Epson DFX-5000 User Manual

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User’s Manual

EPSON

Y47599108002

EPSON

DFX-5000

User’s Manual

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

FOR AMERICAN USERS

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

-Reorient the receiving antenna

-Relocate the printer with respect to the receiver

-Plug the printer into a different outlet so that the printer and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:

“Television Interference Handbook”

This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00450-7.

WARNING

The connection of a non-shielded printer interface cable to this printer will invalidate the

FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this printer. If this printer has more that one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein,

Seiko Epson Corporation and its affiliates specifically disclaim any and all liability for any damages or claims based upon or due to the use or combination of any Epson printer with any hardware, software or other items not supplied by Seiko Epson Corporation or its affiliates or approved by Seiko Epson Corporation or its affiliates for use with Epson printers.

Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Introduction

Options ......................................

About This Manual Conventions Used in This Manual Where to Get Help

Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking the Printer Choosing a Place for the Printer A Look at Your Printer Assembling the Printer Testing the Printer Connecting the Printer to Your Computer Setting Up Your Application Software

Loading and Using Paper

Using the Two-Tractor System Loading Paper onto the Front Tractor Loading Paper onto the Rear Tractor Adjusting the Top of Form Position Adjusting the Printing Position Using Automatic Tear-Off

Switching Between Front and Rear Tractors . ...

Changing the Paper Printing on Special Paper

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1-1

1-2 1-4 1-6 1-10 1-15 1-24 1-32

2-1 2-2 2-3 2-9 2-17 2-19

2-20 2-24 2-26 2-30

Using the Printer

Operating the Control Panel Using DIP Switches

Using Your Printer With Application Programs . ..

Getting the Most from Your Printer

Enhancing Your Printing Sending Commands to the Printer

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3-1 3-2 3-8 3-20

4-1 4-2 4-8

iii

Maintaining and Transporting the Printer ..............

Cleaning the Printer ..................................

Replacing the Ribbon .................................

Transporting the Printer

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5-1

5-2 5-3

5-8

Using the Printer Options

Using the Pull Tractor ................................

Using Interface Boards

Troubleshooting

Problems and Solutions

Data Dump Mode ....................................

Command Summary.....................................................

Using the Command Summary Commands in Numerical Order Commands Arranged by Topic

Appendix A Reference Tables ..................................

Proportional Width Table ............................

Character Tables

Appendix B Technical Specifications .........................

Printer Specifications

Interface Specifications ...............................

Initialization .........................................

Glossary ..........................................

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6-1

6-2 6-16

7-1

7-2 7-6

8-1

8-2 8-5 8-8

A-1 A-2 A-6

B-1

B-2

B-7

B-13

GL-1

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Index-1

Introduction

The Epson® DFX-5000 printer is an advanced dot matrix printer designed for business applications. The printer combines high performance and reliability with a wide range of features including high-speed printing and automatic paper handling.

Here are some of the features that make the DFX-5000 unique:

Extra-fast printing speeds of up to 533 characters per second in draft mode.

Two built-in push tractors (front and rear) for convenient paper handling. This dual system lets you switch between types of continuous paper quickly and easily. The printer remembers separate top of form positions for each tractor.

A front tractor that combines bottom feeding with easy front access.

Automatic thickness adjustment for various paper types, including multi-part forms and labels.

An improved control panel design that lets you select almost any feature with a single button.

An automatic paper handling system that lets you control all operations from the control panel. For example, you can switch between paper loaded on the front and rear tractors with the push of a button. Another button feeds the paper forward so you can tear it off, and then reverses it to the top of the page so it is ready to print.

Compatibility with the EPSON ESC/P commands used by Epson FX printers.

Options

The following options are available for use with your DFX printer. For detailed information on the installation and use of these options, see Chapter 6.

Pull tractor

This option improves the handling of heavy multi-part forms and labels. It also enhances printing alignment on preprinted forms.

Optional interface boards

A number of optional interface boards can be used to supplement the DFX-5000’s built-in parallel and serial interfaces. Guidelines for choosing the right interface and instructions for installing an interface board are given in Chapter 6.

Coax and Twinax interface boards

Two other interface boards on the market (Coax and Twinax) let you use the DFX-5000 as a local printer for your IBM@ mainframe or minicomputer. These boards connect directly to the printer and allow it to function as a local IBM printer without the addition of any other circuitry or components.

Printer stand

The DFX-5000’s printer stand conveniently holds both front and

rear paper supplies as well as stacks of printed output. The stand is on casters so you can move the printer easily.

Introduction

About This Manual

This user’s manual provides step-by-step instructions for setting up and operating the DFX-5000 printer. It also includes information that you will need for your daily use of the printer.

Chapter 1 shows you how to unpack, set up, and connect the printer. Be sure to read and follow the instructions in this chapter first.

Chapters 2 and 3 give you important information on loading paper and using the printer. This information is necessary for the day-to-day operation of your printer.

Chapter 7 contains troubleshooting information, including a list of possible problems and recommended solutions.

Other chapters include information on enhancing your printing, maintaining the printer, using printer options, and a summary of software commands. The appendixes include reference tables and technical specifications.

At the back of the manual you’ll find a glossary, an index, and a Quick Reference card listing software commands and DIP switch settings. Inside the back cover of this manual are illustrations of the printer with all of the major parts identified. You can unfold the cover and refer to the illustrations when you are setting up and operating the printer.

Introduction 3

Conventions Used in This Manual

WARNINGS

damage to your printer and equipment.

must be followed carefully to avoid

Cautions must be followed to ensure that your printer

operates correctly.

Notes contain important information and useful tips on the

operation of your printer.

Where to Get Help

Customer support and service for Epson products is provided by a network of authorized Epson dealers and service centers throughout the United States. Epson America provides product information and toll-free support to our dealers and service centers.

Therefore, we ask that you contact the business where you purchased your Epson product to request assistance. If they do not have the answer to your question, they can obtain it through our toll-free dealer support program.

We are confident that this policy will provide you with the assistance you need. If you need to find an Epson dealer or service center in your area, please contact our Consumer Information Center at (800) 421-5426.

Chapter 1

Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking the Printer

Checking the parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Removing the protective materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

A Look at Your Printer

The printer parts

Control panel indicator lights

Control panel buttons Assembling the Printer

Installing the ribbon cartridge Attaching the power cable

Testing the Printer

Plugging in the printer Loading paper for the self test Running the self test

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Connecting the parallel interface Connecting the serial interface

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

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1-6 1-7 1-8 1-9

1-10 1-10 1-14

1-15 1-15 1-16 1-22

1-24 1-25 1-28

Setting Up Your Application Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32

Unpacking the Printer

Because the printer weighs approximately 65 pounds, you should not lift or carry it by yourself. Two people should carry it by the bottom.

Checking the parts

Check to see that you have the parts shown below and that nothing has been damaged during transportation.

cross-head screwdriver

connector lock nuts

ribbon cartridge

power cable

After you unpack the printer, store the packaging materials in

case you ever need to transport the printer.

1-2

Setting Up the Printer

Removing the protective materials

The printer is protected during shipping by several pieces of foam packaging, two brackets, and a carriage support bar. These protective items must be removed before you turn on the printer.

After removing the protective materials as described below, store them with the other packaging material.

Open the printer’s top cover and remove the foam packaging

1. material.

Using the cross-head screwdriver, remove the carriage support

bar and slide the print head to the middle of the printer.

Setting Up the Printer

1-3

Use the cross-head screwdriver to remove the two screws and

3. the two locking brackets from the inside of the printer.

WARNING: Be sure to remove all protective materials before you turn on the printer.

Choosing a Place for the Printer

When you select a location for your printer, keep the following in mind:

Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.

