Abstract: A daisy wheel printer having a platen, a translatable carriage, a pair of parallel support rods for the carriage, a pressure roller control mechanism, and electrochemical dirve mechanisms for the carriage and the platen has a unitary cast base member incorporating all of the support members required for these elements. The unitary base member also integrally incorporates a support platform for the electrical power components, a separate integral chamber for the electronic control components, and a thermally conductive heat sink for conducting away heat generated by the electrical components.The unitary base member also provides electromagnetic radiation shielding and static discharge protection without the need for additional shielding or ground components.The carriage assembly for the printing element includes a one piece die cast lower support brace, and an upper carriage assembly incorporating the detachable ribbon cartridge drive mechanism and a simple one piece ribbon latching device.