Yellow light blinks fast (1/10 sec); Not communicating.
Yellow light blinks fast (1/10 sec); Not communicating.
A. If using a switch box or connected to a network or a buffer box, then
disconnect these and directly connect the plotter to the computer in
order to isolate the problem.
B. For serial port connections, this plotter uses a straight-through 25-
pin serial cable (CalComp part #11772-0102, 10 ft. serial cable or part
# 11772-0250, 25 ft. serial cable).
1. The serial port on a PC is either a 9-pin or 25-pin male port
(pins sticking out). Connecting a 9-to-25-pin adapter (available
at a local computer supply store) is acceptable.
2. The serial cable must be no longer than 50 feet.
3. Ports on the back of computers are sometimes mislabeled. If
outputting to COM1, data may have been going to COM2 instead (or
vice versa).
4. Verify that the settings on the plotter match the software
driver:
a. Baud rate, number of bits, parity, stop bits=1, handshake
(use hardware or CTS if possible).
b. If using 907/PCI protocol, then verify sync char, # sync
chars, checksum, and end of buffer character.
c. Refer to the DesignMate User's Guide, Appendix D for a
list of settings for several applications.
d. The plotter may be configured either: on the plotter, with
a software program called PlotWare (if connected to a PC),
or with CDCL commands. Note: If the plotter has both a
serial port and a parallel port (e.g., 3024M or 3036M), the
port selection must be made manually on the plotter first.
i. To configure on the plotter, perform the following:
i.1. Load an A-size, or larger sheet of media in the
plotter.
i.2. Lower the pinch rollers. Press the SET UP
button on the plotter.
i.3. The plotter will size the media and then begin
outputting the setup instructions on the media.
The pen will stop when it is waiting for
operator intervention. When this occurs, press
the ON LINE button to display or select each
value choice. When the pen is over the desired
value, press the SET UP button to select it.
i.4. The plotter will plot the parameter:
ORIENTATION, followed by the current value.
Recommended value is: AUTO.
i.5. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: SCALE, followed by the current
value. Recommended value is: 100%, although, it
may be application-dependent.
i.6. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: VELOCITY, followed by the value.
Recommended value is 10 ips for the 3024 and
Final Plot for the 3036.
i.7. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: PROTOCOL, followed by the value.
Value selection is application-dependent.
i.8. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the current value and plot the
parameter: PORT TYPE, followed by the value.
Select RS-232C.
i.9. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: BAUD RATE, followed by the value.
Value selection is application-dependent. If a
selection choice is available in the software,
choose 9600 here and in the software
application.
i.10. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: # OF BITS, PARITY, followed by the
value. Value selection is application-
dependent.
i.11. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: HANDSHAKE, followed by the value.
Value selection is application-dependent. If a
selection choice is available in the software,
choose HARDWARE here and in the software
application.
i.12. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
next parameter. If the PROTOCOL selected was
PCI, then the plotter will plot the parameter:
PCI SET UP, followed by the value. Value
selection is application-dependent.
Note: If the selection choice required does not
appear, then select the current value for now.
PlotWare (for the PC) or CDCL commands sent to
the plotter will be needed to configure this
setting.
i.13. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: PLOT MANAGER, followed by the value.
Recommended value is ENABLED.
i.14. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: LANGUAGE, followed by the value.
Recommended value is ENGLISH.
i.15. Press the SET UP button. When the plotter stops
moving the pen, remove the media from the
plotter. The plotter will return the pen to the
turret and save the values in memory.
ii. PlotWare is available on the CalComp BBS (714/236-
3045). The file name is PLOTWARE.ZIP. Use PKUNZIP to
unzip the file. Once unzipped, type PLOTWARE. Follow
the menu selections.
iii. CDCL commands may be sent to the plotter to configure
the settings. A brief description is listed in the
DesignMate User's Guide, Appendix E. The commands are
created in any text editor. Format, such as spaces
and capitalization, needs to be followed exactly. An
example follows for configuring for Generic CADD
iii.1. Generic CADD requires a sync char=22,
number of sync chars=2, checksum disabled (NO),
and end of buffer message=13. In the following
example, CTS, or hardware handshake is used.
Baud rate, number of bits and parity may also
be added using the CDCL MODE command.
iii.2. The CDCL PCI command and CDCL MODE command
will need to be sent to the plotter.
iii.3. The format for the PCI command is:
PCI(sync, numsync,checksum,eob,,protocol)
where:
sync is the sync char,
numsync is the number of sync characters,
checksum is either YES or NO,
eob is the end of buffer character, and
protocol is the handshake for the serial port
or simply CENTRONICS if using the parallel
port. Valid selections:XON/XOFF, CTS, ACKNAK,
or CENTRONICS.
iii.4. The format for the CDCL MODE command is:
MODE(baud, numbits,,parity)
where:
baud is the baud rate,
numbits is the number of data bits
parity is either EVEN, ODD, or NONE.
iii.5. Create the following CDCL file with any
text editor, such as DOS EDIT or EDLIN:
&&&&CALCOMP DEVICE CONTROL
PCI(22,2,NO,13,,CTS)
MODE(9600,8,,NONE)
SAVE()
^^^^END OF FILE
iii.6. If using DOS, prior to sending the CDCL
file, issue a MODE command at the DOS prompt.
The values need to match what is initially set
on the plotter. If in doubt about what is
currently set on the plotter, manually
configure the plotter, as previously described,
to obtain the current settings.
