Epson EX-800 manual

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FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used prop erly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B comput[...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference. 2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. 3. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 4. Do not use this product near water. 5. Do not[...]

10. If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the extension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15 amperes. 11. Never push objects of any kind into this produc[...]

Contents Introduction 2 About This Manual Setting Up Your Printer Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer 1-1 Unpacking the Printer 1-3 Choosing a Place for the Printer 1-3 Installing the Ribbon 1-5 Turning On the Printer 1-6 Operating the Control Panel 1-8 Installing the Paper Guide 1-9 Loading Paper 1-11 Running the Self Test 1-12 Connecting the Printer[...]

Chapter 4 SelecType 4-1 SelecType Choices 4-2 The SelecType Panel 4-3 How to Use SelecType 4-3 If SelecType Does Not Work Print Features and Graphics Chapter 5 EX Printer Features 5-1 Quality Fonts, and Color 5-2 Print Size and Character Width 5-2 Pitches and Proportional Spacing 5-3 Special Effects and Emphasis 5-4 Using Different Character Sets 5[...]

Command Summary Appendix A Command Summary A-4 Commands in Numerical Order A-7 Epson (ESC/P) Commands A-37 IBM Printer Emulation Mode Commands Reference Appendix B Character Tables B-l Epson Mode B-9 Epson International Character Sets B-11 IBM Printer Emulation Mode Appendix C The Serial Interface C-l The DIP Switches C-3 Troubleshooting for Serial[...]

Appendix E Defaults and DIP Switches E-l Default and Initialization Settings E-2 DIP Switch Settings E-4 International Character Sets E-5 Interface Selection Appendix F Choosing and Setting Up Optional Interfaces F-1 Compatible Interfaces F-2 Choosing an Interface F-4 Installing an Interface F-6 Inserting the Interface Board F-7 Serial Interface Se[...]

Introduction The EX printers combine all the well-known virtues of previous Epson Spin printers with many features normally exclusive to costly 24-pin printers. l The speed of draft printing is higher than ever-300 characters per second in draft elite and 250 in draft pica. When you have perfected a document, you can switch to one of two Near Lette[...]

About this Manual To make it easier to set up your new EX-800 or EX-1000, this manual includes a 10-step guide. This guide, which is printed on the inside of the back flap, summarizes the first chapter’s setting up instructions. The blue-edged divider pages are another aid to using the manual. They make it easy to find the section of the manual y[...]

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Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Setting up your EX printer is easy Simply follow the steps in this chapter. Note Although this manual covers both the EX-800 and the EX-1000, the illustrations show only one printer (the EX-800) because the only difference between the two is that the EX-1000 can use wider paper. 1 Unpacking the Printer As you unpack[...]

Caution Do not plug in the power cord yet. You should perform the first three steps before you plug in the printer and turn on the power, Remove the tape that holds the dust cover in place during shipping and take the cover off the printer. Simply tilt the dust cover up and lift it off. Installing the paper feed knob Install the paper feed knob on [...]

When you are finished unpacking, put the packaging materials and the head protector in the box and keep them in case you need to transport the printer. Full details on transporting the printer are in Appendix D. 2 Choosing a Place for the Printer The printer must be close enough to the computer for the cable to reach. Also keep the following tips i[...]

WARNING The power must be OFF when you move the print head. Otherwise, you may damage the printer mechanism. Also, if you’ve been using the printer just before changing the ribbon cartridge, be careful not to touch the print head because it becomes hot during use. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Move the print head carriage to about 25 on the ruler on the paper b[...]

8. Turn the ribbon tightening knob again to see that the ribbon moves freely Replacing the ribbon . . . The EX-800 uses a continuous-loop, inked fabric ribbon. When your printing becomes too light, replace the whole ribbon cartridge. Always use replacement ribbons designed specifically for Epson EX printers. It is not possible to use ribbons for an[...]

Now, turn the power ON with the switch on the left side of the printer. When you turn on the printer, several important things happen: l The print head moves back and forth and stops at the left side of the printer; this is the home position. l The ribbon carriage moves up and down to set the ribbon at the correct level for printing. l The printer [...]

The buttons There are three buttons on the right side of the control panel. ON LINE The green light next to this button indicates that the printer is able to receive and print data from the computer. When the light is off, the printer is off line and cannot receive any data. Press the button to change from on line to off line or from off line to on[...]

6 Installing the Paper Guide You can install the paper guide in two different positions. Right now you need to install it to support a single sheet. Before you begin, remove the dust cover so that you can see what you are doing. The edge tab First, put the edge tab into the guide. Squeeze it together as shown in Figure 1-8 and insert the tab into t[...]

7 Loading Paper Even if you normally use continuous paper, it is simpler to test the printer using a single sheet of paper. If you have an EX-1000, be sure to use 14-inch-wide paper so that none of the self test prints on the platen. Paper loading icons... Roth levers on the EX have icons (small pictures) beside them. These icons (shown below) remi[...]

5. Place the paper on the paper guide with its left edge next to the edge tab as shown in Figure 1-10 below. Push the paper firmly into the printer, then let go of it. 6. Pull the paper bail lever forward to the single-sheet loading position (indicated by the icon). This makes the paper feed into the printer until it is past the paper ball. 7. When[...]

8 Running the Self Test The EX has a built-in self test that prints out the characters in its memory so that you can see that the printer is working properly The self test also prints the settings of the printer’s DIP switches. This part of the printout will be useful in the next section of this manual. Before running the self test, make sure tha[...]

To run the same test in the draft mode, hold down th e LINE FEED button instead of the FORM FEED button while you turn the printer on. The EX cannot print a draft self test, however, if the NLQ DIP switch is on. Therefore, if the Print Quality line of the self test printout says ‘Print Quality NLQ,” you cannot print a draft test without changin[...]

