Matrix printing head with pivotable armatures

In a matrix printing head having a plurality of printing wires, means mounting the printing wires for sliding movement between a non-printing rest position and a printing position, first electromagnetic means for driving each printing wire from the rest position to the printing position including an electromagnet comprising a yoke having a pole surface, a winding and a pivotable armature connected to each wire and having a pivot, the improvement comprising second electromagnetic means for pulling the armature away from the pole surface and forming an armature stop to define the rest position and forming a gap between the armature and the pole surface, wherein each electromagnetic means comprises a structure composed of light metal and having means forming segmental recesses therein for receiving the yokes and windings and secured therein with a casting compound, wherein the light metal structure has one face in a plane and wherein the pole surfaces are in said plane, spacer members disposed between the face of the light metal structure and the armature stop and composed of sheet metal, wherein a first one of said spacer members has first segmental cutouts extending radially inwardly and accommodating the armatures and second segmental cutouts accommodating the armature pivots and said spacer members including two second spacer members having segmental cutouts accommodating the armatures, the first spacer member being disposed between the two second spacer members and the gap being defined by the difference between the thickness of the spacer members and the armature and controls ZS for supplying current to the windings.