EPSON® LX-86 PRINTER TM User's Manual
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS This 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 interference to radio and television reception.
Contents List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . vii List of Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Viii Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LX-86 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 1 Setting Up Your LX-86 Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printer Parts.. . . . . . . . . . . .
5 IX-86 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Demonstration Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pica Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing Pitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cancelling Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resetting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pitch Comparison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Letter Quality Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....
Introduction to Dot Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dot Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graph&Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pin Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Graphics Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multiple-Line Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting and Advanced Features . . . . . . . . . . Problem / Solution Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting print styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tabbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paper-out sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beeper Error Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data Dump Mode . . . . . . .
List of Figures l-10 Printer parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paper feed knob installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ribbon cassette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Print head assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ribbon cassette installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ribbon placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IX-86 ready for paper loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E-l E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 E-7 E-8 Continuous paper with printer stand. . . . . . . . . . . . . Continuous paper without stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tractor placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paper separator and paper guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tractor release levers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pin feed holder adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open pin feed cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction The Epson IX-86 printer combines low price with the high quality and advanced features formerly available only on more expensive printers.
About This Manual We’re not going to waste your time with unnecessary information, but we won’t neglect anything you need to know about the Ix-86 and its many features. You can read as much or as little of this manual as you wish. If you have used printers before and have a specific program that you want to use with the LX-86, a quick reading of the first chapter may be all you need.
Chapter 1 Setting Up Your LX-86 Printer Setting up your LX-86 printer is a simple matter of attaching two parts, putting in the ribbon and paper, and connecting the printer to your computer. This chapter will have you printing a test pattern within fifteen to twenty minutes and doing more complicated work not long after. Printer Parts First, see that you have all the parts you need. In addition to this manual, the printer box should contain the items shown in Figure 1-l.
In addition to the items in the box, you need a cable and possibly an interface board. The cable connects the printer to your computer, and the interface board is necessary only for those computers that can’t use the LX-86’s Centronics® paralle1 interface. Your computer manual or your dealer will tell you which cable you need and whether or not you need a special interface. Printer Location Now that you have unpacked your printer, you should choose a suitable location for it.
Figure 1-2. Paper feed knob installation Ribbon Installation The LX-86 printer uses a continuous-loop, inked fabric ribbon, which is enclosed in a cassette that makes ribbon installation and replacement a clean and easy job. The parts of this cassette are labelled in Figure l-3. Ribbon Knob Pin Pin Figure l-3.
To install the ribbon, first open the lid at the front of the LX-86 so that you can see the print head assembly shown in Figure l-4. Move the assembly by hand to the center of the printer so that the other parts of the printer will not get in your way. Also be sure that the paper bail is against the black roller so it too will not be in your way. Note: Moving the print head by hand when the printer is turned on can harm the printer.
Then hold the ribbon cassette so that the small knob is on top and the exposed section of ribbon is away from you. Insert the cassette in its holder by first sliding the pins at the back of the ribbon cassette under the small hooks on the holder. (See Figure l-5.) Then lower the front of the cassette so that the exposed section of ribbon can fit between the print head nose and the silver ribbon guide. Push down until the cassette fits firmly in place. Figure 1-5.
Now turn the knob on the cassette in the direction of the arrow to tighten the ribbon. As you turn the knob, see that the ribbon slips down into its proper place between the print head nose and the silver ribbon guide (Figure l-6). If it doesn’t, guide it with a pen or a pencil. Figure l-6. Ribbon placement Ribbon Replacement When your printing begins to become light and you need to replace the ribbon, lift the front of the cassette to remove it and then follow the above instructions with a new cassette.
Paper Loading Now put a sheet of paper in your LX-86 so you can test it. Figure l-7 shows the names of the parts that you need to know. Friction lever Figure l-7.
See that the printer is turned off, open the front lid, and push the friction lever back and the paper bail forward. Then move the print head by hand to the center of the printer and feed the paper into the paper slot in the top of the printer. When the paper will not go any farther, turn the paper feed knob to advance it as you would with a typewriter. Turn the knob until the top of the paper is at least 3/4-inch above the ribbon guide. Then push the paper bail against the paper.
There are three buttons and four indicator lights on the control panel. Lights l The POWER light glows green when the power is on. l The READY light glows green when the printer is ready to accept data. This light flickers somewhat during printing. • The PAPER OUT light glows red to indicate that the printer is out of paper or the paper is loaded incorrectly. • The ON LINE light glows green when the printer can receive data.
Test Pattern Now you’ll see your Lx-86 print something even though it’s not connected to a computer yet. Make sure that your printer has paper in it and that the power switch is off. Now, hold down the LINE FEED button on the control panel while you turn the printer on with the power switch. The Lx-86 will begin printing all the letters, numbers and other characters that are stored in its ROM (Read Only Memory) for the draft mode.
Connecting the LX-86 to Your Computer Now that the test pattern has shown that your printer is working well, it’s time to hook it up to your computer. It is best to have both the printer and the computer turned off when you do this. Remember that each computer system has its own way of communicating with a printer. If your computer expects to communicate through a Centronics parallel interface, all you need is a cable.
Next connect the other end of the printer cable to your computer. On most computers you can easily find the correct connector for the printer cable, but if you are not sure, consult your computer manual or your dealer. First Printing Exercise Now it is time to see something more interesting than the test pattern from your LX-86 printer. Your next step depends upon what kind of printing you plan to do.
Chapter 2 SelecType The LX-86’s SelecType feature can produce four special typestyles: This is emphasized printing. T h i s i s i n the d o u b l e - s t r i k e m o d e . This is condensed printing. This is in the elite mode. SelecType Operation Using SelecType is easy. You turn on SelecType and select a typestyle, then turn off SelecType and print. Note: Each button has two names. For convenience, this chapter uses the top names of the buttons. Turning SelecType on 1.
Note: If the printer beeps twice before you release the buttons, you have pressed the FORM FEED button before the OFF LINE button instead of at the same time and the LX-86 is in the NLQ mode. Press the OFF LINE button to put the printer back on line and press the DRAFT button if you do not want NLQ. Then press both the OFF LINE and FORM FEED buttons to turn on SelecType. Figure 2-1.
