Abstract: A printer includes a drive pulse controller which continues to output drive pulses for driving a stepping motor (M) in a forward direction after a movable member (20) has come up against a stopper (34), and thereafter stops output of the drive pulses after step out of the motor (M). The printer also includes a setting device for setting a stop phase which the stepping motor (M) takes when it starts moving in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A ribbon feeding device for a printer, which is simple in structure and easy to assemble and in which engagement between a pinion supported on a carriage and a rack is maintained when the carriage for carrying a printing head moves toward and away from the rack without providing the rack with any engaging member. An arm is swingably supported on the carriage at one end thereof, and the pinion engaged with the rack and operatively connected with a transmission mechanism is rotatably supported on the other end of the arm. One end of a torsion coil spring for urging the pinion towards the rack is engaged with the arm and at the other end thereof is engaged with the carriage. In accordance with the movement of the carriage toward and away from the rack, the arm swings to keep the engagement between the pinion and the rack appropriately.

Abstract: A platen for an impact printer includes a hollow metal pipe having a hollow interior and inner and outer surfaces. A layer of elastic material covers the outer surface. A metal rod is inserted into the hollow interior and has an outer surface spaced from the inner surface to define therebetween a clearance. Such clearance is filled with a liquid.

Abstract: A non-flammable electric discharge machining fluid for electric discharge machining which comprises a non-flammable water base solution, a block copolymer represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n ranges from 1 to 5 and n/(m+p) ranges from 0.5 to 2.5. The fluid contributes to a lowered electrode wear rate and an improved machining removal rate.