Digital Equipment LG31 Administrator Guide

LG31 Printer
Installation/Operator’s Manual
Order Number EK-LG31E-IN-002
Digital Equipment Corporation

1st Edition, November 1987
2nd Edition, June 1989
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.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may
be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment
that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
© Digital Equipment Corporation. 1989. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The READER’S COMMENTS form on the last page of this document requests
the user’s critical evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
DEC DIBOL UNIBUS
DEC/CMS EduSystem VAX
DEC/MMS IAS VAXcluster
DECnet MASSBUS VMS
DECsystem–10 PDP VT
DECSYSTEM–20 PDT
DECUS RSTS
DECwriter RSX
dt
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 1.1

Contents
Preface xi
Chapter 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Overview ............................................1–1
1.2 General Description ....................................1–1
1.3 Major Components .....................................1–2
1.3.1 Control Panels . . . ..............................1–2
1.3.2 Printer Mechanism .............................1–4
1.3.3 Control Electronics..............................1–4
1.3.4 Serial Interface . . ..............................1–4
1.3.5 Power Supply ..................................1–4
1.4 Printed Circuit Boards ..................................1–4
1.5 Printer Feature Summary . ..............................1–5
1.6 Specifications . . . ......................................1–6
1.6.1 LG31 Printer Specifications . ......................1–6
1.6.2 Resident Fonts . . . ..............................1–8
1.6.3 Recommended Paper Weights .....................1–8
1.6.4 Print Speeds ..................................1–9
1.6.5 Resident Character Sets.........................1–10
iii

Chapter 2 INSTALLATION AND CHECKOUT
2.1 Overview ............................................2–1
2.2 Unpacking ...........................................2–2
2.2.1 Inspection ....................................2–2
2.2.2 Unpacking Procedure ............................2–3
2.3 Installation .........................................2–11
2.3.1 Print Ribbon Cartridge .........................2–11
2.4 Apply Power to the LG31 . . .............................2–12
2.5 Powering and Testing the LG31 Printer....................2–14
2.6 Host To LG31 Printer Set-up Procedure....................2–16
2.6.1 Interface Control Strap Settings ..................2–16
2.6.2 Serial Interface Settings for VAX/VMS. . ............2–16
2.6.3 RSX Settings .................................2–17
2.6.4 RT-11 Settings . . . .............................2–17
2.6.5 RSTS/E Settings . .............................2–18
2.7 Connecting the Host to the LG31 Printer ..................2–19
Chapter 3 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS
3.1 Introduction ..........................................3–1
3.2 Power Switch ON/OFF ..................................3–1
3.3 Outer Control Panel ....................................3–3
3.3.1 Outer Control Panel Components ..................3–4
3.3.2 Outer Control Panel Keys . . ......................3–5
3.4 Top Cover Interlock Switch ..............................3–5
3.5 Inner Control Panel ....................................3–7
3.5.1 Three-Character LED Display ....................3–10
3.5.2 Audio Alarm..................................3–10
3.5.3 Initialization Switch............................3–11
3.5.4 Key Functions . . . .............................3–12
3.6 Paper Tension Lever ..................................3–16
3.7 Print Gap Control ....................................3–17
3.8 Margin Adjust Knob...................................3–17
iv