After turning on SelecType, follow these three steps to select a typestyle: 1. Find the typestyle you want in Table 2-1. Table 2-l. SelecType modes Mode 1 2 3 4 Emphasized Double&trike condensed Elite Typestyle or Function ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMnopqrstuvwxyz 2. Press the OFF LINE button the number of times indicated in the mode column. Be sure that the printer beeps each time you press the OFF LINE button. 3.
Now, run the program by typing RUN and pressing RETURN, or print your file or document by following the printing instructions of your software. The LX-86 will print your example in standard singlestrike printing, as shown below: This is an example of LX printing. Now that you have created a sample, follow these steps to print it in condensed mode: 1. See that both the ON LINE and READY lights are on. 2. Press the OFF LINE and FORM FEED buttons at the same time, then release them.
SelecType Tips Once you have learned the simple technique for controlling print styles with SelecType, you can use it whenever you wish. You should be aware of a few restrictions, however. l l l l SelecType is designed to control the printing of an entire file or document, not an individual line or word. If you are using the NLQ mode, remember that the following SelecType modes are not available in NLQ: condensed, doublestrike, and elite.
Chapter 3 Elements of Dot Matrix Printing This chapter is for those of you who want to know something about how your printer works. It’s a simple, non-technical explanation of the basics of dot matrix printing that will help you understand some of the later chapters. The Print Head The IX-86 uses a print head with nine pins or wires mounted vertically. Each time a pin is fired, it strikes the inked ribbon and presses it against the paper to produce a dot. This dot is about 1/72nd of an inch in diameter.
Bidirectional Printing In nearly all of our discussions in this manual, we describe the action of the LX-86 print head as moving from left to right, as a typewriter does. During its normal operation while printing in the draft mode, however, the LX-86 prints bidirectionally. That is, the print head goes from left to right only on every other line. On the other lines it reverses everything and prints right to left.
In Figure 3-3 there is a grid of lines behind the pica characters so that you can more easily see how they are designed. As you look at these characters you can see three rules that govern their design: the column on the right side is always left blank so that there will be spaces between the characters on a line; no character uses both the top and the bottom row; and a dot can be placed on a vertical line only when the columns next to that line are not used. Figure 3-3.
The panel buttons make it especially easy to change from draft to NLQ, but you can also select and cancel the NLQ mode with a software command which you can find in Chapter 5.
Chapter 4 Printer Control Codes The LX-86 printer is easy to use, especially with commercial software that has print control features. This chapter explains some of the basics of printer control and communications to help you understand how a computer communicates with your printer. This information should also help you understand the terms used in your software or computer manual.
Computer and printer interaction would be terribly confusing if different kinds of computers and printers used different numbers for the same letter of the alphabet. Therefore, most manufacturers of computers, printers, and software use the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, usually referred to as ASCII (pronounced ASK-Key).
Printer Codes To take advantage of the many print features of the IX-86, you can use a software program that sends the correct codes or you can use another method to send codes. It’s not possible to be as precise and specific as we would like in the rest of this chapter because the IX-86 works with so many different applications programs and computer systems.
l The ESCape and control keys on your computer’s keyboard. With this system you send the ESCape code by pressing the ESCape key and a carriage return by pressing the control key and the M at the same time. (See Appendix B or the Quick Reference Card for the control key codes.) Embedded codes A program that uses embedded codes usually has its own set of codes that you type into your document or file. When the program receives one of these codes, it sends the proper code to the LX-86.
If your word processing program allows inserted codes, it will probably do standard printing without such codes. It is only for special features that you will need to use inserted codes. For example, if you want to have headings in wide bold printing (called double-width emphasized), you would probably have to use inserted codes. For the program we mentioned above you would type Control-V, then the code for double-width emphasized, Control-V again, and then the text of the heading.
Chapter 5 IX-86 Features Beginning with this chapter we describe many of the printing features of the LX-86. Although we include programs that demonstrate these features, you don’t have to be a programmer to learn about the features from these chapters. How much of the rest of this manual you use depends upon your expertise, your interest, and the software you plan to use.
If you don’t want to do the exercises in BASIC, you don’t have to. Many users are quite happy with their printers without ever learning any more about them than how to turn them on and off and how to load paper. Therefore, you shouldn’t be intimidated by the information in this manual. In most cases the software that you use for word processing, business, or graphics does the calculating and communicating with the printer for you.
Now run the program. You should get the results you see below, 10 pica characters per inch. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQTRSTUVWXYZ[\]ˆ_`abcdefghi Changing Pitches Now you can try other pitches. As we explained in Chapter 3, the IX-86 uses the same pattern of dots for pica, elite, and condensed characters, but it changes the horizontal spaces between the dots to produce the three different widths. In elite mode there are 12 characters per inch, and in condensed there are 17.
To avoid having one program interfere with the printing modes of another, you can cancel a mode one of two ways: l With a specific cancelling code, such as the ESCape “P” that we used above to cancel elite. Each mode has a cancelling code, which you can find in the discussion of the code and in Appendix B. Pica is an exception to this rule. To cancel pica, turn on elite. l By resetting the printer, a method explained in the next section.
In fact, if you need even more than the 132 characters per line that condensed gives you, you can combine elite and condensed for a mode we call condensed elite. It is not really another pitch, because the size of the characters is the same as in the condensed mode; only the space between the characters is reduced.
All the modes demonstrated in this chapter are compared in Table 5-l. Table 5-1, Summary of LX-86 pitches Print sample CPI 1 inch Codes on oft N e a r L e t t e r Q u a l i t y 10.00 ESC "x" 1 ESC "x" 0 Pica 10.00 ESC "P" ESC "M" print Elite print 12.00 ESC "M" ESC "P" Condensed print 17.16 ESC "P" 15 18 Condensed elite print 20.00 ESC "M" 15 ESC "P" 18 Remember that you don’t have to use BASIC to change modes; you can use any method that sends the printer the proper codes.
Chapter 6 Print Enhancements and Special Characters Now that you have seen how you can change the pitch of your IX-86 printing, we can show you many more ways to vary and enhance your printing. So that you won’t have to type in dozens of programs to try all the features, we give you just one master program that can demonstrate any feature.
Emphasized works only in draft pica and NLQ modes. In elite and condensed the dots are already so close together that even with the reduced print speed, the LX-86 cannot fire, retract, and again fire the pins quickly enough to print overlapping dots. You do sacrifice some print speed and ribbon life with emphasized, because the print head slows down and prints twice as many dots, but the increase in print quality is well worth it.
