Oki ML186 User Manual
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Oki ML186 User Manual

Oki microline 186 user's guide
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  • Page 2 Oki Data assumes no responsibility for the results of errors or omissions beyond its control. Oki Data also cannot guarantee that changes in software and equipment made by other manufacturers and referred to in this document will not affect the applicability of the information in it.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Notes, Cautions, etc........4 Getting Started ........5 Location .

  • Page 4: Notes, Cautions, Etc

    Notes, Cautions, etc. Note A note appears like this. It provides additional information which helps you to use and understand the product. Important An important message appears like this. It provides supplemental information which can prevent potential problems. CAUTION! A caution message appears like this. It provides information which, if ignored, can result in equipment malfunction or damage.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    • If any items are missing, contact your dealer immediately. • Keep your packing materials and carton in case you ever need to ship or transport the printer. • Interface cables and paper are sold separately. ML186 Printer Ribbon Cartridge Paper Separator Power Cord Platen Knob •...

  • Page 6: Removing The Shipping Restraint

    Removing the Shipping Restraint Important! Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed. 1. Remove any packing tape. 2. Reach into the top cover slot (1) and remove the access cover (2) by lifting it. 3.

  • Page 7: Installing/Replacing The Ribbon Cartridge

    Installing/Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge Use only genuine Oki Data ribbon cartridges. When replacing a ribbon cartridge, make sure you have the correct replacement ribbon for your printer. The wrong ribbon will not print when installed in your printer. Important • Leave unused ribbon cartridges in their packaging until you are ready to install them.
  • Page 8 2. Remove the access cover and center the printhead. 3. If you are replacing the ribbon cartridge, remove the used one: Important Do not remove the ribbon shield (1) from the new ribbon! • Getting Started...
  • Page 9 4. Unpack the ribbon cartridge and install it on the printhead. Note If the ribbon won’t load easily, turn the take- up knob slightly until the x-shaped notch on the bottom of the ribbon cartridge aligns with the x-shaped insert on the ribbon plate.

  • Page 10: Installing The Platen Knob

    6. Turn the take-up knob (1) in the direction of the molded arrow to take up any ribbon slack. 7. Replace the access cover. Installing the Platen Knob Align the notch (1) with the pin on the platen shaft and push it firmly into place.

  • Page 11: Adjusting The Head Gap

    Adjusting the Head Gap The head gap is the distance between the printhead and the platen roller. When you use envelopes or multipart forms, you need to have a larger gap than when using plain paper. Use the recommended head gap to ensure the best print quality and easy paper feed CAUTION! Incorrect setting of the head gap can cause printhead...

  • Page 12: Installing The Paper Separator

    Installing the Paper Separator The paper separator is used for printing on single sheets (no carbons). With continuous forms paper, it is used to separate the ingoing/outgoing paper to prevent paper jams. 1. Hold the paper separator with the spring-loaded feet down. 2.

  • Page 13: Setting Up Your Printer

    Setting Up Your Printer Power Connection 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Plug the power cord supplied with your printer into the back of the printer. Important The outlet voltage must match the voltage marked on the printer label.

