TransAct EPIC 950 User manual

EPIC 950
THERMAL
TICKET PRINTER
Tech Support Reference Guide
®
www.TRANSAC-TECH.com

Contacting Information / Serial Plate Info
• TransAct Technologies Incorporated is the
manufacturer of Ithaca brand POS, Banking, and Food
Safety, receipt printers and Epic brand Gaming printers.
877.748.4222 - www. transact-tech.com
• When calling the toll free number above enter option 2 for
Parts and RMA’s or enter option 3 for Technical Support
• E-mail Technical Support at:
T[email protected]
• Online RMA form:
www.transact-tech.com/tsg/rma.html
• Additional product support information can be found on
our website under Support > Product Info > Epic 950.
• TransAct also maintains an FTP site for downloading
documentation,utilitiesandrmwareles:
ftp://ftp.transact.com
USER ID: gaming
PASSWORD: CAs1no123
or at ftp://gaming:[email protected]
Serial Plate Information
DateCodeIdentication:
• Therstletterdenotesthemonthbuilt,asfollows:
A= January, B= February, C= March, D= April
E= May, F= June, G= July, H= August,
I= September, J= October, K= November
L= December
• The two numbers denote the
last two digits of the year
built, as follows:
04= 2004
05= 2005...
Note: Standard Warranty: 2 years from the build date
2

Printing Self-Test Ticket
3
Print a test ticket using the printer’s self-test procedure:
• Press and hold the FEED button for approximately 5
seconds, then release and the self-test ticket will then
print.
- OR -
1. Un-rack the Inner
Chassis
2. Open the Ticket Cover.
Do not remove the
currently loaded ticket.
3. Press and hold the
FEED button until the
Open LED goes out,
then release the button.
4. Now close the Ticket
Cover and the self-test
ticket will then print.
5. Close the Inner Chassis
to resume normal
operation.
NOTE:
Provides useful information
regardingloadedrmware
versionandconguredBaud
Rate settings in addition to
performing mechanical
testing.
Self-Test
Ticket

Printer Status and Bezel Light LED’s
4
Printer Status LED’s
TheprinterhasbeenoutttedwithaLEDpanelsystemthat
provides the condition of the printer by using solid or blinking
status LEDs to communicate status information. The following
tableliststhedifferentLEDstatesforspecicconditions.
Condition Ready
LED
Paper
LED
Open
LED
Fault
LED
Unit Ready ON OFF OFF OFF
Cover Open ON OFF ON OFF
Chassis Open ON OFF BLINK OFF
Ticket Out ON ON OFF OFF
Ticket Low ON BLINK OFF OFF
Head Temp Error BLINK OFF OFF BLINK
Paper Jam ON OFF OFF BLINK
Ram Error 2-BLINK OFF OFF ON
EEprom Error 5-BLINK OFF OFF ON
Boot Load Mode BLINK OFF OFF ON
CongMod BLINK OFF OFF OFF
Bezel Status Lamp
The printer’s bezel also displays certain printer status informa-
tion. See the table below:
Steady Blinking
Rapidly
Blinking
Medium
Blinking
Slowly
Online and
Ready
Ticket is being
printed.
Ticket in ticket
taken senor
Ticket Low
Chassis open
Cover open
Ticket not
loaded (TOF)
Ticket jam
error

Dip Switch Settings
5
Switch 1 is the furthest to the rear of the printer. The Active
position is toward the outside edge of the printer.
SW-1 Reserved and must be in the Disabled position. If
activated, the printer will be held in rest.
SW-2 ConguresTicketLow.TheDisabledposition
prevents ticket low from being detected.
SW-3 Reserved
SW-4 Reserved
SW-5 Reserved
SW-6 Reserved
SW-7 Activates the Smart Suite features. Must be active to
use the status features of the Bench Test utility.
Must be active on Bally Alpha platforms with 3.17OS
or greater or if you receive constant “Printer COMM
Error”.
SW-8 Activates 2-color operation (color ticket media
required)

6
Game Interface Options
Note:TheInnerChassisiscompatiblewithallrmwareversions
Serial (RS-232)
• Communication board #95-04998L (14-pin connector)
Netplex
• Communication board #95-05001L (10-pin connector)
• Powered through 8-pin pigtail connector
USB
• Communication board #95-05472L (4-pin USB connector
and 6-pin Netplex connection)
• Powered through a 4-pin Molex connector

