CN105408121A

CN105408121A - Thermal transfer printer and labelling machine

Info

Publication number: CN105408121A
Application number: CN201480037452.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.麦克内斯特里; P.哈特; G.普菲菲尔
Original assignee: Videojet Technologies Ltd
Current assignee: Videojet Technologies Ltd; Videojet Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2013-10-11
Filing date: 2014-10-10
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-10
Also published as: CN105408121B; EP3533617A1; WO2015052531A2; EP3055138B1; EP3533617B1; WO2015052531A3; EP3055138A2

Abstract

A thermal transfer printer comprising: first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support; a printhead configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate, the printhead pressing the print ribbon and substrate together against a print roller; a substrate drive configured to cause movement of a substrate past the printhead; a sensor configured to monitor rotation of the print roller and generate a signal indicative thereof; and a controller configured to determine a measure of movement of the substrate and/or ribbon past the print roller based on the signal output by the sensor.

Description

Thermal transfer printer and labelling machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to thermal transfer printer and relate to labelling machine.More specifically but not exclusively, the present invention relates to for monitoring substrate and/or the colour band technology through the motion of marking roll.The invention still further relates to printer and the method for controlling to be applied to by printhead the pressure that will perform in the print surface printing place.

Background technology

Thermal transfer printer uses and carries ink ribbon.In printing, the ink be loaded on colour band is transferred to will by the substrate that prints.In order to realize the transfer printing of ink, printhead is caught to contact colour band, and colour band is caught to contact substrate.Printhead comprises type element, and described type element is made ink be transferred from colour band and be transferred to substrate when contacting colour band when heating.Ink is transferred from being adjacent to of colour band by the region of the type element heated.By optionally heating corresponding to needing the type element of the image-region carrying out black transfer printing instead of heating to correspond to the type element not needing the image-region carrying out black transfer printing, can print images onto on substrate.

Known various factors affects print quality.Such as, importantly printhead is correctly located relative to print surface, and importantly, printhead applies convenient pressure in print surface and the colour band be folded between printhead and print surface and substrate.

In the thermal transfer printer of some prior aries, printhead is pneumatically realized by cylinder relative to the motion of print surface, and printhead is pressed into contact print surface and any substrate between printhead and print surface and colour band by described cylinder.But this layout is effective has disadvantages associated.Specifically, usually can not change immediately by printhead applied pressure, and use printer to need compressed-air actuated feasible supply.

Usual expectation accurately monitors the substrate that carries out printing place through the motion of printhead.Although described the various mechanisms for this monitoring, these mechanisms have all had its shortcoming of enclosing.

Summary of the invention

The object of some embodiments of the present invention is the thermal transfer printer providing a kind of novelty, and it alleviates or eliminates at least some in above-mentioned shortcoming.

According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of transfer printer, described thermal transfer printer comprises: the first and second roller stands, and described first and second roller stands are all configured to the reel supporting colour band; Ribbon driver, described ribbon driver is configured to realize colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent; Printhead, described printhead is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band, and described ink ribbon presses against on marking roll by described printhead together with substrate; Bulk driven device, described bulk driven device is constructed such that described substrate motion is through described printhead; Sensor, described sensor is configured to monitor the rotation of described marking roll and produces the signal showing described rotation; And controller, described controller is configured to determine described substrate and/or colour band the measuring of motion through described marking roll based on the signal exported by described sensor.

Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention provide a kind of monitor marking roll motion and use the motion of monitoring to determine the mechanism of the motion of substrate and/or colour band.Use marking roll to be favourable for this monitoring, mean thus because colour band and substrate are pressed against on marking roll by printhead, the motion of marking roll should be the good indicator of the motion of substrate and ink ribbon.That is, substrate and/or relative few (or not having perceptible) slippage should be there is between ink ribbon with marking roll.

Controller can be configured to based on the signal exported by sensor and show that the quantity of diameter of described marking roll determines described substrate and/or colour band the measuring of motion through described marking roll.

The signal exported by sensor can comprise multiple pulse.Single for marking roll rotates, and the pulse of dose known amounts can be produced by sensor.The rotation quantity (needing not to be integer) of the marking roll of monitoring known diameter provides the method straight determining linear range.

Show that the quantity of the diameter of marking roll can be the quantity of the effective diameter showing described marking roll, described effective diameter by described controller based on showing that the quantity being applied to the pressure on colour band and substrate against described marking roll by described printhead is determined.

That is, when making the rotation of marking roll be the accurate instruction of the linear movement of ink ribbon and substrate by described printhead against the described marking roll pressure be applied on ink ribbon and substrate, institute's applied pressure can affect the diameter of marking roll.Such as, when marking roll has the outer surface limited by elastomeric material (such as, the elastomeric material of such as silicon rubber), institute's applied pressure can compress this elastomeric material in the region of being pressed against by printhead of marking roll.Elastomeric material can expand in other regions of marking roll.May the particularly important is, substrate and/or colour band are through this part being caught to expand of marking roll.This can have the impact of the effective diameter reducing or increase marking roll, and the intensity of variation of diameter is determined by the pressure be applied in for given elastomeric material.Be desirably in the effective diameter determining marking roll under given applying pressure in this case, especially when the diameter of marking roll is used to the linear displacement determining substrate and/or ink ribbon.

Show that the quantity of pressure can at least in part based on the power be applied to against described marking roll by described printhead on colour band and substrate.Show that the quantity of pressure can at least in part based on the parameter of size showing marking roll.Such as, when printer can utilize the marking roll of different in width to operate, expect marking roll width to consider the applied pressure for determining and the effective diameter being therefore used for determining marking roll.

Thermal transfer printer also can comprise motor, described motor structure become to realize described printhead towards and away from the motion of described marking roll.Described controller can be configured to provide and control signal to described motor and be pressed against on described marking roll by described printhead to make described motor.Control signal can be produced or be chosen to make concrete desired pressure to be applied on ink ribbon on marking roll and substrate.

Controller can be configured to produce control signal by operating as follows: obtain the pressure that will be applied on described marking roll; And produce and will be applied to control signal on described motor with the pressure making described printhead utilize to obtain to be pressed against described print surface.

Can be that the motor of position control motor (such as, stepper motor) can be coupled to described printhead by non-resilient connection (such as, timing belt).

This elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor can be greater than the elasticity connected between described printhead with described motor drive shaft.The described elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor can be provided by the departing from of position of ordering residing for motion relative to the magnetic field in the stator of described motor and described rotor by the rotor of described motor.

Show that the quantity of the effective diameter of described marking roll can be determined based on described control signal.

Described bulk driven device can comprise and is configured to realize the substrate motor of described substrate through the motion of described printhead and marking roll.Described controller can control described bulk driven device based on the signal exported by described sensor at least in part.Described bulk driven device can comprise stepper motor, and described controller can control described stepper motor.

