LA550N LA550W User guide Matrix printer User guide Table of contents Table of contents Introduction Printer features Symbols used About this manual Printer at a glance Printer in fanfold paper mode Printer in single-sheet mode Paperway Installation Unpacking the printer Placing your printer Checking the printer voltage Connecting the printer Switching on the printer Changing the ribbon cassette Printer drivers Installing a printer driver in Windows 95/98/ME Installing a printer driver in Windows 2000/NT 4.0/XP Other operating systems Changing printer settings Form settings (Windows 2000/NT 4.0/XP) Graphic options Loading optional firmware Troubleshooting The control panel The LC display Online mode Offline mode Setup mode Messages in the LC display Key functions when turning on the printer 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 I User guide Table of contents Paper handling Changing the paper path Changing the paper type in the setup menu Loading paper Fanfold paper Single sheets Paper transport Moving the paper to the tear position Removing paper Settings Setting the tear position Setting the first printing line (TOF) Setting the print head gap Selecting character density and font temporarily The Menu Programming via the control panel Enabling access to Menu mode Calling up the menu Menu configurations (Macros) Menu handling Save settings Selecting the LC display language Terminating Setup mode Menu structure Menu parameters Printing out macro configurations (Print) Loading menu configurations (Macro) Reset to default values (Reset) Quiet mode printing (Quiet) Selecting font (Font) Setting line spacing (LPI) Selecting start signal for escape sequence (ESCChar) Selecting Protocol (emulation) Bidirectional printing (PrintDir) Settings for interfaces (I/O) 26 26 27 28 28 32 34 35 36 37 37 38 39 40 41 41 41 41 42 43 43 44 45 46 47 47 47 48 48 49 50 50 51 52 53 II User guide Table of contents Serial interface (Serial) Data transmssion rate (Baud) Data format (Format) Buffer control (BuffCtrl) Signal Processing (DTR) Selecting interface (Interf.) Interface buffer (Buffer) Selecting interface timeout (Timeout) Automatic carriage return (Auto-CR) Automatic line feed (Auto-LF) Menu lock (MenLock) Language (Language) Paper parameters (Paper) Form length (Formlen) First printing position (FormAdj) Print head gap manually (Head) View and tear position (TearView) Line length (Width) Barcode (Barcode) Normal characters and barcode (Barmode) Form feed mode (FFmode) Setting and activating options (PapOpt) Activation of tractors (AutoTra) Automatic gap adjustment (AGA) Paper handling (Paphand) Increasing the print head gap (Head up) Paper width (Pagewid) Left-hand area (Leftzon) Right-hand area (Rightzo) Bidirectional parallel interface (CX-bid) Line wrap (Wrap) Beep at paper end (Sound) Setting for printing copy paper (HvyForm) Setting the page margins (Margin) Setting the top margin (Topmrg) Setting the bottom margin (Botmrg) Setting the left margin (Leftmrg) 53 53 54 55 55 56 56 57 57 58 58 59 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 65 66 67 67 68 69 69 70 70 71 71 72 72 73 74 74 75 75 III User guide Table of contents Setting the DEC Mode (DECMode) Horizontal spacing of characters (CPI) Character set (CharSet) User preference character set (UserChr) Printer ID (Prn.ID) Deleting sequence or buffer (CAN Fkt.) Disconnection on end of transmission (Discnct) Initial Report (Report) Automatic answerback (Answbck) Answerback on ENQ (Answ_ENQ) Setting the IBM mode (IBMMode) Horizontal spacing of characters (CPI) IBM character set (IBM-Cset) Code page (CodPage) IBM Double Height (DblHigh) Horizontal pitch on Compress (IBMComp) Slashed Zero (Sl.Zero) Setting the EPSON Mode (EPSMode) Horizontal spacing of characters (CPI) EPSON character set (EPS-Cset) Code Page (CodPage) Slashed Zero (Sl.Zero) Menu settings (example) Advanced menu Test functions Printer self-test (Rolling ASCII) Exiting Rolling ASCII test mode Interface test (H-Dump) Printout in Hex-Dump Terminating Hex-Dump Advanced settings Deactivate single sheet feeder (Single) Settings for paper with dark back (Pap.back) Reduced power consumption (SleepMod) 76 76 77 78 79 79 80 80 81 81 82 82 82 83 84 84 85 86 86 86 87 88 89 90 90 91 92 93 93 94 95 95 96 96 IV User guide Table of contents Troubleshooting General print problems The display remains dark The display is lit, but the printer does not print Problems with the paper feed Paper jam (fanfold paper) Paper jam (single sheets) Paper does not move to tear off position Problems with the print quality Print is too pale Smudged print Prints undefined characters The first line is not completely printed out at the top Dots within characters are missing Error messages via the display Additional display messages Care and maintenance Replacing the fuse Cleaning the housing Cleaning the interior Cleaning the platen Ribbon Cleaning the upper friction Carriage shafts Specifications Printer specifications Interface specifications Paper specifications Available character sets and fonts Emulations General Escape sequences What are escape sequences? How are escape sequences used? Barcode List of available barcodes 97 98 98 98 99 99 100 100 101 101 101 101 101 101 102 105 106 106 107 107 108 108 108 108 109 109 112 113 115 120 120 120 120 120 121 121 V User guide Table of contents Interfaces Parallel interface Connector assignment Serial interface V.24/RS232C Connector assignment Interface cable (serial interface) Input signals Output signals Interface-Adapter IF Adapter-Set RS232 (DB9M)/MMJ Protocols Memory mode XON/XOFF Memory mode Robust XON/XOFF Configuring the serial interface of the PC DOS mode Windows 95/98/ME Windows 2000/NT 4.0/XP Physical printer port in Ethernet with TCP/IP Example of a printer connected to a computer in an Ethernet Example of several devices in an Ethernet Options and accessories Options Tractor 2, front Serial interface adapter MMJ interface adapter Others Optional firmware Accessories Ribbon cassettes Optional paper support Programming manuals Index 122 123 123 124 124 125 125 125 126 127 127 127 128 128 128 128 129 129 129 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 131 131 131 131 132 VI User guide Introduction Introduction Printer features Your printer is a high speed and rugged design for easy use and heavy duty operation. It is designed for service-free PC, network and mini system operations. At top speeds of