Star Micronics LC24-15II User manual

LC24-15II
MULTI-FONT
USERS MANUAL
NOT INTENDED FOR SALE
XBL 80825605

VDE Statement
This device carries the VDE RFI protection mark to certify that it meets the radio interference
requirements of the Postal Ordinance No. 243/1991. The additional marking “Vfg. 243/P”
expresses in short form that this is a peripheral device (not operable alone) which only
individually meets the Class B RFI requirements in accordance with the DIN VDE 0878
part 3/11.89 and the Postal Ordinance 243/1991.
If this device is operated in conjunction with other devices within a set-up, in order to take
advantage of a “General (Operating) Authorization” in accordance with the Postal Ordinance
243/1991, the complete set-up must comply with the Class B limits in accordance with the
DIN VDE 0878 part 3/11.89, as well as satisfy the preconditions in accordance with § 2 and
the prerequisites in accordance with § 3 of the Postal Ordinance 243/1991.
As a rule, this is only fulfilled when the device is operated in a set-up which has been type-
tested and provided with a VDE RFI protection mark with the additional marking “Vfg 243”.
Machine Noise Information Ordinance 3. GSGV, January 18, 1991: The sound pressure
level at the operator position is equal or less than 70dB(A) according to ISO 7779.
The above statement applies only to printers marketed in Germany.
Trademark Acknowledgements
LC24-15II, LC24-15, NB24-15, IS-8XL, SF-15DJ, PT-15XJ: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
IBM-PC, PS/2, PC-AT, Proprinter XL24E/XL24, PC-DOS: International Buisiness
Machines Corp.
Microsoft BASIC, MS-DOS: Microsoft Corporation
LQ-1050, LQ-1060: Seiko Epron Corp.
NOTICE
• All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form whatsoever
without STAR’s express permission is forbidden.
• 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 press.
However, shoulld any errors be detected, STAR would greatly appreciate being
informed of them.
• The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this manual.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
This manual is organized into eleven chapters. To learn how to make the best
useofyourprinteryouareurgedtoreadthroughchapters1through6.Chapters
7 through 11 may be treated as a refernce guide for programming operations,
etc. It assumes a degree of knowledge of the operation of computers. The
chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1
- Introduction
This chapter indicates the primary features of your ptinter, the names and
functions of the printer components, and an actual example of the many font
styles that your printer can produce.
Chapter 2
- Setting Up the Printer
This chapter explains how to get the printer unpacked and set up. Read this
chapter before you do anything else.
Chapter 3
- Paper Installation and Use
This chapter describes the instructions for printing such as selecting paper
types, adjusting the printing gap, and installing paper.
Chapter 4
- Control Panel Operations
There are a number of controls on the front panel which perform various
functions related to paper handling, print modes and font selection.
After performinng the setup of the printer, read this chapter and try out the
procedures to find out how the printer works.
Chapter 5
- Default Settings - EDS mode
This chapter explains how to set the Electronic DIP Switch (EDS) mode to
make your printer match your system and software needs.

Chapter 6 - Troubleshooting
This section shows a list of check points to follow if your printer is not working
properly. It also includes details of some routine maintenance operations you
can perform yourself. It is not, however, a complete service manual. Call
your authorized service center if you are unsure of your ability to carry out
any maintenance or servicing operatioins on the printer.
Chapter 7
- Optional Accessories
This chapter explains the optional accessories that are available for your
printer, and how to install and use them.
Chapter 8
- Printer Control Commands
This chapter explains the software commands that are used to drive your
printer. This section is of use if you are writing or modifying programs to
take advantage of the printer’s features.
Chapter 9
- Download Characters
This chapter explains the procedures to create your own characters.
Chapter 10
- MS-DOS and Your Printer
Since the PS/2 or PC-AT family of computers running under MS-DOS is
currently the most popular configuration of microcomputer, we have included
a few hints and tips to help you use your printer with such systems.
Since virtually all PCs are sold with a Microsoft BASIC interpreter, we have
alsoincludedsomehints,and asampleprogram inthislanguage todemonstrate
the capabilities of the printer.
Chapter 11
- Reference
This section provides refernces for your printer, such as specifications, the
pinout of interface connector, and the character tables.
The character table charts give the different character sets available.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1
Printer components 2
Summary of printer features 4
Font style example 6
Chapter 2 SETTING UP THE PRINTER 7
Printer placement 7
Unpacking and inspection 8
Setting up 9
Installing the platen knob 9
Installing the ribbon cartridge 10
Installing the paper guide 13
Connecting the interface cable 13
Configuring your software for the printer 15
Chapter 3 PAPER INSTALLATION AND USE 17
Selection of paper 17
Adjusting the printing gap 18
Loading single sheets 19
Loading and parking fanfold forms 22
Loading the paper 23
Paper parking 25
Paper unparking 26
Chapter 4 CONTROL PANEL OPERATIONS 27
Button and indicator functions 27
ON LINE 28
PAPER FEED 29
SET/EJECT 29
PITCH 30
FONT 30
Switch combination functions 31
Form feed 31
Top of form 32
Forward micro-feed 32
Reverse micro-feed 32

