Seiko BX-900 User Manual
BUSINESS PRINTER
OWNER'S MANUAL
This manual and the program samples described in it are copyrighted by SEIKO Precision
Inc. with 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
Precision Inc.
* HP is a registered trademark of HEWLETT-PACKARD Company.
* PCL is a registered trademark of HEWLETT-PACKARD Company.
* DeskJet 500/RuggedWriter 480 are a registered trademark of HEWLETT-PACKARD
Company.
* Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
* LQ-2550 is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
* IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
* IBM2931 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
* Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Copyright
© 2000 by SEIKO Precision Inc.
Chiba, Japan
OWNER'S MANUAL
2000 SEIKO Precision Inc.
C
24-pin wide-carriage
dot matrix printer
As an ENERGY STAR Partner, SEIKO Precision Inc. has determined that this product meets
the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
- Outline of the International ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Program -
The International ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Program is an international program
that promotes energy saving through the use of computers and other office equipment. The
program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that effectively
reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate
voluntarily. The tar geted products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles,
and copiers. Their standards and logos uniform among participating nations.
This manual is for the following two models of the printer.
Although these two models, model A and model B, look different,
the difference is only the appearance of the casing areas at the front. The
functions of these models are very much the same.
Refer to the manual of the model A, for the manual of the model B.
Model A
Model B
Contents
Caution for use
Unpacking the printer.............. 1
Quick startup.............................. 2
1. Introduction
Features...................................... 3
Options and expendables................. 4
Power code ................................. 5
Printer description......................... 6
Precaution for extra-thick
paper usage ............................ 7
Physical dimension(Model A)........... 8
Physical dimension(Model B)........... 9
2. Setting up
Installing the paper rack ................ 10
Installing the sound seal cover .. ...... 10
Installing the ribbon cassette ........ 11
Connecting the computer ............... 12
Connecting the power cord ............. 12
Loading the paper.......................... 13
Adjusting the print head position....... 15
3. Control panel and operations
Control panel and indicators ......... 16
Control Levers .......................... 19
Paper parking.............................. 20
Printing test pattern ...................... 21
Demonstration print-out ................ 22
Tearing off a form.......................... 22
Power-on operation summary .. ....... 23
4. Basic setup options
About basic setup options ............. 24
Printing multipart paper ......
.......... 26
Selecting page length
for fanfold paper...................... 26
Selecting single sheet
paper size .............................. 27
Selecting font style ...................... 28
Selecting character spacing ........... 29
Enlarging/compressing print ......... 30
Setting top of form position .....
...... 31
Loading user & factory
setup options ............ 31
5. Extended setup options
About extended setup options ........ 33
Extended setup options summary....
.... 34
Print enhancement
10 Emulation................................... 36
11 Character table (HP mode)............... 36
12 Character table (Epson mode)........... 37
13 Character table (IBM mode)............. 37
14 National font style........................ 38
15 Code page................................... 38
16 IBM Alternate graphic mode............ 39
17 Carriage return (CR)....................... 39
1 8 Line feed (LF)............................... 39
19 Line feed spacing.......................... 40
20 Slashed zero................................ 40
21 Set default tab stops...................... 40
22 Lock-in the page length................. 40
23 Print quality ............................... 41
24 Lock-in the font........................... 41
25 Lock-in the character
spacing .................................... 41
26 Lock-in the print quality................. 41
Barcode print enhancement
27 Enable barcode print
and Enlarged character ................ 42
28 Barcode type............................... 42
29 Bar code size................................ 44
30 Enlarged character size................... 44
31 Graphic Print Speed ...................... 45
32 Accent character........................... 45
33 Setting of the FF code at TOF ......... 45
HP mode enhancement
3 8 PCL mode .................................. 46
39 Secondary character table ............ 46
Paper handling enhancement
40 Set the top margin........................ 47
41 Set the bottom margin .................. 47
42 Set the left margi n........................ 47