Also provide a kind of labelling machine, described labelling machine comprises thermal transfer printer as above.In this case, substrate is the label winding comprising the multiple labels be attached on backing paper.Described bulk driven device comprises the first and second rolls of substrate tube stents, described first rolls of substrate tube stent is configured to the reel supporting label carrying winding, and described second rolls of substrate tube stent is configured to the reel supporting the winding having removed at least some label from it.The motor of bulk driven device can drive the second rolls of substrate tube stent.

Labelling machine also can comprise the labeling station being configured to remove label from described label carrying winding, and described labeling station is positioned on the tag path between described first and second rolls of substrate tube stents.

Also provide a kind of labelling machine, described labelling machine comprises: the first and second ribbon spool tube stents, and it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band; Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize described colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent; First and second label roll tube stents, described first label roll tube stent is configured to the reel supporting described label carrying winding, and described second label roll tube stent is configured to the reel supporting the winding having removed at least some label from it; Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to the label of described label winding from described colour band, and described ink ribbon is pressed against on marking roll by described printhead together with label winding; Label roll tape drive, it is configured to realize the motion of described label winding through described printhead; Sensor, it is configured to monitor the rotation of described marking roll and produces the signal showing described rotation; And controller, it is configured to determine described label winding and/or colour band the measuring of motion through described marking roll based on the signal exported by described sensor.

According to a second aspect of the invention, provide a kind of thermal transfer printer, comprising: the first and second roller stands, it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band; Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize described colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent; Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band; Motor, its be configured to realize described printhead towards and away from the motion performing the print surface printing place, motor is coupled to described printhead by non-resilient connection; And controller, described controller is configured to provide predetermined control signal to described motor, is pressed against in described print surface by described printhead to make described motor.

Connection between described printhead and motor can be the output shaft of described motor and connecting between printhead.Assuming that connecting between motor with printhead is stiff, then the power be applied in print surface by printhead is determined by the control signal being provided to motor.When printhead is spaced apart from print surface, the motion of motor can be started.Then, the motion of motor can cause printhead to move towards print surface.Once achieve the initial contact between printhead and print surface, then order motor moves further in the same direction and the pressure be applied in print surface by printhead will be caused to increase.

Between this moving period, motor can be provided with position control signal.When motor is stepper motor, along with the pressure between printhead and print surface increases, the rotor of motor can not move in response to the instruction of moving further towards print surface.With compared with the motion of ordering, the rotor of motor can represent the movement differential of about two steps of the primary resolution ratio of motor when non-stall.The electric current being applied to the winding of stepper motor will determine wide looseness (ease), the rotor of motor can be ordered contrary direction, direction of moving to be pushed this wide looseness along with stepper motor, and higher electric current for stepper motor same movement need larger pressure.

In other embodiments, motor can be DC motor.In this case, be given in known torque-current relationship intrinsic in DC motor, the pressure be applied in print surface by printhead is the function of the electric current being applied to DC motor.

In certain embodiments, print surface can be flexible, and the pressure in this case between printhead and print surface is determined by the feature of motor and the elasticity of print surface.

Non-resilient connection can provide the synchronous driving between motor drive shaft with printhead.This allows to be applied to pressure in print surface based on the signal be applied on motor fast and effectively change by printhead.The inelastic nature connected can make the maximum flexibility provided by the internal part of motor in this system.That is, the elasticity provided by the internal part of motor is greater than the elasticity connected between printhead with motor drive shaft.This non-resilient connection can comprise timing belt.

The described elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor is provided by the departing from of position of ordering residing for motion with described rotor relative to the magnetic field produced by the stator of described motor by the rotor of described motor.That is, when motor is stepper motor, can provide elasticity by stepping position error, be there is this stepping position error by the stepping position of order motion relative to it in described rotor.It is known that for stepper motor, the moment of torsion provided at motor drive shaft place changes according to moment of torsion angle character, and described moment of torsion angle character determines how the moment of torsion provided at motor drive shaft place depends on stepping position error and change.The example of moment of torsion angle character is illustrated in fig. 11, and it can be regarded as being similar to sine wave.Can find out, when stepping position error is zero, the moment of torsion provided at motor drive shaft place is zero.This moment of torsion increases until stepping position error is full motor step, and at this some place, moment of torsion has maximum.When the increase of stepping position error becomes to exceed full motor step, moment of torsion reduces until it arrives zero at the stepping position error place of two full motor steps.

In above-mentioned structure, when motor is commanded to move to the unadapted position due to the interaction between printhead and print surface, produce stepping position error thus, and stepping position error causes motor to have such moment of torsion, described moment of torsion performance is the pressure be applied to by printhead in print surface.It is known that the moment of torsion represented changes according to moment of torsion angle character, and it is known that moment of torsion angle curve is determined by the rotor of the electric current and motor that are fed to motor and the physical dimension of stator.Will be appreciated that this description is applicable to normally used full step or micro-stepping in stepping motor control system when describing " step (number) " herein.

Timing belt for motor drive shaft being connected to printhead can be formed by bi-material, and the first material has relatively high tensile strength, and the second material has relatively low tensile strength.Second material can be deformable and/or have relatively high coefficient of friction (coefficient of friction relative to the first material).Such as, the second material can be polyurethane and the first material can be metal.Such as, timing belt can be metal tape timing belt.Metal can be steel.

Timing belt is around the first and second belt wheel transmission, motor is coupled to the first belt wheel and printhead is coupled to the second belt wheel, makes the rotation of motor cause the motion of the rotation of described first belt wheel, the motion of described timing belt and described second belt wheel.Thus, the motion of motor can be passed to printhead via the first and second belt wheels and around its timing belt transmitted.

Described printhead can be configured to rotate together with described second belt wheel, makes the rotation of described motor cause described printhead toward or away from described print surface pivotable.

Usually, motor can be configured such that printhead pivotally pivotable.Rotation around described pivot can cause described printhead towards and away from the motion of described print surface.

Described printhead can be a part for print head assembly, and described print head assembly can be installed on described motor drive shaft.Such as, motor drive shaft can extend across the installed part provided by print head assembly.

Motor can adopt any suitable form.Such as, described motor can be position control motor, such as stepper motor.

The control signal being provided to motor can be intended to make described motor against described print surface motion and the position control signal increasing the pressure between described printhead and described print surface.

Described controller can be configured to determine described control signal by operating as follows: obtain the pressure that will be applied in described print surface; And produce and will be applied to control signal on described motor with the pressure making described printhead utilize to obtain to be pressed against described print surface.

Described controller can be configured to obtain and show that described colour band and will obtain based on obtained speed and shows that described printhead should be applied to the data of the pressure in described print surface through the data of the speed residing for described printhead during printing.When the pressure that should be applied in print surface by printhead depends on print speed and changes, this may be useful.

Described control signal can be position control signal.This control signal can be provided to the motor of stepper motor, DC servo motor or any other form.Such as, when using stepper motor, control signal can be the control signal comprising step number and rotary motion direction.