  • Page 14: Loading Paper

    Loading Paper Three types of paper can be used with your printer: • Continuous Forms Paper (with or without the optional Pull Tractor) • Single Sheets • Roll Paper, using the optional Roll Paper Stand Before You Start Bail Arm Lever Bail Arm Paper Lever Platen Knob...
  • Page 15 Paper Lever Positions = Single Sheet Feed = Continuous Forms Setting the Head Gap Before you load paper, be sure to check the head gap lever setting (see page 11). Important Do not plug the printer into the power outlet until the following steps have been completed.
  • Page 16 Loading Continuous Forms, Rear Feed 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Place the stack of continuous forms paper behind the printer. 3. Remove the access cover (1). 4. Pull the bail arm lever (2) — on the left side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to lift the bail arm.
  • Page 17 5. Move the paper lever (3) — on the right side of the printer — toward the front of the printer to the continuous forms symbol. 6. Pull the lock levers (A) on the sprocket wheels at either end of the platen forward, then adjust the sprocket wheels (B) so that the sprockets align with the holes in the continuous forms you are using.
  • Page 18 8. Insert the first sheet of paper between the paper separator guides (5) and push it through the paper separator. 9. Place the paper between the sprocket feed guides (6) and feed it behind the platen, gently positioning it so that its holes engage the sprockets on the ends of the platen.
  • Page 19 10. Turn the platen knob (7) to advance the paper until it appears in front of the platen, behind the bail arm. Important Check to be sure that the matching holes on either side are engaging the sprockets (A). If they are not evenly matched and the paper is skewed (B), back the paper out and try again! •...
  • Page 20 11. Push back on the bail arm lever (2) to lower the bail arm. 12. Use the platen knob (7) to set the position of the paper to the first printing line. 13. Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the paper through the slot in the cover.
  • Page 21 Loading Continuous Forms, Bottom Feed 1. Make sure the printer is turned off. 2. Place the printer on a slotted printer stand, carefully aligning the slot in the stand with the slot in the base of the printer. 3. Place a box of continuous forms paper on the stand, under the printer.
  • Page 22 5. Pull the lock levers (A) on the sprocket wheels at either end of the platen forward, then adjust the sprocket wheels (B) so that the sprockets align with the holes in the continuous forms you are using. 6. Push the levers back to lock the sprocket wheels in position. 7.
  • Page 23 9. Insert the first sheet of continuous forms paper through the opening in the printer stand and into the bottom of the printer, gently feeding it into the printer until it appears in front of the platen, and above the bail arm. Important Check to be sure that the matching holes on either side are engaging the sprockets (A).
  • Page 24 10. Move the bail arm lever (3) back to lower the bail arm. 11. Use the platen knob (5) to advance the paper to the first printing line. 12. Replace the access cover, being sure to feed the edge of the paper through the slot in the cover.

  • Page 25: Loading Single Sheets

    Loading Single Sheets Note Before printing single sheets, you must remove the Pull Tractor or Roll Paper Stand, if installed. Your printer can accommodate single sheets up to 9.5 inches (241 mm) wide. Note In order to use paper wider than traditional letter size, you must move the sprocket wheels to their outermost positions so that the paper does not tear on the sprockets.
  • Page 26 2. Move the paper lever (1) — on the right side of the printer — toward the rear of the printer, to the single sheet symbol. 3. Ensure that the printer is off-line ( light off): press SELECT if necessary. SELECT 4.
  • Page 27 c. Push back on the levers to lock the sprocket wheels in position. 5. Raise the paper separator. • Setting Up Your Printer...
  • Page 28 6. Adjust the sheet guide (3) on the paper separator to position the left edge of the sheet, then insert a single sheet along the guide until it reaches the pinch roller. 7. Pull the bail arm lever (2) toward the front of the printer. •...
  • Page 29 8. Use the platen knob to wind the paper through to the front of the printer and adjust the top of form. Press the TOF SET button while the printer is deselected (SELECT light offf) to set top of form. 9.

  • Page 30: Testing Your Printer

    Testing Your Printer Your printer has a built-in test (self test) to make sure that it is set up and working correctly. 1. Load continuous forms paper into the printer (see page 14, ff.). 2. Make sure the printer is turned off, then press and hold LINE while turning the printer on.

