November 2000: New Generation One Inch Printer Mechanism

The industry's smallest one inch printer mechanism, measuring just 32 x 42.8 x 14.8mm and weighing 30g has been launched by Able Systems. With its tiny dimensions, the new MP105 can be designed unobtrusively into almost any equipment and is ideal for emerging mobile commerce, e-commerce applications and games consoles, where printing of receipts, instructions or directions is required. Benefiting from its small footprint, low weight and low power overhead, receipt printing becomes viable in mobile consumer terminals as well as POS equipment. Other target applications include data logging equipment, medical instruments and banking, where the MP105's compactness, durability and reliability create a high performance solution.
Front and bottom paper loading modes create a versatile solution for printing 25mm labels. Thermal technology ensures quiet operation, and the unit is designed for low power consumption, at 123mW per dot. When operating from a 4.2V supply, the MP105 will print at up to 35mm/s depending on supply current.
Maximum paper feed speed is 80mm/s when operating at 8.5V. End-of-paper and head-up/head-down sensors are featured, and all electrical connections to the MP105 are made via a single flexy cable and standard 22-pin FPC connector. The mechanism is durable, designed for a pulse life of 100x106 pulses and abrasion life of 30km. The MP105 prints at 8 dots/mm, creating high-resolution text and graphics suitable for many consumer and professional applications.