Ricoh A741 manual

A741 Controller Print Server Manual RICOH GROUP COMP ANIES[...]

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Introduction The A741 Repro System Print Server is a sophisti cated option which will turn a RICOH A741 large format printer into a plotter and scann er. Although n ot a complex device, the A741 Repro System solution is very versatile. This document is intended to assist in the in stallation an d configuration of the A741 Repro system. It contains [...]

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Print Server Manual i A741 Table of Contents 1 SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 1 1.1 A741 SPECIFICATIONS ( BASIC ) ..................................................................... 1 1.2 A741 R EPRO S PECIFICATIONS .....................................................[...]

A741 ii Print Server Manual 4.9.2 Press button on card ................................................................................................ 21 4.9.3 Test Selection ........................................................................................................... 2 2 4.9.4 Test command – B(utton) ..............................[...]

Print Server Manual iii A741 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: PRINTING/PLOTTING ........................ 39 10.1 F ROM WHICH PROGRAM S CAN I PRINT ? ....................................................... 39 10.2 W HICH PRINTER DRIVERS ARE AVAILABLE ? .................................................. 39 10.3 C AN WE PRINT GRAYSCALES WITH THE A741 R [...]

A741 iv Print Server Manual 13.3 C AN WE EDIT THE SCANNED DO CUMENTS ..................................................... 49 13.4 C AN WE REDUCE OR ENLARGE THE SCAN NED IMAGE ..................................... 49 13.5 C AN WE SCAN A PART OF AN IMAGE ? ........................................................... 49 13.6 C AN WE SCAN GRAY SCALES ?[...]

Print Server Manual 1 A741 1 Specifications 1.1 A741 specifications (basic) Type: Console Original format: Max. 920 x 5.000 mm Min. 210 x 297 mm (A4R) Output format: Max. 920 x 5.000 mm Min. 210 x 297 mm (A4R) Resolution: 400 dpi * 400 dpi Printing system: LED Grayscales: 128 (32 levels/pixel) Print speed: 4.8 m/min. Warm-up time: 10 minutes or les[...]

A741 2 Print Server Manual 1.2.3 Printer Drivers Printer drivers: Windows NT 4.0 AutoCAD ADI, version 12*, 13* & 14* 1.3 A741 Repro functions (Printing) Resolution: 400 dpi * 400 dpi Gray scales: 2 (Black/White only) Media selection: By Roll (max. 3 + bypass), by Type (Paper, Vellum or Film) or Roll Width. Cut length: Image length or user defin[...]

Print Server Manual 3 A741 1.6 Options PostScript Level II module* Direct printing of AutoCAD .DWG files* Print manager for Client stations* 1.7 Minimum PC specifications (Server only) Processor: Pentium Pro or Pentium II 200Mhz or faster Memory: 128Mb minimum (will not work with less memo ry!) Harddisk: 2Gb, IDE interface. Actual storage space dep[...]

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Print Server Manual 5 A741 2 Installation 2.1 EPROM replacement In the event of an EPROM change the following procedure will enable the technician to replace the prom and bring the A741 unit back on line. The following (minimum) procedure should be followed after replacing the EPROM, failing to do so may result in some unpredictable behavior. • R[...]

A741 6 Print Server Manual 2.3 A741 internal cabling Mount the internal cable and brackets as per A741 Repro System installation guide (provided separately). 2.4 PC Specifications Please make sure that the Server PC meets the following (minimum) specifications ♦ Pentium PRO / Pentium II 200Mhz or faster ♦ 128Mb of internal memory 2.5 PCI card i[...]

Print Server Manual 7 A741 2.6 Size of paging file Windows can simulate more memory than physically available in the machine. The additional memory is simulated by means of a paging file on the harddisk. Please make sure that the size of this paging file is set correctly, minimum 300Mb, maximum size 500Mb. How to set/check? Goto the 'control p[...]

