InkJet and InkJet and Thermal PrintersThermal Printers

Inkjet IntroductionInkjet Introduction

InkJet Printing came about in the InkJet Printing came about in the late 1980’slate 1980’s

Have become the replacement Have become the replacement printer for the Serial Dot Matrix in printer for the Serial Dot Matrix in the homethe home

Two Main Reasons:Two Main Reasons: PricePrice Color capabilitiesColor capabilities

How it WorksHow it Works

Produce characters by squirting a precisely Produce characters by squirting a precisely controlled amount of ink onto the papercontrolled amount of ink onto the paper

Dots are extremely small usually 50-60 Dots are extremely small usually 50-60 microns in diameter (Human Hair approx 70 microns in diameter (Human Hair approx 70 microns)microns)

Dots are placed very precisely on the paper Dots are placed very precisely on the paper in a pattern up to 1440 x 720 dots per inchin a pattern up to 1440 x 720 dots per inch

Dots can be different colors and can be of Dots can be different colors and can be of photographic qualityphotographic quality

The PrintheadThe Printhead Printhead contains a series of Nozzles Printhead contains a series of Nozzles

that put the ink on the paperthat put the ink on the paper

Ink CartridgeInk Cartridge

Variety of cartridges depending on Variety of cartridges depending on the Manufacturer of the printerthe Manufacturer of the printer

Multi color in one cartridge Multi color in one cartridge Single color in one cartridgeSingle color in one cartridge Cyan, Magenta and YellowCyan, Magenta and Yellow Some cartridges include the Some cartridges include the

printheadprinthead

Heat vs VibrationHeat vs Vibration

Two basic methods of Two basic methods of printing using an inkjet printing using an inkjet printerprinter

ThermalThermal PiezoelectricPiezoelectric

ThermalThermal

Used mostly by Canon and Hewlett Used mostly by Canon and Hewlett PackardPackard

Also called Bubble JetAlso called Bubble Jet Tiny resistors create heatTiny resistors create heat The vaporized ink creates a bubble The vaporized ink creates a bubble

which pushes the ink onto the paperwhich pushes the ink onto the paper Typical Bubble Jet has 300-600 Typical Bubble Jet has 300-600

nozzles that can fire simultaneouslynozzles that can fire simultaneously

PiezoelectricPiezoelectric

Patented by EpsonPatented by Epson Uses Piezo Crystals at the back of Uses Piezo Crystals at the back of

the ink chamberthe ink chamber An electrical charge causes the An electrical charge causes the

crystal to vibratecrystal to vibrate Crystal vibrates inward forcing ink Crystal vibrates inward forcing ink

out of the nozzleout of the nozzle Typically 128 nozzlesTypically 128 nozzles

SpeedSpeed

InkJet printer are NOT known for InkJet printer are NOT known for their speedtheir speed

May be able to printer up to 16 PPM May be able to printer up to 16 PPM in blackin black

Usually takes a couple of minutes to Usually takes a couple of minutes to print a color pageprint a color page

Thermal PrintingThermal Printing

Two TypesTwo Types Direct Thermal PrinterDirect Thermal Printer Thermal Wax TransferThermal Wax Transfer

Direct Thermal TransferDirect Thermal Transfer

Printhead is a heating elementPrinthead is a heating element Special Paper that reacts to heatSpecial Paper that reacts to heat Head is passed over paper and Head is passed over paper and

heated at the exact moments heated at the exact moments required to form lettersrequired to form letters

First Faxes used Direct Thermal First Faxes used Direct Thermal PrintingPrinting

Now used in POS devicesNow used in POS devices

Thermal Wax TransferThermal Wax Transfer

Utilizes a wax based ink that Utilizes a wax based ink that adheres to the paper during the adheres to the paper during the heating processheating process

Wax Sheet is same size of paper Wax Sheet is same size of paper being printed onbeing printed on

A wax sheet for each colorA wax sheet for each color High quality but usually very High quality but usually very

expensiveexpensive

Printing ReviewPrinting Review

4 Methods of Printing4 Methods of Printing 6 Common parts of Printers6 Common parts of Printers Know which are impact printersKnow which are impact printers Know the parts of a laser printerKnow the parts of a laser printer Know specifics of each style of Know specifics of each style of

printerprinter Know history of printingKnow history of printing Know speed of different printersKnow speed of different printers

Printing Review Cont’dPrinting Review Cont’d

Know how characters are formed in Know how characters are formed in each method of printingeach method of printing

Know which printers can print Know which printers can print graphicsgraphics

Know quality of print from each Know quality of print from each printer typeprinter type