The serial interface For the serial interface, you should use an Epson serial interface cable. Use #8239 for the Apple ® IIc, #8297 for the IBM* PC and compatibles, and #8293 for most other computers with a DB-25 socket, including the Apple IIe with serial interface. (Although you can use the serial interface with an IBM or compatible computer, it[...]

The switches are in two groups of eight and are numbered from l-l to 2-8. As you can see in the example below, the first part of the self test shows the settings of the switches. Condensed OFF Zero 0 CG Table Italic MODE ESC/P Print Quality Draft Country U.S.A. Page Length 11” Sheet Feeder OFF Skip-Over-Perf. OFF Auto LF OFF Interface Parallel Yo[...]

If the interface line does not say Parallel, turn switches 2-5 and 2-6 OFF If you are using a serial interface, turn to Appendix C, which gives full information on serial interfaces. The operating mode The EX has two operating modes, ESC/P ™ and IBM printer emulation mode. ESC/P stands for Epson Standard Code for Printers, a powerful set of comma[...]

The Epson character graphics set Half of the characters used by IBM PCs and compatibles are special character graphics and international characters. On most previous Epson printers, these characters printed as italics. With the EX, however, you can print the character graphics without losing italics or any of the power of the Epson commands. DIP sw[...]

Other DIP switch settings Appendix E summarizes all the DIP switch settings in a group of tables. See that appendix for reference or further information. Setting Up the Printer 1-17[...]

1-18 Setting Up the Printer[...]

Chapter 2 Choosing and Loading Paper The EX printer can accommodate many different sizes and types of paper, using either its automatic singlesheet loading feature or its built- in adjustable tractor. The tractor is easy to use and can handle a wide range of paper widths. The automatic singlesheet loading feature handles individual sheets quickly a[...]

whenever required, making single sheets as easy and convenient to use as continuous paper. The automatic sheet feeder has its own user’s manual. Reloading during printing When you print a document more than one page long using single sheets of paper, there are two different ways your software can allow you to load a new sheet at the end of a page[...]

Clear enough space around the printer so that the paper has an unobstructed path in and out of the printer. There are three common methods of arranging a printer and continuous paper: l Using a printer stand with the paper stacked underneath it. l Using a desk or table as a stand, with the printer near the rear edge and the paper on the floor or on[...]

5. Move the left sprocket unit all the way to the left and pull the locking lever forward to hold it in position. Note With the sprocket unit in this position, you always have a margin at the left side. If you want to print without a left margin or if your software creates a margin, move the left sprocket unit about 3/4 inch from the left side, so [...]

10. If the paper is straight and has no wrinkles, lock the right sprocket unit in place. 11. Turn the paper feed knob slowly to feed the paper under the metal plate in front of the tractor. (The diagram on the metal plate shows how the paper should go through.) See that the paper does not wrinkle after it reaches the platen. 12. Turn the knob until[...]

Setting the top of form position Finally so that the printer does not print on the perforations, you need to establish a top of form position. The top of form position is the position of the paper when the power is turned on. This position is also reset whenever software initializes the printer or sets the page length. Setting the top of form posit[...]

Remember that you should never advance the paper using the paper feed knob while the power is turned on. You can damage the mechanism of the printer, and the printer will lose track of the top of form position. Loading Labels If you want to use labels on a continuous backing, always choose the type that are mounted on a perforated backing sheet for[...]

The Paper Thickness Lever You can adjust the EX to accommodate different thicknesses of paper. You need to do this when you print labels or carbon copies. Before moving the paper thickness lever, always turn off the power, open the dust cover, and move the print head to the middle of the printer, The paper thickness lever has four positions. You ca[...]

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Chapter 3 Using the EX with Application Programs Now that you’ve set up and tested the printer, you need to start using it with your application programs. Printer Selection Menus Most application programs let you specify the type of printer you’re using so that the program can take full advantage of the printer’s features. Many programs provi[...]

Note If your application program does not list the EX printers, you may want to contact the manufacturer to find whether an update is available. A quick test After setting up your application program, print a sample document to be sure the program and the EX are communicating properly If the document doesn’t print correctly recheck the program’[...]

Naming and using commands In order to use printer commands, you should know how they are recognized by your software program. The most common way of naming codes or commands is with one of two numbering systems, decimal or hexadecimal. The decimal system is the standard numbering system based on units of ten, using the numerals 0-9. The hexadecimal[...]

This method is normally restricted to features that can be found on almost all printers, such as bold and underlining. Some programs also provide a way of placing complete printer commands in the text. These commands may or may not be visible on your screen. This method has the advantage of allowing you to use any printer command, not just a limite[...]

A major concern for printing spreadsheets is the width of the printer. The EX-800 is an 80 column printer, and the EX-1000 is a 136 column printer, but by using condensed elite (explained in Chapters 4 and 5) you can print up to 160 columns on the EX-800 and 272 on the EX-1000. Therefore, if your spreadsheet asks the number of columns your printer [...]

If you’re using the program’s print facility recheck the EX’s Command Summary to make sure you’re sending the correct commands. q If you’re still having difficulty printing, check the troubleshooting section in your spreadsheet program’s manual or Appendix D of this manual. Graphics Programs The EX is capable of producing finely detaile[...]

If, on the other hand, you’ve set up a program to send a certain command to the printer, but it’s not printing correctly you could send the same command with a programming language to find whether the problem lies with your application program, the command, or the printer. Sending printer commands with BASIC You can send printer commands with a[...]

