Chuck said:
The actual answer to your question is somewhere in between <G>
[sigh, it's usually thus]
When you combine all the variables, you get the advertised resolution. The
driver has some fairly complex algorithms that are used to figure out how to
print a specific color
at given point or area using the various ink nozzles and colors.
I'm thinking in terms of black and white, smallest addressable area.
The printer mfrs usually want software developers to sign a non disclosure
agreement, preferably in blood, before they release any meaningful details
concerning the printer drivers.
Unfortunately I'm not in a position to write software.
I wish I had that skill!
The motive behind the question is fairly simple: It's convenient
to fabricate a variety of useful small gadgets using a combination
of optical lithography and chemical etching. The semiconductor
industry has pushed this approach to extraordinary degrees,
but the equipment is too expensive for smaller, less sophisticated
operations and basically not necessary. Legacy equipment remains
in service, but the folks who understand it are retiring and
will soon dissapear.
I was hopeful that the printing industry might have improved
its performance to the point it can fill the gap. That would
call for a monochome printer of about 5-10,000 dpi at a cost
under $100k. Speed isn't a big issue in this situation, if
it takes a day to print a folio-size page that's perfectly
acceptable, the old pattern generators from the microelectronics
industry were (and are) no better.
Thanks for reading!
bob prohaska