A741 8 Print Server Manual Also make sure that the Power saving option is disabled as well. If the power saving is enabled you may encounter all kind of network printiing problems. 2.8 A741 Repro Software installation 2.8.1 A741 Repro System Software installation Installation of the A741 Repro System software is very easy, just insert the CD and it[...]

Print Server Manual 9 A741 • When re-installin g (updating) the A741 Repro Software occasionally the next warning my appear: Just click Yes and ignore the message. • After the installation of A741 Repro System software the PC must be re- booted before all settings/actions will take effect. 2.8.2 How to switch the A741 Repro System to a differen[...]

A741 10 Print Server Manual 2.8.3 How do I de-install the A741 Repro System program? Either to remove the A741 Repro software from the computer or if instructed to do so in case of a software update it may be necessary to de-install (remove) the software. In the control panel start the 'Add/Remove software' applet. • Make sure that the [...]

Print Server Manual 11 A741 2.9 PC networking In order for the A741 Repro System to work properly, there must be an active network environment, even for a stand-alone A741 Repro Server. Use the procedure below if the A741 Repro print server is not connected to -and participating in- an active network. Without a previous network installation (or a s[...]

A741 12 Print Server Manual With a previous network installation NOTE: This procedure is only required when the PC is used sta nd -alone for demonstration purposes etc. • Install the 'MS Loopback' adapter as above, • Select the 'Bindings ' tab, • From the 'Show bindings for' drop-down box select 'all adapter[...]

Print Server Manual 13 A741 3 Functional block diagram of A741 Repro System Explanation of various signals A. Communication between rfxServer, Littlebear.sys driver and Littlebear card. Due to the nature of the Windows NT sy stem it is not allo wed that programs communicate directly with hardware. Normally this communicatio n is done via a driver. [...]

A741 14 Print Server Manual D. Flow of print jobs Both Local- and remote Clients can generate print job s. The se jo bs are sto red in the ‘Local Spool’ directory for the local client and in the ‘Network Spo ol’ directory for network clients. RfxServer will constantly monitor one of these two dire ctories, based on the ‘Mode’ setting of[...]

Print Server Manual 15 A741 4 T rouble-shooting 4.1 General No two problems are the same, however for frequently appearing problems this document will contain information how to correct or find the source of the problem. General procedure to follow: • Analyze the type of problem, is it related to the operation of the program, a program crash or p[...]

A741 16 Print Server Manual • See chapter 4.4.2, Make sure the operator of the A741 Repro System has 'Administrator' rights The A741 produces blank pages when printing • Re-install the LittleBear card in a different PCI slot, see chapter 4.4.3, Select the correct PCI slot for the A741 Repro System card Only a part of the Client window[...]

Print Server Manual 17 A741 4.4.4 Each time I re-boot the Server PC, rfxServer will not start If this problem occurs immediately at boot time, delete all files in the 'X:Program FilesA741 Repro SystemLocal Spool' directory. Here the Local Client program will store print jobs. At startup time, the server looks in this directory for prin[...]

A741 18 Print Server Manual 4.6 rfxServer will not start Due to an error of some kind it is possible that rfxServer will not start. In this case, the Services applet will show an error message approx. 10-15 seconds after the rfxServer is started. To find the reason why the rfxServer will not start, you can select one of the 3 options below: See if [...]

Print Server Manual 19 A741 4.7 Use of the Event log The event log is a useful source to analyze problems. If rfxServer stops due to a problem, in many cases it will leave a message in the event log. A real crash of course will not leave an event message. How to see this event log: Make sure you have administrator rights (or login as the Administra[...]

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Print Server Manual 21 A741 4.9 LBTEST The A741 Repro System software comes complete with it's own comprehensive diagnostic program. Full information on the use of this program can be found in section 16 ot this document. This section will deal with the most important commands. Please consult section 16 for a description of all other commands.[...]

