Essential Components of Thermal Printer and Circuitry
Thermal Printers are used for heat sensitive printing. They comprise of different components, each one has unique functionality in printing process.
Essential Components of Thermal Printers
All the Thermal Printers have the following essential components, that assemble themselves within the printing machine, so that perfect printing results can be achieved.
Thermal Printhead
Printhead is the most important part of the thermal printer because it contains thousands of tiny elements that print images or text on heating. Actually, when the printhead heated, it melts the tiny elements that print information on thermal paper in black color if the printer type is Direct Thermal Printer. However, if the printer-type is Thermal Transfer Printer, then on heating the printhead, the ribbon ink melts on the thermal paper, and prints the print.
Platen Roller(Rubber Roller)
Platen Roller is present within the Thermal Printer for accurate feeding the paper through the printer and for pressing the paper against the printhead with even pressure so that consistent printing quality can be ensured. It is usually made of rubber and rotates in sync to control the paper movement.
Stepper Motor
Stepper Motor is also present within the thermal printers to move the platen roller in precise steps, so that platen roller further moves the printing paper accurately and smoothly. The speed of the stepper motor can be controlled depending upon the printing task.
Controller Board (Main PCB)
Controller Board within the thermal printer is also called the brain of the printer, because it manages all the tasks during printing process, i.e; from interpreting the print commands to converting data into heating instructions for the printhead. Moreover, it also controls the stepper’s motor timing and paper movement throughout printing process.
Interface/Communication Ports
Communication Ports refer to all the devices/mediums that act as bridge between the data receiving machine and printer. For example, USB wires, Wifi, Bluetooth can be come under this domain, because they are used to connect the device to printer.
Paper Holder/Spool
Paper holder within the thermal printer is used to hold the paper roll, so that it unwinds smoothly by avoiding paper jams. Moreover, it keeps tension so that platen roller can feed paper smoothly.
Sensor System (Optional but Common)
Some printer producing companies prefer to integrate additional sensors to improve the printer’s functionality. Common examples include Paper Sensor that is used to detect either the paper is present on the paper roll or it ended. Cover Open Sensor is used to detect whether the printer lid is open or closed during printing process. Temperature Sensor is used to control the printhead’s temperature, so that damange due to overheating can be avoided.
Cutter
Cutter is usually present in the thermal printers that are used to print receipts, tickets, and labels. It saves the users’ time by avoiding the need of manually tearing the paper. The cutter can be either rotary or guillotine-type.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Power Supply Unit is used to provide necessary power/electricity to all the components within the thermal printer by converting AC power to DC voltage. Moreover, it ensures that stable amount of power is provided so that overheating or anyother damage can be avoided.