Epson ActionLaser 1600 User manual

EPSON
®
ActionLaser
™
1600
Reference Guide

Allrights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
q&em, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent
liability is assumd with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Neither is
y~bility assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained
Neither Seiko Epson Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this
product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by pm-chaser or
thirdpartiesasaresultdaccident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized
modScations, repairs, or alterations to this product.
Seiko Epson Corporation and its affiliates shall not be liable against any damages or
problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those
designated as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by !Xko Epson
Corporation.
ActionLaser, Epson Talk, and SelecType are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.
Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc.
Epson and Epson ESC/P 2 are registered tradema& of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Hewlett-Packard, HP, LaserJet, HP-GL, and HPGL/Z are registered trademarks of
Hewlett-Packard Company.
General Notice: Other product names used harein are for identification purposes only and
may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright 0 1993 by Epson America, Inc., Torrance, California.
ii

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These Bmits are designed to
provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfemnce
to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio
and 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 measures:
0 Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
0 Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
0 Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected
0 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will
invalidate the KC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which
exceed the Emits established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the responsibility of
the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this
rAp;zore than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Epson America, Inc., could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FOR CANADIAN USERS
‘MS 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 present appareil num&ique n’kmet pas de bruits radio&ctriques d&passant les
limites applicables aux appareils numkriques de Classe B prescritcs dans le r&glement
sur le brouillage radio6lecuique &ii& par le Ministere des Communications du
Canada.

Contents
Where to Get Help
.........................
1
CompuServe On-line Support
................
2
safety Information
.........................
3
Laser safety ...........................
3
CDRH regulations
....................... 3
Internal laser radiation
....................
4
Ozone emission
........................ 4
Laser Printer Precautions
......................
5
Important Safety Instructions
...................
7
About this Guide
..........................
9
Chapter 1 using Your printer
About Your Printer
......................... 1-2
Features
.............................
1-2
Controlling the Printer
.......................
1-5
Control Panel
............................ 1-5
SelecType mode..
...................... 1-6
Control panel components
..................1-6
Changing the language of display messages
........
1-10
Controlling the Printer with Software
..............
1-11
Sharing the Printer
.........................
1-11
Sharing printer settings
....................
1-12
Sharing emulations
...................... 1-13
Chapter 2 Paper Handling
Standard and Optional Paper Trays
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Choosing Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
iii

Loading Paper
.............................
2-3
Setting the paper tray’s paper size
..............
2-4
selecting the Paper Source
......................
2-5
Using Windows software
...................
2-5
Using DOS software
......................
2-6
Printing on Special Paper
......................
2-6
Choosing special paper
.....................
2-7
using manual feed
......................
2-8
Chapter 3 Fonts
What You Need to Know about Fonts
...............
3-2
Font Overview
............................ 3-2
Choosing a Font
............................
3-4
Printer and Screen Fonts
.......................
3-4
When the printer and screen fonts don’t match
....... 3-6
Bitmap and outline fonts
...................
3-6
TrueType fonts
.........................
3-7
Available Fonts
............................
3-7
Adding More Fonts
..........................
3-9
Installing a font cartridge
...................
3-9
Removing the font cartridge
..................
3-11
Downloading soft fonts
....................
3-11
selecting Fonts
............................
3-12
Font Samples
............................. 3-13
Chapter 4 SelecType
SelecType Overview
.........................
4-2
When to use SeIecType
.....................
4-2
SelecType menus and items
..................
4-3
Using SeIecType
...........................
4-4
Changing and saving SelecType settings
.......... 4-5
Resetting SelecType settings to the factory defaults
.... 4-5
SelecType tutorial
........................
4-6
PRINTING MENU
..........................
4-7
LJ4 Emulation Menu
.........................
4-10
ESC/P2 MENU
............................. 4-12

