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Principles of Operation
Paper Handling Mechanisms
During normal operation, paper is fed to the printer, advanced to the specified position, and ejected
from the printer. These paper handling operations are performed by various paper handling
mechanisms, such as the tractors, platens, rollers, and gears. This section describes the printer’s
paper handling mechanisms.
Paper Feed Mechanisms
Cut sheets are fed by friction.
Continuous paper is fed by a tractor. There are three ways to feed
paper with tractors: the push tractor method, the pull tractor method, and the push-pull tractor
method. During normal operation, the printer is set up with only one tractor, which functions as
either a push or a pull tractor, depending on where it is attached on the printer. To use the push-
pull tractor feed method, an optional tractor must be attached.
There are four paper entrances for feeding paper into the printer.
Different paper entrances are
used for different types of paper.
Table 6-1 lists which paper paths can be used with each paper
feed method.
Table 6-1. Paper Feed Methods and Paper Entrances
Paper Entrance
Paper Feed Method
Rear
Friction
No
Push tractor
OK
Pull tractor
OK
Push-pull tractor
OK
Front
OK
OK
OK
OK
Bottom
No
No
OK
No
TOP
OK
No
No
No
Epson
FX-870/I
170
6-5