Star Micronics LC-8521 User manual

DOT MATRIX PRINTER
LC-8521
TECHNICAL MANUAL
[THIRDEDITION]

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 1997 Star Micronics Co.,Ltd.

INTRODUCTION
This manual describes the LC-8521 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 : Mar. 1997
Second edition : Aug. 1997
Third edition : Nov. 1998
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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..................................................................................................10
4-1. General Specifications ......................................................................................... 10
4-2. Connector Signals ................................................................................................ 10
5. Serial Interface.....................................................................................................11
5-1. General Specifications ......................................................................................... 11
5-2. Connector Signals and Functional Descriptions............................................... 11
6. Serial Interface - SPC-8K (Option) .....................................................................12
6-1. General Specifications ......................................................................................... 12
6-2. Connector Signals and Functional Descriptions............................................... 12
6-3. DIP Switch Settings .............................................................................................. 13
7. EE-PROM Mode ...................................................................................................14
7-1. Outline ................................................................................................................... 14
7-2. Explanation of Special Control Codes................................................................ 14
7-3. EE-PROM Map....................................................................................................... 15
7-4. Rewriting the EE-PROM ....................................................................................... 19
1

– 2 –

– 3 –
Printing System Serial Impact Dot-Matrix
Printing Speed Pitch HS-Draft (cps/dpi) Draft (cps/dpi) LQ (cps/dpi)
Pica (10 cpi) 400/80H 300/120H 100/360H
Elite (12 cpi) 360/120H 120/360H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi (S)) 450/120H 150/360H
Semi-condensed (15 cpi (I)) 212/240H 150/360H
Condensed pica (17 cpi) 242/240H 171/360H
Condensed elite (20 cpi) 283/240H 200/360H
24 cpi (I) 340/240H 240/360H
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 HS-Draft Draft LQ
Pica (10 cpi) 24×7Η 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: 2″to 16.5″/ 51 to 420 mm
Paper length: 2.75″to 14″/ 70 to 356 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 –
Fanfold
Paper width: 3″to 16″/ 76 to 406mm
Paper length 6″/ 152mm(min.)
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: 3″to 16″/ 76 to 406mm
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
#6 6.5″×3.6″/ 166 ×92mm
Emulation Standard Mode: EPSON ESC/P (24-pin)
NEC Graphic Compatible
IBM Mode: Proprinter XL24E
Interface Standard: Centronics parallel
RS-232C serial
Ribbon Type On-carriage, dedicated
Monochrome: Black only
LZ24HD (Standard)
Ribbon Life LZ24HD: 4million characters (ASCII Draft)
Power Supply 110V AC +20%/-18%, 230V AC +14%/-13%; 50/60Hz (depending on country of
purchase)
Power Consumption 17W during stand-by
63W during ASCII draft printing
Options SPC-8K Serial-To-Parallel Converter
CT-15HA Push Tractor Unit
Fig. 1-1 External dimensions
650mm
240mm
333mm
25.6"
13.1"
9.5"
Weight: 28.7lbs/13kg

– 5 –
2. External Appearance and Composition
Fig. 1-3 Rear view of the Printer
Fig. 1-2 Front view of the Printer
Front cover
Adjustment lever
Paper guide
Release lever
Power switch
Document table
Control panel Platen knob
Parallel Interface
connector
Serial Interface
connector

– 6 –
Tractor
Carriage
Paper Feed Motor
Printer Mechanism
Carriage Motor
Ribbon Holder
Control Panel Board
Main Logic Board
Power Supply Unit
Fig. 1-4 Front cover removed
Ribbon Cartridge
Print Head
Platen
Gap Adjustment assy
Paper Feed Roller
Fig. 1-5 Diagram of internal layout