Abstract: There is provided a control unit capable of rapid and precise stoppage of an object to be driven by a motor for use in a printer. The control unit has a speed control part to control the object by acceleration control, constant speed control, deceleration control, and stoppage control by controlling a current to be applied to the motor, and also an inertia calculating part to calculate inertia of the object based on angular acceleration of the motor under the acceleration control of the object, and current values to be applied to the motor under the acceleration control and the constant speed control of the object. The speed control part uses the calculated inertia for controlling the current to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: A printer prints a black mark BM having a left mark edge BMa and a right mark edge BMb on a paper P. An encoder offset SH_L_EDG for the left mark edge BMa is set based on the difference between the carriage position (encoder value PR_ENC_L) that is detected when the print head 10 prints the left mark edge BMa and the carriage position (encoder value SEN_ENC_L) that is detected when the media sensor 68 detects the left mark edge BMa. Similarly, an encoder offset SH_R_EDG for the right mark edge BMb is set based on the difference between the carriage position (encoder value PR_ENC_R) that is detected when the print head 10 prints the right mark edge BMb and the carriage position (encoder value SEN_ENC_R) that is detected when the media sensor 68 detects the right mark edge BMb. In this way, the printer can suppress the effects of mounting error and can prevent a decline in accuracy when detecting edges of the paper P.

Abstract: Printing apparatus for printing an image on a selected surface, includes a print head for printing the image, respective supports for the print head that allow the print head to translate left and right along an x-axis and to translate up and down along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis to move the print head over the selected surface, and respective supports for the print head that allow the print head to translate forward and rearward along a z-axis perpendicular to the x-and y-axes and to swing in a plurality of curves from the z-axis in order to adjust the print head for surface variations on the selected surface.

Abstract: A carriage scanning period required for moving from completion position of printing of the preceding line to start position of printing of the next line is compared to a printing medium feeding period required for feeding a printing medium in a predetermined amount after printing in the preceding line. The carriage is temporarily decelerated and stopped after printing of the preceding line and maintained the carriage in stand-by state for a predetermined period so that scanning of carriage to the start position of printing of the next line after printing of the preceding line and feeding the printing medium for a predetermined amount are simultaneously completed when the carriage scanning period is less than the printing medium feeding period. The carriage is accelerated to reach the start position of printing of the next line at a predetermined speed. Thus, respective printing pattern can be printed at the minimum printing period.

Abstract: A position of an object is controlled based on a distance YS until the object is stopped, a target velocity VS of the object, acceleration time ta for accelerating the object, deceleration time td for decelerating the object, velocity variation &Dgr;Va within the acceleration time, and velocity variation &Dgr;Vd within the deceleration time, and a deceleration-start distance YSd. The distance YSd is a distance from where the object is made to start deceleration. The distance YSd is a sum of an integer part YSdq and a decimal part YSdr of the deceleration-start distance. Thus, management of decimal fractions is performed with respect to a pulse generation unit that outputs an output pulse corresponding to the velocity instruction.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing, scanning engraving or cutting a flat horizontal surface, particularly when the surface is of non-standard dimensions or is supplied in an non-standard manner. The apparatus is suitable for following outside electromechanically commanded instruction and contains an instrument for printing, scanning, engraving or cutting in a stepwise manner by being accurately raised and lowered to the surface and a component for treating the surface.

Abstract: A carriage rod and media support system in a printing mechanism comprises a platen including a carriage rod support and a print media support.

Abstract: ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A printing device is usable to print a material which is bent around a printing cylinder. The printing device includes a plurality of print heads and a print head holder. The print head holder positions the print heads in a common holder plane which is defined by the holder. The print heads are disposed in a row that is inclined relative to the printing device at an acute angle. The print heads are also inclined relative to the holder plane so that they are directed at substantially a right angle to the material to be printed.

Abstract: A shaft sleeve structure for use in a module capable of being slid along a guiding shaft and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The shaft sleeve structure includes: a passage punched through the module for receiving the guiding shaft and providing a first opening segment, a second opening segment and a central segment, wherein the first opening segment has an internal diameter larger than that of the second opening segment, and the central segment has an internal diameter gradually tapered from the first opening segment to the second opening segment; a first bearing having an external diameter mounted in the first opening segment and having an internal diameter for slidably receiving therein the guiding shaft; and a second bearing having an external diameter mounted in the second opening segment and having an internal diameter for slidably receiving therein the guiding shaft.

