Epson TM-300A User manual

1 station printer
Operator’s Manual
400137501

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, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson
Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability
assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
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 purchaser
or third parties as a result of; accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized
modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to
strictly comply with Seiko Epson Corporation’s operating and maintenance instructions.
Seiko Epson Corporation 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.
Centronics is a trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation.
Epson and ESC/POS™ are registered trademarks by Seiko Epson Corporation.
NOTICE:
The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
Copyright 1992 by Seiko Epson Corporation, Nagano, Japan

FCC CLASS A
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipmentgenerates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded printer interface cable to this printer will
invalidate the FCC Verification of this device and may cause interface levels
which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment.
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the
equipment.
FOR CANADIAN USERS
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regu-
lations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n’emet pas de bruits radioelectriques de-
passant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de Class A pre-
scrites dans le reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edict6 par le
Ministere des Communications du Canada.
i

INTRODUCTION
The TM-300A/B and TM-300PA/PB printers are designed to provide a high
cost-performance ratio. They are compact, light-weight, and highly reliable one-
station printers using plastic mechanical frames. They have the following fea-
tures and are applicable to the POS 1 station printer market.
l Compact and light-weight.
l High speed printing using logic-seeking.
l High reliability and long life due to the use of stepping motors for both carriage
return and paper feeding.
l Printing color switch (red/black) available.
l Various formats are possible because the paper feeding pitch is selectable.
l High general control utility based on the ESC/POS™ standard.
l 2 drawers can be driven due to the internal drawer interface.
l Character font (7 X 9, 9 X 9) is selectable.
l Semi-automatic paper loading.
l Compact AC adapter power supply.
l An auto-cutter unit is provided and full cut/partial cut is selectable by command.
l A take-up device is included. (Standard only for the TM-300A/300PA)
Function Available
Interface
TM-300A
With auto-cutter
With take-up device
Serial
TM-300B
With auto-cutter
Serial
TM-300PA With auto-cutter
With take-up device Parallel
TM-300PB
With auto-cutter
Parallel
Please be sure to read the instructions in this manual carefully before using
your new Epson printer.
ii

About this manual
* Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking the printer, choosing the place for
the printer, and names and functions of parts.
* Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 contain information on connecting and setting up the
printer.
* Chapter 4 contains information on testing the printer.
* Chapter 5 contains information on using the printer.
* Chapter 6 contains information on software control including printer command
descriptions.
APPENDIX
Appendixes contain information on general specifications, character code
tables and a list of commands.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Unpacking the Printer
..................................................................... 2
1-1
Checking the Contents of the Box
........................................................... 2
1-2 Choosing a Place for the Printer
..............................................................
3
1-3 Removing the Transportation Damper
.....................................................
3
1-4 Names and Functions of Parts
................................................................
4
Chapter 2 Before Betting Up
............................................................................
6
2-1
Connecting the AC adapter to the Printer
................................................
6
2-2
Connecting the Host Computer to the Printer..
........................................
7
Chapter 3 Installing the Parts
..........................................................................
9
3-1 Installing the Ribbon Cassette
.................................................................
9
3-2 Installing the Roll
Paper..
.........................................................................
12
3-3 Adjusting the Paper Near-End Detector
.................................................. 18
3-4 DIP Switches
...........................................................................................
20
iii

Chapter 4 The Self Test
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
4-1 TheSelf Test
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Chapter 5 Cautions while Using the Printer...................................................
24
5-1 Panel Switches and Commands
.............................................................. 24
5-2 The PAPER LED
.....................................................................................
25
5-3Printable Area, Printing Position and Paper Cutting Position
.................. 26
5-4Errors....................................................................................................... 27
5-5 The Cover Open Detector
........................................................................ 28
5-6
Roll Paper EndDetector..........................................................................
28
5-7 Removing Jammed Paper
.......................................................................
29
Chapter 6 Software Control
.............................................................................
30
6-1 Printer Control..
........................................................................................
30
6-2
CommandDescriptions...........................................................................
31
6-3Commands.............................................................................................. 32
APPENDIX..........................................................................................................
47
APPENDIX A General Specifications
........................................................... 47
APPENDIX B
Connectors.............................................................................
53
APPENDIX C Interfaces
...............................................................................
56
APPENDIX D Miscellaneous Notes
..............................................................
61
APPENDIX E
Notes on Character Printing................................................... 62
APPENDIX F
Notes on using the Drawer kick-out Connector
.....................
64
APPENDIX G
Character Code Tables.......................................................... 67
iv

I. SETTING UP

Chapter 1 Unpacking the Printer
1-1 Checking the Contents of the Box
n Checking the parts
Remove the printer and other parts from the box.
TM-300A/TM-300PA TM-300WTM-300PB
l Printer
l Roll paper
l AC adapter (*) l Ribbon cassette
l Operator’s Manual
(*) There are two types of AC adapters for the printer, which have different
dimensions weights, and input voltages. Please refer to APPENDIX A
of the specifications for details.
Make sure no parts are missing or damaged.
If you find any damaged or missing parts, please contact your dealer for assis-
tance.
Maintenance
Keep the packing case in case you ever need to transport or store your printer.
2

