Brother IU 683 - 0402 User Manual

Installation and

TM

User's Guide

for Brother HL-7050

TowerFeed

IU 683 / 0402

TABLE OF CONTENTS

USER'S MANUAL

TowerFeedTM 444 for Brother HL-7050

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

PREFACE 3

UNPACKING 4

BOX CONTENTS 6

INSTALLATION
Hardware Installation 7
TowerFeed Setup 9
Printer Setup 9
Software Installation 10

OPERATING
Loading Paper 12
Reloading Paper 13
Out of Paper 13
Paper Jam 13

PAPER QUALITY GUIDELINES 14

APPENDIX A - Printer Specific Notes 15

APPENDIX B - Tips & Hints 16

APPENDIX C - Troubleshooting 20
TowerFeed Beep Types 21

APPENDIX D - TowerFeed Control Commands 22

APPENDIX E - Multi-Part Form Programming 24

APPENDIX F - TowerFeed Seltest 25

APPENDIX F - Cleaning and Maintenance 26

APPENDIX H - TowerFeed Specifications 27

IU 683 / 0404 1 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers

PREFACE

Thank you for selecting a Rutishauser product. TowerFeed is a superior sheet feeder specifically designed to
extend the paper handling capabilities of your Brother laser printer. We encourage you to read this manual carefully
to ensure correct installation and satisfactory operation.

TowerFeed is a demand feeder that makes it possible to have multiple types and sizes of paper available “on-line."
In Windows 3.1, paper selections are made with TowerFeed Windows Software. For non–Windows environments,
the control is done within the application software through the use of feed commands.
For print jobs without feed commands, the printer will receive paper from the top-most TowerFeed tray (Default
Paper).

Communication between the printer and TowerFeed is through the RS-232 port, thus offering the following
characteristics: • The installation is made easy. "Plug and Play"

• The printer can have internal or external network cards.

• Port switching is possible

• There is no reduction of the speed of data flow from the computer to the printer.
While installing TowerFeed, or whenever an unclear situation arises, please also consult the user's manuals of the

printer, your host computer system and your application software.
The name TowerFeed is generic to the TowerFeed family of feeders and is used throughout this manual.

TowerFeed has this model number scheme:
TowerFeed 444/xx.18.1y

Printer Model and Version
16 = HL-7050

International (220V, DIN A4 paper trays)
17 = HL-7050
Swiss (220V, DIN A4 paper trays)

Printer Manufacturer
18 = Brother

Configuration
33 = Desktop Model, 3 x 500 sheets

44 = Combined Model, 4 x 500 sheets
77 = Floor Model, 7 x 500 sheets

For

TF 444/77.18.16 is an international version with 7 DIN A4 paper trays.

example:
A plate showing type, designation and serial number is located besides of the power inlet of TowerFeed. Please

refer to this designation and the serial number whenever you call your service organization.

Rutishauser Data AG, Switzerland, reserves the right to make changes to its products or services without
prior notice and without incurring any obligations to incorporate such changes in units or publications
shipped. Rutishauser shall in no event be liable for incidental or consequential damages arising from

the use of its equipment.

TowerFeed™ is a registered trademark of Rutishauser Data AG.
Windows™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Other products and brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

IU 683 / 0404 2 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers

UNPACKING

Note:

Prior to delivery, your TowerFeed was thoroughly tested and carefully packaged.
Please check your unit for transportation damage and/or missing parts immediately upon receipt.

It is advisable to get a second person to help you unpack the unit.

Warning:

TowerFeed may weigh up to 36 kilograms (80 pounds) depending on configuration.
To prevent back strain or injury, bend your knees when lifting the unit, and get help if you need.

To unpack the TowerFeed unit, proceed as follows:

• Cut the packing strips and remove the top of the shipping container (Fig. 1).

• Remove the four blue shock absorbers from the unit corners.

• Desktop unit: Carefully lift the TowerFeed from the lower container.
Floor model: Lay the unit on its side and carefully pull off the lower part of the shipping container (Fig. 2).

• Remove the accessories box. It contains the rollers (floor and combined models only), the power and data
cable, a CD Rom and the start instructions.

• Floor model: Insert the rollers from the accessories box with some force onto the shafts on the TowerFeed
bottom plate until they snap into position with an audible click (Fig. 3).

