Do you ever stop to think about the fascinating technology behind the printers that produce all those documents and photos we take for granted? Well, if you're curious about how these machines work, buckle up because we're diving into the world of impact and non-impact printers.
Whether you've heard of these terms before or they sound like gibberish, don't worry - by the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of the difference between them. Get ready to discover how physical contact between the printing mechanism and paper can make all the difference in print quality and speed.
Understanding Impact Printers
An impact printer is a type of electromechanical impact device that functions by making a direct mechanical impact on the paper to produce images or text. Types of impact printers include daisy-wheel printers, ball printers, and dot matrix printers. A defining feature of these printers is that impact printers operate by striking an inked ribbon against the paper, transferring the ink.
For instance:
Daisy-wheel printers: They function similarly to typewriters. Each letter is embossed on a spoke on a wheel (the "daisy-wheel"), which rotates to strike the chosen letter against an ink ribbon, creating an imprint on the paper.
Ball printers: This type of impact printer uses a spherical ball with characters on its surface to hit an inked ribbon, thereby producing characters on paper.
It's clear that impact printers rely on the physical, often noisy due to the mechanical impact of the print head on the paper. While impact printers are suitable for certain applications, such as creating multiple carbon copies, their mechanical nature makes them noisier than their non-impact counterparts.
Unveiling Non-Impact Printers
On the other side of the spectrum, a non-impact printer is an output device that doesn't rely on a mechanical impact to transfer ink to paper. Types of non-impact printers include inkjet and laser printers, as well as dye-sublimation printers.
For example:
Inkjet Printers: The mechanism of an inkjet printer revolves around spraying tiny droplets of ink onto paper.
Laser Printers: These printers use toner and have a cylindrical drum that helps in printing. A laser draws the desired image or text on a photosensitive drum, and then toner is fused onto the paper.
Dye-Sublimation Printers: A type of printer that uses heat to transfer dye to materials.
Non-impact printers operate more silently, making them more suitable for quiet workspaces. Moreover, non-impact printers produce figures with high precision and are generally faster than impact printers.
Key Differences Between Impact and Non-Impact Printers
The foremost difference between impact and non-impact printers is that impact printers print by physically striking the paper, while non-impact printers produce images without direct contact. Here are the highlighted contrasts:
Noise Level: Due to the mechanical nature of impact printers, these printers are noisy. In comparison, non-impact printers are quieter than impact printers.
Speed: Non-impact printers offer faster printing speeds, largely because they don't rely on the mechanical impact device used in impact printers.
Quality: While impact printers produce images that are often less detailed, non-impact printers generate images with precision and clarity.
Maintenance: Due to the mechanical impact of the print head, impact printers require more frequent maintenance.
Mechanism of Printing:
- Impact Printer: As the name suggests, impact printers work by physically striking an inked ribbon against the paper to produce an image. The impact transfers ink from the ribbon to the paper.
- Non-Impact Printer: These printers don’t use a striking mechanism. They use other techniques like thermal, inkjet, or laser technology to place the image onto the paper.
Use Cases:
- Impact Printer: Useful for multi-part forms like carbon copy paper because they can transfer the impact through several layers of paper.
- Non-Impact Printer: More common for everyday printing needs, from personal use to high-quality business reports and photos.
Cost:
- Impact Printer: Typically has a lower upfront cost but might have higher maintenance costs over time, especially for older models.
- Non-Impact Printer: Prices vary greatly. Inkjets can be inexpensive upfront but have higher ink costs. Laser printers might be pricier upfront but can be more cost-effective for volume printing.
Conclusion
In the modern era of printing, it's evident that non-impact printers dominate in terms of speed, quality, and noise levels, thanks to advancements in technology like the mechanism of inkjet and dye-sublimation printers.
However, impact printers are still relevant in specific scenarios, offering unique advantages due to their mechanical nature. When deciding between impact vs non-impact printers, understanding their key differences, and considering your specific requirements will guide you to the right choice.