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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RearFront

Bottom

TOP

 

 

 

 

 

Friction

No

OK

No

OK

 

 

 

 

 

Push tractor

OK

OK

No

No

 

 

 

 

 

Pull tractor

OK

OK

OK

No

 

 

 

 

 

Push-pull tractor

OK

OK

No

No

Epson FX-870/I 170

6-5