Star Micronics LC-8211 User manual

DOT MATRIX PRINTER
LC-8211
TECHNICAL MANUAL
[THIRD EDITION]

NOTICE
•Allrightsreserved.Reproductionofanypartofthismanualinany
form whatsoever, without STAR’s express permission is forbid-
den.
•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 in-
formed of them.
•The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility
for any errors in this manual.
© Copyright 1996 Star Micronics Co.,Ltd.

INTRODUCTION
This manual describes the LC-8211 dot matrix printer.
Itisdesignedforuseasareferenceforperiodicinspectionsandmaintenanceprocedurestobeexecutedby
servicepersonnel.Itisnotintendedforthegeneraluser.Usersofthismanualshouldhaveabasicknowledge
and understanding of the English language.
•This manual is divided into the following sections:
Chapter 1 General Specifications
Chapter 2 Theory of Operation
Chapter 3 Adjustments
Chapter 4 Parts Replacement
Chapter 5 Maintenance and Lubrication
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
Chapter 7 Parts List
•First edition : Feb. 1996
Second edition : Feb. 1996
Third edition : Aug. 1997
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
1. General Spaecifications........................................................................................3
2. External Appearance and Composition ..............................................................5
3. Control Panel .........................................................................................................7
3-1. Switch Combination Functions ............................................................................. 7
3-2. EDS Mode Settings................................................................................................. 8
4. Parallel Interface....................................................................................................9
4-1. General Specifications ........................................................................................... 9
4-2. Connector Signals .................................................................................................. 9
5. Serial Interface (optional) ...................................................................................10
5-1. General Specifications ......................................................................................... 10
5-2. Connector Signals and Functional Descriptions............................................... 10
5-3. DIP Switch Settings .............................................................................................. 11
6. EE-PROM Mode ...................................................................................................12
6-1. Outline ................................................................................................................... 12
6-2. Explanation of Special Control Codes................................................................ 12
6-3. EE-PROM MP......................................................................................................... 13
6-4. Rewriting the EE-PROM ....................................................................................... 16
1

– 2 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

– 3 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Printing System Serial Impact Dot-Matrix
Printing Speed Pitch Draft (cps/dpi) LQ (cps/dpi)
Pica (10 cpi) 225/120H 75/360H
Elite (12 cpi) 270/120H 90/360H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi (S)) 337/120H 112/360H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi (I)) 168/240H 112/360H
Condensed pica (17 cpi) 191/240H 127/360H
Condensed elite (20 cpi) 225/240H 149/360H
24 cpi (I) 270/240H 178/360H
H: half-dot
(S): Standard mode only
(I): IBM mode only
Print Direction Draft: Bi-directional logic seeking
LQ: Bi-directional logic seeking
Bit-Image: Uni-directional/bi-directional logic seeking (selectable)
Print Head Number of pins: 24
Life: 200 million dots/pin (adjustment lever position 1 to 3)
100 million dots/pin (adjustment lever position 4 to 8)
Line Spacing 1/6”, 1/8”
7/60”, 7/72”, n/72”, n/180”, n/216”, n/360”: software
Character Matrix Pitch Draft LQ
Pica (10 cpi) 24 ×9H 24 ×31H
Elite (12 cpi) 24 ×9H 24 ×27H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi(S)) 16 ×7H 16 ×21H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi(I)) 24 ×9H 24 ×16H
Condensed pica (17 cpi) 24 ×9H 24 ×16H
Condensed elite (20 cpi) 24 ×9H 24 ×16H
24 cpi (I) 24 ×9H 24 ×14H
H: half-dot
(S): Standard mode only
(I): IBM mode only
Environment Operating temperature: 41˚F to 95˚F (5˚C to 35˚C)
Storage temperature: -22˚F to 149˚F (-30˚C to 65˚C)
Operating humidity: 30% to 80% (noncondensing)
Storage humidity: 20% to 90% (noncondensing)
Paper Cut-sheet
Paper width: 5.5” to 12” / 140 to 305 mm
Paper length: 5.5” to 11” / 140 to 280 mm
Paper weight (1-ply): 14 to 42 lbs / 52 to 156 g/m2/ 45 to 135 kg
Multi-part: 11 to 14 lbs / 40 to 52 g/m2/ 34 to 45 kg; pressure
sensitive paper
Total thickness: 0.014”/0.35mm
Copies: Original + 4
1. General Specifications

