Application No.

-4

Study of Printers
1. Introduction: -

A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the
information to paper, usually to standard-size, 8.5" by 11" sheets of paper. Printers vary in size,
speed, sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive printers are used for more frequent
printing or high-resolution colour printing. Personal computer printers can be distinguished as
impact or non-impact printers. Early impact printers worked something like an automatic
typewriter, with a key striking an inked impression on paper for each printed character. The
dot matrix printer, an impact printer that strikes the paper a line at a time, was a popular low-
cost option.

The best-known non-impact printers are the inkjet printer and the laser printer. The inkjet
sprays ink from an ink cartridge at very close range to the paper as it rolls by, while the laser
printer uses a laser beam reflected from a mirror to attract ink (called toner) to selected paper
areas as a sheet rolls over a drum.

Figure 4.1 Image of Printer

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2. History: -
Table 4.1 Brief History of Printers

Year Event
Charles Babbage designed the first mechanical printer in the 1800s, for use
1837 with the Difference Engine that he also developed in 1822.
The typewriter was considered a precursor to printers and keyboards, was
1868 invented by Christopher Sholes in 1868.
The first high-speed printer was developed by Remington-Rand in 1953. It
1953 was designed to be used with the UNIVAC computer.

1957 IBM developed and marketed the first dot matrix printer in 1957.

Shinshu Seiki Co., which later became Epson, developed the first electronic
1968
mini printer in 1968.

1970 The first dot matrix impact printer was developed by Centronics in 1970.

1971 The first dot matrix impact printer was developed by Centronics in 1970.

The first thermal printers became available on the market around 1972,
1972
designed for use with portable machines and in retail stores.
The first inkjet printer was developed by Hewlett-Packard in 1976. However,
1976
inkjet printers do not gain popularity until the mid-1980s.
Canon introduced the LBP-10, the first semiconductor laser beam printer and
1979
their first printer unit.
Hewlett-Packard introduced their first laser printer, the HP LaserJet, in 1984.
1984
The same year, Hewlett-Packard introduced the first thermal HP Think Jet.
The HP Desk Jet inkjet printer was introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1988
1988
and sold for $1000.
Stratasys, Inc. made available their first 3D printer in 1992, which is based on
1992
FDM (fused deposition modelling) technology

2009 RepRap community developed new 3D printers

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3. Available technologies in the field: -

The 3D printing market is expanding at an incredible rate. Numerous businesses have

introduced new technology and machines during the past 12 months, pointing to a promising
future for the sector.[3]

Since 2014, Aurora Labs has been working on a new metal 3D printing technique that will
enable metal 3D printing at considerably quicker rates. The Multilevel Concurrent Printing
(MCPTM) was first introduced at form next 2018 and is based on the well-known powder bed
fusion technology, but with a twist. MCP prints many layers concurrently in a single pass as
opposed to conventional powder bed technologies, which print one layer at a time. The
business claimed at form next 2018 that it could print about 30 layers at once, with a target of
100 layers in the following 12 months.

MELD Manufacturing Corporation has created a novel method for 3D printing metals without
melting them. The large-scale B8 machine from MELD served as the first public
demonstration of the technology, which had been in development for more than ten years.

Figure 4.2 The MELD process

HP printers are known for their speed and great precision in the area of 2D printing. By
introducing its polymer 3D printer, Multi Jet Fusion, in 2016, the business made its entry into
3D printing public. HP announced its Metal Jet 3D printer last year after making a name for
itself on the polymer side of 3D printing. With alternative production techniques in mind, the
system was built to compete.
Two of the major problems with metal 3D printing are the lack of reproducibility and the
requirement to construct support structures. With its Intelligent Fusion technology, the
California-based company VELO3D hopes to address these issues. Although VELO3D was
established in 2014, the business didn't gain much notoriety until it launched its laser-based
Sapphire 3D printer in the fall of 2017. Both the 3D printer and VELO3D's print setup
programme, Flowtime, are built on the Intelligent Fusions platform. Simply put, Intelligent
Fusions enables the close integration of the process, software, and hardware.