up to 500 cps the LA550N and LA550 keep pace with the bustling, demanding world where printing is time sensitive and critical. Engineered for printing under adverse conditions, these devices produce multi-part invoices, shipping documents or bar code labels at a rate of up to 26,000 pages per month. The printer handles up to 5-part forms with no skewing or jamming; it automatically adjusts for different forms thickness. The straight paper path is easy to access, for reliable forms handling. The LA550N/LA550W optionally is configured with an optional tractor (front). A straight paper path on the front tractors results in jam-free operation and flawless 24-wire impressions on up to 5-part forms. Both models offer fully automated gap adjustment, paper parking, loading, etc. With extensive connectivity alternatives and popular emulations, the printer is ideal for a variety of industrial or business applications. Symbols used STOP Important information is highlighted in this manual by two symbols. CAUTION highlights information which must be observed in order to prevent injuries to the user and damage to the printer. NOTE highlights general or additional information about a specific topic. 1 User guide Introduction About this manual The user guide contains a detailed description of the printer, its characteristic features and additional information. Chapter 1 Printer at a glance lists all the parts of the printer. Chapter 2 Installation contains start-up instructions and points to note. Chapter 3 Changing the ribbon cassette provides step-by-step instructions for changing the ribbon cassette. Chapter 4 Printer drivers provides step-by-step instructions for installing the printer driver. Chapter 5 The control panel explains how to control printer operations. Chapter 6 Paper handling tells you how to set the paper type and how to load, transport and move the paper to the tear-off position. Chapter 7 Settings tells you how to adjust the basic settings such as font, character density, print head distance, print line height and tearoff position. Chapter 8 The Menu contains all the information necessary for controlling the printer via the control panel. Chapter 9 Advanced menu describes the possible test settings and other technical adjustments of the printer. Chapter 10 Troubleshooting provides instructions for rectifying faults which do not require the intervention of qualified personnel. Chapter 11 Care and maintenance provides information on the upkeep of the printer. Appendix A Specifications informs you about the technical specifications of your printer and the paper which should be used. Appendix B Available character sets and fonts lists the available character sets. Appendix C Emulations deals with programming via the interface. Appendix D Interfaces explains the interfaces. Appendix E Options and accessories contains information about options and accessories you can purchase for your printer. 2 User guide Printer at a glance 1 Printer at a glance Paper support Front cover Single sheet feeder closed pu ll to op en Power switch pu ll to op en Bottom cover Control panel Ribbon cassette Latches Top cover Print head Power cord inlet and fuse Tear edge Rear cover Interface connectors 3 User guide Printer at a glance Printer in fanfold paper mode pu ll to op en Tractors Printer in single-sheet mode Paper support Single sheet feeder open 4 User guide Printer at a glance Paperway Standard printer: Tractor 1 Single sheet Option: Tractor 2 Fanfold paper mode Single sheet Tractor 2 Tr ac tor 1 5 User guide Installation 2 Installation Unpacking the printer Place your printer on a solid surface (see Placing your printer, page 7). Make sure that the "Up" symbols point in the correct direction. Open the packaging, take out the accessory cassette and unpack it. Pull the printer out of the cardboard box towards you and remove the remaining packaging material. Check the printer for any visible transport damage and completeness. Apart from this CD-ROM ( ) the Quick start guide ( ), the power cable ( ), the ribbon ( ) and the MMJ interface adapter ( ) should be included. If you find any transport damage or if any accessories are missing, please contact your dealer. 6 User guide Installation Placing your printer Place the printer on a solid, flat, surface, ensuring that the printer is positioned in such a way that it can not topple, and that there is easy access to the control panel and paper input devices. Also ensure that there is sufficient space for the printed output. If you expect that frequent forward and reverse feeds will occur, you should place the printer as shown in the figure, if possible. STOP The power supply cable may be damaged if the paper edges constantly chafe the insulating sheath. The user must always ensure that there is sufficient distance between the power supply cable and the paper. When selecting the printer location, observe the following additional instructions: STOP Never place the printer in the vicinity of inflammable gas or explosive substances. Do not expose the printer to direct sunlight. If you cannot avoid placing the printer near a window, protect it from the sunlight with a curtain. When connecting the computer with the printer, make sure not to exceed the permitted cable length (see Interface specifications, page 112). Ensure sufficient distance between the printer and any heating radiators. 1 0 2 C 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 Avoid exposing the printer to extreme temperature or air humidity fluctuations. Above all take care to avoid the influence of dust. It is recommended to install the printer in a place which is acoustically isolated from the workplace because of the noise it may produce. Lrm.iso 7 User guide Installation Checking the printer voltage Make sure that the device has been set to the correct voltage (e.g. 120 V in the USA, 230 V in Europe). To do this, check the type plate above the power inlet at the back of the printer. Contact your dealer if the setting is incorrect. Never switch on the printer if the voltage setting is incorrect, since this may result in severe damage. You can set the printer to the correct mains voltage yourself. To do this, cautiously place the printer on its back side. STOP STOP Make sure that the fixing clips of the parallel connection are not bent. ll to pu en op ll to pu en op Front side of printer Use a suitable object (e.g. a screwdriver, but never a pencil) to ...