JUST FOR INFO: DOT MATRIX PRINTER WORKING PROCEDURE

A DOT MATRIX PRINTER, also known as an impact matrix printer, works similar to a ribbon typewriter where pressure is applied to an ink source, an ink-soaked cloth ribbon in this case, onto the paper to leave an imprint. The ink transfers to the paper as a dot which combines to form recognizable characters.

There are several printer technologies used in today's home, office and banking printers. Dot matrix printers, known also as impact printers, represent the oldest printing technology, are still the widespread today, grace of it's best cost per page ratio. Dot matrix printers are divided on two main groups: serial dot matrix printers and line dot matrix printers (or simply line printers). In serial dot matrix printers the characters are formed by the print head (or printhead). Such a print head has a number of print wires (pins) arranged in vertical columns and electro-magnetic mechanism able to shoot these wires.

As the printer head moves in horizontal direction, the printhead controller sends electrical signals which forces the appropriate wires to strike against the inked ribbon, making dots on the paper and forming the desired characters. The most commonly used printer heads has 9 print wires in one column (9-pin printheads) or 24 print wires in two columns (24-pin printheads), for better print quality. In some heavy-duty dot matrix printers there are also used 18 wire print heads (18-pin printheads) which have 2 columns, 9 wires in each.

Thanks to Ashutosh Kumar Kaushal