Digital Equipment LA310 User manual

LA310MultiPrinter
InstallationandUserGuide
Order Number: EK-LA310-IN. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation

November 1992
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation
assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
© 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-10 Message Router VMS
DECSYSTEM-20 PDP VT
DECUS PDT
DECwriter RSTS
dt
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 Corporation.
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 2.0.

FCC NOTICE
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed
and used 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, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct 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 ra-
dio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the
booklet How to Identify and 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.
iii

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
TO THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUNICATIONS
Radio Act Registration SOR/88-475
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions 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-électriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B
prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radio-électrique édicté par le
ministère des communications du Canada.
iv

NORMENKONFORMITÄT UND ZULASSUNGEN
Funkentstörung:
DBP-Verfügung 1046/84 und VDE 0871 - Klasse B
Dieses Gerät trägt als Nachweis, daß es den Funk-Entstöranforderungen
der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entspricht, das VDE-Funkschutzzeichen. Der
Zusatz "0871-B/P" soll in Kurzform ausdrücken, daß es sich um ein peripheres
(nicht selbständig betreibbares) Gerät handelt, das nur einzeln den Funk-
Entstöranforderungen der Grenzwertklasse B nach DIN VDE 0871/6.78 und
der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entspricht.
Wird das Gerät innerhalb einer Anlage zusammen mit anderen Geräten
betrieben, so muß bei Inanspruchnahme der "Allgemeinen (Betriebs-)
Genehmigung" nach der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 die gesamte Anlage der
Grenzwertklasse B nach DIN VDE 0871/6.78 sowie den Voraussetzungen nach
Paragraf 3 der DBP-Verfügung 1046/1984 entsprechen.
Dies ist in der Regel nur dann erfüllt, wenn das Gerät in einer Anlage
betrieben wird, die typgeprüft und mit dem VDE-Funkschutzzeichen mit
dem Zusatz "0871-B/P" gekennzeichnet ist.
NETZLEITUNG
Netzleitung muß geprüftem Typ HO5VV entsprechen.
Schallemissionswerte—Vorläufige Werteangaben nach ISO 9296 und ISO
7779/DIN45635-19:
Schalleistungspegel LWAd, B(A) Schalldruckpegel LpAm, dB(A)
(Zuschauerpositionen)
Leerlauf Keine meßbaren Geräuschemissionen Keine meßbaren Geräuschemissionen
Betrieb 7,1 bels 58 dBA
[Aktuelle Werte für spezielle Ausrüstungsstufen sind über die Digital
Equipment Vertretungen erhältlich. 1 bel = 10dBA.]
v

Contents
Preface ..................................................... xv
1 Installing the Printer
1.1 Checking the Contents of the Box ........................ 1–1
1.2 Site Considerations ................................... 1–3
1.3 A First Look at the Printer . . ........................... 1–4
1.3.1 Removing the Packing Material ....................... 1–6
1.3.2 Installing the Power Cord ........................... 1–7
1.3.3 Installing the Ribbon Cartridge ....................... 1–8
1.3.3.1 Removing and Replacing a Ribbon Cartridge .......... 1–10
1.4 Testing the Printer . ................................... 1–11
1.5 Connecting the Printer to a Computer System............... 1–19
1.5.1 Physical Connection to a Computer System .............. 1–19
1.5.2 Communication Modes . . . ........................... 1–22
1.5.3 Protocols ........................................ 1–22
1.5.4 Protocol Selection .................................. 1–22
1.5.5 Printing a File . ................................... 1–23
1.5.6 If You Have Difficulties Printing a File ................. 1–23
1.6 Matching Printer Protocol to Your Computer Application ...... 1–25
1.6.1 Matching Printer Protocol on Digital VMS Systems ....... 1–25
1.6.2 Matching Printer Protocol on a Personal Computer ........ 1–26
2 Using the Operator Control Panel
2.1 About the LA310 MultiPrinter Control Panel ............... 2–1
2.1.1 Printer Operating Buttons .......................... 2–3
2.1.2 Printer Operating Indicators ......................... 2–4