  • Page 31: Computer Connections

    Computer Connections USB Connection Notes ® • For connection to a PC running Windows 98 or above, but not Windows 95 upgraded to Windows • The operation of a printer is not assured if a USB compatible device is connected concurrently with other USB-compatible machines.
  • Page 32 1. Attach a suitable USB cable to the USB series “B” port on the back of the printer. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the computer. 3. If you turned the computer and printer off, turn them back on. •...
  • Page 33 Parallel (LPT) Connection, IEEE-1284 Parallel/USB Model Only Notes • Interface cables are not supplied with your printer. • It is not recommended that you connect parallel and USB cables to the printer simultaneously. Parallel Cable Requirements • bi-directional • max. length 6 ft. (1.8 m) •...
  • Page 34 2. Attach a suitable bi-directional cable to the parallel connector on the back of the printer and secure it with the wire loops. 3. Attach and secure the cable to your computer. 4. Turn the printer and computer back on. Serial (COM) Connection, RS-232C Serial/USB Model Only Notes...
  • Page 35 Serial Cable Requirements: • Shielded RS-232C cable, UL and CSA approved • Max. length 50 ft. (15 m) • 25-pin serial connector. CAUTION! Make sure the printer and computer are both turned OFF. 1. Switch both the computer and the printer OFF. 2.
  • Page 36 Setting the Serial Interface Parameters Note See underlined items in the table on page 37 for a list of the serial interface defaults. To change the settings for the serial interface, use the two banks of switches on the serial interface board: 1.

  • Page 37: Serial Interface Parameters

    Serial Interface Parameters Note: Defaults are underlined. Switch Bank 1 Switch Bank 2 Parity Type Switch 1 Transmission Speed Switches 1, 2 Odd Parity 19,299 bps ON, ON, ON Even Parity 9,600 bps OFF, ON, ON 4,800 bps ON. OFF, ON Parity Switch 2 2,400 bps...

  • Page 38: Setting Up The Printer To Work With Your Computer

    Setting up the Printer to Work with Your Computer Note • Settings made in your software application normally override settings made in your printer driver. • Settings made in the printer driver normally override settings made in the printer menu or via the front panel.
  • Page 39 • IBM 2480 — the factory default ® • Epson ESC/P2 ® ® • Oki Data MICROLINE Standard ® If you are using a non-Windows system such as LINUX ® non-Windows application such as a DOS program, or an older ®...
  • Page 40 If you are directly replacing a MICROLINE ML184 Turbo or ML184 printer with the ML186, you must make sure that the printer menu on your new ML186 is set to match the emulation being used for the existing printer (see “Changing the Emulation Default in the Printer Menu”...

  • Page 41: Printer Menu

    Changing the Emulation Default in the Printer Menu The default for the emulation in the printer menu is IBM. If you wish to change the menu default to another emulation: 1. Make sure continuous forms paper is loaded. 2. Turn the printer off. 3.

  • Page 42: Operating Your Printer

    Operating Your Printer Front Panel Operation Front Panel Lights Status, Function On = Printer is on line. Off = Printer is off line. Flashing = flashes with light to indicate a fault ALARM has been detected. light off = paper out. SELECT light flashing = auto diagnostics have SELECT...
  • Page 43 Status, Function The one lit indicates which print mode is engaged: = Near Letter Quality = Draft mode UTILITY = High Speed Draft mode, or SSD (Super Speed Draft) if 12 cpi is selected. • Operating Your Printer...

  • Page 44: Front Panel Buttons

    Front Panel Buttons Button Print Mode Menu Mode Held at Power Up Advances the Scrolls through Initiates printer paper one line the printer Self Test (see menu groups. page 59). LINE FEED SELECT Initiates Rolling ASCII test (see page 60). Advances the Scrolls through FORM FEED...

  • Page 45: Setting Printer Defaults

    Setting Printer Defaults The printer has an internal menu containing a number of default parameters which can be set to enable your printer to match the parameters required by your computer. Using the Menu Mode Entering the Menu Mode To enter the Menu Mode, press while turning on the SELECT printer.

  • Page 46: Sample Default Menu Printout

    Sample Default Menu Printout Parallel/USB Model Printer Control Emulation Mode Font Print Mode Utility Font DRAFT Mode Font Pitch 10 CPI Font Proportional Spacing Font Style Normal Font Size Single Symbol Sets Character Set Set I Symbol Sets Language Set American Symbol Sets Zero Character...
  • Page 47 Changing Menu Settings 1. Press while turning on the printer. SELECT 2. Change settings: a. Press to select the relevant group that needs to be LINE FEED changed (the group is the left-hand column on the Menu printout). b. Press to select the relevant item within the FORM FEED selected group (the Item is the center column on the Menu...

