Apple ImageWriter
The Apple ImageWriter is a serial dot-matrix printer that Apple sold for the Apple II, Apple III, Lisa and Macintosh. Apple's service documentation describes it as "an improved version of the Dot Matrix Printer", with faster printing of graphics and text, less noise, easier removal of the switch panel, power switch and covers, and a serial interface in place of the Apple Dot Matrix Printer's parallel one; the mechanical assembly and adjustments are the same as the DMP's.[1] Like the DMP it was built by C. Itoh, as a version of the C. Itoh 8510.[2] A wide-carriage ImageWriter 15-inch model was also sold.[3]
| Apple ImageWriter | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| ImageWriter (photo: Guillermo Esteves, cropped by TigerK 69, CC BY-SA 2.5) | |
| Manufacturer | C. Itoh, for Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Dot-matrix impact printer |
| Interface | Serial (RS-232) |
| Compatible | Apple II series, Apple III, Lisa, Macintosh |
| Dimensions | 4.8 × 16.2 × 11.8 in (Apple specification page) |
| Weight | 19 lb (Apple specification page) |
| Successor | Apple ImageWriter II |
| Power | 180 W maximum, 120 V 60 Hz (Apple specification page) |
Apple's specification page gives the standard ImageWriter's dates as June 1984 to December 1985, but Apple's ImageWriter Technical Procedures introduction is dated August 1983, so the printer was in service documentation by then.[4][1] The Apple ImageWriter II replaced it in September 1985.[5]
How it differs from the ImageWriter II
edit| Feature | ImageWriter | ImageWriter II |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | RS-232 | RS-422/423 |
| 7 or 8-bit data | Set by DIP switch 1-5 | Software only |
| Print wire diameter | 0.35 mm | 0.30 mm |
| Speed | 120 characters per second | 180 characters per second |
| Deselect | Prints the whole buffer before stopping | Prints at most two more lines |
| Paper loading | Paper bail pulled away by hand; paper removed from the tractors for friction feed | Automatic loading; tractors disengage in friction mode |
| Printing area | Needs a 3-line top margin | Whole length of paper |
| Paper feed speed | 1.67 in per second | 4.0 in per second |
Controls and configuration
editTo run the self-test, hold the form feed switch while switching on; the printer prints lines of the character set until it is switched off. If the select button is pressed accidentally during power-up, the next data received is printed as a hexadecimal dump; switch off and on to clear it.[1] Two DIP switch banks, SW1 and SW2, sit under a plastic strip and are reached by sliding the carrier fully to the left with the paper and carrier covers off. Apple's factory settings are USA character set, 8-bit data, no automatic line feed after carriage return and 12 characters per inch on SW1, and 9600 baud with DTR handshaking on SW2.[1] The user's manual explains the switches and the printer's control codes.[7]
Hardware
editMains enters through a noise filter to a transformer that Apple's flow-of-information description gives as reducing 120 V to 40 V; the CPU PC board contains both the power supply circuits and the microprocessor electronics, and drives the carrier motor through a carrier drive transistor assembly.[1] Apple's schematic for the main logic board is drawing 050-0089-A, two D-size sheets.[8] The illustrated parts list covers both the standard and the 15-inch printer, with 110 V and 220 V transformers and noise filters, and the U.S. print head 661-0315 (970-0646 for Europe).[1]
Maintenance and repair
edit- Apple ImageWriter General Maintenance: Apple's cleaning and lubrication procedure and maintenance schedule (also for the Dot Matrix Printer).
- Apple ImageWriter Troubleshooting Guide: Apple's symptom table, motor resistances and the self-test flow (also for the Dot Matrix Printer).
Documentation
edit- Apple ImageWriter Documentation: the user's manual, the main logic board schematic, Apple's Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two (ImageWriter, ImageWriter II and II/L Technical Procedures) and the Peripheral Interface Guide.
Gallery
edit-
With the top cover off
Related pages
editReferences
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Apple Computer, ImageWriter Technical Procedures, in Apple Service Technical Procedures, Cross Family Peripherals, Volume Two (PN 072-0230, November 1991), hosted as File:Apple Service Technical Procedures Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two Nov 1991.pdf. ImageWriter section PDF pp. 8-109: introduction (rev. Aug 83) pp. 1.2-1.12 (PDF pp. 12-21), self-test p. 1.7, configuration switches pp. 1.9-1.10, periodic maintenance p. 1.11, maintenance schedule p. 1.12; take-apart Section 2; symptom table pp. 3.2-3.7 (PDF pp. 61-66); flow of information pp. 3A.1-3A.3 (PDF pp. 68-70); illustrated parts list Section 4 (PDF pp. 72-87); 15-inch ImageWriter take-apart Section 5 (PDF pp. 88-103); appendix Section 6.
- ↑ "ImageWriter", Wikipedia, revision 1338021868, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageWriter. Used for the manufacturer, the C. Itoh 8510 origin and the dates of the 15-inch model and the ImageWriter II only.
- ↑ Apple, "ImageWriter (15"): Technical Specifications", support.apple.com/en-us/112243. Introduced 1 April 1984; discontinued 1 September 1987; serial; 180 W maximum; 144 maximum dpi; 26.4 lb; 5.6 × 22 × 11.8 in.
- ↑ Apple, "ImageWriter: Technical Specifications", support.apple.com/en-us/112244. Introduced 1 June 1984; discontinued 1 December 1985; PD language QuickDraw; ports serial; 180 W maximum, 1.5 A, 120 V 60 Hz; 144 maximum dpi; 19 lb; 4.8 × 16.2 × 11.8 in.
- ↑ Apple, "ImageWriter II: Technical Specifications", support.apple.com/en-us/112252. Introduced 1 September 1985.
- ↑ Apple Computer, ImageWriter II Technical Procedures, in Cross Family Peripherals, Volume Two (PN 072-0230, November 1991), hosted as File:Apple Service Technical Procedures Cross Family Peripherals Volume Two Nov 1991.pdf. Basics, Changed Features, p. 1.3 (rev. Aug 87), PDF p. 116.
- ↑ Apple Computer, ImageWriter User's Manual, hosted as File:Apple ImageWriter Users Manual.pdf. Contents: getting to know the printer; controlling the printer, with DIP switch settings, control codes and sequences, baud setting, protocol, pitch and proportional spacing.
- ↑ Apple Computer, Schematic, Main Logic Board, ImageWriter, drawing 050-0089-A, sheets 1 and 2, hosted as File:Apple ImageWriter Main Logic Board Schematic 050-0089-A.pdf.