Oki MICROLINE ML310 Handbook

OKI

®®

®®

®

MICROLINE® 310

Printer Handbook

P/N 59342501

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

© 2002 by Oki Data.

Written and produced by the Oki Data Training and
Publications Department. Please address any comments on
this publication to:

Training & Publications Dept.
Oki Data Americas, Inc.
2000 Bishops Gate Blvd.
Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054-4620

OKI, OKIDATA and MICROLINE are registered
trademarks of Oki Electric Industry Company, Ltd.

E

NERGY STA R is a registered trademark of the United States

Environmental Protection Agency.

Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson
Corporation (SEC), registered in the U.S. and other
countries.

Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and other countries.

Year 2000 Compliance

All products currently sold by Oki Data are Year 2000
Compliant. Each product contains information technology
that accurately processes date and time data between the
years 1999 and 2000, and carries no issue for the
September 9, 1999 (9999) programming concern. These
products, when used in combination with products
purchased from other manufacturers, whose products
properly exchange data and time information, will
accurately process the date and time. All future products
are committed to meeting the same Year 2000 compliance.

ENERGY STAR

As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Oki Data
has determined that this product meets
the E

NERGY STA R guidelines for energy

efficiency.

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Printer Handbook: English 3

Important Safety Instructions

• Be certain that your power source matches the rating
listed on the back of the printer. If you aren’t sure,
check with your dealer or with your local power
company.

• Your printer has a grounded, 3-prong plug as a safety
feature. It will only fit into a grounded outlet. If you
can not plug it in, chances are that you have an older,
non-grounded outlet. Contact an electrician to have it
replaced with a grounded outlet. Do not use an adapter
to defeat the grounding.

• To avoid damaging the power cord, do not put anything
on it or place it where it will be walked on. If the cord
becomes damaged or frayed, replace it immediately.

Your OKI printer has been carefully designed to give you
years of safe, reliable performance. As with all electrical
equipment, there are a few basic precautions you should
take to avoid hurting yourself or damaging the printer:

• Carefully read all setup and operating instructions. Be
sure to save all documents for future reference.

• Read and follow all warning and instruction labels on
the printer itself.

• Place your printer on a firm, solid surface. If you put in
on something unsteady, it might fall and be damaged.

• Avoid overheating the printer. Do not place it on a soft
surface, such as a rug, sofa, or bed. The vents may be
blocked, causing the printer to overheat.

• The printer must be installed near a power outlet which
will remain easily accessible.

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Safety4

• If you’re using an extension cord or power strip with the
printer, make sure that the total of the amperes required
by all the equipment on the extension is less than the
extension’s rating. Generally, the total ratings of all
equipment plugged into any one power line should not
exceed 15 amperes. Don’t exceed this unless you know
that the power line your equipment is plugged into has a
rating above 15 amperes.

• Unplug the printer before you clean it. Use only a damp
cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.

• To protect your printer from overheating, make sure no
openings on the printer are blocked. Do not put the
printer on or near a heat source, such as a radiator or
heat register. If you put the printer in any kind of
enclosure, make sure it is well ventilated.

• The printhead can get quite hot when it has been
printing for a length of time. Do not touch the printhead
until it has had a chance to cool off.

• Do not use your printer near water. Do not spill liquid
of any kind into it.

• Do not poke anything into the ventilation slots on the
sides of the printer. You could get a shock or cause a
fire.

• Aside from the routine maintenance described in this
document, don’t try to service the printer yourself.
Opening the cover may expose you to shocks or other
hazards. Don’t make any adjustments other than those
outlined in the document. You might cause damage
requiring extensive repair work.

• If anything happens that indicates that your printer is
not working properly or has been damaged, unplug it
immediately and have your printer serviced.

These are some of the things to look for:

– The power cord or plug is frayed or damaged.

– Liquid has been spilled into the housing, or the

printer has been exposed to water.

– The printer has been dropped or its cabinet has

been damaged.

