Page 2 E-PSON”,~~~RP~ 4 0 0 0 User’s Manual...
Page 3 FCC for this equipment. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces. Seiko Epson Corporation shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Seiko Epson Corporation.
Page 4: Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
Page 5 10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the ex- tension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
Page 6: Table Of Contents
Unpacking the Printer......... Choosing a Place for the Printer ....... .
Page 7 Transporting the Printer........
Page 8: Introduction
Features In addition to the high-quality printing and ease of operation you have come to expect from Epson printers, the ActionPrinter 4000 offers the following features: Easy paper handling, featuring automatic single-sheet loading. Compatibility with the Epson ESC/P LQ-510, LQ-500, LQ-800, LQ-850, LQ-950, LQ-1000, LQ-1050, LQ-1500, LQ-2500, and LQ-2550.
Page 9: Options
Introduction Fourteen international character sets, a legal symbol set, an italic character table, and the Epson Extended Graphics character table. The ability to handle a wide range of paper types, including envelopes and labels. Options A variety of printer options is available for use with your printer.
Page 10 Pull Tractor Unit (C800061) This option improves the performance of continuous paper handling. It is especially useful with continuous multi-part forms. Multi-Font Module (#7407) The optional Multi-Font module adds to the number of fonts available in the Letter Quality mode. Film Ribbon Cartridge (#7768) The optional film ribbon cartridge provides you with even higher quality printing than the standard fabric ribbon.
Page 11: About This Manual
Chapter 5. About This Manual This user’s manual provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions on setting up and operating your Epson printer. Finding your way around Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking, setting up, testing, and connecting the printer. Be sure to read and follow these instructions first.
Page 12: Application Notes
Chapter 4 shows you how to get the most from your printer. It includes advice on the use of software commands, graphics, and creating your own user-defined characters. See Chapter 9 for a useful summary of printer commands. If the printer does not operate properly or the printed results are not what you expect, see Chapter 7 for troubleshooting instructions.
Page 13: Where To Get Help
Where to Get Help Customer service for Epson products is provided by a network of authorized Epson Customer Care Centers throughout the United States. Call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800-922-8911 for the following: Customer Care Center referrals Technical support referrals Information on Epson User Groups.
Page 14: Chapter 1 Setting Up The Printer
Attaching the Paper Guide......Testing the Printer........
Page 15: Unpacking The Printer
Unpacking the Printer Checking the Parts When you unpack the printer, make sure that you have all the parts shown below and that none have been damaged. Printer Platen knob Ribbon cartridge Setting Up the Printer...
Page 16 After removing the parts, save the packaging materials in case you ever need to transport your printer. Note: Be sure to lift the printer cover and remove the pieces of white packing material. Setting Up the Printer...
Page 17: Choosing A Place For The Printer
There are several important things to consider when selecting a place to set up your printer. Keep the following in mind: Place the printer on a flat, hard, stable surface. A soft surface, such as a padded counter or carpeted area, will block the ventilation slots and may cause overheating.
Page 18 The stand should be able to support at least twice the weight of the printer (approximately 26 pounds, or 12 kilograms). Never use a stand that supports the printer at an angle of more than 15 degrees from horizontal. With a cut sheet feeder, your printer must be kept level.
Page 19: Assembling The Printer
The platen knob is packed in an indentation in the printer’s white foam packing material. 1. Remove the printer cover. 2. Insert the knob into the hole on the printer’s side and rotate it slowly until it slips onto the shaft. Setting...
Page 20: Installing The Ribbon Cartridge
3. Push firmly on the platen knob until it fits against the printer case. CAUTION: Do not use the platen knob to adjust the position of the paper. This interferes with the automatic paper loading system and may cause a paper jam.
Page 21 CAUTION: Never move the print head while the printer is turned on because this can damage the printer. Also, if you have been using the printer, the print head may be hot; let it cool for a few minutes before touching it.
Page 22 5. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide while you turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place. Setting Up the Printer...
Page 23: Attaching The Paper Guide
7. Close the paper tension unit cover. Attaching the Paper Guide When you use single sheets, the paper guide helps to feed the paper smoothly and efficiently into the printer. Attach the paper guide using the following procedure. 1-10 Setting Up the Printer...
Page 24 Assembling the Printer 1. Place the paper guide on the printer as shown below. 2. Raise the paper guide until it locks into place. Note: To lower the paper guide, lift up slightly to release it from its locked position; then gently lower it down onto the printer.
Page 25 Assembling the Printer 3. Attach the printer cover by fitting the hooks on the cover into the notches at the front of the printer and tilting the cover back into place. 1-12 Setting Up the Printer...
Page 26: Testing The Printer
Before running the self test, you need to connect the printer to an electrical outlet and load a sheet of paper. Plugging in the Printer 1.
Page 27: Running The Self Test
The self test can be run in the draft or Letter Quality mode, depending on which button you hold down as you turn on the printer. Although the self test can be run with continuous paper, use single-sheet paper now because single-sheet loading is easier.
Page 28 Testing the Printer LINE FEED FORM 3. While holding down the button (draft mode) or FEED button (Letter Quality mode), turn on the printer. The POWER PAPER OUT printer beeps several times and lights come on. Setting Up the Printer...
Page 29 4. Move the left edge guide so that it locks in place next to the guide mark. 5. Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper. Next, slide a sheet of paper down between the edge guides until it meets resistance. 1-16 Setting Up the Printer...
Page 30 ON LINE button. button to load the paper. button to start the self test. A list of DIP switch Setting Up the Printer Testing the Printer 1-17...
Page 31 Note: To resume the test, press the 9. If the paper is still loaded, press the FEED button to eject it. Then turn off the printer. WARNING: After turning the power off, always wait at least five seconds before turning it back on. Turning the power on and off rapidly can damage the printer.
Page 32 SW1-4 off Off off on o f f <=>?@ABCDEFGHI\JKLMNClF in Chapter 5. Setting Up the Printer Testing the Printer Page length 11" 12" Tear off mod Invalid Valid 1"Skip Invalid...
Page 33 ‘()*+J- S a n s S e r i f 1 0 ./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRf ()*+J- ‘mrnrr.r..TrrA \.I.. 1-20 Setting Up the Printer SW1-1 1-2 1-3 off on on off off off on on off on off off on off off off...
Page 34: Checking The Operation
Checking the Operation If the self test does not print properly, check the control panel and the print head area. If paper is jammed, turn off the printer. Then remove the paper using the platen knob and load a new sheet. See that all packing material and shipping restraints have been removed from inside the printer.
Page 35: Connecting The Printer To Your Computer
If you are not sure which type of interface cable is required, see your computer manual. The Parallel Interface Connect the parallel interface cable as described below: 1. Make sure that both your printer and computer are turned off. Setting 1-22 Up the Printer...
Page 36 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer 2. Plug the cable connector securely into the printer. 3. Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on either side of the connector. Setting Up the Printer 1-23...
Page 37 Connecting the Printer to 4. If your cable has a ground wire, connect it to the ground screw beneath the interface connector. 5. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer. If there is a ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to the ground connector at the back of the computer.
Page 38: Setting Up Your Application Software
If none of these printers is listed, select the first one available on the following list: To use all of the features of the ActionPrinter 4000, however, it is best to use a program with the 4000 or one of the LQ printers on its menu.
Page 39: Chapter 2 Paper Handling
Chapter 2 Paper Handling Using Single Sheets ....... . . Loading Paper .
Page 40: Using Single Sheets
Using Single Sheets Your printer can accommodate single sheets with a width of 7.2 inches or 182 mm to 10 inches or 254 mm. If you do most of your printing on single sheets, you may find it more convenient to install the optional cut sheet feeder. This option automatically inserts a new sheet and can hold up to 150 pages.
Page 41 2. Turn on the printer. (The green light should come on.) Note: Do not insert paper in the printer before turning on the printer. 3. Move the left edge guide so that it locks in place next to the guide mark. (You may want to change this position later, depending on the margin settings of your application program.)