7
Printer Firmware Versions
Firmware Naming Convention:
Eachrmwareleisnamedwithaprexandnumberthat
signifyspecicinformationaboutthermwareinthele.The
FamilyMaskisindicativeofbackwardscompatiblermware.
F XXX xx FactoryTest-Mustbere-ashed!
S XXX xx TransAct Template Language (Serial PCB)
N XXX xx WMS - IGT’s Netplex Protocol (Serial PCB)
V XXX xx IGT - Netplex Protocol (Netplex PCB)
H XXX xx GSA - GDS Printer Protocol (USB PCB)
U XXX xx TransAct Template Language (USB PCB)
IUN XXX xxxx IGT - Ithaca Universal Netplex (USB PCB)
IUU XXX xxxx IGT - Ithaca Universal USB (USB PCB)
FirmwarePrex-InterfaceTypeorUsage
Firmware Revision
Firmware Family Mask
Obtaining Printer Firmware:
• Firmwareles<*.cbt>areavailablefordownloadfromthe
TRANSACT Gaming FTP site (see page #2). After logging
in, browse to the Epic 950/Firmware
folder, select the
interfacetypeandrmwareversiontodownload.
TRANSACT Firmware Disclaimer:
• Thermwarewithinallgamingticketprintersaresubject
to regulatory approval. It is the casino’s responsibility to
ensurethatonlyapprovedrmwareforthespecicgame
platformisinstalledtoavoidpotentialnesimposedbythe
regulatory body. Please contact the game manufacture
and/orregulatoryagencytoconrmtheapprovalstatus
priortousinganynewprinterrmwareversion(s)inyour
games

Racking/Un-rackingtheInnerChassis
8
To remove the Inner Chassis:
• Pull on the Ticket Cover to release the rear detents, pulling
the Inner Chassis towards you until it’s latches catch the
forward detent slots
• Push the Inner Chassis back in slightly, pull on the Re-
lease lever and pull forward on the Inner Chassis to
un-dock it form the Outer Chassis
To return the Inner Chassis: (see warning before racking)
• Align the base of the Inner Chassis with the outer walls
of the Outer Chassis, seating it within side walls A and B
as shown. Make certain it’s straight so the Inner Chassis
doesn’tdamagetheexcable
• While pulling outwards on the Release Lever, slide the
Inner Chassis towards the rear of the Outer Chassis. Push
the Inner Chassis all the way to the back until it stops.
When fully seated, the front metal plate of the Inner Chas-
sisandthefrontleftedgeoftheOuterChassisareush
Warning: Interconnect PC Board
Assembly must be latched in position shown
Check by trying to move the board by hand
prior to racking.
MAKE SURE IT IS LATCHED

9
Preventive Maintenance
Cleaning Instructions:
1. Remove Inner Chassis as shown on page 10
2. Opentopcoverallthewaytoallowairowbetweenprint-
head and platen roller
3. Remove any loose particles using compressed air
4. Clean ticket burst area (under top cover) with a lint free
cloth
5. Supply power to the printer either by reinstalling it back
into a game or using the Download Kit’s power supply
6. Open cleaning card pouch and remove cleaning card
7. Insert cleaning card into feed path while applying some
tension thereby cleaning the entire surface of the platen
roller
8. Open the top cover and remove the cleaning card
9. Repeat process if necessary
10. Properly dispose of used cleaning card
Wafetechnologycleaningcardswithcutoutnotches:
• Insert cleaning card into feed path with the notches
towards the leading edge and use the FEED button to feed
it through 2x.
Warnings:
• IPA solvents can damage rubber rollers with frequent use.
TRANSACT recommends a maximum usage of 2x annually.
• The thermal print-head’s life can be reduced with excessive fric-
tion. When cleaning the component directly, TRANSACT recom-
mends using IPA solvent on non
abrasive lint free cloth.
Purchasing cleaning cards:
Cleaning cards are available through TRANSACT.
Description: 2.5”x6” Cleaning Cards (qty15)
TRANSACT Part Number: 200-00155

10
Sensors and Switches
Ticket Low Sensor
• Optically senses when 5-10 tickets remain in ticket supply
bucket
• Reports ticket low to game in status byte
• Verify with Game Manufacturer how status byte is man-
aged
Top of Form Sensor/Ticket Out Sensor
• Senses and aligns to black dot on right edge of ticket
Ticket Taken Sensors
• Used to determine when customer has removed the
printed ticket
Audible Alarm
• The Audible Alarm will activate upon printer reset. Other
alarms are under control of the game.

