Star Micronics NX-1020 User manual

DOT MATRIX PRINTER
NX-1020
LC-200
TECHNICAL MANUAL
[SIXTH 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 dot matrix printers as shown below.
It is intended for use as a reference for periodic inspections and maintenance procedures.
This manual is prepared for use at a technical level and not for the general user.
Model Destination
NX-1020 RAINBOW For American market
NX-1020 COLOUR For Asian market
LC-200 For European market
LC-200 COLOUR For Pacific market
•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 : Jun. 1990
Second edition : Jan. 1991 Add the new model (NX-1020 COLOUR and LC-200 COLOUR)
Third edition : May 1991 Add the new printer mechanism (Ver. 2)
Fourth edition : Jul. 1993
Fifth edition : Sep. 1995
Sixth edition : Apr. 1996
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2
3
4
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6
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CHAPTER 1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
1. General Specifications .........................................................................................3
2. External Appearance and Composition ..............................................................5
3. EDS Mode Settings ...............................................................................................6
4. Parallel Interface ...................................................................................................8
4-1. General Specifications ...........................................................................................8
4-2. Connector Signals ..................................................................................................8
5. Serial Interface (option) ........................................................................................9
5-1. General Specifications ...........................................................................................9
5-2. Connector Signals ..................................................................................................9
5-3. DIP Switch Settings ..............................................................................................10
6. EE-PROM Mode ...................................................................................................11
6-1. Outline....................................................................................................................11
6-2. Explanation of Special Control Codes ............................................................... 11
6-3. EE-PROM Map .......................................................................................................12
6-4. Rewriting the EE-PROM........................................................................................15

– 2 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

– 3 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
1. General Specifications
Print system Serial Impact Dot-matrix
Printing speed Pica Elite
High-Speed Draft 200cps 225cps
Draft 150cps 180cps
NLQ 37.5cps 45cps
Print direction Bidirectional, logic-seeking
Unidirectional, logic-seeking (selectable)
Print head 9pins
Life: 100 million characters
Line spacing 1/6, 1/8, n/72, n/216 inches
Paper feed Friction and push/pull tractor
Paper feed speed 2.9 inches/second max.
Character set
ASCII 96
International 16 set(*)
IBM special 111
IBM block graphic 50
IBM code page 6 set(**)
Download 255
* USA, France, Germany, England, Denmark I, Sweden, Italy, Spain I, Japan, Norway, Denmark II, Spain II, Latin America, Korea, Irish, Legal
** #437 (USA), #850 (Multi-Lingual), #860 (Portuguese), #861 (Icelandic), #863 (Canadian French), #865 (Nordic)
Number of columns CPI Columns
Pica 10 80
Elite 12 96
Condensed pica 17.1 137
Condensed elite 20 160
Proportional Variable
Character dot matrix 9 ×11 (Draft)
18 ×23 (NLQ)
Bit image dot-matrix DPI
Normal 60 (8 or 9) ×480
Double 120 (8 or 9) ×960
High-speed double* 120 (8 or 9) ×960
Quadruple 240 (8 or 9) ×1920
CRT I 80 (8 or 9) ×640
CRT II 90 (8 or 9) ×720
Plotter 72 (8 or 9) ×576
Double-plotter 144 (8 or 9) ×1152
* It is impossible to print adjacent dots in the modes marked with an asterisk(*).
Paper width
Cut sheet 4” ~ 11.7”
Fanfold (continuous) 4” ~ 10”
Copies Original + 3 copies (Max.)

– 4 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum buffer size
Without Download 16KB
With Download 1 line
Emulations Epson mode
IBM proprinter mode
Interface Standard: Centronics parallel
Option: RS-232C serial
Ribbon type On-carriage, dedicated
Monochrome (Black only)
Color (Black, magenta, cyan, violet, yellow, orange, green)
Ribbon life Monochrome 3 million characters (draft pica)
Color 1 million characters (draft pica)
Dimensions 440(w) ×334(d) ×135(h) mm (excluding platen knob)
17.3(w) ×13.1(d) ×5.3(h) in
Weight 6.3kg (13.9lb)
Power supply 120VAC, 220VAC, 240VAC
(varies according to the country of purchase)
Options Automatic sheet feeder (SF-10DN)
Serial-Parallel converter (SPC-8K)
Roll paper holder (RH-10Z)
Fig. 1-1 External dimensions

