Compuprint VG1100M Users Manual

FFrroonntt 22 TTrraaccttoorr IInnssttaallllaattiioonn

An additional push tractor is provided with this printer. This Front 2 push tractor unit can be
installed on the Front 1 push tractor.

1. Find the Front 2 push tractor
among the accessories.

2. Align the hooks on both sides of
the Front 2 tractor with the pins
on the Front 1 push tractor.

17

3. Push the Front 2 tractor until it
is fully engaged.

4. Insert the connector cable in the
electrical connector located in the
lower push tractor.

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5. Rotate the Front 2 push tractor
onto the Front 1 push tractor.

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RReemmoovviinngg tthhee FFrroonntt 22 TTrraaccttoorr

If you need to remove the upper push tractor, turn the printer off. Disconnect the connector cable and
press on the push buttons to disengage the Front 2 tractor.

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HHoosstt CCoommppuutteerr CCoonnnneeccttiioonn

This printer can be connected to your host computer via two available interfaces. The interface
connectors are located on the rear of the printer.

• A bidirectional IEEE1284 parallel interface

• A RS-232C/422A serial interface

Before connecting the interface cable, make sure that the printer and the host computer are

Insert the parallel interface cable into the parallel connector and fasten it by means of the clips.
Insert the serial interface cable into the serial connector and fasten it by means of the two screws (use

the screwdriver).

turned OFF .

Parallel Interface Serial Interface

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SSooffttwwaarree DDrriivveerr SSeelleeccttiioonn

At this point it is necessary to configure your printer for your application package. The installation
procedures depend upon the host environment.

Follow the instructions in the readme file you find on the CD-ROM.

In a WINDOWS 95/98/2000® environment the printer supports the Plug & Play feature.

The printer drivers of all Compuprint printers can be found at the Internet Address

http://www.compuprint.net/drivers

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PPoowweerr CCoonnnneeccttiioonn

Make sure that the power outlet matches the printers plug.

1. Make sure the power outlet is near the printer location and easily accessible.

2. Make sure that the power switch is in 0
position (OFF).

3. Insert the power cable plug into the printer connector and the other power cable end into a

convenient outlet (the figure shows the European version).

Always use a grounded outlet.

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4. If you need to turn the printer on, press the
power switch in the I position (ON).

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SSeelleeccttiinngg tthhee DDiissppllaayy LLaanngguuaaggee

The display messages for this printer can be displayed in five different languages: English (Default),
French, German, Italian and Spanish. To select the language, that you prefer, proceed as follows:

1. Press the

message will be displayed:

2. When you release the

then,

3. Press the ↓ key to enter the setup. The first setup item is displayed:

4. Press the ↓ key until the language first level function is displayed:

5. Press the → key to pass to the second level functions:

6. Press the ↓ key until the setup language is displayed:

7. Press the → key to scroll the setup languages. When the desired language is displayed, press the

PROGRAM

in the selected language.

PROGRAM

key to select it. The printer exits the setup. From now on the display messages appear

key and keep it pressed while powering on the printer until the following

RELEASE KEY

PROGRAM

key, the following messages will be displayed:

10200

PRINT OUT? NO

PARALL INTERFACE

FUNCTIONS

SEQUENCE NONE

MENU ENGLISH

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CCoonnffiigguurriinngg tthhee PPrriinntteerr

OOppeerraattoorr PPaanneell PPrreesseennttaattiioonn

The operator panel enables you to perform many of the printer functions including paper path
selections, font selection and the printer setup.

10200

PAT H

PAR K

Front 1

Front 2

TEAR

PITCH

PROGRAM ON LINE

ALTERNATE LOAD/FF LF FONT MACRO

MICRO FEED

The operator panel consists of:

• A 16 character display (Liquid Crystal Display)

• Five led indicators

• Nine function keys

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DDiissppllaayy MMeessssaaggeess

The printer display is used to indicate the printer status or to request an user intervention.
When the printer is in Ready state, the display gives the following information:

• when paper is already loaded and the

printer is off line (

ON LINE

indicator unlit):

OFF LINE M1

Printer Status

where:

OFF LINE
ON LINE

M1, M2, M3, M4

Current Macro

Indicates the printer status.

Indicate which of the four User Macros is currently used.