Place the printer close enough to the computer for its cable to

reach. Leave plenty of room around the printer for your front and

rear stacks of continuous paper as well as your printed output. Use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug.

1-4

Setting Up the Printer

The illustration below shows a good printer location.

An optional printer stand designed for the DFX-5000 is also available. See your Epson dealer for details.

Setting Up the Printer

1-5

WARNING:

l Avoid locations that are subject to direct sunlight,

excessive heat, moisture, or dust.

l Avoid using electrical outlets that are controlled by

wall switches or automatic timers. Accidental disruption of power can wipe out information in both your computer’s memory and your printer’s memory.

Avoid using outlets on the same circuit with large motors or other appliances that might disturb the power supply.

Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources of interference, such as loudspeakers or the base units of cordless

telephones.

A Look at Your Printer

Now that you’ve unpacked the DFX-5000, you may want to use the following information for reference as you assemble and test the printer. This section includes an illustration that shows you the printer’s various parts. It also gives you a close-up look at the control panel and indicator lights. See Chapters 2 and 3 for more detailed information on operating your printer.

1-6

Setting Up the Printer

The printer parts

The following illustration gives you a detailed view of the printer and the names of the important parts. You can refer to this illustration when you set up and operate the printer. This illustration is also on the inside back cover of this manual.

tear-off edge

paper separator cover

aper separator

back flap serial interface

interface cover

Setting Up the Printer

paper

platen

mask

1-7

Control panel indicator lights

The indicator lights on the control panel let you check the current status of the printer. Below is an illustration of the control panel lights and a description of their functions. These functions are described more fully in Chapters 2 and 3.

POWER

READY

PAPER OUT ON LINE

TEAR OFF TOP OF FORM PAPERSELECT

On when the POWER switch is on and power is supplied to the printer.

On when the printer is on line and ready to accept input data. This light flickers during printing.

On when the printer is out of paper. On when the printer can receive and print data

from the computer. On when the printer is in tear-off mode. On when the printer is in top of form mode. Front tractor arrow: Green when the front

tractor is selected and paper is loaded. Red

when the front tractor is out of paper. Rear tractor arrow: Green when the rear tractor

is selected and paper is loaded. Red when the rear tractor is out of paper.

1-8

Setting Up the Printer

Control panel buttons

The buttons on the control panel let you control most of the printer’s operations, Below is an illustration of the control panel buttons and a description of their functions. These functions are described more fully in Chapters 2 and 3.

ON LINE FORM FEED

LINE FEED/LOAD

TEAR OFF

MICRO FEED

TOP OF FORM

FRONT/REAR

Controls the printer’s on line/off line status. Advances paper to the top of the next page

when the printer is off line. Advances paper one line when the printer is off

line. (Feeds paper continuously if the button is held down.) This button can also be used to load paper when the printer is on line. See Chapter 2 for details.

Advances paper to its tear-off position and then feeds the paper back to the top of form position.

Advances or reverses paper in 1/216-inch increments when the printer is off line. These buttons are used to adjust the top of form and tear-off positions.

Enters and exits the top of form mode when the printer is off line.

Selects the front or rear tractor.

Setting Up the Printer 1-9

Assembling the Printer

Since the printer comes almost completely assembled from the factory, all you need to do is install the ribbon cartridge and attach the power cord.

Installing the ribbon cartridge

Before installing the ribbon cartridge, make sure the printer is

turned off. Remove the ribbon cartridge from its box and plastic wrapper and then follow these steps to install the ribbon cartridge:

Open the top cover by lifting its front edge up and away from you.

1-10

WARNING:

printer is turned on because this can damage the printer. Also, if you have been using the printer, the print head may be hot; let it cool for a few minutes before touching it.

Setting Up the Printer

Never move the print head while the

Slide the print head to the middle of the printer.

Remove the plastic separator from the middle of the ribbon cartridge. (You will not need the separator again and can discard it.) Next, detach the ribbon guide from the cartridge and turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to take up any slack in the ribbon.

Hold the ribbon cartridge with both hands and lower it into the printer as shown below. Pulling the cartridge toward you, slide the hooks nearest you over the corresponding two pins in the printer. Then push the cartridge down into position until the other two hooks snap into place over the mounting pins in the printer.

Press lightly on both sides of the cartridge to make sure the hooks are properly inserted.

1-12

Setting Up the Printer

Insert the ribbon guide over the metal pins on each side of the print head as shown below. The smaller end of the guide should be on top, with its angled edge toward the platen. Turn the ribbon-tightening knob again to remove any slack in the ribbon.

Slide the print head from side to side to see that it moves smoothly and that the ribbon is not twisted or creased.

Close the printer’s top cover.

Attaching the power cable

Follow these steps to attach the power cable:

Check the label on the printer’s rear panel to see if the voltage required by the printer matches that of your electrical outlet. If it does not match, contact your Epson dealer without connecting the power cable.

1-14

Setting Up the Printer

Plug the power cable into the AC inlet on the printer’s rear panel.

Note: If you move to another country, you may need to change

the voltage of the printer. See your dealer for information.

Testing the Printer

Now that your printer is fully assembled, you can use your printer’s built-in test function to be sure the printer is working correctly before you connect it to a computer.

Before performing the test, you need to plug in your printer and load paper.

Plugging in the printer

Follow these steps to plug in the printer:

Make sure the printer is turned off. (The zero (0) on the power

switch should be visible.)

2. Plug the power cable into a properly grounded electrical outlet.

Setting Up the Printer 1-15

WARNING: Whenever you turn off the power, wait at least five seconds before turning it back on. Rapid switching on and off can damage the printer.

Loading paper for the self test

Next, you need to load continuous paper that is at least 15 inches

wide. To load paper, follow these steps:

WARNING: Use paper that is at least 15 inches wide for

the self test to keep the print head from printing directly

onto the platen.

Open the printer’s front cover by lifting its bottom edge up and toward you, as shown below.

Release the sprocket lock levers on both the right and left sprocket units by pulling each lever down.

Slide the left sprocket unit all the way to the left. Lock it into place by pushing the sprocket lock lever up.

Now slide the right sprocket unit to approximately

width of your paper. (Do not lock it in place yet.)

Slide the two paper supports so that they are spaced evenly

between the sprocket units.

match the

1-18

Setting Up the Printer

6. Open both sprocket covers.

Be sure your paper has a clean, straight edge, and then fit the first five holes in the paper over the pins of the sprocket units as shown below. The side of the paper that you want to print on should be facing you. Now close the sprocket covers.

Setting Up the Printer

1-19

Slide the right sprocket unit so that the paper is straight no wrinkles. Lock the sprocket unit in place by pushing sprocket lock lever up.

Close the printer’s front cover.

and has

the

WARNING:

Before turning on the printer, be absolutely sure you have removed all protective materials. Turning on the printer while the print head cannot move may

seriously damage the mechanism.

10. Turn on the printer. The print head moves to the middle of the

printer and the POWER and PAPER OUT lights come on. Also, either the front or rear tractor arrow on the PAPER SELECT

indicator lights up.

: 7

11. Press the LINE FEED/LOAD button to load your paper. (If the

paper does not load, the front tractor may not be selected. Press the FRONT/REAR button to select the front tractor. This

loads the paper automatically.)

12. After the paper loads, turn off the printer.

Setting Up the Printer

1-21

Running the self test

The self test prints out the settings of the printer’s DIP switches and the characters in the printer’s memory. The test can be run in either draft,, high-speed draft, or near letter quality (NLQ) mode. Your printer’s default setting is high-speed draft mode. To run the self test in high-speed draft mode, follow these steps:

Caution: Always use paper that is at least 15 inches wide when running the printer’s self test.

