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JK edited this page Mar 16, 2021 · 6 revisions

Welcome to the Upcycling POS wiki!

This project describes the use of legacy Vacuum-Fluorescent-Displays (VFD) and receipt printers for new artwork (e.g. steampunk) and stylish computer/server add-ons.

In the wiki-pages you find the technical description to connect and power the devices as well as the needed escape-sequences to control them.

You also find here example source code for PC and Raspberry Pi to communicate with this devices.

Note: no guarantee

Common for VFDs

  • Most displays have 2 lines with 20 characters each (20x2). There are also displays with 4 lines but they are very rare.
  • Typical character heights are 5mm, 9mm and 12mm.
  • Most displays are powered by a single 12 volt power supply. Some accept up to 24 volt. Some are build only for 5 volt.
  • Most displays use a serial port with RS232 (V24) level signals for communication.
  • Many use communication settings 9600 baud 8N1. Also 19200 and 38400 baud are used. This can often set up by DIP-switch or jumpers.
  • Most displays accept directly ASCII/ANSI code to show a character. Typical code pages are 437 and 858. Many can select other code pages (language support) with DIP-switches
  • Many displays use escape sequences according to EPSON ESC/POS to clear display, set cursor, set line wrap and scrolling. There are about 10 other 'standards' available with different escape sequences. In some displays the emulation can be set by DIP-switches.

Common for receipt printers

  • Most printers are powered by a 24 volt power supply.
  • Many printers use a Hosiden-plug with 3 pins.

Exceptions

  • IBM-displays use RS485 and a proprietary protocol. (If someone have the specs, let me now)

Specialties

  • HP-displays use 5 volt
  • Some displays are availible with a USB-connector. Most of them needs a proprietary driver for legacy Windows versions. Some use internally a FTDI-chip (USB to serial converter) which can be used in Windows 10 and Linux (Raspberry Pi). Some use an older Prolific-chip (PL2303) which is not longer supported by Windows 10.

VFDs

Technical details

Display Char. height Specialities
Fujitsu KD02906-1503 / Futaba M202LD12A 12mm no ESC/POS
EPSON DM-D110 5mm
4POS CDV-60 EyeDISPLAY 5mm
HP AP5000 10.5mm 15x16 dot matrix
Siemens Nixdorf BA63 9mm
Jarltech / Glancetron 8034 5mm
Bixolon BCD1100 5mm
PARTNER CD7220 9mm
PARTNER CD6420 9mm 4 lines

Communication

Escape Commands Schematics

Modifications


Receipt printers

Technical details

at work...

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