43 Set the right margin ..................... 48
44 Fanfold paper width ..................... 48
45 Autoscroll delay........................... 48
46 Override bottom margi n ............... 49
47 Label mode................................. 50
48 Setting of "Paper out" detection....... 50
49 Cut sheet feeder type ..................... 50
50 Setting of the auto-scrolling
position ............................ 50
5 1 Line Feed Speed............................ 51
Communication enhancement
60 Interface type............................... 51
6 1 SELECT IN signal......................... 51
62 Parity bit ................................... 51
63 Data length................................. 52
64 Stop bit..................................... 52
65 Communication protocol ............. 52
66 Communication speed .................. 52
67 Serial error check ........................ 53
68 CTS signal................................. 53
69 CD signal .................................. 53
70 DSR signal................................. 53
71 Communication buffer size ........ 54
72 Busy/ACK timing......................... 54
73 Data latch timing.......................... 54
74 Setting of whether ERROR/PE
signals are output or not ...... 54
Miscellaneous
80 Print direction............................. 55
81 LCD display language.................... 55
82 Invert LCD display ...................... 55
82 Invert LCD display ...................... 55
83 Software controlled setup ............. 56
84 Lock the RESET key...................... 56
85 Setting ENERGY STAR ................. 56
8 6 Saving user setup options ............. 5 6
87 Printing list of setup options .... ..... 56
6. Setting the application software
About printer driver ...................... 57
Printer driver selection .................. 57
Connecting the BX-900 printer
in the HP environment ............. 5 8
Saving Your Setup ......................... 5 9
7. Troubleshooting
Error messages ............................ 60
Troubleshooting guide .................. 61
Input hexadecimal dump mode . . . . . 62
8.
Maintenance
Cleaning...................................... 6 3
Lubrication.................................. 64
Printer cover removal ................... 6 4
Vertical alignment mode ............... 66
9.
Bar code and enlarged character
Bar code function
Outline of bar code function................. 69
Bar code command list........................ 7 0
(1) Bar code type........................ 70
(2) Element width....................... 71
(3) Bar code height..................... 71
(4) Setting HRI on and off............. 71
(5) HRI font.............................. 7 2
(6) Check character..................... 72
(7)
Starting the bar code data sequence
... 72
(8)
Ending the bar code data sequence
.... 73
(9) Bar code data sequence............. 73
(10) Printing density................... 7 3
(11) Guard bar expansion.............. 7 3
(12) Start and stop characters......... 74
(13) Bar code rotational angle........ 74
(14) Disabling HRI of the start
and stop characters.......... 74
(15) Value input mode.................. 74
(16)
Initializing the bar code mode
.... 75
Data processing in the bar
code data sequence........... 75
Printing bar codes.................... 7 6
HRI...................................... 76
Error processing...................... 7 7
Code 128 subset transition rule
...... 77
UPC-E conversion rule.............. 78
Calculating the check character
...... 78
Other.................................... 80
Element printing..................... 8 0
Element printing example ......... 81
Enlarged
character function
Outline of enlarged
characterfunction............ 8 2
Enlarged character
command list................. 8 2
(1) Executing backspacing............ 83
(2) Executing line feeding............. 83
(3) Executing form feeding............ 84
(4) Executing carriage return.......... 84
(5) Initializing the enlarged
character mode............... 8 4
(6) Arrangemen t of enlarged
characters..................... 8 5
(7) Cell expansion for
enlarged characters.................. 8 5
(8) All-character set for
enlarged characters................... 8 6
(9) Selecting an enlarged
character font......................... 8 6
(10) Height expansion for
enlarged characters.................. 8 7
(11)
HMI for enlarged characters
.......... 87
(12)
VMI for enlarged characters
........... 88
(13)
Setting and canceling the
enlarged character mode
...... 88
(14)
Enlarged character cell offset
..... 89
(15) Enlarged character pitch......... 89
(16) Enlarged character quality....... 9 0
(17)
Enlarged character rotational angle..90
(18)
Setting and canceling enlarged
character smoothing
.. 91
(19)
Enlarged character top offset
...... 91
(20)
Setting and canceling underline
for enlarged characters
... 92
(21) Enlarged character
width expansition ........... 92
(22) Horizontal printing position
for enlarged characters... 9 2
(23)
Vertical printing position for
enlarged characters
.. 93
Enlarged character print samples
..... 94
Appendices
A.
Specifications
Printing specifications ............. 95
Parallel interface
specifications ................ 100
Serial interface
specifications ................ 101
Other specifications ......
