My work still uses dot matrix printers

[Scouzer]

OK, this is how we use our printers:

They NEED to feed. Like, a continuous feed of paper. Not individual sheets.
We rip off sections of paper throughout the day. The print offs vary from two lines long to an entire novel. It has to be convenient and easy to rip.
We currently use Epson FX-850's

As far as I can tell, dot matrix still reigns king in this area. But they are so freaking loud.

As a side note, I have no authority to replace these, I just am curious if a replacement even exists.

 

[Frintin]

Dot matrix printers rule! Nothing else will meet your continuous feed requirements ever again in the history of print technology!

hehe

Check out some of the new Brother laser printers that offer Epson FX and IBM Pro Printer emulations. They have the reprint function which allows users to easily reprint their documents by pressing the Reprint button on the printer LCD panel. Using the Reprint button saves time because the print job does not have to be resent if you want another copy and saves money, because you don't have to use expensive carbonized multi-part paper. They use a buffer technology that allows for print jobs (one line or 500) to be saved in the buffer and only print when a page is filled up.

I think the newer Epson dot matrix printers have the latest print head technology that is supposed to reduce noise by 70%. I am sure any new dot matrix is probably already using a print head design that makes them quieter (so if you have something relatively new then you are not going to get it quieter anywhere else.)

The main thing to cut down on noise is put one of those fancy covers over your dot matrix. They really do help reduce noise.

 

[Zepper]

I think I've seen laser printers with optional tractor feed units - they are not cheap though. I just did a search and yes there are tractor feed laser printers and HP has(did have?) a simple tractor feed inkjet printer called the QuietJet and so there must be others. They can't do multi-part forms - that is the only disadvantage. To get the same effect you have to do multiple runs.

.bh.

 

[zephyrprime]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I think I've seen laser printers with optional tractor feed units - they are not cheap though.

.bh.

I think it may still be worth it for the op because the price of ribbons is not small. Also, the productivity loss due to slow dot matrix printers is not small also.

OP, if you want to get these changed, do a cost/benefit analysis for the person in charge of the department responsible for the printers. Arguing your point in the language of money is the only way to get your way in a situation like this in business.

 

[XMan]

You can get a roll-feed laser printer. They have the same kind of paper for dot matrix printers, it's just in a roll.

 

[TerryMathews]

If your need is only for the continuous feed, there are laser and inkjet options.

If you also need the ability to produce carbon copies, dot matrix is your only option.

 

[Bill Kunert]

.bh.
[/quote]I think it may still be worth it for the op because the price of ribbons is not small. Also, the productivity loss due to slow dot matrix printers is not small also.

OP, if you want to get these changed, do a cost/benefit analysis for the person in charge of the department responsible for the printers. Arguing your point in the language of money is the only way to get your way in a situation like this in business.
[/quote]

Dot matrix printers, especially the heavy duty units are extremely fast. I don't think you will find a ink jet or laser that will keep up with one, unless of course you go to something like a high speed 180 copy per minute Xerox printer. Problem is you're talking in excess of $200K.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
.bh.

I think it may still be worth it for the op because the price of ribbons is not small. Also, the productivity loss due to slow dot matrix printers is not small also.

OP, if you want to get these changed, do a cost/benefit analysis for the person in charge of the department responsible for the printers. Arguing your point in the language of money is the only way to get your way in a situation like this in business.
[/quote]

Dot matrix printers, especially the heavy duty units are extremely fast. I don't think you will find a ink jet or laser that will keep up with one, unless of course you go to something like a high speed 180 copy per minute Xerox printer. Problem is you're talking in excess of $200K.[/quote]

The units we use take 7 minutes to print 5 pages.

No joke. It's a nightmare annoyance.

 

[kd7fhd]

Why replace them? Just build a box for it to deaden the sound. Those used to be pretty popular in the old days AND they work!

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: kd7fhd
Why replace them? Just build a box for it to deaden the sound. Those used to be pretty popular in the old days AND they work!

QFT..just build a box around it around it.

op - you have never answered - are you doing carbons?

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: kd7fhd
Why replace them? Just build a box for it to deaden the sound. Those used to be pretty popular in the old days AND they work!

QFT..just build a box around it around it.

op - you have never answered - are you doing carbons?

No sir.

Desk space is so limited a box is not possible. We don't even have enough desk space to comfortably write on a single sheet of paper. My manager is adamant this isn't a problem.

This is an Air Traffic Control tower.

In all likelihood, this will never get changed (the printer arrangement).

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: kd7fhd
Why replace them? Just build a box for it to deaden the sound. Those used to be pretty popular in the old days AND they work!

QFT..just build a box around it around it.

op - you have never answered - are you doing carbons?

No sir.

Desk space is so limited a box is not possible. We don't even have enough desk space to comfortably write on a single sheet of paper. My manager is adamant this isn't a problem.

This is an Air Traffic Control tower.

In all likelihood, this will never get changed (the printer arrangement).

like you guys don't have enough stress up there without that thing banging around. i was going to suggest earplugs but i guess that won't work....it has been a long time since i messed with dot matrix printers, but don't they have a quiet setting? i think it slowed them down but made a difference in sound output.

sorry, out of options

 

[zephyrprime]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
Dot matrix printers, especially the heavy duty units are extremely fast. I don't think you will find a ink jet or laser that will keep up with one, unless of course you go to something like a high speed 180 copy per minute Xerox printer. Problem is you're talking in excess of $200K.

I guess I just expected any dot matrix printer someone was complaining about would suck like the dot matrix printers I've had experience with.

I took a look online and even a $11000 line matrix printer, the most expensive I could find, was rated only at 2000lines/min which I guess is about 25ppm which is fast but not faster than many office lasers.

 

[Slowlearner]

Xerox Docutech 180

 

[Frintin]

Are you talking about your flight progress strip printer? I used to hate hearing that frikken noise on midshifts! it was like oh ****** time to work when I heard the dang printer chugging and spewing along!

 

[xgsound]

Since an Air Traffic Tower is involved, the first question is what printers will be compatable with the existing system. The limits of the OS (?Unix, dos, XP?) and printer data input (?serial, Centronics, USB?) will determine if something else can be used.


Jim

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: Slowlearner
Xerox Docutech 180

LOL.

That'd do it, ayup.

 

[wseyller]

If your only need happens to be the use of multi-part paper, then you could use NCR (No Carbon Required) paper for laser printers. It works very well.

 

[Bill Kunert]

Originally posted by: Slowlearner
Xerox Docutech 180

I used to sevice 180's. Watching 3 pages a second come out of that thing is impressive. Sure can go through a lot of paper in very little time.