Epson 188 User Manual

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is complete, accurate, and up-to-date. Oki Data assumes no responsibility for the results of errors or omissions beyond its control. Oki Data also cannot guarantee that changes in software and equipment made by other manufacturers and referred to in this document will not affect the applicability of the information in it. Mention of software products manufactured by other companies does not necessarily constitute endorsement by Oki Data.

Document: MICROLINE ML186 User’s Guide

First Edition: January, 2004

Written and produced by the Oki Data Training and Publications Department.

Please address any comments on this publication to:

Oki Data Americas, Inc. Training and Publications Department 2000 Bishops Gate Blvd. Mount Laurel, NJ 08054-4620

We invite you to visit Oki Data's multilingual web site at: http://www.okidata.com.

OKI, Oki Data and MICROLINE are registered trademarks of Oki Electric Industry Company, Ltd. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation (SEC), registered in the U.S. and other countries. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. LINUX is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT and DOS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Word Perfect is a registered trademark of Corel Corporation.

59358801, Rev. 1.0

Notes, Cautions, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Contents and Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Removing the Shipping Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Installing/Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Installing the Platen Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Adjusting the Head Gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Installing the Paper Separator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Setting Up Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Loading Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Testing Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Computer Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Setting up the Printer to Work with Your Computer . . . . . . . . 35

Operating Your Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Front Panel Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Setting Printer Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Using the Pull Tractor Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Using the Roll Paper Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Testing Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Cleaning the Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Clearing Paper Jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Parts & Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Notes, Cautions, etc.

Note

A note appears like this. It provides additional information which helps you to use and understand the product.

Important

An important message appears like this. It provides supplemental information which can prevent potential problems.

CAUTION!

A caution message appears like this. It provides information which, if ignored, can result in equipment malfunction or damage.

WARNING!

A warning message appears like this. It provides information which, if ignored, can result in the risk of personal injury.

4 • Notes, Cautions, etc.

Getting Started

Location

• Select a firm, solid surface for your printer.

• Allow enough space around the printer to easily access the platen knob and the various paper feed paths.

• Make sure a suitable grounded power outlet is available nearby.

Contents and Unpacking

• If any items are missing, contact your dealer immediately.

• Keep your packing materials and carton in case you ever need to ship or transport the printer.

• Interface cables and paper are sold separately.

1 ML186 Printer

2 Paper Separator

3 Platen Knob

4 Ribbon Cartridge

5 Power Cord

6 CD

5 • Getting Started

Removing the Shipping Restraint

Important!

Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed.

1. Remove any packing tape.

2. Reach into the top cover slot (1) and remove the access cover (2) by lifting it.

3. Remove the printhead shipping restraint. Keep the shipping restraint for future use.

4. Reinstall the access cover.

6 • Getting Started

Installing/Replacing the Ribbon

Cartridge

Use only genuine Oki Data ribbon cartridges.

When replacing a ribbon cartridge, make sure you have the correct replacement ribbon for your printer. The wrong ribbon will not print when installed in your printer.

Important

• Leave unused ribbon cartridges in their packaging until you are ready to install them.

• Careful! The ribbon ink can cause permanent stains.

• Ribbon ink on skin or clothing can usually be removed with soap and water.

1. Make sure the printer is turned off!

WARNING!

If the printer has been recently used, the printhead may be

HOT!

7 • Getting Started

2. Remove the access cover and center the printhead.

3. If you are replacing the ribbon cartridge, remove the used one:

Important

Do not remove the ribbon shield (1) from the new ribbon!

8 • Getting Started

4. Unpack the ribbon cartridge and install it on the printhead.

Note

If the ribbon won’t load easily, turn the take- up knob slightly until the x-shaped notch on the bottom of the ribbon cartridge aligns with the x-shaped insert on the ribbon plate.

5. Press gently on the ribbon cartridge until you feel it click into place.

9 • Getting Started

6. Turn the take-up knob (1) in the direction of the molded arrow to take up any ribbon slack.

7. Replace the access cover.

Installing the Platen Knob

Align the notch (1) with the pin on the platen shaft and push it firmly into place.

10 • Getting Started

Adjusting the Head Gap

The head gap is the distance between the printhead and the platen roller. When you use envelopes or multipart forms, you need to have a larger gap than when using plain paper. Use the recommended head gap to ensure the best print quality and easy paper feed

CAUTION!

Incorrect setting of the head gap can cause printhead damage or ribbon jams. To avoid these problems set the head gap for the type of media being used.

To adjust the head gap, move the colored lever (1) located to the left of the ribbon cartridge to the correct position for the type of media being used …

…as detailed in the following table:

Paper Type Lever Position

Single Sheets, up to 20 lb. (75 g/m

Forms, 2-part [maximum thickness 0.28 mm] 2 or 3

Forms, 3-part [maximum thickness 0.28 mm] 3

Forms, 4-part [maximum thickness 0.28 mm] 3

)

1 or 2

11 • Getting Started

Installing the Paper Separator

The paper separator is used for printing on single sheets (no carbons). With continuous forms paper, it is used to separate the ingoing/outgoing paper to prevent paper jams.