You should get the following printout when you run this program and type “E” and “emphasized” in answer to the questions. U ses ESCape E to produce emphasized printing. This sample The code to turn off emphasized is ESCape “F”. Double-strike The other bold mode on the LX-86 is double-strike. For this mode the printer prints each line, then moves the paper up slightly and prints the line again. Each dot is printed twice, with the second one slightly below the first as you can see in Figure 6-2.
Double-width Mode Perhaps the most dramatic mode on the LX-86 is double-width. It produces extra-wide characters that are good for titles and headings. For this mode, the dot pattern of each character is expanded and a duplicate set of dots is printed one dot to the right. You can see the difference between pica and double-width pica in Figure 6-3. Standard Print D o u b l e - w i d t h Figure G-3.
Mode Combinations You can combine nearly all of the print modes on the LX-86. Indeed, your Ix-86 printer can print such complicated combinations as double-strike emphasized double-width underlined italic subscript, although we’re not sure that you would ever want to use such a combination. The point is, however, that the LX-86 has the ability to produce almost any combination you can think of; it’s up to you to decide which ones you want to use.
Standard Pica Print Italic Pica Print Figure 6-4. Italic and pica The code to turn italic mode on is ESCape “4”. Try it in the master program if you wish. When you use this code in the master program, enter “4” in answer to the first question just as if it were a letter of the alphabet instead of a number. ESCape “5” turns off italic mode.
This uses the underline mode. Figure 6-5. The underline mode As shown in Figure 6-5, the underline mode is continuous, but some word processing and other applications programs produce an underline that leaves spaces between characters as demonstrated in the printout below. This uses the under-line character If your software prints this type of underline, it is using the LX-86’s underline character (ASCII %), not the underline mode.
For any combination,. just add up the values of each of the modes you want and use the total as the number after ESCape “!“. For example, to calculate the code for double-width italic underlined pica, add the following numbers together: underline italic double-width pica 128 64 32 0 224 To print this combination, therefore, you use ESCape "!” followed by the number 224. In BASIC the command is CHR$(27)“!” CHR$(224).
Indeed, Master Select is such a powerful feature that it may occasionally be more powerful than you want it to be. Because it controls eight different modes, a Master Select code will cancel any of those eight that are not selected. For example, suppose that you have a page in elite and want part of it printing in italic. If you use ESCape “!” 64 to turn on italic, your LX-86 will begin printing in italic pica instead of italic elite because the 64 code does not include elite. Use 65 for italic elite.
If n is 1, the command turns the Character Graphics set on; if n is 0, the command turns that set off. If you prefer to have the Character Graphics set on most of the time, see Appendix D for instructions on using the DIP switches. The Character Graphics set is actually two sets, the standard and the international. The standard set contains only the characters in the last three rows shown below. The international set contains the characters in all four rows.
You select the character set in one of two ways: with an ESCape code or with a switch in the back of your printer. The ESCape code in BASIC has the following format: LPRINT CHR$(27)“R”CHR$(n) in which n stands for the appropriate number from the list above. In other words, the BASIC command to select the French character set is LPRINT CHR$(27)“R”CHR$(1) The other method of selecting an international character set is with the small switches, called DIP switches, in the back of the printer.
Table 6-3. International characters in draft italic 35 36 6 4 91 92 93 9 4 96 123 124 125 126 USA FRANCE GERMANY U K DENMARK SWEDEN ITALY SPAIN JAPAN NORWAY DENMARK II The number at the top of each column in the tables is the ASCII code that prints the characters in that column.
Graphics character set The Lx-86 printer’s Read Only Memory (ROM) also contains the 32 graphics characters that you see in Figure 6-6. Figure 6-6. Special graphics characters Undoubtedly you can think of uses for many of the shapes and symbols available in this set, and you can combine the line graphics characters (the ones on the first row) to form various sizes and shapes of boxes and other figures that use straight lines.
The next printout shows the characters in emphasized doublewidth pica: Because normal line spacing leaves space between the lines of graphics characters just as it does between lines of text, you must change the line spacing when you combine line graphics characters to form boxes or other figures. For most programs ESCape “1” gives you the best line spacing for combinations of graphics characters. Further details on line spacing are in Chapter 7.
Chapter 7 Page Formatting Although the LX-86 printer has many sophisticated commands to set margins, line spacing, and horizontal and vertical tabs, we won’t take up your time with extensive discussions of these because most of these functions are taken care of by applications programs. This chapter merely describes a few commands that the average user might need. If you want more information, you can find all the commands in Appendixes B and C.
You should be aware that a few applications programs reset the printer before each document or file they print. These programs will, of course, cancel your new margin settings. See Chapter 2 to find out how to test for a reset code in your program. The maximum right margins on the LX-86 printer are 80 in pica, 96 in elite, 137 in condensed, and 160 in condensed elite. For further information on this command see Appendix B.
Skip Over Perforation If you are using continuous pin-feed paper for printing program listings or other material not controlled by an applications program, you may find that the LX-86 prints right over the perforations between pages. The LX-86 has an ESCape code to prevent this: the ESCape “N” command. You send ESCape “N” followed by the number of lines you want the LX-86 to skip at the bottom of a page.
l/6 inch 3 blank rows 1/6 inch 3 blank rows Figure 7-l. Standard line spacing The default line spacing illustrated in Figure 7-l is the only one you need for almost all printing of text, but in some cases you may want to increase or decrease the space between lines. The LX-86 has several commands to do this. ESCape “0” decreases the line spacing to 9-dot (9/72-inch), ESCape “1” decreases it to 7-dot, and ESCape “2” returns it to 12-dot.
Paper-Out Sensor Under the platen (the black roller) of your LX-86 printer is a small switch that senses whether or not paper is in the printer. When the end of the paper passes this switch, it sends a signal that sounds the beeper and stops your printing. This saves wear on your print head, ribbon, and platen, but because of the distance between the switch and the print head, it stops the printing about 2 inches from the end of the page.
Chapter 8 User-Defined Characters The LX-86 has several hundred different characters stored in its ROM (Read Only Memory). Although this number includes draft, italic, international, character graphics, special graphics, and Near Letter Quality characters, sometimes you would like to have a few more. For those occasions when you need a special character or a few letters in a different typeface, the LX-86 allows you to create your own characters and print them just as if they were ordinary letters.
