What kind of cable do I need for the plotter?
What kind of cable do I need for the plotter?
Models: Solus 4 54424/54436 and DM-600/800 53336/53436
The order P/N for the Solus 4 User's Guide is M0016-280
The order P/N for the DM-600/800 User's Guide is M0016-420
All of the above CalComp plotters fully support the RS-232C standard for
serial communications and the CENTRONICS standard for parallel data
transfer.
A. CENTRONICS PARALLEL CABLE
1. FOR IBM PC S & COMPATIBLES, MACINTOSH, SUN, HP, AND ALL UNIX
WORKSTATIONS WHICH SUPPORT THE CENTRONICS STANDARD:
a. The maximum length for a standard Centronics parallel
cable is 12'. This limit is the current industry-wide
standard. CalComp cannot guarantee that the integrity of
the plot data being transferred will be reliable beyond
12'. In addition, a heavy duty parallel cable is always
recommended. The 12' limit CAN be exceeded if you
purchase a specially designed cable (see Notes #1b and
#C below).
b. CalComp manufactures high quality, double-shielded
Centronics parallel cables INCLUDING a 25' cable. To
order a parallel cable from CalComp, call (1-800) 225-
2667 and use the following order part numbers:
For a 12 foot Centronics cable: 18735-0129
For a 25 foot Centronics cable: 717960-9
B. RS-232 PORT SERIAL CABLES (for plot data ports and the terminal
port):
Note: The maximum length for a standard serial cable is 50'.
CalComp cannot guarantee that the integrity of the plot
data being transferred will be reliable beyond 50'. This
limit is the current industry-wide standard. A heavy
duty double-shielded type cable is recommended. The 50'
limit CAN be exceeded if you purchase a specially
designed cable (see Note #C below). This limit applies
to ALL platforms listed below.
1. FOR IBM PC S/COMPATIBLES WITH A 25-PIN (DB25) RS-232 SERIAL
PORT:
The two serial ports both require NULL MODEM type cables.
CalComp has a heavy duty Null-Modem type cable available. The
order P/N for this cable is 754050-3.
A straight (MODEM) cable, such as CalComp's P/N 11772-0250,
may also be used if a NULL-MODEM adapter is attached. A Null-
Modem adapter may be ordered from CalComp. The P/N for this
adapter is 21617-0019.
a. Most PC s are setup as DTE (Data Terminal Equipment)
devices with 25 pin RS-232 serial ports. The DM-600/800
plotters are also DTE devices. The cable to use in when
the terminal or PC is DTE is a DB25 (25-pin) NULL-MODEM
type RS-232 serial cable (transmit and receive pin
wires 2 and 3 are to be crossed). CalComp manufactures
a heavy duty, 25 pin, female-to-male NULL-MODEM cable.
The order P/N for this cable is 754050-3. This cable can
be ordered by calling CalComp at 1-800-225-2667.
If you wish to build your own cable, here is the wiring
diagram for the IBM standard 25-to-25 pin, female-to
male serial cable (pin connections not shown are not
required): The Null Modem Adapter IS NOT required for
this cable.
IBM-PC Plotter Port:
25 pin female 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==============================================
1 -------------------------------- 1
2 -------------------------------- 3
3 -------------------------------- 2
4 -------------------------------- 6 & 8
5 -------------------------------- 20
6 -------------------------------- 4
7 -------------------------------- 7
8 -------------------------------- 4
20 -------------------------------- 5
2. FOR IBM PC S & COMPATIBLES WITH A 9-PIN (DB9) RS-232 SERIAL
PORT:
NOTE: You MUST attach the CalComp Null Modem Adapter (P/N
21716-0019) to the following IBM-PC DB9 to DB25 cable:
a. The DB9 to 25-pin required (for the IBM standard 9-pin
port, female-to-male cable) is not available from
CalComp. This type of cable is widely available from
most computer retailers. Here is the Radio Shack P/N for
a 6 foot cable (DB9 to DB25, female-to-male):
Radio Shack Catalog # 26-269
If you wish to lengthen this cable, attach a 25pin-to-
25pin (female-to-male), straight-through cable, such as
CalComp's P/N 11772-0250 (25' cable) or 11772-0102 (10'
cable).
b. If you wish to build your own cable, here is the wiring
diagram for the IBM standard 9-to-25 pin, female-to male
serial cable (pin connections not shown are not required):
PC Port: Plotter Port:
9 pin female 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
============================================
1 ------------------------------ 8
2 ------------------------------ 3
3 ------------------------------ 2
5 ------------------------------ 7
6 ------------------------------ 6
7 ------------------------------ 4
8 ------------------------------ 5
3. FOR THE MACINTOSH:
Note: The 50' cable limit also applies to the Mac. To
extend the length of either of the cables listed,
add one of CalComp's straight-through cables (P/N
11772-0250 for a 25' cable and 11772-0102 for a 10'
cable).
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 your Solus 4
or DM-600/800 User's Guide for details on how to do
this).
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 should have been included as a standard item
when the plotter was purchased. The CalComp cable
connects directly to the Mac's MODEM port and the
adapter end connects to the Solus 4 or 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 Solus 4 or 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).
d. If you wish to build your own Mac cable; here is the
wiring diagram for the Mac serial cables offered by
CalComp (P/N's 16623-0029 and 16623-0011)
REMEMBER: You must attach the Null modem Adapter (P/N
21617-0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
Note: Pin connections not shown are not required
MAC Port: Plotter Port:
8-pin male 25 pin male
cable connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
===============================================
1 ------------------------------- 20
2 ------------------------------- 5 & 8
3 ------------------------------- 2
4 ------------------------------- 1 & 7
5 ------------------------------- 3
8 ------------------------------ 1 & 7
4. UNIX WORKSTATIONS:
a. SUN SPARC/IPC WORKSTATIONS:
Connect a straight-through (female-to-male) MODEM cable
AND a 25-to-25pin, male-to male adapter, to a standard
SUN Mini DIN-8 to 25 pin (male-to-female) serial cable.
