PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING
The DT-520 utilizes a Fujitsu FTP-628MCL103 printer mechanism, with a fixed (parallel) print head with
384 horizontally-arranged thermal elements. The paper is advanced by a stepper motor, and printing
takes place in a single dot row for each step of the paper. Each printed dot is approximately 0.005”
square. The printing speed and dot density are controlled according to the power supply voltage and the
head temperature.
Various printing modes, including graphics, are invoked by 'Escape' sequences. Control codes and
status report protocols are described in detail in the Programmer’s Manual.
DATA BUFFER
The printer has a nominal 20k byte buffer to optimize throughput: this enables data to be received into the
buffer while previous lines are being printed. Printing will be initiated on receipt of a valid logical line of
data or a complete graphics pattern.
The buffer may be cleared by data command or by a hardware reset. A partially full line will be printed on
receipt of an appropriate control code, or after a programmable timeout delay.
SPOOLING MODE
Spooling mode can be entered by:
a command from the host;
Paper Out condition or Paper Lid open condition being sensed;
an error condition (e.g. head over temperature, power supply over voltage, etc).
In spooling mode, the buffered data are stored without being printed until the mode is exited by:
a command from the host;
the 'causing condition' (e.g. Paper Out or Paper Lid open) being cleared;
the paper feed button being double-clicked.
CHARACTER PRINTING AND FONTS
The default 32-column character set is formed from a 24x10 dot matrix, and is based on the industry
standard IBM® character set Code Page 437. This character set has been modified to include the Euro
symbol (‘€’) at position 80H (128 Decimal), in place of the usual capital C with cedilla (‘Ç’).
Various combinations of single or double width, single or double height, inverted, underlined, and other
attributes may be mixed within a line.
Customized fonts may be created using a font editor utility, and downloaded to the printer. Only a single
custom font may be loaded in the printer at one time. Contact Dascom Technical Support for more
information on the font editor utility.
GRAPHICS PRINTING AND OTHER PROGRAMMING MODES
Various dot-addressable graphics modes are supported, at up to 384 dots per line. The Windows driver
operates in the graphics mode. Refer to the Programmer’s Manual for full details of this and other
advanced programming modes.
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