Abstract: Systems and apparatus relating to motor control (e.g., for thermal transfer printing) include, according to at least one implementation, a motor control system including: a position controller to receive a demanded position (PD) input for controlling a motor; a torque controller coupled with the position controller, the torque controller to receive a torque bias (TB) input for controlling the motor; and a feedback circuit coupled with the torque controller and the position controller; wherein the feedback circuit is configured and arranged to combine an output from the position controller, the output being generated based on the demanded position (PD) input, with the torque bias (TB) input to generate a torque demand (TD) input to the torque controller.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a motor having an associated rotary position encoder, and a controller for controlling the operation of the motor, wherein the motor is switchable between a position control mode and a torque control mode.

Abstract: A method of printing including testing the status of a printhead (12) having a plurality of printing elements (14) each of which is operable to transfer a marking medium from a web (16) to a substrate (18), wherein the method includes testing the status of each printing element (14), and providing a preview of an image (30) to be printed and, in the event that the print quality of the image is inadequate owing to the position of one or more damaged printing elements (14a, 14b) relative to the image (30) to be printed, adjusting the position of a component (30a, 30b) of the image (30) relative to the printhead (12) to improve the print quality.

Abstract: A tape drive for transferring tape between a first spool and a second spool, the tape comprising at least one marker indicative of a property of the tape, the tape drive having: two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and a tape control system which includes: two motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, each motor driving a respective one of the spool supports, and a detector that is operable, in use, to detect the presence of one or more markers on a portion of a tape, the tape control system being operable to identify a property of the tape according to the detected marker or markers.

Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to printing include an apparatus including a base mounting a storage spool to store printing ribbon including a web carrying marking medium, the base mounting a ribbon take-up spool. A ribbon path from the storage to the take-up spool runs through a printing station where there is a print head, and printing is effected at the printing station when relatively moving the head and the substrate with the ribbon interposed between. The apparatus includes a movable ribbon guide member, a ribbon guide member drive device to move the ribbon guide member, and a controller which, during or in between at least some printing operations, controls drive of at least the take-up spool to advance ribbon through the printing station. The controller controls the ribbon guide member in response to an input signal representative of ribbon tension along the ribbon path to adjust the ribbon tension.