D-5: CR Centering

If you set this switch OFF, the carriage moves to the center each time to feed paper near the perforation. This way, you can get better quality of printing around the perforations. It is recommended to match the page length setting to your fanfold paper, otherwise, this function does not work properly at the perforations.

If you leave this switch ON, the carriage does not move when feeding paper.

Switches E-1 to E-3: LQ Font Selection

These switches allows you to choose the default font selected when

LQ mode is selected, as shown below.

Font Name E-1

Roman

Sanserif

E-2

OFF ON

Courier

Prestige

Script

OFF

E-3

OFF

hapter 6

TROUBLESHOOTING

This chapter helps you identify printer conditions and problems that you can often correct yourself.

Your printer is a reliable piece of precision machinery, which should not cause you any trouble, provided it is used and treated sensibly. However, the few elementary tips below should help you avoid having to make unnecessary service calls.

Remember that your printer is a highly sophisticated electronic device, which also contains high voltage inside. For that reason, only carry out those operations described in this chapter.

CAUTION: Any attempt to carry out operations other than those described here may result in electric shock and/or damage to the printer.

When carrying out any repairs or maintenance, always follow the instructions carefully.

• Power switch is on, but power indicator is off

Check Possible remedy

Printer is not getting power.

Make sure that the power cord is correctly connected.

Verify that the power source works.

• Printer sounds as if it is printing but does not; Printing is weak

Check Possible remedy

Ribbon is jamming, twisted, Make sure that the ribbon cartridge is coror not between the print head rectly installed.

and the print head shield.

Make sure that the ribbon is between the shield on the print head and the end of the print head. Replace the ribbon.

Adjustment lever is set incor- Check the setting of the adjustment lever.

rectly.

Move the lever to a darker setting.

• Printer test works, but printer does not print when attached to computer

Check Possible remedy

Printer cable has a problem.

Make sure that the printer cable is correctly connected at both ends, printer and computer.

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

• Printer sounds the audible alarm

Check Possible remedy

This might indicate an error Check the status of the control panel indior normal operation.

cators and see “Conditions indicated by beep tones” in Chapter 4.

• Pitch or font selected is being changed

Check Possible remedy

Your software is overriding Set your printer in Font/Pitch lock. See your control panel selection.

“Pitch lock mode” and “Font lock mode” in

Chapter 4.

• Printer does not feed paper

Check

Paper is jamming.

Possible remedy

Remove all forms and pieces of paper.

Bail lever is closed before pa- Open the bail lever.

per goes through the bail lever location.

Adjustment lever is set incor- Check the setting of the adjustment lever.

rectly.

See “Adjusting the printing gap” in Chapter

Fanfold form is parked.

Move bail lever forward to unpark the fanfold paper.

• Line spacing is incorrect or overprinting occurs

Check Possible remedy

The tractor positions are in- Adjust the tractor positions. See “Loading correctly adjusted.

fanfold forms” in Chapter 3.

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

Platen knob was manually Set the top of form. See “Top of form” in turned while the Power indiChapter 4.

cator was on.

Do not manually turn the platen knob when the power is on. Use the

PAPER FEED button.

Forms are jamming between Reset adjustment lever. See “Adjusting the printing surface and the print printing gap” in Chapter 3.

head.

Forms are jamming between Clean the surface of the platen roller with printing surface and the platen.a cloth barely dampended with a little alcohol.

• Incorrect number of lines on a page

Check Possible remedy

Paper is adjusted incorrectly.

Set the top of form. See “Top of form” in

Chapter 4.

Paper has shifted backwards Readjust forms.

after several forms printed correctly.

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

Distance printer must pull Move paper closer to the printer.

paper is too far.

Paper is getting stuck on ca- Move the paper away from any wires or bles.

cables.

• Line length is wrong; Graphics do not print; Lines are not starting at left margin

Check Possible remedy

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

• Characters are wrong or missing; formatting control codes do not work

Check Possible remedy

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

Some wires are missing from Printer needs repair.

the print head.

Wrong default setting with Check the current EDS setting. Modify the

EDS switches.

EDS setting.

• Dots are missing or print quality is poor

Check Possible remedy

Adjustment lever is set incor- Check the position of the adjustment lever.

rectly.

See Chapter 3.

Print head is not working.

Printer needs repair.

• Forms are smudged or printing is too dark

Check Possible remedy

Adjustment lever is set incor- Check the position of the adjustment lever.

rectly.

Move the lever to a lighter setting (front).

See Chapter 3.

Ribbon is twisted or is not Install the ribbon correctly. See “Installing between the print head and the ribbon cartridge” in Chapter 2.

the print head shield.

Print head shield (or print See “Installing the ribbon cartridge” in head) is damaged or missing. Chapter 2 to locate the print head shield and print head. Contact your dealer.

• Printer is unstable; Wrong characters are printed; Left margin changes;

Printing stops

Check Possible remedy

Static electricity is resulting Increase the humidity.

from low humidity or interMove devices with electric motors away ference from nearby electrical from the printer.

devices.

• Left margin moves to the right during printing

Check Possible remedy

The print head is not moving Check that the ribbon and paper are corcorrectly.

rectly installed. See “Installing ribbon cartridge” in Chapter 2 and “Loading paper” in

Chapter 3.

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

The adjustment lever is in the Reset the adjustment lever. See “Adjusting wrong position.

the printing gap” in Chapter 3.

• Printer is printing beyond side edge of forms

Check Possible remedy

Paper is adjusted incorrectly.

Adjust both forms tractors and the paper.

Problem with the application Refer to your application program manual.

program.

A print head jam caused by Make sure that the ribbon cartridge is corthe ribbon or a paper jam.

rectly installed. See “Installing the ribbon cartridge” in Chapter 2.

Clear the paper jam.

• Printer case is hot to the touch

Check Possible remedy

Printer’s vents are blocked.

Move object away from the air vents, including the bottom of the printer.

• Printer is noisy

Check

The printer vibrates.

Printer covers are open.

Possible remedy

Move any objects that touch the printer.

Ensure that the printer is on a level, study surface.

Close covers.

MAINTENANCE

Essentially, your printer is a robust piece of equipment, but should be treated with a modicum of care in order to avoid malfunctions. For example:

• Keep your printer in a “comfortable” environment. Roughly speaking, if you are comfortable, then the environment is suitable for your printer (see

Chapter 2).

