A line printer is a fast moving chain, metal band or a role which all letters or more times as type (letter in relief) is occur. The chain looks a bit like a bicycle chain. On each link is a type. Each letter comes one or two times. The chain runs horizontally along the paper. A metal band is actually the same but this does not consist of links. The chain or belt runs around two wheels on opposite sides of the print unit are drawn. A role contains on each print position the entire alphabet. The alphabet consists of 100 characters and there are 80 board positions include the role than 8000 types. The role revolves around a horizontal axis. Behind the chain, belt or roll is the ribbon. This ribbon is as wide as the paper rolls and runs above and below the print unit. Behind the ink ribbon is the paper, and behind is a hammer on each print position. The paper moves from bottom to top through the printer unit. The chain, belt or roll around turns. At the time that passes the correct letter, a hammer strikes the paper forward, making the point through the ribbon will print on the paper. All letters of a line is printed, then slide the paper a position. The print is thus formed in the same way as with a typewriter, but the paper against the type instead of the other beaten. The paper should not be too rigid. Depending on the speed of the chain is a line printer 5 to 20 line per second printing. This was in the years 1960-1980 the fastest way to get large amounts of textual information on paper. Line Printers are now fully replaced by industrial lasers and printer ink cartridges.
Benefits
- Fast, reliable and robust
- Able to pass through
Disadvantages
- Very loud
- Only one typeface (a metal belt or chain may optionally be exchanged for a different font)
- Not a pretty result
- Comprehensive, for industrial use only