Page 3 Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Epson America, Inc. 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: Table Of Contents
Assembling the Printer ......Testing the Printer ....... . .
Page 5 Chapter 6 Maintenance Cleaning the Printer ....... . Replacing the Ribbon .......
Page 6 Chapter 9 Command Summary Using the Command Summary ..... . Commands in Numerical Order ..... . Commands Arranged by Topic .
Page 8: Introduction
Features In addition to the high-quality printing and ease of operation you have come to expect from Epson printers, the LQ-510 offers the following features: Easy paper handling, featuring automatic single-sheet loading. •...
Page 9: Options
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 LQ-510 printer. For detailed information on installing and using these options, see Chapter 5.
Page 10 Pull Tractor Unit (C800062) 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: Interface Boards
Chapter 5. About This Manual This user’s manual provides fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions on setting up and operating your Epson LQ-510 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 •...
Page 13: Where To Get Help
Epson is confident that this policy will provide you with the assistance you need. Call the Epson Consumer Information Center at 1-800-922-...
Page 14: Chapter 1 Setting U P 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 below shown and that none have been damaged. Setting Up the Printer...
Page 16 Unpacking the Printer 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 LQ-510 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.
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. 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 3. While holding down the LINE FEED button (draft mode) or FORM FEED button (Letter Quality mode), turn on the printer. The printer beeps several times and POWER and PAPER OUT 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. Setting Up the Printer 1-16...
Page 30 7. Press the ON LINE button to start the self test. A list of DIP switch settings is printed first, followed by a series of characters. The self test continues until the paper runs out or until you press the ON LINE button. Testing the Printer Setting Up the Printer 1-17...
Page 31 Note: To resume the test, press the ON LINE button once more. 9. If the paper is still loaded, press the LOAD/EJECT button or LINE 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.
Page 32 Here is part of a typical self test printed in draft mode. Draft mode Note: When using the optional cut sheet feeder, the first page of the self test printout is slightly different. For details, see the Cut Sheet Feeder section in Chapter 5. Setting Up the Printer 1-19...
Page 33 Testing the Printer Here is part of a typical self test printed in Letter Quality mode. Letter Quality mode 1-20 Setting Up the Printer...
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 Your Computer 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 LQ-510, however, it is best to use a program with the LQ-510 on its menu. If your program does not list the LQ-510, contact the software manufacturer to see if an update is available that supports the LQ-510 model.
Page 39 Setting Up the Printer 1-26...
Page 40: Chapter 2 Paper Handling
Chapter 2 Paper Handling Using Single Sheets ....... . . Loading Paper .
Page 41: 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 42 2. Turn on the printer. (The green POWER 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.
Page 43 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. 5. Press the LOAD/EJECT button once to load the paper automatically. Paper Handling...
Page 44: Reloading During Printing
Then press the LOAD/EJECT button again. 6. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line. When the ON LINE light is lit, the printer can accept data from your computer.
Page 45: Using Continuous Paper
Using Continuous Paper The push tractor built into your LQ-510 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 46: 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 47 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. 4. Slide the right sprocket unit so that it roughly matches the width of your paper, but do not lock it.
Page 48 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 49 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 50 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. Paper Handling 2-11...
Page 51 Then press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed paper to the loading position. 12. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it can accept data. The printer remembers the loading position and advances each page to the same position.
Page 52: 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 53 (less than 6 inches or 152.4 mm wide). 3. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the continuous paper 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.
Page 54 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 55 Slide the edge guides to exactly match the width of your paper. 7. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to automatically feed the single- sheet paper to the loading position. Then, press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line. 2-16 Paper Handling...
Page 56: 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 57 Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets 3. Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper position. 4. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the continuous paper to the loading position. 2-18 Paper Handling...
Page 58 Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets 5. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it can accept data. Paper Handling 2-19...
Page 59: Printing On Special Paper
For information on the printable area for envelopes, see page 2-26. The Paper Thickness Lever To accommodate various thicknesses of paper, the LQ-510 is equipped with a paper thickness lever that can be set to seven positions. These positions are identified by a scale on the printer next to the lever.