Page 42 Using Single Sheets 4. Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper. Then slide the paper down between the edge guides until it meets resistance. LOAD/EJECT Press the automatically. Paper Handling button once to load the paper...
Page 43: Reloading During Printing
You are now ready to begin printing. Reloading During Printing When you print a document of more than sheet paper, the printer stops printing when it reaches the bottom of the page. When this happens, automatically or remains on, depending on your application program software.
Page 44: Using Continuous Paper
Using Continuous Paper The push tractor built into your printer is remarkably easy to load and operate. Its low-profile design takes up little space and can handle paper up to 10 inches or 254 mm wide. Positioning Your Continuous Paper Supply An important consideration for achieving smooth and trouble-free paper feeding is the position of your paper supply.
Page 45: Loading Continuous Paper
Loading Continuous Paper 1. Be sure that the printer is turned off, then remove the paper guide. Set the paper release lever to the continuous paper position. This position is marked by the icon shown in the illustration below. 2. Release the sprocket units by pulling the sprocket lock levers forward as shown below.
Page 46 Using Continuous Paper 3. Slide the left sprocket unit until it is one-half inch from the farthest left position and press the lever back to lock it in place. matches 4. Slide the right sprocket unit so that it roughly the width of your paper, but do not lock it.
Page 47 Using Continuous Paper 5. Move the paper support midway between the two sprocket units. 6. Open both sprocket covers. CAUTION: Make sure that your paper has a clean, straight edge before inserting it into the printer. Paper Handling 2-9...
Page 48 Using Continuous Paper 7. Fit the first three holes in the paper over the pins of both sprockets. 8. Close the sprocket covers. 2-10 Paper Handling...
Page 49 Using Continuous Paper 9. Slide the right sprocket unit to a position where the paper is straight and has no wrinkles. Then lock it in place. 10. Reattach the paper guide as shown below. Then slide the edge guides apart to the sides of the paper guide as shown. 2-11 Paper Handling...
Page 50 Using Continuous Paper 11. Turn the printer. It will beep because there is no paper in the printer. Then press the loading position. ON LINE 12. Press the accept data. The printer remembers the loading position and advances each page to the same position.
Page 51: Switching Between Continuous And Single Sheets
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets Even with continuous paper loaded in the printer, the SmartPark feature allows you to easily switch to single-sheet printing without removing the continuous paper from the tractor. Switching to Single Sheets To switch from continuous paper to single sheets, follow the steps below.
Page 52 (less than 6 inches or 152.4 mm wide). LOAD/EJECT Press the backward out of the printer and into the standby position. The paper is still attached to the tractor but no longer in the paper path. 0 t .
Page 53 Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets 4. Push the paper release lever back to the single-sheet position. This position is marked by the icon shown in the illustration below. 5. Stand the paper guide upright and adjust the edge guides to roughly match the width of your paper.
Page 54 Slide the edge guides to exactly match the width of your paper. LOAD/EJECT Press the sheet paper to the loading position. Then, press the button to set the printer 2-16 Paper Handling edge guides until the bottom button to automatically feed the single- line.
Page 55: Switching Back To Continuous Paper
It is also easy to switch back to printing with continuous paper. Before switching to continuous paper, make sure that the single sheet is ejected and the printer is off line. 1. Slide the edge guides apart so they do not interfere with continuous paper feeding.
Page 56 Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets 3. Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper position. LOAD/EJECT 4. Press the button to feed the continuous paper to the loading position. 2-18 Paper Handling...
Page 57 Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets ON LINE 5. Press the button to set the printer on line so that it can accept data. Paper Handling 2-19...
Page 58: Printing On Special Paper
Printing on Special Paper In addition to printing on single sheets and continuous paper, your printer can also print on a wide variety of paper types, including multi-part forms, labels, and envelopes. Before printing on special types of paper, you need to change the paper thickness setting.
Page 59 Printing Special Paper To change the paper thickness setting, follow these steps. 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the printer cover. WARNING: If the printer has just been in use, the print head may be hot. Allow it to cool before touching it.
Page 60 Printing on Special Paper 3. Select the paper thickness you want according to the table below. For normal use, the lever should always be set to position 2 on the scale. Paper Type Paper (single sheets or continuous) Thin paper 24 lb paper Multi-part forms 2-sheet...
Page 61: Multi-Part Forms
Multi-part Forms With the built-in tractor unit, your printer can print on continuous multi-part forms. You can use multi-part forms that have up to three parts including the original. Make sure you set the paper thickness lever to the proper position;...
Page 62: Labels
Printing on Special Paper Except for the paper thickness lever setting, you load multi-part paper the same way as continuous paper. For details, see the section on loading continuous paper in this chapter. Also see the sections on setting the loading position and page length in Chapter 3. Multi-part forms should not be used with the CAUTION: single-sheet feeding system or the optional cut sheet...
Page 63 Also, never use the short tear-off function with labels. (Be sure to set DIP switch 2-2 to OFF.) If a label does become stuck in the printer, call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800-922-8911 for assistance. Since labels are especially sensitive to temperature and humidity, always use them under normal operating conditions.
Page 64: Envelopes
Printing on Special Paper Envelopes You can feed envelopes individually using the single-sheet loading feature. Before loading envelopes, adjust the position of the paper thickness lever according to the table on page 2-22. For details on paper handling, see Using Single Sheets on page 2-2. When manually feeding an envelope, you may have to push it down slightly while pressing the properly.
Page 65 temperature (41°F to 95°F or 5°C to 35°C). To make sure that the printing fits within the printable area, always print a test sample using a normal sheet of paper before printing on envelopes. Printing on Special Paper 8.5 mm (0.33”) more 22 mm...
Page 66: Chapter 3 Using The Printer
Chapter 3 Using the Printer Operating the Control Panel ......3-2 Setting the DIP Switches......
Page 67: Operating The Control Panel
Operating the Control Panel The indicator lights give you the current status of the printer. The buttons and paper handling functions let you control many of the printer settings. Lights ~~~~~~e~giJj+ihiy2s aPOWER- $l~l;l- READY- 0 PAPER OUT- SelecType _ _ _ _ _ = = DRAFT O”...
Page 68 -ON LINE This button controls the printer’s on line and off line status. Press this button to put the printer on line or to take it off line. When the printer is on line, the is on and the printer can receive and print data from the computer.
Page 69 This button is used to turn the condensed mode on and off. The orange indicator light is on when the printer is in the condensed mode. In the condensed mode, all characters are printed at approximately 60 percent of their...
Page 70 Other control panel features The control panel of your printer also gives you access to several special functions. Both a draft and Letter Quality self test function Self test: are built into the printer. The self test printout lets you check the current DIP switch settings and operating status of the printer.
Page 71: Setting The Dip Switches
3-9. Changing a DIP Switch Setting To change a DIP switch setting, first turn off the printer. Then open the DIP switch cover and use a pointed object, such as a pen, to change the DIP switch settings. A DIP switch is on when it is up, and off when it is down.
Page 72: The Dip Switch Tables
1 2-6 1 Graphics print direction 2-7 Character spacing Required for use of user-defined (download) characters. Setting the DIP Switches See table 1 --i--l 12 inches 8 K B Bidirect. See table 3 Using the Printer Page 3-20...
Page 73 Setting the DIP Switches Table 1 International character sets Country SW1-1 SW1-2 SW1-3 France Germany Denmark Sweden Italy Spain Table 2 Font selection Table 3 Character spacing cpi: characters per inch. Using the Printer...
Page 74: The Dip Switch Functions
Input buffer capacity The input buffer stores data from your computer. If you want to free your computer for other tasks while the printer prints, change the setting of switch 2-5 to 8 KB (on). Before using user-defined characters, however, be sure to set the input buffer to 1 KB (off).
Page 75: Page Length
30.48 cm. Be sure to set the page length to match the paper you are using. Other page lengths can be set using the commands ESC C and ESC C 0. See the Command Summary in Chapter 9 for details. DIP SW2-1 page length X i 11-inch 3-10 Using the Printer 12-inch page length...
Page 76: Skip Over Perforation
DIP switch 2-3 ON (Skip over perforation ON) 23456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]' 3456789: ;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^- <=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^-' 456789: ; 56789:; <=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^-'z 6789 : ;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^-'a1 Using the Printer 3-11...
