Page 1
EPSON AMERICA INC.
Product Support Bulletin
Subject: FX-870 and FX-1170 Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
EPSON
\
Date: 10/9/92
Page(s): 1 of 6
This bulletin answers some commonly asked questions about the FX-870 and
FX-1170 printers. The questions and answers are listed below.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE FX-870 and FX-1170
1.
Q. What are the FX-870 and FX-1170 printers?
A.
The FX-870 and FX-1170 are narrow and wide carriage Q-pin printers
specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the small business
computer user. Listed below are some of the key features of the
FX-870 and FX-1170 printers:
- Epson ESC/P command set
- Advanced paper handling with four (4) paper paths
- Top feed
- Front feed
- Rear feed
- Bottom feed
- Roman and Sans Serif NLQ fonts
- Up to 240 x 216 DPI bit-image graphics
- Convenient, easy-to-use four button control panel
- Print Speed:
- Quiet operation, only 55 dB(A)
- Built-in large 24 KB input buffer
- Epson’s two year limited warranty with unlimited 800 number free
technical support
380 CPS High-Speed Draft Pica
285 CPS Draft Pica
57 CPS Near Letter Quality Pica
PSB No: P-0090A
Originator: SLS
2.
Q.
Are the FX-870/1170 printers a replacement or addition to the Epson
printer line?
A.
The FX-870/1170 printers are a replacement product. They are a direct
replacement for the popular FX-850/1050 printers.
Page 2
3.
Q. What is the Epson ESC/P command set?
A.
As the leading impact printer vendor, the Epson Standard Codes for
Printers (ESC/P) has become a de facto standard for most dot-matrix
printers. Epson Standard Codes are featured by most other vendors as
an immediate entry into a wide range of third party software.
4.
Q.
What are the product codes for FX-870/1170 options and supplies?
A.
Listed below are the product codes for the FX-870/1170 options and
supplies.
PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 2 of 6
C806371
C806391
C806381
C806401
C800201
C800211
C814021
C814031
C823051
C823071
C823101
C823141
C823151
8750
8755
8758
Single-bin Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-870)
Single-bin Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-1170)
High-capacity Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-870)
High-capacity Cut-sheet Feeder (FX-1170)
Tractor Unit (FX-870)
Tractor Unit (FX-1170)
Front Sheet Guide (FX-870)
Front Sheet Guide (FX-1170)
OK Serial I/F Board Type B
32K Serial I/F Board Type B
32K Parallel I/F Board Type B
Coax I/F Board Type B
Coax I/F Board Type B
Fabric Ribbon Cartridge (FX-870)
Fabric Ribbon Cartridge (FX-1170)
Fabric Ribbon Replacement Pack
5.
8310
Q.
What is the advantage of purchasing an optional Tractor unit?
A.
Having an optional tractor unit allows a tractor unit to be mounted at the
front and rear of the printer at the same time. This enables the printer to
have two (2) types of continuous paper loaded at the same time. You
select between the different paper types by moving the paper-release
lever to the appropriate paper path and then pressing the PAPER
FEED/EJECT button.
Roll Paper Holder (FX-870 only)
Page 3
PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 3 of 6
6.
Q. What interface comes standard with FX-870/1170 printers?
A.
The FX-870/1170 printers come standard with a built-in Centronics
compatible parallel interface.
7.
Q.
How do I use the FX-870/1170 to operate with serial communications?
A.
The FX-870/1170 printers can operate serial through the use of an
optional interface that plugs into the back right-hand side of the printer.
There are currently two (2) optional interfaces to choose from, either the
C823051 with a OK buffer or the C823071 with a 32K buffer.
8.
Q.
If a printer driver selection is not shown for the FX-870/1170 in my
software application programs, which printer driver selection should I
choose?
A.
The recommended printer driver selections for the FX-870/1170 are listed
below in order of preference.
FX-870
FX-850
EX-800
FX-85
FX-80+
FX-80
Epson Printer
Q-pin printer
If none of these printer driver selections are available from within your
application software, contact your software manufacturer to determine
whether they offer a printer driver update or if they plan to make one
available in the future.
If you plan to use the FX-870/1070’s built-in IBM printer emulation mode,
choose IBM Proprinter (II or XL, for narrow or wide carriage), IBM
Graphics printer or IBM printer, in that order of preference.
FX-1170
FX- 1050
EX- 1000
FX-185
FX-100+
FX-100
Page 4
PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 4 of 6
9. Q.
A.