Changing the auto loading position 32
Clearing the buffer/All reset 33
Save macro definition 34
Power-up functions 35
Short test mode 35
Long test mode 36
Print area test mode 37
Pitch lock mode 37
Font lock mode 37
Font and Pitch lock mode 37
Dot adjustment mode 38
Hexadecimal dump 39
Conditions indicated by beep tones 40
Chapter 5 DEFAULT SETTINGS
- EDS MODE 41
How to set the EDS mode 41
Functions of the EDS settings 42
Chapter 6 TROUBLESHOOTING 47
Maintenance 52
Chapter 7 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 53
Automatic Sheet Feeder 53
Setting up 54
Loading paper 57
Pull Tractor Unit 59
Setting up 60
Loading paper 61
Serial Interface Cartridge 63
DIP switch functions on the serial interface cartridge 64
Chapter 8 PRITNER CONTROL COMMANDS 65
Font control commands 66
Character set commands 71
Character size and pitch commands 74

vertical position commands 80
Horizontal position commads 86
Graphics commands 90
Download character commands 94
Other printer comands 97
Chapter 9 DOWNLOAD CHARACTERS 101
Defining your own characters with Standard mode 101
Assigning the character data 102
Assigning a value of character space 103
Sample program 104
Defining your own characters with IBM mode 106
Assigning the download character set 106
Assigning the character dot pattern 107
Assigning the Index Table data 108
Sample program 110
Chapter 10 MS-DOS AND YOUR PRINTER 113
Programming the printer with DOS commands 113
Programming with BASIC 116
Chapter 11 REFERENCE 123
Specifications 123
Pinout of interface connector 126
Parallel interface 126
Serial interface 127
Character sets 128
Standard character set #2 129
International character sets 131
IBM character set #2 132
Character set #1 139
IBM special character set 140
INDEX 141
COMMAND SUMMARY 145

1
C hapter 1
INTRODUCTION
This printer has a full complement of features, making it an excellent partner
for a personal computer. It supports the Epson/IBM printer commands and
character sets, enabling it to print just about anything your computer can
generate, both text and graphics.
The selection of paper you can use is as varied as the types of document you
can produce. This printer accepts any of the following kinds of paper:
• Single sheets (cut forms) and stationery
• Fanfold forms (continuous forms)
• Multi-part forms (up to 3-ply)
• Preprinted forms
This Multi-font printer has the following resident (internal) fonts:
• Draft
• Roman
• Sanserif
• Courier
• Prestige
• Script
The control panel has five buttons and eleven indicators. The indicator display
and beep tones provide immediate, easy-to-understand feedback when you
press the buttons on the control panel.
The five buttons can operate in combinations to perform a surprising variety
of functions, including saving a micro.
An additional useful feature is the ability to switch easily between printing
onfanfoldpaperandprinting onsinglesheets.Asimplecontrolpaneloperation
lets you “park” the fanfold paper, so that you do not have to remove the
fanfold paper from the printer. When you want to resume printing on the
fanfold paper, you can simply “unpark” it.
To get acquainted with the printer’s components and capabilities, refer to the
information on the pages that follow.

2
PRINTER COMPONENTS

3
Component Description
Paper guide Aligns single sheets (cut forms) to help the printer
detect when paper is inserted.
Release lever Releases pressure on the paper. This lever must
be back for cut forms ( ), and forward for fanfold
forms ( ).
Front cover Protects the print head and other internal compo-
nents of your printer.
Rear cover Protects the tractor feed unit and separates in-
coming and outgoing fanfold forms.
Entry slot For inserting single sheets of paper.
Control panel Indicatesprinter statusandmakes controlofprinter
functions simple and convenient.
Power switch Switches power on or off.
Platen knob For advancing the paper manually.
Interface connector Connects the computer to the printer.
Print head Has a high resolution dot matrix (24-wire) com-
position for outstanding print quality.
Ribbon cartridge Contains the printer ribbon.
Adjustment lever Controls print darkness by adjusting for the
thickness of forms being printed.
Tractors Control the movement of fanfold forms.
Clamp lever Clamps the tractor in place.
Bail lever Opens and closes the paper bail which holds the
paper against the platen.