Drive control system for imprinting apparatus

Abstract

The mailing machine includes a print drum and shutter bar assemblies and a transport system for receiving seriately and assuming displacement control over envelopes from a feed means. The mailing machine drive control system is a microcomputer in control of a first stepper motor which is a driving communication with the transport system, a second motor in driving communication with the print drum assembly and a third motor in driving communication with the shutter bar assembly. A speed sensing means inform the microcomputer of the incoming velocity of an envelope and a trigger sensing means informs the microcomputer of the relative position of the envelope with respect to the transport system and printing station. The microcomputer is programmed to determine the peak drum speed relative to the speed of an incoming envelope and a preselected pitch distance between successive envelopes. Subsequent to the transport system assuming control over the envelope, the microcomputer causes the transport system to speed adjust to a speed equivalent to the peak drum speed and, further, subsequent to indicia printing by the postage meter print drum, causes the transport system to speed adjust to the previously determined IN-SPEED. The microcomputer causes the print drum and shutter bar to displace in a defined manner pursuant to a defined velocity profile under controlled accelerations such that the envelopes displacement relative to the printing station is synchronous with the peak drum speed for indicia printing by the print drum at the printing station.