What are dot matrix printers?

Answer 1

In simple terms - the printer has a vertical line of metal pins - that strike the paper through an ink ribbon, forming the words or images by creating microscopic dots on the paper.

Answer 2

In simple terms - the printer has a vertical line of metal pins - that strike the paper through an ink ribbon, forming the words or images by creating microscopic dots on the paper.

Answer 3

A type of printer that produces characters and illustrations by striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely spaced dots in the appropriate shape. Dot-matrix printers are relatively expensive and do not produce high-quality output. However, they can print to multi-page forms (that is, carbon copies), something laser and ink-jet printers cannot do.

Answer 4

These printers are an early version of printers used for graphic design. They had inked ribbon like a typewriter, and made a dot pattern instead of letters. They were widely used during the 1970's and 1980's.

Answer 5

A dot matrix printer or impact matrix printer is a type of computer printer with a print head that runs back and forth on the page and prints by impact, striking an ink-soaked cloth ribbon against the paper, much like a typewriter. Unlike a typewriter or daisy wheel printer, letters are drawn out of a dot matrix, and thus, varied fonts and arbitrary graphics can be produced. Because the printing involves mechanical pressure, these printers can create carbon copies and carbonless copies. Each dot is produced by a tiny metal rod, also called a "wire" or "pin", which is driven forward by the power of a tiny electromagnet or solenoid, either directly or through small levers (pawls). Facing the ribbon and the paper is a small guide plate (often made of an artificial jewel such as sapphire or ruby) pierced with holes to serve as guides for the pins. The moving portion of the printer is called the print head, and when running the printer as a generic text device generally prints one line of text at a time. Most dot matrix printers have a single vertical line of dot-making equipment on their print heads; others have a few interleaved rows in order to improve dot density.

Answer 6

Usually, continuous, fanfold, listing paper. Though some dot matrix use rubber rollers and can print on A4 single-sheet paper.

Answer 7

pin feed

Further answer

Not necessarily. Any old paper will do unless the machine specifically needs pin feed.