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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - TICKET PRINTERS

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Frequently asked questions

How do I change the printer's internal EEPROM parameter settings?

Note: This method is common to all Practical Automation Printers. (There are, however, a few differences, noted below).

  1. With paper in the printer, turn power on while continuously holding the F3 switch.
  2. Wait for the first beep (can take several seconds).
  3. Release the F3 switch.
  4. Wait for a second beep.
  5. Press the F3 switch, twice, holding the second press until the change mode is entered (a menu printout will occur).
  6. Once in the change mode, follow the printed menu's instructions to move the cursor and change the required parameters. When done cycle the power to resume normal printer operation. Please refer to the User's Manual for more detailed information.

LTX Model Printers: This printer does not have a beeper. The flash of the ATTN/ERROR LED will replace the beep.

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Do the LTx and ITX Ticket Printers have the EURO symbol?

The Character Generator V2.01 (p/n A15-90035) adds the Euro Symbol to LTx series printers. All ITX printers have the Euro symbol.

The Euro Symbol is implemented in 12 of the 13 printer fonts (not in font 12).

It is located at character position 128(DEC), 80(HEX).

This Character Generator requires that the ETX/LTx printers have the latest firmware:

  • for the ETX this is version V3.14.0 or later (p/n A15-90036)
  • for the LTx this is version V5.5.3 or later (p/n A15-90111)

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How do I calculate the data size for a stored image?

Margins at the top, bottom, and sides edges, of a printed ticket, where printing too close to these edges is ineffective the effective printable area is reduced by this amount.

A 2" x 5.5" Ticket printable area of approximately: 9.5 Sq-Inch.
A 3.25" x 4" Ticket printable area of approximately: 11.6 Sq-Inch

One printable dot requires one bit of data.

There are eight bits to a data byte.

At 203.2 DPI One Sq-Inch print area contains (203.2 x 203.2) = 41,290 Dots

At 300 DPI One Sq-Inch print area contains (300 x 300) = 90,000 Dots

At 203 DPI the 41,290 Printable Dots / 8 Bits per Data Byte = 5,161 Bytes per Sq-In of printable data.

At 300 DPI the 90,000 Printable Dots / 8 Bits per Data Byte = 11,250 Bytes per Sq-In of printable data.

The above can be used to estimate the size of data storage by taking the Sq-Inches of the printable images, to be stored, with the number of data bytes/square-inch. This assumes that the image data is saved “one to one” without compression.

When the data image is stored in PCX file the data is compressed. It is not directly predictable as to the amount of compression that will occur for a given image, however, the range of 2 to 5 is typical. An image requiring 50,000 bytes at “one to one” may only require 10,000 to 25,000 bytes if compressed.

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Can I cut on the perforation?

It is not recommended to cut on the perforation.

The cutter needs to apply a shearing force to the paper as it cuts. If the blades cut directly on the perforation the perforation can cause the paper to fold and defeat the shearing action. This can lead to incomplete cuts and paper jams.

The cut position must be adjusted to be just behind ~ 1/16" (~1.6 mm) the perforation.

When the document/ticket emerges from the printer, if it has been cut behind the perforation, the perforation will be seen on the trailing edge of the document with a very small paper segment attached by the perforation.

If the leading edge of the document emerges with a small paper segment and then perforation it means that cutting is being done before the perforation. Adjustment should be made to correct this to cut behind.

Refer to the printer's User Manual for instructions for adjusting the cut position sensor to insure cutting is behind the perforation.

Although some customers have experienced relatively good success when cutting directly on the perforation it is a practice that is not recommended for reliable long term operation.

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How do I change the Serial Data Selections of my ITX 2000-3000 Printer?

