CertiGuide to A+ (Core Hardware)  9  Chapter 0111:  Peripheral Devices       9  VIII  Printers

Bubble Jet 1 Laser Printers

A more efficient method of Inkjet printing is Epson's Piezo-Electric technology. The differences between this technology and Bubble Jet are subtle, yet have a big impact on quality and performance.

Instead of using a heating resistor to heat the ink, a special Piezo crystal is used. The crystal receives an electric signal from the print controller when a drop of ink is required. As you've learned, it is the nature of crystals to vibrate when electricity is supplied to them. It is the vibration of the Piezo crystal that creates the necessary pressure and suction to move ink in and out of the reservoir and nozzle assembly.

The advantage here is that the process allows the printer to more accurately control the size of an individual droplet by varying the amount of current that is applied to the crystal. Additionally, unlike thermal inkjet printing, the ink does not need to be heated and cooled. Therefore, it does not suffer some of the performance barriers these technologies endure.

Bubble Jet 1 Laser Printers