Digital Equipment LA50 User manual

EK-OLASO-TM-001
LASO Printer
Technical Manual

EK-OLASO-TM-001
LASO Printer
Technical Manual
Prepared by Educational Services
of
Digital Equipment Corporation

1st Edition, March 1983
Copyright© 1983 by Digital Equipment Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Printed in U.S.A
The reproduction of this material, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited. For
copy information, contact the Educational Services Department, Digital
Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this document.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard,
Massachusetts.
Digital logo DECwriter
P/OS
UNIBUS
DEC DIGITAL
Professional VAX
DECmate
LA
Rainbow VMS
DECnet
MASSBUS RSTS VT
DECUS PDP RSX
Work Processor

CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Physical Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.3
2.5.4
2.6
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Site Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Unpacking and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Repacking Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Installation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Ribbon Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Paper Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Power Up and Checkout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Interface Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Configuration Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
CHAPTER 3 OPERATOR INFORMATION
3.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Operator Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Internal Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Carriage Motion Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Print Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Loopback Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Operator Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
111

CHAPTER 4 THEORY
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.4.2.1
4.4.2.2
4.4.2.3
4.4.2.4
4.4.3
4.4.4
4.4.5
4.4.5.1
4.4.5.2
4.4.5.3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Functional Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Description of Functional Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Microprocessor/Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Communications and I/0 Data Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Data Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Data Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Baud Rate Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Interface Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Printhead Positioning and Printing Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Paper Advancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Input Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Functional Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING
5.1
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Self- Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Troubleshooting Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
CHAPTER 6 SERVICING
6.1
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.2.5
6.2.6
6.2.7
6.2.8
6.2.9
6.2.10
6.2.11
6.2.12
6.2.13
6.2.14
6.2.15
6.2.16
6.2.17
6.2.18
6.3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Removal and Replacement Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Printer Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Operating Voltage Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Fuse Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Printhead Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
PCB Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Paper Bail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Platen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Change-Gear Arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 7
Ribbon Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
Front Panel and Carriage Stop Switch Assembly-RA, RD/Front Panel,
Carriage Stop Switch and Access Cover Interlock Switch
Assembly- RB, RC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Paper-Out, Access Cover Interlock and Carriage Sensor Switch
Assembly-RA, RD/Paper-Out and Carriage Sensor Switch
Assembly-RB, RC ................................................... 6-20
Tractor Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Carriage Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22
Carriage Motor ...................................................... 6-25
Line Feed Motor .................................................... 6-26
Power Transformer, Power Switch, and Noise Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
5 V Transistor or Carriage Transistor Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-29
Lubrication ............................................................ 6-30
lV

APPENDIX A PARTS LIST
APPENDIX B ESCAPE SEQUENCE AND SWITCH SUMMARY
APPENDIX C GLOSSARY
APPENDIX D SPECIFICATIONS
FIGURES
1-1
1-2
1-3
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-S
2-6
2-7
2-8
2-9
3-1
3-2
3-3
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-S
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
S-1
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-S
6-6
6-7
6-8
6-9
6-10
6-11
6-12
6-13
6-14
6-lS
6-16
6-17
6-18
6-19
LASO Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
ASCII Chart........................................................... 1-2
Simplified Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Printer Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Unpacking/Packing Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Packing Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Ribbon Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-S
Paper Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Pinfeed Paper Insertion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Single Sheet Paper Insertion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Cable Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Configuration Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Print Test Pattern....................................................... 3-3
EIA Loopback Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
LASO Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Microprocessor/Control System Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Serial Character Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-S
Data Handling in the USART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Creation of Baud Rate Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Printing and Positioning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Paper Feed Subsystem .................................................. 4-11
Line Feed Motor Phase Patterns ......................................... 4-12
Power Supply and Wake-Up Functional Diagram .......................... 4-13
Physical/Functional Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1
Assembly Removal Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Paper and Access Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Cover Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Carriage Stop Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Panel Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Indicator and Switch Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-S
Bottom Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Printed Circuit Board Connector and Fuse Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Power Supply Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
AC Line Fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
PCB Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Printhead Clamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Printhead Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Printhead Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Print Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 S
Paper Bail ............................................................ 6-1 S
Platen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Carriage Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 7
Ribbon Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
v

