Axiohm 7156 User manual

7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact
Slip Printer (RS-232)
Owner's Guide
7156-D100-V001

It is the policy of Axiohm IPB to improve products as new technology, components,
software, and firmware become available. Axiohm IPB, therefore, reserves the right to
change specifications without prior notice.
All features, functions, and operations described herein may not be marketed by Axiohm
IPB in all parts of the world. In some instances, photographs are of equipment prototypes.
Therefore, before using this document, consult your sales representative for information
that is applicable and current.
Copyright © 1995 AXIOHM IPB
Ithaca, New York U.S.A.
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
Confidential, Unpublished
Property of AXIOHM IPB
Axiohm IPB is the name and mark of Dardell Technologies. NCR is the name and mark of
AT&T Global Information Solutions Company. AT&T Global Information Solutions
Company is the name and mark of AT&T. Epson is the name and mark of Seiko Epson
Corporation.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
Warning
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions manual, may cause interference to
radio communications. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
interference in which case the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever
measures may be required to correct the interference.
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 IPB immediately.
The Axiohm IPB 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 IPB. The
correction of interferences caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or
attachment will be the responsibility of the user.

7156 Owner’s Guide Quick ReferenceAbout the 7156 Printer
October 1995 i
Quick Reference
This Quick Reference will direct you to key areas of the Owner's Guide. For a
complete listing of topics, see the Contents or Index.
Ordering Paper and Supplies page 5
Where to order paper and other supplies.
Setting Up the Printer page 11
How to set up the printer.
Loading and Changing Paper page 20
How to change the receipt paper.
Validating and Verifying Checks page 28
How to validate and verify checks using the optional Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition (MICR) Reader feature.
Testing the Printer page 30
Directions for running various print tests.
Solving Problems page 33
How to correct simple problems and get help for serious problems.
Diagnostics page 41
How to run the diagnostics.
RS-232C Interface page 62
Specifications for the RS-232C communication interface.
Commands page 69
Lists and descriptions of the programming commands.

Quick Reference 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 1995ii
How to Use This Book
Use this book as an installation guide for setting up and preparing the printer to
run, as a training guide for teaching users how to operate the printer, or as a
reference for programming the host system to communicate with the printer. The
book also contains information about the character sets and graphics that are
available. This book describes only RS-232C models of the 7156 printer.
See the Quick Reference, Contents, or Index for finding information.
Who Should Use this Book?
This Owner's Guide is intended as a general guide for operators and supervisors
who need to know how to set up and use 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 and the programming
commands that control the functions of the printer.
How to Obtain More Information
For more information about the 7156 printer please contact your sales
representative.
For service and disassembly procedures, service training, and parts information,
see the following items (you must be a trained service representative to service
the printer):
•7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact Slip Printer: Service Guide (7156-D200-
V001)
•Field Service Course for 7156 Printer (7156-D400-V001)
•Parts Information Manual (7156-D300-V001)
For additional copies of the Owner's Guide, contact your sales representative.

7156 Owner’s Guide Contents
October 1995 iii
Contents
About the 7156 Printer 1
Features and Options...........................................................................................2
Receipt Station...............................................................................................2
Slip Station.....................................................................................................3
Both Stations..................................................................................................3
General Features ...........................................................................................3
Options...........................................................................................................4
Thermal Printhead...............................................................................................4
Impact Printhead .................................................................................................4
Ordering Paper and Supplies..............................................................................5
Ordering Thermal Receipt Paper.................................................................5
Ordering Ribbon Cassettes...........................................................................8
Ordering Forms.............................................................................................9
Ordering the Power Supply and Cables....................................................10
Ordering Cash Drawers .............................................................................10
Maintaining and Cleaning the Printer..............................................................11
Setting Up and Using the Printer 13
What Is in the Box?............................................................................................13
Removing the Packing Material.................................................................14
Repacking the Printer .................................................................................17
Choosing a Location..........................................................................................18
Setting Switches.................................................................................................19
Connecting the Cables.......................................................................................22
Loading and Changing the Receipt Paper.......................................................25
When to Change the Paper.........................................................................25
Removing the Paper Roll............................................................................27
Putting In the Paper Roll............................................................................28
Advancing Paper.........................................................................................30