– The printer doesn’t function normally when you’re

following the operating instructions.

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Printer Handbook: English 5

Table of Contents

Setting Up .............................................................6

Components .................................................................. 6

Remove the Shipping Materials ................................... 7

Install/Replace the Ribbon Cartridge ........................... 8

Install the Platen Knob ............................................... 10

Install the Paper Separator .......................................... 10

Install the Power Cord .................................................11

Connect To the Computer ............................................ 11

Load Paper .................................................................. 12

Loading Continuous Form Paper for Bottom Feed . 13

Loading Continuous Form Paper for Rear Feed ..... 16

Loading Single Sheets ............................................. 19

Run the Self Test......................................................... 20

Controlling the Printer...................................... 21

The Front Panel .......................................................... 21

Printer Driver .............................................................. 23

Appendix A: Replacement Parts ...................... 25

Appendix B: Control Circuit Board Switches 27

Appendix C: Specifications ............................... 29

Index ................................................................... 31

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6

Setting Up

Components

Unpack the box and check for the following:

✔ Interface cables and paper are sold separately.

ML310 Printer

Ribbon cartridge

Platen knob

Power cord

Paper separator

• Grounding screw (not illustrated: see “Connect to the
Computer” later in this section)

• CD (not illustrated)

✔ If any of these items is missing or damaged, see your

dealer for a replacement.

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Printer Handbook: English 7

Remove the Shipping
Materials

1 Remove any packing tape.

2 Check for a protective film on the front panel, and

remove it.

3 Lift off the acoustic cover.

4 Pull up on the access cover to unsnap it, then remove it.

5 Remove the shipping retainer that secures the printhead

during shipment. Save it in case you ever need to ship
the printer.

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Setting Up8

2 Center the printhead (1) so that it’s away from the bail

rollers. Make sure the bail is closed (lever back).

à

Leave the clear plastic ribbon shield (1) on the
cartridge! Use only genuine Oki Data ribbon
cartridges.

Install/Replace the Ribbon
Cartridge

1 If necessary, lift off the acoustic cover and remove the

access cover.

ë

Caution! It is recommended that the printer be
switched off prior to removing the access cover. The
printhead can get very hot during extended periods
of printing—be sure to let it cool off before you
touch it.

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Printer Handbook: English 9

3 If you are replacing the ribbon cartridge, grasp the

sides of the cartridge at either side of the printhead
(Caution! printhead can be HOT!), then lift the used
cartridge out and discard it.

4 With the knob side up, tilt the new ribbon cartridge onto

the printhead plate so that it slides into the area of the
plate that is closest to the front of the printer, then lower
the ribbon shield over the printhead (Caution! Printhead
may be HOT!), aligning the tabs with the inserts on the
printhead plate.

✔ If the ribbon won’t load easily, turn the knob slightly

until the x-shaped notch on the bottom of the ribbon
cartridge aligns with the x-shaped insert on the ribbon
plate.

5 Press on the cartridge until you feel it snap into place.

6 If you are replacing the ribbon cartridge, put the access

cover back on and press down until it snaps into place,
then replace the acoustic cover.

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Setting Up10

Install the Platen Knob

Insert the knob in the hole on the right side of the printer,
lining up the notch in the knob with the pin on the shaft.

Install the Paper Separator

Place the tabs (1) on the paper separator into the slots (2)
on the printer, then press down to snap it in place.

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Printer Handbook: English 11

Install the Power Cord

1 Make sure the printer is turned off.

2 Plug the power cord supplied with your printer into the

power socket (1).

à

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

3 Plug the opposite end into a grounded outlet.

Connect To the Computer

✔ The interface cable is not supplied with the printer.

1 Insert the plug into the parallel port on the back of the

printer (1) and secure it with the wire clips (2).

2 If necessary, use the grounding screw suplied with the

printer to attach the frame ground wire to the hole (3) at
the right of the parallel port.

