Custom Audio Electronics P190 User manual

P 190
User’s Manual
P190
Wall printer
www.custom.it

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All rights reserved. The reproduction of this manual, either totally or partially, in any
form whatsoever, whether it be on paper or through computer processes, is strictly
prohibited. Custom Engineering s.r.l. and the resource teams employed in the making
of this manual will not be held responsible for any problems arising as a result of
improper use of this manual, as they guarantee that the information contained in it has
been subjected to careful inspection.
Any suggestions regarding errors in its contents or possible improvements will,
nonetheless, be greatly appreciated. The products are continuously checked and
improved. For this reason Custom Engineering s.r.l. reserves the right to modify the
information contained in this manual without prior notice.
COD. DOME-P190-T Revision 1.10
Copyright 1998 Custom Engineering s.r.l. – Italy
Custom Engineering
Str. Berettine 2 - 43010 Fontevivo (PARMA) - Italy
Tel. : [phone] - Fax : [phone]
http: www.custom.it Email : [email protected]

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GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING SAFETY
•Read and keep the following instructions.
•Observe all warnings and follow all instructions attached to the printer.
•Before cleaning the printer, disconnect the feed cable.
•Clean the printer with a damp cloth. Do not use liquid or spray products.
•Do not operate the printer near to water.
•Do not place the printer on unsteady surfaces. It could fall and get seriously
damaged.
•Use the type of electricity supply marked on the printer label. In the event of
uncertainty, contact the seller.
•Position the printer in such a way as to ensure that the cables connected to it will
not be damaged.
•Ensure that the maximum absorbed current of the printer does not exceed the
maximum acceptable current for the type of feed cable used.
•Do not put objects of any kind inside the printer as they could cause a short circuit
or damage parts which could affect its performance.
•Do not spill liquids on the printer.
•Do not carry out technical operations on the printer with the exception of the
scheduled maintenance operations specifically indicated in the user’s manual.
•Disconnect the printer from the electricity supply and have it repaired by a
specialized technician should any of the following conditions occur:
A. The feed connector has been damaged.
B. Liquid has penetrated to the inside of the printer;
C. The printer has been exposed to rain or water;
D. The printer is not operating normally despite the instructions in the user’s
manual having been followed.
E. The printer has been dropped and its case damaged.
F. The performance of the printer is poor.
G. The printer does not work.

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GENERAL CONTENTS
1. DESCRIPTION
1.1 General features
1.2 Product description
1.3 Technical specifications
2. INSTALLATION AND USE
2.1 Removing the printer from its packaging
2.2 Installation procedure
2.3 Connections
2.4 Configuration
2.5 Self-test
2.6 Precautions
2.7 Maintenance
3. INTERFACES
3.1 TTL serial
3.2 TTL parallel
3.3 RS232 serial (option)
3.4 CENTRONICS parallel (option)
3.5 Real Time Clock (option)
3.6 Installation of options
4. PRINTER FUNCTIONS
4.1 Printing modes
4.2 Graphics
4.3 Control characters
4.4 Character sets
CONTENTS

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TABLE CONTENTS
Table 1,technicalspecifications
Table 2, serial output signals
Table 3, parallel output signals
Table 4, control characters
FIGURE CONTENTS
Figure 1, front view
Figure 2, overall view
Figure 3, installation
Figure 4, specimen self-test
Figure 5, paper changing
Figure 6, Current Loop selection
Figure 7, printing modes
Figure 8, character sets
APPENDIX CONTENTS
APPENDIX A
A.1 RS232 serial connection with PC
A.2 Centronics parallel connection with PC
APPENDIX B
B.1 PSM05 power supply
B.2 ALI 9/40
APPENDIX C
C.1 Enabling of keyboard configuration function
CONTENTS

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1.1 GENERAL FEATURES
TheP190 (fig.1) is anextremely simpleand functionalwall printer. It isthe idealsolution forapplications
which require the immediate printing of data on a ticket, whether they be of an industrial, professional or
laboratory nature. It is suitable for POS, weighing systems, receipts (not for tax purposes), as well as
for security, controlling and diagnostics purposes.
It has an 8-needle, rapid impact printing mechanism and uses 57.5 mm wide paper rolls.
The P 190 printer is so light-weight and compact that it can be easily fitted on any kind of machinery.
It can be personally programmed and is thus able to meet all possible requirements. It has a 150 byte
print buffer and, as an option, can be equipped with a 2 Kbyte EEPROM. It has TTL serial and parallel
interfaces as standard or RS232 serial and CENTRONICS parallel interfaces as an option. It can, in
addition, be equipped with a Real Time Clock .
It comes in three colours and two models, with 24 and 40 columns.
FIGURE 1
DESCRIPTION

