Oki ML3410 User Manual

BASIC Programming
BASIC Programming
The LPRINT command in BASIC makes output go to the printer rather than to the screen. To send text to
the printer, simply enclose the words in double quotes:
LPRINT "A line of text"
The statement above prints the line of text, and then moves the printing position to the beginning of the
next line. If you dont want this automatic carriage return and line feed, put a semicolon (;) after the data:
LPRINT "A line of text"; LPRINT "...and this text is on the same line"
For serial printers
If you're using your printer with a serial interface, you have to be sure to redirect
output from the computer to the serial port you're using, either COM1: or COM2:,
rather than to the default port, LPT1:. There are two ways to do this:
1. If youre using DOS, you can use the MODE command, as described on page 38. Then use the
LPRINT command in your BASIC programs, just as we do in our examples.
2. You can also redirect output to COM1: or COM": from within BASIC, by opening the port as a file and
printing your data to that file. If you want to run any of our sample programs, youll need to modify them.
At the beginning of your program, include one of these statements:
OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,1" AS #1 or OPEN "COM":9600,N,8,1" AS #1
Then, to print data, use the PRINT#1 command, being sure to include a comma between the #1 and the
data:
PRINT#1, "A line of text"
Like the LPRINT command, PRINT#1 automatically moves the print position to the next line unless you
use a semicolon (;) after the data.
When you send an LPRINT statement, the text between the quotation marks is When you send an
LPRINT statement, the text between the quotation marks is converted to a string of numbers, which are
then processed by the printer and output as the dot patterns that make up the individual characters. Each
character is assigned a numeric value according to the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII). Since ASCII is a standard coding system, most computers, printers and other
electronic devices can interpret ASCII data. There are 256 ASCII codes. The codes from 0 to 127 are
completely standardized (with a handful of minor exceptions), while those from 128 to 255 are used in a
less standard way to represent a variety of special characters. Although most of the ASCII codes
represent alphanumeric characters, punctuation marks, and special symbols, youll notice that the codes
from 0 to 31, as well as 127, dont correspond to normal characters. These are control codes, special
characters used to control a wide range of peripheral equipment, from monitors to modems to the devices
that interest us here, printers.
One of the most important control codes is the ESC character, decimal 27, hexadecimal 1B. Many of the
more complicated commands begin with ESC, which serves as a signal to the printer that what follows is
to be interpreted as a command rather than just a string of characters.
Since the control codes dont represent any character on your keyboard, you cant send them to the printer
enclosed in double quotes, as you would with text. Instead, you have to use the CHR$ function, which
lets you send the decimal or hexadecimal value for a character. For example, the escape character is
represented as CHR$(27), or, in hexadecimal, as CHR$(&H1B). (Notice that hexadecimal numbers in
BASIC are preceded by &H to distinguish them from simple letters or decimal numbers.)
ML3410 ( 96-02-07 )

Oki ML3410 Specifications

Print Specifications

printhead	9 pin
print speed at 10 cpi	HSD 550 cps, Utility 417 cps, NLQ 104 cps
graphics resolution	1445216 dpi maximum

Paper Handling

paper weight	12 to 24 lb
paper thickness top feed	0.36 mm (0.014 inches) maximum
paper thickness bottom feed	0.50 mm (0.020 inches) maximum

Operating Environment

operating temperature	50 to 104 degrees F (10 to 40 degrees C)
storage temperature	14 to 122 degrees F (-10 to +50 degrees C)
humidity	20 to 80% RH

Electrical Requirements

voltage	120 volts, +5.5%/-15% 220/240 volts, ±10%
frequency	50/60 Hz, ±2 Hz
power idling	30 watts
power operating	75 watts

Weight and Dimensions

width	25-1/4 inches (540 mm)
depth	19 inches (483 mm)
height	15 inches (203 mm)
weight	63 lbs. (25.4 kg)

Summary

Chapter 1: Manual Front Cover

Printer Setup

Unpacking the printer and verifying all included items are present.

Preliminaries

Minor tasks to perform after unpacking the printer.

