A printer with a single motor system to match torques between ribbon supply and ribbon take-up is provided. The printer comprises a ribbon supply spindle, a take-up ribbon spindle, sensors to output ribbon width and diameter at ribbon supply, and a sensor which outputs ribbon diameter at ribbon take-up. The printer is provided with a drive system providing rotation to the ribbon supply via tension on the ribbon loaded on the ribbon supply spindle and taken-up on the take-up ribbon spindle. Firmware, communicatively linked to the sensors and the drive system, is configured to calculate ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, to calculate the torque required on the ribbon on the ribbon take-up spindle to match the ribbon tension at the take-up spindle to the ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, and to adjust the drive system to match these torques.

A printer with a single motor system to match torques between ribbon supply and ribbon take-up is provided. The printer comprises a ribbon supply spindle, a take-up ribbon spindle, sensors to output ribbon width and diameter at ribbon supply, and a sensor which outputs ribbon diameter at ribbon take-up. The printer is provided with a drive system providing rotation to the ribbon supply via tension on the ribbon loaded on the ribbon supply spindle and taken-up on the take-up ribbon spindle. Firmware, communicatively linked to the sensors and the drive system, is configured to calculate ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, to calculate the torque required on the ribbon on the ribbon take-up spindle to match the ribbon tension at the take-up spindle to the ribbon tension at the ribbon supply spindle, and to adjust the drive system to match these torques.

A method for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.

A method for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.

The present disclosure relates to a rotary adjuster, including: a housing, a rotary knob mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis (A) on the housing; an optical detection device for detecting a rotary position of the rotary knob and a coding shutter moving synchronously with the rotary knob, wherein the detection device has an optical transmitter and an array of optical receivers, and wherein the coding shutter and the detection device are designed to detect the rotary position of the rotary knob by means of the number of the receivers of the array illuminated by the transmitter and/or by means of an illumination intensity of one or more receivers of the array.

The present disclosure relates to a rotary adjuster, including: a housing, a rotary knob mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis (A) on the housing; an optical detection device for detecting a rotary position of the rotary knob and a coding shutter moving synchronously with the rotary knob, wherein the detection device has an optical transmitter and an array of optical receivers, and wherein the coding shutter and the detection device are designed to detect the rotary position of the rotary knob by means of the number of the receivers of the array illuminated by the transmitter and/or by means of an illumination intensity of one or more receivers of the array.

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 (P.sub.D) input for controlling a motor; a torque controller coupled with the position controller, the torque controller to receive a torque bias (T.sub.B) 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 (P.sub.D) input, with the torque bias (T.sub.B) input to generate a torque demand (T.sub.D) input to the torque controller.

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 (P.sub.D) input for controlling a motor; a torque controller coupled with the position controller, the torque controller to receive a torque bias (T.sub.B) 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 (P.sub.D) input, with the torque bias (T.sub.B) input to generate a torque demand (T.sub.D) input to the torque controller.

A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.

A disclosed media processing device includes a lid hingedly attached to the base movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, wherein a cavity is defined between the base and the lid; a platen roller to form a first nip with a printhead, wherein media having a backing is to travel through the first nip; a modular peeler configured to remove the backing from the media downstream from the first nip, the modular peeler including a peel roller to form a second nip with the platen roller, wherein the backing is to travel through the second nip after being removed from the media.