Abstract: A compliant belt attach assembly for use in a printer includes a belt attach and a drive belt having a drive lug. The belt attach defines a lug chamber for containing the drive lug of the drive belt. First and second drive bars are configured to contact the first and second sides of the drive lug to allow drive lug deformation in response to vibration transmitted by the drive belt.

Abstract: The present invention is a motor control device comprising a control system, the control system being capable of controlling the motor by PWM and having integration means being capable of outputting an integrated value obtained by integrating a deviation between a rotation speed and a target rotation speed of a motor, the motor control device being capable of starting control with the control system for causing the motor to rotate at the target rotation speed after rotation of the motor has been started. In this motor control device, an output value of the integration means at a time when control with the control system is to be started is set to have a value that corresponds to a counter electromotive force generated in the motor by its rotation.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: To save time between printing passes of a unidirectional printer, the print medium is advanced in two phases separated in time by the fast return of the carriage. The print medium advance movements coincide, at least partly, with the periods of acceleration and deceleration which immediately precede and follow a printing pass and during which the carriage is changing from printing speed to return speed or vice versa. If the total print medium advance time exceeds these acceleration and deceleration times, the extra print medium advance occurs at a single end of the carriage movement.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, particularly, a franking machine, with a movable printing-head guide includes a base, a guide connected to the base, a printing head, and an offsetting device. The guide moves the head, during printing, between first and second longitudinal positions in a given direction with respect to the base to effect a relative movement between the head and a print medium. The offsetting device prints images offset to one another transverse to the given direction and overlapping one another at most in an edge region of the images. The offsetting device is connected to the head and offsets the head relative to the base from a first transverse position into at least one second transverse position spaced from the first transverse position in a direction transverse to the given direction. The offsetting device is connected to the guide. A corresponding printing method, particularly, a franking impression is also provided.

Abstract: In a carriage assembly of a printer employing a movable print head, bosses provided with respective bearing supporting holes, each inner circumferential surface of which has a predetermined radius of curvature, are formed at a side of a carriage, and bearing bushings, each of which has an outer circumferential surface having a different predetermined radius of curvature corresponding to that of the bearing supporting hole, are also formed so as to make a spherical pair with the bearing supporting hole. A shaft through-hole, through which a guiding rod is inserted slidably, is formed through each bearing bushing. The bearing bushing can rotate freely in the bearing supporting hole, and therefore, the axes of the carriage assembly and the guiding rod can be aligned automatically.

Abstract: In a wire-driving system that drives and moves a movable unit along a guide path, a drive drum member is rotatably provided on the movable unit to be rotated around an axis which is perpendicular to a movement direction of the movable unit. An electric drive motor is provided in the movable unit and operationally connected to the drum member to be rotationally driven in either a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. A wire cable has a first end and a second end, and is partially wound around the drum member such that a first cable section and a second cable section are extended from the drum member. The respective first and second ends of the wire cable are securely attached to two fixed points beside terminal ends of the guide path such that the first and second cable sections of the wire cable are tensionally extended along the guide path.

Abstract: A printing device is described that has a print head held displaceably on a print-head holder. To achieve a relative movement between the print head and a medium to be printed, the print-head holder is configured such that during printing it can be moved in a first line with respect to a base element, between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. An offsetting device is provided which permits a printing of images offset from one another transversely with respect to an imaginary line and which is configured to offset the print head relative to the print-head holder from a first transverse position into at least a second transverse position spaced apart from the first transverse position, transversely with respect to the imaginary line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carriage for use in a printing device, the carriage including a carriage body with a bearing structure configured to support such carriage body for movement along a reference track. The carriage also includes a printhead anchored to the carriage body, and aligned directly relative to the carriage bearing structure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, in particular, a franking machine, includes a base, a printing-head mounting moveably connected thereto, and printing head displaceably connected to the mounting. The mounting moves, during printing, between first and second longitudinal positions in a given direction with respect to the base to effect a relative movement between the printing head and a printing medium. An offsetting device for printing images offset to one another transverse to the given direction is included and is configured to offset the printing head relative to the mounting from a first transverse position into at least one second transverse position spaced from the first transverse position in a direction transverse to the given direction. A holder for holding the printing head in at least one of the first and second transverse positions during printing is provided.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a recording head for forming an image on a recording medium, a carriage for holding the recording head, capable of scanning in a main scanning direction, and a carrying mechanism for carrying the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction, wherein even with shift of the position of the carriage before scanning, scanning of the carriage is carried out after the carriage is located at a start position, or wherein a difference of the start position of the carriage upon each scanning is arranged to be a distance equal to an integral multiple of one period of phase of motor.