Page 77: Adjusting The Loading Position
If you need to adjust the loading position, always use the micro-adjustment feature. Until the loading position is reset, the printer remembers this position even if it is turned off, and uses it as a reference point for feeding paper.
Page 78: Using Micro-Adjustment
Using Micro-adjustment 1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and that either a single sheet or continuous paper is ready to be loaded. LOAD/EJECT 2. Press the position. Then press the begins to blink. Note: You can use the...
Page 79: Using Short Tear-Off
When you are finished printing, the short tear-off feature automatically feeds the perforation of the continuous paper to the tear-off edge of the printer cover so that you can tear off the last sheet. When you resume printing, the paper feeds backward to the loading position.
Page 80: Adjusting The Tear-Off Position
FORM FEED button to advance the paper. Then put the printer back on line and paper will feed to the tear-off position. When you resume printing after tearing off the sheet, the paper automatically feeds backward to the loading position before printing begins.
Page 81 Using Short Tear-Of 1. Make sure the printer feeds the paper to the tear-off position after printing the document. MULTI-PART 2. The can now use the micro-adjustment feature to make fine adjustments to the tear-off position. 3. To make fine adjustments to the tear-off position, press the...
Page 82: Selecting Typestyles
Note: The settings you select using the SelecType panel remain valid until the printer is turned off or until it receives other instructions from software. However, some application programs are designed to control all typestyle functions. These programs cancel all previous typestyle settings by sending certain software commands before printing.
Page 83: Character Fonts
Selecting Typestyles Character Fonts Your printer has three built-in fonts: ROMAN !"#$%&'()*t,-./0123456789:;<=>?BABCDEFGHIJK LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'C§^-'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv . . , ^ . . . 0 wxyzg~~"Cueaaaa~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ iififi~Qir7+f i <<>> SANS SERIF DRAFT mode uses fewer dots per character for high-speed printing, which makes it ideal for rough drafts and editing work.
Page 84: Condensed Mode
10 and 12 cpi. The condensed 10 cpi is 17 cpi, and the condensed 12 cpi is 20 cpi. This is 10 CPI printing. This is condensed 10 CPI printing, This is 12 CPI printing. This is condensed 12 CPI printing, Selecting Typestyles CONDENSED button Using the Printer 3-19...
Page 85: Selecting An International Character Set
You can select one of eight international character sets by changing the DIP switch settings. Whenever the printer is turned on, reset, or initialized, the character set selected by the DIP switches becomes the default character set.
Page 86 23 24 40 5B 5C 5D 5E 60 7B 7C 7D 7E #$@[Yl^‘{11” 8 Japan 9 Norway #r.lBA0A~iitle0Ati 10 Denmark II #$BfE0AUfa?0AB 11 Spain II #$&iRik’ifi6ti 12 Latin America 13 Korea #$er#I*‘rI}” 64 Legal an International Character Set Selecting ASCII code hex &J ’ Using the Printer 3-21...
Page 87: Choosing A Character Table
Choosing a Character Table DIP switch 1-7 selects either the italic character table or the Epson Extended Graphics character table. The Epson Extended Graphics character table contains international accented characters, Greek characters, mathematic symbols, and character graphics for printing lines, corners, and shaded areas.
Page 88 To select a character table, set DIP switch 1-7 according to the table below. CAUTION: To change the setting of a DIP switch, first turn off the printer, change the DIP switch, and then turn the printer back on. Tables showing which characters are printed in each of the character tables are listed in the Appendix.
Page 89: Using The Data Dump Mode
The data dump mode is a special feature that makes it easy for experienced users to identify the cause of communication problems between the printer and application programs. The data dump mode gives a printout of the codes reaching the printer. To use the data dump mode, follow these steps: that 1.
Page 90 2. If the printer is on, switch it off, then hold down the LINE FEED 3. Run any program that causes the printer to print (either an application program or one in any programming language). Your printer prints out all the codes sent to the printer, as below.
Page 91 Using the Data Dump Mode 4. To turn off the data dump mode after you have taken the printer off line, turn off the printer. By comparing the characters printed in the text field on the right side of the data dump printout (see step 3) with the printout of hex codes, you can check which codes are being sent to the printer.
Page 92: Chapter 4 Software And Graphics
Defining Your Characters......Sending Information to Your Printer ....4-24 Printing User-defined Characters .
Page 93: Enhancing Your Printing
Enhancing Your Printing You can obtain a wide variety of printing effects with your printer, from changing the number of characters per inch to using special effects on selected words and phrases. This section gives you a sampling of the features you may select with your software.
Page 94: Character Size
Note: Proportional spacing is not available in the draft mode. Character Size In addition to the basic cpi spacings and proportional spacing, your printer offers three other modes that can change the size of your printing. These modes are double-wide, double-high, and condensed.
Page 95: Special Effects And Emphasis
Special Effects and Emphasis Your printer offers two ways of emphasizing text and also allows you to use underlining, superscripts, subscripts, and italics. These features can be controlled directly by software commands. Many application programs can also produce some of these effects.
Page 96: Italic Printing
In double-strike mode, the print head prints each line twice, making the text bolder. For even greater boldness, emphasized and double- strike can be combined. The following samples show the different effects you can achieve using these modes alone and in combination. T h i s i s R O M A N p r i n t i n g , This is ROMAN, emphasized.
Page 97: Selecting Typestyles With Master Select
Selecting Typestyles With Master Select Your printer has a special ESCape code called Master Select that allows you to choose many combinations of these nine modes: 10 cpi, 12 cpi, proportional spacing, condensed, emphasized, double- strike, double-wide, italics, and underline.
Page 98 You would add three numbers together to calculate the value of n. 12 cpi Double-strike 16 Double-wide After calculating the value of to send the value to the printer. ASCII: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Enhancing Your Printing you use the Master Select command...
Page 99 Enhancing Your Printing The print quality and font must be set separately, using SelecType or the ESC x and ESC k commands. There are two more things to consider when using the Master Select command: Master Select cancels any of the other listed features that you do not set.
Page 100: Graphics
The quickest and easiest way to print graphics on your printer is to use a commercial graphics program. With such programs you usually create an image on your monitor then give a command to send the image to the printer.
Page 101: The Print Head
In order for dots to overlap vertically, the pins in the print head are in more than one column, but the intelligence of the printer handles the timing of pin firings arranged in a single vertical column. Dot patterns...
Page 102 Pin labels To tell the printer which pins to fire in each column, you first divide each of the vertical columns into three sections of eight pins each and consider each section separately. Since there are 256 possible...
Page 103 Graphics To fire any one pin, you send its number to the printer. To fire more than one pin at the same time, add up the numbers of the pins and send the total. Using these labels for the pins, you fire the top pin by sending 128.
Page 104: The Graphics Command
Your printer has one command that allows you to use any of the 11 graphics options. The format of the command is: In this command, m selects the graphics option and n1 and n2 specify the number of columns to reserve for graphics.
Page 105: Column Reservation Numbers
96 and should be 6 because 1632 = 96 + (6 x 256). The printer interprets the number of bytes specified by n1 and n2 as graphics data, no matter what codes they are. This means that you must be sure to supply enough bytes of graphics data or the printer will stop and wait for more data and will seem to be locked.
Page 106: Designing Your Own Graphics
Type in and run the following program. Be especially careful to include both semicolons. The program produces the printout you see below: 10 WIDTH "LPT1:", CHR$(27)"*"CHR$(32)CHR$(40)CHR$(0); 20 LPRINT FOR X=1 TO 120 40 LPRINT CHR$(170); 50 NEXT X Line 20 selects single-density 24-pin graphics mode (mode 32) and also reserves 40 columns for graphics.
Page 107 180 dots per inch, horizontally, a design planned on this grid will be about 1/8th of an inch high and less than 1/4th of an inch wide. The actual pattern that the printer prints on the paper is, of course, that made up of dots horizontally.
Page 108 Graphics Below is the same grid divided into three sections to make the data calculation easier. At the bottom of each section of each column is the total of the pin numbers for that section. This gives you the total of 126 data numbers necessary to print this small figure.
