Printer Module

[Graham2107]

Can anyone suggest a printer module that I can use to interface to a microcontroller such as a PIC?

I have a project to design a small portable GSM based POS system but it needs a hard copy output.

 

[carbonzit]

I remember there being a line of itsy-bitsy printers years ago, so I looked in my DigiKey catalog (paper catalog), and sure enough, they're still made.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for: check out the EPL1902SC printer module. Pretty cheap (<$30), although you do need to buy an interface board for it which is not cheap ($147).

 

[Graham2107]

Many thanks for quick response. The US$30.00 I can handle but the US$147.00 for the interface, WOW, that makes for an expensive solution

The DS looks fine but I think I will look around to see if there is a cheaper alternative.

Cheers

 

[carbonzit]

I wonder if it's possible to drive the printer module directly. After all, you do have a little microprocessor handy ... just a thought.

 

[Graham2107]

That is very true. What is the interface for ? Perhaps to be driven from an OS such as Windows? All I need obviously is to send ASCII data to the printer and let it "do its thing"

 

[carbonzit]

It might be more complicated than that. I'm guessing the IF board has ROM for character generation, and that the printer module is driven at a pretty low level (select which pins to fire, carriage motion, etc.). A bit of work to come up with a workable printer, but perhaps doable? I really don't know, but maybe worth checking into.

 

[House0Fwax]

Have a look at the 'sipix a6'. It's a small thermal printer that uses either IrDA or RS232.
I don't know if you can

send ASCII data to the printer and let it "do its thing"

 

[Graham2107]

The Sipix a6 is a GR8 solution but it seems that you need special software to drive it. I have found millions of reviews but the manual is very scarce

 

[SABorn]

It is a matter of what basics you need, if its just text (ascii charactors) than a Pic can talk direct to a printer,

I know someone who wrote a program for a 16F88 to work as a I2C slave to a printer, so yes it can be done.

If you want graphics then its a different story.

Pete.

 

[Graham2107]

Nope, no graphics required, just pure and simple ASCII characters. Although the PC16F688 is a GR8 device for its UART I am using the new PIC18F26K80 with a 12-bit A2D for another function. The problem is that there is no 230Vac mains available at the site where the POS is going to be used, hence the requirement for a +12Vdc, or whatever, printer module. I would have thought that this would be an easy find

 

[Mr RB]

Check around the surplus suppliers. I've seen complete point of sale printers (the little ones) with enclosure and serial connector for $10 to $15.

As serial ports are obsolete now they get job-lots of little POS printers that have serial.