.......... 102
B. Control code summary
IBM mode ............................. . 103
EPSON mode ........................... 109
PCL mode ........................... ... 115
Setup options control codes ........ 122
C. Character sets........... ...............127
D. Reverse control panel sheet ....... 136
❏Power sourc e
• Be sure to insert the power plug only in a
wall unit of the voltage designated in the
voltage selector and on the rating plate on
the back of the unit.
• Do not place the power cord near heat
sources or place heavy objects on it. Do not
bend or twist the power cord.
❏Foreign matter and water
• Keep your hands and personal items, such as
scarfs and ties, away from the carriage
mechanism while the printer is operating.
The carriage moves with considerable force.
• Keep the printer dry. If you accidentally
spill water on the machine, turn the power
off immediately and wipe it dry. Do not turn
the power on until the machine is
completely dry.
❏Installation environment
• The printer should be used where humidity is
low, where there is little dust, and where the
printer is not in direct sunlight.
• Avoid placing or leaning anything on top of
the printer. If you accidentally drop any
object into the machine, turn the power off
immediately, and disconnect the power code
from the wall outlet, then carefully remove
the object.
• Do not twist the ribbon while installing it.
❏Operating condition
• Wait at least two seconds after turning power
off before turning it back again. The
initialization process may not be performed
correctly if this is not done.
• Do not touch the print head immediately
after printing because it is too hot.
• Never operate the printer without paper nor ribbon properly installed.
If you use paper that is not as wide as the platen, be sure that printing does not exceed paper width.
• Never insert or pull out the interface cable while the power to the printer and computer is on.
• Be sure to turn off the printer before turning off a connected host computer.
Caution for use
Check the cartons for the following items:
Paper Rack
(See page 10)
Power Cord
(See page 12)
Sound Seal Cover
(See page 10)
Ribbon Cassette
(#SBP-3051)
(See page 11)
Printer
Handbook
Reverse Control Panel
(See page 55, 136)
CD-ROM
(Driver-CD with Owner’s
Manual, printer driver software)
BUSINESS PRINTER
OWNER’S MANUAL
TOF SET
BIN
PARK
ENTER
ALT
SETUP
M.RLF
LF M.LFFF
TEAR
OFF RLFON LINE
P.OUT
ON
LINE
POWER
EXIT
QUALITY
L C D
RESET
Handbook
1
Unpacking the printer
Unpacking the printer
To make your first print, follow the procedure below . For more detailed instructions on setting your
printer, please refer to the page indicated.
Self Test
Self Test
?
?
?
?
?
?
❏ To set up the printer
1. Install the paper rack, the sound seal cover,
and the ribbon cassette — Pages 10 and 11.
2. Load the single cut sheet paper or fanfold
paper. Press the FF key to load the paper —
Pages 13 and 14.
❏ To make a test print
1. Set the paper size of the printer in the setup
options — Pages 26 and 27.
2. Press the LF key and hold while initializing
the printer by the RESET key. Hold the LF
key until the self test starts — Page 21.
❏ To connect your computer
1. With all equipment turned off, connect the
printer to your computer. Interface cable is
purchased separately — Page 12.
2. Use the extended setup options (emulation
type and communication enhancement
section) to match the specification needs
between the printer and your computer —
Pages 33 to 56.
3. Select the printer driver from your
application software — Page 57.
2
Quick startup
Quick startup
Features
❏ Barcode Print available
• 13 resident barcode type
Industrial 2/5, Interleave 2/5, Codabar, Matrix 2/5, Code 11, Code 39,
Code 93, Code 128, EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, Postnet
❏ Enlarged character printing
Characters can be enlarged (by up to 127 times as large x 127 times as
large) using the enlarged character command unique to this printer.
Software commands are used for control.
❏ Contain the 3 kind of emulations
Compatible to major printer emulations, Epson, IBM and Hewlett Packard printers.
• EPSON LQ-2550 compatible
• IBM 2391 compatible
• Hewlett Packard Rugged Writer 480 (PCL3) compatible
❏ Wide selection of paper size
• Single cut sheet papers A3, A4, B4, B5, Letter, Legal
• Fanfold continuous paper 5 - 16 inch wide and 2 - 16.5 inch long paper
• Multi-part paper Original plus 5 copies
• Labeling paper Label peel-proof capability
❏ Full option of font types and variation of character spacings
• 10 resident fonts Courier, Prestige, Script, OCR-A, OCR-B, Gothic, Orator, Orator-S,
Roman, and Sans Serif
• 8 character spacings 10, 12, 15, 16.7, 17.1, 20, 24 characters per inch (CPI), and
proportional and 1/2 proportional characters
❏ Enlarge/reduce your layout to fit in any paper size
• you can print the same layout of the document in different paper size.