While holding down the LINE FEED button, turn on the printer. After printing starts, release the button.

A list of your printer’s settings is printed first, followed by a series of characters. Here is part of a typical self test printout in high-speed draft.

The self test continues until the paper runs out or until you

press the ON LINE button. If the test results are satisfactory and you wish to stop the test, press the ON LINE button to take the printer off line, and then turn off the printer.

1-22

Setting Up the Printer

If you want to run the self test in NLQ mode, follow Steps 1 and 2 above using the FORM FEED button instead of the LINE FEED button. Here is part of a self test printout run in NLQ mode:

Country

U.S.A.

Page length (inch) 11

SWlsw2sw2sw2sw2-

-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOF

&‘()*+,~./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQ

‘()a+,--./0123456789:;

<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR

To run the self test in the normal draft mode, you need to first

select normal draft mode by changing your printer’s DIP switch settings. This procedure is described in the section on setting DIP switches in Chapter 3. Once the printer is set for the normal draft mode rather than high-speed draft, you can run the self test by following the same procedure as for high-speed draft. Here is part of a self test printout run in normal draft mode:

Setting Up the Printer

1-23

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

If the self test printed correctly, you are now ready to connect the printer to your computer.

Your printer has two separate interface connections: a Centronics®-compatible parallel interface and an RS-232C compatible serial interface. If you are not sure which one is required by your computer, check your computer manual.

parallel interface

If you have a suitable shielded cable, you should be able to connect the printer immediately. If you have one of the few computers that requires a different type of interface, you should

be able to use one of the optional interfaces described in Chapter 6. The parallel interface is the printer’s default setting. If you need to

use the built-in serial interface, be sure to change the DIP switch settings as shown in Chapter 3.

WARNING: Never plug more than one interface cable into the printer at one time. This may damage the printer.

Connecting the parallel interface

Follow these steps to connect your computer’s parallel interface cable to the printer:

Turn off both your printer and computer.

Open the printer’s interface cover by grasping it by the handholds on each side.

Plug the cable connector securely into the parallel interface (the

socket on the left).

Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on either side of the connector. If your cable has a ground wire, connect it to the printer’s ground connector.

1-26

Setting Up the Printer

Open the plastic clamp to the right of the parallel and serial interfaces by pressing on its top tab. Insert the cable in the plastic clamp and close the clamp, as shown below.

6. Close the interface cover.

Caution: Always close the interface cover before using the

printer.

Setting Up the Printer

1-27

Plug the other end of the cable into the computer. (If there is a ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.)

Connecting the serial interface

Before using the printer’s serial interface, you need to select serial communication by changing the printer’s DIP switch settings. You may also need to change two other serial interface settings, baud rate and parity, before your printer and computer can communicate properly. See the section on setting DIP switches in Chapter 3 for more information.

The following steps show you how to connect your computer’s serial interface cable to the printer. If the connector on your cable has screws that need to be tightened with a screwdriver, you may need both a cross-head screwdriver and a flat-blade screwdriver to connect the cable.

Turn off both the printer and computer.

Open the printer’s interface cover by grasping it by the

handholds on each side.

1-28

Setting Up the Printer

Plug the cable connector securely into the serial interface (the

socket on the right). If your cable has a ground wire, connect it to the printer’s ground connector.

If your cable connector has screws that you have to tighten using a

screwdriver, you may need to open the top cover of the printer guide for easier access.

Setting Up the Printer

1-29

5. Insert a screwdriver through the two holes and fasten the the cable connector.

screws of

Note: The screws on the serial interface cable connector must fit into connector lock nuts on the printer. If the screws on your serial interface cable do not fit, remove the connector lock nuts on the printer and replace them with the optional ones supplied with the printer.

Confirm that the connector is secure

1-30

Setting Up the Printer

Open the plastic clamp on the right by pressing on its top tab. Insert the cable in the plastic clamp, as shown below.

8. Close the interface cover.

Caution: Always close the interface cover before using the

printer.

Plug the other end of the cable into your computer. (If there is a

9. ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.)

Setting Up the Printer

1-31

Setting Up Your Application Software

Now that you have set up and tested the DFX-5000, you can start using it with your application software programs.

Most software programs let you specify the type of printer you are using so that the program can take full advantage of the printer’s features. If your application program has an installation or setup procedure that lets you select your printer from a list of

printers, choose the Epson DFX-5000 printer. If the list does not include the DFX-5000, choose one of the following printers, listed in order of preference:

FX-850/1050 FX-86e/286e FX-85/185 FX-80/100 EX-800/1000 FX LX Epson printer 9-pin printer Standard printer Draft printer

Note: To use all the features of the DFX-5000, it is best to use a program with the DFX-5000 on its menu. If your software program does not list the DFX-5000, contact the software manufacturer to see if an update is available.

Chapter 2

Loading and Using Paper

Using the Two-Tractor System

Positioning the paper supply Loading Paper onto the Front Tractor

Loading Paper onto the Rear Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Adjusting the Top of Form Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17

Adjusting the Printing Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19

Using Automatic Tear-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20

Switching Between Front and Rear Tractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24

Changing the Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-26

Printing on Special Paper

Using multi-part forms

Using labels

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

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2-2 2-2

2-30

2-31

Using the Two-Tractor System

The DFX-5000’s paper handling system consists of a front push tractor and a rear push tractor. Both tractors are easy to load and operate, and both accommodate a wide variety of paper types, including labels and multi-part forms. The printer automatically adjusts to the thickness of your loaded paper, so you don’t need to make any manual adjustments for paper thickness settings.

You can use any width continuous paper, from 4 to 16 inches wide. However, the width of your printed text must be narrower than the size of the paper you are using-otherwise, you might damage the printer by printing on the platen.

If you are going to use more than two types of paper, it’s best to load the paper you use most often onto the rear tractor. That way you can reserve the front tractor, which is easier to reach, for the paper you change more frequently. Always use the front tractor for printing on labels.

Positioning the paper supply

Since the DFX-5000 can be loaded with continuous paper from both the front and the rear, be sure to leave enough room around the printer for the two stacks of fresh paper as well a third stack of printed output. It is also important to keep both stacks of fresh paper aligned with the printer so that the paper can feed smoothly into the printer.

2-2

Loading and Using Paper

The following illustration shows three ways to position your printer and paper: with the front tractor loaded, with the rear

tractor loaded, and with both tractors loaded.

Note: Make sure that your stack of printed pages does not interfere with the rear tractor’s paper supply.

Loading Paper onto the Front Tractor

The following steps show you how to load paper onto the front

tractor.

1. Turn off the printer.

Open the printer’s front cover by lifting its bottom edge up

and toward you, as shown below.

Release the sprocket lock levers on both the right and left sprocket units by pulling each lever down.

Slide the left sprocket unit all the way to the left. Lock it in

place by pushing the sprocket release lever up.

2-4

Loading and Using Paper

Now slide the right sprocket unit to approximately width of your paper. (Do not lock it in place yet.)

Slide the two paper supports so that they are spaced evenly

6. between the two sprocket units.

match the

Loading and Using Paper

2-5

Open both sprocket covers.

Fit the first five holes in the paper over the pins of the sprocket

units as shown below. (The side of the paper that you want to print on should be facing you, and the paper should have a clean, straight edge.) Now close the sprocket covers.

2-6

Loading and Using Paper

Slide the right sprocket unit so that the paper is straight and has

9. no wrinkles. Lock the sprocket unit in place by pushing the sprocket release lever up.

10. Close the printer’s front cover. The paper is now loaded to the

standby position.

Loading and Using Paper

2-7

11. Turn on the printer. The print head moves to the middle of the

printer and the POWER and PAPER OUT lights go on. Also, either the front or rear tractor arrow on the PAPER SELECT indicator lights up, depending on which tractor was selected when the printer was turned off last.

