Hitachi IJ UX2 - User Manual

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Overview

Hitachi UX2 Printer Communication User's Manual (Common)

Hitachi UX2 Printer Communication User's Manual (Common)

This manual provides comprehensive information regarding the communication functionalities of the Hitachi UX2 Printer, covering serial and Ethernet communication methods, connection preparations, testing procedures, environmental settings, and communication monitoring.

Communication Overview

The Hitachi UX2 Printer supports various communication methods to facilitate the transmission of print data, registration numbers, and printer settings from external devices.

Serial Communication

Serial communication enables the transmission of printings and their registration numbers, as well as the input of these into the IJ printer from an external device. This is achieved by connecting the external device to the IJ printer via an RS-232C serial communication line. A USB serial converter connected to the USB port of the IJ printer is used to enable RS-232C serial communication.

Ethernet Communication (Tunnel Communication)

Ethernet communication, specifically Tunnel communication, supports the same functionalities as RS-232C serial communication. It utilizes the same communication mode as previous models, allowing users who have existing RS-232C serial communication programs for the IJ Printer to leverage their assets for host device communication. Detailed information can be found in the Communication User's Manual (Serial Communication).

Ethernet Communication (Modbus Communication)

Modbus communication allows for changing IJ printer settings, including print contents and specifications, by transmitting data between an external device and the IJ printer within a LAN environment. Modbus is an industrial multi-vendor network based on Ethernet, with its communication specification adopted as an open standard across various industrial equipment. It's important to note that this method does not support voluntary outputs from the IJ printer, such as status or print content outputs. Developing a communication program on the external device side is necessary for Modbus communication.

Ethernet Communication (OPC-UA Communication)

OPC-UA communication facilitates the modification of IJ printer settings, including print contents and specifications, through data transmission between an external device and the IJ printer over a LAN. OPC-UA is another industrial multi-vendor network utilizing Ethernet, and its communication specification is an open standard for industrial equipment. Similar to Modbus, it does not support voluntary outputs from the IJ printer (e.g., status or print content outputs). A communication program must be developed on the external device side for OPC-UA communication.

Ethernet Communication (EtherNet/IP Communication)

EtherNet/IP communication enables an external device to communicate with the IJ Printer via Ethernet within a network environment. EtherNet/IP is an industrial multi-vendor network using Ethernet, and its communication specification is adopted as an open standard in various industrial equipment. It offers two primary communication functions:

Message communication (Explicit communication): Communicates at an arbitrary timing.
Cyclic communication (Implicit communication): Communicates at a fixed cycle. Similar to Modbus and OPC-UA, developing a communication program on the external device side is required for EtherNet/IP communication.

Configuration Diagram

Serial Communication Configuration

The serial communication setup involves the IJ Printer connected to a USB Serial Converter, which then connects to an External Unit via an RS-232C Cable.

Ethernet Communication Configuration

The Ethernet communication setup involves the IJ Printer connected to an External Unit via an Ethernet connection.

Important Technical Specifications (Ethernet)

Item	Specifications
Ethernet standards	IEEE802.3, 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T
Protocol	TCP/IP
Connection cable	Category 5 UTP or STP cable

Note: The time from when a signal is transmitted from an external unit to when the IJ Printer receives the signal cannot be strictly defined in the same way as with serial communications.

Connection Preparations

Serial Communication Connection

To establish serial communication, connect the external communication device and the IJ printer using an RS-232C serial communication line. A USB serial communication conversion cable is required for this connection. The USB serial communication conversion cable connects to the designated port on the IJ printer.

Notes on replacement:

Always turn off the main power when replacing components.
Ensure connectors are securely connected.

Ethernet Communication Connection

When connecting the IJ Printer to an external unit, a LAN connection cable must be used.

Network Connection Preparations

Connecting to inter-office LAN:

Obtain the IP address from your company's Information Systems Department.
Consult with your company's Information Systems Department regarding network settings such as the gateway.

Connecting from outside the office:

Contract with a provider and obtain an unchanging IP address.
For telephone line connections, contracts with external providers are required. If not using a telephone line, a mobile environment is necessary, along with a router for a mobile card.
Follow the network setup procedure provided by the provider.

IJ Printer Preparations

Connect the IJ Printer to the Ethernet (computer or hub, etc.) with a LAN cable.
Conduct a connection test if necessary.
Set the communication environment on the IJ Printer's screen.

LAN Cable Connection

Connect the LAN cable to the designated port on the IJ printer.

Notes on replacement:

Always turn off the main power when replacing components.
Ensure connectors are securely connected.

Glossary of Network Terminology

IP address (Internet protocol address): A 32-bit ID number assigned to equipment connected to the Internet. It's typically divided into four 8-bit segments and consists of a "network address" (identifying the network) and a "host address" (identifying individual pieces of equipment on the network).
Subnet mask: A 32-bit number that defines which bits of the IP addresses are used for the network address. The network address segment is determined by calculating the logical AND of the IP address and subnet mask.
Default gateway: Equipment (e.g., a router) that acts as a "gateway" to the network. It connects different networks when there's no unique path for equipment to be accessed.
Port number: A sub-address that specifies one of several programs running on equipment identified by the IP address. Port numbers 502 or 1024-65535 are used as sub-addresses.
MAC address: A 12-digit number (e.g., 01-23-45-67-89-AB) registered to identify the device on the network.

Connection Test

This section outlines the procedure to directly connect the IJ Printer to a PC and verify the connection.

