IBM Support

How to Make a Spooled File Continue Printing From Another Drawer When First Drawer Runs Out Of Paper

Question & Answer


Question

Is there a way to make a spooled file to continue printing from another drawer when the first drawer runs out of paper?

Cause

When printing on a printer that has multiple drawers, the printer doesn't always continue printing from the next drawer when the first drawer runs out of paper.  Both drawers have the same size and type of paper loaded.

Answer

The function of automatically switching to the next drawer when the first drawer runs out of paper is technically a hardware feature.  The feature might be enabled either through a menu setting or by configuring and loading the same size and type of paper in the drawers.  Refer to the hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer for details. 
NOTE:  The hardware documentation might refer to drawers as trays or input trays.
Though, there might be some settings that can be changed in a Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST) that might help.  
The following information is hardware-dependent.  If the manufacturer of your printer is not listed, try each method to see whether it works for your specific printer.
For instructions on modifying a Workstation Customizing Object, refer to the following document:

Instructions for Modifying a Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST):  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/683095

Caution: These instructions are provided as is. Any assistance with editing the Workstation Customization Object must be done through IBM i Customized Services:  http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=nas8N1021786
For Ricoh and Canon printers:
Change the DATA for the :DWRSLT (Drawer Select) tags for DRAWER=PAPER, DRAWER=DRAWER1 and DRAWER=DRAWER2 in the Workstation Customization Object (WSCST) source to be '1B266C3048'X.   If there is a drawer table in the WSCST source you retrieved, you might need to make the same changes.  Look for the :ADDDRWTBL. and :ADDDRWTBLE tags.
For example:
:DWRSLT                   
  DRAWER=PAPER            
  DATA ='1B266C3048'X.    
:DWRSLT                   
  DRAWER=ENVELOPE         
  DATA ='1B266C3668314F'X.
:DWRSLT                   
  DRAWER=DRAWER1          
  DATA ='1B266C3048'X.    
:DWRSLT                   
  DRAWER=DRAWER2          
  DATA ='1B266C3048'X.    
For Sharp printers:
Sharp has stated that if the drawer selection is being sent in the data stream, it disables the 'automatic tray switching' feature on the hardware.  If the Form Feed for the LAN printer device description is set to *AUTOCUT, then the drawer selection is sent.  To prevent the drawer selection from being sent, comment out or remove the :DWRSLT tags for DRAWER=PAPER, DRAWER=DRAWER1 and DRAWER=DRAWER2 in the Workstation Customization Object (WSCST) source.  If there is a drawer table in the WSCST source you retrieved, you might need to make the same changes.  Look for the :ADDDRWTBL. and :ADDDRWTBLE tags.
For example:
NOTE:  /* indicates beginning of comment, */ indicates end of comment
NOTE2:  Optionally, comment out or remove the DWRSLT tag for DRAWER=ENVELOPE

/* :DWRSLT                  */
/*   DRAWER=PAPER           */
/*   DATA ='1B266C3248'X.   */
   :DWRSLT                    
     DRAWER=ENVELOPE          
     DATA ='1B266C3668314F'X. 
/* :DWRSLT                    
/*   DRAWER=DRAWER1         */
/*   DATA ='1B266C3148'X.   */
/* :DWRSLT                  */
/*   DRAWER=DRAWER2         */
/*   DATA ='1B266C3448'X.   */

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU058","label":"IBM Infrastructure w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SWG60","label":"IBM i"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF012","label":"IBM i"}],"Version":"All Versions","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB57","label":"Power"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
18 February 2020

UID

ibm12801529