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Elements of Dot Matrix Printing
This chapter is for those of you who want to know something
about how your printer works. It's a simple, non-technical explana-
tion of the basics of dot matrix printing that will help you understand
some of the later chapters.
The Print Head
IX-86
The
vertically. Each time a pin is fired, it strikes the inked ribbon and
presses it against the paper to produce a dot. This dot is about 1/72nd
of an inch in diameter. The size varies slightly depending upon the age
of the ribbon and the type of paper used. As the head moves horizon-
tally across the page, these pins are fired time after time in different
patterns to produce letters, numbers, symbols, or graphics.
For example, to print a pica capital T, the head fires the top pin,
moves 1/60th of an inch, fires the top pin again, moves 1/60th of an
inch, fires the top seven pins, moves 1/60th of an inch, fires the top
pin, moves another 1/60th of an inch, and fires the top pin once more
to finish the letter.
Chapter 3
uses a print head with nine pins or wires mounted
Figure 3-l. A capital T
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