3 Loading the Paper
3.1 Paper Controls ....................................... 3–1
3.2 Loading Paper ....................................... 3–4
3.2.1 Tractor Feeding . . . ................................ 3–6
3.2.1.1 Automatic Paper Feed . . . ........................ 3–12
3.2.1.2 Viewing the Last Printed Line (Tractor-Fed Paper
Only) ........................................ 3–13
3.2.1.3 Document on Demand (Tractor-Fed Paper Only) ....... 3–13
3.2.2 Single-sheet Loading ............................... 3–15
3.2.3 Parking Continous Stationery ........................ 3–19
3.3 Adjusting the Printhead for Paper Thickness ............... 3–20
3.4 Adjusting for Paper Width .............................. 3–22
3.4.1 Paper Width—Recommended Settings . . ................ 3–22
3.5 Error Conditions During Operation ....................... 3–24
4 Configuring the Printer
4.1 What is Configuration? ................................ 4–1
4.2 Structure of the Set-up Menus . . . ........................ 4–1
4.3 Set-up Mode Buttons and Indicators ...................... 4–3
4.3.1 Entering Set-up Mode .............................. 4–3
4.3.2 Printing the Printer’s Current Configuration ............. 4–4
4.3.3 Changing the Printer’s Configuration . . ................ 4–5
4.3.4 Saving New Values and Exiting Set-up Mode ............ 4–7
4.3.5 Recalling the Factory Defaults ........................ 4–7
4.3.6 Optional Emulation Selection Set-up . . . ................ 4–8
4.3.7 Error Conditions in Set-up Mode ...................... 4–9
4.4 Summary of Set-up Features ............................ 4–10
5 Maintaining the Printer
5.1 General Maintenance . . ................................ 5–1
5.2 Correcting Simple Problems ............................. 5–1
5.2.1 Power-related Problems ............................. 5–2
5.2.2 No Printout ...................................... 5–3
5.2.3 Operation-related Problems . . ........................ 5–4
5.2.4 Print-related Problems .............................. 5–6
5.2.5 Ribbon or Carriage-related Problems . . . ................ 5–8
5.3 Service ............................................. 5–9
5.4 Digital Equipment Corporation Services . . . ................ 5–9
5.5 Calling the Service Center .............................. 5–9

A Reference Information
A.1 Specifications ........................................ A–1
A.2 Printer Accessories . ................................... A–7
B Using Font and Character Set Cartridges
B.1 Types of Cartridges ................................... B–1
B.1.1 Font Cartridges ................................... B–2
B.1.2 Character Set Cartridges . ........................... B–2
B.2 Installing a Cartridge ................................. B–2
B.3 Checking the Contents of the Cartridge . ................... B–4
B.3.1 Manual Selection of Cartridges ....................... B–4
B.3.1.1 Manual Selection of Font Cartridges ................ B–4
B.3.1.2 Manual Selection of Character Set Cartridges ......... B–4
C Defining Form Settings
C.1 User Form Length Mode ............................... C–1
C.1.1 Setting User Form Length Automatically ............... C–1
C.1.2 Setting User Form Length Manually ................... C–2
C.1.3 Checking the Form Length Value Store ................. C–3
C.2 Top of Form Setting ................................... C–4
D Printing Control Characters
D.1 Entering Control Rendition Mode ........................ D–1
E Internal Console
F Horizontal Line Adjustment
G Set-up Menu Structure
G.1 Set-up Menu Structure ................................ G–1

H DEC PPL2 Quick Reference
I IBM Proprinter III Quick Reference
J Epson FX-1050 Quick Reference
Index
Figures
1–1 Box Contents ..................................... 1–2
1–2 A First Look at the Printer . . ........................ 1–5
1–3 Removing the Packing .............................. 1–6
1–4 Plugging in the Power Cord . . ........................ 1–7
1–5 Preparing the Cartridge ............................. 1–8
1–6 Installing the Cartridge ............................. 1–9
1–7 Opening the Front Cover and Setting the Printhead
Adjustment Lever . ................................ 1–11
1–8 Fixing the Rollers . ................................ 1–13
1–9 Fixing the Rear Cover in Sloping Position ............... 1–14
1–10 Setting the Paper Selection Lever ..................... 1–15
1–11 Adjusting the Paper Guides and Repositioning the Front
Cover . . . ........................................ 1–16
1–12 Inserting Paper . . . ................................ 1–17
1–13 Interface Cable.................................... 1–20
1–14 Plugging the Interface Cable into Your Terminal . . . ....... 1–21
2–1 Operator Control Panel ............................. 2–2
3–1 Paper Controls .................................... 3–2
3–2 Loading Methods—Push Tractor (sloping) (A1), Push Tractor
(horizontal) (A2), Single-sheet (B), Pull Tractor (C) . ....... 3–5
3–3 Setting the Paper Selection Lever and Removing Rear
Cover . . . ........................................ 3–6
3–4 Unlocking and Adjusting the Tractor Clamps ............ 3–7
3–5 Opening the Tractor Doors and Threading Pinfeed Paper . . . 3–8
3–6 Closing the Tractor Doors and Adjusting Tension . . ....... 3–9
3–7 Locking the Tractors into Position ..................... 3–10
3–8 Positioning the Rear Paper Support in Sloping Position .... 3–11