Star Micronics TUP452-24 User manual

THERMAL UNIT PRINTER MECHANISM
TUP452-24
TUP482-24
SPECIFICATION
AND
OPERATION MANUAL

NOTICE
• All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form whatsoever, without STAR’s
express permission is forbidden.
• The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
• All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this manual at the time of going to
press. However, should any errors be detected, STAR would greatly appreciate being informed of them.
• The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manual.
Copyright 1996 Star Micronics Co., LTD.

CONTENTS
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
............................................................................................................1
2. CONSTRUCTION
............................................................................................................................2
2.1 Configuration.........................................................................................................................2
2.2 Principle of Operation............................................................................................................2
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
......................................................................................................4
4. PAPER ROLL SPECIFICATIONS
................................................................................................5
5. PRINTER SETTINGS
.....................................................................................................................7
5.1 Switches and Buttons.............................................................................................................7
5.2 Setting the DIP Switches.......................................................................................................8
5.3 Setting the EEPROM...........................................................................................................10
6. DISPLAYS AND FUNCTIONS
....................................................................................................12
6.1 LEDs ...................................................................................................................................12
6.2 RESUME Button.................................................................................................................12
6.3 Power Switch and Button Combinations.............................................................................12
6.4 Sensor Adjusting Mode .......................................................................................................13
6.5 Near-End Sensor..................................................................................................................13
6.6 Error Messages ....................................................................................................................14
6.7 Near-End Sensor Position....................................................................................................15
7. INTERFACE
...................................................................................................................................16
7.1 Serial Interface (RS-232C or RS-422A)..............................................................................16
7.2 Parallel Interface .................................................................................................................18
8. CUTTER
.........................................................................................................................................19
9. PRESENTER (TUP482 series only)
..............................................................................................20
10.CHARACTERS
..............................................................................................................................21
10.1 Character Set........................................................................................................................21
10.2 Characters and Sizes............................................................................................................21
11.POWER REQUIREMENTS
.........................................................................................................22
12.NOISE
..............................................................................................................................................24
13.STANDARDS
..................................................................................................................................25
14.RELIABILITY
................................................................................................................................26
14.1 During operation..................................................................................................................26
14.2 During storage .....................................................................................................................26
14.3 Allowable Static Electricity Level ......................................................................................27
14.4 Vibration Test......................................................................................................................27
14.5 Drop Test ............................................................................................................................27
14.6 Life Test...............................................................................................................................28
15.INSTALLING THE PAPER ROLL
.............................................................................................29
16.INSTALLATION
............................................................................................................................31
16.1 Installation precautions........................................................................................................32
16.2 Other precautions.................................................................................................................32
17.Maintenance
....................................................................................................................................36

– 1 –
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The TUP452-24/TUP482-24 printers are line thermal printers and are incorporated for use in various
electronic equipment, such as game machines, ATMs and information kiosks. The TUP452-24 is the
cut & drop type, while the TUP482-24 is the presenter type (i.e. the printer is equipped with a paper
ejector).
These printers feature the following:
1. High-speed printing: 2 in./sec (50 mm/sec)
2. High resolution: 8 dots/mm vertically, 8 dots/mm horizontally (approx. 200 dpi)
3. Silent operation
4. Paper roll size: max. 8-inch diameter
5. Choice of three types of interfaces (optional)
6. Presenter function (TUP482D-24NL only)
Display of Model Name
Equipped with no translucent sensor
Power supply voltage : DC 24 V
Interface 
D: RS-232C
C: Parallel
K: RS-422A
Mechanism type 
2: 40 digits
Printer type 
5: Equipped with a guillotine-type full cutter
8: Equipped with a guillotine-type full cutter and presenter
TUP400 series thermal printer
TUP4 8 2 D 24 NL
—

– 2 –
2. CONSTRUCTION
2.1 Configuration
The unit printer mechanism is constructed of the following components:
2.2 Principle of Operation
2.2.1 Drive and paper feed
The rotation of the stepping motor is transmitted to the gear, which turns the platen. The rota-
tion of the platen generates friction between it, the thermal paper and the thermal head, there-
fore causing the paper to be fed.
2.2.2 Printer
Color appears on the thermal paper as the temperature of the thermal head’s heat-generating
element increases.
2.2.3 Presenter
The edge of the thermal paper stops just before the presenter’s ejector, the continuous feed of
the thermal paper creates a loop and after printing is finished, the paper is cut. Then, the paper is
fed out by the roller in front of the ejector. (The DC motor rotates the roller)
Unit printer mechanism Thermal printer Sensor
Thermal head
Drive Gear
Platen
MotorPresenter (TUP482 series only)
Cutter (guillotine-type full cutter)
Frame Control and interface boards
Near-end sensor

– 3 –
Exterior View
Arm NE-PCB Resume button
Interface
Line thermal printer Presenter
Cutter
Frame (Inside is the main PCB and interface PCB.)