• Do not subject the printer to physical shocks or excessive vibration.

• Avoid over-dusty environments. Dust is the enemy of all precision mechanical devices.

• To clean the exterior of the printer, use a cloth barely dampened with either water with a little detergent or a little alcohol, but do not allow any liquid to fall inside the printer.

• The interior of the printer may be cleaned with a small cleaner or a compressed-air aerosol (sold for this purpose). When performing this operation, be sure not to bend or damage any cable connections or electronic components.

hapter 7

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

You can select the following accessories as option.

• Automatic sheet feeder (SF-10DV)

• Serial-Parallel Converter (SPC-8K)

This chapter describes how to install and use these optional accessories.

NOTE: When you install or remove the optional accessories, turn off the power switch.

AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDER (SF-10DV)

You can use the Automatic Sheet Feeder (ASF) to print on cut-sheet forms.

Before install the ASF, check each item in the box against Figure 7-1 to make sure that you have everything.

Figure 7-1. Check to make sure you have all five items: 1) Sheet Feeder, 2) Hopper attachment, 3) Stacker attachment, 4) Printer cover, and 5) ASF Users manual.

NOTE: The Automatic Sheet Feeder is protected by packing and tape during shipping. Be sure to remove all of the protective material and tape before use.

Setting up

The procedure to install the ASF is:

1. Use the printer’s EDS mode to select ASF as “installed”. (For details, please refer to Chapter 5.)

2. Open the front cover by lifting up the back using the two grips on either side, then remove the cover by pulling up.

3. Move the printer bail lever toward the front of the printer to open the paper bail.

Figure 7-2. Remove the front cover, and move the bail lever toward the front of the printer.

4. Secure the mounting brackets of the Automatic Sheet Feeder onto the shaft of the platen by lowering it into position as shown in Figure 7-3.

Figure 7-3. Mount the Automatic Sheet Feeder onto the printer.

5. Confirm that the mounting brackets on both sides of the Automatic Sheet

Feeder are correctly engaged on the printer. When they are engaged correctly, the ejection roller can be rotated by turning the platen knob.

6. Install the printer cover provided with the Automatic Sheet Feeder.

Figure 7-4. Install the printer cover.

7. Insert the hopper attachment on top of the hopper support section as shown in Figure 7-5.

Figure 7-5. Insert the hopper attachment.

8. Insert the stacker attachment, squeeizng it with your hand, into the fixing groove in the front part of the sheet feeder as shown in Figure 7-6.

Figure 7-6. Insert the stacker attachment.

Now, you can use the ASF by installig the paper stack into the hopper.

NOTE: Set the front cover and paper guide aside carefully after they have been removed from the printer. Reverse the procedure described above when removing the Automatic Sheet Feeder.

Loading paper

1. If fanfold paper has already been loaded in the printer, park the paper through the rear slot.

2. Push the printer release lever toward the rear of the printer ( ) to load single sheets.

3. Pull the paper loading lever toward the front of the printer to pull the hopper out until it is in position.

Figure 7-7. Pull the paper loading lever forward.

4. Adjust the left paper guide to the desired left position by moving it horizontally in either direction.

Figure 7-8. Adjust the paper guides to accommodate the width of the paper.

5. Fan the paper stack and square it off properly before inserting it into the

Automatic Sheet Feeder.

Figure 7-9. Fan the paper before inserting into the ASF.

6. Insert the paper stack into the Automatic Sheet Feeder.

The stack should not be more than 50 sheets of 20 lb paper.

If necessary, remove some sheets. The ASF may not perform satisfactorily if it is overloaded.

7. Adjust the right paper guide to accommodate the width of the paper.

The guides should be adjusted to restrict the amount of horizontal play while allowing the paper to slide up and down freely between the two paper guides. The ideal distance between paper ream and paper guides is

0.25 mm (0.01

”

) on both sides at the narrowest part of the paper guides.

8. Push the paper loading lever toward the rear of the printer.

Figure 7-10. Push the paper loading lever to hold the paper stack.

Now, you are ready to start printing with the Automatic Sheet Feeder.

INTERFACE CONVERTER

To run the printer in serial mode, you should use the optional Serial/Parallel

Converter, SPC-8K.

The procedure to install the Converter is:

1. Set the DIP switches on the SPC-8K before attaching it to the pritner.

(See next page for detailed information.)

2. Turn off the power switch and disconnect the power cord from the power source.

3. Disconnect the interface cable if attached.

4. Connect the Parallel connector to the printer.

5. Move both clips inside the extended prongs on the sides of the plug until you hear a click.

Figure 7-11. Connect the Parallel connector to the printer.

6. Connect the Serial connector to your computer.

NOTE: Place the Converter on a table in order not to damage the cable.

Figure 7-12. Place the converter on a table.

DIP switch functions on the converter

It is necessary to make compatible the data transfer conditions between the computer and the serial interface board with the DIP switch settings on the converter.

Following table shows the functions of the DIP switches on the Serial-Parallel

Converter.

Switch

Function

Data length

Parity condition

Data Protocol

Parity condition

Transfer speed

[Parity condition]

Switch 2

OFF

Switch 5

OFF

8-bit

(Refer below)

Condition

No parity

Odd parity

Even parity

[Data protocol]

Switch 3

OFF

Switch 4

OFF

[Transfer speed]

Switch 6

OFF

Switch 7

OFF

Protocol

DTR

XON/XOFF

ETX/ACK

Switch 8

OFF

Transfer speed

150 BPS

300 BPS

600 BPS

1200 BPS

2400 BPS

4800 BPS

9600 BPS

19200 BPS

OFF

7-bit

hapter 8

PRINTER CONTROL COMMANDS

This printer emulates the functions of the Epson LQ-860/850, and the graphics commands for NEC 24-wire priners. Additional command codes are included as a superset of this emulation.

This chapter describes the printer’s control commands. In the descriptions of the commands, all commands will given by functions. The name of each command is followed by a table like the one below:

ASCII

Decimal

27 120 1

Hexadecimal

1B 78 01

ASCII: Indicates the ASCII coding of the command. Control characters are enclosed in pointed brackets: For example,

<1> means character code 1.