What are the FX-870/1170 printer’s rated text mode print speeds?
The FX-870/1170 printer’s text mode print speeds are listed below:
Characters/inch Draft CPS NLQ CPS
10
12
380
342
l
57
68
Notes: CPS = Characters Per Second
l
High-Speed Draft; 285 CPS Normal Draft
10.
Q. Do the FX-870/1170 printers use DIP switches?
A.
No, the FX-870/1170 printers do not use DIP switches. All of the
FX-870/1170’s various default settings are selected through the use of the
printer’s easy to use four (4) button front panel.
11.
Q. Can the FX-870/1170 print on continuous labels?
Printable Columns
80/l
36
96/l
63
A.
Yes, the FX-870/1170 can print on continuous labels at nomral
temperature and humidity levels. Load the labels using either the front
push tractor or the pull tractor (front or bottom).
Note: Never feed the labels in a reverse direction because they may peel
off the backing and cause a jam. To remove labels without causing a jam,
tear the labels off at the input source and then feed them through the
printer in a forward direction.
12.
Q. Can the FX-870/1170 print on envelopes?
A.
Yes, the FX-870/1170 can print on envelopes at normal temperature and
humidity levels. The envelopes are loaded from the top of the printer one
(1) at a time using the printer’s paper guide. Up to twenty-five (25)
envelopes may also be loaded in the optional high-capacity Cut Sheet
Feeder (C806381/C806401).
13.
Q. Can the FX-870/1170 print on single-sheet carbonless multi-part forms?
A.
Yes, the FX-870/1170 can print on single-sheet carbonless multi-part
forms. The forms are loaded from the printer’s front slot using the optional
front sheet guide.
Page 5
PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 5 of 6
14.
Q. The FX-870/1170’s User’s Guide lists information on 120, 220 and 240
volt versions of this printer. How can I purchase a 220 or 240 volt version
of this printer?
A.
The FX-870/1170 is available only in the 120 volt configuration in the
U.S.A.
15.
Q. Can the FX-870/1170 print text characters in a landscape orientation?
A.
Yes, but the FX-870/1170 requires the use of a software application
program because it does not include landscape characters as part of its
built-in characters set. When printing from DOS, two (2) popular software
application programs for printing in landscape are Sideways and Always.
Also, Microsoft Windows 3.1 using true-type fonts allows the FX-870/1170
printers to print in a landscape orientation.
16.
Q. Can different fonts be selected on the FX-870/1170’s front control panel?
A.
Yes, different fonts may be selected from the FX-870/1170’s front control
panel by using the font button. However, all font selections made from the
front panel can be overridden by an software application program. The
recommended method to select fonts is through the program that you are
using to print. If the program does not provide font selection abilities, then
the printer’s font control panel is very useful.
17.
Q. When printing multi-page documents on single sheets using hand-feed
sheets or with an optional Cut Sheet Feeder (CSF), what would cause the
FX-870/1170 printers to print the first page correctly but print too low on
the following pages?
A.
This difference in print position is usually caused by the page length
setting(s) in the software application program. Most application programs
have a default page length of 66 lines per page when using 11”
continuous paper. When using single sheets, the FX-870/1170 printers
automatically provide a small top and bottom margin. Since these
margins are a non-printable area, the FX-870/1170’s maximum number of
lines per page when using 11’ single sheet paper is reduced to 61 lines
per page. Most software application programs include an option to adjust
the maximum number of lines per page. Decreasing the program’s
maximum number of lines per page by 5 (e.g. 61 lines) should correct for
this difference in print position. Also, if using a CSF, set the paper type
selection in your software program to CSF if the program offers this
selection.
Page 6
PSB No: P-0090A
Page: 6 of 6
18.
Q. What resident (built-in) fonts come standard with the FX-870/1170 printers,
and are they scalable?
A. The resident fonts are Draft, Roman, and Sans Serif. The FX-870/1170
printers do not support Epson ESC/P 2 scalable fonts.
19.
Q. What are the capacities of the FX-870/1170 optional cut-sheet feeders?
A.
The capacities of the FX-870/1170 optional cut-sheet feeders are listed
below.
20.
21.
CSF
Single-Bin
High-Capacity
Q. Is an optional dual-bin CSF available for the FX-870/1170 printers?
A.
Yes, if an optional single-bin CSF and an optional High-Capacity CSF are
purchased, they can be attached together to form a dual-bin CSF.