Abstract: In a printer having a continuously moving web, a method is disclosed for accelerating the moving web in the areas where printing is not to occur such that the throughput of the print can be increased without sacrificing print quality.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: A printer having a plurality of switching mechanisms movable between a first position and a second position. A selector is interlocked with a carriage of the printer such that the carriage moves the selector so as to actuate at least one of the switching mechanisms to the second position when the carriage moves to the first non-printing region, and so as to actuate the at least one of the switching mechanisms to the first position when the carriage moves to the second non-printing region.

Abstract: A portable printer which can print on a variety of surfaces is disclosed. The printer has a number of failsafe features which improve its operation and the quality of print. In particular, printing is inhibited in a certain number of situations. Alternatively or additionally, a maintenance sequence can be implemented when the printing unit is removed from a base location. A set of absorbent strips additionally or alternatively allow for the ink jet nozzles to be discharged within the print area.

Abstract: A print carriage assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage assembly includes a print carriage slidably supported on a printer slider rod, and a sub-carriage that is separate from the printer carriage and slidably supported on the printer slider rod for pushing the printer carriage.

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head over a band of a print receiving area. The print head is mounted in a sub-carriage mounted on the carriage and the sub-carriage is displaceable in the direction of printing height of the print head. A cam connected between the sub-carriage and the carriage is operable to displace the sub-carriage. The cam is provided with friction surfaces that engage with friction pads during traverse of the carriage to operate the cam and thereby displace the sub-carriage so that printing is effected in a first band during traverse of the print head in one direction and printing is effected in an adjacent band during traverse of the print head in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: A positioning system for a carriage in a printing system includes a support plate having a groove along a length of the plate, and a rail positioned along the groove. A first adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a first direction, and a second adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a second direction that is substantially normal to the first direction.

Abstract: A preloaded stabilizer mechanism in a dot matrix line printer having a reciprocating carriage is provided to: (1) establish a rigid reference point that prevents the print line of the dot matrix line printer from drifting; (2) eliminate backlash; and, (3) create a carriage resonance frequency that is greater than the carriage operating frequency to enhance printer system stability and the reduction of vibration. The stabilizer mechanism is mounted on a support frame of the dot matrix line printer and includes a modified c-shaped bracket member and a spring plate. The spring plate is attached to one end of the bracket member to form a slot. The slot of the stabilizer mechanism receives an offset shaft that is coupled to a shuttle mechanism that provides the carriage with reciprocating motion. The spring plate of the stabilizer mechanism, being slightly deflected, imposes a force against the offset shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus, which includes a carriage scanning mechanism, can be compactly made and its assembly costs can be reduced. In addition, the drive load can be minimized and a carriage can be precisely driven. The apparatus can be provided in a recording apparatus, an information recording/reproducing apparatus, an information recording apparatus, an information reproduction apparatus, an information reading apparatus and an information erasing apparatus. According to the present invention, each of these apparatuses comprises a carriage provided for performing scanning in a predetermined scanning area, a drive device provided for the carriage, and wire wound around an output unit of the drive device in the predetermined scanning area and extended under tension along a scanning direction of said carriage. The output unit, around which the wire is wound, moves along the wire upon being driven by the drive device to scan the carriage.

