Datecs LP-1000, User Manual

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LP 1000 13
form. Before sending it to the printer its length must be verified and noted because the
loading program GM will demand this information. One possible way for doing this is
by sending the file from a terminal program with the DOS command File Name COMn:/
B (sending the file as binary in this case is obligatory - “n” is the number of the serial
port.
- Selecting the position, font, size and orientation of the inscriptions on the label.
“A” commands are added for this purpose and if necessary, the inclusion of text
modifiers for the counters and the variables for receiving the necessary strings for
printing.
- Selection of the type, position, size and orientation of the bar codes - if there
will be such - where modifiers may also have to be used.
- If drawing of lines and frames is needed the following commands may be added
- LE, LO, LW, X.
- At the end of the file the command FE is added - “Form End”.
- The ready file is then sent to the printer: the form should be loaded into the
memory and be printer out in the list next with the F1 command.
With the FR command the form may become active. Values of the variable and counters
are added with the command “?” from the terminal program. In this– no special knowl-
edge of the commanding language will be needed. A more detailed description of the
program you will find further in the present Manual.
The forms, the graphics and loadable fonts use a common memory of the printer, i.e., if
we enter more graphic information there will be less memory left for forms and vice-
versa. This memory restriction comes for two reasons; on the one hand not more than
64 forms, graphic files and fonts can be stored in the memory, irrespective of how small
they happen to be. On the other hand is the restriction related to the volume of the
memory itself, which is 63 kB. It must be remembered that the memory intended for
storing forms and graphics is distributed in parts of 256 bytes each meaning, that even a
form of only 10 Bytes will take up 256 bytes of the volume of the memory.
The maximum length of the printed label is defined by the size of the graphic buffer -
1640 dots (205 mm). The maximum width is 608 dots (76 mm) given complete width of
the paper roll - 80 mm. A plastic-made separator can be placed to make possible the use
of narrower paper roll with printing surface of 432 dots (54 mm) - see illustrations.
When the printer is used for longer printing sessions the printing head unit may heat
considerably and printing is interrupted for cooling off. It is for this reason that when