How to communicate with a Macintosh:
How to communicate with a Macintosh:
Model: 53336/53436 (DM-600/800 series)
A. HOW DO YOU CONNECT THE PLOTTER TO A MACINTOSH:
Please Note: This plotter series supports CalComp 907/PCI vector
format, the CalComp Raster Format (CCRF), HPGL, and HP/GL2 (HP 7600
emulation). HP/RTL is not supported.
The DM-600/800 also supports TIFF and CALSG4. For detailed
information print TIFF and CALSG4 files, refer to the Plotter
Reference Manual (P/N M0016-440). The DM-600/800 User's Guide P/N
is M0016-420.
Neither PostScript nor the AppleTalk interface are supported. (The
Print Bridge, model 86625, may used as an external interface for
PostScript Level 1 support.)
1. CONNECT ONE OF THE PLOTTER'S SERIAL PORTS TO THE MAC'S MODEM
PORT:
The port marked COM_2 is configured at the factory as a
serial plot data port. COM_1 is configured the OPCOM port,
designated for terminal operations. (For detailed information
on OPCOM, please refer to chapter 1 of the Plotter Reference
Manual.
a. On the back of the plotter are 3 ports, the one marked
COM_1/OPCOM is an RS-232 25-pin serial port (female,
DB25). This port is configured by the factory for
OPCOM. It cannot be used for plot data unless the OPCOM
link is switched off. You can switch COM_1 from OPCOM to
a plot data port at the Control Panel (see the chapter 4
of the User's Guide, pages 4-43 through 4-47).
b. To make a serial connection you need CalComp's Mac cable
P/N 16623-0029 (12' cable) or 16623-0011 (6' cable) AND
the CalComp Null Modem Adapter P/N 21617-0019. This
adapter is usually included as a standard item when the
plotter is purchased. The CalComp cable connects
directly to the Mac's MODEM port and the adapter end
connects to the DM-600/800's COM_2 port. If you wish to
extend the lengthen this cable (up to 50'), add a
straight-through extension cable (CalComp P/N 11772-020
is a 25' heavy duty extension cable).
c. Another way to make a serial connection with the Mac is
to use an ImageWriter One (Mini DIN-8) serial cable
(connected directly to the Mac) with a different CalComp
adapter (then the one mentioned above) attached (CalComp
P/N 21616-0010). The ImageWriter One cable connects
directly to the Mac's MODEM port and the adapter end
connects to the DM-600/800's COM_2 port. If you wish to
extend the lengthen this cable (up to 50'), add a
straight-through extension cable (CalComp P/N 11772-020
is a 25' heavy duty extension cable).
2. CONFIGURE THE PLOTTER'S SERIAL PORT FOR THE PLOTTER DRIVER:
a. For most CAD applications (the one exception being
AutoCAD), CalComp recommends MacPlot Professional.
MacPlot Professional is a Chooser level driver supplied
by Microspot (408-257-4000). MacPlot Professional fully
supports the CalComp 907/PCI standard. For more details,
please see the problem summary note; WHAT DRIVER SHOULD
BE USED WITH A MACINTOSH.
The DM-600/800 automatically configures itself for
CalComp 907/PCI, CalComp CCRF, HPGL, and HP/GL2
(emulating an HP 7600 only). This means that only the
following serial port parameters must be configured:
PORT
PARAMETER
REQUIRED EXAMPLE
=============================================
Baud Rate ----------------------- 9600
Character Framing --------------- 7,E,1
Plot Data Protocol -------------- CTS
Stepsize ------------------------ 400
The computer and plotter must match in baud rate, data
bits, stop bit, & parity (data bits, stop bit, and
parity are known together as the character or data
framing), and handshake. The handshake is called Plot
Data Protocol (on the plotter s serial port
configuration list) and is either CTS (which means Clear
To Send and stands for hardware handshaking. Hardware
handshaking is also known as Direct Control), Xon/Xoff,
or Ack/Nak.
The above parameters must match what is setup on your
Mac system. First, configure the Mac, then go to the
plotter's Control Panel and setup the plotter to match.
This is accomplished under the Control Panel menu option
called PORT SETUP (detailed information on PORT SETUP is
found in the User's Guide, starting on page 4-43).
The default serial configuration for the Mac is: 9600,
7, 1, E, and CTS handshake
b. BE SURE TO MATCH THE STEPSIZE:
CalComp 907/PCI plot files include a Stepsize (steps-
per-inch) upon which vectors are precisely calculated.
The Stepsize is NOT Autosensed by the plotter. The
Stepsize must be configured in the Control Panel, under
PORT SETUP.
The Stepsize on the plotter must match what the CAD
application software's plotter driver is configured for.
The factory default Stepsize settings are; 300 dpi for
the 53336 and 400 dpi for the 53436. Both plotters may
be set for the most commonly used Stepsize settings of
300, 400, 1016, and 2032. The Stepsize DOES NOT impact
the resolution quality of the plot file - only the
internal vector calculations..
When there is a Stepsize mismatch, the plot will come
out either much too small or much too large.
3. VERIFY PLOTTER OPERATION BY RUNNING THE DEMO PLOT:
Run the plotter's Demonstration Plot (DEMO PLOT 1). Please see
the User's Guide, page 5-2. If the demo plot runs, it means
the plotter's basic operation is sound.
B. HOW TO MAKE A CENTRONICS PARALLEL CONNECTION:
The Mac is not manufactured to support a centronics parallel
interface. They do, depending on the model type, provide a certain
number of open slots so that an interface card could be added. This
note refers only to the MacPlot raster mode driver, which require a
parallel interface.
