Abstract: According to the claimed invention, a positioning apparatus is disclosed. The positioning apparatus comprises a motor and a Scotch yoke for controlling the position of a first printer part. The motor is for providing a rotational motion to the Scotch yoke. In response, part of the Scotch yoke moves in a linear fashion. As a result of the linear motion of the Scotch yoke, the position of the first printer part can be controlled.

Abstract: In a marking system for stamping materials such as aluminum strip, a pulse of determined energy is supplied to a solenoid, to impart a determined kinetic energy to a die. The die is guided to dissipate substantially all of this kinetic energy in the deformation of the material being stamped. The pulse of energy applied to the solenoid may be controlled by a programmable computer, programmed to control the duration of time that a current is applied to the solenoid. The computer may control a plurality of such solenoids, controlling the times and relative numbers of operation of each of the solenoids.

Abstract: In a marking device for marking an information carrying medium, a marking tip is provided on an arm, and the arm is resiliently mounted by means of a leaf spring. In order to relieve stresses on the joints between the leaf spring and the arm, a region of the leaf spring to which the arm is affixed is bent, so that one portion of the leaf spring is affixed to the side of the arm toward the information carrying medium, and another portion of the leaf spring is affixed to the opposite side of the arm.