  • Page 48: For Example

    For Example The default setting for the zero character is slashed. To change the setting to unslashed: 1. Press and hold while turning the printer on. SELECT The following line prints: Printer Control Emulation Mode 2. Press several times until the Symbol Sets group line LINE FEED appears: Symbol Sets...
  • Page 49 Default Menu Selections Default settings are indicated in bold italic. Group Item Setting Printer Control Emulation Mode IBM, Epson, ML Font Print Mode Utility, NLQ Courier, NLQ Gothic, Draft (Font) DRAFT Mode HSD, SSD (Font) Pitch 10 CPI, 12 CPI, 15 CPI, 17.1 CPI, 20 CPI (Font) Proportional...
  • Page 50 Group Item Setting Symbol Sets Character Set Set I, Set II, Standard, Line Graphics, Block Graphics (ML mode only) (Symbol Sets) Language Set American, French, German, British, Danish I, Swedish, Italian, Spanish I, Japanese, Norwegian, Danish II, Spanish II, Latin American, French Canadian, Dutch, Publisher (Symbol Sets)
  • Page 51 Group Item Setting (Set-Up) Print Registration 0.25 mm Right, 0.20 mm Right, 0.15 mm Right, 0.10 mm Right, 0.05 mm Right, 0, 0.05 mm Left, 0.10 mm Left, 0.15 mm Left, 0.20 mm LEft, 0.25 mm Left (Set-Up) 7 or 8 Bits Data 8, 7 Word ML emulation only.
  • Page 52 Group Item Setting (Set-Up) Impact Mode Normal, Quiet Parallel I/F I-Prime Invalid, Buffer Print, Buffer Clear Only appears for printers equipped with Parallel Interface. (Parallel I*/F) Pin 18 +5v, Open (Parallel I*/F) Auto Feed XT Valid, Invalid (Parallel I/F) Bi-Direction Enable, Disable •...

  • Page 53: Using The Pull Tractor Unit

    Using the Pull Tractor Unit (if installed) Paper can be loaded from the rear of the printer or, if you have a slotted printer stand, it can be loaded from the bottom. 1. Remove the acoustic cover (1) and access cover (2). 2.
  • Page 54 3. Adjust the right tractor to the paper width by pulling its lock lever (1) forward, sliding the tractor to the desired position, then pushing the lever back to lock it in place. 4. Pull the paper under the bail arm and up to the level of the tractor unit.
  • Page 55 7. Place the holes in the paper over the sprockets on the pull tractor unit and close both sprocket covers. Note Be careful to align the paper properly so that an equal number of holes are engaged on the sprockets at either end of the pull tractor.

  • Page 56: Using The Roll Paper Stand

    Using the Roll Paper Stand (if installed) Loading the Paper Correct Paper Path 1 Paper Roll 2 Roll Paper Stand 3 Paper Guide 4 Platen 5 Paper Separator 1. Remove the access cover from the printer. 2. Place the paper lever (right side of printer) in the single sheet position (back) and the bail arm lever (left side of printer) toward the front of the printer (bail arm raised away from platen).
  • Page 57 3. Open the paper separator (1). 4. Remove the paper roller. Note that there is a disk (2) on the left end of the roller. 5. Slide the roller into a roll of paper, making sure that the disk (2) is on the left side and that the paper rolls up from the bottom.
  • Page 58 6. Put the paper roller back into the stand, with the disc (2) on the left side. 7. Feed the paper over (not under!) the roller (3) on the stand, adjusting the round paper guides on either end (4) to the paper width.
  • Page 59 10. Pull the paper lever (right side of printer) toward the front of the printer—to the continuous forms position—and make sure the paper is straight by adjusting it to align the left and right sides behind the platen with the sides in front of the platen. Important Be sure that the paper covers the groove in the left end of the platen so that it clears the paper out detector.