Page 60 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 61 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 62: 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 63: 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. CAUTION: Multi-part forms should not be used with the single-sheet feeding system or the optional cut sheet feeder.
Page 64 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, contact your Epson dealer. Since labels are especially sensitive to temperature and humidity, always use them under normal operating conditions.
Page 65: 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 LOAD/EJECT button to get it to feed properly.
Page 66 CAUTION: Envelope printing is only available at normal 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.
Page 67: Chapter 3 Using The Printer
Chapter 3 Using the Printer Operating the Control Panel ... 3-2 Setting the DIP Switches ......
Page 68: 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 Using the Printer MULTI-PART (orange) On when the paper thickness lever is set to position 4 or higher.
Page 69 Press this button to put the printer on line or to take it off line. When the printer is on line, the ON LINE light is on and the printer can receive and print data from the computer.
Page 70 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 71 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 72: Setting The Dip Switches
Setting the DIP Switches The LQ-510 has two sets of DIP (Dual Inline Package) switches located under a small cover above the control panel. By changing the settings of these switches, you can control various printer features, such as the character set and page length. The new settings become effective when the printer is turned on, reset, or initialized.
Page 73: The Dip Switch Tables
Required for use of user-defined (download) characters. See table 1 See table 2 Condensed Normal Graphics Italics 12 inches 11 inches 8 K B 1 KB* Bidirect. Unidirect. See table 3 Using the Printer Page 3-20 3-19 3-22 Page 3-10 3-11...
Page 74: Using The Printer
Table 2 Font selection Font SW 1-4 SW 1-5 Roman Sans Serif Slot Draft Table 3 Character spacing Spacing SW 2-7 SW 2-8 10 cpi 12 cpi 15 cpi Proportional cpi: characters per inch. Using the Printer SW 1-2 SW 1-3...
Page 75: 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 76: 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. Using the Printer 3-10...
Page 77: Skip Over Perforation
Use skip over perforation only if your program does not provide these margins. The skip over perforation setting can be set to values other than one inch by using the ESC N command. See the Command Summary in Chapter 9 for details. Using the Printer 3-11...
Page 78: 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 79: 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. 2. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed paper to the loading position. Then press the ON LINE button; the MULTI-PART light begins to blink.
Page 80: 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 81: Adjusting The Tear-Off Position
If the paper has not advanced to the top of the next page, press the ON LINE button to put the printer off line and press the FORM FEED button to advance the paper. Then put the printer back on line and paper will feed to the tear-off position.
Page 82 Using Short Tear-Off 1. Make sure the printer feeds the paper to the tear-off position after printing the document. 2. The MULTI-PART light should begin blinking, indicating that you can now use the micro-adjustment feature to make fine adjustments to the tear-off position.
Page 83: 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 84: Character Fonts
Selecting Typestyles Character Fonts The LQ-510 printer has three built-in fonts: DRAFT ROMAN SANS SERIF The DRAFT mode uses fewer dots per character for high-speed printing, which makes it ideal for rough drafts and editing work. ROMAN and SANS SERIF are Letter Quality (LQ) fonts. Letter Quality takes a little longer to print, but produces nicely formed characters suitable for most documentation requirements.
Page 85: 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 12 CPI printing. This is condensed 12 CPI printing. Selecting Typestyles Using the Printer 3-19...
Page 86: 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 87 ESC R. For more information, see the Command Summary in Chapter 9. Country 8 Japan 9 Norway 10 Denmark II 11 Spain II 12 Latin America 13 Korea 64 Legal Selecting an International Character Set ASCII code hex Using the Printer 3-21...
Page 88: 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 89 Italics Graphics 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 90: Using The Data Dump Mode
The data dump mode gives a printout of the codes reaching the printer. To use the data dump mode, follow these steps: 1. Make sure that the printer is loaded with either single-sheet or continuous paper. 3-24...
Page 91 2. If the printer is on, switch it off, then hold down the FORM FEED and LINE FEED buttons at the same time you turn on the printer. 3. Run any program that causes the printer to print (either an application program or one in any programming language).