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Fig. 1-3 Diagram of Internal Composition
2. External Appearance and Composition
Fig. 1-2 Front View of the Printer

– 6 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
3. EDS Mode Settings
The EDS (Electronic DIP Switch) mode has 16 kinds of functions you can set as the power-on default. To enter the EDS
mode, turn the printer on while simultaneously holding the , , and buttons.
In EDS mode, the indicators and the buttons on the control panel are used as shown below in Figure 1-4.
EDS Mode
Fig. 1-4 Button and indicator functions in the EDS mode
Number Function ON OFF
A-1 Emulation STANDARD IBM
A-2 RAM Usage Input Buffer Download
A-3 Auto-LF Disabled Enabled
A-4 ASF Setting Disabled Enabled
B-1 Multi-part mode Disabled Enabled
B-2 Paper-out Detector Enabled Disabled
B-3 Tear off Disabled Enabled
B-4 Strobe Timing Normal Reverse
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
D-1 Character Table
(Standard mode) Graphics Italics
(IBM mode) Set #2 Set #1
D-2
D-3 (See next page)
D-4
Print Mode (See next page)
Page Length (See next page)
*1
IBM Code page or
International Character Set
*1 See figure 1-5.
ON LINE
PAPER FEED
SET/EJECT
PARK

– 7 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Print Mode C-1 C-2 Page Length C-3 C-4
10 CPI DRAFT ON ON 11 inches ON ON
10 CPI HS DRAFT ON OFF A4 sized paper ON OFF
17 CPI DRAFT OFF ON 8 inches OFF ON
10 CPI COURIER OFF OFF 12 inches OFF OFF
In the standard Italic character set
Country D-2 D-3 D-4 Country D-2 D-3 D-4
U.S.A. ON ON ON Denmark I ON ON OFF
France OFF ON ON Sweden OFF ON OFF
Germany ON OFF ON Italy ON OFF OFF
England OFF OFF ON Spain I OFF OFF OFF
Except in the Standard Italic character set
IBM Code Page D-2 D-3 D-4 IBM Code Page D-2 D-3 D-4
#437 U.S.A. ON ON ON #863 Canadian French ON ON OFF
#850 Multi-lingual OFF ON ON #865 Nordic OFF ON OFF
#860 Portuguese ON OFF ON Option 1 ON OFF OFF
#861 Icelandic OFF OFF ON Option 2 OFF OFF OFF

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Fig. 1-5 Timing Charts of Parallel Interface
4-2. Connector Signals
Pin No. Signal Name Function Description
1 STROBE Goes from high to low (for≥0.5µs) when active
2 DATA1 High when active
3 DATA2 High when active
4 DATA3 High when active
5 DATA4 High when active
6 DATA5 High when active
7 DATA6 High when active
8 DATA7 High when active
9 DATA8 High when active
10 ACK 9µs low pulse acknowledges receipt of data
11 BUSY Low when printer ready to receive data.
12 PAPER High when paper out. Can be disabled with EDS setting.
13 SELECT High when printer is on-line
14,15 NC
16 SIGNAL GND Signal ground
17 CHASSIS GND Chassis ground (isolated from signal ground)
18 +5V +5V DC output from printer
19 ~ 30 GND Twisted pair ground return
31 RESET When this input signal is low, printer is reset
32 ERROR Outputs low when printer cannot continue, due to an error
33 EXT GND External ground
34,35 NC
36 SELECT IN Always high
4. Parallel Interface
4-1. General Specifications
Item Specifications
Synchronization System Via externally supplied STROBE pulse
I/F Protocol By ACK and BUSY signals
Logic Level Compatible with TTL level

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
5. Serial Interface (option)
When using the serial interface, the optional Serial-Parallel Converter must be connected with the printer.
5-1. Genereal Specifications
Item Specifications
Interface RS-232C level
Synchronization System Asynchronous
Baud rate 150 - 19,200 bit 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 then 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 Signals 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’s chassis ground.
This pin carries data from the printer.
This pin carries data to the printer.
Always space.
This pin is space when the computer is ready to send data.
This printer does not check this pin.
Unused.
Signal ground.
Unused.
This printer turns this pin space when it is ready to receive data.
This line carries the same signal as pin 20.
Unused.
The printer turns this pin space when it is ready to receive data.
Unused.

