LA50 Printer

This document is the LA50 Printer Technical Manual, published by Digital Equipment Corporation in March 1983.

The manual provides comprehensive information for the LA50 Printer, a desk-top, receive-only, microprocessor-controlled dot-matrix printer available in four models (LA50-RA, -RB, -RC, -RD) for different international power requirements.

Key areas covered include:

• General Description: Overview of the printer's physical and functional characteristics, including its 9-wire printhead, text and graphic modes, and asynchronous serial interface.
• Installation: Step-by-step procedures for unpacking, inspecting, installing (ribbon, paper, power), and configuring the printer (including configuration switches for various system settings like character sets, baud rate, and data format).
• Operator Information: Details on controls and indicators, various self-tests (internal, carriage motion, print, loopback), and basic troubleshooting for common operator-level issues.
• Theory: In-depth explanation of the printer's functional areas, including the microprocessor/control system, communication and I/O data processing (data format, data handling, baud rate clocks, interface signals), printhead positioning and printing process, paper advancing, and power supply.
• Troubleshooting: A detailed guide for identifying and resolving printer failures, including self-test procedures and troubleshooting tables that list symptoms, probable causes, and remedies.
• Servicing: Instructions for the removal and replacement of mechanical and electrical subassemblies, and lubrication procedures.
• Appendices: Contains a parts list, escape sequence and switch summaries, a glossary of terms, and detailed specifications.

In essence, it's a complete guide for understanding, installing, operating, troubleshooting, and servicing the LA50 Printer.