The standard SUN Min-DIN-8 serial cable may be purchased
directly from SUN MICROSYSTEMS. Another source which can
be recommended as a supplier of SUN cable and
connectivity products is NewData Inc. Call NewData at
(908) 842-5757 and request information on their cable
P/N 6642 (or equivalent).
SUN SERIAL CONNECTION SUMMARY:
i. Use a standard SUN Mini DIN-8 male-to-female serial
cable (the female end is a 25-pin connector).
ii. Use a standard 25-pin, male-to-male adapter.
Connect this adapter directly to the female end of
the SUN cable. A 25-pin male-to-male adapter is
available from CalComp. The P/N is 14450-0253.
iii. Use a 25 pin female-to-male NULL MODEM CABLE. The
order P/N for CalComp's Null Modem cable is
754050-3
NOTE: Another way to connect up the plotter is to
substitute the Null Modem cable for a straight-
through MODEM cable and attach the Null Modem
Adapter, CalComp P/N 21617-0019 to the plotter
connector end of the cable. The order P/N for a 25'
MODEM cable is 11772-0250.
iv. To order the CalComp cable and adapter, call 1-800-
225-2667.
b. HP 9000 WORKSTATIONS
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for HP
workstations.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and the HP 9000. This cable pin-out is a
reference only. For further information, please consult
with your HP Workstation documentation and technical
support services.
REMEMBER: You must attach the Null modem Adapter (P/N
21617-0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
HP Plotter Port:
9000 25 male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==============================================
1 -------------------------------- 8
2 -------------------------------- 3
3 -------------------------------- 2
4 -------------------------------- 20
5 -------------------------------- 7
6 -------------------------------- 6
7 -------------------------------- 4
8 -------------------------------- 5
9 -------------------------------- 22
c. SILICON GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for
Silicon workstations.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and Silicon Graphics Workstations. This cable
pin-out is a reference only. For further information,
please consult with your Silicon Graphics Workstation
documentation and technical support services.
REMEMBER: You must attach the Null modem Adapter (P/N
21617-0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
Silicon Plotter Port:
Graphics 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
============================================
2 ------------------------------ 2
3 ------------------------------ 3
4 ------------------------------ 4
5 ------------------------------ 5
7 ------------------------------ 7
8 ------------------------------ 8
9 ------------------------------ 20
d. IBM RS-6000 (RISC) WORKSTATION:
Use CalComp cable P/N 754050-3 for the IBM RS-6000.
Order from CalComp by calling, 1-800-225-2667.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and IBM RS-6000 workstations. The cable is a
female-to-male DB25 (both ends) NULL MODEM type cable.
This cable pin-out is a reference only. For further
information, please consult your IBM RS-6000
documentation and technical support services.
REMEMBER: You must attach the cable adapter (P/N 21617-
0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
IBM RS-6000 Plotter Port:
25 pin female 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==============================================
1 -------------------------------- 1
2 -------------------------------- 3
3 -------------------------------- 2
4 -------------------------------- 6 & 8
5 -------------------------------- 20
6 -------------------------------- 4
7 -------------------------------- 7
8 -------------------------------- 4
20 -------------------------------- 5
e. DEC VAX 4000 WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for the
DEC VAX.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and the DEC VAX. This cable pin-out is a
reference only. For further information, please consult
with your DEC VAX documentation and technical support
services.
REMEMBER: You must attach the Null modem Adapter (P/N
21617-0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
DEC Plotter Port:
VAX 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
==============================================
1 -------------------------------- 8
2 -------------------------------- 3
3 -------------------------------- 2
5 -------------------------------- 7
6 -------------------------------- 6
7 -------------------------------- 4
8 -------------------------------- 5
f. DATA GENERAL WORKSTATIONS:
NOTE: CalComp does not provide a serial cable for Data
General.
The following is a known working pin-out for CalComp
plotters and some Data General computers. This cable
pin-out is a reference only. For further information,
please consult with your Data General documentation and
technical support services.
REMEMBER: You must attach the Null modem Adapter (P/N
21617-0019) to the plotter (25 pin) end of this cable.
Data Plotter Port:
General 25 pin male
connector connect as connector
Pin # shown below Pin #
=================================================
1 -------------------------------- 1
2 -------------------------------- 3
3 -------------------------------- 2
4 -------------------------------- 20
5 -------------------------------- 8
6 -------------------------------- 6
7 -------------------------------- 7
8 -------------------------------- 4
C. CUSTOM CABLE INFORMATION:
Specially designed cables are available which enable you to
reliably exceed the industry-standard limits in cable length for
both Centronics parallel and RS-232 serial cables.
These limits are: 12 feet for Centronics parallel
50 feet for RS-232 serial
Special serial and parallel cables with lengths up to 300 feet (or
more) are available from the following vendors:
1. Buffalo Products Inc. (800) 345-2356
2. The Black Box Corp. (412) 746-0746
3. INMAC Corp. (800) 547-5444
4. NewData Inc. (908) 842-5757