Page 109 Graphics Below is the BASIC program that prints the design shown on the previous pages. Note that the data numbers in lines 80 through 140 are the same numbers that are at the bottom of each section in the last illustration. The WIDTH statement in line 10 is for IBM PC BASIC;...
Page 110 Graphics Notice that the dots overlap quite a bit. This design was printed using the triple-density, 24-pin graphics option because the density is the same (180 dots per inch) in both directions. Adding the following lines to the preceding program causes the pattern to print 10 times in a row as shown below: 15 FOR C=1 TO 10: RESTORE 65 NEXT C...
Page 111: User-Defined Characters
User-defined Characters With this printer, it is possible to define and print characters of your own design. You can design an entirely new alphabet or typeface, create special characters for use as mathematical or scientific symbols, or create graphic patterns with user-defined characters to serve as building blocks for larger designs.
Page 112 Design grids To design a character you use a grid that is 24 dots high-one dot for each pin on the printer’s print head. The width of the character matrix depends on the character set in use. For draft characters, the grid is nine dots wide, for Letter Quality it is 29 dots wide, and for proportional characters it is 37 dots wide.
Page 113: Defining Your Characters
Now you translate the dot pattern you’ve created on paper to a numeric format so you can send the data to your printer. Every dot has an assigned value. Each vertical column (which has a maximum of 24 dots) is first divided into three groups of eight dots.
Page 114 This manual uses decimal numbers because the program examples are written in BASIC and everyone is familiar with decimals. The data you send to your printer, however, must be in the form (binary, decimal, hexadecimal) that you can use with your programming language.
Page 115: Sending Information To Your Printer
The command your printer uses to define characters is one of the most complex in its repertoire. The format of the command is this: ESC &...
Page 116 Since it takes three bytes to specify all the dots in one vertical column, your printer expects d1 x 3 bytes of data to follow d2. would be Z (or ASCII code 90). So the...
Page 117 The information about the actual character design (which is contained in the DATA statements at the end of the program) is sent to the printer in the loop between lines 50 and 70. Note: When defining Letter Quality or proportional characters, put a WIDTH statement in your program to prevent carriage return and line feed codes from interfering with your definitions.
Page 118: Printing User-Defined Characters
Run the program to see the printout below: As you can see, both sets of characters (the @ from the original characters in ROM that the printer normally uses and the alternative character you defined) remain in the printer available for your use.
Page 119: Copying Rom Characters To Ram
Since no other characters are in the printer’s user- defined RAM, there is nothing else to print. Other characters sent to the printer do not even print as spaces; it’s as if they were not sent at all.
Page 120: Letter Quality Characters
Letter Quality Characters If you select Letter Quality printing with the ESC x1 command, you can design user-defined characters using up to 29 columns of the Letter Quality/Proportional grid. The dot columns are spaced closer together horizontally than draft dot columns (the horizontal dot spacing is 1/360th of an inch as opposed to 1/120th of an inch for draft characters).
Page 121: Mixing Print Styles
Each of the three user-defined character modes (draft, Letter Quality, and proportional) can be used in combination with most of your printer’s various print styles. For instance, emphasized mode works with user-defined characters. The characters you design are enhanced to give this printing effect.
Page 122 Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM, which is not permanent memory. When the printer power is turned off or the printer is initialized with the INIT signal, the user-defined characters are lost.
Page 123: Chapter 5 Using The Printer Options
Paper Handling ........Testing the Printer in the Cut Sheet Feeder Mode ..5-9 Operating the Cut Sheet Feeder .
Page 124: The Cut Sheet Feeder
Installation Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the paper guide and printer cover. Replace the clear plastic part of the printer cover with the clear plastic part included with the cut sheet feeder.
Page 125 The Cut Sheet Feeder 3. Make sure that the paper release lever is pushed all the way to the rear. Using the Printer Options...
Page 126 4. Insert the metal brackets into the cut sheet feeder. Then tilt the cut sheet feeder slightly forward to fit the notches at the base of the unit over the black pins inside the printer. Tilt the feeder back until it rests on top of the printer.
Page 127: Paper Handling
6. Turn on the cut sheet feeder mode by setting DIP switch 1-8 to 7. Turn on the printer. Paper Handling 1. Make sure that cut sheet feeder mode is turned on with DIP switch 1-8 and turn on the printer. Using the Printer Options...
Page 128 Slide the left paper guide to where the fin on the edge guide is slightly left of the arrow on the panel. Next, slide the right paper guide so that it roughly matches the width of your paper. Using the Printer Options...
Page 129 Do not use multi-part forms, carbon paper, envelopes, or labels in the cut sheet feeder. The Cut Sheet Feeder Using the Printer Options...
Page 130 Make sure the paper can move up and down freely. 6. Push the paper set levers back until they click into place and clamp the paper against the guide rollers. Using the Printer Options...
Page 131: Testing The Printer In The Cut Sheet Feeder Mode
The steps below are for a self test in draft mode. 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off and a stack of paper is in the bin. Check that the cut sheet feeder mode is selected and the paper release lever is pushed to the rear.
Page 132 ON LINE Note: To resume the test, press the button once more. LOAD/EJECT 4. To end the self test when paper is loaded, press the button to eject the paper. Then turn off the printer. Using the Printer Options 5-10...
Page 133: Operating The Cut Sheet Feeder
In the cut sheet feeder mode, the a sheet of paper is being fed, but the printer remains on line. When the specified paper bin is empty, the printer automatically PAPER OUT goes off line, the sounds.
Page 134 1. Press the button to set the printer off line. 2. Align the single sheet to be fed with the mark on the left paper guide; then slide the sheet into the printer path until you feel resistance. Using the Printer Options...
Page 135 Control panel operation To operate the cut sheet feeder manually from the control panel when the printer is in the cut sheet feeder mode, first make sure that the printer is off line. LINE FEED When there is paper in the printer, press this button to feed the paper one line or hold it down to feed the paper continuously.
Page 136 Line feed; advances the paper n/180th of an inch ESC J: Software is not effective while the printer is off line. Make sure that the printer is on line if you wish to control the cut sheet feeder using software commands. Using the Printer Options...
Page 137: Removing The Cut Sheet Feeder
Removing the Cut Sheet Feeder 1. Turn off the printer and remove any paper remaining in the bin and printer. Remove the printer cover and tilt the cut sheet feeder back. Release its notches from the printer’s pins, and then lift up and remove the cut sheet feeder.
Page 138 The Cut Sheet Feeder 3. Set DIP switch 1-8 to off (to turn off the cut sheet feeder mode). 4. Replace the clear plastic part of the printer cover with the clear plastic part that was on it originally. Removal of the cut sheet feeder is now completed. Be sure to store the removed cut sheet feeder in its original box and packing materials.
Page 139: The Pull Tractor
For best results, use the pull tractor along with the built-in push tractor as described in this section. Installation 1. Turn off the printer and remove the printer cover and paper guide. 2. Remove the paper tension unit cover.
Page 140 The Pull Tractor 3. Fit the rear notches on the tractor over the rear mounting pins in the printer. Then tilt the tractor unit toward you until the front latches click in place over the black front mounting pins. Push down on the front latches to be sure they are firmly seated.
Page 141: Paper Handling
Paper Handling 1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and that the paper release lever is set forward to the continuous paper position. 2. Set the first three holes of the continuous paper onto the built-in push tractor as described in Chapter 2.
Page 142 Note: After you press the touch any of the buttons on the control panel until step 10. CAUTION: Never use the platen knob while the printer is turned on. To adjust the loading position, use the micro- adjustment feature described in Chapter 3.
Page 143 Fit the holes in the paper over the tractor pins on the sprocket units and close the sprocket covers. The Pull Using the Printer Options Tractor 5-21...
Page 144 8. See that the paper is not crooked or wrinkled and lock the sprocket units in place. 5-22 Using the Printer Options...
Page 145 9. Replace the clear plastic part of the printer cover with the clear plastic part included with the pull tractor. 10. Install the paper guide; then install the pull tractor cover as shown below and press the Although the pull tractor can be used in combination with the built- in push tractor as described above, the pull tractor can also be used by itself.
Page 146: Removing The Pull Tractor
Note: Do not use the short tear-off feature with the pull tractor. Removing the Pull Tractor 1. Make sure to tear off the printed document and remove the tractor cover and paper guide. Then turn on the printer. 5-24 Using the Printer Options...
