月: 2023年1月

What Is a Spring Clamp?

A Spring Clamp is a type of clamp that uses a spring force, like a clothespin, to hold materials in place. They are also called hand clamps or spring clamps.

A clamp, also called a fastener, is a tool used to secure a material to a workbench.

Spring Clamps use the force of a spring, so the clamping force is not as strong as that of general clamps that use screws to secure materials. Another advantage of spring clamps is that they are less likely to cause slight misalignment of the material to be fixed due to tightening of screws.

Uses of Spring Clamps

Spring Clamps are widely used for general DIY and professional assembly and fabrication work, and are ideal mainly for temporary fixing, fastening, and gluing of thin wood or sheets, as they are less forceful than screw-tightening types such as C- or F-shaped clamps.

Even when working alone, they can be attached with one hand. It is also convenient to have several in an assortment in case one is not strong enough or when you want to fix from multiple directions.

Principle of Spring Clamps

The structure is similar to that of a clothespin, and simply clamping the material is as easy as pinching it. Hold the grip to open the clamp and clamp the material. When the grip is released, the spring force holds the material in place. Large spring clamps require a strong grip to hold, but if the clamp has a lock function, it can be easily gripped by simply releasing it.

To release the spring clamp, grasp and apply force to the grip in the same manner as when clamping it, and then remove it from the material. Or, use the lock release lever to remove it. Those with a movable mouthpiece that clamps the material can be kept horizontal while clamping the material.

Types of Spring Clamps

1. Clamp/Spring Type

The normal spring clamp/spring type has a structure similar to that of a clothespin. The force of the spring trying to return to its original shape is used to tighten the mouthpiece.

2. Ratchet Type

A ratchet mechanism is a mechanism that uses a gear and tooth rest structure to rotate in only one direction. This mechanism is used in spring clamps and is called the ratchet type. In other words, the handle can move in the closing direction but not in the opening direction.

3. Telescopic Arm Handy Type

The arm can be extended and retracted to hold even wide objects.

How to Select a Spring Clamp

1. Maximum Opening Size

Spring Clamps are available in a variety of sizes, from 15 mm to 100 mm in maximum opening size. If the use is to clamp veneer boards or other materials, it is recommended to prepare several wpring dlamps of about 15 mm in size according to the size of the veneer board.

If thicker wood is to be clamped, the size of the spring clamp should be selected according to its thickness.

Larger size spring clamps may require considerable force to open the mouth, while those with a locking lever on the grip part can be gripped with relative ease.

2. Shape

Spring Clamps are available in a variety of shapes, from small ones similar to clothespins, to medium-sized ones with a total length of 100mm to 200mm, to ones with an extendable and retractable arm that allows the opening dimension to be adjusted, depending on the type of work.

3. Material

Spring Clamps are available in metal or plastic. Metal clamps are stronger and can be firmly fixed. Resin ones are not suitable for high-temperature objects because of their low heat resistance. The small size clamps in the shape of a clothespin have a resin coating on the tip to prevent damage to the material. 

4. Tightening Pressure

Spring Clamps are mainly used for temporary fastening of thin materials because of their relatively low clamping force and small opening size. They are not suitable for handling thick materials or for sawing work with materials in place.

What Is a Toggle Clamp?

A Toggle Clamp is a clamp that is installed on a workbench, etc., and uses the principle of leverage and the mechanism of the toggle mechanism to amplify a small force to secure a material with a large force.

A clamp, also called a fastener, is a tool used to secure materials to a workbench.

Toggle Clamps have a simple function of holding materials in place, but there are many different types of toggle clamps. If you devise a way to use them, you can use them in a variety of processing operations. They also play an important role in improving work efficiency and safety.

Uses of Toggle Clamps

Toggle Clamps are used in a wide range of applications, from general DIY to professional workplaces. They are especially important tools for safe and accurate machining operations at sites such as woodworking production sites.

