Impact Printing

The behavior of nonlinear viscoelastic materials to low velocity impacts is described in terms of simple mathematical models which take into account the effects of nonlinear damping and deflection characteristics. An approximate analytical solution is given for the particular case of an impact printer (a typical piece of computer peripheral equipment). An expression for the impact ``contact time'' is derived; the contact time is shown to be inversely proportional to the square root of the initial hammer velocity. Conclusions, based on the approximate nonlinear analysis, are compared with published IBM experimental data. Results of this investigation serve as the basis for continuing studies of impact printing and impression controls.