– 4 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Fig. 1-1 External dimensions
Fanfold
Paper width: 4.5” to 12” / 114 to 305mm
Paper weight (1-ply): 14 to 22 lbs / 52 to 82 g/m2/ 45 to 70 kg
Multi-part: 11 to 14 lbs / 40 to 52 g/m2/ 34 to 45 kg; pressure
sensitive paper
Total thickness: 0.014” / 0.35mm
Copies: Original + 4
Labels
Backing sheet: 4.5” to 12” / 114 to 305mm
Thickness:
Backing sheet 0.0028” to 0.0035” / 0.07 to 0.09mm
Total thickness 0.0075” / 0.19mm max.
Envelope
#10 9.4” ×4.1” / 240 ×104mm
Emulation Standard Mode: EPSON ESC/P (24-pin)
NEC Graphic Compatible
IBM Mode: Proprinter XL24E
Interface Standard: Centronics parallel
Option: RS-232C serial
Ribbon Type On-carriage, dedicated
Monochrome: Black only
Z24HD (Standard)
LZ24HD (Option)
Ribbon Life Z24HD: 2million characters (ASCII Draft)
LZ24HD: 4million characters (ASCII Draft)
Power Supply 120V AC +10%/-17%, 230V AC +14%/-13%; 50/60Hz (depending on country of
purchase)
Power Consumption 10W during stand-by
42W during ASCII draft printing
Options SPC-8K Serial-To-Parallel Converter

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
2. External Appearance and Composition
Fig. 1-3 Rear view of the Printer
Fig. 1-2 Front view of the Printer

– 6 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Fig. 1-5 Diagram of internal layout
Fig. 1-4 Front cover removed

– 7 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
3. Control Panel
3-1. Switch Combination Functions

– 8 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
3-2. EDS Mode Settings
Bank Switch Function ON OFF
A 1 Emulation *Standard / EPSON IBM
2 Character Table (CT) Standard / EPSON mode *Graphics Italics
IBM mode IBM #2 IBM #1
3 RAM Usage *Input Buffer Download Buffer
4 (Not used)
5 Paper Out Detector *Enabled Disabled
6 (Not used)
B 1 Graphics Direction *Bi-directional Uni-directional
2 Auto Tear-off (Long) *Disabled Enabled
3 Line Spacing *1/6" 1/8"
4 Auto LF with CR *Disabled Enabled
5 Zero Style *Normal Slashed
6 Strobe Timing *Normal Reverse
C 1, 2 Print Mode
*LQ ON ON
Draft OFF ON
3,4,5 Print Pitch
* 10cpi ON ON ON 17cpi OFF OFF ON
12cpi OFF ON ON 20cpi ON ON OFF
15cpi ON OFF ON Proportional OFF ON OFF
6 Quiet *Disabled Enabled
D 1,2,3,4 Page Length
* 11"/Letter ON ON ON ON 14"/Legal OFF ON OFF ON
8" OFF ON ON ON 10.5"/Executive ON OFF OFF ON
11.7"/A4 ON OFF ON ON 7.25"/Executive OFF OFF OFF ON
12" OFF OFF ON ON 3.5" ON ON ON OFF
8.5"/Letter ON ON OFF ON 5.5" OFF ON ON OFF
E 1,2,3,4,5 Code Page (CT=Graphics, IBM #1, #2)
* #437 ON ON ON ON ON #1001 ON ON ON ON OFF
#850 OFF ON ON ON ON #737 OFF ON ON ON OFF
#860 ON OFF ON ON ON #851 ON OFF ON ON OFF
#861 OFF OFF ON ON ON #869 OFF OFF ON ON OFF
#863 ON ON OFF ON ON #928 ON ON OFF ON OFF
#865 OFF ON OFF ON ON #2001 OFF ON OFF ON OFF
#866 ON OFF OFF ON ON #772 ON OFF OFF ON OFF
#3840 OFF OFF OFF ON ON #774 OFF OFF OFF ON OFF
#3841 ON ON ON OFF ON #3001 ON ON ON OFF OFF
#3843 OFF ON ON OFF ON #3002 OFF ON ON OFF OFF
#3844 ON OFF ON OFF ON #3011 ON OFF ON OFF OFF
#3845 OFF OFF ON OFF ON #3012 OFF OFF ON OFF OFF
#3846 ON ON OFF OFF ON #3021 ON ON OFF OFF OFF
#3847 OFF ON OFF OFF ON #3031 OFF ON OFF OFF OFF
#3848 ON OFF OFF OFF ON #3041 ON OFF OFF OFF OFF
#852 OFF OFF OFF OFF ON
International Character Set (CT=Italics)
U.S.A. ON ON ON ON ON Japan ON ON ON OFF ON
France OFF ON ON ON ON Norway OFF ON ON OFF ON
Germany ON OFF ON ON ON Denmark-2 ON OFF ON OFF ON
England OFF OFF ON ON ON Spain-2 OFF OFF ON OFF ON
Denmark-1 ON ON OFF ON ON Latin America ON ON OFF OFF ON
Sweden OFF ON OFF ON ON Korea OFF ON OFF OFF ON
Italy ON OFF OFF ON ON Ireland ON OFF OFF OFF ON
Spain-1 OFF OFF OFF ON ON Legal OFF OFF OFF OFF ON
F 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 LQ Font Selection
*Roman ON ON ON ON ON Prestige OFF OFF ON ON ON
Sanserif OFF ON ON ON ON Orator OFF OFF OFF ON ON
Courier ON OFF ON ON ON
*: Default setting