Toggle Clamps are most often used as part of a jig to secure the material to be processed. Although clamps can usually be used as stand-alone tools, toggle clamps are always used with the body of the clamp screwed to a workbench or jig.

For example, when cutting or milling wood, a toggle clamp is placed on a jig to secure the material to be processed. By using a jig, the distance between the blade of the table cutter or router table and your hand can be maintained sufficiently, enabling safer and more precise processing than when working with a handheld tool.

Principle of Toggle Clamps

Toggle Clamps have a handle and a head. When the handle is operated, the head moves to hold and secure the material to be processed.

Toggle Clamps use a doubling force mechanism called a toggle mechanism to hold the material in place. A toggle mechanism is a mechanism that uses a moment (force x distance) to balance a small force, like a lever or a pulley, to obtain a large force with a small force.

Types of Toggle Clamps

1. Downward-Pushing Toggle Clamp

By pushing the head downward, the clamp holds the material to be processed. There are two types of toggle clamps: one with the handle down and the other with the handle up. Select the type that best suits your work space and hand placement. 

2. Side-Pushing Toggle Clamp

The head part is pushed forward to fix the material to be processed. The material is clamped by pushing it between the clamp and the stopper fixed on the opposite side of the clamp. There are two types of clamps: one with the handle upright and the other with the handle down. 

3. Tension Type Toggle Clamp

The tension type, also called hook type, has a key-shaped head and is secured by hooking onto a U-shaped hook.

4. Pneumatic Clamp

This clamp combines a toggle mechanism with a pneumatic cylinder. Because of its high clamping pressure, it is used when processing large objects such as ships and automobiles.

How to Select a Toggle Clamp

Toggle Clamps are suitable for clamping materials to an assembly jig or processing jig, especially when the same operation is repeated for similar materials.

It is important to select the right clamp for the job by checking the type, shape, clamping pressure, etc.

1. Type

There are various types of toggle clamps, including the downward clamping type, which clamps the material from above, the side-pushing type, which clamps the material from the side by inserting and removing the shaft, and the tensile type, which clamps the material by pulling it toward the clamp. Select the type best suited to the work situation. 

2. Shape

There are two types of handle positions: the vertical handle type, in which the handle stands up when locked, and the horizontal handle type, in which the handle lies down when locked. Consider the space available for placement and hand placement. Also, a large shape will exert a greater pressure. 

3.Tightening Pressure

Toggle Clamps are available with clamping pressures (clamping forces) ranging from as low as 20N to as high as 5,000N. Some heavy-load types are pneumatic clamps with a clamping force of over 10,000 N. The higher the clamping pressure, the more pressure is applied to the material. The higher the clamping force, the higher the force to hold the material, but clamps with a clamping force of 20 to 100 N are often used for general woodworking.

When selecting a toggle clamp, it is important to check the clamping force value listed in the catalog. 

4. Arm Stroke

In the case of a downward holding type, select an arm length with a head, and in the case of a sideways pushing type, select a stroke length suitable for the work.

5. Material

Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials are available. Select a material with strength suitable for the size and weight of the material to be fixed.

What Is an L Clamp?

An L Clamp is a type of clamp that is used to secure a material by sliding one side of the jaw to a certain distance and finally turning the handle to tighten the screw. It is called an L Clamp because the shape of the main bar looks like the letter “L” in the alphabet.

A clamp, also called a fastening tool, is a tool used to secure materials to a workbench or other surface.

The clamp is also sometimes called an F-shape clamp because the combined shape of the arm and the slide part looks like the letter “F” in the alphabet.

Uses of L Clamps

L-shaped clamps are used in a wide range of applications, from general DIY to specialized assembly and fabrication work in civil engineering and construction, furniture manufacturing, sheet metal, and steel industry, etc.

L-shaped clamps are tools for holding materials in place during cutting, drilling, and gluing operations. By holding materials firmly in place, they improve work efficiency and accuracy.