Decimal: Gives the command in decimal character codes.

Hexadecimal: Gives the command in hexadecimal character codes.

Parameters for which values must be supplied are indicated by italic letters such as n, m or d.

FONT CONTROL COMMANDS

Select print quality

ASCII

<ESC> “x” n

Decimal

27 120

Hexadecimal

1B 78

Changes the print quality according to the value of n, as shown below:

Print quality

Draft

Letter quality

Ignored if the FONT LOCK mode was selected during power-up.

Select LQ font

ASCII

<ESC> “k” n

Decimal

27 107

Hexadecimal

1B 6B

Selects an LQ font according to the value of n. In draft mode, this command remains dormant and takes effect later when LQ is selected.

Ignored if the FONT LOCK mode was selected during power-up.

Font

Roman

Sanserif

Courier

Prestige

Script

Select italic characters

ASCII

<ESC> “4”

Decimal

27 52

Hexadecimal

1B 34

Causes subsequent characters except block graphics to be printed in italics.

Select upright characters

ASCII

<ESC> “5”

Decimal

27 53

Hexadecimal

1B 35

Stops italic printing and causes subsequent characters to be printed upright.

Emphasized printing

ASCII

<ESC> “E”

Decimal

27 69

Hexadecimal

1B 45

Causes subsequent characters to be emphasized by adding extra thickness to horizontal strokes.

Cancel emphasized printing

ASCII

<ESC> “F”

Decimal

27 70

Cancels emphasized printing.

Double-strike printing

Hexadecimal

1B 46

ASCII

<ESC> “G”

Decimal

27 71

Hexadecimal

1B 47

Causes subsequent characters to be printed in double-strike mode with a slight vertical paper motion in between, causing a thickening of vertical strokes.

For bold print, use of double-strike is recommended in LQ mode, and combined use of emphasized and double-strike is recommended in draft mode.

Cancel double-strike printing

ASCII

<ESC> “H”

Decimal

27 72

Cancels double-strike printing.

Hexadecimal

1B 48

Underlining

ASCII

<ESC> “-” n

Decimal

27 45

Hexadecimal

1B 2D

Causes subsequent characters to be underlined when n is 1, and stops underlining when n is 0. Block graphics characters and spaces skipped by horizontal tabulation are not underlined.

Select score

ASCII

<0> <1>

n1 n2

Decimal

27 40 45 3

0 1

n1 n2

Hexadecimal

1B 28 2D 03

00 01

n1 n2

Start score according to the values of n1 and n2, as shown below.

Function

Underlining

Strike-through

Overlining

Cancel score

Single continuous line

Double continuous line

Single broken line

Double broken line

Select ornament chracter

ASCII

<ESC> “q” n

Decimal

27 113

Hexadecimal

1B 71

Selects an ornament character according to the value of n, as shown below.

Character

Normal

Outline

Shadow

Shadow and outline

Superscript

ASCII

Decimal

27 83 0

Hexadecimal

1B 53 00

Causes subsequent characters to be printed as superscripts. Does not change the character pitch.

n1 n2

Assigns the chracter set, defind with the value of n2, to the character table n1 (where n1 is between 0 and 3) as shown below:

Charcter set

Italic

Code Page #437 U.S.A.

Code Page #850 Multi-lingual

Code Page #860 Portuguese

Code Page #863 Canadian French

Code Page #865 Nordic

Characters assigned to tables 0 and 1 with this command are not cleared by the reset command, <ESC> “@”.

Select character table

ASCII

<ESC> “t” n1

Decimal

27 116

Hexadecimal

1B 74

Selects a character table defined by the last preceding <ESC> “(“ “t” command.

If these is no preceding <ESC> “(“ “t” command, following character tables are selected.

Character table

Italic

Code Page #437 U.S.A.

Shift download character area

Code Page #437 U.S.A.

Select Italic character set

ASCII

Decimal

28 73 0

U.S.A

France

Germany

England

Denmark I

Sweden

Italy

Spain I

Character set

Japan

Norway

ASCII

<DC2>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Changes from condensed pica to normal pica or from condensed elite to normal elite. Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during power-up.

Proportional spacing

ASCII

<ESC> “p” n

Decimal

27 112

Hexadecimal

1B 70

Causes subsequent characters to be proportionally spaced when n is

1, and cancels it when n is 0. Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during power-up.

Expanded printing

ASCII

<ESC> “W” n

Decimal

27 87

Hexadecimal

1B 57

Causes subsequent characters to be expanded to double width when n is 1, and cancels it when n is 0.

Expanded printing for one line

ASCII

<SO>

Decimal

27 14

Hexadecimal

1B 0E

Causes subsequent characters in the current line to be expanded to double width. Characters return to normal width after the next line feed (<LF>). The <DC4>, <VT>, <FF>, and <ESC> “W” 0 commands also cancel expanded printing.

Cancel one-line expanded printing

ASCII

<DC4>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Stops one-line expanded printing set with <SO> or <ESC> <SO>.

Does not cancel <ESC> “W” 1.

Select character width

ASCII

<FS> “E” n

Decimal

28 69

Hexadecimal

1C 45

Selects a character width according to the value of n as shown below.

Character width

Normal-wide

Double-wide

Triple-wide

Select master print mode

ASCII

<ESC> “!” n

Decimal

27 33

Hexadecimal

1B 21

Selects a combined print mode according to the value of n. The value of n is the sum of the values given below for the desired characteristics.

Function

Underline

Italic

Expanded

Double strike

Emphasized

Condensed [*]

Proportional [*]

Elite [*]

n value

128

[*] Ignored if the PITCH LOCK mode was selected during powerup.

ASCII

<ESC> “+” n

<FS> “3” n

Decimal

27 43

28 51

Hexadecimal

1B 2B

1C 33

Set the distance the paper advances or reverses in subsequent line feeds to n/360 inch, where n is between 0 and 255.

Set line spacing to n/180 inch

ASCII

<ESC> “3” n

Decimal

27 51

Hexadecimal

1B 33

Sets the distance the paper advances or reverses in subsequent line feeds to n/180 inch.

The value of n is between 0 and 255. If n = 0, the line-feed distance is set to 0.

