Star Micronics SB-15 User manual

SD-IO/l5
USER’S MANUAL
f
NOT INTENDED FOR SALE

Federal Communications Commission
Radio Frequency Interference
Statement
The equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. may cause in-
terference. to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart
J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
*Reorient the receiving antenna
*Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
*Move the computer away from the receiver
*Plug the computer into a different outlet so that computer and receiver are on different
branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dea !c: or an experienced redio/television technician
for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful: “How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference
Problems.” This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C., 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
For compliance with Federal Noise Interference Standard, this equipment requires a shielded
cable.
A note about the programs in this manual:
This manual contains several programs that help to demonstrate the versatility of the
SD-101 15 printers. Star Micronics Co., Ltd. has made every effort to insure that the programs
are functional and accurate. However, Star Micronics Co.. Ltd. cannot guarantee their
accuracy or suitability to any particular application.
Trademark Acknowledgement
SD-IO, SD-15: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
grafstar: Star Micronics Inc.
Apple, Apple II, Apple II+ , Apple IIe, Applesoft: Apple computer Inc.
Commodore C-64: Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
Compaq: Compaq Computer corporation
CP/M: Digital Research
EasyWriter: Information Unlimited Software, Inc.
IBM Personal Computer, IBM PC, IBM XT: International Business Machines Corp.
Kaypro: Kaypro Computer Corporation
Microsoft BASIC: Microsoft Corporation
Osborne 1: Osborne Computer Corporation
SuperCalc: Sorcim Corporation
TRS-SO: Radio Shack. a division of Tandy Corporation
WordStar: MicroPro International Corporation
@Copyright 1984 Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
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A Special Message
to the New Owner
c. Congratulations on your selecting the printer of choice for
both the sophisticated as well as the first-time user/owner - the
new SD-IO/IS!
b- To complement the SD-lo/l 5, we’ve included this manual.
All the information you need to be up and running with your
b. new SD-lo/l 5 is right here!
You’ll find using this manual easy and pleasant. We’ve gone
L,.. to great length to make it so, as it’s master-minded by solid experts
in the art of computer science, and written by professionals ex-
-.
c-. perienced in presenting technical subjects accurately - and in
Plain English!
L”
L
As an example, look over the Table of Contents and you’ll
see what we mean. Whether you’re a greenhorn or a technical
wizard, everything you need to know in order utilize to SD- lo/ 15’s
wealth of features can be found there. We suggest that each new
owner/user take time to at least scan Chapter 2 and 3 - “Getting
to Know Your SD-lO/lS’ and “Getting Started With
SD- 10/l 5”- as well as Chapter 1, “Setting Up SD- 10/l 5”, to
become familiar with your SD-lo/l 5 and how it works.
When you’re ready to connect your computer to your
SD-lo/l 5, look at Appendix J for directions applying to your
make of computer.
For you who wish to design your own characters, do your
c own plotting, your own infinite variety of dot graphic patterns
and densities, you’ll have a ball! For you, Chapters 5 through
h^ 10 are a must, and of course everybody should look at Chapter
11) which tells how to maintain your SD-lo/l 5 for a long and
carefree life.
Lo. -. In this manual there are plenty of example programs to de-
monstrate and show off all of SD-10/15’s features. Since many
bw SD- 10/l 5 users have IBM Personal Computers (or the equivalent)
all the example programs are written in Microsoft BASIC for
L the IBM. But throughout the manual, users of other computers
will find hints on how to make SD-lo/l5 work with their com-
L
i,
puter.
So, gentle reader, with this manual we hand you the key to
the wonderful world of SD- 10/l 5. May you enjoy years of
handsome, fast, and carefree printing!

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Table of Contents
Setting Up SD-lo/15
Where Shall We Put It?
What Have We Here?
Removing the printer cover
Removing packing and shipping screws
Installing the platen knob
Removing the tractor unit
Attaching the paper separator
Installing the ribbon cartridge
1
Getting to Know Your SD-lo/15
Components and Controls
Paper Selection and Loading
Loading single sheets
Loading sprocket-feed paper
Bottom feeding SD- 15
Ribbon Installation
Adjusting the Gap
Self-Test
9
Getting Started With SD-lo/15 23
Using Commercial Software
First, some terminology
Using SD- IO/15 with SuperCalc
Using SD- 1O/15 with word processors
Using this book without learning BASIC
Controlling SD-lo/15 With BASIC
Some Basics About BASIC
Establishing communications
The CHR$ function
Control codes
The escape code
Some problem codes
Command Syntax Used in This Manual
Selecting The Right Software Mode
Printing Text With SD-lo/15
Some Special Kinds of Text
Near Letter Quality characters
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Italic printing
Underlining
Superscripts and subscripts
Changing the Print Pitch
Expanded print
Making SD-lo/l5 Print Darker
Summary
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Line Spacing and Forms Control 49
Starting New Lines
Changing Line Spacing
Moving down the page without a carriage return
Forms Controls
Form feed
Changing the Page Length
Top and Bottom Margins
Summary
Formatting Your Output
Using Horizontal Tabs
A one-shot tab command
Setting Left and Right Margins
Using Vertical Tabs
A one-shot vertical tab command
Summary
61
67
Chapter 8 Special Features of the SD-lo/15
Now hear this
Initializing SD- 1O/15
Putting SD-lo/l 5 to sleep
Printing to the bottom of the sheet
Backspace, delete, and cancel text
“Zero’: printing
Unidirectional printing
The seven bit dilemma
Block graphics characters and special symbols
International character sets
The macro control code
Summary
Chapter 9 Creating Your Own Characters
Dot Matrix Printing
The Print Matrix
81
Defining Your Own Characters
Rule 1: Download characters are eight dots high
Rule 2: Dots cannot overlap
Add up each column of dots
Assigning a value to your character
Download character definition command
Printing Download Characters

Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E Command Summary in Numeric Order 199
Appendix F ASCII Code Conversion Chart 203
Erasing Download Character Definitions
Defining Proportional Characters
Connecting characters
Summary
Printing With Dot Graphics 103
Comparing Dot Grapphics With Download
Characters
Using the Dot Graphics Commands
Specifying the number of columns of dots
Specifying the graphics data
Combining text and graphics
Printing a Design or Logo
Plotting With SD-lo/15
How the program works
High Resolution Graphics
If You Have Problems With BASIC
Summary
Basic Maintenance 121
Cleaning SD-lo/15
Replacing the Ink Ribbon
Replacing a Fuse
Replacing the Print Head
DIP Switch Settings 127
Switch Functions
ASCII Codes 131
Character Style Charts 139
Function Code Reference 157
Commands to Control Print Style
Front style controls
Font pitch controls
Special print modes
Commands to Control Vertical Position of
Print Head
Line feed controls
Form feed controls
Vertical tabs
Commands to Control Horizontal Position of
Print Head
Download Character Commands
Commands to Control Graphics
Macro Instruction Commands
Other Commands
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Appendix G Technical Specifications
Appendix H The Parallel Interface
Functions of the Connector Signals
Appendix I Serial Interface Specifications
Configuring the Serial Interface
SD- lo/ 15’s Serial Protocols
Serial busy protocols
XON/XOFF protocol
ACK protocol
Appendix J Connecting With Computer
Connecting with IBM-PC and Compaq
BASIC programming
Listing programs
Connecting with Apple II computers
Applesoft BASIC
Listing programs
Connecting with TRS-80 computers
TRS-80 BASIC
Listing programs
Connecting with Kaypro, Osborne, and
other CP/M computers
Using MBASIC
Listing programs
211
215
219
225
DIP Switch Quick Reference
Command Quick Reference
Consumer Response
233
234
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Table of Tables
Table 5-l Near letter quality commands
Table 5-2 Italic commands
Table 5-3 Underline commands
Table 5-4 Superscript and subscript commands
Table 5-5 Print pitch commands
Table 5-6 Expanded print commands
Table 5-7 Print emphasis commands
Table 6-l Line feed commands
Table 6-2 Line spacing commands
Table 6-3 Form length commands
Table 6-4 Top and bottom margin commands
Table 7-l Horizontal tab commands
Table 7-2 Left and right margin commands
Table 7-3 Vertical tab commands
Table 8-l Bell commands
Table 8-2 Some miscellaneous commands
Table 8-3 Printing direction commands
Table 8-4 Eight bit control commands
Table 8-5 International character set commands
Table 8-6 International character sets
Table 8-7 Macro instruction commands
Table 9-l Download character commands
Table 10-l Calculating nl and n2
Table 10-2 Dot graphics commands
Table A-l DIP switch settings
Table A-2 International character sets
Table H-l Parallel interface pin functions
Table I-l Serial interface pin functions
Table I-2 DIP switch on the serial board
Table I-3 Handshaking protocols
Table I-4 Data transfer rates
Table J-l IBM-PC parallel cable
Table J-2 Apple parallel cable
Table J-3 TRS-80 Model I parallel cable
Table J-4 TRS-80 Model II parallel cable
Table J-5 Kaypro parallel cable
Table J-6 Osborne 1 parallel cable
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56
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71
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116
128 -
130
217
220 --
221
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221
225
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229
229
231
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In this chapter, we’ll show you how to unpack your new
SD-lo/l 5 printer, set it up in the right location, and get it ready
for you to load it with paper and start printing. But first . . .
WHERE SHALL WE PUT IT?
Before you do anything else, give some thought to where you’ll
be using your printer. Obviously, it will be somewhere near your
computer. And both printer and computer will lead longer,
healthier lives if they like their environment. For instance, we
recommend . . .
l Placing the printer on a flat surface
l Keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from
heat-producing appliances
l Using it only in temperatures where you are comfortable
l Avoiding areas with a lot of dust, grease, or humidity
l Giving it “clean” electricity. Don’t connect it to the same
circuit as large, noise-producing motors
l Power supply voltage should be the same voltage that’s
specified on the identification plate - not over 10% more
or less than the recommended AC voltage.
Warning: Extremely high or low voltage can damage your
printer.
WHAT HAVE WE HERE?
Now let’s take a look at what’s in the carton. Take it slow and
easy, and check each item in the box against Figure 1-I. There
should be exactly 6 items.
;‘.1. .: .‘.
CHAPTER 1
SETTING UP SD-lo/ 15