There are various types of clamps other than the L clamp, such as the C clamp, G clamp, ratchet type, and spring type. Each type has its own characteristics, but the L clamp can slide its arms, making it suitable for clamping thicker materials.

Principle of L Clamp

The L clamp clamps materials by moving the jaws of the L-shaped body bar and the jaws of the sliding arms. By turning the handle on the arm to narrow the gap between the jaws, the jaws are tightened against each other and the material is held firmly in place.

L clamps have a sliding arm that allows the user to quickly adjust the width of the opening to suit the material, and although it is not as strong as a C clamp, it is more efficient because the opening does not have to be adjusted by simply tightening the screw as in the case of a C clamp.

Types of L Clamps

1. Standard Type

The mouth opening is adjusted by moving the slide arm up and down. The handle is usually a grip type. 

2. Strong Type

The handle of the slide arm is T-shaped, enabling strong clamping. Also, those with hexagonal slide arm jaws can be further tightened with an Allen wrench after the handle is closed.

3. One-Touch Type

The handle of the slide arm has a ratchet structure and can be tightened in one-touch operation by pulling down the lever.

How to Select an L Clamp

L Clamps are available in various combinations of maximum opening size and depth of throat.

1. Maximum Opening Size

The maximum opening size ranges from 100 mm to 600 mm, and is determined by the thickness of the material to be clamped. L-shape clamps with longer bars are more versatile and can accommodate a wider range of opening widths. However, it is important to select an L-shape clamp with an appropriate length, as a clamp with a longer bar than necessary will be difficult to handle and will take up storage space. 

2. Depth of Emboss

The depth of the L clamp’s embankment is generally one-third to one-half of the maximum opening size. The depth of the L-shaped clamp is about one-third to one-half of the maximum opening size. The depth of the lid is determined by the position of the material to be clamped. If you want to clamp a heavy material in a deeper position, such as when floating a heavy material, select a larger size. 

3.Body Bar Thickness and Material

The thickness of the main bar and material of steel, nickel-chrome plating, and cast iron differ in terms of strength. 

4. Type of Handle to Turn the Screw

There are two types of screw-turning handles: a T-type handle that opens and closes using the same lever principle as a C-type clamp, and a grip type that resembles a screwdriver.

It is recommended to select a handle type in consideration of workability, such as a T-type handle for tightening screws strongly and a grip type for fine-tuning while tightening.

What Is a C Clamp?

A C Clamp is a type of clamp in which the material is secured by turning a handle and tightening a screw. They are so called because their shape resembles the letter “C” in the alphabet.

The body is basically forged and can be made of strong steel, light aluminum, inexpensive cast or pressed steel, or plastic. Regardless of the type, the maximum opening size and the depth of the throat are fixed.

C Clamps are tools for securing materials to worktops, etc. It is the most common and inexpensive of all clamps and is characterized by its strong fixing force.

Uses of C Clamps

C Clamps are used for a wide range of applications, from general DIY to specialized assembly and fabrication work in civil engineering and construction, furniture manufacturing, sheet metal, and steel industry.

They are tools used to hold materials in place for cutting, drilling, gluing, and other processing operations. It can improve the accuracy and efficiency of work.

These tools are not fixed to the workbench like a vise, but can be moved freely for fixing. They come in a variety of sizes and are used in all kinds of work situations.

Principle of C Clamps

A C Clamp consists of a C-shaped body, a metal screw, and a handle for turning the screw. It is the simplest of all clamps.

The space between the jaws on one end of the C-shaped body and the jaws on the end of the screw on the other end is called the opening. The material is clamped in this opening, and the handle is used to rotate the screw to narrow the opening and secure the material firmly.

Characteristics of C Clamps

C Clamps have the highest strength compared to other clamps because the main body is made of a single component and has no moving parts. They are also suitable for long-term fixation such as bonding because of its strong clamping force.

Since the mouth opening needs to be adjusted only by the action of tightening the screw, they are not as efficient as L-shaped clamps, but they are superior in terms of strength.