12. Check the PAPER SELECT indicator to see which tractor is

selected:

If the front tractor indicator arrow is lit up, press the

2-8

LINE FEED/LOAD

Loading and Using Paper

button to load the paper.

If the rear tractor indicator arrow is lit up, make sure the printer is off line and then press the FRONT/REAR button to switch to the front tractor. When the printer switches tractors, it also loads the paper automatically.

13. Press the ON LINE button to put the printer on line so it is ready

to print. The paper is now loaded to the top of form position. If it looks like the printing will start too high or low on the page, see page 2-17 for instructions on adjusting the top of form position.

Loading Paper onto the Rear Tractor

The following steps show you how to load paper onto the rear tractor. You do not need to remove the paper from the front tractor first because the printer does this for you when you select the rear tractor.

1. Turn off the printer.

Loading and Using Paper

2-9

Open the printer’s top cover by lifting its front edge up and

away from you, as shown below.

The top cover has two flaps that can be opened independently. One flap is on the top part of the cover and the other, shown below, is on the back side. Open the back flap.

2-10

Loading and Using Paper

Release the sprocket lock levers on the rear tractor’s right and

left sprocket units by pushing each lever back-

place

Now slide the right sprocket unit to approximately match the width of your paper. (Do not lock it in place yet.)

Slide the two paper supports so they are spaced evenly between the two sprocket units.

2-12

Loading and Using Paper

8. Open both sprocket covers.

With the side of the paper you want to print on facing down,

9. insert your paper through the opening at the rear. You may find it easier to load the paper by standing to the side of the printer. That way you can feed the paper into the rear opening with one hand and pull it through with the other.

Note: Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge.

Loading and Using Paper

2-13

10. Fit the first five holes in the paper over the pins of the sprocket units as shown below. Now close the sprocket covers.

11. Slide the right sprocket unit to a position so that the paper is

straight and has no wrinkles. Lock the sprocket unit in place

by pulling the sprocket lock lever forward.

2-14

Loading and Using Paper

12. Close the top cover and the back flap. The paper is now loaded to the standby position.

13. Turn on the printer. The print head moves to the middle of the

printer and the POWER and PAPER OUT lights go on. Also, either the front or rear tractor arrow on the PAPER SELECT

indicator lights up, depending on which tractor was selected when the printer was turned off last.

_._

Loading and Using Paper

2-15

14. Check the PAPER SELECT indicator to see which tractor is

selected:

If the rear tractor arrow is lit up, press the LINE FEED/LOAD button to load the paper.

l If the front tractor arrow is lit up, make sure the printer is

off line and then press the FRONT/REAR button to switch to the rear tractor. When the printer switches tractors, it also loads the paper automatically.

15. Press the ON LINE button to put the printer on line so it is ready

to print. The paper is now loaded to the top of form position. If it looks like the printing will start too high or low on the page, see the next section for instructions on adjusting the top of form position.

2-16

Loading and Using Paper

Adjusting the Top of Form Position

The top of form position is the position the printer feeds the paper

to when it loads the paper or performs a form feed. This position is important because it determines where the printing begins on each page.

If the printing is too high or low on the page, you can reset the top of form position by following the steps outlined below. The printer remembers the new top of form position even after the printer is turned off, reset, or initialized. (The printer remembers separate top of form positions for the front and rear tractors.)

You can temporarily change the top of form position by adjusting the position when you are not in the top of form mode or by changing the printing position in the middle of a page (see the next section). The printer remembers the temporary top of form position until the next time you load paper or switch tractors.

The following steps show you how to reset the top of form position. Before you start, make sure the printer is turned on and the desired tractor is selected (the corresponding tractor arrow should be lit up).

WARNING:

labels are loaded in the printer, use the (top)

MICRO FEED

To adjust the top of form position when

forward-feeding

button only. Labels must never be fed

backward through the printer.

Make sure the printer is off line.

Press the TOP OF FORM button to enter the top of form mode.

The printer beeps once, and the TOP OF FORM light starts flashing. Also, the printer advances the paper so that the top of

form position is lined up with the red line on the clear

plastic ribbon mask.

Loading and Using Paper

2-17

3. The red line on the ribbon mask shows you where the bottom edge of your first line of text will print. This position is based on the first printable line of text. If your software inserts a top margin of five lines, your text will actually print five lines below the top of form position. Use the MICRO FEED buttons to feed the paper to the desired top of form position.

.-__---~----_---___--__---~-

--0

Note: The red line on the ribbon mask can be used as a

reference only when you are in the top of form mode. At all

other times your top of form position is hidden behind the

print ribbon.

Press the TOP OF FORM button again to exit the top of form mode and save your new top of form position. (If you want to exit the top of form mode without saving your new top of form setting, press the ON LINE button instead of the

TOP OF FORM

2-18

Loading and Using Paper

button.)

Press the ON LINE button to put the printer on line. The printer remembers your new top of form position even after the

printer is turned off, reset, or initialized.

Adjusting the Printing Position

For some of your printing, such as preprinted forms and labels,

the alignment of your text is critical-not just at the top of form position, but in the middle of the page as well. Rather than calculate where your text will fall based on the top of form position, there’s an easier way to position your printing.

When you move the printing position, you temporarily change the

top of form position by the same amount. For example, if you adjust the printing in the middle of a page so that it falls a half-inch lower, the next page will begin printing a half-inch lower as well. The printer remembers this temporary top of form position until the next time you load paper or switch tractors.

Follow these steps to adjust your printing position:

Start printing your document. When you get to the text that needs to be aligned at a particular spot on the page, press the

ON LINE button to stop printing.

Note: You may find it easier to stop your document at the right spot if you use a slower printing speed. See the section in Chapter 3 on selecting the NLQ mode with DIP switches.

The printing position is normally hidden behind the ribbon. To see the position better, press the TOP OF FORM button. This advances the paper slightly so that the printing position lines up with the red line on the clear plastic ribbon mask.

Loading and Using Paper

2-19

Use the MICRO FEED buttons to position your paper to where you want the bottom edge of your next line of text to fall. If you are printing on labels, use only the forward-feeding (top)

MICRO FEED

When you are finished, press the ON LINE button to exit the top of form mode. (Do not press the TOP OF FORM button to exit the top of form mode. If you do, the printer remembers your new printing position as the new top of form position instead.)

button.

Using Automatic Tear-Off

The TEAR OFF button lets you feed the perforation of your paper to the printer’s tear-off edge when you are finished printing. This makes it easier to tear off the last printed sheet and saves paper normally lost between documents.

If you need to adjust the position of the perforation so that it meets the printer’s tear-off edge, you can reset the tear-off position by entering the tear-off mode and using micro-feed. The printer remembers this new tear-off position and uses it as a reference point for feeding the paper. (The printer remembers separate tear-off positions for the front and rear tractors.)

The following steps show you how to use the automatic tear-off feature. Before you start, make sure that the printer is turned on and the desired tractor is selected.

2-20

WARNING:

If labels are fed backward,

Loading and Using Paper

Never

use

the

TEAR OFF

they

button with labels.

may jam the printer.

If the printer is on line, press the ON LINE button to take it off line. Now open the paper separator cover (the flap on the top part of the printer’s top cover). This exposes the printer’s tear-off edge.

Press the TEAR OFF button to enter the tear-off mode. The

TEAR OFF light goes on and the printer feeds the paper’s

perforation to the printer’s tear-off edge.

Loading and Using Paper

2-21

If you need to adjust the position of the perforation so that it

meets the printer’s tear-off edge, press the MICRO FEED buttons to feed the paper forward or backward in 1/216th-inch increments. (You can also hold down either MICRO FEED button to feed the paper continuously.)