1. The plotter's parallel port can be used with a Mac if the
customer purchases MacPlot Electrostatic DMA (NOTE: The MONO
version of MacPlot Raster designed for CalComp's mono inkjets
may also support the DM-600/800 plotters - please contact
Microspot at 408-257-4000 for the latest driver update info).
This package comes with a CCRF raster driver and a parallel
card for the Mac. It works ONLY on the plotter's parallel
port. This driver will allow customers to plot anything from
the Mac, including photos and gradient fills, etc., however,
it is not the best choice when the you want to run strictly
CAD applications. This is because it is vector mode driver is
optimized for CAD and can plot CAD entities much faster than a
raster mode driver.
C. THE PLOTTER IS NOT RESPONDING ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER AND CABLE
ARE CORRECT:
1. VERIFY PLOTTER OPERATION BY RUNNING THE DEMO PLOT:
Run the plotter's Demonstration Plot (DEMO PLOT 1). Please see
the User's Guide, page 5-2. If the demo plot runs, it means
the plotter's operation is sound.
2. CONFIRM YOUR CABLE CONNECTION: Double check that your cable is
connected to the plotter COM port configured to work with your
Mac software plotter driver. Be sure there is good, solid
connection. Be sure that it IS the correct type of cable
specified by CalComp's documentation.
3. Be sure the plotter and the Mac EXACTLY match in baud rate,
character framing, and handshake (known on the plotter as Plot
Data Protocol). All of these parameters are very easy to setup
on the plotter's Control Panel, under the PORT SETUP menu
option (User's Guide, starting on page 4-42).
If you are not sure how the Mac is configured, please refer to
your Mac user's guides or the application software's help
references. CalComp does not provide in-depth assistance on
any product other than the ones we manufacture.
5. IF A SWITCH BOX IS BEING USED: (A/B manual or electronic)
Switch boxes often create connectivity problems which can only
be isolated and confirmed by removing the switch box and
running a test. Remove the switch box and try to run another
plot from your application. If the plotter now works correctly
then you may be sure that there is good basic connectivity
with your Mac computer and the CalComp plotter.
CalComp provides assistance only on equipment which we
manufacture. If problems appear to occur only while a switch
box is connected, please contact the switch box manufacturer's
help line or consult their support documentation.
6. OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES:
a. Defective cable
b. Defective Mac MODEM port
c. Defective Mac parallel port (if MacPlot DMA or
equivalent is being used)
d. Defective CalComp plotter COM port (or parallel port -
if MacPlot DMA or equivalent is being used)
7. TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES:
This step (a) presumes that the port configuration on the
plotter matches EXACTLY what is setup on the Mac, and the
plotter is able to run its Demonstration Plot.
a. SERIAL CABLE TEST: Test the serial cable for correct
*pin assignments, electrical continuity, and possible
shorts (A short occurs when cable wires which should be
isolated are connected to one another. For example;
pin's 1 on both ends of the cable are supposed to be
connected and test OK, however, pin 1 and pin 3 also
test as being connected - this is a short).
Another way to test is to try a second serial cable that
is currently working with another printer or plotter.
Be sure the second serial cable meets the CalComp
plotter requirements. If your tests prove that you have
a good serial cable but the plotter still does not work
Call CalComp for assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
i. CABLE ADAPTER TEST: Check out the adapter using the
above method. A wiring diagram for CalComp's
ImageWriter cable adapter is given on page 2-7 of
the User's Guide.
b. PARALLEL CABLE: One way to test a centronics parallel
cable is to connect it to any other device which
supports parallel (MOST printers have a centronics
parallel port) and is currently in use as a parallel
device. If the cable being tested does not work, it is
probably defective. If it does work, either the plotter
port setup is wrong, the plotter port is defective or
the computer port is defective.
Another way to test is to try a second parallel cable
that is currently working with another printer or
plotter.
c. THE COMPUTER OR PLOTTER MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE INTERFACE:
This step presumes you have a good cable, the port
configuration on the plotter matches EXACTLY what is
setup on the Mac, and the plotter is able to run it's
Embedded Controller test.
i. SERIAL INTERFACE: The Mac may give a
communications error if it has an internal hardware
problem (refer to your Mac helpline or
documentation for further information on error
messages which are displayed). Whether or not Mac
system errors have been displayed, perform the
following test:
ia. Reboot the Mac while holding the SHIFT key
(this allows the Mac system to come WITHOUT
loading any INIT programs).
ib. Try to plot again. If the plotter works
there is apparently a system conflict on your
Mac involving one or more of the INIT
programs. CalComp does provide assistance in
isolating and resolving system conflicts.
ic. If there were NO error messages and the
plotter still doesn't work, try a different
computer. ANY computer (IBM or Mac) can be
used to test the plotter further. If another
computer setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cable is used
and the plotter does not work, call CalComp
for assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).
ii. PARALLEL INTERFACE: The Mac may give a
communications error if there it has an internal
hardware problem (refer to your Mac helpline or
documentation for further information on error
messages which are displayed). Whether or not Mac
system errors have been displayed, perform the
following test:
iia. Reboot the Mac while holding the SHIFT key
(this allows the Mac system to come WITHOUT
loading any INIT programs).
iib. Try to plot again. If the plotter works
there is apparently a system conflict on your
Mac involving one or more of the INIT
programs. CalComp does provide assistance in
isolating and resolving system conflicts.
iic. If there were NO error messages and the
plotter still doesn't work, try a different
computer. ANY computer (IBM or Mac) can be
used to test the plotter further. If another
computer setup with all of the correct
configuration parameters and cable is used
and the plotter does not work, call CalComp
for assistance 1-800-CALCOMP (800-225-2667).