Types of impact printers need to be considered before one would finally decide upon purchasing a printer device. But first, let us understand what is a Printer and how does it affect our everyday office use. A printer is an external device where the computer data is utilized to result in the desired outputs. This output can be in the form of graphics, images, characters on paper. The resulting ‘prints’ are also known as ‘hard copies’ as one can access the data physically. These are preferred above the VSU or the Visual Display Unit types, as they are the more permanent kind. Printers are further classified into two types: impact and non impact printers. In this article, we will take a closer look into the ‘Impact printer types’.
Before we dwell on the sub-types, let us first understand what are the Impact printers all about. As the name suggests, the Impact printers produce the output results by coming in contact with the paper. Thus, the resulting characters and images are formed as the ink ribbon mechanism hits the paper ‘physically’. By the early ’90s, this printer type had gained massive popularity across all applications, as compared to the inkjet and Laser Printers. The ‘mould’ is usually made of Plastic or Metal, and a printed impact is made on the paper as an output. It was this force of impact that led to the widespread popularity of the Impact printers, as the impressions were deep enough to be formed onto various layers of paper. Now, let us discuss the impact of printers types and how they differ from one another.
The Non Impact Printers Type
Let us take a look at the different impact printer types and how they differ from each other:
The two main types of Impact Printers are:
- Character Printer
- Line Printer
The Character Printer
This printer type works by printing a single character at a time. Quite slow as compared to the other type, they fall in the speed range of 10-600 characters per second. These are further categorized into two types:
- The Daisy Wheel Printer
- Dot Matrix Printer
Daisy Wheel Printer
This is among the best printer types and is also known as the Letter Quality Printer. As the name suggests, this Printer type features a Print Wheel font, also known as the Daisy Wheel. The Wheel comprises numerous ‘petals’ or ‘Hammers’ that incorporate a raised character. The Wheel is powered by a motor that spins it rapidly. As the required character arrives at a position, the Print hammer ‘hits’ it to result in the desired output. The speed of this Printer type ranges between 10-75 characters per second. Though quite fast, these are quite noisy as well. The electronic typewriter generally utilizes this printer type.
Advantages of Daisy Wheel Printers:
- Letter quality characters are printed.
- The output is of fine quality.
Disadvantages of Daisy Wheel Printers
- Quite slow in comparison.
- Is noisy.
- The graphic output is not possible.
- Quite expensive in comparison.
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Dot Matrix Printers
In this printer type, a pattern of dots together forms a character. A Matrix of minute needles comprises the Print Head: 9 Rows with 7 Column. Each character is formed as a result of small dots coming together. The speed of this printer type is 40 to 600 characters per second.
Advantages of Dot Matrix Printers
- This type utilizes continuous paper against single sheets.
- This is the high-speed type.
- Quite Cheap in comparison.
- Can print Graphics and charts.
Disadvantages of Dot Matrix Printer
- Quite noisy in comparison.
- The quality is not as good.
The Line Printers
These are the second Impact printer type and are generally used in the Mini and Mainframe Computers. The Line Impact Printer is used for large-scale volume outputs. As a single line of letters is printed at a time, hence these are known as the Line Printers. The speed of this printer type lies between 300-3000 lines per minute. Due to its rapid speed, it appears as though the entire line is printed at a single go. However, in this type, only a single character is printed at one time. There are two categories of Line Printers:
- The Drum Printers
- Chain Printers
The Drum Printers
As the name suggests, the drum printer comprises a Cylindrical drum, where the characters are ‘embossed’ on top. The mechanism comprises of Print hammer that is attached to each character. The Printer works with the drum rotating; as the required character aligns in front of the hammer, it is activated. The paper is positioned in front of the hammer; as it strikes on the paper along with the ribbon. The ribbon strikes against the embossed character on the surface. Hence the printing is done with a single revolution of the ‘drum’, i.e. an entire single line at one go.
The Chain Printers
This printer type comprises a ‘chain’ like mechanism that is used for printing. The process is quite rapid, where every link of the chain is a character font. The hammers are magnetically driven, and the input for the characters to be printed is placed through the processor. Much like the other Printing mechanisms, the required character aligns on the right position, and the hammer hits the ink ribbon against the paper, and the character thus gets printed upon. This type is quite noisy, and the speed is between 400-24000 lines per Minute (LPM).
Types of Impact Printers: The Conclusion
So, there you have it, people; the impact printer and the examples of impact printers as well. This printer type is widely used for the composite printing type as several pages can be printed in a single go. The Impact printers can also withstand tough conditions and high temperatures. However, this printer type is also quite noisy due to the ‘impact’ mechanism it operates upon. Nevertheless, it does a great job of effectively printing upon hard surfaces like envelopes, labels, and invoices for mailing purposes.