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 1995iv
Putting In and Changing the Ribbon Cassette ................................................31
Removing the Ribbon Cassette..................................................................31
Putting In the Ribbon Cassette...................................................................33
Printing on Forms or Checks............................................................................34
Validating and Verifying Checks .....................................................................36
Testing the Printer.............................................................................................38
Running the Print Test by Power Cycling the Printer..............................38
Running the Print Test by Opening and Closing the Cover....................38
Sample Print Test........................................................................................39
Paper Low Sensor..............................................................................................40
Solving Problems 33
Printer Beeps Twice...........................................................................................41
Green LED Does Not Come On/Printer Will Not Print ................................42
Red LED Flashes................................................................................................42
Red LED Is Constant.........................................................................................43
Slip or Forms Printing is Light .........................................................................44
Receipt Printing is Light or Spotty...................................................................44
LED (Slip Table) Does Not Come On ..............................................................45
Forms Skew or Catch ........................................................................................45
MICR Not Reading Properly............................................................................46
Other Serious Problems.....................................................................................46
Contacting a Service Representative................................................................47
Diagnostics 41
Level 0 Diagnostics............................................................................................50
Level 1 Diagnostics............................................................................................51
Setting Partial Cut Distance.......................................................................53
Setting Data Error and Data Buffer Options ............................................54
Ignoring/Using the Carriage Return.........................................................55
Checking and Adjusting the MICR Reader..............................................56
Verifying Read of MICR Characters..........................................................60
Running the Data Scope Mode..................................................................61
Testing the Slip and Receipt Stations........................................................63
Level 2 Diagnostics............................................................................................66
Level 3 Diagnostics............................................................................................66

7156 Owner’s Guide Contents
October 1995 v
Print Test ............................................................................................................66
Running the Print Test by Power Cycling the Printer..............................67
Running the Print Test by Opening and Closing the Cover....................67
Sample Print Test........................................................................................68
Communication 61
Communication Overview................................................................................69
Interface.......................................................................................................69
Sending Commands....................................................................................69
RS-232C Interface...............................................................................................70
XON/XOFF Protocol..................................................................................71
DTR/DSR Protocol.....................................................................................71
RS-232C Technical Specifications...............................................................72
Setting Extra RS-232C Options ..................................................................76
Commands 69
Command List....................................................................................................77
Printer Function Commands......................................................................78
Print Characteristics Commands...............................................................81
Station Select Commands...........................................................................82
Graphics Commands..................................................................................82
Printer Status Commands ..........................................................................84
Real Time Commands ................................................................................84
Bar Code Commands..................................................................................85
MICR Reader Commands..........................................................................85
Command Descriptions.....................................................................................88
Printer Function Commands......................................................................88
Print Characteristics Commands.............................................................104
Station Select Commands.........................................................................112
Graphics Commands................................................................................114
Printer Status Commands ........................................................................119
Real Time Commands ..............................................................................121
Bar Code Commands................................................................................132
MICR Reader Commands........................................................................135
MICR Parsing............................................................................................136

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 1995vi
Appendix A: Specifications 147
Printing Specifications.....................................................................................147
Power Requirements.......................................................................................148
Environmental Conditions..............................................................................148
Reliability..........................................................................................................149
Dimensions and Weight..................................................................................149
Density of Receipt Print Lines........................................................................150
Duty Cycle Restrictions (Printing Solid Blocks)............................................150
Appendix B: Print Characteristics 151
Character Size..................................................................................................151
Receipt Station...........................................................................................151
Slip Station.................................................................................................153
Print Zones.......................................................................................................157
Receipt Station...........................................................................................157
Slip Station.................................................................................................158
Character Sets ..................................................................................................159
Index.................................................................................................................163

7156 Owner’s Guide About the 7156 Printer
October 1995 1
About the 7156 Printer
The 7156 printer is a fast, quiet, relatively small and very reliable multiple
function printer. It prints receipts, validates and prints checks, and prints on a
variety of single- or multiple-part forms. There is no journal as it is kept
electronically by the host system.