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1.2 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The P 190 printer has an ABS casing with a top covering the paper roll and print head.
The dimensions of the printer are shown in Figure 2.
The keyboard, located on the front of the printer, consists of the PRINT and FEED keys with their
respective LEDs.
FIGURE 2
• PRINT key. When this key is pressed, if the printer is in parallel pin 2 of J7 comes out of logic state “0”,
while in serial it transmits control character “$0D”; this only happens if it has been enabled by DATA4 to
logic “0” or if switch 5 of the RS232 option is in the ON position. The PRINT key LED only lights up
during printing. If the printer has a 2 Kbyte EEPROM (option, see paragraph 2.4), the contents of the
memorized blocks are trasmitted.
• FEED key. This enables the manual paper feed. If pressed briefly, when the RTCK option is installed,
the time and date are printed. When the FEED key LED lights up, it is to indicate that the logic card
power supply is correct, i.e. that it is over 3.7 V (minimum threshold below which the printer is reset and
the LED goes out).
DESCRIPTION

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1.3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Table 1 lists the main features of the two printer models: P 190 24 and 40 columns.
TABLE 1
COLUMNS 24 40
Characters (L x H mm):
Normal 1,7 x 2,6 1,1 x 2,6
Double height 1,7 x 5,2 1,1 x 5,2
Double width 3,4 x 2,6 2,2 x 2,6
Expanded 3,4 x 5,2 2,2 x 5,2
Graphic point (L x H mm) 0,33 x 0,38 0,19 x 0,38
Points per line 144 240
Printing speed:
Lines/sec. 2,5 1,5
Characters/sec. 60 60
Feed (lines/sec.) 6 3,6
Line buffer 24 byte 40 byte
Print buffer 150byte
Printing method Impactordot matrix
Character matrix 6 x 10 points
Printing mode Normalor reverse
Character set Normalandextended
Paper roll dimensions 57,5.0,5 mm xØ50 mmmax
Standard interfaces TTLserial andparallel
Optional interfaces Currentloop RS232serial
Centronicsparallel
Power supply double or single 5 Vcc ± 10%
Absorption
Mediumwhenonstandby 38 mA
Mediumwhenprinting 880 mA
Impulsewhenprinting 3,5 A (600 µSec)
Environmental conditions
Operatingtemperature 0°C - +50°C
Operatinghumidity 35% - 85%
Storagetemperature/humidity -20°C - +70°C / 10%-90%
Options Real time Clock, power pack 2 Kbyte EEPROM
DESCRIPTION

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2.1 REMOVING THE PRINTER FROM ITS PACKAGING
Open the package and check that:
a) none of the parts have been damaged during transportation;
b) that the ink cartridge is fitted on the printing mechanism and the paper roll is in place;
c) the two brass screws and washers necessary for installing the printer are, in fact fitted on it
FIGURE 3
2.2 INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Make a 112 mm x 112 mm square hole in the wall where the printer is to be installed (see Figure 3).
Unscrew the two brass washers “A”, leaving the screws “B” in their holes. Insert the printer into the hole
on the wall, open the front panel and, from the back, manually screw in the two brass washers, until the
printer is firmly in place.
Insert the interface and the power supply connectors, located on the logic card.
If possible, protect the machine from direct light sources.
INSTALLATION and USE

