An experimental magnetic printer

This paper reviews the magnetic characteristics of a high speed (120 inches per second) experimental magnetic printer investigated during the late 1950´s. Even though the printer has not been marketed, its high paper throughput may still result in interest in the concepts involved. At the very least, the descriptions of the magnetic components, the recording process, and the recorded spots will still be of interest in today´s technology. The experimental magnetic printer made use of magnetic styli in conjunction with a NiCo drum surface to record information in the form of a dot matrix. Stylus heads using either permeable return paths or non-permeable return paths were examined as well as NiCo surfaces which had been erased so as to be left in either a remanent or a demagnetized state. The recorded information was inked either by cascading magnetic toner (below 90 inches per second) or by accelerating the magnetic toner by means of a roller and then pressure transferred to paper or card stock where the ink was fixed. This paper is intended as an overview of the experimental high speed printer and the magnetic technology involved as it may extend on discussions already existing in the literature.