. . . . . .\ “- .A,.?
Figure l-l. Inside the carton you should have received: I) SD1uj13
printer, 2) continuous paper guide, 3) platen knob, 4) spare fuse, 5) ribbon
cartridge, and 6) this user’s manual.
Let’s move on the next step . . .
H Removing the printer cover
What is cover for, really? Primarily, for two reasons: one, to
keep dust and dirt away from the delicate “innards,” and two,
to keep the noise level down. The printer cover must be on or
SD-lo/l5 will not print. So, you should keep the cover on all
the time, except when setting the ink ribbon cartridge in place,
loading paper, or making other adjustments when the cover might
be in the way.
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To remove the printer cover, lift up the free end (nearest the
center of the printer), then with a slight rocking motion, lift it
straight up and off the machine. To replace, just reverse the
procedure. Figure l-2 illustrates the proper position and
movement for both removal and replacement of the cover.
Printer Cover
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Figure 1-2. Kemove the pnnter cover by Iitting straight up.
n Removing packing and shipping screws
There are two (on an SD-lo) or three (on an SD-1.5) shipping
screws on the bottom of the printer, used to hold the internal
chassis securely to the external frame during shipping. To get
at these, carefully place the printer upside down on a soft surface
like a foam cushion. Remove the screws with a Phillips screw-
driver as shown in Figure l-3.
Next, remove the printer cover, and remove the spiral tube
on the carriage stay which protects the print head, per Figure
l-4.
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Figure 1-3. SD-10 has two screws which secure the chassis during shippmg;
SD-15 has three. They should be removed before use.
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Figure 1-4. Remove the spiral tube on the carriage stay that protects
SD- 1O/1S’s print head.
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You’ll be smart to save these screws, along with the rest of the
packing material and the shipping carton, in case you ever have
to ship the printer. Tape the screws somewhere on the carton
or packing.
n Installing the platen knob
This is the knob that turns the rubber platen cylinder. It fits
into the hole on the right side of the printer case. Just match the
odd-shaped hole in the knob with the same shape on the shaft
you’ll see inside the hole in the case, and press it on firmly. Give
the knob a few turns to see that it’s turning the platen easily and
smoothly.
n Removing the tractor unit
The tractor unit, shown in Figure 1-5, comes mounted on the
printer during shipment. It is used only with sprocket-feed paper.
When other papers are used, such as single sheets, the unit should
be removed, in the following manner:
Snap lever
\
Figure 1-5 Remove the tractor by pulling the snap levers towards you
and tilting the tractor unit back.
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Remove the printer cover (if attached).
Identify the “snap levers” as shown in Figure l-5.
Pull both snap levers forward, and at the same time . . .
Rock the tractor unit up and towards you about half an inch.
Now lift the tractor up and away from the printer.
Up to this point, we’ve been clearing the decks for action, so
to speak. Only two more things are left to do before we can start
printing. They are, 1) attach the paper separator, and 2) install
the ink ribbon cartridge. Actually, if you’re planning to print
on single sheets only, you won’t need to use the paper separator,
which are designed expressly to guide continuous paper
(sprocket-feed) through the printer.
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H Attaching the paper separator
Insert one protruding end into the hole shown in Figure l-6
then gently bend the other protruding end until it snaps into the
opposite hole.
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Paper separator
Figure 1-6. Attach the paper separator.
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Important news: If you get this in upside down, they won’t
work. So take another sharp look at Figure 1-6 before we pass
on to the final act-installing the ink ribbon cartridge.
n Installing the ribbon cartridge
The ribbon cartridge greatly simplifies installing the ink ribbon.
For easy installation, though, it’s wise to follow the sequence
and diagrams shown here.
1. Turn the power switch off, and remove the printer cover
(as explained earlier.)
2. Slide the print head gently with your fingers to the ap-
proximate center of its pathway. ’
3. Using the guide holders as a fulcrum with the ribbon facing
away from you, as shown in Figure 1-7, lightly press the
cartridge down until the two holder springs snap shut to
hold the cartridge firmly in place.
4. Now thread the ribbon carefully between the print head
and the ribbon guide next to the platen. (Take a good
look at Figure l-8.) You might want to use a ball point
pen to lightly press the ribbon guide against the platen
(rubber roller) while you insert the ribbon into the thin
space between the print head and ribbon guide.
Zmpovtant: Center the ribbon vertically in the middle
Figure 1-7. Lightly press the cartridge down until the holder springs hold
it in place.
7