Note: You can reset the tear-off position only when you are in the tear-off mode (after you have pressed the TEAR OFF button once and the TEAR OFF light is on). The printer remembers the new tear-off position even after the printer is turned off, reset, or initialized.

2-22

Loading and Using Paper

Tear off the page using the tear-off edge on the printer’s top cover.

Press the TEAR OFF button to feed the paper back to the top of form position, and then press the ON LINE button to put the printer on line so it is ready to print. (Or instead, press the

ON LINE button to feed the paper back and put your printer

on line at the same time.)

WARNING: Always tear off the printed document before you feed the paper back to the top of form position. Never feed paper backward more than one

page.

Loading and Using Paper

2-23

Switching Between Front and Rear Tractors

You can easily switch between paper loaded on the front tractor and paper loaded on the rear tractor. The following steps describe the procedure for switching from the front tractor to the rear tractor, but you can follow the same steps to switch from the rear tractor to the front tractor. (To switch tractors when the optional pull tractor is installed, see Chapter 6.)

WARNING: Never switch between tractors when labels

are already loaded in the printer.

remove the labels first by tearing off the fresh supply

below the tractor and pressing

to eject the remaining labels.

Before you start, make sure the printer is turned on and that the front tractor is selected (the front tractor arrow on the PAPER

SELECT indicator should be lit up). If you are in the middle of

printing a document, wait for the printer to finish printing before you switch tractors. Then follow these steps:

If there is no paper loaded in the rear tractor, load paper to the standby position (the first five pins of the sprocket units), as described in Steps 1 through 13 on page 2-9.

Instead, completely

FORM FEED

LINE FEED

2-24

Loading and

Using

Paper

If you have a printed document still in the printer, or excess paper that has been fed through the printer, use the automatic

tear-off feature described in the previous section to tear off the

document or excess paper.

WARNING: Always tear off the printed document and

any excess paper that has been fed through the printer before switching tractors. Never feed more than one page backward through the printer.

If the printer is on line, press the ON LINE button to take it off line.

Loading and Using Paper

2-25

Press the FRONT/REAR button to switch to the rear tractor. The front-loaded paper automatically feeds back to the standby position and the rear-loaded paper is advanced to the top of form position.

Press the ON LINE button to put the printer back on line so it is ready to print.

Changing the Paper

The following steps describe the procedure for changing paper on the front tractor, but you can follow the same steps when you change the paper on the rear tractor.

Before you start, make sure the printer is turned on and the front tractor is selected. (If you are changing the paper on the rear tractor, the rear tractor should be selected instead.)

2-26

Loading and Using Paper

WARNING: Never change paper using the following

procedure if labels are already loaded in the printer.

Instead, completely remove the labels first by tearing off the fresh supply below the tractor and pressing

FORM FEED

Then load the new paper as described earlier in this chapter in the sections on loading paper.

If you have a printed document still in the printer, use the automatic tear-off feature described on page 2-20 to tear off the document or excess paper.

LINE FEED

to eject the remaining labels.

WARNING: Always tear off printed documents before

changing the paper. Never feed more than one page

backward through the printer.

If the printer is on line, press the ON LINE button to take it off line.

Loading and Using Paper

2-27

Press the FRONT/REAR button to switch to the rear tractor.

The front-loaded paper automatically feeds back to the

standby position.

Open the printer’s front cover. (To change the rear-loaded paper, open the printer’s top cover and the back flap.)

2-28

Loading and Using Paper

Open the sprocket covers and remove the paper from the

5. tractor.

Load the new paper as described in Steps 1 through 13 on page

2-3 (or for rear-loaded paper, Steps 1 through 15 on page 2-9).

Loading and Using Paper

2-29

Printing on Special Paper

The DFX-5000 can print on various types of paper, including multi-part forms and labels. It can also handle a variety of paper thicknesses, from thin paper to six-part forms. The printer automatically adjusts to the thickness of your paper.

When you print on multi-part forms and labels, the positioning of your text on the page can be critical. For more information on aligning your text, see the sections on adjusting top of form and printing positions earlier in this chapter. You should also check both your printer and your software page length settings before you load labels or forms. See the section on setting page length in Chapter 3.

If you are using labels or preprinted or multi-part forms, you may want to use the optional pull tractor. See Chapter 6.

WARNING: When printing on multi-part forms or labels, be absolutely sure that your printing stays within the printable area of the paper to prevent damage to the print head. For more information on the printable area, see Appendix B.

Using multi-part forms

You can use multi-part forms with up to four sheets, including the

original, on the rear tractor. On the front tractor, you can use forms with up to six sheets.

You load continuous multi-part forms the same way you load any other type of continuous paper. Before loading multi-part forms, however, make sure the paper has a clean straight edge and does not separate or tear apart. See the sections on loading paper earlier in this chapter.

2-30

Loading and Using Paper

Using labels

When using labels in the DFX-5000, always choose the type mounted on continuous paper with sprocket holes for use with a tractor. Labels should be used in the front tractor only. You load labels the same way that you load continuous paper. See the section on loading paper onto the front tractor earlier in this chapter.

WARNING:

reverse-feeding (bottom) are loaded in the printer. Labels must never be fed backward through the printer because they can easily

come off the backing and jam the printer.

Although you must never feed labels backward through the printer, you can still use the DFX-5000’s automatic paper handling features if you follow these precautions:

Instead of using the TEAR OFF button to remove printed labels, take the printer off line and press the

button until the last printed label is at the point where you can

tear it off easily. Before using the FRONT/REAR button to switch tractors or

change paper, remove the entire supply of labels first. Always remove labels by tearing off the fresh supply at a perforation below the tractor and then pressing the FORM FEED or LINE FEED button to eject the remaining labels.

When adjusting the top of form or printing position, use only the forward-feeding (top) MICRO FEED button.

Never use the

MICRO FEED

TEAR OFF, FRONT/REAR,

button when labels

FORM FEED

LINE FEED

WARNING:

extreme temperatures and humidity, always use them under normal operating conditions.

Because labels are especially sensitive to

Loading and Using Paper

2-31

Chapter 3

Using the Printer

Operating the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Control panel indicator lights Control panel buttons

Other control panel features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Using DIP Switches

Changing DIP switch settings DIP switch tables DIP switch functions

Condensed mode Slashed zero

Character table Input buffer Near letter quality or draft mode International character sets Page length Printing speed in draft mode Skip over perforation

Auto line feed Interface type and parity Baud rate

Using Your Printer With Application Programs

A quick test Using word processors Using spreadsheets

............................................

......................................

...........................

.......................................

...................................

....................................

.........................................

......................................

.........................................

......................

...........................

..........................................

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3-8 3-8

3-10 3-12 3-12 3-13 3-13 3-15 3-15 3-16 3-17 3-17

3-18 3-18 3-19 3-19

3-20 3-20 3-21

3-21

Using the Printer 3-1

Operating the Control Panel

The DFX-5000’s control panel gives you access to several powerful features. The control panel buttons let you control paper loading, printing and tear-off positions, and more. The control panel lights give you status information such as which mode you are in, which tractor is loaded with paper, and which tractor is ready to print. The following sections describe the functions of the control panel’s lights and buttons.

Control panel indicator lights

The indicator lights on the control panel let you check the current status of the printer. Below is an illustration of the control panel lights and a description of their functions.

IzaPCIWFRII cm II

-..-.

-READY

-PAPER

OUT

11 MICRO 11 cma

TOP

FORM

FRONT/REAR

aREnD”

=PAPER

OUT

The POWER light comes on when the power switch is on and power is supplied to the printer.

’

oPOWER

m=READY

-PAPER

OUT

The READY light comes on when the printer is on line

and ready to receive data from your computer. This light flickers during printing.