Printer also can comprise sensor, described sensor be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and the signal of motion away from described print surface, wherein, described controller is configured to monitor the signal showing the motion of described printhead that receives from described sensor and determines print head position based on provided signal and the signal of monitoring.

Described printer can store the data of the relation shown between provided signal and the signal of monitoring.This relation can show signal monitored as follows, and this monitored signal should be expected and to be received in response to concrete provided signal by controller.Such as, when motor is stepper motor, the data stored can show the expection ratio be provided between the pulse of stepper motor and received sensor signal.When printhead be configured to towards and away from print surface pivotable time, sensor can be the rotary encoder for monitoring printhead rotation pivotally.

The sensor signal of monitoring that controller can be configured to based on substantially not relying on stored relation determines print head position.

Controller can be configured to work as when monitored sensor signal does not rely on stored relation substantially determines described printhead contact retainer.

Described controller can be configured to described printhead to be positioned at relative to the precalculated position described print surface.Controller can be configured to printhead to apply predetermined to move to printhead printhead to be positioned at the precalculated position relative to performing the surface printing place against print surface location.

Described controller can be configured to provide signal to described motor, realizes predetermined motion bear against in described print surface to make described printhead utilize predetermined pressure to make described printhead.That is, the motion of printhead can be determined to make printhead apply desired pressure in print surface.Such as, can provide concrete pressure and the question blank be associated that specifically moves, make concrete desired pressure can be queried the motion determining to make.

Controller can be configured to determine to be applied to the pressure in print surface by printhead with the relation stored by comparing monitored sensor signal.Then, thisly the control signal that can be used to determine to be provided to motor is compared.Thus, can provide closed-loop control system, it is configured such that printhead utilizes predetermined pressure to bear against in print surface.

According to a third aspect of the invention we, provide a kind of thermal transfer printer, comprising: the first and second roller stands, it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band; Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent; Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band, and described printhead can move towards and leave the print surface performing and print place; Sensor, its be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and leave the signal of actual motion of described print surface; And motor, it is configured such that described printhead moves relative to described print surface; And controller, it is configured to: provide and be intended to realize the signal of described printhead relative to the motion of described print surface to described motor; Monitor the signal showing the actual motion of described printhead received from described sensor; And determine print head position based on provided signal and the signal of monitoring.

A third aspect of the present invention produces based on being provided to the signal of motor and showing the information of print head position from both signals that sensor receives.When motor ordered motion when but its retard motion hinders, by exist by the motion of ordering and the difference between the motion that senses.This species diversity can be used to determine that printhead is in its retard motion and hinders residing position.

According to a forth aspect of the invention, provide a kind of thermal transfer printer, comprising: the first and second roller stands, it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band; Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent; Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band, and described printhead can move towards and leave the print surface performing and print place; Sensor, its be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and leave the signal of actual motion of described print surface; Motor, it is configured such that described printhead moves relative to described print surface; And controller, it is configured to the absolute position determining described printhead based on the signal of the actual motion showing described printhead.

Therefore, a fourth aspect of the present invention can allow the information based on the relative motion showing printhead to determine the information relevant to printhead absolute position in space.

Any feature described in context in one aspect of the invention can be applied to other aspects of the present invention.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Now only with reference to accompanying drawing, specific embodiments of the invention will be described in an illustrative manner, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view comprising printing according to printer of the present invention and labelling machine;

Fig. 2 is the view of the part that the printer of Fig. 1 is shown with further detail view, wherein for the sake of clarity removes substrate;

Fig. 3 is the perspective view of the print head assembly of the printer of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the substituting view of the print head assembly of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram of the controller of the parts of the printer being configured to control chart 2;

Fig. 6 is flow chart, and it shows the control of printhead relative to the position of print surface with high-level;

Fig. 7-9 is the flow charts of the part that the process of Fig. 6 is shown with further detail view;

The schematic diagram of parts that Figure 10 is controller and is connected thereto;

Figure 11 is the example of the contrast of the moment of torsion for the stepper motor angle character discussed above.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to figure 1, show printing and labelling machine, wherein label roll carrying material to be arranged on label supply side reel 1 and to be transmitted through labeling station 2 and to arrive label and collect reel 3.Label roll carrying material comprises multiple label, and described label is attached on backing paper and labeling station is configured to remove label from backing paper, label is attached to and is transmitted through in the packaging of labeling station 2.Then, backing paper is collected reel 3 by label and is collected.

Motor 4 is coupled to label via belt drive (not shown) and collects reel 3, causes collecting the rotation of reel 3 thus and therefore causes label winding to arrive through labeling station 2 motion that reel 3 collected by label from label supply side reel 1.

Labeling station 2 comprises thermal transfer printer, and thermal transfer printer to be configured to when the label of label winding is through labeling station 2 and to print at described label before backing paper is removed at it.Illustrate in greater detail thermal transfer printer in fig. 2.

With reference to figure 2, carry an ink ribbon and be arranged on colour band supply side reel 5, collect reel 7 by colour band collect through print head assembly 6.Colour band supply side reel 5 is driven by stepper motor 8, and colour band is collected reel and driven by stepper motor 9.In the embodiment shown, colour band supply side reel 5 is installed on the output shaft 8a of its stepper motor 8, and colour band is collected reel 7 and is installed on the output shaft 9a of its stepper motor 9.Stepper motor 8,9 can be arranged for ease of and operate in push-pull mode, wherein collects reel 7 so that stepper motor 8 rotates colour band supply side reel 5 to release colour band when collecting adhesive tape when stepper motor 9 rotates colour band.In this arrangement, the tension force in colour band can be determined by the control of motor.In applicant's US Patent No. 7,150 more early, describe this layout transmitting adhesive tape between the reel of thermal transfer printer in 572, the content of the document is incorporated into herein by reference.

In other embodiments, colour band otherwise can be sent to colour band from colour band supply side reel 5 through print head assembly 6 and collect reel 7.Such as, only colour band is collected reel and can be driven by motor, and colour band supply side reel 5 is arranged for ease of the resistance providing antagonism ribbon motion, realizes the tensioning of colour band thus.That is, in certain embodiments, the motor 8 driving colour band supply side reel 5 may be there is no need for.The resistance of antagonism ribbon motion can be provided by the slippage clutch apparatus on supply side reel.In certain embodiments, the motor for driving colour band supply side reel 5 and colour band to collect reel 7 can be the motor except stepper motor.Such as, the motor for driving colour band supply side reel 5 and colour band to collect reel 7 can be direct current (DC) motor.Generally, the motor for driving colour band supply side reel 5 and/or colour band to collect reel 7 can be that moment of torsion controls motor (such as, DC motor) or position control motor (such as, stepper motor or DC servo motor).

