Thermal printers answer kiosks' call

Seiko Instruments' Micro Printer Div., whose strength has traditionally been in the thermal mechanisms market, now offers printer modules for kiosk applications. Frost & Sullivan projects a revenue growth of 35% between 1996 and 2003--from $369.7 million to $2.94 billion for this emerging market.

Seiko Instruments' latest offering, the Speed Module (KSM Series) thermal printer, measures 2.95 x 5.05 x 6 inches, weighs 2.5 lb, and can be mounted either vertically or horizontally. A print resolution of 8 dots/mm, print speed of 75 mm/sec, and low current consumption reinforce the unit's suitability for kiosk applications. Available in three models (60-, 80-, and 112-mm paper widths), the Speed Module handles a 2-inch paper roll and features paper advance, cutter activation, and both error and paper-out indicators. Its uses include label, bar-code, point-of-sale, gaming, and gas-tank level-sensing kiosk applications.

"There is a shift in the kiosk market from dot-matrix to thermal printers, which have few moving parts and offer nearly maintenance-free operation," explains Bob Falco, marketing manager at Seiko Instruments' Micro Printer Div.

Seiko Instruments marked its entry into the kiosk market in April with the BlueMAX(TM) micro thermal printer, which features an 8-inch paper roll. A third unit that will handle a 4-inch paper roll is expected from the company in August of this year.

For more information contact Seiko Instruments USA Inc., Micro Printer Div., 2990 West Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505; Tel: (310) 517-7778.