A printer includes a supply-side roll, a winding roller, a detector, a printing assembly, a conveying roller, and an adjuster. The supply-side roll is formed by winding an ink ribbon around a delivery roller. The winding roller winds the ink ribbon. The detector detects a change in tension of the ink ribbon. The printing assembly prints on a printing medium via the ink ribbon stretched between the supply-side roll and a collection-side roll formed by winding the ink ribbon. The conveying roller winds the ink ribbon and rotates in a direction in which the ink ribbon is wound by the winding roller. The adjuster adjusts, based on the change in the tension of the ink ribbon, a frictional force applied between the conveying roller and the ink ribbon and keeps constant tension of the ink ribbon passing through the printing assembly.

A printer includes a supply-side roll, a winding roller, a detector, a printing assembly, a conveying roller, and an adjuster. The supply-side roll is formed by winding an ink ribbon around a delivery roller. The winding roller winds the ink ribbon. The detector detects a change in tension of the ink ribbon. The printing assembly prints on a printing medium via the ink ribbon stretched between the supply-side roll and a collection-side roll formed by winding the ink ribbon. The conveying roller winds the ink ribbon and rotates in a direction in which the ink ribbon is wound by the winding roller. The adjuster adjusts, based on the change in the tension of the ink ribbon, a frictional force applied between the conveying roller and the ink ribbon and keeps constant tension of the ink ribbon passing through the printing assembly.

A tape drive comprises a spool support (30) for supporting a tape spool (32), wherein the spool support comprises a support surface (34) mounted to a tape drive base plate (36) such that the support surface (34) is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate (36), the support surface (34) being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool (32), the spool (32) rotates relative to the spool support (30) such that the spool (32) rotates around the support surface (34).

A tape drive comprises a spool support (30) for supporting a tape spool (32), wherein the spool support comprises a support surface (34) mounted to a tape drive base plate (36) such that the support surface (34) is fixed against rotation relative to the base plate (36), the support surface (34) being configured such that, in use, as tape is removed from or wound onto the spool (32), the spool (32) rotates relative to the spool support (30) such that the spool (32) rotates around the support surface (34).

A printer includes a printing unit having a printing head and a platen positioned opposite the printing head, the printing head being configured to print on a print medium that is fed between the printing head and the platen, a ribbon holding shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon that is wound thereon, a ribbon winding shaft configured to wind and collect the ink ribbon supplied from the ribbon holding shaft, and first and second guide shafts provided along a feeding route of the ink ribbon between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft to apply tension to the ink ribbon. At least one of the first and second guide shafts has a tilt adjuster that applies a twist to the ink ribbon in a width direction of the ink ribbon through said at least one of the first and second guide shafts.

A printer includes a printing unit having a printing head and a platen positioned opposite the printing head, the printing head being configured to print on a print medium that is fed between the printing head and the platen, a ribbon holding shaft configured to hold an ink ribbon that is wound thereon, a ribbon winding shaft configured to wind and collect the ink ribbon supplied from the ribbon holding shaft, and first and second guide shafts provided along a feeding route of the ink ribbon between the ribbon holding shaft and the ribbon winding shaft to apply tension to the ink ribbon. At least one of the first and second guide shafts has a tilt adjuster that applies a twist to the ink ribbon in a width direction of the ink ribbon through said at least one of the first and second guide shafts.

A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG. 2

A tape support arrangement comprises a tape take up core (220) suitable for supporting a tape; and a tape supply core (210) suitable for supporting a tape (230). The supply core (210) comprises an inner surface (212), the inner surface defining an internal volume (240) of the supply core and being configured for engagement with a tape drive support. The take up core (220) is sized and shaped such that it can be located in the internal volume (240) of the supply core (210). Refer to FIG. 2

Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include a printer assembly. An example printer assembly may include a printer ribbon drive mechanism. An example printer drive mechanism may include a drive wheel, a connector, a spring, and an actuator. An example actuator may be configured to translate from a first axial position to a second axial position. An example spring may be configured to apply a greater force when an actuator is disposed in the first axial position than when the actuator is disposed in the second axial position. The example method may also include a motor to apply a torque to a drive wheel.

There is provided a printing apparatus which includes a base, a movable member which is movably held by the base, to be movable along a first direction which is parallel to the base, a spring which applies a bias to the movable member, at one side in the first direction, a bearing which is supported by the movable member, a roller which is rotatably supported by the bearing, and is extended in a second direction orthogonal to the base, and which guides the ink ribbon, a first detection target member which is provided to the roller, to be rotatable integrally with the roller, and a first sensor which is provided to the movable member, and is facing the first detection target member, and which detects rotation of the first detection target member.