❏ Easy operation
• Multiple display language for international use.
• Upside down display enables operation from the back of the printer.
❏ Superb compatibility and connectability
• Communication protocols adjustable to any computer.
• Interface connections provided for parallel, RS-232C.
• Parallel and serial interface are switchted automatically when "AUTO" setting is selected.
• Parallel interface complies with IEEE1284 Nibble mode.
3
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Options and expendables
Cut Sheet Feeder Pull Tractor (#BP-57008)
1 Bin (#BP-78009)
2 Bin (#BP-78009E)
Matrix Print Head Ribbon Cassette (#SBP-3051)
The Cut Sheet Feeder greatly enhances the speed and
efficiency of document printing by feeding of up to 80 single
sheets of paper without reloading.
Paper dimensions
Length: 14.5"~7.0"
Width : 15.0"~5.7"
Weight : 15~21 lbs.
The Pull Tractor is recommended for applications using
extra thick forms.
4
1. Introduction
Power cord
One of the following plug types is supplied. See "Connecting the power cord" on page 12.
Please see the rating plate on the back of your printer for appropriate input voltage and consult your
dealer for a specific type of power cord, if necessary.
120V For USA
240V For U.K.
240V For Australia
220-240V For Asia and Europe
5
1. Introduction
6
1. Introduction
Printer description
Paper Guide
Ribbon Cassette
Platen
Power Switch
Paper Select Lever
(Friction Lever)
Head Adjustment Lever
Printhead
Paper Bail
Sound Seal Cover
Paper Rack
Paper Cutter
Top Rear Cover
Operator Panel
Tractor Cover
Tractor Lock Lever
Printer Cover
Rear Cover
Precaution for extra-thick paper usage
Label fanfold paper may get jammed in the printer due to its stiffness and inflexibility. When using
such paper, set the paper rack in the slant position shown in the figure.
Tractor
Platen
Print Head
Print Head
Friction Roller
Print Head
Tractor
Description
Paper width
Paper length
Ply
Total thickness
Paper weight
Single-ply
single
0.065~0.12mm
14lbs.~28lbs.
53g/m ~105g/m
2
2
Multiple Copies
Original+5 max.
0.35mm max.
non-carbon
Label Paper
single
0.12mm max.
125Kg max.
• Label Fanfold Paper
Description
Paper size
Ply
Total thickness
Paper weight
Single-ply
A3, A4, B4, B5 Letter, Legal
single
0.08~0.12mm
17lbs.~28lbs.
64g/m ~105g/m
2
2
Fanfold Paper
Single Sheet Paper
Push Tractor Method Friction Feed Method
• Single ply Fanfold Paper
• Multiple Fanfold Paper
• Single Sheet Paper
5~16 inch
2~16.5 inch
7
1. Introduction
Physical dimension(Model A)
Weight: 44.1 lbs. (20 kg)
17.9"
(455mm)
19.9"
(505mm)
24 .4" (620mm)
15.4"
(390mm)
17.1"
(435mm)
10.2"
(260mm)
12.0"
(305mm)
Sound Seal Cover
11.6"
(295mm)
✽Paper Rack in flat position
(Continuous paper setting)
✽Paper Rack in upright position
(Single sheet setting)
✽Paper Rack in flat position
(Continuous paper setting)
1. Introduction
8
9
Physical dimension(Model B)
Weight: 44.1 lbs. (20 kg)
1. Introduction
18.9"
(480mm)
20.9"
(530mm)
24.4" (620mm)
15.4"
(390mm)
17.1"
(435mm)
10 .2"
(260mm)
13.0"
(330mm)
Sound Seal Cover
11.6"
(295mm)
✽Paper Rack in flat position
(Continuous paper setting)
✽Paper Rack in upright position
(Single sheet setting)
✽Paper Rack in flat position
(Continuous paper setting)
Installing the paper rack
1. Slide both paper guides to the
extreme left and right edges of the
paper rack.
2. With the two small pivots on either
side of the paper rack downward, fit
the pivots in the groove on the rear
top cover.
