Brady Worldwide Corp.

Daniel K Workman

Scott C Milton

David T Gale

Douglas R Kremers

Richard P Fisher

A method of determining the position of a label media and printing to the label media based on the label media position is disclosed. The method includes using an encoder to track the position of the label media. As the label media advances during printing, an encoder shaft rotates with an encoder traction roller upon which the label media rides. As the encoder shaft rotates, optical reflections that occur within the encoder are interrupted, each interruption corresponding to a desired media travel distance. When the optical reflection is interrupted, the encoder sends a signal to the controller, which then sends a control signal to fire the printhead, and consequently the label media is thermally printed. The system is useful in thermal printer systems to provide more accurate position information of the label media, and consequently, more accurate printing. In this manner, with the encoder tracking the motion of the media, the timing of the printing of the label media is determined upon the actual position of the label media itself.

Encoder-based control of printhead firing in a label printer

Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling cutting depth of a label media such that the depth of cut is media-specific, that is, specific to the media being cut. The method includes: providing a plotter cutter and a force-generating mechanism; providing a memory device for electronic communication with the plotter cutter, the memory device having a label media-specific value stored thereon; reading the label media-specific value from the memory device; converting the label media-specific value to a label media-specific current signal; providing a label media-specific current based on the label media-specific current signal; applying the label media-specific current to a force-generating mechanism; generating a label media-specific cutting force based on the label media-specific current; and transferring the label media-specific cutting force to the plotter cutter to control plotter cutting at the label media-specific cutting depth. The methods and systems work towards eliminating waste or scrap plotter test cuts by plotter cutting a label media using information from, for example, a memory device associated with a label media supply. The methods and systems obviate the need for manual resetting of plotter cutter depth from one label media to another.

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Zimmerman, MN, United States of America

Daniel K Workman