6-20
6-21
6-22
6-23
6-24
6-25
6-26
6-27
6-28
6-29
6-30
TABLES
1-1
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-7
3-1
3-2
3-3
4-1
5-1
6-1
Cover Interlock-Model RB, RC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
Tractor Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Carriage Drive Assembly ............................................... 6-22
Carriage Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
Carriage Retainer ...................................................... 6-23
Carriage Wire Installation ............................................... 6-24
Carriage Wire Tension Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25
Line Feed Motor Replacement ........................................... 6-26
Paper Thickness Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28
5 V Transistor and Carriage Transistor Assembly .......................... 6-29
Lubrication Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Site Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
National Character Set ................................................. 2-11
Graphics Aspect Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
XON/XOFF and Ready/Busy Protocol ................................... 2-12
Right Margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Baud Rate Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Data Format .......................................................... 2-13
Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Self-Test Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Operator Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Printer Interface Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Troubleshooting Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Lubrication Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
VI

1.1 GENERAL
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The LASO (Figure 1-1) is a desk top, receive-only, microprocessor controlled, dot-matrix printer. The print-
er is available in four models to meet international power requirements. They are the model LASO-RA,
LASO-RB, LASO-RC, and LASO-RD which operate at 120 Vac, 220 Vac, 240 Vac, and 100 Vac respec-
tively. Print modes are either text or graphic. In the text mode, characters define the functions and charac-
ter symbols usually associated with alphanumeric printers. In the graphic mode, characters define one of64
possible I X 6 dot combinations for print. The LASO receives characters and commands through an asyn-
chronous serial interface at selectable baud rates from l l0 to 4800 baud.
1.2 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The LASO main assemblies consist of the printer mechanism, printhead, and the printed circuit board
(PCB). The PCB is reached through the bottom of the printer and contains the logic, control, and power
supply circuits.
Figure l-1 LASO Printer
1-1

1.3 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The LASO is a receive-only printer which operates as an output device for a computer. Input buffer capac-
ity is 2047 characters. The printer receives and interprets information from the computer and prints it out.
The standard character set for the LASO is based on the US ASCII character set (Figure 1-2) which
includes 94 upper- and lowercase printable characters. In addition, the printer can print the 81
Multinational, the 63 JTS Katakana, the 27 VTlOO Special Graphics, and the error indicator.
87 0 0 0
86 0 0 1
85
0 1
BITS
COLUMN
.---
0 1 2
84 83 82 Bl ROW
NUL
0
OLE
20
SP
0 0 0 0 0 0
16
0 10
SOH
1
DC1
21
!
0 0 0 1 1 1
(XONl
17
1
11
STX
2
DC2
22
II
0 0 1 0 2 2 18
2 12
ETX
3
DC3
23 #
0 0 1 1 1 3 (XOFF) 19
3
13
EOT
4
DC4
24 $
0 1 0 0 4 4 20
4
14
ENQ
5
NAK
25 %
0 1 0 1 5 5
21
5
15
ACK
6
SYN
26
&
Q 1 1 0 6 6 22
6
16
BEL
7
ETB
27
I
0 1 t 1 7 7 23
7
17
BS
10
CAN
30 (
1 0
(\
0 8 8 24
8
18
HT
11
EM
31
)
1 0 0 1 9 9 25
9
19
LF
12
SUB
32 *
, 0 1 0 1(' 10 26
A
1A
VT
13
ESC
33 +
1 0 1 1
11 11
27
8 18
FF
14
FS
34
1 1 0
(J
12 12
28 '
c
lC
CR
15
GS
35 -
1 1 0 1
13
13
29
D 1D
so
16
RS
36
1 1 1 0 14
14 30
E 1E
SI
17
us
37 I
1 1 1 1
15 15
31
F 1F
KEY
ASCII CHARACTER
Figure 1-2 ASCII Chart
0
0
40 0
32
20
41
1
33
21
42 2
34
22
43 3
35
23
44 4
36
24
45 5
37
25
46 6
38
26
47
39 7
27
50 8
40
28
51
9
41
29
52 :
42
2A
53 ;
43
28
54 <44
2C
55
=
45
20
56 >
46
2E
57
?
47
2F
ESC
1
3
33
27
1
1
60 @
48
30
61
A
49
31
62 B
50
32
63
c
51
33
64
D
52
34
65
53 E
35
66 F
54
36
67 G
55
37
70
H
56
38
71
I
57
39
72 J
58
3A
73 K
59
38
74 L
60
3C
75 M
61
30
76
N
62
3E
77
0
63
3F
OCTAL
DECIMAL
18 HEX
...._ __ ....__ ....
1-2
1
0 0
4
100 p
64
40
101
Q
65
41
102
66 R
42
103 s
67
43
104
68 T
44
105 u
69
45
106 v
70
46
107 w
71
47
110 x
72
48
111
y
73
49
112 z
74
4A
113 [
75
48
114
\.
76
4C
115 ]
77
40
116 A
78
4E
117
79 -
4F
1 1
0 1 1
1 0 1
5 6 7
120 ' 140 160
80 96 p 112
50
60
70
121
a
141
q
161
81 97
113
51
61
71
122 b 142 r 162
82 98 114
52
62
72
123 c 143 s 163
83 99 115
53
63 73
124 d 144 t 164
84
100 116
54 64 74
125 e 145 u 165
85
101
117
55
65 75
126 f 146 v 166
86
102 118
56
66
76
127 g 147 w 167
87 103 119
57
67 77
130 h 150 170
88 104 x 120
58 68 78
131
i
151
171
89 105 y
121
59 69
79
132 j 152 172
90
106
z
122
5A
6A
7A
133 k 153 { 173
91
107 123
58
68 78
134 1 154 I 174
92 108 124
5C 6C 7C
135 155 } 175
93 m 109 125
50
60
70
136 n 156 -176
94 110 126
5E
6E
7E
137 0 157
DEL
177
95
111
127
5F
6F
7F