Set line spacing to n/60 inch

ASCII

<ESC> “A” n

Decimal

27 65

Hexadecimal

1B 41

ASCII

<ESC> “J” n

Decimal

27 74

Hexadecimal

1B 4A

Feeds the paper once by n/180 inches. The value of n is between 0 and

255. Does not move the print position right or left. Does not change the line-spacing setting.

Perform one n/180-inch reverse line feed

ASCII

<ESC> “j” n

Decimal

27 106

Hexadecimal

1B 6A

Feeds the paper once by n/180 inches in the reverse direction, where n is between 0 and 255. Does not move the print position right or left.

Does not change the line-spacing setting.

Set page length to n lines

ASCII

<ESC> “C” n

Decimal

27 67

Hexadecimal

1B 43

Sets the page length to n lines in the current line spacing, where n is between 1 and 127.

Changing the line spacing later does not alter the physical page length.

The current line becomes the top of the page.

Set page length to n inches

ASCII

<ESC> “C” <0> n

Decimal

27 67 0

Hexadecimal

1B 43 00

Sets the page length to n inches, where n is between 1 and 32. The current line becomes the top of the page.

Set bottom margin

ASCII

<ESC> “N” n

Decimal

27 78

Hexadecimal

1B 4E

Sets the bottom margin to n lines, where n is between 1 and 127. The bottom margin is reset when you change the page length.

Cancel bottom margin

ASCII

<ESC> “O”

Cancels the bottom margin.

Form feed

Decimal

27 79

Hexadecimal

1B 4F

ASCII

<FF>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Feeds the paper to the top of the next page according to the current page length, and moves the print position to the left margin. When the automatic sheet feeder (ASF) is selected with EDS switch A-4, this command ejects the current page.

Set vertical tab stops

ASCII

Decimal Hexadecimal

27 66

n1 n2 ....

0 1B 42

n1 n2 ...

Cancels all current vertical tab stops and sets new vertical tab stops at lines n1, n2, etc., where n1, n2, etc. are numbers between 1 and 255.

A maximum of 16 vertical tab stops can be set. The tab stops must be specified in ascending order; any violation of ascending order terminates the tab stop list. Standard termination is by the <0> control code. The vertical tab stops are set in terms of the current line spacing and do not move if the line spacing is changed later.

Set vertical tab stops in channel

ASCII

<ESC> “b” n0 n1

n2 .... <0>

Decimal

27 98

n0 n1 n2 ....

Hexadecimal

1B 62

n0 n1

n2 ...

Cancels all current vertical tab stops in channel n0, (where n0 is between 0 and 7) and sets new vertical tab stops in this channel. (A channel is a set of vertical tab stops selected by the <ESC> “/” command.) See <ESC> “B” for parameters n1, n2, ... <0>.

Select vertical tab channel

ASCII

<ESC> “/” n0

Decimal

27 47

Hexadecimal

1B 2F

Selects a set of vertical tab stops designated by a channel number (n0) from 0 to 7. The tab stops in each channel are set by <ESC> “b”

Vertical tab

ASCII

<VT>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Feeds the paper to the next vertical tab stop and moves the print position to the left margin. Performs a line feed if no vertical tabs are set, as at power-up. Feeds to the top of the next page if vertical tabs are set but the current line is at or below the last vertical tab stop.

HORIZONTAL POSITION COMMANDS

Set left margin

ASCII

<ESC> “l” n

Decimal

27 108

Hexadecimal

1B 6C

Sets the left margin at column n (where n is between 0 and 255) in the current character pitch (pica pitch if proportional spacing is selected).

The left margin does not move if the character pitch is changed later.

The left margin must be at least two columns to the left of the right margin and within the limits below:

Pica

Elite

Semi-condensed

Condensed pica

Condensed elite

Expanded pica

Expanded elite

Expanded semi-condensed

Expanded condensed pica

Expanded condensed elite

0 < n < 76

0 < n < 91

0 < n < 114

0 < n < 130

0 < n < 152

0 < n < 38

0 < n < 45

0 < n < 57

0 < n < 64

0 < n < 76

Set right margin

ASCII

<ESC> “Q” n

Decimal

27 81

Hexadecimal

1B 51

Sets the right margin at column n in the current character pitch (pica pitch if proportional spacing is currently selected). Column n becomes the last character position in the line. The light margin does not move if the character pitch is changed later. The right margin must be within the limits below:

Pica

Elite

Semi-condensed

Condensed pica

Condensed elite

Expanded pica

Expanded elite

Expanded semi-condensed

Expanded condensed pica

Expanded condensed elite

4 < n < 80

5 < n < 96

6 < n < 120

7 < n < 137

8 < n < 160

2 < n < 40

3 < n < 48

3 < n < 60

4 < n < 68

4 < n < 80

Carriage return

ASCII

<CR>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Prints the current line and returns the next print position to the left margin. If EDS switch A-3 is set to OFF, also performs a line feed.

Backspace

ASCII

<BS>

Decimal

27 68

n1 n2 ....

Hexadecimal

Moves the print position one column to the left. Ignored if the print position is at the left margin. This command can be used to overstrike or combine characters.

Set horizontal tab stops

ASCII

Hexadecimal

1B 44

n1 n2 ...

Cancels all current horizontal tab stops and sets new tab stops at columns n1, n2, etc. in the current character pitch (pica pitch if proportional spacing is currently selected), where n1, n2, etc. are numbers between 1 and 255. The maximum number of horizontal tab stops allowed is 32. The tab stops must be specified in ascending order; any violation of ascending order terminates the tab stop list.

Standard termination is by the <0> control code. To clear all tab stops, specify <ESC> “D” <0>.

Horizontal tab

ASCII

<HT>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Moves the print position to the next horizontal tab stop. Ignored if there is no next horizontal tab stop in the current line. Note that when underlining is selected, spaces skipped by horizontal tabulation are not underlined.

Relative horizontal tab

ASCII

<ESC> “\” n1 n2

Decimal

27 92

n1 n2

Hexadecimal

1B 5C

n1 n2

Moves the print position right or left a specified distance. Ignored if the resulting position is beyond the right or left margin. The formulas for the distance and direction are as follows:

If n2 is between 0 and 63, the print head moves right by (n1 + n2 x

256) dots.

If you want to move the print head to the left, n1 and n2 are obtained by subtracting the value from 65536, and dividing the result into high and low bytes.