• when paper is already loaded and the

printer is on line (

ON LINE

indicator lit):

ON LINE M1

Printer Status

Current Macro

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• when there is no paper loaded and the

printer is off line (

ON LINE

indicator unlit):

• when there is no paper loaded and the

printer is on line (

ON LINE

indicator lit):

Load Front1

Current Paper Path

where:

LOAD FRONT 1
LOAD FRONT 2

OFF LINE
ON LINE

M1, M2, M3, M4

ON LINE M1

Printer Status

Indicates that the currently selected paper path is out of paper.

The messages are displayed only for the available paper paths,
according to the installed devices.

Indicates the printer status.

Indicate which of the four User Macros is currently used.

Current Macro

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The following messages appear to indicate other printer conditions or user intervention requests.
The list is in alphabetical order.

Message Description

ALTERNATE

BUSY M1

COVER OPEN
CLOSE COVER

EJECTING

INITIALIZING LAN

LOAD FRONT 1
LOAD FRONT 2

LOCKED MENU

MACRO CHANGING

MICRO FEED DOWN

This message appears to indicate that the Alternate functions of the operator
panel keys have been selected pressing the

This message appears to indicate that the printer is printing. It is busy.

When the printer cover is not closed correctly, the buzzer sounds and the
display shows alternately these two messages. Close the printer cover.

The printer is ejecting the paper out of the printer.

This message is displayed when the LAN is reset (only if the LAN interface
board is installed).

These messages are displayed when the corresponding paper path is out of paper.

When the access to the Printer Setups has been locked at the power on, the
printer displays this message.

The macro has been changed and the printer is updating the settings.

The paper is fed in microsteps downwards when pressing the ↓ arrow key .

ALTERNATE

key.

MICRO FEED UP

OPT. I/F CHANGED
PRESS ON LINE

The paper is fed in microsteps forwards when pressing the ↑ arrow key.

These messages are displayed at power on when the I/F board option has been
changed previously in the printer. Press the

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ON LINE

key to confirm.

Message Description

OPER. INTERRUPTED

PARKING

PATH CHANGING

PRESS A KEY
NVM CHANGED

RELEASE KEY

REMOTE CONTROL

RESET & BREAK

SELF TEST

TEAR IF NECESS.
EJECT PAPER

TEAR IF NECESS.
PARK PAPER

This message is displayed if the
park procedure.

The printer is parking the fanfold paper.

The path has been changed and the printer is updating the settings.

The NVM has been changed. Press any key to set the printer.

This message is displayed when you can release the PROGRAM key in the Self­test selection or in the Power-on Configuration procedure.

This message is displayed when the printer operates from remote control (only
if the LAN interface board is installed).

The printer received a reset and break command via interface.

Printing the self-test page.

These messages are displayed when the printer receives a paper parking
command and the TEAR NO item is selected for the tear-off function. Tear off
the fanfold then press the PARK key to eject the paper.
These messages are displayed when the printer receives a paper parking
command. Tear off the fanfold paper if necessary and then press the PARK key
to park the paper.

ALTERNATE

key has been pressed to interrupt a

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Message Description

TEAR OFF PAPER
EJECT PAPER

TEAR OFF PAPER
PARK PAPER

UNLOCKED MENU

For the error messages see "Error Handling" later in this manual.

These messages are displayed when the printer receives a paper ejecting
command (TEAR NO item has been selected for the tear-off function) but was
not able to execute it, because the paper to be ejected is longer than 18 inch.
Tear off the fanfold paper and then press the PARK key to eject the paper.

These messages are displayed when the printer has received a paper parking
command but was not able to execute it, because the paper to be parked is
longer than 18 inch. Tear off the fanfold paper and then press the
park the paper.

When the access to the Printer Setups has been unlocked at the power on, the
printer displays this message.

PARK

key to

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IInnddiiccaattoorrss

Lit when the printer can receive and print data (printer online).

ON LINE

PROGRAM

ALTER N ATE

Blinks when there is data in the buffer and the printer is offline.

Unlit when the printer is disabled and the buffer does not contain any data, or
during the initialization, setup or tests.

Blinks when one of the printer setup procedures has been selected: Program
Configuration or Power-On Configuration.

Lit when the alternate function of the keys has been enabled pressing the

ALTERNATE

key.

Front 1

Front 2

Lit when the Front1 paper path is selected.

Unlit when the Front1 paper is not selected

Lit when the Front2 paper path is selected.