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
ACK
Data
STROBE
(EDS B-6 : ON)
STROBE
(EDS B-6 : OFF)
BUSY
5µs
t : More than 0.5µs
5µs
tttt
4. Parallel Interface
4-1. General Specifications
Item Specifications
Interface Centronics-compatible
Synchronization System Via externally supplied STROBE pulse
I/F Protocol Using ACK and BUSY signals
Logic Level Compatible with TTL level
These signals represent information for the 1st through 8th bit of
paralleldata, respectively. Eachsignalis HIGH when dataislogical 1,
and LOW when logical 0.
Fig. 1-6 Timing Charts for Parallel Interface
4-2. Connector Signals
Pin Name Function
1 STROBE Goes low for ≥0.5µs when active.
2 DATA0
3 DATA1
4 DATA2
5 DATA3
6 DATA4
7 DATA5
8 DATA6
9 DATA7
10 ACK 10µs low to acknowledge receipt of data.
11 BUSY Printer sets line low when ready to receive data.
12 PAPER High when paper runs out.
13 SELECT High when printer is on-line.
14 AFXT Printer ignores this signal.
15 Not used.
16 SIGNAL GND Signal ground
17 CHASSIS Chassis ground (isolated from signal ground)
18 +5V +5V DC output from printer
19~30 GND Twisted pair ground return
31 RESET Printer is reset when this signal goes low.
32 ERROR Low when printing cannot continue due to error.
33 EXT GND External ground
34~35 Not used
36 SELECT IN Printer ignores this signal.

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
5 Serial Interface (optional)
When using the serial interface, the optional Serial-Parallel Converter must be connected to the printer.
5-1. General Specifications
Item Specifications
Interface RS-232C level
Synchronization System Asynchronous
Baud rate 150 - 19,200 bits per second (BPS) [selectable]
150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 BPS
Word length
Start bit: 1 bit
Data bit: 7 or 8 bits (selectable)
Parity bit: Odd, Even or None (selectable)
Stop bit: More than 1 bit length
Signal polarity
Mark: Logic “1” (–3V to –15V)
Space: Logic “0” (+3V to +15V)
Handshaking DTR
XON/XOFF
ETX/ACK
Data buffer 8KB (standard)
5-2. Connector Signal and Functional Descriptions
Pin No. Signal name Direction Function
1 GND —
2 TXD OUT
3 RXD IN
4 RTS OUT
5 CTS —
6NC
7 GND —
8~10 NC
11 RCH OUT
12~19 NC
20 DTR OUT
21~25 NC
Printer chassis ground.
This pin carries data from the printer.
This pin carries data to the printer.
Always space.
This signal is space when the computer is ready to send data.
The printer does not check this pin.
Unused.
Signal ground.
Unused.
The printer sets this signal to space when it is ready to receive data.
This line carries the same signal as pin 20.
Unused.
The printer sets this signal to space when it is ready to receive data.
Unused.

