How to connect a Epson Printer and Cash Drawer to uniCenta POS

Connecting your Epson Receipt Printer

Within uniCenta there is native support for printers with serial interfaces. This allows you to connect a printer without installing a printer driver.

Printer Interface

These instructions assume your receipt printer has a serial interface. The Printer connects to the terminal or computer using a serial cable.
On the printer, the serial interface properties should be set to the default values of 9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop, no parity. More on settings...

The serial interface is the easiest to connect in uniCenta.

Serial Printer Cable

Finding the Right Cable
The most common problem we've had with serial adapters and printers isn't the printer at all - it's the cable! There's a wide variety of connection schemes used to connect a serial printer. The most common is the null modem type connection where the transmit and received lines are crossed.

Null Modem Serial Cable - big connector end to printer, small to computer

Note: The DB-25 cable connector on the printer is a serial connection while the serial interface connection on the back of most computers is not a DB-25 connector but a DB-9 male. The DB-25 connectors commonly found on the back of computers is the parallel interface. This is confusing, but it's the way it is with Epson.

The ION TPS terminal features multiple serial ports with R45 connections. The adapter cable converts the RJ-45 serial connection to DB-9 connection. Plug the adapter cable into the COM1 port if available. Plug the printer cable into the adapter cable. then plug the printer cable into the back of the printer..

uniCenta Printer Configuration

After connecting the printer to the computer you can open the uniCenta configuration section and configure the printer. In unientra the configuration is separate from the main uniCenta POS application.
In this example, we are using a TM-T88 printer connected to serial port, COM1. See the settings for "Printer" below.

Specify the printer type, the mode and the port used for connecting the printer. More on serial port settings...

Once configured the receipt should print after each sale or when you press the "Receipt Printer" button.

Option II - Using a Virtual COM Port Driver

uniCenta works best with printers with serial interfaces. If you don't have a serial connection on your computer or only have a printer with a USB connection you can still use uniCenta by installing the Epson Virtual COM port driver. This creates a virtual COM port on the Windows computer which you can use in uniCenta with your USB printer.

Step by Step instructions...

Connecting your Kitchen Printer

Connecting a kitchen printer with a serial interface is identical to a receipt printer.
Configuration of the printer in uniCenta is show as "Printer 2" above.
In this example configuration we are connecting an Epson TM-U220 printer with a serial interface to the second serial port, COM2.

There are a few extra steps required in uniCenta to able to print orders on the kitchen printer.

Enable Print Button in Resources

in uniCenta the kitchen print button on the Sales screen is disabled by default.
To enable the button , you must modify the Tickets.Buttons file of the Resources section (under Administration, Maintenance).

Scroll down the list of resources on the left till you find the "Ticket.Buttons" file.
Scroll down the file till you fine the "SET Kitchen Print" section of 2 lines.
Enable the button by removing the  at the end of the second line (see above.)
Save the file and restart uniCenta

Verify Print button in Sales Screen

You should now see the print to kitchen button on the Sales screen of uniCenta

Add print to kitchen in stock item

One last step to be able to print to kitchen as to enable the "Print to Kitchen" option on each individual product that you want to print to the kitchen.

Open the catalog
Select the product
Check the "Print to Kitchen" option on the stock tab.
Save the change

You should now be able to print to the kitchen printer when printable items are on the bill by pressing the button.

Troubleshooting your printer:

If you have trouble connecting your receipt or kitchen printer to uniCenta, please try these troubleshooting tips:

Check printer functioning with printer self-test (on Epson printers, turn off power and hold the Feed button while turn the power on)
If the printer is printing garbage, check the settings of the serial interface on the printer
Check to see that the printer is working with this simple command from the windows command line:

If it works, then the printer should print the word 'test'. If it works that means that your printer is working and is connected properly to the computer. If it doesn't print the word then check the printer, printer settings, printer cable, computer port, Windows Device Manager, to see that all the connecting pieces are in place and correct.

If you continue to have trouble, please contact Epson' technical support team or your terminal manufacturer for next steps.

Connecting your Cash Drawer

With uniCenta, you can connect to a cash register to make change for customers and store cash. When you set up a cash drawer with uniCenta POS, it will automatically open when connected to a supported receipt printer for every cash transaction and refunds.

\When you set up a cash drawer with uniCenta POS, it will automatically open when connected to a supported receipt printer for every cash transaction and refund on your iPad.

To connect a cash drawer to uniCenta POS, you'll need to link it to your receipt printer. You'll need the CD-014A APG Multipro interface cable. uniCenta POS supports most standard cash drawers with Epson interfaces (such as APG) that is equipped with a 24 volt Interface.

The cash drawer cord plugs into the back of the printer in the Drawer Kick (DK) port.

The next time you accept a cash payment, your cash drawer will open when you print a receipt or tap the "Cash Drawer" button on the Sales screen,

Troubleshooting your cash drawer:

If your drawer doesn't open when you press the cash drawer icon , please try these troubleshooting tips:

Printer is turned on and working
Check that the cable is plugged both the drawer and the back of the printer
Cable is correct (for APG drawers must be a Multipro type cable)

Installing Your Card Reader
Choose a credit card reader that does keyboard emulation and has a USB interface such as the MagTek 21040145. Simply plug the card reader into a USB port. Windows should install it a a Human Interface device. After installation, you should be able to use the card reader whenever the screen cursor is in the proper position to accept a credit card number. More...

Installing your Barcode Scanner
Choose a scanner that does keyboard emulation and has a USB interface such as the Symbol LS2208. Simply plug the scanner into a USB port. Windows should install it a a Human Interface device. After installation, you should be able to use the scanner whenever the screen cursor is in the proper position to accept barcode number. More...

How to connect Printers and Cash Drawers to uniCenta