The colour band of being released by colour band supply side reel 5 before print head assembly 6 through guide reel 10.Colour band around another guide reel 12 through before guided by the ribbon guides 11 of print head assembly 6, and collect reel 7 by colour band subsequently and collect.

In certain embodiments, the rotation of guide reel 12 is monitored in the mode similar to the mode described in European patent EP 0814980 in early days, to determine the diameter of one of colour band reel 5,7.In particular by the rotation of monitoring guide reel 12 and interested reel, the ratio rotated can be determined.When knowing the diameter of guide reel 12, the diameter of interested reel then can be determined.But contrary with the method described in EP0814960, interested reel can't rotate scheduled volume.But interested reel rotates to cause guide reel to rotate scheduled volume.Thus, the predetermined rotation of guide reel can be equivalent to the monitoring rotation of interested reel, to allow the diameter determining interested reel under the prerequisite of known diameter providing guide reel.

Print head assembly 6 comprises printhead 13, and colour band and label winding 14 are pressed against on marking roll 5 to realize printing by this printhead.Printhead 13 is the thermal printing heads comprising multiple type element, and each type element is configured to remove ink image element from colour band and deposited to substrate by removed ink image element.Print head assembly 6 is installed to substrate (not shown) for pivotally 16 rotations, allows printhead 13 to move towards or away from marking roll 15 thus.For this purpose, print head assembly comprises the belt wheel 17 with 30 teeth.Conveyer belt 18 transmits around belt wheel 17 and transmits around the driving wheel 19 with 23 teeth.Driving wheel 19 is installed on the output shaft 20a of stepper motor 20, make the rotation of stepper motor 20 cause the rotation of driving wheel 19, thus cause the motion of conveyer belt 18 and cause belt wheel 17 rotate subsequently and printhead 13 towards or away from the motion of marking roll 15.In one embodiment, conveyer belt 18 is the Synchroflex ATSGenIII timing belt come from the Conti Synchroflex series of ContiTechAG, and described conveyer belt has the length of 300mm and the width of 10mm.Stepper motor 20 can be 86mm frame size mixing stepper motor, such as, can buy from Portescap and Part No. is the stepper motor of 34H118D30B.

Be well known that, timing belt should by tensioning suitably to guarantee proper operation and long-life.

Stepper motor 20 to be installed in printer period, stepper motor 20 is installed to the substrate of printer via a pair fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23, and screw 20e is released.Fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23 includes spring 22a, 23a and bracket 22b, 23b.Bracket 22b, 23b are all connected on its respective springs 22a, 23a, and this end by each spring is received by corresponding first hole 22c, the 23c in respective brackets 22b, 23b and realizes.Second end of each spring 22a, 23a is connected to substrate via respective screws.Each bracket is also connected to the shell 20b of stepper motor 20 via screw.

Because stepper motor 20 is installed to substrate via fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23, fexible bias pressure mechanism applies power on stepper motor 20.Thus, described power is biasing force, and it works to be promoted by second end of stepper motor 20 towards spring 22a, 23a.

Be installed to substrate due to print head assembly 6 and promoted towards second end (it is connected to substrate) of spring by fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23 due to stepper motor, when screw 20e unclamps, bias mechanism works to be promoted away from print head assembly 6 by stepper motor, thus tensioning conveyer belt 18.Therefore, conveyer belt 18 can be tensioned to by fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23 specifically expects tension force, and screw 20e can be tightened with the concrete expectation tension force kept during the operation of printer in conveyer belt 18.When screw 20e is tightened, fexible bias pressure mechanism does not affect for the tension force in the position of motor or conveyer belt 18.

Although will be appreciated that fexible bias pressure mechanism comprises spring 22a, 23a and bracket 22b, 23b, any suitable bias voltage mechanism can be used to carry out positioning stepper motors 20 to allow conveyer belt tensioning suitably before screw 20e is tightened.In addition, it will also be understood that, the power that the tension force in conveyer belt 18 is applied on stepper motor 20 by fexible bias pressure mechanism is determined.Therefore be configured to apply different power to the fexible bias pressure mechanism on stepper motor 20 by using, conveyer belt can by differently tensioning.Such as, bracket 22b, 23b of fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23 comprise second hole 22d, 23d.The first end of spring 22a, 23a is relative from first hole 22c, 23c to described second hole 22d, 23d() connection differently extend by what realize spring 22a, 23a and therefore realize the different power that are applied on stepper motor, and therefore realize the differential tension in conveyer belt 18.Such as, if spring 22a, 23a are extension springs, then the first end of each spring 22a, 23a is arranged on the larger elongation that will cause spring 22a, 23a in second hole 22d, 23d of each bracket 22b, 23b compared with the elongation of spring when being received in when first end in first hole 22c, 23c.This will cause the larger power of fexible bias pressure mechanism applying to stepper motor 20 and therefore in conveyer belt, have larger tension force.

When fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23 is constructed such that proper screw 20e is tightened stepper motor 20 is fastened to substrate in the position determined by fexible bias pressure mechanism 22,23, conveyer belt 18 is inelastic in its performance.

Print head assembly 6 limits around the degree of rotation of pivot 16 by first and second point, contacts marking roll 15 at first place's printhead 13, at the opposite side contact retainer 21 of second point place print head assembly 8.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrates in greater detail print head assembly 8.Printhead 13 is attached to support plate 25.Ribbon guides 11 is plugged between printhead 13 and support plate 25, as Fig. 2 best shown in, ribbon guides works with along its Route guiding colour band.Support plate 25 comprises attachment members 26, and this attachment members is magnetically attached to axle 27 via magnetic attachment component 28 then.Attachment members 26 comprises two passages 29, and described passage is all configured to receive respective pivot 30.In use, in passage 29 only one be provided with lining, make attachment members around received pivot 30 pivotable in the channels, another pivot 30 has the gap for moving in its respective channel.Attachment members 26(and therefore printhead 13) pivoting action limited by two end stop 31.Printhead is around the proper alignment of ability permission during printing between printhead 3 and marking roll 15 of one of them pivot 30 pivotable, and this is important for the printing guaranteeing good quality.

In order to ensure the printing of good quality, expect greatly about being applied pressure to printhead 13 by the center of label printed.There is provided two passages 29 can be changed to the label being more optimally applicable to narrower width by authorized pressure point.In order to obtain the optimum when printing on narrower label, also narrower marking roll can be used.

Print head assembly 6 also comprises cable guiding elements 32, and it provides the facility of cable to connect up, and described cable provides signal to printhead 13.

Axle 27 is configured to pivotally 16 rotations.Print head assembly 6 is provided with magnetic element 33, and the rotation of this magnetic element is monitored by magnetic encoder (not shown).Thus, can monitor the print head assembly 6 that caused by the motion of conveyer belt 18 pivotally 16 rotation.The magnetic multi-pole ring of magnetic element can be the Part No. supplied by AustriaMicrosystems be AS5000-MR20-44.Encoder can be spin magnetization position sensor, and it is also supplied by AustriaMicrosystems and Part No. is AS5304.