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4. Working and Basic Steps: -
Every time you print something, your laptop or computer transmits a huge flood of data to
your printer. Usually a few megabytes or a million characters. This signal is acquired by an
integrated electronic motherboard from the laptop or PC. It then decodes all the data sent and
converts it into simple machine-level language, which is used to control how the various laser
printer parts behave. After the data has been decoded, the electrical motherboard proceeds to
turn on the corona wire. The corona wire is a high voltage line that transmits static charges to
anything nearby. The corona wire's main purpose is to charge the photoreceptor drum.[4]
The laser is turned on concurrently by the electronic motherboard. The positively charged
photoreceptor drum is then drawn with an image by the laser. To burn the picture onto the
photoreceptor drum, the laser does not move and remains stationary. Here, the laser is reflected
onto the photoreceptor drum via a moving mirror. The positive charge that has built up on the
photoreceptor drum is eliminated when the laser strikes it. A negative charge is created when
the positive charge is eliminated. The layout for the printable material is provided by this
negative charge, while the positive charge indicates where the page must be left blank.

Figure 4.3 Working of Printer

The ink roller, which was in touch with the photoreceptor drum, comes next. Toner, which are
very small, powdered ink particles, make up the ink roller. The toner has been positively
charged, causing it to only adhere to the negatively charged portion of the photoreceptor drum.
Since no ink adheres to that area of the photoreceptor drum, an image is created there. The
photoreceptor drum is made to roll under a sheet of paper. The corona wire strongly charges
the paper before it reaches the photoreceptor drum.
The toner, which has a negative charge, is drawn to the paper when it moves close to the
photoreceptor drum. It draws the toner, which then adheres to the paper. Even then, the ink
does not adhere to the paper securely. Finally, the paper goes through the fuser unit, which
consists of two heated rollers. The toner particles are permanently bonded to the paper fibre
by the rollers' heat and pressure. A printer prints a sheet of paper in this manner. Take a
moment to appreciate the beautiful complexity that goes into making each of your copies the
next time you print out a report.

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5. Study on Various Parameters(Cost, Speed and Performance): -
Speed
The number of standard pages that may be effectively printed in one minute is typically how printers
gauge speed. Pages per minute, or PPM, is the term used for this. Nearly all inkjet printers, multi-
function printers, laser printers, and other printer types will utilise this metric to gauge speed. However,
due to the nature of their design, 3D printers do not employ this metric. The automated document
feeder, or ADF, in a printer will aid in accelerating print speeds. Print speeds on monochrome (black
and white) printers are typically constant. The quality settings you select when using colour printers,
however, will affect the speed. Whether you choose a presentation mode, which produces prints with
higher quality, or a draught mode, which produces prints with a lower quality, the print speed will
change. In big format devices, where the time discrepancy might be up to or even surpassing 10
minutes, this is again most pronounced.

Performance
Performance of the printer is impacted by enclosures that aren't properly fastened or that are
left open while the printer is running. Your printer becomes clogged with debris including
dust, lint, grease, and oil, which reduces performance. As a result, there may be dirt on your
labels, roller stains, and damaged printhead pins. Unsecured interface cables provide a risk of
breaking away, damaging connector pins, and interfering with printer communications. When
operators fail to notice warning indicators due to malfunctioning LCD screens, damage or print
failure may result.[5]

Cost
Before refilling or replacing, you must divide the cartridge's cost by the number of pages it
can print. You can calculate the cost of printing by adding the average price of one sheet of
paper.Here is a table showing all in one price of printers in 2022.
Table 4.2 All in one printers price in India 2022
S.No. Model Cost
1 Canon PIXMA MG2570S All in one Inkjet printer 3,689