Q. What is the FX-870/1170’s specification for recommended duty-cycle?
A.
The FX-870/1170’s specification for recommended duty-cycle is 25%.
Epson America’s definition of 25% duty cycle stands for the printer printing
(not idle) two (2) hours per day based on an eight (8) hour day at 22 days
per month.
CAPACITY
Up to 50 sheets
(no envelopes, multi-part forms, or labels)
Up to 150 sheets or up to 25 envelopes
(no multi-part forms or labels)
Page 7
EPSON AMERICA INC.
Product Support Bulletin
Subject: Quick Reference for Current Dot-Matrix Printer Print Speeds
EPSON
Date: 10/9/92
Page(s): 1 of 1
/
Model
1%
AP-2250
LX-81 0
FX-870/1170 11
11
DFX-5000
DFX-8000
Model
PSB No: P-0030C
Originator: SLS
9-PIN PRINTERS
l%Y
200
200
CPS
CPS
D”:,“n”-“,““c”p4
240 CPS n/a
240 CPS n/a
legal
40
CPS
40
CPS
llLFPI
48
48
,
285 CPS 1 342 CPS 1 380 CPS 1 57 CPS I 68 CPS
400 CPS 480 CPS
11
800 CPS
1
960 CPS I 1066 CPS 1
533
CPS
80
160
CPS
CPS
1
96 CPS
11921
24-PIN PRINTERS
Draft
10 CPI
Draft
12 CPI
High-Speed
Draft 10 CPI
1
10CPI /
IEPI
CPS
CPS
II
1)
AP-3250
LQ-570/1070
~ LQ-860
LQ-870/1170
~ LQ-2550
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CPI:
CPS: Characters Per Second
Draft:
Elite:
Pica:
LQ:
Characters Per Inch
Draft uses a minimum number of dots per character for high-speed printing.
12 Characters Per Inch (12 CPI)
10 Characters Per Inch (10 CPI)
Letter Quality reduces the print speed and increases the number of dots per
167 CPS 1 200 CPS
210 CPS 252 CPS
246 CPS 295 CPS
275 CPS
333 CPS I 400 CPS
character to increase the print quality. (24-pin printers only)
NW:
Near Letter Quality reduces the print speed and increase the number of dots
per character to increase the print quality. NLQ printing requires two passes
per character. (Q-pin printers only)
1
330 CPS
1
60 CPS
70
CPS
82
CPS
225
300
n/a
CPS
CPS
300CPS 1 92 CPS 1
1
~
n/a
Ill CPS I
1
72 CPS
CPS
84
CPS
98
IIOCPS
133CPS
Page 8
EPSON AMERICA, INC.
Product Support Bulletin
Subject: Quick Reference for 9/24 Pin Printer Paper Specifications
EPSON
Date: 10/9/92
Page(s): 1 of 1
This PSB provides a quick reference for the paper specifications on Epson’s current
line of 9-pin and 24-pin dot-matrix printers when using continuous paper. The
‘Maximum No. of Copies” is the maximum allowable number of copies when using
continuous multi-part carbonless paper. The “Total” number is the maximum
allowable number of copies including the original. The ‘Maximum Total Thickness”
is the maximum allowable total thickness including the original plus any copies.
PSB No: P-0022D
Originator: SLS
9-PIN PRINTERS
Model
AP-2250 l
LX-810
FX-870/1170
DFX-5000
(Front Tractor)
(Rear Tractor)
Orig. + Maximum No.
of Copies
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
5
3
Total Maximum Total
Thickness
3
3
4
6
4
0.0098” (0.25mm)
I
0.0098” (0.25mm)
I
0.0126”
I
0.018’
0.012”
(0.32mm)
(0.46mm)
(0.30mm)
DFX-8000
(Front Tractor)
(Rear Tractor)
Model
AP-3250
LQ-570/1070
LQ-860
LQ-870/1170
LQ-2550
* Note:
*
The AP-2250 and AP-3250 require an optional push tractor to use
continuous paper.
1
1
5
3
24-PIN PRINTERS
Orig. + Maximum No.
of Copies
I
I
I
I
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
5
I
I
I
I
I
6
4
Total
2
4
4
4
6
0.018’
0.012”
Maximum Total
0.0071”
0.0126”
0.0126”
0.0126”
0.018’
(0.46mm)
(0.30mm)
Thickness
(0.18mm)
(0.32mm)
(0.32mm)
(0.32mm)
(0.46mm)
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