Unlit when the Front2 paper is not selected.

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FFuunnccttiioonn KKeeyyss

Pressing the function keys it is possible to activate the functions indicated by the word or symbol
signed near the key. Each key may have different functions, according to the selected function
modes: Normal, Alternate or Program.

Normal function

Normal Function

Alternate Function

Program Function

Program Function

PROGRAM ON LINE

PAT H

PAR K

TEAR

PITCH

ALTERNATE LOAD/FF LF FONT MACRO

MICRO FEED

Alternate function

The normal function of the keys is written above the keys and does not require any
previous action to select it.

The alternate function of the keys is written below the keys and is selected
pressing the

ALTERNATE

When the alternate function of the keys is selected, the

key.

ALTERNATE

indicator is lit and

the display shows ALTERNATE.

The program function of the keys is selected pressing the

PROGRAM

key, where:

• If you press the key while powering the printer on, the Power-On Configuration

is selected.

• If you press the key when the printer is enabled without printing or disabled

ON LINE

(

In the Program Setup mode only the four arrow keys and the
enabled and the

indicator unlit), the Program Setup is selected.

PROGRAM

indicator is lit.

PROGRAM

key are

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ON LINE Key

ON LINE

Normal
Function

Program
Function

PROGRAM Key

PROGRAM

Normal
Function

Program
Function

Enables or disables the printer.

• If this key is pressed while powering the printer on, the self test is printed;

the printout is stopped pressing this key again.

• In an error condition, once the error cause has been removed, press this

key to enable the printer

Pressing this key, the input buffer is cleared an a break (250 msec.) on a serial
interface is sent. The message RESET & BREAK is displayed.

Enables the printer setups as follows:

• Pressing this key while powering on the printer, the Power-On

Configuration is selected.

• Pressing this key when the printer is enabled without printing or disabled

the Program Setup is enabled (

PROGRAM

indicator lit).

Exits the printer setups.

MACRO Key

MACRO

→

Normal
Function

Program
Function

Selects one of the user macros (Macro 1, Macro 2, Macro 3 or Macro 4). If you
want to select the displayed macro, wait for 2 seconds without pressing any
key and the parameters of this macro will be set .

Scrolls the parameters of the functions or macros forwards.

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FONT Key

FONT

←

LF Key

LF

MICRO FEED

↑

LOAD/FF Key

LOAD/FF

MICRO FEED

Normal
Function

Program
Function

Normal
Function

Alternate
Function

Program
Function

Normal
Function

Alternate
Function

Selects the font to be used with the currently selected pitch. The selected font
is valid until the printer is turned off or a new font is selected using this key.

Scrolls the parameters of the functions or macros backwards.

Performs a line feed according to the current line spacing settings.

Moves the paper forward in microsteps. Keeping the key pressed the paper is
moved continuously at increasing speed.

Scrolls the setup and macro functions backwards.

Executes a Form Feed (FF): when paper is loaded into the printer, it advances
to the following page; if no paper is loaded, it is positioned for printing.

Moves the paper backward in microsteps. Keeping the key pressed the paper
is moved continuously at increasing speed.

↓

Program

Scrolls the setup and macro functions forwards.

Function

35

ALTERNATE Key

ALTERNATE

Normal
Function

Alternate
Function

TEAR/PITCH Key

TEAR

PITCH

Normal
Function

Alternate
Function

Enables the alternative key functions.
If the printer is receiving print data, press the ON LINE key before pressing the

ALTERNATE

If no printing data are in the print buffer, pressing the

key.

ALTERNATE

key, the printer

goes offline.

The display then shows
of the keys is enabled (

ALTERNATE

ALTERNATE

May be used to abort paper parking procedure. See also “

Paper Parking

”, later in this manual.

to indicate that the Alternate Function

indicator lit).

How to Handle the

When the printer is in Program Setup Mode, this key is disabled.

Disables the alternative key functions.

Moves the paper to the tear-off position (TEAR NORMAL function must be selected
in the Program Setup).

Selects the pitch to be used with the currently selected font. The selected pitch is
valid until the printer is turned off.

36

PATH/PARK Key

PATH

PARK

Normal
Function

Alternate
Function

Selects one of the paper paths (FRONT 1 or FRONT 2) in offline status. The
parameters of the displayed path are set after 2 seconds without pressing any key.

