Axiohm A721 User manual

A721 Multifunction Printer:
Owner’s Guide
7221-D100

A721 Multifunction Printer:
Owner’s Guide
7221-D100
Axiohm
Ithaca, New York

Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Therefore, before using this document, consult
your Axiohm sales representative for information that is applicable and current. Axiohm reserves the right to
improve products as new technology, components, software, and firmware become available.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Axiohm.
Copyright
Copyright © 1997, 1998 by AXIOHM
Ithaca, New York USA
All rights reserved
Printed in USA
Confidential, Unpublished
Property of AXIOHM
Trademarks
AXIOHM is the registered trademark of AXIOHM. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property
of their respective holders.
Important Information to the User
In order to ensure compliance with the Product Safety, FCC and CE marking requirements, you must use the
power supply, power cord, and interface cable which were shipped with this product or which meet the following
parameters:
Power Supply
UL Listed (QQGQ), Class 2 power supply with SELV (Secondary Extra Low Voltage), non-energy hazard output,
limited energy source, input rated 100-240 Vac, 1.5/0.8 A, 50/60 Hz, output rated 24 Vdc, 2.3 A.
Use of this product with a power supply other than the Axiohm power supply will require you to test this power
supply and Axiohm printer for FCC and CE mark certification.
Interface Cable
A shielded (360 degree) interface cable must be used with this product. The shield must be connected to the frame
or earth ground connection or earth ground reference at EACH end of the cable.
Use of a cable other than described here will require that you test this cable with the Axiohm printer and your
system for FCC and CE mark certification.
Power Cord
A UL listed, detachable power cord must be used for this product. For applications where the power supply
module may be mounted on the floor, a power cord with Type SJT marking must be used. For applications
outside the US, power cords which meet the particular country’s certification and application requirements should
be used.
Use of a power cord other than described here may result in a violation of safety certifications which are in force
in the country of use.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
Warning
Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Communication Cables
Shielded communication cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class A FCC limits.
Information to User
This equipment must be installed and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. However,
there is no guarantee that interference to radio communications will not occur in a particular commercial
installation. If this equipment does cause interference, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to contact Axiohm immediately.
The Axiohm company is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by unauthorized
modification of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than
those specified by Axiohm. The correction of interferences caused by such unauthorized modification,
substitution or attachment will be the responsibility of the user.
Industry Canada (IC)
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du
Canada.

Preface
This book is intended as a general guide for operators and supervisors who need to know how to operate the
printer. It is also intended as a technical guide for programmers and system integrators who need to know the
technical information about the printer’s communication; the programming commands that control the printer; and
the character sets and graphics that are available.
Where to Get Additional Information
The following publications contain more information about the A721 printer. Contact your sales representative to
obtain additional copies of this Owner’s Guide or any of the publications listed below.
Title Axiohm Number
A721 Multifunction Printer: Setup Guide 7221-D110
A721 Multifunction Printer: Service Guide 7221-D200

A721 Owner’s Guide Contents
August 1998 v
Contents
Contents v
Chapter 1: About the A721 Printer 1
Features and Options......................................................................................................................................... 1
Receipt Station Features............................................................................................................................. 1
Journal Station Features............................................................................................................................. 1
Slip/Validation Station Features ................................................................................................................ 2
General Features ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Options....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Maintaining and Cleaning the Printer................................................................................................................ 2
Ordering Paper and Supplies............................................................................................................................. 3
Receipt/Journal Paper ................................................................................................................................ 3
Slips and Forms.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Other Supplies............................................................................................................................................ 4
Documentation........................................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2: Operating the Printer 5
Using the Controls............................................................................................................................................. 5
Changing Paper................................................................................................................................................. 6
Changing Receipt Paper............................................................................................................................. 6
Changing Receipt/Journal Paper................................................................................................................ 8
Verifying Checks............................................................................................................................................. 10
Printing on Slips and Checks........................................................................................................................... 11
Validating Slips and Checks............................................................................................................................ 12
Changing the Ribbon Cassette......................................................................................................................... 13
Replacing the Printhead .................................................................................................................................. 14
Removing the Used Printhead.................................................................................................................. 14
Inserting the New Printhead..................................................................................................................... 15
Adjusting the Paper Low Sensor..................................................................................................................... 16
Procedure................................................................................................................................................. 17
Chapter 3: Diagnostics and Print Tests 19
Level 0 Diagnostics......................................................................................................................................... 19
Level 1 Diagnostics......................................................................................................................................... 20
Information About DIP Switch Settings................................................................................................... 20
Switch Entry Mode .................................................................................................................................. 21
Flash Download Mode............................................................................................................................. 31
Data Scope Mode..................................................................................................................................... 32