3-8 Using the EX with Application Programs[...]

Chapter 4 SelecType The SelecType feature allows you to choose printing features from the control panel. It provides an easy way of enhancing documents without having to learn complex software commands, and it lets you make print style decisions when you print instead of when you edit. SelecType Choices With SelecType you can choose any one of thes[...]

The SelecType Panel The SelecType touch panel (shown in Figure 4-1 below) has eight buttons that control the basic style and size of the text you print. When you press a button, it beeps and lights up to confirm your choice. These buttons are arranged in three groups. The first group of buttons selects the print quality and font. The EX has one dra[...]

If you try to combine proportional with condensed, proportional will override condensed, no matter which you choose first. When you have selected condensed and then press the proportional button, it beeps three times to tell you that it is overriding condensed. (The condensed button light goes off also.) If you have selected proportional and then p[...]

If your application program changes your SelecType settings, you have two choices: 1. Use the program’s setup procedure (which could be called by another name, such as install) to remove the codes that interfere with your SelecType settings. 2. Use the print control codes for your application program instead of SelecType to control your printing.[...]

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Chapter 5 EX Printer Features You can obtain many different printing effects with the EX printer, from arranging the printout on the paper to using color or giving extra emphasis to particular words and phrases. This chapter shows you the features you may want to select with your software. Once you have read about the features, you can find their c[...]

Print Size and Character Width To add greater variety to your documents, the EX has two pitches as well as proportional spacing and condensed printing. All four can be selected either with SelecType or a software command, and software commands also offer one other option: doublewidth printing. Pitches and Proportional Spacing The two pitches are pi[...]

Pica and elite can be reduced to about 60% of their normal width with the condensed mode. This mode is particularly useful for printing wide spreadsheets because condensed elite allows you up to 160 characters on an 8-inch line and 272 on a 13½-inch line. Condensed can be selected with SelecType, by setting a DIP switch (see Appendix E), or with a[...]

Superscripts and subscripts are valuable for such purposes as printing footnote numbers or parts of mathematical formulas, and the underline mode provides an automatic way of underlining fully any piece of text. It underlines spaces, subscripts, and superscripts without a break. The example below shows underlining with text and combined with supers[...]

The other important change you can make to the standard character set is to change some characters for ones commonly used in other languages-chiefly European and Scandinavian-such as accented characters and symbols. In Epson mode, eight international character sets can be selected by setting DIP switches 1-6 to 1-8: USA, French, German, UK, Danish,[...]

5-6 EX Printer Features[...]

Chapter 6 Graphics and User-defined Characters The dot graphics mode allows your EX to produce pictures, graphs, charts, or almost any other pictorial material you can devise, and the user-defined character feature allows you or a commercial software program to put special characters in the EXs memory so that it can print them just as if they were [...]

If you use commercial software that produces graphics, all you need to know about 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 EX prints graphics, read on. The Print Head To understand dot graphics you need to know a little about how the EX's print head[...]

Dot patterns The EXs print head is able to print graphics in addition to text because graphic images are formed on the EX about the same way that pictures in newspapers and magazines are printed. If you look closely at a newspaper photograph, you can see that it is made up of many small dots. The EX also forms its images with patterns of dots, as m[...]

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. Therefore, with these labels for the pins, you fire the top pin by sending 128. To fire the bottom pin, you send 1. If you want to fire only the top and bottom pins, you simply add 128 and 1, then sen[...]

The graphics command format There are several different graphics commands giving different horizontal dot densities and printing speeds. Because the format is almost the same for all the commands, however, the example here keeps things simple by using only the singledensity graphics command, ESC K. In single-density graphics, there are 60 dots per [...]

Graphics data After receiving a graphics command such as ESC K nl n2, the printer prints the number of codes specified by nl and n2 as graphics data, no matter what codes they are. This means that you must be sure to supply exactly the right amount of graphics data. If you supply too little, the printer will stop and wait for more data and will see[...]

WIDTH statements Some software (including most versions of BASIC) automatically inserts carriage return and line feed codes after every 80 or 130 characters. This is usually no problem with text, but it can spoil your graphics. Two extra columns of graphics are printed in the middle of the ones you send, and are left over and printed as text. In so[...]

1. The computer is prevented from adding any extra characters by the WIDTH statement (line 100). 2. The line spacing is changed to 8/72 of an inch-the height of the dot patterns used in the program (fine 110). 3. The program goes through the graphics commands the required number of times (fines 120 and 170). 4. A new graphics command is used for ea[...]

Modes 4-7 in the table are special modes that alter the horizontal density to give proportions of a computer monitor (the CRT modes), or to match the vertical density so as to give round circles (the plotter modes). In two modes, high-speed double-density and quadruple-density the print head cannot print two consecutive dots with the same pin, so t[...]

A little experimentation should tell you whether the reassigning code can improve your graphics printouts. Designing Your Own Graphics This section takes 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. You should plan your figur[...]

Now look at Figure 6-3, a design for a high-speed doubledensity design. It should point you in the right direction for your own designs. After plotting the dots on a grid, 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 two lines, each seven dots h[...]

The numbers for the second line were calculated in the same way Once the numbers for the pin patterns are calculated, they are put in the program in DATA statements, separated by commas. The program works in a similar way to the last example. This time it selects 7/72-inch line spacing because only seven pins are used. Because the data is not repet[...]

User-defined Characters The EX has a command that allows you to define and print characters of your own design. You can design an entirely new alphabet or typeface, create mathematical or scientific symbols, or create graphic patterns to serve as building blocks for larger designs. These user-defined characters work only in draft mode. Also, you ca[...]

eight of them in a single user-defined character. The design in Figure 6-5 uses the top eight, but you can also use the bottom eight by using the grid on the right as explained later in this section. Once the character is planned on the grid, you simply add the pin values for each column together, just as you do for graphics. Then, the next step in[...]