A741 22 Print Server Manual properly. Please make sure the A741 is on-line, since there will be no feedback by this test. The test pattern is fully generated by the controller card and can be issued at all times, even if the A741 Repro System software is not installed. 4.9.3 Test Selection Inorder to perform the following procedures it only ne cess[...]

Print Server Manual 23 A741 5 Installing / Using Network Clients 5.1 General With version 2.2.9 of A741 Repro you now can run the Client software on Window NT. This section will describe the installation and use of network clients. 5.2 A741 Repro Server preparation On the A741 Repro Server PC make sure the remote users have access to the shared res[...]

A741 24 Print Server Manual • The Select Components screen appears. When setting up the Server/ Local Client system select all the components listed and click on the “Next” button. • The Select Program Folder screen appears. Click on the “Next” button. • The program group name can be changed to any desired name. • The Start Copying [...]

Print Server Manual 25 A741 In the printers drop-down box all A741 systems in the network will be shown and can be selected at this point. 5.6 View the status of a remote A741 printer Select the ‘View->Network System Status’ menu. This will show the dialog box at right: In this dialog box it will be possible to select and see the status of a[...]

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Print Server Manual 27 A741 6 Direct printing from AutoCAD With version 1.5x of the A741 Repro software it will be possible to print directly from AutoCAD to a A741 printer. Please use the setup procedure bel ow to do the right set-up. • Start AutoCAD (or Auto CAD Lit e ) • Select the File->printer Setup menu • For an existing printer sele[...]

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Print Server Manual 29 A741 7 A741 Repro Program 7.1 Introduction The A741 Repro Software is not difficult to use. There are however a few points which need some additional clarification. For a full description of the program please consult the A741 Repro System Users manual. 7.2 Setting program options The user can determine the behavior of the pr[...]

A741 30 Print Server Manual option will effect on all documents in the project. It is not possible to enable/disable custom pensets on a plot by plot basis. 3. Moment of document RIPping (Raster Image Processor, see Glossary) Typically select the 'RIP immediately' option on the server PC, on all other network clients set to 'RIP when[...]

Print Server Manual 31 A741 Final processing by rfxServer. When the print command is issued in the server a job file is created and stored in one of the spool directories. This job file contains both the print options and the raster file generated in the process above. The rfxServer will do the following actions: Decompres the Raster file Scale and[...]

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Print Server Manual 33 A741 8 Frequently Asked Questions: General 8.1 What is the purpose of the Xi REPRO System Print Server? The A741 Repro System Print Server forms an integral part of the A741. It serves 4 main purposes: • Physical connection to the A741 and network (see also 9.2) • Handle print requests from the -network based- 'clien[...]

A741 34 Print Server Manual 8.6 What is the difference between printing and plotting? Currently there is no difference. In the past 'printing' referred to producing text on paper using a line or matrix printer. 'Plotting' referred to a procedure where a graphic image (lines, circles etc.) was drawn by moving a pen on a sheet of [...]

Print Server Manual 35 A741 8.9 What is vectorising? Vectorising is the opposite of rasterising. Vectorising is typically an action done after a scan. Scanning will result in a raster (bitmap) image, in fact a collection of individual black and white dots (pixels). A vectorising program will analyze this image and convert this image back to individ[...]

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Print Server Manual 37 A741 9 Frequently Asked Questions: A741 Repro System overview 9.1 Network block diagram From all computers we can print directly to the spool queue on the A741 Repro System Print Server. The job is then printed based on the defaults as set by the Local Client program. A client program running on the Print Server is referred t[...]

A741 38 Print Server Manual 9.2 Which items are included in the A741 Repro System PC? The following items are contained in the basic A741 Repro System.). A fully configured PC (chapter 8.2) is required as well as: • PCI interface card This card provides the physical interface between the PC and the A741. It uses a proprietary interface with both [...]

