Finally, You Can Access Printer Data from Legacy Systems

There are thousands of legacy systems still in use today, which continue to be reliant on old dot matrix printers (or early inkjet printers) for producing reports.  Many of these systems, such as a SCADA system, or measuring device, have no means of changing printer parameters; and are limited to printers which understand plain text, or Epson / Siemens/ Printronix/ HP printer codes.

There are various software solutions for converting Epson and HP PCL data to PDF, but you need to get the raw data onto a PC and hope that they have implemented all of the printer ESC code sequences used by your machinery.  As for handling the more obscure printer systems, such as a Printronix P300 or P600, well, you are down to having to write your own printer emulator.

That’s where the Retro-Printer module comes in.

The Retro-Printer software incorporates a whole host of configuration options to allow you to adapt it to any type of equipment.  It can connect to the equipment using either an original parallel port to centronics printer cable, or via an RS232 adaptor. Whether you’re working with parallel port printers, serial data, or legacy software, this solution bridges the gap between old and new technologies.

The in-built software has been developed over several years, using the best in native C programming, to handle almost any printer emulation that you can think of – capturing the data, then converting it to a PDF or PNG for electronic storage, before printing to a modern USB or network printer, thus providing a seamless way to intercept print jobs from older systems and convert them to modern formats.

Custom development services are also available from us, to help you devise an electronic storage strategy for the captured data – for example, output of the captured data to HTTPS, TCP/IP, a SQL database or CSV file are all possible.  We can even parse the incoming data to correct errors in code which cause problems (such as erroneous printer codes, or even Y2K bugs).

So, who will find this most useful?

  • Manufacturing and Industrial Environments: Any business using legacy systems can streamline their workflows and capture print data without making expensive hardware changes.  We have integrated the Retro-Printer into processing plants and various PLC outputs, plus stand-alone equipment, such as measuring tools, bag weighers and optical equipment
  • Software Developers: For those developing applications that require integration with older systems, we can help integrate the data captured from the Retro-Printer with your application to provide the output pre-formatted in a way to suit you.
  • IT Managers and System Administrators: If you’re tasked with managing legacy hardware and need a way to modernize data capture, this tool can help automate and centralize your document processing without compromising security or functionality.
  • Universities: We have helped universities with cataloguing of data from old audio and visual recording equipment – providing a means of capturing the reports generated by the sampling equipment.
  • Hobbyists: For those who still use vintage and retro-computers, the Retro-Printer can be a useful tool – imagine printing off a program listing – no need to type it into a PC, just run it through the Retro-Printer and the access the raw file over the network.  We have also helped a wide range of other hobbyists, for example pigeon racing computers and watch timers.

How the Retro-Printer Works

At its core, the Retro-Printer acts as a virtual printer. It captures print data that would otherwise go to an old dot matrix or parallel port printer, intercepts it, and converts it into modern formats:

  1. Capture Data from Legacy Systems: The Retro-Printer doesn’t require any special configuration of the legacy systems. It just hooks into the print stream, captures the data, and stores it in the desired format.
  2. Output to PDF or PNG: Once the data is captured, it’s converted into a PDF, PNG, or another chosen format (even plain text). You get an exact replica of the printed document, but in a digital form that’s easier to store, share, and manage.
  3. No Need for Additional Hardware: Since it works with existing printer ports, you don’t need to buy new printers or hardware. This reduces your overall costs and ensures your legacy equipment continues to function without modification.  You can print to existing network or USB printers that you use with other systems.

Key Features You Should Know About

What sets the Retro-Printer apart from other solutions? Here are a few key features that make this module stand out:

  • Supports A Wide Range of Printer Formats: Whether it’s PCL, PostScript, Epson, IBM ProPrinter, Apple, Printronix, Siemens or Tandy, the Retro-Printer can handle a wide range of print data formats.
  • Automation: You can set up the software to automatically capture and convert print jobs, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
  • Customizable Workflow: If you’re a developer, you can tailor the software to fit specific workflows, by working alongside us to create an output stream which you can easily integrate.
  • Legacy System Compatibility: Most importantly, this software works with older operating systems and hardware, without requiring a system overhaul or major changes.
  • High-Quality Conversion: The captured files maintain the quality of the original printout, ensuring that all documents look as they should.

Real-World Example: Capturing Data from Bag-Weighers

Imagine a company who fill bags with coal and wood pellets.  They were using multiple types of bag weighers and need to keep a constant printout of the weight of each bag, and average weight over a production cycle.  They had 4 machines connected to various Epson dot matrix printers, and 3 more machines which needed a printer.  Unfortunately, the environment is dusty and as you can imagine, the dust gets into the printers and causes problems with stuck paper, non-printing and more.  At the point we were asked to assist, there were only 2 working printers and they had to be taken apart each week to give them a full clean.  One line was set up to use printers connected via Current Loop (Epson LX-400) and the other line was connected to a later Epson LX-300 II printer via RS232.

The other weigher machines did not have any printers connected and needed to be wired up to output data.

