IBM hammer printers
IBM hammer printers (1959–1999)
IBM built hammer-based impact printers that used type slugs on a chain, a moving train of slugs, or an engraved band to strike ink onto paper. They replaced older print drums and came in many models, with speeds ranging from a few dozen to several thousand lines per minute, depending on the character set used. The printers were released in a rough sequence and often shared interchangeable print elements (chains, trains, or bands) and common control features.
Key models
- IBM 1403 (1959) Model 1: IBM’s first hammer printer, using a chain of type slugs. The 1403-N1 (1967) switched to a train for higher speeds.
- IBM 5203: A line printer that used interchangeable train cartridges and offered multiple print positions (default 96, expandable). It could work with IBM System/3 and used train-based printing.
- IBM 3211 (1970): A high-speed “front printer” that improved print quality with a redesigned hammer and platen system. Up to around 2000 lpm, with OCR printing added in 1972. Large and heavy, it was aimed at high-throughput workloads.
- IBM 3203 and 1416: The 3203 used interchangeable train cartridges (1416) and did not require a separate carriage control unit in many configurations. It could print Braille with a special cartridge and could attach to S/370, System/3, or System/38 systems, with speeds around 1000–1580 lpm depending on the model.
- Band printers (1970s onward): IBM developed flexible band printers as a lower-cost option. The early band printer (1974) printed with one hammer per two positions, with speeds around 155 lpm and later higher speeds as the design evolved. Band printers varied in print positions and character sets, affecting speed (e.g., 64- or 96-character bands).
- IBM 4245 and family (1983–1980s): High-speed engraved-band printers that were IBM’s fastest hammer-based models, delivering up to around 2000–3600 lpm depending on configuration. They offered many print positions and could be channel-attached to mainframes; later variants refined speed and efficiency.
- IBM 4248 and 6262: Further high-speed engrained-band printers. The 4248 delivered rapid output (up to 3600 lpm in some configurations) and evolved into quieter, more compact designs like the 6262. The 6262 supported multiple print bands, offered coaxial attachment to controllers, and offered faster, quieter operation.
- IBM 3262 and related systems: Earlier high-speed versions and successors that used band technology and, in some cases, coaxial controller connections for mainframes. The line evolved toward the 6262/4248 family as speeds increased.
Control and software
- IBM printers with interchangeable print elements (chains, trains, bands) used control units containing a universal character set (UCS) buffer. The UCS feature allowed consistent printing across different element types and supported code handling and, in some cases, folding of lower-case to upper-case where necessary. Software could load UCS data via CCW commands, enabling flexible printing across models.
In summary, IBM’s hammer printers evolved from chain-based to train-based, and then to band-based designs, achieving progressively higher speeds while maintaining compatibility through interchangeable print elements and shared control features.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:47 (CET).