Characters are printed by moving a 9-wire, solenoid-operated printhead horizontally along the print line
and then firing groups of discrete wires at each printing position to form 7 X 9 dot-matrix characters. An
enhanced mode prints 13 X 9 dot-matrix characters. The graphics mode printing process involves creating
a single vertical column of up to six dots for each character received.
The printer uses single sheet or pinfeed paper, a plug-in printhead, and a disposable ribbon cartridge. The
printhead and ribbon mount on the carriage assembly and are easily reached for removal and replacement.
A reversible motor drives the carriage assembly horizontally and a stepper motor drives the platen which
advances the paper vertically. A ribbon drive mechanism in the carriage assembly advances the ribbon as
the carriage moves. Control logic circuits on the PCB synchronize printhead position by print commands.
A programmed microprocessor on the control/logic PCB controls input/output, character printing, and
forms control. Figure 1-3 shows a simplified block diagram of the LASO printer.
DATA IN
CONTROL COMMUNICATIONS
LOGIC
MICROPROCESSOR
MEMORY AND
CONTROL
PRINT
AND
PAPER
FEED
CONTROL
LOGIC
INTERNAL MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL BUS
pRINTERMECHANiCs I
I I
I I
I I
I
I
L ____ _J
Figure 1-3 Simplified Block Diagram
1-3
MA-9681A

1.4 RELATED DOCUMENTS
Table 1-1 lists all the documentation available to support the LASO printer.
Table 1-1
Related Documents
Document
Title
Number
Description
Installing and Using EK-OLA50-UG Installing and operating
the LASO Printer the printer
LASO Printer EK-OLASO-RM Programming and
Programmer Reference interfacing the printer
Manual
LASO Pocket Service EK-OLA50-PS Troubleshooting and
Guide mechanical servicing
information
LASO Technical EK-OLA50-TM Installing, operating,
Manual theory of operation,
detailed troubleshooting,
and mechanical servicing
information
LASO Illustrated EK-OLA50-IP Exploded views and parts
Parts Breakdown lists
LASO Field 000-9SS Engineering drawings
Maintenance Print Set
1-4

