Abstract: A printer that provides improved image placement on documents including identification documents such as identification cards, credit and debit cards, and the like, and passports. The printer eliminates blind moves and mechanism errors to achieve repeatable image placement on the document surface with the correct horizontal image placement dimension. The printer senses an edge of the document to immediately initiate printing. The edge of the document can be either the leading edge or the trailing edge. The edge of the document can also be sensed by a separate sensor to initiate movement of a print head of the print station toward a print position.

Abstract: A printer that provides improved image placement on documents including identification documents such as identification cards, credit and debit cards, and the like, and passports. The printer eliminates blind moves and mechanism errors to achieve repeatable image placement on the document surface with the correct horizontal image placement dimension. The printer senses an edge of the document to immediately initiate printing. The edge of the document can be either the leading edge or the trailing edge. The edge of the document can also be sensed by a separate sensor to initiate movement of a print head of the print station toward a print position.

Abstract: Improvements relating to identification tags on consumable supply items used in identity document production equipment. The use of identification tags on the consumable supply items allows the document production equipment to recognize the consumable supply items that are loaded into each piece of equipment. The equipment can then initiate a variety of activities that are based on the loaded supply item. The activities are designed to enhance the operation of the equipment for the equipment operator and to provide added value to those customers who utilize consumable supply items that are recognized by the equipment.

Abstract: A magnetically encoded plastic card production system is provided which includes a supply mechanism for supplying a series of blank plastic cards. An encoder is operatively coupled to the supply mechanism which encodes a magnetic strip on each card. A separating mechanism is operatively coupled following the encoder which has a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card. A design placing mechanism is operatively coupled immediately following the separating mechanism which places a graphic design on each card. In this arrangement, the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card. A collecting mechanism is operatively coupled to the design placing mechanism which collects each card after each card has passed through the encoder, separating mechanism, and design placing mechanism. A method for producing magnetically encoded plastic cards is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for removing particulate matter from one or more surfaces of a workpiece, such as a credit card blank, prior to printing a graphic design thereon. The apparatus includes a pair of cleaning rollers which engage both sides of the card, the cleaning rollers having an adhesive coating for removing loose particulate matter from the surfaces of the card. The apparatus also includes a stripper system for stripping collected particulate matter away from the cleaning rollers after a predetermined number of cards have been cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing a graphic design on a hard plastic workpiece such as a credit card blank includes a thermal printing element which is supported by a head assembly that has been designed a single link, to have low mechanical compliance in a horizontal plane and yet to allow the print head to align with a print roller. A cleaning assembly is further provided which includes a pair of cleaning rollers having an adhesive coating; and a novel arrangement for stripping particulate matter away from the cleaning rollers after a predetermined number of cards have been cleaned. A number of stepper motors are provided to perform the cleaning and printing functions. The stepper motors are controlled by a local control system which monitors a number of sensors provided on the cleaning and printing stations and is subservient to an overall system controller. The invention further includes a novel method of operation, a cassette for use with the printing station and a novel thermal printing foil.