IBM developed, manufactured and sold hammer-based impact printers that used either type bars, a chain, a train, or a band to create printed output from 1959 till 1999, replacing the older print drum technology,. Over the course of this time they produced a wide variety of these line printers. This article will detail the most significant ones. Note that while IBM initially described band printers as belt printers, they are effectively the same thing.

Note the acronym lpm used throughout this article stands for lines per minute, being a measure of print speed. In general the maximum lpm for a printer is based on the use of a repeating set of 48 characters, referred to as a character set.

Chain and train printers The printers are listed here in the order they were announced.

IBM 1403

Released in 1959, the IBM 1403 Model 1 is the first hammer based printer produced by IBM. It uses type slugs on a chain and is the first IBM printer to do so.

In 1967 the IBM 1403 Model N1 is the first IBM printer to use a train rather than a chain. This change is made because it is not possible to achieve higher speeds using a chain. It is called a train as the print slugs move inside a machined track, resembling rail-road cars.

IBM 5203

The IBM 5203 is a line printer that uses interchangeable train cartridges. By default it has 96 print positions, which can be optionally expanded to 120 or 132 positions. The train itself has 240 characters, with the standard character set having 48 characters repeated 5 times. A single IBM 5203 (of any model) can be used with the IBM System/3 as an alternative to the IBM 1403. A Model 3 can be attached to an IBM S/370 using an integrated printer attachment (the same one later used by the IBM 3203), meaning it did not use a channel or require a control unit. The covers could be ordered in red, yellow, blue, gray or white.

+5203 ModelsModelSpeed (lpm)AnnouncedWithdrawnWeightLengthWidthHeightBTU1100July 30, 1969December 10, 19822200July 30, 1969December 10, 19823300October 16, 1970December 10, 1982

IBM 3211 The 3211 was announced on June 30, 1970. Operating at up to 2000 lpm, it compared well to the 1403-002 which ran at 600 lpm and the 1403-N1 which ran at 1100 lpm.

It is actually a combination of three separate machine types:

IBM 3211 This is the printer component. It was described as a front printer in that the hammer and the type elements are placed in front of the ribbon with the paper in the rear, against the platen. The combination of front printing, improved type design, oscillating platen and improved hammer dynamics meant that even though the train and the printer both ran much faster, print quality was actually improved over previous printers.

It has the following significant features:

An interchangeable train type print cartridge (the 3216) that contains all the type elements (see below). An oscillating platen that can automatically sense the form thickness (meaning the operator does not need to set this). The platen moves forward as each line is printed and then retracts as the form is advanced to the next line. It uses a programmable forms control buffer rather than paper carriage tapes. The paper can advance at up to 90 inches per second An enhanced power stacker. This was needed as the printer could empty a standard box of paper in 10 minutes. 132 print positions, that can optionally be expanded to 150 positions. The printer cover automatically opens when the printer has an issue, such as being out of paper, having a full stacker or having a forms jam. It can also open by program control. Operators need to take care not to leave objects on top of the printer for this reason. It had a special control panel for a service representative to use to run diagnostics, meaning tests could be run without relying on the host system.

OCR printing capability was added on March 13, 1972,

The 3211 is long, wide and high. It weighs .

IBM 3216 Described as a train type cartridge, it can be installed and replaced by an operator.

It has 432 print elements mounted on 108 carriers (4 characters per carrier). This is larger than the IBM 1416 used by the 1403 and 3203 which has 240 characters (80 slugs with 3 characters per slug) A new style type slug that is not engraved on the carrier, but suspended on the train elements It includes an oiler mechanism. It has two large T handles to lift it in and out of the 3211. Each 3216 is transported and stored in a specially designed, one-piece, solid-plastic, molded case designed by C Sheikofsky and F. Strauss. The maximum speed of the 3211 was determined by the train configuration, based on how large a character set was and how many times that set was repeated. The printer was interlocked to not exceed 2500 lpm. +3211 Minimum line rates based on train configurationArray LengthNumber of array repeatsMinimum print rate (lpm)271625003612243048920005481837726147710841060144382721625744321300 Print trains could be ordered in different arrangements, such as A11 (Standard Commercial), 48 graphics in 9 identical arrays or H11 (Standard Scientific), 48 graphics in 9 identical arrays. While the 48 character sets typically achieved 2000 lpm, other arrangements varied according to the table below: +Special cartridge throughput ratesArrangementCharactersArraySizeNumber of ArraysMinimum lpmExpected lpmG11 (ASCII)64108410601765P11 (PL 1)60108410601815T11 (Text)1201443827906

IBM 3811 This is the printer control unit, that controls and buffers the printer. It contains the circuitry needed to attach the printer to the channel.

It is long, wide and high and weighs based on power 50/60 Hz.

Withdrawal The 3211-1 and 3811-1 were withdrawn by IBM on May 1, 1985. The replacement product is the IBM 4245

IBM 3203 The 3203 is mechanically similar to the IBM 1403-N1. The 3203 is a line printer that used an interchangeable train cartridge known as the IBM 1416. It does not require a carriage control tape. It has an inbuilt vacuum cleaner.

Models 1 to 4, do not require a separate channel or control unit, but require the S/370 (or S/3 or S/38 or 3770 in the case of the Model 3) to have an integrated 3203 printer attachment feature. The Model 1 attaches to S/370 Models 115 and 125 and the Model 4 attaches to the S/370 Models 138 and 148.