Following the specification of the range of characters to be defined in this command is one number (al) that specifies the width of the character and whether it uses the top eight pins or the bottom eight pins. The last part of the character definition is the actual data that defines the dot patterns for each column of each character. Since a chara[...]

Run the program to see the printout below: As you can see, both sets of characters (the original ROM characters that the printer normally uses and the user-defined character set) remain in the printer available for your use. The command to switch between the two sets is used in lines 180 and 200 and has the following format: ESC%n If n is 0, the no[...]

Note This command will cancel any user-defined characters you have already created. You must send this command to the printer before you define characters. Specifying the width and height The example program uses 136 for al (in line 130 of the definition program), but you can use other values. The number al specifies two things: the width of the ch[...]

The sample below shows the heart character printed in various styles. Other considerations Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM, which is not permanent. Whenever the printer power is turned off or your computer sends an initialization (INIT) signal, all of the user-defined characters are lost. For example, some computers send[...]

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Appendix A Command Summary This appendix lists and describes all the commands, both Epson (ESC/P) mode and IBM printer emulation mode, available on the EX. This summary is in two parts. The first part lists each command in numerical order and gives the page number where it is fully described in the second part of this appendix. If you know which co[...]

Note Some application programs can use control key sequences. See the Control Key chart on page A-3 for information on using these. For the following commands that use only 0 or 1 for the variable, either the ASCII codes 1 and 0 or the ASCII characters 1 and 0 can be used: Esc s, ESC i, ESC U, ESC x, ESC p, ESC W, ESC S, ESC -, and ESC% For example[...]

Control key chart Some application programs can use control key codes for decimal values 0-27. 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 [...]

Commands in Numerical Order This section lists all the EX commands, with their decimal and hexadecimal values. The numbers in the columns on the right are the page numbers in this appendix where a complete description of the command can be found. If the Epson and IBM printer emulation mode page numbers are the same, the command is the same in both [...]

Command Summary A-5[...]

A-6 Command Summary[...]

Epson (ESC/P) Commands The following section lists and describes all the Epson (ESC/P) commands. Printer Operation Comments: Resets the printer mode and clears the buffer of printable data on the print line preceding the command. Selection DC1 select Printer Format: ASCII code: DC1 Decimal: 17 Hexadecimal: 11 Comments: Returns the printer to the se[...]

DC3 Format: ASCII code: DC3 Decimal: 19 Hexadecimal: 13 Deselect Printer Comments: Puts the printer into the deselected state until select printer code (DCl) is received. The printer cannot be reselected with the ON LINE button. Speed ESC 8 Format: Turn Half-speed Mode On/Off ASCII code: ESC n Decimal: 27 115 n Hexadecimal: 1B 73 n Comments: The fo[...]

ESC i Turn Immediate Mode On/Off Format: ASCII code: ESC i n Decimal: 27 105 n Hexadecimal: 1B 69 n Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF In this mode the printer prints on a character by character basis rather than line by line as in the normal print mode. It also moves the paper up so that t[...]

ESC U Turn Unidirectional Mode On/Off Format: ASCII code: ESC U n Decimal: 27 Hexadecimal: 1B Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects unidirectional printing for more accurate positioning during text or graphics printing. ESC 8 Format: ASC[...]

ESC EM Turn Automatic Sheet Feed Mode On/Off Format: ASCII code: ESC EM n Decimal: 27 25 n Hexadecimal: 1B 19 n Comments: The following values can be used for n: 4: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF The command should not be used unless the automatic sheet feeder is installed. It is ignored if any value other than “0” or “4” is used [...]

Comments: Sets the MSB bit of all incoming data as 1. Comments: Cancels the MSB control set by ESC = or ESC >. Comments: Sounds the printer’s beeper. A-12 Command Summary[...]

Data Control Comments: Prints the data in the buffer and returns the print position to the left margin. A line feed may be added if DIP switch 2-4 is ON or the AUTO FEED XT line on the parallel interface is held LOW. Comments: Removes all text on the print line, but does not affect control codes. Comments: Removes the last text character on the pri[...]

Vertical Motion Comments: Prints the data in the print buffer and advances the paper to the top of the next form according to the current page length. Sets the page length to n lines in the current line spacing. The value of n must be from 1-127. The top of form position is set to the current line. Sets the page length to n inches. The value of n m[...]

Comments: The variable n is the number of lines skipped between the last line printed on one page and the first line on the next page. For example, with the standard settings for line spacing (1/6inch), and page length (66 lines), ESC N 6 causes the EX to print 60 lines and then skip 6. DIP switch 2-3 performs the same function. This setting is can[...]

ESC O Format: Select 1/8-inch Line Spacing Comments: Sets the line spacing to l/8 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The 0 is the digit zero and not ASCII code 0. Comments: Sets 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 or ASCII code 1. Comments: Sets the line spaci[...]

Esc 3 Format: Select n/216-inch Line Spacing Comments: Sets the line spacing to n/216 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The “3” is the digit three and not ASCII code 3. The value of n must be from 0-255. ESC A Format: Select n/72-inch Line Spacing Comments: Sets the line spacing to n/72 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. [...]

ESC j Perform n/216-inch Reverse Line Feed Format: Comments: Reverses the paper by n/216 of an inch. Note that ESC j should not be used near the end of the paper or when printing self-adhesive labels. If the automatic sheet feeder is selected, this command is ignored. Vertical tabbing VT Tab Vertically Format: Comments: Advances the paper to the ne[...]

