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Definition: chain printer


An early line printer that used type slugs linked together in a chain as its printing mechanism. The chain spun horizontally around a set of hammers. When the desired character was in front of the selected print column, the corresponding hammer hit the paper into the ribbon and onto the character in the chain. Chain and train printers gave way to band printers in the early 1980s.




Chain Printer Mechanism
When the required character in the chain has revolved to the selected print column, the hammer pushes the paper into the ribbon and against the type slug of the letter or digit.