Epson FX-880 - Impact Printer User manual

Epson America, Inc. TM-FX88/1180
Service Manual
FX-880/FX-1180

ii
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
EPSON
FX-880/FX-1180
Service Manual
Revision Date
1st Release August 1998

EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual iii
Table of Contents
1. Product Description................................................................................1-1
2. Operating Principles...............................................................................2-1
3. Disassembly and Assembly....................................................................3-1
4. Adjustments ...........................................................................................4-1
5. Troubleshooting......................................................................................5-1
6. Maintenance...........................................................................................6-1
7. Appendix...............................................................................................A-1

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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual

EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual v
Preface
The EPSON FX-880 and EPSON FX-1180 are identical products, except for their width. To permit
printing on wider paper, the FX-1180 has a wider body than the FX-880, but is the same as the
FX-880 in all other respects. Unless noted otherwise, all information and instructions in this
manual can be used to service either printer.

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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual

EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual vii
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 limits 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 interference to radio and 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:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•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 FCC Certification of this
device and may cause interference levels that exceed the limits 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 equipment has
more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the
printer.
FOR CANADIAN USERS
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouilleur du
Canada.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Epson
America, Inc. No patent liability is assumed with respect to use of the information contained herein. Neither is any
liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has
been taken in the preparation of this book, Epson America, Inc., assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions.
Neither Epson America, Inc., nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages,
losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this
product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product.
Epson America, Inc., 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 Seiko
Epson Corporation.

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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
TRADEMARKS
EPSONand ESC/Pare registered trademarks and ESC/P 2, EPSON FX-880, and EPSON FX-1180are
trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc.
General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective companies. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
Copyright © 1998 Epson America, Inc.
20770 Madrona Avenue
Torrance, CA 90509-2842

EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual ix
PRECAUTIONS
Precautionary notations throughout the text are categorized relative to:
1. personal injury.
2. damage to equipment.
WARNING
Signals a precaution which, if ignored, could result in serious or fatal personal injury. Great caution should be
exercised in performing procedures preceded by a WARNING heading.
CAUTION
Signals a precaution which, if ignored, could result in damage to equipment.
Always observe the precautionary measures itemized below when performing repair/maintenance
procedures.
WARNING
1. Always disconnect the product from both the power source and host computer before performing any
maintenance or repair procedure.
2. No work should be performed on the unit by persons unfamiliar with basic safety measures dictated for all
electronics technicians in their line of work.
3. In performing testing described in this manual, do not connect the unit to a power source until instructed
to do so. When the power supply cable must be connected, use extreme caution in working on the power
supply and other electronic components.
CAUTION
1. Repairs on EPSON products should be performed only by an EPSON-certified repair technician.
2. Make certain that the source voltage is the same as the rated voltage listed on the serial number/rating
plate. If the EPSON product has a primary AC rating different from the available power source, do not
connect it to the power source.
3. Always verify that the EPSON product has been disconnected from the power source before removing or
replacing printed circuit boards and/or individual chips.
4. To protect sensitive µP chip and circuitry, use static discharge equipment, such as anti-static wrist straps,
when accessing internal components.
5. Replace malfunctioning components only with those components recommended by the manufacturer;
introduction of second-source ICs or other nonapproved components may damage the product and void
any applicable EPSON warranty.

EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-i
1. Product Description
Features..................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Accessories................................................................................................................................................ 1-3
Hardware Specifications ............................................................................................................................ 1-4
Printing Method.................................................................................................................................. 1-4
Printing Specifications .......................................................................................................................1-4
Paper Handling Specifications...........................................................................................................1-5
Paper Specifications..........................................................................................................................1-7
Cut Sheets.............................................................................................................................1-7
Envelopes..............................................................................................................................1-8
Continuous Paper.................................................................................................................. 1-8
Roll paper ............................................................................................................................ 1-10
Ribbon Cartridge.............................................................................................................................. 1-10
Input data buffer............................................................................................................................... 1-10
Electrical Specifications....................................................................................................................1-11
Reliability..........................................................................................................................................1-12
Environmental Requirements .......................................................................................................... 1-12
Safety Approvals.............................................................................................................................. 1-13
CE Marking......................................................................................................................................1-13
Acoustic Noise.................................................................................................................................1-13
Firmware Specifications........................................................................................................................... 1-14
Control Codes and Fonts................................................................................................................. 1-14
Interface Specifications ...................................................................................................................1-15
Parallel Interface (Forward Channel)................................................................................... 1-15
Parallel Interface (Reverse Channel) ..................................................................................1-17
Interfaces.............................................................................................................................1-18
Interface Selection...............................................................................................................1-19
Preventing Data Transfer Timeout in the Host ................................................................................1-19
Control Panel Operation...........................................................................................................................1-20
Control Panel................................................................................................................................... 1-20
Overview of Functions..................................................................................................................... 1-20
Operation in Normal Mode ..................................................................................................1-20
Operation at Power-On........................................................................................................ 1-21
Operation in the Default Setting Mode ................................................................................ 1-21
Details of Selected Functions..........................................................................................................1-22
Micro-Adjust Function..........................................................................................................1-22
Tear-off Function..................................................................................................................1-22
Changing the Default Settings.............................................................................................1-23
Bidirectional Adjustment Function....................................................................................... 1-25
Printer States and Error Reporting...........................................................................................................1-27
Initialization......................................................................................................................................1-27
Error Conditions............................................................................................................................... 1-27
Conditions Indicated by the LEDs and Beeper................................................................................1-28
Main Components....................................................................................................................................1-29