After you have created your own characters with our programs, certain keys that you seldom use will generate the user-defined characters. For example, you will be able to type < to print . Your user-defined characters can be utilitarian or imaginative, anything from a scientific symbol to script letters for your initials. Just follow the simple steps below.
When you place your dots on this grid, remember that dots cannot go on horizontal lines, but they can go on vertical lines so long as they do not overlap any other dots. As you design your characters, draw the dots as large as you see them in the example on the left in Figure 8-2. If you draw them smaller, you may have overlapping dots without realizing it. overlapping dots dot on horizontal line Figure 8-2. Correct and incorrect designs If you do accidentally call for overlapping dots, don’t worry.
So that you can see how the program works, we’ll present the steps used to create the symbol for Mercury. First is the grid we used to design the character. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 123456789 Figure 8-3. Design for character Running the program Now run the program. For each of the nine columns, the program asks for the numbers of the rows in which you want dots to appear. Enter the row numbers one at a time, pressing the RETURN key after each one.
Now wait a moment for your computer to calculate the dot patterns and your LX-86 to print the new character in two different typestyles. Your printout also gives you nine numbers, which you will use in the next program. You should get the printout you see below: When you get to this point with a character of your own, you see how it looks and whether or not you like it. If you want to make any changes, move the dots as needed and re-run the program.
90 FOR P=58 TO 63: LPRINT CHR$(P);" ";: NEXT P 95 LPRINT 100 K=l: IF K>3 THEN A=58 ELSE A=60 110 LPRINT CHR$(27)": "CHR$(O)CHR$(O)CHR$(O); 120 LPRINT CHR$(27)"%"CHR$(l)CHR$(O); 130 LPRINT CHR$(27)"&"CHR$(0)CHR$(A)CHR$( A-1+K); 140 FOR Z=1 TO K 150 LPRINT CHR$(128); 160 FOR X=1 TO 9 170 READ R 160 LPRINT CHR$(R);: NEXT X 190 LPRINT CHR$(O)CHR$(0); 200 NEXT Z 210 DATA 0,80,170,0,47,0,170,80,0 290 FOR P=58 TO 63: LPRINT CHR$(P);" ";: NEXT P To use this program for your own character or characters, change the D
The two lines when printed by your own program provide you with a key to the characters your LX-86 will now print. When you press the key for one of the characters in the top row, the printer will print the corresponding character in the bottom row. In the example above, if you type< your LX-86 will print (although your screen will continue to show the character < ).
128 54 32 16 8 4 2 1 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 128 64 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Figure 8-5. Grid for NLQ characters On this grid you can use any numbered line or space. As you can see, that includes the bottom line and the line on the right side. You should remember to leave one or two columns blank for space between characters, however. Each NLQ character definition requires 36 data numbers. Therefore, each vertical column must be divided into three sections for the calculation of data numbers.
First data number 128 128 8 4 64 32 32 18 =229 8 4 4 2 1 1 128 6 4 Second data number 32 16 16 8 8 4 4 =28 2 Third data number 1 128 6 4 64 } =64 Figure 8-6. Data numbers for one column To calculate the data numbers for this column, you see which dots are used in the top group (the top eight positions) and add their values together. Then you go down to the middle group (the next 8 positions) and add the values of any dots that are used there..
8 0 0 128 32 0 0 255 255 192 32 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 I 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 128 64 4 0 0 16 0 0 64 0 0 64 0 0 16 0 0 4 0 0 Figure 8-7. Arrow design and data numbers If you look at each column individually, you can see how the numbers were calculated. data First NLQ definition program Now type in and run the following program. It has the data numbers for the arrow design. For a character of your own, change the data numbers in lines 130-150.
10 LPRINT CHRS(27);"xl"; 20 LPRINT CHR$(27);":" ;CHR$(O);CHR$(O);CHR$(O); 30 LPRINT CHR$(27);"%";CHR$(l);CHR$(O); 40 LPRINT CHR$(27);"&";CHR$(O);"<<"; 50 LPRINT CHR$(O);CHR$(12);CHRS(O); 60 FOR X=1 TO 36 70 READ C: LPRINT CHR$(C); 80 NEXT X 90 LPRINT "YOUR CHARACTER IN PICA: < < <" 100 LPRINT "IN DOUBLE-WIDTH EMPHASIZED PICA: "; 110 LPRINT CHR$(27);"!*< < <" 120 LPRINT CHR$(27);"!";CHR$(O); 130 DATA 4,0,0,8,0,0,16,0,0,32,0,0 140 DATA 64,0,0,255,255,192,64,0,0,32,0,0 150 DATA 16,0,0,8,0,0,4,0,0,0,0,0 YOUR CH
When you run this program it prints six characters, then redefines one or more of them and prints them again. As with the draft characters, you use this two-line printout as a guide to the new characters your IX-86 will print. You can use them with an applications program or a program you write yourself.
Chapter 9 Introduction to Dot Graphics The Epson dot graphics mode allows your LX-86 printer to produce pictures, graphs, charts, or almost any other illustrative or creative material you can devise. Instead of using the standard letters, numerals, and symbols stored in the LX-86’s ROM (Read Only Memory), the graphics mode prints dots column by column and line by line. You plan where you want the dots to appear and then use a program to tell the LX-86 where to put them.
Bookstore Inventory MAGAZINES BEST-SELLERS SCIENCE FICTION- - - - - ROMANCE NON-FICTION CLASSICS MYSTERIES WESTERNS If you have a program that produces graphics, all you need to know about Epson dot graphics is how to use the software. If, on the other hand, you wish to do your own programming or merely wish to understand how the LX-86 prints graphics, read on. Dot Patterns The Lx-86 forms graphic images approximately the same way that pictures in newspapers and magazines are printed.
Print Head The graphics mode on the LX-86 is quite different from the text modes. Instead of sending codes for letters and printing functions, you send codes for dot patterns, one number for each column in a line. Since none of the predefined characters or symbols in the printer’s memory is used, your program controls where each dot is printed. For each column on a print line, the print head prints the pattern of dots you have specified.
The LX-86 has several different graphics densities, but we’ll keep things simple by using only one in the first exercises. The code for entering single-density graphics mode is ESCape “K” nl n 2. In Microsoft BASIC the command is given in this format: LPRINT CHR$(27)“K”CHR$(Nl)CHR$(N2); ESCape “K” specifies single-density graphics, and the next two num. bers (n1 and n2) specify the number of columns reserved for graphics.
