Panasonic KX-P3124 User Manual

Operating Instructions

Impact Dot Matrix Printer

KX-P3124

Panasonic

Quiet

Printing

Before operating this unit, please read these insVucticns compteiety

FOR USERS IN UNITED STATES ONLY

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or televi sion 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 or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The user may find the booklet “Something About Interference" available from FCC local regional offices helpful.

FCC Warning: To assure continued FCC emission limit compliance, the user must use only the recommended shield interfacing cable when connecting to a host computer. Also, any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment would void the users authority to operate this device.

WARNING

•The power source voltage of this unit is listed on the nameplate. Plug the printer only into an outlet with the proper voltage.

•To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or any type of moisture.

•When you operate this equipment, the outlet should be near the equipment and should be easily accessible.

The serial number of the unit may be found on the label on the rear of the unit. For your convenience, note this number below, and retain this book, along with your proof of purchase, to serve as a permanent record of your purchase in the event of a theft, or for future reference.

MODEL NO. SERIAL NO.

KX-P3124

NAME OF DEALER DATE OF PURCHASE

IBM and IBM-PC are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Proprinter is a trademark of Internationa! Business Machines Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson ESC/P2 is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

Adobe, ATM and the ATM logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc., which may be registered in certain jurisdictions..

Any details given in these Operating Instructions are subject to change without notice.

Chap. 1 Before You Start

Cautions

Operating Environment

Precautions..................

Unpacking

Assembling the parts

Parts of the Printer .

Chap. 2 Setup

Connecting to a Computer

Ribbon Cassette.................................................

Installing the Ribbon Cassette.........................................

Removing the Ribbon Cassette.......................................

Paper Feed Selection ........................................

Installing Paper

Fanfold Paper (Push Tractor Mode—Rear Feed) . . Fanfold Paper (Pull Tractor Mode—Bottom/

Front Feed)..................................................................

Single Sheets and Envelopes (Friction Mode

—Top Feed).................................................................

Single Sheets and Envelopes (Friction Mode

—Front Feed)...............................................................

Characters Alignment

Printer-Driver Seiection.....................................

Instailing a Printer-Driver (Windows Ver. 3.1)

Self Test

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 9

17 18

18 21

23 24

35 37

38 39 41

Chap. 3 Using the Printer

Super Quiet Mode............................

Feeding Paper

Form Feed/Line Feed/Micro Line Feed/

Reverse Micro Line Feed

Tear Off (Rear feeding only)

Paper Parking (Rear feeding only) . . .

Top of Form Function................................

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

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

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

42 43

43 44

46 48

Chap. 4 Function Mode______________________________________

Using the EZ Set Operator Panel....................................52

Operation Setting the Function Mode Items Direct Access to FONT and PITCH Setting

Setting POINT SIZE........................................................................ 56

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

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

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

52 53 55

Function Mode Menu ......................................................58

PRINT SETTING Menu.................................................................. 61

PRINT STYLE Menu

EMULATION Menu......................................................................... 63

PAGE FORMAT Menu.................................................................... 63

PRINT MODE Menu........................................................................ 64

TEXT ENHANCEMENT Menu

CHARACTER SET Menu................................................................ 66

INSTALL Menu

DISPLAY language Menu.............................................................. 69

INTERFACE Menu...........................................................................69

MACRO MODE Menu

Using the Setup Disk

Running the Setup Program............................................................ 70

Print Settings.................................................................................. 71

Setting Selections on Setup Disk

Save to Disk.................................................................................... 74

Load from Disk................................................................................ 74

Send to Printer

FACTORY Settings......................................................................... 76

Help................................................................................................. 77

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

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

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

.....

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

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

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

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

Chap. 5 Software Commands

____________

Epson ESC/P2'“ Mode (Epson LQ-570 Mode) .... 78

IBM Proprinter X24E Mode

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

Command Reference Program

(Using the Setup Disk)

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

Chap. 6 Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Periodic Maintenance

Troubleshooting

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

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

93 94

Appendix_________________________

Printer Specifications......................................................97

Paper Specifications........................................................99

Fanfold Paper

‘Single Sheet.................................................................................... 99

Envelope......................................................................................... 99

Printing Area..................................................................................100

Interfacing..................................................................... 101

Parallel Interfacing.................................................................

Initialization Hex Dump

Character Set Tables

Glossary......................................................................... 112

Index............................................................................... 119

Options and Supplies................................................... 122

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

...

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

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

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

. 101

104 105 106

Chap. 1 Before You Start

Chap.

Chap. 3 Using the Printer

Chap. 4 Function Mode

Chap. 5 Software Commands

Setup

Chap. 6 Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Appendix

010

Congratulations on purchasing a Panasonic printer.

This printer is a versatile, high quality 24-pin dot matrix printer which is designed to meet the needs of your office.

