Apparatus for manufacturing thermal print head

Abstract

A thermal print head having a base, a glass glaze layer formed on the base by electrically-heated welding, and heating elements formed on the glass glaze layer. A manufacturing method of a thermal print head uses a furnace to accommodate molten glass and a pair of opposed electrodes disposed within the furnace to melt the glass by flowing the current. The method comprises the steps of supplying electric power across the electrodes to cause electric current to flow through glass so as to melt glass, passing an elongated base through the molten glass accommodated in the furnace to form a glass glaze layer on the base, and forming heating elements on the glass glaze layer. Furthermore, an apparatus for forming a glass glaze layer on an elongated base, comprises a furnace having a space to accommodate molten glass therein and a pair of opposed electrodes disposed within the furnace with their opposed faces inclined such that the distance between them is smallest at their upper ends, and the distance increases towards their lower ends. Electric power is supplied across the electrodes. An opening provided at the bottom of the furnace allows the base to be inserted therethrough. A lifting mechanism withdraws the base inserted in the opening after it has passed through the molten glass. A cooling mechanism is provided for cooling the molten glass at the bottom of the furnace.