The product
TTP has developed high precision mechanisms for media storage and transport, printhead alignment and servicing in a wide range of digital printers. The Datamax E-4203 4” thermal transfer barcode printer is an example of a mass-produced mechanism required to work reliably over a long life, often in harsh environments.

TTP’s role

Datamax worked with TTP to gain insight into low-cost mass production techniques as well as for our engineering creativity. Datamax’s engineering team had already developed a new electronics and firmware architecture for the E-4203 and needed a printer mechanism that could deliver significant speed, reliability and accuracy improvements compared to the preceding model.

We combined our knowledge of thermal printing with an understanding of low-cost production techniques and statistical tolerance analysis to reduce part count, reduce assembly time and remove the need for expensive test and set-up processes – halving production costs.

In parallel we located and evaluated manufacturing partners in China and Taiwan to permit further significant cost savings.