Chapter 4 SETTING COMMUNICATIONS AND PRINT
PARAMETERS
4.1 Introduction ..........................................4–1
4.2 Interface Control—Host to Printer Interface .................4–2
4.3 Configuration Menu ....................................4–5
4.3.1 Listing the Parameters ..........................4–5
4.3.2 Communications Parameters ......................4–8
4.4 Print Characteristics ..................................4–14
4.4.1 Font . . . .....................................4–14
4.4.1.1 Style..................................4–16
4.4.1.2 CPI...................................4–17
4.4.1.3 Country (Character Sets) ..................4–18
4.4.1.4 Mode .................................4–19
4.4.1.5 Horizontal Expansion.....................4–20
4.4.1.6 Vertical Expansion . . .....................4–21
4.4.2 LPI .........................................4–22
4.4.3 Forms Control . . . .............................4–22
4.4.4 Margin Settings . . .............................4–24
4.4.5 Horizontal Tab Stops ...........................4–25
4.4.6 Vertical Tab Stops .............................4–26
4.4.7 Printer Control Straps ..........................4–26
4.5 Function Mode . . .....................................4–28
4.5.1 Printer Initialization ...........................4–28
4.5.2 Forms Setup .................................4–31
4.5.2.1 Top Of Form (TOF) . .....................4–33
4.5.3 Print Adjustment . .............................4–35
4.5.4 Forms Adjustment .............................4–36
4.5.5 Margin Setup .................................4–38
4.5.6 Reverse Form Feed ............................4–40
4.5.7 Buffer Clear ..................................4–41
v

Chapter 5 PRINTER DIAGNOSTICS
5.1 Introduction ..........................................5–1
5.2 Self-Tests ............................................5–1
5.2.1 Power-Up Self-Tests .............................5–1
5.2.2 Printing Self-Test . ..............................5–2
5.2.3 Operational Self-Test ............................5–2
5.2.3.1 Print Test Pattern . . ......................5–3
5.3 Alignment Tests . ......................................5–6
Chapter 6 PRINTER OPERATION
6.1 Introduction ..........................................6–1
6.2 Loading Paper . . ......................................6–1
6.3 Installing/Replacing Ribbon Cartridge ......................6–5
6.4 Re-Inking Ribbon ......................................6–7
6.5 Paper Motion . . . ......................................6–8
6.5.1 Form Feed ....................................6–8
6.5.2 Line Feed .....................................6–9
6.5.3 Forward Microstepping ..........................6–9
6.5.4 Reverse Microstepping ...........................6–9
6.5.5 Reverse Form Feeds .............................6–9
6.6 Aligning Paper . . ......................................6–9
6.7 Buffer Clear .........................................6–10
6.8 Low Paper Printing ...................................6–10
6.9 Hex Dump ..........................................6–13
Chapter 7 OPERATOR MAINTENANCE
7.1 Introduction ..........................................7–1
7.2 Operator Troubleshooting. . ..............................7–2
7.3 Printer Parameters ....................................7–5
7.3.1 Power-Up Parameters Set . . ......................7–6
7.3.2 Power-Up Parameters Retained ....................7–7
7.3.3 Reset State....................................7–8
vi

Appendix A LED DISPLAY LIST
A.1 List of All Control Panel Readouts . . . ..................... A–1
Appendix B PARAMETER SELECTION
Appendix C LG31 COUNTRY KITS
Index
Figures
1–1 LG31 Printer ...................................1–3
2–1 Cut Straps and Remove ...........................2–3
2–2 Opening Carton . . . ..............................2–4
2–3 Removing Metal Brackets . . . ......................2–5
2–4 Positioning Ramps . ..............................2–6
2–5 Removing Printer from Pallet ......................2–7
2–6 Top of Lower Front Interior . . ......................2–8
2–7 Top View - Shuttle Area ...........................2–9
2–8 Paper Handling Hardware . . . .....................2–10
2–9 Power Connection . .............................2–13
2–10 Cover Interlock Switch ...........................2–15
3–1 Power Switch ...................................3–2
3–2 Location of the Outer Control Panel .................3–3
3–3 Outer Control Panel ..............................3–4
3–4 Cover Interlock Switch ............................3–6
3–5 Location of the Inner Control Panel ..................3–7
3–6 The Inner Control Panel ..........................3–8
3–7 Configuration Menu ..............................3–9
3–8 The Inner Control Panel Showing Display, Audio Alarm,
Initialization Switch.............................3–11
3–9 Function Mode Key Operations ....................3–13
3–10 Paper Tension Lever, Print Gap Control, Margin Adjust . 3–17
vii

