IBM 3800
| Company type | Product |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer printers |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | IBM |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Fate | Replaced by IBM 3900 |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California (initial manufacturing) , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Laser printers |
| Parent | IBM |
The IBM 3800 was a pioneering laser printer developed and produced by IBM, recognized as the first laser printer made commercially available. It functioned as a continuous form printer, utilizing lengthy continuous paper sheets for printing.
Originally introduced to replace traditional line printers, the 3800 delivered faster performance along with several significant features:
- The ability to overlay forms—printing data directly onto predefined templates, which removed the need for preprinted stationery.
- Compatibility with thirteen distinct character sets; standard configurations handled one character set per print job, while optional setups allowed up to four concurrently.
- Capability to produce multiple copies on single-ply paper, enabling selective modification or omission of data between copies.
- Support for user-created graphic characters in addition to standard character sets.
Subsequent versions incorporated Advanced Function Presentation (AFP), a page description language akin to Xerox's Interpress and Adobe's PostScript.
Connection to mainframe computers was facilitated through a parallel (Bus and Tag) channel interface, with an option for dual-channel connectivity.
By the time IBM introduced the 3900 model in 1990, more than 10,000 units of the IBM 3800 had been installed globally. The 3800 was eventually replaced by the IBM 3900 and discontinued in 1999.
Development and Manufacturing
The project commenced in 1969 under the codename Jubilee, later renamed Argonaut. Since IBM had no prior experience with xerographic printing technology—all previous printers were mechanical—the initial prototypes utilized an IBM Copier I. However, this prototype could not achieve the desired throughput of one million pages monthly. Consequently, substantial innovations were required in areas such as paper transport mechanisms, laser and optical systems, toner fusion processes, and control electronics.
Manufacturing of the IBM 3800 initially took place in San Jose, California. In 1980, production moved to a newly established facility in Tucson, Arizona—an extensive transition given the printer’s complexity involving over 9,000 individual parts. Production remained in Tucson until 1989, when IBM consolidated operations and relocated printer manufacturing to Charlotte, NC as part of cost reduction efforts.
For international markets, IBM also manufactured the 3800 at its plant located in Järfälla, Sweden, with initial shipments beginning in November 1976. Production at this site continued for more than eight years.
First plain paper laser printer
Several devices have been claimed as the first commercially available plain paper laser printer:
- The Xerox 1200, announced in 1973 and released late in 1974, employed an optical character generator featuring a rotating drum paired with 22 flash lamps that exposed characters onto a selenium drum. It printed one line per drum revolution and supported a single font containing 95 characters. Designed as a replacement for line printers, it produced both upper- and lower-case output. Xerox refers to it as the first commercial non-impact Xerographic printer intended for computer output.
- The Honeywell PPS, introduced in 1974, was an electrostatic printing system capable of up to 18,000 lines per minute but required special dielectric paper. It utilized a matrix printhead where electrodes directly charged the paper before toner application. This system supported only one font in two sizes and did not use lasers or photoconductors.
- The IBM 3800 itself was announced in 1975 and shipped starting in 1976. It printed on pin-fed continuous plain paper forms using laser exposure technology and offered support for multiple fonts.
- The Xerox 9700, launched in 1977 after development began in 1971, could print at speeds of 120 pages per minute with a resolution of 300 dpi. Its project leader Gary Starkweather had demonstrated laser printing concepts as early as 1969.
- The IBM 6670, announced in February 1979, marked IBM’s first laser printer designed for cut-sheet paper.
Models
Multiple variants of the IBM 3800 Laser Printer were developed and released over time.
3800 Model 001
Unveiled on April 15, 1975, and delivered beginning July 1976, the Model 001 offered a print resolution of 144 pels per inch in the vertical direction and 180 pels per inch horizontally. It was capable of producing up to 13,360 lines per minute or 45,000 characters per second, which IBM claimed to be sixfold faster than their fastest printer available then. The line density could be adjusted between 6 and 12 lines per inch, with character widths selectable at 10, 12, or 15 characters per inch.