Remove Shipping Restraint

Instructions for removing shipping restraints located under the printhead.

Installing the Platen Knob

Procedure for attaching the platen knob to the printer shaft.

Inserting the Ribbon

Steps for unpacking and installing the printer ribbon cartridge.

Making Connections

Connecting the power cable and interface cable to the printer.

Choosing Parallel or Serial Connection

Guidance on selecting and connecting either a parallel or serial interface.

Optional Printer Units

Installing the Bottom Feed Tractor Unit

Guide for installing the separate bottom feed tractor unit.

The Optional Pull Tractor

Information about the optional pull tractor for specialized bottom feed applications.

Installing the Optional Cut Sheet Feeder

Guide for installing the optional Cut Sheet Feeder (CSF).

Loading the Cut Sheet Feeder (CSF)

Instructions for loading paper into the optional Cut Sheet Feeder.

Switching CSF Bins

How to switch between bins on the dual-bin CSF 3002.

Printing Envelopes with CSF

Guidelines for printing envelopes using the Cut Sheet Feeder.

Printer Adjustments and Settings

Adjusting the Head Gap

How to adjust the head gap for different paper types and thicknesses.

Testing Your Printer

Instructions for running built-in printer tests to verify functionality.

Chapter 2: Loading Paper

Loading Paper Overview

Overview of standard paper handling configurations for the printer.

Loading Rear Feed Continuous Forms

Step-by-step guide for loading continuous forms using the rear feed.

Loading Bottom Feed Continuous Forms

Instructions for loading continuous forms using the bottom feed.

Form Tear Off Feature

How to use the Form Tear Off feature for continuous forms.

Loading Single-Sheet Paper

Procedure for loading single sheets of paper into the printer.

Setting Top of Form

How to set the top of form position for accurate page alignment.

Changing Paper Types

Instructions for switching between continuous forms and single sheets.

Chapter 3: Printer Operation

Printer Operation Overview

Introduction to the printer's control panel and its functions.

Basic Control Panel Functions

Explanation of the basic control panel lights and their meanings.

Printer Print Mode

Description of the printer's normal operation mode and button functions.

Adjusting Print Quality

How to select different print quality levels like HSD, Utility, Courier, and Gothic.

Adjusting Character Pitch

How to select character pitch and proportional spacing.

Printer Configuration and Customization

Menu Select Mode Overview

Introduction to customizing printer defaults and features.

Entering Menu Select Mode

Steps to enter the Menu Select mode using control panel buttons.

Exiting Menu Select Mode

How to leave the Menu Select mode by pressing the EXIT button.

Understanding Menu Select Mode Features

Explanation of menu structure: groups, items, and settings.

Making Selections in the Menu

Guide to navigating and making selections within the printer's menu system.

Chapter 4: Computer Control

Computer Control Overview

Introduction to controlling the printer via computer, including MS-DOS commands.

Using DOS 2.0 and Higher

Overview of controlling the printer using DOS commands.

DOS Commands for Printing Text Files

Details on PRINT, TYPE, and COPY commands for printing text files.

Using the DOS PRINT Command

Detailed explanation and example of the PRINT command for background printing.

Using the DOS TYPE Command

How to use the TYPE command with output redirection to print files.

Using the DOS COPY Command

How to use the COPY command to transfer text files to the printer.

Changing the Default Printer Port

Instructions for specifying default printer ports using MODE commands.

Advanced Printer Control

BASIC Programming for Printers

Using LPRINT and PRINT# commands in BASIC for printer output.

Printer Menu Selections and Emulation Commands

Menu Selections: Epson/IBM Mode

Lists groups, items, and settings for the Epson/IBM emulation mode.

Menu Selections: Rear Feed Parameters

Parameters for Rear Feed: Line Spacing, Form Tear Off, Skip Over Perforation, Page Width, Page Length.

Menu Selections: Bottom & Top Feed Parameters

Parameters for Bottom Feed and Top Feed: Line Spacing, Page Width, Page Length.

Menu Selections: Set-Up Parameters

Parameters for Set-Up: Graphics, Max. Receive Buffer, Paper Out Override, Print Registration.