3 Connect the other end of the cable to the computer.

4 Turn the printer on.

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Setting Up12

Load Paper

✔ The maximum usable thickness of multi-part forms is

0.014 inch (0.36 mm).

Set the Printhead Gap Lever

Before you load continuous paper, be sure to set the blue
printhead gap lever (1) as follows:

• position 1 for 1- or 2-part paper

• position 2 for 3- or 4-part paper

• position 3 for 5-part, extra-thick paper.

Paper Lever Positions

= Continuous Forms

= Single Sheet

Bail Lever Positions

Open Closed

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Printer Handbook: English 13

Loading Continuous Form Paper for
Bottom Feed

1 Set the printer on a slotted printer stand (optional,

available from third party), aligning the opening in the
base of the printer with the slot on the stand.

2 Place the paper stack on the bottom of the printer stand.

✔

If the printer is on and selected (SELECT light on),
press the SELECT button to deselect it.

✔

If you are reloading paper, remove the acoustic cover
and the access cover.

3 Pull the paper lever (1) forward (continuous forms

position) and open the bail lever (2).

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Setting Up14

4 Slide the paper through the opening in the base of the

printer, then push the paper lever (1) back (single sheet
position) and turn the platen knob (2) to move the paper
up level with the paper bail (3).

5 Pull the paper lever forward.

6 Pull up the lock levers (1) to release the tractors and

open the tractor covers (2).

✔

The pins (1) at either end of the platen are not used
with the pull tractor installed. Please leave them
locked in place.

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Printer Handbook: English 15

7 Slide the tractors to align them with the edges of the

paper, then set the paper holes on the tractor pins (1).
Make sure the paper covers the groove on the left side
of the platen, then slide the tractor guide (2) to the
center of the paper.

8 Adjust the tractors so that the paper holes are centered

on the pins, then close the tractor covers.

9 Space the rollers on the paper bail evenly across the

paper, then close the bail lever.

10 Use the platen knob to advance the paper up to the

second sheet, then move the paper up to where you
want the first line of printing to begin (top of form).
The position you have selected will be set
automatically when you turn the printer on.

✔

If the printer is on, press the TOF SET button while
the printer is deselected (SELECT light off) to set
the position as the top of form.

11 Put the access cover back on and press down until it

snaps into place, then replace the acoustic cover.

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Setting Up16

Loading Continuous Form Paper for
Rear Feed

1 Place the paper stack behind the printer.

✔

If the printer is on and selected (SELECT light on),
press the SELECT button to deselect it.

✔

If you are reloading paper, remove the acoustic cover
and the access cover.

2 With the paper separator lying flat on the printer, slide

the guides (1) to their widest position.

3 Pull the paper lever (1) forward (continuous forms

position) and open the bail lever (2).

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Printer Handbook: English 17

4 Insert the paper in the slot in the paper separator and

guide it into the printer underneath the platen.

5 Push the paper lever (1) back (single sheet position) and

turn the platen knob (2) to move the paper up level with
the paper bail (3).

6 Pull the paper lever forward.

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Setting Up18

7 Pull up the lock levers (1) to release the tractors and

open the tractor covers (2).

✔

The pins (1) at either end of the platen are not used
with the pull tractor installed. Please leave them
locked in place.

8 Slide the tractors to align them with the edges of the

paper, then set the paper holes on the tractor pins (1).
Make sure the paper covers the groove on the left side
of the platen, then slide the tractor guide (2) to the
center of the paper.

9 Adjust the tractors so that the paper holes are centered

on the pins, then close the tractor covers.

ë

The paper may jam or cause other problems if it is
stretched too tightly or left too loose on the pins. If
the sprocket holes stretch or tear during printing,
readjust the pins.

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Printer Handbook: English 19

10 Space the rollers on the paper bail evenly across the

paper, then close the bail lever.

11 Adjust the paper guides on the back of the paper

separator so that they are as close to the edges of the
paper as possible without touching it.

12 Use the platen knob to advance the paper up to the

second sheet, then move the paper up to where you
want the first line of printing to begin (top of form).
The position you have selected will be set
automatically when you turn the printer on.