– 4 –
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Item Specification
Printing method Line thermal direct printing
Printing speed 50 mm/sec, 25 mm/sec
Printing area 80 mm wide (page mode), 75 mm wide (line mode)
Resolution 8 dot/mm (horizontal)
8 dot/mm (vertical)
Paper width 82.55 mm (3.25 in.)
Paper roll diameter Outer: max. 203 mm (approx. 8 in.)
Inner: 32 mm (approx. 1.26 in.)
Characters ASCII
International character set
Katakana (Japanese syllabary)
Bar code
Paper detection Paper-out detection using a reflecting photo sensor
Black mark detection using a reflecting photo sensor
Paper near-end detection using a reflecting photo sensor
Interface Serial (RS-232C or RS-422A (optional))
Parallel
Data buffer Approx. 8 Kb
Auto cutter Guillotine-type full cutter
Power supply voltage DC 24 V
±
7%
Environment Temperature 5˚C to 40˚C
Relative humidity 25% to 80% (no condensation)
External dimensions Not equipped with presenter (TUP452 series)
173 mm (W)
×
299 mm (D)
×
175 mm (H)
(without paper roll inserted)
173 mm (W)
×
325 mm (D)
×
254 mm (H)
(with 8-in. paper roll inserted)
Equipped with presenter (TUP482 series)
173 mm (W)
×
355 mm (D)
×
175 mm (H)
(without paper roll inserted)
173 mm (W)
×
382 mm (D)
×
254 mm (H)
(with 8-in. paper roll inserted)
Weight Approx. 3.1 kg (without presenter installed)
Approx. 3.3 kg (with presenter installed)
-2
0
0
+1

– 5 –
4. PAPER ROLL SPECIFICATIONS
Item Specification
Paper type Normal heat-sensitive paper
Paper width 82.55 mm (3.25 in.)
Paper thickness 60 to 85
µ
m
Core diameter Inner: 32 mm
Outer: 35 mm
Paper type Nippon Seishi TF50KS-E
TF62KS-E
Shin Oji Seishi KF-730
Printing area
Black mark Printing density Macbeth valve 1.2 or higher
Printing position
Printing side Back (opposite to the printed side)
Size Width: 10 to 20 mm
(center of the paper must be avoided)
Length: 3 to 10 mm
Reference position The end of the black mark should be positioned at
the front in the paper feed direction.
–1
0
0
+1
0
+1
(Page mode)
82.55 mm
80 mm
Printing area

1.275 mm
(Line mode)
82.55 mm
75 mm
Printing area

3.775 mm
Paper feed
26 mm
Max. 36 mm

– 6 –
Notes)
●
Use paper that is rolled inward.
●
Do not affix the end of the paper to the paper roller.
●
Paper jams may occur depending on the paper quality used and the pattern printed.
●
If the machine is turned off and left for a long time with paper caught in the thermal head, the
paper should be removed and inserted again.
●
Keep this machine on a level surface.
●
The roller may leave short marks in the end of the paper.
●
The cash drawer cannot be used when the PR112 (presenter) is installed.

– 7 –
5. PRINTER SETTINGS
5.1 Switches and Buttons
The DIP switches and memory switches (EEPROM) are used to make the printer’s settings. In addi-
tion, the sensor adjusting button and RESUME button, which are not used for making printer settings,
are installed.
The sensor adjusting button is located on the paper-out and near-end sensor’s PCB (N.EPCB), and is
mainly used for adjusting the photo sensors, therefore, it is not used by the general user. The RESUME
button is located on the casing (near the LF motor), and is used to bring the printer back on line after it
goes off line (e.g. paper-out). For more details about the RESUME button, refer to “6. DISPLAYS
AND FUNCTIONS”.
The DIP switches are mounted to the interface’s PCB and can be changed by operating them from the
hole used for replacing the EPROM or by removing the interface’s PCB.
The number of DIP switches differs according to the type of interface.
The EEPROM is 1 word by 16 bits. The EEPROM is mounted on the main unit’s PCB and can be
changed with the commands.
Centronics: None
RS-232C: 1 (8-bit)
RS-422A: 2 (8-bit and 4-bit)

