Star Micronics NP-255 Installation instructions

No. D-F0326
Product
Specifications
for
NP-255
2 inch Journal Printer
Revision 1.00 2001.09.11 1 edition
Revision 1.01 2001.10.19 2 edition
Revision 1.02 2002.01.16 3 edition
Revision 1.03 2002.07.15 4 edition
Revision 1.04 2002.09.26 5 edition
Revision 1.05 2003.06.09 6 edition
* Specifications stated here are subject to change without notice.
* Trade mark, sales mark, logos are properties of each company.

Record of Revision
Description
Rev. N
o Page Item Change Approval PIC
1.00 1 New Release
(Provisional Version)
Asahina
2001.09.11
Abe
2001.09.11
1.01 2 Error correction
Model name
change
Error correction Kobayashi
2001.10.19
Abe
2001.10.19
1 Packing status Add Cable, Thermal
Paper and Manual
7 Connector
connection
AMP→Hirose
7 Example of
Connection
Add Single connection
9 DIP SW Add S1-8 Connection
11 Self Print Change Start and End
Change Sample
1.02 3
Cable Add
Kobayashi
2002.01.16
Abe
2002.01.16
1 Features Add Windows
5 Safety regulation,
EMC
Changed
15 Printer Drivers Add
30 Overseas Code
Table
Change 80h to Euro
Mark
1.03 4
External Drawing Changed Plate Parts
Kobayashi
2002.07.18
Abe
2002.07.15
Official Release
1 Packing Status Add Item Number
Delete Manual
1.04 5
3 Near end detect
position
φ20→φ24
Kobayashi
2002.09.26
Abe
2002.09.26
1 Cable Delete
4 External
Dimension
Correction
7 Connector Hirose(18)→DDK(12)
9 Near end detection
value
φ20→φ24
10 Near end removal Add Platen Open/Close
10 Paper Near End
Sensor
Add Note 1-3
1.05 6
32 External Drawing Add and correct Cable
Kobayashi
2003.06.10
Abe
2003.06.09

Table of Contents
1. Overview
1.1 Overview 1
1.2 Features 1
1.3 Model name 1
1.4 Packing status 1
2. Specifications
2.1 Block drawing 2
2.2 Basic specifications 3
2.3 Power supply specification 5
2.4 Reliability 5
3. Interfaces
3.1 Serial interface 6
3.2 Input/output circuits 6
3.3 Connector connections 7
3.4 Connections 8
4. Functions
4.1 Function setting 9
4.2 Sensor 9
4.3 Error 10
4.4 Feed switch 11
4.5 How to rewrite firmware 11
4.6 Hex Dump print 12
4.7 Self print 13
4.8 Buffer full print 13
5. Software specifications
5.1 Control command table 14
5.2 Printer driver 15
5.3 Control command details 15
5.4 Mode status of setting functions 28
5.5 Domestic code table 29
5.6 Overseas code table 30
5.7 International character code table 31
6. Dimensional drawing
6.1 NP-255 outline drawing 32

Read carefully Before Using NP-255
Wrong handling of the printer may cause its performance declined and the product damaged.
Please read the notes below before handling.
1. Static discharge prevention must be made for installation and removal of the printer to
protect IC and other electrical parts. Connect it to the earth ground. It is also requested to
remove the static from body of the person before handling, especially, the input terminal.
2. Avoid excessive force to the input terminal for handling.
3. When any type of paper, other than specified in this manual, is used, it may cause
deterioration of the print quality and thermal head reliability.
Examples of troubles
1) Print quality deterioration by using low sensitivity paper.
2) Thermal head wears due to roughness of paper surface.
3) Sticking between heat receipt layer and thermal head, and vibration noise during
printing.
4) Print ink disappears on low print durability paper.
5) Electrolyte corrosion on thermal head due to low quality of heat receipt layer.
4. Avoid printing with no paper loaded. It damages platen and thermal head.
5. Do not scrabble thermal head with sharp edge or something hard, or give impact. The heat
element may be damaged.
6. Set the power of printer off before connecting or removing connecters.
7. When printing in high speed under low temperature of high humidity environment, the paper
may be stained by moisture that appears from paper, or the printer may have condensation.
Avoid dew from dropping down to the thermal head that may cause electrolyte corrosion.
Turn the power off until any dew is removed.
8. The printer is not protected from water or dew formed. Do not water the printer or handle it
with a wet hand, which may cause damage to the printer due to short circuit, or heat or fire.
9. The printer is not protected from dust or dirt. If it is used at dusty place, the thermal head
may be damaged or paper feed is not operated properly.
10. When cleaning the printer with a vacuum cleaner, avoid the printer’s paper outlet from
locating cleaner’s air inlet.
11. The printer’s main structure parts use plated steel. However, rust may be caused to the cut
section.
12. Reflection type of infrared ray sensors is used at some locations in the printer. Direct sun
light may cause mal-function of printer. Avoid from such a location for installation.
13. This printer does not support any operations caused by the commands or control commands
not specified in this manual.