Page 92 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 93: Chapter 4 Software And Graphics
Defining Your Characters......Sending Information to Your Printer ....
Page 94: Enhancing Your Printing
Enhancing Your Printing You can obtain a wide variety of printing effects with the LQ-510, 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 95: Character Size
Note: Proportional spacing is not available in the draft mode. Character Size In addition to the basic cpi spacings and proportional spacing, the LQ-510 offers three other modes that can change the size of your printing. These modes are double-wide, double-high, and condensed.
Page 96: Special Effects And Emphasis
Special Effects and Emphasis The LQ-510 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 97: 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. is ROMAN printing.
Page 98: Selecting Typestyles With Master Select
T h i s i s o u t l i n e w i t h s h a d o w . Selecting Typestyles With Master Select Your LQ-510 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 99 Double-strike 16 D o u b l e - w i d e 3 2 n = 49 After calculating the value of n, you use the Master Select command to send the value to the printer. ASCII: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Dec.
Page 100 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 101: 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 102: The Print Head
In order for the 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 so that the effect is that of 24 pins arranged in a single vertical column.
Page 103 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 104 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 105: 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 106: Column Reservation Numbers
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. If, on the other hand, you supply too much graphics data, the excess will be interpreted and printed as regular text.
Page 107: 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:",255 20 LPRINT CHR$(27)"*"CHR$(32)CHR$(40)CHR$(0); 30 FOR X=1 TO 120 40 LPRINT CHR$(170); NEXT X Line 20 selects single-density 24-pin graphics mode (mode 32) and also reserves 40 columns for graphics.
Page 108 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, made up of dots that overlap each other both vertically and horizontally.
Page 109 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 110 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 111 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=l TO 10: RESTORE 65 NEXT C...
Page 112: 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 113 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 114: 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 115 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 116: 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: The ESC &...
Page 117 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. User-defined Characters d 0 + d 1 + d 2...
Page 118 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 119: 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 120: 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 121: Letter Quality Characters
Letter Quality Characters If you select Letter Quality printing with the ESC xl 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 122: 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 123 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 124 Software and Graphics 4-32...
Page 125: 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 126: The Cut Sheet Feeder
Installation 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the paper guide and printer cover. 2. Replace the clear plastic part of the printer cover with the clear plastic part included with the cut sheet feeder.
Page 127 The Cut Sheet Feeder 3. Make that the paper release lever is pushed all the way to sure the rear. Using the Printer Options...
Page 128 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 129: Paper Handling
Paper Handling 1. Make sure that the cut sheet feeder mode is turned on with DIP switch 1-8 and turn on the printer. T h e C u t S h e e t F e e d e r...
Page 130 3. 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 131 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 132 Push the paper set levers back until they click into place clamp the paper against the guide rollers. Using the Printer Options paper between the paper guides, aligning it of the guide. Then adjust the right paper guide...
Page 133: 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 134 Note: To resume the test, press the ON LINE button once more. 4. To end the self test when paper is loaded, press the LOAD/EJECT button to eject the paper. Then turn off the printer. 5-10 Using the Printer Options This is the first line.
Page 135: Operating The Cut Sheet Feeder
Operating the Cut Sheet Feeder After stacking paper in the cut sheet feeder, turn on the printer and make sure that the ON LINE light is on. In on line status, a new sheet of paper loads automatically whenever a printable character or line feed command is sent to the printer.
Page 136 The Cut Sheet Feeder 1. Press the ON LINE 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.
Page 137 3. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to load the sheet. 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...
Page 138 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. 5-14...
Page 139: Removing The Cut Sheet Feeder
The Cut Sheet Feeder Removing the Cut Sheet Feeder 1. Turn off the printer and remove any paper remaining in the bin and printer. 2. 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 140 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 141: 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 142 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 143: Paper Handling
The Pull Tractor 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 144 Note: After you press the FORM FEED button, be careful not to 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 145 5. Adjust the sprocket units to match the width of the paper; then adjust the paper support so that it is halfway between the sprocket units. the sprocket 6. Fit the holes in the paper over the tractor pins on units and close the sprocket covers. Using the Printer Options 5-21...