– 8 –
5.2 Setting the DIP Switches
All of the DIP switches have been set to ON at the time of shipping.
a) DIP switch 1 (for both RS-232C and RS-422A)
Switch position Function ON OFF
1-1 Baud rate
1-2
1-3 Handshaking DTR XON/XOFF
1-4 Data length 8 bits 7 bits
1-5 Parity Disabled Enabled
1-6 Parity Odd Even
1-7 DC1, 3 (*1) Disabled Enabled
1-8 Power on (*2)
*1 Only for the RS-232C (This setting is made with DIP switch 2 on the RS-422A.)
*2 For the power on function
1-8 ON 1-8 OFF
When DC1, 3 is disabled Select Select
When DC1, 3 is enabled Select Deselect
When addressable Deselect Select
Baud rate 1-1 1-2
2400BPS OFF OFF
4800BPS OFF ON
9600BPS ON ON
19200BPS ON OFF

– 9 –
b) DIP switch 2 (only for the RS-422A)
SW 2-1 SW 2-2 SW 2-3 SW 2-4
DC1, 3 disabled ON ON ON ON
Address #1 OFF ON ON ON
#2 ON OFF ON ON
#3 OFF OFF ON ON
#4 ON ON OFF ON
#5 OFF ON OFF ON
#6 ON OFF OFF ON
#7 OFF OFF OFF ON
#8 ON ON ON OFF
#9 OFF ON ON OFF
#10 ON OFF ON OFF
#11 OFF OFF ON OFF
#12 ON ON OFF OFF
#13 OFF ON OFF OFF
#14 ON OFF OFF OFF
DC1, 3 mode OFF OFF OFF OFF

– 10 –
5.3 Setting the EEPROM
The following command from the host computer is used to make the EEPROM settings.
a) EEPROM settings command
<ESC> #N, n1 n2 n3 n4 <LF> <NUL>
N: Memory switch no.
n1 n2 n3 n4: Setting data
For more details, refer to “Programmer’s Manual”.
b) Memory switch 0
N = 0
n1: Always 0
n2: Always 0
n3: Always 0
n4: Mode select
c) Memory switch 1
N = 1
n1: Sensor select
n2: Start-position detect
n3: Zero style
n4: International character set
0 Page mode (Default)
1 Line mode
Parameter Setting 0 (Default) 1
n1 Sensor select Reflective sensor
(Black mark) Transmissive sensor
n2 Start-position detect OFF ON
n3 Zero style Normal zero Slashed zero
n4 International character set See below
n4 Country n4 Country
0 USA 7 Spain #1
1 France 8 Japan
2 Germany 9 Norway
3 UK A Denmark #2
4 Denmark #1 B Spain #2
5 Sweden C Latin America
6 Italy

– 11 –
d) Memory switch 2
N = 2
n1: Always 0
n2: Always 1
n3: Always 0
n4: Printing speed
e) Memory switch 3
N = 3
n1: Always 0
n2: Character table
n3: Print column
n4:
f) Memory switch B
N = B
n1: Always 0
n2: Presenter
n3: Always 0
n4: Always 1
0 50 mm/sec. (Default)
1 25 mm/sec.
0 Normal (Default)
1 Katakana
2 IBM
3 IBM
0 40 column (Default)
1 50 column
0 <CR> Disabled Paper feed 4 mm (Default)
1 <CR> Disabled Paper feed 3 mm (Default)
2 Same as <LF> Paper feed 4 mm
3 Same as <LF> Paper feed 3 mm
0 Not installed (TUP452)
1 Installed (TUP482)

– 12 –
6. DISPLAYS AND FUNCTIONS
The LEDs and RESUME button are mounted on the NEPCB.
6.1 LEDs
6.2 RESUME Button
When no paper is inserted, insert more paper, then press this button to automatically feed the specified
length of paper (approx. 80 mm when the presenter is installed or approx. 30 mm when it is not). After
the paper is cut, the printer will go back on line.
6.3 Power Switch and Button Combinations
The following settings can be made by pressing either the RESUME button or the sensor adjusting but-
ton at the same time that the power switch is turned on.
<RESUME button and power switch>
<Sensor adjusting button and power switch>
Note) The Line and Page modes cannot be chosen with the panel buttons; these modes can only be
chosen with commands.
LED Function
HU Lights up when errors occur
(For more details, refer to “6.6 Error Messages”.)
PE
ERR
Buzzer LED Function
One beep HU lights up
↓
2 sec. Release the RESUME button to execute a HEX dump.
[*1]
Two beeps PE lights up
Release the RESUME button to execute a test print. [*2]
[*1] The HEX dump mode remains valid until the power is turned off.
[*2] The printer continues the test print until the power is turned off.
Buzzer LED Function
One beep HU lights up
↓
2 sec. Release the sensor adjusting button to start sensor
adjusting mode. [*3]
[*3] Do not continue pressing the sensor adjusting button for more than two seconds.