ESCb Set Vertical Tabs in Channels Format: Comments: Functions the same as ESC B, except that the variable c selects a channel for the vertical tabs, which must be between 0-7. Therefore, up to eight sets of vertical tabs can be set. The channels are selected by ESC /. To clear the tabs in channel c use ESC b c NUL. Esc/ Select Vertical Tab Channel[...]

ESC Q Format: Set Right Margin Comments: Sets the right margin to n columns in the current pitch. Settings made in the proportional mode are treated as pica. This command clears previous tab settings and all previous characters in. the print line. The minimum space between the margins is the width of one doublewidth pica character. Print head movem[...]

ESC Format: Set Relative Position Determines the position (relative to the current position) at which printing of following data will start. To find nl and n2, first calculate the displacement required in 1/12Oths of an inch. If the displacement is to the left, subtract it from 65536. Send the resulting number using this formula: total number of d[...]

ESC D Set Horizontal Tabs Format: Comments: This command allows setting of up to 32 horizontal tabs, which are entered as nl, n2, n3, etc. (from 1-137) with the NUL character terminating the command. The tab settings must be entered in ascending order. ESC D NUL clears all tabs. The settings on power up or after an ESC @ command are every eight cha[...]

ESC r Format: Select Printing Color Comments: If the color option unit is installed, the variable n selects the printing color according to the table below. n Color n Color 0 Black 4 Yellow 1 Red 5 Orange 2 Blue 6 Green 3 Violet Esc ! Format: Master Select Selects any valid combination of the modes in the table below. The variable n is determined b[...]

Print Size and Character Width ESC P Select Pica Pitch Format: Comments: Selects pica pitch (10 characters per inch). Because pica is the default pitch, this command is normally used to cancel elite. ESC M Select Elite Pitch Comments Selects elite pitch (12 characters per inch). ESC p Turn Proportional Made On/Off Comments: The following values can[...]

SI Select Condensed Mode Format: ASCII code: SI Decimal: 15 Hexadecimal: 0F Comments: Prints characters at about 60 per cent of their normal width. For example, the condensed pica mode has 17 characters per inch. Proportional mode cannot be condensed, and proportional will override condensed. Esc SI Format: Select Condensed Mode Comments: Duplicate[...]

so Select Double-width Mode (one line) Format: Comments: Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters. This mode is cancelled by a carriage return or DC4. ESC SO Select Double-width Mode (one line) Format: Comments: Duplicates the SO command. DC4 Format: Cancel Double-width Mode (one line) Comments: Cancels one-line double-width printing s[...]

ESC W Format: Turn Double-width Mode On/Off Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: The mode is turned ON. 0: The mode is turned OFF Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters. Print Enhancement ESC E Format: Select Emphasizing Mode Comments: Makes text bolder by printing each dot twice, with the second dot slightly to the r[...]

ESC G Select Double-strike Mode Format: Comments: Makes text bolder by printing each line twice, with the second printing slightly below the first. In NLQ the mode is not available but is not cancelled. ESC H Cancel Double-strike Mode Format: Comments Turns off the double-strike mode selected by ESC G. ESC SO Select Superscript Mode Format: Comment[...]

ESC S 1 Format: Select Subscript Mode Comments: Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal height in the lower part of the character space. ESC T Cancel Superscript/Subscript Format: Comments: Cancels either superscript or subscript. ESC- Format: Turn Underlining Mode On/Off Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned [...]

ESC a NLQ Justification Format: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 0: Selects left justification. 1: Selects centering. 2: Selects right justification. 3: Selects full justification. The default setting is n = 0. Full justification (n = 3) is performed when the buffer becomes full; HT and BS are invalid except in n = 0 mode. For n = [...]

Character Sets ESC t Select Character Table Comments: Selects the character table used by codes 128-255. Selecting Epson Character Graphics does not disable italic printing. Italic printing can still be selected by ESC 4. The following values can be used for n: 0: Selects italics. 1: Selects Epson Character Graphics. Duplicates the function of DIP [...]

User-defined Characters Note: See Chapter 6 for sample programs and full information on this topic. ESC & Format: Define User-defined Characters Comments: This command allows characters to be redefined in the currently selected mode. ESC: Format: Copy ROM into RAM Comments: This code copies the characters in the ROM into RAM so that specific ch[...]

ESC % Select User-defined Set Format: Comments ESC & is required to define the character set. The following values can be used for n: 0: Selects the normal set. 1: Selects the user-defined set. ESC 6 Printable Code Area Expansion Format: Comments: Enables the printing of codes 128 through 159 (decimal) as characters, not control codes, which al[...]

ESC I Printable Code Area Expansion Format: Comments: ASCII codes 0 to 31 and 128 to 159 are usually not printable. These codes become printable upon input of the ESC I code if n = 1, which allows the use of these codes for userdefined characters. If n = 0, this command returns 0 to 31 and 128 to 159 to non-printable codes. Graphics Note: See Chapt[...]

ESC Y Format: Select High-speed Double-density Graphics Mode Comments: Turns on eight-pin high-speed doubledensity graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256). ESC Z Format: Select Quadruple-density Graphics Mode Comments: Turns on eight-pin quadrupledensity graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256). ESC* Format:[...]

ESC ? Format: Reassign Graphics Mode Comments: Changes one graphics mode to another. The variable is is a character (K, L, Y or Z), which is reassigned to a mode n (0-6). ESCˆ Format: Select 9-pin Graphics Mode Turns on 9-pin Graphics Mode. The variable m defines density of print (0 for single and 1 for double). The total number of columns = nl + [...]

