Answers

Task 1
An inkjet printer is about to print out a document. The table below lists 7 steps that need to
occur to print the document. They are not in the correct sequential order.
Put the numbers 1 to 7 in the first column to show the correct sequence of steps.

Order of step Steps

Once the print head has printed the row, the page is fed forward so
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that they next row can be printed.
1 The data is sent to the printer.
The print head moves across the page. As it moves, nozzles will eject
3 small dots of ink onto the page. For colour printers, cyan, magenta,
yellow and black (CMYK) inks are used.
The printer uses an actuator to move the page to the first line that the
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print head will move across.
Each of the rows are now printed one by one until the whole page is
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complete.
6 The last part of the page is advanced until it is out of the printer.

7 Once the ink cartridges are empty, they will need replacing.

Task 2
A laser printer is about to print out a document. The table below lists 12 steps that need to
occur to print the document. They are not in the correct sequential order.
Put the numbers 1 to 12 in the first column to show the correct sequence of steps.

Order of step Steps

As the printer drum rotates a laser beam scans across it, removing the
3 positive charge in certain areas; this leaves negatively charged areas
which match the text or images to be printed.
At the very end of the printing process, a discharge lamp removes the
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electric charge from the drum making it ready for the next page
1 The print data is sent to printer and stored in the printers RAM.

5 The negatively charged sheet of paper is then rolled over the drum.
The paper goes through a heated fuser which causes the toner to fuse
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permanently to the paper.
The printer drum is coated with positively charged toner; it only sticks to
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the negatively charged parts of the drum.
2 The printing process starts by giving the printer drum a positive charge.
The toner on the drum now sticks to the paper producing exact copy of
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the text and images.

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Task 3 Choice of printer
Complete the table below to suggest the most suitable printer technology for the situation.

Situation Most suitable printer technology

A photograph kiosk at the end of a theme Inkjet

park ride.
A business printing invoices for customers. Laser

Printing a report for a business meeting. Laser/inkjet

Quickly printing 1000 address labels Laser

Task 4 3D printers
(a) Find four different applications of 3D printers. Explain why 3D printers are used in each of
the applications you name.
Possible applications include:
Manufacturing of prosthetic limbs – huge reduction in cost and greater accuracy in matching
limb to individual patient.
Reconstructive surgery or general surgery – surgeon can ‘try out’ procedure first to ensure
actual surgery is more accurate; can produce very accurate parts for surgical procedures.
Designers – can experiment with new ideas and materials without the huge cost and waste
of using traditional methods.
Manufacturing parts for old cars – very old cars are very likely to need parts that are no
longer manufactured. By using existing part as a blueprint, it is possible to manufacture new
components at a fraction of the cost.

(b) Produce a graphical instruction manual to explain how 3D printers work.

Remind students that whilst most examples of 3D printers use plastic, they may want to
consider 3D printers that print with metal, concrete or food.
Students should be encouraged to include images that they find or screenshots from videos
showing the 3D printing process.