3. Place the paper rack in upright
position for single cut sheet paper
and lay it down for fanfold
continuous paper.
Installing the sound seal cover
1. Lay the sound seal cover upside
down on the printer.
2. Fit one of the holes of the cover to
the stud of the L-angle hinge on one
side of the printer.
3. Fit the other hole to the other stud
by pressing the L-angle hinge
inward then out through the hole.
Note
The paper guides should be placed to the outside edges during
the installation or removal of the paper rack.
Note
Make sure that both studs are out through the hole completely,
otherwise, the sound seal cover will be stuck in place.
10
2. Setting up
2. Setting up
Pivots
Groove
2
1
Rear Top Cover
L-angle Hinge
Installing the ribbon cassette
Turn OFF the printer's power and remove the used ribbon cassette, if necessary, by pulling straight
upward.
1. Open the printer cover.
2. Manually move the print head to the extreme right side of the printer for easy installation of the
ribbon. Do not try to move the print head if the power is on.
3. Turn the ribbon feed knob in the direction of the arrow on the knob to remove any slack in the
ribbon.
4. Place the ribbon cassette on the left and right cassette holders, such that the ribbon rests on the
ribbon guide. Check to be sure that the ribbon drive shaft on the left cassette holder is inserted in the
hole on the bottom of the ribbon cassette.
5. Turn the ribbon feed knob in the direction of the arrow on the knob to remove any slack in the
ribbon.
6. Replace the front printer cover and set the head adjustment lever to the proper position for the best
print quality.
CAUTION
Do not touch the print head if the printer has been running for a long time. Wait until
the print head is cooled off.
11
2. Setting up
Remove any slack from ribbon
Ribbon Feed Knob
Ribbon Guide
Cassette Holders
Cassette Holder
Ribbon Mask
Connecting the computer
The printer has a parallel interface connector (Centronics) and a serial interface connector (RS232C).
Before you connect an interface cable to your computer, you need to know what type of printer
driver is supported by your software applications and what type of connector is needed to attach the
printer to the computer.
❏ Parallel Interface
36-pin plug
❏ Serial Interface
25-pin plug
Connecting the power cord
Check the power requirement printed on the rating plate on the rear of the printer before attaching
the power cord and turning on the printer. Both POWER and P.OUT lamps light up when the
printer is switched on correctly. The voltage selector should be set correctly as follows.
13
25
1
14
CAUTION
220-240V 120V
13
25
1
14
CAUTION
220-240V 120V
T5A 250V
T2.5A 250V(For European)
13
25
1
CAUTION
220-240V 120V
Voltage Selector
12
2. Setting up
120V : USA, Canada
230V :
Europe, Asia, Oceania
Note
For continued protection against risk of fire and
destruction of Power PCB Assembly, switch the
voltage selector according to using voltage.
Loading the paper
❏ Fanfold continuous paper
1. Move the paper select lever toward the front of the printer to set
the fanfold paper setting.
2. Set the print head adjustment lever . In general, position 1 is
used for one-part paper. (See page 15)
3. Remove the rear cover of the printer or open the rear cover to
lock the cover in the open position.
4. Release the tractor lock levers (upward), and move the right tractor to
the marked position as shown in the figure, and lock it in place.
5. Open both tractor covers and place the fanfold paper so that the tractor pins are aligned with the
holes in the paper. Carefully close both tractor covers.
6. After the paper is properly installed, re-adjust the left tractor to a position to keep the paper taut (but
not too taut) between the left and right tractors.
7. To load the paper, press the FF key on the front panel. The fanfold paper is fed to the top-of-form
position 14/60 inch (6mm) below the top edge of the paper. The top-of-form position can be
adjusted from 0/60 inch to 480/60 inches (8 inches = 203mm) in the basic setup options on page 31.
8. The paper bail automatically lowers to press the paper against the platen when the leading edge of
the paper feeds more than one inch onto the platen.
1
2
13
2. Setting up
CAUTION
Be careful not to catch your finger when closing the tractor covers.
3
Rear Cover
Not Too Taut !!
5
Left Tractor Cover
Left Margin Marker
Right Tractor
Releasing direction
5
Tractor Cover
4
Tractor Lock Lever
❏ Single sheet paper
1. Move the paper select lever toward the rear of the printer to the single
sheet setting.
