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The dot matrix printing method allows a printer to easily form any desired character,
It has a print head that contains 9 needles vertically and can create distinctive char-
acters like with typewriter. In that sense it is one of the key features that the printer
has. EPSON’s MX-82 can control each needle programmably, expanding the ability
of the printer.
See next how the print head works and forms a character.
(1) Dot Matrix Printer
The print head contains 9 “needles” or “wires” vertically. Each dot wire is driven
by an electromagnet which fires when told to do so by the electronics inside the
printer.
Signals from the computer cause the appropriate dot wires to be fired from the
holder and to impact carbon, causing the character to be printed as a series of
dots.
Head
guide
s
s
I
‘2=
.-
c
Dot
wire
Dot
Wire
#l-
0.0..
-0
3
;.*.
Head
movement
-
direction
Dot
Wire
#7
z
:....
Head
movement
direction
Fig. 60 Dot Wires
Fig. 61 Formation of Character “E”
As an example (See Fig. 61) , to print the letter “E”, dot wires 1 through 7 are
fired first. They hit the ribbon. That makes marks on the paper. Then the head
shifts over a bit and dot wires 1, 4 and 7 are fired. In this manner, the character
“E” is formed.
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