2 HP LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw All-in-One Laser Printer 82,800

3 HP DeskJet 2332 (7WN44D) All-in-One Inkjet Printer 3,099

4 HP DeskJet 2723 (7FR55B) All-in-One Laser Printer 5,799

5 HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 5275 (M2U76B) All-in-One Inkjet Printer 8,201

6 Brother MFC-L 2701DW All-in-One Laser Printer 17,199

7 HP OfficeJet Pro 9016 All-in-One Inkjet Printer 29,300

8 HP Pro MFP M128fw All-in-One Laser Printer 21,850

9 Samsung ProXpress SL-M3870FW All-in-One Laser Printer 29,498

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6. Market Study: -
For 2020, the Global Printer Market generated USD 42.35 billion in revenue. By 2026, it is
anticipated to reach USD 54.83 billion, representing a CAGR of 4.55% from 2021 to 2026.
With the COVID -19 outbreak, people began storing up on lockdown necessities, which
coincided with a trend in the home printer industry that expanded significantly during
workfrom-home scenarios. For instance, Brother Industries Limited, which primarily serves
the home market, had a spike in demand and sales of its momo laser printers of 30% and colour
laser printers of 42% from April to June 2020.[6]
Emerging economies like China, India, and the ASEAN area are significantly driving up
demand for printing worldwide. Recent examples include when HP released the first
highcapacity HP Neverstop Laser printers in the world on the Indian market. These printers
were affordable, had innovative printing techniques, and reduced frequent printing hiccups.
Similar to this, Canon unveiled seven new ink tank printers in India. The PIXMA G Series
printers have a hands-free, drip-free ink refilling mechanism and a user-replaceable
maintenance cartridge for the least amount of downtime possible in the home and business
markets.
Along with inkjet printing, the ink environment is anticipated to develop. Solvent, water-
based, and UV-based inks are currently quite popular, and LED ink usage is constantly
expanding. Hybrid UV/water system introductions are also taking place in the market. The
main factor keeping suppliers from moving from analogue to digital is still, however, the
relatively expensive cost of ink. During the projected period, it is anticipated that growing
applications and economies of scale would drive down ink prices. The market growth among
small and medium-sized businesses and private users is also being boosted by the numerous
advantages that multi-functional printers offer.

Figure 4.4 Global production printer market

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7. Future Advancements: -
The direct-to-consumer technology trend is about to change, and every CEO has to be aware
of it. This is due to the eCommerce and the widespread usage of web-to-print solutions. We
would need fewer intermediates. By 2030, [7]the globe will be dependent on internet
specifications, and both printed packaging and prints will typically be ordered online.
It encourages investment in web-to-print technology and online ordering as a result. As a
result, the purchasing of print media evolves toward a platform economy system that is
similarly fragmented to ride-hailing apps. It is simpler for buyers to compare prices and even
services. Additionally, declining customer loyalty highlights the need for services. An
additional model used by eCommerce is shorter orders with a high demand for quick
turnaround times, like nextday delivery. It will encourage a wider adoption of more efficient
workflows, as well as automated and digital printing, finishing, and distribution.
Saving Grace: Inkjet Technology
Due to its affordability and speed, inkjet will lead the way in printing technology. It has been
established that inkjet printers are quicker than conventional printers. The fact that these
printers can be roll-fed or sheet-fed is also ground-breaking. Despite a number of notable print
breakthroughs, inkjet continues to be the most cutting-edge print technology. You can also use
some of the top ink solutions with this developing digital printing technology. Nanoparticles
are even being used to create conductive ink. This might be a revolutionary invention if it
comes to pass.

Cloud Printing
Many commercial firms are utilising this printing industry trend. But it's still not being fully
tapped. More and more people are going to start using this new technology because it allows
them to print using their smartphones and tablet computers. Most businesses that enable
connections between your printers and cloud servers also provide cloud printing services.
Cloud printing is a less expensive option than purchasing the high-priced servers and
resources.

Figure 4.5

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8. Conclusion: -
Every day, printers become faster, more user-friendly, and more dependable. Digital presses can be
used by your company to print large quantities, or production print equipment to handle any work.
The ability to create organs using 3D printing is another area where the technology is advancing
quickly and potentially saving lives.[8]

There are various models that can suit the very specific needs of different users. To get the right value
for money, the user will do well to check the specifications, take sample printouts at the store and
then take the final decision. Inkjets are a good bet for long-lasting photos, for speedy text documents
it will pay well to invest on a laser printer. Those users who are into digital photography or
simultaneously running a busy home office, a multifunction printer would fit the bill.

Whether you run a large call centre or a small local post office, printers are essential for all sorts of
organisations. It's crucial to get routine printer maintenance done to make sure your printer can
handle the demand when many people print anywhere from a few pages to thousands each day.

Laser printers have captured the black and white printing market. However color laser printers have
not been able to match the quality of inkjet printers.

Although slow, inkjet multifunction printers are less expensive and can print in colour. Although
colour versions are more expensive, laser models are faster. Laser multifunction printers are the finest
option for those working under a strict budget. They provide extra features including automatic
document feeders, built-in networking, and duplex printing.

