Missing Data on the plot.
Missing Data on the plot.
A. Try to determine if the pens are skipping. If the pens are moving and
attempting to draw the entities but not drawing on the media, then the
pens are skipping. See problem summary for 104X PEN SKIPPING, DRAGGING
or NOT TOUCHING PAPER.
B. If the plotter does not attempt to draw the entities, note the
following:
1. Whenever possible, use hardware handshake. Other forms of
handshake such as Xon/Xoff can lose data.
2. On a DOS-based system, hardware handshake using DOS I/O is the
best way to ensure a good I/O transmission. If the software
application provides the option for plotting to a file, perform
the following:
a. First issue a DOS MODE command to establish the baud rate,
parity, number of bits, and number of stop bits. The
handshake is always direct control (hardware handshake)
when using DOS.
i. The DOS MODE command format is:
MODE com_port:Baud_rate,Parity,Data_bits,Stop_bits,P
where parity is one of the following: (E = even, O =
odd, N = none)
The last character of the MODE statement (i.e., the
letter P), tells DOS to perform retries.
ii. If using COM port 1 at 9600 baud, No parity, 8 data
bits, and 1 stop bit, issue the following DOS MODE
command at the DOS prompt:
MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1,P
iii. If using COM port 2 at 9600 baud, No parity, 8 data
bits, and 1 stop bit, issue the following DOS MODE
command at the DOS prompt:
MODE COM2:9600,N,8,1,P
b. Configure the plotter for direct control (hardware)
handshake. To access the handshaking menu on the plotter:
i. Turn on the plotter power.
ii. Load and size the media.
iii. Take the plotter off-line by pressing the AUTO/MANUAL
key.
iv. Press the SETUP key.
v. The plotter will display:
Setup number:
Press NEXT for MENU
vi. Press the key marked 7 (numeric 7) on the plotter
keypad.
vii. Press the ENTER key.
viii. The plotter will display:
Host Setup Number:
Press NEXT for MENU:
ix. Press the key marked 6 (numeric 6).
x. Press the ENTER key.
xi. The plotter will display:
Direct Control: Y/N ?
XON/XOFF Y/N ?
xii. Enable direct control (hardware handshake by pressing
the ENTER key to answer yes. Dip switches 2,4, and 5
on the back of the plotter must be set to ON = 1.
Turn all other dip switches OFF = 0. Press the
CLEAR/NO key for no XON/XOFF.
xiii. Press the SAVE/TEST key. The plotter will display:
User Number:
xiv. Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 followed by pressing the ENTER
key to save the new values to that user number and
exit the menu.
c. In the application, select the option for plot to a file.
The file name is to be set to the name of the COM port
being used (e.g., COM1 or COM2).
3. It is possible that data was corrupted on its way from the
computer to the plotter.
a. Try removing networks, spoolers, and/or switch boxes etc.
Directly connect the computer to the plotter.
b. If using an IBM PC or compatible or a Sun workstation with
an RS232 port:
i. Try another serial cable. A bad serial cable can
cause the data to be dropped on its way from the
computer to the plotter. The plotter uses a straight-
through, 25-pin female to 25-pin male serial cable
(CalComp part number 11772-0250, 25 foot serial
cable) This is not a proprietary cable. It is
commercially available, sometimes called a MODEM
cable. A NULL-MODEM cable will not work.
ii. The total cable length should not exceed 50 feet.
For testing purposes a shorter cable can decrease the
error factor.
iii. If the computer has a 9-pin connector for the COM
port (i.e. COM1 or COM2), a commercially available 9
to 25 pin adapter is acceptable to perform the
conversion.
iv. Connect the cable to the port on the back of the
plotter labeled: P0903 - To DTE Host.
c If using a Macintosh computer:
i. Try a different communications cable. The plotter
uses an 8-pin mini-din Macintosh to 25-pin serial
cable (CalComp part number 16623-0029, 12 ft.
cable).
d. Send a different plot file. The plot file being sent may
be corrupt.
e. Try plotting from another computer. The port on the
computer may be defective.
f. If using AutoCAD:
i. If arrowheads are not plotting, set the Pen
Optimization Level to zero (or no optimization). The
Pen Optimization dialog box is located in the AutoCAD
Plot Menu if using versions 12 or 13 of AutoCad.
This usually resolves the problem. Also, check to
see that the pen widths are set to 0.010 in the
AutoCAD Pen Assignment menu.