IBM Printer Emulation Mode Commands The Epson mode and the IBM printer emulation mode share many of the same commands. Therefore, this part of the summary merely lists and does not describe the commands already described in the Epson mode command summary The commands that are different are described in detail. Commands that Duplicate Epson Commands[...]

Commands that Are Different from Epson Commands Printer Operation ESC Q3 Format: Deselect Printer Comments: Places the printer in an off line state until the printer is turned off and back on or until it receives a DC1 code. Vertical Motion ESC A Set n/72-inch Line Spacing Format: Comments: Sets the line spacing to n/72 of an inch. This value is st[...]

ESC J Format: Perform n/216-inch Line Feed Comments: Advances the paper by one line at a spacing of n/216 of an inch. The value of n must be from 0-255. This command produces an immediate line feed but does not affect subsequent line spacing. It does not produce a carriage return unless DIP switch 1-3 is OFF ESC 4 Format: Set Top of Form Comments: [...]

Horizontal Motion ESC X Set Left and Right Margins Format: Comments: The left margin column is set to nl in the current pitch, ignoring double-width, and the right margin column is set to n2. The minimum distance between the two margins is 1/2 inch. The first column is number 1, not number 0. ESC D Format: Set Horizontal Tabs Comments: This command[...]

Overall Printing Style ESC I Format: Select Font Comments: When n=0, the standard draft font is selected, when n=2, the standard NLQ font is selected. When n=4, a user-defined font is selected; when n = 6, a userdefined NLQ font is selected. Print Size/ Width/Enhancements ESC: Format: Select Elite Pitch Comments: Elite pitch has 12 characters per i[...]

ESC_ Turn Overscore On/Off Format: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF Character Sets ESC 6 Select International Character Set Format: Comments: Selects the international character set (Table 2). See the character set tables in Appendix B. Esc 7 Select Standard Character Set Format: Comments: Selects [...]

ESC Format: Print Characters from Symbol Set Comments: Prints a number of characters from the symbol set. The number of characters = nl + (n2 x 256). See the character tables in Appendix B for the symbol set and the codes to use for data. ESCˆ Format: Print One Character from Symbol Set Comments: Prints a single character (c) from the symbol set.[...]

User-Defined Characters ESC= Define User-defined Characters Format: Comments If C is the total number of characters to be defined, B = (C x 13) + 2 nl = B MOD 256 n2 = INT(B/256) n3 = 20 in all cases n4 = the code of the first character to be defined n5 = 0 if the top 8 pins are used; n5 = 128 for the bottom 8 n6 = 0 in all cases n7 through nk are [...]

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Appendix B Character Tables This appendix contains tables of the complete Epson mode character set, including the extra characters for the 13 Epson international character sets, and the IBM printer emulation mode character sets. The tables give a printout of each character, the codes in decimal and hexadecimal, and the proportional width of each ch[...]

Table B-1. Epson mode characters B-2 Character Tables[...]

Table B-1, continued Character Tables B-3[...]

Table B-1, continued B-4 Character Tables[...]

Table B-1, continued Character Tables B-5[...]

Table B-1, continued B-6 Character Tables[...]

Table B-1, continued Character Tables B-7[...]

Table B-1, continued B-8 Character Tables[...]

Epson International Character Sets Twelve character codes between 35 and 126 can represent more than one character each, depending upon the international character set you select. You can make the choice either by setting DIP switches 1-6 through 1-8 or by using the ESC R command. The table below shows all 13 character sets, together with the numbe[...]

Table B-3. Proportional widths of international characters Characters Widths: Characters Widths: Normal Italic Normal Italic B-10 Character Tables[...]

IBM Printer Emulation Mode This section shows the characters available in IBM printer emulation mode. There are two main character tables: standard (CG Table 1) and international (CG Table 2). The standard table is selected when DIP switches 1-6 to 143 are all UP; the international table is selected by any other setting of these three switches. You[...]

Table B-4. IBM printer emulation mode characters B-12 Character Tables[...]

Table B-4, continued Character Tables B-13[...]

Table B-4, continued B-14 Character Tables[...]

Table B-4, continued Decimal Hex Standard International Width (CG Table 1) (CG Table 2) Character Tables B-15[...]

Table B-4, continued B-16 Character Tables[...]

Table B-4, continued Decimal Hex Standard International Width (CG Table 1) (CG Table 2) Character Tables B-17[...]

Table B-4, continued B-18 Character Tables[...]

Appendix C The Serial Interface This appendix has the information you need to use the EX's built-in serial interface. It includes DIP switch settings, problem solving, and technical specifications. The information on the built-in parallel interface is in Chapter 1 and Appendix G, and the information on optional interfaces is in Appendix E WARN[...]

For the parity setting you have three choices: odd, even, or non- parity Use either odd or even unless your computer requires non-parity Again, be sure that the settings on your printer and computer match. Setting the Switches The interface you use and the type of parity check for a serial interface are set with DIP switches 2-5 and 2-6: Table C-1.[...]

Troubleshooting for Serial Interfaces Problem Printer prints one character then stops Recommendation The EX uses the DIR signal and the X-on/X-off protocol (via TXD) to tell the computer whether it is ready to receive characters or whether it is busy printing. Refer to your computer’s documentation and ensure that the computer is using one of the[...]

Handshaking Handshaking by DTR signal or X-on/X-off. The DTR signal changes to “mark”-meaning the printer is not ready to receive data-when the number of bytes free in the input buffer goes down to 256. The signal changes to “space”- meaning that the printer is now ready- when the number of bytes free in the input buffer rises to 528. Error[...]