Instructions for changing the Serial Data Selections (DIP-Switches)

  1. View printer from the rear (where tickets are inserted).Note: The Serial Data Selections (DIP-Switches) are located on the Serial Interface Assembly.
  2. Remove the SERIAL INTERFACE SCREWS.
  3. Remove the SERIAL INTERFACE ASSEMBLY

  4. Set the DIP-Switches Reposition rocker arms to desired settings:

    Dip Switch Position:
    0 = Closed / On
    1 = Open / Off

    Baud Rate Selections
    (Switches: 1,2,3):
    9600: 0,0,0
    4800: 1,0,0
    19.2K: 0,1,0
    57.6K: 1,1,0
    1200: 0,0,1
    Future Use: 0,1,1; 1,0,1; 1,1,1

    DIP Switch Description
    Sw.#
    1 Baud
    2 Baud
    3 Baud
    4 Data Length 0 = 8 Bits; 1 = 7 Bits
    5 Parity Check 0 = Disabled; 1 = Enabled
    6 Parity Type 0 = Even; 1 = Odd
    7 Flow Control 0 = Busy; 1 = Xon/Xoff
    8 (Future Use) 0

    DIP Switch Factory Default Setting:
    All switches are closed (0) for 9600 Baud, 8 Data Bits, No Parity, Busy Flow Control

  5. Re-insert the SERIAL INTERFACE ASSEMBLY back into the printer chassis.
  6. Tighten the SERIAL INTERFACE SCREWS
  7. With ticket stock in the printer, apply power while holding the printer's F0 switch, located on the Switch and Display Panel. This will cause the printer to print out its Status Report. Examine this report to insure that all the Serial Selections made were as expected.

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What is the proper way to use printhead cleaning cards?

For the ATX 23/24/38, ITK 23/24, ITX 2000/3000, GTX 2000/3004A Printers…

  1. Turn off the power to the printer.
  2. Lift the printhead lever.
  3. Remove the ticket stock from the printer.
  4. Insert a cleaning card between the printhead and drive roller.
  5. Put the printhead lever down.
  6. Enter the Printhead Cleaning Mode through the printer's Power-on Switch PanelOperation. Refer to the printer's User's Manual for specific instructions for entering this mode. Once in this mode, the printer's panel switches will permit the cleaning card to be moved, back and forth, under the printhead.
  7. Clean the printhead by driving the cleaning card back and forth several times.
  8. Clean the drive roller by firmly holding the cleaning card at the rear of the printer while the drive roller is pulling on the card in the forward direction. This will cause the roller to slip against the card and wipe itself clean.
  9. Turn power off and remove the cleaning card. Allow the printhead and roller to dry for several minutes before inserting tickets.

For the ETX 2000, LTx2000, cLTx200 Printers

  1. Turn off the power to the printer.
  2. Lift the printhead lever.
  3. Remove the ticket stock from the printer.
  4. Insert the cleaning card into the paper path from the rear and push it forward until it exits about one inch from the printer.
  5. Insert the cleaning card into the paper path from the rear and push it forward until it exits about one inch from the printer.
  6. Put the printhead lever down.
  7. Grab the cleaning card with the thumb and forefinger and slowly pull it out of the printer.
  8. Lift the printhead lever.
  9. Repeat steps (4) through (7) four or five times.
  10. The above procedure cleans the printhead. To clean the drive roller:
    1. Insert the cleaning card once again into the printer.
    2. Clean the drive roller by firmly holding the cleaning card at the rear of the printer while turning on the power. This will cause the roller to slip against the card and wipe itself clean.
    3. This action will stop after several seconds.
    4. Turn power off and remove the cleaning card.
    5. Allow the printhead and roller to dry for several minutes before inserting tickets.

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Which cleaning card do I use for my printer?

Find your printer series and order cleaning cards using the Practical Automation part number, shown below. Each cleaning card is packaged in a sealed package.

ETX 2002, cLTx 2002, LTx 2002, ITX 2002, ITX 3002, GTX 2002 (All Models)
A15-70051-1
One 2 inch (50.8 mm) wide card cleaning card.

ETX 2003, cLTx 2003, LTx 2003, ITX 2003, ITX 3003, GTX 2003 (All Models)
A15-70051-2
One 3.25 inch (82.6 mm) wide cleaning card.

GTX 3004A
A15-70051-3
One 4 inch (101.6 mm) wide cleaning card.

ATX 38 (All Models)
A15-70071
A package of ten 8 inch (203.2 mm) wide cleaning cards.

ATX 23 and ITK 23 (All Models)
B15-70120-1
One 3.34 inch (84.8 mm) wide cleaning card.

ATX 24 and ITK 24 (All Models)
B15-70120-2
One 4.48 inch (113.8 mm) wide cleaning card.

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