LA 310

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the LA 310 printer, detailing its technical specifications, hardware architecture, setup configurations, and service information.

Key aspects include:

• Printer Specifications: The LA 310 is a 9-pin impact dot matrix printer supporting Digital's Conformance Level-2, IBM Proprinter III, and Epson FX-1050 protocols. It features serial (DECconnect) and parallel (Centronics) interfaces, selectable baud rates (150-9600), and various data/parity settings. Print speeds range from 300 CPS (HSD) to 55 CPS (NLQ modes). It supports a wide array of character sets (e.g., ASCII, ISO Latin, national sets) and print attributes (underline, italic, bold). Input buffer capacity is 16K or 32K characters.
• Paper Handling: The printer accommodates pinfeed (tractor media), single sheets, envelopes, and multi-part forms (up to 4 parts) with varying weights and thicknesses, supporting continuous paper up to 16 inches wide and single sheets up to 16.5 inches wide.
• Hardware Architecture: The core of the printer is the BA 298 motherboard, equipped with a CPU (MPD 7810), 128 KB EPROM (for printer emulations), 32 KB SRAM, and 256-bit E2PROM for parameter storage. A custom "LOGO" chip manages most I/O and interface functions, including motor control, character generation, and baud rate. Dedicated circuits drive the printhead needles and paper/carriage motors. The internal power supply provides +5V, +35V, and +50V from nominal 120V, 220V, or 240V AC inputs.
• Setup and Configuration: The document outlines detailed menu structures for customizing printer settings such as form length, print quality, typestyle, communication parameters, and protocol-specific character sets.
• Service and Maintenance: It includes a list of spare parts with part numbers, exploded diagrams of printer assemblies, a general block diagram of the BA 298 board, and extensive circuit schematics for power supply, logic, memory, motor, and needle drivers, along with a vendor bill of materials.