3-2

Using the Printer

‘a

TEAR

OFF

The PAPER OUT light comes on when the printer is out of paper. This light goes on whenever there is no paper positioned behind the print head, even if there is paper loaded on the tractors in the standby position.

The ON LINE light comes on when the printer is on line and ready to receive and print data from your computer.

The TEAR OFF light comes on when the printer is in the

tear-off mode. The printer remembers any change you make to the tear-off position when this light is on.

The TOP OF FORM light comes on when the printer is in the top of form mode. The printer remembers any

change you make to the top of form position when this

light is on.

The front tractor arrow comes on when the front tractor is selected. The light is green when paper is loaded, even if the paper is in the standby position, and red when the tractor is completely out of paper.

The rear tractor arrow comes on when the rear tractor is selected. The light is green when paper is loaded, even if the paper is in the standby position, and red when the tractor is out of paper.

Using the Printer

3-3

Control panel buttons

The control panel buttons let you perform printer operations quickly and easily. Most buttons work only when the printer is off line. The exceptions to this are the ON LINE button and the

LINE FEED/LOAD

button.

oPOWER

-READY

PAPER

OUT

LINE FORM FEED

UNE

FEED

li%l

MICRO

OFF

: ‘ii”

TOP OF

FORM

PAPER SELECT

r-l

The ON LINE button controls the printer’s on line status. Press this button to put the printer on line or take it off line. When the printer is on line, the and the printer can receive and print data from the

computer. When you are in the top of form mode, you can press the

ON LINE button to exit the mode without setting a new

top of form position. You can also press the ON LINE button to exit the tear-off mode. See Chapter 2 for more information on adjusting the top of form position and using automatic tear-off.

FORM FEED button lets you advance the paper to the

The

top of the next page. To use this feature, press the button when the printer is off line. To adjust the position that the paper is fed to, see the section on adjusting the top of form position in Chapter 2.

ON LINE light is on

FRONT/REAR

3-4

This button can also be used to run the printer’s self test.

See the section on running the self test in Chapter 1.

Using the Printer

The LINE FEED/LOAD button lets you advance or load paper when the printer is off line. To feed your paper one line, press this button once. Hold the button down to feed paper continuously.

To load paper, there must be paper loaded in the standby position in the selected tractor. See the sections on loading paper in Chapter 2 for more information.

The TEAR OFF button feeds the paper to the printer’s

tear-off edge so you can tear off your document without losing the paper normally lost between printing jobs. To use this feature, take the printer off line after your document has finished printing and press the TEAR OFF

button. The printer feeds the paper to the printer’s

tear-off edge. After tearing off the document, press the

TEAR OFF or ON LINE button to feed the paper back to the

top of form position. If the perforation of your paper does not align exactly

with the printer’s tear-off edge, you can use the MICRO

FEED buttons to adjust the tear-off position. See the

section on using automatic tear-off in Chapter 2.

WARNING:

Use the the printed labels to a point where they can be torn off.

The two MICRO FEED buttons advance or reverse the loaded paper in 1/216th-inch increments when the printer is off line. You can use these buttons to adjust the top of form, tear-off, and printing positions.

To reset the top of form position, take the printer off line and press the TOP OF FORM button to enter the top of form mode. Then use the MICRO FEED buttons to move

Never use the

FORM FEED

LINE FEED

TEAR OFF

button with labels.

button instead to feed

Using the Printer

3-5

the paper to the desired position. See the section on

adjusting the top of form position in Chapter 2. To reset the tear-off position, take the printer off line and

press the TEAR OFF button to enter the tear-off mode and feed the paper to the tear-off position. Then use the

MICRO FEED buttons to move the paper to the desired

position. See the section on using automatic tear-off in Chapter 2.

To adjust the printing position, take the printer off line and press either MICRO FEED button to advance or reverse the paper to the desired position. See the section on adjusting the printing position in Chapter 2.

WARNING:

forward with the

When

using labels, only feed the paper

top MICRO FEED

button. Labels must

never be fed backward through the printer.

The TOP OF FORM button lets you enter and exit the top of form mode when the printer is off line so you can adjust the top of form position. The top of form position determines where the printing begins on each page.

If your printing is too high or low on the page, you can reset the top of form position by entering the top of form mode and using micro-feed to adjust the position. The printer remembers this new top of form position even after it is turned off, reset, or initialized. Also, the printer remembers separate top of form positions for the front and rear tractors.

If you enter the top of form mode by mistake, you can exit the mode without setting a new position by pressing the ON LINE button. See the section on adjusting the top of form position in Chapter 2.

3-6

Using the Printer

The FRONT/REAR button lets you select the front or rear tractor when the printer is off line. If you have been using paper loaded on one tractor, first

remove the printed output before switching the

tractor. When you switch between tractors, the paper already loaded in the printer is fed backward to the standby position, and the paper

on the newly selected tractor is loaded.

WARNING:

labels are loaded in the printer. Also, be sure you remove any printed documents before switching tractors. Never feed more than one page backward through the printer.

Never use the

FRONT/REAR

button when

Other control panel features

The control panel also gives you access to several special

functions. Self

test

Data

dump

By holding down while you turn on the printer, you can start the printer’s self test. The self test prints the current DIP switch settings and the characters in the printer’s ROM (Read Only Memory). See the section on running the self test in Chapter 1 for more information.

By holding down both the buttons while you turn on the printer, you can turn on the data dump mode. This feature prints the codes that are sent to the printer so that advanced users can find the cause of communication problems between the computer and printer. See the section on the data dump mode in Chapter 7 for more information.

the LINE FEED

FORM FEED

and

LINE FEED

button

Using the Printer

3-7

Using DIP Switches

The DFX-5000 has two sets of DIP switches. DIP switches control a variety of printer functions such as page length and printing

speed. DIP switch settings are shown in the DIP switch tables starting on page 3-10 and in the Quick Reference card at the back of this manual. Descriptions of all the DIP switch functions are provided in the section on DIP switch functions on page 3-12.

Because the factory (default) settings are designed to accommodate the needs of most users, you shouldn’t need to change DIP switch settings very often. If you do need to set a DIP switch, use the following steps-

before you start and turn it on again when you are done.

Changing DIP switch settings

To change a DIP switch setting, follow these steps:

Turn off the printer.

Open the printer’s front cover.

being sure to turn off the printer

The DIP switches are located in a small compartment on the front paper guide, behind the front tractor paper. If there is paper loaded on the front tractor, either remove it or lift it up out of the way so you can reach the DIP switches.

3-8

Using the Printer

Open the DIP switch cover.

Use a pointed instrument, such as the tip of a pen or pencil, to turn the switch either on or off. A DIP switch is on when it is

up, and off when it is down.

Note: Always make sure that the printer is turned off before changing the DIP switch settings.

Using the Printer

3-9

Close the DIP switch cover and replace the paper.

6. Turn on the printer to initialize the new settings. When you

7. change a DIP switch setting, the new settings take effect only after you turn on or reset the printer.

DIP switch tables

The following tables show the settings for each DIP switch. The shaded boxes show the default or factory settings. See the page numbers listed on the right for more information about each feature.

DIP Switch 1

DIP Switch 2

Switch 1

2-1 2-2

2-3 2-4

2-5 2-6

2-7 2-8

3-10

Baud rate

Using the Printer

International character set

Descript

Page length Draft printing speed

Skip over perforation Auto line feed

Interface type/parity

ion

See table below

12 inches Normal ON ON

See

table below

See table below

OFF

11 inches High OFF 3-18 OFF 3-18

Page

I 3-17

3-17

3-19

International character set

Interface/Parity selection

Interface type

Parallel Serial Serial Serial

Baud rate selection

Parity

Odd

Even

None

Switch 2-5 Switch 2-6

OFF OFF

ON ON ON

OFF

Using the Printer

3-11

DIP switch functions

The different features you can control with the printer’s DIP

switches are described below.

