Epson CW-C6000, CW-C6500 Reference Manual

Series Series

External I/O

Technical Reference Guide

Overview

External I/O Specification

Commands

Printer Statuses and Signals

Timing

Settings on the Printer

Appendix

M00123700

Rev.A

Cautions

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All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purpose only.

©Seiko Epson Corporation 2019-2020. All rights reserved.

2

Restriction of Use

When this product is used for applications requiring high reliability/safety such as transportation devices related to aviation, rail, marine, automotive etc.; disaster prevention devices; various safety devices etc.; or functional/precision devices etc., you should use this product only after giving consideration to including fail-safes and redundancies into your design to maintain safety and total system reliability. Because this product was not intended for use in applications requiring extremely high reliability/safety such as aerospace equipment, main communication equipment, nuclear power control equipment, or medical equipment related to direct medical care etc., please make your own judgment on this product’s suitability after a full evaluation.

About this Manual

Aim of the Manual

This manual was created to provide information on development, design, and installation of systems and development and design of printer applications for developers.

Manual Content

The manual is made up of the following sections:

Chapter 1	Overview
Chapter 2	External I/O Specification
Chapter 3	Commands
Chapter 4	Printer Statuses and Signals
Chapter 5	Timing
Chapter 6	Settings on the Printer
Appendix	Appendix

3

Key to Symbols

The symbols in this manual are identified by their level of importance, as defined below. Read the following carefully before handling the product.

	WARNING	You must follow warnings carefully to avoid serious bodily injury.
	CAUTION	Provides information that must be observed to prevent damage to the equipment or loss of
		data.
		• Possibility of sustaining physical injuries.
		• Possibility of causing physical damage.
		• Possibility of causing information loss.
cIMPORTANT		Indicates information with which you must comply when using the product. Mishandling due
		to ignoring this information may cause the product to fail or malfunction.
Q	NOTE	Indicates supplementary explanations and information you should know.

Safety Precautions on Handling

WARNING	• Shut down your equipment immediately if it produces smoke, a strange odor, or unusual
		noise. Continued use may lead to fire or electric shock. Immediately unplug the equipment.
	• Only disassemble this product as described in this manual. Do not make modifications to
		the unit. Tampering with this product may result in injury, fire, or electric shock.
	• Never insert or disconnect the power plug with wet hands. Doing so may result in severe
		shock.
	• Do not allow foreign matter to fall into the equipment. Penetration by foreign objects may
		lead to fire or shock.
	• If water or other liquid spills into this equipment, unplug the power cord immediately. Con-
		tinued usage may lead to fire or shock.
	• Handle the power cord with care. Improper handling may lead to fire or shock.
		Do not modify or attempt to repair the cord.
		Do not place any object on top of the cord.
		Avoid excessive bending, twisting, and pulling.
		Do not place cord near heating equipment.
		Check that the plug is clean before plugging it in.
		Be sure to push the prongs all the way in.
	• Be sure to set this equipment on a firm, stable, horizontal surface. Product may break or
		cause injury if it falls.
	• Do not use in locations subject to high humidity or dust levels. Excessive humidity and dust
		may cause equipment damage, fire, or shock.
	•	Do not place heavy objects on top of this product. Never stand or lean on this prod-
		uct.Equipment may fall or collapse, causing breakage and possible injury.