Since most screws are made of metal, when fixing soft materials, it is important to use them with a piece of wood or a rubber pad between them to avoid damaging the material.

There are a variety of sizes and materials, from small ones used for DIY to large ones used at construction sites. Choose the one that best suits your work space and the size of your materials. Choosing the right one for the job will lead to work safety, accuracy, and efficiency.

How to Select a C Clamp

C Clamps are available in various combinations of maximum opening size, depth of throat, and material.

1. Maximum Opening Size

The maximum opening size is 25mm, 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, etc., and is determined by the thickness of the material to be clamped. 

2. Depth of Embosser

The depth of the embankment is usually about half or the same length as the maximum opening size. Some C-clamps have a longer reach or a deeper C-clamp. The jaw depth is determined by the depth of the material to be clamped. 

3. Material

C Clamps are made of cast iron, aluminum, or plastic. If you want to fix materials firmly, use cast iron clamps because soft materials such as aluminum or plastic may break the clamp itself. Also, when using them for welding work, etc., cast iron is recommended because of its resistance to heat. Some clamps are galvanized to prevent corrosion.

Aluminum and plastic products are light and easy to carry, making them suitable for temporary fixing of small materials during woodworking. They are also rust-resistant, making them ideal for work in damp locations. 

4. Shape

Screws with hexagonal jaws can be tightened further with a hex wrench after closing the handle.

What Is a Screw Clamp?

A Screw Clamp is the general name for B-type, C-type, and G-type clamps. 

A clamp is a tool used to secure a workpiece to a workbench during machining. The width of the opening is adjusted by turning a handle attached to the screw.

Unlike the B-shape clamp, the C-shape clamp has a C-shape instead of a U-shape. This makes it possible to clamp fixed objects deeper. Another advantage of the G-type clamp is its high fixing strength.

The G-type clamp is shaped like the letter “C” like the C-type clamp, but has a deeper jaw, the part to which the object to be clamped is added, than the C-type clamp. This makes it possible to clamp shapes that cannot be clamped with a C-type clamp.

Usage of Screw Clamp

Screw Clamps are widely used for general DIY and specialized assembly and fabrication work in civil engineering and construction, furniture manufacturing, sheet metal, and ironworking. They are used for cutting materials, drilling holes in wood and metal, fixing welding, and other relatively light-load work, and are not recommended for high-load work such as metal cutting.

It is a fixing tool that can be moved freely, not fixed to the workbench like a vise. By holding materials firmly in place, they improve the efficiency and accuracy of work. They come in a variety of sizes and are used in all types of work situations.

Principle of Screw Clamp

A Screw Clamp consists of a body with an opening, a metal screw, and a handle for turning the screw. It is the simplest of all clamps.

The space between the jaws at the end of the body with the opening and the screw at the other end is called the mouth opening. The material is placed between the jaws at the mouth opening, and the handle is used to rotate the screw to narrow the width of the mouth opening and strongly secure the material.

Features of Screw Clamp

Screw Clamps are stronger than other clamps because the main body is made of one part and has no moving parts. It also has a strong clamping force, making it ideal for long-time fixing such as gluing.

The mouth opening needs to be adjusted only by the action of tightening the screw, which is not as efficient as with L-shaped clamps, etc., but it is superior in terms of strength. It can also be used when the surface of the workpiece has a loose slope. The adapter at the end of the screw is a pivoting type.

Even if the fixed object has a slightly sloped shape, the adapter fits so that it can be fixed. In most cases, the tip of the screw is made of metal, so when fixing soft materials, use a piece of wood or a rubber pad between the screw and the material to prevent damage.

There are a variety of sizes and materials, from small ones used for DIY to large ones used at construction sites. Therefore, it is important to select the right one for your work space and material size.