At the DOS prompt, type the following command,
if using COM1 at 9600, 7 data bits, even
parity:
MODE COM1:9600,7,E,1,P
If using COM2 at 9600, 7 data bits, even
parity, type the following:
MODE COM2:9600,7,E,1,P
Then send the CDCL file to the plotter. At the
DOS prompt, type the following, if using COM1:
COPY cdclfile COM1:
where cdclfile is the name of the CDCL file
created,
iii.7. The on line and/or error lights should
blink momentarily. This is normal. To verify
that the settings were accepted, repeat the
manual configuration. The first values plotted
out are always the last saved values. If the
above values were sent, the PCI SET UP
parameter will show a value D: (2,22,NO,13).
Normally, only choice A:, B:, or C: is
selectable.
5. It is possible that the port on the computer is not working.
Additionally, a PC with an internal fax/modem installed might
have that port disabled.
a. Try connecting to a different port.
b. Try connecting to a different computer.
c. Try using a different serial cable.
C. For parallel port connections, this plotter uses a standard Centronics
parallel cable (CalComp part #18735-0129 10 ft. parallel cable). The
cable length maximum is 12 feet, unless it is a good quality double
shielded cable. The 25-foot CalComp twisted-pair, double-shielded
cables are the only longer Centronics parallel cables supported by
CalComp (CalComp part #717960-9 25 ft. parallel cable).
1. Ports on the back of computers are sometimes mislabeled. If
outputting to LPT1, and an LPT2 port is installed on the
computer, the data may have been going to LPT2 instead (or vice
versa).
2. Verify that the settings on the plotter match the software
driver:
a. If using 907/PCI protocol, then verify sync char, # sync
chars, checksum, and end of buffer character.
b. Refer to the DesignMate User's Guide for a list of
settings for several applications.
c. The plotter may be configured either: on the plotter, with
a software program called PlotWare (if connected to a PC),
or with CDCL commands. Note: If the plotter has both a
serial port and a parallel port (e.g., 3024M or 3036M), the
port selection must be made manually on the plotter first.
i. To configure on the plotter, perform the following:
i.1. Load an A-size, or larger sheet of media in the
plotter.
i.2. Lower the pinch rollers. Press the SET UP
button on the plotter.
i.3. The plotter will size the media and then begin
outputting the setup instructions on the media.
The pen will stop when it is waiting for
operator intervention. When this occurs, press
the ON LINE button to display or select each
value choice. When the pen is over the desired
value, press the SET UP button to select it.
i.4. The plotter will plot the parameter:
ORIENTATION, followed by the current value.
Recommended value is: AUTO.
i.5. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: SCALE, followed by the current
value. Recommended value is: 100%, although, it
may be application-dependent.
i.6. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: VELOCITY, followed by the value.
Recommended value is 10 ips for 3024 and Final
Plot for 3036.
i.7. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: PROTOCOL, followed by the value.
Value selection is application-dependent.
i.8. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the current value and plot the
parameter: PORT TYPE, followed by the value.
Select CENTRONICS.
i.9. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
next parameter. If the PROTOCOL selected was
PCI, then the plotter will plot the parameter:
PCI SET UP, followed by the value. Value
selection is application-dependent.
Note: If the selection choice required does not
appear, then select the current value for now.
PlotWare (for the PC) or CDCL commands sent to
the plotter will be needed to configure this
setting.
i.10. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: PLOT MANAGER, followed by the value.
Recommended value is ENABLED.
i.11. Press the SET UP button. The plotter will plot
a box around the selected value and plot the
parameter: LANGUAGE, followed by the value.
Recommended value is ENGLISH.
i.12. Press the SET UP button. When the plotter stops
moving the pen, remove the media from the
plotter. The plotter will return the pen to the
turret and save the values in memory.
ii. PlotWare is available on the CalComp BBS (714/236-
3045). The file name is PLOTWARE.ZIP. Use PKUNZIP to
unzip the file. Once unzipped, type PLOTWARE. Follow
the menu selections.
iii. CDCL commands may be sent to the plotter to configure
the settings. A brief description is listed in the
DesignMate User's Guide, Appendix E. The commands are
created in any text editor. Format, such as spaces
and capitalization, needs to be followed exactly. An
example follows for configuring for Generic CADD
iii.1. Generic CADD requires a sync char=22,
number of sync chars=2, checksum disabled (NO),
and end of buffer message=13. In the following
example, the parallel (Centronics) port
connection is used.
iii.2. The CDCL PCI command will need to be sent
to the plotter.
iii.3. The format for the PCI command is:
PCI(sync, numsync,checksum,eob,,protocol)
where:
sync is the sync char,
numsync is the number of sync characters,
checksum is either YES or NO,
eob is the end of buffer character, and
protocol is the handshake for the serial port
or simply CENTRONICS if using the parallel
port. Valid selections:XON/XOFF, CTS, ACKNAK,
or CENTRONICS.
iii.4. Create the following CDCL file with any
text editor, such as DOS EDIT or EDLIN:
&&&&CALCOMP DEVICE CONTROL
PCI(22,2,NO,13,,CENTRONICS)
SAVE()
^^^^END OF FILE
iii.5. Send the CDCL file to the plotter. At the
DOS prompt, type the following, if using LPT1:
COPY cdclfile LPT1:
where cdclfile is the name of the CDCL file
created,
iii.6. The on line and/or error lights should
blink momentarily. This is normal. To verify
that the settings were accepted, repeat the
manual configuration. The first values plotted
out are always the last saved values. If the
above values were sent, the PCI SET UP
parameter will show a value D: (2,22,NO,13).
Normally, only choice A:, B:, or C: is
selectable.
3. It is possible that the port on the computer is not working.
a. Try connecting to a different port, if available.
b. Try connecting to a different computer.
c. Try using a different Centronics parallel cable.