Abstract: An identification card manufacturing system that includes first and second identification card manufacturing device modules and a unification mounting. The first identification card manufacturing device module includes a first card transport mechanism and an output, through which the card transport mechanism is configured to discharge individual cards. The second identification card manufacturing device module includes a second card transport mechanism and an input, at which the second card transport mechanism is configured to receive cards. The unification mounting positions the output of the first device module in card handoff alignment with the input of the second device module.

Abstract: In a method of forming an identification card printer a sheet feed printer is provided having a printhead and a sheet feed mechanism that is driven by a sheet feed drive to feed paper sheets to the printhead for printing. Next, the sheet feed mechanism is replaced with a card transport mechanism that is used to feed cards from a card supply to the printhead for printing. The card transport mechanism is then linked to the sheet feed drive through a feed drive link. Finally, a master controller for controlling the operation of the card transport mechanism is installed. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to an identification card printer formed in accordance with the above-described method.

Abstract: A printer comprises a loader (2) for supports (1) to be printed, a printing device (9) and transfer elements delimiting a series of gripping regions (8) forming a transport path (8A) to lead sequentially the printed supports (1) from the outlet (5) of the loader (2) to the printing device (9) and from the printing device (9) toward collection elements disposed below the loader (2). At least the portion of a wall (7) with an opening (4) of the loader (2) is inclined at a positive angle relative to the transport path (8A) to give to the support (1) to be printed an inclination in the inlet direction of a first gripping region (8) of the transport path (8A). The inlet is provided with a deflector (11).

Abstract: A card printing and encoder apparatus for printing information on a card to provide identification of a person, and includes two encoding stations, one to encode a smart card chip embedded in the card, and the other station to encode a magnetic strip on the card. Card support and drive rollers support the card, and the card is bent out of its plane to contact the smart card encoding station contacts. A magnetic head for encoding a magnetic strip is held under a resilient force against an opposite side of the card from the smart card encoding station. The loading of the print head against a rotatable print platen is controlled in synchronism with card drive and support rollers so that the card drive and support rollers release and the card is driven only by the rotatable print platen during the printing operation.

Abstract: A printer comprises a loader (2) for supports (1) to be printed, a printing device (9) and transfer elements delimiting a series of gripping regions (8) forming a transport path (8A) to lead sequentially the printed supports (1) from the outlet (5) of the loader (2) to the printing device (9) and from the printing device (9) toward collection elements disposed below the loader (2). At least the portion of a wall (7) with an opening (4) of the loader (2) is inclined at a positive angle relative to the transport path (8A) to give to the support (1) to be printed an inclination in the inlet direction of a first gripping region (8) of the transport path (8A). The inlet is provided with a deflector (11).

Abstract: A printer for printing identification cards, in particular, is provided with a hopper for holding a stack of cards to be printed. A card feeder will feed one card at a time from the hopper. The hopper is mounted so that it can be moved away from the card feeder and provide a space into which a single card can be manually fed to the card feeder for processing and printing. The hopper then can be returned to its normal feeding position after the single card has been printed.