Page 147 The Pull Tractor ON LINE 2. Press the button to set the printer off line. Then, press LOAD/EJECT button until the continuous paper feeds backward out of the paper path to the standby position. The PAPER OUT light comes on when the paper is completely out of the paper path.
Page 148 4. Hold the front latches between your thumb and index finger and gently lift them up, slowly tilting the unit back. Then push the paper release lever to the rear. 5. Replace the paper tension unit cover as shown below. 5-26 Using the Printer Options...
Page 149 The Pull Tractor 6. Remove the tractor cover from the printer cover and reassemble the printer cover. 7. Install the paper guide and printer cover. 5-27 Using the Printer Options...
Page 150: The Multi-Font Module
After you install the Multi-Font Module in its slot, you can use any one of the following fonts as your default font when the printer is turned on and any of the others optionally by sending a command to the printer.
Page 151 ' a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v excellent seen your recent back What over gross? excellent seen your recent back Using the Printer Options The Multi-Font Module 4OJt d&.LQ -6ChedLLeQ issue price schedule issue price schedule 5-29...
Page 152: Installation
Trader's Times, What for quantities over one gross? Installation 1. Turn off the printer. See the font family table on page 5-33 and dial the rotary switch to the font of your choice. 5-30 Using the Printer Options .&12$456789:;(=,?AABCDEFGHIJK...
Page 153 The Multi-Font Module 2. Hold the module with the rotary switch on the top and plug it into the slot. Using the Printer Options 5-31...
Page 154 The Multi-Font Module 3. Turn the printer on; then select the slot by pressing the switch on the operating panel. WARNING: Always turn off the power before inserting or removing the module; otherwise you may seriously damage printer or the module.
Page 155: Selecting A Font
Orator-S There are two ways to select a font from the module: With the printer turned off, dial the family number of the font with the rotary switch on the module. When the printer is turned on, that font becomes the default font if the slot is selected with the DIP switch setting or by pressing the button on the control panel.
Page 156: The Interface Boards
They provide the printer with more memory to free the computer for other tasks when printing large amounts of text or graphics. You can increase the printer’s data buffering capacity by an additional 32 KB (about 10 pages).
Page 157: Compatible Interfaces
Compatible Interfaces The following is a list of Epson interfaces that are compatible with your printer. Interface number #8143 #8148 #8165 #8172 All Epson interfaces have the Epson name printed on them. If the board has an identification code printed on it, it is a four-digit number beginning with 8 and should correspond to one of the numbers listed in the table above.
Page 158 The Interface Boards 2. Remove the screw securing the interface board cover and lift off the cover. 3. Remove the screw labeled CG from the main board. 5-36 Using the Printer Options...
Page 159 There are two basic interface board designs-one with the FG wire not attached and one with the FG wire attached. This slight difference changes the way the boards are installed in the printer but does not affect the operation of the interface in any way. Check to see which type of interface board you have.
Page 160 3. Attach the plug end of the FG wire onto the FG pin located on top of the interface board. 4. Set the DIP switches on the interface board according to the manual accompanying it. 5-38 Using the Printer Options...
Page 161 2. Holding the interface board level, rotate it into position and attach it to the main board. Make sure that the connector pins are properly inserted into the mating connector. Interface to the printer as shown round end of the FG Using the Printer Options Boards...
Page 162 1. Bend back the hinge plate on the interface board cover as shown below. Note: When you reattach the interface board, rebend the plate to cover the opening. The plate is sturdy, but be careful not to subject it to excessive bending. 5-40 Using the Printer Options...
Page 163: 8143 New Serial Interface
#8143 New Serial Interface If you are using an optional interface, it may be necessary for you to alter the communication protocol of the printer or the computer so that they can communicate properly. In most cases, you should use the information in your optional interface manual or your computer’s manual to match the computer with the interface.
Page 164: Error Handling
DIP switch functions in Chapter 3 of this manual. Handshaking timing When the vacant area for data in the input buffer drops to 256 bytes, the printer outputs an X-OFF code or sets the DTR flag to “1” (MARK) indicating that it cannot receive data. Error handling When a parity error is detected, your printer prints an asterisk (*).
Page 165: Chapter 6 Maintenance
Maintenance Cleaning the Printer ....... . Replacing the Ribbon .......
Page 166: Cleaning The Printer
To keep your printer operating at its best, you should clean it thoroughly several times a year. Follow the steps below: 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the paper guide or the cut sheet feeder.
Page 167 3. If the outer case or paper guide is dirty or dusty, clean it with a soft, clean cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution. Keep the printer cover in place to prevent water from getting inside the printer. WARNINGS:...
Page 168: Replacing The Ribbon
Replace the ribbon when the printout becomes too faint. The #7753 standard ribbon cartridge or #7768 film ribbon cartridge are recommended for your printer. Do not use ribbons designed for nine-pin printers. 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the printer cover. Maintenance...
Page 169 2. Open the paper tension unit cover. 3. To remove the ribbon cartridge, grip it by the black plastic tab and lift the cartridge straight up and out of the printer. WARNING: If the printer has just been used, the print head may be hot.
Page 170 Replacing the Ribbon 4. Slide the print head to the middle of the printer. 5. To remove slack in the new ribbon, turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow. Maintenance...
Page 171 Replacing the Ribbon 6. Push the new ribbon cartridge firmly into position, making sure the plastic hooks fit into the slots, as shown below. Note: Press lightly on both sides of the cartridge to make sure the hooks are properly inserted. Maintenance 6-7...
Page 172 Replacing the Ribbon 7. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide while you turn the ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place. Be careful not to puncture the ribbon. 8.
Page 173 Replacing the Ribbon 9. Close the paper tension unit cover. 10. Insert the hooks on the printer cover unit into the printer, and then tilt the printer cover back into place. Maintenance 6-9...
Page 174: Transporting The Printer
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Then remove any installed options, as well as the paper guide and printer cover. WARNING: Turn the printer off before unplugging the fi 1 power cable from the AC outlet.
Page 175: Chapter 7 Troubleshooting
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions ......7-2 Power Supply........Printing..
Page 176: Problems And Solutions
Problems and Solutions This chapter discusses problems you may encounter while operating your printer and their likely solutions. If you are having difficulty achieving the desired printing result, first locate the problem in the table below and then see the appropriate page for the solution.
Page 177: Troubleshooting
Using the pull tractor with the push tractor, continuous paper does not feed properly. Using the font module, the module’s fonts do not print. Using an optional interface, the printer does not operate properly. Problems and Solutions See 7-24 See 7-28...
Page 178: Power Supply
Solution The power cable may be loose or not properly plugged into the electrical outlet. Turn off the printer and see that the power cable is properly plugged in to the electrical outlet. The power switch is off. Turn on the switch.
Page 179: Printing
Move the paper a little to the left. The PAPER OUT light should go off. The printer may be out of paper. Load more paper into the printer. See Chapter 2. Troubleshooting 7-5 button.
Page 180 Turn off the printer, check for paper jams or other problems, then turn the printer back on. If the printer still does not print correctly, call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800- 922-8911 to find out where to have the printer repaired.
Page 181 See Chapter 2. The print head is damaged. Stop printing and call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800-922-8911 to find out where to have the printer repaired. There is either too much slack in the ribbon or the ribbon has come loose and gotten caught on something.
Page 182 Draft: See Chapter 3. The wrong character table is selected. If your application program is capable of sending control codes, specify the Epson Extended Graphics character table using ESCt1. You can also select the graphics character table by changing a DIP switch setting. To do this, turn off the power, set DIP switch 1-7 to on, then turn on the printer.
Page 183 Problem Printed characters are not what you expected (continued). Graphic characters or lines are being printed instead the selected italic characters. The wrong international characters are being printed. Solution The wrong character table is selected. If your application program is capable of sending control codes, specify the italic character table using ESC t 0.