Procedure for Connection Test

Directly connect the IJ Printer to the PC with a LAN cable.
Set the network settings of the external unit (PC) by following steps 3 to 6.
On the PC (Windows 10 example):
- Click the Start menu.
- Double-click [Windows System] > [Control Panel] > [View network status and tasks] > [Change adapter settings] > [Ethernet].
- The network connection window will be displayed.
Click [Properties].
Click [Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)].
Select [Use the following IP address].
- Enter an IP address other than 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.255 (e.g., 192.168.0.15).
- Enter 255.255.255.0 in the Subnet mask field.
- Click [OK].
Follow these steps to confirm network connection (Windows 10 example):
- Open the Command Prompt: [Start Menu] > [Windows System] > [Command prompt].
- Type ping 192.168.0.1 (replace with the IJ Printer's IP address if different). This command is not case sensitive.
- A successful ping will show four consecutive replies with bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64.
- If "Destination host unreachable" is returned, communication has not been established. Re-check:
  - Have the communication settings of the IJ Printer been changed?
  - Are the network settings of the external unit correct?

Setting the Communication Environment

Setting the Communication Environment (Overview)

This section details the various settings available for configuring the serial and LAN communication environments.

Setting Item of Serial Communication

Function	Setting Item	Description	Default
State at power-up	Comm. port is OFF	Offline mode when the power is turned on.	Comm. Port is OFF
	Comm. port is ON	Online mode when the power is turned on.
	OFF fixed	Always offline mode; cannot change to online mode.
Communication and signal error	Warning	An external communication error and external signal error are considered "Warning."	Warning
	Fault	An external communication error and external signal error are considered "Fault." The printer does not print even if the product target detector is turned ON.
Baud rate		Sets the baud rate for communication. Eleven settings: 150, 300, 600, 1,200, 2,400, 4,800, 9,600, 19,200, 38,400, 57,600, or 115,200 bps.	4800bps
Data format	Data length	Sets data length (7 or 8 bits), parity bit (none, odd, or even), and stop bits (1 or 2 bits).	Data length: 8 bits, Parity bit: none, Stop bits: 1 bit
Number of comm. bytes		Sets the number of character code bytes for communication (1 or 2 bytes).	1 byte
BCC code handling		Setup can be performed so that no communication error occurs even if BCC code attached data is received.	Disable
Communication mode	Overwrite-protected	No new data will be received until previously received data is printed.	Overwrite-protected
	Overwrite-enabled	New data is received even if previously received data has not been printed. The newly received data overwrites the old data.
Print message Transfer ACK	t=fixed	Time from receiving print description to sending ACK is nearly fixed regardless of transmission volume.	t=async.
	t=async	System is ready to print immediately after returning ACK.
Print spec. transfer Char. height	2 digits	Uses 2-digit data for character height setting ([00] to [99]) transmission.	2 digits
	3 digits	Uses 3-digit data for transmission.

Setting Item of LAN Communication

Function	Setting Item	Description	Default
LAN Function	No use	LAN function cannot be used.	No use
	Tunnel communication	Tunnel communication function can be used.
	Tunnel communication (Output)	Only communication of Special communication function A can be used as Tunnel communication function.
	Modbus communication	Modbus communication function can be used.
	OPC-UA communication	OPC-UA communication function can be used.
	EtherNet/IP communication	EtherNet/IP communication function can be used.
IP address		Sets IJ Printer's IP address. 192.168.251.0 to 192.168.255.255 cannot be set.	192.168.0.1
Subnet mask		Sets IJ Printer's Subnet address.	255.255.255.0
Default gateway		Sets IJ Printer's Default gateway. 192.168.251.0 to 192.168.255.255 cannot be set.	0.0.0.0
Port No		Sets IJ Printer's Port No.	1024
	Tunnel communication: 1024 to 59999 can be set.
	Modbus communication: 502 and 1024 to 59999 can be set.
	OPC-UA Communication: Fixed to 4840.
	Ethernet/IP Communication: Fixed to 44818.
MAC address		Displays IJ Printer's MAC address. A 12-digit number (e.g., 01-23-45-67-89-AB) registered to identify the device. Cannot be changed.	Device-specific and cannot be changed

Operating Procedure for Setting Communication Environment

From the setup menu, press Communication environment setup. The "Communication environment setup (1/3)" screen appears.
On this screen, you can change the on-line or off-line status and configure various serial and LAN communication settings.
Press Next. The "Communication environment setup (2/3)" screen appears, allowing for further configuration of standard communication and buffer functions.

Communication Monitor

Communication Monitor Function

The communication monitor displays the contents of serial communications between the external device and the IJ printer.

Key features:

Up to 3,000 bytes of data can be acquired at a time.
Pressing Start erases monitored data and acquires new data.

Notes on communication monitor:

During monitoring, the response performance of the IJ printer's external communication may deteriorate. Use the communication monitor with sufficient margin in communication timing.

Screen Display (Communication Monitor)

Item	Description
Trans.	Indicates direction: `R` (Receive) for External device → IJ printer, `S` (Send) for IJ printer → External device.
Communication description	Sent/received data displayed in hexadecimal notation. Sixteen bytes of data are displayed per line.
Proc. status	Indicates the current status (monitoring or interrupted).

Function (Communication Monitor)

Item	Description
Start	Starts the communication monitor function and erases monitored information.
Abort	Aborts the execution of the communication monitor function.
Prev./Next	Used to switch to another screen when the amount of information to be displayed is too large to fit on a single screen.
Back	Returns to the setting menu.