Condensed mode

When DIP switch 1-1 is on, your documents are printed in condensed mode. Condensed mode reduces the size of your text characters to approximately 60% their normal width. This means you can get more characters on a line, which is useful for spreadsheets and other applications where you need to print the maximum amount of information on a page.

The printout below compares normal 10 cpi (characters per inch) printing with 10 cpi condensed printing.

This is 10 cpi printing. This is condensed 10 cpi printing.

Note: The default pitch on the DFX-5000 is 10 cpi; however, two other pitches, 12 cpi and proportional spacing, can be selected with software. Both 10 and 12 cpi can be condensed, but proportional printing cannot. See Chapter 4 for more information on enhancing your printing with software commands.

3-12

Using the Printer

Slashed zero

When DIP switch 1-2 is on, the printer prints slashed zeros (Ø). When the DIP switch is off, the printer prints open zeros (0). This feature is useful for clearly distinguishing between uppercase O and zero when printing documents such as program lists.

Character table

When DIP switch 1-3 is on, the Epson Extended Graphics character table is selected. When it is off, the italics character table is selected. The Epson Extended Graphics character table contains international accented characters, Greek characters, and graphics characters for printing lines, corners, and shaded areas.

Since these character tables affect only half of the character set, you can still print text if you select the Epson Extended Graphics table. Also, with the proper software commands you can print italics or graphics characters no matter which character table you select.

Although most software programs work better with the graphics table, some programs require the italics table. Try switching tables if you are having trouble printing lines and other graphic characters, or if italics don’t print on your printer. Keep in mind, however, that your software may not have the capability to select graphics or italics. See Chapter 4 for information on enhancing your printing using software commands. Also see Appendix A for the complete character tables.

Note: You may need to send the ESC 6 printer command to print some of the Extended Graphics characters. See the

Command Summary in Chapter 8.

Using the Printer

3-13

The Epson Extended Graphics character table and the italics

character table are shown below.

Epson Extended Graphics character table

3-14

Using the Printer

Italics character table

Input buffer

The printer’s input buffer provides additional memory to free up the computer while you print large amounts of text or graphics. The input buffer is enabled when DIP switch 1-4 is off. To disable the buffer, turn DIP switch 1-4 on.

Near letter quality or draft mode

When DIP switch 1-5 is on, the DFX-5000 prints in near letter

quality (NLQ) mode. When the DIP switch is off, it prints in draft mode.

NLQ mode produces high quality text characters at a slower printing speed. The DFX-5000 offers two fonts in NLQ mode, Roman and Sans Serif. Roman is the default font in NLQ mode,

Using the Printer

3-15

but you can select NLQ Sans Serif with the software command ESC k. See the Command Summary in Chapter 8.

Draft mode produces lower-resolution characters at a fast printing speed. The DFX-5000 has two printing speeds for draft mode, draft and high-speed draft. These printing speeds are controlled by DIP switch 2-2 (see the next page). When you select draft mode, the printer checks DIP switch 2-2 to see which printing speed to use.

International character sets

International character sets contain the characters and symbols used in other languages. To select the desired international character set, set switches 1-6,1-7, and 1-8 according to the DIP switch table on page 3-11. The character set you select then becomes the default character set. The following table shows the characters that differ in each international character set.

Infernational character sets

3-16

Using the Printer

In addition to the eight character sets you can select with DIP switches, you can select the five character sets shown below using the ESC R software command. See the Command Summary in Chapter 8 for more information.

Country

Japan

Norway

9 10 Denmark II 11 Spain II 12 Latin America

23 24 40 5B 5C 5D 5E 60 7B 7C 7D 7E

#s@cVl*‘~:1”

##&A0&u&~0au #$&EBAu&a0a~

#$~;~~&‘i~~ti

#Ba;aL

ASCII code (hex)

&UiFtdti

Page length

When DIP switch 2-1 is on, the page length is set to 12 inches. When the DIP switch is off, the page length is 11 inches. Page lengths other than 11 or 12 inches can be set with the ESC C and ESC CO commands. See the Command Summary in Chapter 8.

Printing speed in draft mode

When DIP switch 2-2 is off, high-speed draft is selected. When the DIP switch is on, normal draft is selected. This setting only affects the printer if DIP switch 1-5 is set for draft mode (see page 3-15) or if draft is selected through your software. If NLQ is selected, the printer ignores the printing speed selected for draft mode, since a slower printing speed is required to print the higher-resolution characters.

High-speed draft prints at 533 characters per second but produces characters that are not as fully formed as the ones produced with normal draft. If you select a feature such as emphasized, double-strike, or italics in high-speed draft mode, the printing speed will temporarily switch to normal draft speed until the enhancement is turned off. This allows you to use any print enhancement without cancelling high-speed draft.

Using

the Printer

3-17

The following printout compares the two printing speeds.

High-speed

draft

Normal draft

We’ve just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of

Trader's Times.

quantities over one gross?

What is the price schedule for

Skip over perforation

When DIP switch 2-3 is on, the printer inserts a one-inch margin between the last line printed on one page and the first line printed on the next page. By adjusting your top of form position, you can get half the margin at the bottom of one page and half at the top of

the next page. See the section on adjusting the top of form position

in Chapter 2. Since most application programs do insert their own

top and bottom margins, you should use this feature only if your

program does not provide them.

Auto line feed

When DIP switch 2-4 is on, the printer adds a line feed (LF) command to every carriage return (CR) code sent by the

application program software. When the switch is off, line feeds

occur only when the software sends line feed commands to the

printer. Since most computers and application programs

automatically add line feeds to carriage returns, you should use

this feature only if your text is printing all on one line.

Note: If you select auto line feed but your text stiIl prints on

one line, you need to disable the AUTO FEED XT signal. See

your Epson dealer for assistance.

3-18

Using the Printer

Interface type and parity

If your computer is set up for serial communication, you need to change DIP switches 2-5 and 2-6 so that your printer and computer can communicate properly. These two DIP switches control the interface type and parity. (You may also need to select a different baud rate. See the following section on baud rate.)

The table below shows the DIP switch settings for a parallel interface, and for a serial interface with odd, even, or no parity. If you don’t know what type of interface your computer requires, check your computer manual. Also check your computer manual to make sure your computer and printer have the same parity setting.

DIP switch settings for interface and parity

Interface type

Parallel Serial Serial Serial

Parity

Odd Even None

Switch 2-5 Switch 2-6

OFF OFF OFF ON ON

ON OFF ON

Baud rate

Besides selecting serial interface and parity, if your computer is set up for serial communications you may also need to change the baud rate setting. Baud rate is the rate at which the printer receives data from the computer.

The table below shows the DIP switch settings for the printer’s four baud rate settings. Check your computer manual or application program for the correct baud rate setting. Your computer and printer should always be set to the same baud rate.

DIP switch settings for baud rate

Using the Printer

3-19

Using Your Printer With Application Programs

Now that you’ve set up and tested the printer, you can start using it with your application programs.

Most application programs let you specify the type of printer you’re using so that the program can take full advantage of the printer’s features. Many programs provide an installation or setup procedure that presents a list of printers to choose from.

If your application program has a printer selection menu, simply choose the DFX-5000 from its list of printers. If the DFX-5000 is not on the menu, choose one of the following, listed in order of preference.

FX-850/1050 FX-86e/286e FX-85/185 FX-80/100 EX-800/1000 FX LX Epson printer 9-pin printer Standard printer Draft printer

Note: If your application program does not list the DFX-5000, you may want to contact the software manufacturer to see if an update is available.