Menu Selections: Operator Panel Function

Settings for Operator Panel Function, Reset Inhibit, Print Suppress Effective, Auto LF, CSF Bin Select.

Menu Selections: Interface Parameters

Parameters for Parallel and Serial Interfaces: Buffer Print, Pin 18, Auto Feed XT, Parity, Protocol.

Menu Selections: Serial Interface Diagnostics

Settings for Diagnostic Test, Busy Line, Baud Rate, DSR/DTR Signals, Busy Time.

Control Codes Reference

Epson/IBM Model: Horizontal Control Codes

ASCII, Decimal, and Hexadecimal codes for horizontal printer control.

Epson/IBM Model: Horizontal Control Codes (cont.)

Codes for Left/Right Margin Set, Auto Justification, Print Direction, Backspace, Delete.

Epson/IBM Model: Vertical Control Codes

Codes for Line Spacing, Line Feed, Form Feed, Vertical Tab.

Epson/IBM Model: Vertical Format Unit Codes

Codes for Vertical Format Unit, Vertical Tab Channel, Form Length, Skip Over Perforation.

Epson/IBM Model: Character Set Codes

Codes for selecting and defining character sets, including custom and foreign sets.

Epson/IBM Model: Bar Code & Print Feature Codes

Codes for Bar Codes, Utility/NLQ, High Speed Draft, NLQ Typeface, Proportional Spacing.

Epson/IBM Model: Font & Text Formatting Codes

Codes for character pitch, italics, underlining, subscript/superscript, emphasized printing.

Epson/IBM Model: Width & Graphics Codes

Codes for double width/height printing and various graphics modes.

Epson/IBM Model: Graphics Density Codes

Codes for Quadruple Density Graphics, 9-Pin Graphics, Reassign Graphics Code.

Epson/IBM Model: Composite & Miscellaneous Codes

Codes for Composite Command, Initialize, Cancel, 8th Bit settings, Print Suppress.

Epson/IBM Model: Suppress & Sensor Codes

Codes for Print Suppress Mode Off, Paper-Out Sensor control, Half-Speed Printing, Software I-Prime.

Emulation Commands Reference

Microline Emulation: Character Style

Commands for selecting NLQ Courier, Sans Serif, Utility, High Speed Draft, emphasized, and enhanced printing.

Microline Emulation: Character Size & Features

Commands for character size, underlining, superscript/subscript, and incremental character spacing.

Microline Emulation: Character Sets & Margins

Commands for selecting character sets, setting margins, and indenting.

Microline Emulation: Tabs & Vertical Format

Commands for setting tab stops, loading vertical format units, and advancing tabs.

Microline Emulation: Vertical Control & Misc.

Commands for line spacing, form feed, top of form, and miscellaneous functions.

Microline Emulation: Graphics Commands

Commands for entering graphics print mode and setting graphics density.

Microline Emulation: Composite & Text Modes

Commands for composite graphics modes, text line feeds, and composite commands.

Pacemark 2410 Emulation: Horizontal Control

Commands for carriage return, horizontal tabs, and setting tab spaces.

Pacemark 2410 Emulation: Vertical Control

Commands for vertical tabs, loading vertical format units, and page length.

Pacemark 2410 Emulation: Print Features

Commands for NLQ, Utility, character pitch, and double-width printing.

Pacemark 2410 Emulation: Graphics

Commands for setting graphics density, entering graphics print mode.

Pacemark 2410 Emulation: Miscellaneous

Commands for cancel, suppress mode, bell, and graphics line feeds.

Appendix C: Serial Cable Pinout

Serial Cable Pinout for the PM3410

Explains signals from the printer's end for making a serial cable.

Commonly Used Serial Cable Configurations

Diagrams for IBM 25-Pin and 9-Pin cable configurations.

Appendix D: Parallel Cable

Parallel Cable Requirements

Details on the Centronics-equivalent parallel cable and printer receptacle.

Specifications

Printer Specifications Overview

Summary of printer head, speed, emulations, fonts, interface, and buffer size.