  • Page 60: Maintenance

    Maintenance Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge For more details, see page 7. WARNING! If the printer has been recently used, the printhead may be HOT! Turn the printer off! • Maintenance...
  • Page 61 • Maintenance...

  • Page 62: Testing Your Printer

    Testing Your Printer Self Test (Font Samples) Your printer has a built-in test (self test) to make sure that it is set up and working correctly. 1. Load continuous forms paper into the printer (see page 14, ff.). 2. Make sure the printer is turned off, then press and hold LINE while turning the printer on.

  • Page 63: Rolling Ascii Test

    Rolling ASCII Test The Rolling ASCII Test produces a continuous sampling of ASCII characters using the default type style. To run the test: 1. Make sure continuous forms paper is loaded. 2. With the printer turned off, press and hold SELECT LINE while turning the printer on.

  • Page 64: Cleaning The Housing

    Cleaning the Housing CAUTION! Never use solvents or strong detergents on the cabinet: they could damage the housing. You should clean the printer every six months (or after about 300 hours of operation). 1. Turn the printer off. 2. Remove any paper from the path. 3.
  • Page 65 7. Push the bail arm lever back and reinstall the access cover. 8. Reload paper. 9. Turn the printer on. • Maintenance...

  • Page 66: Parts & Options

    Parts & Options Replacement Parts Ribbon Cartridge (Oki 52102001) Platen Knob (Oki 53459807) Power Cord (Oki 56609701) Access Cover (Oki 53467410) Paper Separator (Oki 53459303) • Parts & Options...

  • Page 67: Options

    Options Pull Tractor (Oki 70009701) Includes Pull Tractor (1), Acoustic Cover (2) and Access Cover (3). Roll Paper Stand (Oki 70007701) • Parts & Options...

  • Page 68: Specifications

    Specifications General Impact dot matrix Print Method 9 pins, 0.30 mm (0.0118") diameter, Printhead with thermal protection IBM 2480 Emulations (co-resident) Epson ESC/P2 Okidata MICROLINE Standard Print Speed, characters per second (cps) Super Speed Draft (SSD) 375 cps (12 cpi only) High Speed Draft (HSD) 333 cps Utility (UTL)
  • Page 69 Paper Type Feed Weight Width Cut Sheets Top only 16 to 21 lb. " " to 9.5 US Bond (76 to (60 to 81 241 mm) g/m²) Continuous, Single Part Rear/Bottom 14 to 20 lb. 3‘” to 9.9" US Bond (76 to (53 to 75 251 mm)
  • Page 70 Physical 3.15" (80 mm) Height 14.65" (372 mm) Width 10.83" (275 mm) Depth 9.9 lb. (4.5 Kg) Weight Electrical 120V, +6%, -15% Voltage 230V, +15%, -14% 50 or 60 Hz, ±2% Frequency Environmental Temperature Operating 41 to 104°F (5 to 40°C) Storage -40 to 158°F (-40 to +70°C)) Humidity...
  • Page 71 Interfaces Centronics Parallel, IEEE-1284 compliant Parallel Models USB 1.1 RS-232C Serial Serial Models USB 1.1 • Specifications...

  • Page 72: Index

    Index Electrical specifications ....70 Emulations ........39 Environmental specifications ..70 Access cover replacement # ......66 ALARM light ........42 FORM FEED button ....44 Frequency ........70 – Front panel .......42 Bail arm ..........14 buttons ........44 Bail arm lever .........14 –...
  • Page 73 Power cord replacement # Menu ......66 – changing settings POWER light ....47 ........42 – default settings Print speed ....51 ........68 Printer defaults ........46 defaults settings ........45 ........45 dimensions settings, changing ........ 70 ....47 drivers Menu mode –...
  • Page 74 SELECT button ......44 SELECT light .........42 Self test ........30 Separator, paper ......12 Serial interface connection – ..34 Shipping restraints ......6 Single sheet paper – – loading ......25 specifications ......69 – Specifications ......68 Take-up knob, ribbon ....10 Temperature specifications ..70 Testing ..........30 Tests...

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Microline 186

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