FX MENU
..............................
4-12
GL2 MENU
..............................
4-12
JOB MENU
..............................
4-13
EMULATION MENU
........................
4-14
TRAY SIZE MENU
.........................
4-15
CONFIG MENU
........................... 4-16
PARALLEL MENU
.........................
4-21
SERIAL MENU
...........................
4-21
TEST MENU
.............................
4-24
Chapter 5 using Other Printer Emulation
When to Use Other Emulations
..................
5-2
Other Available Emulations
....................
5-2
Changing the Emulation
...................... 5-3
Epson ESC/P2 and FX Emulations
................
5-4
Operating as an LQ or Fx printer
..............
5-4
EscP2 and FX Menu items
..................
5-5
Epson GL/2 Emulation
....................... 5-10
The two Epson GL/2 emulations
..............
5-10
Operating in GL/2 emulation
................ 5-12
GL2 MENU items
....................... 5-12
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Resetting and Initializing the Printer
...............
6-2
Resetting the printer
......................
6-2
Initializing the printer
..................... 6-3
General Problems
.......................... 6-3
Print Quality Problems
.......................
6-7
Option Problems
..........................
6-12
Status and Error Messages
.....................
6-14
Data Dump Mode
..........................
6-20
optimizing Print Quality .......................
6-21
Adjusting the RITech setting
.................
6-21
Adjusting print density
....................
6-23
V

Cleaning the Printer
.........................
6-24
Cleaning the inside of the printer
...............
6-25
Removing spilled toner
.....................
6-26
Cleaning the printer case
....................
6-26
Appendix A
Technical $N?CifkUfiOt?S
Paper
..................................
A-2
Paper specifications
.......................
A-2
Paperfeed
..........................
. . A-3
Printer
.................................
A-4
General.. ............................
A-4
Environmental.
.........................
A-4
Mechanical
............................
A-5
Electrical
............................. A-5
Interface
................................ A6
Parallel interface
......................... A-6
Serial interface
.......................... A-8
Options and Consumables
...................... A-11
Lower paper cassette (C812301)
................
A-11
Imaging cartridge (S051016)
..................
A-12
Appendix B Command Summary
Supported Emulations and Control Languages
......... B-2
LJ4 Emulation
.............................
B-2
LJ4 emulation commands
...................
B-2
GL/2 emulation context commands
.............
B-14
Epson ESC/P 2 and FX Emulations
................
B-17
Epson ESC/P 2 emulation
...................
B-17
Epson FX emulation
......................
B-21
Epson GL/2 Emulation
.......................
B-26
PJL Mode
.............................
. . B-26
EJL Mode
..............................
. B-27

Appendix C Option Installation
Installing the Options
........................
C-2
Lower Paper Cassette
........................
C-2
Installing the lower paper cassette
..............
C-2
Loading paper into the lower paper cassette
........ C-4
Face-Up Output Tray
........................
C-6
Optional Interface Card
.......................
C-7
Installing an interface board
.................
C-7
Memory Module
...........................
C-10
Removing the controller board.
............... C-11
Installing the memory module
................
C-13
Reinserting the controller board
...............
C-15
Checking the memory .....................
C-17
Font Cartridges
...........................
C-18
Index
vii

Getting Started
The Epson
®
ActionLaser
™
1600 printer combines high
performance and reliability with a wide range of features.
To get started with your ActionLaser printer, please:
Lt Read the safety information, laser printer precautions, and
important safety instructions in this introduction.
0 Use your Read This First guide to set up and test your new
printer.
0 Refer to this Reference Guide for detailed information about
your printer.
If you require additional assistance, see “Where to Get Help”
below.
where to Get Help
Epson America provides local customer support and service
through a nationwide network of authorized Epson dealers
and Service Centers.
If you need to call for technical assistance, please print a status
sheet and have it handy. See Chapter 4 for information on
printing a status sheet.
Epson also provides the following support services through
Epson Connection
sm
at [phone]:
Cl Assistance in locating your nearest Authorized Epson
Reseller or Service Center
P Technical assistance with the installation, configuration,
and operation of Epson products
Getting Started 1

0
0
0
0
Epson technical information library fax service
Product literature with technical specifications on Epson’s
current and new products
Sales of supplies, parts, documentation, and accessories for
your Epson product
Customer Relations
CompuServe
®
On-line Support
The fastest way to access helpful tips, specifications, drivers,
application notes, and bulletins is through the Epson America
Forum on CompuServe.
If you are not currently a member of CompuServe, you are _
eligible for a free introductory membership as an owner of an
Epson product. This membership entitles you to:
P An introductory $15 credit on CompuServe
Q Your own user ID and password
D A complimentary subscription to CompuServe Magazine,
CompuServe’s monthly publication
To take advantage of this offer, call [phone] in the United
States and Canada and ask for representative #529. In other
counties, call [phone] or your local CompuServe access
number.
If you are already a CompuServe member, simply type
GO EPSON at the menu prompt to reach the Epson America
Forum.
2 Getting Started