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2.3 CONNECTIONS
Power supply
Withregardtopower supply,theP190 printerhasastandardAMPMODU1 4-pinmale(J3)typeconnector.
The power supply connector pins are marked as follows:
1 GND
2 GND
3 +VT: 5 Vcc ± 15% (printer needle power supply)
4 +VCC: 5 Vcc ± 7% (logic card power supply)
Connecting with the power supply connector (J5) can be avoided by using the flat 20-pin connector (J1)
of the logic or by replacing the latter, by special request at the order stage, with a similar 26-pin one,
thus connecting the power supply and the printer signals with a single cable. In this case, however, the
maximum length of the flat cable must not exceed 30 cm for the 20-pin version and 70 cm for the 26-pin
version. The reason for this is that current running along inside narrow wires can lead to power failures
which could interfere with the correct functioning of the printer.
Ifthe printerhas the RS232or CENTRONICSoptions, itmust besupplied by meansof theJ5 connector.
For the pin pattern required for supplying power through the logic flat cable, please refer to the following
paragraph.
LOGIC
Inthe J120-pin connector,the signalsarearrangedasfollows:
1+VT 2+VT
3 +VCC 4 +VCC
5 GND 6 GND
7 TD 8D6
9 D5 10 D4
11 D3 12 D2
13 D1 14 D0
15 D7 * 16 RESET
17 S-EN 18 READY/RTS
19 FEED 20 STB/RD
INSTALLATION and USE
TO PRINTING MECHANISM
POWER SUPPLY
CONNECTO
EXTERNAL REWINDER
CONNECTO
TO PRINT KEY
TO FEED KE
SELECTION JUMPER SETTING THROUGH
JUMPER FOR ENABLING
FRONT KEYS
CONNECTO
USER
EXTERNAL PRINT
KEY CONNECTOR

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TheJ126-pinconnector canbeusediftheflat cabledoesnotexceed700 mminlengthandhas adiameter
ofat least0.12mm2. The correspondingsignals are:
1 GND 2GND
3GND 4TP
5+VT 6+VT
7+VT 8+VT
9+VCC 10 +VCC
11 GND 12 GND
13 TD 14 D6
15 D5 16 D4
17 D3 18 D2
19 D1 20 D0
21 D7 * 22 RESET
23 S-EN 24 READY/RTS
25 FEED 26 STB/RD
* The D7 signal is not taken into consideration in cases of 7-bit programming of the parallel port.
In order to configure the P 190 with the extended character set, 8-bit programming of the parallel
interface is required.
The signals indicated have the following functions:
GND: signal ground and power supply;
+VT: power supply to the printer needles;
+VCC: power supply to the logic card;
S-EN (input): serial/parallel interface selection. If shortcircuited to ground (0), it enables serial
communication; if free (1) it enables parallel communication;
D0, ..., D7 (inputs): data bus. In parallel configuration, these correspond to the printer input data bus
(the high level indicates the binary digit 1). In serial communication, these are utilized to determine
speed of communication and transmission protocol; normally the data bus is at logic level 1: in order to
obtain logic level 0, it has to be shortcircuited to ground (GND).
Theserial baudrate canbe selectedfrom thefollowing table:
INSTALLATION and USE

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D0 D1 D2 BAUD
0 0 1 300
1 0 1 600
1 1 1 1200
0 1 1 2400
0 0 0 4800
1 0 0 9600
All the other combinations select a speed of 1200 bauds.
D3 = 1: flag-type transmission protocol. When the print buffer is full, the printer sends a low level on the
RTS signal, which interrupts transmission; when the buffer is able to receive further data, the level of
the RTS signal is then changed to 1.
D3 = 0: XON/OFF type transmission protocol. When the print buffer is full, the printer sends an
XON$13 (DC3) which interrupts transmission; when the buffer is able to receive further data, the
command XON$11 (DC1) is transmitted.
D4 = 1: when the PRINT key is pressed, nothing happens.
D4 = 0: when the PRINT key is pressed, the signal $0D (CR) is transmitted to the TD pin, if the serial
interface has been configured.
D5, D6, D7: the selection of these bits results in the serial being configured with the transmission
format listed in the table below:
D7 D6 D5 Format
1 1 1 8 bits without parity and 1 stop bit
0 1 1 8 even parity bits and 1 stop bit
0 1 0 8 odd parity bits and 1 stop bit
1 1 0 7 bits without parity and 1 stop bit
1 0 1 7 even parity bits and 1 stop bit
1 0 0 7 odd parity bits and 1 stop bit.
Remember that, in order to configure the printer in serial mode, it is necessary to shortcircuit the signal
S-EN to ground on connector J1.
RESET (input): card controller reset, active at a low level. Resetting initializes the printer’s parameters
and has the following effects:
erasure of the line buffer and printer buffer;
reading of the S-EN pin of J1 for serial or parallel configuration;
printing of the self-test if the PRINT key is pressed;
functionality check of the option cards installed, if any.
INSTALLATION and USE