Parks the paper in the currently selected paper path.

Key Combinations

ONLINE + MACRO + ALTERNATE

Normal
Function

Lock or unlock the access to the printer setups. See later
“How to Lock/Unlock the Printer Setups” section.

37

PPrriinntteerr SSeettuuppss

The main printer setup parameters can be selected via the operator panel. The setup parameters are
divided into two printer setups, the Power-On Configuration, that allows a complete configuration at
installation time according to the hardware and the emulation types, and the Program Setup, that
allows you to set the functions that are the most useful in your daily job. These settings can be
selected when the printer is online without printing or offline (
the NVM.

ON LINE

indicator unlit) and stored in

EEnntteerriinngg tthhee PPrriinntteerr SSeettuuppss

• Press the

message is displayed to select the Power-On Configuration.

• Press the

indicator unlit) to select the Program Setup.

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

key and keep it pressed at the printer power on until the RELEASE KEY

key when the printer is online without printing or offline (

MMoovviinngg wwiitthhiinn tthhee PPrriinntteerr SSeettuuppss

The arrow keys ↑, ↓, ← , → are used to move within the different functions inside the Printer Setups.
See the following description of the setup items.

ON LINE

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LLeeaavviinngg tthhee PPrriinntteerr SSeettuuppss

• Pressing the

PROGRAM

in the Power-On Configuration key the printer exits from the setup and

the new settings will be automatically saved.

• Pressing the

PROGRAM

key in the Program Setup, the following choice is offered for the storage of

the values set:

STORE? QUIT

STORE? SAVE

The new settings are not activated and the old settings remain valid.

The new settings are stored permanently in the NVM (Non Volatile
Memory).

STORE? CURRENT

The new settings remain valid until the printer is turned off.

Press the → or ← keys to scan these selections forward and backwards. When the desired setting is
displayed, press the

PROGRAM

key to exit from the Setup.

39

PPoowweerr--OOnn CCoonnffiigguurraattiioonn

The default values of the various functions are indicated in bold.

EEnntteerriinngg tthhee PPoowweerr--OOnn CCoonnffiigguurraattiioonn

1. Make sure that the printer is turned off.

2. Press and hold the

message is displayed. As soon as the
displayed:

then,

PROGRAM

key pressed while powering on the printer until the RELEASE KEY

PROGRAM

10200

PRINT OUT? NO

key gets released, the following message will be

40

Main Structure

This figure shows the structure of the Power-On Configuration and how to move inside the Setup.

Print out? NO

Emul. Options

Parall Interface

Serial Interface

Functions

Back to MFG? NO

Print out? YES

LAN Interface

41

The setup item Functions groups the following printer functions:

• Paper loading sequence,

• Buzzer setting,

• Ribbon type,

• Bar code density,

• Text printing direction,

• Graphics printing direction,

• Bar code printing direction,

• Paper path at power on,

• Language of the display messages,

• Paper tractor jam sensors,

• Tear-off position adjustment

Printout of the Printer Settings

PRINT OUT? NO

↓

EMUL. OPTIONS

→ or ←

PRINT OUT? YES

PRINT OUT? NO

PRINT OUT? YES

The Setup is not printed.

The printer setup is printed showing the currently selected values. The
printout starts as soon as you select this value.

42

Emulation Options

This setup defines the available options according to the selected emulation and is structured as
follows:

Options

Emul. Options

Parall. Interface

Emul EPSON LQ

Char. Set ...

Nation ...

Auto LF ...

Emul IBM...

Char. Set ...

Nation ...

Auto CR ...

Auto LF ...

20 CPI IBM ...

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Setting the Emulation Options

Printer Emulation

PRINT OUT? NO EMUL. OPTIONS

↑

EMUL. OPTIONS

↓

PARALL INTERFACE

EMUL. IBM 2391

CHAR. SET CS2

→

↑

EMUL. EPSON LQ

EMUL. IBM XL24

EMUL. IBM XL24AGM

↓

EMUL EPSON

EMUL IBM XL24

EMUL IBM XL24AGM

EMUL. IBM 2391

The printer uses the EPSON Series emulation.

The printer uses the IBM Proprinter XL24 emulation.

The printer uses the IBM Proprinter XL24 AGM emulation.

The printer uses the IBM Personal 2391+ emulation.

→ or ←

→ or ←

→ or ←
→ or ←

44