Your printer contains an EZ Set Operator Panel featuring a 16-character Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that lets you control a wide variety of printing conditions quickly and conveniently.

This printer has been factory set to operate with most of the popular software packages. Your application software should control the printer functions. In most cases, there will be need to change the initial printer settings.

Features

Printer Emulation:

Setup Disk:

ATM Disk:

Super Quiet Mode:

Color Printing:

Fonts:

Printing Speed:

Paper Handling:

Epson LQ-570 and IBM Proprinter X24E A Printer-Driver for Windows Ver. 3.1, Function mode

program and Command Reference program Adobe Type Manager with 13 scalable Adobe fonts for

Windows 3.0 or higher

Reduces printing noise 7 colors with the optional color kit (KX-PCK11) 3 Draft ( p ica. Elite, Micron )

8 Letter Quality (Roman, Sans Serif, Courier,

Prestige, Script, OCR-B, Bold PS, ORATOR)

1 Super Letter Quality ( Roman )

6 Scalable Fonts ( Roman, Sans Serif, Courier,

Prestige, Script, Bold PS )

Draft—256 characters per second (12 cpi) LQ—85 characters per second (12 cpi) SLQ—42 characters per second (12 cpi)

Friction and Tractor (Pull/Push built-in)

Paper Paths:

Tear Off:

Paper Parking:

Cut Sheet Feeder Option

(KX-PT11):

Seriai Interface Option

(KX’PS13 and KX-PS14):

Rear, Bottom, Front, Top Advances fanfold paper’s perforation to tear position Allows single sheets/envelopes to be used without

removing/wasting fanfold paper

Provides fast and automatic feeding of single sheets

You may select parallel or serial when either serial

interface board is installed.

Operating Environment

• Do not use the printer under the following conditions.

Extremely high or low temperature Extremely high or low humidity [temperature range: 10* to 35*C (50* to 95°F)] (humidity range: 30% to 80% RH)

Areas of poor ventilation [a minimum of 4" (10 cm) clearance on all sides is necessary to insure proper ventilation]

Areas of high dust concentration

<D <

Areas with extreme vibration

•Power consumption: (MAX—250 W, Stand by—12 W. Self Test—50 W)

Areas on an unstable or unlevel surface

(^EOfflSODS

O ■ Precautions

The following precautions are recommended to extend the life of the printer.

—i o

0) a.

Keep all liquids away from the printer.

—Accidental spillage of a liquid into the printer Do not place books, paper, or other items

can cause severe damage. on top of the printer.

Do not operate the printer without paper

and a ribbon cassette installed.

Avoid prolonged use without allowing the printhead time to cool.

Do not obstruct the movement of the printhead while in operation.

If the printer is not going to be used for an extended period, unplug the power cord.

Having unpacked the printer, make sure none of the contents shown below are missing or damaged. Report damage or shortages to the store from which the unit was purchased.

Printer (KX-P3124)

Ribbon cassette (KX-P150)

C?'

(D O

)

Platen knob

Operating manual

<»

Setup Disk

• The Setup Disk contains a Printer-Driver for Windows Ver. 3.1 (t^ P. 39), a Function Mode program {o^ P. 70) and a Command Reference program

P. 90).

• To use the Setup Disk you need to have an IBM-PC or a Compatible computer

with a 3.5" floppy disk drive.

• For detailed information on ATM Disk, refer to ATM Disk manual.

ATM Disk

Note:

• It is recommended that you save the original carton and packing materials for proper shipping and transporting of the printer.

(D O

-< O

Cl)

Assembling the parts

Insert the platen knob into the hole on the right side of the printer and

rotate it slowly until it slips onto the shaft. Push the platen knob onto the platen shaft to secure.

Fold the smoked plastic cover, and remove the protective paper.

Open the smoked plastic cover.

Jab

<D O

—t

< O

Remove the top cover pad.

iMsfesiïtelMnfig?

EZ set operator panel

W O

-< O

fi)

® ® ® ®

16-Character Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

A 16-character LCD prompts the user with mes sages and step-by-step instructions. In case of incorrect operations, the display will immediately indicate the appropriate error mes sages so you may take corrective action.

P. 96)

SUPER QUIET (^) Switch

Pressing this switch reduces print noise, however it also reduces the printing speed. When it is active, the SUPER QUIET indicator is lit and the

display briefly shows QUIET MODE=ON.

In the Function mode, this switch scrolls back

through the Main menu, the Sub-menu and the selections or conditions of the item.

TEAR OFF (♦) Switch

Pressing this switch advances or reverses the paper for tear off in the OFF LINE mode or when not printing in the ON LINE mode. (Q^ P. 44)

In the Function mode, this switch returns you to

the previous menu level such as “Selection ^ Sub-menu Main menu”.