How to Select a Screw Clamp

1. Guaranteed Load Capacity

Screw Clamps have a guaranteed load as specified by the manufacturer. The guaranteed load indicates the strength with which the screw clamp can be secured. The unit is kN (kilonewtons).

The manufacturer’s product information is always indicated, so investigate the weight of the object to be fixed in advance and select a product that meets the corresponding guaranteed load. If the product is used outside the guaranteed load range, it may lead to an unexpected serious accident such as movement of the fixed object. It is advisable to consider the guaranteed load with some margin for the fixed object.

2. Maximum Opening Size

The maximum opening size is the width of the opening of the screw clamp when it is opened to the maximum. It is selected by considering the thickness of the object to be clamped in the screw clamp. Rather than clamping an object at its full maximum opening size, we recommend a size with a little room to spare. The manufacturer’s product information provides the dimensions of the clamping range and aperture. 

3. Environment of Use

The environment or situation in which the product will be used should also be considered. For example, when a strong load is applied, such as in metalworking. Even if multiple screw clamps are used, they may not be able to withstand processing with high load strength. Fixing scaffolds on which people ride may also be dangerous. If you are unsure of the expected range of use, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer.

What Is a Surface Plate?

A surface plate is a high-precision flat surface used as a reference point in machining, assembling, measuring, or testing machinery and equipment. Available in rectangular, square, and circular shapes, surface plates come in sizes from 30 cm to several meters. They are classified by grade to meet various precision requirements and are typically made from cast iron, black granite, or ceramics.

Usage of Surface Plates

Surface plates provide a stable and precise base for measuring parts, planning during assembly or welding, and serving as a base for 3-D measuring machines and precision machinery. Their application spans from the food industry for sterilization processes to the automotive industry for ensuring high rigidity in automobile components.

Principle of Surface Plates

The flatness of surface plates is achieved through machining, lapping, or scraping processes. Techniques like whittling and 3-face sliding ensure the necessary accuracy, producing a surface that can be reliably used as a reference plane.

Types of Surface Plates

Variations of surface plates include the common box type with internal ribs for lightness and rigidity, precision plates for inspecting machined product accuracy, brown-sharp type for finishing standards, and self-honed plates with a reinforced top plate for added strength.

Structure of Surface Plates

1. Steel Plate

This is the most commonly used type of surface plate. To ensure high flatness accuracy, internal stresses are removed by annealing, and the surface is precisely finished. A magnetic jig can be used, but it is susceptible to rust and requires periodic maintenance as dents and burrs may cause the reference surface to cease functioning during use.

2. Stone

The surface is more than twice as hard and precise as cast iron. No maintenance is required due to its high corrosion resistance. The flatness accuracy is not deteriorated by dents or scratches, and it can be used for a long period.

3. Ceramic

As with stone, the surface hardness is high, so work involving sliding is possible. Ceramic is selected for use in clean rooms because it is less likely to produce fine dust. However, it is vulnerable to a certain degree of impact and may chip or crack.

4. Glass

Glass is suitable for DIY projects, as it is easy and inexpensive to make.

What Is Natural Rubber?

Natural rubber is rubber standardized as “cis-1,4-polyisprene obtained from the Pará rubber tree”.

Therefore, the main production areas of natural rubber are the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, where Pará rubber tree grows. Production of natural rubber in Southeast Asia consists of about 80% of total production.

Natural rubber has been used industrially since the 1800s. It is traded in three main forms: latex, which is liquid rubber; RSS, which is dried in sheet form; and TSR, which is rubber that has been finely ground and press-molded.

RSS is mechanically stronger than TSR, but is also more expensive.

Uses of Natural Rubber

Approximately 70% of natural rubber is used in tires for aircraft, trucks, buses, and passenger cars. To increase the durability of tires, natural rubber is blended with SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) and BR (butadiene rubber), a type of synthetic rubber, to improve durability.

Due in part to the effects of these blends, natural rubber exhibits extremely high mechanical strength and is therefore often used in large tires. Besides tires, natural rubber is used in a wide range of industrial products such as belts, hoses, and anti-vibration rubber feet, as well as in consumer products such as thread rubber, rubber bands, and footwear such as slippers.

