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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

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Topic A

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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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

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Other impact printers

Daisy wheel Band printer

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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

Don’t 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

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Printing on non-paper surface

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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

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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 in3. Power it up4. Windows will likely recognize you’ve

connected a new device and install drivers for it automatically

5. If drivers aren’t 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 (con’t)

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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 in3. Power it up4. Windows will likely recognize you’ve

connected a new device and install drivers for it automatically

5. If drivers aren’t installed automatically, you can do it manually using the materials that shipped with the printer

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Activity C-2

Installing a laser printer

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Printer configuration options

Orientation Collation Copies Quality Color Order Switch print trays Spool settings Some configuration can be done

through buttons on printer itself

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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

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Activity C-4

Troubleshooting laser printer problems

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Topic D

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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Other printer types

Solid ink Dye sublimation Thermal

– Thermal wax transfer– Direct thermal– Thermal autochrome

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PlottersCreate line imagesUse pensOften available in large format for CAD

drawingsDraws smooth lines and curves

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Additional printer types

Snapshot printers Large format printers Art printers

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Activity D-1

Identifying other printer technologies

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Unit summary

Identified features of dot-matrix printers

Installed, used and troubleshot inkjet printers

Installed, used, and troubleshot laser printers

Identified other printer types