4–1 Serial Interface Connector . . . ......................4–2
4–2 Location of the Serial Interface Connector .............4–3
4–3 Configuration Menu ..............................4–7
4–4 Interface Control Straps..........................4–10
4–5 Interface Control Speed ..........................4–11
4–6 Interface Control Parity..........................4–12
4–7 Interface Control Type ...........................4–12
4–8 Font Menu ....................................4–15
4–9 Font Style ....................................4–16
4–10 Font CPI .....................................4–17
4–11 Font Country ..................................4–18
4–12 Font Mode ....................................4–19
4–13 Font Horizontal Expansion . . .....................4–20
4–14 Font Vertical Expansion ..........................4–21
4–15 Lines Per Inch .................................4–22
4–16 Forms Control .................................4–23
4–17 Margin Settings . . . .............................4–24
4–18 Horizontal Tab Stops ............................4–25
4–19 Vertical Tab Stops . .............................4–26
4–20 Printer Control Straps — Factory Setting ............4–27
4–21 Function Mode .................................4–29
4–22 Key (4) Form Size Setup Example ..................4–33
5–1 ASCII Print Test Pattern - Sample Printout ...........5–2
6–1 Sprocket Hole Dimensioning Diagram . . . .............6–2
6–2 Paper Loading Diagram ...........................6–3
6–3 Paper Loading, Lower Tractor ......................6–4
6–4 Ribbon Cartridge Installation, Paper Gap Adjuster Setting 6–5
6–5 Ribbon Cartridge Installation, Holddown and Re-Inker . . . 6–6
6–6 Ribbon Cartridge Installation, Ribbon Guide and Striker
Bar...........................................6–8
6–7 Margin Adjust Knob.............................6–10
B–1 Configuration Menu with Program Mode Parameters . . . B–2
B–2 Function Mode Options .......................... B–3
viii

Tables
1–1 LG31 Printed Circuit Boards . ......................1–5
1–2 LG31 Printer Specifications . . ......................1–6
1–3 Resident Fonts..................................1–8
1–4 Recommended Paper Weights ......................1–8
1–5 Print Speeds ...................................1–9
2–1 Default Characteristics ..........................2–18
3–1 Initial Key Functions ............................3–14
4–1 Pin Assignments . . ..............................4–4
4–2 Serial Interface Strapping Options .................4–13
4–3 Initialization Procedure ..........................4–30
4–4 Lock-Up Printer Initialization Procedure . ............4–31
4–5 Forms Setup Procedure ..........................4–32
4–6 Print Review Procedure ..........................4–35
4–7 Forms Adjustment Procedure. .....................4–37
4–8 Margin Setup Procedure .........................4–38
4–9 Reverse Form Feed Procedure .....................4–40
4–10 Buffer Clear Procedure ..........................4–41
5–1 Print Test and Diagnostic Self-Test Procedure ..........5–3
5–2 Diagnostic Fault Codes ...........................5–4
6–1 Low Paper Printing Procedure .....................6–11
7–1 Possible Mechanical Problems and Remedies ...........7–2
7–2 Possible Electrical Problems and Remedies ............7–4
7–3 Factory Settings . . . ..............................7–6
7–4 Printer Parameters Power-Up Set ...................7–7
7–5 Printer Parameters Retained on Power-Up ............7–7
7–6 Reset State Default Parameters .....................7–9
ix

Preface
Purpose
This manual provides information on the installation and operation
of the LG31 300 LPM Line Matrix Printer. It contains instructions
and procedures to help a user install, power-up, set/load, operate, and
maintain the LG31 printer.
NOTE
The LG31 printer is installed, maintained, and supported by
Digital Equipment Corporation.
Manual Organization
This manual is organized as follows:
•Chapter 1 General Information—Contains a product overview,
operational/programming features, options, and printer specifica-
tions.
•Chapter 2 Installation and Checkout – Provides step-by-step
instructions for proper unpacking/installation of the LG31 printer
and ac power cord connection.
•Chapter 3 Controls and Indicators – Describes the LG31 printer
controls and indicators.
xi