LOAD/PARK(*) Switch

This switch loads/parks the paper in the OFF LINE mode or when not printing in the ON LINE mode.

In the Function mode, this switch lets you scroll

down to the next menu level such as “Main menu ^ Sub-menu ^ Selection”.

TOF SET (^) Switch

This switch allows you to set the Top of Form in the OFF LINE mode or when not printing in the ON LINE mode, (t^ P. 50)

In the Function mode, this switch scrolls through

the Main menu, the Sub-menu and the selections or conditions of the item.

ON LINE/FUNCTION Indicator

This indicator is lit when the printer is in the ON LINE mode, and the indicator is not lit in the OFF LINE mode.

In the Function mode, the indicator blinks.

@ SUPER QUIET Indicator (№■ ®)

POWER/PAPER OUT Indicator

This indicator is lit when the power switch is

turned on and paper is installed. When an out of

paper condition occurs, the POWER/PAPER OUT indicator blinks.

fl)

ON LINE (FONT) Switch 0

This switch opens and closes the communication line with the computer. When the power switch is turned on and paper is installed, the ON LINE

indicator is lit, the display shows “ON LINE", and the printer is ready to receive data from the com puter. In the OFF LINE mode, the indicator is out, the display shows “OFF LINE’’ and the printer can no longer receive data.

In the Function mode, this switch lets you di

rectly access the FONT selection with one step.

p. 55) @

FF (PITCH) Switch

This switch moves the carriage to the center and advances the paper to the top of the next page (depending on your TOF setting) in the OFF LINE mode or when the printer is not printing in the ON LINE mode.

In the Function mode, this switch lets you di

rectly access the PITCH Selection with one step.

P. 55)

LF (SET) Switch

This switch advances the paper one line. Holding the switch down performs multiple line feeds. These functions are active in the OFF LINE mode or when the printer is not printing in the ON LINE mode._________________________________

In the Function mode, this switch sets selec

tions or conditions of the item shown on the dis play and returns you to the Sub-menu.

FUNCTION Switch

This switch allows you to enter and exit the Func tion mode.

In the Function mode, the ON LINE/FUNCTION

indicator blinks and the E2 Set Operator Panel switches have secondary capabilities, for easily setting your desired print conditions. ((^ P. 52)

Printhead gap lever

Adjusts the gap between the platen and the printhead. The lever moves in increments of 0.0028 inch (0.07 mm).

-< O

0) fii

Top cover

AC power cord

p. 17)

1—-,

2-—K’

X‘

4-*-

a’

5--"

---

Position

1 or 2 3, 4, 5 and 6

Smoked plastic cover

Thinner sheets Thick or multiple sheets

Used for

Envelopes

Serial No. label

Nameplate

Frame ground terminal

Centronics parallel interface connector

Paper teed selector (o^ P. 23)

□

Serial interface cover

Position

Q (Friction)

Q (Tractor)

PULL

0 (Tractor)

PUSH

Used for

Single sheets and Envelopes Fanfold paper with PULL

tractor mode

Fanfold paper with PUSH tractor mode

Attach one end of the parallel interface cable to your printer as shown, and the other end to your computer.

Be sure to secure the printer clips.

Note:

• If you do not have a parallel interface cable, you will need to purchase one from your

local computer store or dealer.

If the cable has a frame ground wire, connect it to the frame ground terminal.

c/>

■O

Plug printer into a grounded 3 prong

AC socket.

When power is supplied to the printer, the power indicator on the EZ Set Operator Panel will light.

(D C

■o

oloio

Installing the Ribbon Cassette

Turn the power switch off for safety.

Fold the smoked plastic cover forward by lifting the tab on right side.

O Raise the smoked plastic cover.

0 Remove the smoked plastic cover.

Caution:

•The printhead may be hot, use caution when cover is open.

raSofeEOD

Slide the carriage gently toward the center of the unit.

Move the printhead gap lever to the (+) position.

(D C

■O

Rotate the knob on the ribbon cassette

to remove any slack.

ra0tefe(sin]{^e@3Qa3

(A (D

■O

O Slip the ribbon between the ribbon

mask and the printhead nose.

Q Press down on rear of the cassette

until the blue wing tab snaps into place.

Replace the smoked plastic cover.

Adjust the printhead gap lever for the thickness of paper you are using.

Removing the Ribbon Cassette

Position

1 or 2 Thinner sheets

3, 4, 5 and 6

Turn the power switch off for safety.

Thick or multiple sheets or envelopes

Used for

Fold the smoked plastic cover forward by lifting the tab on right side.

<D C

■O

E3Qofe®0D ^3@@@03s

O Raise the smoked plastic cover.

@ Remove the smoked plastic cover.

Caution:

•The printhead may be hot, use caution when cover is open.