The unit of movement is fixed at 1/120 inch in draft mode and 1/180 inch in LQ mode.

Absolute horizontal tab in inches

n2 m1

m2 ...

Decimal Hexadecimal

27 42

n0 n1

1B 2A

n0 n1

n2 m1

m2 ...

n2 m1

m2 ...

Selects one of eleven graphics modes depending on the value of n0 and prints bit-image graphics in this mode. See <ESC> “K” (for 8-bit graphics) or <FS> “Z” (for 24-bit graphics) for information on n1,

n2, m1, m2, ...

Graphics mode

0 8-bit Normal-density

1 8-bit Double-density

(60 dots per inch)

(120 dots per inch)

2 8-bit Double-density, double-speed (120 dots per inch)

3 8-bit Quadruple-density (240 dots per inch)

4 8-bit CRT graphics, mode I

6 8-bit CRT graphics, mode II

32 24-bit Normal-density

33 24-bit Double-density

(80 dots per inch)

(90 dots per inch)

(60 dots per inch)

(120 dots per inch)

38 24-bit CRT graphics

39 24-bit Triple-density

40 24-bit Hex-density

(90 dots per inch)

(180 dots per inch)

(360 dots per inch)

Convert graphics density

ASCII

<ESC> “?” n m

Decimal

27 63

n m

Hexadecimal

1B 3F

n m

Converts graphics defined by subsequent <ESC> “K”, <ESC> “L”,

<ESC> “Y” or <ESC> “Z” commands to a density mode defined by

<ESC> “*”. n is “K”, “L”, “Y” or “Z”, indicating the mode to be converted. m is a code from <0> to <4> or <6> indicating one of the modes of <ESC> “*”.

DOWNLOAD CHARACTER COMMANDS

Define download characters

ASCII

<ESC> “&” <0> n1

n2 m0 m1 m2

Decimal

27 38 0

n1 n2 m0 m1 m2

d1 d2 ... dx d1 d2 ... dx

Hexadecimal

1B 26 00

n1 n2 m0 m1 m2

d1 d2 ... dx

Defines one or more new characters (up to 127 characters) and stores them in RAM for later use. EDS switches A-1 and A-2 must be set

OFF; otherwise RAM is used as an input buffer, not downloading characters and this command is ignored.

n1 is the character code of the first character defined and n2 is the character code of the last character defined. n1 must be equal to or less than n2.

The data for each character start with three bytes specifying proportional spacing attributes: the first byte, m0, specifies the left of the character; the second byte, m1, specifies the character width; the third byte, m2, specifies the right of the character.

These values must not exceed the following maximum limits:

Character mode

m0 + m1 + m2

Draft

LQ pica

LQ elite

LQ semi-condensed

9 12

31 36

27 30

19 24

LQ proportional

Draft super/subscript

37 42

7 12

LQ super/subscript 19 36

LQ prop. super/subscript 37 42

Next comes the dot data. Normal character height is 24 dots, so there must be 3 x

m1 bytes of dot data. If the printer is in super/subscript mode, however, the character height is 16 dots, so there must be 2 x

m1 bytes of dot data.

Each data byte indicates eight vertical dots, with the most significant bit being the top dot, and the least significant bit being the bottom dot.

Copy character set from ROM into RAM

ASCII

Decimal

27 58 0

Hexadecimal

1B 3A 00

Copies the selected character set with n, as shown below, to the corresponding download character RAM area, overwriting any download data already present. Ignored when EDS switches A-1 and

A-2 are not set OFF.

Font

Roman

Sanserif

Courier

Prestige

Script

Select download character set

ASCII

Decimal

27 37 1

Hexadecimal

1B 25 01

Selects the download character set. Ignored when EDS switches A-1 and A-2 are not set OFF.

ASCII

<CAN>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Deletes the last line currently present in the print buffer.

Set printer off-line

ASCII

<DC3>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Sets the printer off-line. The printer disregards all subsequent characters and commands except <DC1>, which returns it to the on-line. The printer’s ON LINE indicator does not go off.

Set printer on-line

ASCII

<DC1>

Decimal

Hexadecimal

Returns the printer to on-line state, allowing it to receive and process all subsequent characters and commands. This command is ignored if the printer was set off-line by pressing the

ON LINE

button on the control panel.

Bell

ASCII

<BEL>

Decimal

Sounds a brief beep tone from the printer.

Bi-directional printing

Hexadecimal

ASCII

Decimal

27 85 0

Hexadecimal

1B 55 00

Causes subsequent printing to be done in the normal bi-directional mode, which is faster than uni-directional printing.

Uni-directional printing

ASCII

Decimal

27 85 1

Hexadecimal

1B 55 01

Causes subsequent printing to be done uni-directionally, ensuring maximum vertical alignment precision.

One-line uni-directional printing

ASCII

<ESC> “<”

Decimal

27 60

Hexadecimal

1B 3C

Immediately returns the print head to the left margin, then prints the remainder of the line from left to right. Normal printing resumes on the next line.

Manual feed

ASCII

Decimal

27 25 0

Hexadecimal

1B 19 00

Selects manual sheet feeding even when the optional automatic sheet feeder is mounted. Ignored if EDS switch A-4 is set on.

ASCII

<ESC> “@”

<FS> “@”

Decimal

27 64

28 64

Hexadecimal

1B 40

1C 40

Reinitializes the printer. Clears the print buffer and returns settings to their power-up values. Does not clear the input buffer or change ASF selections.

hapter 9

DOWNLOAD CHARACTERS

With this printer you can create new characters and symbols, download their dot data, and have them printed in place of selected characters in the regular character set. Characters that can be generated in this way range from simple but useful symbols like the check mark through to complex Chinese or

Japanese characters.

Regular characters are permanently stored in the printer’s ROM, but characters you design are downloaded and stored in RAM for use.

Before you start to define your own characters, you must set the EDS switches

A-1 and A-2 to the OFF position. Otherwise, the RAM is used to store the input buffer, and the download commands are ignored.

Designing and printing your own characters has two requirements: first, designing the shape of the character, calculating the data necessary to make the shape, and sending that data to the printer, and secondly, sending the command to print the downloaded characters instead of the regular characters.

