Purpose of the printer. Types of printers, the principle of operation, maintenance. Paper for printer

Work with information involves the use of different kinds of media. In the modern world, most operations with text and graphics data are made in the computer, but this approach does not cancel the possibility of converting digital materials into a kind suitable for physical handling. In other words, any information from the computer can be transferred to a solid medium. The most common tool for this operation is the printer. This is a high-tech device that can be considered as one of the components of the external periphery of the PC. The main purpose of the printer is to transfer digital information to paper or special polymer film. But this is not limited to his functions.

Purpose and main tasks of the printer

In today's market, there are rarely models that perform only one function of the printer as a means of printing. As a rule, these are multifunctional devices that also realize operations of a copying machine, scanner and fax machine. Another thing is that the main and additional functionality is optimized for computer hardware and is less like traditional machines. So, what does the printer do? Even a budget machine user can print text information in a high-quality manner, as well as transfer images from paper to digital. Actually, this is the basic task for which this technique is oriented.

The auxiliary option can be reduced to the possibilities of applying protective layers on paper (lamination), brochuring (creating bindings), etc. At this stage of development, the printer with the scanner is improved rather not by increasing functionality, but in characteristics of print quality. However, developers give models and new opportunities, from the point of view of organizing the management process. So, technologies of wireless communication between the printer and the computer, automatic control modules and other innovative developments are realized.

Printer device

In the standard version, the printer is a small plastic unit, inside of which there is a tool for printing. Physically, the process of operation is provided by the ink pump, the print head, the drive mechanism and the fixing elements. There are special features of a laser printer device, which also provides an LED strip. Such models operate on the principle of photocopying. A special place in the design of laser devices is occupied by a photoconductor. It is an aluminum cylinder whose surfaces are characterized by increased photosensitivity. Depending on the lighting, this unit can change the electrical resistance - this is based on the ability to transfer images in one form or another due to laser exposure.

A separate place is also occupied by the transfer belt and development unit. In the first case, the ribbon element serves to deposit intermediate images from different drums associated with the ink cartridges. Passing this technological stage, the mechanisms of toner transfer qualitatively transfer the information and onto paper. In addition, the laser printer device is characterized by a more technological implementation of the print head, provided with hundreds of active nozzles. These are no longer linear elements for the supply of paint, but high-precision means of scattering ink droplets.

Varieties of printer

There are more than a dozen types of printers, differing in design and work principle. However, the most widely used are jet, matrix and the aforementioned laser models. These types of printers and their purpose are largely related and similar. Developers of different devices pursue the same goals - obtaining high quality of printing at minimal cost and at the optimum speed. A matrix printer can be called the base one. At home, it is almost not used, but it was the platform of such models that gave impetus to the further development of the segment. The result of technological advancement was the emergence of an inkjet printer. This unit is characterized by high speed of work, the ability to print inks and affordable price. But, with a large volume of such a device does not handle the best way - in any case, its operation for such needs will cost more in terms of costs for consumables.

The laser printer can be the optimal solution in different aspects of the application. The advantages of such a device include high speed, economical use of consumables and stable maintenance of print quality. However, the principle of the matrix printer, which is caused by the impact of needle elements, is even more economical. By the way, it is 24-needle matrix, and not laser printers, that are more often used in working with official documents. But, again, for home use it is more expedient to choose laser models.

Principle of operation of equipment

Now it is worth to learn more about the principles of the operation of printers. Most modern devices work by transferring images through photosensitive elements. It can be directly laser models, and LED. They have much in common, but the working part is formed in one case by the laser, and in the other by the LEDs. In both devices, different approaches to toner transfer may be used. For example, a printer with a scanner in which a two-component development system is implemented is common. In this case, the ink particles intended to move to the photoconductor drum are not held on the magnetic roller of the developing unit independently, but adhere to the magnetic powder of the developer developer. Another principle of work involves the initial mixing of the developer and paint particles. In non-magnetic models, the application is carried out even without the use of active additives - these are the toners that work on the principles of electrostatics.

Gradually go down in history, but, as already noted, in some areas models still working with sets of needles are still used. These are classical matrix devices, powered by electromagnets. The mechanical principle of the matrix printer is based on the function of the head, which moves on a special carriage and controls the work of the needles. The latter through the ink ribbon due to impacts form on the working surface of the image.

