Avery Dennison PCL - Manual (Page 55)

PAXAR PCL Connection Guide •••• 53
Connection Guide
Serial Connection Specifications
All AVERY DENNISON PCL printers can communicate through an RS232 port. The
Baud rates that are supported vary by printer. However, all printers are set to 8 data
bits, 1 stop bit, No Parity.
The 6X6 serial port is configured as a DCE (Data Communications Equipment) and the
computer serial port is configured as a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment), Therefore, a
straight-through serial cable is required to connect the host with the printer.
The SNAP serial port is configured as a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment). Therefore, a
null modem is required to connect the host with the printer. Pinout for a null model
serial cable is shown below.
When using serial communications, flow control is used to control the transmission of
data from the host to the printer. The printer has an input buffer than holds data from
the host until it can process it. The host computer can send data much faster than the
printer can print it, so the printer must tell the host to stop sending data when the buffer
is almost full. Otherwise, data can be lost. Once the printer has processed the data, it
then tells the host to start sending again.
PCL printers can use either XON/XOFF or RTS/CTS as a Flow Control Protocol. If
the host does not provide this type of flow control then a different type of host must be
used. XON/XOFF flow control uses control characters that are sent over serial data
lines from the printer to the host. RTS/CTS use special lines between the host and the
printer for controlling data flow. It is important to use a serial cable that contains all the
standard RS232 signals for proper operation.
AVERY DENNISON Printer Specific Connection
Information
AVERY DENNISON 630
In order for the 630 to receive PCL commands the printer must be set for PCL mode.
Look in the 630 Operation / Maintenance Guide under Direct Downloading for
information on how to set the printer for this mode.
The 630 can be placed in a PCL command Debug mode by setting the printer up for
Direct Downloading and then holding the Test button down while powering on the
printer. Once the printer is in PCL Debug mode every command that is sent to the
printer is printed out on the current stock that is in the printer.
AVERY DENNISON 650
The 650 must have the AVERY DENNISON PCL program running with the 650's
display and keyboard connected to receive PCL Commands from the host. The PCL
program will display a "Waiting for Host" screen.
Currently a debug mode is not available on the 650 printer.