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READY/RTS (output): inparallel configurationthe high levelindicates thatthe printeris readytoreceive
data. Thelowlevelindicatesthatitisonstandby(bus Y). Inserialcommunication,iftheCTS/RTS protocol
isenabled thehigh logic state(1) indicatesthat theprinter isready toreceivedata; the lowlogic state(0)
indicatesthatthe printbufferis fullandcannot receivedata. IftheserialprotocolXON/OFFis enabled,the
signalis alwayshigh.
FEED (input and output): paper feed key, active at low level. This signal is in parallel with the contacts
of FEED key on the front panel of the printer.
STB/RD (input): in parallel configuration a low level tells the printer that there is valid data on the data
bus (D0, ..., D7). In serial configuration this corresponds to the data reception pin.
TP (input and output): PRINT key, active at low level. This signal is in parallel with the contacts of the
PRINT key on the front panel of the printer.
2.4 CONFIGURATION
With the P 190 printer default parameters may be configured.
The parameters affected by configuration are:
• enabling of Real Time Clock setting;
• printing modes;
• no. of bits in parallel communication;
• enabling of seconds display;
• CRLF mode;
• enabling of printing of block 1;
• character sets;
• enabling of lapsed time meter.
The settings made are saved on the 256-byte EEPROM. As an option, a 2 Kbyte EEPROM (non
volatile memory) (see paragraph 5.1), containing 3 blocks - one of 300 bytes and two of 700 bytes - is
available, in which information of any kind can be stored. For details on memory block management
using control characters, please refer to paragraph 4.3.
The printer can either be configured through the PC or by using the front keys on the printer.
Configuration through PC
This can be done by using an IBM or IBM-compatible computer with a serial output, or else by using a
programme which can be supplied on request.
This programme, with its pull-down menus is user-friendly and prompts the operator at each stage of
the input procedure.
Configuration using PRINT and FEED keys
INSTALLATION and USE

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Configurationthroughthekeyboardis notusuallyenabled. Inordertoenableit, shortcircuittheJP1jumper
onthe printed circuit(see Appendix C).
Take care not to shortcircuit the JP3 jumper next to it (to be used for internal tests only).
If,whenthe printerisswitchedon,bothkeysarehelddown simultaneously, theprinterentersconfiguration
mode and prints the first modifiable parameter. Each time the PRINT key is pressed subsequent to this,
the variation of the parameter is shown and the its current value is printed. After entering the desired
parameter, press the FEED key to go on to the next parameter, and so on. Once all the parameters
have been entered, the printer prints a message to indicate that setting procedure has been completed.
2.5 SELF-TEST
To enable the self-test, hold down the FEED key (paragraph 1.2) while switching on the printer. The
self-test consists of the printing of the printer’s currently set data, a memory check and the printing of
the entire set of ASCII characters.
FIGURE 4
2.6 PRECAUTIONS
• Do not print when there is no paper and/or ribbon: this leads to rapid deterioration of the needles.
• Do not put objects inside the printer.
• Do not pull the printer carriage manually when the printer is ON.
• Before connecting the printer to the mains, check that the power supply or system ON/OFF switch is
in the OFF position.
• Avoid blows to any part of the printer, both during and after installation.
INSTALLATION and USE

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2.7 MAINTENANCE
Changing the paper roll
To change the paper roll, proceed as follows:
1) open the top of the printer and place the paper roll in position, following the arrow, as indicated in
figure 5;
2) insert the end of the roll in the slit (A) of the print mechanism;
3) press the FEED key (B) so that a few centimetres of paper come out of the printer;
4) insert the end into the slit on the top of the printer and close it.
FIGURE 5
Changing the ribbon. Proceed as follows:
1) open the top of the printer and remove the old ribbon cartridge, by pressing down at point (C), as
shown in figure 5;
2) insert the new ribbon, making sure that it is correctly positioned;
3) pull the ribbon tight by turning the knurled knob (D) and close the top down again.
INSTALLATION and USE

