Printers

1
Printers

• Unit objectives
• Identify features of dot-matrix printers
• Install, use, and troubleshoot inkjet printers
• Install, use, and troubleshoot laser printers
• Identify other printer types

2
Topic A

• Topic A Dot-matrix printers
• Topic B Inkjet and related printer technologies
• Topic C Laser printers
• Topic D Other types of printers

3
Dot-matrix printer

• Impact printer
• 9 or 24 pin print head
• Various size and shape ribbon cartridges
• Tractor feed and friction feed
• Serial or parallel connections

4
Other impact printers

• Daisy wheel
• Band printer

5
Dot-matrix printer issues

• Print head
• Ribbon
• Overheating
• Paper jams
• Other problems
• Printer drivers
• Error messages
• Memory
• Configuration
• Connections
• Print quality

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Options and upgrades

• Paper park
• Input and output trays
• Font cartridge slots
• Paper cutters

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Activity A-1
Examining the dot-matrix print process
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Topic B

• Topic A Dot-matrix printers
• Topic B Inkjet and related printer technologies
• Topic C Laser printers
• Topic D Other types of printers

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An inkjet printer
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Inkjet process

• Thermal bubble technology
• Piezoelectric technology
• Ink cartridges
• Dithering
• Print heads

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Inkjet printer cartridges
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Inkjet cartridge print heads
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Inkjet print quality

• Affected by
• DPI of the printer
• Quality of the paper
• Quality of the ink if printed page gets wet

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Straight-through paper path
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Curved paper path
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Inkject photo printers

• Dont hold up as long as traditional, chemically
  produced dark-room photos
• Special paper required
• Use regular paper lower quality prints
• Can print on non-paper items

17
Printing on non-paper surface
18
Activity B-1
Examining how inkjet printers work
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Inkjet printer installation

• Connect via USB
• Windows autodetects and installs drivers
• Can install additional software from manufacturer

20
Ink level utility
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Printer interfaces

• USB
• Parallel
• SCSI
• Serial

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Inkjet communications interfaces
Parallel interface
USB interface
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Configure connection type

• SCSI assign a unique device ID
• Parallel Specify the correct LPT port
• Serial Specify the correct COM port

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Parallel port in Device Manager
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Installing an inkjet printer

1. Connect the printer to a computer using the
   correct interface
2. Plug it in
3. Power it up
4. Windows will likely recognize youve connected a
   new device and install drivers for it
   automatically
5. If drivers arent installed automatically, you
   can do it manually using the materials that
   shipped with the printer

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Activity B-2
Installing an inkjet printer
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Inkjet printer maintenance

• Consumables
• Paper
• Ink levels
• Color matching
• Environment
• Safety

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Optimization

• Paper trays/orientation
• Print spool settings

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Troubleshooting

• Acquire information about the problem
• Simplify by removing any non-critical components,
  shut down unnecessary running programs, and
  disconnect from the Internet or network.
• Implement by identifying probable causes and
  implementing potential solutions one at a time.
• Document the error symptoms, the components you
  removed from the computer, and the solutions you
  tried and whether they were successful.

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Inkjet problems

• Cost of consumables
• Nothing prints
• Poor print quality or stray lines
• Paper jams

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Activity B-3
Troubleshooting inkjet printer problems
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Topic C

• Topic A Dot-matrix printers
• Topic B Inkjet and related printer technologies
• Topic C Laser printers
• Topic D Other types of printers

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Laser printer
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Laser printer components

• Toner cartridge
• Laser scanning assembly
• Power supplies
• Paper control and transport assembly
• Transfer corona assembly
• Fusing assembly
• Electronic control package

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Toner cartridge
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Laser scanner assembly

• Laser
• Mirror
• Lens(es)

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Laser print process

• Charging or conditioning
• Writing or exposing
• Developing
• Transferring
• Fusing
• Cleaning and erasing

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Laser print process (cont)
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Activity C-1
Examining how laser printers work
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Unpacking

• Toner is removed
• Gently roll toner cartridge side to side
• Install drum
• Remove styrofoam from toner area
• Remove packing tape
• Install toner cartridge

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Laser printer interfaces

• Parallel
• SCSI
• USB
• Serial
• IEEE 1394/Firewire
• Wired or wireless Ethernet network
• Infrared ports

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Communications interfaces
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Install a laser printer

1. Connect the printer to the network or a computer
   using the correct interface
2. Plug it in
3. Power it up
4. Windows will likely recognize youve connected a
   new device and install drivers for it
   automatically
5. If drivers arent installed automatically, you
   can do it manually using the materials that
   shipped with the printer

44
Activity C-2
Installing a laser printer
45
Printer configuration options

• Orientation
• Collation
• Copies
• Quality
• Color
• Order
• Switch print trays
• Spool settings
• Some configuration can be done through buttons on
  printer itself

46
Activity C-3
Configuring a Windows printer
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Laser printer problems

• Safety issues
• Paper jams
• All or nothing
• Partial prints and smudges
• Repeating marks and stray marks
• Garbage prints

48
Activity C-4
Troubleshooting laser printer problems
49
Topic D

• Topic A Dot-matrix printers
• Topic B Inkjet and related printer technologies
• Topic C Laser printers
• Topic D Other types of printers

50
Other printer types

• Solid ink
• Dye sublimation
• Thermal
• Thermal wax transfer
• Direct thermal
• Thermal autochrome

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Plotters

• Create line images
• Use pens
• Often available in large format for CAD drawings
• Draws smooth lines and curves

52
Additional printer types

• Snapshot printers
• Large format printers
• Art printers

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Activity D-1
Identifying other printer technologies
54
Unit summary

• Identified features of dot-matrix printers
• Installed, used and troubleshot inkjet printers
• Installed, used, and troubleshot laser printers
• Identified other printer types