Appendix D Problem Solving and Maintenance This appendix presents solutions for possible problems, explanations of the EX's advanced features, and tips on maintaining and transporting your printer. General Troubleshooting Problem Printer does not print Recommendation Make sure that the printer is turned on and is on line. Both the POWER and ON[...]

Printing is patchy, faint, uneven, or intermittent All the text is printed on the same line or text is printed with an extra blank line between Some of the characters printed do not match those in the file Paper feeding problems Regular gaps appear in printouts Recommendation Check that the ribbon is seated correctly and that the pins at either sid[...]

Problem Recommendation Self test pattern is garbled If the test pattern did not print as shown in Chapter 1, the printer is faulty Refer the problem to your dealer. If the pattern is printed but is patchy or faint, check that the ribbon is installed correctly Beeper sounds and printer stops If the READY light is off and the ON LINE light is flashin[...]

Data Dump Mode The EX has a special feature that makes it easy for experienced printer users to find the causes of problems. The hexadecimal (hex) or data dump mode gives a printout of exactly what codes reach the printer. Enter this mode by turning on the printer while holding down the FORM FEED and LINE FEED buttons at the same time. Then, when y[...]

In this way you can quickly determine that prior to printing, the word processor sent seven commands to set up the printer followed by a BEL character to sound the beeper. If you find code-s in your data dump that you did not enter in your program or codes you did not expect your application program to send, your computer may be changing the codes [...]

The extra line feed character is usually no problem, unless you want to send ASCII code 13 on its own as part of a graphics statement or a character definition. To do this, use the OPEN statement to assign a file number to the printer (LPTl:) and use the PRINT# statement in place of LPRINT You also need to use a slightly different WIDTH statement. [...]

patchy If this happens suddenly or long before the expected lifetime is over, the problem is almost certainly connected with another component of the printer. As soon as the print head fails, stop using the printer and contact your Epson deafer for a replacement head. Do not attempt to replace the head yourself because the printer should also be te[...]

D-8 Problem Solving and Maintenance[...]

Appendix E Defaults and DIP Switches This appendix lists all of the default settings and lists and explains the settings of all the DIP switches. Default and Initialization Settings The EX can be initialized (returned to a fixed set of conditions) in three different ways: when it is turned on, when it receives an INIT signal at the parallel interfa[...]

DIP Switch Settings The EX has sixteen DIP (Dual In-line Package) switches that allow you to change many of the printer’s settings to suit your individual needs. The DIP switches are in two groups of eight, mounted on the back panel, as shown in Figure E-l. Each set of switches is numbered from 1-8 so that DIP switch l-l is the switch at the far [...]

The following tables describe the switches and their functions. In each case the shaded settings are those set at the factory The first two tables summarize the two groups of switches. The remaining three show how some of the DIP switches work in combination to let you choose from a wide selection of options. Table E-1. DIP switch group1 Table E-Z.[...]

International Character Sets Thirteen international character sets are available in Epson mode. Eight of these are selected by DIP switches 1-6 to 1-8 and the remaining five (Japan, Norway, Denmark II, Spain II and Latin America) can be selected with the ESC R command, which is described in the Command Summary For the characters available in each c[...]

Interface Selection The type of interface and the type of parity check for a serial interface are set with DIP switches 2-5 and 2-6: Table E-4. Interface type DIP switches 2-7 and 2-8 determine the baud rate when the built-in serial interface is used. They have no effect on any optional interfaces, or on the built-in parallel interface. Therefore, [...]

E-6 Defaults and DIP Switches[...]

Appendix F Choosing and Setting Up Optional Interfaces This appendix contains information on Epson interfaces compatible with EX printers, instructions on choosing the right interface for a particular job, and instructions for installing internally mounted interface boards. Compatible Interfaces You can use a number of optional interfaces that supp[...]

Choosing an Interface This section describes the interfaces. IEEE-488 and Apple interfaces The IEEE-488 system allows you to connect computers, printers, and other peripherals so that they can share data freely Epson offers two - types of IEEE438 interfaces. The #8161 offers the basic ability to operate in the IEEE-488 address and listen-only modes[...]

Three Epson serial interfaces are suitable for EX printers. All three offer a wide range of baud rates, a choice of 7-bit or 8-bit data, and support Current Loop operation in addition to RS-232C. They also offer a choice of other features, which are listed in Table F-2. Table F-2. Serial interface X-on/X-off protocol is a system in which the printe[...]

Installing an Interface Before installing an interface, you must remove the printer’s cover, WARNING Do not remove the cover unless the printer is turned OFF because high voltages are present inside the printer when the power is on. Also do not touch contacts on the circuit board of the printer because many of the components can be destroyed by t[...]

6. With the printer facing you, unclip the left side of the control panel and lift it up slightly to release it from the case (Figure F-2). 7. At each side of the front panel there is a retaining clip, as shown in Figure F-3. One is reached through the control panel opening. Reach behind the cable and gently press the two clips to release the front[...]

Inserting the Interface Board 1. Remove the upper case of the printer, following the steps described in the previous section. 2. Remove the blanking plate above the parallel connector (as shown in Figure F-5) to allow access to the new interface connector when the case is reassembled. 3. Locate the three supports on which the interface board will r[...]

Serial Interface Settings If you are using an optional serial interface, you may need to change the communications protocol of the printer or the computer for them to communicate properly The protocol used by the printer is decided by one or two groups of DIP switches located on the serial interface board; the protocol used by the computer can prob[...]

The three following tables contain all the information you need for the optional interface settings. F-8 Choosing and Setting Up Optional Interfaces[...]

Appendix G Technical Specifications This appendix contains the specifications for the EX-800 and the EX-1000, including the built-in parallel interface. For the specifications for the built-in serial interface, see Appendix C. Printing Printing method Impact dot matrix Printing speed 300 characters per second in draft elite, 250 characters per seco[...]

