FORM INDEX PULSE GENERATOR

An improved tapeless format control system for a line printer is provided which will control the pitch between printed lines on various length web paper forms. The system includes a stepping motor for driving a paper advance mechanism; gating circuitry associated with a novel gearing mechanism for selecting the desired one of a plurality of form lengths; a plurality of photo cells and light sensing devices associated with the stepping motor and with the paper advance mechanism; and logic circuitry cooperating with the photo cells and sensing devices and with the form length selecting mechanism in response to two different types of spacing instructions to provide a wide variety of printing formats on a variety of form sizes to thereby assure optimized flexibility in printing with the line printer.