The requirement was to move away from physical printers to avoid the issues above and to record the data electronically, saving both time and resources (plus mountains of paper). This scenario is quite common in industries where older systems are still in use, but the need for digital records is critical. The company needed a solution that would:

  • Capture the print jobs generated by the each of the bag weighers.
  • Convert the print data to CSV file for digital storage – allowing it to be accessed remotely.
  • Integrate the solution into their existing setup without disrupting operations.

Now we admit that we had some issues resolving the Current Loop Epson LX-400 setup as there was no documentation available for the weigher machine (with a Simon Richard Computapak II controller), and Epson would not provide details on the option serial comms module which had been installed inside the Epson LX-400 printer.  We however, managed to find a workable solution for this, to enable us to connect the Retro-Printer module.

The other machines were easier, as they either supported RS232 or RS422 printer output – so it was just a case of making up the required cables and getting an RS232 or RS422 to USB adapter in order to connect the Retro-Printer.

The Retro-Printer Module then intercepted the print jobs from the current loop circuit, converted the data to CSV, and saved the files to a network drive for easy access.

The result? Only a small amount of new wiring needed to connect the Retro-Printer module, no changes to the weigher machines,  no software rewrites, and the same validated system was able to work seamlessly with modern document management practices.

Making Your Life Easier

When you’re dealing with legacy systems, the last thing you want is a complicated, time-consuming process to upgrade or integrate new technologies.   You certainly do not want to replace a large piece of equipment or a processing line, just because you can no longer get a suitable working printer.  The Retro-Printer module makes it easy to:

  • Automate Document Capture: Set up the Retro-Printer to automatically capture and convert print data. No more manual intervention or complex workflows.
  • Digitize Old Documents: Converting print data from legacy systems to modern formats means you can store documents electronically, improving access and reducing physical storage needs and of course helping reduce the amount of trees cut down to make paper.
  • Save Time and Effort: The Retro-Printer captures print jobs in real time, so there’s no delay in processing.

Core Advantages of Using the Retro-Printer

  • No Need for Hardware Changes: Keep your existing printers and systems running without needing to replace equipment or software updates.
  • Seamless Integration: The Retro-Printer software allows for a range of different outputs and our friendly team of engineers can help you to integrate the captured output into existing applications, making it a powerful solution for custom workflows.
  • Support for Multiple Formats: Whether you need PDFs, PNGs, or plain text data, the Retro-Printer handles all of them with high-quality conversions.
  • Cost-Effective: By reducing the need for new hardware or expensive upgrades, this tool saves you money in the long run.
  • Ability to Customise the Software: We can create new printer emulators or help identify how older output can be modified to overcome issues (such as where the output from a machine is non-compliant with the actual printer standards).  For example, one customer had an issue where their machine issued a negative movement command, whereas the actual standard stated that the movement could only be positive, so the command was swapped for one which supports negative movement.

Use Cases for the Retro-Printer

Here are a few scenarios where the Retro-Printer would be the perfect solution:

  • Old SCADA Systems: Capturing and converting print data from legacy SCADA systems in industrial settings.
  • POS Systems: Capturing print data from point-of-sale systems that use specialized parallel port or serial port printers.
  • Manufacturing Plants: Converting printouts from old dot matrix printers in production environments into electronic files.
  • Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries: Converting legacy printouts from pharmaceutical machines into PDF for record-keeping and compliance.
  • Ticketing Systems: Capturing and converting print data from legacy ticketing systems to digital formats for easy access and storage.

We have created a list of the known working systems which have been integrated with the Retro-Printer module.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try The Retro-Printer Module?

For anyone dealing with legacy print systems, the Retro-Printer is a game-changer. It allows you to seamlessly capture print jobs, convert them into modern formats, and integrate them into your digital workflows. It is ideal if you’re dealing with legacy systems that still rely on old printers, but you need a more efficient way to handle and store the data.

Ready to give it a try? Order your Retro-Printer Module on line, or send us an enquiry if you need any more details.

Custom Development Services by RWAP Software

As the team behind the Retro-Printer module, RWAP Software offers custom development services for a wide range of products and technologies, ensuring you get the exact solution you need. Whether you’re working with Linux, macOS, or Windows systems, or need help with integrating specific workflows, we can tailor the Retro-Printer module to fit your needs.

If you need a specific solution or have a custom request, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team for more details.

FAQs

1. What types of printers can the Retro-Printer work with?

The Retro-Printer supports a variety of printer formats, including PCL, PostScript, Epson, Printronix and more. It works with dot matrix, thermal, and other legacy printers (centronics or serial printers).

2. Can I automate the capturing of print jobs?

Yes, the Retro-Printer allows for automatic capturing of print jobs, streamlining the process without manual intervention.

3. How does the Retro-Printer handle legacy systems?

It works by intercepting print data directly from legacy systems, without the need for major changes or updates to the existing setup.

4. Is the captured data saved in high quality?

Yes, the Retro-Printer software ensures that the captured print data is saved with high resolution, ensuring the document quality is preserved.

5. Can I convert print data into multiple formats?

Yes, the Retro-Printer software allows you to convert print data into formats such as PDF, PNG, plain text, and more.