Test page output procedure; Confidence plot; Data shifting on plots.
Test page output procedure; Confidence plot; Data shifting on plots.
Plot shifts. Drawing is correct on computer screen.
A. If data is shifting on the plot outputs or the media is slipping, then
refer to Problem Summary: 102X PAPER SLIPPING, and determine whether
the media is slipping before diagnosing the problem as Data Shifting.
B. If the media is not slipping or expanding from humidity:
1. Try to determine if the data is shifting due to a communication
problem between the plotter and the host computer. Remove
the serial data cable from the back of the plotter. Only the
power cord should be connected. Run the Confidence Plot on the
plotter. You may wish to run the Confidence Plot two or three times.
The Confidence Plot is an internally stored program in the
plotter that is run to demonstrate that the plotter is
functioning. This plot is automatically scaled to fit the size
of the sheet loaded. To run the Confidence Plot, proceed as
follows:
a. Turn the plotter off, wait three seconds, and then turn the
plotter power back on.
b. Load pens in position 1,2,3 and 4 of the turret.
c. Load media (load paper edges up against white load lines on
plotter).
d. The Soft Keys are the four light colored buttons that
surround the plotter display(Liquid Crystal Display). On
the plotter display, press the softkey under the word
MANUAL. This will cause the plotter to size the media.
The plotter will move the pen carriage and media to
determine the size of the media.
e. When the plotter is finished sizing the media, press the
key marked NEXT on the plotter keypad.
f. Press the NEXT key until TEST is displayed. Press the
softkey above TEST.
g. Press the soft key above Conf Plot. The plotter will begin
to plot the internally stored Confidence Plot.
h. Examine the Confidence plot once it has completed.
i. If the data is still shifted when examining the
Confidence Plot, proceed to Step 2.
ii. If the data did not shift when running the plotter
Confidence Plot:
ii.1. Try another serial data cable. It is possible
that the data is getting corrupted traveling
from the host computer to the plotter via the
cable. The 102x Series plotters uses a
straight-through serial cable for IBM PCs and
compatibles [CalComp part number 11772-0250 25
foot 25-pin male to 25-pin female, straight
thru serial cable (no pins crossed)].
ii.2. The cable length should not exceed 50 feet
(For testing purposes a shorter cable can
decrease the error factor).
ii.3. If the COM port on the computer (e.g., COM1 or
COM2) has a 9 pin connector instead of a 25 pin
connector, a commercial 9 to 25 pin adapter may
be used.
ii.4. Remove the plotter from any third party A/B
switch boxes, spooler, network, etc, to help
eliminate possible disruption of communication
between the host and the plotter. After
eliminating the peripheral(s), the plotter
should be directly connected to the host
computer; send the plot again.
iii. If removing the peripherals does not eliminate data
shifting verify whether the software is using
XON/XOFF or hardware handshaking. If the
documentation for the software application does not
indicate what handshaking is being used, contact the
software vendor.
Note: Hardware handshake is sometimes referred to as:
hardwire, CTS, direct control, or DTR/RTS.
iv. After determining what handshaking the
software is using, set the plotter to match the
selection. If the software allows a choice
between using hardware or XON/XOFF handshaking, use
hardware handshaking. If unsuccessful, then try
XON/XOFF handshaking. Note: Both the software and the
plotter must be set to matching values.
v. To examine/modify these settings on the plotter:
v.1. Load media in the plotter.
v.2. Press the Softkey to select MANUAL on the
plotter display.
v.3. Press MANUAL. The plotter will size the media.
v.4. When the plotter is finished sizing the media,
press the NEXT key twice.
v.5. Select SETUP by pressing the softkey above
SETUP.
v.6. Select HOST.
v.7. Select HANDSHAKING.
v.8 Match your choice to what the software requires
by pressing the softkey. Choices in the
HANDSHAKING menu are: XON/XOFF, direct control
(or hardware), and ACK/NAK.
v.9. When the plotter display shows the desired
selection, press the EXIT button three times and
the plotter will prompt to save the setting.
v.10. After the settings are saved, put the plotter
ONLINE.
2. If the confidence plot has been run and the plot appears to have
shifted, check to see if the lines are not meeting one another.
a. For example, if two lines are supposed to meet at a 90 degree
angle, and the lines do not meet.
b. Or the plotter draws a box and goes back later during the plot
to put cross hatching in the box with a different pen, and the
cross hatching does not fit within the border of the box.
3. If you have already eliminated paper slippage as a probable
cause then it is possible you have a repeatability problem.
Repeatability is described as the plotter ability to return to the
same position on the paper within a specified tolerance. To help
identify repeatability problems:
a. Run the plot with just one pen loaded in the plotters pen
turret. Leave all other positions in the turret empty.
b. After running the plot with only one pen loaded,
observe the plot. Do the lines meet as they should and the
cross hatching fits where it should?
c. To double check your finding:
Run the same plot again with multiple pens loaded in the
turret. If the symptoms are back, run the same plot with
only one pen loaded. If the symptoms disappear then you
may have a repeatability problem.
The number one cause of repeatability problems is not using
CalComp pens. The tips of CalComp pens are made to an
exact length. Other vendors may not adhere to that
specification. Even if you have used the same pens for
years and never had this problem before, you should
consider getting CalComp pens to see if this will resolve
the problem. Be sure to assemble the pen so that the two
pieces fit tightly together.