Abstract:
In a printer which selectively prints in response to binary coded input character signals, a plurality of rigidly supported, lightweight blades repeatedly strike a continuously rotating helical bar, printing dot patterns. A movable, lightweight coil fixed to each blade respectively and disposed in a magnetic field drives the blade. Logic circuits, which control the hammers to print alphanumeric characters, include a read only memory which stores binary signal sets representing dot patterns to be printed in rows to compose alphanumeric characters. In response to the received binary characters, addresses in the read only memory are selected to compose the corresponding alphanumeric characters. The binary signal sets at the selected addresses are read out to shift registers, one corresponding to each hammer. The signals in the shift register are read serially out of the shift registers and control actuation of the corresponding hammers as they are read out.
Abstract:
In a printer which selectively prints in response to binary coded input character signals, a plurality of rigidly supported, lightweight blades repeatedly strike a continuously rotating helical bar, printing dot patterns. A movable, lightweight coil fixed to each blade respectively and disposed in a magnetic field drives the blade. Logic circuits, which control the hammers to print alphanumeric characters, include a read only memory which stores binary signal sets representing dot patterns to be printed in rows to compose alphanumeric characters. In response to the received binary characters, addresses in the read only memory are selected to compose the corresponding alphanumeric characters. The binary signal sets at the selected addresses are read out to shift registers, one corresponding to each hammer. The signals in the shift register are read serially out of the shift registers and control actuation of the corresponding hammers as they are read out.
Abstract:
A printer forms a three-dimensional object on a rotating substrate. The printer includes a frame that supports a cylindrical member and at least one printhead such that the first printhead is positioned to eject material onto an outer surface of the cylindrical member. The frame is movable between a first position that rotatably supports the cylindrical member and a second position that enables transfer of the cylindrical member to and from the frame. A controller operates the printhead to eject material onto the rotating cylindrical member to form the object. The controller interpolates a periodic signal generated from a position encoder to adjust the operation of the printhead based on the rotational position and velocity of the cylindrical member. The controller operates a driver to move the frame to the second position to enable removal of the cylindrical member from the printer.
Abstract:
A novel printing apparatus comprises a single drive motor, rotational drive force reduction gears, a drive gear fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft and normally rotated by the drive motor through reduction gears, a base frame rotatably support the rotary shaft, a swingable support plate swingably supported to the rotary shaft, a printing drum rotatably supported to the swingable support plate and threadedly engaged with the drive gear, printing web feeding means for feeding printing web to face the drum, biasing means for biasing the printing drum in the direction opposite to the fed printing web, and novel forcible stopping means for preventing the drum to rotate around its own axis to thereby allow the drum to rotate around the rotary shaft against the biasing means while engaging with the drive shaft.
Abstract:
A mosaic printer is provided with a cylindrical rotating drum on the outer surface of which is a raised spiral threading, and a plurality of print hammers in the form of elongated plates is located along the lengthwise edge of said drum, the print medium moved between the drum and the hammers at a fixed speed during printing. Each of the elongated plates is sloped in relation to the axis of the drum, the lower end of the plates, in relation to the movement of the print medium, being directed towards the upstream side of the corresponding movement of the spiral threading, as compared with these plates.
Abstract:
In a high speed printer the hammers are fired by first applying a firing pulse to the hammer and then applying a damping pulse to the hammer as the hammer is rebounding. The damping pulse cancels out the kinetic energy of the hammer and brings it more quickly to rest each time the hammer is fired. The firing circuit comprises a transistor having the hammer coil connected in the collector circuit thereof and a resistance in the emitter circuit thereof. When the hammer is fired the transistor is initially driven into saturation. When the transistor comes out of saturation, negative feedback provided by the resistance in the emitter circuit maintains the firing pulse current constant to the end of the firing pulse.
Abstract:
A printer forms a three-dimensional object on a rotating substrate. The printer includes a first driver to rotate the substrate past at least one printhead at a predetermined velocity and a controller to operate the printhead to eject material onto the substrate to form the object. A second driver is operated to move the position of the printhead perpendicular to the substrate to maintain a predetermined gap between the printhead and the layer of material most distant from the substrate. The second driver is further operable to move the position of the printhead parallel to the substrate to adjust a resolution of the ejected material. The controller interpolates an alternating signal generated from a position encoder to adjust the operation of the printhead based on the rotational position and velocity of the substrate.
Abstract:
A magnetic field structure for printers has a pair of opposed Ushaped pole pieces arranged to form a parallel pair of extended gaps in which high flux density exists. In one embodiment of a dot matrix printer, a single, narrow, vertical blade disposed to strike against raised portions of a drum is pivotally mounted on a carriage which rides along one pole piece. A flat, rectangular coil is disposed in the magnet gaps with one end of the coil connected to the hammer blade.
Abstract:
A printer drive mechanism for a printer including a cylindrical platen and page record mechanism coaxially mounted on the platen shaft. A gear train connects the platen to the page record feed mechanism allowing synchronous but independent rotation of the platen and the page record feed mechanism, with the page record feed mechanism rotating at a slower rate than the platen. A stepping motor is used to rotate the platen, and printing occurs after each step of the motor thereby preventing the printed dot from blurring due to platen rotation or page record advancement.