Easy loading for thermal printer mechanisms

Seiko has released a new series of thermal printer mechanisms with its trademark "easy operation".

Seiko has released a new series of thermal printer mechanisms with its trademark "easy operation".

The series includes mechanisms from 58 to 112mm paper width, with a variety of print speeds and drive voltages.

Unlike with other mechanisms, the feed (or platen) roller of a Seiko mechanism is separate to the mechanism body.

This allows the designer to engineer the roller into a hinged lid (as in a handheld device for example).

To load paper, the user opens the lid, drops the paper roll in, pulls a couple of inches out and closes the lid, with no feeding, no tangling, no folding a straight edge and no jamming.

Another feature unique to Seiko's range is its patented platen roller design.

This ensures that the roller is always accurately located with respect to the print head, ensuring clear, consistent printing no matter how inaccurately moulded or manufactured the housing is.

This also means that printing remains legible even after many kilometres of print - essential for devices used heavily like data loggers.

Other examples of products using these mechanisms include handheld data loggers, portable credit-card terminals and traffic-warden ticket machines.

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