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 not used Figure 9-1. Pin labels To fire any one pin, you send its number. To fire more than one pin at the same time, add up the numbers of the pins and send the sum to the printer. With these labels for the pins, you fire the top pin by sending 128. To fire the bottom graphics pin, you send 1. If you want to fire only the top and bottom pins, you simply add 128 and 1, then send 129. By adding the appropriate label numbers together, you can fire any combination of pins you want.
With this numbering system any combination of the eight pins adds up to a unique decimal number between 0 and 255. Although you use a decimal number, it is, of course, converted to a binary number before it goes to the printer. Now that you know the principles of Epson graphics, we’ll give you two simple exercises, more densities, and then something more complex as a basis for writing your own programs.
30 LPRINT CHR$(27)"K"CHR$(100)CHR$(O); 40 FOR X=1 TO 50: LPRINT CHR$(85)CHR$(42); 50 NEXT X If you run the program now, you’ll see how one line of the pattern looks: To see a how more than one line combines to form a figure, enter and run the following program, which uses two of the lines you have already typed and adds several more.
Line 20 begins a loop to produce multiple print lines. Lines 30 and 40 were covered above, but an LPRINT is added to line 50 to produce a line feed after line 40. Lines 60 and 70 are like lines 30 and 40 except that lint! 70 uses a reversal of the patterns in line 40. As the loop is executed, the program prints lines 40 and 70 alternately so that the patterns of the print lines will fit together well. Notice that the graphics command can be in effect for only one print line.
You are familiar with the command format that uses the ESCape code and a letter, but LX-86 graphics commands can also be in the following format: LPRINT CHR$(27)“*“CHR$(M)CHR$(N1)CHR$(N2); with m being the mode number found in the left column of Table 9-1. As usual, nl and n2 reserve the number of columns for graphics. The seven modes include six densities, with two speeds for doubledensity. Reassigning Code The IX-86 has a graphics command that changes one graphics mode to another.
the maximum number of dots you can reserve on the IX86, then, is: CHR$(27)"Z"CHR$(128)CHR$(7); or, in the other format: CHR$(27)"*"CHR$(3)CHR$(l28)CHR$(7); which is 128 dots plus 7 times 256 dots, for a total of 1920 dots in one row. Once you have chosen the number of columns you want to use, you can have your program do the calculations for you with the following format: CHR$ (27) "L" CHR$ (N MOD 256) CHR$ (INT(N/256)); N is the total number of columns you want to specify.
Design Your Own Graphics In this section we take you through the development of a graphics program. The example is not especially complicated, but it does include the same steps you would use for a more complex figure so that you have the basis for designing graphics on your LX-86. You will plan your figure with dots on graph paper, but before beginning to place the dots, you should decide which graphics density you want.
Figure 9-4. Arrow design After plotting all the dots as in Figure 9-4, you calculate the numbers for each pin pattern by dividing the design grid into separate print lines. For the arrow design the grid was divided into three lines, each seven dots high. Then each column was examined and the sums of the pin values determined. This process for the first line is shown in Figure 9-5. The pin values are on the left side and the sums are at the bottom of each column.
The numbers for the second and third lines were calculated in the same manner. Once the numbers for the pin patterns are calculated, they go in DATA statements, separated by commas.
Graphics Programming Tips Now that we’ve shown you how to design your own graphics, we’ll review and emphasize a few elements of graphics programming. As usual, we use MBASIC in the examples, but the principles apply to any programming language. Semicolons and command placement After the graphics command is issued, every number sent to the IX-86 is interpreted as a pin pattern and printed on paper. Therefore, you must be careful where you put graphics commands in your program.
What went wrong? To help you understand the graphics command and avoid some of the more common errors made with it, we’ll examine this program in detail. First look at line 20. ESCape “K” calls for single-density graphics, and the two CHR$ numbers specify 50 columns of dots. Once that command is given, every number sent to the printer is interpreted as a pin pattern and printed on the paper.
You may also wonder why the program prints not only the different pin patterns but also the character “J” a number of times. The reason lies in the number of columns you reserved with the graphics command. After the LX-86 receives all the numbers reserved by a graphics command-50 in this case-it leaves the graphics mode and resumes interpreting numbers as printable characters or print commands.
10 G$=-CHR$( 27) + ”K” + CHR$( 100) + CHR(0) 2 0 A$=CHR$(85)+CHR$(42) 3 0 B$=CHR$(42)+CHR$(85) 40 LPRINT CHR$( 27 ”1” ; 5 0 FOR R=l TO 3 6 0 LPRINT G$; 70 FOR X=1 TO 50: LPRINT A$;: NEXT X 8 0 LPRINT 9 0 LPRINT G$; 100 FOR X=1 TO 50: LPRINT B$;: NEXT X 110 LPRINT: NEXT R 120 LPRINT CHR$( 27) “@” Notice that the first line stores the whole graphics command in a single string variable. In order to do this you must put plus signs between the elements of the command.
Appendix A IX-86 Characters This appendix gives the control codes and characters for each code from 0 through 255 decimal (00 through FF hex). Page A-3 shows the characters in the Epson Character Graphics set. Further information on the character sets is in Chapter 6.
Dec Hex 5 6 7 8 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 9 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 OA OB OC OD OE OF 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E 2F 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 0 1 2 3 4 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 55 57 58 59 60 37 38 39 3A 3B 3C 61 3D 62 63 3E 3F A-2 CHR none none none none none none none BEL BS HT LF VT FF CR SO SI none none DC2 none DC4 none none non
Epson Character Graphics Standard International Dec Hex CHR Dec Hex CHR Dec Hex CHR Dec Hex CHR 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 2
Appendix B Commands in Numerical Order This appendix lists all the LX-86 commands in numerical order. The page number column indicates where a complete description can be found. Note that for commands from ESC SO onwards, the decimal and hexadecimal columns show only the second code; the first code for those commands is the ESCape code.
