Abstract: A postage meter stepper motor module for use in a postage meter of the type having a base supporting a rotatable main shaft to which a printhead is mounted. The main shaft has a number of value rods mounted to it. The outer ends of the value rods are coupled to the printhead so movement of the value rods parallel to the main shaft axis changes the chosen value print character at the printhead. The stepper motor module includes a stepper motor frame mounted to the base at a chosen position relative to the main shaft. A stepper motor is mounted to the stepper motor frame. A yoke couples the stepper motor to a chosen axial position along one of the value rods through a coupler ring. The coupler ring and yoke allow the value rod to rotate freely about the main shaft while maintaining the axial position determined by the stepper motor. The stepper motor and yoke are coupled by a rack and pinion arrangement to translate the rotary motion of the stepper motor to the linear motion of the yoke.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is used with a postage meter of the type having a base supporting a main shaft and a stepper motor drive. The stepper motor drive positions value rods carried by the main shaft according to the value of the postage to be printed. The printhead assembly includes a value module mounted to an outer end of the main shaft so to rotate with the shaft. A dater/slogan module is also mounted to the outer end of the main shaft assembly and is positioned or indexed, such as using guide pins, to the value module. The components are housed within an enclosure including a separate printhead cover assembly. The printhead cover assembly includes an opening through which the field service personnel has access to the dater/slogan module to allow the them to remove the dater/slogan module, such as for maintenance or repair, without affecting the security of the meter.