Abstract: In a printer, in which printing is performed on a recording medium which is transported in a first direction, a carriage is reciprocately moved in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A print head is mounted on the carriage, and provided with a head face. A frame is placed in a first side of the print head. A guide plate extends in the second direction. The guide plate includes a first portion provided as a part of the frame so as to extend in a third direction which is orthogonal to both of the first direction and the second direction, a second portion continued from the first portion so as to extend in the first direction. The second portion supports the carriage so as to define a distance between the head face and the recording medium. The guide plate further includes a third portion continued from the second portion so as to extend in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for outputting the excitation signal of a stepper motor to drive the stepper motor includes a unit for specifying the driving current of the motor, and a determination unit for determining the driving mode of the stepper motor. Driving modes include at least an acceleration mode and a deceleration mode. The motor control apparatus further includes a unit for specifying a driving current according to each driving mode, and a unit for suppressing the driving current near the start of the acceleration mode and near the end of the deceleration mode. The motor control apparatus drives the stepper motor at a high speed in a low noise with a low cost, and prevents wasteful motor heating.

Abstract: A serial printer includes a carriage reciprocating in a main scanning direction, a reading sensor mounted in carriage, a timing fence arranged in the main scanning direction, a mechanism preventing movement of carriage in the main scanning direction, and a controlling portion detecting a set condition for image formation in accordance with read data of timing fence from reading sensor for controlling image formation. Controlling portion detects the set condition for image formation only in accordance with the read data of timing fence, so that detection of the set condition for image formation is enabled without increasing the size of an apparatus and cost, or without decreasing a processing efficiency in image formation.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus with a carriage lock mechanism is provided with a timer for counting a waiting time at a home position when detecting the return of a carriage to the home position HP. When this waiting time has reached or exceeded a reference time, a carriage lock mechanism is driven to lock the carriage. A time (reference time) taken while the carriage is returned to the home position and is then locked can be set and/or changed to be an optimum time according to the configuration of use of the recording apparatus through a reference time setting part.

Abstract: An automatic alignment system is used to correct the offset error of a bidirectional printing device. The positional offset between the forward printing and the backward printing is compensated by adjusting the position of the printing cartridge. The actual position of the cartridge is sensed by a light detector, which is shuttered when the moving cartridge, driven by a microstepping motor, passes through the sensor. Based on the difference between the actual position and the correct theoretical position, the cartridge position is automatically adjusted to correct the offset error. For fine adjustment, time delay can be used in addition to the positional adjustment of the cartridge.

Abstract: A printer has a print head for forming a pixel, and a driving system for moving the print head from a first location to a second location. The print head forms the pixel according to a firing signal. The movement of the print head is controlled by a control signal sent to the driving system. The method involves building a list of desired pixel locations, building a calibrated list of firing signal offsets, sending the control signal to trigger movement of the print head, and sending a firing signal to the print head to form a pixel at a predetermined location. The firing signal offsets correspond to the desired pixel locations, and are adjusted to compensate for the driving system. The timing of the firing signal is determined by the timing of the control signal and by a firing signal offset in the calibrated list of firing signal offsets. The firing signal offset adjusts the firing time so that the predetermined location of the pixel is effectively on a corresponding desired pixel location.

Abstract: A carriage including a printing component support and a pair of bushings having an inner region with at least three spaced rail contact regions separated by respective non-contact regions.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method of detecting a home position of a carriage, achieving a less manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A printer has a print path, a code strip disposed in parallel along the print path, a sensor for sensing the code strip, a driving system for moving the sensor along the code strip, a timer, a memory and a position signal generator. The code strip has embedded position information, which the sensor reads. The sensor generates a first or a second code signal depending upon the position of the sensor on the code strip. The timer generates clock signals at a rate that corresponds to an expected rate of change of the first and second signals from the sensor when the driving system moves the sensor along the code strip. The memory is used to hold the locations of defective areas on the code strip. The position signal generator uses the sensor to generate a position signal when the sensor is not reading within any of the defective areas on the code strip, and uses the clock signals from the timer to generate the position signal when the sensor is moving within any of the defective areas on the code strip.

Abstract: A printing device for printing text, indicia, and images on a medium includes a housing that abuts a surface of the medium during a printing sequence and includes a print head which is moved from a starting position to an ending position during a printing sequence by a bidirectional first movement drive in cooperation with a second bidirectional movement drive. Control means disposed in the housing include motion control means for controlling said movement drives and reset means to prepare the printer for a subsequent print sequence.

Abstract: A scanning device such as a printer has a trapezoidal carriage support beam which permits a compact juxtaposition of the carriage slider rod, the printhead, a drive belt and an encoder device. A second slider mounting for the printer carriage includes a bushing incorporating a part-spherical portion and an arm which engage with corresponding parts of the carriage.