Page 184 Also, if your application program is capable of sending control codes, you can cancel the condensed mode by sending the DC2 code to the printer. See Chapter 9. The software may not be properly installed for your printer. Use the program’s setup (or install) procedure to...
Page 185 In BASIC, enter either of the following statements: WIDTH LPRINT 255 KIDTH “LPT1” 255 If the printer still does not print properly, set the right margin to the maximum setting using ESC Q. See Chapter 9. Troubleshooting Printing...
Page 186 Printing Problem The print position is not what you expected (continued). Page length does not match the length paper. Regular gaps occur in the printout. Skip over perforation is set, but the perforation does not fall in the center the skip. 7-12 Troubleshooting Solution...
Page 187 Chapter 1. If the self test works properly, the printer is all right, and the problem probably lies in the computer, the software, or the cable. If the self test does not work, contact the store where you purchased your printer or call the Epson toll-free number (1-800- 922-8911). Solution The printer is usually set for bidirectional printing.
Page 188: Paper Handling
See Chapter 3. The left edge guide may be set too far to the right so that the paper detector cannot sense it.
Page 189 The dimensions of the paper may exceed the specified limitations. Use only paper sizes that are within the specified range. Multi-part forms cannot be used with this printer’s single-sheet feeding system. See Chapter 8. Troubleshooting Paper Handling button. 7-15...
Page 190 7-16 Troubleshooting Solution The paper may have been between the edge guides before the printer was turned on. When loading single sheets, be sure that paper is not in the paper guide before you turn the printer on. The paper guide may not be attached, or it may not be in the correct position.
Page 191 (ON LINE on line light on). Press the LINE button once to set the printer off line, then try feeding paper. After feeding ON LINE paper, press the set the printer on line. See Chapter 3.
Page 192 Solution The paper supply may be obstructed by a cable or some other object. Make sure that the paper feeds smoothly into the printer. See Chapter 2. Your supply of continuous paper may be too far from the printer. Position your paper supply within 3 feet (1 meter) of the printer.
Page 193 The paper dimensions may exceed the specified limitations. Use only paper sizes that are within the specified range. Your printer can print on continuous multi-part forms consisting of 1 original and 1 or 2 copies. See Chapter 8. Skip over perforation may be interfering with your application program settings.
Page 194 Your program may not be sending a form feed command to the printer. At the end of your program or the page, send a form feed (FF). If you are using BASIC, be sure to add a semicolon (;) after the FF code to...
Page 195 Problem Continuous paper does not feed properly (continued). LOAD/EJECT button is pressed to eject the paper, the paper feed stops, and paper does not fully eject or it jams. Switching between single sheets and continuous paper cannot be performed properly. LOAD/EJECT When the button is pressed to...
Page 196: Continuous Paper
Paper Handling Problem Switching between single sheets and continuous paper cannot be performed properly (continued). The paper release lever is correctly set continuous paper, but LOAD/EJECT when the button is pressed, the platen rotates backward and the paper comes off the sprockets.
Page 197 One page of data may not have been sent to the printer. Finish the page by sending a form feed code (FF) to the printer or by sending enough line feed codes (LF) to advance the remainder of the page.
Page 198: Options
(only while the printer is on line). The printer may be off line. Press the LINE button to put the printer on line. The cut sheet feeder mode may be off. Set DIP switch 1-8 to on.
Page 199 Remove and reinstall the cut sheet feeder making sure that the mounting notches are properly mated with the pins on the printer. See Chapter 5. The cut sheet feeder may be out of paper. Load more paper in the cut sheet feeder’s bin.
Page 200 Options Problem Using the cut sheet feeder, the paper does not feed properly (continued). After a print command is sent from the computer, the platen rotates, but paper does PAPER feed. light is on (continued). Two or more sheets feed at the same time. 7-26 Troubleshooting Solution...
Page 201 Problem Using the cut sheet feeder, the paper does not feed properly (continued). The paper feed crooked. You tried to manually insert a single sheet, but instead paper was fed from the cut sheet feeder’s bin. Solution The paper may be old or creased. Discard it and load new, clean sheets of paper.
Page 202 You may have to change the top or bottom margin or page length for your application program. The printer may be on line. Before using the control panel buttons to feed paper, always put the printer off line light out).
Page 203 The supply of paper may be too far from the printer. Position the paper supply so that it is less than three feet or one meter away. The paper may be caught on the edge guides.
Page 204 Options Problem Using the pull tractor with the push tractor, continuous paper does not feed properly (continued). Paper feed is crooked or the paper jams (continued). Several lines space occur in the printout. Skip over perforation is set, but the skip has shifted from the perforation, or the perforation does not...
Page 205 Problem Using the pull tractor with the push tractor, continuous paper does not feed properly (continued). When the printing ends the paper feeds abruptly, and as it resumes printing, the paper feeds backward and comes off the pull tractor sprockets. LOAD/EJECT When the button is pressed to...
Page 206 Using an optional interface, the printer does not operate properly. The printer does not print or the printout is not what you expected. 7-32 Troubleshooting Solution The font module may not be fully inserted in the slot.
Page 207 See your computer manual for the correct settings. The computer and interface settings may not match. Match the settings for each condition. Two cables may be installed on the printer; only one cable may be attached at any time. Troubleshooting Options 7-33...
Page 208 Options If the printer still does not operate properly after checking the above that points, run a self test of interface to make sure there are no on-board defects. If abnormality is found, call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800-922-8911 for assistance.
Page 209: Chapter 8 Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Printer Specifications ....... Printing.........
Page 210: Printer Specifications
Printer Specifications Printing Print method: Print speed: Quality Characters per inch Draft Printing direction: Line spacing: Paper feed speed: (continuous feed) Technical Specifications 24-pin impact dot matrix Characters/second/line Bidirectional logic-seeking for text printing. Unidirectional for graphics (can also be switched to bidirectional by using the proper software command when DIP switch 2-6 is on).
Page 211: Optional Fonts
LQ Epson OCR-A LQ Epson Orator LQ Epson Orator-S Available sizes (Characters per inch) 10,12,15 10, 12, 15, Proportional 96 standard ASCII character set (including italic characters) 15 international character sets Epson Extended Graphics character set Technical Specifications 8-3 Printer Specifications...
Page 212: Paper
Printer Specifications Paper Paper width: Paper Length: Printable area: 0.22 inches (3 mm) _ or more Technical Specifications 7.2 to 10.1 inches Single sheet (182 to 257 mm) 4 to 10 inches Continuous (101 to 254 mm) 6.5 or 9.5 inches...
Page 213: Technical Specifications
*I I/. t *I\ .!+-------I* .!+-------I* *I *I l ; l ; . , Printable area I . . , Printable area I . .I .I Envelope Technical Specifications 8-5 Printer Specifications ‘0 ‘0 0.33 inches (8.5 mm) ,1,s(22mm) or more...
Page 214 Printer Specifications Paper weight: Paper thickness: Copy capacity: 24 lb paper printing is only available at normal temperature. Labels with a pressure-sensitive paper joined by line or dot glue and with a total thickness less than or equal to 0.0118 inches (0.3 mm) can be printed out under conditions of 40°F to...
Page 215: Mechanical
For all components excluding print head: 3,000,000 lines 4000 power on hours (duty 25%) 200,000,000 strokes/wire 5.51 inches (139.9 mm) Height: 16.46 inches (418.0 mm) Width: 13.66 inches (347.0 mm) Depth: 13 lbs (6 kg approx.) Weight: Technical Specifications 8-7 Printer Specifications...
Page 216: Electrical
Printer Specifications Electrical Voltage: Power consumption: Frequency: Insulation resistance: Dielectric strength (between AC line and chassis): Environment Temperature: Humidity: Shock: Vibration: Operation angle: Technical Specifications 120 VAC ± 10% 100 watts maximum 50 ± 0.5 Hz, 60 ± 0.5 Hz...
Page 217: Interface Specifications
Interface Specifications Your printer is equipped with an 8-bit parallel interface. For specifications on optional interfaces, refer to their manuals. Pin Assignments for the Parallel Interface Connector pin assignments and a description of their respective interface signals are shown in the following table.
Page 218 Interface Specifications ERROR SLCT 8-10 Technical Specifications printer controller is reset to its power-up state and the print buffer is cleared. This level is normally HIGH; its pulse width must be more than 50 microseconds at the receiving terminal. This level becomes LOW when the printer is: 1) in paper out state.
Page 219: Interface Specifications
0.2 microseconds. Data transfer must be carried out by observing the ACKNLG or BUSY signal. Data transfer to this printer can be carried out only after receipt of the ACKNLG signal or when the level of the BUSY signal is LOW.
Page 220: Printing Enabled /Disabled Signals