✔

If the printer is on, press the TOF SET button while
the printer is deselected (SELECT light off) to set
the position as the top of form.

13 Put the access cover back on and press down until it

snaps into place, then replace the acoustic cover.

Loading Single Sheets

✔

If the printer is on and selected (SELECT light on),
press the SELECT button to deselect it.

1 Use the platen knob to remove any continuous forms

paper from the print path.

2 Remove the acoustic cover.

3 Raise the paper separator to the upright position, then

slide the guide (1) to the position marked for single
sheets (2).

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Setting Up20

4 Push the paper lever back (single sheet position).

5 Insert a single sheet of paper.

6 Remove the access cover and open the bail lever.

7 Use the platen knob to wind the paper through to the

front of the printer, guiding it under the open bail, then
close the bail lever.

8 Use the platen knob to adjust the place on the sheet

where the first line of printing will begin (top of form).
The top of form you have selected will be set
automatically when you turn the printer on.

✔

If the printer is on, press the TOF SET button while
the printer is deselected (SELECT light off) to set
the position as the top of form.

9 Replace the access cover.

10 Press the SELECT button to reselect the printer (the

SELECT light will come on).

Switching Back to Continuous Forms

1 Open the bail lever and move the paper lever to the

continuous forms position.

2 Remove the printed sheet from the printer.

3 Load the continuous forms paper (see the appropriate

section under Load Paper in this manual).

Run the Self Test

Hold down the LINE FEED button while turning on the
printer.

✔ The first line of the self test contains information on the

version printer you’re using. If you should call for
information or service, please have a self-test printout
handy so that our customer Service Representative can
determine exactly what model printer you have.

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Printer Handbook: English 21

Controlling the Printer

LINE FEED button: moves the paper up one line at a
time.

FORM FEED button: moves the paper to the top
margin of the next page.

TOF SET button: sets the top margin at the current
position — the SELECT light ( ) must be off.

The Front Panel

SELECT button: selects or deselects the printer.

SELECT light: shows whether the printer is ready to

receive data (on) or not (off).

ALARM light: indicates that paper is low or out, or that
there is an internal printer problem.

POWER light: indicates that the printer is plugged in
and turned on.

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Controlling the Printer22

The Front Panel (continued)

PITCH button: selects the size of the printed characters
— 10, 12, or 17 characters per inch (cpi), indicated by
the lights next to the button.

MODE button: selects the type of printing, indicated by
the lights next to the button:

• NLQ (Near Letter Quality): high-resolution printing

in two passes of the printhead; not available at 17
cpi.

• UTILITY: Normal printing.

• HSD (High-Speed Draft): fast printing for drafts;

underlining is the only printing feature available with
HSD.

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Printer Handbook: English 23

Printer Driver

The printer driver is in the Drivers folder on the CD
supplied with your printer.

To install the driver on Windows systems other
than Windows 3.1x

Use the Add Printer Wizard to install the driver:

1 Place the ML310 CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2 Click Start ® Settings ® Printers.

3 Click Add Printer.

The Add Printer Wizard appears.

4 Follow the on-screen instructions to load the driver.

5 When you get to the window which asks you to select

the manufacturer and model of your printer, click Have

Disk, then browse to the appropriate directory on the

CD and double click the inf file:

• For Windows XP:

\Drivers\Win XP\Oemprint.inf

• For Windows 2000

\Drivers\Win2k\Oemprint.inf

• For Windows Me

\Drivers\Win9xme\English\Oemprint.inf

• For Windows 98

\Drivers\Win9xme\English\Oemprint.inf

• For Windows 95

\Drivers\Win9xme\English\Oemprint.inf

• For Windows NT 4.0

\Drivers\WinNT40\English\Printer.inf

6 When you get back the the window asking for the

manufacturer and model: click Next to continue.

7 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish loading the

driver.

