ALPS Presents Compact Thermal Line Printers with High Printing Speed of 75mm/s

The ideal solution for mobile and desktop printing applications

Duesseldorf, May 31, 2005 – With the PTMBL13/21 and PTMBL15/25 series, ALPS Electric Europa GmbH offers extremely compact and accu-powered high-speed line thermal printers for printing receipts directly at petrol pumps and vending machines for parking permissions, as printers for sales slips in taxi meters or to evaluate tachographs of vehicle fleets. Furthermore, their light weight, low power consumption and easy paper handling open the PTMBL series to numerous printing applications in portable testing and evaluation devices, as mobile POS terminals, e.g. for credit cards in restaurants, and as portable printers for mobile phones. The PTMBL series was designed for thermal paper sized from 58mm to 80mm width (PTMBL13/21 series) as well as 58mm/60mm and 80mm/82.5mm (PTMBL15/25 series). Depending on the model, the printing width is 48mm or 72mm. A high printing speed of 75mm per second, a resolution of 8dots/mm and a dot arrangement with either 384 or 576 dots per line allow for an outstanding printing quality. Further advantages of these printers are their easy operation and trouble-free paper handling as well as their low-noise operation due to the non-impact printing method. The thermal printers are designed for power voltages of 4.2V to 8.5V for head/motor and a low current consumption of 1.3A. The operating temperature ranges from –25°C to +70°C. The PTMBL series is remarkable for its longevity with an pulse resistance of more than 1x108 pulses and an abrasion resistance of 50km and more. Depending on the model, the devices’ dimensions range from 72.0mm x 30.5mm x 15.6mm to 103.4mm x 35.0mm x 16.2mm (b x l x h). Their weight is between 41g and 71g. The compact size and light weight of the PTMBL series was achieved due to ALPS’ proprietary precision mechanics and thermal printing elements. The high printing speed also results from the company-specific technology. For instance, ALPS has developed specific trigger electronics for an optimized adjustment of motor and thermal printing head. By implementing high-quality, temperature resistant material, not only a high operation temperature but also a reliable longevity is ensured.

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments – Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics – which are contributing to the advance of a digital society. ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 1989 the European Head Office is located in Düsseldorf. A team of specialists is working here in Sales, Marketing, and Product Engineering. From Düsseldorf the activities of our branch offices in Munich, Paris, Milton Keynes and the European distribution are co-ordinated. ALPS Nordic AB, a 100 percent subsidiary of ALPS Electric Europa GmbH, located in Sweden, is servicing the Scandinavian market.