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 19952
The industry-standard RS-232C communication interface allows the 7156 to be
connected to any host PC or terminal system that uses RS-232C. Control codes
are provided for easy migration of applications written for Epson as well as other
Axiohm printers.
With thermal printing technology on the more frequently used receipt station,
there is no ribbon cassette to change and paper loading is extremely simple.
Printing on single- or multiple-part forms, validating checks, and printing checks
is also easy in the accommodating slip station. An extra nice option is the
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Reader with parsing which reads
account numbers on checks for easy verification.
Features and Options
The 7156 printer comes with several features and options.
Receipt Station •Thermal printing
•Standard pitch (host selectable): 15.2 characters per inch, 44 columns
•Compressed pitch (host selectable): 19.0 characters per inch, 56 columns
•Resident bar codes
•Code 39
•Code 128
•UPC-A
•UPC-E
•JAN8 (EAN)
•JAN13 (EAN)
•Interleaved 2 of 5
•Codabar
•Drop-in paper loading requiring no spindle or threading paper
•Paper low indicator
(not available on 30XX models; see the model number on the machine label
on the right side of the printer)
•Paper exhaust
•Cover open

7156 Owner’s Guide About the 7156 Printer
October 1995 3
Slip Station •Bi-directional, impact printing
•Standard pitch (host selectable): 13.9 characters per inch, 66 columns
•Compressed pitch (host selectable: 17.1 characters per inch, 80 columns
•Printing of forms up to five plies
•Front insertion of forms with forms stop Testing one two three four five
six seven
•Side insertion of forms with override of forms stop
•Automatic and manual insertion of forms
•Form alignment sensors
•Horizontal slip table with optional extension (standard with MICR option)
•Cover open
Both Stations •Variety of print modes: double high (receipt station only), double strike (slip
station only), double wide, upside down, and rotated
•Two resident character sets:
•PC Code Page 437 (US)
•PC Code Page 850 (Multilingual)
•16K RAM available for downloadable character sets or bit-mapped graphics
(printing logos)
General Features •Industry standard RS-232C communication interface
•History EEROM for custom settings
•Remote power supply
•Power and communication support for a remote 2x20 pass-through display
•Two cash drawer kickouts
•Audible tone (controlled by application)
Note: The 7156 does not use a paper journal. The journal is kept electronically by
the host system.

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 19954
Options •Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Reader built into the slip station
for verifying checks
•Custom MICR field parsing
•Extended slip table for handling large forms (standard with MICR)
•Paper cutter (receipt station)
Thermal Printhead
The 7156 uses a thermal printhead (on the receipt station) for printing receipts,
and it is extremely fast and quiet. Since it uses heat to print directly on paper,
there is no cassette or ribbon to change, eliminating soiled fingers and paper dust.
There is no regularly scheduled maintenance for the printhead and it does not
need to be regularly cleaned. However, if it does appear dirty, wipe it with cotton
swabs and rubbing alcohol. If spotty or light printing problems persist after
cleaning the printhead, contact a service representative. See “Contacting a Service
Representative” in “Solving Problems” later in this book.
Note: The thermal printhead does not normally require cleaning if the
recommended paper grades are used. If non-recommended paper has been used
for an extended period of time, cleaning the printhead with cotton swabs and
rubbing alcohol will not be of much benefit. See “Recommended Suppliers” on
the next page for the recommended paper grades.
The printhead is designed for a very long life, but it may be replaced if needed.
Only a trained service representative may replace the printhead. See “Solving
Problems” to determine if the printhead needs to be replaced.
Impact Printhead
The bi-directional, impact printhead is designed for a very long life, but it may be
replaced if needed. Only a trained service technician may replace the impact
printhead. See “Solving Problems” later in this book to determine if the printhead
needs to be replaced.