Print Server Manual 39 A741 10 Frequently Asked Questions: Printing/Plotting 10.1 From which programs can I print? Basically the user can print from any program (e.g. AutoCAD, Medusa, Architrion) or operating system (Windows, MacOS, UNIX) which can generate a document format which is supported by the Print Server. The most commonly used format is H[...]

A741 40 Print Server Manual Emulations (both are vector oriented) HP-GL & HP-GL/2 CalComp 906/907 Vector Formats PostScript Level II (future option) AutoCAD .DRW (future option) Raster Formats HP-RTL (future option) TIFF 6.0 (B/W only, all compression formats supported) ATT, MS Bitmap (.BMP), CALS Raster Type I (Type 2 tiled), Brooktrout FAX, C[...]

Print Server Manual 41 A741 10.10 Can we do group or set printing? Printing of multiple documents can be done in one or more sets or multiple copies of the same document (group printing). Furthermore the printing order of the set(s)/group(s) can be reversed (e.g. printing the last document first) 10.11 Can we add information (text) to each printed [...]

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Print Server Manual 43 A741 11 Frequently Asked Questions: Image Viewing/Handling 11.1 Can we preview the document before plotting/printing? Yes, the A741 Repro System program provides a 'thumbnail' -small preview- of the document. For a more detailed view, the Imaging viewer can be activated with a touch of a button. The Imaging viewer f[...]

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Print Server Manual 45 A741 12 Frequently Asked Questions: Network 12.1 Can we print via a network? Yes, we can print from any PC, Macintosh or UNIX system to any A741 connected to the (same) network. 12.2 Can we print from UNIX or Macintosh systems? Yes, but respecting 2 conditions: • The application or operating system (e.g. Sun's Solaris [...]

A741 46 Print Server Manual 12.7 My, remote network PC with CAD software loaded cannot print to the A741. Why? Even if you have network connection to the shared printer on the A741 Print Server, the Ricoh Controller software must be installed on the remote client. Without the Ricoh Controller software, the remote client will not be able to send pri[...]

Print Server Manual 47 A741 12.12 How is the A741 print Server installed in a stand-alone configuration with no network? Remember, when using the A741 Print Server in a stand-alone configuration (e.g. no network connections), a "simulated" network environment must be created. Refer to section 2.10 in the A741 Print Server Manual. Make sur[...]

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Print Server Manual 49 A741 13 Frequently Asked Questions: Scanning 13.1 Can we use the A741 for scanning? Yes, scanning is a standard option. Scanning will be done at 400 dpi and the output data is stored on the computer in a Group IV compressed TIFF format. 13.2 Can we scan multiple documents Yes, batch scanning is possible. Either we can enter e[...]

A741 50 Print Server Manual 13.8 Can we scan at a lower resolution to reduce the filesize? The scanning option of A741 Repro has a fixed resolution of 400dpi, producing high quality images. There are 2 possibilities to reduce the filesize of the scanned image • By an external application By using an external application -like Wang Imaging- it is [...]

Print Server Manual 51 A741 14 Frequently Asked Questions: Project Management 14.1 What is the purpose of a project? Engineering design projects typically contain a large number of drawings. In order to manage these drawings, they are often grouped by category. Example: for a building drawings can be grouped by structural design, water system, elec[...]

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Print Server Manual 53 A741 15 Glossary AMS Automatic magnification Selection. Automatic reduction or enla rg ement, based on the original size and paper size selected by the user. Application software Software that is written to do specific kinds of wo rk, such as word processors, spread sheets, etc. ASCII Abbreviation for American Standard Code f[...]

A741 54 Print Server Manual Compression A technique used to reduce the storag e sp ace of a graphic image. Uncompre ssed bitmaps can consume conside rable storage space. Due to their nature, bitmaps allow a high degree of compression, ranging from 4:1 to 25:1, dep endi ng on the actual image itself. Contrast The difference between light and dark el[...]

Print Server Manual 55 A741 Flatbed Scanner terminology. To scan a docu ment, the original is placed on a glass plate. The scanner optics then move below this glass plate to read th e image. Thi s is typically found on better quality scanners or copiers. Font Also known as typeface or simply a particular kind of letter style Form Overlay Fixed text[...]