2.1 GENERAL
CHAPTER2
INSTALLATION
This chapter contains the step-by-step procedures to inspect, install, power up, and check out the printer.
These procedures allow you to verify that the printer is not damaged and is operating properly before you
connect it to the communication system.
2.2 SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Install the printer in an area that is free from excessive dust, dirt, corrosive fumes, and vapors. Table 2-1
lists the environmental and power requirements of the printer. Figure 2-1 illustrates its overall dimensions.
Appendix D contains a complete list of specifications.
Table 2-1 Site Considerations
Consideration
Temperature
Relative humidity
Input voltage
Frequency range
Power consumption
Specification
10° to 40° C (50° to 104° F)
10% to 90%
Model LA50-RA
Model LA50-RB
Model LA50-RC
Model LA50-RD
47 to 63 Hz
104 to 128 Vac
191to235 Vac
208 to 256 Vac
90 to 110 Vac
Operating: 180 watts maximum
Idling: 16 watts
2-1

MA-10,386-C
Figure 2-1 Printer Dimensions
2.3 UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
Use this procedure to unpack and inspect the printer. You need a sharp instrument to perform this
procedure.
1. Open the top of the shipping carton (Figure 2-2).
2. Lift the printer up and out of the carton. Place it on a flat, clean work surface.
3. Remove the shock absorbing material and packing from around the printer.
4. Remove the documentation package, power cord, and ribbon.
5. Carefully inspect the printer for obvious shipping damage. Check for lost or missing items.
Report any damaged or missing items to the local carrier and your Digital branch office.
6. Remove the access cover and remove the cardboard retainer (Figure 2-3). Replace the access
cover.
7. If necessary, wipe the outer surfaces with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
2-2

Figure 2-
2 Unpacking/P .
ackmg Details
2-3

. 2 3 Packing Removal
Figure -
2-4
CARDBOARD
RETAINER
MA-10,001A

2.4 REPACKING PROCEDURES
Perform the following procedure to repack the printer for shipment.
1. Remove the ribbon cartridge, paper, and all cables.
2. Remove the access cover and secure the printhead with the cardboard retainer to prevent move-
ment while in transit. Replace the access cover (Figure 2-3).
3. Repack the printer with the shock absorbing material (Figure 2-2).
4. Seal the shipping carton with reinforced tape.
2.5 INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
Perform the following procedures to install the printer.
2.5.1 Ribbon Installation
Perform the following procedure to install the ribbon.
I. Remove the access cover.
2. Take up slack in the ribbon by turning the knob in the direction indicated by the arrow on the
cartridge.
3. Position the cartridge between the clips on the carriage and push down on the cartridge until it is
in place (Figure 2-4).
4. Replace the access cover.
MA·10,027C
Figure 2-4 Ribbon Installation
2-5

2.5.2 Paper Installation
The printer uses pinfeed or single sheet paper. The following procedure is for installation of pinfeed paper.
1. Turn off power.
2. Open paper window (Figure 2-5).
3. Remove paper cover.
4. Pull bail bar away from platen.
5. Push paper release lever toward back of printer.
6. Open paper clamps (Figure 2-6).
PLATEN
MA-10,007A
Figure 2-5 Paper Installation
2-6

7. Position paper on tractor. If paper does not fit properly, use white tractor release levers to reposi-
tion tractors.
8. Close paper clamps.
9. Turn platen knob and guide paper behind platen.
10. Advance paper until top of paper is behind bail bar.
11. Push bail bar against platen.
12. Replace paper cover.
13. Close paper window.
MA-10,009A
Figure 2-6 Pinfeed Paper Insertion
2-7

The following procedure is for installation of single sheet paper.
1. Turn off power.
2. Open paper window.
3. Pull bail bar away from platen.
4. Push paper release lever toward back of printer.
5. Push paper thr~ugh slot in paper cover and guide it to front of platen. Align paper (Figure 2- 7).
6. Pull paper release lever toward front of printer.
7. Push bail bar against platen.
8. Close paper window.
9. Turn platen knob to reposition paper.
2.5.3 Power Up and Checkout
Use this procedure to power up the printer and verify that it is operational.
1. Set the power switch to 0.
2. Plug the ac power cord into the ac power receptacle on the rear of the printer (Figure 2-8).
ALIGN PAPER r-----___,,,._
SLOT
PAPER
COVER
Figure 2- 7 Single Sheet Paper Insertion
2-8
PLATEN KNOB
/
MA-10,013A