– 13 –
6.4 Sensor Adjusting Mode
a) Reflecting sensor (black mark sensor)
●
Insert the paper in front of the sensor mechanism so that a black mark is not positioned in front of
the sensor.
●
Adjust the reflecting sensor controller VR4 on the PCB until the HU LED lights up.
b) Paper-out sensor
●
Insert the paper in front of the sensor mechanism so that a black mark is not positioned in front of
the sensor.
●
Adjust the paper-out sensor controllerVR3 on the PCB until the PE LED lights up.
6.5 Near-End Sensor
Selecting the open frame setting with memory switch B enables near-end sensors A and B. It is possi-
ble to determine the state of near-end sensors A and B by outputting the <EOT> command to the
printer. (This is only possible when a serial interface is used.) Refer to “Programmer’s Manual”.

– 14 –
6.6 Error Messages
It is possible to determine the type of error occurring by observing the printing results and which LED
lights up.
a) Recoverable errors
The printer goes off line when these errors occur.
To resume operation, remove the cause of the error, then press the RESUME button.
b) Unrecoverable errors
The printer goes off line when these errors occur.
Operation of the printer cannot be resumed even after the cause of the unrecoverable error is
removed.
c) Other errors
●
Data errors (<ESC> “PC” command: defines character and bar code data)
A data error will occur if an invalid character or bar code type is selected or if the print result
extends outside the print area. When a data error occurs, all commands become invalid (character
strings and bar codes are not printed). However, the printer will not go off line and the LEDs will
not light up.
Error Cause LED
ERR HU PE
Head up error The head is raised. On
Paper-out error No paper is inserted. On
Label size error The paper size differs from the measured size. On
Error Cause LED
ERR HU PE
Command error There is an error in the command. On
Cutting error The paper is not cut properly. On On
Transmission error *1 There is an abnormality in the received data. On On
Paper jam error *2 The paper is not fed up to the sensor. On On On
*1 Valid only with the serial interface
*2 Valid only in presenter mode

– 15 –
6.7 Near-End Sensor Position
<Technical Specifications>
The near-end sensors can be moved a maximum of 5 mm to the right or left by moving the near-end
sensor PCB.
Slightly loosen the three screws (without removing them) used to install the PCB, then move the PCB
to the desired position. After making sure that the PCB fits properly (i.e. it is not loose), tighten the
three screws. (Do not break the PCB.)
* The near-end sensors are mounted on the back of the PCB.
Near-end sensor PCB
Near-end sensor NEB
Near-end sensor NEA
Square hole
Side frame
Slot
Can be moved a maximum 
of 5 mm to the right and left
Screw

– 16 –
7. INTERFACE
Three interface types are available: parallel, serial RS-232C or serial RS-422A. Any of these interfaces
can be used by installing the corresponding PCB.
7.1 Serial Interface (RS-232C or RS-422A)
RS-232C
Connector Pin Assignment (D-SUB 25 pin)
Item Specification
Data transfer method Asynchronous serial interface
Data transfer rate 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200
Start bit: 1
Data bit: 7 or 8
Odd, even or no parity
Stop bit: 1
Signal polarity Mark = logic “1” (–3 V to –15 V)
Space = logic “0” (+3 V to +15V)
Pin No. Signal Name IN/OUT Function
1 F-GND — Frame ground
2 TXD OUT Transmit data
3 RXD IN Receive data
4 RTS OUT Send request signal. There is a space when the printer is
ready to receive.
5 CTS IN There is a space when the host computer is ready to send.
However, this signal is not checked by the printer.
6 N/C Not used
7 S-GND Signal ground
8 ~ 10 N/C Not used
11 RCH OUT There is a space when the printer is ready to receive.
Same as pin 20.
12 N/C Not used
13 S-GND Signal ground
14 FAULT OUT There is a mark when an error is occurring in the printer.
15 Multi-TXD OUT Send data for multi printer
16 Multi-DTX IN Receive data for multi printer
17 ~ 19 N/C Not used
20 DTR Data terminal ready signal. There is a space when the
printer is ready to receive.
21 ~ 25 N/C Not used