•Chapter 4 Setting Communications and Print Parameters –
Describes the parameters that may be set on the LG31 printer.
•Chapter 5 Printer Diagnostics – Describes the LG31 self-tests
and alignments test.
•Chapter 6 Printer Operation – Describes user operation proce-
dures.
•Chapter 7 Operator Maintenance – Describes operator trou-
bleshooting tools and maintenance procedures.
•Appendix A LED Display List – Contains a complete list of LG31
printer readouts.
•Appendix B Parameter Selection – Contains the program mode
parameters and the function mode options.
•Appendix C LG31 Country Kits – Contains the country kit infor-
mation.
Related Documentation
This manual is one in a series of documents listed, as follows, describing
the LG31 printer.
Title Document No.
LG31 Printer Pocket Service Guide EK-LG31E-PS
LG31 Printer User’s Guide *
LG31 Printer Installation/Operator’s
Manual *
LG31 Printer Technical Manual EK-LG31E-TM
LG31 Printer Illustrated Parts
Breakdown EK-LG31A-IP
* These two books are ordered as a kit: EK-OLG31-DK.
xii

Conventions
In writing this manual, the following conventions have been adopted for
the mechanical objects listed below
• Control Panel Keys = Capitalized key legend
Example: OFF LINE
• LED Three-Character Display = Bracketed three characters includ-
ing flashing printer mode dots
Example: [.8.8.8]
• Number Designated Keys = Parenthesis enclosed number designa-
tion
Example: (4)
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Throughout this manual Notes, Cautions, and Warnings have the follow-
ing meanings:
NOTE: The information is important to the understanding of the
process being described.
CAUTION: The information describes a process that can damage the
equipment or software.
WARNING: The information describes a process that can harm the user.
Assistance
If you have a problem with the LG31 printer, carry out the following
steps:
1. Confirm that the problem can be repeated by recreating the identical
conditions leading up to the problem. A vital step may have been
overlooked which is causing the problem.
2. Identify the problem using the ‘‘Troubleshooting’’ section in Chapter
7 and the list of LED display messages in Appendix A to determine
if the problem can be resolved in-house. If not, the local Digital
Equipment Corporation Customer Service organization should be
contacted.
xiii

3. If required, report the problem to Digital Equipment Corporation
Customer Service. Consult your service contract for the information
required to process your call.
WARNING
Dangerous voltages exist in the LG31 printer. There are no
internal user serviceable parts. Refer servicing to qualified
service personnel.
FCC Statement (A)
Notice
This equipment generates, uses, and may emit radio frequency energy.
The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of
FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such radio frequency interference. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area may cause interference in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be required to
correct the interference.
xiv

Chapter 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Overview
This chapter contains an overview of the LG31 300 LPM Line Matrix
Printer (hereafter referred to as the LG31 printer). It includes a brief
description of the printer and listings of the electrical, mechanical, and
operational specifications.
1.2 General Description
The LG31 printer is a line matrix printer incorporating a serial I/O (see
Figure 1–1). The LG31 printer uses fan-folded, tractor-fed paper stock,
and operates at 100-240 volts, 50-60 Hertz (Hz). The printer is primarily
used in data processing and office environments, and can be operated by
non-technical users. The LG31 must be installed by a trained Field
Service engineer. It is maintained and supported by Digital Equipment
Corporation.
The hardware environment for the printer consists of all the electrical
and mechanical interfaces. The electrical interfaces are the host com-
munication port, and the ac power inlet. The mechanical interfaces are
the platen gap, paper thickness adjuster, the paper path/tractors, ribbon
cartridge, and the outer/inner control panels. The printer is compatible
with low to mid-range PDP and VAX systems.
No specialized software is required. For data exchange with the host
computer, the LG31 has an RS-232-C port.
GENERAL INFORMATION 1–1