1-2
Choosing a Place for the Printer
n Avoid locations that are subject to direct sunlight or excessive heat (near
heaters).
n Avoid using or storing the printer in places subject to excessive temperatures or
moisture.
n Do not use or store the printer in a dusty or dirty location
n When setting up the printer, choose a stable, horizontal location.
Intense vibration or shock may damage the printer.
n Ensure the printer has enough space to be used easily.
1-3 Removing the Transportation Damper
The transportation damper must be removed before turning on the printer.
Open the printer cover, and remove this material as follows:
3

1-4
Names and Functions of Parts
n Part names
TM-300A/TM-300PA: Take-up cover
TM-300B/TM-300PB: Roll-paper cover
Printer cover
Operation panel
Power switch
Interface connector
Drawer kick-out connector
Power connector
DIP switches
TM-300WM-300PA
TM-300B/TM-300PB
4

l Operation panel
Panel Switches
POWER switch
Turn the printer ON and OFF.
FEED switch
Feeds roll paper.
Feeds roll paper based on the line feed amount set by ESC 2 and ESC 3.
Panel Lights (LED)
POWER LED (green)
On when power is turned on.
PAPER LED (red)
On when the paper roll near the end.
Blinks when an error has been detected, when the printer is in the test printing
standby state, or when printing has stopped due to exceeding the allowable
print duty cycle.
(See 5-2 The PAPER LED)
5

Chapter 2 Before Setting Up
2-1 Connecting the AC adapter to the Printer
n Plugging in AC adapter
CAUTIONS:
l Before connecting the printer to the power supply, make sure that the
voltage and power specifications match the printer’s requirements.
l Using an incorrect power supply can cause serious damage to the printer.
Connect the AC adapter according to the following procedure.
Make sure the printer is turned off.
Plug the power cable connector into the printer’s power connector with the ar-
row mark facing upward. (You can remove the power cable by grasping the
connector firmly at the arrow mark and pulling straight out.)
Plug the power cord into the outlet, and turn on the power.
Be sure to ground the printer with the frame ground screw on the board at the
rear side of the unit via a F.G cable.
6

2-2
Connecting the Host Computer to the Printer
Connecting the interface cable
Connect the printer with the host ECR (host computer) through an interface cable
matching the specifications of the printer and the host ECR (host computer).
Be sure to use a drawer that matches the printer’s specifications.
<TM-300A/B>
Connect the interface cable according to the following procedure.
Turn off the printer and the ECR (host computer).
Plug the interface cable connector into the interface connector on the printer;
then fasten the screw on both sides of the connector.
Plug the drawer kick-out cable connector into the drawer kick-out connector on
the printer. (When removing the drawer kick-out cable, press in on the
connector’s clip and pulling out.)
7

<TM-300PA/PB>
Connect the interface cable according to the following procedure.
Turn off the printer, and the ECR (host computer).
Plug the interface cable connector into the interface connector on the printer.
Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on both sides of the
connector.
Attach the ground wire to the ground connector on the bottom of the printer.
Plug the drawer kick-out cable connector into the drawer kick-out connector on
the printer. (When removing the drawer kick-out cable, press in on the
connector’s clip and pulling out.)

Chapter 3 Installing the Parts
3-1
Installing the Ribbon Cassette
Installing the ribbon cassette
Be sure to use a ribbon cassette that matches the printer’s specifications.
Open the printer cover.
Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to take up any slack
in the ribbon.
9

Fit the ribbon between the head unit and the ribbon mask. Then push the
cassette firmly into position.
Turn the ribbon-tightening knob five or six times in the direction of the arrow to
feed the ribbon smoothly into place between the head unit and the ribbon mask.
l Check that the ribbon is not twisted or creased.
CAUTION:
l Do not turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the reverse direction.

n Exchanging the ribbon cassette
Be sure to use a ribbon cassette that matches the specifications.
Open the printer cover.
When the removing the ribbon cassette, grasp the tab on the left side and lift
the left side out first.
Install a new ribbon cassette.
See 3-1 Installing the Ribbon Cassette to
11

3-2 Installing the Roll Paper
l Installing the roll paper for TM-300A/300PA
Be sure to use roll paper that matches the printer’s specifications.
Using scissors, cut the leading edge of the roll paper perpendicular to the paper
feed direction.
Good Bad
Open the printer cover and the take-up cover.
l Check that the ribbon cassette is properly installed.
Bad
Load the roll paper while lightly pressing the left roll-paper holder outward.
Release the holder after fitting the paper core onto the holder. Make sure the
roll paper turns freely. When loading roll paper, make sure to insert so that it
rotates in the correct direction.
12

Turn on the printer.
While leaving some slack in the roll paper, insert the end of the roll paper
straight into the paper inlet. The printer automatically feeds the roll paper into
the printer.
Press the FEED switch to continue feeding the paper until it extends about
20 cm beyond tear-off edge.
Remove the take-up spool from the take-up frame.
Remove the side of the spool and insert the end of the paper roll (journal paper
when using 2-ply paper and 3-ply paper) into the groove on the spool and wrap
the roll paper around the spool two or three times. Install the flange to flange
shaft.
13

Install the take-up spool to the take-up frame.
Tear off the receipt paper by the cutter when using the 2-ply paper and 3-ply
paper.
Close the printer cover and the take-up cover.