1
1. Overview
1.1 Overview
The printer is 2 inch, thermal and compact sized journal printer with easy operation by using the
newly designed “easy operation mechanism”. Furthermore, it is made in high speed and high
quality with auto-cutter attached, or high performance KIOSK printer unit.
1.2 Features
1) Paper replacement is made easy by using newly designed “easy operation mechanism.
2) Paper rewinding mechanism
3) High speed printing: 85mm/sec (for ASCII full digit print, excluding communication time) .
4) Center control at the host is available by uploading various types of preventive information.
5) Downloading the firmware is available by communication.
6) Possible to write “64K bytes x 3 “ patterns in flash ROM.
7) Emulation is in accordance with ESC/POS.
8) Windows Drivers (Windows 95/98/NT4.0/2000) are available.
1.3 Model name
N P – 2 5 5 *
OEM Model
1.4 Packing status
The printer is packed as:
No Product name Specification Item number Quantity
1
2
Printer
Thermal paper
NP-255
W58 x Ø30
-
24-X130
1
1

2
2. Specifications
2.1 Block drawing
Cover open SW
FEED SW
Paper rewinding
mechanism
Control board
DATAIN DATA,CLOCK
Easy operation
RS-232C mechanism
PE/UP
Near-end
Reflect photo interrupter
GND 5V 24V Roll paper
External PWR supply
(Suppliedbyhost)
AC 100V~ AC 230V

3
2.2 Basic specifications
No Items Specifications
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Printing
Character specs
Emulation
Print mode
Logo store
Barcode
Interface
Receive buffer
Roll paper loading
Paper
1. Print method
2. Total dots/line
3. Dot density
4. Print width
5. Print speed (MAX.)*
Conditions:
6. Print digits
Font A (12 x 24)
Font B (9 x 17)
7. Space btw characters
Font A (12 x 24)
Font B (9 x 17)
8. Space between lines
Font A (12 x 24)
Font B (9 x 17)
9. Line feed pitch
1. Character size
Font A (12 x 24)
Font B (9 x 17)
2. Character
ASCII
Extended graphics
International
Download register
3. Character type
Register Logo in flash ROM
Serial
1. Loading method
2. Near end sensor
3. Sensor position
1. Paper width
2. Maximum diameter
3. Core diameter
4. Recommended papers
Line thermal dot
432 dots
8 dots/mm (203dpi)
54mm
85mm/sec.
ASCII full digits print. 25°.
Excluding comm. time.
36 digits
48 digits
Can be set by commands
0~4mm to the right
0~4mm to the right
Can be set by commands
0~28.875mm
0~29.750mm
0.125mm
1.50 x 3.00mm W x H
1.125 x 2.125mm W x H
95 characters
128 characters
37 characters
95 characters
Horizontal double, Vertical double
Quadruple, Bold, Double strike,
Inverted, 90°clockwise rotation,
Underline
In accordance to ESC/POS
ANK mode, Bit image mode,
Barcode mode
64K bytes x 3
UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN (JAN-13),
EAN (JAN-8), CODE39, ITF,
CODABAR, CODE128
In accordance to RS232C
Approx. 10K bytes
Drop-in
Sense with reflection
Approx. Ø24+-1 (Note1)
58 +0/-1mm
Ø84mm
Inner Ø12mm
Outer Ø18mm
Nippon Seishi TF50KS-E2D
OhjiSeishiPD160R-N, PD152R
Mitsubishi AFP235

4
11
12
13
14
Rewind
Paper feed switch
Dimensions
Environment
1. Paper width
2. Rewind capacity
3. Activation
Implemented
1. Size
2. Weight
3. Installation direction
1. Operation
2. Storage
3. Location
58 +0/-1mm
Ø80mm (Max.)
DC24V motor
Feed switch (self-print, paper
feed, firmware download)
100.0(W)x241.4(D)x114.0(H)mm
without cable
1.2kg +-50g without paper
Vertical or horizontal
5~45°, 10~90%RH w/o dew
-10~50°,10~90%RH w/o color
change
Office or equivalent place
Note1: Applied only when the rewinding core (internal Ø12mm/external Ø18mm) is used.

5
2.3 Power supply specifications
Power Voltage Current consumption Remarks
DC 5V±5% 200mA (typical)
DC 24V±5% 4.5A (peak)
2.4 Reliability
1) Head life
Pulse : More than 100 million pulses (at 25°w/energy specified)
Wear distance : More than 50Km
* Should be used under room temp. and humidity and with the recommended paper.
2) Mechanical life : 400 million dot lines in MCBF
3) Rewind mechanism life : 15 million lines (line/4mm)
4) Operation environment : Temperature, 5 - 45°, Should have no condensation
: Humidity ,10 - 90%RH
90% 34°90%
80%
70%
60% 40°65%
50% 45°50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0°10°20°30°40°50°
5) Storing environment : Temperature - 10 ~ 50°
: Humidity 10 - 90%RH
6) Safety regulation : CE Marking (To be certified)
UL60950 (To be certified)
7) EMC
EMI ：EN55022（To be certified）
EMS ：EN55024（To be certified）
VCCI ：Class A（To be certified）
FCC ：Class A（To be certified）

6
3. Interfaces
3.1 Serial interface
1) Synchronization : Not synchronized
2) Handshake : RTS/CTS control
3) Transfer speed : 19200bps, 38400bps
4) 1 word consists of :
Start bit : 1 bit fixed
Data bit : 8 bits fixed
Parity bit : No parity. Fixed.
Stop bit : 2 bits fixed.
5) Signal polarity
RS-232C
Mark : Theory “1” (-3V~-12V)
Space : Theory “0” (+3V~+12V)
6) Reception data (RXD signal)
Mark :1
Space :0
7) Reception control (RTS signal)
RS-232C
Mark : Data transmission not available
Space : Data transmission available
Busy status (marked) will be :
zAt reception buffer full
zDuring hardware being reset after power is set on
zDuring software being reset
zAt self-print
zDuring firmware being rewritten
8) Transmission data (TXD signal)
RS-232C
Mark : 1
Space : 0
9) Transmission control (CTS signal)
The host indicates that data reception is available.
3.2 Input/output circuit
Serial interface signal
It is structured by the driver and receiver in accordance with RS-232C.
HIN202CA
TXD
RXD TO CPU circuit
RTS
CTS
The signal level: Mark = -3 ~ -15V, Logic “1” Off
Space = +3 ~ +15V, Logic “0” On