Features of 3D-printers

Just a few years ago, a segment of printers was supplemented by a fundamentally new development - a 3D device. Its task is to create high-grade volumetric products, the parameters of which are also set in the computer. Accordingly, and the purpose of the printer of this type is significantly different. If traditional models and laser devices are oriented toward the transfer of text and graphic information, as a rule, to paper medium, then in this case we can talk about transferring the computer model to a real form.

In size, such models often correspond to conventional printers, but their design is much more complicated. The main working component is also a special head, from which the material is layered. It is an extruder that, unlike the same matrix with needles for printing, works not with ink, but with plastics. Typically, the polymers applied to the working area by the nozzle form the target object. By the way, in the construction industry, the industrial purpose of the printer is gradually being mastered, which can build small houses. In the feeding rig the mortar is loaded, after which the machine applies it in a special sequence to the building site.

What kind of paper is used for the printer?

One of the main characteristics of a paper consumable for a printer is the size. The most common format is the A series. In the international standard, this line of sizes is recommended as a medium for standard documentation. If you need paper for a printer used in printing industry, then it is desirable to use material of the B series. Envelopes are more often used for the C formats. The A4 and A4 sheets are the most common for home and office use.

Also, paper is characterized by such qualities as density and brightness. As for the density, it is determined by the mass of one unit of the leaf area. For example, the figure of 80 g / m2 can be called optimal. Paper with a lower density machine can simply chew, and sheets with a larger mass may not pass. If the printer is used for printing with important official documents, then account for the brightness of the paper. It is determined by the percentage - the best quality is white paper with a brightness factor of 100%. But it is more expensive, so ordinary users are more likely to turn to sheets that have 80-90% in the brightness parameter.

Using the Printer

You can work with the printer only if it is securely installed. The device should be located on a flat surface, maintaining stability. It should be taken into account that some models can vibrate strongly during operation, so the stability of the base is very important. Direct control of the functions of the device is carried out using the panel on which the buttons are located. This can be both traditional mechanical and touch keys. Typically, manufacturers designate each button as a symbol corresponding to a particular operation. The equipment can be used both in the stand-alone device mode and in the network component format. In the second case, you need to know the address of the network printer that is being entered into the system. To do this, you should set the task of printing out the characteristics via the equipment configuration parameters. The sheet of paper will reflect both the network address and other important information about the particular device.

Equipment service

Checking the operating status of the printer is of great importance from the point of view of preserving the optimal performance of its functions. Regardless of what the main purpose of the printer is, it is advisable not to leave it for a long time without work. At least once a week, a conventional inkjet device should print 1-2 pages. Otherwise, there is a risk of drying ink, which will lead to serious malfunctioning of the mechanical filling. In addition, it is important to prevent all possible risks of contamination of the housing - especially dust, which can penetrate into the responsible functional parts of the printer.

Most modern models are equipped with automatic systems for monitoring and diagnosing work tools. Through settings, the user can evaluate the condition of the nozzles, their purity and readiness to work. If you use high-quality and format- appropriate printer paper , the operating time will also be extended. A common mistake of owners of the same inkjet models is the use of paper intended for laser devices. In such cases, there is also a risk of clogging the working heads, which inevitably necessitates repair.

Popular Models of Printers

In the segment of inkjet printers for the home, one of the best solutions for today is the modification of Canon's PIXMA G1400. The device by the standards of the budget class is not the cheapest, but this nuance is compensated by the quality of the device. For 9 thousand rubles. You can count on a balanced ink supply system in continuous mode, as well as on decent photo printing characteristics. Among inexpensive laser models, the SP 150w device from Ricoh stands out. The device is compact, optimized design and ergonomic additions - for example, shelves for storing sheets. If you need a printout on the printer in a professional workflow environment, then you can consider the line of Kyocera. The company offers high-tech models specifically for productive work in the office. In particular, the FS-9530DN provides high-quality printing, allowing you to save significantly on ink. True, this model is worth about 100 thousand.

Conclusion

Simplification of physical operations with printers is one of the main directions of development of printing equipment. So, the means of interaction with the device of both the user and the computer are being improved. In terms of technical stuffing, there is also an improvement in performance indicators - this applies to both the working resource and its element base efficiency. But a fundamentally modern printer does not change for printing. We can say that the introduction of laser and LED components of printing has become the last and most successful stage in the development of such equipment in recent years. Manufacturers also learn other ways of implementing functional equipment, but the output is rather experimental or highly specialized products that can not compete with the same laser equipment in a broad market.