A distinctive feature of Model 001 was its support for the tape-to-print capability (Feature Code 7810), allowing it to operate offline by connecting to IBM reel-to-reel tape drives such as the IBM 3411/3410 or IBM 3803/3420.
By 1980, IDC forecasted that the IBM 3800 would capture a 48% share of the non-impact printer market by 1983, surpassing Xerox's 9700 which held a 31% share.
3800 Model 002
Released in 1979, the Model 002 was a variation of the Model 001 tailored to print kanji characters, addressing markets that required complex character sets.
3800 Model 003
Introduced on November 1, 1982, the Model 003 represented a major advancement with a printing speed of 215 page impressions per minute (20,400 lines per minute), making it the fastest printer of its time and twice as fast as the original Model 001. It was also the first in the series to incorporate AFP (Advanced Function Presentation) support.
Notable enhancements included:
- Improved print resolution: increased to 240 × 240 pels compared to earlier models’ 180 × 144 pels.
- Enhanced graphics functionality: capable of printing four different type styles within a single document versus just one style in Model 001.
- Lowered maintenance expenses through refined design features.
Achieving this higher resolution necessitated new photoconductor materials, a specialized digital voltmeter, and a redesigned laser print head. The helium-neon laser from Model 001 was retained but modified with lenses that generated two laser beams reflecting off a slower rotating mirror (12,700 RPM compared to Model 001’s 15,300 RPM).
The paper moved at a steady rate of 31 inches per second, allowing for an output approaching roughly 1.7 miles of printed material every hour.
3800 Model 006
Announced on January 26, 1987, and shipped later that year, the Model 006 shared functional parity with the Model 003 but operated at a speed of 134 pages per minute. It could also be upgraded to match the performance of Model 003.
3800 Model 008
Physically resembling the Model 003, the Model 008 supported double-byte character sets for kanji printing and effectively replaced Model 002. Compared with its predecessor, it could print three times more kanji characters (22,500) while delivering significantly enhanced resolution.
Technological Innovations in the IBM 3800
As IBM’s inaugural laser printer, the IBM 3800 introduced several pioneering technologies:
Long Life Cleaning Brush
Enhancements improved toner removal from the photoconductor drum, extending the cleaning brush’s operational lifespan from one month up to four months.
Long Life Helium-Neon Laser
By employing low helium diffusion glass, IBM extended laser lifespan to approximately 20,000 hours—ten times longer than comparable products available at that time. The helium-neon laser operated at over 25 milliwatts power output, substantially higher than subsequent IBM models.
Extended Durability Hot Roll
To prevent silicone oil contamination during toner fusion and enhance longevity, IBM engineered a novel elastomer compound alongside a multi-zone preheating platen that elevates paper temperature to 104°C before the fusing process.
Extended Lifespan Xenon Flash Lamp
Integrated within the optional fixed form overlay printing system, the xenon flash lamp saw its operational life extended from one month to five years through design improvements, while emitting pulses lasting merely 125 microseconds.
Print Contrast Control Mark
A control mark was printed on every sheet to ensure uniform print contrast. This mark was continuously monitored by an LED sensor, which adjusted toner supply to the developer mixture and identified any unexpected blank pages.
Discharged Area Development
The IBM 3800 utilized discharged area development, where the laser discharged only the areas intended for printing, attracting toner exclusively to those regions. This technique accelerated printing speeds due to the predominance of blank space on documents. Subsequent models such as the IBM 6670 adopted charged area development, enhancing print quality to levels comparable with Selectric typewriters.
TNF-Based Photoconductor
Early IBM 3800 units and related models employed a highly sensitive organic photoconductor containing 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF), developed internally to avoid Xerox patent conflicts. This photoconductor combined TNF with polyvinyl carbazole resin applied on an aluminized mylar substrate, produced in Lexington, Kentucky.