Page 146 8. See that the paper is not crooked or wrinkled and lock the sprocket units in place. 5-22 Using the Printer Options...
Page 147 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 ON LINE button to set the printer on line.
Page 148: 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. Using the Printer Options 5-24...
Page 149 The Pull Tractor 2. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off line. Then, press the 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 150 4. Hold the front latches between your thumb and index finger a gently lift them up, slowly tilting the unit back. Then push th paper release lever to the rear. 5. Replace the paper tension unit cover as shown below. 5-26 Using the Printer Options...
Page 151 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 152: 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 153 Using the Printer Options The Multi-Font Module s c h e d u l e issue price schedule i s s u e price...
Page 154: Installation
Trader's Times, What is the 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...
Page 155 The Multi-Font Module 2. Hold the module with the rotary switch on the top and plug it into the slot. 5-31 Using the Printer Options...
Page 156 The Multi-Font Module 3. Turn the printer on; then select the slot by pressing the FONT switch on the operating panel. WARNING: Always turn off the power before inserting or removing the module; otherwise you may seriously damage the printer or the module.
Page 157: 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 the control panel.
Page 158: The Interface Boards
8 KB. If you are unsure whether you need an optional interface or would like to know more about interfaces, contact your Epson dealer. 5-34 Using the Printer Options...
Page 159: Compatible Interfaces
Compatible Interfaces The following is a list of Epson interfaces that are compatible with your LQ-510 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 number beginning with 8 and should correspond to one of the numbers listed in the table above.
Page 160 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. Using the Printer Options 5-36...
Page 161 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 162 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 163 The Interface Boards FG wire attached 1. Carefully place the interface board next to the printer as shown below. Use the CG screw to connect the round end of the FG (frame ground) wire to the main board. 2. Holding the interface board level, rotate it into position and attach it to the main board.
Page 164 I. 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 165: 8143 New Serial Interface
If you are using the #8143 optional interface board, make sure that you read through the section below on baud rate selection. You may also want to see the sections on handshaking timing and error handling for interface information specific to the LQ-510 printer. The Interface Boards Using the Printer Options...
Page 166: Error Handling
When setting the baud rate, make sure you use the bit rate selection table for printers with buffers (in the #8143 interface manual). For more information on the LQ-510’s input buffer settings, see the section on DIP switch functions in Chapter 3 of this manual.
Page 167: Chapter 6 Maintenance
Maintenance Cleaning the Printer ....... . Replacing the Ribbon .......
Page 168: 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 169 Be careful not to get water on the printer mechanism or electronic components. Do not use a hard or abrasive brush. Do not spray the inside of the printer with lubricants; unsuitable oils can damage the mechanism. Contact your Epson dealer if you think lubrication is needed. Maintenance 6-3...
Page 170: 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 the LQ-510 printer. Do not use ribbons designed for nine-pin printers. 1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then remove the printer cover.
Page 171 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 172 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 173 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 174 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 175 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 176: 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 power cable from the AC outlet.
Page 177: Chapter 7 Troubleshooting
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions ......Power Supply........Printing..
Page 178: 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 179: 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. See 7-24 See 7-28 See 7-32...
Page 180: 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 181: 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...
Page 182 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, contact your Epson dealer. The print head is overheated. Wait a few minutes; the printer resumes printing automatically when the print head cools.
Page 183 See Chapter 2. The print head is damaged. Stop printing and contact your Epson dealer 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 184 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 ESC t l. 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 185 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 186 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 187 In BASIC, enter either of the following statements: WIDTH LPRINT 255 WIDTH “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 188 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 189: Problem Solution
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 your Epson dealer. Solution The printer is usually set for bidirectional printing.
Page 190: Paper Handling
After feeding the paper, press the button again to set the printer on line. See Chapter 3. The left edge guide may be set too far to the right so that sense it.
Page 191 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 192 7-16 S o l u t i o n 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.
Page 193 (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 194 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 195 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 196 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 197: Continuous Paper
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 198 Paper Handling Problem Switching between single sheets and continuous paper cannot be performed properly (continued). paper release lever set for correctly continuous paper, but when the LOAD/EJECT button is pressed, the platen rotates backward and the paper comes off the sprockets.