High/Low DC1/DC3 Low (no effect) (no effect) * While printing is disabled, character data is being received and acknowledged so that the printer can look for another DC1 character, which would allow it to resume printing. 8-12 Technical Specifications...
Page 221: Option Specifications
Stacker capacity: MCBF: Environmental condition: (444 mm (W) x 434 mm (mounted on the printer) approx. 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) Single sheet: Up to 150 sheets of 22 lb Up to 100 sheets of 17 lb Up to 100 sheets of 24 lb...
Page 222 Option Specifications Paper: 0.12 inches (3 mm) - or more 0.53 inches (13.5 mm) or more 24 lb paper printing is only available at normal temperature. Paper feed accuracy cannot be assured within 0.9” (22 mm) from either the top or bottom edges of the paper. Storage condition: 8-14 Technical Specifications...
Page 223: Initialization
Initialization There are two ways that the printer can be initialized (returned to the default settings) through the hardware and software. These are described in the following table: Hardware initialization Software initialization Default Settings The table below shows the default conditions that become valid when the printer is initialized.
Page 224 Initialization Also, the data buffer is cleared when the printer is initialized by turning on the power or by an INIT signal. Note: The user-defined character set is not cleared when the printer is initialized with the software command (ESC @).
Page 225: Chapter 9 Command Summary
Commands Arranged by Topic..... . . Printer Operation....... . .
Page 226: Using The Command Summary
The second part of this chapter lists and describes each command separately; the commands are divided into the following subjects: Printer operation MSB control Data control Vertical motion Horizontal motion...
Page 227 The simplest type of command consists of a single character to be sent to the printer. For instance, to print in condensed mode, the code format is: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 F This code can be sent from a program by sending the code 15 directly.
Page 228: Control Key Chart
Using the Command Summa y Control Key Chart Some application programs use control key codes for decimal values 0-27. The table below gives you the proper values. The Control Key column indicates that you press the control key at the same time you press the key for the letter or symbol in that column.
Page 229: Commands In Numerical Order
Select Condensed Mode ..9-25 Select Printer ....Cancel Condensed Mode ..9-26 Deselect Printer .
Page 230 Set MSB to 1 ....Reassign Graphics Mode ..Initialize Printer ....Set n/60-inch Line Spacing..9-16 Set Vertical Tabs .
Page 231 Dec. ASCII ESC N ESC O ESC P ESC Q ESC R ESC S0 ESC S1 ESCT ESC U ESC W ESC Y ESC Z ESC \ ESC a ESC b ESC g ESCk ESC1 ESCp ESC q ESC t ESC w ESC x Commands in Numerical Order...
Page 232: Commands Arranged By Topic
H e x a d e c i m a l : 1 1 Comments: Returns the printer to the selected state if it has been deselected by the printer deselect code (DC3). It does not select the printer if it has been switched off line by the Command Summary...
Page 233 Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 1 3 Comments: Puts the printer into the deselected state until the select printer code @C1) is received. The printer cannot be reselected with the ON LINE button.
Page 234 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC U Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Turns the mode on 0: Turns the mode off Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects unidirectional printing for more accurate positioning. This setting can also be performed by SelecType.
Page 235: Msb Control
MSB Control MSB means the Most Significant Bit. MSB control (ESC =, ESC >, and ESC #) does not work for graphics or user-defined characters. ESC = Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the MSB of all incoming data to 0. Some computers always send data with the MSB set to 1, which means that italics or character graphics are always printed.
Page 236: Data Control
Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 7 Comments: Sounds the printer’s beeper. Data Control Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 D...
Page 237: Vertical Motion
Vertical Motion Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 C Comments: Prints the data in the print buffer and advances the paper to the top of the next form according to the current page length. When using a cut sheet feeder, FF ejects the sheet into the stacker.
Page 238 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC N Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The variable n is the number of lines skipped between the last line printed on one page and the first line to print on the next page. For example, with the standard setting for line spacing (1/6-inch), and page length (66 lines), ESC N 6 prints 60 lines and then skips 6.
Page 239 ESC 0 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to 1/8 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The 0 is the digit zero and not ASCII code 0. ESC 2 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to 1/6 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands.
Page 240 Arranged by Topic Commands ESC 3 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 1 B 3 3 n Comments: Sets the line spacing to n/180 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands.
Page 241: Tab Vertically
Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 B Comments: Advances the paper to the next vertical tab position in the channel selected by ESC /. If no channel has been selected, channel 0 is used.
Page 242 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC b Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Functions the same as ESC B, except that the variable c selects a channel for the vertical tabs, which must be from 0 to 7. Therefore, up to eight sets of vertical tabs can be set. The channels are selected by ESC /.
Page 243: Horizontal Motion
Horizontal Motion ESC 1 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the left margin to n columns in the current character size. Settings made in the proportional mode are treated as 10 cpi. This command clears previous tab settings and all previous characters in the print line.
Page 244 Commands Arranged by Topic Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 0 8 Comments: Prints out data in the print buffer, then moves the print position one space to the left. Backspacing is possible up to, but not beyond, the left margin setting.
Page 245: Tab Horizontally
ESC \ Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Determines the position (relative to the current position) at which printing of subsequent data will start. To find calculate the displacement required in dots. If the displacement is to the left, subtract it from 65536. Send the resulting number using this formula: total number of dots = command is ignored if it would move the print position outside the current margins.
Page 246: Overall Printing Style
Commands Arranged by Topic ESC D Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: This command allows setting of up to 32 horizontal tabs, which are entered as n1, n2, n3, etc., (from 1 to 255) with the number 0 character terminating the command. The tab settings must be entered in ascending order.
Page 247 Comments: This command affects only the Letter Quality typestyle, not draft. = 0, typestyle in the printer is used. To select one of the other typestyles, use the family number of the font as shown below. For example, to choose the Prestige font, use 3 for the value of n. The...
Page 248: Print Size And Character Width
Commands Arranged by Topic Print Size and Character Width ESC P Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects 10 character per inch printing. This command is normally used to cancel 12 or 15 cpi. ESC M Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects 12 character per inch printing.
Page 249 ESC p Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns proportional mode on and off. The following values can be used for n: 1: Turns mode on. 0: Turns mode off. The width of proportional characters varies from character to character. Therefore, a narrow letter like i receives less space than a wide letter like W.
Page 250 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC SI Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Duplicates the SI command and the function of the condensed button on the control panel. Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 1 2 Comments: Cancels condensed mode set by SI, ESC SI, or SelecType and returns printing to normal.
Page 251 ESC SO Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Duplicates the SO command. ESC W Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Doubles the width of all characters. The following values can be used for 1: Turns mode on. 0: Turns mode off. Format: ASCII code: Decimal:...
Page 252: Print Enhancement
Commands Arranged by Topic ESC w Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Doubles the height of all characters. The following values can be used for n: 1: Turns mode on. 0: Turns mode off. Cannot be used with the pull tractor. Print Enhancement ESC E Format:...
Page 253 ESC G Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Makes text bolder by printing each line twice, with the second printing slightly below the first. ESC H Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels the double-strike mode selected by ESC G. ESC S0 Format: ASCII code:...
Page 254 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC S1 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal character height in the lower part of the character space. ESC T Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels either superscript or subscript. Command Summary 9-30 Cancel Superscript/Subscript Mode...
