Star Micronics lC-10, Technical Manual

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THEORY OF OPERATION
Not Linked
4-4. Paper Feed Mechanism
The paper feed motor is a PM type, four-phase and 48-pole pulse motor.
Minimum paper feed is set at 1/216 inch.
There are two ways of feeding paper available with this printer: Friction method and Tractor method. You can select one
of the two methods, using the release lever.
Position of release lever
[1] [2]
Linkage between tractor
gear and tractor clutch
Platen roller and holder roller Pressured Not
Release lever position detector Closed Open
Paper feeding method Friction Tractor
(1) Friction Method
Friction method is selected when the release lever is position
[1] .
With this method, paper is pressed between the platen roller and the holder roller therefore, paper is fed as the rollers
turn.
As the paper feed motor is driven, the motor gear, through the idler gear, turns the platen gear in the paper feeding
direction. However, since the tractor gear and the tractor clutch are not linked at this time, the tractor unit will not
be driven.
(2) Tractor Method
Tractor method is selected when the release lever is position
[2]
.
As described below, paper feeding is facilitated by rotation of the sprocket pin of the tractor unit. When the tractor
method is selected, the tractor gear is linked to the tractor clutch, enabling the drive force generated by the paper
feed motor to be transferred to the tractor unit via the idler gear and the platen gear.
Fig. 2-19 Paper Feed Mechanism