8 MB of memory would be sufficient for use in a small office or at home, but 16 MB of RAM or more
would be needed for large documents and multi-user applications. With an increase in these printers'
memory capacity, price multiplies. For typical uses, a resolution of 600x600 dpi would be sufficient.
Higher resolutions would be required for photo quality.

Figure 4.6 EPSON printer

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9. Indian Contributions to the Field: -
The printing press was significant in India's history. The printing press is a device used to distribute
printed materials in large quantities.

The history of print, printing, and printmaking is extensive. When Portuguese missionaries
brought the printing press from Lisbon to India in 1556 to propagate Christian mythology
among the Indian people, printing and printmaking activity took off. I've discovered some
fascinating information about the history of printmaking in Gujarat, where it is important to
support efforts to print commercial textiles, establish printing facilities, educate the public
about printmaking, and other related endeavours.

Raja Rammohan Roy's Press Contributions

Ram Mohan Roy was born to a Hindu Brahmin family on May 22, 1772, in Hooghly, Bengal.
His father, Ramkanto Roy, was a Sanskrit, Persian, English, Arabic, Latin, and Greek scholar.
There isn't much information on his early years, although it's generally accepted that he
travelled far and picked up languages like Persian, Arabic, and English in addition to Sanskrit,
Bengali, and Hindi. However, Roy's entry into journalism was also one of his numerous
attempts to change the socio-cultural landscape of the nation through education and learning.
Roy is most recognised for his role in the abolition of the social evils of sati and child marriage
in India.
At St. Paul's College in Goa, the country of India built up its first printing press in 1556. Father
Gasper Caleza wrote of a ship carrying a printing press sailing from Portugal to Abyssinia
(modern-day Ethiopia) to support missionary work in Abyssinia in a letter to St. Ignatius of
Loyola dated 30 April 1556.
The value of the written word for the urban working man was suddenly realised in 1857. The
flow of ideas between distinct communities in various sections of the country could only be
aided through print.In order to prepare a significant portion of the urban population as
whitecollar "babus," the British had a personal interest in boosting education in the nation.
A number of publishing houses began to operate within the first three decades of 1900, which
is noteworthy. They were active in the printing and publication of religious texts, books on
literature, publications for schools and colleges, as well as newly written books in a variety of
regional languages that were motivated by national sentiment.
Sayajirao Maharaj When the University of Baroda (which had its beginnings as Baroda
College in 1881) was founded, the kalabhavan (now the faculty of technology and
engineering), which had previously taught art and drawing alongside technical skills and
education, was divided. A new faculty of fine arts, along with a department of painting,
sculpture, and applied arts, then started to teach the various visual arts. Printmaking was taught
as a supplementary subject alongside lithography and relief printing, which were both widely
used. The master's degree and post diploma in printmaking courses were first offered in 1971,
when the renowned department of Graphic arts or (Department of printmaking) was
established.
Despite the fact that printmaking has been practised in India for a very long time, Gujarat has
recognised and shared its significance in terms of shaping historical printmaking events and
images, fostering the printing industry, or mass-producing an original image using an

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impression on stone, metal, or wood in order to communicate from home to home or to
advance the field of printmaking throughout the nation and the world.

10. References : -

[1] Introduction of Printers Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/printer

On 07/10/2022.
[2] History of Printers Available at: https://www.computerhope.com/history/printer.html On
08/10/2022.
[3] Available technologies in the field
, Available at:https://www.pulpandpaper-technology.com/articles/top-emerging-andlatest-
trends-in-printing-industry webpage visited on 08-10-2022.

[4] Working of Printers

Available at:https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/how-does-a-printer-work.htmlwebpage
visited on 09-10-2022.

[5] Printer’s Speed and Performance at: https://www.capitalmds.com/printer-speed-and-

performance/ webpage visited on 09-10-2022.

[6] Market Study Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industryreports/printer-

market webpage visited on 09-10-2022.
[7] Future Advancement Available at:
https://www.bestprice.ink/en/blog/what-is-the-future-of-printers-and-printer 21
webpage visited on 09-10-2022.
[8] Conclusion Available at:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/3053791 webpage visited on 09-10-2022.

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