Move the printhead gap lever to the (+) position.

Spread the blue wing tab and lift up the

cassette.

o o.

This printer has two paper feed mechanisms to support 4 paper paths. One mechanism is TRACTOR mode for continuously fed paper. In the tractor mode you can choose between PUSH or PULL.

The other paper feed mechanism is FRICTION mode. In the friction mode you can feed single sheets or envelopes through the front or top. The optional KX-PT11 Cut Sheet Feeder will accommodate automatic feeding of single sheets, from the top paper path.

Push Tractor mode (Q PUSH) —fanfold paper (1 part)

—multipart forms consisting of 2 parts

Pull Tractor mode (0 PULL) —multipart forms consisting of 3

or 4 parts —labels —fanfold paper {1 part)

C/>

Front feeding

Friction mode (Q)

—single sheets

(The KX-PT11 Cut Sheet Feeder allows you to automatically feed up to 80 sheets of 20 lb paper.)

—envelopes

Front feeding

Note:

•For optimum print quality, do not use reverse line feeding in pull mode. If reverse feeding is necessary in pull mode, set REV LF/PULL in the INSTALL menu to ON through the Function mode.

•Paper Parking is not available in pull mode.

• Multipart forms consisting of 2 parts, may be used for rear feeding (PUSH mode). For 3 or 4 part forms, we recommend bottom feeding {PULL mode) for optimum print quality.

•When printing on envelopes or thick sheets, front feeding is recommended.

Fanfold Paper; Push Tractor Mode—Rear Feed

O Turn the power on.

A beep will sound once and the PAPER OUT indicator will flash. This indicates that there is no paper installed in the printer.

<D C

■o

Printhead gap lever

Paper feed

selector

OFF

POWER

0 Adjust the printhead gap lever for

the thickness of paper you are

using.

Position Used for

1 or 2 Thinner sheets

3, 4, 5 and 6

Set the paper feed selector to the “0 PUSH” position.

The display briefly shows “TRACTOR/PUSH".

Thick or multiple sheets

O Fold the smoked plastic cover for

ward by lifting tab on right side.

0 Remove the top cover.

Tractor clamping

levers

ODQSíMIBiDg)

O Unlock the tractors by pulling the

tractor clamping levers forward.

0 Slide the tractors to accommodate

the approximate width of the paper

being used.

In most applications, you will find that the 0 indicator on the tear bar is a useful tool for predetermining your left most print position.

O Raise the upper tractor covers (A).

0 Raise the lower tractor covers (B).

<D C

Place paper holes onto tractor pins and align top edge of paper with PUSH lines on tractors.

■O

QsSMilg) [?fe(P(7

O Close the lower tractor covers (B).

0 Close the upper tractor covers (A).

O Adjust the tractors to remove any

slack in the paper.

0 Lock the tractor clamping levers.

Press [T) (LOAD/PARK).

This will load the paper to the first print line. The display shows “PAPER LOAD” and the

PAPER OUT indicator will stop blinking.

O Replace the top cover.

0 Close the smoked plastic cover.

If ON LINE indicator is not lit, press

[ON LINE] to get ready to print.

Note:

•To avoid paper cur! in PUSH mode, park the paper after use.

■O

[ñlgíMlflnii^

Fanfold Paper: Pull Tractor Mode—Bottom/Front Feed

O Turn the power on.

A beep will sound once and the PAPER OUT indi cator will flash. This indicates that there is no paper

installed in the printer.

Q Adjust the printhead gap lever for

the thickness of paper you are

using.

Position

1 or 2 Thinner sheets

Used for

3, 4, 5 and 6

Set the paper feed selector to the “0 PULL” position.

The display briefly shows “TRACTOR/PULL”.

Thick or multiple sheets

O Fold the smoked plastic cover for

ward by lifting tab on right side.

0 Remove the top cover.

Tractor clamping levers

IMMBDïig)

O Unlock the tractors by pulling the

tractor clamping levers forward.

0 Slide the tractors to accommodate

the approximate width of the paper being used.

In most applications, you will find that the 0 indicator on the tear bar is a useful tool for predetermining your left most print position.

Raise the upper tractor covers (A) only.

Remove the pull up roller unit as shown.

Note:

• Do not forget to remove the pull up roller unit before using PULL mode.

C/)

ODDSiMBji©

Push the paper up through the bottom opening until it appears in front of the platen.

When Front Feeding:

Open the paper door and insert the paper along the paper guides until it appears in front of the platen.

Note:

•When feeding fanfold paper through the front paper door, paper types and condition, as well as temperature and humidity conditions may effect accurate line feeding and print quality may not be optimum. For optimum output bottom feed is

recommended.

Adjust the paper position by pulling it up as shown.

+ 93 hidden pages