Page 199 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 200: 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 201 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 202 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 not feed. The PAPER OUT light is on (continued). Two or more sheets feed at the same time.
Page 203 Problem Using the cut sheet feeder, the paper does not feed properly (continued). The paper feed is crooked. You tried to manually insert a single sheet, but instead paper was 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 204 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 205 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 206 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 207 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 backward feeds and comes off the pull tractor sprockets. When the LOAD/EJECT button is pressed to...
Page 208 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 209 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 210 Options If the printer still does not operate properly after checking the above points, run a self test of the interface to make sure that there are no on-board defects. If any abnormality is found, contact your Epson dealer. 7-34...
Page 211: Chapter 8 Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Printer Specifications ....... Printing.........
Page 212: Printer Specifications
Printer Specifications Printing Print method: Print speed: Characters per inch Quality 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 213: Optional Fonts
LQ Epson Orator-S Available sizes (Characters per inch) 10, 12, 15 10, 12, 15, Proportional 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 214: Printable Area
Printer Specifications Paper Paper width: Paper Length: Printable area: 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 Envelope (166 or 240 mm) 21/2 x 15/16 inches...
Page 215: Technical Specifications
Printer Specifications Continuous paper 0.51 inches (13 mm) or more (both sides) when the 4 to 9.5 inch (101 mm to 242 mm) width paper is used. 0.98 inches (25 mm) or more (both sides) when the 10 inch (254 mm) width paper is used.
Page 216 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 217 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: Weight: 13 lbs (6 kg approx.) Technical Specifications 8-7 Printer Specifications...
Page 218 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 219: Interface Specifications
Interface Specifications Your printer is equipped with an B-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 220 Interface Specifications 8-10 Technical Specifications...
Page 221: Interface Timing
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 222 (Data on/off control) High/Low Pulsed DC1/DC3 High High/Low Pulsed High Recv’d High/Low Pulsed High Recv’d High the printer can look for another DC1 ACKNLG Printing (Disabled/ enabled) Enabled (normal ea. char. cond.) Enabled ea. char. Disabled* ea. char. Disabled...
Page 223: Option Specifications
MCBF: Environmental condition: (444 mm (W) x 434 mm (D) x 423 mm (H)) (mounted on the printer) approx. 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) Single sheet: Up to 150 sheets of 22 lb Up to 185 sheets of 17 lb Up to 100 sheets of 24 lb...
Page 224 Option Specifications Paper: 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 7.17 to 8.50 inches Width (182 to 216 mm) 8.27 to 14.30 inches...
Page 225: Initialization
Initialization There are two ways that the printer can be initialized (returned to the default settings) through the hardware and one way through the 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 226 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 227: Chapter 9 Command Summary
Commands Arranged by Topic..... . . Printer Operation....... . .
Page 228: Using The Command Summary
Using the Command Summary This chapter lists and describes all the commands available on the LQ-510. The first part of this chapter lists all commands in numerical order and gives the number of the page where each is fully described. If you know which command you are looking for, consult the numerical list.
Page 229 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 230: Control Key Chart
Using the Command Summary Control Key Chart Some application programs use control key codes for decimal values O-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 231: Commands In Numerical Order
(one line) ....Select Condensed Mode ..9-25 Select Printer....Cancel Condensed Mode ..9-26 Deselect Printer .
Page 232 Set MSB to 1 ....Reassign Graphics Mode ..Initialize Printer ....Set n/60-inch Line Spacing..9-16 Set Vertical Tabs.
Page 233 ASCII Dec. ESC N ESC 0 ESC P ESC Q ESC R ESC S 0 ESC S 1 ESC T ESC U ESC W ESC Y ESC Z ESC \ ESC a ESC b ESC g ESC k ESC 1 ESC p ESC q ESC t...
Page 234: 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 235 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 (DCl) is received. The printer cannot be reselected with the ON LINE button.
Page 236 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 237: 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 238: 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 239: 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 240 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 (l/6-inch), and page length (66 lines), ESC N 6 prints 60 lines and then skips 6.