4

Contents
■ Restriction of Use...................................................................................................................	3
■ About this Manual .................................................................................................................	3
Aim of the Manual .............................................................................................................................................................	3
Manual Content..................................................................................................................................................................	3
Key to Symbols....................................................................................................................................................................	4
Safety Precautions on Handling ...................................................................................................................................	4
■ Contents ..................................................................................................................................	5
Overview...........................................................................................................	7
■ Functionality...........................................................................................................................	7
■ External device.......................................................................................................................	8
External I/O Specification ...............................................................................	9
■ Connector................................................................................................................................	9
■ Signal Definitions ..................................................................................................................	9
Pulse signal...........................................................................................................................................................................	9
Level signal .........................................................................................................................................................................	10
■ Pin Assignment and Specification for I/O Signals ........................................................	11
■ Specification for I/O Signals..............................................................................................	15
Commands .....................................................................................................	17
■ List of Commands ...............................................................................................................	17
■ Setting Commands.............................................................................................................	21
End print signal (output) mode settings .................................................................................................................	21
Mode setting for data ready signal (output) ..........................................................................................................	23
Mode setting for clogged nozzle detected signal (output)..............................................................................	24
Mode setting for head maintenance signal (output)..........................................................................................	25
Mode setting for printer ready signal (output) .....................................................................................................	26
Mode setting for warning signal (output)...............................................................................................................	27
Mode setting for error signal (output)......................................................................................................................	28
Ink low signal (output) mode setting .......................................................................................................................	29
Ink cartridge exchange signal (output) mode setting........................................................................................	30
Paper out signal (output) mode setting ..................................................................................................................	31
Mode setting for pause signal (input) ......................................................................................................................	32
Mode setting for head cleaning signal (input) ......................................................................................................	33
Mode setting for clogged nozzle check signal (input) .......................................................................................	34
Mode setting for feed signal (input)..........................................................................................................................	35
Mode setting for start print signal (input)...............................................................................................................	36
Mode setting for re-print signal (input) ...................................................................................................................	37

5

■ Acquisition Commands for Setting Values.....................................................................	38
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for end print signal (output).........................................	38
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for data ready signal (output)......................................	38
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for clogged nozzle detected signal (output)..........	39
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for head maintenance signal (output)......................	39
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for printer ready signal (output) .................................	40
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for warning signal (output)...........................................	40
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for error signal (output) .................................................	40
Acquisition of mode setting value for ink low signal (input)...........................................................................	41
Acquisition of mode setting value for ink cartridge exchange signal (input) ...........................................	41
Acquisition command of mode setting value for paper out signal (input)................................................	42
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for pause signal (input) ..................................................	42
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for head cleaning signal (input)..................................	43
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for clogged nozzle check signal (input) ...................	43
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for feed signal (input) .....................................................	43
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for start print signal (input) ..........................................	44
Acquisition commands for mode setting values for re-print signal (input)...............................................	44
Printer Statuses and Signals ........................................................................	45
Timing.............................................................................................................	47
■ Basic Timing for Label Printing.........................................................................................	47
■ Basic Timing for Pausing....................................................................................................	48
■ Basic Timing for Label Feeding.........................................................................................	49
When "backfeed operation time settings" is set to "backfeed after printing"...........................................	49
When "backfeed operation time settings" is set to "backfeed before printing".......................................	49
■ Basic Timing for Nozzle Check and Head Cleaning ......................................................	50
Settings on the Printer ..................................................................................	53
■ End Print Signal Mode Settings........................................................................................	53
■ Mode Setting for Start Print Signal .................................................................................	53
■ Mode Setting for Re-print Signal .....................................................................................	54
Appendix ........................................................................................................	55
■ Cautions for Setting Jumpers ...........................................................................................	55
■ Figure of Jumper Settings and I/O Power Supply and Ground Connections ..........	56
I/O signal specifications when I/O power supply and SG are separated.....................................................	57
■ Switching the I/O Power Supply and SG.........................................................................	59

6

Chapter 1 Overview

Overview

This guide describes the external I/O specifications for the CW-C6000 Series/CW-C6500 Series. Please develop your device to match these specifications.

Functionality

Using the external I/O signal allows the user to perform synchronous control of the printer and external devices and to check the printer status.

Signal transmission between the printer and external device uses a D-Sub 25 cable. 1

Also, use a USB cable or Ethernet cable to send commands, which set the operation for the external I/O, from the host PC.

System structure

A system using the external I/O can be structured as follows.

External I/O (D-Sub25 pin)

Input signal

(Control of the printer)

External device

Output signal

(Check the printer status)

Synchronize

USB or Ethernet (Used to transmit commands)

7

External device

The following external devices can be connected.

•Automatic application machine

•Roll rewinder

•Devices that must sync with the printer other than the above

Q The number of possible connections is one.

NOTE

8

Chapter 2 External I/O Specification

External I/O Specification

This section describes the external I/O for the printer.

Connector

The external I/O connectors are as follows.

D-sub25 connector (female connector)

Screws: Metric screws

13		1

	25			14		2
	QNOTE	Be sure to use the screws to affix the connection cable and ensure the cable does not fall out.

