Digital Equipment LA310 User manual

LA310 MultiPrinter
Service Guide
digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts
Order Number: ER-LA310-SG.001

October 1992
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment
Corporationassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsthatmayappearinthisdocument.
Digital Equipment Corporation 1992.
All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC DIBOL RSX
DEC/CMS EduSystem UNIBUS
DEC/EDI IAS VAX
DECnet MASSBUS VAXcluster
DECSYSTEM-20 PDP VT
DECUS PDT
DECwriter RSTS
IBM is a registered trademark, and IBM Proprinter is a trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.
Epson, FX-850, FX-1050 and ESC/P are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corpo-
ration.
Printed in Italy.

FCC NOTICE
Thisequipmentgeneratesandusesradiofrequencyenergyandifnotinstalledandused
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, may cause
interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, wich are designed to provide
reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However,
thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticularinstallation.Ifthis
equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, wich can be
determinedbyturningtheequipmentoffandon,theuserisencouragedtotrytocorrect
the interference by one or more of the following methods.
- Reorient the receiving antenna.
- Relocate the computer or peripheral with respect to the receiver.
- Move the computer or peripheral away from the receiver.
- Plug the computer or peripheral into a different outlet so that they are on different
branch circuits than the receiver.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television
technicianforadditionalsuggestions.TheusermayfindthebookletHowtoIdentifyand
Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems, prepared by the Federal Communications
Commission helpful. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington DC, 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
To meet FCC requirements, a shielded parallel cable is required to connect the device
to a personal computer or other Class B device.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
TO THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNICATIONS
Radio Act Registration SOR/88-475
Thisdigital apparatus does notexceed the Class Blimits for radio noiseemissions from
digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radio-életriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement
surlebrouillageradio-életriqueédictéparleministéredescommunicationsduCanada.

LA 310 - Service Manual
CONTENTS
1 Overview 1-1
1.1 Identification 1-2
1.2 Recommended Tools 1-4
2 Installation 2-1
2.1 Preparation 2-1
2.1.1 Precautions and Suggestions 2-1
2.1.2 Unpackaging and Preliminary Operations 2-1
2.2 Installation 2-2
2.3 Paper Loading 2-5
2.3.1 Paper 2-5
2.3.2 Printable Area 2-7
2.3.2 Paper Handling Devices 2-8
3 Set-up 3-1
3.1 Set-up Mode Switches and Indicators 3-2
3.1.1 Entering Set-up Mode 3-3
3.1.2 Printing the Printer's Current Configuration 3-4
3.1.3 Changing the Printer's Configuration 3-5
3.1.4 Saving New Values and Exiting Set-up Mode 3-8
3.1.5 Recalling the Factory Defaults 3-8
3.1.6 Optional Emulation Selection Set-up 3-8
3.1.7 Error Conditions in Set-up Mode 3-9
4 Tests & Diagnostics 4-1
4.1 T & D Summary 4-1
4.2 Power up Diagnostic 4-2
4.3 Alignment Tests 4-2
4.3.1 "H" Pattern Self Test 4-2
4.3.2 Print Head Pattern Test 4-3
4.3.3 PLU/PLD Test 4-3
4.3.4 Carriage Motion Test 4-4
4.3.5 Paper Sensor Adjustment 4-4
i

