Fujitsu FTP-628 Series User manual

1
This document explains an ultra-compact thermal
printer which uses our unique platen release
mechanism.
■TYPES OF PRINTERS
Printer types are largely classified into a letter and dot
printer in terms of character configuration, and into a
non-impact and impact printer in terms of the printing
mechanism. Non-impact type printers include thermal
type, inkjet type and electro-photographic type. Impact
type printers include letter type and wire dot type. A
printing unit is classified into serial, line and page.
Thermal printers have thermo-sensitive types and
heat transfer types.
Fujitsu Components' printer explained here is a
thermo-sensitive line printer. The major features of
this printer follow.
ULTRA COMPACT THERMAL PRINTERS
(1) Compact, light weight
Configuration is simple, compact and light weight.
(2) Low noise
Noise is low because it is a non-impact type which
prints without mechanical impact.
(3) High-speed and high quality printing
High quality images can be printed at high-speed
because of a line dot system where printing is
performed in one line units by a fixed print head.
(4) Maintenance free
Such consumables as ribbon, tape, ink and toner
are unnecessary. Thermo-sensitive paper alone is
required.
FTP-628 SERIES
Character configuration Printing mechanism andtypePrinting unit Intendeduse
Printer ALetter Impact Letter typeSerialECR, calculator
Line Large computer
Dot Impact Wire dot typeSerialPersonalcomputer,wordprocessor
Line Large computer
Line Large computer
Non-Impact ThermalSerialPortable wordprocessor
Line POSticket issuer
Thermo-
sensitive
SerialPortable wordprocessor
Line POSticket issuer
Heat
transfer
Inkjet SerialWordprocessor
Electro-
photo-
graphic
Laser Page Wordprocessor
LEDPage Wordprocessor
Liquid
crystalPage Wordprocessor
Fig.1: Classification of Printers
Fujitsu Components'thermal
printer isa thermo-sensitive type,
line printer
Printedbycharacter
Head
Serialtype
Printedbyline
Head
Line type
Printedbypage
Page type
Fig.2:Printing units

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Ultra Compact Thermal Printers
■MARKET TREND OF THERMAL
PRINTERS
The features of a thermal printer are high-speed
printing, high quality image printing, low noise and
maintenance free. Since paper price, storage,
quality and the characteristics of thermo-sensitive
paper have been improving, thermal line printers
are being used for various equipment, including
POS and ECR distribution terminals issuing
receipts, and ATM and CD banking terminals, as
well as for journal printers, ticket issuing machines,
and measurement and medical equipment. As
information equipment and distribution terminals
become compact and mobile, more compact and
more advanced functions are demanded of printers
mounted on this equipment with batteries or with
adapters. Also easy paper setting and better
operability are demanded.
Fujitsu Components' has been including battery-
driven type printers for compact information
terminals, such as hand-held terminals, in a series.
However to meet the above mentioned demands,
we commercialized the new more compact FTP-
628 product series. These are battery-driven ultra-
compact thermal printers built into compact and
high functioning equipment. In order to improve
operability despite the ultra-compact size, we used
our unique platen release mechanism where a
wide route paper path can be secured.
We will introduce the new platen release
mechanism used in the FTP-628 series.
■BASIC CONFIGURATION AND
OPERATION THEORY OF THERMAL
PRINTERS
A thermal printer is basically comprised of a
thermal head, which prints by generating heat, a
platen (rubber roller), which feeds paper, and a
head-pressure spring, which presses the thermal
head to the thermo-sensitive paper. For printing,
thermo-sensitive paper is inserted between the
thermal head and platen, and the head pressure
spring presses the thermal head to the thermo-
sensitive paper. Current is supplied to the heating
resistor of the thermal head to generate heat. This
heat colors the thermal coloring layer of the thermo-
sensitive paper and prints data. This method of
printing is called “thermo-sensitive (direct type)”.
Using this thermo-sensitive type method, when one
dot line (one row in the width direction of paper) of
printing completes, the platen rotates to feed the
paper, and printing continues to the next dot line.
Therefore this system is called a “thermal line type”.
Thermo-sensitive coloring layer
Coloring part
Thermo-sensitive paper
Thermal Head
Head Pressure
Spring Printing Surface
Platen
Thermo-
sensitive
Paper
Fig.3: Thermal System

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Ultra Compact Thermal Printers
■CONVENTIONAL MECHANISM
Paper is set between the thermal head and the platen. The thermal head is moved by a lever with a cam
mechanism which maintains space from the platen. Since the lever is attached to the side face of the
printer, space for the lever to operate is required on the side face of the printer.
■PLATEN RELEASE MECHANISM
This mechanism allows the platen to be moved away from the thermal head. The platen is attached to the
paper guide. By moving this paper guide away from the thermal head, the platen can be moved away from
the thermal head. Because of this design, the space for a paper route is increased and operation to pass
paper to the paper route became easier. Because of this front face operation, a lever at the side face of the
printer is unnecessary, which makes the printer compact.
When paper is set
MotorSpace for
paper to
pass
Paper route
Head up
operation
At normal positiion
Head pressure spring
Thermal headCam
mechanism
Head-up lever
Platen
Paper detect sensorPaper Insertion slot
Fig 4: Conventional Mechanism
When paper is set
Motor
Paper route
At normal positionThermal
headPlaten
Paper detect sensor
Fig 5: Platen release mechanism
Platen
release
operation
Head pressure spring

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Ultra Compact Thermal Printers
In the FTP-628 series, auto loading, the same as in
conventional products, is also possible, and two
types of paper routes are in this series for mounting
in various equipment. In addition to a 2-inch
mechanism, a 24V drive product with the same
shape, and a miniature cutter were also developed
and will be included in the series.
FTP-628 series
The FTP-628 series, which uses a unique platen
release mechanism, has the following features.
●Ultra-compact shape
Designed to be minimum size, with a 15.5mm height,
70.0mm width and 35.6mm depth. The volume is the
smallest in the industry in this class of printers.
●High-speed printing
With our original head control, high-speed printing is
possible. Speed is a maximum 60mm/sec. (480 dot
lines/sec.), which is the fastest among battery-driven
printers in this class.
●Easy paper setting
With our original platen release mechanism, there is
a wide space for the paper route despite the ultra-
compact shape, making paper insertion much easier.
Conventional auto loading can also be supported.
●Two types of paper routes
Two types of paper routes are available in order to be
easily mounted in various equipment.
●Easy mounting
Since the wires of the head, motor and sensor are
collectively housed in one flexible cable, and the
mechanism can be secured by a hook and screws at
two locations, mounting is easy.
●High resolution printing
High resolution printing at 8 dots/mm is possible.
●Industry standard paper width
In the 2 inch type, the 58mm industry standard paper
width is supported.
The above mentioned features allow this printer to be used in various fields. It can be not only built in to
hand-held-terminals, portable settlement terminals, such distribution terminals as ECR, and various
information terminals, but also it can be used for portable communication terminals, ticket issuing machines
and measurement equipment.
Platen UP lever
(when open)
(when closed)
Paper insertion
direction
Paper width
Fig. 6: External dimensions
FTP-628MCL003

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Ultra Compact Thermal Printers
© 2001 Fujitsu Components America, Inc. All company and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners. Rev. 09/2001
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