Be described above, motor 20 works printhead 13 is moved towards with away from marking roll 15.Motor 20 also works to control printhead 13 and is applied to pressure on marking roll 15.The control of institute's applied pressure is important, because this is the factor affecting print quality.

Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram of the parts be included in the control of print head position and pressure.Stepper motor 20 is controlled by microcontroller 50, and this microcontroller is from memory 51 reading command.Encoder 52 sends a signal to controller, described signal show print head assembly 6 pivotally 16 rotary motion.Controller provides signal to motor 20.

The control of print head position by the control realization of stepper motor 20 and pressure is described with reference to Fig. 6.Step S1 to S3 represents initialization procedure.In step sl, motor 20 is controlled to rotary actuation wheel 19 and moves to make conveyer belt 18 and belt wheel 17, and therefore makes print head assembly pivotally 16 rotations.This motion continues, until print head assembly 6 is in it against retainer 21(Fig. 2) position.In step s 2, perform calibration process to determine that how stepper motor 20 corresponds to through the motion of a step pulse that encoder 52 transmits, described encoders monitor print head assembly 6 pivotally 16 rotation.In step S3, motor 20 rotates to make print head assembly 6 move to origin position, and it is still spaced apart with retainer that this origin position is positioned proximate to retainer 21.

When the labelling machine of Fig. 1 is powered, just perform the initialization procedure of step S1 to S3.

In step S4, when printer is configured to online, print head assembly moves to ready-to-print position, and this ready-to-print position is closer to marking roll 15.In order to perform printing, printhead moves to print position from ready-to-print position in step s 5.At print position, printhead bears against on marking roll 15, to apply pressure to thus on marking roll 15 (or in use apply pressure to be folded on colour band between printhead 13 and marking roll 15 and substrate).

When completing printing, this process proceeds to step S4 from step S5 and turns back to ready-to-print position to make print head assembly 6 thus.When printhead is arranged on off-line mode, this process proceeds to step S3 from step S4, makes print head assembly 6 be back to its origin position.

Fig. 7 illustrates in greater detail the process of the step S1 to S3 of Fig. 6.In step S6, stepper motor 20 is moved a step or multistep along transporting towards the corresponding direction of moving of retainer 21 with print head assembly 6 by order.In step S7, the step number that monitoring motor 20 moves and monitoring print head assembly 6 pivotally 16 the pulse that produces of the encoder 52 of rotation between ratio.In step S8, determine whether monitored ratio deviates from desired ratio significantly.This departing from is considered to mean, print head assembly 6 can not pivotally 16 freely to rotate, because print head assembly 6 has arrived retainer 21, hinders the further motion of print head assembly thus.If determine determined ratio do not deviate from desired ratio, then make the determination of print head assembly against retainer 21 in step S8, and this process continues in step S9.Noly be back to step S6 in this process, wherein revolution is to make printhead move towards retainer 21.

In one embodiment, when printhead can freely move, the ratio between expection motor step number and encoder pulse number is 1:3.4, and wherein motor step number is 1/4th steps of the primary resolution ratio of motor.This ratio considers 1/4th step numbers in the revolution of gear drive and the motor provided by driving wheel 19 and belt wheel 17 and the quantity of encoder pulse in the revolution of belt wheel 17.It is well established that when encoder pulse number ratio desired by lack at least two ten one or more time this ratio deviate from desired value.That is, if moved 10 steps, then can be contemplated that and will receive 34 encoder pulses.If but receive 14 or less encoder pulse, then determine printhead 13 and freely can not move and retainer 21 can be contacted on the contrary.

When determining print head assembly 6 in step S6 against retainer (the monitored ratio based between motor step number and encoder pulse), then this process proceeds to step S9, in step S9, motor is along contrary direction (that is, making print head assembly 6 move away from retainer 21) predetermined step number of moving.Then this process proceeds to step S10, and in step S10, the process of step S6 to S9 repeats one or many.This is the position in order to ensure determining retainer exactly.When repeating the process of step S6 to S9 in step slo, in one embodiment may it is well established that when encoder pulse number ratio desired by lack at least ten two or more time this ratio deviated from desired value.Be used as a part of step S10 based on quantity less in processes, print head assembly starts from the motion of relatively known starting position (when the process first time being different from step S8 is performed).

When the process of step S6 to S9 repeats abundant number of times, this process proceeds to S11 from step S10.It should be noted that from the process of step S9, print head assembly 6 is positioned to the motor step number of distance retainer 21 predetermined quantity.This is called as the origin position of print head assembly 8.By accurately finding the position of retainer (being realized by the reprocessing of step S6 to S9), accurately limit this origin position relative to the position of retainer 21.

In step S11, motor, by the step number (x step) of ordering along making print head assembly 6 to rotate predetermined quantity further from the direction that retainer 21 moves, then back rotates the step number (that is, arrival origin position) of equal number towards retainer 21.When performing this movement, the number of pulses produced by encoder is counted.The step number of predetermined quantity is selected such that print head assembly 6 moves towards marking roll 15, but does not make printhead arrive marking roll 15.That is, when motor movement is through the step number of predetermined quantity, the motion of print head assembly 8 is not interrupted.In one embodiment, the step number of predetermined quantity is along each direction 25 step.After motor stop motion, applied to postpone (such as, 250ms) to guarantee that the motion of belt wheel 17 before the encoder pulse obtaining this quantity stops before the reading of capturing and coding device pulse.

The quantity of the encoder pulse produced during stepper motor 20 moves across the step number of predetermined quantity along both direction is used to produce the renewal ratio between motor step number and encoder pulse.In certain embodiments, determined ratio can with previously demarcates process during be processed to determine in process described below by the average ratio used together with determined ratio.In one embodiment, three determined ratios are used as the basis of the determination of mean value.

In step s 12, verification is made to determine that whether upgraded ratio is interior (such as at the preset range of nominal rating (such as, above-mentioned ratio 1:3.4), in 5% or 10%), if situation is not like this, then this process proceeds to step S13, produces error message in step S13.This is because in all operations situation, can be contemplated that the ratio of motor step number and encoder pulse can reasonably near certain nominal rating (such as, being 1:3.4) in this example.

If determined ratio is in the preset range of nominal rating, then this process proceeds to step S14 from step S12.Determine whether determined ratio changes fully from nominal rating at this.But it should be noted that renewable nominal rating (being 1:3.4 in the examples described above) during processing.Particularly, whenever the process by step S11 produces ratio in the preset range of current nominal value, can produce nearest four by the mobile population mean of ratio determined, and then this moving average can replace nominal rating.The nominal rating of this renewal is used to need in whole parts of this process of the relation known between stepper motor step number and encoder pulse.Change fully from nominal rating if situation is determined ratio, then in step S15, repeat step S6 to S10 to guarantee position and the therefore origin position by means of making the position of retainer 21 accurately to know retainer 21 divided by the ratio of encoder pulse based on the step number be precisely determined.

