iSys V8.5e Thermal Printer - Manual (Page 39)

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5. THEORY OF OPERATION
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The V8.5e plotter uses thermal technology to convert data from the host computer into plotted output. Host data
enters the plotter main logic circuitry via the data port, and passes through the interface to the data buffer on the
main logic board. Control and status signals enter the main logic board at the same time as the parallel data. The
microcontroller converts the data from parallel to serial and sends the serial data to the printhead. One horizontal
line or scan, consisting of a single row of dots, is plotted. The stepper motor advances the paper for the next scan.
This cycle repeats until the plotted or printed image is finished.
5.2 PLOTTER FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES
Power supplies
The logic circuitry and printhead of the plotter are powered by a 5 Volt DC output power supply. The thermal
printhead and stepper motor are powered by a 24 Volt, 10 Amp DC power supply. Both power supplies feature an
auto-switchable input, which adapts to
different voltage or frequency inputs.