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XP-500 series model plotter includes XP-500, 501, 510, 511

Check the back of the plotter by the power cord for the 'type'.

The manual or a copy may still be  available.  To order see 'consumables for plotters' at  Consumables and parts for plotters.

In Autocad make sure you are using the right driver. Different models of the XP-500 series support both HPGL and HPGL/2 CAD languages and some support only HPGL. You must use the correct driver with the correct language Emulation for which the plotter is set.

There are basically four things that need to be either set or verified in the plotter.

  1. The COMMAND language emulation for the correct driver.
  2. The proper ONLINE communication parameters for the serial comport you wish to use. 
  3. The "Hard clip" is used to print to the maximum plottable area on the media.
  4. The "Program step" should be confirmed only if your image is coming out exactly 2 1/2 times too large or too small.

To Setup the XP-500 series

Lift the paper lever and use the menu arrow keys to find a "Standby" menu that offers  SETUP.

1)  Locate the choice called COMMAND and when you see the letters "MHGL" blinking press ENTER.

Now you see the word EMULATION blinking at the bottom of the LCD and on the left side the actual emulation is blinking.  

NOTE:  If the menu item you wish to change IS blinking then use the two F keys on the right side of the LCD panel to change within that selection.  If the menu item is NOT blinking then use the F keys on the left side of the LCD panel to rotate around the LCD until the menu item you wish to make changes to starts blinking.   Press ENTER to confirm your choices.  Press EXIT to back out of any menu.

For any plotter in the series using HPGL, any HP-7585 driver should work and the emulation needs to be set to HP-758x (not X).

For the Model XP-511 or 510 they also can use HPGL/2, you should use the Draftmaster RX,MX, or Pro (different versions of Autocad use different names) and the emulation needs to be set to MHGL/2.

If you get to the Emulation choices and can't find MHGL/2 in the choices where you find HP-758x then you must have the earlier 500 or 501 HPGL only plotters.

Remember that these are not Windows System Printer drivers but rather the ones offered by Autodesk. You will not be using our ALLDRV96.EXE at this time.

If you choose a Windows System Printer driver from the Windows choices that Microsoft offers in 'Add a Printer' then try some different variations keeping in mind the importance of HPGL vs HPGL/2.

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2)  The proper ONLINE communication parameters for the serial comport you wish to use.
 
Locate the choice called ONLINE.  Notice that the word at the bottom of the LCD is either one of the default options 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, OR  User Defined.  This choice is not blinking so press either of the F keys on the left of the LCD until it does start blinking.  Now use either of the F keys on the right to select "Default 4".  This will match the communication parameters mentioned in other FAQ documents (9600, 8, N, 1, Xon/Xoff).

3)  The "Hard clip" refers to the size of the drawable area of the paper within the pressure wheels of the plotter.  If the pressure wheels are set to the maximum outside edges of the media then using "Hard clip" EXP (expanded) will allow for the largest plottable area on the media.

Locate the SETUP choice called SPEC.  Notice that the word "Hard clip" is blinking at the bottom of the LCD so use either of the F keys on the right side of the LCD to select through the choices to find EXP. 

4)  The "Program Step" referes to the actual measure of each step that the plotter moves in the front to back (X) direction.   If your image is plotting correctly but is just 2 1/2 times too small OR if it is giving the 'Out of Limit' error but what does plot is 2 1/2 times too large then make this change.

Locate the COMMAND as you did in #1 above.  Notice that the LCD menu offers EMULATION first and it is blinking so press either F key on the right until the emulation on the left stops blinking and the number (.010 or .025) starts blinking.   Once the number is blinking then use either of the F keys on the right to change the number.  Press ENTER to confirm your choice.

Once you have made any of these changes then simply replace the media squarely on the patten area and put the media lever down.  The plotter should be ready to go.

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