There are a number of design constraints for download characters:

• The matrix or grid on which you design the characters depends upon the print mode as shown below:

Character mode Horizontal Vertical

Draft characters

LQ pica characters

LQ elite characters

LQ semi-condensed

LQ proportional

Draft super/subscript

LQ super/subscript 19

LQ prop. super/subscript 37

• The minimum width of a character is five dots.

• Dots cannot overlap.

• You may define any position in the ASCII table up to 127 characters.

Photocopy the grid in Figure 9-1 to help design your new characters. We wil use a tiny representation of a telephone symbol for our example.

Figure 9-1. Use this grid (or one similar to it) to define your own characters.

ASSIGNING THE CHARACTER DATA

Now, we calculate the vertical numerical values of the columns of dots, and enter them underneath the grid. Each vertical column (which has a maximum of 24 dots) is first divided into three groups (or two groups for super/ subscripts) of eight dots. Each group of eight dots is represented by one byte, which consists of eight bits.

This is where the numbers down the left side of the grid come in. Notice that there is a number for each row of dots and that each number is twice the number below it. By making these numbers powers of two we can take any combination of dots in a vertical column and assign them a unique value.

Figure 9-2. Telephone symbol with normal LQ pica.

ASSIGNING A VALUE OF CHARACTER SPACE

Besides being able to specify the actual width of the character, this printer allows you to specify the position in the standard grid where the character will print. You must specify the dot column in which the printed character starts and the dot column in which the character ends. Why, you may ask, would you want to define a character this way instead of merely defining the overall width of the character? Because this printer’s proportional character definitions can also be used to print normal width characters, and by centering even the narrow characters in the complete grid they will look good even if you are not printing them proportionally.

The three bytes are used to specify the width of the character and the space to be allowed on either side of it. The left space (in dot columns) is specified by m0 and the right space is specified by m2. The second byte (m1) specifies the width of the character in dots. By varying the width of the character itself and the spaces around it, you can actually create proportional width characters.

When defining characters, the number of printed columns (m1), and the sum of side spaces and the character width (m0 + m1 + m2) cannot exceed the value shown below.

Character mode

Draft characters

LQ pica characters

LQ elite characters

LQ semi-condensed

LQ proportional

Draft super/subscript

LQ super/subscript

LQ prop. super/subscript

m0 + m1 + m2

SAMPLE PROGRAM

To demonstrate how to use the download characters, let’s use the “telephone” chareacter and the other user-defined characters to print a small graph. This program will do just that:

MEMO

hapter 10

MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER

When using your printer with an IBM PS/2, PC-AT or compatible, you will probably be using PC-DOS or MS-DOS as an operating system. A number of software tricks may be useful here. This chapter is not, however, a substitute for the operating system manuals supplied with your computer.

To learn how to print files, etc. it is best to read the relevant parts of these manuals.

PROGRAMMING THE PRINTER WITH

DOS COMMANDS

If your system includes the file PRINT.COM you can use the main DOS printing command. Simply type the word PRINT followed by the name of the file you want to print. To print a file named README.DOC, for example, type:

The computer may respond with the following message, asking which printer to use:

If your computer is connected to only one printer, press RETURN to select the default choice (PRN).

Printing will begin and the A> prompt will reappear. You can execute other commands or programs while the file is being printed.

A single PRINT command can print two or more files. List the file names consecutively on the same line, or use wild-card characters (* and ?). Each file will be printed starting on a new page. The PRINT command also has control options. For example, you can terminate a printing job in progress with the /T option. (The printer may not stop printing immediately as there may be considerable data stored ahead in its buffer.) For the /T option, type:

See your DOS manual for further information about the PRINT command.

If your system does not include PRINT.COM, you can print files by using the PRN device name in COPY or TYPE commands such as the following:

COPY and TYPE do not permit you to execute other commands while the file is printing.

If you want a particular font, or print pitch, you can make these settings from the control panel before you start printing. See Chapter 4.

If you print from the DOS command level very often, it will be advantageous to create a printer setup file. Then instead of setting font style etc. manually each time, you can complete the setup with a single command from your computer. For example, you can create a file containing printer commands to select letter quality, and select elite pitch. You can find the commands in

Chapter 8. We suggest the following:

• Letter quality

• Elite pitch

<ESC> “x” “1”

<ESC> “!” <1> is a powerful command that, in addition to selecting elite pitch, cancels unwanted features such as underlining which might be left from previous commands. The angle brackets around the <1> indicate character code 1, which is a control code, not the printable digit “1”.

You may want to place additional commands in this file, such as left and right margins, line spacing and bottom margin commands. Or you may want to create a variety of setup files with a different set of commands in each.

To avoid excess line feeds, you should place the commands on one line in the setup file. You may or may not be able to generate a setup file with wordprocessing software; it depends on whether your software lets you enter control codes. If your system includes the file EDLIN.COM, however, you can easily create a setup file with the DOS line editor.

An appropriate name for this setup file would be LQELITE.DAT. To use the

DOS line editor, type the command EDLIN LQELITE.DAT, then type the underlined parts of the following display. Press RETURN at the end of each line. Do not type the symbol “^”. This symbol means to hold the CTRL key down while pressing the next key: for example, ^V means to type CTRL-V.

^C means to type CTRL-C, which indicates the end of the input.

^V indicates that the following character is a control code. ^V[ enters the

<ESC> code. <ESC> has character code 27, and “[” is the 27th character from A in the ASCII sequence. Similarly, ^VA enters the control code <1>.

See your DOS manual if you need further information about EDLIN.

You can now set up the printer by sending it the file LQELITE.DAT. To avoid unnecessary logging of commands, switch hard-copy output off (by pressing CTRL-PRTSC if hard copy is on). To print the file README.DOC

in LQ elite type, give the following two commands:

For greater convenience you can make a batch file that will set up the printer and print any specified file with a single command. To create such a batch file with the name LQPRINT.BAT, type in the first four lines shown next. ^Z means to press the CTRL and Z keys simultaneously. To use this file to print

README.DOC, type the fifth line.

The first line above is a copy command from the CONsole screen to a file named LQPRINT.BAT. The next two lines are the contents of this file. The

%1 is a dummy parameter: whatever file name you type after LQPRINT will be substituted for %1 and printed.

