Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus that selectively connects a voltage source to a plurality of groups of resistive printing elements, arranged substantially in a single row, in a thermal print head. The power available at printing elements selected to print is greater than that available at printing elements not selected to print.

Abstract: A print head alignment system, which includes: a) a printer having a moveable lid member and a stationary lower frame portion pivotally attached to the lid member; b) a platen having a core and a vertical center line, where the core is rotateably attached to the lower frame portion; c) a floating print head having an upper portion and a lower portion, the print head being pivotally attached to the lid member, where the print head is adapted to move in a vertical and horizontal plane; d) a nib line, which includes a row of a plurality of resistive printing elements, disposed along the print head lower portion; and e) a self-alignment assembly fixedly attached to the print head, where the assembly is adapted to contact and partially surround a portion of the platen core when the lid member is pivoted to come into contact with the lower frame portion; where when the lid member is in contact with the lower frame portion, the self-alignment assembly and the print head become positioned such that the nib line and t

Abstract: In accordance with the method of this invention, at least one sheet containing the spider springs is positioned in a novel preform fixture having internal parts constructed to simultaneously permanently preform each spring after the fixture is heat treated. The novel fixture for carrying out the preforming process of the invention on an etched sheet comprises a base plate having a number of columns extending vertically upwardly from the flat surface. The number of columns is equal to the number of springs on the sheet, and their disposition on the base corresponds to the disposition of the inner rings on the sheet. The outside diameter of a column is substantially equal to the outside diameter of an inner ring. An intermediate plate is provided defining a number of transverse bores equal to the number of columns.