Safety Information
laser safety
This printer is certified as a Class 1 laser product under the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Radiation
Performance Standard according to the Radiation Control for
Health and Safety Act of 1968. This means that the printer does
not produce hazardous laser radiation.
Since radiation emitted by the laser is completely confined
within protective housings and external covers, the laser beam
cannot escape from the machine during any phase of user
operation.
CDRH regulations
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration implemented regulations
for laser products on August 2, 1976. Compliance is mandatory
for products marketed in the United States. The label shown
below indicates compliance with the CDRH regulations and
must be attached to laser products marketed in the United
States.
Getting Started 3

Warning
Use of controls, adjustments, or performance of procedures
other than those specified in this guide may result in
hazardous radiation exposure.
Your printer is a Class 1 laser product as defined in IEC 825
specifications. The label shown below is attached in countries
where required.
Max. Radiation Power
5.7 x 10
-4
w
Wave Length
780nm
This is a Class IIIb Laser Diode Assembly that has an invisible
laser beam. The printer head unit is NOT A FIELD SERVICE
ITEM. Therefore, the printer head unit should not be opened
under any circumstance.
Ozone emission
During printer operation, a small amount of ozone is released.
This amount is not large enough to affect human beings
adversely.
However, it is best to make sure the room where you are using
the printer has adequate circulation, especially when you are
printing a high volume of materials or using the printer
continuously over a long period of time.
4
Getting started

Laser printer Precautions
This printer uses laser technology. The following list of
precautions applies whenever you open the printer cover.
Even if you are familiar with other types of printers, be sure
to follow these precautions carefully to ensure safe, efficient
operation.
0
Cl
0
0
0
Be careful not to touch the fuser, which is marked by a
CAUTION HOT SURFACE label. If the printer has been in
use, the fuser can be very hot.
Avoid touching the components inside the printer unless
instructed to do so in this guide.
Do not scratch the surface of the drum. Avoid touching the
drum, since oils from your skin can permanently damage
its surface and may affect print quality.
Avoid pressing on the top of the imaging cartridge.
Pressing directly on the cartridge may cause toner to spill
into the printer. If there is a spill, see Chapter 6 for cleaning
instructions.
Never force the printer’s components into place. Although
the printer is designed to be sturdy, rough handling can
damage it.
Gettiw
Stmted
5

The imaging cartridge is the part of the printer mechanism that
forms the image and transfers it onto the paper. Keep the
following guidelines in mind whenever you handle the
imaging cartridge:
0
0
0
0
0
When removing the imaging cartridge, avoid exposing it to
room light any longer than necessary. If you need to keep
the cartridge out of the printer for long periods, cover it
with a cloth. The imaging cartridge contains a
light-sensitive drum, which is the green cylinder that can
be seen through the openings of the cartridge. Exposure to
light can damage the drum, causing dark or light areas to
appear on the printed page and reducing the service life of
the drum.
Do not turn the cartridge upside down or stand it on its
sides.
Do not attempt to modify or take apart the cartridge. It
Cannot be refilled.
Try not to touch the toner and avoid all contact with your
eyes.
Do not use a cartridge for at least one hour after moving it
from a cool to a warm environment.
To get the best print quality from your imaging cartridge, do
not store the cartridge in locations that are subject to direct
sunlight, dust, salty air, or corrosive gasses (such as ammonia).
Also avoid locations subject to high temperatures or humidity
or abrupt changes in temperature or humidity.
6
CMtino Started

Important Safety Instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Read all of these instructions.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer.
Unplug this printer from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use
a damp cloth for cleaning and do not use liquid or aerosol
cleaners.
Do not use this printer near water.
Do not place the printer on an unstable cart, stand, or table.
Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are
provided for ventilation. Do not block or cover them. Do
not put the printer on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar
surface or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation
is provided.
Use the type of power source indicated on the marking label.
If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult
your dealer or local power company.
This product is equipped with a 3-wire grounding-type plug.
This plug will only fit into a grounding-type outlet. This is
a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the
outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete
outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounding-type
plug.
Do not put your printer where the cord will be walked on.
10. If you use an extension cord, make sure that the total of the
ampere ratings on the products plugged into the extension
cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating.
Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into
the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes.
Getting Started 7