Paper Number of copies Up to 3 sheets, including the original. Total thickness not to exceed 0.16mm Paper width Continuous feed Single-sheet Roll 4” to 10” 7.15” to 8.5” 8.5” Mechanical Ribbon Cartridge, exclusive to EX, black (#8763) or color (#8764) Life expectancy (in characters, at 14 dots/character): Black only: 3 million Color: Blac[...]

Electrical Voltage: 120V AC Consumption 120 VA Frequency 49.5 Hz - 60.5 Hz Insulation resistance 10 Mohms between AC power line and chassis Dielectric strength Can withstand 1 kV rms applied between AC line and chassis for 1 minute, or 1.25 kV rms for 1 second Environment Temperature Operation: 40°F to 95°F (5 C to 35 C) Storage: -30°F to 150°F[...]

Parallel Interface WARNING Two interface cables should not be plugged into the printer at the same time. This may damage your printer. For the specifications of the serial interface, see Appendix C. Connector pin assignments and a description of respective interface signals are shown in Table G-1. G-4 Technical Specifications[...]

Notes: 1. The column heading “Direction” refers to the direction of signal flow as viewed from the printer. 2. “Return” denotes the twisted-pair return, to be connected at signal ground level. For the interface wiring, be sure to use a twisted-pair cable for each signal and to complete the connection on the return side. Technical Specificat[...]

3. 4. All interface conditions are based on TTL level. Both the rise and the fall times of each signal must be less than 0.2 microseconds. Data transfer must be carried out by observing the ACKNLG or BUSY signal. (Data transfer to this printer can be carried out only after receipt of the ACKNLG signal or when the level of the BUSY signal is LOW) Da[...]

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G-8 Technical Specifications[...]

Glossary Note that these definitions apply specifically to printers. If a word is italicized, see that topic for more information. Application program Software designed to perform a specific task, such as word processing or accounting. American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized coding system for letters and symbols, it is us[...]

condensed A print width approximately 60% of the width of standard characters. For example, condensed pica has 17 characters per inch (cpi). Formerly called compressed. Configure To prepare a piece of equipment or a program so that it will work with other equipment. Continuous-feed-paper This paper has pin-feed holes in half-inch tear-off strips on[...]

Dot matrix A method of printing in which letters and symbols are formed by patterns of individual dots. Double-strike A print mode in which each character is printed twice, with the second slightly below the first. Double-width A print width in which each character is twice as wide as normal characters. Double-width was formerly known as expanded. [...]

Hex dump See Data dump. Initialize Return the printer to its defaults. Interface The connection between the computer and the printer. A serial interface transmits data one bit at a time and a parallel interface transmits data one character or code at a time. Italic A typestyle in which the characters slant. This sentence is italicized. Linefeed A c[...]

Paper bail The part of the printer that holds the paper against the platen. Paper-out sensor A small switch behind the platen that sends a signal when it is not in contact with paper. Parallel interface An interface is the connection between the computer and the printer. There are two types: a parallel interface transmits data one character or code[...]

Self test A method of checking the operation of the printer. When the self test is turned on, the printer prints the characters that are stored in its ROM. serial interface An interface is the connection between the computer and the printer. There are two types: a serial interface transmits data one bit at a time, and a parallel interface transmits[...]

Index Command descriptions and definitions of terms are not indexed here. For page references for specific commands, see pages A-4–6 or the Quick Reference Card. For definitions of terms, see the Glossary A American Standard Code for Information Interchange, 3-2 Application programs, 3-1–7 ASCII, 3-2 Automatic sheet feeder, 2-1–2 B Bail, pape[...]

F Foreign language characters. See International characters FORM FEED, 1-7 G Graphics, 6-1–12, D-3 Graphics software, 3-6 H Hexadecimal, 3-3 Hexadecimal (hex) dump. See Data dump I IBM printer emulation mode, 1-15–16 character tables, B11–18 IBM and compatible solutions, D-5–6 IEEE interfaces, F-2 Indicator lights, 1-7 Initialization, E-1 I[...]

Print head, 6-2–3, G-2 Print head protector, 1-2 Problem solving, D-1–6 Programming languages, 3-6–7 Proportional mode, 5-2 U Underlining, 5-4 User-defined characters, 6-13–18 Protector, print head, 1-2 W R READY light, 1-7 Word processors, 3-3–4 Ribbon, installing, 1-3–5 Ribbon, life, G-2 Roll paper, 2-1 Roman, 5-1 Z Zero, slashed, E-3[...]

IN-4 Index[...]

Quick Reference[...]

Commands by Function The following list of commands is in the order used in the command summary (Appendix A). To find details of the command you want to use, refer to the page number in the column for your operating mode-Epson or IBM printer emulation mode. Note that for commands consisting of two or more codes, the decimal and hexadecimal columns [...]

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I EPSON OVERSEAS MARKETING LOCATIONS EPSON AMERICA, INC. 2780 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, Calif. 90505, U.S.A. Phone: (2 13) 539-9140 Telex: 182412 EPSON DEUTSCHLAND GmbH Zülpicher Strasse 6, 4000 Düsseldorf 11 F.R. Germany Phone: (02 11) 56030 Telex: 8584786 EPSON UK LTD. Campus 100, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7EZ. U.K. Pho[...]

Featuring: Setting Up Choosing and Loading Paper Typestyle Selection with SelecType Graphics User-defined Characters Command Summary EPSON AMERICA, INC. 2780 Lomita Boulevard, Torrance, California 90505 Printed in Japan 89.02-6[...]