Turn back to Fig. 6, the process of Fig. 7 corresponds to the step S1 to S3 of Fig. 6.Fig. 8 shows the process relevant to the step S4 of Fig. 6.

With reference to figure 8, in step S19, stepper motor is ordered motion to make printhead move to ready-to-print position.First operation in, this position be defined as relative to printhead contact retainer residing for position predetermined step number (such as, 91 1/4th steps).Afterwards, motion arrives the ready-to-print position previously determined.

In step S20, stepper motor 20 is rotated along the direction making print head assembly 6 move towards marking roll 15 by order.Stepper motor 20 rotate process step number and the quantity of encoder pulse recorded between ratio monitored and be used to determine whether printhead 13 has arrived marking roll 15 in step S22 in step S21.This determine be based on refer step S8 in the similar process of above-described process, specifically, show from the departing from of expection ratio of step number and encoder pulse, the retard motion of print head assembly 8 hinders, and is because print head assembly has contacted marking roll 15 specifically.When there is the difference with 12 encoder pulses of expection ratio, determining print head assembly 6 and having reached marking roll 15.Such as, supposition is the ratio that 1 step contrasts 3.4 encoder pulses when print head assembly freely moves again, if the motion of 10 steps is equivalent to be less than 22 encoder pulses, then makes the contact with marking roll 15 by determining.

When print head assembly 6 not yet arrives marking roll 15, this process is back to step S20 from step S22 and continues as described above.When determining print head assembly in step S22 and having arrived marking roll 15, stepper motor in step S23 along contrary direction (namely, print head assembly 6 is moved away from marking roll 15) step number of motion predetermined quantity, be called as ready-to-print position from marking roll 15 this position isolated.This position can be restricted to the position arrived by making stepper motor 20 move across 15 1/4th steps.

Once be in ready-to-print position, controller is configured to order motor 20 rotates predetermined quantity step number towards marking roll 15, and this step number is determined by the pressure that will be applied in.Being previously determined by experience corresponding to the step number of concrete pressure and being stored in question blank, make during the operation of printer, when expecting concrete pressure, control order stepper motor rotates through corresponding step number.

Such as, have been found that the departing from of 12 encoder pulses as above referred to causes applying the pressure of 3.5kg to marking roll 15 by print head assembly 6 In one arrangement.Thus, order stepper motor 20 is to make print head assembly 6 towards marking roll motion to leave step number that marking roll 15 moves to arrive the pressure that ready-to-print position will cause applying 3.5kg.Have been found that 5 steps more than applying again can cause applying the pressure of 7.9kg.

Pressure to be applied in can be defined as the percentage of the pressure that will be applied under concrete substrate speed by user.The pressure of 50% can be considered to specified.In this case, the process of Fig. 9 is used.

In step S24, obtain print speed.In step S25, obtain user's input that the percentage showing to be applied in prints power.In step S26, determine the power that will be applied in, and obtain stepper motor 20 in order to apply this power should move the step number of process.In step S27, motor movement, through predetermined step number, applies determined power to marking roll 15 to make printhead 13.

Printer can store the data of minimum pressure (user to 0% inputs relevant) and the maximum pressure (user with 100% inputs relevant) shown when receiving concrete user and inputting, by the pressure determining to be applied in from stored minimum pressure and the linear interpolation of the maximum pressure stored.Suitable specified (that is, 50%) pressure is 500mms in print speed ^-1in time, is 8kg and is 100mms in print speed ^-1time be 4kg.

During the operation of printer, stall detection system can be used.When the beginning of each printing, make received encoder pulse number and motor and ordered comparing between the step number that moves across.This and motor are ordered the expection ratio between step number and encoder pulse moving and experience to compare.When 1/4th substeps are used to the control of motor, if by the step number of ordering and there is difference more than 8 1/4th steps, then supposition stepper motor stall between the encoder pulse that receives.Therefore suppose that motor has moved across the more or less step number of step number of being moved by order than its institute, and 16 1/4th steps therefore by adding or deduct many times upgrade the current location of stepper motor, until the ratio between step number and encoder pulse falls in the scope of eight 1/4th steps of expection ratio.This allows the position of monitoring stepper motor more accurately.Then, realize the whole of stepper motor based on the position upgraded to move subsequently.Will be appreciated that the stall detection system describing type in this paragraph can be applicable to any layout usually, in this arrangement, encoder provides the information by the actual motion providing step number to stepper motor to cause.

Back with reference to figure 1, during labeling operation (wherein first label is printed and be then removed from backing paper), be coupled to the rotation that label collects the motor 4 of reel 3 and cause label winding 14 through the motion of labeling station 2.It is desirable that, the motion of label winding can be accurately monitored to determine the distance that the linear speed of label winding 14 and/or label winding have moved across.

Figure 10 is the schematic diagram of the controller 100 of the rotation controlling motor 4.The sensor 115 relevant to marking roll 15 provides and shows that its signal rotated is to controller 100, and it is used to provide label winding 14 through the precise monitoring of the motion of printhead 13 and marking roll 15, as described in more detail below.Controller 100 can control the rotation of motor 4 in any way as suitable, but also can use from sensor 115 receive signal as feedback signal to provide the closed-loop control for motor 4.

Marking roll 15 comprises the stainless steel shaft that diameter is 8mm, and is coated with silicone rubber coating, and this silicone rubber coating has the Shore A hardness of 50-55 and the thickness of 2.75mm.The main purpose of marking roll 15 is to provide backing support part, and colour band and label winding 14 are pressed against on described backing support part so that the hot transfer printing be implemented on label prints by printhead 13.Thus, marking roll 15 is used as dull and stereotyped roller.When advancing when the rotation of collecting reel 3 that label winding 14 causes by means of the rotation by motor 4, marking roll 15 is caught to rotate.The rotation of marking roll 15 is label winding 14 good instructions through the motion of printhead 13, and this is especially because be pressed against printhead 13 applied pressures on marking roll 15 by label winding 14.

Marking roll is coated with aforementioned silicone rubber and there is following effect, when label winding 14 to improve the uniformity of the rotation of marking roll 15 when moving in label supply side reel 1 and the label path of collecting between reel 3 along it.This contributes to making the rotation of marking roll 15 as the accurate instruction of label winding through the motion of printhead 13 again.