– 11 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Handshaking protocols – see table below
5-3. DIP Switch Settings
Switch ON OFF
1 8 data bits 7 data bits
2 No parity Parity checked
3
4
5 Odd parity Even parity
6
7 Data transfer rate – see table below
8
All switches are set to ON before the printer leaves the factory.
Protocol Switch 3 Switch 4
DTR mode ON ON
XON/XOFF mode ON OFF
ETX/ACK mode OFF ON
Baud rate Switch 6 Switch 7 Switch 8
150 OFF OFF OFF
300 OFF OFF ON
600 OFF ON OFF
1200 OFF ON ON
2400 ON OFF OFF
4800 ON OFF ON
9600 ON ON OFF
19200 ON ON ON

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6. EE-PROM mode
6-1. Outline
Thesesettings can be changed in the EE-PROM mode by writing data directly to the EE-PROM on the main logic board:
Setting EE-PROM mode
• Send <ESC><SUB>(09)H command.
Canceling EE-PROM mode
• Initialize the printer by sending <ESC>@
6-2. Explanation of special control codes
<ESC>@ Exits printer from EE-PROM mode and initializes the printer.
<ESC>M@ Returns all data in the EE-PROM to the factory settings. After the buffer is cleared, the buzzer sounds. If
the printer is powered off before the buzzer sounds, all data in the buffer is not cleared.
If all data is not cleared from the buffer, operation is not guaranteed. Be sure to allow the buzzer
to sound before you turn the printer off!
<ESC>MWn Code Function Address Capacity
<ESC>MW0 <data> Stores data into entire area of EE-PROM. 00H-7FH 128bytes
<ESC>MW1nm Stores data (m) into the address (n) nH 1 byte
<ESC>MW2<data> Stores auto-start software data into 30H-57H 39bytes
EE-PROM. 58H-7DH 38bytes
• The data (m) used in the commands above are stored in the specified address in order (n).
• When the data to be stored exceeds the specified capacity, subsequent data are ignored.
• Data are stored in the EE-PROM according to the memory map. (See section 3. EDS mode setting and
6-3. EE-PROM Map.)
• After all data are stored, a beep indicates the completion of storage.
• If the printer is powered off during data storage, data stored before power off are valid, but subsequent
operation of the printer is not guaranteed.
Do not power off the printer while data is being stored!
<ESC>MR Dumps all data in the EE-PROM to a hard copy.
For an example of using these control codes, see section 6-4. For the corresponding EE-PROM addresses, see the
EE-PROM memory map in section 3-2. EDS mode setting and 6-3 EE-PROM Map.

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6-3. EE-PROM MP
Address Function Factory data
00H EDS setting FFH
Bit Function 1 0
b0 Emulation STANDARD/EPSON IBM
Character Table
b1 Standard / EPSON mode Graphics Italics
IBM mode IBM #2 IBM #1
b2 RAM Usage Input Buffer Download Buffer
b3 (Not used) — —
b4 Paper out Detector Enabled Disabled
b5 (Not used) — —
01H EDS setting FFH
Bit Function 1 0
b0 Graphics Direction Bi-directional Uni-directional
b1 Tear-off Disabled Enabled
b2 Line Spacing 1/6" 1/8"
b3 Auto LF with CR Disabled Enabled
b4 Zero Style Normal Slashed
b5 Strobe Timing Normal Reverse
02H EDS setting FFH
Print Mode Print Pitch
Function b0 b1 Function b2 b3 b4
Draft 1 1 10cpi 1 1 1
NLQ 0 1 12cpi 0 1 1
15cpi 1 0 1
17cpi 0 0 1
20cpi 1 1 0
Proportional 0 1 0
Bit Function 1 0
b5 Quiet Disabled Enabled
03H EDS setting FFH
Page Length
Function b0 b1 b2 b3 Function b0 b1 b2 b3
11"/Letter 1 1 1 1 14"/Legal 0101
8" 0 1 1 1 10.5"/Executive 1001
11.7"/A4 1 0 1 1 7.25"/Executive 0001
12" 0 0 1 1 3.5" 1110
8.5"/Letter 1 1 0 1 5.5" 0110