Product Descriptions
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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual

Product Description
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-1
Features
The EPSON FX-880 and FX-1180 are small-footprint, 9-pin serial impact dot matrix printers. Except for
their width, the two printers are exactly the same. The FX-1180 has a wider carriage unit and paper
handling mechanism, and prints on wider paper than the FX-880.
The main features of the FX-880 and FX-1180 are:
 Print Speed High speed draft 410 cps at 10 cpi
(max. 455 cps at 12 cpi)
Draft 310 cps at 10 cpi
NLQ 77 cps at 10 cpi
 Feeding Method Friction feed (front, rear)
Push tractor feed (front, rear)
Push and pull tractor feed (front, rear)*
Pull tractor feed (front, rear, bottom)
Cut-sheet feeder (CSF, optional)
 Feeder Front push tractor, rear push tractor,
CSF bin1/bin2 (optional), roll paper holder (optional)
pull tractor (optional)
 Paper/Media Single sheet, continuous, and multi-part paper, envelopes, card stock,
labels, and roll paper**
 Printable columns FX-1180: 136 columns (at 10 cpi)
FX-880: 80 columns (at 10 cpi)
 Built-in fonts Bitmap fonts:
EPSON Draft 10, 12, 15 cpi
EPSON Roman 10, 12, 15 cpi, proportional
EPSON Sans Serif 10, 12, 15 cpi, proportional
Barcode fonts:
EAN-13, EAN-8, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPC-E,
Code 39, Code 128, POSTNET
Notes:
*Additional tractor is required.
**Roll paper is not available on all models, and is not available in the U.S.

Product Description
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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
 Character tables Standard version 11 tables
NLSP version 19 tables
 Character sets 12 international character sets and one legal character set
 Input buffer 32KB or 0KB (selectable in the default-setting mode or using the
EPSON Remote! utility with Windows 95)
 Acoustic noise Approximately 55 dB(A), ISO 7779 pattern
 Reliability Total print volume 6.5 million lines, except printhead
MTBF 4000 power-on hours (POH) at 25% Duty-Cycle
Printhead life 200 million strokes per wire
Ribbon life 3 million characters (in Draft mode at 10 cpi with
approximately 14 dots per character)
 Interfaces One standard bidirectional, 8-bit, parallel interface with IEEE-1284
nibble mode support, and one optional Type B level 2 interface slot
 Control codes ESC/P and IBM 2380 Plus (for the FX-880) or 2381 Plus (for the
FX-1180) character emulation
 Copy capability 1 original + 5 copies
Figure 1-1. Exterior of FX-880
(FX-1180 similar but wider)

Product Description
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-3
Accessories
Table 1-1. Items Included with the Printer
Enclosed item Quantity
User’s guide 1
Driver diskette 1
Ribbon cartridge 1
1-2. Consumables and Optional Units
Part Number
Item FX-1180 FX-880
Ribbon cartridge 8755 8750
High capacity cut sheet feeder (bin1) C806401 C806381
Second bin cut sheet feeder (bin2) C806391 C806371
Push/pull tractor unit 1038519 C800201
Roll paper holder 8310 8310
Front paper guide C814031 C814021
Front sheet guide C814011 C814001
0KB type-B Serial interface card C823051 C823051
32KB type-B intelligent serial I/F card C823071 C823071
Coax type-B I/F card C823141 C823141
Twinax type-B I/F card C823151 C823151
Multi-protocol Ethernet type-B I/F card C823572 C823572
Bi-directional parallel type-B I/F card C823452 C823452
LocalTalk I/F card C823121 C823121

