Impact printers are a type of printer that create characters and images by physically striking an inked ribbon against the paper. They are known for their reliability, durability, and ability to produce multiple copies of documents simultaneously. Here are the different types of impact printers, along with their functions, features, and common use cases:
- Dot Matrix Printers:
- Function: Dot matrix printers use a matrix of pins to strike an inked ribbon, transferring ink onto the paper. The pins form patterns of dots to create characters and images.
- Features: Dot matrix printers are known for their robustness and ability to handle multipart forms, such as carbon or carbonless paper. They can produce multiple copies of a document simultaneously using an impact mechanism.
- Use Cases: Dot matrix printers are commonly used in environments that require continuous forms or multipart printing, such as accounting, banking, logistics, and industrial settings.
- Daisy Wheel Printers:
- Function: Daisy wheel printers use a wheel-like mechanism that contains characters on its spokes. The selected character strikes an ink ribbon against the paper, producing the desired output.
- Features: Daisy wheel printers provide high-quality typewritten output with precise character formation. They are relatively quiet compared to dot matrix printers but operate at a slower speed.
- Use Cases: Daisy wheel printers were popular in the past for producing professional-looking documents, including correspondence, invoices, and reports. However, their usage has decreased significantly with the advent of newer printer technologies.
- Line Printers:
- Function: Line printers print one line at a time by striking an inked ribbon against the paper. They have a row of characters or pins that span the width of the paper.
- Features: Line printers are known for their high-speed printing capabilities, often exceeding 1,000 lines per minute. They are designed for large-scale printing and can handle continuous forms.
- Use Cases: Line printers are used in applications that require high-volume printing, such as billing systems, mainframe computer output, and data processing centers.
- Band Printers:
- Function: Band printers use a revolving band or drum that contains characters or symbols. The selected character strikes the ink ribbon against the paper, creating the desired output.
- Features: Band printers offer high-speed printing and can produce high-quality output. They are designed for continuous printing and have multiple fonts and character sets available.
- Use Cases: Band printers were commonly used in applications that required fast and reliable printing, such as banking, telecommunications, and data processing centers. However, their usage has diminished with the development of newer printer technologies.
- Braille Printers:
- Function: Braille printers are specialized printers that emboss braille characters onto paper or other suitable materials, creating tactile output for individuals with visual impairments.
- Features: Braille printers use either an impact mechanism or a combination of impact and heat to create raised dots that form braille characters. They often have the ability to produce graphics and tactile diagrams.
- Use Cases: Braille printers are used in educational institutions, libraries, and organizations that cater to individuals with visual impairments. They are used to produce braille books, documents, labels, and other tactile materials.
Impact printers, with their ability to handle continuous forms, produce multiple copies, and offer durability, are still preferred in certain industries that require specific printing needs. However, advancements in non-impact printer technologies, such as inkjet and laser printers, have significantly reduced the usage of impact printers in many mainstream applications.
