Hi,
for our project we need USB printer support. But if I “google” for this on 4.3 Framework I only get:
Error 404
We’re sorry, but /downloads/man/Library_Documentation_v4.3/html/985a7862-7bf2-662b-7924-314dc94960c5.htm could not be found.
Is this feature cancled in the current Version of the Framework (NETMF and Gadgeteer Package 2014 R2)?
Best regards,
Christian
It depends on a board. What is your device?
We use the G120 Module.
With Version 4.2 of the GHI premium library we develop Paper-Testing machines. We generate reports for statistic values using postscript as printer language and print on Laserprinters.
Now we want change to the 4.3 Framework but I can’t find the USB Printer in the USB Host classes.
You are right there is not dedicated class for a printer USB device.
I guess GHI needs to clarify what is happening here.
@ GHI?
I guess that printer support in general would not be the problem, as long as it is a generic text printer or similar.
But for a regular (modern) printer you need a driver that speaks the language of the printer.
These drivers are usually written by the manufacturer for WDM, MAC and Linux, but not for NETMF devices.
PCL or GS would be a relatively common protocol many printers support, but I guess that implementing these protocols would be quite a challenge.
@ cfi700 - The printer class for USB Host was removed in 4.3. You can attempt to use raw device instead.
I think it is very easy to implement using kit raw access. Maybe we can provide an example on how this is done.
That would be nice.
@ Gus - A small example how to send data to the printer would be nice because all “printer driver” classes for generating postscript reports are done( using the GHI Premium USB-Host printer support in MF 4.2).
This is what we develop with G120 and NETMF (see images):
@ cfi700 - that looks like a really great use for NETMF and the board looks really well put together too. Thanks for sharing. Hope you get your printer issue sorted soon.
@ GHI - We still wait for a small example how to access printer from USB Host.
But why did you remove Printer support on 4.3 at all?
HISTORY:
A couple of months ago our Company decided to choose GHI Premium devices to manufacture our new line of “Testing-Machines” which are not PC-driven.
Our choice for GHI, was based on the rich function-set build in the devices.
We spent a lot of time to implement the software and designing the electronics.
Now, one NETMF Version later a important feature for us is gone.
Which features will be removed in future releases too?
So for a serious company it’s not possible to design devices/machines with NETMF modules.
As a commercial customer, you have the choice to maintain stability by not moving to a new SDK version. I would also suggest you reach out to GHI directly, not via the forum, to discuss the commercial nature of your work - the forum, while for the benefit of all users of GHI technology, is probably not the ideal place to have a discussion about these kinds of issues.
Hi Brett, i can’t understand your opinion. E.g. would you stay on .Net 1.0 (full MF) if you can have generics in .Net 2.0 to 4.5?
What I mean is that it is not only the GHI extension that are important for us. Other things like programming environment are important, too. (Have in mind, we develop also PC-based machines with embedded Windows).
Why would you choose to move to a new netmf version that didn’t have a feature you were relying on ? Is it better to work without generics than something that was deprecated ?
All I’m saying is that you have options - 4.2 is a capable solution and it offers your features, so you don’t need to move off it. 4.3 doesn’t have the feature you’re talking about - so you need a compromise, move forward to 4.3 and manually deal with your printer issue, or stay on 4.2 and deal with anything that you can’t easily do that 4.3 was intended to bring you…
And again, contact GHI - I am sure they will have many options to assist commercial customers to suggest and help de-risk your projects.
@ cfi700 - An example for the printer is still on our list to do. It was removed to due to relative lack of use compared to the other host classes and to allow us to better focus support on the remaining ones.
Been away for some time and just coming back to the GHI products. Would be nice to have this printer example for a current project. Did an example ever get created?
@ Superpanda - which printer are you planning on using?
@ Gus - It’s a direct thermal mechanism from APS. The USB spec is attached. Fully complies with USB printer class rev 1.1.
@ Gus - I should note I was able to connect and seems to work fine so far, I was just wanting a benchmark to look at to ensure I am doing things properly.
-AP