PROGRAMMING WITH BASIC

As an example of programming the printer on Microsoft BASIC, we have listed the program for the IBM-PC. This program runs in the downloadable condition.

100

101

102

103

How the program works

This program begins by assigning a number of printer commands to BASIC string variables (lines 1000 to 1060). You can find most of these commands near the beginning of chapter 7.

The WIDTH “LPT1:” 255 statement in line 1080 means infinite line width.

It prevents the IBM-PC from inserting unwanted carriage returns and line feeds in graphics data.

Actual printing begins in line 1090. Using the preassigned commands, the program prints samples of its different fonts, followed by samples of the print pitches, then some expanded printing.

Next comes the central attraction of the program: a line of text printed fourteen times in expanding and contracting loops to give a barrel effect. The work is done by two printer commands: a command to vary the line spacing (lines

1400 and 1450); and a command to micro-adjust the space between characters

(lines 1410 and 1460).

Next the program returns to normal spacing and gives a demonstration of the printer’s word-processing abilities: italic printig, bold printing, underlining, subscripts, etc.

The row of telephone symbols in the next printed line is created by downloading two new character patterns, which are printed in place of the character “<“ (character 60). Details can be found in Chapter 9.

The final part of the program uses dot graphics to print an “M & W” logo.

The dot pattern of the logo was originally laid out on graph paper, then converted to the data in lines 3180 to 4640 with the help of a calculator.

Each number represents eight vertical dots. (See “Graphics commands” in

Chapter 8 for details.)

The pattern is printed in three rows, each row is twenty-four dots high and

240 dots wide. Line 1940 sets the line spacing to 8/60 inch so that the rows will connect vertically. The loop in lines 1950 to 2030 does the printing in three passes of the print head.

104

hapter 11

REFERENCE

SPECIFICATIONS

Printing system .......................... Serial Impact Dot-matrix

Printing speed ............................ Pica

Draft 160cps

Letter Quality 53cps

Elite

192cps

64cps

Semi-condensed

240cps

80cps

Print direction ........................... Bi-directional, logic-seeking

Uni-directional, logic-seeking

(selectable)

Print head .................................. 24 pins

Life 200 million dots

Line spacing .............................. 1/6, 1/8, n/60, n/180, n/360 inches

Font styles ................................. Draft, Roman, Sanserif, Courier, Prestige,

Script

Characters ................................. ASCII

International

Special

Block graphic

Code page

Download

16 sets (*)

111

6 sets (**)

127

* USA, France, Germany, England, Denmark I, Sweden, Italy, Spain I, Japan,

Norway, Denmark II, Spain II, Latin America, Korea, Irish, Legal

** #437 (USA), #850 (Multi-Lingual), #860 (Portuguese), #861 (Icelandic), #863

(Canadian French), #865 (Nordic)

Number of columns

Pica (10 CPI)

Elite (12 CPI)

Semi-condensed (15 CPI)

Condensed pica (17 CPI)

Condensed elite (20 CPI)

Proportional

120

137

160

Variable

105

Character matrix ............................ Draft

Pica

Elite

Semi-condensed

Condensed pica

Condensed elite

Proportional

24 x 9

24 x

16 x

24 x

24 x 31

24 x

16 x

24 x

24 x n

Bit image dot-matrix

8-pin normal (60 DPI)

8-pin double (120 DPI)

8 x

480

8 x 960

8-pin high-speed double (120 DPI)* 8 x

960

8-pin quadruple (240 DPI)* 8 x

1920

8-pin CRT I (80 DPI) 8 x

640

8-pin CRT II (90 DPI)

24-pin normal (60 DPI)

8 x

720

24 x

480

24-pin double (120 DPI) 24 x 960

24-pin CRT III (90 DPI) 24 x

720

24-pin Triple (180 DPI)

24-pin Hex (360 DPI)*

24 x 1440

24 x

2880

* It is impossible to print adjacent dots in a mode marked with an asterisk

(*).

Paper feed ................................. Friction or push tractor feed

Paper feed speed ........................ 3.4 inches/second max

Paper specifications

Cut sheet

Width

Length

Thickness

Weight

5.5

”

- 8.5

”

- 14.0

(139.7 - 215.9 mm)

”

(139.7 - 355.6 mm)

0.07 - 0.12 mm

52 - 90 g/m 2 , 45 - 77 kg, 14 - 24 lb

Fanfold (continuous)

Width

Length

Thickness

Weight

Copies

4.0

”

- 10.00

Minimum 5.5

Single-ply paper 0.07 - 0.12 mm

Total for multi-part forms 0.25 mm

52 - 82 g/m 2

”

(101.6 - 254.0 mm)

”

(139.7 mm)

, 45 - 70 kg, 14 - 22 lb

Original + 2 copies

106

Maximum buffer size ................ Without Download 16kB

With Download 256Bytes

Emulations ................................ Epson LQ-860/850, NEC 24-wire Graphics commands

Interface .................................... Centronics parallel (standard)

RS-232C serial (option)

Ribbon type ............................... On-carriage, dedicated

Fabric ribbon (Black only)

Ribbon life

Fabric ribbon (Z24) 2 million characters (draft pica)

Long life fabric ribbon (LZ24HD) 4 million characters (draft pica)

Dimensions and Weight

Width

Depth

Height

Weight

410 mm (16.14

”

)

328 mm (12.91

”

)

121 mm (4.76

”

)

6.5 kg (14.3 lb)

Power supply ............................ 120VAC, 220VAC, 230VAC, 240VAC,

50/60 Hz

(varies according to the contry of purchase)

Options ...................................... Long life fabric ribbon cartridge (LZ24HD)

Single-bin Automatic Sheet Feeder (SF-10DV)

Serial-Parallel Converter (SPC-8K)

107

PINOUT OF INTERFACE CONNECTOR

The following describes the pinout of the interface connector (signals which are low when active are overlined).

