IBM 4400 manual Vertical Page Formatting

9 Vertical Page Formatting

Introduction

The ASCII Emulation includes the standard Electronic Vertical Format Unit (EVFU) for use with the P-Series and P-Series XQ protocols, and a Vertical Format Unit (VFU) for use with the Serial Matrix, Proprinter XL, and Epson FX protocols. Each vertical format unit provides an efficient method for rapid vertical paper movement (slewing) during repetitive printing tasks.

The EVFU is a software controlled vertical formatter. It allows you to preprogram frequently used lines on forms and documents for efficient paper handling in merging operations such as invoicing or payrolling. By flagging each line to be printed, the EVFU automatically slews the paper (rapidly advances the paper) to the identified lines. The EVFU provides 14 or 16 channels to identify up to 192 lines, depending on the paper instruction. The EVFU also allows you to slew a specific number of lines on the form.

General P-Series EVFU Programming Information

A vertical format unit provides an efficient way to move the paper position during repetitive printing tasks. The type of VFU used is a configuration option selected from the control panel. If not used, the VFU option should be disabled from the control panel.

The general VFU programming procedure is:

1.Design a form, determining spacing and channel assignments for each line.

2.Send the programming sequence to the printer. The sequence depends on the type of VFU used.

Some VFUs require the PI signal line normally associated with the Dataproducts parallel interface. Note that data bit 8 of the standard RS-232 interface can also be configured for use as the PI line.

The following information applies when programming and using a Vertical Format Unit:

Elongated Characters—Elongated (double high) characters can be used within VFU programs. The VFU automatically counts one line of elongated characters as two normal character lines.

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