1. Hold the paper separator with the spring-loaded feet down.

2. Place the tabs (1) on the paper separator in the two corresponding slots ( ) on the printer.

3. Press down to release the paper separator onto the printer.

12 • Getting Started

Setting Up Your Printer

Power Connection

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Plug the power cord supplied with your printer into the back of the printer.

Important

The outlet voltage must match the voltage marked on the printer label.

3. Plug the other end of the power cord into an appropriate grounded outlet.

13 • Setting Up Your Printer

Loading Paper

Three types of paper can be used with your printer:

• Continuous Forms Paper (with or without the optional Pull Tractor)

• Single Sheets

• Roll Paper, using the optional Roll Paper Stand

Before You Start

1 Bail Arm Lever

2 Bail Arm

3 Paper Lever

4 Platen Knob

5 Head Gap Lever

14 • Setting Up Your Printer

Paper Lever Positions

= Single Sheet Feed

= Continuous Forms

Setting the Head Gap

Before you load paper, be sure to check the head gap lever setting (see page 11).

Important

Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed.

15 • Setting Up Your Printer

Loading Continuous Forms, Rear Feed

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Place the stack of continuous forms paper behind the printer.

3. Remove the access cover (1).

4. Pull the bail arm lever (2) — on the left side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to lift the bail arm.

16 • Setting Up Your Printer

5. Move the paper lever (3) — on the right side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to the continuous forms symbol.

6. Pull the lock levers (A) on the sprocket wheels at either end of the platen forward, then adjust the sprocket wheels (B) so that the sprockets align with the holes in the continuous forms you are using.

7. Push the levers back to lock the sprocket wheels in position.

17 • Setting Up Your Printer

8. Insert the first sheet of paper between the paper separator guides (5) and push it through the paper separator.

9. Place the paper between the sprocket feed guides (6) and feed it behind the platen, gently positioning it so that its holes engage the sprockets on the ends of the platen.

Note

Make sure you keep the lead edge of the paper straight so that the sprockets engage the matching pins on either side. Otherwise the paper will feed in skewed and paper jams will occur.

18 • Setting Up Your Printer

10.Turn the platen knob (7) to advance the paper until it appears

in front of the platen, behind the bail arm.

Important

Check to be sure that the matching holes on either side are engaging the sprockets (A). If they are not evenly matched and the paper is skewed (B), back the paper out and try again!

19 • Setting Up Your Printer

11. Push back on the bail arm lever (2) to lower the bail arm.

12.Use the platen knob (7) to set the position of the paper to the

first printing line.

13.Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the

paper through the slot in the cover.

14.Turn the printer on.

20 • Setting Up Your Printer

Loading Continuous Forms, Bottom Feed

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Place the printer on a slotted printer stand, carefully aligning the slot in the stand with the slot in the base of the printer.

3. Place a box of continuous forms paper on the stand, under the printer.

4. Remove the access cover (1).

21 • Setting Up Your Printer

5. Pull the lock levers (A) on the sprocket wheels at either end of the platen forward, then adjust the sprocket wheels (B) so that the sprockets align with the holes in the continuous forms you are using.

6. Push the levers back to lock the sprocket wheels in position.

7. Pull the bail arm lever (3) — on the left side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to lift the bail arm.

8. Move the paper lever (4) — on the right side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to the continuous forms symbol.

22 • Setting Up Your Printer

9. Insert the first sheet of continuous forms paper through the opening in the printer stand and into the bottom of the printer, gently feeding it into the printer until it appears in front of the platen, and above the bail arm.

Important

Check to be sure that the matching holes on either side are engaging the sprockets (A). If they are not evenly matched and the paper is skewed (B), back the paper out and try again!

23 • Setting Up Your Printer

10.Move the bail arm lever (3) back to lower the bail arm.

11. Use the platen knob (5) to advance the paper to the first

printing line.

12.Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the

paper through the slot in the cover.

13.Turn the printer on.

24 • Setting Up Your Printer

Loading Single Sheets

Note

Before printing single sheets, you must remove the Pull Tractor or Roll Paper Stand, if installed.

Your printer can accommodate single sheets up to 9.5 inches (241 mm) wide.

Note

In order to use paper wider than traditional letter size, you must move the sprocket wheels to their outermost positions so that the paper does not tear on the sprockets. See the directions below.

1. Turn the printer on.

25 • Setting Up Your Printer

2. Move the paper lever (1) — on the right side of the printer — toward the rear of the printer, to the single sheet symbol.

3. Ensure that the printer is off-line (press SELECT if necessary).

4. If you are using paper wider than 8.5 inches (216 mm), move the sprocket wheels to their outermost position:

a. Remove the access cover.

b. Pull the lock levers (A) at either end forward and move the

sprocket wheels (B) as needed.

26 • Setting Up Your Printer

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