Brother P-touch PT-3600, Service Manual

Page: 17 / 165

II-1
CHAPTER II THEORY OF OPERATION
2.1 OUTLINE OF MECHANISMS
2.1.1 Print Mechanism
Structure of Thermal Head
The machine uses thermal transfer printing. The thermal print head has a heat generator
consisting of 384 heating elements which are vertically aligned as shown in Fig. 2.1-1.
Each heating element is 0.08 mm wide by 0.0705 mm high.
Fig. 2.1-1 Heat Generator of the Thermal Head
Printing Process
When the cylindrical rubber platen is pressed against the thermal print head with the tape* and
ink ribbon** sandwiched inbetween, the CPU applies electric power to the selected heating
elements out of 384.
* Laminate tape when using laminated tape cassettes.
Non-laminated tape when using non-laminated tape cassettes.
Instant lettering tape when using instant lettering tape cassettes.
Iron-on transfer tape when using iron-on transfer tape cassettes.
Cloth tape when using cloth tape cassettes.
Thermal tape when using AV (Avery) labels cassettes.
** When using AV labels cassettes or stamp tape cassettes, no ink ribbon is sandwiched.
[For tape cassettes except stamp tape cassettes and AV labels cassettes]
If the selected heating element(s) generates heat, the ink on the sandwiched ribbon will be
melted and transferred to the tape, producing a dot(s) on the tape. The ink ribbon and the tape
are advanced and then the next heating cycle is repeated, thus forming a character on the
tape.
[For AV labels cassettes]
If the selected heating element(s) generates heat, the thermal tape develops itself to produce a
dot on the tape. The tape is advanced and the next heating cycle is repeated, thus forming a
character on the tape.