Product Description
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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
Hardware Specifications
This section describes the hardware specifications of the FX-880 and FX-1180.
Printing Method
 Printing method Impact dot matrix
 Number of pins 9 pins
 Pin arrangement 9 ×1
 Pin diameter 0.0114 inch (0.29 mm)
 Print color Black
 Print direction Bidirectional logic seeking when printing text and graphics.
Unidirectional text or graphics printing can be selected with
software commands.
Printing Specifications
 Copy capability 1 original + 5 copies
Table 1-3. Print Speed and Printable Columns
Printing Mode Character Pitch Printable Columns Print Speed (cps) at 10 cpi
FX-1180 FX-880 Normal Copy
High-speed draft 10 cpi 136 80 410 345
Draft 10 cpi 136 80 310 260
NLQ 10 cpi 136 80 78 65
Notes:
1. Both printers can print a maximum of 455 cps at a pitch of 12 cpi.
2. If the power supply voltage drops below the lower limit, the printer stops until the voltage returns to the
normal range. The printer then resumes printing, but more slowly than before.
3. If the printhead temperature rises above the upper limit, the printer stops until the printhead cools
down to the normal temperature. The printer then resumes printing, but more slowly than before.
4. When the platen gap lever is set at position 2 or higher, the printer goes into copy mode. In copy
mode, the print speed slows to prevent the dot wires from getting stuck in the thicker paper as the
printhead travels across the page. Note that “copy mode,” as used in this manual, does not refer to
overstrike, a function not supported by the FX-880 or FX-1180 printer.

Product Description
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-5
Table 1-4. Print Resolution
Print Mode Horizontal density Vertical density Adjacent dot printed?
High-speed draft 90 dpi 72 dpi No
Draft 120 dpi 72 dpi No
NLQ 240 dpi 144 dpi No
Bit image 60, 72, 80, 90 or
120 dpi 72 dpi Yes
120 or 240 dpi 72 dpi No
 Control codes ESC/P and IBM 2380/2381 Plus character emulation.
Paper Handling Specifications
 Paper feed methods Friction feed (front, rear)
Push tractor (front, rear)
Pull tractor (front, rear, bottom)
Push and pull tractor (additional tractor required)
CSF bin1/bin2 (optional)
Roll paper holder (optional)
 Paper path Manual Insertion Front in, front out
CSF Rear in, front out
Tractor Rear, front, or bottom in, front out
 Paper capacity Single-bin cut-sheet feeder:
up to 50 sheets of 22 lb (80 g/m2) paper
Note:
The total thickness of the paper stack can be up to 0.20 inches
(5 mm).
High-capacity cut-sheet feeder:
up to 150 sheets of 22 lb (82 g/m2) paper
up to 25 plain or bond envelopes
up to 30 airmail envelopes
Note:
The total thickness of the paper stack can be up to 0.59 inches
(15 mm).
 Line spacing 1/6 inch or programmable in increments of 1/216 inch

Product Description
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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
 Feed speed
Table 1-5. Feed Speed
Mode Type of Feed Speed
Normal 1/6 inch 62 ms/line
Continuous 5.0 inches/sec (0.127 m/sec)
Copy 1/6 inch 83 ms/line
Continuous 3.1 inches/sec (0.078 m/sec)
 Release lever Set the paper release lever using the following table.
Table 1-6. Paper Release Lever Position
Lever Position Paper Entrance Paper Types
Single-sheet
position Front insertion Cut sheet (single sheet and multi-part) Card stock
CSF bin1 Cut sheet (single sheet and multi-part)
Envelopes, card stock
CSF bin2 Cut sheet (single sheet)
From rear using roll paper holder Roll paper
Front push tractor
position From front using front push tractor, or using front push and pull tractors in
combination
Continuous paper (single sheet and multi-part)
Rear push tractor
position From rear using rear push tractor, or rear push and pull tractors in combination Continuous paper (single sheet and multi-part)
Pull tractor position From front, rear, or bottom using top-
mounted pull tractor Continuous paper (single sheet and multi-part)
 Paper thickness lever Set the paper thickness lever, as indicated in the following table.
Table 1-7. Paper Thickness Lever Position
Lever Position Paper Thickness (inches) Paper Thickness (mm)
Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
0 0.0024 0.0047 0.065 0.12
1 0.0047 0.0075 0.12 0.19
2 0.0075 0.0102 0.19 0.26
3 0.0102 0.0126 0.26 0.32
4 0.0126 0.0142 0.32 0.36
5 0.0142 0.0157 0.36 0.40
6 0.0157 0.0205 0.40 0.52