A quick test

After setting up your application program, print a sample document to make sure the program and the DFX-5000 are

communicating properly. If the document doesn’t print correctly, recheck the program’s printer selection and installation

3-20 Using the Printer

procedure. If you’re still having trouble printing, see Chapter 7 for troubleshooting information.

Using word processors

Word processors usually let you use a fixed set of printer features by placing markers around the text to be altered. When the

document is printed, the markers are recognized and translated into suitable commands for your printer. Some programs show the markers on the screen, while others display the text as it will look when it prints (for example, in bold or italics).

Some word processing programs also let you insert printer commands in your document. These commands may or may not

be visible on the screen. This method has the advantage of

allowing you to use any DFX-5000 printer feature, not just the features available with your word processing program.

To use printer commands, first check your word processor manual to see if the software allows you to insert printer commands in your document. Then see the section on sending commands to the printer in Chapter 4. Also see the Command Summary in Chapter 8 for a list of the commands available on the DFX-5000.

Using spreadsheets

Although spreadsheets seldom use as many printing styles as word processors, they do have some very specific requirements.

If your spreadsheet program provides a list of printers, use the list on the last page to find the proper selection. If your spreadsheet doesn’t have a printer setup routine, read the program’s manual carefully for information on printing.

A major concern when printing spreadsheets is the number of columns, or characters, that can fit on a line. In its normal printing pitch of 10 characters per inch (cpi), the DFX-5000 can print up to 136 characters in a line. You can increase the number of characters

Using the Printer

3-21

by about 65% if you select condensed printing with a DIP switch. You can also select 12 cpi, condensed mode, or both with a

software command. The table below shows you the number of characters that can fit

on a line using these available options. If your spreadsheet asks the number of columns your printer can print, decide which option you want to use and supply the appropriate number from this table.

Typestyle

Normal

12 cpi Condensed 12 cpi condensed1 272

Number of columns

136 163

233

Unlike word processors, spreadsheet programs usually don’t let you change printer commands within a spreadsheet. Instead, you select one style or mode of printing for the entire spreadsheet.

To choose the condensed mode for the entire spreadsheet, it may

be easiest to simply set DIP switch l-l for condensed mode. See

the section earlier in this chapter on using DIP switches. To use the DFX-5000’s printer commands, first look in the manual

for your spreadsheet program to find out how to send printer commands. Then see the section on sending commands to the printer in Chapter 4. Also see the Command Summary in Chapter 8 for a list of the commands available on the DFX-5000.

3-22

Using the Printer

Chapter 4

Getting the Most from Your Printer

Enhancing Your Printing ...................

Print quality and fonts ..................

Character pitch .........................

Character size Emphasized and double-strike printing ...

Italic printing ...........................

Underlining ............................

Superscripts and subscripts ..............

Sending Commands to the Printer ...............

ASCII codes .................................

Escape sequences

Printercommands ............................

Using the Command Summary ................

Sending commands from your software program

Selecting typestyles with Master Select .........

...........................

............................

4-2 4-2 4-4 4-5 4-6 4-7 4-7 4-7

4-8 4-8 4-9 4-9

4-10 4-10

4-11

Getting the Most from Your Printer

4-1

Enhancing Your Printing

Your printer’s DIP switches control the printing style of a whole

document. Software commands, on the other hand, let you change anything from a single character to the entire document. By using software commands, you can obtain many different printing effects with the DFX-5000 printer, from arranging the text on the page to giving extra emphasis to particular words and phrases.

You can obtain many of the effects described in this section with your application program, but not all. For example, many word processing programs let you choose bold or underlined text, but do not have an option for printing double-wide text. And while some programs let you print an entire document in a typestyle such as italics or NLQ, many don’t let you select a particular typestyle for just one word or phrase. If your software program lets you insert printer commands in your document, you can be much more versatile in your printing.

Once you have read about some of the special features the DFX-5000 offers, you may want to check your software manual to see how you can use a particular feature. If your software lets you send printer commands, you can look up the command for the feature in the Command Summary in Chapter 8. To understand more about how your software communicates with your printer and how to send commands, see the section in this chapter on sending commands to the printer.

Print quality and fonts

The DFX-5000 has three levels of print quality: high-speed draft, normal draft, and NLQ (near letter quality). High-speed draft is ideal for rough drafts and large documents or reports that you need to print quickly. Normal draft is a bit slower, but offers higher resolution characters. Finally, NLQ takes a little longer, but produces darker, more fully formed characters suitable for presentation-quality documents.

4-2

Getting the Most from Your Printer

For NLQ printing, the DFX-5000 offers two fonts, Roman and Sans Serif. NLQ Roman is automatically selected when you select the NLQ mode with a DIP switch or with the software command ESC x 1. To select NLQ Sans Serif, you must use the software command ESC k.

The following printout compares high-speed draft, draft, NLQ Roman, and NLQ Sans Serif. See pages 3-15 and 3-17 for more information on selecting NLQ and the two draft modes with DIP switches.

High-speed draft

Normal draft

We’ve just seen your excellent ad for miniature zebras in a recent back issue of Trader’s Timer;. What is the price schedule for quantities over one gross?

NLQ Roman

We’ve just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a

er's Times. What is the price schedule for

quantities over one gross?

NLQ Sans Serif

recent back issue of

Note:

High-speed draft is available only with 10 cpi printing (the printer’s default pitch). Also, the only print enhancement that can be combined with high-speed draft is underlining. If

other enhancements or character sizes are selected, the printer switches to normal draft speed. High-speed draft resumes again after the feature is turned off.

Character pitch

Your printer’s default character pitch is 10 characters per inch

(cpi). However, you can select 12 cpi or proportional spacing through your software or by sending printer commands.

In 10 and 12 cpi, each character gets an equal amount of space. In proportional mode, however, spacing varies from character to character. A narrow letter like the lowercase i receives less space than the uppercase W. The width assigned to each character in proportional spacing is shown in the proportional width table in

Appendix A.

The following printout compares the different types of spacing.

10 cpi

This is 10 CPI printing. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

12 cpi

This is 12 CPI printing.

ARCDEPGHIJKLWOpBRSTUVWYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Proportional spacing

This is proportional printing. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWKYZ

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

4-4

Getting the Most from Your Printer

Epson DFX-5000 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction

Options

About This Manual

Conventions Used in This Manual

Where to Get Help

Unpacking the Printer

Checking the parts

Removing the protective materials

Choosing a Place for the Printer

A Look at Your Printer

The printer parts

Control panel indicator lights

Control panel buttons

Assembling the Printer

Installing the ribbon cartridge

Attaching the power cable

Testing the Printer

Plugging in the printer

Loading paper for the self test

Running the self test

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Connecting the parallel interface

Connecting the serial interface

Setting Up Your Application Software

Using the Two-Tractor System

Positioning the paper supply

Loading Paper onto the Front Tractor

Loading Paper onto the Rear Tractor

Adjusting the Top of Form Position

Adjusting the Printing Position

Using Automatic Tear-Off

Switching Between Front and Rear Tractors

Changing the Paper

Printing on Special Paper

Using multi-part forms

Using labels

Operating the Control Panel

Control panel indicator lights

Control panel buttons

Other control panel features

Using DIP Switches

Changing DIP switch settings

DIP switch tables

DIP switch functions

Condensed mode

Slashed zero

Character table

Input buffer

Near letter quality or draft mode

International character sets

Page length

Printing speed in draft mode

Skip over perforation

Auto line feed

Interface type and parity

Baud rate

Using Your Printer With Application Programs

A quick test

Using word processors

Using spreadsheets

Enhancing Your Printing

Print quality and fonts

Character pitch