ASCII BEL BS HT LF VT FF CR so SI DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 CAN DEL ESC SO ESC SI ESC EM ESC ! ESC % ESC & ESC * ESC ESC / ESC 0 ESC 1 ESC 2 ESC 3 ESC 4 ESC 5 ESC 6 ESC 7 ESC 8 ESC 9 ESC : ESC < ESC ? ESC @ ESC A ESC B ESC C ESC CO ESC D ESC E ESC F B-2 Dec 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 24 127 14 15 25 33 37 38 42 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 63 64 65 66 67 67 68 69 70 Hex 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E OF 11 12 13 14 18 7F 0E 0F 19 21 25 26 2A 2D 2F 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 3A 3C 3F 40 41 42 4
ASCII ESC G ESC H ESC J ESC K ESC L ESC M ESC N ESC O ESC P ESC Q ESC R ESC SO ESC Sl ESC T ESC U ESC W ESC Y ESC Z ESC /\ ESC a ESC b ESC e ESC f ESC 1 ESC m ESC s ESC t ESC x Dec 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 83 84 85 87 89 90 94 97 98 101 102 108 109 115 116 120 Hex Description 47 48 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F 50 51 52 53 53 54 55 57 59 5A 5E 61 62 65 66 6C 6D 73 74 78 Select double-strike mode Cancel double-strike mode Perform n/ 216 inch line feed Single density graphics Double density graphics Selec
Control Key Chart Some applications programs can use control key codes for decimal values O-27. The table below gives you the proper values. The Control key column indicates that you press the control key at the same time you press the key for the letter or symbol in that column. For example, you press the control key and A at the same time to send the value 1. Some programs that use this system cannot use control-@, and many programs use the control keys for other purposes.
Appendix C Command Summary This appendix lists and describes all the commands available on the LX-86. This summary is divided into the following topics: Forms Control Page Format User-defined Characters Dot Graphics Miscellaneous Codes Near Letter Quality Character Width Print Enhancement Mode and Character Set Special Features Line Spacing Each command has a format section and a comment section.
ESC a Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Justification Mode ESC 2 7 9 7 ( n ) 1B 61 (n) Explanation: See Chapter 7 for information on this command. Character Width SI Select Condensed Mode Format: ASCII code: SI Decimal: 15 Hexadecimal: O F Explanation: This command is only effective in draft mode. It produces characters that are approximately 60% of their normal width.
so Select Double-width (one line) Format: s o ASCII code: 14 Decimal: Hexadecimal: O E Explanation: Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters, including spaces. It is cancelled by a carriage return or DC4. ESC SO Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Double-width ESC SO 27 14 1B 0E Explanation: Duplicates the SO command.
ESC M Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Elite Pitch ESC 27 1B M 77 4D Explanation: Selects elite pitch (12 characters per inch). ESC P Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Pica Pitch ESC 27 1B P 80 50 Explanation: Selects pica pitch (10 characters per inch). This is the default character width; so this command is normally used to cancel the elite pitch.
ESC G Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Double-Strike Mode ESC 27 1B G 71 47 Explanation: Makes text bolder by printing each line twice, with the second printing slightly below the first. ESC H Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Cancel Double-Strike Mode ESC 27 1B H 72 47 Explanation: Turns off double-strike mode selected by ESC G.
ESCFormat: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Underlining ESC 27 1B -45 2D (n) (n) (n) Explanation: When the value of n = 1, underlining is turned on, when n = 0, underlining is turned off. Mode and Character Set Selection Deselect Printer Format: DC3 ASCII code: Decimal: 19 Hexadecimal: 1 3 Explanation: Places the printer into the deselected state until the select printer code DC1 is received.
ESC ! Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Master Select ESC ! (n) 27 33 ( n ) 1B 21 (n) Explanation: This command enables a number of commands to be added together. Full details of the values and examples are given in Chapter 6. ESC 4 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Italic Mode ESC 27 1B 4 52 34 Explanation: This command causes characters to be printed using the italic character set.
ESCR Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select International Character Set ESC 27 1B R 82 52 (n) (n) (n) Explanation: Some character codes produce different characters for different countries. The characters are outlined in Chapter 6. The value of n determines which character set is printed.
ESC 6 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select International Character Graphics ESC 27 1B 6 54 36 Explanation: When the character graphics set is selected, this code selects the international set. See the table on page A-3 ESC7 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Standard Character Graphics ESC 27 1B 7 55 37 Explanation: When the character graphics set is selected, this code selects the Standard Character Graphics set. See the table on page A-3. This is the default.
ESC EM Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Control: Automatic Sheet Feeder Control ESC EM 27 25 ( 1B 19 Ctrl[ Ctrl Y (n) n ) (n) (n) Explanation: This command is used with the optional automatic-sheet feeder. When n= 0 the feeder is turned off, when n = 4 it is turned on. Using DIP Switch l-3 produces the same effect.
ESC s Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Half Speed Mode ESC 27 1B s (n) 115 (n) 73 (n) Explanation: Selects half speed printing if n= 1 or returns to full speed if n=0. Line Spacing Line Feed LF Format: LF ASCII code: 10 Decimal: Hexadecimal: 0 A Explanation: When this command is received, the data in the print buffer is printed and the paper advances one line in the current line spacing.
ESC 1 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select 7/72 Inch Line Spacing ESC 27 1B 1 49 31 Explanation: Selects the line spacing to 7/72 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The “1” is the digit one and not lower case L. ESC 2 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select l/6 Inch Line Spacing ESC 27 1B 2 50 32 Explanation: Selects the line spacing to l/6 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The “2” is the digit two and not the character with ASCII code 2.
ESC J Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Perform n/216 Inch Line Feed for One Line ESC J ( n ) 27 74 ( n ) 1B 4A (n) Explanation: Advances the paper by one line at a spacing of n/216 of an inch. The value of n should be in the range 0 to 255. This command does not send a carriage return with the line feed.
ESC 8 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Disable Paper-Out Sensor ESC 27 1B 8 56 38 Explanation: Turns off the paper sensor so that you can print right to the end of a single sheet of paper. This command temporarily duplicates the function of DIP switch l-5. This command is not effective for computers that monitor pin 12.
ESC CO Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Set Page Length in Inches C NUL ESC 27 67 0 1B 43 00 (n) (n) (n) Explanation: Sets the page length to n inches where n has a value of 1 to 22. ESC N Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Skip Over Perforation ESC 27 1B N 78 4E (n) (n) (n) Explanation: The variable n is the number of lines between the last line printed one page and the first line on the next page. For example, ESC N 6 will cause the LX-86 to print 60 lines and then skip 6.
