What component of an impact printer contains small pins that strike the ribbon?

The printhead of an impact printer contains the small pins that strike the ribbon to create an image or text on the paper. These pins are organized in a matrix configuration, and when they are activated, they push against the ink-soaked ribbon, transferring ink onto the paper in the pattern of the characters or images being printed.

This mechanism is fundamental to how impact printers operate, where the physical striking of the pins against the ribbon is essential for transferring ink. This type of printing is characterized by its ability to produce multiple copies using carbon or carbonless paper layers, a feature not shared by other printing technologies.

The other options do not refer to components responsible for striking the ribbon. The build surface is associated with 3D printers, the extruder is related to dispensing filament in 3D printing, and the ribbon is simply the material being struck by the pins and is not a component that performs the striking action itself.