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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 switched are set ON when 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
The settings described below can be changed if data is written to the EE-PROM on the main logic board.
The mode for writing to the EE-PROM is designed for use by maintenance workers, not for use by the general user.
In addition, this mode is subject to change without prior notice.
•EDS (Electric DIP Switch) settings
•Misalignment correction
•Top margin in auto-loading
•Allowable distance of paper out detector
1. Setting method
There are the following two methods to set the EE-PROM mode
a. Power the printer ON while and switches are held pressed.
b. If the printer has already been powered ON, send <ESC> (09) command.
2. Canceling method
There are the following two methods to cancel this mode.
a. Power the printer OFF.
b. Initialize the printer by sending <ESC> “@” command.
6-2. Explanation of Special Control Codes
The control codes shown below are provided for use in writing to the EE-PROM.
<ESC> @ : The printer exits from EE-PROM mode and is initialized.
<ESC> M @ : All data in the EE-PROM are changed to 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.
Since the data values are regarded as illegal ones, the operation in this case is not guaranteed.
<ESC> M W n :
Function Address Capacity
<ESC> M W 0 <data> 00H - 7FH 128 bytes
<ESC> M W 1 n m nH 1 byte
<ESC> M W 2 <data>
- The data (m) following the above commands are stored in the specified address in order (n).
- When the data to be stored exceeds specified capacity, the subsequent data are ignored.
- Data are stored in EE-PROM according to memory map.
- After all data are stored, a beep indicates the finish of storage.
- If the printer is powered off during data storage, the data which have already been stored are
valid but the subsequent operation is not guaranteed.
<ESC> M R : Print all data in EE-PROM in hex dump.
An example of the use of this control code is described in section 6-4. The corresponding EE-PROM addresses may be
found in the EE-PROM memory map in section 6-3.
H
Storedataintowholeareaof
EE-PROM.
Store data (m) into the ad-
dress (n).
Store auto-start software
data into EE-PROM.
ON LINE PAPER FEED

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6-3. EE-PROM Map
Address Function Data(H) Factory
data
00H EDS setting Lower 00
Bit Function 0 1
b7 Emulation Standard IBM
b6 RAM Usage Input Buffer Download
b5 Auto-LF Disabled Enabled
b4 ASF Setting Disabled Enabled
b3 Multi-part Mode Disabled Enabled
b2 Paper-out Enabled Disabled
b1 Tear off Disabled Enabled
b0 Strobe Timing Normal Reverse
01H EDS setting Upper 00
b7 b6 Print Mode
0 0 10 CPI DRAFT
0 1 10 CPI HS DRAFT
1 0 17 CPI DRAFT
1 1 10 CPI COURIER
b5 b4 Page Length
0 0 11 inches
0 1 A4 sized page
1 0 8 inches
1 1 12 inches
b3 bit Character Table
0:Graphics (Standard Mode)
Set #2 (IBM Mode)
1:Italics (Standard Mode)
Set #1 (IBM Mode)
In the Standard Italic character set
b2 b1 b0 Country
0 0 0 U.S.A.
1 0 0 France
0 1 0 Germany
1 1 0 England
0 0 1 Denmark I
1 0 1 Sweden
0 1 1 Italy
1 1 1 Spain I

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Address Function Data(H)
01H Except in the Standard Italic character set Upper 00
b2 b1 b0 IBM Code Page
0 0 0 #437 U.S.A.
1 0 0 #850 Multi-lingual
0 1 0 #860 Portuguese
1 1 0 #861 Icelandic
0 0 1 #863 Canadian French
1 0 1 #865 Nordic
0 1 1 Option 1
1 1 1 Option 2
02H,03H Area for IBM initial Condition Lower,Upper 01,00
04H,05H Empty area Lower,Upper 00,00
06H,07H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode Pica/Elite Lower,Upper 03,90
08H,09H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode Condensed Lower,Upper 04,E0
0AH,0BH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode NLQ Lower,Upper 06,80
0CH,0DH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode Emphasized Lower,Upper 06,D0
0EH,0FH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode 20 CPI Lower,Upper 06,A0
10H,11H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode HS-Draft(Pica) Lower,Upper 03,72
12H,13H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Standard mode Forward Lower,Upper 00,00
14H,15H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode Pica/Elite Lower,Upper 04,B0
16H,17H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode Condensed Lower,Upper 05,E0
18H,19H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode NLQ Lower,Upper 06,E0
1AH,1BH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode Emphasized Lower,Upper 08,E0
1CH,1DH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode 20 CPI Lower,Upper 06,C0
1EH,1FH Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode HS-Draft(Pica) Lower,Upper 03,B0
20H,21H Misalignment correction (1/360" pitch): Multi-part mode Forward Lower,Upper 00,00
22H Bidirectional test/adjustment mode (+/–8 steps) 09
Current –8 : –8/360 inch correction 11
Current –7 : –7/360 inch correction 10
Current –6 : –6/360 inch correction 0F
Current –5 : –5/360 inch correction 0E
Current –4 : –4/360 inch correction 0D
Current –3 : –3/360 inch correction 0C
Current –2 : –2/360 inch correction 0B
Current –1 : –1/360 inch correction 0A
Current 0 : No correction 09
Current +1 : +1/360 inch correction 08
Current +2 : +2/360 inch correction 07
Current +3 : +3/360 inch correction 06
Current +4 : +4/360 inch correction 05
Current +5 : +5/360 inch correction 04
Current +6 : +6/360 inch correction 03
Current +7 : +7/360 inch correction 02
Current +8 : +8/360 inch correction 01
Factory
data

