Printers

Printers

1. Types

   • Inkjet
     • Less expensive and easy to use
     • Uses Ink cartridges
     • Inkjet nozzels
       • Thermal
       • Piezoelectric (uses crystals)
     • Supports Duplexing (printing on both sides)
     • Works by using ink and a printhead through a bunch of tiny holes
   • Thermal
     • Often used for receipts
     • Lasts a long time
     • Uses heat on the printhead to print
   • Impact
     • Uses striking a carbon ribbon to produce images
     • Can print carbon copies
     • Dot Matrix
       • Uses a continuous feed of paper with seraded edges
       • 9 or 24 pins on the print head, determines quality of the print
   • Laser
     • High ppm/quality
     • Uses toner that attaches to the paper after the drum rolls it over
     • Supports duplexing
     • Proccess
       • 1) Processing: Converts data into a printable form
         • 2) Charging: Image on drum removed and prepared for new image
           • 3) Exposing: Laser beams image into the drum
             • 4) Developing: Toner is applied to drum
               • 5) Transferring: Toner is transferred to the paper
                 • 6) Fusing: Toner is permanently fused to the paper and rolled between heated and pressure roller
                   • 7) Cleaning: The toner is cleaned from the drum
   • Virtual
     • Often a print to file/pdf

2. Use with a Computer

   • Connections
     • Ethernet: Physically connects a printer to a network
     • Serial: connection for dot matrix printers
     • Parallel: Allows for data to move quicker. IEEE 1284 standard.
     • USB: Common interface for printers, supports plug-and-play. Automatically detected and starts driver installation.
     • FireWire known as i.LINK or IEEE 1394 connects digital devices like printers, scanners, cameras and hard drives.
     • Wireless: Either connects over a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth.
   • Terms!
     • PPM - Pages per minute
     • CMYK is colors used
     • dpi - dots per inch
     • ADF - automatic document feeder
     • Buffering: Computer can print documents while others are in que
     • Duplex: Printing on both sides
     • Print Spool - Controls queued print jobs
   • Installing and Sharing
     • Make sure correct driver is installed - random characters is often a sign the wrong one is added.
     • Share in advanced sharing settings in command center
       • Make sure sharing is on
     • The wireless adapter supports 802.11 standard

3. Matenence/troubleshooting

   • Use HEPA filtration for laser printers
   • Make sure ink is compatible and not dried out for inkjet printers
   • Clean thermal printers with isopropyl alcohol