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Controlling the Printer24

To install the driver in Windows 3.1x

1 Place the ML310 CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2 In the Main window, double-click Control Panel.

3 Double click Printers.

4 Click Add.

5 Click Install.

6 Click Browse and go to the following directory on the

CD: \drivers\win31\english.

7 Click OK twice.

The Add Unlisted or Updated Printer dialog box
appears with OKI DATA ML310 listed.

8 Click OK

The ML310 appears in the Installed Printers box.

9 Click Setup and select Tractor under Paper Source,

then click OK.

10 To use a port other than LPT1:, click Connect and

select another port, then click OK.

11 With OKI DATA ML310 selected in the Installed

Printers box, click Set as Default Printer.

12 Click Close.

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Printer Handbook: English 25

Appendix A: Replacement Parts

Item OKI Number

Ribbon Cartridge ........................................... 52102001

Printhead........................................................ 50063802

Platen Knob ................................................... 40673402

Item OKI Number

Access Cover ................................................. 42178701

Paper Separator.............................................. 42017901

Item OKI Number

Acoustic Cover .............................................. 53450001

Pull Tractor .................................................... 50044701

Item OKI Number

Upper Cover .................................................. 42014601

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Replacement Parts26

Item OKI Number

AC Cord, 120V ............................................. 56631801

✔

For 220V AC cords, contact your OKI dealer.

Item OKI Number

Fuses

1.5A Fuse (logic board)....................................... 56301701

1A Fuse (power board) ....................................... 56301501

Option

Roll Paper Stand Assembly................................. 70007701

Manual

Printer Handbook ................................................ 59342501

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Printer Handbook: English 27

Appendix B: Control Circuit Board Switches

✔ Factory default settings are printed in bold italics.

Switches

Language/Page Length 1, 2, 3 4, 5

USA English, 11" OFF, ON, OFF OFF, ON

French, 11 Inches ON, ON, OFF OFF, ON

German, 11 Inches OFF, OFF, ON OFF, ON

British, 11 Inches ON, OFF, ON OFF, ON

Danish 1, 11 Inches OFF, ON, ON OFF, ON

Swedish 1, 11 Inches ON, ON, ON OFF, ON

Italian, 11 Inches OFF, OFF, OFF ON, ON

Spanish, 11 Inches ON, OFF, OFF ON, ON

Japanese, 11 Inches OFF, ON, OFF ON, ON

Norwegian, 11 Inches ON, ON, OFF ON, ON

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Switches28

Switches (continued)

Switches

Language/Page Length 1, 2, 3 4, 5

Danish 2, 11 Inches OFF, OFF, ON ON, ON

Dutch, 11 Inches ON, OFF, ON ON, ON

Swedish 2, 11 Inches OFF, ON, ON ON, ON

Swedish 3, 11 Inches ON, ON, ON ON, ON

USA English, 12 Inches OFF, OFF, OFF OFF, OFF

French, 12 Inches ON, OFF, OFF OFF, OFF

German, 12 Inches OFF, ON, OFF OFF, OFF

British, 12 Inches ON, ON, OFF OFF, OFF

Danish 1, 12 Inches OFF, OFF, ON OFF, OFF

Swedish 1, 12 Inches ON, OFF, ON OFF, OFF

Italian, 12 Inches OFF, ON, ON OFF, OFF

Spanish, 12 Inches ON, ON, ON OFF, OFF

Japanese, 12 Inches OFF, OFF, OFF ON, OFF

Norwegian, 12 Inches ON, OFF, OFF ON, OFF

Danish 2, 12 Inches OFF, ON, OFF ON, OFF

Dutch, 12 Inches ON, ON, OFF ON, OFF

Swedish 2, 12 Inches OFF, OFF, ON ON, OFF

Switches

Language/Page Length 1, 2, 3 4, 5

Swedish 3, 12 Inches ON, OFF, ON ON, OFF

Swedish 4, 12 Inches OFF, ON, ON ON, OFF

Turkish, 12 Inches ON, ON, ON ON, OFF

Swiss 1, 12 Inches OFF, OFF, OFF OFF, ON

Swiss 2, 12 Inches ON, OFF, OFF OFF, ON

Auto LF Switch 6

Disengaged OFF

Engaged ON

Zero Character Switch 7

Unslahsed OFF

Slashed ON

Switch 8: Unused

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Printer Handbook: English 29

Appendix C: Specifications

✔ Specifications subject to change without notice.

