A daisy wheel printer is a type of impact printer that was popular during the 1970s and 1980s. It gets its name from the machine's printing component, which is shaped like a daisy flower.
This printer features a circular wheel, called a daisy wheel, made of plastic or metal. The wheel has characters embossed on its petals, including letters, numbers, and symbols. Each character corresponds to a specific print position on the paper. The wheel rotates to the desired character and strikes the paper through an inked ribbon, creating an impression of the character on the page.
The daisy wheel is mounted on a motor-driven shaft, which moves it horizontally across the page. The printing mechanism registers its position with the help of sensors, ensuring accurate character alignment throughout the printing process.
Daisy wheel printers were known for their high-quality print output, producing clear and precise text. However, their printing speed was relatively slow compared to other printers, making them more suitable for low-volume or personal use. Additionally, changing the font or character size required physically swapping out the daisy wheel, which was often a time-consuming task.
Daisy wheel printers were widely used for word processing and general document printing, finding their place in offices and homes. Over time, these printers were gradually replaced by faster and more versatile printers, such as laser and inkjet printers, which offered greater convenience.
