投稿者: Fujiwara

What is a Ticket Printer?

A ticket printer is a device designed for printing tickets, and it can also handle other items such as labels and receipts.

Various printing methods are employed, including thermal transfer and thermal dot methods, with thermal technology being widely adopted. While many models use roll paper for printing, some products are compatible with label paper and PET cards, catering to a diverse range of printing applications such as labels and commuter cards.

Uses of Ticket Printers

Ticket printers find application in various sectors for printing receipts, coupon tickets, labels, and more. Examples of specific use cases include:

1. Issuing various tickets for events (concerts, exhibitions, conferences).
2. Ticket issuance in the travel and leisure industries.
3. Issuing commuter passes and various ride tickets in the railway sector.
4. Generating boarding passes and baggage tags at airports.
5. Printing POS receipts, invoices, warranties, and gift certificates in retail.
6. Generating shipping labels, delivery invoices, etc., in transportation and warehouses.
7. Issuing visitor labels in government offices.
8. Printing maps, web screens, hotel invoices, and more.

Principles of Ticket Printers

Many ticket printers are thermal printers, employing methods such as thermal transfer and direct thermal (including direct thermal methods). These are briefly explained below:

1. Direct Thermal Method

– Utilizes thermally reactive paper that changes color upon exposure to the thermal print head’s heat.
– Features lower running costs and is compact, suitable for smaller printers.
– However, thermally reactive paper is susceptible to discoloration from heat and chemicals and is not ideal for long-term storage.

2. Thermal Transfer Method

– Uses a thermal transfer ribbon to transfer ink to paper using the heat from the thermal print head.
– Offers durability against heat and chemicals, making it suitable for various label materials.
– Generally larger in size compared to direct thermal printers.

How to Choose a Ticket Printer

Several factors should be considered when selecting a ticket printer based on specific requirements:

1. Paper Type and Thickness

Consider the compatibility with various paper types and thickness, including roll paper, Fanfold paper, PET cards, and thicker paper for specific applications.

2. Print Resolution, Font Types, and Speed

Choose based on resolution (typically 200-300dpi), font types available, and print speed to align with the intended use and budget.

3. Cutter

Check whether the printer includes an auto-cutter and if it offers options for integrated or separate cutter types.

4. Software and Connectivity

Evaluate software capabilities and external connectivity options (LAN, USB, WLAN, Bluetooth) based on the intended use, including potential integration with peripherals like barcode readers.

In summary, selecting a ticket printer involves considering paper compatibility, print specifications, cutter options, and connectivity features to meet specific needs of intended applications.

What Is a Label Printer?

A label printer, known in English as a “Label Printer,” is a printer designed to print information such as text and QR codes on labels.

Label printers are capable of high-precision printing. They accurately display characters and barcodes, eliminating errors and unclear handwritten information. These printers can quickly produce large volumes of labels, thereby enhancing business processes.

Additionally, the design and content of the labels can be customized, offering flexibility for different products and purposes. In recent years, affordable label printers, costing tens of thousands of yen, have become widely available.

However, they may require regular maintenance. To maintain print quality, it is necessary to routinely clean the printer head and replace consumables like label rolls.

Uses of Label Printers

Here are some examples of how label printers are used:

1. Product Labels

A primary use in the retail industry is printing product labels. These labels display information such as price, manufacture date, or expiration date, and are used for in-store display and sales, functioning as price tags and for scanning at checkout.

Using barcodes allows for quick and accurate scanning at the register. Additionally, sales histories can often be automatically recorded in sales databases, aiding in sales tracking.

2. Logistics

In the logistics industry, label printers are used for shipping and inventory management. Shipping labels, affixed to packages, often include information like the destination address and tracking number, ensuring accurate delivery.

Labels for inventory management are affixed to items in warehouses or distribution centers and are used for efficient stocking and retrieval. Using barcodes on these labels allows for precise inventory control.

3. Manufacturing

In manufacturing, labels are commonly affixed to products. They display information like model numbers or batch numbers, aiding in product identification and quality control. In case of complaints, this also allows for quick and easy tracking of the specific product.

Principles of Label Printers

Label printers operate on various principles, with thermal and inkjet printers being commonly used.

1. Thermal Printer

A thermal printer uses thermal paper for label printing. The printing area on the thermal paper is heated by a thermal head, causing the ink to melt and transfer characters or images onto the label. They can print quickly and with high quality, producing water-resistant and durable labels.

2. Inkjet Printer

An inkjet printer prints labels by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink. Multiple nozzles in the printer head eject ink to form characters or images. They enable colorful printing and are highly customizable.

Choosing a Label Printer

When selecting a label printer, consider the following elements:

1. Interface

The interface of a label printer refers to how it connects to computers or other devices. Common connections include USB, Ethernet, and wireless.

USB is the most common, compatible with most computers. Ethernet is advantageous when accessing from multiple computers via a network. Wireless connections like WiFi or Bluetooth allow for control of the label printer without cables.