A741 56 Print Server Manual IPX/SPX A network protocol designed by Novell. LAN A Local Area Network. Which is a system whi ch enables computers to share information, software and hardware efficiently Laser printing A system of printing which uses a Laser Beam that turns on and off at high spe eds to form the image on the drum LED printing Light Emi[...]

Print Server Manual 57 A741 OSD Original Size Detection. A set of sensors in the copi er which automatically dete cts the original size. Ozone Harmful gas that is formed by the electrostatic process u sed in copiers and printe rs Parallel port Slot in the PC that is usually connected to the printer. Since it is capabl e of ca rrying 8 bits at a tim[...]

A741 58 Print Server Manual Raster Image Processor (RIP) A hardware-software combination that converts a vector imag e into a bit-mappe d image. All PostScript printers contain a RIP that converts the Po stScri pt commands into bit-mapped pa ges that the printer can output. Resolution Density of the dots on the paper which is m ea sured in DPI (d o[...]

Print Server Manual 59 A741 Toner Dry chemical material used to create image s on paper. Common in copie r and printer industry TWAIN Industry standard interface for scanne rs, digital camera's etc. TWAIN allows a software d eveloper to communicate with scanners o r other equipment in a device independe nt manner. Vector graphics A graphic ima[...]

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Print Server Manual 61 A741 16 DESCRIPTION OF LBTEST PROGRAM 16.1 Purpose Of Document LBTEST is a small executable program that is used to test the Littlebear controller, as well as the interface between the Littlebear controller and the copier. The purpose of this document is to describe the functionality of LBTEST and also to outline a test proce[...]

A741 62 Print Server Manual 16.5 Command: “c” The control command is used to send commands to the copier. The possible control commands are as follows: Capture print engine (10h) Release print engine (11h) Print setting (12h) Print pre feed (13h) Capture scan engine (14h) Release scan engine (15h) Scan setting (16h) Start scan (17h) Preheat/Shu[...]

Print Server Manual 63 A741 bit 0 = (1) initialize data FIFOs, (0) no effect. These are the Littlebear on-board FIFOs, not the PCI chip FIFOs. The on-board FIFOs will be cleared if this bit is set to 1. So, for example, if a 03 is the value entered, both of the above operations will be performed. If 01 is entered, only the controller status byte wi[...]

A741 64 Print Server Manual bit 2 = Copier computed checksum error in command from controller. bit 1 = Status from copier violated timing constraints. bit 0 = Command from controller violated timing constraints. So, for example, if the YY byte had a value of 08, this means that the controller computed a checksum error in the status that was just se[...]

Print Server Manual 65 A741 Normally, the FIFO test described in the Command: “t” section is the best FIFO test to use. The “d” and “f” commands are included in case a “lower level” test is needed. 16.12 Command: “f” This command is used to see what data is currently stored in the Littlebear on- board FIFOs. LBTEST will prompt f[...]

A741 66 Print Server Manual The “f” (FIFO) test is used to repetitively write, then read the on-board FIFOs. LBTEST will prompt for the number of tests to perform, followed by the number of bytes to write/read per test. After test data is written to the FIFOs, the same number of bytes are read and compared to the test data. If any data causes a[...]

Print Server Manual 67 A741 If the “signals” byte is not 00, issue the “i” command with a value of FF HEX. This will clear out the “signals” byte. Re-issue the “s” command type 01 again. If the signals byte is still not 00, the controller and copier are not communicating properly. Cycle power on the computer and copier and start ove[...]

A741 68 Print Server Manual “TEST2.FIL” will be created. These files can be viewed with an image viewer application to determine if the data is correct. If the scanner engine could not be captured, try a couple more times before deciding that there is a problem. If the scanner engine could not be captured after several tries, retrieve the statu[...]