Signal Definitions

Pulse signal

A pulse signal is a square wave with a fixed short-term width. A low active pulse is a signal that changes sharply from High to Low, maintains a low state for a short period of time, and then sharply changes back to High. A High active pulse is a signal that changes sharply from Low to High, maintains a High state for a short period of time, and then sharply changes back to Low.

If a pulse signal meets the specification for pulse width, the time for the pulse width does not matter.

Pulse width of input signal

As shown in below, input pulse signals that can be received must have a pulse width of 20 msec or more. Input signals with a pulse width less than 20 ms are not detected.

Min. 20 msec

9

Minimum interval between input pulse signals

As shown below, the interval between input pulse signals that can be received should be 50 ms or more. If pulse signals are received at an interval of less than 50 ms, the second pulse signal will not be detected.

Not detected

Min. 50 msec

Level signal

A level signal is a signal that maintains a Low and/or High state for a certain length of time, and refers to the time during which that state is maintained. A Low active level signal changes from High to Low, and the time during which it maintains the Low state is the active state. A High active level signal changes from Low to High, and the time during which it maintains the High state is the active state. If both Low and High are significant, both the Low state and the High state are each maintained for a certain length of time.

Minimum time input level signals that can be received are maintained

As shown below, input level signals that can be received must be maintained for 30 msec or more.

Min. 30 msec

10

Chapter 2 External I/O Specification

Pin Assignment and Specification for I/O Signals

The pin assignment and specification for I/O signals are shown below.

Perform settings so that the specifications of the printer and external device match.

		Input-
Pin	Signal	Output	Pulse/Level	Description
		*1
1	Signal Ground	-	-	Ground for I/O signals.
				Set a jumper on CN100 to keep Signal Ground
				and Frame Ground separate.
2	Reserved	-	-	This signal is reversed for the system.
3	Reserved	-	-
4	Reserved	-	-
						2
5	Reserved	-	-
6	Reserved	-	-
7	Signal Ground	-	-	Ground for I/O signals.
				Set a jumper on CN100 to keep Signal Ground
				and Frame Ground separate.
8	Ink Low *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is in an ink low
				state.
				• L: Ink low
				• H: No ink low
9	IO Power	-	-	Provides 5 V (±10 %) power supply to external
				devices.
				The maximum current that can be provided is
				180 mA.
				Set a jumper on CN200 to provide an external I/
				O power supply, while also keeping Signal
				Ground and Frame Ground separate.
10	Start print *4	Input	Pulse/Level	Sends an instruction to start printing.
				• In pulse mode, printing starts if a change from
				High to Low is detected. Detection occurs
				only when the state of the "End print" signal is
				High, and does not occur while printing is in
				progress.
				To print a new label, first return the signal to
				High, and then change it again from High to
				Low.
				• In level mode, printing starts if this signal is
				Low. Detection occurs only when the state of
				the "End print" signal is High. Printing of new
				labels will continue until Low is detected.
				• Signal logic: Low active

11

				Input-
		Pin	Signal	Output	Pulse/Level	Description
				*1
		11	Feed *3	Input	Level	Sends an instruction to feed the paper.
						• When the printer is in the Ready or Pause
						state, the printer feeds paper if this signal is
						Low.
						• For labels, if this signal changes to High while
						the printer is feeding paper, feeding will stop
						when the edge of the next label is detected.
						• For continuous paper, if this signal changes to
						High while the printer is feeding paper,
						feeding will stop after the detection time has
						elapsed.
						• Signal logic: Low active
		12	Pause *3	Input	Pulse	Sends an instruction to pause the printer.
						• The printer is paused if a change from High to
						Low is detected.
						• While the printer is paused, if a change from
						High to Low is detected again, the printer will
						be unpaused.
						• Signal logic: Low active
		13	Re-print *3	Input	Pulse	If the label reprinting function is enabled, an
						instruction to reprint the label that was last
						printed is sent from an external device.
						• The label is reprinted if a change from High to
						Low is detected.
						• Signal logic: Low active
		14	Clogged nozzle check *3 *5	Input	Pulse	Sends an instruction to check the head for a
						clogged nozzle.
						• The head is checked for a clogged nozzle if a
						change from High to Low is detected.
						• Signal logic: Low active
		15	Head Cleaning *3	Input	Pulse	Sends an instruction for head cleaning.
						• The head is cleaned if a change from High to
						Low is detected.
						• Signal logic: Low active
		16	Warning *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is in a warning
						state.
						• L: Warning
						• H: No warning
		17	Error *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is in an error state.
						• L: Error
						• H: No error

