Epson 420i User manual

HIGH S
BUSINESS
PEED
PRINTER
USER’S
GUIDE
EPSON AMERICA INC. SERVICE DIVISION

EPSON
420i
HIGH SPEED BUSINESS PRINTER
Epson America, Inc.
Computer Products Division
2780 Lomita Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
[phone]

WARNING:
“This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a Class b
computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules. Only com-
puters certified to comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this printer.
Operation with noncertified computers is likely to result in interference to radio
and TV reception.”
“This equipment generates and uses radio frequency 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 tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accor-
dance 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 determinded by turning the equip-
ment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient the receiving antenna.
• Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver.
• Move the computer away from the receiver.
• Plug the computer into a different outlet so that computer and
receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/televi-
sion technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following
booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
“How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems.”
This booklet is available from the US. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
IBM-PC®is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Copyright©1985 by Epson America, Inc., Torrance, California 90505
ii

INTRODUCTION
The Epson 420i is a high speed business printer which is usable with almost all commer-
cial software, including word processing and graphics programs. By changing one switch
on the back of the printer, either the Epson Printer mode or the IBM Graphics Printer
mode is selectable. The two modes differ in character sets and some printer commands.
In contrast with the IBM Graphics Printer, the Epson 420i prints italic characters. Most
programs written for the IBM Graphics Printer do not attempt to print them.
The IBM Graphics Printer mode is selected when extended characters are to be used,
or when software is limited for use with the IBM Graphics Printer.
Refer to the sections tied ‘DIP Switch Setting” (page 26), “Code Table” (pages 30 through
32) and “Differences between the Epson Printer Mode and the IBM Graphic Printer Mode”
(page 36) for details on use of each mode.
iii

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
• When using fan fold paper, the friction lever should be positioned to the front.
• Do not apply undue force to the transparent printer cover.
• Do not use a power supply voltage which is out of the specified range.
• Do not touch the printhead immediately after printing because it is too hot.
• Never close the openings of the upper enclosure or place the printer where these
openings are next to a wall.
• Be careful not to twist the ribbon while installing it.
• Insert the ribbon between the ribbon guide and the printhead as shown in Figure 3.
• Wait at least two seconds after turning power off before turning it back on again.
The initialization process may not be performed correctly if this is not done.
• The printer should be used where the humidity is low, there is little dust, and where
it is not in direct sunlight.
• Do not perform printing without the ribbon cassette and paper properly installed.
EPSON reserves the right to change the contents as stated herein at any time and
without notice. Although every effort has been made to insure that the contents as
stated herein are complete and without error, EPSON cannot be responsible for any
damage that may occur should this not be the case.
iv

CONTENTS
OUTLINE
...............................................................................
1
SWITCHES AND LAMPS ...................................................... 4
REPLACEMENT OF THE RIBBON CASSETTE
....................
6
PAPER SETTING ................................................................... 9
MAIN FUNCTIONS
................................................................
13
PARALLEL INTERFACE
........................................................
18
SERIAL INTERFACE
.............................................................. 22
DIP SWITCH SETTING
.......................................................... 26
CODE TABLE ........................................................................ 30
CONTROL CODE SUMMARY
............................................... 33
PRINT MODE FLOWCHART
.................................................
37
CONTROL CODE EXPLANATION ........................................ 38
PROGRAM EXAMPLES
.........................................................
50
APPENDIX ........................................................................
77
v

OUTLINE
PRINTING OPERATION
1. Printing Method
Impact dot matrix
Bidirectional logic seeking printing
2. Printhead
8 Pins
3. Character Fonts
(140 characters in each font)
Standard
Italic
High quality (correspondence)
Italic high quality
Superscript / subscript
Italic superscript
/ subscript
IBM graphics fonts
4. Graphic Printing
Standard
Double-Density
High-Density
5. Print Mode
Horizontal x Vertical
n x 8 (maximum value of n is 816)
n
x 8 (maximum value of n is 1632)
n x 16 (maximum value of n is 1632)
Any one of 17 fonts may be selected from the five available print modes. Each font
may be used exclusively or intermixed within any given line. When a mode change
is indicated, data already input is printed in the mode first selected, the printer skips
a few spaces, changes mdoes, and then receives new data.
Speed of printout (CPS) is slightly different in each mode depending on operational
complexity, e.g., the bold print and double-strike mdoes are created with two passes
of the printhead, thus requiring a slightly greater printout time.
See the “Detailed Summary of Character Fonts” Table on page 2 for print
specifications and CPS for each mode.
1

Detailed Summary of Character Fonts
2

6. Paper Feed Function and Form Width
Pin feed method (form width may vary) 5”-15.5”
Friction feed method
11”
7. Line Feed Pitch
Minimum 1/180”
8. Line Feed Speed
60 lines/second - when 6 lines/inch is selected
75 lines/second - when 7.5 lines/inch is selected
9. Copies
Original plus 4 copies, non-carbon, total thickness 0.3mm or less
10. Ribbon
Cassette style, single color
Other Specifications
1. Power Supply 117VAC
± 10%, 220-240VAC ± 10%, 50/60Hz
2. Temperature (during operation)
5°C - 40°C (41°F - 104°F)
3. Humidity (during operation)
20% - 80%
4. External Dimensions
595 mm (width) x 194 mm (height) x 405 mm
(depth)
5. Weight
6. Power Consumption
(23.4 x 7.6 x 15.9 inches)
(The depth is 580mm when the paper rack is
attached.)
27kg (60lb)
Printing 250 watts
Stand-by 5.5 watts
3

SWITCHES AND LAMPS
1. POWER Switch
The power switch is located at the rear,
right-hand side of the printer.
2. ON-LINE Switch
Pressing this switch selects either ON-LINE (green indicator on) or OFF-LINE (green
indicator off) state. If in the OFF-LINE state, the printer outputs a busy signal. The
print-head returns to the home position when entering the ON-LINE state from the
OFF-LINE state.
3. LF Switch (LINE FEED)
Each time this switch is pressed, a 1/6 inch line feed is performed. If held down,
continuous line feeds are performed. This command is valid only in the OFF-LINE
state.
Note: Refrain from performing continuous line feed for one minute or more. It may
affect the longevity of the line feed motor.
4. FF Switch (FORM FEED)
If the FF switch is pressed in the OFF-LINE state, a one page form feed is performed.
The page length is selected by the FORM dial switch or by code designation.
5. TOF SET Switch (TOP OF FORM)
If the TOF SET switch is pressed in the OFF-LINE state, the existing paper position
becomes the TOP OF FORM. The page length is designated by the FORM dial switch.
The buzzer sounds for 0.1 second after this switch is pressed.
6. FORM Dial Switch
This switch selects the length of the page. If the switch is set to “0”, the page length
designated by an external device code, becomes valid. The page length can be
altered by pressing the TOF SET switch in the OFF-LINE state. A page length of
11 inches is automatically selected when the TOF SET switch is pressed for a dial
setting of “0”.
Dial Page Length
Dial Page Length
0
CODE SET 5
14 INCH
1
8 INCH 615 INCH
2 8.5 INCH
7 16 INCH
3
11 INCH
8
17 INCH
4
12 INCH 9 22 INCH
7. MODE Dial Switch
Each character font may be selected by this switch.
Dial
Code Selected Character Font
4