Contents A721 Owner’s Guide
August 1998
vi
Enabling or Disabling the Cover Open Switch ........................................................................................ 33
Verifying Read of MICR Characters........................................................................................................ 34
Checking MICR Noise Level................................................................................................................... 35
Selecting the Font for the MICR Check Reader....................................................................................... 35
Diagnostic Print Tests..................................................................................................................................... 36
Print Configuration Information............................................................................................................... 36
Continuous Slip Printing.......................................................................................................................... 36
Print Each Character in the ASCII Character Set..................................................................................... 37
General Print Test.................................................................................................................................... 38
Sample of Configuration Printout ............................................................................................................ 39
Adjusting the Printhead Gap.................................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 4: When Something Goes Wrong 41
Printer Not Operating...................................................................................................................................... 41
Indicators Showing a Problem ........................................................................................................................ 42
Printer Does Not Feed Receipt/Journal Paper................................................................................................. 42
Carriage and Paper Jams................................................................................................................................. 42
Slips, Forms, or Checks Not Feeding Properly............................................................................................... 43
Slips, Forms, or Checks Skew When Feeding into the Printer........................................................................ 43
Some Dots are Missing ................................................................................................................................... 43
Ribbon Tears or Frays More Quickly Than Expected..................................................................................... 44
Overall Print is Light or Smudged................................................................................................................... 44
Some Dots are Printing Light.......................................................................................................................... 44
Other Serious Problems................................................................................................................................... 45
Getting Service................................................................................................................................................ 45
Chapter 5: Communication 47
Interfaces......................................................................................................................................................... 47
Sending Commands......................................................................................................................................... 47
Using DOS to Send Commands............................................................................................................... 47
Using BASIC to Send Commands ........................................................................................................... 47
RS-232C Interface........................................................................................................................................... 48
RS-232C Interface Protocols ................................................................................................................... 48
RS-232C Interface Connectors ................................................................................................................ 49
Parallel Interface............................................................................................................................................. 52
Parallel Interface Connectors................................................................................................................... 52
Setting Switches.............................................................................................................................................. 54
Chapter 6: A721 ESC/POS Commands 57
List of A721 ESC/POS Commands................................................................................................................. 57
A721 ESC/POS Command Descriptions......................................................................................................... 59
Printer Function Commands..................................................................................................................... 59

A721 Owner’s Guide Contents
August 1998 vii
Print Characteristics Commands.............................................................................................................. 77
Graphics Commands................................................................................................................................ 84
Printer Status Commands......................................................................................................................... 87
Real Time Commands.............................................................................................................................. 95
Bar Code Commands............................................................................................................................. 100
Page Mode............................................................................................................................................. 103
Flash Memory Commands ..................................................................................................................... 109
Chapter 7: Ithaca Peripherals Proprinter Emulation Commands 111
List of Ithaca Peripherals Proprinter Emulation Commands......................................................................... 111
Ithaca Peripherals Proprinter Emulation Command Descriptions................................................................. 113
Printer Function Commands................................................................................................................... 113
Print Characteristics Commands............................................................................................................ 118
Graphics Commands.............................................................................................................................. 122
Cash Drawer Status Commands............................................................................................................. 124
Chapter 8: Axiohm 5021 Printer Emulation Commands 125
List of Axiohm 5021 Emulation Commands................................................................................................. 125
Axiohm 5021 Emulation Command Descriptions......................................................................................... 126
Printer Function Commands................................................................................................................... 126
Print Characteristics Commands............................................................................................................ 132
Printer Status Commands....................................................................................................................... 133
Chapter 9: DH 4700 Emulation Commands 135
List of DH 4700 Emulation Commands........................................................................................................ 135
DH 4700 Command Descriptions ................................................................................................................. 137
Printer Function Commands................................................................................................................... 137
Print Characteristics Commands............................................................................................................ 143
Graphics Commands.............................................................................................................................. 147
Printer Status Commands....................................................................................................................... 149
Chapter 10: Flash Download Commands 151
List of Flash Download Commands.............................................................................................................. 151
Flash Download Command Descriptions...................................................................................................... 152
Chapter 11: MICR Commands and Parsing 159
MICR Commands ......................................................................................................................................... 159
MICR Parsing ............................................................................................................................................... 160
Parsing Parameter String Options.......................................................................................................... 160
Sample Parsing Formats......................................................................................................................... 162
Notes...................................................................................................................................................... 163
Check Serial Number............................................................................................................................. 164

Contents A721 Owner’s Guide
August 1998
viii
Exception Table Entry Format............................................................................................................... 165
Maintaining the Exception Table........................................................................................................... 167
Appendix A: Specifications 169
Printing Specifications .................................................................................................................................. 169
Table 1: Speed and Print Modes............................................................................................................ 169
Table 2: Paper Specifications................................................................................................................. 169
Table 3: Character and Line Specifications ........................................................................................... 170
Print Zones.................................................................................................................................................... 172
Receipt and Journal Print Zones ............................................................................................................ 172
Validation Print Zone............................................................................................................................. 173
Slip Print Zone....................................................................................................................................... 175
Dimensions.................................................................................................................................................... 175
Power Requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 176
Environmental Requirements........................................................................................................................ 176
Reliability...................................................................................................................................................... 176
Character Sets ............................................................................................................................................... 177
Code Page 437 (PC US)......................................................................................................................... 177
Code Page 850 (PC Multilingual).......................................................................................................... 178
Code Page 852 (Eastern European) ....................................................................................................... 179
Code Page 865 (Nordic Languages) ...................................................................................................... 180
Index 181

A721 Owner’s Guide Chapter 1: About the A721 Printer
August 1998 1
Chapter 1: About the A721 Printer
The A721 printer is a fast, quiet, reliable, and very compact multiple-function printer. It prints receipts and a
journal, validates and prints checks, and prints on a variety of single- or multiple-part slips. An additional option
is the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) check reader with parsing which reads account numbers on
checks for easy verification.
The industry-standard RS-232C and IEEE 1284 bi-directional parallel communication interfaces allow the A721
to be connected to any host computer. The A721 provides the following emulations: Epson 370/375 printers
(included in the A721 ESC/POS commands), Ithaca Peripherals Proprinter emulation, Axiohm 5021 printer, and
the DH 4700 printer. These emulations provide easy integration into applications written for these printers and
emulations.
Features and Options
The A721 printer comes with a variety of standard features, and can be configured with several options.
Receipt Station Features
•Standard/compressed pitch (host computer selectable): 10 to 23 characters per inch, 24-66 columns
•Drop in paper loading, requires no spindle
•Paper Status indicator light (LED) (adjustable)
Journal Station Features
•Standard/compressed pitch (host computer selectable): 10 to 23 characters per inch, 24-66 columns
•Automatic paper loading, requires no spindle or threading
•Autograph table