The Model 005 is a standalone printer that can be directly attached to a parallel channel without a separate control unit or integrated adapter.

Maximum print speed is 1580 lpm with a 32 character set.

One unique capacity of the 3203 was the ability to print Braille. This was done by using an operator installed rubber strip across the face of the hammers and a special train cartridge that could, with the correct programming, print the matrix of dots needed for Braille cells. +3203 ModelsModelSpeed (lpm)ConnectionAnnouncedWithdrawnWeight (kg)Length (cm)Width (cm)Height (cm)1600Integrated 3203 printer attachmentMarch 3, 1973Jan 30, 19793701435111721200Integrated 3203 printer attachmentMarch 3, 1973Jan 30, 19793701435111731000/1200*Integrated 3203 printer attachmentOct 20, 1975August 2, 1986 41200Integrated 3203 printer attachmentJune 30, 1976Jan 30, 19793701435111751200Parallel ChannelJan 30, 1979August 2, 198648522351117 By default the 3203-3 can print 1000 lpm with a 48 character-set train. There is a speed enhancement feature that increases the speed to 1200 lpm. It can be cable connected to an IBM 3777 controller as well as an IBM System/3 or IBM System/38.

IBM 1416 The IBM 1416 is an interchangeable train cartridge introduced with the 1403-N1 and also used with the IBM 3203. This meant that instead of using a chain of linked characters, the printer used a train of unlinked characters. It has 240 characters (80 slugs with 3 characters per slug), a typical configuration being the Universal Character Set which is five sets of the same 48 characters.

Band printers In the late 1960s IBM began development work on flexible band technology. The goal was to create lower cost printers that still had good print quality. Initial printers used one hammer for two print positions and were relatively slow. However over time IBM switched back to one hammer per print position so they could attain higher speeds.

IBM 3618 Administrative Line Printer The first IBM band printer, it was released in 1974. It is a 155 lpm printer with a 48 character set and uses one hammer for two print positions. It has 80 printer positions, but could be ordered with 132 print positions as a feature. It is part of the IBM 3600 banking system and is loop attached to an IBM 3601 controller. The 64 character set band reduces nominal print speed to 120 lpm, while the 96 character set band reduces it to 80 lpm.

It was announced on August 10, 1973.

IBM 3288 The IBM 3288 is a line printer that also uses one hammer for two print positions. It was released in 1974. With a 64 character set band, the maximum print speed is 120 lpm. With a 120 character set band, the maximum print speed is 80 lpm.

IBM 3776 Communication Terminal Introduced in late 1974, it includes a print band printer that IBM describe as using an engraved character font belt. The Model 1 and 3 can print at 300 lpm, while Model 2 and 4 can print at 400 lpm while using a 48 character set band. It uses one hammer for each print position. +3776 maximum print speedModelMaximum lpmCharacter Set1 or 3300481 or 3230641 or 3160942 or 4400482 or 4300642 or 423094 It was announced on December 9, 1974.

IBM 5211

This printer can run at 160 or 300 lpm and uses a special magnetically operated clamp to hold the forms tightly during printing. It has 132 print positions.

Models 1 and 2 were withdrawn on May 1, 1984.

IBM 3262 This printer has considerably more microprocessing power, meaning it can perform user driven diagnostics without relying on an IBM Service Representative.

There are several models: The 3262 was manufactured in Jarfalla, Sweden. The C1 model is intended to be Customer Set-up (CSU). It uses a steel band with 288 characters. +IBM 3262 ModelsModelAttachmentMaximum speed (lpm)AnnouncedFirst ShipmentWithdrawnReplacement Product1Parallel Channel650January 30, 197911Parallel Channel325October 2, 19792Loop to 8130/8140650October 2, 197912Loop to 8130/8140325October 2, 19793Coax650October 31, 197913Coax325October 31, 19795Parallel Channel650November 12, 1982September, 1983April 20, 1984IBM 5262B1System/36650May 17, 1983C1System/36650May 17, 1983September, 1983April 20, 1984IBM 5262

IBM 5262 Announced October 2, 1984 as a replacement for the IBM 3262, although the print bands are not compatible. It is also a 650 lpm printer. First shipments were October 1984.

The model 001 was twinax attached. It emulated an IBM 5256.

IBM 4245 The IBM 4245 is a high-speed impact printer that uses an engraved band. IBM proposed it as a replacement for the 1403, 3203 and the 3211/3811. As an example the Montana Department of Administration bought three 4245s (a model 12 and two model 20s) in October 1985 to replace two IBM 1403s and a 3211/3811.

There are four consumable items: Print band. Printer ribbon. Plastic ribbon shield. Vacuum cleaner bag. This was used with the inbuilt vacuum cleaning system and was supplied free-of-charge by IBM provided the printer was under maintenance. For the European market, they were manufactured in Jarfalla, Sweden.

There are seven models:

Model 001

This was announced on May 3, 1983. It is a 2000 line per minute printer. It is physically the same size as the 3203–005.

There is no scheduled maintenance for the IBM 4245. It has a 3-month warranty.

The Model 1 is long, wide (with side stacker) and high and weighs .

It was withdrawn by IBM on July 16, 1985, directly replaced by the 4245–020.

Models 12 and 20 These were announced on April 16, 1985, with first shipments planned for planned for June 28, 1985. The model 12 is rated at 1200 lpm while the model 20 is rated at 2000 lpm.