Page Format ESC B Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Set Vertical Tabs ESC 27 1B B 66 (n1) (n2) . . . NUL (n1) (n2) . . . 0 42 ( n 1 ) ( n 2 ) ... 00 Explanation: This command allows setting of up to 16 vertical tabs. The tabs can be set in 8 channels using the ESC b command. This command sets the tabs in channel 0. These are entered as nl, n2, n3, etc. (in the range 1 to 254) with the NUL character as the terminator. The tab settings nl, n2, n3, etc. must be entered in ascending order.
ESC / Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select Vertical Tab Channel ESC 27 13 / 47 2F (c) (c) (c) Explanation: This command is used to set the vertical tab channel, where c has the value 0 to 7. VT Format: VT ASCII code: 11 Decimal: Hexadecimal: 0 B Tab Vertically Explanation: Advances the paper to the next tab setting in the channel selected by ESC / . If no channel has been set, channel 0 is used. If no vertical tabs have been set, the paper advances one line.
ESC D Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Set Horizontal Tabs ESC 27 1B D (n1) (n2) . . . NUL 66 (n1) (n2) . . . 0 44 ( n 1 ) ( n 2 ) ... 00 Explanation: This command allows setting of up to 32 horizontal tabs. These are entered as nl, n2, n3, etc. (in the range 1 to 137) with the NUL character as the terminator. The tab settings nl, n2, n3, etc. must be entered in ascending order. The tab settings can be cleared by executing the command with nl set to zero.
ESC Q Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Set Right Margin ESC Q 27 81 1B 51 (n) (n) (n) Explanation: This command sets the right margin to n columns in the current pitch. This command clears previous tab settings and all previous characters in the print line. ESCI Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Set Left Margin ESC I ( n ) 27 108 (n) 1B 6C (n) Explanation: Use a lowercase 1 (for left), not the numeral one. This command should be placed at the beginning of a line.
ESC & Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Define User-Defined Characters ESC & NUL (data1) (data2) . . . (data n) 27 3 8 0 (data1) (data2) . . . (data n) 1B 26 00 (data1) (data2) . . . (data n) Explanation: This command allows characters to be re-defined in the currently selected mode. ESC % Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Select User-Defined Set ESC % 27 37 1B 25 (n) (n) (n) Explanation: This code selects the user-defined set if n = 1 and the normal set if n=0.
Select Double Density ESC L Format: ASCII code: L (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . ESC Decimal: 76 (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . 27 Hexadecimal: 1B 4C (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . Graphics Mode . . (data(d)) . . (data(d)) . . (data(d)) Explanation: Turns on Low-Speed Double Density Graphics Mode, printing 960 dots per 8-inch line. If d is the total number of dots required, nl and n2 are calculated thus: nl=d MOD 256 and n2=INT (d/256). and are followed by d data bytes.
Select Quadruple Density ESC Z Format: ASCII code: Z (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . ESC Decimal: 27 90 (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . Hexadecimal: 1B 5A (n1) (n2) (data1) (data2) . Graphics Mode . . (data(d)) . . (data(d)) . . (data(d)) Explanation: Turns on Quadruple Density Graphics Mode, printing’ 1920 dots per 8-inch line. If d is the total number of dots required, nl and n2 are calculated thus: nl=d MOD 256 and n2=INT (d/256). and are followed by d data bytes. Cannot print adjacent dots.
ESC ? Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Reassign Graphics Mode ESC 27 1B ? 63 3F (s) (s) (s) (n) (n) (n) Explanation: Change one graphics mode to another. The mode s is the ASCII code for the character K, L, Y, or Z which is reassigned to a mode O-6 as in the ESC * command. Details of the modes are given in Chapter 9. Select 9-Pin Graphics Mode ESC A Format: ASCII code: ^ (m) (n1) (n2) (data1)(data2) . . . (data(d)) ESC Decimal: 94 (m) (n1) (n2) (data1)(data2) . . .
BEL Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Beeper BEL 7 7 Explanation: Sounds the beeper. DEL Format: DEL ASCII code: 127 Decimal: Hexadecimal: 7 F Delete Explanation: Removes the previous text character on the print line but does not affect control codes. Does not work at left margin. CAN Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Control: Cancel CAN 24 Ctrl X Explanation: Deletes all data on the print line previous to this character but does not affect control codes.
Appendix D The DIP Switches Several tiny switches called DIP (for Dual In-Line Package) switches are in the back of your LX-86 printer. They control a number of important printer functions. For most uses they can be left as they were set at the factory, but you may want to change some settings. The design of the LX-86 gives you easy access to the switches. You can see them in the back of the printer as indicated in Figure D-l. Figure D-l.
Always turn the power OFF (with the switch on the right side of the printer) before you change the setting of any of these switches. Any changes made while the power is on will be ignored until you turn the printer off and back on. So set all switches with the power off. In Table D-l we show you the functions of all the switches. Then we explain each of them. Table D-I. DIP switch functions Switch 1 No. 1-8 1-7 1-6 1-5 1-4 1-3 1-2 1-1 ON ON ON ON Inactive 12-inch Active Char.
Switch l-5 controls the paper-end detector. When it is ON, the detector is inactive, causing printing to continue even when the printer is out of paper. When it is OFF, the printer stops when the end of the paper passes the paper-end detector. Some computer systems ignore the setting of this switch. See Appendix F. Switch l-4 selects the paper length. When it is OFF, the length is 11”; when it is ON, the length is 12”. Switch l-3 controls the optional cut-sheet feeder.
Appendix E Using the Optional Tractor Unit The optional tractor unit for the LX-86 allows you to use continuous paper with pin feed holes along the sides. The unit is adjustable so that the continuous paper can be any width from 4 to 10 inches. (The LX-86 can also use the LX-80™ tractor unit.) Printer Location When you use the tractor and continuous paper, you must put your LX-86 where the paper can flow freely in and out of the printer.
Figure E-2. Continuous paper without stand Tractor Unit Installation To install the removable tractor unit, first pull the friction lever toward the front of the printer. Then hold the tractor with the gears to the right as shown in Figure E-3. Figure E-3.
In each tractor slot are two pegs that fit into the notches on the tractor fittings. Tilt the tractor back so that the rear notches fit over the rear pegs. Then tilt the unit forward until it clicks into place. That’s all there is to it. Now install the paper separator and pull out the paper guide as shown in Figure E-4. Fit the notches in the bottom corners of the separator over the pins at the front of the paper slot.