2. Set the print head adjustment lever . In general, position 1 is used
for one-part paper. See page 15.
3. Raise the paper rack to the vertical position and adjust the left
paper guide to the proper position for the size of the paper being
used.
4. Place single sheet paper against the paper rack and let it slide behind the platen.
5. Adjust the right paper guide so that it comfortably holds the paper in between the two paper
guides.
6. Press the FF key to load the single sheet paper to the top-of-form position 14/60 inch (6mm) below
the top edge of the paper. The top-of-form position can be adjusted from 0/60 inch to 480/60 inches
(8 inches = 203mm) by using the front panel controls in the basic setup options on page 31.
7. The paper bail automatically lowers to press the paper against the platen when the leading edge of
the paper feeds more than one inch onto the platen.
Note
If the paper is not loaded on the proper mark, the printer may
not detect the paper and will display PAPER ERROR.
Note
If the paper is not completely fed in, slightly push the paper downward. If it is still not fed in,
look in the TROUBLESHOOTING section.
Notes
1. Extension Arm
The extension arm is used to keep large size (Legal, B4) single sheets from falling behind the
paper rack. When using the extension arm, pull the arm until it clicks and locks in place.
2. TEAR OFF key is invalid with single sheet paper.
1
2
14
2. Setting up
Paper Size Marker
3
Left Paper Guide
A3
B4
Extension Arm
4
Right Paper Guide
❏ Paper alignment
Current print line location
The current printing line (DDD...) is the third line down from the top of the ribbon guide (line
spacing is 1/6 line: 6 LPI).
Adjusting the print head position
The head adjustment is used to obtain the best print quality possible for the specific paper
being used. The print head position can be adjusted to accommodate printing on single and
multipart forms. When using multipart forms, move the print head adjustment lever toward the
front of the printer to widen the gap between the print head and the platen.
In general, position 1 is used for one-part paper. Moving the head adjustment lever one notch
adjusts the print head gap an amount corresponding to the addition of one more paper part.
Re-adjustment of the lever may be required depending on the quality of the actual printout:
• If the ribbon smears on the paper, the gap is too narrow.
• If the printed image is too light to read, the gap is too wide.
Ribbon Guide
D
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
D
D
D
0.5
Head Adjustment Lever:
Move toward the front of
the printer for thicker paper
1 part-paper: 2nd click
6 part-paper: 9th click
(This scale is the suggested
number of sheets
for non-carbon part-paper.)
1
6
1
5
9
Notes
1.The print head adjustment lever should be set before loading the paper to avoid paper
jams.
2.If the printed image on the last copy of a multipart form is too light to read, set the
MULTIPART mode in the basic setup options (see page 26). This will increase the
striking intensity on multipart forms.
15
2. Setting up
Control panel and indicators
Standard Panel
Alternate up-side down reverse panel
Note: The alternate reverse panel installation instruction is described in Appendix D.
❏ Indicators
• Display window Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Displays status and errors during operation and menus in the setup options.
LCD
LCD
The followings are some examples of the display messages.
If the printer is in the offline mode, the following appears on the display.
Status message
This indicates that the printer is in offline and paper out status.
P.OUT FANFOLD
Warning message
This indicates that the printer cover is open. Close the cover to
resume the operation .
COVER OPEN
Status message for fanfold continuous paper
This column indicates the page length; and the paper widlh.
This indicates the type of paper selected is fanfold continuous
paper.
FANFOLD 11 15
Status message for single sheets paper
This indicates a paper size; B5 through A3 depending on the
designated paper size (default A4) selected in the setup options.
This indicates the type of paper selected is single sheet paper.
MANUAL, BIN 1, BIN 2, BIN 1+2
MANUAL: A4 P
16
3. Control panel and operations
3. Control panel and operations
• Indicator lamps
❏ Function Keys
• ON LINE
Pressing this key places the printer offline so that the printer can perform
some functions independent from the host system. In the offline mode, data
is not received. When the printer is offline, pressing the key places the
printer online and ready to receive data from the host system.
• RESET
When the RESET key is pressed, the printer immediately enters the reset
state and prepares for the initialize operation, which is nearly the same
initialize operation as when the power is turned on.
