Analysis of contact pressure of a thermal print head using the generalized Maxwell model

Abstract

In case of a thermal transfer printer, it is important to locate the heater of the thermal print head at the position where the contact pressure is most high. So it is necessary to clear the contact pressure between an ink ribbon and a thermal print head. The visco elastic properties of the ink, PET and platen rubber were measured with a rheometer. The contact pressures on the thermal print head were calculated by FEM. Generalized Maxwell model and three element Maxwell model were used. The calculated results of both models were compared. Moreover, contact regions were examined through the friction experiment of the thermal print head, and they were compared with the calculated results.