Abstract: A printer includes a print ribbon, a transfer ribbon, a printhead, and a first sensor. The transfer ribbon includes a series of panels each separated from adjacent panels by a transition portion. A section of the transfer ribbon is supported between a supply roll and a take-up roll and has a feeding direction that is toward the take-up roll. The printhead is configured to transfer print material from the print ribbon to the section of transfer ribbon. The first sensor is positioned downstream of the printhead relative to the feeding direction of the section of transfer ribbon and includes an output signal that is indicative of a position of one of the transition portions relative to the printhead.

Abstract: A card manufacturing device includes a web of laminate material, a first set of feed rollers, and a aligning roller. The first set of feed rollers is configured to feed the web along a laminate feed path. The feed rollers each include an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the laminate feed path. The aligning roller is configured to receive the web from the first set of feed rollers. The aligning roller includes a shaft having a skewed axis of rotation that is non-parallel to the axes of rotation of the first set of feed rollers, and a main roller that is supported on the shaft for rotation about the skewed axis. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the aligning roller includes a plurality of lugs that extend from the surface of the main roller to thereby form a paddlewheel.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention relating to an identification card printer include a method of calibrating a ribbon sensor for detecting transition portions between adjoining panels of a ribbon and a method of calibrating tension in a ribbon. Identification card printers in accordance with embodiments of the invention include a sensor positioned downstream of a printhead relative to a feeding direction of a ribbon; support for a printhead that is moveable between print and withdrawn positions; a swing frame supporting a first roll of a ribbon for rotation about an axis about which the swing frame pivots; an adjustable card guide in line with a print path; and a card bender including a pinch roller assembly having first and second rollers, axes of rotation of which are aligned in a plane that is non-perpendicular to a card path.

Abstract: In a method of producing an identification card, an identification card having identification (ID) information is scanned to thereby generate ID data that represents the ID information. Next, the ID information is retrieved from the ID data. Finally, an identification card print job defining an image that includes the retrieved ID information arranged in accordance with a template is formed.