The following keys are active only in the offline mode:
• LF/RLF (Line feed and reverse line feed)
When the LF/RLF key is pressed, paper is fed per the line spacing at the 6
line per inch forward or backward, respectively.
While this key is pressed and held, the paper is continuously fed forward or
backward, respectively.
• FF (Form feed)
Pressing this key feeds the paper to the next top of form position when the
paper is already loaded. Single sheet paper is fed to eject. Pressing this key
loads the paper when the paper is not loaded.
Lamp On Off Blinking
POWER Power On Power Off —
(green)
ON LINE Online Offline Cover open, or Head overheat
(green) protection activating
P.OUT Out-of-paper Paper-in Home sensor error, RAM error,
(umber) or paper error.
ON LINE
P
.OUT
ON
LINE
POWER
ON LINE
RLF
LF
FF
RESET
17
3. Control panel and operations
• M.LF/M.RLF (Micro line feed/micro reverse line feed)
When the M.LF/M.RLF key is pressed, the paper is fed 1/360 inch forward
or backward, respectively. This key is used to set the paper position.
To set the TOF SET (top-of-form set) function, press the FF key and then
simply advance the loaded paper forward or reverse to your desired print
position using the M.LF/M.RLF keys. Hereafter until you reload paper, the
first print position of the form is always fed at the same place.
• TEAR OFF [Used only for fanfold paper]
Pressing this key advances the perforation of the form to the paper cutter so
that the leading form can be torn off from the rest.
If this key is pressed after the form is torn off, the paper is fed backwards
and the mode is returned to offline. If the ON LINE key is pressed instead
of the TEAR OFF key, the paper is fed backwards and the mode is changed
to the online mode.
• PARK (Paper parking)
Pressing this key unloads the paper if the paper is already loaded.
Fanfold continuous paper (paper select lever in fanfold setting)
The paper is moved to the park station in the back of the printer by pressing
this key.
Single sheet paper (paper select lever in single sheet setting)
The paper in the print station will be ejected.
• BIN (ALT+SETUP keys)
This key is for selecting the active paper tray of the cut sheet feeder or the
paper feed type:MANUAL, BIN1, BIN2 or BIN1+2. BIN1, BIN2, BIN1+2
appears only when the cut sheet feeder (CSF) option is set.
+
TEAR OFF
TOF SET
PARK
M.RLF
M.LF
18
3. Control panel and operations
BIN
EXIT
SETUP
ENTER
ALT
Note
The paper select lever must be switched to the single sheet setting.
19
3. Control panel and operations
• TOF SET (ALT+PARK keys)
The TOF SET key is valid only when paper is loaded. When the TOF SET
key is pressed in the offline state, the TOF position is set to the top of the
ribbon guide, and the buzzer
sounds.
+ After two seconds, the paper is
fed backward so that the TOF
position is at the current
printing position.
When the TOF position is set,
the setting of “7 TOF ADJUST”
is changed to this set automatically.
*TOF:Top of form
• SETUP
When the SETUP key is pressed the printer enters the setup options. The
setup options are explained later in the "Basic setup options" section.
• QUALITY
This key is for selecting the print quality: LQ, NLQ, HQDR (high quality
draft), DRAFT, SD (speed draft), or SSD (super speed draft). To set your
desired print quality simply scroll and stop where your selection is
displayed. The printer beeps once for an acknowledgment.
Software commands can override the print quality setting of this key.
However, "#26 Quality Lock" option described on page 41 can lock-in the
selection by this key and disable software commands.
This key also selects the graphic print speed.
*The graphic print speed is selected only by “31 GRAPHIC QUALITY”
in the extended setup options.
• Others
The ←, →, ↓, ↑ EXIT and ENTER keys become effective only in the setup options entered by
pressing the SETUP key. For more information refer to "Basic setup options."
Control Levers
• Head adjustment Lever
This lever adjusts the gap between the print head and the platen. The correct
gap adjustment for a different paper thickness is required to obtain optimum
print quality. See also page 15.
BIN
EXIT
SETUP
QUALITY
1
6
TOF SET
PARK
ENTER
ALT
LCD
Graphic print speed
LQ
NLQ
HQDR
DRAFT
S.D.
S.S.D.
LQ
NLQ
LQ
LQ
S.D.
S.S.D.
Draft
Draft
HQDR
Draft
S.D.
S.S.D.