Figure 1-8. Use a ball point pen to place the ribbon between the print
head and the ribbon guide. It’s important that the ribbon is centered
vertically between the print head and the ribbon guide.
of the print head to avoid misprints or the ribbon coming
off during printing.
5. Turn the spool gear knob in the direction of the arrow -
printed on the top left side of the cartridge to take up
the slack in the ribbon; continue turning the spool gear -
four or five times to verify that everything is properly set -
and ready to roll.
6. As a f?nal step, replace the printer cover. As you’ll learn
in Chapter 2, SD-lo/l 5 refuses to print unless the printer
cover is securely in place! A dousing “on line” lamp warns
of a loose cover. When this occurs, do the obvious thing:
fasten the cover securely, press the on line button to glow
the green light, and you’re back in business!
8

CHAPTER 2
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR SD-lo/l5
The more you learn about SD-lo/15 and its sophisticated
features, old and new, the better SD- lo/15 is going to perform
for you. Remember, it’s not just what you know - it’s what
you know how to use! So, let’s start getting acquainted!
Subjects we’ll cover in this chapter include:
l Components and controls
l Paper-out and front-cover-open detectors
l Paper selection and loading
l Adjusting the gap - for different paper thickness
l Self-test - printout of available characters
COMPONENTS AND CONTROLS
First, the components. You saw most of these when you un-
packed you printer. Now we’ll give you a brief explanation of
what they do. (For details on your initial set-up of SD-10/15,
with all components in place, see Chapter 1.)
PRINTER COVER - This function is to protect the ribbon and
print head from dust and dirt, and also to reduce the sauna level.
SPROCKET PAPER GUIDE - As you’ve guessed, this wire
rack is used to support and guide the sprocket paper during
printing.
INK RIBBON CARTRIDGE - A neat and tidy timesaver, which
snaps into place within a few seconds.
POWER CORD - Connects the printer to its power source,
usually a wall outlet. It’s located at the left rear.
PRINT HEAD - This is the unit which does the actual printing.
Like a typewriter, the print head prints through an ink ribbon.

Control panel
Power switch
L
Figure 2-l. Front and rear views of SD-IO.
TRACTOR - This unit feeds sprocket-feed paper with its drive
gear and sprocket units. It is very easy to remove or to install
the tractor unit onto the printer.
PLATEN - This is the rubber cylinder that carries paper to the
print head.
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L
L
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knob
?Zontrol panel
Figure 2-2. Front and rear views of SD-15
INTERFACE CONNECTOR - Around on the back, this is the
place where you connect your computer to SD- 1O/l5, so that they
are able to communicate with each other.
Now let’s take a tour around the controls, starting with the
control panel board, located at the right front. There are 4 lamps
and 3 buttons on the panel:
I1

I POWER
r---l
I READY
I PAPER
I OUTI
I ON LINE
FF
G
LF
G
Figure 2-3. SD-lo/ 15’scontrols.
POWER LAMP - Glows green
when the power is on.
READY LAMP - Glows green
when the printer is ready to ac-
cept data. This light flickers
during transmission. Don’t
worry about the flicker; it’s
normal!
ON LINE LAMP - Glows green
when the communication lines
to your computer are open.
PAPER-OUT LAMP - Glows
red when the printer is out of
paper and stops printing.
LF BUTTON - Stands for “Line
Feed,” and allows you to ad-
vance the paper one line at a time
when the on line lamp is off. If
you hold the button down, you’ll
get consecutive line feeds, one
after another.
FF BUTTON - Stands for
“Form Feed.” When you tap this
button while the on line lamp
is off, you advance the paper to
the top of a new page or “form.”
ON LINE BUTTON - Lets you change the printer status between -
“off line,” and “on line”. When it’s on line, the printer can receive
data from the computer. When it’s off line, the printer sends a
signal to the computer indicating that it cannot accept data. - -
When you turn the power switch on, you are automatically on -
line.
There are other kinds of controls, not connected to the control
panel board. Some of the more important ones are:
POWER SWITCH - Towards the back on the left side. This
turns on the electricity to your machine.
PLATEN KNOB - Middle, right side. Lets you manually turn
the platen, just like a typewriter. CAUTION: Turn this knob
only with power switch OJ’$Turning it with the power on could
damage the platen drive gears.
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