The spread of laser printing technology marked a new stage in the development of printing equipment. Against this background, dot-matrix printers have lost their former weight in the market and gradually began to leave entire industries. Especially in everyday use, the advantages of mechanical printing have lost their significance, giving way to more efficient laser methods. Despite this, a number of tasks are still solved by dot matrix printers. The principle of operation of such equipment most often involves the use of shock dot-matrix technology, which gives its unique advantages. The demand for this segment is also supported by the manufacturers themselves, improving equipment in different directions.
Dot Matrix Printer Device
The main functional component is the print head. It consists of levers, a solenoid and a set of needles with springs, which put paint points on the surface of the paper. The supply of a pulse to the solenoid forms a magnetic field, as a result of which a movable core is advanced, striking along the lever with a hinge. Next, the action is transmitted to needles with a diameter of about 0.3 mm. Depending on the model, sets with needles can vary in quantity - on average from 9 to 24 units. The matrix printer head and associated equipment are driven by a microprocessor control system. The same complex regulates the functions of paper moving mechanisms, rollers and articulated elements. In modern models, it is also provided for the presence of sensors that give signals about the presence of ink in the cartridges, the position of the paper carrier, etc.
Power snap function
A stepper motor is usually present in the design . With its help, the movement of the carriage with the head is realized, and the rotor itself can occupy several discrete positions. The supply of an impulse to the rotor winding makes it rotate several degrees, but at specified intervals - steps. The size of this interval is determined by the type of printer and the paper size with which it can work. The control system, in turn, fixes the position of the carriage and determines how many steps and revolutions have been done before. The sensors that dot matrix printers have already been mentioned. The principle of operation of the device assumes that one of the sensors will also control the behavior of the carriage in situations of collision with foreign objects. If a foreign object enters the zone of movement of the head, the engine automatically brakes it. At the same time, the current consumption supplied to the motor also increases. The security of the printer design from accidental damage due to such collisions also depends on the belt drive, which does not allow the carriage to go beyond the boundaries of the normal course.
How does a programmable matrix printer work?
Traditional matrix-based printers operate in accordance with preset modes and, as a rule, focus on printing texts. Program control allows you to perform a wider range of tasks, including reflecting graphic information on paper. The user has the ability to set individual print characteristics through a computer. Today, there are several modes in which programmable matrix printers work. The principle of operation of the device in LQ mode, for example, involves at least 24 needles and allows you to get typographic quality. Models with 9 needles support the NLQ format and are of lower quality. There are also specialized printers designed for printing large format graphic materials.
New technologies
The manufacturers of matrix printers are primarily focused on increasing print speeds and equipment reliability. In particular, a new mode with the HSD system was introduced, which allows you to print large amounts of data at a speed of 480 cps. PSE Expedited Printing Technology is designed specifically for enterprise use. Thus, the Epson printer in the LQ-2190 modification supports this innovative solution by eliminating the need to use bitmap images. This means that the gaps between the columns of the print lines are reduced automatically, while the quality is maintained.
Benefits
In operation, matrix mechanisms exhibit a high degree of reliability. The resource of working equipment allows you to print about 8 million lines without repair support. The print head itself provides about 30 million characters without the need for updating. Moreover, the release of one page is inexpensive, when compared with the same laser printing. In addition, paper for the matrix printer can be continuous, which allows the use of equipment in large printing enterprises. Another advantage of this printing is the possibility of using copy materials. Again, this expands the range of applications for matrix aggregates.
disadvantages
The principal operational difference between dot matrix and laser printers is low speed. For this reason, equipment manufacturers are introducing new technological solutions that increase this indicator. Also, the mechanical principle of applying paint does not allow to obtain a quality that meets modern requirements. But this does not prevent the use of such models in organizations massively issuing tickets, labels, tags, etc. In the process, mechanical equipment and copying tape for the matrix printer can make a loud noise. This is another drawback of the technique. Isolation and noise reduction systems in the design do not always help minimize the unpleasant acoustic effect, but there are successes in this direction of development.
Dot Printer Manufacturers
The leaders in the segment are Lexmark, HP, Kyocera, Panasonic, Samsung and the aforementioned company Epson. Moreover, some manufacturers seek to cover a specific niche. Thus, Kyocera focuses on the discerning consumer, offering elite models designed for long-term operation. Samsung and Epson can be attributed to universal manufacturers, but they also have their own unique manufacturing concepts. For example, the Epson printer actively absorbs wireless communication technologies and modern solutions in terms of implementing control systems. Therefore, these products are valued by ordinary consumers, noting its high ergonomics and functionality.
Conclusion
Matrix printing technology is one of the oldest in the printer segment. Over the entire period of existence, engineers have revised it more than once and have made many changes, but the basic mechanics have remained the same. It also provided the advantages that dot matrix printers distinguish from the general series. The principle of operation, based on needle printing, is one of the most reliable and economical. But on the other hand, it limits the technique for the speed of operations and in some cases does not allow the use of multi-color printing. But the cost of such printers covers many shortcomings. On the market, high-quality models of this type for office use can be purchased for 15-20 thousand rubles.