Lauer Starline LCA 300/320/325 Text Display Application Guide

Printer Function (LCA 325)

LCA 325 integrates printer interface, supporting hard copy and message printing functions.

8.1 Printer Parameters (LCAPRO Configuration)

Handshake protocol: NONE, XON/XOFF, RTS-CTS

Baud rate: 1200~9600

Data bits: 7/8 bits, stop bit 1/2 bits, verify NONE/EVENT/ODD

Output direction: UP (last line output first) or DOWN

Initialization string: default "0D 0A" (carriage return, line break)

8.2 Printing Control (B8)

B8.0:0 → 1 triggers the hard copy (printing the current screen content), and after completion, B2.0 sets it to 1

B8.1: Set 1 to enable message printing, and all new messages will be automatically added to the printing queue; Set 0 to clear the queue

B2.1: Printing the logo

B2.2: Printer Ready Flag (valid in RTS-CTS mode)

Message printing adopts a row oriented approach, where variable values are read from the PLC only when the corresponding row is printed, ensuring real-time data.

Explosion proof application (Ex area)

LCA 300/320/325 can be pre configured for Ex Zone 1 or 2 (specified when ordering). Attention should be paid when using Ex Zone 2 (explosive gas only occasionally appears for a short period of time):

The front panel is made of polyester material, which may generate static electricity and can only be cleaned with a damp cloth

The power supply cable, interface cable, and EPROM card must be powered off before they can be plugged in and out

Installation must comply with VDE 0165

Ex Zone 1 requires PTB (German Federal Agency for Physical Technology) certification for use

Quick search for technical parameters

Parameter specifications

Supply voltage 24V DC ± 20%, approximately 300mA

Display LCA 300:2 × 40 characters; LCA 320/325:4 × 40 characters

Character height 5mm, 5 × 7 dot matrix

7 composite function keys+1 Shift key

LED 3 system LEDs+7 key internal LEDs

Maximum message capacity of 1024 messages

The maximum number of pages on the operation page is 256

Idle/Message/Help page, with a maximum of 32 lines per page

Memory 64KB Flash PROM

Variable formats BIT, STRING, BCD, BIN, VBIN, WORD, TIMER, ASCII

Protection level: front panel IP65, rear panel IP20

Working temperature: 0~+50 ℃

Weight LCA 300 is about 450g, LCA 325 is about 950g

Key points and common problems of engineering debugging

11.1 Debugging steps

Install the equipment and confirm that the power supply is 24V and the grounding is good.

Create a project using LCAPRO: Select PLC driver ->Define message text ->Define variables ->Configure printer (if needed) ->Generate data records.

Connect programming cable LCA 733, place the DIL jumper in the PROG position, and display the version number after power on.

Download the project to LCA EEPROM and restore the jumper to AUTO after completion.

Connect the PLC communication cable and observe the ERR LED: if it is constantly on, it indicates that communication has not been established; if it flashes, it indicates that communication has been established but interrupted; if it is off, it indicates normal communication.

Test message triggering, variable display, and editing functions.

11.2 Common Fault Handling

ERR LED always on: Check if the data record is valid, if the communication cable is correct, and if the PLC side interface parameters match.

Display garbled characters: Check if the character set selected in LCAPRO matches the BIOS version (BIOS ≥ 201.4 recommends using international character sets).

Variable display "00" or blank: Confirm that the variable address does not overlap with the message area, and ASCII variables need to be pre-set with non-zero values.

Unable to enter editing mode: Confirm B7.3=0 (operation priority enabled) and press the EDIT key to enter.

Printer not responding: Check if B8.1 is set to 1 and if the handshake protocol and baud rate match the printer.

Invalid data record switching: When switching records in B6.0, communication parameters are always read from record 1, and it is necessary to ensure that the configuration in record 1 is correct.