Print Speed

Utility: 200 cps @ 10, 12, 17.1, 20 cpi

100 cps @ 5, 6, 8.5 cpi

High Speed Draft: 240 cps @ 10 and 17.1 cpi

300 cps @ 12 cpi

NLQ: 50 cps @ 10, 12, 17.1, 20 cpi

25 cps @ 5, 6, 8.5 cpi

Emulation

Epson® ESC/P

Characters Per Line

at 10 cpi: 80

at 12 cpi: 96

at 17.1 cpi: 132

Electrical Characteristics

Voltage: 120V AC ±10%

or
220/240V AC ±10%

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Specifications30

Reliability

Mean Time Between

Failures (MTBF): 6000 hours at 25% duty cycle,

35% page density

Mean Time To Repair

(MTTR): 15 minutes

Ribbon Life: 3 million characters

Printhead life: 400 million strokes per wire

Physical Dimensions

Size: 381 mm (15 inches) wide

378 mm (14.9 inches) deep
128 mm (5 inches) high

Weight: 4.5 kg (10 lb.)

Paper Specifications

No. of copies: Original plus 4 copies

Basis Weight: 16 to 20 lb. (60 to 75 g/m

2

)

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Printer Handbook: English 31

A

ALARM light .................................... 21

Auto line feed setting......................... 28

C

Components ......................................... 6

Computer connection ......................... 11

Connections

power.............................................. 11

Connections, computer ...................... 11

Control board circuit switches ..... 27–28

Control panel .............................. 21, 22

lights ........................................ 21, 22

D

Driver, printer .................................... 23

E

Electrical specifications ..................... 29

Emulation .......................................... 29

F

FORM FEED button .......................... 21

Front panel .................................. 21, 22

lights ........................................ 21, 22

Fuses, replacement............................. 26

H

HSD light ........................................... 22

L

Language setting ......................... 27, 28

Lever positions .................................. 12

Lever, printhead gap .......................... 12

LINE FEED button ............................ 21

Loading paper

bottom feed .............................. 13–15

rear feed ................................... 16–19

single sheets ............................. 19–31

M

MODE button .................................... 22

N

NLQ light........................................... 22

Index

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32 Index

P

Page length setting ...................... 27, 28

Paper, loading

bottom feed .............................. 13–15

rear feed ................................... 16–19

single sheets ............................. 19–31

Paper separator

installation ...................................... 10

Parts, replacement .............................. 25

PITCH button .................................... 22

Platen knob

installation ...................................... 10

replacement .................................... 25

POWER light ..................................... 21

Print speed ......................................... 29

Printer

dimensions ..................................... 30

driver .............................................. 23

weight ............................................. 30

Printhead

gap lever ......................................... 12

shipping retainer .............................. 7

R

Replacement parts ............................. 25

Ribbon

installation .................................... 8–9

replacement .................................... 25

shield ................................................ 8

S

SELECT

button ............................................. 21

light ................................................ 21

Self test .............................................. 20

Separator, paper ................................. 10

Setting Up ...................................... 6–20

Shield, ribbon ...................................... 8

Shipping materials ............................... 7

Specifications .............................. 29–30

characters per line .......................... 29

dimensions ..................................... 30

electrical ......................................... 29

print speed ...................................... 29

reliability ........................................ 29

weight ............................................. 30

Switches, control board ............... 27–28

T

Testing the printer .............................. 20

TOF SET button ................................ 21

U

UTILITY light ................................... 22

Z

Zero character setting ........................ 28