Tape drive and method of operation of a tape drive
First Claim
1. A method of controlling tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferrable between a first spool and a second spool by a tape drive, the tape drive having a motor control system which includes two DC motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, the tape drive also having two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors, the method including only one tension setting step during a printing operation, wherein the printing operation includes a printing phase in which ink is transferred from the tape to a substrate, and a non-printing phase in which the tape is accurately positioned relative to the substrate such that the tape is positioned in a desired position for a subsequent printing operation to begin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferable between a first spool and a second spool by a tape drive, the tape drive having a motor control system which includes two DC motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, the tape drive also having two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors, the method including only one tension setting step during a printing operation.
44 Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A method of controlling tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferrable between a first spool and a second spool by a tape drive, the tape drive having a motor control system which includes two DC motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, the tape drive also having two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors, the method including only one tension setting step during a printing operation, wherein the printing operation includes a printing phase in which ink is transferred from the tape to a substrate, and a non-printing phase in which the tape is accurately positioned relative to the substrate such that the tape is positioned in a desired position for a subsequent printing operation to begin.
- 16. A method of controlling tension in a tape, wherein the tape is transferable between a first spool and a second spool by a tape drive, the tape drive having a motor control system which includes two DC motors and a controller for controlling the operation of the motors, each motor being operable in a first control mode, in which position is a dominant control parameter and a second control mode, in which torque is the dominant control parameter, the tape drive also having two spool supports, each of which is suitable for supporting a spool of tape, and each of which is driven by a respective one of the motors, the method including only one tension setting step during a printing operation, wherein the printing operation includes a printing phase in which ink is transferred from the tape to a substrate, and a non-printing phase in which the tape is accurately positioned relative to the substrate such that the tape is positioned in a desired position for a subsequent printing operation to begin, the tension setting step taking place when at least one of the motors is in the second control mode.
Specification