Genicom MatrixPrinter LA36 - Manual (Page 91)

5-4
5.2.3 Ribbon feed
Ribbon is fed by the ribbon feeder on the bottom of the print head carriage. This mechanism links carriage
movement to ribbon movement so that the ribbon moves in one direction, regardless of whether the carriage
moves left or right.
The ribbon feeder receives power from the front stay (rack rail) through the RF gear. Power is transmitted to
gear C, a planet gear. Gear C engages one of two gears, depending on carriage movement. When the carriage
moves from right to left, gear C directly engages the ribbon drive shaft gear. When the carriage moves from left
to right, it engages the idle gear, which in turn engages the ribbon drive shaft gear.
The planet gear makes the ribbon drive shaft rotate in one direction (counterclockwise), regardless of its engage-
ment.
Ribbon bracket
RF gear
Arm
RF shaft
Gear C
Idle gear
Front stay (rack rail)
Figure 5.4 Ribbon feed