Line matrix printers get rejuvenated

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 9/1/2005

Despite all of the focus lately on laser printers for industrial applications, line matrix printers still have a role to play there. As a result, Printronix has completely redeveloped its lead line matrix product.

The new P7000 is a complete redesign of the popular P5000, developed and enhanced over a nine year period. "Not only have the consumables been enhanced, the line matrix printer (P7000) is more reliable over time," says Andy Scherz, product manager at Printronix. Scherz explains that consumables—ribbons, ink, toner—are costly commodities for most laser printers. "Laser printers have an extraordinary consumables cost," he adds. Printronix's P7000 is aiming to slash those costs.

The ribbon on the line matrix model, Scherz notes, is now bigger to accommodate more ink and different dyes. A "smarter material allows the ribbon to remain viable up to three times longer than traditional ribbons," he asserts.

The security protocols on the printer have also been enhanced, allowing the user to configure the settings— instead of requiring an off-site technician. And instead of jamming the unit with a myriad of hard-to-operate features, Printronix has gone the other way. "Casual users make mistakes," Scherz says. "We are trying to plug all these little holes."