INT256 is an interface for thermal printer mechanisms with 58 mm paper width and 192 dots per line resolution. A direct thermal printer prints by applying heat to a special paper material. It is used mainly for POS and tax receipts and the 58 mm model is the most used dimension for these applications. There are many manufacturers of such low cost mechanisms, the most known is Epson.

The prototype of a simple electronic interface (figure 3) for this type of printer mechanism was designed and manufactured by me in 1997.

Specification:
- Print system: in-line thermal head
- Paper width: 58 mm
- Command for automatic paper cutter
- Resolution: 4 dots / mm (192 dots / line)
- Print speed: max 70 mm / sec
- Interface: parallel (Centronics) and serial (RS232C) from PC or other device
- Power supply: 24V DC
- Print barcodes: no
- Print labels: no
- Operating temperatures: + 10ºC ... + 35ºC

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] - Philips 80C552 datasheet
[02] - Epson LTP256 datasheet
[03] - L6202 datasheet
[04] - ULN2003 datasheet
[05] - DS1232 datasheet
[06] - UM62256 datasheet
[07] - MAX232 datasheet
[08] - M27256 datasheet