2. Label Size

The sizes of labels that a printer can accommodate are important. Printers can produce a variety of label sizes, which should be selected based on the information and design to be printed. Label types include roll-form and sheet-form, and the printer should be chosen accordingly.

3. Color or Monochrome

Label printers are available for both color and monochrome printing. Color printing is suitable for product labels or marketing purposes, often using inkjet or laser printers. Monochrome printing is generally less expensive and is suitable for printing text and barcodes.

4. Printing Speed

The printing speed of a label printer indicates the number of labels it can print within a certain period. It is usually measured in inches per second or millimeters per second, varying based on label width and print quality.

What is Receipt Printer

A receipt printer, known in English as a “Receipt Printer,” is a printing device used to create printed materials like receipts.

It is primarily used in retail stores and restaurants to provide receipts detailing the purchase items and payment amounts when goods or services are offered. Customers can use these receipts as proof of payment and purchase history. These printers often use technologies such as thermal printers to perform fast and durable printing.

Providing receipts allows customers to use their purchase history as proof for product warranties or insurance claims. Additionally, receipts can be printed with promotional information, thus encouraging repeat purchases. The ability to customize the content makes it possible to add designs or logos in line with corporate branding.

Applications of Receipt Printers

Receipt printers are used for various business purposes. Here are some examples of their applications:

1. Retail

Widely used in retail, these printers issue receipts containing purchase details and payment information when customers buy products. Often integrated with POS systems, they help in streamlining inventory management.

2. Food and Beverage Industry

In restaurants and fast-food outlets, receipt printers are used to communicate orders to the kitchen, ensuring clear communication and swift service delivery.

3. Self-Service

In self-service terminals like ticket vending machines and ATMs, receipt printers provide receipts, allowing purchasers to keep a record of their transactions and sellers to track sales.

4. Event Ticket Sales

In event ticket sales for concerts or cinemas, receipt printers are used to issue tickets, facilitating smooth entry by providing receipts and tickets simultaneously.

Principles of Receipt Printers

Receipt printers operate on various principles, with thermal printers being more common nowadays, though dot matrix printers were used previously.

1. Dot Matrix Printer

A dot matrix printer prints dot patterns on paper using small pins. The pins, located on the print head, apply pressure at specific points on the paper to create dot-shaped characters.

2. Thermal Printer

A thermal printer uses heat-sensitive paper for printing. It utilizes a special thermal print head that generates heat to create prints. The print head gets very hot, transferring the ink from a special thermal coating on the paper to create images or text.

Choosing a Receipt Printer

Selecting a receipt printer involves considering several key factors. Here are some elements to consider:

1. Interface

The interface of a receipt printer indicates how it connects to computers or POS systems. Common connections include USB, Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

USB is the most common, compatible with many POS systems and computers. Ethernet is beneficial for large-scale environments as it allows multiple printers to be networked and centrally controlled. Wireless connections like Bluetooth offer greater flexibility in placement due to the absence of communication cables.

2. Paper Size

Paper size refers to the size of receipts the printer supports. Common sizes include widths of 80mm and 57mm. While 57mm paper suits smaller shops, larger retail stores typically use 80mm paper.

3. Font

Font support affects the appearance of printed text. Many receipt printers allow the selection of various font sizes and types. Ensure the printer can select fonts that suit the aesthetics of the receipts.

4. Additional Features

Various additional features are available in receipt printers, such as automatic cutters, image printing, and QR code printing. Consider these features based on your requirements.

What Is a Hose Reel?

A hose reel is a device used for winding up hoses.

Hose reels for agricultural use are typically made of either iron or aluminum. Heavy iron reels offer durability and the advantage of being repairable.

During loading onto a light truck or during transportation, hoses can sometimes be dropped and damaged, or they can degrade over extended use. However, if they are made of iron, they can be repaired. Aluminum reels, on the other hand, are lightweight and easy to carry, which is why they are currently the mainstream choice. But if they get damaged, they cannot be repaired, and replacement is necessary.

The lengths of hoses that can be wound on these reels are typically 50m, 100m, or 150m. Since the inner diameter of the hoses is usually based on 12mm, caution is required when using hoses with a thicker inner diameter. There are also types of hose reels equipped with wheels for easy mobility and types that can be hooked onto the rear of a light truck’s cargo bed.

Uses of Hose Reels

Hose reels are used for various purposes, such as watering fields and cleaning agricultural tools like hoes. They are also used when a water tank is mounted on a light truck for sprinkling water. Using a hose reel prevents hoses from twisting or sagging and helps prevent hose damage.

Furthermore, hose reels allow hoses to be neatly organized, preventing clutter in the storage area and enabling storage in small spaces. While they can be sold individually, it is more common for them to be sold together with hoses.

In addition to watering crops, hose reels are used for purposes like watering gardens to beat the summer heat, washing cars, cleaning houses, walls, tiles, and other surfaces, as well as washing dirty hands and feet during agricultural work. They are also used for winding up hoses used for spraying substances like herbicides in place of water tanks.