In a specific embodiment, marking roll 15 is provided with magnet (such as, the Part No. BMN-35H that the Bomatec in conspicuous by Switzerland sells), and the end that this magnet is installed in marking roll 15 rotates jointly to make itself and marking roll 15.Then, sensor 115 adopts the form of encoder chip (the Part No. AMS5040 sold by amsR & DUKLtd), and described encoder chip is measured magnet and therefore measured the rotation of marking roll 15 and export and show that the signal of this rotation is to controller 100.Signal comprises multiple pulse, and controller 100 has the knowledge of the predetermined pulse quantity exported in the individual pen of marking roll 15 rotates by sensor 115.This knowledge can be stored in the memory 101 relevant to controller 100.This signal exported by sensor 115 by controller 100 for monitoring label winding moving along label roll belt path.The diameter of marking roll 15 be controller know (and can again be stored in memory 101).In one embodiment, marking roll 15 has the diameter of 13.5mm.The diameter knowing marking roll 15, know at marking roll 15 individual pen revolution in the number of pulses that produced by sensor 115 and knowing by controller 100 from after the number of pulses that sensor 115 receives, controller 100 is by determining that the linear range corresponding with the monitored rotation of marking roll 15 is to determine that label winding has moved across the linear range of printhead 13.

Preferably, marking roll 15 be as far as possible rigidity to make it can not deflect under the force of impression coming from printhead 13, stainless steel is the suitable material of the axle for marking roll 15 thus.That is, applied the silicon rubber coated by marking roll 15 will be made to be out of shape with pressure ink ribbon and label winding 14 are pressed against on marking roll 15 by printhead 13.Such as, compressed in the part that silicon rubber can be pressed against at the printhead 13 of marking roll 15, but can be expanded in another part of marking roll 15.This changes making the diameter of marking roll 15, and the deformation extent of this silicon rubber change of diameter (and therefore) is determined by printhead 13 applied pressures.The general impacts of institute's applied pressure can be the diameters increasing or reduce marking roll 15.When the constant area of marking roll 15, printhead 13 applied pressures by motor 20 driven (Fig. 2) the step number of process determine, it determines the power being applied to marking roll 15.Thus in use, the diameter of marking roll 15 may depend on that motor 20 makes printhead 13 be applied to the pressure on marking roll 15 and change.

When the linear displacement of label winding 14 is determined in the rotation by monitoring marking roll 15, first controller 100 is determined (to know this pressure when knowing the step number that motor 20 is instantaneously driven across by printhead 8 applied pressure, and this pressure can be expressed as motor 20 and rotate the step number experienced relative to reference position), and use determined pressure to determine the diameter of the marking roll 15 caused by institute's applied pressure to change.The diameter change of concrete pressure can be determined by query manipulation.The data be queried are produced in advance by experiment, and wherein the diameter needles of marking roll is measured to each (it can be expressed as motor 20 expediently and rotate the step number experienced relative to reference position) in the multiple pressure applied by printhead 13.Such as, when the power of 10kg being applied to the marking roll 15 of known width by printhead 13, this may have the effect making the diameter of marking roll 15 increase by 2.5%.Will be appreciated that interpolation can be used as a part for query manipulation when determined pressure is not exactly corresponding to the value be stored.

After the change of the diameter based on institute's applied pressure determination marking roll 15, the un-compressed diameter being stored in the marking roll 15 in memory 101 is modified based on the data obtained from query manipulation, to determine the effective diameter of marking roll 15.Then, use the effective diameter of the marking roll 15 based on institute's applied pressure when determining the linear range corresponding with the rotation quantity of marking roll 15, this rotation quantity is determined based on the signal provided by sensor 15 and the known number of pulses in the individual pen revolution of marking roll 15.

In the part of aforementioned explanation, power and quoting of pressure are used interchangeably.When the surface that printhead 13 is pressed against has constant area, will be appreciated that power and pressure are directly proportional, make pressure can be defined as applied force in practice.But, institute's applied pressure (and therefore, the compression degree of silicon rubber) will depend on that printhead 13 applies pressure to the width (that is, extending to the size in the paper plane of Fig. 2) of the marking roll 15 on it.Pressure is (for the power of given applying, by motor 20 driven the step number that experiences determine) larger then roller is narrower, and therefore the compression degree of silicon rubber is also like this, and vice versa, above it should be noted that described printer is provided for the ability of two installation sites (illustrating best in figures 3 and 4) of printhead 13 and the width of change marking roll.Thus, controller 100 additionally can process the information of the width showing the marking roll 15 that printhead 13 is pressed against and use this width information to determine the effective diameter of marking roll 15.

Various controller has been described in aforementioned explanation (especially with reference to figure 5 and 10).Will be appreciated that the function belonging to described controller is performed by single controller or by the controller of multiple separation.It will also be understood that, each described controller self can provide by single controller device or by multiple control device.Each control device can adopt any suitable form, comprises ASIC, FPGA or microcontroller, and it reads and performs the instruction be stored in memory that controller connects.

Although be described above various embodiment of the present invention, will be appreciated that the amendment that can make for these embodiments and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Particularly, above with reference to printing in label winding, but will be appreciated that above-mentioned technology can be applied to prints on any substrate.

Claims

1. a thermal transfer printer, described thermal transfer printer comprises:

First and second roller stands, described first and second roller stands are all configured to the reel supporting colour band;

Ribbon driver, described ribbon driver is configured to realize colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent;

Printhead, described printhead is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band, and described ink ribbon presses against on marking roll by described printhead together with substrate;

Bulk driven device, described bulk driven device is constructed such that described substrate motion is through described printhead;

Sensor, described sensor is configured to monitor the rotation of described marking roll and produces the signal showing described rotation; And

Controller, described controller is configured to based on the signal exported by described sensor and shows that the quantity of diameter of described marking roll determines described substrate and/or colour band the measuring of motion through described marking roll;

Wherein, show that the quantity of the diameter of described marking roll is the quantity of the effective diameter showing described marking roll, described effective diameter by described controller based on showing that the quantity being applied to the pressure on colour band and substrate against described marking roll by described printhead is determined.

2. thermal transfer printer according to claim 1, wherein, the quantity showing described pressure is at least in part based on the power be applied to against described marking roll by described printhead on described colour band and substrate.

3. thermal transfer printer according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, the quantity showing described pressure is at least in part based on the parameter of size showing described marking roll.

4., according to thermal transfer printer in any one of the preceding claims wherein, also comprise motor, described motor structure become to realize described printhead towards and away from the motion of described marking roll; Wherein, described controller is configured to provide and controls signal to described motor and be pressed against on described marking roll by described printhead to make described motor.

5. thermal transfer printer according to claim 4, wherein, described controller is configured to determine described control signal by operating as follows:

Acquisition will be applied to the pressure on described marking roll; And

Generation will be applied to control signal on described motor with the pressure making described printhead utilize to obtain to be pressed against described print surface.

6. the thermal transfer printer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, described motor drive shaft is coupled to described printhead by non-resilient connection.

7. thermal transfer printer according to claim 6, wherein, this elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor is greater than the elasticity connected between described printhead with described motor drive shaft.

8. thermal transfer printer according to claim 7, wherein, the described elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor is provided by the departing from of position of ordering residing for motion relative to the magnetic field in the stator of described motor and described rotor by the rotor of described motor.