7156 Owner’s Guide About the 7156 Printer
October 1995 5
Ordering Paper and Supplies
Thermal receipt paper, ribbon cassettes, and forms can be ordered from several
recommended and qualified suppliers.
Ordering Thermal Receipt Paper
The 7156 requires “fax grade” thermal paper with the following dimensions:
•Diameter: 80 mm maximum (3.15 in.)
•Length: 83 meters (273 ft.)
•Width: 80 mm +/- .5 mm (3.15 +/- .008 in.)
The paper must not be attached at the core. Otherwise the receipt station will be
damaged when the paper is exhausted.
The paper low LED will blink when there are about 4 1/2 meters (15 feet) of
paper left. If the paper runs out, the paper low LED stays on and the printer stops
printing.
Note: The paper low feature is not available on 30XX models. See the model
number on the machine label on the right side of the printer.
The host system will alert you that the paper in the receipt station is out
(depending on the application program running in the host system).
Recommended Suppliers for Thermal Receipt Paper
The grades of paper listed here will give the best print quality. When more than
one order number is listed, the first number provides better image density. You
may order paper from the following suppliers:
AT&T Global Information Solutions Company
Media Products Division
9995 Washington Church Road
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Voice: 1(800)543-8130 (toll free), or local listing of Media Products sales office
Stock numbers: 878559 (standard density), 856966 (light density)

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 19956
Kanzaki Specialty Papers
Imaging Products
20 Cummings Street
Ware, MA 01082-2002
Voice: 1(413)736-3216, 1(800)628-8386 (toll free)
Fax: [phone]
Paper grade: F380 (standard density), F180 (light density)
In Japan:
New OJI Paper Co., LTD
4-7-5 Ginza Chuo-Ku
Tokyo, 104, Japan
Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Paper grade: KF-740-2EX (standard density), KF-740-1EX (light density)
In Germany:
Kanzan Spezialpapiere GMBH
Postlach 101141
Nippessstraße 5
D-5160 Duren, Germany
Voice: 011 49 2421 5924 20
Paper grade: KF-60 (standard density), KF-50 (light density)
Other Qualified Suppliers for Thermal Receipt Paper
The following suppliers sell thermal receipt paper which has been tested with the
7156 and may be used if desired. Contact your supplier for information.
Appleton Papers, Inc.
825-T F Wisconsin Avenue
P. O. Box 359
Appleton, Wisconsin 54912
Voice: 1(414) 734-9841
Paper grade: T1012

7156 Owner’s Guide About the 7156 Printer
October 1995 7
Arjo-Wiggins Thermal Papers, Ltd.
Whisby Road, North Hykeham
Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 9AU
England
Voice: 44 (0) 522 681212
Fax: [phone]
Paper grade: S552, S662
Nippon Paper Industry Co., Ltd.
Business Communication Paper Division
Shin-Yurakucho Building
1-12-1, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100 Japan
Voice: 03-3218-8049
Fax: [phone]
Paper grade: TP50 KS
Ordering Ribbon Cassettes
To order ribbon cassettes, contact your sales representative or order directly from
AT&T Global Information Solutions at the following address or toll free number:
AT&T Global Information Solutions Company
Media Products Division
9995 Washington Church Road
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Voice: 1(800)543-8130 (toll free), or local listing of Media Products sales office
Stock Numbers: 198161 (purple ribbon cassette—3 million characters)
198145 (black ribbon cassette—3 million characters)