During the 1970s, concerns about TNF’s carcinogenicity surfaced. Although a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study found no hazards, IBM mandated glove usage when handling TNF starting in 1980. By late 1981, IBM transitioned from TNF-based photoconductors in the 3800 and Copier II to a safer alternative comprising chlorotiane blue and diethylaminobenzal-denyde-dithenylhydrazone (blue coral), previously utilized in the IBM Series III Copier and IBM 6670. This replacement material was manufactured in Boulder, Colorado.
Successor Product
IBM collaborated with Hitachi Koki Co Ltd (HKK) to OEM a printer developed by Hitachi, marketed as the IBM 3900. While HKK designed the print engine, IBM supplied the Advanced Function Common Control Unit (AFCCU) based on the IBM RS/6000 platform. The product was announced in October 1990 and delivered starting late 1991, with IBM publicly confirming their development partnership with HKK in 1992.
Additional 38xx/39xx Series Non-Impact Page Printers
IBM's 38xx and 39xx series also included several other non-impact page printer models.
IBM 3812
Among IBM’s initial office laser printers was the IBM 3812, offered in two variants: the 3812–001 and 3812–002. Marketed as a compact Pageprinter, the 3812-001 debuted on October 15, 1985, featuring an LED printhead rather than a laser and delivering speeds up to 12 pages per minute. The subsequent model, 3812-002, was introduced on June 16, 1987. The original 3812-001 ceased marketing in April 1987 (effective November), while the 3812-002 was discontinued in October 1991.
IBM 3816
Announced in March 1989, the IBM 3816 was an electrostatic page printer capable of producing up to 24 impressions per minute. The simplex version was designated as model 3816-01S, whereas model 3816-01D supported duplex printing functionality.
IBM 3820
Unveiled on February 12, 1985, the IBM 3820 marked IBM's initial AFP cut-sheet printer. It interfaced with mainframe systems through Systems Network Architecture (SNA)/SDLC and connected to personal computers via IBM Personal Computer Network (PCLAN) or Corvus Omninet. The base model was offered at a price of $29,900 (in 1985). With a printing speed of 20 pages per minute, the 3820 was discontinued in November 1993.
IBM 3825
Introduced in 1989, the IBM 3825 was a duplex-capable, non-impact cut-sheet AFP page printer featuring all-points-addressable technology and achieving 58 impressions per minute. It ceased marketing in 1995.
IBM 3827
The IBM 3827, announced in 1988, was a duplex, cut-sheet AFP page printer with all-points-addressable capability, operating at a rate of 92 impressions per minute. IBM engineered the control unit, while the print engine was supplied by Kodak’s model 1392. This model was withdrawn from the market in 1995.
IBM 3828
Launched in October 1990 as a MICR variant of the 3827, the IBM 3828 remained available until its withdrawal in October 1999.
IBM 3829
Debuting in 1993, the IBM 3829 was a duplex, non-impact AFP page printer utilizing cut-sheet media and delivering 92 impressions per minute. Similar to the IBM 3827, it combined an IBM-designed control unit with Kodak’s 1392 print engine. The product was phased out by 1997.
IBM 3835
Introduced in 1988, the IBM 3835 served as a mid-speed fanfold AFP page printer with a throughput capacity of 88 impressions per minute.
IBM 3900
Released on October 2, 1990, the IBM 3900 succeeded the IBM 3800 as a high-speed fanfold AFP page printer capable of producing up to 229 pages per minute.
IBM 3935
Announced in November 1993, the IBM 3935 was an intermediate-speed cut-sheet AFP page printer with duplex functionality and an output speed of 35 impressions per minute.
Conclusion of IBM's Printing Division
In 2007, IBM partnered with Ricoh to establish InfoPrint Solutions Company based in Boulder, Colorado. This joint venture assumed responsibility for all products from IBM’s Printing Systems Division, including successors to the IBM 3800 series. By 2010, IBM divested its ownership stake, resulting in InfoPrint becoming a fully owned subsidiary of Ricoh. Since then, Ricoh has independently managed these products without IBM involvement.