• Combined model: If you prefer to use your TowerFeed as desktop model, remove (unscrew) the roller shafts
underneith the bottom plate. There are already 4 rubber feet installed for this purpose.

For floor use insert the rollers from the accessories box with some force onto the shafts on the TowerFeed

bottom plate until they snap into position with an audible click (Fig. 3).

• Stand up the TowerFeed unit (Fig. 4).

• Remove the plastic from TowerFeed.

Warning:
For reshipping TowerFeed, you must use the original packing to avoid shipping damage of the unit.

Re-packing (Fig.5)
It is recommended that you keep the packaging material and inserts for proper protection of the unit and its parts in

case of reshipment.
To repack TowerFeed, follow the above steps in reverse. Be sure that all accessories including manuals and

diskettes are packed in the box. Remove the trays and insert the transportation inserts as shown in Fig. 8, page 7
(It is important to secure the trays to avoid possible shipping damage). Place items according to Fig. 5. Ensure
TowerFeed is correctly seated and cushioned. Insert the four blue shock absorbers and close the container.

IU 683 / 0404 3 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers

UNPACKING

Fig. 1 Cut the packing

Fig. 2 Lay unit on side

strips and lift away the
top of the shipping container.

and carefully pull out
TowerFeed from the bottom
part of the shipping container.

Fig. 3 Insert rollers

(floor and combined models only)

Fig. 4 Stand up TowerFeed

and remove wrapping

Fig. 5 Re-packing

IU 683 / 0404 4 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers

BOX CONTENTS

Box Contents

Accessories

Box Contents

Rollers (Floor and Combined

Note:

Prior to delivery, your TowerFeed was thoroughly tested and carefully packaged.
Please check your unit for transportation damage and/or missing parts immediately upon receipt.

(1) TowerFeed unit with

drawers

(2) Accessories box

(1) Power Cable
(2) Data Cable
(3) ‘Getting started’ and

instructions how to get a
TowerFeed manual

(4) TowerFeed CD:

- User’s Guide

- Windows drivers

(5)

model only)

Fig. 6 Box Contents

IU 683 / 0404 5 TowerFeed

Fig. 7 Accessories Box Contents

TM

for Brother Printers

Warning:
POWER OFF your printer and TowerFeed and disconnect all power and interface cables before you
proceed with the installation.

Hardware Installation

Remove Transportation Inserts

• Pull out, lift upwards and remove the trays from TowerFeed so
as to remove the transportation inserts (Fig. 8). There are two
at each side (keep the inserts for reshipment).

• Re-insert and close the trays.

Note:

Located on the right side of each tray you will find coding pins
for the paper size. They are set by the factory and must not be
changed.

Position and Connect Printer

Warning:

The printer may weigh up to 25 kilograms (55 pounds). Enlist the
help of a second person to lift the unit. To prevent back strain or
injury, bend your knees when lifting the unit.

• Place the TowerFeed unit at the location you wish.

If your TowerFeed is a desktop model, be sure the table or cabinet

is level and sturdy enough to carry the load.

If your TowerFeed is a floor model, be sure to place it on a flat

location. Floor model TowerFeeds especially must be level!

Note:
If TowerFeed is not level, paper jams and/or left margin deviation
may occur. This is indicated if the left corner of the paper
is 'dog eared' or the left edge of the paper is shredded, or the
left margin is shifted and the printout skewed.

• Carefully lift the laser printer onto TowerFeed. Place its
positioning holes on the positioning pins of the TowerFeed top
(Fig. 9).

Fig. 8 Removing Transportation Inserts

Fig. 9 Positioning the Printer

INSTALLATION

IU 683 / 0404 6 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers

INSTALLATION

• Your printer has a centered paper path. Therefore the paper paths of printer and TowerFeed have not to be

adjusted like for previous Brother printers.

Electrical Connections

• Connect the RS-232 data cable to the serial port of the printer and

to the rear of TowerFeed (Fig. 10).

Note:
Secure the connectors with the screws to ensure proper
connection of the systems.

• Connect the power cables to printer and TowerFeed (Fig. 10).

Note:
When you power on the system, power on FIRST TowerFeed and
then the printer.

Caution:

When rolling TowerFeed and printer to another place, take care
when crossing doorsteps to not have the unit tipping over or
TowerFeed trays sliding open.

Fig. 10 Connecting the Cables and

Location of the Power Switch

IU 683 / 0404 7 TowerFeed

TM

for Brother Printers