Abstract: A datum arrangement on the replaceable semi-permanent compact print cartridge includes three x-datums, one y-datum and two z-datums to assure proper seating of the print cartridge in the carriage as well as proper electric and fluidic interconnections.

Abstract: A compact ink jet printer having a small amplitude width in the horizontal direction of an ink carriage includes: a shaft provided rotatably about a predetermined axis; a strut fixed to the shaft so as to move along an arc about the axis with rotation of the shaft; an ink carriage having a plurality of ink heads provided at a predetermined direction from the shaft of the strut; and a control device controlling forwarding of a recording sheet, rotational motion of the shaft, and ink jetting from the plurality of ink heads.

Abstract: A motor driving device for changing the current of the driving control signal of the carrier motor according to the consumption quantity of the ink in the inkjet printer includes a detector of an ink consumption quantity for outputting a comparative signal when a present ink quantity stored within the ink cartridge is less than the reference ink quantity, through counting each ink drop signal produced by at least one ink drop formed in each of a number of nozzles of the inkjet printer, to provide a count signal for comparison with a reference signal indicating the reference ink quantity, a voltage generator for outputting a motor driving control voltage having a variable voltage according to whether the comparative signal is produced by the detector, and a motor controller for outputting a plurality of phase control signals each having associated therewith a different driving current for driving the carrier motor according to the motor driving control voltage and according to at least one of first and second

Abstract: A print head transport mechanism of a postage meter for printing postal indicia which are of greater height than a printing height of a print head comprises a carriage to traverse the print head in a first direction over a band of a print receiving area and a guide to displace the print head from a home position to an index position during a second traverse of the print head in a reverse direction whereby the print head traverses over a second band, adjacent the first band, of the print receiving area during the second traverse.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing apparatus and a method of controlling printing through which highly precise printing can be performed without inviting an increase in production cost or in the size of the apparatus. In accordance with the control method, a printing starting position is decided based upon input print data whenever a printing medium undergoes one printing scan by a printhead. Whether or not the printing starting position decided falls within a predetermined range is discriminated. If it has been discriminated that the printing starting position falls within the predetermined range, the scanning starting position of the printhead scanned by the carriage is set to a position spaced a predetermined first distance away from one end of a range within which printing can be performed on the printing medium.

Abstract: A printer having a plurality of recording heads each capable of recording with a recording width is connected to a host apparatus. The host apparatus develops an image to generate recording data corresponding to the plurality of recording heads and transmits the recording data to the printer. During the development of the image, the host computer obtains leftmost and rightmost end values for the recording data and transmits them to the printer. The printer determines a scan range of the plurality of recording heads based on the leftmost and rightmost end values, and performs printing the transmitted recording data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, particularly, a franking machine, with a movable printing-head guide includes a base, a guide connected to the base, a printing head, and an offsetting device. The guide moves the head, during printing, between first and second longitudinal positions in a given direction with respect to the base to effect a relative movement between the head and a print medium. The offsetting device prints images offset to one another transverse to the given direction and overlapping one another at most in an edge region of the images. The offsetting device is connected to the head and offsets the head relative to the base from a first transverse position into at least one second transverse position spaced from the first transverse position in a direction transverse to the given direction. The offsetting device is connected to the guide. A corresponding printing method, particularly, a franking impression is also provided.

Abstract: A carriage guide shaft for guiding a carriage of a printer, includes: a carriage guide shaft main body, the circumferential surface thereof having a circumferential surface portion in a range for guiding the carriage, and a low frictional film including a low frictional solid lubricant and formed on at least the circumferential surface portion of the carriage guide shaft main body.

Abstract: A printer has a substrate carrier that is a planar membrane driven through the printer solely by friction drives. The planar membrane is completely removable from the printer, and can be adapted to support a substrate of desired configuration and held against locating surfaces while it is being driven through the printer by the friction drive. The friction drive comprises at least one set of rollers including a drive roller on one side of the carrier and a resiliently mounted roller on the other, and also includes a rotating resilient platen that is resiliently urged against a printhead for providing a reaction force for the friction drive while printing occurs.