Page 255 E S C ( - Format: ASCII code: Decimal: H e x a d e c i m a l : 1 B Comments: Use decimal or hexadecimal values for all variables, not ASCII characters. Use the following values for the first 3 variables: n1 must be 3.
Page 256 3: Selects outline with shadow. This command is valid for all characters, with the exception of character codes B0H to DFH, F4H, and F5H (176 to 223, 244, and 245 decimal) in the Epson Extended Graphics character table. Command Summary 9-32...
Page 257: Word Processing
Word Processing ESC a Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the type of justification. The following values can be used for n: 0: Selects left justification. 1: Selects centering. 2: Selects right justification. 3: Selects full justification. The default setting is when the buffer becomes full;...
Page 258: Character Tables
Comments: Causes characters from the italic character table to be printed. This command is valid even if the Epson Extended Graphics character set has been selected by ESC t or by DIP switch 1-7, but the character graphics are not italicized.
Page 259 ESC 5 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels the mode selected by ESC 4. ESC R Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects one of the international character sets. The following values can be used for 0 = U S A 1 = France 2 = Germany 3 = England...
Page 260: User-Defined Characters
The variable the font family. Fonts in font cartridges (except Orator and Orator-S) can also be copied. Your printer cannot select fonts 2 to 6 if you do not have the multi-font cartridge. 0: Roman...
Page 261 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: When the Epson Extended Graphics character table is selected, ESC 6 enables the printing of codes 128 through 159 (decimal) as characters, not control codes. See the Appendix for characters printed. ESC 7 Format:...
Page 262 Commands Arranged by Topic Graphics See Chapter 4 for sample graphics programs. See the table under ESC * for graphics modes. ESC K Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on 8-pin, single-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = n1 + ESC L Format: ASCII code:...
Page 263 ESC Z Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on 8-pin, quadruple-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = n1 + ESC * Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on graphics modem. Refer to the following table for details on the available modes.
Page 264 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC ? Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Changes from one graphics mode to another. The variable s is a character (K, L, Y or Z). The variable corresponds to the mode m in the ESC * command. Command Summary 9-40 Reassign Graphics Mode...
Page 265: Appendix
Appendix Proportional Width Table ......Character Tables ........A - l...
Page 266: Proportional Width Table
Proportional Width Table This table lists the widths of your printers proportional characters. The values given are in 360ths of an inch. (For example, a value of 36 is 36/360ths of an inch.) You may need to enter these widths into a special table for your processing program so it can calculate the number of proportional characters that will fit on a line.
Page 267 Width Code 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 24/16 30/20 36/24 36/24 42/28 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 42/28 36/24 42/28 36/24 36/24 30/20 24/16 30/20 24/16 1 , x 30/20 30/20 18/12 30/20 36/24 b”...
Page 268 Proportional Width Table Code Width Code 30/20 30/20 18/12 18/12 18/12 36/24 36/24 36/24 42/28 42/28 30/20 30/20 30/20 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 42/28 30/20 30/20 36/24 42/28 30/20 30/20 18/12 30/20 36/24 36/24 36/24 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20...
Page 269 Code Code Width 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 30/20 Proportional Width Table Width 24/16 30/20 36/24 36/24 30/20 0 . . 30/20 30/20...
Page 270 Character Tables These character tables are selected by DIP switch 1-7 or the ESC t software command. For the Epson Extended Graphics character table, use of the ESC 6 or ESC 7 software command lets you select whether to print hex codes 80 to 9F as characters (ESC 6) or control codes (ESC 7).
Page 271 Epson Extended Graphics Character Table CODE O@ P I .lAQaqiia?i #3cscs&.ti~(btB $4DTdtiiijfid-kC/’ §%5EUeuBt,R(troJ &sFVfv?l.~~Jyl~,+ (8HXhxGj;iqk+@’ ;Krkti’c:jq’ii16 <L -=M]~}ifi’~(~ >N^n ’ pCl26 is*qmmn AfBp=n Character Tables I=++...
Page 272: Bidirectional Printing
See number systems. A binary digit (0 or 1), which is the smallest unit of information used by a printer or computer. See also number systems. buffer See input buffer and memory. G l o s s a r y 1...
Page 273 An optional, detachable device which automatically feeds single sheets of paper into the printer. data dump Sometimes called hex dump. A troubleshooting feature. When the printer is in the data dump mode, each code that it receives is printed in hexadecimal notation. Glossary...
Page 274: Graphics
DIP switches Small switches in a printer that control various printer functions and set the default status of the printer when it is turned on or initialized. DIP stands for Dual In-line Package. dot graphics A graphic design formed by patterns of dots. Also called bit image graphics.
Page 275: Input Buffer
ESC/P Abbreviation for Epson Standard Code for Printers. The system of commands lets you perform software control of your printer from your computer. It is standard for all Epson printers and supported by most application software for personal computers. font A font is a style of type designated by a family name.
Page 276 The printer, like a computer, has a memory. When you print a file from a computer, the contents of the file are transferred quickly from the computer’s memory to the printer’s memory. The printer then prints information from its own memory at a much slower rate.
Page 277: Print Quality
0 and 255 can be expressed by an eight-bit binary number. on line When the printer is on line, it is able to communicate with the computer connected to it. paper-out sensor A small switch behind the platen that sends a signal when it is not...
Page 278 R A M Acronym for Random Access Memory. The portion of the printer’s memory used as a buffer and as a place for storing user-defined characters. All data stored in RAM is lost when the printer is turned off. reset To return a printer to its defaults, either by a command, an INIT signal, code, or by turning the printer off and on.
Page 279 Printing in one direction only. Allows more precise vertical alignment than bidirectional printing. Often used for printing graphics. user-defined characters Characters that are defined and stored in the printer by the user. Also known as download characters. Glossary...
Page 280 Chapter 9 or the Quick Reference card. Accented characters, 3-22, -23 Accessories, see Options Application software, 1-25 Assembling printer, 1-6, -12 Auto line feed, 3-9 Buffer capacity, 3-9 Buttons, 2-14, 3-3 Character designing, 4-20, -31...
Page 281 4-6, -8, 9-26, -27 Downloading user-defined characters, 4-24 -26, 9-36 Draft font, 3-18 Emphasized mode, 4-4, -5, 4-6, -8, 9-28 Envelopes, 2-26, -27 Epson Extended Graphics, 3-22, -23, A-7 Font button, 3-4 Fonts, see also Multi-Font Module designing, 4-20, -31 downloading, 4-22, -26...
Page 282 Master select, 4-6, -8 Mathematic symbols, 3-22, -23 Micro-adjustment, 3-13 Moving printer, 6-10 print head, 1-8 Multi-Font Module, 5-28, -33 font descriptions, 5-28, -30 installation, 5-30, -32 selecting fonts, 5-33 Multi-part forms, 2-23 Multi-part light, 3-2 On line button, 3-3...
Page 283 6-4 -9 specifications, 8-7 Roman font, 3-18 Sans serif font, 3-18 SelecType options, 3-17, -19, 5-33 Self test, printer, 1-14, -21, 5-9, -10 Serial interface, see Interface boards Setting up printer, 1-1, -25 Shadow mode, 4-6, 9-32 Short tear-off, 3-14, -16...
Page 284 Troubleshooting, 7-1, -34 optional accessories, 7-24, -34 paper handling, 7-14, -23 power supply, 7-4 printing, 7-5, -13 Typestyles, 3-17, -19, 4-6, -8, 4-20, -31, see also Fonts Underline mode, 4-5, 4-6 -8, 9-31 Unpacking printer, 1-2, -3 Ventilation, 1-4 Index...
Page 285 EPSON@,qmd- 4 0 0 0 Quick Reference...
Page 286 Chapter 9. Variables are not included in this quick reference due to their complexity. For those codes that contain variables, such as ESC Q n for setting the right margin, see Chapter 9. Printer Operation Data Control ASCII Dec.
Page 287 Horizontal Motion ASCII Dec. ESC I ESC \ ESC D Overall Printing Style ASCII D e c . ESC x ESC k ESC ! Print Size and Character Width Print Enhancement ASCII Dec. ESC E ESC F ESC G ESC H ESCS0 ESCS1 ESC T...
Page 288: Character Table
Character Tables ASCII Dec. Hex. ESCt ESC 4 ESC 5 1 ESC R 82 1 52 1 Select an International Character Set User-defined Characters ASCII Dec. Hex. ESC & ESC : Graphics DIP switch settings DIP Switch 1 Description International character set Font selection Condensed mode on/off Character table...
Page 289 - edge guides printe DIP s&itch paper tension unit cover power switch...
Page 290 High-Resolution Graphics Capability w Exclusive SelecType Control Panel w Five Resident Fonts and Optional 7 in 1 Font Cartridge w Epson Advanced Paper Handling w Short Form Tear-Off I User-Selectable 8K or 1 K Buffer Epson One-Year Limited Warranty...

Epson ActionPrinter 4000 User Manual

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Setting up the Printer

Chapter 2 Paper Handling

Chapter 3 Using the Printer

Chapter 4 Software and Graphics

Chapter 5 Using the Printer Options

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

Chapter 8 Technical Specifications

Chapter 9 Command Summary

Quick Links

Chapters

Troubleshooting

Related Manuals for Epson ActionPrinter 4000

Summary of Contents for Epson ActionPrinter 4000

Table of Contents