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 19958
Ordering Forms The 7156 prints on single or multiple forms in the slip station (up to five-part
forms). Forms and slips must meet the following requirements:
•Front insertion (minimum):
51 mm (2.0 in.) wide
70 mm (2.75 in.) long
•Side insertion (minimum):
203 mm (8.0 in.) wide
51 mm (2.0 in.) long
•Single-ply forms should be on paper that is greater than 15 pounds
•Multiple-part forms (up to five parts) should be no thicker than .406 mm (.016
in)
Contact your sales representative to order forms or you may order forms from
AT&T Global Information Solutions at the following address or toll free number:
AT&T Global Information Solutions Company
Media Products Division
9995 Washington Church Road
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Voice: 1(800)543-8130, or local listing of Media Products sales office

7156 Owner’s Guide About the 7156 Printer
October 1995 9
Ordering the Power Supply and Cables
Contact your sales representative to order the supplies listed in the table. The
numbers are for reference only. Suppliers may use other numbers.
Item Type Number
Power supply with attached cable to
printer and U.S. power supply cord 7156-K330-V001
Power supply with attached cable to
printer 7156-K301-V001
Power supply cord (to outlet) United States
International
United Kingdom
S.E.V.
Australia
7156-K320-V001
7156-K321-V001
7156-K322-V001
7156-K323-V001
7156-K324-V001
Communication cables
RS-232C 25-pin (host) to 9-pin
RS-232C 9-pin to 9-pin (3 meters—9.8 ft.) (3 meters—9.8 ft.) 1420-C001-0030 1416-C057-0030
Extended Slip Table 7156-K280-V001
Ordering Cash Drawers
The following cash drawers may be used with the 7156 printer:
•NCR Cash Drawer: Model 7052-K657 (switchable for
drawer 1 or drawer 2)
•M-S Cash Drawer Corp.: Model EP-125 K series, EP 127, EP-102
•APG Cash Drawer: Model 322
•Indiana Cash Drawer: Model SLD

About the 7156 Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 199510
Maintaining and Cleaning the Printer
There is no customer maintenance required for the 7156. However, you may
occasionally clean the cabinet as needed to remove dust and finger marks. Use
any household cleaner designed for plastics, but test it first on a small unseen
area. The cabinet materials and finish are durable and are resistant to the
following items:
•Cleaning solutions
•Lubricants
•Fuels
•Cooking oils
•Ultraviolet light
If the receipt paper bucket is dirty, wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.
Caution: Do not spray or try to clean the thermal printhead or the inside of the
printer with any kind of cleaner as this may damage the thermal printhead and
electronics.
If the thermal printhead appears dirty, wipe it with cotton swabs and rubbing
alcohol. If spotty or light printing problems persist after cleaning the thermal
printhead, see “Solving Problems” later in this book.
Note: The thermal printhead does not normally require cleaning if the
recommended paper grades are used. If non-recommended paper has been used
for an extended period of time, cleaning the printhead with cotton swabs and
rubbing alcohol will not be of much benefit. See “Ordering Thermal Receipt
Paper” earlier in this chapter for the recommended paper grades.

7156 Owner’s Guide Setting Up and Using the Printer
October 1995 11
Setting Up and Using the Printer
What Is in the Box?
The following items are packed in the shipping box:
•Printer enclosed in a plastic bag and foam pack
•Receipt paper roll, wrapped with a foam strip (inside receipt bucket)
•Test printout protecting the thermal printhead (inside receipt bucket)
•Cardboard support for cantilever (on slip table)
•Foam restraint for carriage (behind front cover)
•Power supply with cable connecting to printer and power supply cord
connecting to power outlet (these items are included if ordered with the
printer)
•Ribbon cassette (in box)
•Installation Report Card
•Two strain relief bushings for routing cables through the back panel
•Self-adhesive clip for securing cables under the base

Setting Up and Using the Printer 7156 Owner’s Guide
October 199512
Removing the Packing Material
1. Once the printer is removed from the foam pack and plastic bag, open the
receipt cover by pulling up on the front left corner.
2. Remove the paper roll and test printout from inside the receipt bucket.
3. Remove the foam strip from around the paper roll.