Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for enhancing the quality of characters printed on a media by a dot matrix printer, and particularly for enhancing edges of characters disposed at an angle to the rows of the matrix. First and second memory matrices contain the information as to the relative position along each row for printing dots to form each character; the first memory containing information to form a basic pattern and the second memory containing information related to an enhancement pattern which, if printed at the same carrier frequency as the basic pattern but phase shifted therefrom by a predetermined relationship (for example, 180.degree.), will enhance those edges of the character being printed disposed at an angle, other than 90.degree., from the rows of dots being printed. The information in the first and second memories are sequenced through first and second shift registers, one of which is sequenced by a clock signal and the other is sequenced by an inverted clock signal.

Abstract: A welding fixture includes members supporting the ends of a print band and spaced to permit welding of the ends of the band with a laser beam. The edges of the band on either side of the weld joint are held parallel by means of at least two alignment pins on either side of the weld with the pins forming one terminal of a plurality of switches in circuitry to indicate proper alignment of the band prior to welding. One support member of the fixture is pivotable or tiltable to enable the ends of the band to be made square prior to welding.

Abstract: A welding fixture includes members supporting the ends of a print band and spaced to permit welding of the ends of the band with a laser beam. The edges of the band on either side of the weld joint are held parallel by means of at least two alignment pins on either side of the weld with the pins forming one terminal of a plurality of switches in circuitry to indicate proper alignment of the band prior to welding. One support member of the fixture is pivotable or tiltable to enable the ends of the band to be made square prior to welding.

Abstract: The impact tip of the print hammer is provided with a curved face in one direction and shaped in a cylindrically-arcuate configuration. The impact tip is formed with the surface curvature in a direction perpendicular to the direction of character height and in a convexly curved or rounded manner as viewed from the type character. This structure of the impact tip together with an optimum chamfer angle of the type character permits closer spacing of the characters.