Parallel interface

Pin

Name

STROBE

DATA 0

DATA 1

DATA 2

DATA 3

DATA 4

DATA 5

DATA 6

DATA 7

ACK

BUSY

Function

Goes from high to low (for > 0.5

µ s) when active

High when active

µ s low pulse acknowledges receipt of data

Low when printer ready to receive data

PAPER

SELECT

High when paper out. Can be disabled with EDS setting

High when printer is on-line

14 - 15 N/C

16 SIGNAL GND Signal ground

19 - 30

CHASSIS

+5V

GND

RESET

ERROR

EXT GND

34 - 35 N/C

36 SELECT IN

Chassis ground (isolated from signal ground)

+5V DC output from printer

Twisted pair ground return

When this input signal is low, printer is reset

Outputs low when printer cannot continue, due to an error

External ground

Always high

108

Serial Interface

Pin

Name

GND

TXD

RXD

RTS

CTS

Function

Printer’s chassis ground.

This pin carries data from the printer

This pin carries data to the printer

This pin is always set to Space

This pin is Space when the conputer is ready to send data.

This printer does not check this pin

N/C

GND

8 - 10 N/C

11 RCH

Signal ground

This printer turns this pin to Space when it is ready to receive data. This line carries the same signal as pin 20

N/C

GND

14 - 19 N/C

20 DTR

Signal ground

This printer turns this pin to Space when it is ready to receive data

21 - 25 N/C

109

CHARACTER SETS

The following tables show the Italic and Graphics character sets.

The decimal character code of each character is shown in an inset to the lower right of the character.

The hexadecimal code can be found by reading the entries at the top and left edges of the table. For example, the character “A” is in column 4 and row 1, so its hexadecimal character code is 41. This is equivalent (4 x

16 + 1 = 65) to decimal 65, the number in the inset.

Control codes recognized by this printer are indicated by abbreviations inside pointed brackets <>.

The numbers above the decimal character code shows the proportional width of characer.

The values given are in 360ths of an inch. For example, a value of 36 is

36/360ths of an inch. You may need to enter these widths into a special table for your processing program so it can calculate the number of proportional characters that will fit on a line.

110

Italic character set #2

111

112

International character sets

When an international character set is selected by a command from software, the following changes are made in the Italic character set:

The command for selecting the international character set is:

<ESC> “R” n

Where n means character code n, i. e. CHR$(n) in BASIC. The values of n are:

0 U.S.A.

1 France

2 Germany

3 England

4 Denmark I

5 Sweden

6 Italy

7 Spain I

8 Japan

9 Norway

10 Denmark II

11 Spain II

12 Latin America

13 Korea

14 Irish

64 Legal

113

Graphics character set #2

Code Page #437 (U.S.A.)

114

115

Code Page #850 (Mulch-lingual)

Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.

116

Code Page #860 (Portuguese)

Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.

117

Code Page #861 (Icelandic)

Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.

118

Code Page #863 (Canadian French)

Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.

119

Code Page #865 (Nordic)

Other characters are identical to Code Page #437.

120

Character set #1

Other characters are identical to character set #2.

The duplication of control codes enables systems with a 7-bit interface to obtain control functions when the most significant bit is set to 1 by the <ESC>

“>” command.

121

122

MEMO

INDEX

123

124

125

126

COMMAND SUMMARY

The following commands take effect with this printer.

127

128

129

130

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Key features

Supports Epson printer commands
Prints text and graphics
Accepts single sheets, fanfold forms, multi-part forms and preprinted forms
Includes Draft, Roman, Sanserif, Courier, Prestige, and Script fonts
Has 4 buttons and 10 indicators on control panel
Has Paper Parking function for fanfold forms
Quiet mode reduces printing noise
Graphics printing with resolution up to 360 x 360 dots per square inch
Supports NEC graphics commands
Tear-off function for removing printed forms

Frequently asked questions

The printer accepts single sheets (cut forms) and stationery, fanfold forms (continuous forms), multi-part forms, and preprinted forms.

The printer has the following resident (internal) fonts: Draft, Roman, Sanserif, Courier, Prestige, and Script.

The control panel has four buttons: FONT, PITCH, PAPER FEED, and ON LINE. These buttons can be used to select fonts, pitch, feed paper, park fanfold forms, set top-of-form position, print test patterns, prevent software from changing font and pitch selections, and adjust print alignment.

To park fanfold forms, press the ON LINE button to set the printer off-line, then press the FONT button and hold it down. While holding the FONT button down, press the PAPER FEED button. The paper will be fed out backward. You can then load single sheets and the fanfold paper will remain parked at the back of the printer.

The Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode allows you to easily change the default settings of your printer to match your system and software needs.

MULTI-FONT

USERS MANUAL

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

hapter 1

INTRODUCTION

PRINTER COMPONENTS

SUMMARY OF PRINTER FEATURES

FONT STYLE EXAMPLE

hapter 2

SETTING UP THE PRINTER

PRINTER PLACEMENT

UNPACKING AND INSPECTION

SETTING UP

Installing the platen knob

Removing the front cover

Installing the ribbon cartridge

Installing the front cover

Installing the paper guide

Connecting the interface cable

Configuring your software for the printer

MEMO

hapter 3

PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE

SELECTION OF PAPER

ADJUSTING THE PRINTING GAP

LOADING FANFOLD SHEETS

Paper parking

Paper unparking

Tear off function

LOADING SINGLE SHEETS

hapter 4

CONTROL PANEL OPERATIONS

BUTTON AND INDICATOR FUNCTIONS

ON LINE

PAPER FEED

PITCH

FONT

POWER-UP FUNCTIONS

Short test mode

Long test mode

Pitch lock mode

Font lock mode

Font and Pitch lock mode

Dot adjustment mode

Hexadecimal dump

SWITCH COMBINATION FUNCTIONS

Form feed

Paper parking

Top of form

Forward micro-feed

Reverse micro-feed

Changing the auto loading position

Clearing the buffer/All reset

Save Macro Definition

CONDITIONS INDICATED BY BEEP TONES

MEMO

hapter 5

DEFAULT SETTINGS-EDS MODE

HOW TO SET THE EDS MODE

FUNCTIONS OF THE EDS SETTINGS

hapter 6

TROUBLESHOOTING

MAINTENANCE

hapter 7

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDER (SF-10DV)

Setting up

Loading paper

INTERFACE CONVERTER

DIP switch functions on the converter

hapter 8

PRINTER CONTROL COMMANDS

FONT CONTROL COMMANDS

Select print quality

Select LQ font

Select italic characters

Select upright characters

Emphasized printing

Cancel emphasized printing