Product Description
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-7
Paper Specifications
This section describes the types of paper that can be used with this printer.
Cut Sheets
Table 1-8. Specifications for Cut Sheets (as single sheets of paper)
Width FX-1180:
FX-880: 5.8 to 16.5 inches (148 to 420 mm) 5.8 to 10.1 inches (148 to 257 mm)
Length Front entry: 7.2 to 14.3 inches (182 to 364 mm)
Rear entry: 3.6 to 14.3 inches (92 to 364 mm)
Thickness 0.0025 to 0.0055 inches (0.065 to 0.14 mm)
Weight 14 to 24 lb (52 to 90 g/m2)
Quality Plain or recycled paper; neither curled, folded, nor crumpled
Note:
Printing on recycled paper or card stock is available only at normal temperatures and humidity.
Table 1-9. Specifications for Cut Sheets (as multi-part forms)
Insertion Front or rear entry
Width FX-1180:
FX-880: 5.8 to 16.5 inches (148 to 420 mm) 5.8 to 10.1 inches (148 to 257 mm)
Length* 7.2 to 14.3 inches (182 to 364 mm)
Copies 1 original + 5 copies
Total
thickness 0.0047 to 0.018 inches (0.12 to 0.46 mm)
Weight 12 to 15 lb (40 to 58 g/m2)
Quality Carbonless multi-part forms, neither curled, folded, nor crumpled
Joining Apply glue in a straight line at the top or at one side of a form.
Notes:
1. * Maximum length, including perforation area. Length excluding perforation area is 11.7".
2. Do not use CSF bin 2 when printing a multi-part form.
Figure 1-2. Margins for Cut Sheets
A
B
A
BA The minimum top and bottom margins are
0.17 inch (4.2 mm).
B The minimum left and right margins are 0.12
inch (3 mm).
The maximum printable width is 8 inches (203.2
mm) for the FX-880 and 13.6 inches (345.4 mm)
for the FX-1180.

Product Description
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EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
Envelopes
Table 1-10. Specifications for Envelopes
Envelope type No.6 No.10
Width 6.5 inches (165 mm) 9.5 inches (241 mm)
Length 3.6 inches (92 mm) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Insertion Rear entry only
Total thickness 0.0063 to 0.020 inches (0.16 to 0.52 mm)
The variation in thickness in the print area, due to envelope construction,
must be within 0.0098 inches (0.25 mm).
Weight 12 to 24 lb (45 to 90 g/m2)
Quality Airmail envelopes without glue on the flap, bond envelopes, and plain
envelopes.
Notes:
1. Printing on envelopes should be done only at normal temperatures and humidity.
2. Do not use CSF bin 2 when printing on envelopes.
3. Insert the longer side of the envelope horizontally.
Figure 1-3. Margins for Envelopes
Continuous Paper
Table 1-11. Specifications for Continuous Paper (single sheet and multi-part)
Insertion Front entry, rear entry, bottom entry
Width FX-1180:
FX-880: 4 to 16 inches (101.6 to 406.4 mm) 4 to 10 inches (101.6 to 254 mm)
Length 4 to 22 inches (101.6 to 558.8 mm)
Copies 1original + 5 copies
Total thickness 0.0025 to 0.018 inches (0.065 to 0.46 mm)
Weight 14 to 22 lb (52 to 82 g/m2)
Weight (multi-part) 12 to 15 lb (40 to 58 g/m2)
Quality Plain paper, recycled paper, carbonless multi-part
Joining Apply small dots of glue, or paper staple (crimp) both the right and left sides.
A
B
B
A
A The minimum top and bottom margins are 0.17 inch (4.2 mm).
B The minimum left and right margins are 0.12 inch (3 mm).

Product Description
EPSON FX-880/FX-1180 Service Manual
1-9
Table 1-12. Specifications for Continuous Form Labels
Insertion Front (push or pull tractor, but preferably pull) or bottom (pull tractor)
Minimum label size See the figure below:
Label
2.5" (63.5 mm)
15/16" (23.8 mm)
Corner Radius 0.1" (2.5 mm)
Figure 1-4. Label
Backing sheet width FX-1180: 4 to 16 inches (101.6 to 406.4 mm)
FX-880: 4 to 10 inches (101.6 to 254.0 mm)
Backing sheet length 4 to 22 inches (101.6 to 558.8 mm)
Backing sheet thickness 0.0028 to 0.0035 inches (0.07 to 0.09 mm)
Total thickness 0.0063 to 0.0075 inches (0.16 to 0.19 mm)
Label weight 17 lb (68 g/m2)
Quality AVERY Continuous Form labels, AVERY Mini-Line labels, or labels of
equal quality
Notes:
1. Printing on labels is available only at normal temperatures and humidity.
2. The base sheet for the labels must be continuous paper.
Figure 1-5. Margins for Continuous Paper
AA
BB
A The minimum top and bottom margins (above and
below the perforation) are 0.17 inch (4.2 mm).
B The minimum left and right margins are 0.51 inch (13
mm).
The maximum printable width is 8 inches (203.2 mm) for
the FX-880 and 13.6 inches (345.4 mm) for the FX-1180.