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Selectionofthe standardinterface,TTL serialandparallel, isgivenbythestatusofthe S-ENpinof J1(see
paragraph2.3).
3.1 TTL SERIAL
In the serial protocol, the signals which characterize communication are TD, RD and RTS if the RTS/
CTS protocol has been selected; alternatively, if the XON/OFF protocol has been selected, the signals
are TD and RD. The reception and transmission format is fixed at 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, without parity
bits. It is possible, however, to vary the transmission speed, as indicated in paragraph 2.3.
Transmission format
RTS/CTS protocol
dato = data
attesa = standby
XON/OFF protocol
dato = data
attesa = standby
INTERFACE

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3.2 TTL PARALLEL
In parallel communication the useable signals are:
1) 7 or 8 bit data bus;
2) STROBE signal indicating data validity;
3) READY signal indicating that the printer is ready to receive data.
Transmission format
valid data
Flow diagram
INTERFACE

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3.3 RS232 SERIAL (option)
The printer has an RS232 serial interface and current loop to be installed on the P 190 controller. The
connection is made with a 25-pin rectangular female connector. The signals on the connector pins are
indicated in Table 2. The pins which are not indicated are not connected. Figure 6 shows how to select
the operating modes.
TABLE 2
Pin Signal Direction To be connected to Description:
1,7 GND OUT GND Signal ground
2 TXD OUT RXD Receive Data. Serial output (from Host)
3 RXD IN TDX Transmit Data. Serial data input
(towards Host)
4 DTR OUT TXD Data SetReady.Printeron andoperating.
DCD (active at RS232 level high).
9 LOOP RD+ IN Data reception in current loop.
10 LOOP RD- - RD LOOP return.
11 LOOP RTS+ OUT Current loop:
ready to receive data.
12 LOOP RTS- - RTS LOOP return.
13 LOOP DTR+ OUT Current loop: indicates that the
printer is ON.
14 LOOP DTR- - DTR LOOP return.
15 LOOP TD+ OUT Current loop: positive level
data transmission
16 LOOP TD- - TD LOOP return
20 RTS OUT CTS Clear to Send. Ready to receive data
(active at RS232 level high)
INTERFACE

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Thefollowingpersonalizations maybeobtained,relativetotransmissionformatand thePRINTkey onthe
P190’s frontpanel, byusing the dip-switchon theRS232 card:
DIP 1 DIP 2 DIP 3 BAUD Speed
ON ON OFF 300
OFF ON OFF 600
OFF OFF OFF 1200
ON OFF OFF 2400
ON ON ON 4800
OFF ON ON 9600
DIP 4 Description
OFF Protocollo di trasmissione RTS/CTS
ON Protocollo di trasmissione XON/XOFF
DIP 5 Description
OFF Disabilita la trasmissione di $0D premendo il tasto PRINT
ON Abilita la trasmissione di $0D
DIP 6 DIP 7 DIP 8 Transmission format
OFF OFF OFF 8 bit senza parità, 1 bit di stop
OFF OFF ON 8 bit con parità EVEN, 1 bit di stop
ON OFF ON 8 bit con parità ODD, 1 bit di stop
ON OFF OFF 7 bit senza parità, 2 bit di stop
OFF ON OFF 7 bit con parità EVEN, 1 bit di stop
ON ON OFF 7 bit con parità ODD, 1 bit di stop
FIGURE 6
For functioning in Current Loop, solder together points 1 and 2.
For functioning in RS232 mode, solder together points 2 and 3.
INTERFACE

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3.4 CENTRONICS PARALLEL (option)
Theprintercan beequippedwith aCENTRONICSparallel interfacetobe installedonthe P190controller.
The connection is made with a 25-pin rectangular female connector. The signal layout is exactly the
same as that used by personal computers which use the same connector, as shown in Table 3. The
pins which are not indicated are not connected.
TABLE 3
Pin Signal Direction Description:
1 STROBE IN A low level impulse on this line indicates that
there is data ready to be read by the printer
2 DATA 1 IN Data transmitted to the printer: the low level
indicates binary digit 1
3DATA2 IN
4DATA3 IN
5DATA4 IN
6DATA5 IN
7DATA6 IN
8DATA7 IN
9DATA8 IN
10 ACK OUT a low level impulse indicates that the printer is
ready to receive further data
11 BUSY OUT High level active signal: indicates that the
printer cannot receive data
12 PE OUT Paper out (always to GND)
13 SELECT OUT Connection to Vcc with 4.7 ohm resistance
18 GND Pins connected to GND
19 GND
20 GND
21 GND
22 GND
23 GND
24 GND
25 GND
INTERFACE