Overview 1–9
Line Matrix Printing
Unlike moving–head serial dot matrix printers, the MVP–Series printers
create graphics and characters by printing an entire dot row at one time. Dots
are printed in both directions of shuttle travel, at a printer stroke length of .2”
to print through two character positions. By printing a row of dots, dot matrix
line printers achieve higher print duty cycles than moving head dot matrix
(serial) printers.
During each sweep of the shuttle, hammers are activated to print dots at
selected positions in that dot row. When the shuttle reaches the end of a
sweep, it reverses direction, paper advances one dot row, and the hammers
print the next consecutive row of dots.
After a line of characters is printed, hammer print action ceases while the
paper advances to the first dot row of the next print line. The number of rows
allowed for line separation depends on the line spacing selected.
**
DOT
ROW START PAPER
ADVANCES
PAPER
FEED
PAPER
ADVANCES
SPACE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
*
**
USED FOR LOWERCASE DESCENDER ONLY
USED FOR UNDERLINE AND LOWERCASE DESCENDER
*
**
ONE
CHARACTER
ROW
DIRECTION OF SHUTTLE MOVEMENT
1 HAMMER
PRINT SPAN 1 HAMMER
PRINT SPAN
Figure 1–2. Line Matrix Printing