Axiohm A794 User manual

A794 Thermal Receipt Printer
Owner's Guide
A794-D100
TM

December 1999 i
Legal Notices
Disclaimer
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. 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 © 1999 by AXIOHM
Ithaca, New York USA
All rights reserved
Printed in USA
Confidential, Unpublished
Property of AXIOHM
Trademarks
AXIOHM is a trademark. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.
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.
Information to the 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.
Axiohm 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.

December 1999ii
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 the power supply and Axiohm printer for FCC and CE mark certification.
Communication 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 the 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 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 that 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
that are in force in the country of use.
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.
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI)
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference
by Information Technology Equipment (VCCI). If this equipment is used in a domestic
environment, radio disturbance may arise. When such trouble occurs, the user may be required
to take corrective actions.

A794 Owner’s Guide Contents
December 1999
iii
Contents
Chapter 1: About the Printer..............................................................1
Description of Printer ....................................................................2
Models Available ...........................................................................3
Model Identification ...............................................................3
Communication Interfaces..................................................... 3
Features ...........................................................................................4
Options ............................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Using the Printer............................................................... 5
Unpack the Printer.........................................................................6
Remove the Starter Paper Roll Supports ............................. 7
Choose a Location .......................................................................... 8
On a Flat Surface ..................................................................... 8
On a Wall ................................................................................. 8
Connect the Cables......................................................................... 9
Communication Cable............................................................9
Cash Drawer Cables ...............................................................10
Power Supply Cable ............................................................... 10
Printer Controls..............................................................................11
Loading Receipt Paper ..................................................................13
Configuring the Printer .................................................................16
Troubleshooting the Printer.......................................................... 18
Printer Tone and Green LED.................................................18
Printing Problems ...................................................................19
Printer Does Not Function.....................................................19
Chapter 3: Media and Supplies Guide.............................................21
Ordering Thermal Paper............................................................... 22
Thermal Paper Specifications................................................22
Manufacturers .........................................................................22
How to Order ..........................................................................22
Ordering Miscellaneous Supplies ................................................ 23
Ordering Cash Drawers .........................................................23
Ordering Power Supply and Power Cord........................... 23
Ordering Communication Cables......................................... 24
Wall-Mount Kit .......................................................................24
Chapter 4: Print Specifications .......................................................... 25
Characters .......................................................................................26
Print Modes .............................................................................26
Size............................................................................................26
Paper Specifications....................................................................... 27
Print Zones......................................................................................27
Print Zones for 80 mm Paper................................................. 27
Print Zones for 82.5 mm Paper.............................................. 29
Print Density and Density of Receipt Print Lines ......................30
Duty Cycle Restrictions (Printing Solid Blocks).........................31
Character Sets ................................................................................. 32
Code Page 437 .........................................................................32
Code Page 850 .........................................................................33

Contents A794 Owner’s Guide
December 1999
iv
Code Page 852 .........................................................................34
Code Page 858 .........................................................................35
Code Page 860 .........................................................................36
Code Page 863 .........................................................................37
Code Page 865 .........................................................................38
Code Page 866 .........................................................................39
Code Page 1252 .......................................................................40
Chapter 5: Communication Interface ...............................................41
Communication Overview............................................................42
Interface....................................................................................42
Sending Commands................................................................42
RS-232C Interface ...........................................................................43
Print Speed and Timing .........................................................43
XON/XOFF Protocol ..............................................................44
DTR/DSR Protocol .................................................................45
RS-232C Technical Specifications..........................................45
Parallel Interface.............................................................................48
Chapter 6: Programming Information ..............................................49
Command Conventions.................................................................50
List of Commands and Location ..................................................51
By Command Code.................................................................51
By Function ..............................................................................55
Comparisons ...................................................................................60
Command Descriptions.................................................................61
Printer Function Commands .................................................61
Vertical Positioning and Print Commands ..........................68
Horizontal Positioning Commands ......................................72
Print Characteristics Commands ..........................................79
Graphics Commands ..............................................................92
Status Commands ...................................................................101
Bar Code Commands..............................................................121
Page Mode Commands ..........................................................124
Macro Commands...................................................................130
User Data Storage Commands ..............................................132
Flash Download Commands .................................................135
Index ................................................................................................139

Chapter 1: About the Printer
♦
Description of Printer
♦
Models Available
Model Identification
Communication Interfaces
♦
Features
♦
Options

Chapter 1: About the Printer A794 Owner’s Guide
December 19992
Description of Printer
The A794 thermal receipt printer is extremely fast, quiet, and very reliable. With
thermal printing technology, there is no ribbon cassette to change, and paper loading is
extremely simple. The printer is small enough to fit almost anywhere and is easy to use
with the receipt exiting from the top. There is no journal as it is kept electronically by
the host system.
Paper Feed
Button
LED (Green)
Reset
Button
Back of
Printer
Communication
Connector
(RS-232C 9-pin DB-9
Connector shown)
Power
Connector DIP
Switches
6-pin Cash Drawer
Connector
Base
Top Cover
Assembly
Rear
Cover
Connector Cover

A794 Owner’s Guide Chapter 1: About the Printer
December 1999 3
Models Available
There are several models of the printer depending on the communication interface and
the combination of options selected.
Model Identification
See the sample below to determine the configuration of the printer by the printer ID
number.
A794 Model ID Key
A 7 9 4 - X X X X
1 = no knife
5 = knife
0 = standard character sets
n = other expanded language versions
1 = light gray case
2 = dark gray case
2 = 80.0 mm, 512K Flash
3 = 82.5 mm, 512K Flash
5 = 80.0 mm, 1MB Flash
6 = 82.5 mm, 1MB Flash
Communication Interfaces
♦RS-232C Serial Interface
♦IEEE 1284 Bi-Directional Parallel

Chapter 1: About the Printer A794 Owner’s Guide
December 19994
Features
Interfaces
RS-232C, Parallel
Memory/Firmware
512K Flash Memory, History EEROM, 4K Buffer (see “Options”
for additional memory.)
Resident Character
Sets
PC Code Page 437 (US), PC Code Page 850 (Multilingual), PC
Code Page 852; Code Pages 865, 858, 860, 863, 866, and 1252.
Integrated Bar Codes
Code 39, UPC-A, UPC-E, JAN8 (EAN), JAN13 (EAN), Interleaved
2 of 5, Codabar, Code 128, EAN 128, PDF-417 (two-dimensional).
Print
Host-selectable 44 or 56 columns of print on 80 mm wide thermal
paper.
Print Resolution
8 dots/mm
Speed
Up to 130 mm/second throughput.
Human Interface
Speaker for software-generated tone. Drop-in paper loading.
Configuration Menu for easy configuration.
Cash Drawer Driver
Connector for one or two cash drawers (use a “Y” cord for two
drawers.)
Options
♦Knife (Cutter)
♦Wall Mount Kit
♦Power Supply: 55 Watt/75 Watt
♦Power Cords: US, SEV, UK AC Cord, and Australia AC Cord
♦1MB memory
♦Paper Low Sensor
♦Paper Width
♦82.5 mm
♦80 mm
♦Interface Boards
♦RS 232C
♦IEEE Bi-Directional Parallel

Chapter 2: Using the Printer
♦
Unpack the Printer
Remove the Starter Paper Roll Supports
♦
Choose a Location
On a Flat Surface
On a Wall
♦
Connect the Cables
Communication Cable
Cash Drawer Cables
Power Supply Cable
♦
Printer Controls
♦
Loading Receipt Paper
♦
Configuring the Printer
♦
Troubleshooting the Printer
Printer Tone and Green LED
Printing Problems
Printer Does Not Function