The firmware resident in the printer interprets and executes commands
(control sequences) sent from the host computer or entered by an oper-
ator at the printer’s outer or inner control panels. There are self-test
diagnostics integrated in the printer firmware to verify operational in-
tegrity and identify hardware faults.
The printer is capable of printing at a speed of 300 Lines Per Minute
(LPM) in upper case characters, in a data processing font, at 10 Char-
acters Per Inch (CPI), and at 6 Lines Per Inch (LPI). At this speed, a
projected workload of 15-20K pages per month at 50 percent duty cycle
(assuming an eight-hour day) is attainable.
1.3 Major Components
The major components of the LG31 printer are as follows:
• Control panels
• Printer mechanism
• Control electronics
• Serial interface
• Power supply
1.3.1 Control Panels
There are two control panels on the LG31 printer: an Outer Control
Panel keypad for common operations, and an Inner Control Panel key-
pad for more complex printing operations. The inner control panel
has a three-character LED display, which indicates printer status and
operator-correctable faults. The display panel is visible above the outer
control panel through a window in the top cover. An operator can key
in commands (see Chapter 5) on the inner control panel to invoke diag-
nostic self-tests, modify printer parameters, or initiate specified printer
functions.
Also included is an audio operator-alerting alarm for power-up/fault de-
tection, and an initialization switch, which erases current configuration
settings and restores the printer to factory settings. Refer to Chapter 3
for configuration menu selection/modification, Chapter 4 for program-
ming printer functions, and Chapter 5 for operator-selected keypad func-
tions. Appendix A lists all the display codes.
1–2 GENERAL INFORMATION

Figure 1–1: LG31 Printer
RE_UK00220A_89
DISPLAY
WINDOW
TOP
ENCLOSURE
LEFT
COVER
FRONT
DOOR
POWER
SWITCH
(CIRCUIT
BREAKER)
REAR
COVER
PAPER
RACK
PAPER
STACKING
GUIDES
RIGHT
COVER
PAPER
SHELF
OUTER
CONTROL
PANEL
GENERAL INFORMATION 1–3

Configuration of the printer is accomplished with the use of the control
panel and printed menus. The printer is capable of operating in either
7 or 8 bit modes and with the Digital serial I/O protocol.
1.3.2 Printer Mechanism
The LG31 printer mechanism consists of mechanical and electromechani-
cal hardware. The printer mechanism performs ribbon/paper motion and
translates the binary print data to printed characters on paper by means
of the print shuttle.
1.3.3 Control Electronics
The control electronics of the LG31 printer coordinates the functions and
operations of the serial interface, control panel, and printer mechanism.
1.3.4 Serial Interface
The EIA RS-232-C serial interface provides the bidirectional communi-
cations link between the host and the printer. Bidirectional communi-
cations allow print data to be sent to the printer and various types of
data (XON/XOFF protocol, status reports, printer identification, and so
on) to be sent to the host from the printer. The ASCII/ISO 7-bit code and
alphanumeric characters are used for information interchange between
the printer and the host (data source).
1.3.5 Power Supply
The LG31 printer’s power supply provides regulated dc power to the
control electronics and printer mechanisms. The ac power is rectified
and regulated to assure reliable printer operation. The power supply
automatically adjusts to ac input voltages in the range of 100 to 240V ac
at 50 to 60 Hz and constantly monitors the dc output voltages.
1.4 Printed Circuit Boards
The LG31 printer printed circuit boards are listed in Table 1–1.
1–4 GENERAL INFORMATION

