Thermal characteristics of dot-matrix print heads

The general aspects of the thermal characteristics of the dot-matrix impact print heads are discussed. To address the problem, a brief analysis for a typical print head is presented. The rate of heat generated in a dot-matrix print head, depending on its speed, print quality, and print mode (i.e. graphic or text mode), can be very large. The sources of the heat dissipation are found to be: the resistance of the coiled wire (resistance heating) and the induced transient magnetic field (induction heating). In many situations, the encountered heat fluxes are large, hence, the use of the extended surfaces are required.<>