9. the thermal transfer printer according to any one of claim 6 to 8, wherein, shows that the quantity of the effective diameter of described marking roll is determined based on described control signal.

10. according to thermal transfer printer in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein, described bulk driven device comprises and is configured to realize the substrate motor of described substrate through the motion of described printhead.

11. according to thermal transfer printer in any one of the preceding claims wherein, and wherein, described controller controls described bulk driven device based on the signal exported by described sensor at least in part.

12. thermal transfer printers according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, described bulk driven device comprises stepper motor, and described controller controls described stepper motor.

13. 1 kinds of labelling machines, described labelling machine comprises according to thermal transfer printer in any one of the preceding claims wherein, wherein said substrate is the label winding comprising the multiple labels be attached in backing winding, described bulk driven device comprises the first and second rolls of substrate tube stents, described first rolls of substrate tube stent is configured to the reel supporting label carrying winding, and described second rolls of substrate tube stent is configured to the reel supporting the winding having removed at least some label from it.

14. labelling machines according to claim 13, also comprise the labeling station being configured to remove label from described label carrying winding, and described labeling station is positioned on the tag path between described first and second rolls of substrate tube stents.

15. 1 kinds of labelling machines, described labelling machine comprises:

First and second ribbon spool tube stents, it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band;

Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize described colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent;

First and second label roll tube stents, described first label roll tube stent is configured to the reel supporting described label carrying winding, and described second label roll tube stent is configured to the reel supporting the winding having removed at least some label from it;

Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to the label of described label winding from described colour band, and described ink ribbon is pressed against on marking roll by described printhead together with label winding;

Label roll tape drive, it is configured to realize the motion of described label winding through described printhead;

Sensor, it is configured to monitor the rotation of described marking roll and produces the signal showing described rotation; And

Controller, it is configured to based on the signal exported by described sensor and shows that the quantity of diameter of described marking roll determines described label winding and/or colour band the measuring of motion through described marking roll;

Wherein, show that the quantity of the diameter of described marking roll is the quantity of the effective diameter showing described marking roll, described effective diameter by described controller based on showing that the quantity being applied to the pressure on described colour band and substrate against described marking roll by described printhead is determined.

16. 1 kinds of thermal transfer printers, comprising:

First and second roller stands, it is all configured to the reel supporting colour band;

Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band;

Motor, its be configured to realize described printhead towards and away from the motion performing the print surface printing place, motor drive shaft is coupled to described printhead by non-resilient connection, makes this elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor be greater than the elasticity connected between described printhead with described motor drive shaft; And

Controller, described controller is configured to provide predetermined control signal to described motor, is pressed against in described print surface by described printhead to make described motor.

17. thermal transfer printers according to claim 16, wherein, the described elasticity provided by the internal part of described motor is provided by the departing from of position of ordering residing for motion relative to the magnetic field in the stator of described motor and described rotor by the rotor of described motor.

18. thermal transfer printers according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, described non-resilient connection is provided in the synchronous driving between described motor and described printhead.

19. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 18, and wherein, described non-resilient connection comprises timing belt.

20. thermal transfer printers according to claim 19, wherein, described timing belt is metal tape timing belt.

21. thermal transfer printers according to claim 19 or 20, wherein, described timing belt is around the first and second belt wheel transmission, described motor is coupled to described first belt wheel and described printhead is coupled to described second belt wheel, makes the rotation of described motor cause the motion of the rotation of described first belt wheel, the motion of described timing belt and described second belt wheel.

22. thermal transfer printers according to claim 21, wherein, described printhead is configured to rotate together with described second belt wheel, makes the rotation of described motor cause described printhead toward or away from described print surface pivotable.

23. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 18, and wherein, described motor is configured such that described printhead pivotally rotates, the rotation around described pivot cause described printhead towards and away from the motion of described print surface.

24. thermal transfer printers according to claim 23, wherein, described printhead is a part for print head assembly, and described print head assembly is installed on described motor drive shaft.

25. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 24, and wherein, described motor is position control motor.

26. thermal transfer printers according to claim 25, wherein, described motor is stepper motor.

27. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 26, and wherein, described print surface is elastic surface.

28. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 27, and wherein, control signal is intended to described motor is moved in described print surface and increases the position control signal of the pressure between described printhead and described print surface.

29. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 28, and wherein, described controller is configured to determine described control signal by operating as follows:

Acquisition will be applied to the pressure in described print surface; And

30. thermal transfer printers according to claim 29, wherein, described controller is configured to:

Obtain and show that described colour band and will obtain based on obtained speed and shows that described printhead should be applied to the data of the pressure in described print surface through the data of the speed residing for described printhead during printing.

31. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 30, and wherein, described control signal is position control signal.

32. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 31, also comprise sensor, described sensor be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and the signal of motion away from described print surface, wherein, described controller is configured to monitor the signal showing the motion of described printhead that receives from described sensor and determines print head position based on provided signal and the signal of monitoring.

33. thermal transfer printers according to claim 32, also comprise: the data storing the relation shown between provided signal and the signal of monitoring.

34. thermal transfer printers according to claim 33, wherein, the sensor signal of monitoring that described controller is configured to based on substantially not relying on stored relation determines print head position.

35. thermal transfer printers according to claim 34, wherein, described controller is configured to work as when monitored sensor signal does not rely on stored relation substantially determines described printhead contact retainer.

36. according to claim 16 to the thermal transfer printer according to any one of 35, and wherein, described controller is configured to described printhead to be positioned at relative to the precalculated position described print surface.

37. thermal transfer printers according to claim 36, wherein, described controller to be configured to described printhead to be positioned in described print surface and to apply predeterminedly move to described printhead described printhead to be positioned at the pre-position relative to performing the surface printing place.

38. thermal transfer printers according to claim 36 or 37, wherein, described controller is configured to provide signal to described motor, bears against in described print surface to make described printhead utilize predetermined pressure with the predetermined motion realizing described printhead.

39. 1 kinds of thermal transfer printers, comprising:

Ribbon driver, it is configured to realize colour band from described first volume tube stent to the motion of described volume Two tube stent;

Printhead, it is configured to ink to be optionally transferred to substrate from described colour band, and described printhead can move towards and leave the print surface performing and print place;

Sensor, its be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and leave the signal of actual motion of described print surface; And

Motor, it is configured such that described printhead moves relative to described print surface; And

Controller, it is configured to: provide and be intended to realize the signal of described printhead relative to the motion of described print surface to described motor; Monitor the signal showing the actual motion of described printhead received from described sensor; And determine print head position based on provided signal and the signal of monitoring.

40. 1 kinds of thermal transfer printers, comprising:

Sensor, its be configured to transmit show described printhead towards and leave the signal of actual motion of described print surface;

Controller, it is configured to the absolute position determining described printhead based on the signal of the actual motion showing described printhead.