It is also sometimes used as an additive to plastics.

Characteristics of Natural Rubber

Natural rubber has excellent extensibility, resilience, tear strength, compression set, abrasion resistance, flexural crack resistance, and adhesiveness, and is characterized by low internal heating and high fracture strength. Like general synthetic rubbers, it has high water and alcohol resistance, but low oil and acid resistance. It also has low resistance to weathering and ozone.

Since natural rubber is derived from natural materials, it may contain impurities and have more inconsistencies in physical properties than synthetic rubbers.

Structure of Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is made from polyisoprene (a polymer of isoprene: CH2=C(CH3)-CH=CH2), which is obtained by adding acid to the white sap called latex that seeps out when a rubber tree is wounded.

Since the isoprene portion has a cis structure, the molecular chain is irregularly shaped and crystallization rarely occurs.

Other Information on Natural Rubber

1. Vulcanization

Vulcanization is the process of adding sulfur and heating. The double bonds in the molecules that make up natural rubber undergo an oxidation reaction over time, causing the rubber to lose its elasticity over time.

Natural rubber also lacks durability in terms of resistance to heat and cold, making it difficult to use as is. Therefore, natural rubber is treated by adding 5-8% sulfur to natural rubber and heating it to approximately 140°C. This process causes the double bonds to react with the sulfur, bonding the molecules together and increasing the chemical strength, mechanical strength, and elasticity of the rubber. Most of the natural rubber used in daily life is vulcanized rubber. 

2. Differences From Synthetic Rubber

In addition to natural rubber, there is synthetic rubber which is produced from petroleum or naphtha. It is difficult to distinguish between natural rubber and synthetic rubber visually, and because they have equal specific gravity, it is difficult to determine visuallywhether natural rubber or synthetic rubber is used.

Natural rubber is superior in mechanical properties, but synthetic rubbers, such as fluorine rubber and silicone rubber, have higher heat resistance, oil resistance, and weather resistance, and synthetic rubbers often exhibit better properties other than mechanical strength.

3. Natural Rubber as a Resource

Compared to synthetic rubber, which is derived from petroleum, natural rubber is a very green material because it is naturally derived. In addition, since the Pará rubber tree synthesizes natural rubber by absorbing carbon dioxide, it is indirectly using carbon dioxide from the earth.

After about 25 years from the planting date, the paragum tree is replanted because the harvest of natural rubber is decreasing rapidly, and the paragum trees cut down at this time are mainly processed into laminated wood.

Laminated wood from the Pará rubber tree is widely used for furniture, flooring, and other applications due to its durability, coloring, and paintability. Natural rubber itself, as well as the Pará rubber tree, which produces natural rubber, is a green material.

What Is a Voltage Regulator?

A voltage regulator (power supply integrated circuit) is an electronic component that controls the stable supply of power voltage when operating electronic equipment. For example, when various electronic devices are used by converting 100 VAC from a household outlet to DC voltage, they are controlled to maintain a constant output voltage, even if the load on the electronic devices varies. It also controls the output voltage to maintain stability even if the load fluctuates during use or if the operating environment changes, such as temperature.

Uses of Voltage Regulators

Voltage regulators are used in a variety of electronic devices. such as home appliances and mobile devices. Most modern home appliances are electronically controlled, and a variety of electronic circuits are used to control them. Portable devices are also equipped with various functions, such as displays, cameras, and sensors. To operate them, multiple power supply voltages must be stably supplied. In addition, more and more electronic devices are powered by rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, which are controlled by voltage regulators to ensure safe charging and stable output voltages.

Principle of Voltage Regulators

There are various types of voltage regulators, such as linear regulators, DC/DC converters, AC/DC converters, and rechargeable battery charge/discharge controllers. The basic principle of operation is that there is a control element between the input and output, and the power supply IC monitors the output voltage and controls the state of the control element so that the output maintains a constant voltage. Transistor elements, such as power MOSFETs and IGBTs, can be used as control elements.