4.4 Service Tests 4-5
4.4.1 Printing Self Test 4-5
4.4.2 LA310 MultiPrinter Service Test 4-5
4.4.3 Serial Port Loopback Self Test 4-7
4.4.4 Parallel Port Loopback Self Test 4-8
5 Troubleshooting 5-1
5.1 General Rules 5-1
5.2 Fault Isolation 5-2
5.3 Fault Correction 5-3
5.3.1 Power-Related Problems 5-3
5.3.2 Operation-Related Problems 5-6
5.3.3 Print-Related Problems 5-8
5.3.4 Ribbon or Carriage-Related Problems 5-10
6 Remove Replace 6-1
6.1 General 6-1
6.2 Printhead Replacement 6-4
6.2.1 Printhead-Platen Distance Adjustment 6-5
6.3 Cover Replacement 6-6
6.4 Internal Console Replacement 6-7
6.5 Mechanical Assembly Replacement 6-8
6.6 Printhead Cable Replacement 6-9
6.7 Main Board Replacement 6-10
6.8 Power Supply Replacement 6-11
6.9 Power Supply Fuse Replacement 6-12
7 Cleaning 7-1
7.1 Introduction 7-1
7.2 Cleaning 7-1
7.3 Cleaning Platen 7-1
A Appendix A-1
A.1 Printer Specifications A-1
A.2 Paper Specifications A-5
B Appendix B-1
B.1 Spares and Part Number B-1
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LA 310 - Service Manual
C Appendix C-1
C.1 Set-up Configuration C-1
C.1.1 Set-up Directory C-1
C.1.2 General Main Menu C-2
C.1.3 Protocol Selection Main Menu C-3
C.1.4 Communications Main Menu C-4
C.1.5 DEC PPL2 Main Menu C-5
C.1.6 IBM PP III Main Menu C-6
C.1.7 Epson FX-1050 Main Menu C-7
D Appendix D-1
D.1 General Block Diagram D-1
D.2 DC/AC Power Supply D-2
D.3 BA 298 Board D-4
D.3.1 I/O Signal General Description D-4
D.3.2 CPU and EPROM-SRAM-E2PROM Memories D-4
D.3.3 "LOGO" Custom D-5
D.3.4 Needle Drive Circuit D-5
D.3.5 Paper and Carriage Motor Drive Circuit D-5
D.3.6 Console LED Drive Circuit D-5
D.3.7 Reverse Channel, CTS, RTS Signal Storing Circuit D-5
D.3.8 Console Signals, Sensors and Microswitches D-5
D.3.9 BA 298 Board Block Diagram D-6
D.3.10 BA 298 Board Component Location and Function D-8
D.4 "LOGO" Custom D-10
D.4.1 "LOGO" Custom Block Diagram D-12
D.5 Schematics D-14
D.5.1 BA 298 Logic and Memory D-14
D.5.2 BA 298 Custom and Centronics Interface D-16
D.5.3 BA 298 Console and Serial Interface D-17
D.5.4 BA 298 Needle Drivers D-18
D.5.5 BA 298 Motor Drivers D-19
D.5.6 BA 298 Power Supply D-20
D.5.7 BA 298 Board Layout D-21
D.5.8 BA298 Board Vendor Bill of Materials D-23
iii

LA 310 - Service Manual 1-1
1
OVERVIEW
TheLA310isareliable,lowcost,widecarriage,9wiredotmatrixprinter.Itisdesigned
tobe a personaldesk top printersuitable for generalbusinessapplications in asmall to
mediumcomputerenvironment.Ithasflexiblepaperhandlingandiscapableofprinting
on single sheets, continuous forms, multiple part forms, labels, and envelopes.
TheLA310 supports serialandparallel interfaces. Both arelocatedon the mainboard.
The serial interface connects with Digital compatible systems through Digital's DEC-
connect,modular6-pintypeconnector (MMJ).Theparallelinterfaceconnectsthrough
a standard 36-pin Centronics type.
The active port is initially selected via the Setup function, though the printer can be
connected to both serial and parallel ports, and switches automatically between them
whendataisreceived.Protocolcanbedeterminedautomaticallybytheactiveport,even
iftheportischanged.Protocolcanalso be switched from the front panelorbysoftware.
The LA310 Printer contains the following protocols:
- DEC-ANSI-Compliant Printing Protocol Level 2 (DEC PPL2)
- IBM Proprinter III.
- Epson FX-1050
The printer has a slot for optional cartridges for one of the following:
- Optional emulation.
- Fonts.
- Additional character sets.
The LA310 is produced in three voltage models to meet all worldwide voltage require-
ments.
The LA310 allows the user to select either HSD, NLQ1, NLQ2 or Quiet print mode. In
Quiet Mode acoustic noise is reduced to a minimum.
The LA310 also has self test diagnostics. These are initiated by pressing front panel
switches when the power is switched on.

1-2
1.1 Identification
Table 1-1 A First Look at the Printer
Item Number Item Name
1. Rear cover (paper support) with guides
2. Paper Selection Lever
3. Platen Knob
4. Operator Control Panel
5. Prop (for holding paper support in sloping position)
6. Push tractor
7. Paper present switch on tractor
8. Power cord socket
9. Electrical data plate
10. Ruler
11. Plastic guide with red arrow head
12. Internal console
13. Metallic anti-smudge plate
14. Print head carriage
15. Print head
16. Platen
17. Bail bar and rollers
18. Parallel cable socket
19. Serial cable socket
20. Slot for optional card
21. Printhead distance lever
22. ON/OFF Switch
23. Front cover
24. Transparent cover

LA 310 - Service Manual 1-3