Page 241 ESC 0 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to l/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 l/6 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands.
Page 242 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC 3 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to n/180 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The 3 is the digit three and not ASCII code 3. The value of n must be from 0 to 255. ESC A Format: ASCII code:...
Page 243: 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 244 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 245: 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 246 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 247: 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 n1 and n2, first calculate the displacement required in dots. If the displacement is to the left, subtract it from 65536.
Page 248: 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 249 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...
Page 250: 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 251 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 252 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 253 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 254: 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 1: Turns mode on. 0: Turns mode off. Cannot be used with the pull tractor. Print Enhancement ESC E Format:...
Page 255 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 S 0 Format: ASCII code:...
Page 256 Commands Arranged by Topic ESC S l 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. 9-30 Command Summary Cancel Superscript/Subscript Mode...
Page 257 ESC ( - 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 258 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 259: Word Processing
Word Processing ESC a Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the type of justification. The following values can be used for 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 260: 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 261 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 n: 0 = USA 1 = France 2 = Germany 3 = England...
Page 262: User-Defined Characters
The variable n represents the font family. Fonts in font cartridges (except Orator and Orator-S) can also be copied. The LQ-510 cannot select fonts 2 to 6 if you do not have the multi-font cartridge.
Page 263 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 264 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 + (n2 x 256). ESC L Format: ASCII code:...
Page 265 ESC Z Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on 8-pin, quadruple-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = n1 + (n2 x 256). ESC * Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on graphics mode m. Refer to the following table for details on the available modes.
Page 266 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 m corresponds to the mode m in the ESC * command. Command Summary 9-40 Reassign Graphics Mode...
Page 267: Appendix
Appendix Proportional Width Table ......Character Tables ........
Page 268: Proportional Width Table
Proportional Width Table This table lists the widths of your printer’s 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 269 Code Width Code 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 36/24 24/16 30/20 361/24 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 30/20 30/20 18/12 30/20 36/24 30/20 Proportional Width Table Width 36/24 30/20...
Page 270 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 271 Code Width Code 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 30/20 30/20...
Page 272: Character Table
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 273 Epson Extended Graphics Character Table CODE Character Tables...
Page 275: Glossary
See number systems. A binary digit (0 or l), 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 276 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 277: Graphics
DIP switches Small switches in a printer 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 278: 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 279 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 280: 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 281 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 282: Unidirectional Printing
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 283: Index
Command descriptions are not indexed here. To locate the page number of a specific command, see 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 284 Double-wide mode, 4-3-4, 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 draft, 3-18 letter quality, 3-18 selecting, 3-8, 3-17 user-defined, 4-20—31...
Page 285 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 On line light, 3-2 Options...
Page 286 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 - 1 0 Serial interface, see Interface boards Setting up printer, 1-1—25 Shadow mode, 4-6, 9-32 Short tear-off, 3-14—16...
Page 287 Tractor see Pull tractor see Push tractor Transporting printer, 6-10 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...
Page 288 Index...
Page 290 Character Tables ASCII Dec. ESC t ESC 4 ESC 5 ESC R User-defined Characters ASCII Dec. ESC & ESC: ESC % ESC 6 ESC 7 Graphics Dec. ASCII ESC K ESC L ESC Y ESC Z ESC* ESC ? DIP switch settings DIP Switch 1 Description International character set...
Page 291 Control and ESCape Codes by Function The following control codes are listed briefly for quick reference. For a more detailed explanation, see the page reference in 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.
Page 292 Horizontal Motion ASCII Dec. ESC I ESC Q ESC $ ESC \ ESC D Overall Printing Style ASCII Dec. ESC x ESC k ESC ! Print Size and Character Width Print Enhancement ASCII Dec. ESC E ESC F ESC G ESC H ESC S 0 ESC S 1...

Epson LQ-510 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 6 Maintenance

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

Chapter 8 Technical Specifications

Chapter 9 Command Summary

Quick Links

Chapters

Troubleshooting

Related Manuals for Epson LQ-510

Summary of Contents for Epson LQ-510

Table of Contents