11. Never push objects of any kind through cabinet slots as they
may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that
could result in a risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill
liquid of any kind on the printer.
12. Except as specifically explained in this Reference Guide, do
not attempt to service this product yourself. Opening or
removing those covers that are marked “Do Not Remove”
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks.
Refer all servicing in those compartments to service
personnel.
13. Unplug this printer from the wall outlet and refer servicing
to qualified service personnel under the following
conditions:
A. When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
B.
If liquid has been spilled into it.
C.
If it has been exposed to rain or water.
D.
If it does not operate normally when the operating
instructions are followed. Adjust only those controls
that are covered by the operating instructions since
improper adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive work by a
qualified technician to restore the product to normal
operation.
E. If it has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.
F. If it exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating
a need for service.
8 Gettina
Started

About this Guide
This guide contains information for using, operating, and
maintaining the printer once it has been installed. For
information about installing and setting up the printer, see the
Read This First guide.
Chapter 1, “Using Your Printer,” describes the printer’s
features and the printer’s control panel, which allows you to
access the printer settings. This chapter also contains a section
that describes sharing the printer among multiple users.
Chapter 2, “Paper Handling,” contains information on loading
paper and setting up the printer for the type and size of paper
that is loaded.
Chapter 3, “Fonts,” provides basic information about fonts and
tells you how to select and add fonts.
Chapter 4, “SelecType,” describes the printer settings that can
be modified by using SelecType”’ in the control panel. Read this
chapter if you are not able to modify a printer setting from
your software.
Chapter 5, “Using Other Printer Emulations,” describes the
ESC/P2,™ FX, and GL/2 emulations. Read this chapter if you
need to print documents formatted for dot matrix printers or if
you are using a Hewlett-Packard
®
plotter application.
Chapter 6, “Troubleshooting and Maintenance,” gives helpful
information for what to do if you encounter a printer error.
Appendix A, “Technical Specifications,” contains the technical
specifications about the printer and the optional products that
can be used with the printer.
Appendix B, “Command Summary,” lists the commands that
can be embedded in print jobs to control the printer. This
appendix is intended for advanced users only.
Gettim
Started 9

Appendix C, “Option Installation,” gives step-by-step
installation instructions for the optional products that can be
used with the printer.

Chapter 1
Using Your Printer
About Your Printer
.........................
1-2
Features.
.............................
1-2
Controlling the Printer
.......................
1-5
Control Panel
.............................
1-3
SelecType mode
.........................
1-4
Control panel components
...................
1-4
Changing the language of display messages
.........
1-10
Controlling the Printer with Software
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1-11
Sharing the Printer
.........................
1-11
Sharing printer settings
.....................
1-12
Sharing emulations
.......................
1-13
Using Your Printer 1-1

About Your Printer
The ActionLaser 1600 is the latest in Epson’s advanced line of
laser printers, giving you high-quality printing that is both fast
and quiet.
The imaging system is driven by a powerful RISC processor
that speeds up processing and gives you the ability to mix text
and graphics, create predefined forms, and print with a range
of fonts normally associated with typeset material.
The printer comes with a full set of features that contribute to
consistently highquality output. This section lists the main
features.
Energy Star Compliant
Your Epson ActionLaser 1600 printer complies with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program,
which promotes the manufacture of energy-efficient printers,
computers, and monitors. The ActionLaser 1600 conserves
electricity by automatically entering a low-power, standby
mode when not in use for fifteen minutes.
The EPA estimates that if all desktop computers, printers, and
other peripheral devices met Energy Star standards, energy
cost savings would exceed $1 billion annually and carbon
dioxide emissions would be reduced by 20 million tons.
All of Epson’s dot matrix and ink jet printers conform to
Energy Star standards, as do all ActionLaser printers produced
after June, 1993.
The Energy Star emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any
product or service.
1-2
Using Your Printer