12

					Chapter 2 External I/O Specification
			Input-
	Pin	Signal	Output	Pulse/Level	Description
			*1
	18	End print *2 *4	Output	Pulse/Level	The meaning of this signal varies depending on
					the values that are set for end print signal mode,
					as indicated below.
					• Mode 0:
					End print signal OFF (End print signal not
					output)
					• Mode 1:
					Indicates that the printer feeds paper during
					Low.
					• Mode 2:
					Indicates that the printer feeds paper during
					High.
					• Mode 3 (default):
					Indicates that, for a pulse with a Low duration
								2
					of 20 msec, printing ends and the printer
					feeds paper to the predetermined position.
					• Mode 4:
					Indicates that, for a pulse with a High
					duration of 20 msec, printing ends and the
					printer feeds paper to the predetermined
					position.
					* Refer to "Basic Timing for Label Printing" on
					page 47 for more information about whether
					back feeding is included when feeding paper.
	19	Printer ready *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is in the ready
					state.
					• L: Ready
					• H: Not Ready
	20	Reserved	-	-	This signal is reversed for the system.
	21	Head maintenance *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is undergoing
					head maintenance. During head maintenance,
					the printer is undergoing either a nozzle check
					or head cleaning.
					• L: Head maintenance in progress
					• H: Head maintenance not in progress
	22	Ink cartridge exchange*2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer requires an ink
					cartridge exchange.
					• L: Ink cartridge exchange required
					• H: Ink cartridge exchange not required
	23	Data ready *2	Output	Level	Indicates that the generation of print data has
					completed in the printer.
					• L: Print data preparation complete
					• H: Print data preparation not complete

13

				Input-
		Pin	Signal	Output	Pulse/Level	Description
				*1
		24	Clogged nozzle detected *2 *5	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer has detected a
						clogged nozzle in the head.
						• L: Clogged nozzle detected
						• H: Clogged nozzle not detected
						* The results of the previous nozzle check are
						applied.
						* Even if nozzle clogging is not specified (when
						a nozzle check is not performed, or if a warn-
						ing occurs while the state of the nozzles is
						unclear), the value at that time is maintained.
		25	Paper out *2	Output	Level	Indicates whether the printer is in a paper out
						state.
						• L: Paper out
						• H: No paper out

1 Input and output directions are described as viewed from the printer. Input: Signal input to the printer from an external device.

Output: Signal output from the printer to an external device.2 The logic for all output signals can be reversed.

The information provided in the Description column is based on the default signal logic. If the signal logic is reversed, it will be the opposite.

3 Except for the "Start print" signal, the logic for all input signals is low active. (The logic for input signals cannot be reversed.)

4 The "Start print" signal and "End print" signal can be switched between pulse and level. Therefore, there are 4 possible configurations for the "End print" signal: [Pulse or Level] x [Low Active or High Active].

5 The results of the previous nozzle check are applied to the clogged nozzle detected signal (pin 24). Therefore, during a nozzle check, issue a nozzle check command (pin 14) before checking the clogged nozzle detected signal (pin 24). Refer to timing "Timing" on page 47.

14

Chapter 2 External I/O Specification

Specification for I/O Signals

This section describes the I/O signal specifications.

Input/Output	Item	Value
Input signal to the printer	Type of output port on the	Open drain or open collector output
	external device
	Low level	VIL_max. 0.8 V
		Sink current Min. 2 mA
		Max. 7 mA *1
	High level	Sink current (leakage current) Max. 10 uA
Output signal from printer	Type of output port on the	Open collector output (pull-up resistor is on the
	printer	printer)
	Low level	VOL_max. 0.8 V
				2
		Allowable sink current Max. 1.8 mA *2
	High level	VOH_min. 4.0 V *3

1 The sink current is limited by the current limiting resistance (R = 1 kΩ).2 Do not use this as a drive for a high-current load such as a coil.

3 This depends on the pull-up resistance (Rpu = 10k ohm) of the printer and the input resistance of the external device.

CAUTION

Regardless of whether an external device is connected or the connected external device is turned on or off, when the printer is turned on, the power supply voltage and signal are output from the I/O power supply pin and output signal pin of the external I/O connector. Connect an external device under this assumption.