When you want to use single sheet paper in your LX-86, you can remove the tractor unit quite easily. Just push back the two tractor release levers shown in Figure E-5, tilt the unit backwards, and lift it up. Figure E-5. Tractor release levers Loading Continuous Paper Once your tractor is installed, you can load continuous paper. See that the printer is turned off, and open the front lid.
Figure E-6. Pin feed bolder adjustment Next, open the pin feed covers as shown in Figure E-7 and feed the paper under the paper separator and into the paper slot; push the paper through until it comes up between the ribbon guide and the platen. Figure E-7.
Next pull the paper up until the top is above the pin-feed holders. Fit the holes on the left side of the paper over the pins in the left holder and close the cover. Now fit the right side of the paper in the right holder, moving the holder as needed to match the width of the paper. Close the second cover, make sure the paper has no dips or wrinkles, lock the right holder in place, and push the paper bail against the paper. Now you are ready to set the top of page position.
Appendix F Troubleshooting and Advanced Features This appendix approaches troubleshooting from several directions. The first section uses a columnar format to match solutions with problems. Other sections cover beeper error warnings, hexadecimal data dumping, coding and seven-bit solutions, and specific solutions for several popular personal computer systems. Problem/Solution Summary Possible problems are listed on the left and solutions on the right.
affect your system if possible. You can also POKE the problem codes directly to the printer port. Seven- bit computers cannot use the eighth pin (12 8). If you have a seven-bit computer and any of your graphics data numbers are larger than 127, change the design so that all numbers are less than 128. Be sure that no other commands or carriage returns come between the graphics command and its data. See Chapter 9. Printer mode.
Paper-out sensor Can’t deactivate paper-out sensor with DIP switch l-5 or ESCape "8". Computer systems that monitor printer cable pin 12 will ignore both ESCape “8” and the setting of switch l-5. These systems will stop the printing when no paper is in contact with the paper-end detector (a small switch located beneath the platen). Certain printer cables are designed to overcome this problem, or you can use a longer page as a backing sheet.
The hexadecimal numbers are the codes received by the printer, and the guide section helps you find a certain place in the list of codes. Each character in the guide section corresponds to one of the codes. If the code is for a printable character, that character is printed. If the code is for a non-printable character, such as the ESCape code or the code for a line feed or carriage return, a dot is printed.
A hex printout of a program shows you exactly what the printer is receiving, regardless of what the computer is sending. The following test program lets you check to see what codes, if any, are problems for your computer system. 10 FOR X=0 TO 255 20 LPRINT CHR$(X) ; 30 NEXT X Put the printer in data dump mode and then RUN the program. Remember to press the ON LINE button to make the Lx-86 print the final line.
The second approach is to use commercially available software that is specifically designed to overcome these coding problems. Consult your computer dealer or computer publications to see if a program for your computer system is available. The third approach consists of avoiding the software that is changing the codes. On most computers you can send each code directly to the printer port. This bypasses the BASIC interpreter and avoids the interface.
The printer interface card furnished with the Apple II computer only passes seven bits to the LX-86, which means that you have a 7-bit system. Should you need an 8-bit system, the simplest solution is to purchase a new printer interface card from your computer dealer. Such a card is available for the Apple II. The Apple II uses CHR$(9) to “initialize” the printer. This code and the following character or characters are intercepted by the printer interface card and used to change modes.
he 255 is a special number that prevents the computer system from inserting a CR-LF into the line. Unless, of course, there’s one in your program. The extra line feed-CHR$(10)--that accompanies each carriage return--CHR$(13)-- is no problem except when you need to use CHR$(13) in a graphics program. Getting rid of the extra CHR$(10) is rather complicated.
Appendix H Technical Specifications Printing Printing method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Impact dot matrix Printing speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 characters per second in draft pica Paper feed speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Approximately 150 ms/line (at l/6 inch/line) Approximately 100 ms/line (during continuous line feed) Printing direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Characters per line: Maximum Pica Pica double-width Elite Elite double-width Condensed Condensed double-width Condensed elite *137 if right margin is changed. *68 if right margin is changed. characters per line 80 40 96 48 132* 66* 160 Paper Paper width Paper feed Tractor feed with optional tractor Friction feed Single sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 8.5” Number of copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . One original plus one copy; total thickness not to exceed 0.005” Pin-feed . . .
Environment Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O perating 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C) Storage -- 22°F to 149°F (-30°C to 65°C) Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating 10% to 80% (no condensation) Storage 5% to 85% (no condensation) Shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating 1 G (less than 1 millisecond) Storage 2 G (less than 1 millisecond) Vibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating 0.
INDEX For information on specific commands, see Appendix B or Appendix C. A American Standard Code for Information Interchange. See ASCII Apple computers, F6 - F7 ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), 27 - 28 codes listed for all characters, A-l -A-4 Automatic test. See Test pattern B Beeper, P-3 Bidirectional printing, 22 Bold printing. See Double-strike; Emphasized C Cable, 13 - 14 Centtonics, 13 Character graphics, 47 - 48 Codes.
E Elite mode, 35 Emphasized mode, 39 - 40 Environment, specifications for, H-3 Error, F3 ESCape code, 28 listed by function, C-l -C-24 listed by number, B-l -B-4 F FF. See Form feed Foreign language characters. See International characters FORM FEED button, 10 -- 11 Formatting, page, 53 -- 57 Friction lever, 9 -- 10, E-2 Function switches. See DIP switches G Graphics, 71-87, F-l -- F-2 Graphics characters, 47 -- 48, 51 -- 52 H Head. See Print head Hex dumping.
M Maintenance, G-l Margins, 53 -- 54 Master Select, 45 -- 47 Matrix. See Dot matrix N Near Letter Quality (NLQ) mode, 24 -- 25, 37 0 ON LINE light and button, 10 -- 11 See also SelecType P Page formatting, 53 -- 57 Panel buttons, selecting typestyles with. See SelecType Paper loading, 9 -- 10, E-4 -E-6 Paper-feed knob, 4-5 Paper-out sensor, 57, D-2 -D-3, F-3 Parallel interface.
U Underline mode, 44 -- 45 User-defined characters, 59 -- 70 W WIDTH statements, 80 z Zero, slashed, D-2 -D-3 J-4