11
Sensors and Switches
Chassis Open Sensor
• Located on Main Controller Board
• Determines if printer Inner Chassis is racked out or “open”
Ticket Burst Sensor
• The Ticket Burst Sensor is used to verify that the ticket
perforations have been separated during the burst
operation
Cover Open Switch
• The Cover Open Switch, when activated, returns a cover
open status to the host and inhibits the ticker printing
operation until the Ticket Cover is closed.

12
FlexCableReplacement
Installation:
When installing the cable into the Outer Chassis, make the
rearconnectionrst.Thencreatealoopinthecablesothatit
can be easily slipped over the clip (A) closest to the connector,
then repeat for remaining clips. Release the sliding connector
board’s latches by lifting up on the two levers and push the
board towards the rear to allow enough slack to mate the front
connection. Now mate the front connection to the sliding board
andpulltheslidingboardforwarduntilitisrmlylatched.
Warning: If reinstalling a used cable, care must be taken to
insure that the cable’s bow protrudes in the direction as shown
ingure2andwheninstalled,itshouldlooklike(C).
Description: TRANSACT Part Number:
Flex Cable 98-06499L
AB
C

13
Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
Unknown Check printer Status LED’s. “Ready”
should be ON all others OFF
Not Working Most problems can be resolved by blow-
ing out the compressed air. (open cover)
Strange Errors Verifyprinterrmware(Self-TestTicket),
Checkifnewerprinterrmwareavailable
COMM Error Check printer dip-switch #7 position
(affects how status is provided to EGM)
Main Controller Board Connections - seegure1

Download and Test Hardware
14
Required Download Hardware:
TodownloadprinterrmwareintoanEpic950printerrequires
some additional hardware available for purchase from TRANS-
ACT or our distributors. 100-06693L “Single-download Kit” in-
cludes the items below whereas 100-06935L includes an Outer
Chassis with a Serial interface needed to dock and power the
printer.
imPort™:
The Epic 950 printer features an imPort™
rmwareandgraphicsdownloadport.This
port uses a 4-pin Molex connector with an
RS-232 interface for connecting with a PC at
axedBaudRateof115,200bps.
Warning: Do not plug power into imPort™
Making the connections:
Attach the hardware included in the Single Download Kit as
shown above. Note: Power can be supplied to the printer from;
a slot machine, form the 4-pin power connector into a USB I/F
PCB, or via the Communication/Power Adaptor when attached
to an Outer Chassis with a 14-pin Serial Interface connector.

16 1515
Flashing Printer Firmware
Enter printer Boot Load mode:
1. Un-rack and open the printer’s top cover as shown on
page 8
2. Hold the FEED button while applying power to the printer
3. VerifystatusLEDpanel-READY>Flashing&Fault>ON
Note: The printer will reset and print a test ticket when down-
load completes if you rack-in, close top cover with tickets
loaded.
The Single
Download utility
Download.exe is
available on the
CD included with
the Download Kit
or from the FTP
site (see page #2
for details)
Utilityone-timesetup:
1. Select the assigned COMM Port number from the pull down
2. Right click on the utility’s title bar and check-mark
XON/XOFF
3. Slide the “Serial Performance” slider to 115,200 bps
Flashingprinterrmware:
1. Click “Get Printer Info” button. The boxes below the button
shouldpopulate.Alsoveriesbidirectionalcommunication
2. Click“SelectletoDownload”buttonandchoosearmware
3. Click “Download Now” button to begin downloading
4. Wait until 100% Flash Update DONE is displayed
Caution:watchtheLEDsontheprinter...whenthermware
download operation is completed only the READY LED will be
ashingashortblinkonceeverysecond
5. Close the cover and chassis and power cycle the printer

16
Notes

17
Notes

18
Notes

Epicentral
The award-winning software
system that prints targeted promotions
right at the slot machine.
Casino Enterprise Management
magazine just named
Epicentral® as one of the Top
Tenslotoorproductsfor2012
Why? Because with the Epicentral Print System by TRANSACT, casino
operators have the power to create promotional coupons, target
messages directly to players and print the coupons at the slot machine
in real-time.
For more info call: 877.748.4222
®

www.TRANSACT-TECH.com
Technical Support: 877.748.4222
TRG 050113