In a linear regulator, the voltage applied to the gate of the transistor is varied according to changes in the output voltage, and the resistance of the transistor is controlled to maintain a constant output voltage.

In DC/DC converters and AC/DC converters, transistors are used as switching elements to control the ON/OFF of transistors so that the output voltage remains constant. The AC/DC converter also controls to improve the power factor.

In addition, the rechargeable battery charge control monitors not only voltage but also current and temperature, and controls the charge current to flow as much as possible within a safe range to enable rapid charging.

What Is a Thermal Printer?

A thermal printer is a printer that prints on thermal paper, plain paper, or labels by applying heat. There are two types of thermal printers, direct thermal printers, and thermal transfer printers, depending on the printing method.

Direct thermal printers print on special thermal paper that is colored by heat. Thermal transfer printers print on plain paper or labels using thermal transfer ink ribbons that melt or sublimate when heated.

Traditionally, thermal printers were only available in black and white, but recent years have seen an increase in the number of thermal printers that can print in color. It can be said that they are competing with inkjet printers.

Uses of Thermal Printers

Thermal print heads are compact, reliable, and inexpensive. Compared to inkjet print heads, thermal printers are widely used for both home and commercial applications because there is no risk of ink clogging the nozzles.

Among thermal printers, direct printers have the advantage of not requiring toner or ink ribbons. Furthermore, the advantages of reliability, low cost, and compactness due to the small number of printer components are significant. They are used in portable label printers that print barcodes and prices and attach them to products.

They are also widely used in cash register receipt printers, mobile printers that can print photos on the spot, and toy printers. Thermal transfer printers, another type of thermal printer, are used in home fax printers because they are inexpensive, compact, and can print on plain paper.

They are also used in label printers for printing barcodes and expiration dates, taking advantage of their low ink bleed, water resistance, and weather resistance. Thermal transfer printers that use dye ink are often used in photo printers, taking advantage of their high expressive power.

Principle of Thermal Printers

Thermal printers print by heating a heating element built into a printing block called a thermal print head. There are two types of thermal printers: direct thermal printers and thermal transfer printers, depending on the printing method.

1. Direct Thermal Printers

Direct thermal printers use thermal paper that chemically reacts to heat to produce color and print directly on the thermal paper using the heat from the thermal print head. This method is characterized by low running costs and compact printer size. On the other hand, thermal paper tends to discolor due to heat or chemicals, making it unsuitable for labels that will be used for a long period of time.

2. Thermal Transfer Printer

Thermal transfer printers use thermal transfer ink ribbons to print by transferring ink from the ink ribbon to paper with the heat of the thermal print head. Thermal transfer printers are used when environmental resistance is required, despite their high cost. However, there is a disadvantage to larger printer sizes.

Other Information on Thermal Printers

Thermal Paper and Ink Ribbons for Thermal Printers

The thermal paper used for direct thermal printers consists of a base paper or film coated with a layer consisting mainly of leuco dye, a dye that can switch between colored and colorless states, and a color developer. The heat from the thermal print head melts the color developer contained in the thermosensitive layer and acts on the leuco dye, causing the leuco dye to emit color. This coloration is controlled by the printer to print characters and barcodes.

There are two types of ink ribbons for thermal transfer printers: the molten thermal transfer method and the sublimation thermal transfer method. The ink ribbon used for the melting type is coated with ink that melts when heated. The heat from the thermal print head melts the ink and transfers it to the paper, where it solidifies and fuses as it cools.

Dye-sublimation type ink ribbons are coated with ink that sublimates when heated, and the heat from the thermal print head vaporizes the ink, which is transferred to the paper. Since the ink density can be continuously controlled by varying the applied heat, smooth gradation can be achieved. It is suitable for photo printers.