eXtendo
®
Thermal Printer Family
HENGSTLER
Part No. D 684 124
Mod. No. 4 080812 LEV
page 11 of 38
function at the proper time. The cutter separates the paper from the paper roll when
instructed to do so. Several sensors monitor progress as the printed document is created. All
these items are mounted in a conductive plastic housing to discharge any static and to
provide electrical noise shielding.
The paper chute is a short chute protruding from the front of the printer. It snaps in and out
without tools. The paper chute should be present for most normal printing applications, but it
should be removed for applications where the printed document is expected to fall freely into
a chute or other pathway. In these cases, the chute may interfere with the free fall of the
printed document. Please note that the optional chute/jam sensor is located just before the
chute, so removing the chute does not prevent the chute/jam sensor from being ordered.
When paper is inserted, the entrance sensor detects its presence and signals the controller.
The controller causes the paper advance motor to turn the platen to draw paper into the
printer. As soon as the paper reaches the platen, the paper is pulled under the printhead and
printing can begin. The paper continues to advance and enters the paper cutter, where it
passes between the cutter blades and out the print chute. If the customer has ordered the
feature, it passes first over the optional chute/jam sensor. Once printing is completed, the
paper is advanced and a command sent to the cutter to cut off the paper. The paper then
retracts to a park position to avoid wasting the paper between the printhead and cutter.
When the printer runs out of paper, the entrance sensor detects the fact. The controller then
immediately stops printing and backs the paper up so it protrudes from the back of the printer.
This is to allow the operator to raise the printhead, remove the partially printed document, and
lower the printhead before loading a new roll of paper. If this were not done, it would be
possible for short pieces of paper to remain in the paper path without the operator’s
knowledge, eventually causing an obstruction and a paper jam.
The optional chute/jam sensor continually monitors whether there is paper in the chute, and
can be read via the Status function. Please see the eXtendo
®
Emulation Command Set
Reference D 684 112 for details. This function is often used in conjunction with the host’s
peripherals to signal the user when a printout is not taken. Examples where this is important
include when the information is confidential, or the printout can be redeemed for cash or items
of value.
Additionally, the optional chute/jam sensor is monitored while first printing after a cut. After a
cut, the printer “knows” where the end of the paper is. As printing takes place, the printer also
“knows” how many paper advance steps have been made, and approximately when the end
of the paper should reach the chute/jam sensor. If the paper does not reach the sensor when
expected, the printer assumes that a paper jam has taken place and signals this fact via the
Status command.
3.5. Location of Controls and Connectors
Please see Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 below for the location of connectors, indicators and controls
on the eXtendo
®
series. Figure 2 shows a USB version of the eXtendo
®
, while Figure 3
shows serial/RS-232 version. Figure 4 shows the upper portion of a serial version equipped
with both the 10-36 volt range option and the Sleep Mode option. Figure 5 shows the
opposite side of an eXtendo
®
, showing the Paper Advance Wheel and the Paper Pre-
end/Paper Low Sensor connectors. Please note that the Paper Pre-end/Paper Low Sensor
connectors are duplicated on both sides of the printer to make connection convenient
regardless of which side of the printer might be near the cabinet side wall.