IT2000 is a thermal printer with inline header that can print on textured 58, 80 or 112 mm wide paper text, graphics and barcodes. The main advantages of this printer are: high print speed, reliability in operation, low noise, ease of operation, automatic paper cutting (optional). Fields of use: Point of Sales (POS), industrial equipment, measurement equipment, medical equipment and virtually any application that requires vouchers, data recordings, barcodes etc. The prototype was designed and manufactured by me in 1999.

Specification:
- Print system: in-line thermal head
- Paper width: 58, 80 or 112 mm
- Optionally provided with automatic paper cutter
- Resolution: 8 dots / mm
- Print speed: max 90 mm / sec
- Interface: parallel (Centronics) and serial (RS232C) from PC or other device
- Power supply: directly from the 230V AC socket (power supply included)
- Print barcodes: UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN13, EAN8, CODE39, ITF, CODABAR
- Operating temperatures: + 10ºC ... + 35ºC
- Dimensions: 255 x 205 x 125 mm
- Weight: approx. 4 kg

A direct thermal printer prints by applying heat to a special paper material. It does not use ribbon, ink or toner, but it requires a special type of heat-sensitive material that blackens when heat is applied. Because the printed material is heat sensitive, it fades and the label can become hard to read and scan over time. In addition, direct thermal printed papers and labels are sensitive to abrasions and exposure to water, chemicals and strong sunlight. For those reasons, direct thermal printing is not the best choice for long-term use. By the same reason, direct thermal printing still provides a sufficient lifetime for many other applications. In general, direct thermal is best for applications that require a printed paper or label that needs to last less than three to six months, such as shipping labels, receipts, tickets, and labels for perishable goods.

Figures 4 and 5 contain the schematic diagrams of the printer. In figure 7 is the instructions manual for using the printer in Romanian language.

Warning: This equipment is not suitable for label printing.

Disclaimer: The information on this web site is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any kind. The author has made the best efforts to ensure the design and the information provided are reliable. Under no circumstances shall the author be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, damage, expense or injury incurred or suffered which is claimed to resulted from use of this site, even if expressly advised of the possibility of such loss, damage, expense or injury, including, without limitation, any fault, error, omission, interruption or delay with respect thereto.

Links:
[01] - LM2940 datasheet
[02] - M54646AP datasheet
[03] - LM358 datasheet
[04] - BS170 datasheet
[05] - LM336 datasheet
[06] - T222 datasheet
[07] - TC1232 datasheet
[08] - EPF8282A datasheet
[09] - 3XP-12C5-25 datasheet
[10] - LTP2242 datasheet