– 14 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Address Function Factory data
04H EDS setting FFH
IBM Code Page (Character Table=Graphics, IBM#1, #2)
Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4 Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4
#437 11111 #3841 1 1 1 0 1
#850 01111 #3843 0 1 1 0 1
#860 10111 #3844 1 0 1 0 1
#861 00111 #3845 0 0 1 0 1
#863 11011 #3846 1 1 0 0 1
#864 01011 #3847 0 1 0 0 1
#866 10011 #3848 1 0 0 0 1
#3840 00011 #852 0 0 0 0 1
International Character Set (Character Table=Italics)
Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4 Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4
U.S.A. 11111 Japan 1 1 1 0 1
France 01111 Norway 0 1 1 0 1
Germany 10111 Denmark-2 1 0 1 0 1
England 00111 Spain-2 0 0 1 0 1
Denmark-1 11011 Latin America 11001
Sweden 01011 Korea 0 1 0 0 1
Italy 10011 Ireland 1 0 0 0 1
Spain-1 00011 Legal 0 0 0 0 1
05H EDS setting FFH
NLQ Font Selection
Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4 Function b0 b1 b2 b3 b4
Roman 11111 Prestige 0 0 1 1 1
Sanserif 01111 Orator 0 0 0 1 1
Courier 10111
06H (Not used) 00H
07H Misalignment correction 60 DPI (F) 80H
08H Misalignment correction 80 DPI (F) 80H
09H Misalignment correction 120 DPI (H) Draft-Text 80H
0AH Misalignment correction 120 DPI (H) 80H
0BH Misalignment correction 120 DPI (F) 80H
0CH Misalignment correction 180 DPI (H) Text 80H
0DH Misalignment correction 180 DPI (H) 80H
0EH Misalignment correction 180 DPI (F) Text 80H
0FH Misalignment correction 180 DPI (F) 80H
10H Misalignment correction 240 DPI (H) 80H
11H Misalignment correction 360 DPI (H) LQ-Text 80H
12H Misalignment correction 360 DPI (H) 80H
13H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 60 DPI (F) 80H
14H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 80 DPI (F) 80H
15H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 120 DPI (H) 80H
16H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 120 DPI (F) 80H
17H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 180 DPI (H) 80H
18H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 180 DPI (F) 80H
19H Misalignment correction Multi-part Mode 240 DPI (H) 80H

– 15 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
1AH Misalignment correction Multi-part Made 360 DPI (H) 80H
1BH (Not used) 00H
1CH, 1DH Top Margin in Auto-loading Friction 3CH
00H
1EH, 1FH Top Margin in Auto-loading Tractor 3CH
00H
20H, 21H Top Margin in Auto-loading ASF 3CH
00H
22H Paper End Sensor A/D Valve 80H
23H~26H Macro Set EPSON 00H
00H
27H~2AH Macro Set IBM 00H
00H
2BH, 2CH TEAR OFF (Short) 00H
80H
2DH, 2EH TEAR OFF (Long) 00H
80H
2FH, 30H Initial Condition Area FFH
FFH
31H~57H Auto Start Area EPSON (39 byte) 00H
00H
58H~7DH Auto Start Area IBM (38 byte) 00H
00H
7EH FF Control Code (Space 00H / Null 0FH) 00H
7FH EE-PROM Check Code 01H
Address Function Factory data

– 16 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6-4. Rewriting the EE-PROM
Follow this procedure to rewrite the EE-PROM.
(1) Turn the printer on.
(2) Load a BASIC disk in the computer.
(3) Turn the computer on.
(4) Set a sheet of paper in the printer, and press the ON LINE switch.
(5) Enter the program listed below and run the program.
10 LPRINT CHR$(27);CHR$(26);CHR$(&H09)
20 LPRINT CHR$(27);”MW1";CHR$(&H01);CHR$(&HFB)
30 LPRINT CHR$(27);”MR”
BASIC Program Code What It Does
10 LPRINT CHR$(27);CHR$(26);CHR$(&H09) Enters the EE-PROM mode.
20 LPRINT CHR$(27);”MW1"; Starts rewriting the EE-PROM.
CHR$(&H01); Address data from &H01 will show
EDSmodefromtheEE-PROMmemory
map.
CHR$(&HFB) Data from &HFB will change the Line
spacing from 1/6" to 1/8".
30 LPRINT CHR$(27);”MR” DumpsallEE-PROMdatatohexadeci-
mal.
(6) To complete the setting, turn the printer off.