Normal✽
High speed 1
High speed 2
High speed 2
High speed 2
High speed 2
ESC x 1
LQ is selected
ESC x 0
Draft is selected
TOF Position
D
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
D
D
D
0.5
Ribbon Guide
• Paper Select Lever
The paper select lever serves to switch between the fanfold continuous paper
setting and the single sheet paper setting (or CSF setting when CSF
installed).
Note: Switching this lever to continuous paper setting will mechanically
release the pressure roller for single sheets and engage gear trains for
continuous paper.
Paper parking
This function moves fanfold paper back to the push tractor position (park station) so that single
sheet paper can be used. Specifically it is useful when switching from fanfold paper to single
sheet paper.
• Pressing the PARK key removes the fanfold paper from the print station so that single sheet
paper can be used.
• Switching of the paper select lever is required for the actual mechanical switching of the paper
select.
• Pressing the FF key when the printer is in the paper-out state loads the selected paper (fanfold
or single sheet) to the top-of-form position.
The following table explains the paper handling of the FF and the PARK key in the offline
state:
Notes
1. Make sure that the setting of the paper select lever corresponds to the type of paper being
used.
2. The paper park function causes PAPER ERROR in the following situations:
a) when the fanfold paper is not set in the park station (at the push tractors) after moving
more than 22 inches backward.
b) when the paper (fanfold or single sheet) is not autoloaded to the print station after
feeding more than 8 inches. (At this time, the printer tries to sense the paper in the
printer.)
c) when single sheet paper is not ejected from the printer after advancing more than 22
inches.
20
3. Control panel and operations
Friction Lever P.OUT Lamp Function Key Action
Continuous
ON FF Autoload the paper
Paper
PARK Ignore the key
OFF
FF Feed to the next TOF
PARK Park the paper in the push tractor
Single Sheets
ON
FF Autoload the paper
PARK Ignore the key
OFF
FF Eject the paper
PARK Eject the paper
Printing test pattern
Before performing the printer's self test, be sure the ribbon cassette and paper are properly
installed in the printer. The self test prints a continuous pattern of printable characters (ASCII
character pattern) in either draft or letter quality (LQ).
While test printing is executed, the ON LINE lamp blinks and the LCD indicates “SELF TEST”.
❏ To run the draft self test
Press the LF key while turning ON the printer's power. If the printer is already turned ON, the
draft self test may be performed by pressing the LF key together with the RESET key.
Keep pressing the LF key until the self test begins.
❏ To run the LQ self test
Press both the LF and ON LINE keys simultaneously while turning ON the printer. If the
printer is already turned ON, the LQ self test may be performed by pressing both the LF and
ON LINE keys simultaneously together with the RESET key.
Keep pressing the LF and ON LINE keys until the self test begins.
❏ To stop the self test temporarily
Press the ON LINE key to stop printing.
❏ To resume the self test
Press the ON LINE key again to restart printing.
❏ To terminate this function
Press the RESET key or turn off the power.
SELF TEST DRAFT
Note
Before initiating the self test, make sure that the width of the paper, especially fanfold paper
loaded in the printer corresponds to the setting selected in the extended setup options.
44 PAPER WIDTH
WIDTH: 15 IN
WIDTH: 10 IN
WIDTH: 5 IN
Maximum printable columns at 10cpi
.................... 136 columns
.................... 80 columns
.................... 36 columns
21
3. Control panel and operations
Demonstration print-out
To see what this printer can do, you may run this demonstration print-out (Letter or A4 paper
size) for checking the printer's performance. Press and hold the RLF and the M.RLF keys
while turning on the printer's power.
Tearing off a form
(Used only with fanfold continuous paper)
This function is activated by the TEAR OFF key and feeds fanfold paper so that the
perforation is aligned with the paper cutter located at the top rear of the printer, thus enabling
simple paper tearing. During the tear off
operation, the M.LF, and M.RLF keys are
used to correctly align the paper to the paper
cutter.
After tearing off the form, pressing the
TEAR OFF key a second time reversely
feeds the paper to the top of the next
available form.
Note
Pressing the TEAR OFF key (or the ONLINE key) the second time may return the paper to
the original print position when the top edge of the form does not pass above the paper
location prior to the first TEAR OFF operation.
22
3. Control panel and operations
Paper Cutter
Loading...