Table 1–1: LG31 Printed Circuit Boards
Board Description Part No. Location
SCPI Shuttle Control
Panel Interface 29-26721-00 On access door between outer and inner control
panels.
SHAD Shuttle Head
Actuator Driver 29-26729-00 Vertically mounted in top rear of printer.
SMDP Shuttle Matrix
Display Panel 29-26720-00 On inner control panel.
SMMB Shuttle Matrix
Mother Board 29-27261-01 Inside rear access door (left side).
SMIH Shuttle Matrix
Image
Hardware
29-26731-00-00 In logic card cage (right
side).
SMIM Shuttle Matrix
Imaging
Microprocessor
29-26730-00 In logic card cage(right-
side).
SMMC Shuttle Matrix Motor
Control 29-26735-00 In logic card cage (right side).
SMSI Shuttle Matrix Serial
Interface 29-26723-00 Piggyback on SMSM.
SMSM Shuttle Matrix
System
Microprocessor
29-26733-00 In logic card cage (right
side).
SPSD Shuttle Power
Supply Discharge 29-26724-00 Inside rear access door below the capacitor.
SPSM Shuttle Power
Supply Master 29-26734-00 In power supply card cage (left side).
SPSR Shuttle Power
Supply
Regulator
29-26732-00 In power supply card
cage (left side).
SPSX Shuttle Power
Supply Filter 29-26722-00 In ac switch box, rear of printer, near power
ON/OFF switch.
1.5 Printer Feature Summary
The LG31 printer provides the following features:
• Bolding
• Underlining text
• Single, double-width characters
GENERAL INFORMATION 1–5

• Single, double, or triple-height characters
• Autowrap
• Line feed/new line mode
• Hex dumping
• Digital multinational 8-bit character set (U.S. ASCII)
• National Replacement Character (NRC) sets (see Section 1.6.5).
1.6 Specifications
1.6.1 LG31 Printer Specifications
Table 1–2: LG31 Printer Specifications
Printer Dimensions
Unpacked
Width 737.5 cm (29.0 in)
Depth 63.5 cm (25.0 in)
(with Paper Tray) 104.1 cm (41.0 in)
Height 123 cm (48.4 in)
Net Weight 131 kg (287 lbs)
Packaged
Width 77.5 cm (30.5 in)
Depth 88.9 cm (35 in)
Height 156.2 cm (61.5 in)
Weight 171 kg (376 lbs) (includes 16 kg (35.2 lbs) of
accessories consisting of paper shelf, upper paper
rack, and ribbon cartridge)
Installation Area Requirements
Width 137 cm (54 in) (To allow air flow clearance for
printer side vents)
Depth 206.5 cm (104 in) (To allow free access to front
and rear paper handling areas, the ON/OFF
switch, and the power cables)
Electrical
Voltage Range 100 to 240 V ac
1–6 GENERAL INFORMATION

Table 1–2 (Cont.): LG31 Printer Specifications
NOTE
The printer’s universal power supply automatically
accepts international voltage and frequency variations.
Input Frequency Range 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Harmonic Distortion 5% maximum allowable
Power Rating
Standby
Printing 50 W 400 W
Shuttle Frequency 20 Hz
Dissipated Power
Standby
Printing 171 BTU/hr 1368 BTU/hr
Radio Frequency Interference Tested/certified to RFI standards FCC 15,
Subpart J, Class A; VDE 0871 Class B
Acoustic Noise LNPA 6.7 bels
LPA 55 dBA
Operating
Altitude 2.4 km (0 to 8,000 ft)
Temperature 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°F)
Maximum allowable reduced by factor 1.8°C/1000
m (1°F/1000 ft)
Relative humidity 10% to 90% non-condensing with a maximum wet
bulb temperature of 28°C (82.4°F) a minimum
dew point 2°C (35.6°F)
Non-operating
Altitude 4.9 km (0 to 17,700 ft)
Temperature -40°C to 66°C (-40°F to 150.8°F)
Maximum allowable reduced by factor 1.8°C/1000
m (1°F/1000 ft)
Relative Humidity 5% to 95% non-condensing
Printing
Line Length 33.5 cm (13.2 in)
Lines Per Inch (LPI) Spacing 6, 8, 10
Characters Per Inch (CPI) 5, 10, 12, 13.3, 15, 16.7 (plus horizontal and
vertical expansion of each)
Paper Slew 50.0 cm/sec (20 in/sec)
Line Feed 12.5 msec at 6 lines/inch
Horizontal Tabs 198 positions
Vertical Tabs 66 positions
GENERAL INFORMATION 1–7