Dot matrix printing

A dot matrix printer produces its print image by setting individual small pixels. Unlike, for example, a daisy wheel printer is a dot matrix printer, therefore, not limited to a fixed character set, but can be any text and graphic print. The term is rarely used as a distinguishing factor, since there is virtually no other method for the computer print more today.

Definition

The term matrix printer (Latin mater: Mother, creator, source or origin, in mathematics or physics usually used for an arrangement or structuring elements, objects, etc. ) can be linguistically or technologically indeed precisely define the use of the term differs but often it from. The term was more often used to in the 80s, to differentiate this graphic grade and almost universal computer printers printing units of conventional design. Classically, the usual letter printing was done mostly on a daisy wheel or ball typewriter. Daisy-wheel printers that were previously estimated because of the high quality of correspondence in offices, were expensive high-end models. Characters devices, such as plotters, were specialized niche products. Thus, the term non- matrix printer was in contrast to the matrix printer not included in the language.

To some extent interchangeably referred to as matrix printer because of their high visibility, dot matrix, only dot matrix printers (and also the earlier low-resolution inkjet printer ). However, this synonymous use is not correct. Matrix print referred to in the proper sense any kind of printing process in the characters, graphics and other elements in the form of a dot matrix are formed what is the case with virtually all of today's commercial printers.

Principle of operation

In the following sub-processes are discussed, which are referred to in common parlance as a matrix printer. You are here exemplifies the general principle of matrix printing method.

This concerns mainly the following types of printers:

• Dot matrix printers and operating according to the same principle, line and page printer
• Ink printer and working with ink printing plotter
• Thermal printer (mainly the most commonly used direct thermal printer )
• Partly also the laser printer and some other printing methods

Pressure

The dot matrix printer uses his image of individual dots together. To this, the printer in the case of the needle and a printhead ink-jet printer on a movable carriage, which is moved horizontally across the paper. The print head has several needles or ink nozzles that can print on the paper point by point. In this way, the image will be put together piece by piece. In a laser printer, the charging of the drum is changed by means of a laser: remain on the drum dependent or not, are transferred to the paper the toner particles. The printhead of a laser printer is not single points, but the smallest unit is defined by a pixel here.

Control

The daisy wheel printer has to be told where the character that is to be printed. Unlike the matrix printer in which each pixel can be controlled - this of course also increases the amount of data that must provide the computer and transmitted. However, since one can assume in practice the assumption that the pressure of texts against the predominant graphics, matrix printers typically have built with pre-stored briefs. In this case, the printer has to be told what font he used, and what character he is to print it, whereas the final elaboration of the character is done the printer side.

Color

With the dot matrix printer, it is also possible to effectively color printing. Contributing to this printer apart from the usual black nor the three primary colors cyan pressure (turquoise ), magenta ( purple ) and yellow, from which by means of subtractive color mixing almost all other colors can be mixed.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages of the matrix printer are its flexibility and graphics capability. In the past, however the print quality was a disadvantage: while a daisy wheel printer offered the usual clear typeface typewriter, individual pixels were recognizable in printing 8 -pin printers.