Example input signal circuit

+5 V

Printer side External device side

R

Printer input

External device output

SG

FG

SG

15

Example output signal circuit

+5 V	Printer side		External device side

Rpu

Printer output

External device input

SG

FG

SG

16

Chapter 3 Commands

Commands

This section describes the commands of the external I/O. You can acquire each signal's mode settings and printer setting values.

List of Commands

The signal specifications for the external I/O are as follows.

	No.	Command	Command function		Command and parameters
		name category
	1	External I/O out-	End print signal mode setting	^S(CNA,B,c
		put signal settings		c = D/E/N/0 - 4
				0/D:	End print signal OFF (End print signal not
					output)
				1:	Normal: High, When feeding paper: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When feeding paper: High
				3:	Normal: High, For 20 msec after printing:
					Low
								3
				4/N:	Normal: Low, For 20 msec after printing:
					High
	2		Data ready signal mode setting	^S(CNA,A,c
				c= D/E/0/1/2
				0/D:	Off
				1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High
	3		Clogged nozzle detected signal	^S(CNA,D,c
			mode setting	c= D/E/0/1/2
				0/D:	Off
				1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High
	4		Head maintenance mode setting	^S(CNA,M,c
				c= D/E/0/1/2
				0/D:	Off
				1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High
	5		Printer ready signal mode setting	^S(CNA,O,c
				c= D/E/0/1/2
				0/D:	Off
				1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High
	6		Warning signal mode setting	^S(CNA,W,c
				c= D/E/0/1/2
				0/D:	Off
				1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
				2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High

17

		No.	Command	Command function		Command and parameters
			name category
		7	External I/O out-	Error signal mode setting	^S(CNA,E,c
			put signal settings		c= D/E/0/1/2
					0/D:	Off
					1:	Normal: High, When an event occurs: Low
					2/E:	Normal: Low, When an event occurs: High
		8		Ink low signal mode setting	^S(CNA,J,c
					c= D/E/0/1/2
					0/D:	Off
					1:	Normal: High, When there is little ink
						remaining: Low
					2/E:	Normal: Low, When there is little ink
						remaining: High
		9		Ink cartridge exchange signal	^S(CNA,I,c
				mode setting	c= D/E/0/1/2
					0/D:	Off
					1:	Normal: High, When ink must be
						replaced: Low
					2/E:	Normal: Low, When ink must be replaced:
						High
		10		Paper out signal mode setting	^S(CNA,P,c
					c= D/E/0/1/2
					0/D:	Off
					1:	Normal: High, When there is no paper:
						Low
					2/E:	Normal: Low, When there is no paper:
						High

18

Chapter 3 Commands

No.	Command	Command function		Command and parameters
	name category
11	External I/O input	Pause signal mode setting	^S(CNI,P,c
	signal settings		c= 0/1
			0:	Ignore pause signal.
			1:	Switch the pause state if Low is asserted
				for the pause signal for 20 msec or longer.
12		Head clea ning signal mode	^S(CNI,C,c
		setting	c= 0/1
			0:	Ignore cleaning signal.
			1:	Clean if Low is asserted for the cleaning
				signal for 20 msec or longer.
13		Clogged nozzle check signal mode	^S(CNI,D,c
		setting	c= 0/1
			0:	Ignore clogged nozzle check signal.
			1:	Check for clogged nozzle if Low is
				asserted for the clogged nozzle check sig-
				nal for 20 msec or longer.
14		Feed signal mode setting	^S(CNI,F,c
						3
			c= 0/3
			0:	Ignore feed label signal.
			1:	Continue feeding the label as long as Low
				is asserted.
15		Mode setting for start print signal	^S(CNI,S,c
			c= 0/1/3
			0:	Ignore start print signal. (Normal print
				mode in which the printer receives and
				prints data, without using the start print
				signal input to the external I/O.)
			1:	Issue a label if Low is asserted for the start
				print signal for 20 msec or longer.
			3:	Continue issuing labels as long as Low is
				asserted for the start print signal.
16		Mode setting for re-print signal	^S(CNI,R,c
			c= 0/1
			0:	Ignore reprint label signal.
			1:	Reprint the previously printed label if Low
				is asserted for the reprint label signal for
				20 msec or longer.

19