– 14 –
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Address Function Data(H) Factory
data
23H Empty area 00
24H Top margin in auto-loading : Standard mode Friction Lower CC
25H (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
26H Top margin in auto-loading : Standard mode Tractor Lower CC
27H (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
28H Top margin in auto-loading : Standard mode ASF Lower CC
29H (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
2AH Top margin in auto-loading : IBM mode Friction Lower CC
2BH (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
2CH Top margin in auto-loading : IBM mode Tractor Lower CC
2DH (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
2EH Top margin in auto-loading : IBM mode ASF Lower CC
2FH (Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch) Upper 02
30H,31H Misalignment correction : Standard mode HS-Draft(Elite) Lower,Upper 03,60
32H,33H Misalignment correction : Multi-part mode HS-Draft(Elite) Lower,Upper 03,90
34H,35H Empty area Lower,Upper 00,00
36H Allowable distance (steps) between point of paper out Lower E8
37H detector and its detection :Standard mode / push tractor Upper 01
(Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch)
38H Allowable distance (steps) between point of paper out Lower E8
39H detector and its detection :Standard mode / pull tractor Upper 01
(Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch)
3AH Allowable distance (steps) between point of paper out Lower E8
3BH detector and its detection :IBM mode / push tractor Upper 01
(Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch)
3CH Allowable distance (steps) between point of paper out Lower E8
3DH detector and its detection :IBM mode / pull tractor Upper 01
(Paper feed at a pitch of 1/432 of an inch)
3EH,3FH Empty area Lower,Upper 00,00
40H,41H Empty area Lower,Upper 00,00
42H,43H Stored control panel information : Standard mode Lower,Upper 00,00
44H,45H Stored control panel information : IBM mode Lower,Upper 00,00
46H to AUTOSTART software area : Standard mode ALL 00
61H (28 bytes)
62H to AUTOSTART software area : IBM mode ALL 00
7DH (28 bytes)
7EH,7FH EE-PROM Reset Marker Lower,Upper 4E,**

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6-4. Rewriting the EE-PROM
An example of the procedure for rewriting an EE-PROM is described below.
1. Load a Basic Disk in the personal computer, and turn on the power to the computer.
2. Hold down bothe the and switches on the front panel of the printer and turn on the
power to the printer. Release the switches when you hear a beep.
3. Load a sheet of paper, and press the switch.
4. Input the program listed below into the personal computer and run the program.
10 LPRINT CHR$(27);“MW1”;CHR$(&H00);CHR$(&H80)
20 LPRINT CHR$(27);“MR”
Description of the Sample Program
This program is used to change the emulation mode from STANDARD (the factory setting) to IBM.
Line 10: CHR$ (27);“MW1” .............. This is the control code used for rewriting the EE-PROM.
&H00 .................................... Address data from &H00 will show the EDS mode from the EE-PROM
memory map
&H80 .................................... Data from &H80 will change the emulation mode from STANDARD to
IBM.
Line 20: CHR$(27);“MR” .................. This is the control code used for dumping all of the EE-PROM data to
hexadecimal
5. Turn off the power to the printer. This will complete the setting.
ON LINE PAPER FEED
SET/EJECT
PARK

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS