NCR 7156 User manual

NCR 7156 Multifunction Printer
MICR Operation and
Trouble-Shooting Guide
B005-0000-1057
Issue A

The product described in this book is a licensed product of NCR Corporation.
Axiohm is the registered trademark of Axiohm.
It is the policy of NCR Corporation (NCR) to improve products as new technology, components, software,
and firmware become available. NCR, therefore, reserves the right to change specifications without prior
notice.
All features, functions, and operations described herein may not be marketed by NCR in all parts of the
world. In some instances, photographs are of equipment prototypes. Therefore, before using this document,
consult with your NCR representative or NCR office for information that is applicable and current.
To maintain the quality of our publications, we need your comments on the accuracy, clarity, organization,
and value of this book.
Address correspondence to:
Retail Solutions Group−Atlanta
NCR Corporation
2651 Satellite Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
Copyright © 1998
By NCR Corporation
Dayton, Ohio U.S.A.
All Rights Reserved
Written by Gary McCoy, RSG-Atlanta

MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide i
Preface
Use this book as a reference manual and troubleshooting guide when
servicing the MICR reader. The book is intended as a guide for service
representatives, field engineers, and for anyone who will be installing
and servicing the 7156 printer. It can also be used as a reference for
service training courses. You must be an authorized, trained service
representative to service the 7156 printer.
Where to Get Additional Information
The following publications contain more information about the 7156
printer. Contact your sales representative to obtain additional copies of
this guide or any of the publications listed below.
Title Order Number
7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact Slip Printer:
Owner’s Guide BD20-1436- A
7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact Slip Printer:
Setup and User’s Guide BD20-1435- A
7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact Slip Printer:
Service Guide BD20-1437- A
7156 Thermal Receipt and Impact Slip Printer:
Parts Identification Manual BUF0-0104

ii MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide

MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide iii
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: 7156 MICR Operation
MICR Setup and Read Test............................................... 1
Necessary Conditions for MICR Reading ...................... 4
Chapter 2: Troubleshooting
Incorrect Document Feed.................................................. 5
Printer Hookup............................................................ 6
Damaged Document ................................................... 6
Obscured or Faulty Slip-In Sensor............................ 6
Insert MICR Document..................................................... 7
Document Inserted Incorrectly.................................. 8
Missing Platen Magnet............................................... 8
Incorrect Printer Installation, Electrical Grounding
or Bonding, or MICR Adjustment ................................... 8
CRT Monitor Interference .......................................... 8
Improper System Ground Bonding .......................... 9
Faulty Read head....................................................... 10
Degraded Buck Coil Connections........................... 12
Faulty Amplifier, Read head, or Buck Coil............ 12
Read head Contact and Movement: Mechanical
Problems............................................................................ 14
Faulty MICR Solenoid............................................... 15
Suppressed Read head Motion................................ 16
Damaged or Missing Foam Pad.............................. 16
Read head Tilt............................................................ 17
Improper Document Motion.......................................... 18
Damaged or Obstructed Document........................ 18
Bumps on Paper Feed Rolls ..................................... 19

iv MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide
Platen Gap Tightness ................................................ 19
Chapter 3: In-Place MICR Adjustment
Setup for In-Place MICR Adjustment ........................... 21
MICR Adjustment............................................................ 22

MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide v
Revision Record
Issue Date Remarks
A Dec 97 First printing

vi MICR Operation and Trouble-Shooting Guide
Radio Frequency Interference Statements
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Information to User
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, 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 interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
NCR is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by unauthorized
modification of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables
and equipment other than those specified by NCR. The correction of interference
caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment will be the
responsibility of the user. The user is cautioned that changes or modifications not
expressly approved by NCR may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Canadian Department of Communications
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectriques édicté par le ministrère des
Communications du Canada.
Voluntary Control Council For Interference (VCCI)

Chapter 1: 7156 MICR Operation
MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is a feature of the 7156
printer which transforms the slight magnetic properties of specially
printed MICR characters into electrical voltage patterns. These
patterns, unique for each of the fourteen different MICR character
definitions, are translated into an electronic data image by a decoding
program residing in the printer controller. This data image is sent from
the printer to the host system in an ASCII format for transaction
processing.
The 7156 MICR is very stable and can run for the life of the printer
without readjustment of the factory settings. However, you may
encounter problems due to electromagnetic interference or changes in
the printer mechanism. If you do encounter a problem, use this guide
to help you identify the cause and the solution.
Note: A document read error of approximately 1 in 100 read attempts
during normal MICR operation is not considered to be a problem.
MICR Setup and Read Test
This section outlines the basic process for setting up and testing MICR.
1. Install printer.
Assemble the system components, placing the printer in its normal
user location. Leave at least 1 inch between the printer and any
CRT-type display.
2. Connect the power and communication cables. (Be sure both the
printer and the host are turned off.)
Some models of the 7156 printer receive power from a separate,
remote power supply; other models are powered from the host
system through the communication cable.
3. Select the MICR test document.

2Chapter 1: 7156 MICR Operation
Select a MICR encoded bank check or similar document. Make sure
that the test document is of high quality and fits the specifications
for the printer.
4. Enable MICR reading.
MICR reading is normally initiated on command by the host
system. For test purposes, MICR may also be enabled at the printer
using a diagnostics routine. To enable MICR reading by way of
self-diagnostics, do the following:
•Set the DIP switches as shown: (Record the current settings
first.)
Switch12345678
OFF ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON Don’t
Care
•Check that there is sufficient receipt paper loaded and that both
the top cover and the front cover are tightly closed.